Product Reviews Net » Japan earthquake http://www.product-reviews.net Information on the latest gadgets, technology, news and product reviews Sat, 26 May 2012 11:39:50 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Toyota Plants: Shortage of parts could cause N. America shut down http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/05/toyota-plants-shortage-of-parts-could-cause-n-america-shut-down/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toyota-plants-shortage-of-parts-could-cause-n-america-shut-down http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/05/toyota-plants-shortage-of-parts-could-cause-n-america-shut-down/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:09:12 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=127457 We have reported before about the Japan earthquake causing supply issues with various tech companies. But the problem is also affecting other industries, with the news Toyota plants in North America could be forced to close due to a lack of parts.

Bruce Schreiner of MSNBC is reporting that Toyota Motor Corp. have said it is highly likely the plants will have to temporarily close down because of the parts issue. The move would affect 25,000 workers, but according to spokesman Mike Goss no layoffs are expected.

The closures have no time scale as it depends on how long before parts production in Japan comes back online.

So far the North American plants have been using stock they already had or what was shipped before the quake hit. Supplies are said to be very low and Goss said “We’re going to get to a point this month where that gap in the pipeline starts to show up. So we’ll have to suspend production for a while.”

Since the earthquake and tsunami Japans daily auto output has fallen by more than 500,000 vehicles. The problem is not restricted to just Toyota, as Ford and Nissan have said North American plants will close for part of this month.

Toyota relies on about 15% of its parts from Japan for the vehicles it builds in North America, and the shutdown will affect all Lexus and Toyota models built in the area.

Workers will be able to take vacation or time off without pay during the closures. And there will be programs for training and reviewing operations during the down time.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/04/05/toyota-plants-shortage-of-parts-could-cause-n-america-shut-down/feed/ 0 Help The People in Japan by Buying a Mac Bundle http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/19/help-the-people-in-japan-by-buying-a-mac-bundle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=help-the-people-in-japan-by-buying-a-mac-bundle http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/19/help-the-people-in-japan-by-buying-a-mac-bundle/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:27:47 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125841 We reported recently about AT&T doing their bit to help people trying to contact loved ones in Japan. Now another company is doing something to help the people in Japan, by offering a special Mac Bundle where all funds will be donated to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami disaster relief fund through the American Red Cross.

The special bundle of 15 games is available now through to Monday March 21, and is an exclusive collection of hit games from some of the most popular and big-hearted names in independent Mac gaming today. Available on the Macgamestore.com the bundle will also save customers a big amount of money compared to buying individually.

The Mac Games For Japan Relief Bundle costs $19.95 but contains games worth $200. The list of games includes; Brain App, Cake Mania 3, Diamond Detective, Destination: Treasure Island, Escape The Museum 2, Fishdom H20: Hidden Odyssey, Jewel Quest 4: Heritage, and more.

For the full list of games and to purchase head over to Macgamestore.com.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/19/help-the-people-in-japan-by-buying-a-mac-bundle/feed/ 0 Apple Could Run Out of Components for iPad 2 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/18/apple-could-run-out-of-components-for-ipad-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=apple-could-run-out-of-components-for-ipad-2 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/18/apple-could-run-out-of-components-for-ipad-2/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:17:00 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125773 We have reported before how Japanese electronics companies were starting to feel the effects of last week’s terrible events. Now it is looking like Apple will also start seeing problems getting key components for its new iPad.

Dean Wilson at the Inquirer has written an article reporting that Apple could have trouble with supplies for several key components of the iPad 2. These include the battery, electronic compass and glass display. According to the article the compass will be a difficult item to source from somewhere else, because of how sensitive they are.

Japanese companies supply five components for the iPad 2, which include NAND flash from Toshiba, the electronic compass from AKM Semiconductor, DRAM from Elpida, and the glass and battery from Apple’s Japanese operation.

One big problem has been continuing aftershocks have made it impossible for semiconductor firms to restart production. All this will cause more delays in the production for Apple’s components. There has been talk already that the iPad 2 may see a delay in being launched around the world because of high demand in the US.

This comes on the back of recent share price losses following Apple’s recent Wall Street downgrade. Electronics manufacturers around the world are set to face similar problems sourcing key components for their products, but it is nothing compared to the hardship facing the Japanese people at the moment.

Do you think Apple will manage to find components for the iPad 2 elsewhere?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/18/apple-could-run-out-of-components-for-ipad-2/feed/ 0 After Japan Tsunami, Chip Prices Increase http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/after-japan-tsunami-chip-prices-increase/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=after-japan-tsunami-chip-prices-increase http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/after-japan-tsunami-chip-prices-increase/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:51:53 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125384 As Japan starts the long road to recovery following last week’s terrible events, the technology world starts to feel the effects as well. We told you recently that some of Japans biggest electronics companies have had to shut down production, and even video games have been delayed.

Miyoung Kim from Reuters is reporting that prices for key technology items have soared following the troubles out in Japan. The probability of prolonged supply issues have seen companies searching for alternative sources of tech components. According to research firm HIS iSuppli this could lead to big price rises.

Prices for NAND flash chips rose again today by three percent, this after rising twenty percent yesterday. DRAM memory chip prices have also risen by 7.2 percent since Monday. NAND memory chips have seen demand jump mainly due to the Apple iPad 2. Toshiba Corp who are responsible for around one-third of the world’s NAND chips is not sure when its plant will reopen.

Texas Instruments has warned its two sites might not be running at full production before July, but it has been able to redirect sixty percent of output to other factories. Sony which have eight factories making a variety of products including Blu-ray discs do not know when they will be opening.

