What is Digg?83 Comments
- Goldenatom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Sorry I beat you by about 85 days...took the picture myself...
http://digg.com/apple/iPods_show_up_at_7-11_in_Japan - CLIFFosakaJAPAN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I currently live and work in Japan and can cofirm that the boxes are empty. Also the iPod + iPod Display has a message that mentions that you bring the empty boxes up to the counter so that they can scan the price and then they'll hand you the Actual "Well Designed" Apple Package with the item you have purchased. About the cash issue, it is popular for Japanese to carry large sums of money on them due to the low crime rate but this is increasingly being replaced the EDDY system, which allows you to wave your Cell Phone over an Electronic Plate, which automatically treats your Electronic Cell Phone Wallet like a Debit Card. It's really cool living in a country that actually has all this technology actually being used instead of just being showcased at shows as Prototypes....
- rokka, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2In that environment they kinnda look like packs of condoms...
- jacko7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Is it an impulse buy?..."so that comes to $2 for the slurpee, $300 for the ipod, $1 for the chocolate bar, is that all?"
- neotrooper, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3those boxes are empty, just take one off the rack and take it to check-out.
- woodenspoon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Could that cause a shoplifting Problem? I mean they just have iPods sitting out there.
- zetsurin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Ahh, I love the Japanese convenience stores. They bring new meaning to the word convenience. Who needs a 24-hour Apple store when you have 7-Elevens everywhere carrying their gear now.
7-11 is only synonymous with theft in the western world as well. However, when I was in Japan previously there were a few nasty things starting to go on at the convenience stores so it could be changing. - emostar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There are countries that have a lower theft rate than America you know. Of course they could never do this in America because of theft. I bet America is the only country that gas stations and convienece stores use bullet proof glass.
I'm glad I don't live in America anymore. - kansai, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I also live/work in Japan. (actually, if cliff is in Osaka, probably not all that far away)
Anyway, The boxes are empty as Cliff said, but I asked my local 7-11 guy about it and I got the distinct impression that they are not stocked in the store. I believe that it is a three day turnaround to get your pod, although the music cards are immediately available (I believe).
As far as carrying money in japan, I have no problem carrying $4-500 in my pocket without worry. (and have had much more in my wallet for a week or more at one time or another.) I've never tried the EDDY or (another similar system) Felica things. I am too forgetful about the cell phone and a little too concerned about losing it...
Back to the ipod, If you live out in the countryside or even in a town that doesn't have a big electronics store the 7-11 is a godsend. Being in/near Osaka It only takes about an hour to get the the Apple Store in Shinsaibashi :)
Only drawback to the tech in japan is that the ATMs at the bank are NOT 24 hrs. but fortunately the one at 7-11 is.
When I was here back in the late 90's you have to be careful to have enough money for the night by 6pm on Friday/Saturday otherwise there was no way to get more. The nice thing about the ATMs here is that the withdrawl limit is really high. the most I ever took out at one time was about $2000 US. (I was on my way to by my first mac, a powerbook 1400cs)
:)
The boxes are in English mainly because it's cool. The more technical reason is that it is a prestige language and you can get a lot of mileage out of a little bit of English on a package or store. Check out engrish.com for a few examples of where this has gone bad...
Oh, these have been available at 7-11 for well over 6 months - bi0metric, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0yay more ways to buy a piece of ***** ipod! lmao It's pretty sad how apple is tryig to be out there when they are already too behind!
- takusi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0To those who don't speak Japanese, the items on display are not actual ipods but cards you bring to a clerk to get an actual ipod.
- ipacmm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0this is funny.
- surfing, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0They sell iPods in a vending machine at my local grocery store (La Jolla, CA)
http://surfing.textamerica.com/?r=4003185 - Elranzer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+07-11's (and convenient stores in general) in Japan always sell stuff like this. Like a previous poster said, it's more like a Wal-Mart than an American 7-11. They've been selling Famicom games right next to the candy bars as far as I remember. In fact...
In the 80s, Nintendo use to issue out blank FDS (Famicom Disk System) disks and you could bring it to a terminal in a 7-11 to get the rom placed on it for a small fee (much less than the retail cost of the game). This continued with the Super Famicom but they issued out blank cartridges instead of disks. This system worked in Japan due to the low crime rate. - Dhalgren, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Shouldn't it be shichi-juichi ?
- MrPens, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Now if im in japan i can grab a slurpee a taquito and an ipod all in the same place!
- Denjira, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Haven't seen one here in Canada yet..
- *Ica*, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Are we (UK) the only country in the world WITHOUT 7-Eleven now? I can just imagine loads fo people stealing them though, dont know why.
- ionix18, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Japanese like foreigner if you are not black or asian. As for the ipods at the 7/11, you get your ipod 3 days later. You can get one right away at the Yamada Denki, Best Denki, DeoDeo or anywhere. Same price. They have the itunes cards in stock though and they are branded with Final Fantasy etc... This is old news as it's been a while and not only at 7/11 but at FamilyMart too.
