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NTT's next-gen digital kiosk selects appropriate content with webcam, razzmatazz
We've seen plenty of digital signage on these pages, but nothing quite like this. Currently making the scene at an NTT show room in Japan, this intelligent kiosk interacts with advertisers and customers (via a ceiling mounted camera) in real time. One demo that appeals to us has two people approaching the display to find something to eat. Upon noticing that there are two hungry consumers, it offers a selection of restaurants with enough open seats for the pair. Maybe we're just hungry, but with a little artificial intelligence (Minority Report-style) this could be pretty cool -- or pretty dangerous. Video after the break.
Japan just barely beats MLB to first 3D broadcast
The first 3D baseball in the US goes on the air this weekend, but Panasonic already participated in Hikari TV's 3D production of Yakult Swallows/Hanshin Tigers game on Thursday. As seen above, Panasonic's 3D camera played a key role, while some angles were filled by 2D cameras being converted to 3D, there were two 3D cameras, behind first and third base. Check out the machine translated Japanese for the rest of the info, we'll wait to see what YES and FSN can do tomorrow.
NEC rolls out Windows CE-based N-08B MID / phone for Japan
The chances of this one ever making its way to these shores are about as slim as can be, but it looks like folks in Japan will soon be able to get their hands on NEC's new N-08B, which is part phone and part MID (but mostly MID). Relying on the venerable Windows CE operating system, this one packs a 4.6-inch, 854 x 480 display (non-touchscreen, it seems), along with a full QWERTY keyboard complete with a trackpoint-like pointer, WiFi and 3G connectivity, a micro SD card slot for expansion, a 3.1 megapixel camera, and a promised 350 minutes of talk time when used as a phone. Still no indication of a price, but this one will apparently be available on NTT DoCoMo in August.
Asus' EeePC 1003HAG equips WWAN, ventures forth on NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network
Following in the footsteps of past Eee PC's like the 901, ASUS' Japanese-bound 1003HAG boasts an internal wireless WAN module and supports NTT DoCoMo's FOMA network with 7.2Mbps on the downlink. For a more local connection, there's 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR. As for the rest of the hardware, it's pretty much netbook status quo: a 1-inch WSVGA screen, Intel Atom N280, 1GB RAM, integrated graphics, 160GB HDD, and an apparent 4.3-hour battery life. Price is 69,800 yen (US $722) and launch date is May 16th -- that should give you plenty of time to figure out if you want the black, white, or pink version.[Via Engadget Japan]
NTT DoCoMo's overheating BlackBerry Bold not caused by battery, says RIM
While RIM and Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo still don't know why their BlackBerry Bold is feeling a little toasty around the keyboard, the duo has ruled out a likely culprit, the battery, as its unwelcome heat source. Word on the street is an estimated 30 people have issued complaints about the mobile device heating up while recharging, with around 4,000 units being sold before DoCoMo halted sales. One analyst speculates the issue -- which so far has affected only Japan -- may be based on region-specific software of other customizations. We're sure the pair are working around the clock to get to the bottom of this malfunction, but in the meantime, we recommend dusting off the ol' 8707h to get that retro BlackBerry feel -- y'know, just for kicks.
NTT DoCoMo halts BlackBerry Bold sales after reports of overheating
It's apparently not quite the same fire hazard that the truth in advertising standard-bearer Quickfire is, but NTT DoCoMo doesn't seem to be taking any chances with its newly-launched BlackBerry Bold, with the Japanese carrier now suspending sales of the smartphone after some reports of it getting a bit too toasty for comfort. Apparently, some 30 users reported that the keyboard "heated up" while the phone was recharging, although it's not clear if that's due to the charger or the handset itself. For its part, RIM says that the issue "appears to be specifically limited to the BlackBerry Bold devices sold in Japan," and that expects to be able to fix the problem and resume sales of the Bold "shortly." In the meantime, stay frosty, Japan.[Via Yahoo! News / AFP]
NTT docomo and Sharp show projector phone at MWC
We had a brief peek at yest another pico projecting set at MWC, this time an NTT docomo Samsung affair without a name, price, or even a release date. Specs are as sketchy as these are usable in a brightly lit room, but the hopes are this device will be used for services like mobile TV, home theater (yeah, right), document editing, presentations, and video calling. We were enthused to see the mock ups (pictured above) of where the design of this device could go -- and we're hoping that by next year the bricks we've seen lately will be gone and sleek design will become the norm. We filmed a bit of it in action and honestly, we've seen TI's pico projector before and it doesn't seem to have changed significantly. Follow the link to see the media. %Gallery-45199%
NTT America talks up IPv6-based Hikari-TV IPTV at CES
It has been awhile since we've heard the term IPv6 thrown around over here, but NTT America is looking to put it back on everyone's radar in Vegas. The outfit is all set to discuss Hikari-TV, the first large scale, commercially successful IPTV over IPv6 service, at CES, and we can't wait to give it a listen. For those out of the loop, the Hikari-TV service -- which is operated by NTT Plala -- comprises 76 channels including a number of HD stations, over 10,000 video-on-demand titles and over 13,000 titles in its "karaoke" section. Worldwide, IPTV still has quite a ways to go before it becomes even half as pervasive as traditional coax, but Gartner estimates that worldwide subscriptions to IPTV should be close to 20 million already.
