Apple originally announced that iPads sold outside the US would be unlocked, but apparently they've had 2nd thoughts about that in Japan. I think Apple is very pleased with their partnership with Softbank on the iPhone; maybe this is a bit of reward for them.

digitaldaily.allthingsd.com/20100510/ipad-3g-sim-locked-to-softbank-in-japan/?reflink=ATD_yahoo_ticker

If I recall correctly, the iPad will be available at the end of the month. It'll be nice to be able to play with it, though I don't expect to buy anytime soon.  I'm connected enough as it is with my gadgets.

What for? Are they offering the 3g service or something?

Yes, they have 3G for the iPhone, and iPad will have that too. There is also a wifi-only model for like $80 cheaper.

I have my blackberry (unlimited internet) and I have my emobile device...
I think I am good to go.

Thanks for info though..

Confusing? Apple confirms that the iPad in Japan will work only with Softbank, but outside Japan it will work with any carrier who provides a mini-SIM. So why can't Docomo/NTT provide a mini-SIM for use in Japan? Not sure how this will work. Anyway, it does sound like a locked iPad from Japan can become an unlocked iPad outside Japan which is a good thing.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/05...d=yahoo_hs

Locked in contracts seem to be the wave of the ...now... You also can't get the new Android phone from Softbank without a 2 year commitment.

There's no contract with the iPad. Just month-to-month service, which can be canceled any time. In the US, there is an unlimited data plan plus a cheaper, limited plan. Not sure which plans they'll offer in Japan.

Locked into Softbank, locked into Itunes, locked out of Adobe Flash, locked out of... porn?

http://gawker.com/5539717/

Don't like softbank, then use wifi. Either way, no contract is required; you can quit any time. Besides, your SB phone is locked to SB and I've haven't heard anyone complaining. Like with with DoCoMo, Au, etc. Get over it. iTunes s/w is free, and is available on both Mac & PC. I have scads of free music that I got from sources other than iTunes and it's all cataloged in my iTunes library. I'm very happy with the flexibility and ease of use. Flash is a piece of junk that I've totally not missed on my iPhone. If you want to view youtube's flash videos, just do so through the youtube app instead of the browser; it works fine. Nobody's locked out of porn. Though Apple doesn't host porn apps, you are welcome to surf xxx sites to your heart's delight.

I'm not sure what the problem is other than you want to gripe about Apple.

Oh jeez... you're one of -them- aren't you?

Actually... I was griping about locked/proprietary systems in general. I chose Android stateside specifically to avoid contracts and proprietary locked down systems and was disappointed to learn of SB's contract requirement on their version of it.

Apple just happens to make itself the biggest target with it's anti-competitive, anti-innovative, locked-down-worse-than-a-PC ever was attitude.

Posted By AllanS on 18 May 2010 04:08 PM

Oh jeez... you're one of -them- aren't you?

Yes, I am on the Path to True Enlightenment.  I used to be mired in the Dark Side as you are now, but I broke free.

Of course you are.... have some kool-aid...

It's heeeeeerrre. Anyone see it on base yet?

Check out the video at the bottom of the page:
http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/...=yahoo_hs#

For those following the saga of Apple vs Flash, and the lack of Flash on the iPad, here's another perspective:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Its-N...l?x=0&.v=1

Turns out, it's not just Apple with gripes about Flash.  It's also Microsoft & Google. The only difference is that Steve Jobs was more vocal about it in public. Seems to me that Adobe has got to change its wicked ways or risk becoming irrelevant, at least as far as web media players go.  How hard can it be to create an optimized, secure media player?

About as hard as it is to create a secure music player:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/security/...rport/5994

I got my iPad off the Apple store a few months before they sold here. I had it shipped using APOBOX.COM, which I recommend as a great service for folks out here in FPO/APO land...