3G iPhone in Japan?

[ajmiyazaki]

-PLUS- I can assure you, I would most certainly stay below the ¥1695 ceiling if and when I get the iPhone because I would not use the data at all. I would only access the internet with wifi and use it as a phone/camera.

When I'm home, I'm using wifi, but most of the time I'm on the train or in a coffee shop (when will Japan jump on the "free wifi in public locations" bandwagon? Never?)... so I rely on 3G for probably 70% of my usage.

I switched from AU to Softbank to get the iPhone and was using a similar tiered data plan.... I was only using email and WAP internet and was maxing out each and every month...

 

[keirnna]

Has anyone been able to load the Carrier update yet? It's really starting to piss me off that it errors out every try.

 

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3G (white): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5B108 Safari/525.20)

Has anyone been able to load the Carrier update yet? It's really starting to piss me off that it errors out every try.

No, but if you reset your network settings on the iPhone, it won't prompt you any more.

Of course, you will lose any wifi settings as well. But otherwise, the phone works great - and no more prompts to update the settings.

 

[sushi]

No, but if you reset your network settings on the iPhone, it won't prompt you any more.

Of course, you will lose any wifi settings as well. But otherwise, the phone works great - and no more prompts to update the settings.

Thanks for the info.

 

[macdigger]

Has anyone been able to load the Carrier update yet? It's really starting to piss me off that it errors out every try.

I restored my iPhone (again) yesterday evening, and today when I connected the device to my Mac at work, I was asked to update the settings, clicked "Update" and everything finally updated itself! Probably Softbank put some fixes in place..

 

[sushi]

I downloaded a bunch of apps, free and paid for types.

My iPod Touch started acting up. Then it got confused when updating.

I tried a Restore, but that didn't work well. So I tried a sync, and removed everything.

Then I synced again to load photos, apps, movies, separately. Worked like a charm.

 

[BiginJapan]

Has anyone been able to load the Carrier update yet? It's really starting to piss me off that it errors out every try.

I just installed the carrier update with no issues whatsoever. Didn't need to reset any settings or anything.

On an unrelated issue -- back to SMS -- does anybody have any idea why I can RECEIVE SMS from of all things an international phone number, and yet not reply to them?

 

[BiginJapan]

One other thing: Japanese input has become decidedly pokey. I'm not sure whether this has anything to do with the 2.1 update, or possibly the fact that I'm using more of the memory for music and video now... at any rate it's kind of annoying. When I first got the thing, the Japanese input was nice and fast.

 

[oftheheavens]

One other thing: Japanese input has become decidedly pokey. I'm not sure whether this has anything to do with the 2.1 update, or possibly the fact that I'm using more of the memory for music and video now... at any rate it's kind of annoying. When I first got the thing, the Japanese input was nice and fast.

more people are getting the iphone now and the initial rush of playing with it and downloading apps is just now hitting us out here. SB should be updating their towers to handle the extra usage, as well as it leveling out on its own because everyone isnt playing with their new toy all day. i just really need some signal boost!

 

[keirnna]

One other thing: Japanese input has become decidedly pokey. I'm not sure whether this has anything to do with the 2.1 update, or possibly the fact that I'm using more of the memory for music and video now... at any rate it's kind of annoying. When I first got the thing, the Japanese input was nice and fast.

Yeah the Japanese input is painfully slow 90% of the time. It is pretty much unusable in some instances. I really hope that it is completely fixed by a 2.0.2 or a 2.1 update. It was faster for a bit after the 2.0.1 update but now it is slow as ever.

 

[fustyler]

Reception issue with Softbank iPhone

In my apartment at Tsukishima I basically get one tiny bar of reception and that's not too stable. I called up softbank today to try to get that antenna thing installed in the balcony, but they said that I need to have been a customer for two years. Since I am a new customer they told me if I discontinue the contract within the two years then I need to pay a penalty for the antenna because it's installed by another company. I'm pretty disappointed about the situation and it doesn't look like I have any options. Also it doesn't appear that they will increase the reception in the area anytime soon.

