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Princeton's PMB-BP18 external battery pack for USB devices
Whether in the form of compressed images spun from disk or received over the air, portable video is a battery killer. Toss in a bit of WiFi and Bluetooth wireless to grind modern handhelds to a halt in just a few hours. This unfortunate truth makes sad chunky slabs of plastic and lithium polymer a must for those of you in need of some extra go-go juice. The Princeton PMB-BP18 is a 75-gram external battery pack capable of re-charging any portable USB device such as cellphone or iPod when away from the mains. What's more, Princeton touts the device's ability to charge the typical Japanese cellphone (via accompanying au and DoCoMo cables) twice before the PMB-BP18 external battery requires a refill. Sorry, that's an adjustable stand, not the backside of an LCD you're looking at, which somehow manages prop up your phone or mp3 player for viewing without the device sliding into your lap. Available now in Japan for ¥4,980 or about 44 US bucks.
DoCoMo shows off two new digital radio phones
Not a whole lot of info to go on here, but according to Akihabara News, NTT DoCoMo hit up the big CEATEC exhibition in Japan this week with a pair of prototype phones (among other gear, we're sure) that'll give you access to 5.1 (sound familiar?) digital radio on-the-go. How good that actually sounds coming out of a handset or pair of headphones, we're not so sure, but it looks like you'll have your choice of styles, with an excessively-colored model (peep after the break) to compliment the more traditional techie look above.
NTT DoCoMo unveils portable 3D display
NTT DoCoMo is looking to unveil a svelte 3D portable display system at the upcoming CEATEC in Japan, but unlike the traditionally uninspiring three-dimensional products we've seen (and even the not-so-gimmicky variety), DoCoMo's device operates sans the red-tinted glasses. Working in conjunction with associate professor Yasuhiro Takagi of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, the megacorporation has developed a 7-inch "3D display system" that makes images and video appear as if it's "leaping out from the screen." This rendition also allows viewers to experience the illusions from angles other than front and center, as onlookers can view the action within a 60-degree horizontal angle or 30-degree vertical angle without losing the wow-factor. An embedded camera senses the position of the viewer(s), and then intelligently beams the images through its lenticular (single-convex) lens attached to the front of the screen. While no word on pricing or availability outside of the CEATEC expo has been given, we can definitely envision this becoming an excellent tool to keep those mischeveous kids occupied for hours, but us grown folk will probably just hold out for the 110-inch version.
Gaze detector lets you hear with your eyes
If we're not absorbing information at an alarming and astounding rate 24/7, we start feeling a little hollow and frivolous, being surrounded with all this connected technology and what not. Thankfully Manabe Hiroyuki (pictured) at NTT DoCoMo took the time to develop and create the wearable headphone gaze detector; slightly less elegant than the traditional neural implant, with this system you could not only record the goings on of your days and "bookmark" important events, but also train the cameras to feed you information about your surroundings based on QR codes or possibly eventually object recognition; think of it as augmented aural reality triggered by giving a passing glance. Shine on, you crazy diamond - -we think you might just have Masahiko Tsukamoto beat this time.[Via pasta and vinegar]
Napster going to Japan
We first heard about Napster Japan itself when it was announced last fall in a partnership with Tower Records, but it looks like we now have a few more details on the service and a rough launch date. It's now set to launch sometime this fall and it'll be a flat rate service, although exactly what that rate will be has yet to be decided. The service itself will apparently be the same as in the U.S., with both basic Napster as well as Napster To Go for transferring music to portable devices. And it looks like they're already lining up support, with NTT DoCoMo just announcing a few days ago that they'll be offering Napster support on their new phones being released this summer. You will, however, still have to download music to your PC first, then transfer it to your phone.
DoCoMo breaks out a slew of HSDPA phones
In typical DoCoMo fashion, they've introduced not one or two, but eight new phones today to kick off their FOMA 9 Series line. We can't find much solid dirt on these, but HSDPA is definitely a part of their new N902iX HIGH-SPEED, and their F902iS turned some heads with its PlaysForSure support, and the possibility of adding Windows Media Video DRM support in the future as well. Otherwise, our Japanese readership should keep an eye out for new models such as the D902iS, N902iS, P902iS, SH902iS, SO902iWP+, SH902iSL DOLCE SL, which will have such varied features in 9 Series as Push-to-Talk, Osaifu-Keitai e-wallet services, Omakase Lock data security, Chaku-moji ringback messages, Chaku-Uta multimedia apps, ToruCa mobile shopping information, and even home theater remote control. We'll let you know as more info trickles in from our phone-loving friends overseas.[Thanks deluxe, via MSN-Mainichi]
