Japanese Windows users unable to unlock the iPod touch

Are you a Japanese Windows user? Did you just buy an iPod touch? If you answered yes to both of those questions, you may find yourself in a boiling rage in a matter of moments. Apparently, you are unable to unlock your new WiFi-device / media player if you're using Japanese Windows -- the player just remains in the holding pattern of a "connect to PC" prompt when you hook it up to your computer. According to reports, Apple Japan has yet to issue a statement or updates to solve the problem, which is causing a number of Japanese buyers to take matters into their own hands. Word on the street is that lines have been forming outside of Apple stores, where new buyers are taking their useless touches to be brought magically to life by the in-store Macs. First the screen problems and now this? Come on Apple -- get it together.

Update: The crack team at Engadget Japan has learned from Apple that an update coming later this week will fix the problem, though they have yet to make an official announcement. Also, it sounds like other foreign Windows users may be experiencing similar problems. If you're having trouble -- let us know.

[Via Impress]

[Khris @ Sep 25th 2007 10:12AM]

Perhaps the Japanese Apple employees were absent on Testing day?!

[jilie @ Sep 25th 2007 10:58AM]

poor coding

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:15PM]

Poor modularity. If something works with one language, it should work for any other language. Says so in the Gnome interface guidelines-- oh wait. Windows isn't compliant with /anything/, least of all interface suggestions. Oh well.

On behalf of these fine American corporations, screw you, non English speakers.
...You put up with too much.

Microsoft. Because Ford doesn't write software.

[Todd @ Sep 25th 2007 1:25PM]

If these users are unable to connect their iPods to their computers, how in the world are they going to apply the update coming later this week? Via WiFi?

[coolblue @ Sep 25th 2007 10:12AM]

I thought the touch was a media player, what on earth do you need to unlock it for?

[oliveros123 @ Sep 25th 2007 10:18AM]

exactly the same that I was thinking. I used to believe that MS was evil, but right now, apple seems like the one pushing for a monopoly-driven society.

[Josh F @ Sep 25th 2007 10:18AM]

wifi i think

[coolblue @ Sep 25th 2007 10:21AM]

Erm.....

So why do you need to unlock wifi?

I did not need to unlock my PSP, DS, Laptop or my HTC Smartphone to use wifi?

[Marek @ Sep 25th 2007 10:22AM]

It's for the ability to add third-party apps (like the hack on the iphone).

[coolblue @ Sep 25th 2007 10:24AM]

That is still dumb. I do not have to unlock any of my other devices to install third party apps. I was going to replace my now very old Ipod with a touch but I my get a creative player if this is the way Apple are going.

[joe23521 @ Sep 25th 2007 10:49AM]

I think by "unlock" he means "sync"?

[coolblue @ Sep 25th 2007 10:53AM]

So all these Japanese users are going along to their Apple store with a rucksack full of CD's they then must be spending hours ripping them onto the instore macs in order to sync their touches....... I don't think so.......

I am still baffled as to why you would need to unlock it...

[Bruno Martins Stuani @ Sep 25th 2007 1:37PM]

Well, I don't think this is kindly of an activation. But you need to plug anyway if you want to add musics to your iPod!

[ibsnowedin @ Sep 25th 2007 10:17AM]

apple DRM on hardware, forces people to buy macs.

[Sam @ Sep 25th 2007 10:18AM]

i think the problem we have here is that apple has gotten too big, too fast. its poured tons of its resources into the iPhone, a niche product that has great potential, but has so far caused delays and problems with pretty much all of its other products. ipod touch-crap screens, imacs-crap screens, leopard-delayed till..october? then theres the imploding of iTunes, a great product, but steve jobs is pretty much like Nicolas Cage in 8MM, "when you dance with the devil, the devil don't change, the devil changes you". case in point- ringtones. apple is clearly giving into the studios demands and when they don't..well you get an NBC/Universal pullout. i don't think apple should charge more for their music, its the content providers who have a thumb up their behind and think we should all pay astronomical prices for our music, in which almost none of it goes to the musicians themselves. even take at&t with the iPhone. at&t sucks, i know, i have it. EDGE is probably the slowest, oldest network i've ever used, and its exclusivity is tarnished because of such a crap company providing service. what apple needs to do now is focus on their main products, and while focusing on innovation too, they need to implement some hardcore quality checks to ensure that the products they ship out are apple quality, not M$/Dell junk.

