I was really surprised today when I learned that while the iPhone is insanely popular hear in North America (and consequently expensive), it is neither popular nor expensive in the country of Japan. Now, I know that the Japanese people have a reputation for being very tech forward and tech savvy, so I wondered why the iPhone isn’t a hit over there? Do they perhaps have a better new gadget that we are unaware of?
Well, according to Softbank the iPhone has failed to take off in Japan because it doesn’t include a video camera, or video send option, and those are major staples that Japanese citizens like to have in their mobile phones. Also, there may be a tendency of the citizens to lean toward home grown products, such as those from Sony and other Japanese brands.
There’s actually quite a big promotion going on in order to try and sell mobile phones, and at some retailers in Japan iPhones can actually be had for free, with just a basic two year plan required. Intersting stuff.
Some people just seem to have steely nerves like few others! Eric Scott, a daredevil out of Denver is certainly one of these individuals. You see, Scott has just accomplished a unique feat like no other — he used a jet pack to fly across the Royal Gorge In Colorado. The pack was fueled with hydrogen, and propelled Scott approximately fifteen hundred feet over the gorge.
What made this event particularly dangerous is that the jet pack is still in the testing stages, and can only run for approximately thirty three seconds — so Scott had to move fast! The pack was designed in Denver by Eric Scott, and can reach speeds topping seventy MPH. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the gorge? It’s an over one thousand feet free fall to the bottom.
If you know me, then you know that I just love the iPhone and its many applications. I mean, there truly is a app for just about anything you can think of! The possibilities are endless. Lately I’ve been trying out a few different fitness related apps, and have to say that I’m having a great time with them. The apps I’m liking the best are actually free and made by a company called ITMP, so if you want to drop a few pounds you might consider them.
The apps are neat as they provide an analysis of various factors when you’re working out. For example, you can set them to track data such as calories burned, fat burned, heart rate and so on. It’s neat because I use my iPhone not only to listen to music while I work out, but also I have the app running to let me know just how productive my workout has been. Cool huh?
