Posts tagged Biginjapan at Switched

Posts with tag biginjapan

Sega Releases Plant That Nods to Your Voice

by Blake Besharian, posted Oct 9th 2008 at 9:30AM

Move over Aibo, take a seat, creepy humanoid robot doll, Pekoppa has arrived! Sega's eagerly anticipated nodding robotic plant is finally here, at least in Japan, though we expect that it will soon be turning up in children's bedrooms and on the window sills of retirement homes stateside, delighting the immature and the elderly with its fantastic capacity to acknowledge that it is listening/ Garden-variety sound sensors, presumably, enable the doodad to move its leaves as you sing or speak to it.

Only in the high pressure society of Japan, where 1 in 5 people have considered suicide, would a robotic plant that nods be billed as a good listener (we're basing this claim on a translation of the promo song in this video). In fact, we'd like to say that if you're talking to a robotic plant because that's the only thing that will listen to your problems, you might need to seek more professional help. [From OhGizmo!]

World's Weirdest New Phones

by Tom Samiljan, posted Oct 2nd 2008 at 6:31PM

We've just spent the past three days at CEATEC, the Japanese consumer electronics show, where some of the world's most innovative -- and sometimes outlandish -- prototype gadgets are unveiled. Cell phones are extremely popular in Japan, which is probably why the show floor was filled with plenty of newfangled mobile phone concepts. We rounded up some of our favorites, which we picked either because we'd never seen them before or because we hope they actually get made into working products some day. Take a look...

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Wearable Airbags Keep the Elderly Safe From Falls

by Engadget Staff, posted Sep 25th 2008 at 9:52AM

Elderly? Enfeebled? Just plain clumsy? Tokyo-based Prop has your back. Its newly announced personal, wearable airbag looks like a cool fanny-pack and weighs a mere 1.1 kilograms (2.4 pounds) -- but springs forth in one-tenth of a second when sensors detect you're headed for the floor, protecting your head and ass with two inflated bags that contain 3.9 gallons of gas each. Similar to the various airbag-equipped suits already used by some motorcyclists, the Tokyo Prop's airbag is specifically designed to help the elderly, according to Prop president Mitsuya Uchida. The bag is yours for a cool ¥148,000 ($1,400). [From AFP and Daily Telegraph]

[Thanks, Steve]

Japanese Girls Going Crazy for Virtual Boyfriends

by Terrence O'Brien, posted Sep 22nd 2008 at 5:34PM

It may be a little tough for some of us to grasp, but the latest fad among Japanese girls is the 'virtual boyfriend.' Within two weeks of launching, virtual boyfriend site Webkare (Japanese for 'Web boyfriend') already boasts over 10,000 members and over 3.5 million page views.

Webkare is a combination social-networking site and online game in which young Japanese women attempt to hook up with one of four anime suitors. Players "interact" with their virtual crushes through short cartoon sequences that allow for very little actual interaction. Important events in the storyline are saved digitally in a memories album on the site.

Member also get to customize minimalist profiles and use a Twitter-like micro-blogging feature. Users can become friends with other members and 'talk' to their virtual boyfriends in order to advance in the game.

Virtual boyfriends may seem a little odd, but remember, this is the country that brought us the virtual pet. [From: Washington Post]

LED-Lit Phones Come to Japan

by Evan Shamoon, posted Sep 8th 2008 at 3:14PM

In news that will surely brighten the day of any light-minded individuals out there, Japanese electronics manufacturers KDDI and Kyocera have announced that they've teamed up to create the W64SA, a mobile phone designed to offer "color therapy" to users via embedded LED lights. Or, put another way, a phone that lights up all pretty-like.

The lights are available in five different colors, including red, blue, pink, yellow and green. Users get to choose two for illumination (depending on whether the handset is folded, open, or recharging), and the lights will also be triggered when the handset is shaken. Another day, another useless gadget that we totally want but can't have because it's only available in Japan. [From: Textually]

Worshippers Bring PCs to Tokyo Shrine to be 'Saved' (and 'Saved As'...)

by Evan Shamoon, posted Sep 8th 2008 at 9:32AM

In Japan, even the gods are computer literate.

At the Kanda-Myojin Shinto shrine in Tokyo, the faithful have been bringing their computers in for some tech-nical healing: according to a spokesman, the priests use ceremonies to ask the gods for help and protection for their computer, warding off viruses, hard drive failures, and generally buggery (not the pornographic kind).

Certainly by no coincidence, as the shrine is located near the Akihabara district, Tokyo's electronic shopping area and geek haven (also known affectionately as "Tokyo electric town").

