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1760. New AA Batteries Recharged With Urine!
A new battery brand from Japan called NoPoPo comes with a little straw-like attachment. When the batteries get week, just use the straw to RECHARGE THEM WITH YOUR PEE! And, no, I'm not making this up. (props to The Boy Genius Report and Weird Asia News
1872. Sony releases new Blu-Ray video recorders
The Sony corporation of Japan has presented a couple of new Blu-Ray recorders, a technology that currently isn’t available for many people. Anyhow, the 4 recorders will start the shipping mode on the 8th of November and prices can go from 140,000YEN to 200,000YEN, which is the same thing as $1,220 to $1,755. All of them [...]
2390. Nintendo DS or Sony PSP? Which is the SlashGear holiday choice?
As the holiday season fast approaches, we’ve been getting questions from readers regarding which portable games console they should buy for themselves, their friends or their kids. It’s hard to believe that there are still people out there who haven’t decided on a side in the PSP/DS war, but here are a few factors you should consider before splashing your cash either with Sony or Nintendo.
Traditionally the Nintendo has been seen as the young-persons’ choice, but this year a range of “brain training” games has pushed it into the eyeline of the adult and even elderly market. The clever controls - undeniably more innovative than the PSP’s, with both the usual D-pad and buttons as well as a touchscreen and stylus - have given games designers more flexibility, and its backward-compatibility with Game Boy Advance titles mean there’s a healthy, and cheap, back-catalogue to choose from.
On the PSP’s side, however, are the media and processing capabilities which have made Sony such a contender in the lounge gaming market. While UMD-based movies may have bombed, the handheld can still play films and audio stored on Memory Stick or streamed wirelessly from a PS3. Recent sales figures from Japan show that PSPs there are being snapped up, with 250,000 sold in the four days following the redesigned Slim & Lite’s launch and, although it lacks the catalogue of classic titles, more recent games on the PSP - usually aimed at a teenage audience - score highly in reviews.
Both consoles have wireless, allowing for multi-player gaming, but the DS edges ahead a little with many multi-player games requiring only one game cartridge. Pair the PSP with a PS3, however, and you can make use of Remote Play, which lets you access media and games on your home console wherever in the world you have a WiFi signal. As for add-ons, the PSP can be augmented with a TV tuner, GPS, camera and more, but of course these are not necessarily cheap options and some require imports since not all are officially available outside of Japan.
Many find the DS better for impromptu gaming, with the handheld working well in snatched moments on buses and waiting in queues; on the other hand, some have accused DS titles of lacking the in-depth gameplay that is available on the PSP. It’s very much a matter of taste, and if you’re buying for anyone other than yourself then it could be worth asking them whether they settle down for longer periods or see themselves gaming more casually.
Of course, for some it will come down to price: the PSP Slim & Light comes in at $169.99 while the Nintendo DS undercuts it at $129.99. In the run up to the holidays retailers will be clamouring for your business with bundled games, cases, and the ubiquitous “travel pack” (which usually consists of a travel charger, some sort of case and maybe a screen-protector). Here at SlashGear we’d recommend the DS for younger or significantly older would-be gamers, who should be well catered for by the simple interface and drawn in by the quirky, easily-grasped games. For teenagers and media junkies we’d lean toward the PSP: its integration with the PS3 is fantastic, the games on offer are nicely biased toward those willing to invest time and effort, and it certainly has the power to see it supporting top titles for some time to come.
Which handheld would you recommend, and why? Let us know in the comments - but try to keep it focused on the hardware, and not let it get personal!
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2386. TurboLinux’s Wizpy does what most PMPs do, plus more
Wizpy from TurboLinux is a gizmo packed with features such as media playback (MP3, OGG, WMA, AAC, DivX,) – FM radio, sound recorder, e-book reader, and photo display device. Another notable attraction of this gizmo is its computing applications that includes browser, email, and office software. The Wizpy sports 256,000-color OLED screen weight only 60g. Plugging this gizmo to a PC using USB will give user their own operating system environment. Wizpy was launch in Japan earlier this year.
