Sanyo is already being considered Japan’s “greenest” brand in the consumer electronics field (which is the main reason Panasonic is about to acquire the company), but them building complete, eco-friendly buildings is certainly new. Sanyo Homes [JP], a wholly-owned subsidiary, will start marketing all-electric homes with lithium ion batteries providing back up power to Japanese customers as early as tomorrow. (Sorry for the tiny picture, which shows a CGI-model of how these houses look like.)

Each house will be equipped with a 3.78kw solar energy system. But buyers will also get 1.57kw Sanyo lithium ion batteries to make sure they’ll have access to eco-friendly energy during the night or during days without enough sunlight. Sanyo Homes says that each of their houses will come with ten LED light fixtures running on direct-current power to minimize energy loss and a solar-powered heat-pump water heater.

The company expects these extras to boost the prices for their homes to some extent, but says buyers will be able to recoup the initial plus in investment over time and will also get financial from the Japanese government. A 132sqm Sanyo home, for example, will sell for $355,000, which is $62,000 more than a comparable conventional one (but only eco-friendly homes will get government subsidies, in this case $30,000).

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]

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(Credit:
Microsoft/Burger King)

Happy Windows 7 Day everyone! Much to Wilson’s chagrin, there is indeed another operating system out there, and the new version just came out today. Users unhappy with Windows Vista can now breath a sigh of relief, as the new OS combines a strong design with an easy-to-use interface that many are calling “Vista done right,” but more.

Check out our own Seth Rosenblatt’s full review of Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional), then head over to CNET’s Windows 7 landing page for full coverage and a live blog of today’s launch event.

Most interesting about Windows 7 is Microsoft’s impressive worldwide media promotion, which includes Burger Kings in Japan rolling out the official Windows 7 burger. The meaty behemoth actually has seven meat patties and carries a 777 special price for Japanese customers.

The limited-time offer is an effort to promote the software as “leaner and meaner,” although we don’t get how a heart attack between two buns will get the message out there. Seth MacFarlane is getting in on the viral marketing as well–on November 18, Microsoft will sponsor a full half-hour episode of “Family Guy.” Be sure to watch the sneak peak that features Stewie and Brian poking fun at Microsoft’s new features.

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Today's Beck's Beer Audio Draft Pick is The Audition.

(Credit:
The Audition/Victory Records)

Finally, Jeff’s pick for today’s Beck’s Beer Audio Draft is a band on Victory Records called The Audition. Although we agree with Jeff that they might be the pop-iest band we’ve featured on the show, they nevertheless have a feel-good sound that takes us back to our teenage years. The first song of the day is entitled “My Temperature’s Rising” off the band’s newest self-titled album.

Unfortunately, the band just got off a tour with our beloved Alkaline Trio, but be sure to check back on their Last.FM page for the latest concert info.

EPISODE 451

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Originally posted at The 404

In Japan, it’s hard to find a cell phone that doesn’t come with a digital TV tuner nowadays. Some of them even have two (so you can watch one program and record another on your phone’s microSD). And some people in this country actually do use these tuners, which means the iPhone is at a disadvantage when compared to domestic phones.

Japanese customers could buy an iPhone-exclusive add-on, which turned their iPhones into portable TV tuners last year, but that device is now sold out. Now I-O Data takes another shot at the problem by releasing the SEG Clip [JP], a USB 2.0 stick that makes it possible to watch digital TV on your iPhone.

I don’t know about you, but I, for one, am not very much into the audio devices that can be found in the shelves these days, even if I love music and there is no day to pass by without a song or two to make my ears feel spoiled.

So, if you are an audio freak and you want to be abreast of the latest apparitions in this area, then you’ll be thankful for the news I’m about to break to you: there’s a mega gadget available for you right now to help you own only one gadget (a big one, that’s true).

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The device is a mixture between a turntable, a cassette player and a cassette recorder also, a CD player and a CD recorder, and last, but not least, a PLL synthesized AM/FM stereo tuner. Believe it or not, you’ll find all the devices I mentioned within the Teac LP-R550, which has just been announced by the manufacturer. More than that, it is said to become available for the Japanese customers sometime by the end of July (July 30th is the date, to be more precise).

The CD unit, for example, comes with CD/CD-R/CD-RW support. As for the turntable, which has 3 speeds, has 33 (LP)/45(EP)/78(SP) support and auto return. In addition, there are 3.5×2 inch speakers and a remote control. The price is expected to be $750.

(Source: Coolest-Gadgets)