4642237
submission
Edis Krad writes:
Redmond based company Microvision is in the last stages of developing and releasing a portable, laser-based projector, code-named "Show WV". The projector has a resolution of 848 by 400 pixels (WVGA) and, since it uses laser-scanning rather than LCD to form the images, it does not require a lens to focus, allowing it to display images virtually in any surface.
The device comes with its own user-replaceable battery, which means you could take it with you anywhere you want. Although there is no pricing information on their website, according to this local news video, it could cost at least $200.
560242
submission
Edis Krad writes:
While the RealID is still a wobbling threat in the USA, the Japanese already beat them to it. The Juki Net (Residents Registration Network — link in Japanese) has silently been stewed since 2002. The system comprises a 11-digit unique number to identify every citizen in Japan, and the data covers name, address, date of birth and sex.
The system has actually been in place for a while now, with most of the japanese citizens being oblivious there is a network, held by the government, that holds their personal information. It has barely come to the light recently because various residents around the country sued against it, under the concerns of information misuse or leakage. And while an Osaka court has ruled against the system, the Japanese Supreme Court has recently ruled it is not unconstitutional, on the grounds that the data will be used bona-fide and there's no risk of leakage.
While there has been already a registration system for us foreigners in Japan for a long long time now, what astonish me the most is how the government can secretly implement such a system, and the lack of concern of the media and japanese citizens in general.
93600
submission
Edis Krad writes:
An CNN Money article reviews the Hot Toys for 2007. From the article:
"Industry leaders have accepted that kids are becoming more technology savvy at a younger age, and therefore are more inclined to discard their Barbie dolls and Power Ranger action figures for the cool MP3 player or camera cell phone."
Among those, I was particularly impressed with the Video Journal (blogging for kids?), the virtual bicycle (apparently, riding a real bicycle isn't cool enough anymore), and last but not least, the robotic parrot , that oddly reminds me of the replicant owl in Blade Runner
As technology becomes cheaper and more available, is it true that kids prefer cool gadgets rather and soccer balls and baseball gloves?
35093
submission
Edis Krad writes:
A Japanese elderly, bar manager and performer has been arrested for playing copyrighted songs in his harmonica. From the article:
Investigators accuse Toyoda of illegally performing 33 songs such as the Beatles' songs "Here, There and Everywhere" and "Yesterday," whose copyrights are managed by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers. He allegedly performed the songs on the harmonica with a female pianist at the bar he operated between August and September this year.
That is for you guys who complain that the RIAA/MPAA are being irrational with all their legal mumbo jumbo. And for those kids who are learning chords in their guitars, be ready to pay fees for performing "Smoke On The Water" while practicing.
