3G iPhone in Japan?

[xenohawk]

So how is the iPhone working now that you all have had it for a while?

The good stuff:

• Having fun with the endless apps
• I can leave my laptop at home now.
• I can leave my iPod at home now.
• GPS seems to works now without resetting the phone.
• Loved the improved audio output from iPod Touch.
• Voice quality is great compared to my previous phone.

Need improvement on:

• Mail notification!!!!!
• Copy & Paste!
• Alert customization, at least give a custom for message not only to ringtone.
• Lag on keyboard input, especially when switching between japanese keyboard and when typing.
• Updating and backing up apps.
• Data Tethering. (there is a new app "NetShare" that does this, bought it but not tested yet. Does this cover under unlimited packet?)
• Battery life. (can be extended with external battery though)

 

[sushi]

The good stuff:
<Snip>
Need improvement on:
<Snip>

Thanks for your wonderful and concise feedback.

It looks like the improvements, other than the battery, can come through future software/firmware updates.

When will you receive your first monthly bill?

 

[SaSaSushi]

• Loved the improved audio output from iPod Touch.

Is it really that noticeable of an improvement in audio quality over the Touch? I've actually read mixed reviews on this. Apparently they are using a different audio chip from the same maker as the 1G iPhone and iPod Touch (Wolfson WM6180C as opposed to the WM8758).

I don't think anyone is arguing that the iPhone 3G doesn't have the best sound quality of any cellular phone available on the market though.

 

[xenohawk]

When will you receive your first monthly bill?

I will know on the 20th, will let you guys know what are the damages.

...can come through future software/firmware updates

One of the main reason I love this platform, it scales with software updates.

Is it really that noticeable of an improvement in audio quality over the Touch?

The resolution of the audio did improve a bit, though I think you can only hear the difference on a premium headphones. That or I am still under the "new" factor influence.

 

[crayonshin]

Are you guys getting good internet speed? I know I'm in the inaka and all but my speeds are ridiculously low for 3G. Even if I'm in a part of town where I get full bars of signal, the internet crawls. The iPhones displayed in store are not activated and are on WiFi so I can't really compare speeds.

I installed the new NetShare tethering app which has a built in throughput meter and it only goes up to like 6KB/sec when I'm trying to load a webpage, even a Japanese one. Anyway, NetShare aside, just browsing on the phone is getting painful.

 

[mavis]

So how is the iPhone working now that you all have had it for a while?

I'm still having trouble with mine. I actually got a replacement from the Softbank shop in Harajuku last week, but I've already had to restore it six or seven times - between this one and the first one, I've restored 33 times since July 11th. The phone randomly locks up and freezes at the Apple logo when rebooting whenever I install/update/remove apps. Here's what I've done to fix the problem, to no avail:

• Reinstall iTunes
• Unplug USB hub, connect iPhone directly to rear USB port on iMac
• Delete all backups, set up as new phone (x25)
• Restore using different PC (x2)
• Get new iPhone
• Delete 5A347 firmware, re-download fresh copy
• Delete all apps from HDD, redownload through iTunes
• Disable app sync in iTunes, install one by one directly on iPhone (x3)
• Install apps one by one through iTunes only (no direct installs on iPhone)
• Leave iPhone off overnight, attempt reboot in morning (x2)

So, yeah. When it works, it's AWESOME. But I've spent more than 70 hours since July 11th trying to get it to work (each restore takes at least 2 hours, plus the five hours I spent going back and forth between the Genius Bar in Shibuya and the Omotesando SoftBank shop) ... So that's been a little frustrating. Or perhaps a better word is infuriating.

