N900 in Japan?
 

So here I am in Japan feeling awfully left out over the coming of the N900. I have been doing some searching but I can't seem to find any word on whether or not the N900 is coming to Asian markets. Has anyone here heard anything?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Sorry, mate, I haven't heard a peep. I was just in Japan and actively looking for information on the N900 but came up with nothing.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

On the PUSH N900 page from the other thread
(http://www.psfk.com/2009/09/hacking-...on-launch.html) it says

So i think at least until then it will be released in Japan as well.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Does maemo 5 even have localization support for east-asian character sets? if not, a release seems doubtful.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

That is a really good question. The mention of Tokyo is a little uplifting, I was going to call Softbank and harass them about it but it is past there normal business hours. I guess I will just have to wait till morning to call.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

i think that this will be a cool internet tablet in japan, but will you be able to use this as a phone? if so, im sold on the n900

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Don't quote me on this, but I believe it will work if you have a sim card that you can use in Japan, such as a sim card from a Softbank prepaid phone.

I believe this will work because:
1. The N900 supports the 2100 MHz 3G band, which should mean the phone will work in Japan.
2. There are reports of other 2100 MHz 3G phones working in Japan with a Softbank prepaid sim card. See for example here: http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...8&postcount=51

This is for the phone call functionality. As for messaging functionality, you may need to configure the phone with information that e.g. Softbank will not want to provide. But I think in 2010 the law will change so carriers must provide all configuration information to allow other phones to work on their network.

This is only for Softbank prepaid sim cards, which is a configuration that I have heard will work. I don't know anything about Softbank contract plans, or other carriers. I think I heard that non-standard sim-like technology has been/is being used in many Japanese handsets.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

I think I've found some viable solutions for Japan usage (none completely ideal); if there's interest I can post more detail.

Basically my conclusions are:

• You can get voice connectivity by using a compatible sim card directly in the N900, or (probably) by using the N900's bluetooth headset profile to remote-control a nearby bluetooth-capable J-phone.
• You can get 3G data connectivity (wide coverage) by using a compatible sim card directly in the N900, or by using a portable battery-powered WiFi router such as the Cradlepoint PHS300, that allows you to plug in a 3G modem (verified as compatible with many Japanese models) and access it via WiFi.
• You can get WiFi data connectivity (narrow coverage) by looking for free hotspots (maps available online), or by subscribing to a paid WiFi hotspot service.

Regarding direct sim card compabitility with the N900, it seems:

• E-Mobile: Offer various voice-only, data-only, or voice+data plans. Probably won't work at all due to E-Mobile using the non-widespread UMTS Band IX (but possibly a future N900 firmware upgrade may support that). Cheap.
• Softbank: Offer various voice-only, data-only, or voice+data plans. Voice sim card will probably work. 3G data may work, but Softbank contractually prohibits using their sim cards in other devices on the cheap flat-rate plans; the more expensive business plans seem to allow sim-swapping. If you use a sim card in a non-approved device you may get hit with massive charges because Softbank appears very unfriendly to tethering or unapproved devices. Cheap.
• Willcom Core 3G: A data-only plan from Willcom. Verified to work in Android GDD phone (that runs on 900/2100 MHz, both supported by the N900) in Japan for 3G data connection. No voice on this plan. Slightly more expensive. Also the web page says the service may end in 2012.
• B-Mobile: Time-limited, prepaid, no-contract data plan. English documentation available. Per-minute charges are expensive, but if you don't use it much, it can be cheaper. The web page specifically says it's intended for surfing mail checking, so if you watch streaming video or use P2P on this plan you may get cut off. Interestingly, they also offer a sim-card-only prepaid plan aimed at Android developers.
• Docomo: Seem to offer voice-only or data-only plans. Not sure about details here. Slightly more expensive.
• AU: Doesn't seem to offer 3G data, not sure about details.
  

Regarding a WiFi data connection using the PHS300 as a WiFi router plus a USB data modem, then accessing the data connection from the N900 using Wifi, I found out the following:

• Willcom W-Value SELECT, a low-speed 64kbit PHS service. USB modem verified to work with PHS300: see 1, 2. Cheapest option: 980 yen/month, for max of 24 months (after that it reverts to standard price of 3700 yen/month). Willcom also has another similar offering where you buy their WiFi router instead of using the PHS300.
• Willcom Core 3G: verified to work with PHS300, requires using some initialization commands.
• E-Mobile: Many modems verified to work with PHS300. See PHS300 documentation.

Others may work, but you should check before buying. Note that the PHS300 does not run Linux, so you are dependent on the manufacturer to update their firmware to support newer USB data modems.