[Jonathan Keim @ Sep 25th 2007 10:19AM]

Just to clear up confusion:

This is regarding the iPod Touch's ability to download MP4s from Japanese Windows computers.

This has nothing to do with the iPhone

[Muu @ Sep 25th 2007 10:35AM]

Might be good to point out that there is a workaround, as posted on a few other sites. Something about changing your main language setting to english when you first connect the Touch to the PC.

A truly idiotic oversight nevertheless, but at least it's avoidable.

[SteveJ @ Sep 25th 2007 10:40AM]

Is it "unlocking" or just a (failed in this case, of course) attempt at ease of use? I tend to think the latter (you wouldn't be able to do much with it before you sync anyway - browsing, I suppose, but that's it, and it probably has to set up stuff for things like the iTunes WiFi store before you can use that), but I'm sure the conspiracy theorists will think otherwise. In any case it's a bug. An embarrasing one.

[peternj @ Sep 25th 2007 10:43AM]

I'm kind of baffled as an iPhone owner why an iPod Touch would need to be activated except perhaps for online music purchase but surely that's part ... oh I get it .. but still really poor customer support by Apple.

I love my iPhone, can't believe I do but really the more I use it the more I like. However it's been smooth sailing. No problems with EDGE, not that slow almost as good as Helio's EVDO.

I live in NYC.

But really an iPod should not need activating. That's really dumb.

[Scott Harp @ Oct 3rd 2007 8:57AM]

As an American living here in Tokyo, Japan, I have readily praised Apple for its products. I had an iPod 5 and loved it. But how quickly disillusioned I became with my new iPod touch. I spent hours trying to activate the thing on Windows Japanese version and nothing happened. Then, I read all this about the trouble people are having with their new Apple gadgets. I am too old now to get angry, but I am disgusted with Apple. Calling Apple Japan today, I got no apologies, no excuses and only one comment (in Japanese) "Oh, this is a Windows problem so check with them." So, it would appear that even Apple Japan has disowned its product. What I'd like Microsoft to do is to come up with a similar product, but better in that like any PC you buy these days, Windows is already installed for you. Why should I have to activate a hand-held device? Why can't I just turn it on and start using it? Apple has lost my trust. I will never buy a product from them ever again. Anybody out there want to buy an "unused" iPod touch?

[Manuel Zapata @ Sep 25th 2007 10:44AM]

Same problem in Colombia using Windows in Spanish. If u know the solution please let me know

[irshliquor @ Sep 25th 2007 10:51AM]

Coke. Lots of it.

[David W. @ Sep 25th 2007 10:55AM]

Colombia rocks!!!

[Preston @ Sep 25th 2007 11:21AM]

Have Pablo give Steve a call. That'll get things moving in a hurry.

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:20PM]

Linux ;)

We try not to be language bigots, and we're not just out to sell you crap. It's not uncommon to see one app support 10 or more languages in our camp.
--which is good, because English, as a language, is an ugly hack. I'm a native speaker, and I openly admit it. We celebrate that fact too in school, which is sad-- spelling bees? Come on.

If you're with us, you'll /own/ your hardware, and you'll know it.
[e-mail]

[Matias @ Sep 25th 2007 10:45AM]

It's not only a problem with the Japanese version of Windows. Lots of users of non-English versions of windows are having the same problem.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1131087

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:24PM]

I tried switching my windows from english to spanish. Didn't work. Having separate versions for each language is horrible.

As an Ubuntu user now, when I want to switch languages, everything switches at once. Besides that, nothing changes. Certainly not hardware compatibility, that I'm aware of.

Don't put up with stuff from our American companies. If you want software that is tailored for /you/, look for software where /you/ can contribute. I'll help. [e-mail]

[Tony Le @ Sep 25th 2007 11:06AM]

Try setting the 'Regional and Language Options' in Control Panel to English, I had to set this to Japanese when installing (and running) some titles for Japanese games.

