Hasta La Gadget!

Have you ever tried to read a Japanese menu? If there aren’t pictures to reference, you’ll likely have a difficult time figuring out what to order — unless you can read Japanese, of course. NTT DoCoMo hopes to improve the dining experience for those of us that can’t tell our ウニ (sea urchin) from our カニ (crab), building an app that can translate any of 9,000 possible menu entries from Japanese into English. It also supports English to Japanese translation, along with Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and Korean translations as well. The app worked fairly well, occasionally mistaking things like salmon caviar for “a rare part of the pork.” OK, so perhaps there’s a bit more work to be done. Either way, real-time visual language translation is definitely tricky stuff, and could be enormously helpful to travelers once devs figure out how to make it work — and work well. Jump past the break to see the app do its thing at CEATEC.

Continue reading NTT DoCoMo menu translator app hands-on (video)

NTT DoCoMo menu translator app hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In addition to the already announced Fujitsu-Toshiba Arrows Z, HTC Evo 3D and Motorola Photon, Japanese carrier KDDI has now also confirmed a trio of new handsets. There’s plenty of similarities; they’re all Android, all waterproof and are each packing an eight megapixel camera. Kyocera’s Digno is a slimline offering available in three different colors, and puts some of Kyocera’s US offerings to shame looks-wise. Sharp’s AQUOS IS13SH has an IPS-rivalling ASV display, whilst the NEC’s Medias BR IS11 will arrive in a choice of pink, white and blue. Sadly, there’s still no sign of that mythical iPhone from KDDI. Check out the links below for all the full-fat details.

KDDI launches latest line of skinny big-screened smartphones for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not that Sony’s PlayStation 3 hasn’t been touched by Midas before, but this is the first time we’ve seen the new(ish) form factor doused in such official fashion. Per usual, it’ll be the homeland that’s treated to the NINOKUNI Magical Edition PS3 console, a decidedly wizard-approved bundle that’ll include a copy of Ni No Kuni. The only edition available will boast a 160GB hard drive, a single Dual Shock controller and a glorious icon on the lower-left of the machine. It’ll be available in Japan this November for ¥33,780 ($440), but only in “limited quantities.” So much for magic that lasts forever, huh?

Sony’s golden NINOKUNI ‘Magical Edition’ PlayStation 3 heads for Japan, Criss Angel’s mind originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Japan, a certain hallowed distinction has been garnered by all ephemera cute and pretty. So, it goes without saying that this pair of oblong flip phones, with their familiar animated sponsors, should have the Harajuku hordes rushing in with charm straps at the ready. For its particular crack at kawaii, Panasonic’s P-06C gets an understated splash of Snoopy cool, visible only through two available built-in themes. The clamshell entry comes with a 3-inch display, 5.1 megapixel camera and retails for about 28,560 yen (or $375). But, let’s face it folks, the real stunner of the two is the Softbank-designed model Ms. Kitty-chan adorns. The Antique Berry-shaded 007SH KT packs a 3.4-inch display, 16.1 megapixel camera and Android 2.3 into a 180 degree foldable handset, and can be yours when it goes on sale next month. Be sure to jump past the break for a double dose of this wireless adorability.

Continue reading Hello Kitty, Snoopy lend their brand equity to the cute clamshell phone cause

Hello Kitty, Snoopy lend their brand equity to the cute clamshell phone cause originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you live in Japan and are looking to lower your household electricity bill, you might have to empty your bank account first. Sharp recently introduced its new line of ELM-branded LED ceiling lights and the highly energy-efficient, square-shaped bulbs won’t come cheap — retailing between 35,000 yen (about $456) and 55,000 yen (about $717). Pulling inspiration from the LEDs used in LCD televisions, the company was able to achieve an industry-leading 81.3 lumens per watt for the smallest of its three designs, and an average life of 40,000 hours for the entire lot . The energy-sipping set of overhead bulbs come housed in an insectproof shell, offering over 100-plus ambient light settings, controllable via remote. You can snag these utility-friendly lights on August 27th, just don’t complain at the checkout when you see the price — we warned you. Peep the video explanation after the break.

Continue reading Sharp’s energy-efficient LED ceiling lights are hip to be square

Sharp’s energy-efficient LED ceiling lights are hip to be square originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 05:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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