klingon 10 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 It will be interesting to see the takeup on this one. Pretty inexpensive compared with the top keitai models out there now. Quote: TOKYO: Softbank, the carrier that won the coveted right to sell the iPhone in Japan, said Monday it will sell for 23,040 yen (US$215) — comparable to the marked down U.S. price for the hit gadget. Japan will be among the overseas nations awaiting the global rollout of a new version of the iPhone promised for July 11. That will mark the iPhone's debut in this nation reputed as loving gadgets, including Apple products such as the iPod portable digital-music player. Tokyo-based Softbank Corp., Japan's No. 3 mobile phone company, said people will get a discount in their mobile phone bills that will calculate to their paying 23,040 yen (US$215) for Apple Inc.'s iPhone over two years. Whether the announced price will be seen as a discount by Japanese gadget fans is still unclear. For years, some mobile phones were practically given away for free as carriers were eager to win market share and earn revenue through phone fees. But recently, as the market here saturates, mobile phones have gone up in price, and the more sophisticated ones can cost about 50,000 yen (US$470). Cheaper models are still also available. Softbank spokesman Daisuke Muranaga said the iPhone Japan price was comparable to other high-end mobile phones at the carrier. Apple has given the U.S. price at US$199 for the 8-gigabyte iPhone and US$299 for the 16-gigabyte version. Analysts say that compares favorably to rival products. In Japan, the 16-gigabyte version will cost 34,560 yen (US$320), although consumers won't be buying the phone outright but with the payment being combined with discounts for the fees. Apple says it has sold about 6 million iPhones so far this year, and has a goal of selling 10 million. The new iPhone is going on sale in more than 20 countries, including Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Hong Kong. Softbank has been on aggressive push to gain market share from rivals NTT DoCoMo and KDDI Corp. by slashing prices and airing catchy ads as those starring Cameron Diaz. Signing with Apple on the iPhone is a major coup for Softbank. Japan has long had high-speed Internet-connecting mobile phones, which give restaurant searches, e-mail, electronic shopping, novel and comic book downloads and other services. Nearly all Japanese mobile phones come with digital cameras, which can also take short video clips. The latest ones also have digital TV broadcast reception, which the iPhone will not have. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I think it will do well, but for all those wanting a decent camera they will have to stick with the other options.. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Got mine on order. Might have to sign the rest of my life with the operator though. Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 "Apple says it has sold about 6 million iPhones so far this year, and has a goal of selling 10 million." Japanese tv yesterday morning were trying to make out that it wasn't a success and that's why they were coming to Japan. I couldn't help notice the "sponsored by NTT Docomo" messages during the progam. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I'm quite looking forward to it. Without 3G, phones are dead, so why did it take so long for them to get the plot. Link to post Share on other sites
base40 0 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Not with the features of iphone there aren't. Depends on what you want. Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Quote: and it is not 3g Naughty naughty Apple for saying on it's website that it is 3g then. You should email them and tell them about their mistake, other people might not notice. Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaidough 4 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Can you please advise us on Niseko as well? I don't need the phone, was thinking of getting the ipod touch though. Wonder if that will get much cheaper soon too. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I'm getting it cos it's 3G and free if I sign with the operator for prob 2 more years. Dunno yet as they are keeping it all hush hush until July 11. Link to post Share on other sites
Amos in Utsunomia 0 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I have an itouch. Great little machine, love to be able to use the web on that screen with wireless. It is just so much superior to any phones out there. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Mine is free too Thursday.. No probs with that at all. FT is right, there are better phones on the J market but ability to use an all english phone would be good for those that don't understand Jp and the screen size is good. Camera sux though, but I have a good 10mega anyway.. Dunno about softbank in Jp, but optus should be good here. Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Optus? Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Australia.. Link to post Share on other sites
JapaneseSnowBunny 0 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 I really like the screen, it looks big and easy to use much more than my telephone. Link to post Share on other sites
klingon 10 Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 My friend is camped out outside the shop already. Just interviewed on the telly. Idiot!! Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Aus: I have been happy with the Telstra 3G coverage in Aus, and kids say the Optus 3G is pretty good as well. Not sure about the other players - and not sure who will offer the iPhone. I have no need of one - my phone does all I want of it right now (except work in Japan which is the whole reason I bought THAT model!) - but I am sure it wont be long before the kids start nagging me for one (answer is NO!) Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 HK: 60,000 on order and only 10,000 available. How daft. Just wait 'til I get my grubby hands on mine, eventually. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I'm waiting.. I think there will be some probs and they (the providers) haven't revealed anything yet! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 probs that will bw fixed by firmware upgrades as always. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 But I don't care, I'll be tied for another 24 months and the phone comes free as well as the monthly service fee. Thank you company. And thanks also for the free internet and the free time to use the said internet. And the free money at the end of the month. Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Originally Posted By: thursday. But I don't care, I'll be tied for another 24 months and the phone comes free as well as the monthly service fee. Thank you company. And thanks also for the free internet and the free time to use the said internet. And the free money at the end of the month. See.. The phone is free for me too but they won't say wether the internet services will be included in my regular cap. So till they spill the beans I'll be using ma current phone. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 They're releasing the thing without actually telling customers what services will be included?! Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 The services come with your service plan. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 They had the 'live' opening of the store in Tokyo on tv this morning, complete with dry ice. Well over 1000 people lined up, not guaranteed a phone. Link to post Share on other sites
soubriquet 0 Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Let's see. Scenario 1. Dial number, speak on phone. Scenario 2. Phone rings, answer and speak on phone. Am I missing something here? Link to post Share on other sites
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