Gadgets of the future gather in Japan
The Ceatec trade show brings together the big names in consumer electronics and puts the nation's weakness for tech on full display.
The Ceatec trade show brings together all the big names in consumer electronics and puts the country's weakness for high tech on full display. CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos was on hand to check out what's on the cutting edge.
Think CES is the ultimate consumer electronics show? Think again. See new tech from Japan before it hits the U.S.
October 9, 2007
The household gadgets of today and tomorrow await curious techno-tourists in an ultramodern Tokyo enclave.
Video: Japan's appliances
October 9, 2007
The Cyberdome lets you fly through simulated versions of city plazas or the lobbies of buildings. And would you look at the size of that track ball?
October 9, 2007
The company's Next Generation Network promises to marry the versatility of the Internet with the reliability of the wired phone network.
October 8, 2007
From gadgets to anime to junk food, there's plenty to shop for in Tokyo's famed consumer electronics district.
October 5, 2007
Well, more like soccer players. Still, the Eco-drive bots move "as long as there is light or until breaking," the watch maker says.
October 8, 2007
Are two LCD screens better than one? At the very least, the effect is more natural than in some other no-glasses 3D systems.
October 8, 2007
Virtual reality is alive and kicking in Japan, where Canon squiggles its way to "mixed reality" and gadgetry aims to reinvent the drum.
October 8, 2007
Technically speaking, the television screens will have a refresh rate of 180Hz. What that should mean in layman's terms is a better picture.
October 8, 2007
Subaru's SpotScents device consists of two air jets precisely aimed at a passenger in a car--presuming you want a waft of "Pleasure Time."
October 8, 2007
The Japanese trade show continues with more consumer electronics, including fuel cells in TVs--and our reporter virtually becomes a woman.
October 3, 2007
Sharp, Hitachi and JVC are showing off LCD TVs with panels that are less than an inch thick.
October 3, 2007
Chalk it up to Wii fever--Japanese companies are showing off products that users operate by making gestures or moving their fingers.
October 3, 2007
NEC's FieldAnalyst isn't looking for criminals. Instead, the data is intended to help mall owners better understand shoppers.
October 3, 2007
It had to be the most comprehensive booth at the show. Check out what Toshiba had on display.
October 3, 2007
Your second car will run on electricity, says the automaker's Minoru Shinohara. Ethanol and biodiesel just don't have that cost/benefit equation going for them.
October 3, 2007
An engineer and a squid walk into a bar...and out comes an insight into how to tackle a problem that had vexed acoustic designs for years.
October 3, 2007
The colorful Japanese trade show kicks off with a panoply of consumer electronics--and a man dressed as a booth babe.
October 2, 2007
Sound company is promoting Dolby Contrast and Dolby Vision, two technologies--one real, one on the drawing board--to extend its reach into digital TV and cinema.
October 2, 2007
Although Nintendo successfully attracted a broad demographic with its gaming console, there's no word yet that Microsoft will head in the same direction.
October 2, 2007
From a company that's often been in the forefront of phone design comes a touch screen for three fingers or more.
October 2, 2007
They're small, they plug in easily, and these doodads pack a heck of a lot of storage that could come in handy for your video needs.
October 2, 2007
One of Pioneer's in-car navigation systems features 3D imaging. It's mesmerizing, which might be it's biggest drawback.
October 2, 2007
Japanese tech giant shows off "Rolly," an egg that responds to music by dancing. Also onstage: OLED TVs that measure just 11 inches in diameter.
October 2, 2007
Watching TV on a PC is common in Japan. A huge number of desktops and notebooks come with TV tuners--and people actually use them.
October 2, 2007
Blu-ray manufacturers are going to cut prices and start a promotional binge for the holiday shopping season.