Regarding paid WiFi hotspot services, there are a couple of these available, but they only work in e.g. downtown Tokyo, and don't have nearly the coverage of 3G data. But depending on where you live/when you need data, WiFi may be a better option for you.

Personally, I think I'm going for Bluetooth headset profile for voice, and Willcom Core 3G for data. Continuing to investigate, though.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

I'm also living in Japan, and very interested in this device...

I wonder how the SCIM input will work across programs ? It works ok on my N810, if I don't update to the latest OS version (at least when I tried ~6months ago)

This is a showstopper for use in Japan (as a phone) if input doesn't work...

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

For non-Japan folks who want to use this as a phone during travel, the Passport SIM from Telestial.com offers Japan access. Data rates are outrageous, but voice works as long as your phone has the right frequencies. I haven't had much experience with it but to make a few calls from Narita during a layover.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Didn't Nokia pull out of Japanese market except for Vertu luxury brand.


http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...4AQ1K620081127

Nokia to cease sales in Japan
Thu Nov 27, 2008

Nokia, the world's biggest mobile phone maker, said on Thursday it will stop selling mobile phones in Japan

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Yes Rauha you're right - they did.
It must be a typo, there is no flagship store in Tokyo, only Vertu store in Ginza.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Isn't it pretty hard to just get a SIM in Japan, without a phone? I'm studying abroad in Tokyo next year, and my N900 is going with me, even if I can only use it with Skype+Wifi to call home, but it would be AWESOME if I could use it for voice there, too, especially with Google Voice..

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

google voice and gizm account on wifi would be your best bet even if it wouldnot have voice for you wouldnt it?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Yeah, probably. I guess I'm also thinking about the easy way for people to be able to call me, too. The friends I already have in Japan, I mean.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Japan is saturated with cell phones, Nokia had to pull out.
I'm glad they did because for me it signaled that they would finally stop having that Japan technology Market influence as a general guide towards what they should try to do with their next models and instead they have had to innovate through the Nokia tablet product relying on all their own people and supporters from around the world, i.e., they stop being fixated on trying to compete in the Japan market and opened their eyes to a wider audience.
But i love Japan even though I've never been there I see so many pretty Japanese girls and the movies are pretty good and the words are easy to pronounce.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

...but definitely not so easy to write. I've been speaking the language for almost 10 years and I still study Kanji :p

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Yes, it's pretty hard. Some pushy people have apparently been able to get Softbank SIMs without a phone. However this recently may have been stopped again.

A glimmer of hope on the horizon is the fact that in 2010 Japanese law will require carriers to provide APN information to allow third party (or other carriers') phones on the network. It is possible that as a side effect, SIM cards (without phones) may become more widely available, due to the increasing number of people who just want to connect to a carrier's network without buying a phone from that carrier.

For prepaid data-only SIMs, it is already possible to get them without a contract (e.g. B-Mobile).

For prepaid voice, currently AFAIK Softbank is the only carrier that is taking new customers. Even if they force you to buy a handset, the cheap ones run around 7000 yen or so, so it's not that expensive - compared to the price of the N900, anyway. :)

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

So, anyone in Japan buying the N900? If so, from where?

Here's one place: expansys.jp.

Are there other places to buy or other options?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Japan uses USIM mostly, apparently Japanese handsets are way more advance than the N900 ;)
A few years ago their handsets were able to watch broadcast TV, now making cashless payment for public transport with their handset is quite normal :)

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

You can apparently buy a Japanese Softbank SIM card without a handset here.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Found some more online shops that look like they may be able to ship the N900 to Japan: BLT, Sparco, and PriceUSA. Note that BLT and Sparco may require you to send a photocopy of your credit card before they agree to international shipping. Inquiring now about PriceUSA.

Anybody else with more information about Japan buying, please post it here. Or am I the only one here buying in Japan? :confused:

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Good to see there's a healthy interest in people taking the N900 to Japan. Maybe once the device is a little more available some inertia can be built up behind localization/input.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

I'll be moving back to Japan in Aug '10 if everything goes right.

Softbank uses uSIM, is it possible to get the ￥4,410 unlimited data plan via SIM or is uSIM supported on the n900?

Has anyone had a similar experience, or know definitively?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

If you find out about this please post here, I would love to know about this!

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

A little out of place question here.

Why a N900 when you guys have all those uber keitai's? I know that there's not much of a good smart phone selection in Japan, but yea. I've drooling over keitai for ages. The only thing stopping me is that data and gps is not usable outside of Japan.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Let's start here:
http://mb.softbank.jp/en/products/

Look through these phones and tell me which one you like. I'm not impressed by any to tell you the truth. I too thought that a keitai would be awesome until I got one. Compared to cheap phones they're nice, compare to the n900 they're nothing special.

