[tlug] [OT] Need help purchasing mobile phone & plan

["Mike Mazur" <mmazur@example.com>]

Hi List,

Not exactly Linux related, but a technical issue, at least for me.

My wife and I moved to Tokyo yesterday morning and we will be looking
for mobile phones and service plans to go with them. I trust the
judgment of the members of this list, as you all have technical
aptitude :)

So, I'm looking for a phone with which I can take advantage of the
mobile Internet people outside Japan keep hearing about. It would be
great if it had cool bells and whistles for geeks, such as GPS. Which
service provider would have a selection of phones like this?

What about service plans, what to look out for? What do the data plans
look like here? How much can I expect to pay per month?

Hm, anything else I should know, be aware of or ask before making a purchase?

Also, I need to pick up a wireless router, is Akihabara the place to
go for that? Any particular store?

Thanks a bunch!
Mike