iPhone Softbank mail sound notification [Jailbroken]

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As every iPhone user in Japan knows, Softbank has implemented it’s own notification method of the offered i.softbank.jp e-mail account.

This setting allows a push notification to be delivered on the screen when a new incoming message has hit the server, while, strangely enough, not pushing the e-mail itself directly (one has to rely on fetching or manually force the download).

One of the biggest complaints about this system in heavy-email-texting Japan (e-mail being used instead of SMS) is that the notification comes without any sound or vibration.

This hasn’t yet been addressed by new Softbank carrier settings, but if you have a Jailbroken iPhone -or are ready to do so-, here’s a work-around.

TO READ THE FULL POST, PLEASE GO TO THE NEW HOME: www.mobileinjapan.com

Softbank wins first major iPhone corporate contract

In a country where smartphone use is lagging, a 1,000 iPhone handset corporate contract is exciting news.

Let’s see if this idea spills over other Japanese companies.

Japan’s Softbank Mobile has signed its first major corporate contract for the iPhone 3G.

The deal, with management and technology consultancy BearingPoint, will see 1,000 of the phones put into the hands of the company’s analysts and workers across the country, the two companies said on Monday.

BearingPoint said it is adopting the iPhone with the aim of improving the productivity of its consultants and helping them access information more easily.

via PC World – IPhone Gets First Major Corporate Customer in Japan.

Softbank still ahead in subscription growth

Softbank stays ahead in subscribers’ growth, 17 months in a row. While the real iPhone impact is unknown, its introduction since July has certainly helped the japanese carrier.

Tokyo, Oct 7, 2008 Jiji Press - Softbank Mobile Corp. remained in the top spot in net mobile phone subscription growth for the third straight half year in April-September, industry data showed Tuesday.

The unit of Internet and telecommunications conglomerate Softbank Corp. <9984> registered a net subscription number increase of 1,047,000, with its low basic monthly fees continuing to appeal to customers, the Telecommunications Carriers Association said.

Softbanks new handsets launches for the summer shopping season, including Sharp Corp.s <6753> Aquos series, and the craze of Apple Inc.s iPhone at the time of its debut in Japan in July also contributed to Softbanks growth.

NTT DoCoMo Inc. <9437> ranked second with net growth of 549,300, followed by EMobile Ltd. which logged a net rise of 400,200.

KDDI Corp. <9433>, the provider of the “au” service, was bottom, with a net increase of 112,600.

For September alone, Softbank retained its top position for the 17th consecutive month, logging net growth of 142,800. NTT DoCoMo was in second place with a net rise of 129,700, followed by KDDI with 74,900 and EMobile with 59,300, the association said.

 

Softbank Stays Top in Mobile Subscription Growth for 3rd Half Year.

Emoji coming with iPhone 2.2 firmware update?

According to MacRumors, the latest iPhone 2.2 firmware, just seeded to developpers, contains 461 emoji characters.

It is unclear if these will be made available on this firmware release or for a following one. It is also yet unknown if Softbank participated in the creation process, allowing the iPhone not only to send, but also receive emoji from other Japanese carriers on the i.softbank.jp e-mail address. 

Currently, sending emoji through the iPhone is only possible through a webapp.

Softbank is seeking corporate iPhone customers

Sotfbank is looking to attract the business crowd into using the iPhone with a 3 month free lease.

Softbank (SFBTF.PK) will lease Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone 3G to corporate clients free of charge for three months as part of efforts to attract corporate users as the initial hype surrounding the device’s July release fades. Some 1,500 companies attending Softbank Summit 2008 are eligible for the free rentals, which are limited to five handsets per company. The promotion covers both the phones and the communications charges. Softbank president Masayoshi Son devoted most of his keynote address to the iPhone, giving concrete examples of how it can be used in business settings. Major apparel chains and banks are already looking at introducing the device. With the sales boom having passed, Softbank is looking to boost sales volume by cultivating demand related to business applications.

Japanese Tech Stock Weekly Summary (Sept. 8-14) – Seeking Alpha.

iPhone pricing in Japan

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Since I’ve received countless info request since my blog post explaining what you should do to get an iPhone in Japan, here’s a recap’ of the current iPhone pricing plan in Japan, as sold by Softbank (special offers by Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera or others are not taken into account, for simplicity’s sake).

All prices include taxes. The iPhone has to be bought with a 24 months contract. Prices in red are the minimum requirements.

Contract fee:

JPY 2,835 for a new Softbank contract, or JPY 1,995 for a Softbank contract upgrade. This is a one-shot fee.

TO READ THE FULL POST, PLEASE GO TO THE NEW HOME: www.mobileinjapan.com

New iPhone pricing for Softbank

Softbank just announced that they will again cut the basic monthly fee for the iPhone in Japan.

It will now cost JPY 2,324 a month, from JPY 2,990 in August and JPY 7,280 when it was released on July 11.

It seems Softbank is feeling the heat from NTT Docomo and their new low-charge subscription. I guess Softbank also sees that the iPhone can only be a mainstream success if the price is competitive.

Softbank 3G speed in Japan

On August 13, Wired asked their readers to submit the speed they were seeing with their iPhones.

The results of this non-scientific survey are in, and, as far as DL/UL speed goes, here’s their take on Softbank:

U.S. carrier AT&T tied for third with Telstra, Telia and Softbank, where users reported average download speeds of roughly 990 Kbps.

Sadly, Wired only got 13 responses from Japan, as their survey map shows.

How about you ? Do you get these fast speeds ? Go to TestMyiPhone.com and check for yourself. Alternatively, you can download and install Xtreme Labs’ Speedtest app on your iPhone.

Don’t forget to turn your Wifi off to get your actual Softbank speeds.

iPhone sold online by Softbank

The iPhone is now listed on the Softbank online shop. Launch date: August 19.

Here’s the direct link. As you can see, the prices with the new plans have been detailed, the iPhone payments being slightly more expensive now than when launched on July 11.

 

(please note that I will take some time off, see you in two weeks).

Getting an iPhone 3G in Japan

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Getting an iPhone on July 11 was possible only if you were willing to queue for hours.

As time passes, however, it gets easier to find both the 8GB and 16GB version.

One thing to remember: the Apple Store in Ginza and the online store do not sell iPhones !

Where to buy an iPhone?

I got mine at Softbank in Omotesando, their flagship store, since they offer english-speaking services. It’s on the Omotesando street. You can either drop at the Harakuju station (JR Line) or Meiji-jingumae station (Tokyo Metro)

In Tokyo, you canalso go to the Softbank Shibuya store, the Roppongi store or at the Narita airport mini-store. Just go there to check the closest to your place.

Some people have had no problem registering in English at either Bic Camera (english list of stores) or Yodobashi Camera. Some smaller shops have their iPhones and since most clerks are always very helpful, you can try your luck there (just don’t expect english-speaking clerks everywhere).

At the time of this writing, still expect some queues in some shops.

What to bring with you ?

First of all, you must be a resident in Japan to get your iPhone. There’s no prepaid option for it.

Since Softbank seem to alter their policies every two days, play it on the safe side, bring:

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