How to view Japanese E-mail and Web Sites on an English Windows Mobile device

Unfortunately Windows Mobile has not yet caught up to desktop Windows desktop in terms of of internationalization. Out of the box you still will not be able to view text using non-roman character sets, which includes of course Japanese.

I don't know of a good commercial solution to this problem, but luckily well know blogger and Windows Mobile expert 'Asukal' has put together a program called 'Let's Japan'. A quick install and you'll be happily reading email and web pages in Japanese.

Here are the current links to these files.

Be sure to check what version of Windows Mobile you are using and download he correct package.

Thanks to Asukal for putting these together and making them available. A big service to the Windows Mobile community.

Note that these files don't give you Japanese input. There are some solutions out there but I'm not aware of a simple one. If anyone has any ideas, please post in the comments or to the Yahoo Group . I'll collect the information and put into a separate blog entry.

Listen to the radio... on W-ZERO 3

Willcom has announced to start an internet radio portal called W+Radio from December 5th. The new radio portal will have programming from FMTokyo's Magic 702, Bunka Housou's UNIQue the RADIO and several others.

Willcom developed a special program for listening to their internet radio, called W+Radio, which saves the hassle of opening a new browser.

via Windows CE FAN

Exchange Server service from Softbank BB

Softbank BB is going to put out a business Exchange Server 2003 ASP push mail service, "Mail Service by P-BERRY" from December 10th, according to Windows CE FAN. It is to be a new menu on their "TEKI-PAKI" ASP/Download service.

Mail Service by P-BERRY organizes mail,schedule, and address book and features Outlook Mobile Access in their service. Both Windows Mobile 5 and 6 are supported, and it will enable users to have a PC Outlook-like experience through their browser.

I hope this will be a start to make other companies provide similar solution.

via Windows CE FAN

EMobile boosts HSDPA to 7.2Mbps

EMobile will be boosting the speed of their HSDPA service to 7.2Mbps (down) from December 12th. The upload traffic maximum is 384kbps. The USB adapter D02HW for connecting to 7.2Mbps HSDPA is going to be available, but only supports Windows and MacOS. I really want the adapter to support Windows Mobile, and I heard somebody else say that too. The initial cost to get this service will be 39800 for Basic plan, one year contract 9980yen and 2year (new) 9980yen. The D02HW is planning to be available without contract also, for 39800yen.

Pre-order is going to be available from December first in shops selling EMobile products.

I'm hoping Softbank and NTT Docomo is going to put out similar products soon.

via Windows CE FAN

Windows Mobile phones should be targeted at Women too.

According to a recent research by Microsoft, only 14.6% of the Windows Mobile usrs are women, compared with 85.4% of men. This is a serious indicator that in the next generation of Windows Mobile phones marketed in Japan, they should design it so that women will be more comfortable to use it.

Regular cellphone share have 50.4 % share by women, and 49.6% by men, which shows there can be more improvement about the color, compactness, and design. Women care alot about design, and if they have colors that are feminine, they are sure to buy more. I think NTT Docomo's HT1100 will be a hit because it is HTC Touch's 3G version, and very compact.

via NikkeiBP

Willcom Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es] GPS option

Well, as some of you may know, you can use a GPS stick (IODATA USBGPS2/WS) on the Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es] by Willcom through a USB host adapter. The only thing I can say about this is that it looks mighty weird when you put it on. The USBGPS2/WS uses SiRF StarIII/LP chipset, and you will be able to get GPS information on NAVITIME, Pocket Mapple, and Google Map. The USBGPS2/WS can be used on laptops as well, and supports Windows Vista/XP/2000. It is available through Willcom's online store for 19,800 yen, and can also be purchased where they sell Willcom phone options.


If you really care about how your phone looks, it might be better if you get a mini USB bluetooth adapter from IBS Japan, and get a bluetooth GPS receiver. How it looks on the Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es]

Get more juice for HTC Tytn II (1600mAh!)

I ordered an extended battery for HTC Tytn II from Hong Kong, which has a 1600mAh cell in it. It worked great out of the box, and it is made by Cameron Sino Technology.

I haven't tried charging it full, nor have I used it enough to compare the battery life, but 18% increase in power life is still valuable, when it comes to using it long hours. The major difference between the two batteries is that the SAMSUNG (original) cell has a metal plating on the bottom, which might be an enhancer for radio receptance.

