June 1, 2008 - June 7, 2008 - Fareastgizmos.com

Sharp Residential Photovoltaic Modules achieves World’s No.1 module conversion efficiency of 14.4%

Sharp Corporation has developed a polycrystalline photovoltaic module (peaked-roof/ flat-roof model: ND-191AV) that achieves the industry’s No.1 module conversion efficiency of 14.4%. This module also features an installation capacity that is an average of 1.5 times greater than previous modules due to the strengthening of wind pressure resistance. A total of five new fiscal 2008 residential models for Japan will be released. The five new models will incorporate a newly developed highly efficient cell that reduces the loss in power collection by increasing the number of main electrodes from two to three, and increases the light receiving area by making the electrodes thinner.

June 6, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

STMicroelectronics Image Signal Processor for mobile phones delivers exceptional quality images

STMicroelectronics has introduced a new high-performance, stand-alone Image Signal Processor with dual-camera support that brings DSC-like performance to mobile imaging applications. Capable of controlling the entire imaging subsystem in a mobile phone, ST’s newest digital image processor supports a wide range of camera modules including SMIA-compatible (Standard Mobile Imaging Architecture) sensors with up to 5-megapixel resolution. The advanced processing algorithms enable the STv0986 to deliver images of exceptional quality. The image signal processor supports special image-orientation effects such us mirroring, flip and rotation, as well as color features including sepia (brown-shade) and black & white.

June 6, 2008 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

Toyota FCHV-adv Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle can travel approximately 830km on a single fueling!

Toyota announced today that it has developed a fuel cell hybrid vehicle equipped with the newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack. The Toyota FCHV-adv acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on June 3. The Toyota FCHV-adv's fuel cell system was enhanced to further improve cruising distance and low-temperature starts, which had presented obstacles to widespread fuel cell vehicle use. Toyota FCHV-adv can start and operate in cold regions at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, meaning the vehicle can be used in a wider variety of conditions and climates.

Press Release after the Jump

June 6, 2008 | Related Entries - Transport

Real-time viewer interaction TV show using mobile phones to air in Japan

Japan's major terrestrial TV station TV Asahi and Hong Kong based Artificial Life, today announced the launch of a one hour interactive mobile participation TV show with the Japanese title: "Hoshi-ichi owarairyoku test" scheduled to air late night of June 14th, 2008. Legions of mobile users will be represented on-screen, live in real time as custom 3D avatars on a system that can apparently scale to animate 100,000 concurrent identities, will participate in the contest. The Japanese celebrity, Kendo Kobayashi, will host the pilot show and guide television viewers through the innovative one hour game show format.

Press Release after the Jump

June 6, 2008 |

World’s most expensive watermelon sold for US$6,100 in Japan

The 8-kilogram premium "Densuke" watermelon, grown only on the northern island of Hokkaido was auctioned in northern Japan for a record 650,000 yen (US$6,100) today, making it the most expensive watermelon ever sold in the country -- and possibly the world. The black jumbo watermelon was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture. In a country where melons are a luxury item commonly given as gifts, the watermelon's hefty price tag follows another jaw-dropping auction last month, where a pair of "Yubari" cantaloupe melons sold for a record 2.5 million yen (US$23,500).

June 6, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

SMK prototype No Battery Remote Control!

SMK a leading remote control manufacturer, prototyped a TV remote control shaped like a water gun that eliminates the need for a battery. The channels, volume control and On/Off power switch is controlled by operating the trigger. The remote control incorporates an electromagnetic induction coil, high speed rotation gears, a power circuit, an infrared light emitting unit, etc. When the user pulls the trigger on the remote control, the coil rotates at a high speed by means of the built-in gears. The electromagnetic induction of the coil generates power to perform smoothing and other processing in the power circuit before turning on the LED. The coil momentarily generates a current of approximately 20-30mA, which can transmit signals between several meters via infrared light.

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - Other Stuff

Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1010 digital movie camera

The light-weight Full HD Xacti digital movie camera DMX-HD1010 from Sanyo is packed with advanced and improved features for even more beautiful video and still recording, simple playback and storage with the ‘Xacti Library’ through intuitive menus and functions. The Sanyo Xacti DMX-HD1010 with 2.7 inch, Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD display with 7 level brightness adjustments uses SD /SDHC Memory Card for recording (up to 32GB). Other features include-10x optical zoom, built in stereo microphone and mono speaker and built in neutral density filter.

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - Digital Cameras

Go Swimming with Thanko waterproof MP3 player

ust like there is a need for USB slippers you would want a waterproof MP3 player as well. You can catch with your favorite tracks while bathing and even swimming as the MP3 player is waterproof upto 10 meters. It has 1GB of onboard memory, lacks a display and has just two buttons for adjusting the volume and changing tracks. The unit charges via USB and a 60 minute charge gives enough juice for 7 hours of continuous playback.

