The first day of Japan’s CEATEC show is behind us and boy do I have things to share. Info + Photos + Video are below. Enjoy!
Panasonic
As usual, Panasonic showed its vision of a technological utopia, where all the devices talk with each other, and the consumer is aware of how much energy they are using, as well as how to use all these interconnected devices. I keep thinking they could make this happen if they opened up an API (application programming interface) and basically allowed apps on these “white box” devices. Let app developers innovate, save Panasonic development dollars, and get great solutions out there to make this vision happen. Otherwise ya just ain’t got the dollars, Panasonic – no matter how many awesome demos you do.
Another note to Panasonic: It is pure delusion if you think consumers will actively check energy usage, traffic routes, and so forth. Intelligent systems should push notifications to consumers, not the other way around.
This just in: Panasonic apparently announced a handheld gaming system, the Jungle. Nobody at Panasonic Japan appeared to know about it.
Rohm
Rohm displayed a prototype “BP35xx series” single chip solution with 802.11 n/b/g Wireless+USB+SDIO+SPI all in a single chip less than a centimeter square. Good news for mobile component manufacturers.
OKI (Okidata)
Oki’s Perception LSI requires no DSP, so it can be used for low-cost realtime 3D with a webcam. This may make its way down to consumers someday soon, but they were mum on pricing.
720P Laser Pico Projector from Microvision
Claiming to be the “smallest pico projector capable of 720p",” Microvision showed off a pretty wicked solution for business professionals and those who need a low-power, super portable OEM-ready product. 15 lumens and 720p, and it’s smaller than 8 postage stamps.
PicoP also showed off a laser-based in-car heads-up display, with a full 120 degree field of view.
Fujikura – Getting Wireless Around The Home + Office More Easily
Fujikura Wireless showcased their extend-wireless-anywhere “broadband leaky coaxial cable,” or WBLCX. Basically, this is a coaxial cable that plugs into your WiFi router’s antenna output and builds up to a 100 meter extension, capable of “leaking” wireless up to 5 meters away from the line at any point. So, no need to buy multiple routers to get wireless around your home. Just run this cable through the carpet, walls, and so forth, and have a single access point. Well, in theory. This wired wireless extender (funny) is only in Japan for now. No word on Stateside availability.
Mitsumi – Wireless 8-Channel Audio 96KHz Uncompressed Audio
Not much else to say. They’re looking for manufacturers to use their technology. Sounds way cool, so check ‘em out.
Fostex – Design Your Own Earphones
Audio company Fostex’s Kotori service lets you design your own headphones online, More info at http://kotori.fostex.jp.
Apple’s Impact on Manufacturers
3M announced a new version of their ScotchWeld® adhesive product. So what’s new? Well, it only under 900 and 1500 ppm (parts per million) of choline and bromine, respectively, per Apple’s standards. Amazing – they actually updated their product so it followed Apple’s guidelines, and are marketing it as such. I didn’t see a logo or certification for photo joyfulness, but rest assured 3M wants to be in all those fruity devices.
Alps – Turning Your Mobile Phone’s Keyboard into a Touch Pad
Alps showed off their GlideSensor™ for smartphones… Instead of requiring a touch screen on your device, and instead of adding a pointing device, Alps’ solution turns the entire keyboard into a touchpad area. It’s apparently smart enough to detect when you’re typing vs. when you’re gesturing.
Sony Open Energy System
Sony showed off an “open energy” system for third-world nations, with African countries in the spotlight. The premise is an electric company holds consumers hostage with high prices, but consumers sharing energy amongst homes, much like a P2P network of electricity, breaks the electric company’s hold on the [likely very, very poor] consumer’s pocketbook.
DoCoMo – Augmented Reality Hounds
DoCoMo’s research arm was showing all kinds of augmented reality (AR). AR glasses, AR cell phones, AR PCs – you name the device, they want you experiencing AR on it. I didn’t have time for the demo before I wrote this, but rest assured I’ll play with it while I’m here.
And KTT had a social media “watching” technology, more info coming when I get to see it, lol.
Make sure you also look up DoCoMo’s “3D type of force feedback,” which I still need to look at. The force feedback helps you determine where you are in relation to a 3D object. (thanks to Josh for the heads up)
Pegscope on Android
The Ultra-realistic Experience Consortium (ever heard of it?) showed off an Android-based mobile Pegscope viewer, allegedly also with capture ability, enabling you to use 16 mobile Android devices to capture video from different angles (ala The Matrix) and change your viewing angle right on the phone. Well, at least that’s how they explained it in broken English.
Another side note: Why don’t we have glasses-less 3D for smaller devices? Depth infused panels? Too much power? Chime in if you have a comment .png?download&psid=1)
Toshiba – Thou Shall Have Apps
Toshiba showed off its Regza Apps initiative, basically providing Toshiba apps across its televisions, including Cell Regza, mobile devices, and PCs. All of these apps can share content with each other, enable social aspects such as tagging video and sending clips to friends, and more. The demos were somewhat thin, but it’s a good idea. Of course, there’s nothing stopping Microsoft or Apple from doing this on their much more widespread XBox and iOS devices. Oh, and isn’t this HD-DVD’s tagging and clip sharing moved to other devices? I guess the technology didn’t die completely.
A Revolution in Math Formula Entry
With simple, yet incredibly powerful formula entry, a built-in programming language that can integrate mathematical formulas, and integration with any Windows app using OLE, Simplex’s Calcing Professional application is ready to trump Mathematica and other stalwarts in the formula entry industry. It’s basically a mathematical word processor. It’s smart enough to perform calculations inline, automatically. Go to their Web site and check it out – if you’re a math dude, or just a geek at heart, you’ll be impressed. http://www.simplex-soft.com
Access Twonky Content on your Android Phone
Twonky was showing off its Android client for streaming media from any device to any device. Now your robot can do that cool “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi” if it has a pico projector built-in 
Sony Pushing 3D Through PS3?
Sony’s been screaming about 3D support on the PS3, and going all out with 3D everything in its devices. To help move it along, Gran Turismo, the racing game five-quell (what is the term, anyway) is going to be in full, glorious 3D… if your set can support it. Oh well, it’ll still be fun on my 65” incher anyway. I somewhat doubt GT5 will push 3D into the mainstream, but it’s still cool.
Hitachi – 3D Wonder
I hate 3D that requires glasses. Hopefully most of the industry will soon, too. Hitachi showed a WVGA depth-fused 3d television. It was way cool. Photos don’t do it justice, but if they can thin it out, maybe it will make it onto a tablet. Who knows what the point would be, but still.
External HD Recording – Me Too!
Many of the television set and set top manufacturers are including the ability to plug in an external hard drive for recording shows and extending time-shift capacity. I want to learn more about this.
Sharp – Remote Control Everything
Sharp had remote control apps for many of their CE devices. Basically, install their app and you can control their devices. Cool – no more worrying about losing your remote. Of course, now you’ll have to worry [more] about losing your smartphone.
Sharp announced an exclusive deal with Yahoo! Japan for streaming 3D content, such as photos and maps, to their 3D televisions. You can also share 3D with your friends who also have Aquos 3D sets. Why not open this up and help the industry out?
Oh, and if you like Karaoke, Sharp has a library of 15,000 songs ready for you to karaoke your heart out anytime.
Sharp also displayed a 4 color LCD panel, can show more vivid colors, even gold!
Last, but not least: A Mickey Mouse Satellite Dish!
A picture is worth a thousand words. Or a thousand iterations of “it’s a small world after all.”
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