Tag: japan

Larger Than Life Robots to go on Battle in a US Vs Japan Fight

This is the real deal for those who always wanted to see a duel between gigantic robots. It may become a reality within a year, it seems. And no, it is not for a new movie. This challenge has been put up by USA to Japan, which has already been accepted.

MegaBots founders Gui Cavalcanti and Matt Oehrlein, have issued the challenge to Suidobashi Heavy Industries from Japan through a video on YouTube. In true American style, the video is done teeming with full patriotism as the whole message borders on parody, in a hilarious way, of course.

Suidobashi, we have a giant robot, you have a giant robot. You know what needs to happen. We challenge you to a duel.

Suidobashi’s response to them is also clever and witty where the video stars the creator and founder, Kogoro Kurata wrapping a Japanese flag as a cape.

However in a more serious fashion, the Japanese were apparently calm and collected in their response, stating,

We cannot let another country win this. Giant robots are all about Japanese culture.

The MegaBots Mark II robot is 15 feet tall, weighs 5.4 tons and carries enormous paintball guns that can shoot projectiles at speeds exceeding 100 mph. Meanwhile, the Kuratas is a 13-foot-tall robot that weighs 4 tons and is decked with diverse weapon systems, including a “smile-activated” BB Gatling gun. Kuratas is guided by one person while the Mark II needs a two-man crew.

MegaBots’ primary challenge demanded that the battle should happen in one year’s time, and Kuratas replied by recommending that they even forego the cannons and punch it out in an old-fashioned brawl. Although additional specifics for time and location have not been released, let’s all pause for a moment and consider that the world we have been expecting is finally here.

Let us compare the bots:

Name: Mk. II

Designers:
Location: San Francisco, California
Debut: 2015, Bay Area Maker Faire
Height: 15? (standing)
Weight: 12,000 lbs
Cockpit: Dual pilot
Locomotion: Two tracks, from a CAT 289c skidsteer, one of the largest made. Legs are A36 plate steel, lasercut and welded at the seams. 13 degrees of freedom across 20 hydraulic actuators
Power: 24HP honda gas engine spinning a hydraulic gear pump
Armaments: Arm cannons. The right arm can fire 3lb, 6? paint cannonballs at 130mph. The left arm has a 20x shot missile launcher, firing 2.5? circumference paint missiles 150mph.

Name: Kuratas

Creator: Kogoro Kuratas, Suidobashi Industries
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Debut: 2012
Height: 13.1? (standing)
Weight: 9,900 lbs
Cockpit: Single pilot
Locomotion: Four wheels, each mounted to individual legs. 30 hydraulic actuators
Power: Diesel engine
Armaments: BB mini-gun shooting 6000 rounds per minute, water bottles
Note: You can order your own Kurata mech suit from Amazon.jp for just $1 million.

July 7, 2015
Japanese Market to Receive Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Without the Samsung Branding

In a strange turn of events, we’re hearing that Japan will be receiving Samsung’s newest flagship – the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge without the company logo. These handsets will instead be dubbed as Docomo Galaxy and au Galaxy, with respect to the associated Japanese telecom service provider. The company has also renamed its Japanese Facebook page to Galaxy Mobile Japan.

One reason being cited is that even though Samsung might triumphant globally, its grip in Japan is not up to the mark. The second reason is that this may be due to communal tensions between Korea and Japan. These are all speculations based on its market evaluations, since Samsung has chosen to remain silent on the subject.

Apple products sell the most in Japan, followed by Sony, Sharp and Fujitsu. When Samsung released the Galaxy Note Edge in November 2014, Samsung chose Japan to be the first country for the release. Sadly, the company received less than 5% market share, selling only ten thousand units four months after its launch. Apple, on the other hand, captured over more than half of the market, attributing mainly to the popularity of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Samsung already withdrew its TV television business in 2007 when the product sold only 0.1% in the Japanese market. Though not having a good start in Japan, Samsung hopes the name change reverses their fortune in Japan.

To read about Samsung S6 and S6 Edge, click here. Here’s are quick hands on with the devices:

April 20, 2015
Report : Apple Applies For iWatch Trademark In Japan

As reported by Bloomberg, Apple recently applied for iWatch name ownership in Japan, a country where devices arrive in stream — and the filing reveals that Apple’s iWatch is categorized as “handheld computer or watch device.

The maker of iPhones is seeking protection for the name which is categorized as being for products including a handheld computer or watch device, according to a June 3 filing with the Japan Patent Office that was made public last week.

