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It’s not the first time we’ve seen phones that purport to translate between languages, but NEC’s claims for its new mobile travel interpreter are certainly among the grandest.

Read the full story R&D | Wireless 03:30 PM J Mark Lytle • Permalink •
Tagged with: japanese language nec

Hydrogen fuel cells are clearly a great idea, but the fact that much of the gas that goes into them still comes from fossil fuels is a bit of a problem. That’s why researchers are looking at alternative sources of hydrogen from substances as diverse as dough and sewage.

If you’re in the market for a new job this year and also happen to be in Japan or still thinking about it, then you might want to check out our new, free-to-use jobs board – you’ll find it up there near the top of the page.

Japan’s Crown Princess Masako made a rare appearance on Jan. 2 when she joined other members of Japan’s royal family for their annual public New Year’s welcoming at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Masako has been suffering from stress-related symptoms and mental…

You’ll never forget that cute little Shibuya-train-station-marauding macaque monkey that made world headlines last summer. But do you remember the secret closet lady or the naked guy in the moat? How about the government employee addicted to porn?

By now, we all know that Sony is supposed to be hitting us with its first Vaio netbook PC at CES next month but, amid the various teases, leaks and rumors, how much is clear?

We know it’s the season for colds and flu to stop the spread of goodwill to all men, but I was more than a little shocked by the lengths one tech company is going to in order to halt the march of the germs.

The macaque monkey who’s been eluding police capture since August this year could use some holiday cheer. It’s cold in Tokyo now, much different from that hot summer morning when the cute wild ape jumped the wickets and…

Kids carrying an RFID contactless transit smartcard can also use it to automatically notify parents of their whereabouts.

I’m not sure if turning the plain-Jane old mobile site into a fancy new version using Winksite counts as a facelift, but I can say that it looks absolutely splendid now.

This isn’t entirely new, but it’s worth bringing you a snippet on Sega Toys’ Pekoppa – a tiny pot plant that apparently nods in agreement when anyone talks to it.

Vehicle engine-idling systems are beginning to appear in the auto industry aftermarket equipment sector in Japan as environmental issues move to center-stage.

A new pill offers relief for women who have to run to the toilet often. Lady Guard is the first OTC pee reliever in Japan…

A Tokyo area bank has begun installing devices that jam cell phone signals in order to prevent elderly citizens from becoming victims of phone fraud. Swindlers have been targeting seniors, telling them to go to the bank and all the while stay…

Households are putting in orders now for the traditional nengajo New Year’s postcards. The 2009 Year of the Ox cards are available in thousands of pre-printed designs, or card illustrations can be downloaded…

A thin mat that creates electricity from footsteps has been installed at Tokyo’s Shibuya train station to harness the kinetic energy they expend as they pass through ticket gates twice a day.

You know that new camera from Takara Tomy that features a little Zink printer that pops 2x3in photos out one end?

Strong language warning! Don’t read on if harsh words about innocent software offend you. No, seriously – he’s a potty mouth.

Generally speaking, taking your laptop on a flight is a hassle, particularly if you’re in cattle class. Not only do you have to specially screen it through the x-ray machine, but all it does is take up space in the overhead compartment while you sit idly in your seat, wishing you could get some work done or at least watch the movies you picked.

Since it’s the season of goodwill and all that, it’s probably about time we acknowledged and said thanks to our magnificent guest posters who’ve been adding a little variety to DWT recently.

A new fixed-line phone from Sanyo uses an internet connection to receive and announce earthquake warnings.