Elecom -- Engadget

Elecom's simplistic multicard reader mounts nicely on walls, desks

by Darren Murph posted Oct 28th 2009 at 9:20AM

Still using that heap from 1999 that shipped sans a multicard reader? We know, it's tough. As does Elecom, who has just pumped out a foursome of new flash card readers for those less fortunate among us. The token one, however, is the sticky guy pictured above, which can actually be mounted on one's wall or desk side in order to maintain your precious desk space up top. You know -- 'cause all that paperwork scattered about is so critical. Mum's the word on a price or release date, but if we had to guess, we'd say "cheap" and "soon enough."

[Via Akihabara News]

Elecom's USB numeric touch keypad does touch gestures on the side

by Darren Murph posted Oct 10th 2009 at 6:04AM

Elecom's USB-powered numeric touch keypad is pretty simple. You plug it into your machine, tap your digits on the board and watch the numbers appear in your calculator app. Once that gets boring, you can also use this as a secondary trackpad. And given that it supports a variety of multi gesture functions (zoom in / out, shift up / down, etc.), we'd say the secondary features here may just be more enticing than the primary. Suddenly overcome with a feeling of want? Get yours later this month for ¥6,500 ($72).

[Via Akihabara News]

Soundblock: a marginally heinous dock connector iPod speaker

by Darren Murph posted Jul 8th 2009 at 11:06AM

It's hard to guess why one would consider this device over that Lego-inspired alternative we peeked last Spring, but those obsessed with Elecom or born with an innate fear of stackable blocks can certainly opt for the Soundblock. Designed specifically for the fourth generation iPod nano, first generation iPod touch and any other iPod that ships sans an integrated speaker, this here speaker clicks into the dock connector and can be ordered in one of ten different colors. The pain? ¥4,000 ($42), which seems about a Jackson and a half too steep for our tastes.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Elecom keeps things simple with U2H-TC410B wall socket USB hub

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 30th 2009 at 2:42PM

While there's a place for USB hubs that double as a mousepad and calculator, it's sometimes best to just keep things simple, which is what Elecom has thankfully done with its new U2H-TC410B "wall socket" USB hub. Contrary to what that name might suggest, however, this one doesn't actually plug into a power outlet, but is instead designed to be mounted on a wall or the side of the desk and become a wall socket of sorts itself. Apart from that, it's basically just your standard four-port USB 2.0 hub and, as you can see above, it's available in your choice of black or white. Unfortunately, it's not priced like a run-of-the-mill USB hub, with this one running a somewhat hefty $39.99.

[Via OhGizmo!]

Elecom's USB hub shares devices, not feelings, with your spouse

by Thomas Ricker posted May 8th 2009 at 4:11AM

Here's a 7-port USB hub for the hardcore-singles or corporate-couples amongst you. The ¥7,035 (about $71) AC-powered U2SW-B27SBK hub from Elecom lets you share up to seven USB 2.0/1.1 devices simultaneously across a pair of USB connected computers; Mac or PC, makes no difference to Elecom. While it'll share a USB keyboard and mouse between machines, there's no video-out so it's not a true KVM. It does, however, include a little change-over switch that's supposed to allow for a nag-free swap-out of computers. A welcome solution for couples toting laptops back and forth from the cubicle farms. At least it will be when it begins shipping in Japan starting mid-May.

[Via Impress]

Elecom's Scope Node precision mouse - it's precise, but only in Japan

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Mar 17th 2009 at 11:04AM

Usually, when a company attempts to change up the mouse it's a purely cosmetic affair. But as any ergonomist will tell you, the fundamental design of the device leaves a lot to be desired. Unlike Cyber Sport's recent outing, Elecom's Scope Node retains the same basic "mousetastic" shape, but it places the laser sensor off to the left -- where it would be if you were holding a pen. The company promises greater accuracy, though until the thing ends up on these shores we'll have to take their word for it. Available in Japan for ¥6,300 (that's about $64, Americanos).

[Via Oh Gizmo!]

Gallery: Elecom's Scope Node precision mouse

Elecom's new TK-FCP004 ultra-slim keyboard is minimalism at its finest

by Paul Miller posted Mar 4th 2009 at 1:10AM

Pining for a numeric keypad, which Apple has so unceremoniously discarded, but can't bring yourself to pick the numeric version off a list? Do you have other personality problems, but appreciate good design? Do you live in Japan? Then Elecom's got just the thing for you, the new TK-FCP004 series ultra-slim keyboards. Rising a mere 0.57-inches off the ground, and sporting incredibly minimal aesthetics, we'd say Elecom has hit a real nerve here. The keyboard comes in silver, white or black, and hits Japan mid-October for 5040 yen after tax (about $50 US).

[Via Akihabara News]

Gallery: Elecom's new TK-FCP004 ultra-slim keyboard is minimalism at its finest

Elecom's MR-C12 card reader: a single-slot NAND stash

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 25th 2007 at 5:30AM

At first glance we thought, "sweet, a makeshift SSD for all of our disparate memory cards." That is, until we figured out from the machine translation that the MR-C12 series of card readers from Elecom has more in common with a cigarette case than a solid state drive. So in addition to providing a convenient-if-bulky place to tote all your memory cards around, it also features a baked-in USB 2.0 cable and single media slot which accommodates all the most popular formats. No accidental jamming your memory card into the wrong slot here kids. In Japan mid October for ¥2,520 or about $22 in dear departed presidents.