Apple has a team of about 100 product designers working on a wristwatch-like device that may perform some of the tasks now handled by the iPhone and iPad, two people familiar with the company’s plans said in February.

You may call it a “defensive move” against copycat manufacturers, but it also shows that Apple is looking to introduce its own wearable device to compete with the other big guns.

In May, speaking at an All Things Digital conference, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said the market for wearable computing is ripe for innovation, noting that the wrist was a natural place for such a device.

The Apple iWatch will likely include biometric sensors and applications such as mapping tools and ways to view information that comes via an iPhone or iPad.

As The Verge reports, the company has been known to trademark plausible names for future products, like 2009’s iSlate application, as well as ideas it’s more loosely tied to, such as 1988’s Knowledge Navigator.

Apple’s rivals are already offering their own version of smartwatch, including Sony, a maker of the Android-based devices.

July 1, 2013
Microsoft Abandons India and other Asian Countries, Xbox One to come Late 2014

In what feels like a painful abandonment of enthusiastic gamers of Asia, Microsoft has delayed the launch of its new console the Xbox One in Asia by a whole year. Alan Bowman, Microsoft’s Regional VP for Sales and Marketing in Asia, says that the new console will launch in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and India around late 2014.

This delay even after Microsoft has declared these countries as gaming high-growth areas, with sales of consoles and games booming in 2013. Alan Bowman also said that the new Kinect sensor will require less space as compared to this generation’s Kinect and will fit right in with Asian countries “where there is a lack of living room space” (we wouldn’t be too sure of that)

in any case for all those who cant wait, there is always Palika Bazaar and Lamington Road for those imported consoles!

[VIA]

June 11, 2013
HTC J Butterfly Launched, First phone with a 5 inch full 1080p Display – Only for Japan

HTC has made it to the worlds first record when it comes to the display matrix with the new HTC J Butterfly. The phone is a Android 4.1 Jelly Bean device and features a 5-inch, 440ppi full-HD “Super LCD 3” panel. The HTC j Butterfly also has a 1.5GHz quad-core APQ8064 underneath which is actually a Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC.

The HTC J Butterfly also has 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, microSDHC expansion, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 (LE), NFC, LTE and CDMA/GSM/UMTS/GPRS radios which means its perfect for the rest of the world. The phone weighs 140g , and it’s waterproof as well, rated at IPX5. The Battery is marked at 2,020mAh although the specs arn’t final the phone has been launched with thte carrier KDDI in Japan. Users of KDDI network can get this mammoth and powerful phone in early December, in color options of red, white or black.

HTC is a Taiwanese manufacturer of smartphones and tablets. The company initially made smartphones based mostly on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system software, but in 2009 it began to shift its core focus away from Windows Mobile devices to devices based on Android OS, and in 2010 to Windows Phone OS as well.

HTC is also a member of the Open Handset Alliance, a group of handset manufacturers and mobile network operators dedicated to the advancement of the Android mobile device platform. The HTC Dream, marketed by T-Mobile in many countries as the T-Mobile G1 or Era G1 in Poland, was the first phone on the market to use the Android mobile device platform.

October 17, 2012
Whoops! 32GB Nexus 7 Tablet Accidentally Shipped!

The ASUS Google Nexus 7 is a very popular, keenly priced Android tablet. If you want to buy one you currently have only two choices; a version with 8GB of storage and a version with 16GB of storage. Since there is no SD card expansion available in these machines many users opt for the 16GB version, for obvious reasons. A Japanese customer who had made the prudent decision to go for more storage was in for a rather pleasant surprise!

The Japanese customer got twice the value he paid for when he received an as-yet unannounced 32GB Nexus 7 tablet!

It’s unclear how this may have happened, but if it’s true then Google won’t be able to deny the 32GB Nexus 7’s existence for much longer.

The 32GB Nexus 7 reportedly arrived in the packaging of a 16GB model, but the device itself shows more than 26GB of free space in its settings. It seems the person in charge of jamming these Nexus 7 tablets into their boxes may have pulled one from the wrong pile.

Then again, this could simply be a hoax.

October 10, 2012
Sony HMZ-T2 head-mounted display priced and spec’d in japan (Video)

We went hands on with the HMZ T2 at IFA 2012, but not a lot of details were known of what the specs or pricing of the particular unit will be. Sony has released pricing and release date for the Japanese version of the particular head mount, 70,000 yen ($894 or IN Rs. 50,000 approx) and the unit is scheduled to hit the Japanese shelves on October 14th. The Head mounted display now has included earphones vs the one we saw at IFA that needed headphones. The HMD promises 24p cinema quality experience right at the comfort of your home.

