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eneloop music booster: Sanyo’s battery charger for music devices »
Even though it’s now a Panasonic subsidiary , Sanyo lives on as its own brand. And one of the major reasons Panasonic bought the company is its “green” image, mainly achieved through selling products under the “eneloop” sub-brand . The latest of these products, the so-called eneloop music booster , was announced today. It’s a rechargeable DC 9V battery unit specifically designed for music devices. Sanyo is marketing the product as a long-lasting 9V power source for effects units, amps, graphic equalizers, and multi-track recorders. These devices are usually powered by an AC adapter or a 9V dry-cell battery, both of which might not be available or run out at, say, a concert. Sanyo claims their lithium-ion eneloop battery (3.7 V, 7.35 Ah) can be used in locations without electricity to power those devices for hours. The maximum output is 2,000mA. The standard usage times depend on what device is being used with the eneloop booster. They can be as high as 50 hours for analog effects units or as low as for electronic drums. But in any case, the booster can save musicians in “emergency” situations in which AC adapters won’t work or if there aren’t enough 9V dry batteries around. It takes 3.5 hours to fully charge the Sanyo battery. The eneloop music booster will go on sale (in Japan first) on March 4, 2010. It will cost $110.
PyramidTalk: Seiko updates their cult clocks from the 1980s »
Some of the older CrunchGear readers will surely remember the PyramidTalk, a clock that verbally announced the time and other information. Seiko started selling the clock in 1984, and it turned out to be a big worldwide hit, with sales ballooning to 200,000 units per year at its peak. And now, just in time for Christmas, consumers (in Japan, at least) can lay their hands on an updated version [JP]. The device is about 8cm tall, 10cm square and weighs 260g. Press the apex of the PyramidTalk once to hear what time it is and to see a blue LED lighting up (see picture below). Press it twice and the radio wave clock will verbally tell you the date, current temperature and humidity (in either Japanese or English). Needless to say, the PyramidTalk also serves as an alarm clock. The clock is already available in Japan (in gold or white) where it costs $120. If you’re interested in getting one, I’d suggest you contact import/export specialists Japan Trend Shop , Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya (Seiko itself hasn’t made an announcement yet concerning markets outside Japan).
How many times do you have to be burned by BlackBerry to consider your options? »
What’s the phrase? Oh, yeah: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. BlackBerry went down yesterday across North and South America. Users couldn’t send or receive e-mail, and some complained that they couldn’t connect to the Internet. It’s the second time in a week that BlackBerry has failed. Considering how important the service is to some people—I dare you to go to Wall Street and not see everyone using the device—you really do wonder: how long will people tolerate this shoddy service? It also raises the related question of, How wise is it to rely on “the cloud” to host all of your important data? Surely you wouldn’t leave “mission critical” information in the hands of someone else, someone who’s unsettling opaque when it comes to explaining outages?
Sharp develops efficient solar cells for use in outer space »
Earlier this year, we reported twice about Japan’s serious plans to go to outer space to generate solar energy and then beam it back to Mother Earth. And today, Sharp has shown the first solar cell that’s not only bendable (we’ve seen that before ) but that also withstands conditions in space. In addition, the company says those cells boast a record-high solar efficiency of 36%. The compound solar cells can not only be bent if needed but even folded. They are less than 20 microns thick and are made by stacking up single crystals of indium gallium, gallium arsenide and indium gallium arsenide. These single-crystal layers are grown on solid substrates before transferring them onto a flexible film base. As a result, the solar cells feature extreme flexibility material-wise. There’s only a prototype available at this point (sorry for the small picture), but Sharp is working on getting a practical version ready in 2012. The solar cells can then be used for equipping satellites and other space applications. Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]
Meet Nippon Institute of Technology’s cool humanoid (video) »
