Some good news for Nintendo handheld fans – it won’t be too long before the exact launch date and asking price for its next-gen gaming device is revealed.

The Nintendo 3DS, which boasts 3D technology without the need for any eye-wear, will have its launch date revealed on September 29th, the Japanese arm of Bloomberg reports (via MCV).

So you could call September 29th the launch date of the launch date for the 3DS, if you wanted. Although it might just be a date and price for the Japanese market that’s unveiled, we’re hoping the Western world will be covered by the announcement too.

The current estimated release date for the 3DS is April 2011 at the latest, although it could well be out before then.

Excerpted from:
Nintendo 3DS soon to be dated and priced

Despite the investments into 3D technology for televisions and gaming products being made by Japan-based Sony and Panasonic, it seems that the Japanese consumer is not too impressed just yet.

In a recent survey it was found that almost sixty seven per cent of the Japanese consumer market is not ready to take the leap onto the 3D bandwagon, whether it is for television or gaming products.

It seems that the glasses are the issue with the Japanese consumer.

Of those that stated that 3D television and gaming was not for them, it turns out that around seventy per cent claimed that the main reason is the fact that glasses have to be worn to enjoy that extra dimension in home entertainment.

Japan not excited by 3D TV

Sony has taken the wraps off a new coloured PS3 slim in Japan. It’s white, and comes with a 160GB hard disk (and a white controller).

A black 160GB model will also be produced, which will apparently replace the current 120GB PS3.

VG247 reports that the company has also revealed it will be producing a 320GB hard disk console in the territory, although that will only come in the black colour scheme.

The new versions of the slim will be on sale come the end of this month in Japan, although Sony hasn’t confirmed if they will make it to Europe or not.

Originally posted here:
Japan gets white slim PS3, and expanded hard drives

Apple has made a surprise switch in its policy regarding the iPad for Japan.

Previously it was thought that all iPads would be Sim-unlocked in every country across the globe. Mainly because Steve Jobs had said as much when the gadget was initially unveiled.

But it has emerged that this won’t be the case in Japan, where the 3G version of the tablet will locked into operator Softbank Mobile.

Main rival operator DoCoMo won’t get a look in, which has angered many Apple fans over in the far east.

The iPad goes on sale in Japan on the same date it’s out in the UK – May 28th. Although as we’ve mentioned previously, pre-orders now appear to have slipped due to stock issues in this country.

If you pre-order now, your Apple iPad may not ship until June 7th, so you’re still in for a bit of a wait.

Given all the previous delays, however, that should be something we’re all used to by now.

Read more from the original source:
Apple iPad to be Sim-locked in Japan

Website: Rapid TV News

Poorer viewers in Ecuador will be the main beneficiaries of a 40,000 set-top box donation being made by Japanese manufacturers ahead of the nation’s adoption of the Japanese/Brazilian ISDB transmission system.

Ecuador’s Superintendent of Telecommunications, Fabián Jaramillo, says that Japan would deliver 40,000 set-top-boxes to low income people.

The official did not disclose whether the STBs will be delivered free-of-charge or they will have a symbolic value because “the government is supposed to take a decision about it”.

The analogue blackout is expected to take place between 2016 and 2020. Ecuador TV, the public broadcaster, already relies on a trial ISDB signal in some public schools located in Quito.

Additionally, according to the local media, Japan committed itself to providing basic low cost STBs, whose value has been fixed at about US$50.

Pursuant to a memorandum signed by both countries at the end of March, this year, Japan will carry out a pilot project for the broadcasting and reception with HD, one-seg, and Tele education. Ecuador will also be supported for the reception of signal in areas of difficult reception, according to a report in NexTVLatam.

Brazil says it will also support Ecuador in the realization of a technological development pole and a content generation project.

Japan will cooperate in the drawing-up of a digital TV implementation master plan which includes spectrum ordering, channel assignment (Channels 21 to 49 will be assigned in UHF), equipment renewal and network conditioning; programming and technology production technology studies; radio broadcasting studies, digital edition and broadcasting; data broadcasting program development; interactive program technologies; development of software, middleware and other applications.

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Japan gives STBs to low income families in Ecuador