3G iPhone in Japan?

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS (JB3.1, unlocked): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

Does anyone know if it is possible to view CNN.com using Safari via Softbank in Japan? I do not mean the CNN mobile app, just the regular homepage using Safari.
CNN.co.jp shows up just fine, but I want to read the English version also.
I have my iPhone's region set to Canada for the English UI. Whether that is the cause or CNN is detecting my IP address from Japan I don't know, but, I get an error message stating that "This service is currently not available in your region."
If anyone knows of a workaround for this type of problem, I'm all ears - thanks.

Try bookmarking this URL instead: http://edition.cnn.com/index.html

 

[CanuckInJapan]

Try bookmarking this URL instead: http://edition.cnn.com/index.html

Aha, thanks - that did the trick.
Unfortunately the same trick doesn't work for the mobile page.
Why CNN insists on denying mobile access to the English site to anyone outside North America is beyond me.

 

[mavis]

On a regular (non-jailbroken) Softbank iPhone 3GS, is it possible to setup folders (for filtering) with the generic i.softbank.jp account?

I have done this with Gmail etc. (IMAP) accounts, but is there no way to do it with the built-in Softbank account (without using an app like IMAP Folders for example)? If not, any app recommendations?

*** Update: I figured it out myself
- I use Becky! e-mail on the PC, and I was able to configure an IMAP account with it, add folders and filter.
This can also be done with Thunderbird apparently.

Why would you want to be tied to the i.softbank.jp email address for any reason whatsoever? Wouldn't it be much smarter to simply give out your Gmail address to everyone and bypass i.softbank.jp altogether?

 

[CanuckInJapan]

Wouldn't it be much smarter to simply give out your Gmail address to everyone and bypass i.softbank.jp altogether?

It's a long story, but there are times I need to have a keitai address.

 

[mavis]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone 3GS (JB3.1, unlocked): Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

Wouldn't it be much smarter to simply give out your Gmail address to everyone and bypass i.softbank.jp altogether?

It's a long story, but there are times I need to have a keitai address.

Ok, but can't Gmail access external mail accounts? Come to think of it, probably only using POP, not IMAP. Still, the times when you "need" a keitai mail address must be the exception, not the rule ... ?

 

[sealab2021]

It's quite a common practice here in Japan to block all email address that aren't from one of Japan's mobile carriers. It seems to be carrier's method of choice to block spam. It makes it very inconvenient at times, as some people have this set by default and don't even know it.

 

[Silvia96]

Your ""@.i.softbank.jp address is not the email you want to be using, as it is not free (You pay a small fee every time you send and receive mail from it). Softbank also set up a different email account automatically that you should be using, ""@softbank.ne.jp. This is tied to your phone, and is free of charge.

You will have to go into your SoftBank preferences online and change it something easier to remember though: mine was something like 1zuf45ufd@softbank.ne.jp, with a password equally random, but through your phone you can change both to a more recognizable one. Hope this helps, and hopefully you haven't been using that address too much! (In japan? Yeah right..)

Good luck! I love my SoftBank iPhone here in Tokyo.

 

[mavis]

It's quite a common practice here in Japan to block all email address that aren't from one of Japan's mobile carriers. It seems to be carrier's method of choice to block spam. It makes it very inconvenient at times, as some people have this set by default and don't even know it.

Actually, the whole "keitai mail" system is retarded anyway. If only they had gone with an SMS/MMS approach (phone numbers only!) it would be much simpler ...

 

[mavis]

Your ""@.i.softbank.jp address is not the email you want to be using, as it is not free (You pay a small fee every time you send and receive mail from it). Softbank also set up a different email account automatically that you should be using, ""@softbank.ne.jp. This is tied to your phone, and is free of charge.

Actually, that's a common misconception. There is no "fee" associated with use of the i.softbank.jp email account other than the transfer of packets. You pay the same thing (packet data rates) for SMS/MMS as well, plus the 300Y/month for that service. So actually, SMS/MMS is more expensive than email. Of course, you're likely to hit the packet rate cap anyway, so the 0.1 yen you pay for each packet probably won't make much of a difference at all (a few extra grains of sand on the beach, right?) ...

