3G iPhone in Japan?

[mavis]

Anyway, I have a question: do I connect it to the Japanese iTunes first, or to the US one? I have accounts on both but I am wondering if it begins some kind of register process.

Didn't seem to matter in my case. I think I was signed into my US account, when I did it.

ps. love that Björk video, BTW! I actually have it on DVD (part of the Micheal Gondry/Chris Cunningham/Spike Jonze set) ... and you're right - the white is very similar to those androids, but look out for the Apple logo!! It's VERY easy to scratch.

 

[tony-in-japan]

Too late!!

Anyone know which store may have 16gb in black? Or how to preorder one?

Like one of the previous posters said, the large Omottesando store has a backlog or pre-orders up to September!

If you can speak Japanese, you have a better chance as you can phone more Softbank shops in your area (check their website for contact details) and find out if they have stock. If they do, then just ask them to reserve one for you. They did this for me on Thursday to be picked up on the following Tuesday. If you can only speak English, then I suppose you are limited to those stored with English speaking assistants.

but look out for the Apple logo!! It's VERY easy to scratch.

Yes, I just realised... even using a softcloth to wipe, it already has a few marks on it. Doesn’t really bother me though, it will soon be in a Vaja case.

I found it pretty pointless giving it a good wipe as once you grip another area to wipe you are left with more finger marks! It is impossible to have a mark free surface! What the hell! Cannot waste mental energy being obsessed with keeping it clean.

 

[SaSaSushi]

I found it pretty pointless giving it a good wipe as once you grip another area to wipe you are left with more finger marks! It is impossible to have a mark free surface! What the hell! Cannot waste mental energy being obsessed with keeping it clean.

Don't have an iPhone but I got a nice black silicon case for my iPod Touch and a crystal film for the screen and no more scratching or smearing/fingerprints! I was using it for a day or two bareback and no way I could deal with that for long.

 

[sushi]

Don't have an iPhone but I got a nice black silicon case for my iPod Touch and a crystal film for the screen and no more scratching or smearing/fingerprints! I was using it for a day or two bareback and no way I could deal with that for long.

Does the crystal film change the feeling/touch of the iPod Touch screen?

 

[SaSaSushi]

Does the crystal film change the feeling/touch of the iPod Touch screen?

The touch function is not affected in the slightest. It is just as sensitive with the film applied. The texture is clearly plastic as opposed to the glass but I don't find it to be any less pleasant, just different. If anything I like it a little more with the film because it has some spring to it.

I think they're well worth it for the protection they provide while not limiting the experience in any way that I can tell.

 

[sushi]

The touch function is not affected in the slightest. It is just as sensitive with the film applied. The texture is clearly plastic as opposed to the glass but I don't find it to be any less pleasant, just different. If anything I like it a little more with the film because it has some spring to it.

I think they're well worth it for the protection they provide while not limiting the experience in any way that I can tell.

Cool.

I may get one for my Touch.

 

[mavis]

You know, if you're gonna go the film route, why not get the anti-glare film? Sure, it adds a slight amount of grain, but it hides fingerprints and smudges, doesn't scratch, it's heavy enough that it'll go down without air bubbles trapped underneath, and it makes it possible to use your iPhone on the train (without the reflections from the lights and windows killing the experience) ... The crystal film, OTOH - well, it looks nice at first - but it shows fingermarks just as bad as the glass, it scratches pretty easily, and it does nothing to reduce reflections. I've tried both, and the anti-glare film (by Power Support) is the only thing I'll put on any device now.

 

[oftheheavens]

guys yamada dinki and deodeo still have iphones in stock...at least out here they do. just 8gb though till late august-early september. but if you want an iphone in the next month and a half both of those places still have their original stock. also the place, ummmm can't remember what it is called, something like bicamera or something like that still has a lot and i heard they have 16gb's still.

got mine last tuesday at Yamada and got my wifes last Monday at Yamada.

Good luck

 

[fustyler]

If you can speak Japanese, you have a better chance as you can phone more Softbank shops in your area (check their website for contact details) and find out if they have stock. If they do, then just ask them to reserve one for you. They did this for me on Thursday to be picked up on the following Tuesday. If you can only speak English, then I suppose you are limited to those stored with English speaking assistants.

Can I ask which store you got yours from?

 

[tony-in-japan]

Don’t need to fork out for that iPhone dock now...

Just a word of advice - the app that seems to have been the culprit in my 11-restore spree was "the WISDOM English-Japanese Dictionary"

I am on the look-out for a good dictionary. What is WISDOM like? It is quite expensive and I am apprehensive in getting it due to the problems you have experienced. How does that app work now?

