Akihabara is home to some rather unorthodox wares, but Japan's certainly seen it's fair share of ion generators over the years. Though, we have to say -- we've yet to see or hear of one with a name this good. Sharp's IG-CM1 is better known as the Plasmacluster Ion Generator (or Virus Buster, if you will), and so far as we can tell, it's a portable Ionic Breeze. In other words, this thing somehow cleans the air around the owner and rejuvenates their skin, and when the day's done, it'll recharge over USB. We know, it's all you can do to stifle that chuckle, but Sharp's clearly pretty serious about this thing. You know, judging by that stratospheric ¥17,950 ($210) price tag.Sharp's Plasmacluster Ion Generator: refreshes skin, won't eradicate enemies originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink UberGizmo, Technabob | Geek Stuff 4 U, Nikkei | Email this | Comments
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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.Continue reading NTT's next-gen digital kiosk selects appropriate content with webcam, razzmatazzNTT's next-gen digital kiosk selects appropriate content with webcam, razzmatazz originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | CrunchGear | Email this | Comments
Review: Golla Gavin Phone Wallet
The Golla Gavin Phone Wallet for your Sprint Evo 4G lets you carry your phone and other essentials with you conveniently in style at your hip right where you need it. For a phone as beautiful as the Evo, I hate to put a case on it, so keeping it protected safely in a pouch is perfect for me. As an added benefit, a phone as large as the Evo completely takes over any pocket you put it in, so this gives you a pocket back as well as adding a few storage slots for the other things you need with you at all times. Hit the break for the full review.
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Google TV demoed on video -- Google Chrome on board, slick search capabilities
Filed under: Video, Google
Over at StuffWeLike they've posted a video gem from Comic Con 2010 (of all places) of Google TV being demoed to attendees. Comic Con? Hey, a demo's a demo -- who are we to argue?
What you'll see in the video after the break is darn near a geek's TV dream come true. Apart from adding super-slick search abilities to your DIRECTV receiver (Google TV can search everything from the program guide to your PVR stash), there's Google Chrome -- front and center on the apps menu.
Since Chrome is on board, you'll be able to enjoy the same Web content you do on your computer. That also means anything which runs on the "Chrome platform" -- extensions and the Web Store's upcoming assortment of apps and games -- should also work. While they're not demoed, it's interesting to see Netflix and Pandora apps on the menu as well.
It's an interesting look at what Google TV is all about. Check out the video and share your impressions in the comments!Google TV demoed on video -- Google Chrome on board, slick search capabilities originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Over at StuffWeLike they've posted a video gem from Comic Con 2010 (of all places) of Google TV being demoed to attendees. Comic Con? Hey, a demo's a demo -- who are we to argue?
What you'll see in the video after the break is darn near a geek's TV dream come true. Apart from adding super-slick search abilities to your DIRECTV receiver (Google TV can search everything from the program guide to your PVR stash), there's Google Chrome -- front and center on the apps menu.
Since Chrome is on board, you'll be able to enjoy the same Web content you do on your computer. That also means anything which runs on the "Chrome platform" -- extensions and the Web Store's upcoming assortment of apps and games -- should also work. While they're not demoed, it's interesting to see Netflix and Pandora apps on the menu as well.
It's an interesting look at what Google TV is all about. Check out the video and share your impressions in the comments!Google TV demoed on video -- Google Chrome on board, slick search capabilities originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
MICRON TECHNOLOGY MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY METHODE ELECTRONICS MENTOR GRAPHICS
Microsoft Attacks Yahoo Japan's Google Deal
It's on like "Donkey Kong," as the kids say.
Days after Microsoft's lead attorney opened fire (rhetorically speaking) on Yahoo Japan's selection of Google for its search and search ad technology, Microsoft announced it would take more concrete steps to scuttle the deal.
"We plan to present evidence to the Japanese FTC explaining why we believe that this deal is substantially more harmful to competition than Google's deal with Yahoo in 2008 that the U.S. Dept. of Justice found to be illegal," a Microsoft spokesperson told eWEEK in an e-mail July 30.
In a July 27 statement e-mailed to eWEEK, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith argued that the Yahoo Japan deal "gives Google virtually 100 percent of all searches in Japan, both paid and unpaid." For its part, Yahoo Japan has insisted that Google's Japanese-language services currently outpace those of Microsoft.
Bing currently powers Yahoo's back-end search in 59 countries, and Microsoft no doubt hopes that the major components of its search-and-advertising deal with the Web portal company--which will see Bing power search for all of Yahoo's online properties, while Yahoo takes over worldwide sales force duties for both companies' search advertisers--will be in place by the end of 2010.