Of course, it doesn't really matter anyhow. You're still better off giving out your Gmail address whenever possible. As for being accessible, all you have to do is set up a filter in Gmail, like this:

Matches: from: (*@docomo.ne.jp OR *@softbank.ne.jp OR *@i.softbank.jp OR *@*.vodafone.ne.jp OR *@ezweb.ne.jp)
Do this: Apply label "Personal/Mobile", Forward to YOURADDRESS @softbank.ne.jp

That way, you cut SoftBank out of it entirely. People store your Gmail address in their Address Books and email you there; if they email you from their phones it's automatically forwarded to your iPhone as an SMS/MMS (and emoji will still come through since Gmail is a recognized emoji-capable server) and when you reply (through the iPhone Messages app) the mail gets sent from your SoftBank keitai-mail address. If someone replies to that email, you'll still get it (so no problem there) and if they compose a new message to you using their Address Book, you'll get that too. The advantage is that the address you hand out, the one people save on their phones, is YOURS, not SoftBank's.

I can't even begin to count the number of times I've heard people complaining about switching carriers in Japan, all because they have to change their email address. I'd hate to be dependent on SoftBank for an email address; giving out a Gmail address instead of a Softbank one cuts that leash and gives you more control.

 

[sushi]

I can't even begin to count the number of times I've heard people complaining about switching carriers in Japan, all because they have to change their email address. I'd hate to be dependent on SoftBank for an email address; giving out a Gmail address instead of a Softbank one cuts that leash and gives you more control.

Wise words indeed.

Never again will I depend on a carrier's e-mail address.

Especially with so many options available: AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

 

[mavis]

Never again will I depend on a carrier's e-mail address.

Especially with so many options available: AOL, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

Indeed. The reason I keep mentioning Gmail specifically is because it's one of the only that will you to receive emoji correctly. Even my hosted Gmail accounts (Google Apps) don't work correctly - I maintain a 'regular' Gmail account and simply forward all mail to my primary (hosted) Gmail account solely for this purpose. A bit of a PITA to set up but once you've got all the filters and/or forwarding in place, it works great!

 

[sushi]

I maintain a 'regular' Gmail account and simply forward all mail to my primary (hosted) Gmail account solely for this purpose. A bit of a PITA to set up but once you've got all the filters and/or forwarding in place, it works great!

Would you mind explaining this (your setup) in a little more detail?

TIA.

 

[mavis]

Would you mind explaining this (your setup) in a little more detail?

TIA.

Sure. It's probably more complex than most, but that's due to my own (past?) thick-headedness.

I basically have three email accounts routing all/most of their mail to a fourth 'main' account, which is the one I check on my iPhone. The main account is hosted Gmail (Google Apps; MYDOMAIN.com) as is one of the forwarded accounts (MYOLDDOMAIN.com), in addition to one MobileMe account and a regular Gmail account.

1. MYOLDDOMAIN.com (hosted Gmail; catchall) - forwards most mail to main account using filters to avoid forwarding spam and ads.

2. MobileMe - forwards all email to main account.

3. Standard Gmail (MYDOMAIN@gmail.com) - forwards all email to main account. Given out in place of 'keitai mail' address because it is the only address that can receive emoji correctly.

4. Main account - MYDOMAIN.com (hosted Gmail; catchall) - this is the only account I check on my iPhone. This account has a number of filters set up to make things a little easier:

• All incoming keitai mail are forwarded to my @softbank.ne.jp (MMS) address
• All family email are forwarded to my MMS address, as are some work emails
• All incoming forwarded messages (from MobileMe and MYOLDDOMAIN.com) are labeled as such (so that I can easily identify who is still using the old addresses and switch them over to the new address)

5. MMS Account - configured through My Softbank - this was, of course, the biggest PITA to configure, as the configuration interface was designed by a Japanese carrier. Basically, I have it set up to accept all keitai mail as well as selected domains, which means I had to manually add about a dozen domains (mostly family and work, as well as MYDOMAIN.com) ...

Of course, if you need/want push email, you can simply enable Google Sync on your hosted Gmail account and set it up as an Exchange account on your iPhone. Personally, I don't really like doing it that way as 1) email located on the server is not searchable (an iPhone bug?) and 2) it's not possible to specify an email count for downloading mail to the iPhone (e.g., the last 50 messages, the last 100, etc) only the email age (email received within the last two days, one week, all time, etc) ... So I just stick with IMAP (hourly fetch) and selectively forward certain messages to my MMS address basically for instant notification.

Hope that helps.

 

[Narzist]

Sure. It's probably more complex than most, but that's due to my own (past?) thick-headedness.

I basically have three email accounts routing all/most of their mail to a fourth 'main' account, which is the one I check on my iPhone. The main account is hosted Gmail (Google Apps; MYDOMAIN.com) as is one of the forwarded accounts (MYOLDDOMAIN.com), in addition to one MobileMe account and a regular Gmail account.