It’s another humanoid from Japan, it doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s pretty cool: This new robot [JP] is the result of a collaboration between various Japanese companies and institutions, namely the Nippon Institute of Technology , Harada Vehicle Design [JP], ZMP and ZNUG Design . Based technically on ZMP’s Nuvo robot , it stands 1.26m tall and weighs 15kg. He’s powered by a lithium ion battery and has 21 joints (three in his head, six in each leg and three in each arm). There’s also a camera, a gyro sensor, an accelerometer, a distance sensor, an infrared sensor and a pyroelectric sensor in his body. Pretty unusual even for such an advanced robot: He also has a fully functional video projector in his body. Needless to say, the Megaman-lookalike can “hear” and “speak”, too. Software-wise, the humanoid is powered by Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio . It can be remote-controlled by users via Wi-Fi. The main purpose of the humanoid is to send it to schools so that children can learn about robotics through a real, finished product. But the little guy isn’t a prototype that’s limited to educational institutions: You can actually buy him for $77,000. This video shows him in action: Via Robot Watch [JP]
PSA: Double check your ‘guaranteed Christmas delivery’ online orders »
A tale of holiday woe for your enjoyment. I just logged into my BestBuy.com account to make sure that the gift I ordered for someone on my list would indeed arrive by Christmas. It will not. Could be Best Buy’s fault, could be UPS’ fault – either way, the train went off the tracks. My predicament, in pictures:
LifeBook MH380: Fujitsu’s new netbook with Pine Trail processor »
Intel’s Pine Trail Atom processor (1.66 GHz Atom N450/unveiled earlier this year ) is one of the key elements in the LifeBook MH380 , Fujitsu’s latest netbook. The MH380 has a 10.1-inch glossy LCD screen with LED backlight, 200nits brightness and no less than 1,366
GR DIGITAL III × STUSSY: Ricoh unveils limited edition point-and-shoot camera »
It’s Stussy ’s 30th birthday next year, and for some strange reason the fashion company collaborated with Japanese electronics maker Ricoh to celebrate the occasion in the form of a Stussy-branded digital camera [JP]. Technically, Ricoh didn’t change anything in the GR DIGITAL III the Stussy camera is based on (and which was released in August this year), meaning the new exterior design will most likely attract hardcore Stussy fans or camera collectors only. Spec-wise you still have a 10MP 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor, a 28 mm/F1.9 “GR” lens, 4x digital zoom, ISO sensitivity between 64 and 1,600, a 3-inch LCD display and SD/SDHC/ USB ports. Ricoh replaced the original fonts on the camera with Stussy style fonts and added royal blue as a new color on several buttons and the cap. You can see the camera in its original form below. The Stussy camera will go on sale in Japan in February 2010 (when the fashion brand becomes 30 years old) and will cost $1,100. It’s limited to 500 units only. If you’re interested in getting one, i’d suggest you contact import/export specialists Japan Trend Shop , Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya .
The “Motorized Knee” makes your runnning 30% more efficient »
The researchers at Japan’s Tsukuba University seem to be particularly active when it comes to enhancing human body functions. This is the institution where the famous robot suit HAL-5 was developed and now we have another invention that can help boost the efficiency of our bodies – if that’s what we want and need, that is. A research team at said university has constructed a “motorized knee”, which is actually a kit that – once it’s attached to a person’s body – supports the flexing of the knee. As a result, the runner may use 30% less of the muscle power that is needed to run unassisted. In experiments, runners could jog at 7.5km per hour wearing the kit, which is about 5kg heavy. So in other words, this isn’t an elegant solution (yet). The kit consists of a motorized device that needs to be attached and a control unit that needs to be carried in a backpack. According to the researchers their motorized knee isn’t designed for the physically handicapped but is supposed to support people that want to run in a more efficient way. The kit is expected to be commercialized within the next three years. The research team says it’s significantly smaller and lighter than similar devices that are already on the market (all of which are designed to help physically handicapped walk). Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]
CrunchGear visits Thanko’s new USB flagship store in Akihabara (photo report) »
USB-powered neckties , slippers , boob warmers , spy button cameras and tons of other ludicrous stuff : Thanko [JP], Japan’s (and possibly the world’s) most notorious maker of USB gadgets (most of which nobody really needs) never disappoints in the silliness department. The company closed their English online store just last month but continues to impress business-wise by opening a new flagship store right in the heart of Akihabara. Thanko opened the new store on the Chuuo Doori , the busiest street in Akihabara, and probably has to pay a lot rent for this prime location. I really wonder how they can afford it but OK. When I visited their other store in Akihabara back in April , I was kind of disappointed by its size and messy look and feel. In total, Thanko operates three brick-and-mortar stores, all of which are located in Akihabara. The new store is bigger than the others and it’s a tad prettier, too (probably because it’s new). I don’t hesitate to recommend to anyone with a penchant for silly gadgets to check the Thanko stores out when coming to Akihabara. The prices are lower than in their Japanese online store by the way. Here’s a map (in Japanese). More pictures: