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The Hottest Gadgets and Gizmos from Japan<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Issue No. 303 Friday July 04, 2008<br>
Subscribers: 9467<br>
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<p>========================================================<br>
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<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>SONY HDR-CX12 Handycam takes 'Smile Shutter' stills </p>
<p>Name: SONY HDR-CX12<br>
Category: digital still and movie camera<br>
Price: Open price (about JPY130,000)<br>
Release date in Japan: July 20, 2008</p>
<p>The newest model in the company's venerable Handycam line, the<br>
HDR-CZ12 brings 'Kao Kime' and 'Smile Shutter' face-recognition<br>
technology to your filming sessions. </p>
<p>The 'Kao Kime' is pretty old-hat by now: face-recognition<br>
software catches the faces in your shots, and matches the focus,<br>
color, brightness, and flash to best flatter those. 'Smile<br>
Shutter' is a tweak on the smile-recognition found in many still<br>
cameras: the feature watches for grins, and snaps a<br>
7.6-megapixel still photo without interrupting your filming. The<br>
result: you get your movie, plus some automatically-taken stills<br>
of your subjects' best smiles. </p>
<p>There are some options you can play with, such as placing<br>
recognition priority on either adults' or children's faces. You<br>
can also choose from three levels of smile sensitivity, from<br>
'just smirk a little' to 'come on, let's count 32 teeth'. </p>
<p>In still camera mode with movie recording off, you're good for<br>
shots up to 10 megapixels. As a movie camera, the HDR-CX12<br>
records AVCHD video in full HD (1920x1080i), with<br>
MPEG-4AVC/H.264 compression. The included 8GB Memory Stick will<br>
record up to 3 hours of video on LP mode, or 55 minutes on<br>
highest-quality full HD FH mode.</p>
<p>The camera's 'Quick On' feature wakes it up from sleep in one<br>
second. The included 'Picture Motion Browser' software for your<br>
PC will create 3-megapixel photos from your movie clips, and<br>
even let you search only for shots containing smiling faces. </p>
<p>Other specs: 2.7-inch touch-panel monitor, 12x optical zoom<br>
(150x digital), 'ClearBit' CMOS sensor with 'Exmore' image noise<br>
reduction and 'BIONZ' image processing engine, optical 'active<br>
lens' shake reduction, Zeiss 'T*' anti-glare lens, Memory Stick<br>
slot. 420g with battery. </p>
<p>More info:<br>
<a href="http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/handycam/PRODUCTS/HDR-CX12/" title="http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/handycam/PRODUCTS/HDR-CX12/">http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/handycam/PRODUCTS/HDR-CX12/</a><br>
(Japanese)</p>
<p>========================================================<br>
-------------------- ICA Event - July 16 -----------------</p>
<p>Speaker: Charles Nikiel<br>
Vice President of Marketing, Salesforce.com</p>
<p>Topic: Innovation not Infrastructure:<br>
A New Model for Business Success</p>
<p>Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" title="http://www.icajapan.jp/">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>
(RSVP Required)<br>
Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2008<br>
Time: 6:30 Doors open includes open bar and light buffet<br>
Cost: 4,000 yen (members), 6,000 yen (non-members)</p>
<p>Open to all-venue is The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan<br>
<a href="http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map" title="http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map">http://www.fccj.or.jp/aboutus/map</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Softbank Mobile brings the Apple iPhone 3G to Japan</p>
<p>Name: Apple iPhone 3G<br>
Category: smart phone<br>
Price: JPY23,040 (8GB) or JPY34,560 (16GB) plus service plans<br>
Release date in Japan: July 11, 2008</p>
<p>On June 9, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone 3G and its<br>
surprisingly low hardware prices: $199 for 8GB and $299 for<br>
16GB. The iPhone 3G (with data transfer much faster than the<br>
first model's EDGE network) begins its worldwide roll-out,<br>
including Japan, from July 11. With UMTS/HSDPA and GSM in its<br>
pedigree, you'll be able to use the iPhone 3G just about<br>
anywhere. </p>
<p>There's no need to further discuss iPhone specs here; it's the<br>