[via Wizpy]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2274. Japan: PS3 Outsells Wii in November
Sony’s PlayStation 3 outsold Nintendo’s Wii in Japan in November. According to figures from publisher Enterbrain, Sony shifted 183,217 PS3s during the four weeks ended November 25, in comparison to 159,193 Wiis, reports Reuters. It is the first time the PS3 has triumphed over its rival in Japan over a monthly period since the systems launched last
2376. Wii Fit hits Japan today, America's still fat
Filed under: Gaming
Doesn't Nintendo know we've got a bit of a weight problem going on over here Stateside? The company just released its highly-anticipated Wii Fit in Japan today, which will most likely sell like gangbusters, while simultaneously symbolizing the death of the hardcore gamer in Nintendo land to a small portion of the faithful not completely won over by Miyamoto's latest charming contraption. Unfortunately, the Wii Fit won't be crossing any oceans until early next year. Nintendo's official Japan street date for Wii Fit was December 1st, but it seems that at least a few online shops are disregarding that pesky fact.
[Via Wii News]
Read - Buy at Play-Asia
Read - Buy at Amazon Japan
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2435. Elecom ASP-S750 portable speakers
How can you call a speaker set portable if it requires a power outlest? Regardless, these speakers are small, compact if you will, and crank out a total of 5 watts of sound from the pair.
The right speaker has a power switch and LED for power indication. It also has a volume knob, and is likely the speaker that the AC adapter plugs into.
These speakers would be good for your MP3 Player or laptop provided you had access to a power outlet. They’ll be available in December in Japan for about $45.
Elecom ASP-S750 compact portable speaker system [via fareastgizmos]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2446. Tamron AF18-250mm is now AF-motor-driven : Wish granted for Nikon D40 users
Choices of lens haven’t been easy for D40/D40s crowds, the body doesn’t has mechanical focus drive motor built-in, it’s depended on internal focus motor on the lens to drive the AF module. The selection is limited to AF-S and AF-I or Sigma HSM choice of lens line-up. Tamron has announced to add the drive motor inside one of their popular line of superzoom lens, 18-250mm. The all around AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro got a sweet upgrade with a lens-driven focusing module today. It’s designed exclusively for DSLR with APS-C sided images sensor. It will go on sale in Japan on December 13th and the price is to be announced soon.
Tamron announces the launch of the popular AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II with built-in motor for Nikon (Model A18N II) [via dpreview]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2489. Fish and sea turtles that watch you poo on an underwater toilet? Only in Japan!
More proof that Japan really is the only country to live in if you're a tech-hound? This. Just take a look at it - it's not just any old toilet, it's an underwater toilet with an aquarium built...
2497. Nintendo launching DSvision film downloads for DS in Japan
In March next year, the fifty-thousand-billion-billion people who own a Nintendo DS in Japan will be able to use the thing to watch movies on.
The DSvision service is slightly odd, though, and not the forward-thinking digital service you might be expecting. Users need to buy a memory card...
2548. Logitec's USB 1Seg tuner gets you 4-up
If you need TV, we mean need it so much that you ache for its lack, then this is the device for you. The Logitec LDT-1S30X4U has a pair of Japanese mobile 1Seg tuners for watching and recording two channels simultaneously on your PC. Daisy chain in another tuner and you've got 4x programs pumping in parallel. Enough to fix that jones if your CPU can take it. Available next month in Japan for ¥16,800 (about $152).
[Via Akihabara News] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
2575. TDK launches 'pocket' Xa-10 speakers in the UK
Better late than never. Back in February we featured these portable Xa-10 speakers from TDK, which were due to launch in Japan for the...
2630. Japan to use 700MHz band for inter-vehicle communications system
Filed under: Tablet PCs, Wireless
While the future of the 700MHz band is still up in the air 'round these parts, it seems that Japan has already decided what it'll do with it as it makes its own transition away from analog TV broadcasts. According to Tech-On, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has deemed it suitable to use the 700MHz band (or 10MHz between 715M-725MHz, specifically) for an "inter-vehicle communications system" that it hopes will reduce accidents by allowing vehicles to communicate with each other (not exactly a new concept). This latest decision apparently comes after the MIC also considered using the 5.8GHz band for the same task, but found it to be more easily blocked by obstacles. As with over here, however, the 700MHz band isn't available for re-purposing in Japan just yet, with it only slated to be freed up on July 25th, 2012. Presumably, this all fits in with that worldwide mobile broadband standard for the 700MHz band, although we'll have to wait and see how all the details shake out.
