3G iPhone in Japan?

[lcalabrese]

email and GPS

Looks like I finally got email working. I put in the new email address and new password that I created and clicked save. It prompts TWICE to connect without SSL. Say yes both times. And be warned that it can take a number of MINUTES to actually connect (got this info and the patience from the iPhone website) so just hang tight. No really, just sit there.

On the other hand GPS seems dead. Tried the airplane mode trick, but I'll try stepping outside (shouldn't matter since my windows (sliding doors) are WIDE open, but you never know what concrete on 3 sides will do.)

 

[xenohawk]

Looks like I finally got email working. I put in the new email address and new password that I created and clicked save. It prompts TWICE to connect without SSL. Say yes both times. And be warned that it can take a number of MINUTES to actually connect (got this info and the patience from the iPhone website) so just hang tight. No really, just sit there.

Wow, it really does takes minutes. What's up with the SSL error?

Btw, did anyone managed to set up emails like Gmail? I keep getting error that the IMAP server is not responding.

 

[keirnna]

Wow, it really does takes minutes. What's up with the SSL error?

Btw, did anyone managed to set up emails like Gmail? I keep getting error that the IMAP server is not responding.

Yeah infact my mac set it all up for me on my first sync. I've not had to do any restores. My phone is very good.

 

[mavis]

Yeah infact my mac set it all up for me on my first sync. I've not had to do any restores. My phone is very good.

Maybe I should see about getting mine replaced then.

Just out of curiosity, are you syncing any apps through iTunes? If so, did you download them through iTunes or directly on the phone? Every time I've tried the latter, I end up having to restore ... (on my seventh restore now. iFun.)

 

[keirnna]

Maybe I should see about getting mine replaced then.

Just out of curiosity, are you syncing any apps through iTunes? If so, did you download them through iTunes or directly on the phone? Every time I've tried the latter, I end up having to restore ... (on my seventh restore now. iFun.)

I'm sure your hardware is fine. Maybe you just have a software issue. My phone crashed one time, but it came right back online after that. I have downloaded apps both through the phone and through itunes with no issues either way.

 

[mavis]

I'm sure your hardware is fine. Maybe you just have a software issue. My phone crashed one time, but it came right back online after that. I have downloaded apps both through the phone and through itunes with no issues either way.

Wow, that's amazing. I wouldn't even THINK of doing that now. Instant hang!

I'm using standard software - I wonder what the difference is between your setup and mine (software wise) ...

 

[keirnna]

Wow, that's amazing. I wouldn't even THINK of doing that now. Instant hang!

I'm using standard software - I wonder what the difference is between your setup and mine (software wise) ...

Are you on windows or mac? Not that it should matter, but I'm just trying to see if there is anything different. Mine has had it's own funny issues, but it hasn't needed to be reloaded. If I remove a contact and sync my phone it still shows up for a brief instant and then disappears, this is an odd problem. I suspect we will see 2.0.1 out in a week or less.

 

[mavis]

I'm on a Mac running 10.5.4 with everything updated.

Just for kicks, I just tried installing an app directly to my iPod Touch. It is not responding now, just like the iPhone does. I wonder if the problem is that I'm using my U.S. iTMS account? The apps transfer just fine (from iTunes) and I can run them, but I'm having HUGE problems after the initial sync, on both my iPod and iPhone.

edit: correction - the iPod was able to sleep and wake just fine, and is now responding. The app, however - it says "installing" but there's no progress, it can't be launched, and I can't remove it.

edit2: there it is! I tried going back into the App Store on my Touch to see if I could maybe re-download the app. No joy - as soon as I tried to open the App Store, my Touch locked up iPhone-style. I had to hold sleep+home for a while and finally got it to turn off, but powering back up it just hangs at the Apple logo like the iPhone. Looks like yet another restore. This is exactly how I wanted to be spending my weekend.

 

[keirnna]

I'm on a Mac running 10.5.4 with everything updated.

Just for kicks, I just tried installing an app directly to my iPod Touch. It is not responding now, just like the iPhone does. I wonder if the problem is that I'm using my U.S. iTMS account? The apps transfer just fine (from iTunes) and I can run them, but I'm having HUGE problems after the initial sync, on both my iPod and iPhone.

edit: correction - the iPod was able to sleep and wake just fine, and is now responding. The app, however - it says "installing" but there's no progress, it can't be launched, and I can't remove it.

edit2: there it is! I tried going back into the App Store on my Touch to see if I could maybe re-download the app. No joy - as soon as I tried to open the App Store, my Touch locked up iPhone-style. I had to hold sleep+home for a while and finally got it to turn off, but powering back up it just hangs at the Apple logo like the iPhone. Looks like yet another restore. This is exactly how I wanted to be spending my weekend.

I am also on the US ITMS. I am updating my touch right now, so we'll see how I fare with that.

