[tlug] Best communications-enabled, efficient visit

[David J Iannucci <jlinux@example.com>]

Hi folks,

I know I have asked you questions like these in the past, usually before
a visit to Japan, but here I am to ask you again (esp. because details
change over years, and different people are reading :=) I will be
visiting Tokyo later this month for a couple weeks and this time in
particular, I want to have a very efficient visit in which I have easy
access to info on-line while on the run, and easy communications with
people (incidentally I have signed up for the upcoming nomikai, my first
TLUG meeting in probably 18 years - yikes. Looking forward to it!)

I really am a bit of a dinosaur: I don't have a smartphone even at home,
and so only use "traditional" computers for Internet access. Normally.
But for this trip I will want to go beyond my comfort zone :=) So I'd
like to know:

* Recommendations on renting a smartphone. I guess an iPhone, because
  I've heard iOS is better than Android. I have an Android tablet for
  the kids, and think the UI is dumb and unintuitive. Update: I spoke to
  my very untechie wife, who's over there already, and she apparently
  bought a sumaho very cheaply. Probly not iPhone, I guess. But if
  buying makes more sense, then bring it on.

  I had a favorite phone rental place before, Rentafone Japan, but it
  seems they still have not caught up to the smartphone world. Probably
  by their own strategy, but that doesn't help me.

* I found this: http://flets.com/freewifi/. Looks good, and there are a
  bazillion places to access it, apparently. I also know about JR East's
  free wifi service. Any personal experiences with either of these that
  it would help me to know?

  But I would be grateful for ANY other advice on easy and convenient
  access to free wifi, esp. places where I can put a laptop down to work
  other than on my lap. I know about Starbucks, of course :=)

* Suica vs Pasmo. Which one should I get? Is it sixes? My usual stomping
  grounds is centered roughly on Ikebukuro, if that makes a difference.
  I've never had one of these cards before, preferring to stick, even
  over many visits for the last 15 years, with the old paper tickets
  from the machine, that are so familiar and comfortable: remember,
  dinosaur :=) But it's time to get with the times. Is there any
  concern about having money stolen off the cards by people standing
  close to you?

Thanks much in advance, and if you prefer to respond off-list, I'll do
my best to summarize.

Dave