[Sony Japan]

September 11, 2012
Samsung Ships 5 Million Galaxy Notes since launch

The mammoth Galaxy Note, a device that changed the perception of Samsung as a major player, has been in the news quite often in the past. The company announced that it has shipped 5 million units of the uberly popular device since launch. Now shipping does not translate into sales, but it means that 5 million units left Samsung warehouses to be delivered to sellers and dealers.

The phone/tablet hybrid has also been launched in LTE equipped versions in the US as well as will be launched in Japan on 6th April.

March 28, 2012
Limited Leica’s M9-P white color – will go on sale for US$ 31,770 in Japan

Have an extra love for photography, then this might just spark your taste buds. The new Leica M9-p will be offered to a select few in white color and will go on sale only in Japan. The price of this opulent extravagance you ask? Whats a mere US$31,770 or IN Rs. 16,77,500 to legendary mechanical skills.?

The important thing to notice is that the regular M9 costs only US $ 7999 or about IN Rs. 4,00,000. The added advantage of the limited edition white version except for the fact that its white is the bundled f/0.95 50mm lens out of the box.

[Watch Impress]

March 23, 2012
CES 2012: Sony Ericsson Launches Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD for Japan, Xperia S for the World

Sony Ericsson will launch two new phones in Japan, The Xperia acro HD has features like mobile wallet and TV tuner along with a 720p display. All of which is put on a 1.5GHz dual-core processor. The acro HD will come in qua, black, sakura and ceramic colors.

The world will get a Xperia S, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 display, 1GB of RAM, and a massive 12 megapixel rear camera, complete with Sony’s Exmor R backlit sensor. The Xperia S will be available in both 16GB and 32GB models, though unfortunately Sony has chosen not to include a microSD slot for expandable storage. The device should come to markets in March 2012

Japan also gets a Xperia NX which is the Japanese version of the Xperia S, in different colors and slightly different specs.

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]

Introducing four new Xperia smartphones at CES 2012
10 January 2012

Xperia S – the first smartphone in the Xperia NXT series – next generation smartphones from Sony.
Xperia ion – the first LTE smartphone from Sony, exclusive with AT&T in the US
Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD – two smartphones for the Japanese market

9 January, 2012, Las Vegas, Nev. – Sony Ericsson is showing visitors to the 2012 International CES Show a fully connected entertainment world with the first Xperia™ smartphones from Sony®*, including Xperia S, the first smartphone from the Xperia NXT series – next generation smartphones from Sony, and new Xperia smartphones made specifically for the US and Japanese markets, all with access to premium entertainment services and easy connectivity to other screens within the world of Sony.

The new Xperia smartphones announced are:

Xperia ion, first LTE Xperia smartphone from Sony available exclusively with AT&T in the US (above right).
Xperia S, the first smartphone in the Xperia NXT series – next generation smartphones from Sony, with Sony HD for stunning viewing experiences (above left).
Two new smartphones for the Japanese market:
Xperia acro HD, the follow-up to Xperia acro with popular Japan-specific features including infrared port data exchange, mobile wallet and mobile TV.
Xperia NX, a variant of Xperia S for the Japanese market.

Bert Nordberg, CEO for Sony Ericsson commented, “CES marks an important milestone for both Sony Ericsson and Sony with the introduction of the first smartphones from Sony. As the market continues to evolve into a world where we consume content and entertainment across multiple screens, the Xperia portfolio will deliver a mobile experience that is an important cornerstone of Sony’s strategy to provide seamless connectivity and networked entertainment across smartphones, TV, laptops and tablets.”

Sony Ericsson also unveiled a number of Android accessories that enhance the smartphone experience:

Xperia Smart Tags, small NFC enabled tokens that are used to launch pre-configured and personalised settings when you swipe an NFC Android smartphone against them.
Smart Wireless Headset pro, Bluetooth™ stereo headset that also works as a standalone MP3 player and radio when detached from the phone.
SmartWatch, micro display for Android to wirelessly access calls, messages and applications.
SmartDock for Xperia ion, an HDMI dock that turns Xperia ion into a mini-PC by connecting it to a USB keyboard, mouse and big screen TV.