1. MYOLDDOMAIN.com (hosted Gmail; catchall) - forwards most mail to main account using filters to avoid forwarding spam and ads.

2. MobileMe - forwards all email to main account.

3. Standard Gmail (MYDOMAIN@gmail.com) - forwards all email to main account. Given out in place of 'keitai mail' address because it is the only address that can receive emoji correctly.

4. Main account - MYDOMAIN.com (hosted Gmail; catchall) - this is the only account I check on my iPhone. This account has a number of filters set up to make things a little easier:

• All incoming keitai mail are forwarded to my @softbank.ne.jp (MMS) address
• All family email are forwarded to my MMS address, as are some work emails
• All incoming forwarded messages (from MobileMe and MYOLDDOMAIN.com) are labeled as such (so that I can easily identify who is still using the old addresses and switch them over to the new address)

5. MMS Account - configured through My Softbank - this was, of course, the biggest PITA to configure, as the configuration interface was designed by a Japanese carrier. Basically, I have it set up to accept all keitai mail as well as selected domains, which means I had to manually add about a dozen domains (mostly family and work, as well as MYDOMAIN.com) ...

Of course, if you need/want push email, you can simply enable Google Sync on your hosted Gmail account and set it up as an Exchange account on your iPhone. Personally, I don't really like doing it that way as 1) email located on the server is not searchable (an iPhone bug?) and 2) it's not possible to specify an email count for downloading mail to the iPhone (e.g., the last 50 messages, the last 100, etc) only the email age (email received within the last two days, one week, all time, etc) ... So I just stick with IMAP (hourly fetch) and selectively forward certain messages to my MMS address basically for instant notification.

Hope that helps.

When i use Gmail half of my mails written in Japanese characters are not displayed properly. Furthermore about 30% of my incoming mails have a delay up to 2 hours. So i decided to buy a me-account. Now everything works flawless expect emoji.

 

[mavis]

When i use Gmail half of my mails written in Japanese characters are not displayed properly. Furthermore about 30% of my incoming mails have a delay up to 2 hours. So i decided to buy a me-account. Now everything works flawless expect emoji.

That's very odd. I've never experienced either of those problems.

 

[199708]

Narzist: Im having the same problem, when I correspond with my clients in Japanese, all they see is boxes and shapes. Eng is fine.

im emailing the from my gmail account to a PC email.

 

[mavis]

Narzist: Im having the same problem, when I correspond with my clients in Japanese, all they see is boxes and shapes. Eng is fine.

im emailing the from my gmail account to a PC email.

Have you tried changing to UTF-8 encoding?

 

[CanuckInJapan]

Softbank new e-mail sound - inaudible

Question re the types of mail notification sounds that can be set on a Softbank iPhone (3GS).
When I receive mail at the i.softbank.jp address it uses the customizable "New text message" sound.
However, when mail arrives to my POP account, it just makes a short "ding" which is barely audible, even with vibrate turned on.
- Is there any way to change a setting somewhere (short of jailbreaking) to have POP mail also use the customizable sounds?

 

[mmulin]

Is there any way to change a setting somewhere (short of jailbreaking) to have POP mail also use the customizable sounds?

No, the mail sound isn't customisable. However, instead of using @i.softbank.. for your MMS needs, you can configure you actual MMS address of @softbank.ne.jp. Of course msg size limits apply.
Also, you can turn on notifiction for your @i.. account. In this case you will receive a notification SMS which' sound is configurable.

 

[CanuckInJapan]

Also, you can turn on notifiction for your @i.. account. In this case you will receive a notification SMS which' sound is configurable.

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I indicated that the customizable mail sound that plays for the i.softbank.jp is fine. I'm not worried about the softbank.ne.jp MMS account either.
The problem is that mail sent to my POP account (xxxx@mydomain.com) is announced with a little tiny "ding" is only noticeable if the phone is sitting on a desk (and vibrate is on too).

 

[mmulin]

Maybe I wasn't clear, but I indicated that the customizable mail sound that plays for the i.softbank.jp is fine. I'm not worried about the softbank.ne.jp MMS account either.
The problem is that mail sent to my POP account (xxxx@mydomain.com) is announced with a little tiny "ding" is only noticeable if the phone is sitting on a desk (and vibrate is on too).

No, you were quite clear but I still didn't had my coffee. Anyways, in that case the answer is NO, unless jailbroken as you mentioned.

