Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds

Hey, no one can blame you for thinking that’s the latest UMPC, ultra-portable XP thingamabob, or PMP. After all, Sharp’s Papyrus PW-TC900 does feature a QWERTY keyboard, 20-hour battery (5-hours for TV), SD slot for expansion, and 4.3-inch, 480×272 resolution display which rotates 180-degrees for folding into a tasty, TV sandwich. Unfortunately (for us), this is Sharp’s latest electronic dictionary set for release in Japan. Although its primary purpose might be for Japanese-English translation and learning, with features like an integrated Japanese OneSeg digital TV tuner and MP3 player, no parent should be too surprised when their Papyrus-equipped kids return from school with attention deficit issues. But hey, nothing a little Ritalin can’t fix, eh 70s? On sale in Japan starting December 8th for ¥50,000 or about $425. A couple of those in-the-wild snaps after the break.

[Via Impress]

Continue reading Sharp Papyrus PW-TC900 electronic dictionary, and mobile TV

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

We all know those analog gauges are going the way of the dodo eventually, and Sharp is hoping to accelerate their demise by unveiling an in-car LCD that boasts an unparalleled contrast ratio. While we’ve seen an LCD instrument panel in the svelte new Mercedes, its utility is still a bit limited; Sharp’s rendition, however, touts a 1500:1 contrast ratio — “triple that of the best alternatives” — and can produce deep blacks that match up with dark dashboards in addition to displaying full-motion video. The unit has been road-tested to withstand the usual bumps and jerks associated with cruising on (or off) those brutal highways, and can convey a myriad of useful information not possible with those plain ole mounted needles. The 8-inch panel sports an 800 x 480 resolution that shows the typical speedometer, tachometer, and fluid levels, but also packs the ability to queue up navigational maps and backup cameras to keep you on track. While we haven’t heard which (if any) automakers are placing bulk orders for these uber-contrasty LCDs, we aren’t exactly sure how much good it will do you if the whip ends up driving itself.

[Via BornRich]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Filed under: Peripherals

It’s still hard to believe sometimes, but there are indeed fax machines alive and well in the world. Sharp hopes to ease this pain a bit by integrating what they are calling the first fax-to-email solution right in the box. Just plug-in the Ethernet, configure a recipient’s address, and Sharp’s UX-MF series of all-in-ones will automatically email received faxes as an attached TIFF file. The box can also be used to fax direct from your PC or to scan and print/fax/copy documents old-school-like while leering at the receptionist. It will even print pictures received from any of the new IrSimple infrared handsets like the SH902iS, SH902iSL and SH702iS from NTT DoCoMo capable of transferring a 2 megapixel image in less than a second. The series boasts a 4.3-inch LCD for reviewing scanned images prior to execution, an SD card reader, 2.4GHz cordless phone with answering machine, and the ability to print 26ppm monochrome or 24ppm color at 1200x1200dpi. The top-end UX-MF60CL will set you back about ¥50,800 (roughly $435), a pittance for the reward of a more sedentary lifestyle. Now please pass the donuts.

[Via Impress]

 

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.

Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Sony schmony, Sharp’s here to remind us that they too, make some compelling gear by dropping 3 new LCD panels onto the stack of smaller sets rolled out earlier this month. Each of the 52, 46, and 42-inch LCDs bring that 1920×1080 Full HD (1080p) resolution you’ll want at these sizes, a 450cd/m2 brightness, a “world’s highest” 2000:1 contrast ratio, and “world’s fastest” full-motion video response rate of 4-milliseconds — just take those numbers with a grain of salt as methods of measurement vary, mkay? The three sets feature two Familink compatible HDMI inputs and remote control (which is presumably like Panny’s Viera Link HDMI control interface), a single DVI-I jack and dual digital/analog tuners. You can then configure each panel with either two side-mounted speakers or a single speaker under the panel which Sharp claims will produce clear, natural sound. Fine, but you’ll more than likely pitch ‘em in favor of your home audio system anyway. The 52 and 46-inch panels (LC-52GX1W / 2W, LC-46GX1W / 2W) should be available August 1st in Japan for ¥600,000 (about $5,125) and ¥500,000 (about $4,271) respectively, with the 42-incher (LC-42GX1W / 2W) coming a bit later in November for ¥450,000 or about $3,844 whenever these show-up Stateside.

[Via Impress]

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Filed under: Wireless, Networking

Sharp has announced what it claims to be the world’s smallest wireless LAN module, with the lowest power consumption to boot (although it seems like it’d be a bit hard for it not to). In your face, Nanoradio! Measuring just 8.0 x 7.6 x 1.3 millimeters, the module reportedly consumes 654mW of power sending data and 165mW receiving, with a mere 0.3mW of power consumed in standy. Sample units are set to start shipping next month for 20,000 Yen (or about $170 US), although we’re guessing that price will come down a fair bit by the time these end up in your cellphone or handheld (or camera, for that matter).

