The communication toy which talks with a mobile

A lot of IoT gadgets and toys are released, but this is cute in them particularly. Toy company TAKARA TOMY releases next-gen communication toy "Smapon" connected to the smartphones on July 2.

This links exclusive own mobile application, and does various reactions by put on the screen of smartphones. This recognizes light from a screen and the sound, changes expressions, talks using more than 2000 words, say proverbs, and make fortune-telling. Furthermore, words and the contents increase by update of the application. When users set data such as the gender, blood type and favorite food in this, this has specific character. In addition, when users talk to this more frequently and take care, the types of talking of this changes also. There are six kinds of character / talking types(Normal / Spoiled / Geek / Queen / Old man / Bit bad). Because this has functions such as the wake-up call, the time signal, and the voice timer, users can use this as a substitute for clocks. The price is 1,620yen(tax-included), the target age is 12 years old or older, the size is 44*41*44mm, the weight is about 30g, and the battery is not necessary.

The bookmark transforms itself into a light for reading

The pleasure of reading is amplified more by technology. It is not only e-books.

This "bookmark light" is the stylish bookmark that a cool electronic circuit was printed, but transforms into an mini-light when folded. Special film is used for this, and a described electric circuit is buried with thin LED and nanoparticles ink. Its appearance is simple transparent bookmark, but when users bend it and sandwich the lithium coin battery, thin LED lights turn on. You are not troubled in reading if you use this in the dark places, and furthermore, you can use it as a normal bookmark in the bright places. The price is 1,728 yen, and design brand Kyouei design, the maker of this sells this for the foreign countries for 16 dollars. Web shop is here.

Mobile application to check halal snacks & candy

Tourists of Muslims visiting Japan increase steadily, but unfortunately, the support to halal food in Japan is still late. For example, many snacks and candy are sold in convenient stores, supermarkets, and department stores, but all of those ingredient description is written in only Japanese. Muslims who do not understand Japanese cannot judge halal or haram from these.

This iOS mobile application "OKASHI Checker"(OKASHI means snacks and candy in Japanese) displays raw materials names of snacks and candy in English or Indonesian from barcode printed on packages. This application has the database of raw materials of representative Japanese snacks and candy, and when users choose languages and scan barcode with the smartphones' camera, they can check raw materials names by English or Indonesian. In addition, users can evaluate snacks and the candy of one's favorite with LIKE button and can check a popularity ranking. This is the application that is convenient for not only Muslims but also vegetarians and the people who have allergic diseases. The downloading is free.

Mobile apps that support astronomical observation

Mars reaches its closest point to the earth on May 31. Furthermore, the Venus reaches closest point to Jupiter on August 28. However, can we observe it in the most suitable when and where? This Planet Book simulates the movement of the planets and supports astronomical observation.

This shows planets appear from which direction, when and how. The waxing and waning of the Mercury and the Venus, position of Jovian satellites and Jupiter's Great Red Spot, Martian surface texture etc.. Users can know these by checking application beforehand. Of course not only planets but also the constellations are displayed, and users can simulate the starlit sky-displaying method by binoculars and the astronomical telescope, too. When a screen is too bright, users can change it to a night vision mode. As for the downloading, both iOS/Android is free.

Foreign tourist visiting Japan, please install "Safety tips" in your mobile as anti-disaster measures

Because Kyushu is famous as a sightseeing spot in southern Japan, many foreign tourists suffer from this Kyushu earthquake. Japan may be safe in the peace and order, but It's not so in the disasters. Rather Japan is a "department store of the disasters". Earthquake, tsunami, heavy rain, flood, typhoon, tornado, volcanic eruption, heavy snow, blizzard... every disaster attack Japan through the year. Therefore the global safe ranking of Japan is slightly low. Can you survive if you suffer from disasters in Japan? Japan Tourism Agency thought that they must send the information of disasters to foreign tourists in real-time to make Japan a great tourism nation. Therefore they provide application "Safety tips" to send the information of disasters to by various languages in push notification. It supports English, Chinese, Korean and the downloading is free(iOS/Android).

By this application, you can know the information of the disaster attacking Japan in real-time. You can communicate using brief conversation templates even if you suffer from disasters. It will be good to learn about the appropriate action at the time of the disasters before a trip to Japan. Much caution does no harm. Please learn about disasters and enjoy trips to Japan.