After Zaboru began inviting famous people he knew, the media soon caught wind that the new AKAI Phones were also created by ZAGE. When journalists dug deeper, they discovered that Zaboru owned 40% of AKAI shares, making him the majority shareholder. This meant that AKAI, which was owned by ZAGE, was effectively producing phones as part of the ZAGE product line—and so far, ZAGE products had never disappointed.
But not everyone was happy. When the media interviewed Jorma Ollila for his opinion, he scoffed and remarked, "ZAGE should stick to toys and games and leave the phone industry alone. Not everyone can survive in this business for real." His statement divided opinion—many agreed with Jorma's skepticism, while Zaboru's fans defended him, saying the phones were unique and they were eager to see more.
On 8 May 1995 in Tokyo, Japan, Zaboru prepared to unveil the AKAI Z1 for the very first time. The event drew a star-studded crowd, with many famous figures in attendance, along with a fortunate audience able to witness the showcase live. Television cameras from networks around the globe were also present, broadcasting the moment as the world watched with intense curiosity to see what the owner of ZAGE had created in the realm of phones.
The audience waited eagerly as the stage filled with many familiar faces: Bill Gates, the founder and CEO of Microsoft; Walt Disney; Michael Jackson; Hikaru Kurata; and many others. Before long, Zaboru appeared on stage, dressed in a sleek black suit. He greeted the audience with a warm smile, instantly capturing their attention.
"Hello everyone, I hope you're all doing well today. As for why I'm here—let's just say I want to introduce you to AKAI's new phone, the AKAI Z1. It's a phone that's not only for making calls." Behind Zaboru, the screen displayed the sleek design of the AKAI Z1.
"And this is our phone. It is built with a revolutionary new design where the antenna is no longer an awkward protrusion sticking out as an attachment. Instead, we placed it seamlessly inside the body of the phone, making the device far more pleasing to the eye and giving it a sleek, modern look that sets it apart from everything else on the market," Zaboru said with a confident smile, holding the device up for everyone to see. "Notice also that the screen is larger than on most phones, yet the phone itself is actually smaller and thinner, which makes it much easier to carry around without discomfort."
He turned the device over in his hand, letting the light catch its smooth surface before slipping the AKAI Z1 effortlessly into his suit pocket. "See? It fits completely inside a suit pocket without bulging or sticking out. That's something incredibly practical—whether you're at work, traveling, or simply moving around your day. It's discreet, stylish, and functional all at once." Zaboru gave a small nod, then added, "This is what we believe a modern phone should feel like: not just a tool, but an accessory that blends with your lifestyle."
The audience gasped, clearly fascinated and leaning forward in their seats to take in every detail of the sleek new design. Excited whispers spread across the hall as people pointed at the smooth lines and modern look of the phone, their curiosity and anticipation rising with each passing moment. Then with a confident pause, Zaboru continued
"Well, next are the features of this phone. It can use a SIM card for calls and SMS just like regular phones, but unlike ordinary models, this phone offers many more functions and possibilities."
Zaboru then began to explain, "First, it has Calculator functions. This makes it far easier if you ever need to count something or perform quick math on the go. Instead of carrying around a bulky calculator, you can simply pull out your phone and begin doing calculations right away. The calculator inside this phone is not just basic—it comes with advanced capabilities similar to those found in proper calculator devices, capable of handling percentagesand even more complex equations. Imagine being a student who forgot their calculator or a businessperson needing to quickly double-check figures during a meeting—this phone can do it all."
The audience stirred with excitement. The very idea of having such advanced calculators inside a phone was extraordinary. Some gasped, some whispered to their neighbors, and others leaned forward in disbelief. "Complex calculators in a phone!? That's unheard of!" one person exclaimed. The hall filled with a buzz of amazement as people realized this was no ordinary gadget, but a device that could potentially change daily life in unexpected ways.
Zaboru smiled and continued, "We also added a Diary or Notes feature. With this, you can write directly into the phone—either as a diary entry or as a quick memo—and the phone will save it for you. Imagine you're walking down the street, you see a restaurant you'd like to try, and you don't have a notebook or pen with you. Instead of risking forgetting it, you can take out this phone, jot down the restaurant's name and the street, and the information will be saved instantly. It's quick, reliable, and ensures you won't lose track of small but important details. You could even use it to record personal reflections, shopping lists, or reminders for future meetings. Pretty convenient, isn't it?" The audience murmured with growing excitement, clearly impressed by how practical such a feature could be in daily life.