I found a nice web dictionary designed for the iPhone (www.usknitting.com/dictionary). I wonder how the speed compares when searching for words between using the web (via wi-fi) and through an app? Is there is great difference?

yeah I am not happy about missing dock as well...

Going to spend another 3400 yen for the now optional dock.

I was going to get the optional dock, but...

then I realised the dock for my old iPod (white 3G) fits it perfectly and, even better, works! I can sync it to my mac and also connect it to the power-plug and recharge. Even though it gives me the message that this dock is ‘not made to work with iPhone’ it still does. Ha! Take that Apple and your non-compatible iPod/iPhone accessories! 1-0 to the customer!

Saying that, my remote for my iPod nano does not work with the iPhone. Boo-hoo It is really useful for me to pause and rewind and skip when studying Japanese with audio.

Can I ask which store you got yours from?

I live in Urawa which is north of Tokyo in Saitama. My nearest Softbank shop was really small, so I looked on their website and found several (x4-5) other shops in my area, so phoned them and was lucky for find one had stock and reserved it for me. The store was ‘Kita (north) Urawa’.

Maybe a good (ironic) strategy, is to try stores outside of Tokyo where people are are less affected by ‘techno-lust’ and having the ‘latest and greatest’. They may have fewer stock, but demand may also be less too. In Tokyo, people are more clued up as to when and where they will arrive, so I expect stock to disappear quite rapidly. If you don’t mind a quick daytrip to another area by JR, then that could be a better strategy.

 

[SaSaSushi]

You know, if you're gonna go the film route, why not get the anti-glare film? Sure, it adds a slight amount of grain, but it hides fingerprints and smudges, doesn't scratch, it's heavy enough that it'll go down without air bubbles trapped underneath, and it makes it possible to use your iPhone on the train (without the reflections from the lights and windows killing the experience) ... The crystal film, OTOH - well, it looks nice at first - but it shows fingermarks just as bad as the glass, it scratches pretty easily, and it does nothing to reduce reflections. I've tried both, and the anti-glare film (by Power Support) is the only thing I'll put on any device now.

Yeah, I considered getting an anti-glare film but the sharpness is really important to me and I heard they blur things a bit. There are advantages and disadvantages to both and it is of course down to personal preference. I may give an anti-glare sheet a try as well sometime now on your recommendation. I should say though that while it IS possible to make smudge marks and fingerprints with the crystal film I'm using (Hakuba Photo) it is MUCH better than using the Touch without a film and if anything makes the text and images appear even sharper if that's possible.

 

[Sasuke808]

damn... I am still trying to find an iphone in Yokohama area but none of the store has them

I even called 北浦和 but they seem to run out as well.....

 

[macboy62]

damn... I am still trying to find an iphone in Yokohama area but none of the store has them

I even called 北浦和 but they seem to run out as well.....

I'm in Hon-Atsugi and I think deliveries come in on Fridays (just a guess really, based on UK deliveries). I can't get to a shop until Saturday morning but if I hear of some around here I will post ASAP so that you can try too.

What size do you want? I need 2 black or 1 black 1white 16GB if you hear of any near you.

Also I have had most luck in going to the store not ringing. 1 of the 2 Softbank in Machida had 2 phones on 12th sold by lottery, only one 16GB, didn't get that one.
1 of the 2 Softbank in Hon-Atsugi 12PM Saturday 19th the manager said he would save 2 16GB for me but the authentication system was down so could I come back later, called back at 4PM and "someone" had sold all the phones!

Yamda-denki are taking pre-orders if you go to the store, they will not tell you this over the phone.

 

[t0ke]

Reception ...

How in the world did ya'll get caught slipping ?

Neighborhood Softbank stores are the best - not too many people seemed to remember that Omotesando was NOT the ONLY store .

Break - Had one of my problems addressed by Softbank - reception .

My phone seems to work O.K. everywhere (except my apartment )

Softbank gave me a lil pamphlet that describes an in-home antenna signal booster .

I called them 2 days ago and got an appomitment set up for next week .

Will report back as to whether it actually helps ...

Side note : I have not seen my phone hit full bars for reception one time ... is it even possible ?

Have any of you had reception concerns?

-T0ke

 

[Sasuke808]

I'm in Hon-Atsugi and I think deliveries come in on Fridays (just a guess really, based on UK deliveries). I can't get to a shop until Saturday morning but if I hear of some around here I will post ASAP so that you can try too.

What size do you want? I need 2 black or 1 black 1white 16GB if you hear of any near you.

