MAM
Glance smart lock screens launch in Japan with top carriers and Android brands
Mumbai: In today’s information-heavy world, deciding what to watch, read or experience on the smartphone can be exhausting for consumers. Searching, downloading multiple apps, switching between these apps and scrolling through endless feeds often tires the mind, leaving consumers drained. But what if there was a way to make it easier for consumers to enjoy the internet? What if the smartphone could be made smarter, simplifying the way consumers discover content and experiences on the internet?
Glance lock screen, one of the world’s leading smart lock screen platforms, is doing just that, changing how hundreds of millions of consumers across the world engage with the internet. For the first time ever, consumers of Japan’s biggest carriers and Android smartphone brands can experience this revolutionary smart lock screen platform as well.
Glance is an AI-driven platform that offers a wide range of experiences directly on the lock screens of Android smartphones. These lock screen experiences include instant games, live game streaming, news, sports, lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, shopping, and live content. These premium and beautiful experiences are delivered through Glance’s partnership with reputed publishers, content partners, and developers. Glance’s AI personalises these experiences, ensuring that consumers find content that is most relevant and important to them, each time they glance or look at their lock screen. They do this without needing to unlock their phones download multiple apps or spend time searching for content.
“With Glance we are unlocking the power of the lock screen, using AI to transform passive lock screens into smart lock screens,” says Glance Co-founder of InMobi Group and COO & president of Piyush Shah. “Consumers check their lock screen over 100 times a day but only use it for notifications, battery, and time. With Glance’s smart lock screen, they can stay on top of everything that interests them throughout the day. This could be a casual game that they love, latest score of a baseball game, the latest J-pop album launch, updates on their favourite celebrities and shows or news that matters to them – all without unlocking, downloading, or searching.” Shah adds, “We are truly honoured to launch in the Japanese market and hope to bring the best lock screen experience to consumers here.”
In Japan, Glance is already available to subscribers of SoftBank Corp using Xiaomi (Redmi Note 9T Redmi Note 10T, and 12T Pro) and Motorola (Moto G53y 5G) smartphones. In the upcoming quarters, it aims to expand its presence to other big carriers and Android smartphone brands in Japan. Globally, Glance is present on over 450 million Android smartphones, and is aiming to be on over one billion phones in the next two years. The platform has over 230 million active users, primarily in India and Indonesia, while it has recently launched in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
Glance senior vice president & GM of strategic distribution partnerships Aditya Goyal said, “For carriers and smartphone brands, Glance is an opportunity to differentiate themselves and boost consumer engagement through a unique experience. The top six Android phone brands have integrated Glance on their smartphones in multiple markets globally and are using it to deliver personalized experiences for their consumers. We are excited to enable carriers and brands in Japan to provide this same innovative and captivating mobile experience to consumers here.”
Initially, Glance consumers in Japan will be able to discover news, trending content, and gaming on their lock screens. Content and experiences on Glance are powered by Japan’s biggest publishers, including Yahoo Japan Corporation (Partners of Yahoo! News), LINE Digital Frontier Corporation LINE Manga), dely Inc.（Kurashiru), Ikkyu Corporation (ikkyu.com), C Channel Corporation CHANNEL), SoftBank Corporation（Baseball LIVE, Basket LIVE), Mybest Inc.（mybest), AllAbout Inc (AllAbout)
For publishers such as these, Glance provides a new and exciting way to reach the right consumers at a large scale. Several other top publishers are expected to join the platform in the coming quarters.
Glance has established a strong team in Tokyo, led by Masato Ito, Head of Market Development Japan, demonstrating its commitment to the market. This team is expected to grow significantly in the coming quarters. The platform is also expanding its presence to other regions and aims to launch in the US soon. Glance is headquartered in Singapore and is funded by investors including Jio Platforms, Google, and Mithril Capital.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
