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It's a bummer that while Google Wallet on Android phones supports Suica, they only offer the feature if the device was sold originally in Japan. Presumably they
by ben1040 23d ago
It's a bummer that while Google Wallet on Android phones supports Suica, they only offer the feature if the device was sold originally in Japan. Presumably they didn't want to pay Sony the licensing fees for the technology on non-JP devices.
iPhones have it worldwide, so a visitor to Japan can use Apple Pay to stand up a card and fund it.
- panny 23d agoCringe. Cards are fun, collectable, and never run out of battery. Mine is a custom limited edition card from a Japanese chocolate factory. https://matcha-jp.com/en/9482 https://matcha-jp.com/en/9482
- ezfe 23d agoSuica cards (and transit express payments in other regions) work after iPhone batteries die for a few hours.
- aqfamnzc 22d agoAre you saying that an iphone can be used as a Suica card even with a dead battery? Or just that a discrete card still works when your phone is dead?
- Zee2 22d agoiPhones still let you use certain contactless features (like Suica) even when the battery has "run out" (ie., the main OS has shut off). The reserve battery power is enough to run Suica, CarKey support, and FindMy.
- klausa 22d agoI imagine there are only maybe three people as stupid as me to try this, but just in case: it works fine when the battery runs out; but it does _not_ work during the OS update process.
- ezfe 21d agoInterestingly, but not exactly related - the OS update process will not start if you're connected to CarPlay. Probably to avoid automatic updates from triggering when you plug it in to charge in the car.
- SenHeng 21d agoI don't know about the iPhone but the Apple Watch definitely doesn't work when the battery is dead.
- ink_13 23d agoIt's not just a patent fee, IC-card support takes special hardware that enables the low latency of the transaction. Only Android phones sold in Japan (including Pixels) get it installed at manufacturing.
- skiman10 22d agoAll Pixels have the hardware, it's only activated on Japan-based skus. You can root and change the sku to the japanese model and it works. Allegedly the Pixel 11 is only the US sku and the international sku, so all international 11s should have it activated unless they do some serious shenanigans.
- ericmay 22d agoThe only annoying thing is, well at least in 2023 or so, was that you had to actually load the card with funds even if you had a payment method attached on the iPhone wallet. That got me once as I was tapping like normal throughout my time in Japan and ran out of funds and held up a bunch of Japanese schoolgirls (judging by their attire) who definitely laughed at me and I of course laughed at myself too. If you’re in Japan here is a tip though. If you’re not super close to the main cities and you’re in an area without as many tourists and you see a group of Japanese school children and they all are eating something - the same thing or stuff from the same place, copy them. You won’t be disappointed. Probably. Had the best curry pan or whatever it’s called in my life following that trick.
- arjie 22d agoThat also happens with Clipper Card in the Bay Area. Happened to me a couple of weeks ago on BART. I wonder if all transit cards need to be loaded with money when used on iPhone. I remember having a Clipper Card with autoload and that would work just fine without balance.
- ericmay 22d agoYou might be right. I like how NYC is set up with just tap to pay with your wallet app without needing to unlock or anything.
- arjie 22d agoYeah, I particularly like London’s implementation (I moved away just short of a decade ago - might have changed since) where if you just use the same card you don’t need a pass because there are daily/weekly/monthly maximums and you travel for free afterwards. Very good system. But it is slower that Suica/Pasmo.
- cosmic_cheese 22d agoApple Watches also support it, which can make it even more convenient in some circumstances (no need to fish anything out of pockets/bags/etc, can be used while holding other things).
- klausa 22d agoOnly if you’re left handed, or wear your watch on your right hand for whatever reason. Or you have a contortionist spirit in you, whatever works :)
- cosmic_cheese 22d agoI'm right handed and wear my watch on my left wrist, never had an issue.
- klausa 22d agoI've tried it once and found it very inconvenient, compared to pulling out my phone out of my pocket, but glad to hear it works for you!