Purchase Japanese Clié Accessories Online

Posted By: Ed on Friday, October 19, 2001 9:42:35 AM

Sony Bluetooth Clip-on Module A frequently aired complaint is that while there are a limited number of peripherals for the Sony Clié available in the U.S. and other countries, there are far more available in Japan. A webstore named ArcBrain has stepped in to help relieve this problem. They will ship many Clié-related products to the U.S. that until now weren't available. The most interesting of these is the clip-on Bluetooth module, which they have for about $150. Update: The Bluetooth module does not work with U.S. versions of the Clié.

They also carry a wide variety of cases and flip covers, replacement cradles, mobile phone cables, and more. They only carry the Japanese language version of the handhelds.

ArcBrain accepts PayPal. Price fluctuate based on the current exchange rate.

They charge about $34 to ship a handheld and about $20 to ship accessories to the U.S.. This includes some insurance. Residents of other countries should contact them before ordering.

Thanks to nXt for the tip. -Ed

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Article Comments
21 total comments

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Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 11:34:54 AM #

Yeah, that's it. Send to Japan for a stylus 3-pack.
Sony needs to get its act together. There is not a Clie modem available anywhere in South Florida (or the aforementioned styli, for that matter). The Sony Clie is a great pda, but most of us techno-geeks want some of the accessories that go with it. And we'd prefer not to go to Japan to get them.

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 12:01:38 PM #

lame comment.

get the modem at the US sony site. if you need the japan pda's (maybe because you want 8mb flash), or the japan cases, or the bluetooth, or other JAPAN accessories, then this is the site that's in english and ships to the US.

by the way, this site is for people who are in Japan too that's why they are selling small items.

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 12:10:52 PM #

You're just making excuses for Sony's poor performance in supplying accessories. Most people still prefer to purchase through brick and mortar, not the Internet. I do both, but much prefer to buy (and return) something to the CompUSA down the street (okay, maybe that's not an option you have).

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 12:24:13 PM #

then order it in your local compusa branch. here's the link:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?G5792371

RE: Lame Solution

Sartre @ 10/19/2001 1:32:21 PM #

I agree that this was a lame comment - only because the story is has nothing to do with Sony and their distribution decisions. The story focuses solely on a solution for those who desire the peripherals that this outlet can provide. The solution is not lame, it's rather good.

This site is providing a needed service - I applaud that... I just don't think it calls for Sony-bashing.

I also am not sure I agree with the comment that "most people still prefer brick-and-mortar" - yes, most people probably do, but those who read this board, I would guess, are as likely if not more likely to purchase online. This would make the site mentioned in the article perfect for the audience.

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 4:54:40 PM #

Actually, the article does have something to do with Sony. Re-read the first sentence. It states that there are frequent complaints about the availability of Clie "peripherals". Who's responsible if not Sony?

To "relieve this problem" one can now go to a Japanese website and purchase accessories there (and pay hefty shipping charges). Wow.

I'll stick with my Clie but I still say Sony needs to make accessories more readily available in retail stores.

RE: Lame Solution

Sartre @ 10/19/2001 5:31:47 PM #

I know - nitpicking... but the article is ABOUT the solution to a problem. To comment on it by calling the solution 'lame' based upon the root cause seems misdirected to me, that's all.

Sure the cause for the 'solution' is a problem, that's why it needed a solution. The solution isn't provided by Sony (as far as I can tell), but rather some other entity trying to do business. Why criticize their attempt to solve a problem by calling it 'lame'?

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 9:50:22 PM #

Okay. Bad choice of words on my part. I should have said it was at least _a_ solution to a lame problem. Having clarified that, why do you think Sony is having a problem with distributing accessories?

(BTW, I bought the last available Clie modem in South Florida some weeks ago. It failed to work, so I returned it to CompUSA where I had purchased it. Since then I have gone the external modem route, which is serving me well).

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/20/2001 12:08:23 AM #

You know what? I completely share your frustration with Sony. The only rationale I have is that the Clie I bought (the 710) is still a relatively new device. I previously had a PalmV, which I bought right when it came out and I remember waiting months (seemed like forever) for any accessories. Eventually I had the travel kit, a second cradle, a modem, and several cases.

Now, alas, I'm back in the same boat. Early adopters just get to wait - part of the thrill of being first is waiting longer.

(I suppose we're assuming that all the Japan accessories will work perfectly with our PDAs... I'm not so sure I'd take that risk. I'll wait for them to become available locally or through the web.)

RE: Lame Solution

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/23/2001 11:20:06 AM #

Yeah.

Typical

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 2:29:59 PM #

It is a rather common problem: The company that sells the main hardware is multi-national, while the accessories companies aren't. That is also why there are a lot of cool apple accessories in Japan, but they can never make it to the U.S. or even other parts of Asia.

There really needs to be, for sony, a department set-up to coordinate the sell of accessories. Once the accessories are here, more people will be interested to buy since there is a much wider choice to customize your pda. The fact that Sony doesn't sell its own model and bluetooth module - NO EXCUSE!!!

RE: Typical

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 4:33:53 PM #

Hey, face it. Labor in the US is not cheap.

What is this?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/19/2001 6:30:18 PM #

"MOBILE COMMUNICATION ADAPTER for PEG-N700C". It looks like a wireless cradle but what is it? Thanks.

RE: What is this?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/20/2001 9:05:08 PM #

This is the adapter for CF sized communication cards.
These cards are on the carrer of PHS: Personal Handyphone System, Japanese local carrer format.
These cards have CF sized serial interface, and use these from Clie as a serial modem.
We can use 64k wireless PPP connection in Japan.

-------
Kaz

RE: What is this?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/20/2001 9:20:53 PM #

Sorry. The past message was wrong.
The device I said is other adapter.

The adapter is a modem only for cellphone or PHS phones.
The adapter have cables to connect to the cellphones.

But the connectors maybe for Japanese cellphones or PHS phone. So you may be not able to use this outside Japan.

---
Kaz

RE: What is this?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/21/2001 12:07:46 PM #

Thanks! Sounds like they won't be of any use in the US as we are well behind Japan in mobile communications.

Phone adaptors

starbuckk @ 10/20/2001 2:05:20 AM #

This site is helpful but I wish that it would tell which phones the communication adaptors work with. I have a Mitsubishi T-250 and would very much like to be able to connect it up to my Sony. But the one location I've found so far that has communication cables doesn't list this phone.

How to purchase?

thomasho @ 10/20/2001 7:22:23 PM #

Anyone knows how to purchase something on the page? I cannot find a link to place any order, or did I mis anything? Please advise. Thank you very much.

PS. I've sent an e-mail to them asking about this. I'll update here if I get any response back.

What about the drivers?

I.M. Anonymous @ 10/24/2001 9:01:01 AM #

The accessories are worthless if the drivers are in Japanese.

clie bluetooth module

I.M. Anonymous @ 2/10/2002 8:49:30 PM #

apparently the japanese clie buetooth module does work on the english language versions of clie...

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y2816266

The "free market" does not exist in the USA

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/11/2002 9:40:06 PM #

Unfortunately, much of what has been written is true. Sony will not retail many of their coolest devices and accessories in the United States for a very simple reason: the market simply does not exist in the US to justify the added expense of selling an item here. While we believe that our market is consumer driven, the exact opposite is true. We shop at Big Box outlets for the price, and we have to buy whatever product or product line the Big Box retailer negotiated the best wholesaleprice for, the only choice you really have is, do I shop here or not? In Asia and Europe, most consumers like products that are unique and individual and do not mind spending the extra money for it. If people really want something, they will find a way to get it.

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