 

[sushi]

Dropped by the Ginza Apple Store this evening to look at the iPhone.

Attached is picture of what I saw on the iPhone. I took the picture with another iPhone and mailed it to myself. So sorry for the blurry picture.

Basically, it shows this under the cell carrier option:

Automatic

SoftBank (3G)

JP DoCoMo (3G)​

Is this normal?

Does the JP DoCoMo option show on everyones iPhone?

Curious.

 

[Naoz]

Hello fellow iPhone users in Japan.

I've been trying to find a way to sync my previous Toshiba (803T)/softbank cell phone with my contacts on my iMac, so I can sync with my iPhone.

Toshiba contacts seem to be in a format called .vcf and I think iPhone is in a format called .xcard.

I found this software:
http://www.reudo.co.jp/ksync_mac/index.html being sold at Apple.
Cost about ¥5000/ $50.00.

I'd like to know if this software will enable my Toshiba phone to sync with my OSX contacts.
Or if there are any alternative solutions available.

Thanks for reading.

 

[keirnna]

Dropped by the Ginza Apple Store this evening to look at the iPhone.

Attached is picture of what I saw on the iPhone. I took the picture with another iPhone and mailed it to myself. So sorry for the blurry picture.

Basically, it shows this under the cell carrier option:

Automatic

SoftBank (3G)

JP DoCoMo (3G)​

Is this normal?

Does the JP DoCoMo option show on everyones iPhone?

Curious.

Wow that is interesting. When my Sync is done I'll check.

 

[breadbox9]

Hello fellow iPhone users in Japan.

I've been trying to find a way to sync my previous Toshiba (803T)/softbank cell phone with my contacts on my iMac, so I can sync with my iPhone.

Toshiba contacts seem to be in a format called .vcf and I think iPhone is in a format called .xcard.

I found this software:
http://www.reudo.co.jp/ksync_mac/index.html being sold at Apple.
Cost about ¥5000/ $50.00.

I'd like to know if this software will enable my Toshiba phone to sync with my OSX contacts.
Or if there are any alternative solutions available.

Thanks for reading.

well in my case I switched from AU to Softbank.
I brought my old cell phone to the softbank shop and with their machines I could upload all my phone numbers to their data center, where you can dowload later a file in outlook format.

I tried to import it with mac address book and thunderbird, but had problem with the japanese character, so I opened the file in firefox and used that page
http://homepage.mac.com/phrogz/CSV2vCard_v2.html
to make a address book compatible file.
now I have all my phone number of my old keitai in the iphone.
VICTORY

 

[JimmyCorrigan]

One other thing: Japanese input has become decidedly pokey. I'm not sure whether this has anything to do with the 2.1 update, or possibly the fact that I'm using more of the memory for music and video now... at any rate it's kind of annoying. When I first got the thing, the Japanese input was nice and fast.

I've noticed this as well. Pretty annoying.

 

[mavis]

Does the JP DoCoMo option show on everyones iPhone?

Yes, it shows here too.

You can't actually USE the DoCoMo network, but since SoftBank and NTT are both using UMTS, any of their 3G phones are technically capable of operating on either network.

 

[keirnna]

Mine never finds any other networks. I just get this:

 

[sushi]

You can't actually USE the DoCoMo network, but since SoftBank and NTT are both using UMTS, any of their 3G phones are technically capable of operating on either network.

Thanks for the info.

As I understand, DoCoMo was being considered up until the last minute. So it makes sense DoCoMo would be listed.

Wish it were true as I have DoCoMo as my carrier, but will need to change to SoftBank for the iPhone.

 

[mavis]

Thanks for the info.

As I understand, DoCoMo was being considered up until the last minute. So it makes sense DoCoMo would be listed.

Wish it were true as I have DoCoMo as my carrier, but will need to change to SoftBank for the iPhone.

