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Japan’s vehicle sales drop 13.1 percent in October

Following on from the news yesterday that Ford Motor Co and General Motors Corp had seen massive drops in auto sales for October, today we are hearing that Japan’s vehicle sales have also dropped at a 13.1 percent decline Read more

No more Xbox 360’s in Japan

Its been known for a while now that the Xbox 360 leads in the United States but trails behind the Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii in Japan and Europe, but today things are looking a little different.

There are no more Xbox 360’s left in Japan (well until they get a new delivery). There were rumors that the 360 was sold out in one main store in Japan, but today we are hearing that the whole country has sold out.

Microsoft Japan has actually issued an official statement explaining the situation, and saying sorry for the lack of Xbox 360’s.

The reason they gave for the lack of 360’s was for their “own sales targets being exceeded by the actual customer sales”. They went on to “deeply apologize” to business partners, retailers and of course customers.

Japan will be getting more standard Xbox 360’s first in September, and then Microsoft will ship more Arcade and Elite models.

So with this latest news in hand, does it look like the Xbox 360 is starting to make ground in Japan and will Europe be next?

Wallet phone coming from Japan

Today we are hearing that a government official of Japan has said that they will aggressively push their mobile technology abroad, and this will include Japan’s popular wallet phone.

Japan has been known for many years to be at the forefront of technology, and their digital TV broadcasts, high-speed Internet connections, and electronics are some of the most sophisticated in the world.

They may have some of the latest technology around, but Japan has failed to make its mobile handsets, mobile services and wireless technology hits around the world.

There is a new initiative led by the Japanese government, including manufacturers and wireless carriers that will help Japan market their wireless technology to the world.

The flagship product will be their wallet phone; these devices have a FeliCa chip in each cellphone that will then communicate with a reader-device at vending machines, train stations and shops for payments via phones.

Would you use the Wallet phone for your cashless shopping?

Source: Read | View other cell phone news.

HanbitSoft’s MMORPG Neo-Steam: popular amongst gamers in China and Japan

MMORPG Neo-Steam from HanbitSoft is proving to be very popular amongst gamers in China and Japan, and its global service is set to begin with the Open Beta Test on the 20th of this month. Now let’s take a look at HanbitSoft’s aspirations for global domination with ‘Neo-Steam’.

HanbitSoft’s MMORPG Neo-Steam is commencing its global service with the Open Beta Test on the 20th of this month. Let’s take a close look at Neo-Steam, a game which is very popular in China and Japan for its unique story background.

Around the World in 89 Days, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Future Boy Conan were the quintessential animations of the 70’s and 80’s. All of these animations were based on ‘Steampunk’ and Neo-Steam also has Steampunk as its story background. Here, Steampunk is a term derived from the term ‘Cyberpunk’, which depicts a future that changes from the influence of electronic/information technology, with the word ‘cyber’ replaced by ‘steam’ as in steam used in steam engines. The concept of Steampunk applied to this game has created the Neo-Steam system which is a limited resource, and the user can utilize the force called ‘Neo-Steam’ to progress through the story.

“Find Neo-Steam, the source of power!” - Neo-Steam is a liquid resource that emanates a blue light. It can only be created by converting the stones that only exist on the Roaf Island (PvP zone) and is also the reason why the two nations that appear in this game fight over Roaf Island. Also, when Neo-Steam is evaporated, it creates a powerful explosion which can be used as fuel to operate various machines. The player can strategically manage Neo-Steam to strengthen his/her character through level-ups and combinations of useful items.

How is Neo-Steam used in the game? Neo-Steam is used as fuel for rides such as steam balloons and steam riders. It is supplied to a steam tank once a day and can be used to give the player powerful attack ability through the steam machine.

Because only a limited amount of Neo-Steam is supplied in a day, it is important that the player utilizes it effectively. A machine ability can be used if the steam machine is equipped. Although a machine ability provides attach power stronger than other skills, it cannot be used continuously as it has an ‘overheat’ time and Neo-Steam Recovery should be used most cautiously as it can only be used once a day. The player will need to take all aspects of Neo-Steam usage as it is also used for rides and production.