[Via Impress]

Elecom busts out bicycle-style locks for iPods

by Donald Melanson posted Feb 13th 2007 at 5:51AM

You can add Japan's prolific Elecom to the growing number of companies providing varying levels of protection for the countless theft-attracting iPods being toted about, with the company bringing some familiar security measures to bear on the problem. Available for both 5G iPods and 1st and 2nd gen iPod nanos, and in your choice of black or white, the locks will add a bit of heft to your otherwise portable device but should keep any would-be thieves from running off with it, not to mention yourself when you forget the combination. Those of you with better memories than us, however, can sang either model now for 5,040 Yen, or just over forty bucks.

[Via Crave]

Elecom intros skim prevention kit for wallet, cellphone

by Darren Murph posted Jan 12th 2007 at 1:39AM

If you're down with the whole "swipeless" idea, but don't much dig the potential lack of security associated with it, Elecom's coming to the rescue in an attempt to put your paranoia to rest. The Skim Black I lineup of gear consists of a thin, wallet-based card and a not-so-elegant adornment for cellphones (pictured after the jump), both of which eliminate snoopers from jacking your precious information (or identity) by cutting off a reported 99.9-percent of radio waves. To be effective, the skim prevention card must be close to any swipeless cards in your wallet or pocket, while the bulkier SKM-K001 needs to be stuck on the rear of your mobile to effectively destroy the hopes of data thieves (and all stylistic appeal your handset previously had). Both units should be hitting Japan any day, and while the SKM-C001 wallet card will run you ¥1,260 ($11), the cellphone guardian will demand ¥2,310 ($20).

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Continue reading Elecom intros skim prevention kit for wallet, cellphone

Elecom's left or right-handed mouse: deadly ambidexterity

by Thomas Ricker posted Dec 7th 2006 at 9:26AM

Nobody cranks out quirkier mouse designs on such a regular basis than Japan's Elecom. This 800dpi mouse packs the somewhat useful novelty of being suitable for either left or right-handed people -- flick the switch to reverse the left and right-click functions. Just remember to leave the mouse on the correct side of the keyboard to avoid any confrontation with your partner. After all, that M-EKURDR moniker is just an anagram for "murder, k?" On sale in Japan this month for ¥2,520 or about $22.

[Via Impress]

Elecom CR-FP2, yet another biometric flash drive

by Cyrus Farivar posted Dec 6th 2006 at 2:38AM

If you're looking for an alternative to the Pretec i-Disk Touch USB flash drive or to the smartSTIK-MD, and find yourself in the Land of the Rising Sun, you may want to check out the new Elecom CR-FP2 biometric flash drive. From what we can tell, it's a pretty standard half gig drive that will encrypt your data such that it can only be unlocked by way of a fingerprint scan. It can be yours for ¥8,820 ($76) sometime later this month -- just make sure you don't get in a fight with some Yakuza and lose a finger or two before then.

[Via PC Watch]

Elecom's PRUMIE mice combat the dreaded "accidental side scroll"

by Evan Blass posted Dec 3rd 2006 at 12:10AM

We've got to hand it to peripherals manufacturer Elecom for thinking outside the box and trying to solve a perceived problem with its new PRUMIE lineup of mice -- unfortunately, in our opinion, they addressed the wrong problem. All three PRUMIE models come with the increasingly-standard multi-direction scroll wheel -- meaning that it scrolls both up and down as well as side-to-side -- and in order to combat the dreaded issue of mis-scrolling, the mice come with a "tilt guard" to prevent accidental left and right clicks. Now we can't speak for everyone, but we never really find ourselves side scrolling when we're trying to navigate a page vertically; instead, our biggest problem -- which isn't much of a problem at all, really -- is pushing the wheel too hard and triggering a downwards "scroll click." So if Elecom could do something about this occasional nuisance, we'd be sold, but we certainly wouldn't pick up a PRUMIE for the sole reason of thwarting an "issue" that we never encounter. Still, if accidental side-scrolling just happens to be the bane of your existence, you can grab the M-P1UP2R series (available in six colors) for 3,000 Yen ($26), the M-P2UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons) for 3,600 Yen ($31), or the M-P3UP2R (three colors, adds thumb buttons and a "high accuracy laser sensor system") for just 4,800 Yen ($41).

[Via Slash Gear]

Elecom's 8GB SDHC card is class-4, too

by Thomas Ricker posted Nov 30th 2006 at 9:23AM

Joining Toshiba at the top of the SDHC capacity/speed game is Elecom with this, the world's second class-4, 8GB SDHC card. Not class-2 son, oh no, this is class-4 so we're talking a 4MB/s minimum write speed. Elecom claims you'll see a max transfer rate of 7MB/s when these launch (before Toshiba?) in the first part of January. Fine, but what interests us more is the price: about ¥39,800 or $343. See Toshiba, it's not all that hard to provide a price now is it? Now get moving, pressures on to beat Elecom if you want to live up to your "world's first" claim.

[Via Impress]

Elecom's USB CD/DVD Data Crusher, goth-girl magnet

by Thomas Ricker posted Nov 14th 2006 at 8:36AM

If you're the type to dump your nefarious ways to disc then check it oh prince of netherworld, Elecom's here to cover your tracks. Jack the Data Crusher into your laptop's USB, slip in a disc of wickedness, push the button, and in 5 seconds your data will be etched into Hasbro H-E-double-toothpicks; ready to dangle from the rear-view mirror of your Cadillac Cathedral yet safe from the wife, boss, or favorite government entity of your paranoid fantasies. Yours at the end of the month for ¥3,150 or about $27.

[Via Impress]