For those who live in a society based upon train travel, this gadget is mighty handy. Meet Japan’s Yamanote alarm clock which incorporates train schedules into its dial face.

With supporting chimes and sounds actually used at the said train stations, you’ll feel right at home – rushing to catch the beast to work. Except that you might be in your underwear.

Really, I think it looks like this guy’s being hypnotized, but apparently he’s looking into Oki Japan’s new iris recognition security technology. Not much more to say about it, except that in addition to all the other strange habits we’ve grown accustomed to with cellphone use, staring intently before making a call will soon be added to the list. If this is really a hypnosis device, however, I’ll be rather… Well, actually, I suppose I won’t really care, now will I?

A Japan phone, this one might just duke it out with Apple’s iPhone.  Some of the features on Sophia’s Mobile Nani is bound to bring some excitement to those who can’t or won’t ever support Apple’s iPhone.  It comes with a large 4.3 touchscreen, video playback (800 x 400 pixels), expandle MicroSD slot, camera, WiFi, and a nice little TV tuner.  Even though it might not last 12 rounds in this slug fest with the iPhone, it’ll sure put up a battle before it gives in and buyers out there becomes “one of them…one of them…”

It’s not too shabby eh?

Sony is following Canon with an announcement that it will allocate ¥60 billion ($490.4 million) for its CMOS manufacturing operations. Although this information has been on its website for some time, it is only after Canon’s announcement that it is building a new CMOS plant in Japan that this news comes to the forefront.

HP’s new dv6500 CT Special Edition is said to be limited to 1,000 units and rumor has it that it has a 15.4-inch LCD, an Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 processor, VGA output, several USB ports, and a 1,280 x 800 resolution panel — all encased in a pure white case. Prices start at just ¥119,700 ($979) and are for Japan at this time.