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Zamm's TM110 DMB navigation system clears FCC
No need to adjust your spectacles, a Korean-based navigation system has indeed cleared the FCC in order to make its way to US soil, but just because the DMB-packed unit got the big thumbs-up doesn't mean that we Americans can expect to pick up signals from halfway across the globe. Regardless of the design changes that could take place if in fact the Zamm TM101 (or TM110, as the FCC so affectionately dubs it) makes it our way, what we do know is that it sports a Hitachi seven-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, "dual-core" ARM9020T processor, T-DMB TV tuning, PIP, 64MB of NAND Flash ROM, 128MB of internal SDRAM, a multimedia player, CF / SD card slots, flipout GPS antenna, and Windows CE 5.0 runnin' the show. Additionally, you'll notice USB connectivity, an AV input, wireless remote, FM tuner, a few built-in games, SiRF Star III receiver, and a headphone output to round things out. Koreans can apparently snap this well-spec'd navigator up right now, but if you're holding your breath for it to shake things up in the US, you could be sans oxygen for quite some time.[Via NaviGadget]Read - FCC DocumentationRead - Zamm TM101 (110)
Sticker shocking designs from Korea
Gariz's stickers won't upstage mods like yesterday's Zelda-themed DS Lite, but they're an easy way to personalize your handheld with an attractive design. The metal decals emphasize the embossed logo on the system' s lid, surrounding it with either a deco pattern or a miniaturized DS. Both styles come in silver and gold.Selling for approximately $29 at its Korean shop, the're no doubt that the Gariz skins are overpriced, especially when you consider that the rest of the included stickers -- matching borders for your screens, three alphabet sets, and accents for your D-pad/buttons -- are nothing to write home about. We're sure that there'll be people who won't mind paying the premium price though, as there aren't many other options for subtle customizations like these. Jump past the break for more photos.See also: Just about the awesomest skins EVAR
DS kiosks brighten up Korean mall
These photos from a Korean mall's Nintendo DS kiosks are from a month ago, but it's interesting to see how the handheld is being promoted in the East Asian country. The showroom's walls are lined with posters of celebrities playing with DS Lites, stylish-looking chairs and tables are available for idlers, and a glass divider separates the area from the rest of the shopping center while still attracting passer-bys with gaming treats. It isn't clear if this is a permanent setup or if the kiosks are only there for the interim to accompany the DS' recent launch in Korea. The way Nintendo has put its games on display, encouraging people to try out titles like New Super Mario Bros., Brain Training, and English Training in an attractive space, reminds us a lot of Apple's brick and mortar stores and the old Xbox 360 Lounge in Japan. Do we have anything like this to advocate the Nintendo DS in the states? Check for more photos after the jump.[Via Insert Credit]
Certificate Utility removed in firmware 3.40
The Korean PlayStation website has announced the arrival of yet another update to PSP's official firmware. However, unlike previous updates, this revision will actually remove some functionality from the system. We've translated the text--it appears "Certificate Utility" will no longer appear on the XMB. Rather, the information used to be available in this section will be embedded directly into the games downloaded from the PLAYSTATION Store. This is a rather minor, but puzzling change.According to the Korean website, the firmware will be released tomorrow, 4/19.[Via PSP Hacks]
It's not a dream, DJ Max turns into a "live miracle"
American gamers may be destroying their PSPs in frustration over DJ Max Portable 2, but Korean gamers are absolutely bonkers for the music title. A live concert called "Live Miracle" will take advantage of the growing popularity of the game, and give fans the rare opportunity to hear their favorite songs from the game performed live. Too bad other games don't get the same kind of treatment. Imagine: a Gitaroo-Man concert. ::swoons::Make sure to check out Ruliweb for the complete poster, filled with some hilarious Engrish. Live MIRACLE, It's not a DREAM![Via PSP-Vault]
