Even better, it’s a completely free way to spend some time in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza shopping district.
KDDI
Inventors will be offering free scan sessions at Comiket, Japan’s largest otaku gathering.
Shiny new old-school tech isn’t aimed only at people not ready to let go of what’s always worked for them.
Telecom giant’s decision is part of plan to “increase the independence and productivity of each individual employee.”
Foolishly allowed a sticky-fingered child to hold your phone? Have a crippling fear of germs and wish you could disinfect everything? Now there’s a smartphone you can wash with soap and water!
With the iPhone 6s set to launch on September 9, the current model of iPhone will soon become old news. But if you’re one of those who doesn’t mind not having the newest, shiniest version on the market, you’re sure to be able to find a great deal, as stores try hard to get rid of back stock before herds of Appleheads flock to get their shiny new toy.
Take this au store in Japan, for instance, whose workers were out shaking things up with a special dance in an attempt to advertise their awesome iPhone 6 deals.
On 13 November, a tweet went out from Kyoko Shimbun which read “AAAAAAAAAAAAA!” Generally, such single-letter interjections don’t yield much of a response, but in this case they got over 400 retweets.
That’s because on this day, Kyoko Shimbun which translates to “Fabricated News” learnt that their fictional Infojar, a next-gen rice cooker with several smartphone capabilities, was in the research and development phase by the very company they were spoofing at the time, KDDI.
When he realized he’d primarily been using his smartphone in bed, Nemool Smith, an au product designer and chief hardware architect, wanted a more comfortable and rewarding user experience. Coming up blank in an online search for solutions, Nemool got an idea and decided to approach his bosses at KDDI and get their permission to design a radically new hardware platform he was sure would revolutionize the way people used their phones. The result has set the tech world abuzz, and has the potential to vault KDDI to the top of the global smartphone market.
Introducing the new au zzzPhoneBed by KDDI
Japanese mobile company AU has unveiled its latest concept phone featuring a wind-up analog clock.
On April 13, KDDI will begin selling “Extreme,” the newest Iridium satellite phone model and the first equipped with a GPS function.
With the GPS function, Extreme users can periodically update people in their address book on their location via email. In case of emergency, they can push the SOS Button on top of the unit to send an automatic message containing their GPS position.
At 10% thinner and 7% lighter than 9555, the previous model, it is now the thinnest, lightest Iridium satphone, and it also features better resistance to water and dust. Read More
What small girl hasn’t dreamt of being a Disney Princess? Now you can actually make it happen, at least in the digital world. Read More
MOST POPULAR
Today
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Weekly
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Monthly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad- Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style- Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Yearly
- Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】- Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Kurokawa Onsen celebrates 40 years of its beloved bathing pass with redesign, summer festivities
Japan now has a Pokémon airport that features every species of Flying-type ever[Video]
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Grandpa Sensei solo art exhibition returning to Tokyo and he’ll be there every day of it
“World’s most beautiful Starbucks” gets a makeover in Japan, but is it still beautiful?
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
-
