<div dir="ltr"><p>--------------------------------------------------------<br>
Japan Inc Magazine Presents:<br>
G A D G E T W A T C H</p>
<p>READ GADGETWATCH ONLINE AT:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/" title="www.japaninc.com">www.japaninc.com</a><br>
The Hottest Gadgets and Gizmos from Japan<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Issue No. 312 Friday September 5, 2008<br>
Subscribers: 9467<br>
SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE TO GADGET WATCH:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up" title="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up</a></p>
<p>---------------- PBXL IS BUSINESS MOBILITY ----------------</p>
<p>Do you need to make business calls from home or overseas?</p>
<p>USE PBXL'S CISCO SOFTPHONE SOFTWARE:</p>
<p>*PC-based software turns your computer into a 03 Tokyo phone<br>
*Same features as PBXL's other Cisco IP phones<br>
*Reduces cell phone and long-distance charges</p>
<p>Come see a demo at our monthly events:<br>
<a href="http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt" title="http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt">http://www.pbxl.jp/seminarstt</a></p>
<p>CALL NOW: 03-4550-2557<br>
<a href="mailto:info@pbxl.jp">info@pbxl.jp</a></p>
<p>Get your new phone system in three simple steps:<br>
<a href="http://www.pbxl.jp/plans" title="http://www.pbxl.jp/plans">http://www.pbxl.jp/plans</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
========================================================</p>
<p>Nikon D90 brings movies to digital SLR</p>
<p>Name: Nikon D90<br>
Category: digital still and movie SLR camera<br>
Price: About JPY120,000 (body only)<br>
Release date in Japan: September 9, 2008</p>
<p>It's the norm now that digital still cameras include some sort<br>
of video recording feature, and video cameras offer still-shot<br>
capability. Nikon's adding a new twist to the combination, with<br>
what it calls 'the world's first digital SLR movie function that<br>
delivers genuinely cinematic results.'</p>
<p>The D90 is the latest in Nikon's popular D line of digital SLRs,<br>
featuring 12.3-megapixel still shots. Its movie function records<br>
video at resolutions of 320 x 216, 640 x 424, or HD720p (1,280 x<br>
720) in motion JPEG format, at 24 frames per second. (Sorry, no<br>
higher-resolution HD1080 video.) </p>
<p>What makes that exciting is not just the combination of a great<br>
still cam and decent HD video cam in one unit, but the ability<br>
to use Nikon's array of interchangeable lenses for video<br>
shooting. Fish-eye, wide-angle, telephoto... you'll swap lenses<br>
like a Hollywood movie-maker, something you can't do with<br>
general consumer video cams. </p>
<p>Aiding the moviemaker is a large DX-format 23.6 x 15.8mm CMOS<br>
sensor ('far larger than that in typical camcorders,' says<br>
Nikon) with a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 3200. A microphone<br>
and built-in speakers handle audio recording and playback.<br>
(There's speculation that the D90 will function as an audio<br>
player if you load it with MP3s, though Nikon itself doesn't say<br>
this.) </p>
<p>Still, this may not be your tool for feature films. When<br>
shooting video, you lose both autofocus and the viewfinder. (Use<br>
the LCD panel on back instead, via Live View previews). You<br>
can't go beyond 24 fps, which is fast enough for many but not<br>
all shooting purposes. Some pros are also wondering about the<br>
maximum video scene length before sensor overheating (hastened<br>
by Live View) becomes a problem. </p>
<p>In addition to that Live View preview in the 3-inch LCD display,<br>
other functions include Nikon Vibration Reduction (when used<br>
with compatible lenses), Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus module with<br>
11-point AF system, face recognition, built-in flash, Image<br>
Sensor Cleaning, 0.15-second quick start-up time, and<br>
comprehensive image editing tools. Body weight 620g.</p>
<p>More info: <a href="http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0827_d90_01.htm" title="http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0827_d90_01.htm">http://nikon.com/about/news/2008/0827_d90_01.htm</a><br>
(English)<br>
---------- Metropolis and eigoTown.com Party --------------</p>
<p>Join over 300 party animals for drinks, food and music!</p>
<p>September 6, 2008: 7:00pm - 10:00pm @ Feria, Roppongi.<br>
After 10pm, feel free to stay and party the night away until<br>
the early hours!</p>
<p>Cost: 5,000 yen<br>
Show this email at the door to get in for 3,500 yen</p>
<p>All-you-can drink + Prizes!<br>
(Trip for two to Macau courtesy of Viva Macau)<br>
DJs + Single people</p>
<p>Click here to register: <a href="http://www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/" title="www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/">www.metropolis.co.jp/iparty/</a><br>
Nearest stn: Roppongi</p>
