http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-2009.../?tag=cnetRiver

One thing: the article says that the lantern can be charged with a USB cable. But the Japanese in the picture indicates that the USB port is for powering cell phones. Maybe it can do both?

Da Bing

Wow, that's pretty neat. I wonder when/if it will be available in the US?

Fujitsu would have to make a US version probably, since the current version has a narrow FM band that is apparently suitable only for Japan.

If you are really jonesing for this lantern, you can probably get it via eBay somehow.

It occurred to me just now that perhaps there are plenty of useful gadgets in Japan that we don't know of. They have really good electronics over there, and they seem to prepare for certain types of disasters (earthquake comes to mind) on a national level, which is more than we do here. Do we have an informant who can tell us about nifty Japanese rescue tools or some such?

Da Bing

Japan has a lot of cool CE devices that never make it stateside. There are some websites devoted to selling some of the Japanese audio & video products not available here.

Thats right Phaedrus. The few times I was in Japan, they had crazy cool electronic stuff that I'd never see in the states.

I've been evaluating the solar lights from Nokero for camping, emergency prep and for distribution to the poor in the rural areas of Borneo. I really like them so far. Price drops a lot once you purchase them in bulk.

They've also come out with solar phone chargers but I haven't tried those yet.