Hideaki Asada bought his second radio-controlled helicopter in two months last week. The first one broke after his 8-year-old son, Keito, crashed the toy during landing.
Toys aren’t just for kids anymore in Japan
Category Archives: Technology
Casio to launch W-CDMA phones in Japan
Japan’s Casio Computer said it planned to launch W-CDMA cell phones in Japan sometime during the six months from October 2008 to March 2009, reaching out for a wider range of potential customers.
Japan may track defense officials with GPS phones
Japan’s government wants to use mobile phones with global positioning systems (GPS) — often used by parents to keep track of children — to keep tabs on senior defense officials, prompting ire from some of the bureaucrats.
Alien and robot on mission for Playstation 3
A fox-like alien and his robot sidekick on a mission to save the galaxy could also help save sales of Sony’s PlayStation 3, which has struggled to find a game so good that it gives people reason to buy the pricey console.
Nokia Internet push slips in music, gaming
Nokia’s move into Internet operations faced headwinds on Friday, as the cellphone maker postponed the start of its gaming service due to software testing delays, and Warner pulled its songs from Nokia’s music shop.
Microsoft sees Windows Vista growth phase underway
Microsoft’s Windows Vista is starting to see mass adoption from businesses nearly a year after it was released, the company said while predicting a strong first holiday season for the product.
“Simpsons” video game spoofs industry
In the latest antics of “The Simpsons,” Bart chases a giant ape through a video game factory, Lisa destroys a logging camp and Marge storms city hall with an angry mob.
Google plan sees phones by mid-2008
Web search leader Google is expected to announce advanced software and services enabling handset makers to bring Google-powered phones to market by mid-2008, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
“$100 laptop” hits $200
A computer developed for poor children around the world, dubbed “the $100 laptop,” has reached a milestone: Its price tag is now $200.
Mobile subscription services not yet phoning it in
Mobile phones were meant to revolutionize the subscription music business. But if that revolution were to be televised today, it would consist of nothing but dead air.
Coming soon: Windows on XO laptops
Microsoft Corp has made progress in getting its Windows software to work on a low-cost laptop computer for poor children that currently runs on rival Linux software, an executive said on Thursday.
Intel Opens First High-Volume 45nm Microprocessor Manufacturing Factory
Production of a new generation of microprocessors for PCs, laptops, servers and other computing devices officially began today inside of Intel Corporation’s first high-volume 45 nanometer (nm) manufacturing factory in Chandler, Ariz.
Activision poised to score with “Guitar Hero 3″
Activision is set to launch “Guitar Hero 3″ amid expectations that the latest installment of its music-themed franchise will be a platinum hit for the second-biggest U.S. video game publisher.
Intel to start “Penryn” production
Intel will start production this week at a new $3 billion factory in Arizona that is its first to mass-produce microchips with circuits almost a third smaller than before, the company said on Wednesday.
Hackers can divert Vonage calls: security firm
Hackers with a Vonage Holdings Corp phone subscriber’s name and telephone number could intercept Internet phone calls by exploiting a weakness in the system, a security firm said on Wednesday.
Government Web site offers energy savings tips
With U.S. consumers facing higher heating costs this winter, a new government Web site gives homeowners specific, customized recommendations on how to cut their energy use and save on utility bills.
Wii Sports sweeps board at Bafta game awards
A Nintendo computer game that allows players to practice their golf swing or fine-tune their tennis stroke in their living room has won six Bafta awards.
Laptop foundation production delay means shortage
A non-profit group developing a low-cost laptop for poor children said that a production delay would cause a shortage of computers available in the United States and Canada as part of a holiday giving program.
Blu-ray outsells HD-DVD in U.S. for first 9 months
Blu-ray DVD titles outsold rival HD-DVD titles by almost 2-to-1 in the first nine months of the year, but analysts expect additional HD-DVD support and new hit releases to “transform” the high-definition DVD battle score in the fourth quarter.
Nokia says content key in boosting cellphone use
Nokia, the world’s largest cellphone maker, sees content for the wireless Internet as key to snapping up more mobile phone users, including in emerging markets, the head of its key unit said on Tuesday.
RIM takes BlackBerry to China
Research In Motion has shipped the first of its BlackBerry smartphones to China and aims to start selling them later this year, a major breakthrough for the company in penetrating the huge Asian market.
Nokia welcomes Motorola back to Symbian camp
Nokia welcomed on Tuesday Motorola’s
Hitachi pulls out of home PCs
Hitachi said on Tuesday it is withdrawing from the home personal-computer business amid sluggish sales, the latest move by a Japanese electronics group to trim struggling operations.
Microsoft launches new family-oriented Xbox bundle
Microsoft said on Monday it is launching a reworked low-end version of its Xbox 360 in a bid to widen the game console’s appeal to a broader audience that has flocked to rival Nintendo’s Wii.
EA delays “Army of Two” to early 2008
Electronic Arts, the world’s biggest video game publisher, said on Monday it will delay “Army of Two” to early next year, saying it needed more time to polish the military combat game.