Month: October 2008

iPhone in Japan Is Turning Japanese

At least that’s what it looks like. Softbank has announced a few coming updates for iPhone users in Japan.

  • From November 4, iPhone users get free wi-fi public access through Yahoo!BB.
  • A 1-Seg tuner is set to come out in December, and it will also act as a battery charger (something I’ve wanted). It should cost around 10,000 yen.
  • They will be adding emoticon functionality by the end of the year through an update.

They’re still not addressing my only major problem with the iPhone, that you can’t get a sound or vibe alert when getting email (unless you use MobileMe, and even then it’s one short beep).

Facebook Ejection

Well, this is certainly annoying. I just tried logging into my Facebook account, and I’m getting a message that my account has been disabled. Can’t for the life of me understand why. I hope it’s just a mistake on their part, because I don’t really want to have to go through the process of rebuilding my contact list.

Update: Looks like I’m not alone in my Facebook problems, with at least two other people I know who have encountered the same thing this morning. Anyone else?

Update 2: I still have access to my account through the Facebook iPhone app, so doesn’t look like the account has been deleted. Must be a glitch in their system, as it seems to be affecting a lot of people.

Update 3: Two days later, and still no change. It does appear that all people affected are on the Japan network. I still haven’t heard anything elsewhere about this, and haven’t heard anything from Facebook — I emailed them as soon as I noticed the problem.

Update 4: My account is back, and I think the same goes for most people who had it disabled.

TDW: PROTOTYPE02 , Generate’s Limited Editions, and Fragment

081028-prototype02

Yes, Tokyo Design Week is just around the corner — I give a quick overview in today’s “On Design” column for The Japan Times — and although I don’t have time to give a detailed guide to what you should see, I do want to point out a few events.

First up, “PROTOTYPE02,” the bigger and better follow-up exhibition to last year’s outing, this time featuring 29 participating Japanese and Japan-based designers. The show is being held at Gotanda Sonic from October 30 to November 3. Even better, go to the opening party tomorrow night (October 29, 19:00-22:00).

081028-generate

You’ll also want to check out Generate‘s “Limited Editions by Design’s Rising Stars” at WUT in Aoyama (across the street from HP Deco), from October 30 to November 3. The opening party will be held Thursday night (October 30, from 19:00).

And on Monday, November 3, the Tokyomade-produced “Fragment” happens at SuperDeluxe, from 15:00 until 21:00 (1,000 yen at the door). The event is a gathering of creators from all mediums, showing off their works, mixed with performances and more. Details here, including a look at the flyer.

And what better way to finish the week than with Monday night’s (November 3, 20:00) edition of PauseTalk!