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - MP3

AU Optronics Unveils world’s first 21.5-inch 1080p Full HD resolution panel

AU Optronics today announces a full range of 16:9 LCD panels for information technology display applications, among which the world’s first 21.5-inch 1080p Full HD resolution panel for desktop grabs the spotlight. To meet the fast growing trend of digital contents, AUO launches 16:9 widescreen series including 4 MoniTV LCD panels: 24-inch Full HD, 21.5-inch Full HD, 18.5-inch and 15-inch, as well as 2 LED notebook PC LCD panels: 15.6-inch and 14-inch. Among the desktop application lineup, the 21.5-inch Full HD model is the smallest of all AUO’s Full HD products. Its excellent specifications of 1080p Full HD high resolution, 1000:1 high contrast and 5ms fast response time can fulfill the requirements for running digital contents. This 21.5-inch TFT-LCD is perfect for students as an entry model to Full HD LCD monitors.

Press Release after the Jump

June 5, 2008 |

AUO Unveils World’s First Convex Curved Display

AU Optronics today announced the world’s first Convex Curved Display after showcasing: the world’s first Concave Curved Display at SID 2008 in May. The curved radius is 100mm with TFT-LCD process on glass substrate. Therefore it requires a special thinning technology. The specially designed curved backlight unit maintains uniformity in brightness and contrast on the convex curved surface. Unlike the existing e-paper on a flexible substrate, AUO’s new convex curved display technology can bring TFT-LCD technology up to the greater level in terms of color performance and image quality.

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - Media Devices

Asus launches World’s first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card

Asus today announces the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card – the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor – providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment. The Xonar HDAV 1.3 features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification.

Press Release after the Jump

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - Computing

SoftBank launches handsets for Japanese women who want to write email while bathing

SoftBank Japan, announced 12 handsets for the summer sales season on June 3, 2008. All 12 handsets support 1seg broadcasts. Eight models feature designs and display modes targeted at female users. SoftBank conducted a survey on functions that women were seeking. From the survey the request for waterproof function was higher than any other functions including 1seg and GPS as many women wanted to write email while bathing. Keeping this fact in mind SoftBank has launched two waterproof models targeting women. The two models launched are- Worlds slimmest 15.3mm-thick waterproof 1seg Premium Waterproof 824SH handset from Sharp and a large 3.0-inch display Panasonic Tropical 823P.

Other female oriented handsets included Sharp’s Pantone Slide 825SH slide handset, NEC Corp's 821N, which features illumination on the back surface, Panasonic's Mirror II 824P, which has a mirror panel on its back and Toshiba Corp's "824T," which is decorated with a special embossed print. In addition, the 821N GLA, a model made in collaboration with Kodansha Ltd's Glamorous" magazine, and the new DM002SH for Disney Mobile were announced at the same time.

June 5, 2008 | Related Entries - Mobile Phones

Razer and XiaoFeng “Sky” Li develops Entry-Level Gaming Mouse for Chinese Pro Gamers

Co-developed with top Asian pro-gamers, the Razer Salmosa (China Pro-Gaming Edition) is an entry-level ambidextrous mouse and is also one of the lightest mice of its class currently available on the market. Exclusively available in China, the Razer Salmosa (China Pro-Gaming Edition) is customized to the needs of professional gamers in China, specifically designed to deliver high precision in a compact and lightweight chasis.

June 4, 2008 | Related Entries - Computing

Sanyo virus washer technology in Warner Mycal Cinemas

Sanyo’s packaged rooftop air conditioner unit equipped with an air purification system featuring ‘virus washer’ technology will be exclusively installed for Warner Mycal Cinemas in Japan. The air conditioning system will be installed in all screens at 26 domestic theaters averaging 8 screens per theater, over the next 3 years. The Sanyo packaged rooftop air conditioner unit equipped with an air purification system featuring ‘virus washer’ technology has already been installed in 5 screens at 4 Warner Mycal Cinemas theaters thus far. The ‘virus washer’ function effectively suppresses airborne bacteria, viruses, pollen and odors using electrolyzed water produced by decomposing tap water with an electric current.

Press Release after the Jump

June 4, 2008 |

MSI to launch notebooks with AMD's Latest PUMA Mobility Platform!

With a brand new experience in mobility, MSI have decided that many of their new notebook models will be equipped with the advanced AMD Puma Mobility Platform introduced just on June 4th. These models include the MSI GX630、GT735, PX211, PX210, PR311, EX300, EX630, and others. Puma is the very first platform designed by AMD especially for notebook computers; it has selected the latest AMD Turion X2 Ultra as its processor. Also equipped with the newest key technologies such as the RX780 mobile chip and wireless transfer, the platform is stable, effective, and efficient in energy-saving.

Press Release After The Jump

June 4, 2008 |