most talked-about mobile phone ever. Head to Apple's website or<br>
nearly any technology blog for all the info you could want. (In<br>
fact, good luck finding technology sites that *don't* say<br>
something about the iPhone.) </p>
<p>Our concern: What exactly will happen in Japan on July 11, and<br>
what'll it cost you? Here's what we know so far:</p>
<p>On June 23, Japan's third-largest mobile operator Softbank<br>
Mobile Corp. announced it would be Apple's first partner to sell<br>
the iPhone in Japan, though NTT DoCoMo says it's still in talks<br>
with Apple. (Trivia: Apple and/or Softbank are also paying a<br>
licensing fee for the iPhone trademark in Japan to sound-alike<br>
Aiphone KK, maker of a portable video intercom system.)</p>
<p>Softbank's Japan prices are JPY23,040 for 8GB and JPY34,560 for<br>
16GB, whether bought lump-sum or in 'New Super Bonus' 24-month<br>
installments. Like other Apple gear in Japan, those prices are a<br>
bit higher than US prices, though in the same ballpark. (Like<br>
AT&T, Softbank is actually quoting much higher prices -<br>
JPY69,120 and JPY80,640 - for the two phones, with a 'special<br>
discount' on the hardware for subscription to the required<br>
service plans.)</p>
<p>The big question for Japan is service plan fees. Here's how<br>
details are shaping up: </p>
<p>The basic Softbank Mobile voice and mail plan for iPhone 3G<br>
users is 'White Plan (i)' for JPY980/month, which includes free<br>
domestic calls to other Softbank phones between 1:00 am and 9:00<br>
pm. (Usage-based 'Blue Plan (i)' and 'Orange Plan (i)' options<br>
will also be offered.) Also included is 'Email (i)' service,<br>
which gives users a '<a href="mailto:xxxx@i.softbank.jp">xxxx@i.softbank.jp</a>' mail address with<br>
receipt notifications. </p>
<p>For data, Softbank has created a new 'Packet Flat-rate Full'<br>
plan for the iPhone 3G (as well as its other smart phones like<br>
the X Series). For JPY5985/month, that offers unlimited data<br>
transmission for mail, web browsing, maps, and so on. </p>
<p>Finally, like many Softbank Mobile web-related features, iPhone<br>
3G online features requires subscription to the 'S! Basic Pack<br>
(i)' service for JPY315/month. </p>
<p>Total monthly cost for the three required packages: JPY7280. </p>
<p>Naturally, Softbank Mobile has more services up its sleeves if<br>
you're willing to pay. One, 'Basic Option Pack (i)', bundles<br>
three services worth JPY735/month separately for only<br>
JPY498/month: Voice mail (up to 90 three-minute messages/week,<br>
with support for the iPhone's popular Visual Voice Mail<br>
feature); Call waiting (lets you annoy people by putting them on<br>
hold to catch new calls); and Group calling (lets you juggle up<br>
to six simultaneous calls). Add that to the services above, and<br>
your monthly cost becomes JPY7778, aside from the cost of the<br>
phone itself.</p>
<p>On top of that, Apple itself wants to tempt you with more. Its<br>
old '.Mac' ('dot mac') online service has been rebranded<br>
'MobileMe' for the iPhone age, and from July 11 promises to<br>
bring synchronized push email, push contacts, push calendars,<br>
online storage, and much more to all your iPhones, iPod touches,<br>
Macs, and PCs. That option runs JPY9800/year (US$99/year).</p>
<p>Extras aside, how does the basic package stack up? Its unlimited<br>
data usage will be greatly welcomed by iPhone 3G owners, and the<br>
package cost may not be that much more than what you already pay<br>
for your monthly cellie bill. By comparison, an AT&T package in<br>
the US for individuals will cost you a minumum $40/month for<br>
voice plan and $30/month for unlimited data, with a 2-year<br>
contract –a total monthly charge just about the same as the<br>
Softbank package.</p>
<p>Is the iPhone hardware itself worth its price? Until you can<br>
play with one in Japan come July 11 (or later; depends on the<br>
crowds you'll have to fight), you can do two things: 1) read up<br>
a lot on the device (everyone else is); and 2) get a general<br>
taste for its form and features –well, except for the phone<br>
functionality –from an iPod touch at an electronics shop or<br>
Apple Store near you. The iPhone 3G is currently a cheaper<br>
product than the iPod touch that does less, so if you're in the<br>
market for both an iPod and a smart phone, the iPhone is<br>
arguably a great bargain. </p>
<p>Softbank chief Masayoshi Son has high hopes that many mobile<br>