LG's SV280 "banana style phone"
Well, well! Who's copying who now, LG? The Korean firm rethinks (or, at the very least, rips from the Motorola RIZR Z8) ergonomics with its new SV280, apparently inspired by nature's perfect food: the banana. When closed, this clean-lined white slider looks like any other of its kind, but once opened (or is that peeled?), the handset curves to better fit against your face -- and we can easily see the ap'peel' (we so had to get that in somewhere) in that. Features include a 1.3 megapixel camera hidden under the slider, QVGA screen resolution, flashing sidebars for message notification, and an MP3 player. The rest of the phone's spec sheet is a bit of a mystery, but one thing that did pique our curiosity was the mention of "aromatherapy" -- and hey, who doesn't want the subtle scent of delicious fruits wafting toward their nostrils while they're on a call? In light of the local-market "Cyon" branding, expect this one to launch stateside in your wildest dreams only.[Via AVING]
KTF's EV-W100 with Max Headroom technology
This reminds us a little bit of voice-to-SMS -- it's a feature that's been perverted in such a way that the original intent has been somehow lost in translation. Don't get us wrong; with HSDPA, 2 megapixel cam, and A2DP, the EV-W100 from KTF is nice and all (it is, after all, a Korean handset), but the draw here seems to be special software that'll replace the outgoing video on video calls with an animated avatar as a "security" measure. Now if we're not mistaken, it takes two to tango when it comes to video calling, so why not just not hold a video call if you're concerned about the peeps on the other end seeing what's going on? No bother; we guess it's pretty cool that a talking pig is one of the avatar choices.[Via textually.org]
DJ Max Portable 2 announced
Some of you have figured out that I like music games... a lot. So, when Ruliweb reports that import-favorite DJ Max Portable is getting a sequel, I have no choice but to pass it on to all of you. The sequel ups the ante by introducing one more gameplay mode, and by expanding the soundtrack to 150 songs. Wow. There's no word if the sequel will get the English language treatment like its predecessor, but I'm hoping.See also:Import music games montageThe top handheld imports[Via PSP Vault]
Video Sandwich: November 16, 2006
More ads from Sony for tonight's Video Sandwich. These two are from the other side of the Pacific, and they show a very different style than what's available here in the States. First, from Japan is a ridiculously awesome ad for Jeanne d'Arc. You might not know Japanese, but seeing Japanese business men go crazy is always funny, no matter what language you speak. Finally, we have this pretty awesome Korean ad for the Talkman. Man, they make the most romantic ads over there in Korea!
Pump It Up heading to PSP (in Korea, at least)
PSP continues to prove itself as one of the best platforms for music games out there. Pump It Up is a game very much like Dance Dance Revolution, and it's insanely popular in Korea. PSP Vault discovered a new listing for a PSP version of the popular dancing game on Sony's official Korean website.The homebrew community embraced dance-style games through projects like PSP Revolution. However, DDR and its clones require you to input buttons that correspond to up, down, left and right. Pump It Up uses diagonals and a center button: how will these be mapped on the PSP? Puzzling, no?See also:DJ Max Portable, for non-Korean speakers
Digital Cube's T-DMB-packin' Mini finally available
Digital Cube is delivering more miniaturized fun from South Korea, as the NetForce's smaller sibling -- simply dubbed Mini -- is finally available for enjoyment. This miniscule portable media player measures just 3.17- x 2.05- x 0.65-inches and weighs only three ounces, but manages to pack a potent 2.4-inch LCD, MP3 support, video playback, and the obligatory T-DMB TV tuner within its presumably cramped confines. The handheld device rocks 1/2/4GB capacities, and also doubles as an e-book reader, text / photo viewer, and a surefire conversation piece. So go on, indulge in those pocket-friendly, TV viewing PMP desires for just €165 ($209) and up.
