Takara Tomy Develops World's Smallest Karaoke System

If you thought sitting next to someone blasting their iPod was bad, just wait until October when Takara Tomy launches a portable karaoke system that allows would-be crooners to belt out a tune no matter where they are.
The Hi-kara is a complete karaoke system in a 7-centimeter cube. A 2.4-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screen on the front of the box displays a video and song lyrics and users can hear the music and sing through a custom headset that includes a microphone. Or, if desired, it can be hooked-up to a pair of speakers so that multiple people can hear the song.
White and pink models of the Hi-kara, which is aimed at children of around eight years old, will go on sale in Japan on Oct. 18 and will cost ¥10,500 (US$97).
Songs can be added to the system in cartridges that will cost either ¥2,100 for 10 songs or ¥3,675 for 20 songs. Takara Tomy plans to offer both preloaded cartridges and prepaid blank ones onto which users can download songs of their choice through a planned Internet site.
Four AA-batteries will provide enough power for about four and a half hours use.
Takara Tomy hopes to sell 500,000 units of the Hi-kara during its first year on sale।
Reference : http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/147164/takara_tomy_develops_worlds_smallest_karaoke_system.html

Windows ‘Fiji’ beta testing has begun

Speaking of Microsoft information lockdown, there’s been no word in ages from Microsoft about “Fiji,” the next version of Windows Media Center Edition.

But that isn’t because Fiji has evaporated. In fact, the Fiji beta began a few weeks ago, according to a few sources with whom I’ve spoken and who’ve asked to keep their identities under wraps.

It’s not clear how many testers are part of this current test phase. There’s also no word on when and if Microsoft is going to tap the many other Fiji testers whom the company has signed up over the past year-plus or when Microsoft expects Fiji — also known as “Media Center Edition +1″ in some circles — is due out.

Last anyone heard, Fiji was supposed to build on the functionality that Microsoft delivered as part of Vista Service Pack 1. Some potential testers said they heard that Fiji would deliver some of the fit and finish that was missing in the Vista release. DirectTV support also is expected to be added to Media Center with the Fiji release.

Reference : http://bink.nu/news/windows-fiji-beta-testing-has-begun.aspx