Availability
Xperia S will be available to consumers globally from the first quarter 2012. Xperia ion will be available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T in the second quarter 2012. Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD will be available in Japan from this spring.
For full details on all products news, please visit the press room www.sonyericsson.com/press and the product blog blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/

*For illustrative purposes only. Not for commercial use or re-sale. Use of “Sony” brand subject to regulatory approval.

Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2011

The Liquid Identity logo is trademark or registered trademark of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony, Walkman and Zappin are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at: www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/legal/disclaimer.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. All terms are subject to change without prior notice.
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, SE-221 88 Lund, Sweden.
Printed in January 2010, R1A

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January 11, 2012
AutoGyaan : Bridgestone shows off Air-less tire concept

Looks like the next-gen tire is actually closer than we imagined. With Michelin already working on their concept of the Tweel, Bridgestone walks in with the air-free concept tires that use a tough and flexible thermoplastic spoke technology. These spokes remove any horizontal force and make the tire puncture free, since there is actually no air. The tire is currently suitable fro personal mobility and electric lightweight carts, each wheel holds upto 150Kg in weight. The company plans to use this technology for commercial users and eventually replace the traditional wheel. The only issue is the fact that items might get stuck in the spokes of the wheel making them prone to breakage. A full wheel with these spokes in the center would do, don’t you think so ?

December 8, 2011
Google Maps on Android now with indoor locations

If you have updated to the latest version of Google Maps on Android, you will now notice that Maps is now updating indoor locations on its maps app. Google Maps 6.0, which is a free update for phones loaded with Android 2.1 and up, will bring you intimate details of many shopping centres and airports in the US and Japan. The app is also sensitive to which floor you’re on, so if you go up an escalator in the shopping centre, the list of stores will update.

Now this is seriously useful utilization of your portable handheld device.

[Google Blog]

November 30, 2011
Xperia Arc and Arco Get Playstation Certification in Japan

Sony Has awarded PS certification to the Xperia Arc and never seen outside Japan- Arco. These are the only other two phones apart from the Xperia Play to win the Sony playstation certification. These phones will now be able to access and download PS certified games from the Sony-Android Marketplace which was earlier limited to the Xperia Play.

If you missed it you can catch the full review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Here.

[Sony Ericsson Japan]

November 10, 2011
Sharp loves its waterproof phones, the Aquos Phone 102SH has 3D qHD display, 12 megapixel sensor (PR)
Sharp has released a waterproof phone called the Aquos 102SH, this comes just days after we saw news of the Fujitsu ISW11F. The Sharp Aquos has a decent spec sheet :
- 1GHz TI OMAP 4430 CPU
- Gingerbread
- 4.5-inch glasses-free 3D display
- 720 x 1280
- 1GB of RAM and a 32GB microSDHC
- 12 megapixel CMOS sensor
- DLNA, infrared connections, e-wallet functionality
- 802.11 b/g/n
- Bluetooth 3.0 capabilities
The device is set to release in December in Japan,

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]

AQUOS PHONE SoftBank 102SH (by Sharp) Overview

1. Main features (planned)

Display beautifully detailed, with a 4.5-inch LCD high-definition large-screen HD
The display, with a 4.5 inches HD LCD high-definition big screen. Color gradients or licking a resolution of 1,280 × 720 dots (color display 16.77 million) in the corresponding pictures and videos, and vivid the detail and character, to read comfortably and small characters in the website the more information possible. Also, to realize to adjust the contrast display for easy viewing even outdoors in bright places such as “outdoor view” and the effect of preventing prying eyes up “color veil view”, and ability to view 3D. Furthermore, 9.7mm thinness about forma yet slim body, IPX5/IPX7 an equivalent waterproof performance and Ip5X 2 dustproof performance has been considerable.

Up to 21Mbps downstream 3 The “ULTRA SPEED” corresponds to a dual-core CPU with To achieve maximum 21Mbps downstream “ULTRA SPEED” in response to high-speed communication is possible. In addition, dual-core CPU with a faster performance “OMAP4430 (1GHz)” by built-in, a large amount of web browsing and watching streaming video information, including operations such as running multiple applications at the same time, a variety of actions comfortably done without stress.

Battery consumption is simply smart technology “eco” function
Power saving and backlight control and image processing technology to keep the image quality is always high, power consumption by automatically controlling the unconscious more than one application at startup, you can extend your battery has. “Eco Tech” feature allows up to approximately 50% of power consumed by the backlight 4 reduction, approximately 40% more power consumption during standby (mode waza-ari) five energy savings may be reduced.