Feature-packed Cowon D2 to hit Korean market
Hot on the heels of the substandard (in Cowon terms, that is) iAudio D1, the company best known for feature-packed portable media players is back to its old self again with the fully loaded D2. Foregoing the sleek, skinny look for a more Archos-esque appearance, Cowon's latest PMP rocks a 2.5-inch 320 x 240 resolution touchscreen, built-in DMB, support for WMV, MPEG4, MP3, OGG, WMA, and FLAC, "30fps movie playback," video output, FM radio, "voice / line-in recording" function, and a snazzy "transparent overlay" GUI. While initial reports suggest a 2GB internal capacity, the unit will sport an SD slot for your expansion needs, and those fortunate enough to reside in South Korea can pick up this properly-spec'd player in November for an undisclosed price.[Via DAPReview]
Axxen unveils egg-shaped i-EGG speaker at KES
With the bevy of proprietary speaker systems out there, it's refreshing to see Axxen drop an unbiased (albeit oddly shaped) boombox of sorts that'll play nice with just about anything. Hot on the heels of its minuscule Playdisc, the company is still making noise at KES by unveiling its i-EGG DAP speaker, which sports a "futuristic" oval enclosure, detachable stereo speakers, a 3.5-millimeter audio input jack, USB port, and an SD slot for loading up your tunes. This battery-powered device also touts stereo out -- in case the mysterious internal wattage isn't robust enough for you -- and it supports both MP3 and WMA from your USB thumb drive / SD card of choice. While pricing information was not disclosed, we do know that Axxen plans to hatch this in late October for the Korean market.[Via Akihabara News]
Video Sandwich: August 10, 2006
It's been a while since our last Video Sandwich. If you're a newcomer to the Fanboy, here's how it goes: you get two videos that make the tasty bread of this sandwich. Then, in the middle you get the meaty commentary by me. Tonight's sandwich features two PSP ads, neither of which will ever air in America. The top is an ultra-romantic, somewhat cheesy Korean advertisement that focuses on the wide variety of features of the handheld. Using my mad Korean skillz, I can tell you that the commercial tries to portray how their love is like the various features of the PSP. It ends with the guy saying: Whatever you want to do... the PSP can do it. This kind of advertising must work wonders on the same Nintendogs-crazy market that's gone mad for the DS (read: girls).The bottom video is a fan-created commercial that also highlights the various features of the system. It doesn't feature any game or movie footage, but is done in such a sleek way that it trumps all of Sony's official marketing here in the states. Considering how Sony's trying to rebuild the PSP brand as a device that can do games and more, this kind of commercial would work really well. Maybe we'll see something like this on the TV in the future.
Hands on with Project Wiki
Project Wiki from Webzen is a bright, colourful MMO that immediately stands out from their other post-apocalyptic/dark-fantasy offerings. With inviting colours and visuals reminiscent of a 2D cartoon, the game seems well-matched to its kids-and-teens target demographic. It's simple to play -- perhaps too simple -- and death comes quickly at the hands of nearby enemies; the character we were playing has a limited number of skills which made combat a little repetitive. Project Wiki is only scheduled for a Korean release -- its anime-inspired graphics may make it appealing in the West, but its gameplay is rooted firmly in the East.
Mom, can you power-level my avatar for me? [Update 1]
When I was growing up, I forced my mom to get up at 6 in the morning and wait in line at the local Toys R Us just for a shot at a Power Rangers action figure (these were the original Power Ranger figures, that had the moving fingers -- to my little feeble brain, that was innovative). Years later, I laughed at all the kids who so frantically forced their mothers and fathers to seek out Pokemon booster packs in the hopes of finding that ultra-rare card that compliments their deck. Sure, I am a hypocrite, but now I have seen the follies of my youth. Apparently, such a childish obsession is not limited to American children. In Korea, the latest fad is Maple Story, an MMO played predominantly by children ages 6 to 13. If you do not play Maple Story, you may be considered uncool (sounds familiar). Of course, school children have hours and hours upon homework (I never did, but of course I went to public school), so how can one keep their online avatars in top condition? Simple, they get their parents to power-level! According to an article translated by GameStudy.org, some parents are spending upwards of 3 or 4 hours each day building their son or daughter's character up. It may seem like a foreign phenomenon, but our guess is that this trend will spread to other countries as soon as said country's parents have a firm grasp on the working of MMOs (we give it 15 more years in the United States).[Via Game Set Watch][Update: fixed a typo]