October 2, 2007
Ultrathin LCDs, helpful robots and more from Tokyo
Think CES is the ultimate consumer electronics show? Think again. See new tech from Japan before it hits the U.S.October 9, 2007
Beyond Ceatec
Photos: Home appliances of the future
The household gadgets of today and tomorrow await curious techno-tourists in an ultramodern Tokyo enclave.October 9, 2007
A giant 3D screen for simulating houses, cities
The Cyberdome lets you fly through simulated versions of city plazas or the lobbies of buildings. And would you look at the size of that track ball?October 9, 2007
Japan's NTT tests TV service: A Net neutrality debate waiting to happen
The company's Next Generation Network promises to marry the versatility of the Internet with the reliability of the wired phone network. October 8, 2007
Photos: The geeky allure of Akihabara
From gadgets to anime to junk food, there's plenty to shop for in Tokyo's famed consumer electronics district.October 5, 2007
Ceatec odds and ends
Citizen's robot army
Well, more like soccer players. Still, the Eco-drive bots move "as long as there is light or until breaking," the watch maker says.October 8, 2007
A new type of 3D screen from NTT
Are two LCD screens better than one? At the very least, the effect is more natural than in some other no-glasses 3D systems.October 8, 2007
From Japan comes the virtual copy repair man
Virtual reality is alive and kicking in Japan, where Canon squiggles its way to "mixed reality" and gadgetry aims to reinvent the drum.October 8, 2007
JVC cranks up refresh rate on LCD TVs
Technically speaking, the television screens will have a refresh rate of 180Hz. What that should mean in layman's terms is a better picture.October 8, 2007
Only in Japan: A cannon that shoots smells
Subaru's SpotScents device consists of two air jets precisely aimed at a passenger in a car--presuming you want a waft of "Pleasure Time."October 8, 2007
Day two at Ceatec
Photos: Scenes from Ceatec, day 2
The Japanese trade show continues with more consumer electronics, including fuel cells in TVs--and our reporter virtually becomes a woman.October 3, 2007
LCD TVs getting a lot slimmer soon
Sharp, Hitachi and JVC are showing off LCD TVs with panels that are less than an inch thick.October 3, 2007
Hot trend in Japan: Gesture recognition
Chalk it up to Wii fever--Japanese companies are showing off products that users operate by making gestures or moving their fingers.October 3, 2007
Camera sums up your life for marketers
NEC's FieldAnalyst isn't looking for criminals. Instead, the data is intended to help mall owners better understand shoppers.October 3, 2007
Toshiba's 3D memory, fuel-cell TV and Cell chip
It had to be the most comprehensive booth at the show. Check out what Toshiba had on display.October 3, 2007
Nissan bets on electric cars, not biofuels
Your second car will run on electricity, says the automaker's Minoru Shinohara. Ethanol and biodiesel just don't have that cost/benefit equation going for them.October 3, 2007
Enhancing the loudspeaker voice through alcohol
An engineer and a squid walk into a bar...and out comes an insight into how to tackle a problem that had vexed acoustic designs for years.October 3, 2007
Day one at Ceatec
Photos: Scenes from Ceatec
The colorful Japanese trade show kicks off with a panoply of consumer electronics--and a man dressed as a booth babe.October 2, 2007
Dolby does digital TV
Sound company is promoting Dolby Contrast and Dolby Vision, two technologies--one real, one on the drawing board--to extend its reach into digital TV and cinema.October 2, 2007
Microsoft Japan: We can learn from Wii
Although Nintendo successfully attracted a broad demographic with its gaming console, there's no word yet that Microsoft will head in the same direction.October 2, 2007
Sharp looks for an edge in iPhone stakes
From a company that's often been in the forefront of phone design comes a touch screen for three fingers or more.October 2, 2007
IVDR devices: Like flash cards, but with hard drives
They're small, they plug in easily, and these doodads pack a heck of a lot of storage that could come in handy for your video needs.October 2, 2007
A car navigation system that will hypnotize you
One of Pioneer's in-car navigation systems features 3D imaging. It's mesmerizing, which might be it's biggest drawback.October 2, 2007
Only in Japan: Sony's freakish dancing eggs
Japanese tech giant shows off "Rolly," an egg that responds to music by dancing. Also onstage: OLED TVs that measure just 11 inches in diameter.October 2, 2007
TV convergence: It's happening in Japan
Watching TV on a PC is common in Japan. A huge number of desktops and notebooks come with TV tuners--and people actually use them.October 2, 2007
Panasonic: Blu-ray will win the war by New Year's Day
Blu-ray manufacturers are going to cut prices and start a promotional binge for the holiday shopping season.October 2, 2007