Monday, March 23, 2009

QFO - Not So New Import, In Stock

«©NCSX» UFOs or Unidentified Flying Objects aren't really that rare above the canyons of New York City. A seagull way up yonder is unidentified until it's identity is confirmed with a pair of binoculars. If the literal definition of a UFO is accepted, then we have seen such a object that we couldn't identify. It was summer a few years ago and the skies were bluer than the bluest eyes. At first it looked like a thick length of rope that was airborne but that didn't make any sense. Ropes don't fly do they? As we watched it cross the sky above us, the rope repeatedly changed shape from a loop to a double loop to U-shaped object and back again. The UFO was in our field and scope of vision for about 2 minutes before it sailed off into the horizon and became an itty-bitty speck in the distance. We dubbed it "Sky Worm" but it was probably some sort of manmade contrivance or maybe even a weird kite that got loose.
Takara Tomy released a contrivance last September in Japan that they called the "QFO." The Q refers to the "Q" series of toys in the Takara universe such as Choro Q. The QFO is constructed of two main parts:

1) A lightweight motor that powers an underside rotor
2) A Styrofoam frame which is fitted around the motor/rotor assembly

The motor is lightweight and small but it's loud. We'd liken it to the sound a mosquito makes when it buzzes near your ear but amplified through a megaphone. A handheld IR remote is included in the package which recharges the QFO and controls it with a simple lever that adjusts the power of the motor. You'll need to charge the QFO for about 30 minutes before using it which is good enough for roughly 12 minutes of flight. We found that maximum power is required to get the QFO airborne but once it's flying around, little nudges on the lever can keep it in the air. When it dips too low, give it a shot of maximum power to get it zooming upwards again. Note that there is no directional remote control for the QFO but the little device doesn't just move up and down. As the rotor and the frame of the QFO interacts with the air currents in the room, it'll veer left and right as it flies. We've also gotten our QFO to move in a circular motion a few times but by accident, not by design. All in all, the QFO is an interesting little toy that is conducive to experimentation and trial/error. Four color variants are available - Gold, Silver, Blue, and Red at US$28.90 each.

General Updates

PS3 Demon's Souls Asian
The third batch of Demon's Souls has arrived and we'll be able to ship all preorders/backorders received prior to the weekend. We'll be able to fill some orders that were submitted on Saturday but please note that the volume and velocity of orders that arrived over the weekend were much higher than we anticipated.
A fourth batch of the game is expected to ship later this week from Sony Hong Kong so we'll send an email update to customers whose orders are not shipping until the next batch arrives.
PSP Carnival Colors
All preorders for the various PSP Carnival Color variants (
Spirited Green, Vibrant Blue, Bright Yellow, Radiant Red) are shipping today. We're sold out as of this morning but additional supplies are expected in the next few days. Please note that the Value Pack versions of the Carnival Color PSPs should arrive later this week.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Thursday-Friday

NDS

Space Invaders Extreme 2

Taito

Suzumiya Haruhi no Chokuretsu Sega

Suzumiya Haruhi no Chokuretsu - Chou SOS LE

Sega
Will O' Wisp DS I.Factory

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator: WC 2009

Konami

PS2

Trigger Heart Exelica Enhanced

Alchemist

Trigger Heart Exelica Enhanced Limited Edition

Alchemist
PSP

Kidou Senshi Gundam: Senjou no Kizuna Portable

Bandai

Hayate no Gotoku!

Konami

Hayate no Gotoku! Special Version

Konami

Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable

Nippon

Makai Senki Disgaea 2 Portable Limited Edition

Nippon

Sengoku Tenka Touitsu

SysSoft

Will O' Wisp Portable

I.Factory

Will O' Wisp Portable Limited Edition

I.Factory

Sunday x Magazine Shuuketsu! Choujou Daikessen Konami

Wii

Suzumiya Haruhi no Heiretsu Sega
Suzumiya Haruhi no Heiretsu - Chou SOS Danhiro Sega

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Wheelie Breakers

Konami

USA Release Outlook - Arrivals on Mon-Wed

NDS Final Fantasy Echoes of Time Square
Lux-Pain Ignition
Monsters vs. Aliens Activision
PS2 Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories Rockstar
Samurai Shodown Anthology SNK
PS3 Monsters vs. Aliens Activision
Command & Conquer Red Alert Ultimate Edition EA
Legends of Wrestlemania THQ
Stormrise Sega
PSP Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja 4 Bandai
Samurai Shodown Anthology SNK
Wii Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars Ubisoft
Final Fantasy Echoes of Time Square
Monsters vs. Aliens Activision
360 Monsters vs. Aliens Activision
Stormrise Sega
Wanted: Weapons of Fate WB