shoppers will say 'yes' to what he calls 'the most advanced<br>
[mobile phone] device in the world' and the only phone in Japan<br>
carrying 16GB of memory. He predicts a lot of new customers<br>
coming from DoCoMo and au - not for cheaper service plans, as in<br>
Softbank's the past, but specifically for the iPhone's unique<br>
features. That could mean a lot for Softbank revenues: the<br>
iPhone 3G's JPY7280 monthly fee is almost 70% higher than the<br>
company's average intake of JPY4310 per user in the last<br>
quarter. </p>
<p>There's been no public announcement of how many iPhone 3Gs will<br>
be available for the launch; supplies may be constrained as the<br>
phone rolls out in over 20 countries and regions simultaneously.<br>
CEO Son hinted at disappointed would-be buyers, suggesting that<br>
Softbank employees themselves may be left out of the initial<br>
scramble. </p>
<p>There are still many details to be confirmed, including minimum<br>
contract lengths for service plans, cancellation options, paid<br>
support service beyond the included 90 days, and so on. Stay<br>
tuned for more -</p>
<p>More info:<br>
<a href="http://www.softbankmobile.co.jp/en/news/press/2008/20080623_01/" title="http://www.softbankmobile.co.jp/en/news/press/2008/20080623_01/">http://www.softbankmobile.co.jp/en/news/press/2008/20080623_01/</a><br>
index.html (English)<br>
iPhone basics: <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/" title="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">http://www.apple.com/iphone/</a><br>
More news on the iPhone in Japan:<br>
<a href="http://www.tekronomicon.com/iphone" title="http://www.tekronomicon.com/iphone">http://www.tekronomicon.com/iphone</a><br>
(English)</p>
<p>========================================================<br>
---------- Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party --------------</p>
<p>July 26, 2008 - Hundreds of party people out for a good time<br>
@ Alife, Nishi-Azabu. Alcohol, food and music!</p>
<p>What you get:<br>
All-you-can drink<br>
Live Shows<br>
Prizes: **Trip for two to Macau courtesy of Viva Macau**<br>
DJs<br>
+ Single people</p>
<p><a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/" title="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/">http://www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/</a></p>
<p>Nearest stn: Roppongi. <a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/party" title="www.metropolis.co.jp/party">www.metropolis.co.jp/party</a></p>
<p>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Plantronics Discovery 925 headset comes to Japan on iPhone day</p>
<p>Name: Plantronics Discovery 925<br>
Category: Bluetooth headset<br>
Price: Open price (about JPY17,800)<br>
Release date in Japan: July 11, 2008</p>
<p>'That's one small step for a man...' 'Houston, we have a<br>
problem...' Did you know that some of the most famous words from<br>
space were soken into headsets from California-based<br>
Plantronics? </p>
<p>The company's popular Discovery 925 headset is coming to<br>
Japanese electronics shops and online retailers including Amazon<br>
Japan. The Bluetooth ver2.0+EDR device sits in one ear and is<br>
built for simplicity, with only a power button and a talk<br>
button. Its Multipoint technology will connect to two devices<br>
(like phone and PC), switching between the two as desired, while<br>
AudioIQ noise-control tech analyses surrounding sound to<br>
optimize voice quality. </p>
<p>The device looks great and comes with a leather storage case<br>
that doubles as recharger. Expect 5 hours of talk, or a week of<br>
standby, on a charge. </p>
<p>Plantronics Japan president Hiroshi Murata told the press, 'The<br>
Japanese Bluetooth headset market is already over 1 billion yen,<br>
but looks to be growing rapidly in recent years. We expect<br>
50-70% annual unit growth from here out.'</p>
<p>The Discovery 925 shares a July 11 Japan release date with the<br>
iPhone. Added Murata, 'We'd really like people to pair [the<br>
Discovery 925] with the iPhone going on sale the same day. On<br>
the US Apple Store, it gets the highest 5-star rating.' </p>
<p>More info:<br>
<a href="http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/" title="http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/">http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/</a><br>
2008062717098E5293632020.htm (Japanese)</p>
