Here is the daily roundup from Japanese consumer tech and tech business websites for December 11, 2014.

Joysound.TV Plus Karaoke app soon to be available on PS3/PS4

Japanese companies Xing and Faith have just announced that its popular Joysound Karaoke on demand service will now be available on the Playstation 3 and 4 consoles, as the Joysound.TV Plus app.

Previously introduced for the Playstation Vita last month, the PS4/PS3 version of Joysound.TV Plus will feature much of the same karaoke features as its hardware version. The app will have at least 100,000 combinations of singles and duet songs for the family to enjoy.  Needless to say, its obligatory “singing analyzer” feature will also be available, as well as its function to connect to Joysound.TV Plus apps on other compatible mobile devices.

Panasonic offers new monitoring system for solar arrays

Starting this December, Panasonic System Networks will be offering new wireless solar array “string” monitoring systems for buildings and other similar large structures or establishments.

The new monitoring system is claimed to be capable of measuring more accurately photovoltaic input levels of each solar cell “string” in real time, using an easy to use visual interface. Connected to a wireless network, it can instantly report changes in input efficiency due to varying outdoor conditions. This then allows the system to quickly readjust and optimize its energy output, protect a specific part of the array from overheating, or call for maintenance when necessary.

The system will be part of Panasonic’s current integrated solar energy system services.

HP to launch its new Elitebook Folio 1020 in Japan

HP Japan announces that it will be releasing the HP Elitebook Folio 1020 G1 Special Edition in Japan. The official release date will be sometime around mid-April 2015.

The business class HP Elitebook Folio 1020 G1 Special Edition will mainly feature a 12.5-inch QHD (2560×1440) screen, and will sport its classic magnesium-lithium alloy finish on an ultra-thin 15.7mm, 1kg body. The version that will be released in Japan will be powered by a Broadwell Core M-5Y51 (1.1 Ghz) processor, with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. It will feature FeliCa NFC compabitibility, as well as HP’s Touchpoint Manager. OS will be Windows 8.1 Update (64 bit).

No prices announced for its Japanese release yet.

The post Playstation Karaoke, Solar monitoring, Elitebook 1020: The Headlines in Tokyo for Dec. 11 appeared first on VR World.

Users looking to get a decent notebook in the business segment have had to forego features for design or the other way around. HP is looking to put an end to that with its upcoming EliteBook series, which includes models with minimalist designs built for productivity.

Of particular note in the series is the EliteBook Folio 1020, which features a thickness of just 15.7 mm. Internal hardware is in the form of Intel’s brand-new Core M processors, 8 GB RAM, 128 or 256 GB SSDs. Other features include 720p webcam, HD Audio with DTS Studio Sound and a noise-cancellation software that minimizes external sound during teleconferences. HP is also touting a nine-hour battery life as standard with the notebook.

The EliteBook Folio 1020 comes in two editions: a standard version with a full-HD display and a special edition, which features a QHD display. Also included on the special edition is a shell made out of carbon fiber and a magnesium-lithium alloy along with a red color accent around the frame. There is an option to configure a touchscreen with both models. There’s also a weight differential between the two models, with the former coming in at 1.2kg while the latter at just 1kg.

Business-centric features of the EliteBook Folio series include the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2/2.0, pre-boot authentication, fingerprint reader, HP’s enterprise port and a self-healing BIOS. Other security features include HP Client Security and HP BIOSphere, which are designed to secure data. The notebooks also comply with the US military’s MIL-STD-810G standard, making them immune to drops, humidity, heat and pressure.

The standard version of the EliteBook Folio 1020 will be making its way to shelves February 2015, with the special edition launching in the month of April. No word on pricing yet, but considering the feature-set and the segment HP is targeting, expect to pay a lot for the flagship models. HP states that a consumer-centric model based on a similar design will be announced sometime later next year.

The post HP’s Upcoming EliteBook Folio 1020 Is The world’s Thinnest Business Notebook appeared first on VR World.