Select a character and enter the world of Neo-Steam - Before selecting a character, the player must choose from the Republic of Rogwel with a highly developed mechanical culture and the Elerd Kingdom which worships the light and the magical gold dragon. Different graphics and music are used for each of these two nations to suit their different cultural backgrounds. For example, music with a fast beat and melodies suitable for the theme of Steampunk is used for the Republic of Rogwel to increase the player’s absorption into the game. For the Elerd Kingdom, mysterious yet sophisticated music appropriate for the world of Steampunk is used.

The player can select up to 8 types of occupation according to the nation of his/her choice. The 8 types of occupation are divided into combat and supporting roles. Neo-Steam has distinctively different races. There are 4 types of races: human, elf, foam and beast. The humans have an advantage when dealing with NPC merchants and additional gold can be acquired after hunting foam. The elves have an advantage of not being pre-emptive attacked by their enemies. The foam have an advantage of being able to equip more items than the other races, and the beasts can move faster than the other races. Of course, all of these characteristics are acquired through level-ups.

Through these individual characteristics, the players can select and use characters that suit their own characters. In order to upgrade your level fast, a character that has ability to summon will be needed.

Moreover, each character has a pet from the start of the game. These pets play a wide range of roles including giving advice during game play, assisting combat and recovering health. The players will enjoy the company of these cute pets which have a growth system that will add to the fun of the game.

Develop your character and compete against other players - One of the traits of online games is that the characters of the players are reflected in game play. As well as the age group, manner and ability of the players which shape game play, a player system created by the players themselves is of importance.

Needless to say, Neo-Steam is filled with a variety of battlegrounds that will engage the players. It utilizes a PVP system. A PVP zone is a system which allows battles between players and players will not lose their experience level during PVP situation but acquire soul crystals instead. The soul crystal acquired in this manner is used to complete the quests given by the NPC.

An example of a PVP zone is the Rear Land, an outlaw land outside the Roaf Island and sovereignty of the two nations. Additionally, a battle where the steam core is fought over, PVP gamers group of action games between the 2 nations to select the best player through PVP at special times and siege warfare to claim the steam core owned by the 2 nations take place repeatedly.

High-quality but the battle system fails to differ - Neo-Steam, which has intensively utilized the concept of Steampunk, is showing high quality overall. The quality of the graphics texture may be somewhat regrettable but a sense of distance is given through the blur processing, and despite the texture quality being relatively lower than other games of recent times, the graphics concept is making up for this shortcoming.

However, the battle system fails to differ from other games on the market, and the interface and balance could do with improvement. Through continuous development of its meritorious characteristics and improvements in its weaknesses, Neo-Steam will be able to take the lead in the fierce competition between MMORPGs armed by its unique game concept.

For client download and further details of Neo-Steam Global, go to the official homepage of Neo-Steam Global (www.neosteam.com). Client download is also available on Game & Game, the global service platform site of Korea IT Industry Promotion Agency (www.gamengame.com); Mmosite, a foreign site on games; Gamershell; Atomicgamer and Cgenetwork.

3G Apple iPhone in Japan

When it comes to cell phones all the big players are launching amazing phones every month and the technology and new sleek designs just keeps getting better, but most gadget fans and technology followers have one name on their mind and that’s “Apple 3G iPhone”.

Today we are hearing that the 3G Apple iPhone in Japan is going to be distributed by their third biggest Telco Company, Softbank. They have just acquired the rights to distribute the second-generation iPhone.

This is what Mobile88 had to say, “The third biggest Telco Company in Japan, Softbank had just acquired rights to distribute the second generation iPhone within Japan. The company said it had just reached an agreement with Apple.

According to Engadget, Softbank released a typically short statement without any details related to exclusivity or model. Though it should be noted that Softbank is a W-CDMA (UMTS 3G), not GSM/EDGE carrier. Softbank only says that they’ll be selling the iPhone “later this year.”

The second generation of Apple iPhone is set to be announced in the coming WWDC on June 9th”.

The 3G Apple iPhone will be coming to nearly all the world, but will you be upgrading your first-gen device or making the 3G version your first iPhone. Let us know your views.

