All posts tagged "Tech"

  • Why are countries banning smartphones in classrooms?

    In this day and age, smartphones are perceived to enhance learning and social experiences. But a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reveals the opposite. The international organization issued a warning citing evidence...

    • Posted December 5, 2023
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  • The trouble with “tracking”

      Now that school is back in full swing and family members are spending more time apart, you’re not alone if you’re feeling some separation anxiety. And what better way to alleviate the anxiety than to be...

    • Posted October 4, 2023
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  • The new iPhone 15 goes on sale

    Apple Inc.’s four new iPhone 15 smartphone series hit Japan store shelves today. While the prices of the new models are higher than the previous series due partly to a weaker yen, the standard iPhone 15 model,...

    • Posted September 22, 2023
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  • Apple Vision Pro for Japan will be released in the second half of 2024

    The world’s first goggle-type mixed reality headset “Apple Vision Pro” will be released in Japan, months after its US’ early 2024 release. The price tag? It’ll cost from $3,499 when it goes on sale in the United...

    • Posted June 6, 2023
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  • AI could replace 80% of jobs ‘in next few years’: expert

    Artificial intelligence could replace 80% of human jobs in the coming years – but that’s a good thing, says US-Brazilian researcher Ben Goertzel, a leading AI guru. Mathematician, cognitive scientist and famed robot-creator Goertzel, 56, is founder...

    • Posted June 2, 2023
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  • Netflix expands password-sharing crackdown worldwide

    Netflix on Tuesday expanded its crackdown on users sharing passwords with people beyond their immediate family as it seeks to shore up revenue at the leading streaming television service. A Netflix account is for use by one...

    • Posted May 25, 2023
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  • AI-generated song imitating Drake yanked from streaming services

    A new song created using AI software to imitate Canadian singers Drake and The Weeknd has been removed from streaming services after quickly racking up millions of listens and sparking debate over the new technology. Released last...

    • Posted April 19, 2023
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  • Is a pair of Xiaomi’s new Buds4 pro any good?

    Let’s talk about Xiaomi’s newly released flagship model Buds 4 Pro wireless earphones that retails at 26,800 yen. SOUND QUALITY The Hi-Res audio streaming uses Sony’s LDAC codec supported with up to 990 kbps, 96 kHz/24-bit so...

    • Posted March 10, 2023
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  • QR code most preferred payment method by Rakuten subscribers

    Subscribers of NTT Docomo, au, Softbank and Rakuten enjoy added perks from payment modes ranging from QR and barcode to credit cards. Mobile phone subscribers in Japan have become savvy and discerning with their choices. They understand...

    • Posted March 10, 2023
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  • Study finds phubbing harms life satisfaction

    With the ability of smartphones to fulfill many of the conveniences we enjoy today from e-shopping and paying bills to entertainment and social media, our increasing dependence on our devices has affected our focus on relationships, giving...

    • Posted February 10, 2023
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  • 2022 Best notebooks/tablets for distance learning and telework

    As children are back to school, and Japan still on its seventh Covid-19 wave, many kids, moms and dads will remain in full-time or hybrid virtual learning/working mode for the foreseeable future. During these challenging times, it...

    • Posted September 3, 2022
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  • Twitter to begin testing its “Edit” button

    Twitter said Thursday it has begun actively testing an edit button, after months of publicly discussing such a tweak. Edit Tweet testing will begin with internal employees, then be expanded out to the platform’s Twitter Blue subscription...

    • Posted September 2, 2022
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  • Meta VR Headset Project Cambria with eye-tracking sensor revealed by Zuckerberg

    “The next device coming in October has some cool features.” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at a guest appearance on the August 25th episode of the popular podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Zuckerberg also said that his...

    • Posted August 27, 2022
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  • Brace yourselves gamers: Sony is raising the price of PS5 amid global inflation

    Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced on August 25  it will be raising the suggested retail price of PlayStation 5 to take effect from September 15. In Japan, the revised price will be 60,478 yen for the Ultra...

    • Posted August 26, 2022
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  • Did you suddenly get cut off in the middle of a phone conversation last night?

    It’s not your fault. KDDI Corp. said a network disruption happened on Wednesday night, temporarily making it difficult to make voice calls in part for those in the East Japan service area. The network disruption was triggered...

    • Posted August 25, 2022
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  • Japan makes a palm size portable projector.