I own a t912, and I got that model because it had GPS and TV. However, I didn't watch tv on it because, (1) no tv on underground train, (2) ear phone plug is propriety, (2) screen is too small. I didn't use GPS because, (1) it was in Japanese, (2) drained battery in about an hour and was slow.

Look through the Softbank phones. The charges lasts 180-220 minutes. Why? Because no one talks. A keitai will last you 3 days on 1 charge don't make any calls, or 6 days if you never use it at all. Whoopy.

Don't even get me started on their phone plans. $45 for 60minutes a month. $45 additional for unlimited data.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

The openness of the N900 is the major appeal for me.

As an example, my current sim-locked phone has a camera which stopped working in the middle of my overseas holiday. After working fine for 3 days, the camera app refused to start, saying "please connect to network," which was impossible because I had no overseas sim card. Besides, why on earth does the camera app need to connect to the network? So I was stuck without taking pictures.

With an open platform, this wouldn't have happened - or even if it did, i could modify the software to disable or work around the network check. The ability to have root (administrator) access to my own hardware is something that is becoming more and more important. Buying the N900 is a way of supporting the idea that private individuals, not corporate interests, should have the right to fully control hardware that they own.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

i am in okinawa right now, and neither here nor at kansai international am i able to see any phone carriers. a business associate next to me had his tri-band blackberry connect to NTT Docomo while my n900 appeared to do nothing.

iv tried setting the phone to GSM, 3G, and Dual modes, but nothing gets a rise out of it.
i was hoping to use my n900 during this business trip and my tokyo/osaka vacation in february, but at this point it seems like im out of luck...

does the N900 not have a compatible radio, or am i bunking something up?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

""please connect to network," which was impossible because I had no overseas sim card. Besides, why on earth does the camera app need to connect to the network? So I was stuck without taking pictures.
"

did you enable geotagging and the phone wanted to get location first.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

You haven't missed anything. In Japan buy a Sony-Ericsson instead that lets you pay for your metro ticket with your phone.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

What SIM card are you using?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

its an alaskan AT&T 3g-branded SIM.

if i simply have an incompatible SIM, is it possible to get a prepaid plan while im here in japan? last time i tried it was impossible as i wasnt a resident. i suppose i could have a local friend puchase one and allow me to use it, but i would prefer not to burden someone with that.

im hoping that with the large US military presense here in okinawa that they have a way for me to get a SIM when im on the installation -but that is just wishful thinking at this point. i wont know if there is anything like that until monday.

regardless, the n900 is really badass with gjiten and mscim working. my japanese sucks (i only really know enough to impress the pants off a girl [though my accent and kana penmanship are said to be superb]), so gjiten and mscim REALLY come in handy when im looking for a word.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

i see no reason why the nok wont work in japan- it has the hardware- its your sim.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

What is the percentage of Japanese people speaking English or being able to use a device with English keyboard?

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Prepaid SIM: http://www.japanmobile.jp/product/229

Disclaimer: never tried that company myself.

If you just want data you can try b-mobile, a per-minute prepaid data-only 3G service. Not sure if the SIM will work in the N900, but I think it would.

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Word of caution, I was on the prepaid plan on SoftBank when I was in Japan and had to use the cheap free phone I got with my card because the card wouldn't work on my N95

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

Interesting. It seems it is possible to get it to work though:

http://www.nokiausers.net/forum/gene...ank-japan.html

Could it have been a problem with your N95 model not supporting the proper frequency band?

To the OP: rental SoftBank SIM - see last post here http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum...m/1137775.html

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

(apologies as i am drunk right now) well i went to an AU store at Torri Station today (army base) and they said they dirndt sell prepaid sims. the lady said ti would wok if i had a friend with an old SIM -he could re-enable it and loan it to me. not an option. her other idea was to check out the marine base nearby and rent a mobile phone, as they had that service there. iwant to use my n900 and not any old crap phone, so im not doing that either...

sounds lioke i am more or less f*cked unless i get a friend to open a new account solely for myself or i become a resident (nice, but not an option ATM).

anyone have any other ideas i can try while i am here? i will be in tokyo (actually saitama, but whatever) feb 7-mar 7 so i can try other stuff then if necessary.

offtopic: okinawa is f*cking awwesome. anyone been here and seen the 'snake lady' (aka, the 'banana lady')?? thats some crazy sh*t!!

Re: N900 in Japan?
 

a japanese keyboard has english lletters on it.
typing 'ka' = kana for ka (apologies, i dont havfe japanese input on my work laptop and im too drunk to install them right now).
japanese girlsin bars typed kana on my n900 as easily as i do.