<p>CORPORATE SPONSORS WELCOME</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
===========================================================</p>
<p>Panasonic Viera TH-PZR900 HDTV sports terabyte drive, YouTube</p>
<p>Name: Panasonic Viera TH-50PZR900<br>
Category: Hi-Def TV<br>
Price: About JPY540,000<br>
Release date in Japan: September 10, 2008</p>
<p>Panasonic Corporation's latest Viera Hi-Def TV further narrows<br>
the gap between TV sets and PCs: it boasts a 1-terabyte drive<br>
for recording shows and a LAN Ethernet port to access Internet<br>
content, particularly YouTube. </p>
<p>What will a terabyte of storage hold? Not quite as much as you<br>
might expect, given the heavy storage needs of digital<br>
broadcast: about 86 hours of BS digital TV, or 121 hours of<br>
terrestrial digital TV. (That same 1 TB drive could store<br>
several hundred hours of current analog broadcast TV; alas,<br>
that's what's being phased out in Japan by mid-2011, and the<br>
Viera won't even deign to record such old-timey signals.) </p>
<p>There's no dual-recording capability, so you can record only one<br>
channel at a time; there's also no external DVD player/recorder.<br>
So while the built-in hard drive is a nice feature, you'll<br>
probably end up getting a dedicated HDD/DVD recorder to go with<br>
the Viera. (Panasonic suggests its own line of DIGA BluRay DVD<br>
recorders.)</p>
<p>The flat-panel wide-screen plasma display with 'Dynamic Black<br>
Layer' technology has an impressive contrast ratio of 30,000:1.<br>
Supporting that is a huge laundry list of color management<br>
technologies that Panasonic says provide the best picture you've<br>
seen in a plasma screen that size. </p>
<p>On the network side, a custom built-in YouTube player (like that<br>
on the iPhone) brings funny cat videos and the like to your<br>
Viera starting September 30. (What does YouTube video, which is<br>
grainy even on an iPod screen, look like at 50 inches? One<br>
shudders to imagine.) The Internet connection also brings in<br>
expected features such as electronic program guide and viewing<br>
recommendations, though there's no general web browser,<br>
video/music store, etc.</p>
<p>Other specs: Full-HD (1920x1080) resolution, digital and analog<br>
TV tuners, 36W speakers, and connection ports for HDMI, i.Link<br>
(FireWire), composite video, S-video, analog audio, monitor,<br>
optical audio, analog RGB, and headphones. </p>
<p>Panasonic introduced two smaller models at the same time: the<br>
46-inch TH-46PZR900 and the 42-inch TH-42PZR900, with key tech<br>
specs the same as the 50-incher. The former is available from<br>
September 10 for JPY480,000; the latter, from September 20 for<br>
JPY420,000. (And if none of that impresses you, ask your<br>
Panasonic dealer about the new special-order TH-103PZ800: 103<br>
inches (!) of plasma goodness for about JPY5.6 million, before<br>
considerable shipping and set-up fees.)</p>
<p>More info:<br>
<a href="http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080826" title="http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080826">http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080826</a><br>
-3/jn080826-3.html (Japanese)</p>
<p>(Incidentally, if you're still using the name Matsushita<br>
Electric Industrial Co, you've got just one month left. From<br>
October 1, it's officially Panasonic, with both the Matsushita<br>
company name and the National home appliances brand disappearing<br>
under the Panasonic nameplate.)</p>
<p>----------------- ICA Event - Sept 11 ---------------------</p>
<p>Event: SUMMER NETWORKING PARTY!!</p>
<p>Topic: Joint event with ACCJ ICT Committee and the<br>
Indian IT Club</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)</p>
<p>Date: Thursday, Sept 11, 2008<br>
Time: 6:30-8:30pm - includes open bar and buffet<br>
Cost: 6,000 yen (members), 7,000 yen (non-members)<br>
Open to all-Venue is Monsoon Cafe, Azabu Juban<br>
<a href="http://www.monsoon-cafe.jp/en/azabu_juban/home/location/printer" title="http://www.monsoon-cafe.jp/en/azabu_juban/home/location/printer">http://www.monsoon-cafe.jp/en/azabu_juban/home/location/printer</a></p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
===========================================================</p>
<p>Epson Photo Fine Player P-7000 is traveling photography<br>
assistant</p>
<p>Name: Epson Photo Fine Player P-7000<br>
Category: photo viewer<br>
Price: About JPY80,000<br>
Release date in Japan: September 4, 2008</p>
<p>Here's a gadget category that isn't too well known outside<br>
professional photographers. But it's an interesting item that<br>
even hobbyist fotogs could find really handy on those longer<br>
shooting excursions.</p>
<p>Photo viewers are compact little combinations of hard drive and<br>
display. Their simple purpose is displaying photos in a<br>
photographer's work environment (as opposed to recently-popular<br>
digital photo frames that show pics as decorations). It's a tool<br>
