Japanese posts

iStopMotion now Snow Leopard happy

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Nov 5th, 2009

Just in case you were waiting for the stop-motion app on your hard drive to be compatible before switching to Snow Leopard, you can stop waiting -- even if you're using some other program to do stop motion, iStopMotion is the best and brightest, and with the brand new update to version 2.1, it's completely compatible with the newest version of OS X.

OK, you probably weren't waiting for this upgrade to bring the OS up to date, but hey, Snow Leopard compatibility is a nice selling point with any app. This upgrade also includes the ability to put markers (with their own name, color, and description) in the timeline of your video, as well as a full Japanese localization, to go along with the English, German, and French already in there. It's a free update for all current users, and considering that iStopMotion has made quite a few appearances in various Mac software bundles, odds are you've already got it anyway.

Tags: boinx-software, bundles, compatibility, features, hgg, japanese, macheist, markers, os-x, snow-leopard, software, update, version-2.1

Filed under: Software

iKanji release due Thursday

by Giles Turnbull (RSS feed) on Jul 22nd, 2008

Indie developer Rory Prior expects to release version 1.0 of his iKanji application this coming Thursday, he announced today.

iKanji is a tool for anyone learning Japanese, and combines meaning, reading and writing training and tests. Over 2,000 Kanji characters and 20,000 example words are included. This is an app for advanced learners who already have a grasp of the hiragana and katakana characters (which are covered in Rory's existing iKana app).

Until release, iKanji is still in beta and Rory is still accepting beta testers, with priority given to students. If you're interested, let him know sharpish. Pre-orders are also being taken, and they qualify for a 10% discount on the standard price of €20 (about $30).

Rory also makes photo gallery maker InstantGallery, and news reader NewsLife.

Tags: ikanji, japan, japanese, kanji, language, languages, roryprior, thinkmac software, ThinkmacSoftware, uk

Filed under: Software, Odds and ends, Leopard, Deals

Jisho updated again, and discounted for TUAW readers

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Dec 6th, 2007

We've covered Jisho, the Japanese to English dictionary for OS X, a few times in the past, so I'm pretty sure that everyone who wants to translate Japanese to English and reads our site has probably seen it already. But just in case you've been waiting on a decision to buy it, wait no more-- not only has James, the creator, recently updated the app to version 2.2 (with Leopard compatibility, results sorting, and a greatly enhanced zooming function), but he's also putting it on sale for TUAW readers: between now and Sunday, December 9th, use the code "TUAWFTW" during checkout, and get the $15 app for 20% off.

Newly updated software and a discount just for you readers? Kirei desu! Sore kudasai!*

*Note: The author of this post does not know Japanese and does not own Jisho. For all he knows, he just said that "You have a nice chicken."

Tags: dictionary, discount, domo-arigato, english, i-do-have-a-nice-chicken-thanks, japanese, jisho, tuaw-readers

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Odds and ends, Developer

TUAW makes Jisho better, version 2.1.1 out now

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Sep 24th, 2007

The other week, we posted about Jisho, a Japanese to English translator for the Mac, and James, the developer, sent us another notice today that he's since updated to version 2.1.1. I can't find a changelist anywhere (and the site still says version 2.1) but James says there's a new intro splash screen, and an enhanced interface and accuracy. So if you grabbed it when we mentioned it last week, make sure to get the upgrade as well.

He wants to personally thank you, the readers of TUAW, for helping him make his software better, and we must echo his sentiments-- you guys rock. We are nothing but proud to bring developers like James a great audience like you, thanks very much.

Tags: english, enhancements, fixes, interface, james, japanese, jisho, readers, splash-screen, translation, tuaw

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Education, Odds and ends

Jisho: Japanese to English translator for the Mac

by Mike Schramm (RSS feed) on Sep 18th, 2007

I've watched as much anime as the next guy, but even I need a Japanese dictionary to figure out what those crazy robots are saying sometimes. Enter Jisho, a Japanese/English dictionary for Mac OS X 10.4 and higher. You can search in the Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana forms of Japanese, and also in English, German, Russian, and French, and it will translate not only the Japanese characters out for you (in a bright, clean interface), but the Romanization as well.

And the latest version features a completely rewritten Romanization engine, as well as Kanji "zooming" and more OS X integration. If you ever need to regularly go from English to Japanese (or back again), Jisho's got what you need-- it's just $15 from Sugoisoft. And maybe you'll pick up enough to actually learn the language.

Tags: anime, dictionary, english, japanese, jisho, kanji, language, os x, OsX, translation

Filed under: Software, Education, Odds and ends

iKana: Japanese Flash Card Learning Tool

by Mat Lu (RSS feed) on Feb 13th, 2007

I think iKana is pretty cool, even if you're not trying to learn Japanese, because it demonstrates how even a simple flash card tool can be done the Mac way. In addition to the built-in flash card sets, iKana lets you create your own, and then quizzes you in style. Maybe best of all is the integration with the Apple Remote for flipping cards and answering the quiz questions. In my view, ThinkMac should take the underlying basic ideas and expand them to make a general purpose flash card program that works in the same way. As someone who has filled out his share of flash cards for learning other languages, I really like the idea of sitting back with the Apple Remote and running through cards.

iKana is $18 and a demo is available.

[Via MacNN]

Tags: apple remote, AppleRemote, iKana, japanese, learning tool, LearningTool

Filed under: iTS

Shopping at iTunes Japan--from America

by Erica Sadun (RSS feed) on Dec 14th, 2006

Web vendor jbox offers iTunes Japan Music Cards from its online site. With one of these cards you can make purchases at the Japan iTS. The cards obviously come at a slight premium. A 1500 yen card, which is worth just under $13 in real US money costs $18 at the site. A 3000 card, worth closer to $25, costs $35. That means that individual tracks, which would normally cost between $1.25 and $1.30 based on the Yen/US $ conversion rate, will set you back about $1.75 to $1.80. For the convenience and access to the foreign store, that's not too horrible a deal.

Tags: cards, iTMS, iTunes, iTunes Music Store, ItunesMusicStore, Japan, Japanese, music cards, MusicCards

Filed under: Hardware, Retail, Cult of Mac

Translation of Japanese 'Get a Mac' ads

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Nov 26th, 2006

Oliver Reichenstein and Moritz Zimmer at Information Architects Japan have posted a translation of the Japanese Get a Mac ads we posted earlier this month, complete with essential cultural contexts. Included is a breakdown of the meanings behind the actors (and their interesting similarity), what they're wearing and what their body language means. IA finishes off the post with some criticism of the ads, complete with suggestions on what could have been done differently. If you're unfamiliar with Japan and its rich culture, this is an interesting analysis from a two-man design firm that lives right in the middle of it.

[via Daring Fireball]

Tags: ads, analysis, culture, get a mac, GetAMac, japan, japanese, mac

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