NTT Communications bringing WiFi to Japanese bullet trains in 2009
Remember that Type N700 train that became Japan's fastest in mid-2007? Yeah, well it's about to get a lot more fun to ride. Starting next year, passengers on the ultra-quick bullet trains will be able to hit up their favorite blogs and banter about aimlessly via email / IM at 270 kilometers per hour (that's 167 miles per hour for you Yanks). The service will reportedly be an extension of NTT Communications' HotSpot service, and we're told that download speeds should reach around 2Mbps. As for cost, the fees will be at the usual HotSpot rate, which runs from ¥500 ($5.73) per day to ¥1,680 ($19.25) per month, or in other words, rates you'll totally pay to stay connected on the brisk runs from Osaka to Tokyo.
NTT DoCoMo and Vertu team up on Vertu Club MVNO
Vertu's been eying the Japanese market for months on end now, but we had no idea it would really go diving in headfirst like this. Okay, so we actually did, but we did our best to just blot it out for fear of it coming true. Now, the deed has been done, and Vertu has selected NTT DoCoMo to "provide communication services to Vertu customers." The MVNO deal will launch in Q2 2009, and it'll flatteringly be called Vertu Club. Details of the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but we are told that Vertu will open its very first store in Japan (Ginza Flagship Store) in February. Hey, if Softbank can make it in the ultra high-end market, why can't these guys? [Warning: PDF read link][Via UnwiredView]
NTT DoCoMo reveals fall 2008 lineup: Bold, E71, 20 others
Hot on the heels of RIM's BlackBerry Bold finally hitting AT&T sales channels comes word that Japan's NTT DoCoMo has also joined in to offer the handset. As the Asian carriers dump their cornucopia of fall 2008 mobiles onto the world, this particular one is serving up 22, all divided into the STYLE, PRIME, SMART and PRO series. Naturally, the latter category piques our interest the most, as it hosts the Bold, Nokia E71, HTC Touch Pro (HT-01A), HTC Touch Diamond (HT-02A) and Sharp's decidedly handsome SH-04A. Feel free to have a look at the entire family (and their respective launch dates) just below in the read link.
NTT's energy-generating shoes spotted without any sign of style
For shame. We know good and well engineers can concoct energy-generating garb that actually looks good enough to wear, but evidently those fashion-minded gurus weren't hired for this project. Granted, we have all ideas the image you're quizzically staring at above is NTT's first go at a pair of power-packing sandals, but there's clearly a good ways to go before these things are cute / safe enough to wear on the streets. Might we suggest shoving all that hardware inside of something? The "all hanging out" look just isn't working here.[Via TokyoMango, image courtesy of AFP / Getty]
NTT says one of these days these boots are gonna charge your gadgets
Phone battery constantly dying as you wander from place to place, moving in and out of reception and leaving it straining to find a signal? You aren't alone, and if you're not the sort to wear a conductive dress (in public, at least) you may want to keep an eye out for some new kicks in the works from NTT. Their soles are filled with water, displaced as the wearer walks and forced through a tiny turbine. Current prototypes generate 1.2 watts of electricity, enough to power your iPod as you strut, but by the time these things hit production in 2010 the hope is to more than double that to 3 watts so that you can charge up your mobile, too. Sounds fantastic, but we're a little unsure about running wires down our pants to get that juice where we need it.