Also I have had most luck in going to the store not ringing. 1 of the 2 Softbank in Machida had 2 phones on 12th sold by lottery, only one 16GB, didn't get that one.
1 of the 2 Softbank in Hon-Atsugi 12PM Saturday 19th the manager said he would save 2 16GB for me but the authentication system was down so could I come back later, called back at 4PM and "someone" had sold all the phones!

Yamda-denki are taking pre-orders if you go to the store, they will not tell you this over the phone.

Thanks. I am just looking for one 8GB Black iphone.

 

[macboy62]

Thanks. I am just looking for one 8GB Black iphone.

Okay, luckily my wife was in town tonight and the Softbank store in Hon-Atsugi on Asahicho 046-226-5777 had just had a delivery of iPhones. We got 2 16GB leaving 1 Black 16GB plus some white and 8GB's.

Give them a try ASAP.

 

[Sasuke808]

Okay, luckily my wife was in town tonight and the Softbank store in Hon-Atsugi on Asahicho 046-226-5777 had just had a delivery of iPhones. We got 2 16GB leaving 1 Black 16GB plus some white and 8GB's.

Give them a try ASAP.

Okay! Thank you! I will try. Do you think all the softbanks in general has some new shipments???

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

Have any of you guys gotten your first month's bill yet? What was the damage, or what do you think it will be?

Also, is there a such thing as a "free" phone in Japan, that does not have a monthly fee for the handset cost in your contract?

 

[macboy62]

Okay! Thank you! I will try. Do you think all the softbanks in general has some new shipments???

Yes; my guess is that iPhones are delivered Thursday night or Friday ready for the weekend.

 

[sushi]

I called them 2 days ago and got an appomitment set up for next week.

Please let us know how it goes.

Have any of you guys gotten your first month's bill yet? What was the damage, or what do you think it will be?

Good question.

Also, is there a such thing as a "free" phone in Japan, that does not have a monthly fee for the handset cost in your contract?

I know DoCoMo has had some 1 yen phones in the past.

 

[mavis]

I know DoCoMo has had some 1 yen phones in the past.

Someone got a new avatar! Where's the sushi?

Anyway, I think Softbank is the company that bills the phone over two years with no subsidy (but with monthly 'service' discounts) ... I imagine the other companies might follow suit though, it's a great way to lock customers into contracts and to avoid having to lose money on subsidies.

 

[tony-in-japan]

Anyone else really dig this?

I really love the lil’ コンビニ store logos you get in the GPS maps!

7-Eleven... Lawsons... Family Mart...

Even Mackie Dees and also an ‘M’ for Moss Burger. There must be StarBucks somewhere...

Who needs streetnames in bewildering Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana when you can navigate your journey through lil’ branded logos!!

 

[macboy62]

I really love the lil’ コンビニ store logos you get in the GPS maps!

7-Eleven... Lawsons... Family Mart...

Even Mackie Dees and also an ‘M’ for Moss Burger. There must be StarBucks somewhere...

Who needs streetnames in bewildering Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana when you can navigate your journey through lil’ branded logos!!

Those little icons are on all Zenrin maps, printed and online. My Japanese wife tells me the companies pay to be on the maps.

 

[xenohawk]

Have any of you guys gotten your first month's bill yet? What was the damage, or what do you think it will be?

My bills are here, but it is before I got the iPhone month cycle. But something stand out from the rest (その他　ＡＰＰ　購入代金) other deductibles? cost me 7,800 yen. Could it be my early contract termination fee?

I am still waiting for the REAL deal as my data packets fee on the estimate are about half a million yen O_O. They said the unlimited packet discount will only apply on the end of the month, but still.. when you see that number O_O'.

 

[sushi]

Someone got a new avatar! Where's the sushi?

Anyway, I think Softbank is the company that bills the phone over two years with no subsidy (but with monthly 'service' discounts) ... I imagine the other companies might follow suit though, it's a great way to lock customers into contracts and to avoid having to lose money on subsidies.

With Softbank's current plan, it definitely encourages friends and family to switch to Softbank from their current cell phone company.

My friend and I are looking at doing this for business communication. The use of a phone is more flexible than Skype/iChat since you are not tied to a computer. So we may both switch. Considering the increased cost compared to being able to call 0100 to 2100 daily for free 7 days a week, we think that it might be a great move for us.

Who needs streetnames in bewildering Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana when you can navigate your journey through lil’ branded logos!!

Someday, if you have time, you might find it interesting to study how the cities and streets where laid out.

Fascinating.