The package comes with a Japanese dictionary and the EGBridge 8.0 kanji FEP (front-end processor). EGWord 7.0 requires KanjiTalk 7.1 or higher, or System 7.5.2, 7.5.3, or 7.5.5 with Japanese Language Kit 1.2; it is compatible with OpenDocs when running under KanjiTalk 7.5.3 or higher only. PowerMac and 680XX versions are available. Ergosoft's special open-ended campaign price is JPY 39,800 for the CD-ROM version and JPY 44,800 for the floppy disk version.

Ergosoft: 03-5467-8871

Mac-based Web authoring tool from Claris
In April, Claris released Japanese version 2.0 of its Claris Homepage webpage authoring tool for the Macintosh. This well-rounded, rich package of authoring functions enables users with little webpage-creation knowledge to input text, work with HTML code, and preview pages. It supports image manipulation, automatic GIF image conversion, QuickTime movies, Shockwave applets, forms, drag & drop tables,and other advanced functions. A library of text, images, and HTML code are also included.

Claris Homepage estimates the download time for files or images, and can easily upload HTML files to a remote server. The application requires a Mac running on a 68030 processor or higher, KanjiTalk 7.1 or higher, and at least 3.5MB of RAM. The regular price is JPY 19,000, but a special campaign price of JPY 9,900 will be in effect until September 30.

Claris Corporation:
fax 03-5210-9022

Scan Japanese text from English Windows
Neocor Tech, maker of Typhoon MT (Japanese to English) and Tsunami MT (English to Japanese) translation software, has come out with a companion scanning package. KanjiScan is Japanese OCR (optical character reader) software that runs on English Windows 95/NT systems. It can scan horizontal or vertical Japanese text, with a 90% to 95% recognition accuracy, at the rate of 100,000 kanji per hour. KanjiScan's "self-learning" OCR dictionary enables it to produce more accurate results with each use. KanjiScan includes a Japanese FEP (front-end processor) for Japanese text entry and editing; it retails for $490.

Neocor Tech: +1-619-483-2524, info@neocor.com

Hitachi's new desktop line features LCD monitors
Hitachi has added a new series of slim desktop PCs (two models, in eight configurations) to its Flora 300 series. The Integral LCD Flora 310 comes with a 166-MHz Pentium, or 166- or 200-MHz MMX Pentium, processor; 16MB or 32MB of RAM; and a 12.1-inch or 13.3-inch TFT LCD monitor. Prices range from JPY 340,000 to JPY 748,000. The Microtower Flora 330 is available with a 133- or 166-MHz Pentium, or 166- or 200-MHz MMX Pentium, processor; 32MB of RAM; and optional external display. Retail prices range from JPY 248,000 to JPY 385,000. Both models offer a 2.5GB or 3.2GB hard disk drive and 10X CD-ROM drive, and come with Windows 95 preinstalled.

Hitachi Customer Answer Center: 0120-25-8012

Computer, will you read me a bedtime story? Fujitsu has released Oshaberi Mate 3.0 for Windows 95, software that will read kanji text files when you highlight a selection and drag it into the "operation panel." The program comes with a special "voice dictionary" and a 310,000-entry "place-name readings" dictionary. Given the correct context, it will even differentiate, for example, between Nihonbashi (in Tokyo) and Nipponbashi (in Osaka), place names written using the same kanji characters. The retail price is JPY 8,800.

Fujitsu: 045-471-0282

Web browser for DOS/V
For those who still haven't moved from DOS to Windows, IBM Japan offers WebBoy, a Japanese Web browser that runs on DOS/V. WebBoy requires a 386 or higher CPU and 4MB of RAM. It features a graphical interface and enables PPP dial-up access. WebBoy supports HTML 3.2 tags and GIF/JPEG files, and it has an e-mail function. WebBoy will also run on IBM's handheld PalmTop PC 110. The retail price is JPY 9,800.

Dial IBM: 0120-04-1992

A color DeskJet for Windows
Hewlett-Packard has released a Windows 3.1/95-compatible model of its DeskJet 694C, a color inkjet printer previously available only for the Mac. This printer uses HP PhotoREt technology and six different colors of ink to produce high-quality black & white and color reproductions of graphics and photos on regular paper or postcards. Panorama printing of posters and banners is also possible. Color prints are 300x300 dpi on regular paper, and 600x300 dpi on special inkjet paper, glossy paper, or OHP film. The DeskJet 694C, which comes with Adobe PhotoDeluxe software, retails for JPY 44,800.

Hewlett-Packard Japan, Ltd.: 03-3335-8333

PHS hatches a Tamagotchi
It had to happen! Bandai's toy sensation, Tamagotchi, has migrated to PHS (the personal handyphone system). Tamapitchi, a PHS handset with a "P-mail" function, allows you to call and let your Tamagotchi "go visit" the Tamagotchi in your friend's Tamapitchi. The two Tamagotchi can play, eat together, or just visit when one of them is sick. Using the PHS's internal address book, users can set their Tamagotchi to react in one of four ways, ranging from "super happy" to "super blue," depending on who is calling. Tamapitchi comes with a function to send short messages; the data transmission rate is 32K bps. Bandai's Tamapitchi PHS retails for JPY 45,000.

Bandai: 0471-46-0371

Search engine supports Japanese and Chinese
Mango, from Metasys, is a fully customizable site-searching engine that supports keyword or phrase searches of single-byte or double-byte characters (e.g., Japanese and Chinese). Multiple keyword searches use Boolean operators (AND, OR), and search results can be grouped or sorted. Search access to selected documents on the site can be restricted by user IP address. Mango requires WebStar 1.2 or Tango 1.0 for the Mac. The price is $200 for single-server commercial use and $150 for educational use.

Metasys: 03-5489-5688

Plug and download digital camera
Who but Toshiba would design a digital camera specifically for use with a portable PC? In autumn, Toshiba will release its PDR-2A digital camera, which has a PC Card flap that can be inserted directly into a laptop's PC Card slot for quick and easy transfer of digital photos. While the average digital camera can take a dozen or more seconds per image transfer, the PDR-2A can reportedly transfer 24 images in just a few seconds. The PDR-2A, which measures 10.5x5.5 cm and is about 2 cm thick, weighs 150 grams. The retail price has not yet been set.

Toshiba Corporation: 03-3457-2100

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