 

[sushi]

I'm still having trouble with mine. I actually got a replacement from the Softbank shop in Harajuku last week, but I've already had to restore it six or seven times - between this one and the first one, I've restored 33 times since July 11th. The phone randomly locks up and freezes at the Apple logo when rebooting whenever I install/update/remove apps. Here's what I've done to fix the problem, to no avail:

• Reinstall iTunes
• Unplug USB hub, connect iPhone directly to rear USB port on iMac
• Delete all backups, set up as new phone (x25)
• Restore using different PC (x2)
• Get new iPhone
• Delete 5A347 firmware, re-download fresh copy
• Delete all apps from HDD, redownload through iTunes
• Disable app sync in iTunes, install one by one directly on iPhone (x3)
• Install apps one by one through iTunes only (no direct installs on iPhone)
• Leave iPhone off overnight, attempt reboot in morning (x2)

So, yeah. When it works, it's AWESOME. But I've spent more than 70 hours since July 11th trying to get it to work (each restore takes at least 2 hours, plus the five hours I spent going back and forth between the Genius Bar in Shibuya and the Omotesando SoftBank shop) ... So that's been a little frustrating. Or perhaps a better word is infuriating.

Appreciate the feedback.

Definitely a different perspective and experience with the iPhone.

I am still on the fence but leaning towards getting one.

 

[keirnna]

Mine is great. I've never had to restore 1 time. I have almost 3 full pages of software on mine and it runs great. It crashes about twice a week and other than that it is great. Battery life leaves something to be desired. 3G speeds are smoking fast in Okinawa.

 

[mavis]

Mine is great. I've never had to restore 1 time. I have almost 3 full pages of software on mine and it runs great. It crashes about twice a week and other than that it is great. Battery life leaves something to be desired. 3G speeds are smoking fast in Okinawa.

Odd. I wonder why mine is so ****ed up? You think I should just continue to get replacements until I get one that works? I mean, I don't have any other system problems - my iMac is all up to date (from the OS to iLife), and I've gone above and beyond with the troubleshooting ... Why am I having such a hard time????????

 

[keirnna]

Odd. I wonder why mine is so ****ed up? You think I should just continue to get replacements until I get one that works? I mean, I don't have any other system problems - my iMac is all up to date (from the OS to iLife), and I've gone above and beyond with the troubleshooting ... Why am I having such a hard time????????

Honestly I think you have to be doing something wrong. Chances of you having two faulty phones are very low. What error results in you restoring? My touch had more problems than this iPhone does.

 

[mavis]

Honestly I think you have to be doing something wrong. Chances of you having two faulty phones are very low. What error results in you restoring? My touch had more problems than this iPhone does.

The 'error' is trying to install, update, or uninstall an app. When using iTunes to sync apps, sometimes it works just fine, but sometimes the phone will power off on it's own during the sync (and then freeze at the Apple logo when rebooting). When I use the App Store on the phone itself to do the installing or updating, sometimes it works but other times the progress meter will reset from 100% to 0% and then the Springboard will freeze. I've left it alone (in a frozen state) for up to thirty minutes, with no effect. Reboot = hang at that cursed Apple logo. If I leave the iPhone powered on with the Apple logo displayed, it gets VERY warm after a few minutes. Leaving it completely powered off (by doing a hard reset until it powers down) for hours (I've left it overnight twice now) does nothing to help. It's just FROZEN.

I don't see what I could possibly be doing wrong. If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to spend $150 on apps and have them sync to the phone, right? And I could use the latest version of iTunes on a fully updated and trouble-free Mac to do that, right? Hell, I don't even so much as BREATHE on the phone while it's syncing, and I crank the A/C down to about 24C to make sure neither the Mac nor the phone get too warm (since syncing 35 apps takes at least an hour) ... What am I missing here?

 

[keirnna]

The 'error' is trying to install, update, or uninstall an app. When using iTunes to sync apps, sometimes it works just fine, but sometimes the phone will power off on it's own during the sync (and then freeze at the Apple logo when rebooting). When I use the App Store on the phone itself to do the installing or updating, sometimes it works but other times the progress meter will reset from 100% to 0% and then the Springboard will freeze. I've left it alone (in a frozen state) for up to thirty minutes, with no effect. Reboot = hang at that cursed Apple logo. If I leave the iPhone powered on with the Apple logo displayed, it gets VERY warm after a few minutes. Leaving it completely powered off (by doing a hard reset until it powers down) for hours (I've left it overnight twice now) does nothing to help. It's just FROZEN.

