A portable reporter for when the "Big One" hits

Toshiba has developed GPS (Global Positioning System) Reporter, a backpack-unit reporting system for use in case of earthquake or other disaster. Designed for emergency urban use, the GPS Reporter enables the user to send reports on the status of water, gas, and electric lines, road conditions, etc. The unit includes a microphone, digital camera, 9.6K-bps cellular phone, and GPS device. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, it operates under Windows 95 and has a 100-MHz Pentium CPU, 16MB of RAM, and 1GB hard disk.

Data is sent to a remote computer where the images and reports are automatically placed into a database linked to map software that marks the sender's location. The release date for the GPS Reporter, priced at JPY1.5 million, is April 1997.

Toshiba: 03-3457-4451

English-to-Japanese Web page translation

For Japanese speakers who find English a barrier to enjoying the Web, IBM's Internet King of Translation (Internet Honyaku no Osama) offers three applications: King, for translating webpages in real time; Queen, for normal translation of text files; and Knight, for automatic translation of selected webpages on a preset schedule. The three applications share a 140,000-word dictionary -- including words frequently used on the Web -- and 120,000 usage patterns. The complete package, for use with Windows 95 and the Japanese versions of Netscape Navigator 2.0 or Microsoft Explorer 3.0, lists for JPY7,800.

Dial IBM: 0120-04-1992

New PowerBook series from Apple

Apple Japan has released three models of its Macintosh PowerBook 1400 series. The main differences from the previous 5300 series are the addition of a CD-ROM drive, the clear plastic BookCover panel (under which the user can insert a favorite picture to personalize the unit), and a faster CPU. All models come with a PowerPC 603e CPU, 16MB of RAM, and 6X CD-ROM drive module, plus KanjiTalk 7.5.3, Claris Works 2.0J, Netscape Navigator 2.02I, and the PowerBook Mobility Bundle software.

The 1400c/117 has a 1GB hard disk, while the 1400cs/117 comes with a 33.6K-bps PC card modem and 750MB hard disk; both models use a 117-MHz CPU. The 1400c/133 comes with 133-MHz CPU and 1GB hard disk. Each model weighs about 3 kg. Prices are "open."

Apple Japan: 0120-61-5800

Data transmission via PHS and PC card modem

Toshiba Corporation has released a PHS (personal handyphone system) unit that is capable of data transmission. The DL-S23P, and its companion PC card 14.4K-bps fax modem, the PHS Data Communication Card IPC0001A, can be used with a DOS/V or Windows 95 computer. The DL-S23P PHS unit, which reportedly provides very stable digital data transmission, sells for JPY45,000. List price for the IPC0001A PHS Data Communication Card is JPY35,800.

Toshiba Mobile Communication Division: 03-3457-2960