<p>========================================================<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>J@pan Inc - Managing Editor/Entrepreneur</p>
<p>J@pan Inc magazine, the publication for foreign entrepreneurs<br>
and businesspeople in Japan is seeking a Managing Editor with<br>
strong entrepreneurial instincts. Not your run-of-the-mill<br>
editing position, we require someone with strong editorial and<br>
management experience to both manage an editorial and production<br>
team to turn out Japan's largest English-language business<br>
monthly. The successful candidate would also be expected to<br>
shape the magazine to become a proactive player in the foreign<br>
business community. Think content involving the world's largest<br>
companies and business development involving some of Japan's<br>
most enterprising businesses -- an unlikely combination but an<br>
exciting opportunity to make your mark in Japan.</p>
<p>Remuneration will be industry competitive and prospects<br>
excellent.</p>
<p>To apply, please send your resume, covering letter and<br>
any relevant clippings to: <a href="mailto:terrie@japaninc.com">terrie@japaninc.com</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Short items</p>
<p>Spotted elsewhere in the news:</p>
<p>1) Sanwa Supply's 'TRACKBAR Emotion' is a USB computer input aid<br>
that sits in front of your computer keyboard. The unit puts<br>
thick palmrests under your hands and numerous controls - left<br>
and right click buttons, browser forward/back buttons, a scroll<br>
wheel, and a four-way, double-clickable 'pointer control bar' -<br>
between your hands. Sanwa claims advanced ergonomic design to<br>
make computing faster and more comfortable, without the need to<br>
shift a hand to a mouse. For PC and Mac. JPY14,980.<br>
<a href="http://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/400-MA009" title="http://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/400-MA009">http://direct.sanwa.co.jp/ItemPage/400-MA009</a></p>
<p>2) JVC's new HP-AV350 headphones are perfect for the<br>
multilingual TV viewer. Along with a 5-meter cord, the 'phones<br>
offer controls for both volume and for the main/sub language<br>
channels. That'll let you switch languages from the headphones<br>
alone during multilingual broadcasts; with two sets connected to<br>
a TV, two people could simultaneously listen to different<br>
languages. JPY2600.<br>
<a href="http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/" title="http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/">http://www.computernews.com/DailyNews/2008/06/</a><br>
200806201840959088E42020.htm</p>
<p>3) Vending machines, those big gadgets lining streets<br>
everywhere, have long been criticized for one problem: they'll<br>
cheerfully dish up alcohol or tobacco to any schoolkid with a<br>
pocketful of change. Consequently, Japan is now refitting<br>
nearly 600,000 cigarette machines to require a 'Taspo' age<br>
verification card for purchase. </p>
<p>Customers without a Taspo card can head for one of 4000 new<br>
machines that use cameras and facial-recognition software to<br>
determine (that is, take a guess at) whether the buyer meets the<br>
age limit. But right now, underage smokers are having a laugh a<br>
the machines' expense: it turns out that if you just show the<br>
camera a magazine photo of an oldster, there's every chance that<br>
the machine will happily hand over the smokes. The manufacturer<br>
of the vending machines, Fujitaka, claims to be hard at work on<br>
a version that won't be fooled by photos.<br>
<a href="http://www.sanspo.com/shakai/news/080624/sha0806240502003-n1.htm" title="http://www.sanspo.com/shakai/news/080624/sha0806240502003-n1.htm">http://www.sanspo.com/shakai/news/080624/sha0806240502003-n1.htm</a></p>
<p>----------------------------------------------------------------<br>
STAFF<br>
Written by: Timm Tuttle<br>
READ PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS<br>
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--------NEW GADGET BLOG: TEKRONOMICON.COM------------------</p>
<p>In collaboration with Gadget Watch, Gadget blog Tekronomicon<br>
offers a detailed look at select gadgets - shiny and strange,<br>
from gizmo ground zero in Tokyo.<br>
See the gadgets introduced in Gadget Watch,<br>
with photos and more at: <a href="http://www.tekronomicon.com/" title="www.tekronomicon.com">www.tekronomicon.com</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p>