[Via Slashphone]

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

When money is no object, it usually rings true that bigger is better, but in the case of the extra-large $16,000 Sharp AQUOS display, those blinded by bragging rights may overlook the unexpected lack of quality. While the general consensus has held the AQUOS lineup in high regard, the 57-inch LC-57D90U 1080p LCD HDTV has somehow missed the mark, or at least failed to reach those stratospheric expectations created by the pricetag. Although we can’t imagine this thing looking awful — or even bad, actually — Home Theater Mag stated that it “couldn’t be taken seriously” considering the “inexcusable faults” on the “most expensive TV it had reviewed in years.” The most glaring fault in the erroneously-priced set was its apparent inability to accept a 1080p signal over HDMI (ahem), while several other sets way below this price range currently can. Reviewers were also annoyed by the unparalleled 10+ second lag time experienced when the display attempted to lock up to a 3:2 sequence, and the “inaccurate color points” seen when viewing HD DVDs. While the list of issues probably overshadow the boons, the set did manage to “bring out a lot of detail” in 480i content, and no one could argue with the speedy 4ms response time. Realistically, however, a display this expensive is presumably expected to obliterate any prior efforts of TV manufacturers, and to be frank, it failed — so if you’d been saving those pennies benjamins just waiting for this to drop, you’re probably better off just picking up a less expensive model (and a new commuter car while you’re at it).

[Via HD Beat]

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How can the Sharp SD-SP10 single speaker (plus sub) system get surround sound? By using Dolby’s Virtual Speaker Technology and Audistry surround processing, that’s how. Steve Guttenberg took this for a test and found it actually sounding like a surround sound system.

Dynamic range and visceral impact were the equal of most entry-level home-theater-in-a-box systems. Dialog was clear and fairly natural. And for the most part, the SD-SP10 didn’t fall prey to the artifacts–an irritating hollow or echoey quality–we experienced with other virtual-surround speaker systems.

All was fine as long as you were sitting directly in front of the speaker. If you moved left or right, the effect disappears and you only hear sound coming from the one direction. All in all good for a 1.1 system, but at close to $400, we’d recommend a standard surround sound system unless you’re really tight on space. – Jason Chen

Sharp SD-SP10 [CNET]

Filed under: Handsets, Motorola, Others, Panasonic, NEC, Sharp, NTT DoCoMo, UMTS

NTT DoCoMo – in an apparent bid to not just out-do, but humiliate the rest of the world’s carriers – has dropped yet another six 3G flips on its home crowd.  The new handsets are part of NTT’s “7 Series” of fashion-oriented phones, and include entries from Mitsubishi, Panasonic, NEC, Motorola, and Sharp. Moto has actually contributed two models here, one in the V3x vein and the other apparently a let’s-see-how-long-we-can-milk-this port of the original V3. All six of the phones support the typical i-mode goodness, FOMA, video calling, and an array of functions that sound like science fiction to the non-Japanese among us.

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

While we loved the specs on Sharp’s W-ZERO3 / WS003SH, let’s just say that its plastic, chub of a case was seriously short on swank. Now check the W-ZERO3 [es] / WS007SH hotness which our brethren at Engadget Japan got the jump on this AM. Developed under that same partnership with Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft, the new WS007SH variant keeps the Pocket PC flavor of Windows Mobile 5.0 and 416MHz Intel PXA 270 proc but brings a second, standard phone keypad to the mini, sliding QWERTY. They even managed to squeeze that same VGA resolution into a smaller, 2.8-inch screen while keeping the best of the rest: 128MB flash (60MB allocated to the user) and 64MB of SDRAM, miniSD expansion, USB, and 1.3 megapixel cam. All this and she still manages to slim-down from 70 x 130 x 26-millimeters and 220-grams to 56 x 135 x 21-millimeters and 175-grams. Ok, no WiFi or Bluetooth yet folks, but these, like a Japanese OneSeg expansion pack for digital TV on the go are currently under development and will certainly increase the bulk. Available only in Japan starting July 27th for ¥29,800/¥36,800 (or about $260/$321) with/without a one-year contract. Many more pics, including the OneSeg TV expansion after the break.

[Via Engadget Japan]

OneSeg TV tuner clipped on and in to the USB port.

