Our new device supports MP3/WMV audio files, MP4/MPG/AVI (Divx3/4/5&xVid)/ASF video files, JPEG. It’s also compatible with miniSD cards and features a USB2.0 port, four EQ presets (Rock､Classic､Normal､Bass), and a Lithium ion battery(750mAh).

It displays images in 50-Inches with in QVGA resolution (432 x 240), and will cost around 270€.

To check out more pictures of this product please head over to Akihabara News.

News Via: Akihabara News

Clockwise, from top left: interchangeable attachments allow you to play different instrument noises, including the trombone, trumpet, guitar, synthesizer, and harmonica; a Ghidora-esque handset with three interfaces; a handset that turns into a cube; a handset whose screen slides up to reveal 10 strummable guitar strings; an expandable, folding handset that has a set of playable piano keys on it; a two-piece set with motion sensors for air drumming.

One of the features of the device is the ability to control mouse clicks and other movements without using your hands. Built by OCZ Technology, based in America, the device is geared towards PC gamers and gizmo fetishists, and it is now available at Tsukumo through import. It “reads your mind” using a headband which converts neural impulses into signals for your computer, read by a device which connects via USB, the commands of which are set up using the accompanying software.

Oh yeah I am so drooling and gasming over this. Ever since I watched the anime series .hack//sign and the spinoffs afterward, I always wished that I could game just like them. Now granted this is different since they used VR goggles and no neural interface, however, this is even better. Now imagine this technology being further developed into the future. Now it is logical to assume that since the device can read brain waves, then it should be plausible for it to be able to input sensory information into our minds.

Imagine one day where we can play games where we can experience (smell, sight, touch) it as if it were real. Now that is interesting. Nothing like truly experiencing the gameplay of being the big noble Knight in a fantasy world filled with chaos. Oh yeah! I like the sound of that, I sure hope this technology gets further developed.

You can check out the whole article about this Neural Impulse Actuator over at Akiba Today, where they discuss this technology in further detail, as well as a place where you can purchase it.

News Via: Akiba Today

This amazing structure has been dubbed the “habitat for the 21st century,” the Dome House is an igloo-shaped structure built from snap-together wall sections made of 100% expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam). It might seem like an odd choice of material for a house, but the company lists a number of advantages that Styrofoam has over traditional materials. Unlike wood and metal structures, for example, the Styrofoam Dome House does not rust, rot or attract termites. It is also highly resistant to earthquakes and typhoons. In addition, the walls, which are treated with a flame retardant, emit no toxic fumes in a fire. (They used something similar in order to build temporary homes for the victims of the Schezuan earthquake disaster in China). The following information has been all taken from Pink Tentacle.

Dome House interior

The styrofoam used in the Dome House’s 175-millimeter (7 in) thick walls is significantly denser and stronger than ordinary packing foam. The material has excellent thermal insulation properties, resulting in higher energy efficiency and lower heating and cooling costs. Construction of the Dome House shell is quick and easy. The prefabricated pieces, which each weigh about 80 kilograms (175 lbs), can be carried by 2 or 3 people and assembled in a few hours. Once the shell is put together, coats of mortar and paint are applied for further protection from the elements.

Here is a short video of the assembly process of these Styrofoam Dome Houses:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHljTXBAwXU

Measuring 7.7 meters (25 ft) wide and 3.85 meters (13 ft) tall, the basic Dome House has a floor space of 44.2 square meters (475 sq ft). It is possible to construct larger, elongated domes by adding more pieces, and joint units allow multiple domes to be connected into a single structure. Dome Houses, which are approved by Japan’s Land and Transport Ministry, can be erected anywhere in Japan with the proper permit. According to the manufacturer, the versatile structures are suitable for use as hotel rooms, restaurants, freezer rooms, or even as hog farms. The Aso Farm Land resort village in Kyushu uses about 480 styrofoam domes as lodging, recreational facilities and retail shops.

Styrofoam Dome used as a Bar

Dome used as a steam room

Whether or not this type of home is truly “perfect for the modern age” as the company suggests, the price is right. Dome House kits start at around 3 million yen (under $30,000), which does not include the cost of transport, assembly, interior construction, etc.

Now I don’t know about you guys out there but I personally find this to be an amazing thing. It is light, easily constructed, spacious, and seems COOL!! Not to mention it is also quite cheap. I would not mind getting one if the United States would ever allow it (Although I am not sure it might last in certain states where hurricanes and tornadoes are abundant). How about you guys out there, would you want to live in such a thing?!?

News Via: Pink Tentacle

Tsukumo plans on holding a special robot event including a competitive contest meaning great news for Tokyo’s robot fanatics. Despite the location not appearing to be in any relation to robots, after “niku no mansei” is host to a big number of restaurants, the event seems to be organized in a rather normal fashion. There will be three stages of events every day with the first one being the robot contest across various disciplines. The second one includes the observation of the latest robot developments and the third one actually teaches the audience about the assembly, guiding first timers into producing their very own robot.

News Via: Akiba Today

Engineers at the University of Kitakyushu have developed one of the most unique looking robots that I have seen in a very long time.

This red snapper is actually a robotic fish known as “Tai-robot-kun”. It weighs 15.4lbs, and features hand painted scales for realism. And I must say that it looks very realistic, fooled me for a bit. Tai-robot-kun mimics a real fish swimming silently in the water, and can go for as long as an hour with a full battery.

It has a silicone body covered in realistically hand-painted scales, features a unique propulsion system that allows it to move its tail and drift silently through the water like a real fish.

The engineers hope to attach cameras and sensors to the robot so that it will be able to explore the waterways without disturbing aquatic life. Check out the video below to see Tai-robot-kun in action.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WINc1mV-L8Y&eur

The researchers believe that the protein plays a role in determining the efficiency of kinetic vision. They therefore named the protein pikachurin after Pikachu, a popular anime character in the Pokemon media franchise known for its lightning-fast moves.

Only in Japan would a newly discovered protein be named after a Pokemon. But I have to admit Pikachurin sounds like a great name to me. Although I personally don’t see the connection to Pikachu, I still think we should name more discoveries after other Pokemon.

News Via: Yomiuri

People camped the night out to queue up for the first store to sell the iphone (at least I think its the first). Right over here is an interesting CNN video about this topic and oh THE TROOPER at the end is Danny from dannychoo.com

httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=lpt3vonMuRw

The following video just shows how long the queue was during the night campout. Kinda boring but if you skim through it you’ll see the scope of how long this line was.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv3PUW7dpLI

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