5 Technologies not available in the USA but in the rest of the world
Mikimoto Bean i-theater
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: You can hook these video glasses weighing less than 3 ounces into your iPod for a complete theater-like experience. Because you're looking at two screens, you get the sense that you're watching a 50-inch plasma screen. They come with stereo headphones and can run for more than six hours on one charge, so in one sitting you could watch about half of the Star Wars series
Reborg-Q Security Robot
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: This security system debuted last year at the AquaCity shopping mall. It's programmed to patrol a set course through a mall. Alternatively, it can be control remotely from afar. The robot knows how to enter an elevator. If there's a fire, it can use a fire extinguisher; if customers want to know the time or the weather, it can tell them; if a lost child has been found, the robot can display that information on a screen located on its chest.
Mobile Wallet
Where you can find it: South Korea
What it does: Ever wish you could use your cell phone like a wallet? We do practically everything else with it. Now, companies like China Mobile, Samsung, AT&T and MasterCard have been working together to come up with one global standard for all cell phones, so that we can stroll up to a wireless reader, wave our phone over it and automatically buy anything. It gives an entirely new meaning to the concept of the impulse buy.
Shoeshine Robot
Where you can find it: South Korea
What it does: While America may not be clamoring for a shoeshine robot, you have to feel a little envious that South Korea has one. You stick your shoe in--one at a time, while it's still on your foot--into a machine that looks like a giant robotic shoe. In about two minutes, you'll have a cleaner shoe. It's ideal for anyone who wishes the 21st century looked a little more like what we were promised when we were watching The Jetsons.
ID for Tobacco Vending Machines
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: If you're an adult smoker, you can use the ID card as a debit card to pay for your cancer sticks electronically. But if you're underage--younger than 20 in Japan--it actually hampers your cigarette-purchasing efforts. By the end of 2008, more than 600,000 cigarette vending machines will be installed with an electronic age-verification device.
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: You can hook these video glasses weighing less than 3 ounces into your iPod for a complete theater-like experience. Because you're looking at two screens, you get the sense that you're watching a 50-inch plasma screen. They come with stereo headphones and can run for more than six hours on one charge, so in one sitting you could watch about half of the Star Wars series
Reborg-Q Security Robot
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: This security system debuted last year at the AquaCity shopping mall. It's programmed to patrol a set course through a mall. Alternatively, it can be control remotely from afar. The robot knows how to enter an elevator. If there's a fire, it can use a fire extinguisher; if customers want to know the time or the weather, it can tell them; if a lost child has been found, the robot can display that information on a screen located on its chest.
Mobile Wallet
Where you can find it: South Korea
What it does: Ever wish you could use your cell phone like a wallet? We do practically everything else with it. Now, companies like China Mobile, Samsung, AT&T and MasterCard have been working together to come up with one global standard for all cell phones, so that we can stroll up to a wireless reader, wave our phone over it and automatically buy anything. It gives an entirely new meaning to the concept of the impulse buy.
Shoeshine Robot
Where you can find it: South Korea
What it does: While America may not be clamoring for a shoeshine robot, you have to feel a little envious that South Korea has one. You stick your shoe in--one at a time, while it's still on your foot--into a machine that looks like a giant robotic shoe. In about two minutes, you'll have a cleaner shoe. It's ideal for anyone who wishes the 21st century looked a little more like what we were promised when we were watching The Jetsons.
ID for Tobacco Vending Machines
Where you can find it: Japan
What it does: If you're an adult smoker, you can use the ID card as a debit card to pay for your cancer sticks electronically. But if you're underage--younger than 20 in Japan--it actually hampers your cigarette-purchasing efforts. By the end of 2008, more than 600,000 cigarette vending machines will be installed with an electronic age-verification device.
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