---------------------------------------------------------------<br>Japan Inc Magazine Presents:<br>G A D G E T W A T C H<br><br>READ GADGETWATCH ONLINE AT:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com</a><br>
<br>The Hottest Gadgets and Gizmos from Japan<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------<br>Issue No. 290 Friday Febuary 29, 2008<br>Subscribers: 9467<br>SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE TO GADGET WATCH:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up</a><br>
<br>GADGETWATCH WRITER WANTED:<br>Due to other time commitments, Liam McNulty will be unable to <br>continue writing the GadgetWatch Newsletter. We thank Liam for<br>all the hard work he has put in and wish him well.<br>
<br>
If any reader feels that they could take over the role, please<br>contact <a href="mailto:peter.harris@japaninc.com" target="_blank">peter.harris@japaninc.com</a><br><br>========================================================<br>
Name: Kenwood Kseries Silver Limited<br>
Category: Home audio/video<br>Price: 212,800 yen<br>Release date in Japan: Already available<br><br>The Gist: Kenwood has begun taking orders for a CD receiver and <br>speaker setup they're calling the 'Kseries Silver Limited,' <br>
where the limited refers to the fact that only 50 sets will be <br>available. And those 50 aren't to be found in stores; you must <br>order directly from Kenwood via their website.<br><br>This limited edition set consists of the R-K1 receiver and <br>
LS-K1000 speakers. The price of these two independent components<br>adds up to the cost of this Kseries Silver Limited set, so <br>you're essentially getting a limited edition model for no <br>additional cost. The limited edition varies from the regular <br>
edition in that it features a 11mm-thick aluminum panel on the <br>front bezel, giving the system added stability to reduce <br>extraneous vibrations. And that should make it sound better, so <br>there's little reason to complain.<br>
<br>The CD receiver is also known as the 'Kseries Esule,' as it was <br>released in December 2006. It features an integrated AM/FM tuner<br>as well. 'Supreme EX' is available for CD playback, a function <br>
which restores audio signals above 20kHz. The signal to noise <br>ratio is over 110dB, so expect clear playback. <br><br>More info: <br><a href="http://www.kenwood.co.jp/newsrelease/2008/20080222.html" target="_blank">http://www.kenwood.co.jp/newsrelease/2008/20080222.html</a><br>
========================================================<br>Name: Sports USB Flash Memory<br>Category: PC peripheral<br>Price: Open Price; estimated around 3,680 yen<br>Release date in Japan: Mid-March 2008<br><br>The Gist: Green House continues on the path to glory with their <br>
introduction of the "Sports USB Flash Memory" line of USB <br>devices, all shaped like sports equipment. In the lineup we have<br>a soccer ball, an American football, a golf ball, a bowling pin,<br>a baseball, a basketball, and soccer shoes. Surely every member <br>
of your family can appreciate at least one of the sports <br>represented above.<br><br>Green House says every single one of these USB memory devices is<br>hand-made. That won't really affect the capacity, which is 1GB, <br>
but it supposedly gives them a more realistic feel. While the <br>sizes vary depending on the model you've chosen, most seem to be<br>around 35x35x56mm, making them just large enough to be a <br>nuisance in your pocket. <br>
<br>More info: <br><a href="http://www.green-house.co.jp/products/memorycard/usbflash/sports/" target="_blank">www.green-house.co.jp/products/memorycard/usbflash/sports/</a><br>======================================================<br>
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<br>========================================================<br>Name: Sony Walkman NW-A820 Series<br>Category: Portable audio/video<br>Price: 8GB: 28,000 yen, 16GB: 38,800 yen<br>Release date in Japan: March 20, 2008<br>
<br>
The Gist: Back in 2004, a Sony-owned subsidiary (Aiwa, which <br>basically longer exists) released a portable audio player called<br>the XDM-S710BT that featured integrated Bluetooth functionality.<br>This allowed the player to connect to mobile phones so it could <br>
pause/play music when phone calls came in, and it could be used <br>as a microphone so you didn't need to dig your phone out of your<br>pocket. Additionally, in 2006, Sony released a Bluetooth <br>transmitter that fits into the WM-PORT of certain Walkman models<br>
at the time. <br><br>So to call the NW-A820 series 'Sony's first to support <br>Bluetooth' wouldn't be wholly accurate. While it may have taken <br>over 3 years for Sony to come up with another player with <br>
integrated Bluetooth, this new A820 series is the first of the <br>Walkman line to do so. The 8GB NW-A828 and 16GB NW-A829 will <br>available in black, white, and pink colors. Additionally, Sony <br>plans on offering a 16GB gold colored model via SonyStyle, so <br>