I don't see what I could possibly be doing wrong. If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to spend $150 on apps and have them sync to the phone, right? And I could use the latest version of iTunes on a fully updated and trouble-free Mac to do that, right? Hell, I don't even so much as BREATHE on the phone while it's syncing, and I crank the A/C down to about 24C to make sure neither the Mac nor the phone get too warm (since syncing 35 apps takes at least an hour) ... What am I missing here?

Yeah it sure doesn't sound like you are making any mistakes, but I have no suggestions.

 

[mavis]

Yeah it sure doesn't sound like you are making any mistakes, but I have no suggestions.

Well, unless buying apps is a mistake ...

Seriously though - I'm doing everything by the book. In fact, I'm probably FAR more careful than most people in that I make absolutely sure not even the damn accelerometer is disturbed when attempting to install stuff. I've tried three times to bypass the Mac by installing directly to the phone and it still freezes (typically on the last or second to the last app - naturally) so I know it's not my Mac. ... I guess I'll just have to wait for 2.0.1. And if that doesn't do the trick, I'll go to the Apple Store every week to get a phone that works - it's actually (sort of) on my way home so it's not that much of a hassle. In my humble opinion, I deserve an iPhone that functions as advertised. And until Apple sorts their buggy software out, I'll do whatever it takes to get one.

 

[keirnna]

Well, unless buying apps is a mistake ...

Seriously though - I'm doing everything by the book. In fact, I'm probably FAR more careful than most people in that I make absolutely sure not even the damn accelerometer is disturbed when attempting to install stuff. I've tried three times to bypass the Mac by installing directly to the phone and it still freezes (typically on the last or second to the last app - naturally) so I know it's not my Mac. ... I guess I'll just have to wait for 2.0.1. And if that doesn't do the trick, I'll go to the Apple Store every week to get a phone that works - it's actually (sort of) on my way home so it's not that much of a hassle. In my humble opinion, I deserve an iPhone that functions as advertised. And until Apple sorts their buggy software out, I'll do whatever it takes to get one.

I have a bunch of purchased apps on my phone as well. I've done anything and everything with it and while it's not perfect I'm not experiencing even close to the number of problems you are.

 

[mavis]

I have a bunch of purchased apps on my phone as well. I've done anything and everything with it and while it's not perfect I'm not experiencing even close to the number of problems you are.

Well if my computer is not to blame (I've bypassed it completely, installing apps exclusively through the App Store icon on the iPhone and it still froze) and I've had three devices exhibiting this behavior (a formerly rock-solid iPod Touch and two iPhone 3Gs) it seems to me the problem lies somewhere with the software, not the hardware. So it's either faulty apps (but aren't they all sandboxed? I mean, there's not much that an app could do to affect the stability of the iPhone, is there?) or an underlying problem with the 2.0 software.

And BTW, I'm not the only one experiencing this. Here are just a few discussions I've been following:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/536055/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/518335/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/524726/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/334220/
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7228666
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7655556
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7526594
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1472102
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1600894
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7618293
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7689525

Good times.

 

[tony-in-japan]

My experience so far...

Really? Five seconds? I thought Apple had admitted that the system was not in fact a true "push" and that it actually had to wait for the scheduled update check... which is currently at a minimum of 15 minutes.

I'm going to get MobileMe anyway, if just for the calendar/contact synching.

When my laptop receives that audio notification of an incoming email through my permanent internet (ethernet) connection, a few seconds later it beeps on my iPhone. It seems like true ‘push’ to me. MobileMe is great and definitely recommended.

There are so many other goodies you get with MobileMe. For example, I am using OmniFocus To-Do-Lists app and when I sync my lists to MobileMe and open the app in my iPhone, it begins to upload the database from the ‘cloud’. I can even send an email of my to-do-lists from any computer/web-browser, and once received (a few seconds later) that data will be in both my apps (on my laptop and on my iPhone). It is so convenient.

The good stuff:... Need improvement on:...

