Ply design phone from au packs projector

While some phones are making music down at the KDDI Designing Studio, the Ply concept phone from Hideo Kanbara might just be a step towards bringing the office with us.

Ply’s name is taken from the design of multilayered plywood, and each layer has its own very distinct function, ranging from a photo printer to game controller to mini digital projector.

This is of course a concept only, but in this day and age does it seem out of reach? With all the amazing games available on Japanese handsets, the controller layer is a definite plus, though it would be even better to have a wireless version to use while using the built in projector!

If you want to see Ply in person it’s on display down at the KDDI Designing Studio in Harajuku, most likely until the end of the month. If you want this in your pocket, you’ll probably have to wait a little while.

Ply design phone from au packs projector

While some phones are making music down at the KDDI Designing Studio, the Ply concept phone from Hideo Kanbara might just be a step towards bringing the office with us.

Ply’s name is taken from the design of multilayered plywood, and each layer has its own very distinct function, ranging from a photo printer to game controller to mini digital projector.

This is of course a concept only, but in this day and age does it seem out of reach? With all the amazing games available on Japanese handsets, the controller layer is a definite plus, though it would be even better to have a wireless version to use while using the built in projector!

If you want to see Ply in person it’s on display down at the KDDI Designing Studio in Harajuku, most likely until the end of the month. If you want this in your pocket, you’ll probably have to wait a little while.

Doraemon Exilim camera smiles, makes you do it too

Collaborations between manufacturers and pop culture in Japan have a been a hit as of late, especially with electronics. Sure, Doraemon might be for kids, but Japan’s “Anime Ambassador” is popular across age groups (not to Hello Kitty levels of course). This new Exilim camera from Casio mixes smile detection technology with Dora-chan to create a new experience for snapshot taking.

In this case, Dora-chan’s face is used to give visual cues as to how the picture is going to turn out. If the picture is out of focus, Doraemon’s face isn’t happy, but smiles ear to ear once there’s good focus and your subject is smiling “properly”. Say what you will about being forced to smile by Doraemon, but the concept is unique.

While the body, case, and strap are also physically branded, the camera includes built in animations and menus based around the character. The result is an experience Doraemon and the camera simultaneously, adding value to both. Such collaborations are often hard to pull off without it seeming cheap, but the unique Japanese penchant for characters makes it work well here.

Pre-orders are already being taken for the camera, which will be officially released in December for about $350.