Japanese iPad

Does anyone have a Japanese iPad? Are there any region limitations in iTunes? I'm not really interested in downloading video or music, just apps. I don't want to see some kind of "this app isn't available in your region" messages.

And any problems with jailbreaking?

 

Just create an account in the region you want and you should be good.
I'm in germany and mainly use the US-store.

If it's an iPad 2, there is no way to jailbreak it yet.

 

iTunes store is locked to the region in which your credit card is issued. US card = US store. JPN card = JPN store.

 

Ah right, I should've mentioned that.
I'm no fan of credit cards, so I use those iTunes Gift cards, buy them on eBay or let a friend buy them and email you the code.
I had never any issues buying stuff that way.

btw: You can "buy" a free app in any store and it will let you create an account without any need for credit cards.

 

Right, but won't it "connect" you to whatever store your card is set to? Not sure what happens w/ a gift card.

 

If you don't provide any information on how you want to pay, it will let you browse your selected store and buy free stuff.
The gift card has to be from/for the same region, if you use a japanese code on the US store it will redirect you of course.

I already bought a lot of stuff that way.

 

I thought the app store forces user's to sign up. My sister's iPod won't let her download any free apps. Just keeps asking for credit card information. So I just jailbroke it.

 

cool i didnt know that :dance:

 

I used a gift card on both iTunes UK and iTunes JP stores, and have an account for each. I easily download free apps from either account and find it the best way to get some region-exclusives.

 

there's no such thing as JPN iPad.
It's the iTune account that matters.
Like others said you can create the JPN iTune account without the c/c.
You can always add the JPN iTune gift card to your account down the track - I bought 20000 yen worth of cards on last visit to Osaka/Kyoto and spent about 1800 yen so far...

 

So what would one that's locked to Softbank qualify as?

 

iPad SIM locked to a particular carrier.
Unlocked it can be used any where

 

that only seems to be working for the itunes store. the appstore needs a method of payment in your account, even if you want to install free aps. hello bullshit.

 

Be aware that the softbank carrier profiles cause iPhones and iPads to behave slightly differently to normal usage.

 

To us, yes. But they still use some carrier-specific (and thereby, region-specific) settings. One must jailbreak them to get around. Tethering, for one.

 

Does wireless tethering get spotted by SB? I am reluctant to try it incase I get an insane bill through.

iDevices sold by Softbank come already activated, with a pre-installed profile. This contains a special type of push email, and access for 4 different wireless networks. I am almost always near a wireless access point when I am in Tokyo; it's great.

 

It didn't when I tried it, briefly.

 

I probably don't fully understand the situation, but from what I've read Softbank won't give out a sim card only. You have to get the iPad to get it. So what's the point in unlocking your iPad?

And from what I've read above, I can buy apps from the US iTunes store while in Japan as long as I have an American credit card on file?

 

You cannot unlock the Japanese iPad yet. Buy an unlocked one from USA and use here on Docomo or Softbank.

And your second point is correct.

 

To use it with another carrier's Simcard. IE, DoCoMo, or more importantly, a foreign carrier when you are visiting abroad, as international roaming (AKA, the biggest fucking scam ever) is seriously expensive.

Yepper!