The good stuff from me:

• ‘I can leave my laptop at home now’ -- agreed. I can leave my Powerbook in the office now since I have my iPhone.
• ‘I can leave my iPod at home now’ -- agreed. My iPod nano have been feeling lonely recently.
• GPS maps -- never been good a geography, but now I can scan all of Japan in detail. Anybody did a scan of Disneyland to see the rollercoasters!
• Watching the latest rented US movies This is really the ultimate in entertainment on your iPhone!
• I like the 3 optional styles of keyboards: English, romanji Japanese and hiragana Japanese.
• Battery life is pretty good. Even with a full day’s use, I still have 60-70% battery bar left before I go to bed.
• Reception is better than my previous Docomo Foma phone.
• It is the ultimate tool to study Japanese. OmniFocus for study lists, web for a wealth of study resources, iPod for audio, the list goes on.
• MobileMe complements the iPhone perfectly.

Need improvement on:

• ‘Copy & Paste!’ -- agreed! Definitely need this for language study. I think it is coming soon isn’t it?
• No video calling. I had this with my Docomo and it was very useful to see video of loved ones if they were far away.
• More customisation: some options for various sections seems limited.

[/QUOTE]

Odd. I wonder why mine is so ****ed up? You think I should just continue to get replacements until I get one that works? ... Why am I having such a hard time????????

I am sorry to hear you have been/are having problems.

I definitely think it is software related rather than hardware, if you have been through multiple iPhones. I didn’t have any problems at all and here is my advice (maybe for other new/potential users):

1. Get MobileMe and set-up all you info on there first. You will be so glad that all your data is effortlessly sync’d onto your new iPhone without having to mess around with Softbank’s way of doing things (e.g. their own email set-up).

2. Use your iPhone for a few days WITHOUT downloading any apps from the iTunes store. You will then get an idea of how fast your iPhone works and general user experience without interference from software made from various sources (maybe even ‘beta’ standard). If everything runs smoothly, then start to use apps, but don’t go overload and bust your iPhone’s guts with hundreds of apps. Just be selective and choose ones you know are safe and run smoothly (read reviews).

I have never had to restore my iPhone from this procedure and only have one app on my iPhone which is vital for me. The bottom line it to keep things streamlined and simple. Know how your iPhone generally runs without extra apps, then when you start using a new app and it severely affects the performance of your iPhone, you know what the culprit is.

I hope that helps.

Regards,
Tony

 

[papadim]

Carrier settings

Anyone in Japan updated to 2.0.1 ?

Everything went well but I was unable to update the carrier settings that is offered after the upgrade is completed.

Anyone with the same issues ?

I'm getting an error 0xE8000001

There must be something to it as the 3G logo doesn't appear anymore on my phone, but the network is still available.

Still hoping for the mapping of "010" to "+"...

Cheers

 

[keirnna]

Anyone in Japan updated to 2.0.1 ?

Everything went well but I was unable to update the carrier settings that is offered after the upgrade is completed.

Anyone with the same issues ?

I'm getting an error 0xE8000001

There must be something to it as the 3G logo doesn't appear anymore on my phone, but the network is still available.

Still hoping for the mapping of "010" to "+"...

Cheers

I just saw that the update is out. I am reading a few reviews and then I will update.

 

[mavis]

I just saw that the update is out. I am reading a few reviews and then I will update.

I updated and am getting the 0xE8000001 error as well, but my 3G indicator is there. I still get my worthless i.softbank.jp "You got a mail" notifications, and am able to access the network (data/voice) ... Anyway, the phone seems to work well. Apps load more quickly, typing seems less sluggish, and Safari seems snappier.

On a side note, I haven't had to restore in three days, despite having updated numerous apps and installing several new ones yesterday and this morning. The only difference this time around? I didn't install "The WISDOM J-E E-J" dictionary. After I noticed that it had been removed from both the US and Japanese App Stores, I wondered if it perhaps had been the cause of my instabilities all along. While I'm reluctant to place the blame solely on a faulty app (aren't they sandboxed???) it seems to be working JUST FINE now that I removed that particular application. Anyway, yay. A working (and now, faster!) iPhone. FINALLY.