[Scooby03 @ Sep 25th 2007 11:09AM]

lol just lol

[Panq @ Sep 25th 2007 8:36PM]

My thoughts exactly.

[Sean @ Sep 25th 2007 11:35AM]

At least they Freaken have theirs... I don't live near an apple store and I have to wait until the FREAKEN 28th for it to ship... ordered 2 weeks ago.

[Justin @ Sep 25th 2007 12:15PM]

With all the problems they've been having with this generation of iPods, why aren't you experiencing buyer's remorse instead? Cancel it and wait until they fix all this crap first, between the screens and the *sound quality* (these are mp3 players, right? sound quality is important, right?)...and, well, the price for a player with only 16 GB of storage...

You'd be better off canceling and going elsewhere, I think.

[umijin @ Sep 25th 2007 11:51AM]

WTF - I'm in Japan and Pre-ORDERED a Touch. Why is it I don't have mine now? I don't understand why Apple is selling the Touch in stores before it fills its pre-orders.

Pathetic.

[TRLK @ Sep 25th 2007 11:53AM]

I thought Japan was Apple's largest market after the US of A?

[Klaus Burton @ Sep 25th 2007 5:02PM]

I'm confused. On one hand you are making the kinds of statements one would expect from someone with a non-conformance complex, yet on the other you rip on Microsoft because they don't conform to Gnome interface guidelines.
Guess what, mate. Windows does pretty well for itself in case you haven't heard.

I would *love* to see how many bugs compliant operating systems would have if more people used them. Exactly how everyone lauded Macs as being virus-proof until they started becoming more popular to the point where hackers actually tried to write viruses for them.

Think about what a hard time Apple has making their OS and multiply that thought by at least a few billion (for all the different hardware combinations Windows PCs must have support for) and you will see how far the Gnome guidelines get you.

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 8:58PM]

"for all the different hardware combinations Windows PCs must have support for"
Wait, have they moved off of x86 yet? --or do you mean the drivers they pressure every manufacturer into writing? I'm talking about modularity as a design philosophy. The anti-ms stuff is just my attitude and occasional snide remark.

...and 'non conformance' is the wrong reason to use an operating system, but then so is /conformance/. Try everything you can, for yourself, and make your own choices.

[Ryan @ Sep 25th 2007 12:20PM]

Steve Jobs:
$100 apple store credit for all ipod touch users

[RevAaron @ Sep 25th 2007 12:31PM]

...where are those goes who like to come in on every Apple thread and moan about how Engadget is nothing but a den of crypto-fanbois all hot for Apple?

Just checking, but is "unlocking" the right word for this? That is, if you buy an iPod touch, can you take it out of the box and play with it? Not too useful considering how gimped out they made it software-wise compared to the iPhone, but that's another story. Is this just the same thing you'd do with any DRM'd PMP, plugging it in and telling iTunes that this is one of your music players, and as such it should be given access to play your DRM'd music?

If the latter the case I'd say "unlocking" is rather the wrong term. Unlike what some folks are saying, that sort of procedure is required on all sorts of other devices, be it Zune or some PlaysForSure device. But if it's "unlocking" ala the iPhone, that'd be pretty abgefuckt.

[Cameron Campbell @ Sep 25th 2007 12:39PM]

I was wondering that as well... my guess is that they have special decoder rings that only allow them to see bias one way..

[Justin @ Sep 25th 2007 1:10PM]

Where have we gone? We're still here, but why complain about a post that finally tells it how it is? No need: "Come on Apple -- get it together" is all we've been saying in the first place.

You might want to note though that there are also scant few Apple supporters in this set of comments. Maybe we just haven't given it enough time yet, but I tend to believe that to be more telling than anything.

[Panq @ Sep 25th 2007 8:39PM]

Because no-one seems to have answered, I'm going to ask this question again:
What CAN users with this problem do with their iPods?

