Sega Toys dates and prices for his R2-D2 Homestar Planetarium (which shows the death star)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers 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

Back in June of Sega Toys Japan teased Homestar R2-D2, a fully functional Planetarium, which is formed in the form of a robot from Star Wars. Today, the company price ($ 91) to Planetarium and release date (15 September). Scaled replica designs about 10 000 stars on the ceiling in your living room, and as a bonus, it shows the location of the death star, too (see below).

R2-D2 Planetarium uses 1W white led as a light source, works for three hours on four AAA batteries and is 21 cm in height. It has some projection 1.5-2.3 m/4.9-7.5 ft and projection of 1.8 m/5.9 ft circumference.

Here is a planetarium, showing death star:

If you are interested, but live outside Japan, the Japan Trend Shop (website in English) began listing the Planetarium today for pre-order for the same price as in Japan (again, $ 91). They send it anywhere and say that the little guy comes with instructions in English.

IT through the media [JP]

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Sprint: Yes, this Playbook BlackBerry 4 G, which we announced? This is not happening.

Greg Kumparak — editor of MobileCrunch.com, the mobile industry blog TechCrunch network. Greg writing for TechCrunch network since May 2008. Greg was born in the vicinity of San Jose, California and currently lives in East Bay. ? Read More

Waaaay back at CES in January, Sprint and RIM announced that they are cooking up to version Playbook BlackBerry, who played with Sprint's 4 G network, and then ... No problem. Months went by with no mention of either one of the participating companies.

Unfortunately it looks like the Playbook Sprint 4 G will be buried before he even was born. Blame the lack of customer demand "(read: anyone who wants to sign now, probably already has an iPad or Xoom) Sprint killed off plans to start the device.

It was not clear whether or not the RIM will sell Sprint version of the tablet itself, although it seems pretty unlikely. CDMA phones for sale without the support of the carrier is hard enough, but as a half-baked object ultra niche-oriented business Tablet? Blyeck.

As the Wall Street Journal said this ... not good news for RIM. Sprint is one of the main carrier, who was willing to back Playbook — neither AT&T or Verizon would like to have something to do with it. While the Sprint still offers only WiFi tablet, it doesn't seem like they are planning to stick a Playbook for much longer. Nail, meet the coffin.

Sprint Nextel offers a full range of wireless and wireline communications services, ensuring freedom of movement for consumers, enterprises and public institutions. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing ...

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