2 good things I just found out:
- Pogoplug is being sold via amazon.co.jp, and the Pro model will be out soon too. It’s quite a bit more expensive than the US price, but it’s finally here. I still wait for the Buffalo device though, which has the disks internally.
- b-mobile has finally (and expected) a Talking SIM U300, which means it’ll have voice and data (300 kbit/s max) for cheap (3960 Yen/month, data flat, voice calls extra at 21 Yen/30 sec, including 1050 Yen calls for free). This is very similar to Docomo’s SS plan which I currently use (with no Internet data plan). One difference is that no carry forward of unused call minutes is possible. Docomo allows this for 3 months, which works really well for me and effectively sets my voice calls close to zero. Email and calls to my family is free too. It’s a tough call, especially when Docomo will lower their smartphone data plans. Until now it’s only that cheap with their phones (and about 11000 Yen/month for data in case you use a random other device like this).