
[Seoul & TOKYO =Whowired] Apr
26, 2012—NHN Japan Corporation announced on April 26 the opening of the
"Sticker Shop" for its free calling and free messaging app
"LINE" (http://line.naver.jp/), where you can purchase stickers (some
available for free) featuring popular characters from around the world.
Furthermore, on top of the usual
features that allow the exchange of text, location info, images, emoji
(pictograms) and stickers, a new function which allows users to send video and
audio files via LINE's chat room has been released.
LINE is a smartphone app which
allows users to enjoy free calls and messages to one another, both nationally
and internationally, regardless of which mobile network provider they are
using. Currently, it is used by over 30 million users in 231 countries
worldwide, including 13 million users in Japan. The stickers (LINE's original
communications feature using ultra-expressive character icons) allow users to
enjoy communication with friends and family without the necessity of text, and
have been proving very popular. It helps aid communication to go beyond the
boundaries of country and language and is being well received throughout the
world.
As well as stickers with LINE's
original characters, the new "Sticker Shop" functions as an online
store and offers other stickers featuring popular characters from around the
world. At the time of release, there will be a total of 15 sets on offer,
taking the total number of available stickers to 784.
Of course stickers are available
for regular purchase. However, Android users can also send them as gifts to
other users via LINE. By exchanging these stickers with other close friends, we
believe that this will lead to further promote and increase communication
amongst users.
As well as the "Sticker
Shop", a new function which allows users to send video and audio files via
LINE's chat room has been introduced (audio messages of up to 180 seconds and
video footage of up to 90 seconds). In addition to the existing functions such
as sharing photos with ease, these new features allow users to leave
voice-mails and video messages, creating a new freedom of use.
As one of the world's leading
global messaging services, LINE will continue to improve the user-friendliness
of its services.
About NHN Japan Corporation
NHN Japan is the local affiliate
of Korea's premier Internet company, NHN Corporation. NHN Japan is
headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, with Akira Morikawa as CEO.
About the Sticker shop
*The Sticker Shop is available for
use on smartphones only.
*Stickers purchased or received as
gifts from the Sticker Shop can be used/viewed on the smartphone and PCs as
well as smart-tablet browser versions of LINE.
SOURCE NHN Japan Corporation
RELATED LINKS
http://line.naver.jp