With 12.10 megapixel camera that supports the optical Image Stabilizer, the main camera is equipped with a megapixel camera effective pixel count of approximately 1,210. Because it uses an optical anti-shake that can be taken easily prone to camera shake scene, you can take in situations such as for taking beautiful photography and zoom in at night. In addition, the Full HD (1,920 × 1,080 pixels) and can also shoot video, it is possible to record the scenes footage of powerful memories.

Note:
1 IPX5 and uses a 6.3mm diameter water injection nozzles, jets from any direction can rely on the condition that a minimum of irrigation water for 3 minutes 12.5 minutes liters / about 3m away about the functions of a phone means that you have.
IPX7 and the tap water at room temperature, the phone gently sunk away and still water depth of 1m, which means having a function as a phone when taken out after about 30 minutes left.
2 IP5X and refers to the degree of protection, less than 75?m in diameter dust (dust) were stirred for 8 hours to put the device containing the phone has a function of the phone when taken to maintain safe means. Dust the performance of this unit is warranted to protect the substantial degree IP5X, do not guarantee against such usage is not placed directly on the beach.
3 available in some areas, the maximum transmission rate is different. Also, for a best effort, due to line congestion and communication environment, communication slows down, or may be unable to communicate.
4 provisional value. Numbers will be different depending on the model.
5 Numeric Eco Tech “normal” mode “with skill” is by comparison with the preliminary mode. Your environment by energy savings may vary.

Release Date

Since early December, 2011

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September 30, 2011
Fujitsu is launching a waterproof Tablet next month, the Arrows Tab LTE F-01D (PR)
Fujitsu is all prepped to launch a waterproof Tablet, making it the first company with such a device. The waterproof tablet called the Arrows Tab for some wicked reason, is completely soak proof. The device also boasts decent specs
- 10.1-incher WXGA display
- Dual-core processor running Android 3.2
- 1.3 megapixel front-facing / 5 megapixel rear camera
- Up to 32GB of storage
- Waterproofing seals and air tight vents.
The interesting bit would be how Fujitsu prices this device, the fact that is might as well be the first waterproof tablet. But also it won’t be the last

[toggle title_open=”Press Release” title_closed=”Press Release” hide=”no” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]DOCOMO to Unveil First Tablets for LTE Service

TOKYO, JAPAN, September 8, 2011 — NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today the unveiling of the first tablets compatible with its extra-high-speed next-generation LTE service, Xi™ (read “Crossy”). The “docomo Tablet GALAXY Tab 10.1 LTE SC-01D” will go on sale in Japan in the beginning of October and the “docomo Tablet ARROWS Tab LTE F-01D” in the middle of October.

Both tablets feature large 10.1-inch displays and are powered by dual core CPUs running on Android™ 3.2. The light, thin and fast docomo Tablet GALAXY Tab 10.1 LTE SC-01D is DOCOMO’s LTE-optimized version of the GALAXY Tab 10.1, the latest large-screen tablet in the globally popular GALAXY series. Customized for DOCOMO services such as sp-mode™, docomo market and Area Mail™, the device offers excellent operability and mobility. Its 8.6mm body weighs just 565g and it comes with a high-capacity 7,000 mAh battery.

The docomo Tablet ARROWS Tab LTE F-01D, the first Android-based tablet manufactured by Fujitsu Limited, also boasts a thin, lightweight body, measuring 11.3mm thick and weighing just 597g. Its IPX5/IPX7 waterproof design enables users to enjoy video and one-seg mobile TV even while relaxing in the bathtub*. Highly convenient “Hand Gesture Control” enables operations to be performed with simple hand gestures without touching the device – perfect for checking recipes or performing other tasks while the user’s hands are wet or messy.

In conjunction with the launch of these inaugural Xi-compatible tablets, DOCOMO will offer four new broadband applications, including the popular Hulu and Qik Video services, which are specially suited to Xi’s high-spec mobile video/TV, communications and online gaming capabilities.

In addition, DOCOMO will partially reorganize its device lineup by establishing a separate series for tablets, called “docomo Tablet,” in recognition of the growing number of tablets in the market and the differences in usage and needs compared to smartphones. Going forward, DOCOMO will work closely with content providers to steadily expand the range and attractiveness of docomo Tablet content for enhanced user experiences.[/toggle]
September 9, 2011