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:38PM]

All you non-english speakers out there-- as an English speaking American citizen, I issue an apology:

I'm sorry our horrible language became the world standard, and invaded your culture. In my opinion, 'twas not the merits of the language that led to that, but unfortunate circumstance.
I'm sorry our multi-billion-dollar corporations invaded your economies-- because it was much the same situation that led to that happening as well. Right time, right place, wrong idea.
And I'm sorry our media industries invaded your legal systems, using 'international law' to compromise your sovereignty.
And, in case you live in the Middle east, I'm sorry our military literally invaded your nation as well. I hope our decision to mind our own business comes from logic, rather than unfortunate necessity.

Please tell me what I can do to help, besides voting, boycotting, letting my voice be heard online, and signing petitions (which I do already). Perhaps something along the lines of helping you migrate to Open source software? Or maybe, we could work together to create a new language or business model that would suit us all better-- Esperanto wasn't thought through all the way, but I want to do something similar. [e-mail] --you know, if you're interested.

[Van Souza @ Sep 25th 2007 12:40PM]

Just how is this Apple's fault, that you can not unlock their product?

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:48PM]

They locked it in the first place. This is simply wrong. If they were based in a nation where over restrictive terms of service were outlawed, they wouldn't be able to pull crap like this.

That is how it's their fault.
(This applies more to the iPhone than the touch, but yeah..)

[Eric Dorsey @ Sep 25th 2007 12:41PM]

I actually had a similar problem, i had to reinstall itunes, reboot, reinstall the usb driver, and reboot the iPod. It finally worked and I completely love it. However I have never had an iPhone.

The process is not so much unlocking, more like initial setup.

[ethana2 @ Sep 25th 2007 12:52PM]

lol

reinstall
reboot
defrag
install antivirus
You guys never get tired of this, do you?

sudo apt-get install amarok.

...but thanks for the clarification on the initial setup thing.

[RevAaron @ Sep 25th 2007 4:17PM]

Maybe you see "scant Apple supporters" because your own perceptions of seeing a fanboi conspiracy around every corner is illusory? There seem to be a number of Apple supporters reply to this thread, but they, like most, happen to be level headed and think it's shitty when Apple pulls this kind of sleaze.

Sorry, but this isn't religion. Unlike most, say Christians, I don't have to rationalize and ignore contradictions and backwardness to be able to continue to use my MacBook Pro gladly and effectively.

There are idiot fanboys who support Apple regardless, pulling B.S. apologism out of their asses, but too often the anti-fanbois take fanaticism to the next level, with that high-school non-conformist mentality. This thread illustrates that most Apple users aren't morons who pray toward Cupertino 5 times a day, but regular schmucks who can be, at some point, pushed too far. That limit is probably pretty far out there, considering how MS is still very much alive and in control of most of the market, so I wouldn't get your hopes up and start posting "Oh Noes! Apple and Nintendo, going out of business next week!" because they're draconian dicks with the iPod and iPhone.

[TschonDoe @ Sep 25th 2007 1:16PM]

my german ipod isn't working... same problem, seems to be all over the non-english world...

[Justin @ Sep 25th 2007 4:29PM]

The comments seem to be all out of order, so I'll just post at the bottom.

@RevAaron:

You're putting lots and lots of words in my mouth. Tons of words, really.

I'll admit, there is an element of schadenfreude seeing all the people who were previously worshiping at the altar of Apple have problems with their obviously superior media players. However, I don't care one way or another which company's player is the best one for your needs and I don't care which is the best for /my/ needs. If it's an iPod, great. If not, great.

But the iPods are not clearly superior in any ways other than appearance, which matters not IMO, and user interface, which is certainly arguable. Sound quality, capacity, and price are all things that other players have over the iPod series, and those are what matter to me in something that is going to play music. Y'know, sound? Yeah. If Apple would fix that, then I'd have nothing at all to complain about. The only complainers left then would be the people you call fanatics. I'm not one of them.

[Håkan @ Sep 27th 2007 11:59PM]

What I'm interested in knowing is exactly where these 'hordes' of japanese users bought their iPod Touches. I went to the Apple store in Nagoya, none. They dont know when they will get them either. I checked with Yamada denki and other large retailers: Within a month. Where the hell do they buy them? Or... are they perhaps importing the US one? Perhaps Apple didn't release the touch in Japan before the 28th, simply because they where waiting for the patch to be finished?