Zaboru then leaned forward with a grin. "And tell me, are you tired of those same old dull phone ringtones? You know, the boring Beep Beep or Boop Boop tones that all sound the same? Well, with the AKAI Z1, we've taken ringtones to an entirely new level. We've included a huge variety for you to choose from—ranging from short and simple tones to long, playful melodies. Here, let me show you."
He flipped open the phone and, to the crowd's delight, the cheerful chiptune notes of the Super Mario theme chiptune filled the hall. It sounded exactly like the beloved game's soundtrack, but now coming from a phone. Gasps and laughter rippled through the audience. "Or how about this one?" Zaboru tapped again, and this time the unmistakable beat of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal—remade by Zaboru himself in chiptune style—blared from the device. The audience erupted in cheers at the surprise.
"And that's not all," Zaboru added proudly. "We've packed in around more than 30 unique ringtones for you to explore. From playful game tunes to music-inspired ringtones, there's something for everyone. Finally, you can make your phone feel personal and fun instead of bland and lifeless."
Everyone's eyes lit up with excitement. They whispered to each other, amazed that a phone could bring so much character and individuality just through ringtones. For many in the room, it was the first time they had seen a phone become not just a tool, but also a form of self-expression.
Then Zaboru grinned and teased the crowd, "And the last feature we prepared… well, can you already guess what it is?" Instantly, voices rang out from the audience shouting, "Games!" Zaboru chuckled, nodding with satisfaction. "Yes, that's right—games! The AKAI Z1 comes with games built directly into the phone. Not just one, but three games: Snake, Space Impact, and Tetris. That's right, three full games you can play anytime you like, no matter where you are." He held the phone up for everyone to see, scrolling through the small menu until the pixelated Snake began crawling across the monochrome screen. The audience erupted with excitement, some laughing, others clapping at the sheer novelty. Zaboru then switched to Space Impact, showing the little spaceship firing at enemies, and finally launched Tetris, with its falling blocks stacking into perfect lines. Though the screen had no color, the charm and playability were undeniable. The crowd's reaction proved it—this was not just a phone; it was also a source of entertainment, a pocket companion that could bring fun in idle moments. The sight of games running smoothly on a device primarily meant for calls and messages felt revolutionary, and the audience buzzed with amazement at just how far technology had leapt.
Zaboru then grinned and said, "Also, when this phone is fully recharged, it can last up to 50 hours on standby. If you continuously use it without breaks, it will run for about 6 hours of nonstop operation. And here's the best part—the recharge time itself is only 2 to 3 hours before it's back to full capacity." The audience gasped in amazement. It truly lasted longer than most phones of its era! This was possible because Zaboru had adopted a new type of battery technology developed in collaboration between AKAI and Miyagi Batteries. Thanks to this innovation, the AKAI Z1's power cells were slightly more advanced than those found in current competitors' devices, giving the phone a clear edge in endurance and reliability.
Zaboru then grinned and declared, "That's all, folks! And the price?.. Well, you can buy this for only $370 dollars! For worldwide release, and in Japan the price is 65,000 yen! It will officially launch on 11 May 1995. So, will you buy one?" The audience gasped loudly—many could not believe how affordable it was. Compared to Nokia phones, which at the time were selling for around $600–700, the AKAI Z1 came in at nearly half the price while offering far more exciting features. Some audience members turned to each other in disbelief, whispering about how such a price could even be possible, while others cheered at the idea of owning one. The shock of affordability combined with the long list of innovative functions made the announcement feel almost too good to be true. It wasn't just a phone—it was shaping up to be a revolution in personal technology. too!.
The audience erupted into thunderous applause, and even the celebrities in attendance seemed captivated by the possibilities of this new device. Word of the AKAI Z1 spread quickly, its reputation starting to ripple outward as the phone began making serious waves in the industry. For Nokia, the once-untouchable l
eader of mobile phones, this debut marked the beginning of a looming threat—the first clear sign that their dominance was about to face its greatest challenge yet.
To be continue
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