[Image courtesy of toddemslie] Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
2690. Polaroid DPJ-08580B DVD Player
The Japan corporation of Polaroid has released a new portable DVD played codenamed DPJ-08580B. While most DVD players of the portable kind are suppose to be light, this one weighs 1.1Kg, but on the other hand, its screen measures 8.5-inches, and it supports the latest iPods for video play back. Other features include speakers, being able [...]
2738. New Slimline and Stylist Compact Stereos from Kenwood
Kenwood announced trio of slimline CLK compact stereos in Japan today. It plays redbook CD, CD-R/RW, MD media (only on CLK-7i-S) and works with IPOD, MP3 as well as MP3 with USB connection. The top model CLK-7is only available in silver, weighed in 5.7lb and will be selling at 50,000¥ (~$449) The rest of the two CLK-5i-S/W models are available in black or silver finish. It lacks MD support and roughly 1lb lighter than CLK-7is but 10,000 yen cheaper (about $110 USD)
Kenwood presents a new stereo [via akihabaranews]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2745. Super Talent 256GB SSD uses SATA port to connect
256GB is huge in terms of SSD storage, and will probably cost you a small fortune, as such the price obviously isn’t listed, go figure. Super Talent has actually released two different 256GB SSD drives.
The FSD56GC35M is the one we are talking about today, and it is an amazing drive. It comes in a 3.5-inch form factor, connects via SATA and is completely interchangeable with any other SATA drive. Furthermore, it is an industrial drive, with operating temps of -40 to 85 degrees Celsius.
Lets not forget the inherent bonuses of all SSD drives, namely lower power consumption and the ability to handle bumps and vibration better due to a lack of moving parts and generally faster performance. Like I said, no word on price, and its likely only available if you can afford the price that’s so high they seem unwilling to give it out freely.
Super Talent Launches 256GB SATA SSD [via PCLaunches]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2785. Worst USB Gadget Yet: 'Pop 'n Music Be-Mouse'
This nutty EYESORE MOUSE comes with a Japanese PC game called Pop'n Music be-Mouse. Apparently the game involves pushing the buttons. The game -- and mouse -- go on sale in Japan March 27.
2828. Sanyo announces Industrial Grade Dual Lamps LCD Projectors
Sanyo reveals two new members of commercial-use LCD projectors today at Japan. Model LP-XF70 features standard 4:3 aspect ratio with 1024×768 resolution, capable to produce 9000 lumens, 2000:1 and equipped with DVI-D, D-sub, components, BNC-15, S-video inputs with extra two more optional inputs.
The widescreen version has 1366×800 resolution with 6000 lumens and similar spec. Both using the same 330w NSHA dual-lamps design, sharing the same chassis and has the weight of 61 pounds. The 70 series is the world brightest dual lamp 3 LCD projector, it’s huge and expensive. Both will be available in Japan next month with the price tag of $32,900 for 70 series and $23,500 for the 20.
Sanyo Press Release [via Sanyo Japan]
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Copyright © 2006-2007 SlashGear
2871. Researchers create printed solar cells
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
We've seen a lot of attempts to cut the costs of solar cells, but a team in Japan has managed to create an inexpensive flexible cell that's as thin as a sheet of paper using what they describe as traditional printing techniques. The team, composed of researchers from Toin University in Yokohama and private firm Fujimori Kogyo, managed to eliminate the expensive silicon component of regular solar cells, reducing thickness to just .4mm (.015 inches), and allowing a factory to pump out reams of the material every month -- enough to generate 10 megawatts of juice. That's actually a fairly low estimate, as the cells are only at 6% efficiency right now, but we can imagine that number shooting upwards after they start shipping in February. Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsOffice Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!