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First photo of iPods available at 7-Eleven (Japan)

ifoapplestore.com — "Apple previously announced that they would be selling iPods at 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan..."

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MustardPlug 2 years 164 days ago, made popular 2 years 164 days ago

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woodenspoon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Could that cause a shoplifting Problem? I mean they just have iPods sitting out there.
Beaner, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I was thinking the same... grab 'n go...
DevGus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yeah I know, 7-11, synominous with theft right?.....Guess I need to get a ticket top Japan.
neotrooper, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3those boxes are empty, just take one off the rack and take it to check-out.
Nyfeh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Yeah... you don't steal in Japan.
EmileVictor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0neotrooper's probably right. They look pretty, but I'm sure you just take the box to the counter and buy it from the guy who talks through plastic sheeting.
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.
snypa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0they asses gonna get robbed!
plex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wow, usually when I go to the convenient store, I only have a few bucks on me. Could never imagine buying anything over $25 bucks there.
keffrin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Now lets just hope this comes to Korea.
teamparadox, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1uh...who cares?
rokka, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2In that environment they kinnda look like packs of condoms...
Salvo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The packages look like condom packages.
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?"
zimm, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0thank you! come again!
courvoisierxo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Theft is quite rare in JP, 'cept for bicycles... Hell- most libraries don't even have security at all.
snypa, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0if the sales of such items spread to other countries, theyll be very prone to theft.
juboodi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree, definitely look like condoms.
VolcanicGoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0That's a lot of shelf space dedicated to those.
fumofumo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0singapore's 7-11 sold ipod shuffle.
OOTay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Time for the 5-Finger Discount!
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
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.
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
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.
Goldenatom, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I should have submitted with this link actually...

http://goldenatom.typepad.com/life/2005/11/ipods_at_711.html

I'm an idiot...
rubysoho, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0NO DIGG! this is so so old, they have been in convenient stores here since last year. i should post a story about themed cafes in japan that have girls dressed as maids and such since i see those stories everywhere online recently and then claim its the first photo ever...Lame
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....
SJspring90, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Why are the boxes in English?
blankoboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0These have been available at my 7-11 (Yutenji) for the last 4-5 weeks.
You can also buy prepaid Itunes cards at 7-11
http://www.apple.com/jp/buy/ipod/
http://www.sej.co.jp/shohin/itunes.html

- no digg
technonoob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The empty boxes are filled with C-4, when you take 10 steps out of the building KABLOOIE!
Rand, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0No digg. Shuffles have been available at 7-11s in Singapore for almost a year.
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
MartinBob, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0If this happens in America, and they're located inside of the box- I'm going to finally have an iPod... Or two... Or Five.

I steal from 7-11 everyday as a matter of fact: gum, lunchables, frappachinos, and hopefully iPods.
xodex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Total Difference between Japanese 7-Elevens and American 7-Elevens

Good Job Japan.
shelliebeans82, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The iPods aren't stocked at the 7-11, you bring the box up, fill out a small form, and come back in 3 days time.

Where in Osaka do you live? I live near Izumisano on the Nankai line.
mfearby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is news worthy... how?
SnowballDotBe, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Could only make the iPod more popular... which of course is a good thing. The ipod is becoming like a complete normal product, like a DVD player.

---------------------------------
http://www.snowball.be
Rhaegal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0A little off-topic =P, but to the people who said they live in Japan: Aren't the Japanese pretty hostile to foreigners..especially americans? I was wondering this because a trip to Japan might lead to a complete move if the US is going to continue in a downward trend...
Madking, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This is just like Japan..
shelliebeans82, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0They're not hostile once you get to know them...
qwertme, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I am working with a Japanese colleague right now, when I told him about it, his reply was "very convenient"
blankoboy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Says 2-3 days....have a read =)

http://www.sej.co.jp/shohin/itunes.html
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.
bobb243, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0dugg because it's something that involves a 7-11
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.
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.
zetsurin, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0"If this happens in America, and they're located inside of the box- I'm going to finally have an iPod... Or two... Or Five."

As if they ***** will be you retard.
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.
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First photo of iPods available at 7-Eleven (Japan)

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