LAS VEGAS, NV–(Marketwired – Jan 9, 2014) – Leap Motion and BB Softservice Corp. (a SoftBank group company) today announced a broad partnership that greatly extends Leap Motion’s presence in the global marketplace by leveraging SoftBank Group’s multi-channel reach as a leading telecommunications and internet corporation.
Leap Motion’s technology makes it possible for people to use finger and hand movements in the air to play, create and explore in more natural and dynamic ways on computers and other devices. Since launching in the United States just six months ago, over 100,000 developers have downloaded Leap Motion’s free software developer kit to create unique experiences for the Leap Motion Controller.
Japan represents a key market for Leap Motion. The company to date has already seen incredible interest from Japanese developers and consumers. Without having a retail presence or localized online Leap Motion store in the country, Japan is the third largest market for web sales of the Leap Motion Controller. Japan also holds the third highest rank for developer downloads of the Leap Motion SDK and second highest rank of Leap Motion social media mentions.
The partnership between Leap Motion and BB Softservice includes three tiers:
Exclusive Japanese Retail Distribution
Through the strategic partnership, BB Softservice will act as Leap Motion’s exclusive Japanese retail and online distributor. BB Softservice will distribute the Leap Motion Controller through SoftBank BB into its authorized network of leading retailers and online resellers throughout Japan and provide translated materials. For the Japanese launch, Leap Motion created a special Japanese localized version of its software and initially will be sold through Amazon Japan with plans to expand into additional retailers throughout 2014.
Telecommunications Channel and Enterprise Channel Development
The Leap Motion Controller has gained momentum not only in consumer markets, but in enterprise markets as well. BB Softservice will leverage the various business and communication channels of SoftBank Group (a key sales channel of IT products for corporate customers) to bring the Leap Motion Controller to a wide range of businesses.
Mobile and Licensing Partnerships
BB Softservice will collaborate closely with Leap Motion to expand OEM business opportunities for PC, Mobile, and Gaming markets. This partnership will also help attract an even broader range of Japanese developers to make dedicated apps for the Leap Motion platform.
“We’re extremely proud to partner with BB Softservice as we enter the Japanese market,” said Michael Buckwald, Leap Motion CEO and Co-founder. “SoftBank Group’s unparalleled infrastructure and support provide a powerful opportunity for growth as we continue to expand worldwide.”
“We are very pleased to be a strategic partner in the Japanese market for Leap Motion,” said Yasuo Mizoguchi, BB Softservice President. “We are enthusiastic about spreading this innovative technology to the Japanese market.”
“Creating applications for the Leap Motion Controller has been an incredible experience,” said Naomitsu Kodaka of the world’s largest anime community site Tokyo Otaku Mode. “The tools and documentation make it easy for us to work with 3D hand and finger movements in the air. It’s an amazing innovation and we’re coming up with new ideas all the time.”
About Leap Motion
Leap Motion™ provides a revolutionary new way for people to play, create, explore and learn with their computers. Leap Motion’s proprietary technology, invented by co-founder David Holz, can track the in-air movement of both hands and all 10 fingers with incredible accuracy and no visible latency. The Leap Motion Controller is a small USB device. The California based company was founded in 2010 by David Holz and Michael Buckwald.
About BB Softservice Corp.
BB Softservice corp. is wholly owned subsidiary of SoftBank BB, and is responsible for the development and sales of software services for consumers and enterprise. These services are distributed via Softbank group, large-scale ISPs, and PC vendors.
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