K-tai

Oh my fucking god.

Last time we discussed Japanese 4G networks Engadget was a baby merely 6 days old. Here we are a year and a half later (to the day-happy 1.5 years, um, us!), and what we’ve got to report on 4G is that while the numbers have fallen from the sky a little, what hasn’t changed is the fact that Japan’s still light years ahead. 4G was originally estimated to run as slow as 20mbps and as fast as 1gbps, and be rolled out initially by 2010 courtesy of everyone’s favorite Japanese carrier, NTT DoCoMo. But it looks like they may just make good on the claim that they’re 4-years ahead of schedule, since they’ve already succesfully completed a dry run test of 100mbps stationary cellular data. The 4G standard doesn’t have a ratified standard yet though (like a certain other wireless standard), so don’t expect to see this biz occupying American airwaves until at least 2046.

100mbits! WTF! I don’t even have that for my home connection!

And it seems like the rumours of a flash-based iPod mini may soon be realized soon…

We didn’t really think they were going to do it, but it looks like perhaps Apple took Samsung up on their offer after all (or someone, anyway). Later this month we can apparently expect Apple to debut 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB flash iPod minis, which will only be 75-80% of their current size. Apparently the screen’s also going color too, but will shrink about 0.2-inches from its current size-prices should remain steady, but the 8 gigger could cost $299.

Thinksecret’s apparently also got some new details on the ROKR, which they claim will apparently come in 256MB and 512MB capacities, and that users will be able to download music over the air for $2 a pop-all about what we’d expected from the whole deal.

A smaller mini with color screen AND flash storage? I will get one even if it cost more. ._.