Technology - Main

Google starts Nexus 7 tablet, content sales in Japan

25 Sep 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Google Inc launched its Nexus 7 tablet in Japan, as well as local language movies and books, in what has rapidly become one of its biggest global markets for digital downloads.

Japan is the first country in Asia outside Australia to sell the 16-gigabyte device, which went on sale online Tuesday for 19,800 yen ($250) and will be available in retail stores on October 2. The device is already available in France, Germany, Spain, Canada, the UK and the United States, according to Google.

Japan has rapidly embraced the smartphone, with devices running Google's Android operating system tripling in the past year, according to Google. Google said that Japan now ranks third in terms of downloaded applications from its Play store.

Google makes most of its money from advertising and with the rise of mobile users, is seeing increasing traffic to its YouTube video website. In Japan and South Korea, more than half of YouTube downloads are from mobile devices, some of the highest ratios in the world.

Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, attended the launch and later told a briefing that growth in the smartphone market would lead to a boom in new startup companies in Japan focused on shopping.

"It is the defining platform and the defining battle in our industry," he said.

While Google has long lagged Yahoo Japan in the domestic search market, in launching the tablet and downloadable content, it has stolen a march on Amazon.com Inc, which has yet to launch its own Kindle in Japan. Local player Rakuten Inc launched its own e-reader device, the Kobo, in July.

The primary challenge has been persuading local content providers to share content. Google said that in addition to the movies for rent it has offered Japanese consumers, it would for the first time sell movies from Sony Corp and Paramount.

In addition, Google will begin providing Japanese-language book titles on Google Play. The Android system allows users to read the same titles and pick up where they lift off on another device.

The global tablet market is dominated by Apple Inc and its iPad, which represented about 70 percent of global sales in the second quarter, and also includes Barnes & Noble Inc's Nook and Samsung Electronic's Galaxy Tab.

(Reporting by James Topham, Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Matt Driskill)

(Source : Reuters)

Technology - Main

Google starts Nexus 7 tablet, content sales in Japan

Most Popular Articles

People have complete right to lie: Kottahachchi

Hybrid vehicle import tax based on engine capacity will reduce costs, satisfy all

Sri Lankan jailed for murdering wife with axe in front of their children

Namal responds to allegations of preferential treatment in law exam

IMF agrees to raise income tax threshold: President

RW praises AKD

LATES'T NEWS

Sharp increase in financial frauds during festive season: SLCERT

SLPP decides on legal action over reducing MR’s security

18-hour water cut in Western Province starting tomorrow

NMRA, SPC, SPMC, MSD must take responsibility of continuous supply of quality medicines: Minister

STF to be deployed to control power cable thefts during night