- ionix18, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0They also have it at FamilyMart. With customs collectable final fantasy itunes gift cards.
This and much more on http://www.maxinjapan.com - fumofumo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0singapore's 7-11 sold ipod shuffle.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0That's a lot of shelf space dedicated to those.
- juboodi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree, definitely look like condoms.
- definiteform, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Robbing isn't possible in Japan for the morons here. Japanese citizens can not carry arms. The only chance of it being robbed is through brute force in numbers or illegally possessed firearms.
- neotrooper, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The only crime really is....is that slurpies are not big in japan. I dont recall the last time i saw a slurpie-machine in a 7-11 in tokyo. Im originally from Toronto (canada) so i know, that a slurpie is a anytime snack...even at -30º below :)
- teratoma, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0SevenEleven in Japan is very different from its of US, it's not just as deli , but simillar to the Walmart in the US. So , they've been sold even PSP and PS2 softwares. so I don't think it's unusual.
- mehron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Awesome. Cherry Slurpee with a side of iPod Nano.
- bobb243, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0dugg because it's something that involves a 7-11
- killerofkiller, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0not a big deal.. they sell ipods in vending machines in airports...
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Great. Now I can get my gas, my ipod, and my pringles at the same place while I'm on the road. Go Japan, you don't have to worry about people stealing and crap like that. *sigh* I wish I could move there.
- mrsark, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0im pretty sure this is the second or third photo of this.. no digg
- Timjacobs, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0If only you could...
- got80s, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Anyone else think it's lame that this is front page stuff? Photos of an iPod in a convinence store!?! Wow..I'm so excited. I think I came...
- premi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The point is, the Japanese have an insanely low crime rate. They don't steal because it's against the law, simple as that. Of course some people do, but not like back home.
- marreka, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Man, the thing I love most about Japan is the insanely low crime rate. It makes things like this possible.
In North America (more USA, less Canada. go Canada!), we have those fools who steal and make it necessary to jack up security in stores. In Japan, you have so much more liberty.
And no, they Japanese don't scorn you. I live in a rural city in the middle of nowhere with ricefields infront of my house and all along the road to work, and I still get a smile and happy "irasshaimase" as I walk into the convinence stores. I even have nice morning chats with them! - khkg, on 10/12/2007, -0/+07-11 is great. I pay all my utility bills there, ship packages, buy concert tickets, and the occasional snack.
- CLIFFosakaJAPAN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0My earlier comment about getting the "Actual Box" handed over after purchase; I saw a girl get a Shuffle so I assume that they have a limited amount or perhaps the Shuffles are cheap enough to keep in stock. Anyway, sorry for the confusion. About how the Japanese treat Foreigners; My friends and I have no problems. The Japanese have been polite and go out of their way to help. Many African Americans are TV starts here in Japan and Foreigners from the U.S. Canada, NZ, Australia, and the UK usually get the best jobs. Good money can be made here....
- chris86wm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0lol
- DisposableRob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Robbing isn't possible in Japan for the morons here. Japanese citizens can not carry arms. The only chance of it being robbed is through brute force in numbers or illegally possessed firearms."
Shoplifting doesn't require a gun. - Jozer99, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Honestly, not supprising. Its Japan, home of the tech consumer. HiDef Plasma TVs were probably in the next isle, next to soft drinks.
- stoops, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0LOL.
ummm... lets see... I'll take a kitkat, one pepsi and a 60GB ipod please.
Uhh sorry sir, we only carry 30GB ipods.
Well do you know when your next shipment is?
Next Saturday.
Damn It! Ill just take the 30! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I'm going to Japan and steal all the iPods; I mean what are the police gonna do? Run like last time??? hahaha
- beefman205, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0what happens when someone knocks it off the hanger
- aznboi04k, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0LOL! unsecure ipod at 7-11! that's a stupidest i ever heard. it's like "give me all your cashier's money! oh btw, i'll just grab a few ipods while i am at it. =)"
- woodcake, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I wish I could speak Japanese. Then I'd live there. haha
- hankosky, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0lol indeed
- beggersfunk, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wow, this happen like couple months ago. I am living Japan so kinda old news.
- absurdist, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0For at least the past several years, iPods have been available at Bush International Airport in Houston in vending machines. Yep, vending machines... like those selling cokes and junk food. So how is it that having them in 7-11s news?
- CLIFFosakaJAPAN, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Hey "kansai" and "shelliebeans82"
I live near Namba; maybe we should get together over some beers....ASAHI SUPERDRY!!! - mynameisob3l, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0you can buy them in vending machines in the airport too. this is nothing new.
OMG JAPAN IS A MYSTERY! OOOH! -
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