Zentek Technology Japan has announced that they've developed a One-Seg tuner that conforms to the SDIO standard. SDIO is "SecureDigital Input/Output," which allows devices to use their SD card slots as though they were external device slots.

The new SD One-Seg tuner should be available in the first quarter of 2007, but only as an OEM device; thus we'll probably see it rebranded or offered by another company before it makes its way to consumers. The new device should bring One-Seg reception to devices with SD card slots and SDIO compatibility, such as PCs, PDAs, multimedia players, DVD players, car navigation systems, and even digital cameras.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060929/zentek1.htm

Press Release (PDF):
http://www.zentek.co.jp/pdf/2006/news_060928_1.pdf

Not the first time they've put out an MP3/WMA playing watch, but at least they're improving it -- Thanko Corporation has announced the "FMP3 Watch" to be available in 512MB and 1GB capacities.

The watch has an integrated MP3/WMA player, voice recorder, line recording, and now, FM transmitter. It's also water resistant. The FM transmitter should be very handy.

The continuous playback time is about 9 hours, and the watch takes about 2 hours to recharge. It recharges via USB, which is also used to load songs.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060929/thanko.htm

Press Release:
http://thanko.jp/fmp3watch/

Not a whole lot to say about the MusicMug from Idea International that you can't guess from the pictures. Or the name, for that matter.

It's a ceramic mug with an integrated (passive) speaker on the bottom. Plug the cable into your iPod or other portable audio device, put it in the cup, and you've got a portable audio system fit for even the most spartan of living environments. As for why the mug doesn't have a handle, Idea International's Chief Designer, Masato Tokuno, stated in the below interview with ITmedia that he didn't want people mistaking the MusicMug for a coffee mug, pouring coffee all over their music player. Likewise, he didn't want people to have to worry about where to grab the MusicMug when transporting it. Retails for 3,990 yen.



Inspired by:
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0609/25/news059.html

Idea International:
http://www.idea-in.com/

Similar to the Logitec USB One-Seg TV tuner we posted last week is the "Choi Tele (DH-ONE/U2)" from Buffalo.

It seems Buffalo's offering is a bit more meaty. It offers decoding for resolutions as high as 320 x 180, can handle iEPG, and includes a handy-dandy 3 meter extension cable. Best of all? It's cheaper -- Logitec's offering was slated for 14,000 yen, but Buffalo's offering is 12,075 yen.

The included viewing/recording software is called "PCastTV for One-Seg."



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060921/buffalo.htm

Press Release:
http://buffalo.jp/products/new/2006/000270.html

Access is ready to release the "NetFront LocationFree Player for PocketPC" later this month.

You may be familiar with Sony's LocationFree product, since we've covered it a couple times here at TechJapan. If you're not familiar, LocationFree is a product that allows you to transmit your TV programs to a client over the internet. Hook the LocationFree box up to your cable and your wireless internet, then use your LocationFree client to access the box. The result is realtime TV anywhere you have a wireless internet connection.

LocationFree has a number of clients available: PC, Mac, the LocationFree LCD, and Sony's PSP. It looks like you can add PocketPC devices to that list.

By the end of this month, Access will release a PocketPC client for LocationFree. The client will be going for 2,079 yen on Vector and other online software stores. You'll need Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 or Windows Mobile 2003 or above.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060915/access.htm

Press Release:
http://www.access.co.jp/press/060915_02.html

Looks like Logitec was thinking of the rest of us by releasing this new USB One-Seg receiver coded the "LDT-1S100U." I say "rest of us" because the vast majority of One-Seg solutions available to date have been integrated; you've been required to buy a new device, whether it be a new mobile phone, new portable DVD player, or whatever, to watch One-Seg.

No more -- Logitec will be releasing the 1S100U this month for about 14,000 yen, based on the predictions of a few stores in Akihabara. According to the company, this is the first PC accessory with One-Seg support. The receiver has an integrated USB port, so you just plug it into your PC, extend the antenna, and you're ready to watch One-Seg broadcasts. The functionality of this one is sort of limited, since it doesn't do One-Seg recording, data broadcasts, or EPG, but it's a step in the right direction.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060913/logitec.htm

Press Release:
http://www.logitec.co.jp/press/2006/0913_02.html

Product Information:
http://www.logitec.co.jp/products/1seg/ldt1s100u.html

Pixela went ahead and announced their One-Seg/digital radio/FM radio receiver, the "Prodia", for release in mid-September. 100 units will go to corporate users for around 150,000 yen apiece, but a consumer-level model should be on the way shortly.

The Prodia has a 2.17" 240 x 320 dot LCD with EPG support, P2/C profile data display support, and playback of H.264 videos. The internal lithium-ion battery should last for about 3 hours. It also has a USB port for firmware updates.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060905/pixela.htm

Press Release:
http://www.pixela.co.jp/company/news/2006/20060905.html

A Japanese company called "Astala Vista" has officially announced their "Astala Vista" DVD rental vending machines. The machines will be placed in 10 stations in the Tokyo Metro on the 25th, and the company plans to have machines in as many as 150 private railyway stations before the end of the year. More details inside.

NHC's new device in the "Magic Talkers" line is a portable media player for those who want to try their luck at English conversation. Readers of this article however may be more interested in the device's other functions, such as playback of DivX and XviD files.

If you've ever complained about the screen of your portable DVD player being too small, this might be the product for you. The screen of Bluedot's new "BDP-1200" portable DVD player makes you wonder why the word "portable" still applies.