 

[WSwingley]

Hello again all.

I'm happy to say that I did come home with a nice shiny white 16GB, but we had friends over all evening so I just now sat back down to play.

Activation was only an hour - longer because the barcode scanner was broken, heh. Had to extend my contract instead of start a new one to avoid the credit card requirement... so the discount is not as big actually. 3660 for the phone minus 1720 super bonus. Of course, YMMV.

As expected, GPS trouble. It's been raining all day, so I haven't gotten to go out in the open and try the airplane trick. But it didn't work at least in my apartment... which it should with the cell phone tower triangulation.

Anyway, I'll keep up with the post as I have more questions and hopefully I will learn enough to help others as well. Have fun playing!

 

[mavis]

I am also on the US ITMS. I am updating my touch right now, so we'll see how I fare with that.

Well, good luck!

Actually, I think I'm gonna just throw in the towel on this one. There's obviously something VERY wrong with my setup. Both my Touch and my iPhone are unable to download apps directly, and even syncing apps through iTunes is a risky proposition for me (after the initial post-restore sync, which works fine) ... I don't know. This is all just really frustrating and disappointing and I imagine no one else here really needs to know what a s**t experience this has been.

So, cheers. Good luck with your setup (I think you're going to need it!) ...

 

[WSwingley]

I give you my warmest "Gambatte"... or maybe you are happier with a good ole "Good LUCK!"

I understand your frustration and offer you the best consolation a message board stranger can give without it being to weird, heh!... Maybe you need a massage board rather than a message board right now.

Thanks again for all your feedback to this forum. We all appreciate it!

 

[anrake]

Sunday sales?

Does anyoone know if there will be stock available in Omotesando or Akiba Yodobashi on sunday? The Softbank website still says they will be doing only iPhone business for Sat. & Sun.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

The whole point of Assisted GPS is that it works nearly instantly due to the way it combines local cell phone triangulation to assist and speed up satellite triangulation. It sounds a whole lot like the iPhone's A-GPS isn't working in Japan, even for those of you who've gotten regular GPS to work. You shouldn't have to wait several minutes to get your location.

 

[sushi]

Actually, I think I'm gonna just throw in the towel on this one. There's obviously something VERY wrong with my setup.

I wonder if using both your Japanese and US iTMS had anything to do with your problems.

FWIW, I have an iPod Touch. I updated iTunes today to 7.7, then did the software update 2.0 for the Touch. Everything went fine as can be.

Then I tried DL'ing apps directly to the Touch and to my MBP, then sync to the Touch. Both ways worked fine.

I may just keep my Touch and cell phone. That would definitely be the cheapest solution for sure and save me about 1,200 per year based on my current cell phone plan and use.

 

[mavis]

I wonder if using both your Japanese and US iTMS had anything to do with your problems.

FWIW, I have an iPod Touch. I updated iTunes today to 7.7, then did the software update 2.0 for the Touch. Everything went fine as can be.

Then I tried DL'ing apps directly to the Touch and to my MBP, then sync to the Touch. Both ways worked fine.

I may just keep my Touch and cell phone. That would definitely be the cheapest solution for sure and save me about 1,200 per year based on my current cell phone plan and use.

I wonder.

I think I'm going to delete that one stupid app I got from the Japanese account to see if that helps. Although I'm kind of afraid to change anything now that the first sync is done and I've spent the last two hours re-syncing my media.

Oh and BTW, I've left my Touch on - it's stuck at the Apple logo - to see if it'll finally boot up if I leave it alone. It's been stuck for nearly an hour. I don't think it's going anywhere. Well, aside from an hour-long trip down restore lane.

Meh. Seriously, I'm out of here. Thanks for the kind words, guys - I'll post back if I get anything sorted out!

 

[Salaryman Parad]

Well, guys - I'm on my sixth restore now. A couple words of advice:

Don't bother letting iTunes backup your iPhone. If it crashes (stuck at Apple logo, not seen by iTunes) and you restore, you cannot use the backup. It will simply cause the iPhone to lockup again, requiring a second restore.

Also, don't update apps using the App Store icon on your iPhone. Doing so will cause your iPhone to lockup, requiring a restore.

Do not attempt to add/remove apps once your initial sync is done. Doing so may cause a lockup requiring restore (this has caused two of my six restores) ...

There was an update by Softbank to the iPhone at around 7pm today. That may fix it. Have you gotten your e-mail to work?

 

[Podgy]

Yup, the GPS fix is best done outdoors and yes, its pretty quick!

The whole point of Assisted GPS is that it works nearly instantly due to the way it combines local cell phone triangulation to assist and speed up satellite triangulation. It sounds a whole lot like the iPhone's A-GPS isn't working in Japan, even for those of you who've gotten regular GPS to work. You shouldn't have to wait several minutes to get your location.

