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Japan, Phones, and Toys
by Darren Pierce : Radar, Radar! : 11.24.04 9:38am EST
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Japanese cell phone users, long used to a bevy of high-tech features that remain a distant dream in most western countries, have another modern miracle at their service. Users of DoCoMo phones with integral cameras may take advantage of "Amazon Mobile", allowing them to scan (via photograph) the bar codes of products on shelf, get a price quote from Amazon.co.jp, and place an instant order.
Amazon Jp has created the ultimate way to inject themselves amongst their competition, although one might imagine if you're already standing in the store in front of the product, Amazon's prices would have to be pretty low indeed to get you to hold off on the old immediate gratification. (Amazon Jp asks customers to "mind their morals" when standing in someone's store.)
Nonetheless, with the ability to scan and buy from the "world's largest selection" of books, games, video, and toys, literally anywhere, this may be the ultimate way to "keep up with the Tanakas" by ordering copies of all your buddy's loot while sitting in his living room.
Amazon Jp has created the ultimate way to inject themselves amongst their competition, although one might imagine if you're already standing in the store in front of the product, Amazon's prices would have to be pretty low indeed to get you to hold off on the old immediate gratification. (Amazon Jp asks customers to "mind their morals" when standing in someone's store.)
Nonetheless, with the ability to scan and buy from the "world's largest selection" of books, games, video, and toys, literally anywhere, this may be the ultimate way to "keep up with the Tanakas" by ordering copies of all your buddy's loot while sitting in his living room.