Softbank

iPhone Captures 46% of Japanese Smartphone Market

By Rene Ritchie, Friday, Dec 18, 2009 a 2:12 pm

MobileCrunch brings word that, according to Impress R&D [Japanese language]:

Live in Japan? Want an iPhone 3G for FREE?

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Feb 25, 2009 a 1:39 pm

And we thought $99 rumors at Walmart sounded cheap! According to Apple Insider, if you live in Japan and don't mind signing a 2-year deal with official carrier SoftBank, you can take home an 8GB iPhone 3G for FREE!

No matter the exchange rate, zero is zero, so if you've been holding out for an iPhone of your very own, is this finally enough the sway you? And most importantly, what Emoji will you use to express your free iPhone feelings?

(For our non-Japanese readers think AT&T, Rogers, or any other carrier will match this deal any time soon..?

iPhone 3G in Japan: Prices & Plans Released!

By Rene Ritchie, Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008 a 11:34 am

Counting down to its July 11 multi-national debut, Japan's Softbank has announced (in Japanese, 'natch) their official iPhone 3G prices and plans. The hardware itself will cost ¥23,040 for 8GB and ¥34,560 for 16GB, a roughly 7% premium over Steve Jobs' US$199 maximum, amortized over the length of the pre-requisite 2 year contract.

Plans will be color coded, primarily in white, but rumor has it also in orange and blue. Based on the linked-to details, this color system is impenetrable enough I can't believe North American carriers haven't rushed to adopt it!

iPhone Risk: Softbank-ing on Japan!

By Rene Ritchie, Wednesday, Jun 4, 2008 a 5:55 pm

From the land of the rising sun, and the trend of mono-sentence-ic press statements, Softbank has announced that they will be carrying the iPhone in Japan with -- wait for it -- details to follow later!

Unofficial beginning of June scorecard: