So many questions, so much confusing information

**Habbitty** · 02-16-2012, 03:31 PM

It seriously was just a joke... -_- My dad has an iPhone.

**patrixl** · 02-16-2012, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Habbitty

It seriously was just a joke... -_- My dad has an iPhone.

now you see how much the internet fanboys have ruined all of us... lol

**Habbitty** · 06-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Alright guys, time for Round Two. I've been in Japan for almost a month (Friday) and so far I've been using b-mobile's 1GB Flat Rate data-only SIM card with my T-Mobile HD2. By this, I have been able to call and text back home and LINE Japanese friends using data, which so far has worked out pretty awesomely!

So far, so good.

The next step that I am going to take, after receiving my first full paycheck this upcoming Monday, is to purchase a b-Mobile talking + data platinum microSIM and an unlocked HTC One X to put the microSIM card in, instead of going to typical docomo, SoftBank, or au route. *gasp* *shock* *horror*

After months of research, my basic conclusion is that Japanese cell phone plans are complete ******** and exist solely to rip Japanese people out of their money. Like seriously, roughly $80 a month of SoftBank essentially for texts and data? Get outta here. Anyway, the same way that I said "Eff you" to the American system and ported my number to Google Voice, I believe I have discovered a way to say "Screw you" to Japanese cell phone carriers... and that is through b-mobile's talking and data platinum microSIM plan.

With it I can have a Japanese phone number for writing *down* on forms and such, which hopefully would cover the majority of calls *I need to make or receive*. I would also not be able to receive free texts from domoco/SoftBank/au subscribers, but in my opinion having to remember who I can and can't text *based on their cell phone provider* seems annoying as hell anyway. So here's my plan...

1) Since the Japanese primarily use e-mails to connect amongst friends, I figure I can create a new Gmail account and use that in place of a d/S/a e-mail. My question is, does anyone know of any Android apps that will allow me to set a sync time (or even push) for this account that won't affect the sync time of my other Google Account? Also with that, conversation-style is a must.
2) I understand that SoftBank has "free" calling between SoftBank users and docomo offers something similar. For those with SoftBank or docomo, have you started talking on the phone a lot more because the calls are free *at specific times*? If so, is this more convenient, or are you back to mails and messages?
*3) bmobile also describes their talking microSIM as "iPhone only" and a representative somewhat explained that if I were to put a the microSIM in an Android phone it would work, however I may not be able to receive the full speed offered. I'm leaning mostly towards this being legal-speak, as a SIM is a SIM. It just has to fit, right?*

Thanks in advance!

**cheeseus** · 06-20-2012, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Habbitty

1) Since the Japanese primarily use e-mails to connect amongst friends, I figure I can create a new Gmail account and use that in place of a d/S/a e-mail. My question is, does anyone know of any Android apps that will allow me to set a sync time (or even push) for this account that won't affect the sync time of my other Google Account? Also with that, conversation-style is a must.

I use K-9 Mail. It is advertised as the best free mail client for Android. I reckon you should be able to set it up for a Gmail account (I am using it for two accounts other than my Gmail).

It has the Background Sync option where you can choose among: 1. When Background Data is checked, 2. When Background Data and Auto Sync are checked, 3. ALWAYS, 4 Never.

You can set a polling frequency for each account individually. I think I've seen something about being able to set up push for Gmail but you'll need to do your own research for that.

**patrixl** · 06-20-2012, 07:41 PM

btw, what's wrong with using the gmail app for your gmail, since it already has push? I have 3 accounts all pushing just fine on my phone...

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

**tokyo_dom** · 06-20-2012, 08:56 PM

Only problem with using Gmail for communication is that you will miss out on the Emoji, which are fairly important here (not including them can make your messages seem cold, even rude to a Japanese person)

Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of

**snob** · 06-20-2012, 09:53 PM

kaomojiiiiiiiiii

**tokyo_dom** · 06-20-2012, 10:08 PM

Well thats true... though you probably risk writing messages that look like they are from a 15yr old girl, or from a serious otaku gaijin

And no, otaku is not cool here (ノ*゜▽゜*)ニパパパ

**snob** · 06-20-2012, 10:20 PM

haha... i do still see japanese using kaomoji on twitter though, even smartphone users. and of course they need them on niconico. i only use ( ;￣へ￣ )

**tokyo_dom** · 06-20-2012, 11:26 PM

Japanese sold phones usually have them built into the IME as well.
I meant to say that kaomoji are fine to use instead of emoji, but dont go overboard!

ファイトーー！( °ロ°)乂(°ロ° )イッパーーツ！！

**patrixl** · 06-21-2012, 04:49 AM

Only problem with using Gmail for communication is that you will miss out on the Emoji, which are fairly important here (not including them can make your messages seem cold, even rude to a Japanese person)<br />
<br />
Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of

Yup totally agreed, however the question was which mail client to use for gmail, to which I answered what's wrong with the gmail app...

As for emoji, smartphone users in Japan and Korea seem to be jumping all over Line and Kakaotalk... Plenty of emoji to be found there, outside clunky carrier mail... I've barely used carrier mail in 2 months, in large part because I'm not in Japan, and in small part because of those 2 chat apps.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

**Habbitty** · 06-21-2012, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by patrixl

btw, what's wrong with using the gmail app for your gmail, since it already has push? I have 3 accounts all pushing just fine on my phone...

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I'm currently using Gingerbread, so the Gmail app is ok, but not necessarily awesome. I'd like to keep my primary Gmail account syncing rather than pushing, however, and I know of no way to push my new account and sync the other account.

Also, I'm kind of leaning back towards going with SoftBank, because I would like to be able to access the Internet on my Mac while I'm not home. With the bmobile talking 1GB SIM I would blow through that data cap in a day. I guess my options are to either get the bmobile SIM for my phone and then a bmobile USB modem for Internet access (and only a one-year contract) or I can go with SoftBank and be able to tether and use their "free" WiFi hotspots... but with a two-year contract.

Any other thoughts?

**Habbitty** · 06-26-2012, 09:52 PM

Lol So I went to SoftBank on Monday and was told that I could not get a SoftBank cell phone plan without having to buy a SoftBank phone, because the SIM absolutely would not work in my phone.

**IonNuke** · 06-26-2012, 11:00 PM

Sounds about right. Something out of the ordinary they will just tell you that they can't do it.

**tokyo_dom** · 06-26-2012, 11:15 PM

Oh yeah they will do that. Actually i think they have a plan for non-softbank phones, but that it must have the Japanese telecomunications logo on it (which foreign phones do not).

Either way, there are quite a few cheap smartphones (even iPhone) that they sell, where the monthly payment is covered by the "monthly discount"... So that in the end, it is exactly the same price to get a phone with the contract, as it is to NOT get a phone.