that lets the photographer transfer shots to a hard drive to<br>
free up storage on the camera (or as a backup), and then study<br>
those shots on a larger screen than the camera's. </p>
<p>A good example is the new Epson P-7000 Photo Fine Player. The<br>
433-gram device combines a 160-GB hard drive with a wide-angle<br>
4-inch LCD. The screen displays over JPEG and RAW format images<br>
in 16.7 million colors, encompassing 94% of the Adobe RGB color<br>
space, so you can expect detailed color reproduction (advance<br>
reviewers have raved about its brightness and sharpness).<br>
Although it's a compact screen, zoom functions let you confirm<br>
details up close. Basic editing tools let you play with<br>
brightness, contrast cropping, etc., or add text; organization<br>
tools allow photo rating and creation of collections and<br>
slideshows. A new jog wheel makes it all easy too, says Epson. </p>
<p>There's support for audio (MP3, AAC) and video (MPEG4, Motion<br>
JPEG, H.264); video and audio outputs let you also display<br>
things on a big screen. (These additions are the reason Epson<br>
adds 'Multimedia' to the product line's name overseas. Yes, you<br>
can use it as an expensive iPod if you like.) </p>
<p>The new model boasts data transfer (via CF or SD memory card) up<br>
to 35% faster than its predecessors: transferring 1GB of data<br>
from CF card to the hard drive takes 100 seconds. A full battery<br>
charge allows around 75 such 1GB transfers. All in all, the<br>
drive will hold about 9000 10-megapixel RAW photos (almost 4<br>
times as many if JPEG), or 166 hours of 2Mbps MPEG4 video.</p>
<p>Also included is a battery charger and car adapter for travel,<br>
plus software to transfer Fine Player data to a PC. </p>
<p>A good photo viewer isn't an inexpensive addition to a weekend<br>
shooter's collection. (If the JPY80,000 tag is a tad more than<br>
you can afford, there's also a new P-6000 model with 80GB hard<br>
drive for JPY70,000.) But for anyone taking and reviewing lots<br>
of shots on the go, it's a more refined tool than a clumsy,<br>
expensive laptop with iffy battery life and disk space largely<br>
eaten up by data and software. </p>
<p>More info:<br>
<a href="http://www.epson.jp/products/colorio/photoviewer_digitalcamera/" title="http://www.epson.jp/products/colorio/photoviewer_digitalcamera/">http://www.epson.jp/products/colorio/photoviewer_digitalcamera/</a><br>
p7000_p6000/ (Japanese)</p>
<p>-------------Japan Inc is worth every penny!---------------</p>
<p>J@pan Inc is Japan's only English-language business magazine.<br>
Authoritatively chronicling business trends in Japan, each<br>
beautifully designed full-color issue brings you in-depth<br>
analysis of business, people and technology in the world's<br>
second largest economy. Don't miss another issue! JPY 8,000<br>
for 1 year (12 issues) JPY 15,000 for 2 years (24 issues)<br>
Visit <a href="http://www.japaninc.com/mgz_subscriptions" title="http://www.japaninc.com/mgz_subscriptions">http://www.japaninc.com/mgz_subscriptions</a> to subscribe.</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
===========================================================</p>
<p>Short items</p>
<p>Spotted elsewhere in the news:</p>
<p>1) Compared to its current HHR-3MPS rechargeable batteries,<br>
Panasonic's new EVOLTA rechargeables will not only run your toys<br>
about 10% longer on a charge, but last through 20% more<br>
recharges, about 1200 - the best in the industry, says the<br>
company. JPY1600 for 4 AA, JPY1500 for 4 AAA. From October in<br>
Japan.<br>
<a href="http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080828" title="http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080828">http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/jn080828</a><br>
-1/jn080828-1.html?ref=news (Japanese)</p>
<p>2) Amazon Japan's ready to get in on that iPhone action. Just<br>
head to <a href="http://www.amazon.co.jp/" title="http://www.amazon.co.jp/">http://www.amazon.co.jp/</a> on your iPhone, and you'll find<br>
a new site layout custom-made for your handheld. It's not all<br>
products and 'buy' links; while not all full-sized Amazon<br>
features are there, bestseller lists, reviews, recommendations,<br>
photo close-ups, and more will keep you busy inside the World's<br>
Largest Bookstore while you ride the Chuo Line. Works with iPod<br>
touch over WiFi too, of course. </p>
<p>3) Tokyo-based package software seller SOURCENEXT is leaving<br>
disks behind for its line of consumer software titles. From<br>
September, its core postcard-printing, homepage creator, and<br>
utility software titles will ship on your choice of frumpy<br>
CD-ROMs or trendier USB drives, with 30 titles making the move<br>
to thumb drive by the end of the year. The sales strategy,<br>
dubbed 'U-Memo', recognizes that mobile PCs are moving away from<br>
optical drives, and that USB drives have become a commodity<br>
