Tokyo, Japan – August 21, 2013 – LINE Corporation, owners and operators of the free calling and messaging app, “LINE”, held its annual conference event, “Hello, Friends in Tokyo 2013”, at MAIHAMA Amphitheater (Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture) today.

During the conference, which is now in its second year, it was announced that LINE has achieved 230 million registered users worldwide, representing a 460% growth over the last year. The number of messages sent daily through LINE has also increased by 440% from the previous year and surpassed 7 billion. LINE’s latest usage statistics, progress of its platformization and global expansion efforts, future strategies and upcoming services and features were also unveiled at the conference.

*Usage statistics attached separately.

The new services and features announced this year are as follows:

■Video Call feature: to be launched globally in Fall 2013

 

LINE will be adopting a new Video Call feature in addition to its voice call and messaging functions. Users can enjoy free video calls on supported devices (iPhone, Android and Windows and Mac PCs) and have face-to-face conversations with their distant lovers, family, and friends at any time.

■LINE MUSIC: to be launched in Japan in 2013

 

“LINE MUSIC” is a music streaming service that enables users to purchase music of all genres within the LINE app, including J-pop, K-pop, and of course Western music. Songs purchased through LINE MUSIC can be shared with the user’s LINE friends, proposing a brand new way to enjoy music that is only possible through LINE. This service will be launched first in Japan, with a global rollout following shortly.

■LINE MALL: to be launched in Fall 2013 (Japan)

“LINE MALL” is an e-commerce (electronic commerce) service optimized for the smartphone. It has been structured so all actions can be performed efficiently within the app itself. LINE MALL will deliver a revolutionary shopping experience, in which anybody can buy and sell anytime or anywhere as long as they have a smartphone.

■LINE GAME

 

The following titles will be released starting from Fall 2013:

- LINE FISH ISLAND (Developer: NHN Entertainment)

- LINE IRONSLAM (Developer: WeMade Entertainment)

- LINE Let’s Golf!(TBC) (Developer: Gameloft)

- LINE MapleStory Village (Developer: NEXON Co., Ltd.)

- LINE Modoo Marble (Developer: CJ E&M Corp. & N2Play)

- LINE Nutlings Tournament (Developer: Boomlagoon Limited)

- LINE Puzzle Bobble (Developer: Taito Corporation)

- LINE Rainbow Chaser (Developer: NHN&OrangeCrew)

- LINE REVENANT GATE (Developer: NHN PlayArt Corporation)

- LINE Shake Spears! (Developer: Alawar Entertainment)

- LINE SONIC DASH (Developer: SEGA Corporation)

■LINE Web Store: to be launched in September (Japan & Taiwan)

  

“LINE Web Store” is an online store in which users can purchase paid LINE stickers and LINE GAME items from the web browsers on their computers or smartphones. Usability and convenience will be improved by offering users a variety of payment options besides App Store and Google Play transaction systems, such as credit cards, PayPal, carrier billing, electronic money, and more. The Web Store will be offered first in Japan and Taiwan, followed by a gradual introduction into other countries.

*Payment options available will differ by country.

LINE prepaid cards will be available in approximately 36,500 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson convenience stores nationwide from September 30, October 1, and October 15 respectively.

LINE aims to achieve 300 million users worldwide within 2013, and will continue to enhance its services and contents and promote its global development in order to become an integral piece of lifestyle infrastructure for users all around the world.