But Yahoo only owns 35 percent of Yahoo Japan (according to Bloomberg), meaning the subsidiary can choose its vendors without mother-ship interference. Now, ordinarily, I'd caveat that statement with "in theory," but Yahoo Japan CEO Masahiro Inoue seems determined to go his own road on this one; if the U.S. Yahoo tried to apply leverage before this situation erupted, it evidently didn't work.
As I mentioned in my previous post on this, the brouhaha suggests that Microsoft may face a decidedly heavy battle in some markets as it tries to expand Bing's international reach. The latest twist suggests that Microsoft is willing to use the tools at its disposal, including an army of lawyers, to make that happen; it'll be interesting to see what happens when Redmond tries to face down an opponent with equally substantive cash flow and leverage.
Days after Microsoft's lead attorney opened fire (rhetorically speaking) on Yahoo Japan's selection of Google for its search and search ad technology, Microsoft announced it would take more concrete steps to scuttle the deal.
"We plan to present evidence to the Japanese FTC explaining why we believe that this deal is substantially more harmful to competition than Google's deal with Yahoo in 2008 that the U.S. Dept. of Justice found to be illegal," a Microsoft spokesperson told eWEEK in an e-mail July 30.
In a July 27 statement e-mailed to eWEEK, Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith argued that the Yahoo Japan deal "gives Google virtually 100 percent of all searches in Japan, both paid and unpaid." For its part, Yahoo Japan has insisted that Google's Japanese-language services currently outpace those of Microsoft.
Bing currently powers Yahoo's back-end search in 59 countries, and Microsoft no doubt hopes that the major components of its search-and-advertising deal with the Web portal company--which will see Bing power search for all of Yahoo's online properties, while Yahoo takes over worldwide sales force duties for both companies' search advertisers--will be in place by the end of 2010.
But Yahoo only owns 35 percent of Yahoo Japan (according to Bloomberg), meaning the subsidiary can choose its vendors without mother-ship interference. Now, ordinarily, I'd caveat that statement with "in theory," but Yahoo Japan CEO Masahiro Inoue seems determined to go his own road on this one; if the U.S. Yahoo tried to apply leverage before this situation erupted, it evidently didn't work.
As I mentioned in my previous post on this, the brouhaha suggests that Microsoft may face a decidedly heavy battle in some markets as it tries to expand Bing's international reach. The latest twist suggests that Microsoft is willing to use the tools at its disposal, including an army of lawyers, to make that happen; it'll be interesting to see what happens when Redmond tries to face down an opponent with equally substantive cash flow and leverage.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Android Quick App: Worldmate
I might have just found my perfect Android travel app. Worldmate is now in beta for Android, and it pretty much combines every feature I need in an app to keep me pointed in the right direction while on the road. You'll start by either signing in or signing up with Worldmate, which was painless enough. Then you sign into the app and are greeted by the screen you see above. Let's work our way down. My trips: There's no manually inputting flights here. Like with some other travel apps, you'll e-mail your itinerary-- flights, hotel, etc. -- to Worldmate, which snags the details and forwards them to your phone. Once it's there, you have flight info, maps, ticket info, weather, the works. You can share your trips and get reminders all on your phone.Book a hotel: Just like it sounds. Book a hotel from your phone through Hotels.com.Weather forecast: Get the weather in your city, cities you're slated to visit, or search for a city's weather.Currency converter: Figure out how much something costs between dozens of currencies.Travel notification: Customize your notifications.For me, it comes down to a few things: The ability to upload entire itineraries at once, maps, weather and flight info -- and the all-important confirmation number -- all in once place. I'm going to have to use this on the road to give it final judgment. But the early verdict is that, at least for me, it combines the right info with enough UI juice to keep me up to date but not overwhelmed. Check out more screen shots after the break, and get your beta copy now. [Worldmate]
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Posted originally at Android CentralSponsored by Android Cases and Accessories
Toshiba Smart Pad imagery emerges, claims to be the real deal
Technically speaking, we already know what Toshiba's Smart Pad will look like. It was waved around in Australia briefly, and these shots seem to match it perfectly, but corroboration for their validity is otherwise light on the ground. Should you opt to trust them, after the break you'll find visual confirmation for the HDMI and USB ports already promised by Toshiba, along with a memory card reader and a pleasingly slender profile. The four touch buttons on its right side just scream Android as the operating system, and the whole thing again reminds us of the Compal tablet we saw back at CES and subsequently accused of being a Toshiba-in-waiting. Notebook Italia expects this bad boy to step out of the shadows properly at IFA this year, and we already know Toshiba is cranking hard on bringing us a tablet of some description by the end of October. Fun times ahead, eh?Continue reading Toshiba Smart Pad imagery emerges, claims to be the real dealToshiba Smart Pad imagery emerges, claims to be the real deal originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Notebook Italia | Email this | Comments
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