    Unless you can afford to rent an apartment with a dedicated home-theater space, be content with a smaller version. This is where mini projectors come in handy. The newly released IRIE  SMART LIFE PROJECTOR is a mini...

    • Posted July 19, 2022
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  • Brace yourselves for even more expensive iPhones

    Compared to the United States’ 8.6% inflation rate in May, Japan’s core inflation rate remained relatively stable at 2.1 percent in June. This shows it has weathered the economic storm well despite Covid and the Ukraine war....

    • Posted July 13, 2022
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  • Japan’s promising app for diners with food restrictions

    It is easy for people with food philosophies or diet restrictions to get attracted to trending foods on Instagram or  TikTok.  One thing social media doesn’t show though are food labels. When I heard about this new...

    • Posted July 1, 2022
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  • How to set up your Google Family Link to monitor your children’s online activities.

    Google Family Link is a parental control app. The application allows parents to restrict content, see what apps to approve or disapprove, restrict screen times, and websites they can open through the browser. In order to access the...

    • Posted April 4, 2022
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  • KDDI has shut down its 3G services. What to do?

    If you still have a mobile phone that exclusively connects to 3G networks and you are a KDDI subscriber, your phone will no longer work. KDDI will terminate its 3G mobile services, affecting subscribers using older gadgets...

    • Posted March 31, 2022
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  • Funai Fire Smart TV has a 32″ model. Will you get one?

      On March 5, Amazon and Yamada Holdings will release Funai Fire Smart TV.  These LCD TVs will be available in 4 models: 32-inch HD (54,780 yen) 43″ 4K (109,780 yen),  50″ 4K (120,780 yen) and  55″...

    • Posted February 20, 2022
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  • Face ID now works even with a mask on

    Up until now, the face recognition features on your smartphone may not have worked with a mask on. But things have just gotten more useful.The beta version of iOS 15.4 delivered in January 2022,  has added the...

    • Posted February 4, 2022
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  • New D-I-Y Apple repair program starts next year

    Starting next year,  iPhone users will  be able to carry out repairs on their own, announced Apple on Wednesday as part of its Self-Service Repair program. People advocating the right to repair have expressed support for Apple’s...

    • Posted November 18, 2021
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  • Is it worth buying the new 5-G-compatible Balmuda android?

    Today, Balmuda Technologies, a new division created by Japanese company Balmuda,a cult brand for electric home appliances with a minimalistic design, announced the release of its first 5-G compatible android smartphone. This is the first smartphone launched...

    • Posted November 17, 2021
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  • Vintage Apple computer built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak auctioned off for US$400,000.

    A student who chooses to remain anonymous has kept an old rare computer known as “Chaffey College”  Apple-1  named after the original owner who was a professor at Chaffey College in Cucamonga, California sold it to him....

    • Posted November 11, 2021
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  • Sony releases a headset with a wide viewing angle for use with Xperia 1 II smartphone

    Sony is rolling out Xperia View,  a new virtual reality (VR) headset for use with the newly launched Sony Xperia Pro-I series camera smartphone. The Xperia view only works with Sony Xperia 1 II and Xperia 1...

    • Posted October 26, 2021
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  • Newly launched Nintendo Switch OLED in resale sites at a higher price

    Nintendo Co.’s 7974 Switch Oled game console that was just launched on Friday is already being resold at much higher prices than the manufacturer’s recommended price of 37,980 yen (tax included.) The Nintendo Switch OLED model, featuring...

    • Posted October 11, 2021
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  • Facebook puts Instagram Kids project on pause amid mental health concerns

    The head of Instagram Adam Mosseri said Monday it will be pausing its work on the children-dedicated Instagram app project in order to listen to concerns raised by parents, experts and regulators regarding its impact on teens’...

    • Posted September 27, 2021
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  • Meet the Teenpreneurs who just sold their first startup.

    Two teen coders from Seattle, Sage Khanuja, 17, and Nikolas Ioannou, 18, noticed a lack of patient-centered technology. They then developed a telemedicine startup Spira for patients to be able to track their respiratory health and other...

    • Posted July 27, 2021
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  • Valve releases “Steam Deck” Handheld Gaming PC

    Valve which operates the game distribution service “Steam,” announced today the release of a handheld gaming PC “Steam Deck” similar to the Nintendo Switch. Before Steam Deck, games purchased on Steam were only for use in personal...

    • Posted July 16, 2021
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