Source: Read

NEC AtermWR1200H: new Wireless Lan router for Japan

This is the NEC AtermWR1200H and it’s a new Wireless LAN router that will be arriving in Japan very soon, the simple and compact Wi-Fi router weighs 110g and is sized at just 27×85x110mm. This version of NEC Wi-Fi router is 60% smaller than it’s previous generation, not sure if it will hit Europe or the U.S. anytime soon and no word on price yet.

Source: Read | Via

MGS4 Limited Edition gunmetal grey Sony PS3 coming to USA: Do you want one?

Oh yes gamers in America will just love the all new MGS4 Limited Edition gunmetal grey Sony PS3, there is no doubting that, to tell you the truth we are sitting here right now dribbling over this beautiful bundle (send us one please).

There will only be a few selected people that will get the Metal Gear Solid 4 Limited Edition gunmetal grey Sony PS3, at the moment Sony and Konami are dishing out in Japan but yes as said a selected few in America pretty soon will have one in their palms.

Just think about it people Limited Edition gunmetal grey PS3 / MGS4 bundle with matching DualShock 3, remember this date people June 12th, did you get that? June 12th like the rest of the MGS4 editions and the standard 80GB PS3 / MGS4 bundle.

Send us one too Sony?

Source – Playstation Blog Via Joystiq

Everex CloudBook with Bluetooth and touchscreen arrives in Japan

Everex CloudBook which is FIC manufactured has made its way to Japan which may be exciting to some but the most interesting part of this news is that the ultra-portable 7-inch Everex CloudBook has Bluetooth and touchscreen.

Other features include 802.11a to augment the existing b/g WiFi, the other specs basically remain the same for example 1.2GHz VIA C7-M proc and 30GB hard disk.

The question is, is the price right? A tax-inclusive price of ¥59,800 which is around $600 which is a lot more than the normal one without touchscreen for $399.

The release in Japan is supposedly March 22nd.

Source - Impress

Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 digital camera ships March 28th

The Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 digital camera has finally got a shipping date which is March 28th in Japan.

Some of the main features on this stunning cam include ultra-high speed 60 frames per second (fps) burst rate for still images, record movies at full high definition plus 1,200 fps high speed movie recording that captures movement faster than the eye can see for ultra-slow motion replay.

This 6 megapixel camera has no release dates set for US or Europe at the moment. It will cost around $999 (pre tax) however.

Source- I4U via product page

Now on sale: Xbox 360 Arcade and Silver Satin Sony PS3

Well gamers they are here the Xbox 360 Arcade and Silver Satin Sony PS3, ok in Japan at least. As you would expect the Silver Satin Sony PlayStation 3 has the exact same specs as the standard black model.

Then we have the Xbox 360 Arcade, this is an entry-level version of the popular games console. This arcade version comes with a HDMI input; however the reason why anyone out of Japan would want to get this version is for the region free games.

Not sure how popular both these consoles will be, but I would not get silver PS3 just does not look right.

Source - DCEMU

Two New Phones for EMOBILE

Japanese carriers EMOBILE have just announced that they have two new mobile voice handsets available, and they are the HTC S11HT EMONSTER and Toshiba H11T which are from HTC and Toshiba respectfully. Read more

Sony XDV-D500 and XDV-G200 Bravia Televisions: Import will not happen

If you are a television lover you will like the fact that Sony have some new tiny mobile TVs, the only downside is an import will not happen. You will only see these new Bravia televisions in Read more

Sony PS3 gets a new Satin Silver coat in Japan

We have had a black Sony PS3, there are talks of the white PS3 and now it seems Japan has the Satin Silver coat. Yes indeed the Sony PS3 gets a new Read more

Sony PS3 winning in Japan so Microsoft launches entry level Xbox 360

As the Sony PS3 has been winning in Japan, Microsoft has decided to launch an entry level Xbox 360 in that country to try and gain ground on the newer next-gen games console.

Microsoft are trying to create more interest in its console in Japan, from March 6th a new Xbox 360 which is the Japanese equivalent of the Xbox 360 Arcade will sell for tax-inclusive ¥27,800 (about $260) Read more