Though we're still awaiting confirmation, word on the street is that, yes, the gods hate Windows too. [From: IOL]

Japanese iPhone Has Upskirt-Preventing Shutter Sounds

by Tim Stevens, posted Jul 21st 2008 at 2:17PM

One of the things that many camera phone users do is disable that annoying faux-shutter sound that is emitted whenever a picture is taken. In Japan, though, disabling that sound is often not possible -- not because Japanese mobile companies like to annoy their customers, says Japanese tech reporter Nobuyuki Hayashi, but because silent camera phones are all too often used to take pictures up the skirts of women. For this reason, the Japanese release of the iPhone 3G has also lost the option to disable the shutter sound.

Whereas owners in other countries can turn off sounds when taking pictures, customers in Japan are stuck with that fake shutter sound, though they can choose to have it say "cheese" instead. This is a change of policy from that of Apple, which let Japanese owners of the original iPhone turn off the noise. It's always a drag when a few bad apples ruin things for everyone else, but at least girls are now safe from pevs toting Japanese iPhones. [Source: Nobiblog, via Cult Of Mac]

Nintendo DS Comes to School in Japan, Teaches English

by Christine Whitney, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 6:06PM

As we recall, our early school years were not that fun. We got in trouble for asking to go to the bathroom and were made to do timed math problems next to the kid who always got nosebleeds. Sometimes we feigned illness so we could stay home and watch 'Treasure Island' and play 'Ninja Turtles' on Super Nintendo.

Nintendo has come a long way since then. And so has school!? Maybe...

The Japanese have again proven their coolness by incorporating Nintendo DS into the classroom. At least in one Tokyo girls' school, the portable gaming device is now doubling as an educational tool! Seventh-graders at Joshi Gakuen Junior High play with DS as a part of their English curriculum, using a talking software program replete with spelling exercises and language drills.

The program is part of a larger course intended to emphasize English conversation and communications skills, and to break away from traditional techniques of rote memorization and boring grammar exercises. Though some dissidents are not yet convinced of the DS' value as an educator, the girls at Joshi Gakuen are into it. One student claimed the English software was her favorite game, trumping even 'Mario Kart' and 'Animal Crossing'. [Source: AOL News/AP]

Cell Phone Produces Sexy Scents

by Tim Stevens, posted Apr 16th 2008 at 3:10PM

Cell phones are borderline indispensable these days. They're fully integrated into most of our lives, becoming essential emergency communication tools. Their little cameras make capturing impromptu moments easy, and their data capabilities let you check your e-mail or surf the Web on the go. And soon, in Japan at least, your cell phone will be able to even make your pad smell better.

It's called "Mobile Fragrance Communication," and it's a service that interfaces with a base station installed at home. The station, which is already on the market, uses canisters to emit different fragrances depending on music, movies, or a variety of other inputs. Once the service comes out of testing, it will allow users to control the fragrance stations with their mobiles as well, setting up a "fragrance playlist" and triggering it with just a few button presses.

Could this be the olfactory equivalent of the custom ring tone? Possibly, but don't expect to see this feature showing up at your local AT&T or Verizon stores anytime soon. Something tells us this is a service destined to stay only in Japan. Even so, it's not the first time that scent-emitting gadgets or odor-producing movies have seen the light of day.

From Popgadget

Totally '80s Synthesizer Being Developed For Nintendo DS

by Evan Shamoon, posted Mar 18th 2008 at 1:04PM

Korg and AQ Interactive are developing Korg MS-10 -- a portable version of the vintage music synthesizer, designed specifically for the Nintendo DS. It's a synth, drum machine, and sequencer, all controlled with the DS stylus and touch screen. For those who want stats (from the official Web site):

In addition to the two analog synth simulators and drum module, a 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities. Several units can be connected and played together through a wireless link, and this and other features make the Nintendo DS and KORG DS-10 almost limitless in their application -- they can take you places that no single synthesizer can.

No promises yet, but we're gonna go out on a limb and say this will be the best handheld console-based music studio ever created. It's set for a Japan-only release in July; while's there's no official US release date, DS cartridges have no regional lockout, so you'll be able to rock out on your honky DS no problem.

From Crave

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Virtual 'Hello Kitty' World Officially Launches Online

by Evan Shamoon, posted Mar 18th 2008 at 10:07AM

Okay fellas (and gals), put on those capris and the pink halter top that's been collecting dust in your closet: it's Hello Kitty time.

Specifically, time for Hello Kitty Online, an online hub for all things HK. It's called Sanrio Town, and it will serve as the central community for the upcoming Hello Kitty MMOG.