I will post a detailed comparison between the two batteries later on.

eVB programs work on Windows Mobile 6 !

Today, I was really surprised to find out that I could run eVB programs on the Windows Mobile 6 HTC Tytn II. Basically, you will have to download the eVB runtime from Microsoft, intended for Pocket PC 2003/2003SE. This is a really good news for people who want to run old programs written in eVB on your latest Windows Mobile 6.0.

More details can be found at: http://www.hpcnut.co.uk/winmo/evbonwm5.0.htm

I did not originally discover this, but I found it through a post in PocketPCMag.com

Any questions about Willcom Windows Mobile Phone? try OKWave

If you are a Willcom user, and want to know more than how to surf the web and send emails, there is a site called OKWave, an official Willcom Q&A Community site.

Go to OK Wave

54Mbps miniSD Wifi Card introduced by Planex!

This is a very good news, which I have been waiting for. Although there are several 11Mbps miniSD wifi card from Spectec and IBS Japan, there wasn't a miniSD wifi card with a 54Mbps speed. The GW-MS54G, newly produced from Planex, is officially recommended on Willcom's W-ZERO3 [es] by Willcom, and will be available through Planex direct in the middle of December this year. This will add the missing functionality on the W-ZERO 3 [es] - the Wifi capability.

For those readers who live in places other than Japan can buy through mobileplanet, a different version of the similar card, called Spectec SDW-825. It is now available for preorder, and you can get it on December 3rd.

via Windows CE Fan

EMOBILE booth in Yamada

In Yamada and other electronics store in Japan, there is a EMOBILE booth, where you can sign up to EMOBILE on the spot. The second generation EMONE (EMONE α) with cradle costs 39,800yen with subscription (3,480yen-6480yen per month). The flat rate plan is 5980yen .

EMOBILE does not have telephone devices yet, but their HSDPA goes up to 3.6Mbps. They are planning to have telephone service soon, but meanwhile, you can use skype. The pictures in this post were taken with my Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es] in Yamada.

Glittery modification for Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es]

Willcom announced "Kira kira Crystal Keitai", meaning "Glitter crystal cellphone" which is basically a crystal glitter bead (swarovski crystal) decoration cover for the Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es]. The shocking thing about this is that, it costs 42,000yen to 48,000yen. Would you get it for your girl friend who has Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es] this Christmas?

Check it out yourself on Willcom Store

via Windows CE FAN

X01T - Finally available for Pre Order!

The X01T, which was supposed to come out earlier this year, is now available for preorder through Softbank's online site. This device runs at a 520Mhz supports WVGA(800X480), and has a lot of RAM and ROM. There are two colors for X01T, white and black. The supply stock is limited, so get it when you can! This might become a great competitor to the X01HT which also came out from Sofbank last year or the Willcom's Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es]. I'm hoping Softbank will put out a lot of accessories for this device, especially an optional GPS card.

The X01T spec is below:

OS: Windows Mobile® 6 Professional Edition (Japanese version)
CPU: Marvell®PXA270 520MHz
Memory: ROM: 128MB / RAM: 128MB
Weight: 198g
Dimensions: W61×H119×D21.5mm (when closed, excludes projections)
Talk Time:
(when stationary) 200 min. (Japan/W–CDMA) / 170 min. (GSM)
Standby Time:
(when stationary) 380 hrs. (Japan/W–CDMA) / 300 hrs. (GSM)
Charge Time: 280 min.
Screen: 3 inch display
800×480 pixel Widescreen VGA resolution
65,536 colors touchscreen, TFT LCD

via Windows CE Fan

Smartchance Campaign - Details

Microsoft is now doing a campaign called Smart Chance Campaign, which 500 lucky winners who buys specific Windows Mobile devices between November 1st to January 7th, will get a chance to get cool prizes.

10 lucky winners will win a free one night trip to a high rank hotel in Tokyo.

In order to enter, you must buy Emobile EM ONE α Willcom 　　　　　　Advanced/W-ZERO3 [es] (WS011SH) Softbank Mobile　 X01T、X02HT HTC Nippon HTC Advantage X7501

Deadline is until January 15th, 2008.