storage media. Prices will stay the same as CD-ROM versions, and<br>
space not taken up by software on the 1-GB 'U-Memo' drives can<br>
be used for general data storage. That means 'U-Memo' offers<br>
buyers that same software as the CD-ROM versions, with a thumb<br>
drive tossed in. Together with downloads, this looks like a sure<br>
end for CD-ROMs as a software delivery method.<br>
<a href="http://www.sourcenext.com/titles/usb/?i=img_usb" title="http://www.sourcenext.com/titles/usb/?i=img_usb">http://www.sourcenext.com/titles/usb/?i=img_usb</a> (Japanese)<br>
----------------------------------------------------------------<br>
STAFF<br>
Written by: Timm Tuttle<br>
READ PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS<br>
Gadget Watch online archive:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch" title="http://www.japaninc.com/gadget_watch">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" title="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters_main_page">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters_main_page</a></p>
<p>SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE TO GADGET WATCH:<br>
<a href="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up" title="http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up">http://www.japaninc.com/newsletters/free_sign_up</a></p>
<p>ADVERTISING INFORMATION<br>
To advertise in this newsletter, contact: <a href="mailto:ads@japaninc.com">ads@japaninc.com</a></p>
<p>FEEDBACK AND PROBLEMS<br>
We welcome your viewpoint: <a href="mailto:editors@japaninc.com">editors@japaninc.com</a><br>
NB Please do not reply to this newsletter<br>
-- it's outgoing only, so we won't get it!<br>
Technical problems: <a href="mailto:webmaster@japaninc.com">webmaster@japaninc.com</a><br>
Copyright (C) 2008 Japan Inc Communications KK.<br>
All Rights Reserved.</p>
<p>GadgetWatch mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:GadgetWatch@mailman.japaninc.com">GadgetWatch@mailman.japaninc.com</a><br>
<a href="http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/gadgetwatch" title="http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/gadgetwatch">http://mailman.japaninc.com/mailman/listinfo/gadgetwatch</a></p>
<p>--------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><br>
-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
Paccess Inc helps you 'Go Global Now!'</p>
<p>For over 10 years, Paccess Inc has assisted companies with<br>
market entry, strategic partner search, and trade development<br>
in the US, Japan, and Latin America.<br>
To expand your business in overseas markets,<br>
visit <a href="http://www.paccess.com/" title="www.paccess.com">www.paccess.com</a>, or contact <a href="mailto:info@paccess.NET">info@paccess.NET</a><br>
(English, Japanese, or Spanish OK).<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>Buyout and Leveraged Financing Japan 2008<br>
Tokyo, Japan 10th and 11th Sept 2008</p>
<p>This conference on Buyout and Leveraged Financing Japan 2008<br>
is well-timed and provides the opportunity for participants<br>
to assess buyout and leveraged buyout activities in Japan.</p>
<p>It aims to explore the business opportunities for investors,<br>
corporate needs of leverage over equity and also the market<br>
for venture capitalists and private equities.</p>
<p>The event will also discuss the evolving relationships between<br>
bankers, investors and sponsors.<br>
Featuring distinguish speakers from Nomura Securities,<br>
Deutsche Securities, Nikko antfactory, Merrill Lynch Japan<br>
Securities, JPMorgan Securities Japan, Rex Holdings and many<br>
other distinguish speakers.</p>
<p>Supported by: J@pan Inc Magazine, Japan PFI Association,<br>
Corporate Financial Systems Journal, Hedgeweek,<br>
JCN Newswire and Fraud Watch.</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>RidgeRunner Niseko International Cricket Competition<br>
20-21 September 2008</p>
<p>Join us as a player, spectator or to party for two days of<br>
fun at Niseko's annual charity cricket tournament.<br>
Hosted by international greats Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh,<br>
the event benefits the Tyler Foundation for Childhood Cancer<br>
and Hokkaido International School through our Hokkaido-style-<br>
glamour charity dinner dance and auction.</p>
<p>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.ezocricketclub.com/" title="www.ezocricketclub.com">www.ezocricketclub.com</a><br>
or contact Billeigh Waaha 080-3597-6307<br>
or e-mail <a href="mailto:cricket@rad-development.com">cricket@rad-development.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks to our sponsors RidgeRunner, TK6, Paddy Foley's,<br>
Commonwealth Bank, Green Leaf Hotel, National Australia Bank,<br>
Hokkaido Tracks, Australian Meat and Livestock, ANZCCJ,<br>
Village Cellars, Metropolis, Japan Inc, Peter Lehman Wines,<br>
Black Diamond Lodge and Niseko Physio.</p>
<p>-----------------------------------------------------------</p></div>