A company which makes the touch module for the iPad 2, Taiwan’s Wintek, has said they have over two weeks of supplies left, and a source from the company said they were looking for alternative suppliers.

The dreadful events of last week will continue to cause problems for the country, which will be keen to get the economy back up and running to start funding the massive rebuilding program the people of Japan are now facing.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/after-japan-tsunami-chip-prices-increase/feed/ 0 World Largest Quakes and Tsunamis Alert Apps http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/world-largest-quakes-and-tsunamis-alert-apps/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=world-largest-quakes-and-tsunamis-alert-apps http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/world-largest-quakes-and-tsunamis-alert-apps/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:00:32 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125369 If you have been worried by the recent events in Japan after the huge earthquake and tsunami rocked the country, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve located an excellent App for the iPhone and other iOS devices which will allow you to keep up to date on future earthquakes and tsunamis.

We’re sad to hear reports that another aftershock and tsunami may still hit Japan in the next few days, and it’s quite upsetting to see the countless news reports on TV showing close-up footage of the disaster and continuing stories from witnesses who managed to survive the tsunami.

However, there are some apps which may make things a little easier for you at this time, and one of them is called ‘Earthquake Display’, available to download now from the App store or iTunes for $0.99.

It started off as an app solely for earthquake purposes, giving you information on the last 200 earthquakes to occur around the world, but it has recently been updated to offer the latest alerts on Tsunamis as well. This is particularly useful as it delivers information via Push Notfications, meaning that you’ll get a message on your iPhone instantly, if anything major happens.

If you think this app will be useful to you, head to the iTunes link here for more information. Alternatively, let us know if you are currently using a different iOS app for information on the events in Japan.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/15/world-largest-quakes-and-tsunamis-alert-apps/feed/ 0 AT&T allows customers to ring and text Japan free http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/att-allows-customers-to-ring-and-text-japan-free/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=att-allows-customers-to-ring-and-text-japan-free http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/att-allows-customers-to-ring-and-text-japan-free/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:36:20 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125262 After last Friday’s devastating events in Japan, many people tried to contact friends and family in the country by ringing and texting. Now today AT&T is doing its small bit to ease the burden by offering free calls and texts to the country.

According to an article on Digital Trends by Aemon Malone the free calls and text messages are backdated to when the disaster first struck on March 11, and will continue through to the end of the month. The company has also announced it will offer its residential wireline customers up to sixty minutes free direct calling to Japan.

Senior Vice President of voice and data products Mark Collins said “we want to make it as easy and worry free as possible for our customers”. The carrier’s customers can also do their bit to help the situation by texting 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross; this will help fund its efforts to provide disaster relief in Japan. No text fees will apply to do this.

It will be interesting to see if any other companies decide to do something similar, and the gesture is a good one from AT&T.

Do you think this was a nice gesture by AT&T?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/att-allows-customers-to-ring-and-text-japan-free/feed/ 1 Japan Earthquake affects Video Game Release Date http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/japan-earthquake-affects-video-game-release-date/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=japan-earthquake-affects-video-game-release-date http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/japan-earthquake-affects-video-game-release-date/#comments Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:33:03 +0000 Alan Ng http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125196 We have some important news for those of you who were looking forward to the release of MotorStorm: Apocalypse on the PlayStation 3 which was due out this year, as we can confirm that the game has now been delayed until further notice as a result of the ongoing events in Japan after the recent earthquake.

We should note that this release only appears to have affected the Japanese release of the game, as the European version is still set to go on sale this week, according to TheSilentChief.com.

The game has been delayed in Japan due to a number of stages in the game seemingly representing a city which has been destroyed by an earthquake that some people may take offense to, in light of the recent earthquake and tsunami that happened at the end of last week. It does seem a bit strange though if the game is only delayed in Japan, as we’re guessing the content is exactly the same for Europeans and Americans – so why is there no delay enforced there as well?

There may be some backlash over this, but we’ll wait and see until Sony give a proper press release on the delay. Let us know if you’ll still be picking up the EU version of the game this week, or if you have decided not to as a mark of respect.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/14/japan-earthquake-affects-video-game-release-date/feed/ 0 Electronics companies start to feel affect of Japan earthquake http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/12/electronics-companies-start-to-feel-affect-of-japan-earthquake/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=electronics-companies-start-to-feel-affect-of-japan-earthquake http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/03/12/electronics-companies-start-to-feel-affect-of-japan-earthquake/#comments Sat, 12 Mar 2011 14:21:26 +0000 Gary Johnson http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=125090 Following the terrible events that have been happening in Japan, which has sadly caused loss of life and damage, electronic companies have been revealing how it is also affecting them.

Japan is home to some of the world’s biggest electronic makers, and many European and US tech companies have operations in Japan. Last year Japanese factories produced $216 billion worth of electronic products according to a report on Cnet by Lance Whitney.

These companies have only just started assessing damage and Sony has ceased production at six of its premises in the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan. The operations affected produced Blu-ray discs and players, magnetic tapes, and lithium ion batteries.

Sony has one factory which was flooded on the ground floor, after it was hit by the tsunami in Miyagi. Meanwhile Panasonic has facilities close to the quakes hardest hit areas, and have reported that some employees suffered minor injuries following the collapsing of a ceiling.

Other companies which have suffered major disruption to production include Sanyo, Sharp, and Mitsubishi. As Japan begins the clear up from this terrible natural disaster, it will be keen to get its economy back up and running so it can aid in rebuilding the great country.

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