 

 

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Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Sharp, Windows Mobile

While we loved the specs on Sharp's W-ZERO3 / WS003SH, let's just say that its plastic, chub of a case was seriously short on swank. Now check the W-ZERO3 [es] / WS007SH hotness which our brethren at Engadget Japan got the jump on this AM. Developed under that same partnership with Sharp, Willcom, and Microsoft, the new WS007SH variant keeps the Pocket PC flavor of Windows Mobile 5.0 and 416MHz Intel PXA 270 proc but brings a second, standard phone keypad to the mini, sliding QWERTY. They even managed to squeeze that same VGA resolution into a smaller, 2.8-inch screen while keeping the best of the rest: 128MB flash (60MB allocated to the user) and 64MB of SDRAM, miniSD expansion, USB, and 1.3 megapixel cam. All this and she still manages to slim-down from 70 x 130 x 26-millimeters and 220-grams to 56 x 135 x 21-millimeters and 175-grams. Ok, no WiFi or Bluetooth yet folks, but these, like a Japanese OneSeg expansion pack for digital TV on the go are currently under development and will certainly increase the bulk. Available only in Japan starting July 27th for ¥29,800/¥36,800 (or about $260/$321) with/without a one-year contract. Many more pics, including the OneSeg TV expansion after the break.

[Via Engadget Japan]

OneSeg TV tuner clipped on and in to the USB port.

 

 

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Filed under: Displays, HDTV

As promised, Sharp's massive 65-inch PN-655U AQUOS LCD TV (or LC-TV, as Sharp likes to call them) is now available. In case you forgot, this set is full on 1080p, with a low 6ms response time, a 700:1 contrast ratio, and 170-degree viewing angle; as far as inputs go, Sharp only says that it has a "full compliment" for computer and video use. The price of this behemoth still doesn't appear to be readily available, but you know the drill: if you have to ask you can't afford it, especially since Sharp isn't really counting on wealthy home theater buffs to move these things, being that they've mostly got commercial and professional applications in mind.

[Via HD Beat]

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Filed under: Handsets, Sharp, Windows Mobile

Our esteemed colleagues holding down Engadget Japanese have uncovered the WS004SH, a refreshed version of Sharp’s would-be Universal killer, the W-ZERO3. Internal flash is up from 128 to 256MB (giving the user about 197MB of that to play with), and MSFP is now included out of the box. The real draw here for existing owners, though, are the new colors: pearl white and gunmetal gray. The back of the new model’s body will feature the “Intel Inside” logo, reportedly the first time it’s ever been used on a portable device. Now put a “Centrino Duo” logo on there right next to it, and you can consider our flight to Japan booked.

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Filed under: Handhelds

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Filed under: Portable Audio

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Filed under: Handsets, Nokia, Sharp, Vodafone, Symbian, GSM, UMTS

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Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

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Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

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Filed under: Handsets, Sharp, Vodafone

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Filed under: Laptops

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Filed under: HDTV

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Filed under: Handsets, Sharp, Vodafone, GSM, UMTS

Apparently Sharp likes its 705SH for Softbank Mobile enough to export the thin clamshell, though not before getting a name change. Apart from some minor cosmetic changes, the tri-band SX633 is a dead ringer for its Japanese cousin, ready to bring joy to the hearts of SmartTone-Vodafone customers willing to shed the asking price of $4,180 HKD — a bit north of $500 USD. For the money, you get a 17mm-thick 3G clamshell with 2.2-inch QVGA internal and 72 x 12 external displays, and microSD support for when you fill that 20MB of internal memory to the brim, all in your choice of Black Opal, Pink Champagne, or Silver McIntyre. Doesn’t quite seem to justify the coin; we’ll pass. Er, we would if we were in Hong Kong, that is.

[Via Ministry of Tech]

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Filed under: Handsets, Others, Sanyo, Sony Ericsson, KDDI, 1xRTT, EV-DO, Kyocera, CDMA

Bring it strong, or don’t bring it at all. That’s certainly our mantra here at Engadget Mobile, and KDDI seems to share our sentiment, launching not one, not two, but twelve new phones on their Japanese “au” CDMA network this week. Variety doesn’t really seem to be KDDI’s forte, though — every last model rocks a clamshell form factor and roughly equivalent specs, give or take a megapixel here, FeLiCa support there. Sony Ericsson’s W43S caught our eye for its nifty faux wood exterior (come on, who wouldn’t want a faux wood cellphone?), while the curiously-named glossy black Toshiba “DRAPE” seems to be positioned as the high-style model of the bunch. 2- and 3-megapixel cams (some with autofocus), expansion slots, and comprehensive music support all around… yeah, there’s not a lot of differentiation here, but the uniformity’s good in at least one way: every last one of these 12 are blessed with QVGA primary displays.

[Via Akihabara News]

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