Photographs from a small group of islands
With its fast internet and fair fees, Tokyo may well be one of the most wired cities in the world, but even technology loving Tokyoites would probably judge that Jaro’s cables could be just a little less conspicuous.
(click image for giant Jaro jumble)
With Japan’s more realistic robots veering well away from the all important confines of cuteness, a motorway connected company has commissioned a contraption to counter such concerns. The result being a huge ladybird-like robot that is designed to rather lavishly clean up lavatories in highway rest areas.
Plus, as well as being equipped with all the necessary sensors so as not to bump into those busily going about their business, the colossal cleaner will also be programmed to have simple conversations, although these will thankfully be on the subject of driving directions rather urinal misdirection or even stool-related stenches.
However, with an expected price tag of 3.5 million yen when it’s released in the next year or so, it’ll require an awful lot of spent pennies to pay for it.
Seeing big game cats online and in magazines is one thing, but getting up close and personal with one of the rarer forms of Japan’s most famous feline is something else altogether.
In particular, the way this one trapped unsuspecting targets in Tokyo with its tasteless and over the top trappings was a true sight to behold, with many of the victims leaving inexplicably dazzled and decidedly down on dough.
Although at least they did have a new NEC laptop to lug home, which is something,
I suppose.
The titanic but decidedly tedious battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD may have initially seemed like a foregone conclusion in Japan, with the home-grown and previously impervious PlayStation in particular playing a key role in the former’s success. Yet up to now that’s not how things have panned out at all, with poor PlayStation 3 sales and a pitiful selection of Blu-Ray titles leaving the fight far from over.
However things may finally be about to change, with even one Panasonic executive in Japan boasting that Blu-ray will win the day by early next year at the latest. Although while cheaper players will obviously be crucial, it’s almost certainly because of the recent Rats & Star release that Blu-ray — and maybe even boot polish — sales will really start to soar.
It has to be said that repeated mouse clicks may well cause some repetitive stress related problems, but whether this novel new mouse pad will ease any painful and pent up pressure remains to be seen.
And even if it does, it’s highly unlikely it’ll be in the wrist department.
With its sleek design, touch-screen technology and iTunes compatibility, it’s not surprising that North America is going gaga over Apple’s soon to be released iPhone.
In Japan however, the priorities for portable products are a little different — advancements in camera technology in particular garnering a lot of attention. Like the new 5005X for example, a piece of kit* that explicitly caters for the keen photographer.
A phone that Messrs Danny and Hector could possibly have made more than good use of at their recent idol photo shoot in Tokyo.
*young lady not included
(image via the FG Forums)