keep an eye out there as well.<br><br>The Bluetooth support of Aiwa's portable audio player was <br>primarily aimed at interfacing with your mobile phone, but the <br>NW820 series offers Bluetooth for a wireless connection to <br>
headphones. It supports Bluetooth 2.0's A2DP and AVRCP profiles,<br>giving you the ability to hear audio from music and videos on <br>your headphones. Pairing with your headphones takes only a few <br>clicks, and needs only be done once. While the Bluetooth feature<br>
is operating, a blue LED on the bottom corner of the unit will <br>illuminate. Unfortunately the included headphones do not support<br>Bluetooth, so if you really want to enjoy the A820 series' <br>wireless function, you'll need to ready your own Bluetooth <br>
headphones or get an adapter for your existing ones.<br><br>Of course you're not limited to just headphones. Sony has <br>released several Bluetooth compatible products in the past few <br>months, such as Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth component systems,<br>
and the Sony Rolly. So this announcement of a Walkman with <br>Bluetooth isn't exactly surprising.<br><br>For file support we see MP3, WMA, AAC, HE-AAC, ATRAC, ATRAC <br>Advanced Lossless, and WAV for audio, then MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 for <br>
video. It's worth noting that the HE-AAC support of this new <br>player allows it to be compatible with the 'au x Sony Music <br>Project,' giving users cross-platform (au mobile phone, Sony <br>Walkman, Sony NetJuke, PC) freedom for their Chaku-Uta Full <br>
songs. <br><br>Further hardware specs include a 2.4-inch 320x240 dot LCD <br>screen, slide switch for integrated noise canceling <br>functionality, direct recording from Cds/MDs at up to 1.4Mbps <br>(WAV) or 256Kbps (ATRAC3plus), and 10/36 hour battery life for <br>
video/audio playback when not using Bluetooth. <br><br>More info: <a href="http://www.sony.co.jp/walkman/" target="_blank">http://www.sony.co.jp/walkman/</a><br>========================================================<br>
<br>GADGETWATCH WRITER WANTED:<br>
Due to other time commitments, Liam McNulty will be unable to <br>continue writing the GadgetWatch Newsletter. We thank Liam for<br>all the hard work he has put in and wish him well.<br><br>If any reader feels that they could take over the role, please<br>
contact <a href="mailto:peter.harris@japaninc.com" target="_blank">peter.harris@japaninc.com</a><br><br>================================================================<br>STAFF<br>Written by: Liam McNulty<br>READ PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS<br>
Gadget Watch online archive:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch</a><br>Check out our other Japan-specific newsletters:<br><a href="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters_main_page" target="_blank">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters_main_page</a><br>
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<a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/gadgetwatch" target="_blank">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/gadgetwatch</a><br><br>++EVENTS<br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Start a Company in Japan<br>
<br>Entrepreneur's Handbook Seminar 1st of March, 2008<br><br>If you have been considering setting up your own company,<br>find out what it takes to make it successful.<br>Terrie Lloyd, founder of over 13 start-up companies in Japan,<br>
will be giving an English-language seminar and Q and A on<br>starting up a company in Japan.<br>This is an ideal opportunity to find out what is involved,<br>and to ask specific questions that are not normally answered<br>
in business books.<br>All materials are in English and are Japan-focused.<br><br>For more details: <a href="http://japaninc.com/terrie_lloyd/" target="_blank">http://japaninc.com/terrie_lloyd/</a><br><br>------- Job Fair for International Students & Careers ---------<br>
<br>The JOBFAIR will be held on March 8th in AKIHABARA.<br>This JOBFAIR is the biggest event for international students<br>and foreigners who are thinking about a career change in Japan:<br>50+ companies will attend seeking internationally-minded people!<br>
<br>JOBFAIR participants will have an opportunity<br>to visit company booths and ask HR about careers.<br><br>Some companies may have interviews on the day.<br>The JOBFAIR provides a great chance to meet many companies and<br>
learn about them what they do and the people they need in a<br>short period of time.<br><br>DATE: March 8th /11:00 - 18:00<br>PLACE: at AKIHABARA<br><a href="http://www.jobfair.jp/jp/JB5001LG.php?j=12&banner_id=rfb00009" target="_blank">http://www.jobfair.jp/jp/JB5001LG.php?j=12&banner_id=rfb00009</a><br>
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