 

[keirnna]

I updated and am getting the 0xE8000001 error as well, but my 3G indicator is there. I still get my worthless i.softbank.jp "You got a mail" notifications, and am able to access the network (data/voice) ... Anyway, the phone seems to work well. Apps load more quickly, typing seems less sluggish, and Safari seems snappier.

On a side note, I haven't had to restore in three days, despite having updated numerous apps and installing several new ones yesterday and this morning. The only difference this time around? I didn't install "The WISDOM J-E E-J" dictionary. After I noticed that it had been removed from both the US and Japanese App Stores, I wondered if it perhaps had been the cause of my instabilities all along. While I'm reluctant to place the blame solely on a faulty app (aren't they sandboxed???) it seems to be working JUST FINE now that I removed that particular application. Anyway, yay. A working (and now, faster!) iPhone. FINALLY.

I am also getting the carrier update error. Mavis, I thought you figured out weeks ago that the Wisdom dictionary was causing your issues. You posted that way back in this thread. I am surprised you went back and installed it again.

 

[mavis]

I am also getting the carrier update error. Mavis, I thought you figured out weeks ago that the Wisdom dictionary was causing your issues. You posted that way back in this thread. I am surprised you went back and installed it again.

Yeah, well it froze again (more than once) after that, so I figured it wasn't that app after all. In retrospect, I believe I may have 'caused' those freezes myself (not waiting long enough after installing apps before rebooting, etc) or my first iPhone may have actually been defective (one of the pictures taken by it showed pretty severe and obvious data corruption, which generally indicates faulty RAM/cache/buffer) ... Anyway, now that I have deleted that app once and for all on my new iPhone, it seems to be working as it should.

 

[tony-in-japan]

Just updated mine...

Anyone in Japan updated to 2.0.1 ?

I'm getting an error 0xE8000001

Didn’t seem to have any error problems with updating. What I did notice was I had to update my ‘carrier settings’ twice as it didn’t seem to register the first time.

I was not sure whether to update my carrier settings or to cancel as I was connected to the US iTunes store. I was concerned the carrier settings would be for AT&T phones and not for Softbank. But anyway, it seems to work fine from the update.

My first impressions are:
• Feels more nippy clicking on app and general use
• Texting does not feel sluggish anymore as I have noticed recently when typing
• Auto-rotate is more nippy too
• I am not sure, but I think reception strength has been boosted too (I have 5 bars now, although I am currently in a top floor office)
Regards,
Tony

 

[KBHR]

Does Japan Iphone work In singapore?

Just wondering whether japan iphone works in Singapore. May want to get one once I'm there.

Any ideas how much is the phone without tying a contract to Softbank?

 

[macdigger]

Just a word of warning.
I had my iPhone 3G with firmware 2.0 jailbroken by Pwnage tool.
Today, tried to update to 2.0.1 from iTunes, and it went well (lost jailbrake though). However, the phone lost network, so I decided to restore it cleanly with 2.0.1 - and now I have an iBrick here. ICCID is unknown, the device can't connect to Softbank network (even for emergency calls), and I can't activate. Tried to restore to 2.0, 2.0 Jailbroken, 2.0.1 - with absolutely no good results

Went to Apple store, but folks over there couldn't even put the goddamn thing into recovery mode without my help. WTF is going on? Geniuses huh?..

Anyways, I am now waiting for my replacement unit which comes .... well apple store didn't tell me when the bloody thing comes. "Can take up to 2 weeks" (two weeks!!) Oh well (

 

[tony-in-japan]

Just wondering whether japan iphone works in Singapore. May want to get one once I'm there.

Any ideas how much is the phone without tying a contract to Softbank?

Why don’t you wait until it is officially released in Singapore? I think I read somewhere that Singapore is one of the countries next on Apple’s release agenda.

As far as I know, you cannot buy the iPhone on its own. You need to get a contract with it through an official/authorized shop.