 

[SaSaSushi]

I may just keep my Touch and cell phone. That would definitely be the cheapest solution for sure and save me about 1,200 per year based on my current cell phone plan and use.

I found out today that even though I thought my current handset contract ends in January, 2009 because Softbank starts the payment plans 3 months after you set up the contract I actually have 9 payments remaining.

The kishuu-henko contract payment prices are actually not that ridiculously expensive in comparison to the shinki-keiyaku ones (like 1260 yen/month as opposed to 960 yen/month for the 8GB model) but that mandatory 5985 yen/month packet plan is 5985 yen more per month than I am paying right now on my current handset.

I think your iPod Touch and existing handset method is great aside from the fact that you need the wifi and no GPS (lol, iPhone 3G users in here don't seem to be experiencing working GPS either...) etc. I've heard rumors of a new revision of the Touch on the way and I am anxious to see what it will bring. I'm hoping most of all it will reduce the prices across the line.

 

[WSwingley]

Just to clarify, as I sit here in no way intending to go outdoors...

The GPS fix, can I get a really dumbed down walkthrough.

Turn to airplane mode, go outside...
Go to maps and try to locate...
It pops up with a "can't do in airplane mode" sort of error...
Click settings to go back to normal mode...
Back to maps and click locate?

Does that seem right? Am I screwing it up if I hit HOME to go change out of airplane mode?

Thanks as always.

EDIT: But off to bed with me for now. See ya'll tomorrow!

 

[keirnna]

The whole point of Assisted GPS is that it works nearly instantly due to the way it combines local cell phone triangulation to assist and speed up satellite triangulation. It sounds a whole lot like the iPhone's A-GPS isn't working in Japan, even for those of you who've gotten regular GPS to work. You shouldn't have to wait several minutes to get your location.

After it taking a while the first time it is nearly instant now.

 

[keirnna]

I wonder.

I think I'm going to delete that one stupid app I got from the Japanese account to see if that helps. Although I'm kind of afraid to change anything now that the first sync is done and I've spent the last two hours re-syncing my media.

Oh and BTW, I've left my Touch on - it's stuck at the Apple logo - to see if it'll finally boot up if I leave it alone. It's been stuck for nearly an hour. I don't think it's going anywhere. Well, aside from an hour-long trip down restore lane.

Meh. Seriously, I'm out of here. Thanks for the kind words, guys - I'll post back if I get anything sorted out!

So after updating my touch it runs even faster than the iPhone. I am not sure why my iPhone is so slow, but the touch is amazingly fast. Much faster than it has ever been before. Not a single issues with it.

 

[sushi]

I found out today that even though I thought my current handset contract ends in January, 2009 because Softbank starts the payment plans 3 months after you set up the contract I actually have 9 payments remaining.

The kishuu-henko contract payment prices are actually not that ridiculously expensive in comparison to the shinki-keiyaku ones (like 1260 yen/month as opposed to 960 yen/month for the 8GB model) but that mandatory 5985 yen/month packet plan is 5985 yen more per month than I am paying right now on my current handset.

I think your iPod Touch and existing handset method is great aside from the fact that you need the wifi and no GPS (lol, iPhone 3G users in here don't seem to be experiencing working GPS either...) etc. I've heard rumors of a new revision of the Touch on the way and I am anxious to see what it will bring. I'm hoping most of all it will reduce the prices across the line.

My issue is that I use my cell phone for making and receiving calls, imagine that.

Most of the numbers that I call are not with Softbank, so I will incur the 21 yen per 30 second fee. The fees add up quickly, that much is for sure.

I really enjoy my 32GB Touch. I like having all the space. I purchased mine new at a deeply discounted price here in Japan. Maybe the new ones will have GPS and a camera. Those would be nice additions -- provided they keep the size the same. I like the Touch's thinness as it fits in a pocket very nicely.

Still the iPhone is alluring...

So after updating my touch it runs even faster than the iPhone. I am not sure why my iPhone is so slow, but the touch is amazingly fast. Much faster than it has ever been before. Not a single issues with it.

Yep, the Touch is sweet!

 

[keirnna]

My issue is that I use my cell phone for making and receiving calls, imagine that.

Most of the numbers that I call are not with Softbank, so I will incur the 21 yen per 30 second fee. The fees add up quickly, that much is for sure.

I really enjoy my 32GB Touch. I like having all the space. I purchased mine new at a deeply discounted price here in Japan. Maybe the new ones will have GPS and a camera. Those would be nice additions -- provided they keep the size the same. I like the Touch's thinness as it fits in a pocket very nicely.

Still the iPhone is alluring...


Yep, the Touch is sweet!

Double white plan cuts it to ¥10.5.

 

[maxpower13]

I've had no luck being able to get an iphone or even a spot on a waiting list. I'm a pretty small town and even the store here had fifty people lined up outside on friday. Anybody have ideas when the next shipment of these bad boys will be here in Japan?