Fuji, NTT testing non-compressed HDTV video transmission at Olympics
Wireless HD is having a tough time catching on in the consumer market, but that doesn't mean that things are as dreary in the commercial realm. Fuji Television Network and NTT Corp. are testing out "non-compressed HDTV video transmission using a wireless technology based on the 120GHz milliwave band in live feeds from the Beijing Olympic Games." By utilizing the technology, the duo has demonstrated "simultaneous, wireless transmission of multiple HDTV video channels without delay," essentially enabling camera toting employees to capture footage from more places by being able to walk around untethered. Being able to record spontaneous outbursts from jubilant victors no matter where they are at the Games? Score.
Scent-emitting advertising trial sniffs out suckers in Japan
Apparently July is a hot month for ad trials in Japan, as just weeks after a number of 65-inch digital posters were installed in a Tokyo train station, in flies word that yet another consumer-luring installation is being tested. Recruit and NTT Communications are delivering Scent-emitting LCD Display Systems to an underground mall in the heart of Japan, each of which rely on a 42-inch LCD and a scent-sprayer that emits delightful odors to correspond with the on-screen imagery. The goal is to attract onlookers and get them to grab a nearby coupon book, but considering that the experiment shuts down on August 1st, you should probably get your nose down there in a hurry if you're looking to score some savings.
Nintendo brings DS wireless service to Japanese McDonald's
Stateside DS gamers can already get online using free WiFi at McDonald's, but now Nintendo's bringing a slightly different version of the service to Japanese McD's: customers can log in to get menu information and download free game demos. The service is being rolled out at 21 Tokyo-area restaurants with an assist from NTT, which also provides DS wireless service at Japanese train stations, so things should get lit up fairly smoothly. You'd better hurry if you want to join in on the fun, though: the test program ends on December 28th.
NTT floats a "Mobile Fragrance Communications" biscuit
The morning has only begun and already the first oddity has been unleashed in Japan. You're looking at NTT DoCoMo Communications "Mobile Fragrance Communications Kit" which is based on the same scent delivery technology NTT has already deployed into homes and movie theaters. Fragrance playlists are downloaded to your DoCoMo phone and then transmitted over Ir to the portable "aroma generator" pre-loaded with base fragrances. The scents are then unleashed into the room under the accompaniment of new-age MIDIs and animated GIFs we presume will include dancing pandas and Hello Kitty cats. Ugh. The pilot program runs from April 10th to the 20th and will undoubtably be a huge success in the land of the uprising robo-san.[Via Impress]
NTT DoCoMo's CTIA 2008 booth tour, hello Super 3G
NTT DoCoMo had a pretty lavish setup here at CTIA, though no new product caught our eye. However, they did have the results from the Super 3G / LTE shenanigans they've been up to in Japan, and the results show serious speed. They're touting Super 3G / LTE as 3.9G -- wow, that extra .4G seems to be making a huge diff -- with theoretical downlink and uplink speeds listed as 70Mbps and 300Mbps. Compared to current HSPA speeds this is a monstrous leap, can you say kiss your cable goodbye? Hit the gallery below for more pics.%Gallery-19778%
NTT DoCoMo's Mobile World Congress 2008 booth tour
Amid all the glittery stuff that is MWC, NTT DoCoMo has set up shop to show some of the stuff we will never have. Mobile gaming -- real gaming, not dodgy stuff -- mobile TV, waterproof sets, super-thin handsets, and a whole lot more was on display. After we wiped the silly grins off our faces, we remembered that pics were the order of the day so we took a good pile for your enjoyment. Follow the link for a whole gallery full of what we like to call: waytoomanythinhotclamshellstodealwith.%Gallery-15921%
Toshiba updates Gigabeat lineup from obscure to niche
There was a time not too long ago when Microsoft and Toshiba seemed poised to make the Gigabeat a household name. That all changed when Microsoft killed PMC and then blazed a manufacturing trail of its own with the second generation Zune. Nevertheless, Toshiba trudges on with enhancements to their Gigabeat U-, V-, and T-series of audio and video players. The ¥34,800 (about $327) V81 doubles the flash of its V41 to 8GB while tweaking the 1Seg recording capabilities. The ¥15,800 (about $149) U407 and U408 are just 4GB updates to their 1GB/2GB sibs while sporting an enhanced GUI. The ¥29,800 ($280) T802 (pictured) then, is just a T401 with double the flash (8GB) and new deal to make the wildly popular (in Japan) GyaO video service available for download from NTT hotspots around Japan. Right, the Japanese rough-equivalent of the domestic iPod, Starbucks, T-Mobile, and iTunes mashup. Well, at least you've got your HD DVD business to fall back on Toshiba. Oh... right.[Via Akihabara News]Read -- T802Read -- V81Read -- U407/U408
