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Tuesday, 2nd October 2012
In General Japan News,
Japanese technology fair highlights smartphone capability
A technology fair taking place in Japan has showcased the many ways smartphones can be used to integrate homes, cars and technology.
The Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies (CEATEC) kicked-off in Makuhari today (October 2nd) and will run until Thursday.
Spokesman for the mobile phone carrier NTT DoCoMo, Shuji Tomaru, explained how smartphones could be used in homes as remote controls for activating kitchen appliances.
They might also be capable of enabling motorists to turn on their home air-conditioning during their journey to make sure the house is cool and comfortable for their arrival.
He told AFP: "You will soon be able to use your smartphone or tablet PC as if it is a remote control for all these appliances."
The expert went on to detail how home security devices operated by smartphones would be able to detect a break in and alert the homeowner immediately to the intrusion.
More than 600 businesses are exhibiting at the event, which first took place in 2000 after combining the Japan Electronics Show and Com Japan.
The innovations did not end there, however, with car manufacturer Toyota demonstrating how its Smart Insect vehicle would work alongside smartphones to provide telematics to motorists.
This would monitor their driving performance, which can help drivers prove to insurers that they are safe on the road.
"The car is based on the concept of connecting people, cars and homes. It was developed by an IT engineer and has technologies such as telematics built in," Toyota group manager Yuji Amano told IDG News Service.
Apparently, the car would also be able to suggest destinations to its driver based on their past journeys, and would feature voice-recognition capability to prevent thieves from trying to start the engine.
It could also play a role in advertising by alerting motorists to special offers taking place at outlets they are already journeying towards.
Posted by Mark Smith
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