Twitter is one of the most popular social networking websites on the internet. Some argue that it has passed it’s peak but in my mind Twitter is unique and useful enough to be around for a while. It is my most used social networking website mainly because it is the first site of it’s kind of I managed to actually do any social networking with anyone. Ameba is a Japan based blogging service with millions of users, think of it as the WordPress or Blogger of Japan but with a few other peripheral services like a Youtube-like video sharing service.
Ameba Now Micro-Blogging
Ameba ãªã† is exactly like twitter with a 140 character limit for messages and almost identical layout, but one of the unique features is the ability to use smilies in messages which is a good thing seeing that Japan is addicted to anything cute.
Good for Practicing Japanese?
My Japanese, or specifically my understanding of kanji is nowhere near the level to understand the Ameba Now service but I am thinking this new service could be an interesting tool for learning to read, understand and recognize Japanese characters. Until then feel free to follow me on Twitter where I hope to start tweeting more in (very basic) Japanese.
Via – Asiajin and Japan Trends
If it’s that similar I wonder if they’ll face any copyright infringement lawsuits from Twitter? Also, I heard that Facebook recently patented the “feed”, which could have some interesting ramifications.
As I develop my understanding of Japanese, I’ll be looking out for ways to interact with real Japanese speakers so I can continue to improve. This sounds like a great way to do it, but maybe sometime in the future.
I also think Twitter is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It’s becoming ingrained in our society as a method for customer feedback, link-sharing, promotion, and a great, non-committal way to interact with other people.
Facebook patented “Feed” man thats not very good. Twitter is awesome and here to stay.
I haven’t seen the backend but I think the emoticons element of it is awesome! Makes posting from a cellphone great and easy since the graphics can just be plopped in — and it looks like most users post from a mobile device. Most of my Japanese friends who use twitter always post from their phones too.
really looking into using this in the near future
Awesome! I think I’ll have to try it out too. Look forward to hearing your impressions once you’ve used it =)
This looks cool i especially like the little avatars!!
I think you should give Ameba a try, you can always use some translation tools, if it gets too hard. But I’m sure you’ll manage to find your way and can give us some feedback when you’re in the system [jamaica]
definitely will need a translation tool. look out maybe a future blogpost on my experience using it will show up
Twitter did pretty well in Japan. The nice thing about kanji is it is how much you can type with it that you can get much more than 140 characters in. Though having Ameba as it’s competitor would likely reduce their marketshare.
I think ameba is focused only for japanese but there are more Twitter users. ^^
I must admit, i have come to like using Twitter. [smile]
I’d never heard of Ameba (even as a blogging service) so thank you so much for the info ^^ I might check this out, I do think it’d be a decent learning tool!
Twitter is long, gone, and dead. Ameba keeps growing and growing 😀
Hey there,
Stumbled upon your blog while searching for a japanese microblogging 🙂 I’m actually creating myself an AMEBA account. Care to join me there? I’m also studying japanese and think we could help each other? 🙂
Anyway, keep going, your blog is awesome 🙂
Peace from a French Japan-lover guy [japan] [love]
Ｗｈï½ï½”’ｓ　ｙï½ï½•ï½’　Ｕｓｅｒｎï½ï½ï½…？
[smile]
Hi.
I just created my ameba account.
I’m studying Japanese too.
Can you tell me your ameba page?
I need custom twitter graphics made up, do you do that type of design work by any chance?
I love ameba! Now is a great add-on to it as well! I’ve added a link to my ameba profile if you want to take a look! It’s not that great as I’m not that good at Japanese yet but it’s taught me lots already.
My Now/ãªã† posts aren’t that interesting but it does give me a chance at practicing my Japanese.
I do use google translate a lot though I’m sad to say because I can’t read kanji. (luckily kanji doesn’t translate as badly as full sentences!
[japan]
iam from indonesia
iam want to sigh in ameba, but i don’t know how !!!
i can’t japan laguage !!!
if anyone wants to help me?
Hey, have you sign in ameba?
If not, I might be able to help you.
I just created my ameba blog yesterday.
Japanese loves twitter so bad *grin*
I just created ameba blog and ameba now.
Still confused though. LOTS of kanji.
But yeah, I think it’ll be great to practice using Japanese.