Actually, whether DoCoMo had ever been interested in the iPhone or not, it would still be able to "see" their network, just like most foreign-made phones can see both networks, because both carriers are using the same kind of 3G network. Both my old Motorola Razr (DoCoMo) and my Samsung 804SS (Vodafone/SoftBank) could see the other carrier's network, but of course could not connect to it. On the other hand, the Japanese-made phones I've checked have never reported anything other than their own network. I think J-made phones are locked down so tight to keep the locals ignorant about the capabilities of the hardware they're purchasing. I mean, if they knew their shiny new $1000 SoftBank phone could work on DoCoMo (and vice versa), they might actually start demanding unlocked phones, as people in the rest of the world have done ...

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

Man, if I want to get the unlimited data plan, the iPhone is not really more expensive than the Softbank 824P....the plot thickens!

Looks like any Softbank phone with PC Site Browser, you have to pay for an unlimited data plan the same price as the iPhone's, thus making the price difference between the iPhone and any other Softbank phone w/ unlimited data negligible (less than 600 yen/month).

Maybe I will get the iPhone after all then!

 

[sushi]

Actually, whether DoCoMo had ever been interested in the iPhone or not, it would still be able to "see" their network, just like most foreign-made phones can see both networks, because both carriers are using the same kind of 3G network. Both my old Motorola Razr (DoCoMo) and my Samsung 804SS (Vodafone/SoftBank) could see the other carrier's network, but of course could not connect to it. On the other hand, the Japanese-made phones I've checked have never reported anything other than their own network. I think J-made phones are locked down so tight to keep the locals ignorant about the capabilities of the hardware they're purchasing. I mean, if they knew their shiny new $1000 SoftBank phone could work on DoCoMo (and vice versa), they might actually start demanding unlocked phones, as people in the rest of the world have done ...

All good points.

I was just surprised that both networks showed up. Your explanation makes sense.

As for DoCoMo wanting the iPhone, from what I understand, they really did but were mired down in negotiations with Apple. DoCoMo held out on the cost structure figuring that they are the 900 pound gorilla on the block and that Apple would come around. Then Apple went with SoftBank, and DoCoMo was somewhat stunned.

DoCoMo had issued statements about the limitations of the iPhone and how it would not be popular in Japan. This was negative hype if you will to force Apple to their camp. Yes, this part makes no sense to me, but it seems that is what they did if my source is correct. My source is a PhD. buddy of mine that worked in NTT labs a few years ago. He still has great contacts within NTT and DoCoMo. Very smart fellow.

Anyhow, it looks like SoftBank has the iPhone locked up for quite a while. Their free call system between SoftBank headsets from 0100 to 2100 daily has to be drawing converts from AU and DoCoMo. Smart marketing if you ask me!

A different question for you who have the iPhone in Japan. Can you sync it to a US iTunes account? Any problems or issues? TIA.

 

[Naoz]

I know and understand about the unlimited packet/ internet access plan offered at Softbank here in Japan.

I just checked my online phone bill info, and it says my bill between 7/11-8/10 is ¥725,000!! (about $7,000USD)

I bought my iPhone on July 28thish.
And I have a .Mac account so it automatically tries to update emails.
So I guess it's always connected to the internet.

I've been using Softbank from before, so my iPhone is an upgrade.
I am not a new user to Softbank.

Anyone else have a heart-attack by checking their online phone bill?

I'll post again tomorrow after contacting Softbank.

BTW, I called customer service about a week ago and they told me not to worry when the online bill was at ¥250,000.

 

[mavis]

A different question for you who have the iPhone in Japan. Can you sync it to a US iTunes account? Any problems or issues? TIA.

I'm probably the last person you want to be answering this question (given the problems I've been having!) but I sync with a US account, no problem. There's no way in hell I'd limit myself to a Japanese account, mainly because I expect that games released by major publishers (in the future) will not be distributed outside the US due to licensing issues. At least, not at the same time and at as low a price as the US store's releases.

 

[sushi]

I'm probably the last person you want to be answering this question (given the problems I've been having!)

but I sync with a US account, no problem.

Good to hear.

IThere's no way in hell I'd limit myself to a Japanese account, mainly because I expect that games released by major publishers (in the future) will not be distributed outside the US due to licensing issues. At least, not at the same time and at as low a price as the US store's releases.

Understand.

Thanks for the feedback.