Smarbo: Toshiba Announces Roomba competitor

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers associated with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

Roombas just got a new contest from Japan: Toshiba announced [JP] new cleaning robot today, so-called Smarbo (which is probably short for "Intelligent robot"). Like his colleague from the United States, Toshiba robot is primarily intended for use in households.

Toshiba built quite a few features in the robot, such as two CPUs (unknown details) 38 set, cameras and sensors (gyroscopes, acceleration, range detection, etc.). The company said Smarbo clears the area in about 90 minutes 100sqm and that the cost of electricity in just 2 yen ($ 0.03) per room of this size.

Just like the Roomba Smarbo bypasses objects in its vicinity and returns its charging station automatically after it is done. Buyers can be programmed Smarbo in a certain way. For example, if they want a small area within the framework of the thoroughly cleaned room, they can select spot mode "do the robot terms only 1.5 × 1.5 m square and then return to charging station (see below).

Smarbo has 355 × 355 × 93 mm, weight-3, 7 kg and works at 52dB.

Toshiba plans to start selling in Japan (where the Roomba is available too, incidentally) 1 October for $1175 (including remote control and charging station).

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Sony Announces PSP € 99 for European amateurs

Chris Velasco — mobile enthusiast and writer who studied English and marketing at Rutgers University. Once upon a time he was a News intern for MobileCrunch, and between them, he worked in wireless sales at best buy. After graduation, he returned to the new TechCrunch for mobile as a full-time writer. He counts the advertising works, musical theater ... ? Read More

Instead of giving us any more specific details about when will Vita Playstation, Sony announced the release of a new model of the PSP under the name E-1000 on the Gamescom press conference today.

With € 99 price tag, Sony clearly Gunning for budget gamers, though those who live in Europe: while the E-1000 is about to launch this fall in the EU, there's no word that the deal would make portable prices its way anywhere else.

E-1000 takes most of its design cues from old models, PSPs and with this comes the inclusion of the UMD drive. The design is actually pretty Dang slick, with matte black finish, but Sony had to cut corners somewhere. The first thing on the chopping block is the Sony WiFI radio; boost Playstation Store downloaders should resort to the transfer of purchase with a PC using Media Go software Sony.

For those without the old library of PSP games for derogation Sony announced the launch of a discount line UMD games. Games like Invizimals: lost tribe, EyePet adventures and FIFA 12 expected run along the sides of the E-1000, but we hope the title better ... some ... get treatment UMD shortly. Titles, price jump to $ 9.99 a piece, but methinks cheapskate, gamers can better luck dig for games in the bargain Bin.

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