Next Out of Japan, Voice QR
April 14, 2008 Category: Japan No Comments »
The popular, barcode-like QR code craze sweeping through Japan, and now the West, is releasing yet another breakthrough, Voice QR. Currently, when the code is scanned, the end-user can be connected to URL-based information like video or audio media that streams in from the Internet to say, their mobile phone. This new code works by "tweaking the data in each black and white square to contain a brief snatch of audio and a simple image." This would be nice for those that live in the Internet-and-mobile-phone-backwards U.S. who can’t get Wifi access or pay for expensive data plans from cell phone carriers.
Artistic Barcodes
April 9, 2008 Category: Japan No Comments »
Only in Japan would you see functional barcodes. I think it is a pretty damn cool idea, and wouldn’t be surprised in the least to see this make it outside the islands. Hit the jump for more barcode art. [Tokyo Mango]
What’s in Your Future?
April 9, 2008 Category: Japan, Random No Comments »
It doesn’t even take a daisy chain of supercomputers to determine your future. All you need is Asovision’s Futurescope, and your path will be foretold. Bum bum bum! The unit uses a personality test and your biorhythms to give you predictions about life and all that jazz. I’m pretty interested to see how close it can be to reality. Too bad the product page is in Japanese… [Tokyo Mango]
Robot Street Fighting Video
March 25, 2008 Category: Humor, Japan, Robots No Comments »
This is for all the Robot Chicken fans out there. All the bots are quite awesome, and feature lots of Japanese goodness. [Giz > Reuters]
Start Being Exciting! QR Code to Help Your Legacy Live On…
March 20, 2008 Category: Japan No Comments »
Memorial stones in Japan are set to now include QR code to provide information about your previously living self, thanks to Yamanashi Prepecture. The concept will be called Kuyuo no Mado, "Memorial Service Window". Scanning the code will a mobile phone will give information about you, and can include images and video among other things. So like the title says, start doing cool stuff; no one wants to read about someone lame. [CScout]
Finally, The USB Cooler for My Beer (And Coffee Warmer Too)
March 17, 2008 Category: Japan, Technology No Comments »
Drinking a ice cold beer is a tough thing to do when it’s sitting next to a first generation Macbook Pro, with all that heat coming off it. The only solution was to drink it fast. I am not against this, but sometimes engineering work takes a while to do, and being wasted by the midpoint can sometimes be a problem. However, this problem is no more, thanks to Sanwa. Their device not only provides the popular warming function, good for tea or coffee, but now offers a cooling mode as well. All you have to do is plug this into a spare USB port, and wah-la, heating and cooling for all of your favorite beverages. (Room temperature is also available at no extra charge) The Hot&Cold USB Coaster is only available online at the present time, and you have to bite $23 shipping from Asia. If it is still worth it, follow the link to order. [Akihabara News > GeekStuff4U]
Random Japan Video
February 25, 2008 Category: Japan, Random No Comments »
I stumbled upon this video from the Asahi beer factory in Japan when working on an iPhoto project last week. I thought it would be the perfect excuse to work with ecto and try out a new post style. This is a video of the fountain that greets you as you walk in the factory. The tour not only dropped my jaw with the quantities of beer I witnessed being made, but ended with a pleasant tasting in a tower overlooking the entire complex. Hopefully all goes well and you can see this post.
Download Asahi Fountain
Star Wars + Samurai = Bad Ass
February 9, 2008 Category: Japan No Comments »
This is a pretty neat Star Wars samurai. The work, by Joshi Isao, is on display in Tokyo at Gift Show 2008. [Gizmodo]