 

[mavis]

Anyways, in that case the answer is NO, unless jailbroken as you mentioned.

Of course you could always forward a copy of your POP mail to the i.softbank.jp address or your MMS address, at least for the notifications.

 

[longrowe]

CDMA iphone

So if the rumors are to be believed and the iPhone becomes compatible with Verizon, does that mean that it will truly be CDMA compatible? Would that mean an unlocked phone could be used with AU? I have to tell you, the Softbank service area in the North (Tohoku) leaves something to be desired. If you are in a large metroploitan area, the service is fine. Once you get out into the farm fields, the service disappears. But my wife's POS AU junk phone never loses reception.

 

[CanuckInJapan]

Of course you could always forward a copy of your POP mail to the i.softbank.jp address or your MMS address, at least for the notifications.

That's actually what I used to do with my old AU phone.
But, AU would always send an error to the senders of messages with large attachments saying that the recipient (my AU phone after being forwarded from my POP server) could not receive large attachments (I would receive the mail, but not the attachment which was just fine). I assume this problem doesn't exist with Softbank(?).
Which raises another POP related question. I receive POP mail quite quickly, but sending POP mail from the iPhone always results in a delay of about 3-4 minutes. No idea why, port setting number maybe? (Currently have the POP account Primary Server set to Server Port 25, and Softbank account as Other SMTP Servers set to Server Port 465)

 

[VIP KING]

Nobody seems to be replying to this so I hope I can get some help here.

I currently live in Tokyo. I currently have a unique situation, I have a Docomo Blackberry plan with a working unlocked Blackberry Storm (brought my own unlocked BB Bold orginally). Both phones work/worked fine to this day. However...

Here is my plan, I want to use my unlocked/jailbroke iPhone 32gb 3Gs, now I know I will lose my Blackberry Instant messenger ability, not worried about my Docomo email addy, but my personal or Gmail email should still push and internet should work. However when I put my Foma sim in, the only thing I am able to do is call or get calls.

If I select Wi-Fi at my house I have internet access with no issues. But I need regular 3G internet access so I can constantly have email pushes and internet whenever.

So with that said, am I on a different internet plan all together because of my unlimited Internet Blackberry plan (Biz-Hodai according to my bill)?? I assume the internet access plans are all the same, but I could certainly be wrong. The following APN settings do not work for me...

mopera.net
imode.net
i-mode.net
blackberry.net
mpr2.bizho.net
0120.mopera.net
0120.mopera.biz

I have tried many others too with complete fail. I do get different error messages depending on the APN I select, which leads me to believe I am close but need some sort of user name and password, or Mopera account, which one is the case? And trying to relay that to a non-English speaking Docomo rep is futile. I'm certain to get the typical teeth sucking and arms crossed in X formation. I know this because trying to get them to activate a Blackberry plan for a phone I already had was a 4 time challenge and over a month effort. They finally believed me when I proved that my Bold would work.

Also, no user name or password used on any of above APN settings.

If I need to cancel the BB plan and start with an entirely different Doco plan then so be it it, but which one is the question for those that have an iPhone on Docomo now.

I read that others have their iphone on Docomo working but NOBODY has been clear on what they did to get it running. All the info is so vague it's ridiculous. People like me need specifics such as...

1.) Foma/Foma sims won't work at all. Get standard Docomo (non-Foma, such and such color) Doco sim card and XxXx internet plan...
2.) Tell Doco rep you need a certain internet plan)
3.) Upload certain software to iPhone
4.) Change these settings to this
Etc. Etc. Etc.

The typical internet answer of, just pop in sim card and set APN to mopera.net IS NOT THE answer. There is more to it then that folks. I know this because I have put in several different Docomo sim cards from friends and co-workers and that does not work.

So,
does anyone have any insight? Do I need to hook this up to a PC and make differnt settings on the iPhone? Do I have to sign up for Mopera even though I already have unlimited internet with my Docomo Blackberry plan? Which Mopera plan do I/should I get then? Do I have to install anything Mopera wise to the iPhone? If so, then what is it and where do you get it?
Can anyone give some advice? Please help, and explain the process please. Thanks in advance.

Thanks in advance. I can be emailed if you have any ideas?

And for those that what to reply with "why don't you use Softbank", it's a simple answer, their signal sucks (many many Softbank users complain of this) I know this to be true, because I've seen their crap signals in action right next to Docomo phones. And their plans suck and are way more expensive.

Docomo wins my vote.