Whether we’ve visited Japan or not (I haven’t, truly hope I do some day!), we’re all aware that a large share of the wildest and most wonderful technologically advanced gadgets are born there. As a result, mobile phones are available with a range of features and plans that could send even the geekiest Westerner’s head spinning!

To help the masses select their next device, “Japan is to start licensing cellphone “sommeliers” to guide consumers through complicated functions as mobile telephones become ever more advanced, an official said Monday.”

According to the information provided, these trained specialists would be independent from operators or manufacturers, serving as genuine advisers rather than glorified sales people, exempt from the usual targets which cause sales people to pressure buyers into picking the highest margin mobile phone and plan.

Whether this philanthropic goal will remain free from bias towards certain operators or manufacturers remain to be seen, but the idea of providing the masses with guidance is a great one.

[Via Emily at Textually.org]

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at 9:15 am and is filed under Mobile devices. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.