A Free Calling and Messaging App which supports a multi-device function, creating new opportunities for use

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Now with more features to protect user privacy

TOKYO, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- NHN Japan Corporation (CEO: Akira Morikawa, headquartered in Shinagawa ward, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as NHN Japan) would like to formally announce the release of the PC version (desktop client for Windows/Mac) and Browser version for smart-tablets, of its free calling and free messaging app "LINE" (

http://line.naver.jp/en). (Note 1)

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/03/05/20120305201753694910.html )

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. On 5th March 2012, 8 months since its launch in June 2011, LINE achieved a total of 20 million downloads worldwide (iPhone/Android combined) and continues to show rapid growth.

Of course LINE has always been available for use on smart-phones and feature-phones; however, with the introduction of the PC version, users can now enjoy LINE on their PC as well, simply by installing the dedicated client software. At the same time, with the release of the Browser version which caters specifically for smart-tablets, users can now enjoy LINE on their iPad and Android tablets. With tablet devices which equipped with large-sized screens, users are free to use LINE both at home and in the office. (Note 2)

Furthermore, with the release of these new features, NHN Japan has introduced a multi-device function with the updated version of the Android smart-phone app. Users will now have the option to register an email address and password to their LINE account which they can use to login to both PC or smart-tablet Browser versions of LINE and to access their original LINE account details (such as Friends, Groups, Profile information). (Previously, the users' phone number was used at the initial registration process, meaning that once the user changed their phone number and/or device, the LINE account would have to be reinitialized.) (Note 3 and 4)

While LINE has always made it its policy to explicitly ask for prior consent from the users when obtaining Contact details, this new version of LINE has made improvements to the user interface to make it even clearer and more understandable to the users.

As one of the world's leading global messaging services, LINE aims to achieve the 100 million users mark during 2012, and as so, will continue to improve the user-friendliness of its services as well as protecting the users' privacy.

PC Version Details

Download from: http://line.naver.jp Price: Free

System Requirements: Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X (10.6) or higher

Languages: English, Japanese, Korean

Smart-tablet Browser Version Details

Login Page:

http://t.line.naver.jp Price: Free

System Requirements: iOS 4.3 or higher, Android 3.0 or higher

Devices: iPad, Android tablets

Browsers: Mobile Safari, standard Android browsers

Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese)

Notes:

1. As of today, NHN Japan has released the PC and Browser versions, and all of these functions can currently be used on Androids (latest version). For iPhone app users, this feature should be released in the next few days.

2. At the moment, only the Chat feature is supported on the PC and Browser versions, free calling is not yet available.

3. Users can also use their LINE QR Code to login to the PC and Browser versions without registering any additional details.

4. NHN Japan is currently working on making these features available for iPhone app version and feature-phones in the near future.

About NHN Japan

On top of achieving the 20 million downloads mark with the LINE smart-phone app, NHN Japan's operations are centered around its portal site "livedoor", search engines "NAVER", as well as online games "Hangame" and provides many internet services including games, search/portals, media, and matching. The total download figure for all smart-phone applications has reached in excess of 35 million (as of end of Jan 2012) and in addition, the Corporation has 44 million* unique users for PC games, making it the 4th most popular service within Japan. *Figures according to comScore, end of December 2011

For further inquiries please contact:

NHN Japan Corporation

Web Services Division, PR Room (Hayashi)

Tel: +81-70-5077-6073 (Japanese only)

Email: Webservice-PR@nhn.com

SOURCE　NHN Japan