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Researchers slow light to a "crawl," photonic computers imminent
While other divisions of NTT are trying to rev up data transmission rates as high as possible, others are trying to slow down the speed of light. This might seem like a Sisyphean task, but those Japanese scientists have done it -- researchers from the telco giant have just published a paper in the January edition of Nature Photonics showing that by using synthetic "photonic crystals," light can be slowed to 5.8 kilometers per second (it normally goes at about 300,000 kilometers per second). We ought to point out, though, that this isn't the first time that light has been slowed down so much, with a team at Harvard achieving the task last year by using ultra-cold Bose-Einstein condensates, and another study at Harvard showed in 2003 that light could be slowed all the way to 38 mph. Still, all of this research is another step forward in "photonic computing," which aims to use trapped light to usurp more traditional electron storage in traditional computer logic. We're sure that once this technology gets transferred to consumer-grade laptops (like, say in 2020), we'll be able to render 12-dimensional shapes in no time at all. [Image courtesy The Economist]Read - The RegisterRead - TechworldRead - New Scientist
Epson cranks out "world's smallest" GPS module
Apparently Epson is hoping that small is in, as the firm is pumping out yet another "world's smallest" object, and this time it's a wee-sized GPS module. Crafted specifically for tiny applications like mobile handsets, the S4E19863 measures just 7- x 6- x 1.28-millimeters and purportedly holds the title for "world's smallest GPS chip." Already available in NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 903i series, Epson has begun shipping these things in bulk, hoping to add GPS functionality to other miniscule handsets as well. Built to receive even the faintest signals indoors and out, the chip also boasts "3GPP-compliant positioning modes (MS-Based, MS-Assisted and Autonomous)" to offer greater compatibility across the board. Plus, we bet it's just a matter of time before these tiny positioning modules are up and running in some streamlined dog collar for the "anxious pet owner" crowd.[Via Far East Gizmos]
NTT DoCoMo recalling 1.3 million Sanyo batteries
Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse, and we actually believed (ever so slightly, mind you) that these battery recalls had reached their end, here's another 1.3 million that are being returned to sender. Japanese mobile giant NTT DoCoMo has recalled 1.3 million Sanyo-derived batteries due to multiple reports of the Li-ion cells generating "excessive heat" and causing "ruptures" in some instances. The batteries are reportedly found in claims made by Sony, but doesn't exactly provide for happy holidays when you consider that the company actually lost users (17,500 to be exactly) overall last month, which hasn't happened since the firm opened in July 1992.[Thanks, kaztm]
Panasonic EB-M70083 headphones bring your music to your headset
It appears only certan handsets will work with the EB-M80093 -- Japan's newest Bluetooth headphones / headset combo -- namely the NTT P902i, P902iS and P903i. But assuming you have one, the EB-M70083 will last for 4.5 hours of music playback or six hours of talk time and will fully charge in 2.5. Of course, we're still a little wary of wearing steal me white iPod-esque headphones that also somehow seem to smack of stethscopic design, but hey we've seen weirder headphones from over there before. Available December 1st in Japan for ¥6,825 ($59).[Via AV Watch]
NTT sets new data transmission record of 14 terabits per second
Remember back in May when we told you about the latest data transmission record of 2.56 terabits per second? Well, consider that yesterday's technology, because Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) just decimated it by announcing a successful new bandwidth record of 14 terabits per second over 160 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) of fiber optic cable. We still think that someone needs to do some research on why Japan always gets the coolest stuff fastest -- not to mention how they get the fastest stuff first.
HTC builds Hermes-like "Z" for NTT DoCoMo
When you're trying to console yourself after perusing NTT DoCoMo's extraordinary lineup of hotness, it looks like the "at least we're getting the Hermes" argument no longer holds much water. HTC and NTT DoCoMo have teamed up to put together the "HTC Z," a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC with rather obvious Hermes roots. The FOMA-compliant handset shares all of the Hermes' critical stats -- right down to the secondary cam for video calling -- and sports a Japanese cut of Windows Mobile to make things easy on the home crowd. Okay, so maybe you're thinking "at least we get our Hermes first." Not even: the Z allegedly drops in late July, so unless you're one of the lucky few, it looks like NTT's got you beat every which way. Typical.
Mitsubishi's Symbian-powered D702iBCL for NTT DoCoMo
Fashion phones not your cup of tea? Looking for something a little more business oriented perhaps? NTT DoCoMo has you covered with their D702iBCL FOMA smartphone, brought to you by the good folks at Mitsubishi. The D702iBCL sports NTT's MOAP (Moblie Oriented Applications Platform) UI sitting atop Symbian 8.1 along with a QVGA display, all while coming in at a relatively sprightly 130 x 47 x 16.8mm and 97g. A camera is conspicuously missing, but being that this is a business phone, that's just as well.
NTT DoCoMo adds six to endless array of FOMA choices
NTT DoCoMo -- in an apparent bid to not just out-do, but humiliate the rest of the world's carriers -- has dropped yet another six 3G flips on its home crowd. The new handsets are part of NTT's "7 Series" of fashion-oriented phones, and include entries from Mitsubishi, Panasonic, NEC, Motorola, and Sharp. Moto has actually contributed two models here, one in the V3x vein and the other apparently a let's-see-how-long-we-can-milk-this port of the original V3. All six of the phones support the typical i-mode goodness, FOMA, video calling, and an array of functions that sound like science fiction to the non-Japanese among us.
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.
Japanese movie theaters to get Internet-controlled "Smell-O-Vision"
In yet another gimmicky attempt to revitalize sagging box office sales, NTT Communications Corp will be installing fragrance-releasing equipment (think: giant Glade Plug-Ins) in several Japanese theaters that mixes different herbs and oils to create aromas that supposedly enhance key on-screen plot elements. According to Kyodo News, NTT "will use the Internet" to synchronize the scent generators -- which are located under what we assume to be more-pricey "aroma premium seats" -- during seven scenes of the multi-theater April 22nd premier. Colin Farrell lovers will be pleased to learn that the first movie to get this 21st century "Smell-O-Vision" treatment is the actor's 2005 film, 'The New World," whose tale of love between Pilgrims and Native Americans will no doubt result in a heavy odor of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie lingering in the theaters for weeks.
Super Bowl XL in Japan via IPTV
If you missed the big game, you probably also missed the rebroadcast in Japan courtesy of NTV and NTT. The two companies shot a 70Mbps HD stream of the game across the Internet for a tape delayed broadcast at midnight on Monday. The high-definition IPTV program was available to Japanese consumers over NTV's digital terrestrial channel to demonstrate the process. NTT implemented their Global Super Link last year to help propel high-def video around the planet, but it's not yet in widespread usage. These types of demos likely strike fear in the hearts of DIRECTV and DISH Network, since it's much easier and cost-effective to expand your network here on Earth than it is 26,000 miles in space.
