iLounge

Takeshi Natsuno, developer of Japan’s first Internet cell phone service, i-mode, has praised the iPhone in an interview with the AP, saying that his country’s cellular manufacturers could “never” produce such a device. “This is a great device,” Natsuno said while holding his iPhone 3G. “This kind of device cannot be produced by Japanese manufacturers. Never.” Natsuno, who left Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo three months ago, described current Japanese cellular executives as conservative, and lacking the creative sensibilities of Apple CEO Steve Jobs. “They have to take a risk,” he said. “To do that, clear direction, clear vision, clear leadership are necessary.” Although Natsuno is obviously enthusiastic about the iPhone’s ease of use and multi-touch interface, he admits to carrying a DoCoMo handset as well, because the iPhone lacks some Japan-centric features such as wallet phone capability.