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Using mobile / cell phones for dictionary -
12-03-2009, 12:28 AM
I am thinking of getting a new mobile / cell phone soon, probably one of those fancy smart phones with easy internet access and so on.
Would any such phone be good in terms of accessing a Japanese-English English-Japanese on-line dictionary? I can't work out if there are applications that can be loaded on to the phone, which might be better, though I suppose they'd take up a lot of memory. Any thoughts, anyone, please? 
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12-03-2009, 01:15 AM
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Now, if you have a browser on your smart phone, just use www.alc.co.jp. It's the best online dictionary for English-Japanese because not only does it have the functionality of a traditional dictionary, but it also has tons of sample sentences. WWWJDIC (Jim Breen's dictionary) is also great. You don't need an "online app" when you've got a browser and excellent websites already.
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12-03-2009, 05:44 PM
Thank you. I am tempted by the applications for Japanese lanhuage learning on the iPhone, but it's a bit expensive, really.
Do you have any idea how much data I'd be using if I were to access alc.oc.jp or similar on a mobile phone? I don't want to do it if it uses half a gB each time I look at it. Does the amount of information on the website affect that, do you know...?
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12-04-2009, 12:21 AM
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Just go to the site and see for yourself. You can access it via a regular web browser.
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12-04-2009, 12:32 AM
You should hunt on Ebay or Yahoo Japan auctions for Japanese-market Docomo or Softbank phones. My Docomo 904 telephone has a built-in dictionary which converts English to Japanese, and vice-versa. What's more, I can take a picture of a sign or page written in Kanji with the phone's camera, and translator in the telephone can read the characters and convert them to English.
Some Softbank phones are unlockable, and can be used on American 3G or GSM networks. Unfortunately, Docomo phones are not unluckable, but used ones are cheap, and you can still use some of their features (such as the translator/dictionary) overseas.
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Iphone.. -
12-04-2009, 01:40 AM
iPhone all the way!!! I have mine and it's great. There are TONS of Japanese apps that a very useful...
To name a few: -Japanese: An awesome japanese dictionary -iKanji Touch: A SRS Kanji learning app thats VERY effective. -Human Japanese: A great app for learning the basics of Japanese The iPhone plans in the US all come with unlimited data so you don't have to worry at all about data usage.. Also the phone has a full browser which can access any webpage you can on your computer (Execpt Flash sites) plus you've got an app store with tens of thousands of apps and quite a multitude of Japanese ones. Not only japanese learning apps, but you can also download japanese apps that would normally be sold to people in Japan to help immerse yourself.
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12-09-2009, 02:47 AM
If you want to avoid the Iphone for whatever reason, Symbian OS based S60 and up are good choices. Motorola Razrs V3 or better are good choices as well. Both can be loaded Japanese language packs and both have apps for learning.
3g WCDMA 2100Mhz phones that are unlocked will work in Japan with a prepaid softbank sim if you actually wanted to take your phone over there. PalmOS and Windows based phones are also nice choices. I used a palm pilot PDA for years with learning apps and dictionaries You don't have to break the bank to buy a Iphone or Japanese electric dictionary to have pocket power nor be tied to online contracts. Not really what you asked about but some alternatives.
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12-09-2009, 06:42 PM
Quote:
 I'd certainly have to investigate a Japanese language pack on anything I do get. I hadn't thought of that. I feel that I'm too old to be able to get my head round ll of the options, but you've given me some good pointers on where to start. Thanks!
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