Ideazon, SoftBankBB and ASK have launched the Zboard in Japan
Ideazon will initially launch its PS2 version of the Zboard with games key sets such as the DOOM3, EverQuestII and Medal of Honor Pacific Assault. The first order is estimated to be several hundred thousand dollars. The Zboard is to be sold in leading retailers such as 塑odobashi Camera・in Shinjuku and Tokyo痴 Electric Town痴 (Akihabara) retailer 禅sukomo・and others.
The Zboard, which was fully localized to Japanese, will for the first time allow the Japanese gamers a unique user experience, as gamers have enjoyed in the US for the past year. 銑ocalizing the Zboard was a real challenge', said Oren Kramer, founder of Ideazon, 'as not only should it meet the characteristics of the Japanese OS, but it should also meet the different configurations of each and every game・
Mr. Nir Shafrir, CEO of Ideazon, indicated that 奏he deal was concluded thanks to the enthusiasm of SoftBankBB and ASK. Harel-Hertz, which serves as our local office in Japan, has managed not only to bring all parties together to the negotiations table, but also guided Ideazon in the steps required to complete the localization processes and meet the Japanese requirements'.
Mr. Eran Harel, Director of Business Development at Harel-Hertz in Tokyo said that selecting SoftBankBB was neither by chance nor by coincidence, and that HIH targeted SoftBankBB, with hope that through Yahoo!BB, the largest ISP in Japan, SoftBankBB could eventually offer its 4.3 million subscribers with a unique Yahoo!BB Zboard.
About Ideazon, Ideazon, founded in May 2000 in Israel, and currently headquartered in Canada, is an innovator in the design and development of next generation gaming keyboard systems. The company was founded by gaming enthusiasts who saw the need for a keyboard system that would allow consumers to very quickly learn and master complex games and business applications. Ideazon developed the versatile Zboard, the world痴 first gaming keyboard system with an interchangeable interface.
About SOFTBANK BB, SOFTBANK BB was established in January 2003, as the largest company within the SOFTBANK Group. It engages in the provision of broadband infrastructure and services as well as in technical development, marketing, sales, and support for 添ahoo! BB・ a comprehensive broadband service with Japan痴 largest subscriber base of 4.5 million. In addition to 添ahoo! BB・ SOFTBANK BB offers a wide variety of broadband communications infrastructure and services and integrated support for cutting edge technology, products, services, and operations.
About ASK. ASK Corporation, founded in 1981, (Also known as ASK Kodansha), is a major Japanese publishing and development house for computer software, console videogames, language textbooks, and movies. ASK Corporation has distribution and partnership agreements with some of the world痴 leading hardware manufacturers including NEC, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Sony, IBM and Hitachi. ASK痴 expertise encompasses the marketing, sales and support of advanced technology in a range of fields including IT lifecycle solutions for any size enterprise.
About HIH, Harel-Hertz Investment House Ltd. (HIH), with offices in Tel Aviv and Tokyo, is a business development consulting company and investment boutique, specializing in setting up and promoting business activity between Japan and Israel. HIH assists Japanese and non-Japanese parties in establishing and expanding market presence in Japan and Israel and also assists in raising funds in Japan. Mr. Elchanan Harel, President of HIH recently received the honorable decoration, 'The Order of The Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon' by the Japanese Government.