More details are here

[Event] Windows Mobile Japan UG Evening #1 - Wednesday 12th December 2007

On September 22nd Softbank released the X02HT – the first smart phone device in Japan with an English interface. This opened up the market to English speakers who didn’t want to an interface in Japanese. Many people dashed out to purchase the new device adding to the community of users already using Windows Mobile devices from Willcom, Softbank, DoCoMo and e-Mobile. Now many more people are experiencing the fun, efficiency and productivity increases from mobile access to e-mail, PIM data and full web browsing!

This new community will gather at the Pink Cow on December 12th to share tips and tricks on how to make the most of Windows Mobile smart phones. If you are a Windows Mobile device owner and want to learn how to make more of your device or you are not yet an owner and just want to learn more, join on the 12th for the biggest Windows Mobile event for the international community in and around Tokyo.

DATE: Wednesday 12th December

TIME: 7pm-10pm
7.00: Doors Open
7.30: Presentation: 10 Tips to Become a Windows Mobile Power User
8.30: Networking

VENUE: The Pink Cow, Shibuya (www.thepinkcow.com)

COST: 2,000 yen (Includes light buffet and chance to win some Windows Mobile accessory giveaways)

RSVP: Limited to 50 people. Please pre-register by Friday 30th November so we know how many people to expect and for a chance to win some of the Windows Mobile giveaways.

http://eventactions.com/ea.aspx?e32=0zzb5rt677ybsy199011seebv0

This event is organized by Andrew Shuttleworth of www.windowsmobileinjapan.com

HTC Universal in Shibuya

I went to Shibuya yesterday to meet up with Andrew, and I tried HTC Universal as a phone using Softbank SIM card. I wouldn't consider phoning using this device in Japan as a main phone, because it is very bulky, and kind of embarrassing to phone especially in crowded places like Shibuya.

I think it will draw too much attention when you are holding a small handheld, and suddenly switching over to a huge phone.

The voice quality, however, was very good, so it is actually the concept that is a little hard to get accepted to the masses in Japan although Willcom has their W-ZERO 3.

The experience of HTC Universal as a Windows Mobile device is pretty good, but the keyboard of Universal is rather hard type on, because you can neither hold the whole device entirely nor actually type it well, because it has almost no key stroke.

I really liked using HTC Universal because it has a much bigger screen than my Tytn II. The Universal experience will be superb if I watch a movie while on plane or a train ride.

The camera of the device I am using did not work very well unfortunately, because it has a Windows Mobile 6.0 on it. If I were to rate the Universal in a scale of 10, I would give it a 8.5 .

The integrated wifi worked great while I was listening to presentation in Fujimama, and actually, a guy sitting next to me was very interested in this device, and asked me what maker makes it and where he could get one.

There are still alot of users who don't even know that Windows Mobile exists, including my friends, who show great interest in the device. The next target of Windows Mobile in Japan and elsewhere should be aimed at students, and it will be a HUGE success!

Tytn II and Softbank

Tytn II has arrived here in Japan, and I am using with Softbank at the moment. First off, I must say it is a great device, I really enjoy the device. The sliding keyboard of Tytn II is much better than that of Tytn, since it actually slides out very smoothly. The tilt function is pretty cool, but not that important to me. The integrated GPS is very good, and I could get many satellites reception in Higashi Kurume, Akihabara, and Koenji. If you use Live Search or Google Map, you will be able to see your current position for free.

I am hoping to get a Mapfan map to navigate with GPS soon. More reviews coming soon.

Willcom Advanced W-ZERO 3 [es] ads in Akiba

Willcom seems to be doing great on their latest Advanced W-ZERO3 [es] they put out several months ago. It seems many users have switched from W-ZERO3 [es] to this greate device, and I found alot of W-ZERO3 [es] lying around in Sofmap that sells used PDAs for a reasonable price.

There is a really big advertisement on the wall of the new Sofmap in Akihabara. I took a snapshot of it with my new HTC Tytn II. Enjoy the photo!

Microsft Windows Mobile Smart Chance Campaign

For those who are considering to get the new Windows Mobile devices, good news! Microsoft started a new campaign called Windows Mobile Smart Chance Campaign, giving gorgeous prizes to 500 people, incuding a relaxing trip at a high ranking hotel. To qualify, one must keep the receipt of the purchased new smartphone running Windows Mobile, and send it according to the regulation.

More details are at this site: (in Japanese)