DoCoMo is geared up to release their bone-conduction receiver microphone, the "Sound Leaf," on the 15th. The Sound Leaf plugs into the earphone/mic port of DoCoMo's FOMA handset and uses bone conduction technology to deliver sound. Bone conduction is a technology were sound travels through a person's skull to be delivered to their ear, rather than through the air canal, enabling the Sound Leaf to be used "even in places where a lot of noise makes it difficult to hear." The Sound Leaf officially works only with FOMA handsets.



Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30996.html

Product Information:
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/info/news_release/page/20060912.html

JVC has some new technology called "Near Speaker Surround" that creates surround sound using a single 2ch speaker unit. The speaker unit is placed close to the listener. Incoming multichannel signals are processed to be converted to binaural signals. Binaural signals are typically listened to using headphones, since they get the maximum channel separation -- use standard speakers and you will experience what is known as "crosstalk," where signals that are intended for just one ear also reach the other ear. However, with JVC's new "Transaural Processing" technology, crosstalk is cancelled, enabling listeners to achieve a headphone-like experience using a standard 2ch speaker setup. Because near-field involves placing the speaker nearby and requires only a single speaker unit, sound leakage can be reduced by as much as 56% versus standard multi-speaker setups.

Just as a side note, for those that doubt 2ch stereo's ability to provide true surround sound, put on a pair of headphones and listen to this.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060912/victor2.htm

Press Release:
http://www.victor.co.jp/press/2006/near_speaker.html

Sony held the "Dealer Convention 2006" on the 13th, and Impress Watch was of course on hand to see what they had available. The company demonstrated several of their Blu-ray products, including a hybrid recorder with both hard drive and Blu-ray drive, as well as new Sugo Roku recorders, new LocationFree products, and new cameras and projectors. (pictures in this article).

Also shown by the company were several new audio products including several new models of headphones. Perhaps more interesting was the "HWS-NEW" Bluetooth unit that can act as both a transmitter and a receiver. They also showed a few models of headphones that could be used wirelessly, an a transmitter called the "TMR-NEW." Finally, they showed the "SRS-NEW" 2ch Bluetooth speakers. Pictures of all the above products are available here.

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

Vodafone and JR East Japan have announced that you'll be able to use Mobile Suica with Vodafone handsets from December 2nd at 4PM. Mobile Suica uses the "FeliCa" contactless chipset found in many modern Japanese handsets to allow users to ride trains without paper tickets.

Only two Vodafone handsets currently available will support Mobile Suica: the 904SH and 905SH. The name of the service itself will also be changed from "Vodafone live! FeliCa" to "S! FeliCa" when Vodafone's brand name changes to "SoftBank" on October 1st of this year.

Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30887.html

Press Release:
http://www.vodafone.jp/japanese/release/2006/20060905_1j.pdf

Sanrio Corporation announced they'd be releasing the the "Hello Kitty Apple Shaped LCD Color TV" via their online shop on September 27th. It's going for 84,000 yen.

The TV is a 9.6" LCD with resolution of 800 x 600. The apple opens to reveal the screen and two 3W speakers. It has an integrated analog tuner, and AV input.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060904/sanrio.htm

Press Release:
http://www.sanrio.co.jp/bus_info/news/h18/180904.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

NTT DoCoMo went ahead and announced their rates for Mobile Number Portability, which is slated to begin on October 24th in Japan. The announcement says that besides the standard charges associated with a new contract, you won't be charged anything if you move your mobile number TO NTT DoCoMo. When moving away from NTT DoCoMo, you'll be charged 2,100 yen. They also announced a campaign where they offer 2,000 DoCoMo Points to those who move to DoCoMo before the end of the year.

Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30775.html

Press Release:
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/info/notice/page/060829_00.html

The "TiMO" is a new handset being released by Toyota, branded by au. It's a joint effort between Toyota Motor Corporation and KDDI, based on Toshiba's "W44T" handset. The specs are the same as the W44T, but there's on key difference: hands-free connection with Toyota's official Bluetooth Navigation System. We unfortunately don't have any details on exactly what this connection entails (if anything beyond using Bluetooth for hands-free talking), so hopefully we'll hear something about it from Toyota.



Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30786.html

Press Release:
http://www.kddi.com/corporate/news_release/2006/0830/

SoftBank's logo looks pretty nice on the "SoftBank 705SH," a handset being offered in a limited run by Vodafone. In actuality, the phone is already available in Champagne Gold, Royal Black, Silky Pink, Black, White, Pink, and Blue -- but on September 2nd the company will be adding Copper, Green, and Red to the lineup. 10,000 of each color will be available, so if you've been dying for a phone with SoftBank's branding, knock yourself out.



Inspired by:
http://k-tai.impress.co.jp/cda/article/news_toppage/30791.html

Press Release:
http://www.vodafone.jp/japanese/release/2006/20060830j.pdf