There are forums dedicated to Hello Kitty and other lovable Sanrio characters, along with fashion, love, music and games. There's even a Dream Studio area (still in beta), allowing you to upload and personalize and share videos and photos.

Hellooooooo Kitty.

From ShinyShiny

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Japanese Internet Providers to Ban File Sharers

by Tim Stevens, posted Mar 17th 2008 at 9:10AM

Debates are raging around the world regarding exactly what role Internet Service Providers, or ISPs, should have when it comes to the illegal swapping of music or movie files. In the U.S., Comcast has already taken steps to block those who would share files, while Verizon has made it clear that it has no intentions to monitor those it provides service to. In Japan, though, the debates are over, as the country's four ISPs have decided to start using software to find, monitor, and potentially disconnect file sharers.

According to the Yomiuri Shinbun newspaper, ISPs have indicated that anyone caught sharing files will be given a warning, upon first offense. Future detections will result in file sharers being temporarily disconnected from their Web access. Those who share files illegally after repeated warnings will lose their Internet connection permanently.

What's unclear is just just many offenses it will take to lose one's license to surf, and whether the ISPs will be punishing only illegal file sharing over peer-to-peer networks or all file sharing.

Japanese surfers will find out next month when the new plan goes into action.

From TechCrunch

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Japanese Robots to Monitor Pollen Levels

by Evan Shamoon, posted Jan 30th 2008 at 10:11AM

Allergies suck -- so the always-resourceful Japanese have decided to sick robots on the problem. Tokyo-based weather forecasting company Weathernews, Inc. is apparently getting ready to install roughly 200 spherical robots across the country to monitor the pollen in the air. The shells of these bots are made of styrofoam, and a monitor inside does the dirty work. The eyes indicate the corresponding levels of pollen in white, blue, green, red and purple colors.

Two hundred hay fever-sufferers around the country will also send minute-by-minute reports via the Internet to Weathernews HQ, all of which will eventually add up to its pollen map for the season.

Robots and humans: working together for a less sneezy planet.

From GizmoWatch

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Sony's Almost-Paper-Thin OLED-TV Coming to U.S.

by Tim Stevens, posted Dec 11th 2007 at 1:28PM

Sony's Super-Slim OLED TV Coming to U.S. Next Year

Back in October, Sony wowed us with delicious pictures of a ridiculously thin television, the XEL-1 OLED TV. Its screen enclosure was just three millimeters (about .1-inches!) thick -- or thin rather. Okay, so it's only 11-inches across, meaning you wouldn't want to make one the focal-piece of your home theater system. But it's hard to resist, given its lithe design. It was supposed to be Japan-only, but now Sony's saying we can have one. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until some undisclosed time next year before the TV gets its U.S. release.

The sets, which dropped in Japan for about $1,700, use a newer type of display called Organic LED, or OLED. The technology isn't altogether dissimilar to that of your typical LCD television, but where an LCD display requires backlights to illuminate the picture from behind, an OLED panel illuminates itself. Without the backlight, the bezel can be made smaller, resulting in the thin set seen here. OLED also can offer brilliant brightness and contrast compared to a traditional LCD, but its biggest problem is degradation. Where an LCD will last you pretty much forever (if you replace the backlights), OLEDs eventually fade and die.

The XEL-1 suffers from this problem, rated to deliver about 30,000 hours worth of viewing before having to be retired. That's less than half your average plasma set, and at the extreme price for the size, the XEL-1 is more a design and technical exercise than anything. We saw it on the show floor at CEATEC a couple of months ago and loved the look of it. We're glad to see Sony will be bringing it to the U.S. ... even if we can't necessarily afford one.

From Engadget

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Christmas-Carol-Singing-Robot Gets Knocked Out By Scrooge-Robot

by Evan Shamoon, posted Dec 4th 2007 at 6:00PM

Hey robot fans! The 12th annual Robo-One Grand Championship match just went down in Tokyo, and boy was it surreal.

Here's how it works: To win the tournament, contestants must keep their balance while attacking their enemy, be able to get up when pushed down, and ultimate push their opponent out of the ring. Some of the robots come from professional roboticists in labs, while others come from kids in their bedrooms.

Apparently, the highlight of the night came when hundreds of spectators clapped as a robot (affectionately known as "Arichyon") sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." Then, the crowd, in a rather disloyal gesture, went bananas when a robot with a penguin head knocked Arichyon out with a right hook.

Japan -- continuing to make the rest of the world look like ancient Rome.

From Reuters

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