The R4 Integrated Music System (IMS) comprises a multi format CD player, integrated iPod dock, USB playback port, DAB/FM tuner and auxiliary inputs allied to a powerful a 80W audiophile-grade amplifier and speaker system. The R4 employ either warm, tactile real wood veneers or dashing piano lacquer finishes, complemented by the cool touch that only real pressed steel panels provide. This unique, distinctive aesthetic is matched by a gorgeous sound. The R4 will be available from June starting at £499 ($1000).

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Volkswagen AG along with Japan’s Sanyo Electric is in the process of developing a lithium-ion battery, a key component of hybrid and electric cars. Sanyo is going through a restructuring and believes its battery business is key to its turnaround. Sanyo is currently manufacturing nickel-hydrogen batteries that can be recharged repeatedly and supplying them to Honda Motor Co. and Ford Motor Co. Volkswagen and subsidiary Audi AG will also adopt Sanyo-made nickel-hydrogen batteries for use in the Volkswagen group’s first hybrid model, to be rolled out as early as next year. Toyota, which has enjoyed enormous successes with Prius hybrid model, has worked with Matsushita Electric Industrial, known for its Panasonic brand, to start mass-production of a lithium-ion battery for use in Toyota’s hybrid models by 2010.
By working with Sanyo, Volkswagen hopes to catch up with rivals in eco-friendly vehicles. The lithium-ion battery that Sanyo and Volkswagen will develop will be smaller than a nickel-hydrogen battery, making it possible to design lighter cars than those using conventional batteries.

This system lets you watch DVDs, upload and display photos, and play and charge your iPod all on a 9-inch screen. To watch a DVD simply open the door in the back of the system, add the DVD and sit back and enjoy the movie. For digital photo upload and display, the system includes a memory card reader, so you can reminisce about your trip as soon as it’s over. But the coolest thing Iis the adapter for your iPod, which flips out of the side. The DCP951 also includes a built-in rechargeable battery for up to 2.5 hours of play.

The Philips DCP951 docking entertainment system can be yours for $199.99. You can buy it directly from the Philips Web site or participating retailers. This is a great travel gadget for people like me who don’t want to carry multiple entertainment devices.

Gateway has a plan to launch a 17-inch P-6861jFX gaming laptop in Japan — starting from mid of this month. The laptop uses a Core 2 Duo T9300 processor clocked at 2.50GHz, combined with 3GB of DDR2 RAM and Mobile GeForce 8800M GTS GPUS (512MB) graphics card, features DirectX10 supported which already found at FX series gaming desktop PC.

Pioneer brand new DVH-P530 in-car CD/DVD Player is a terrific foundation for a rear-seat mobile theater. Though it only has a CD/DVD player and lacks a monitor, this unit will admirably serve as the heart of a mobile system. It comes with USB terminal to connect to iPod and support to playback both traditional and modern media formats, such as MP3, WMA, AAC, and DivX. The DVH-P530 is currently available in Japan and the price is going for ¥47,250.

PC Koubou has begun to sale a couple of desktop PC including digital TV tuner and Microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse in Japan. The first of two is Amphis MT760iC2D-HS — Comes with a Core 2 Duo E8400 processor, which clocked at 3GHz, GeForce 8400 GS graphics card, 2GB of RAM, 640GB of HDD, DVD super-multi burner, and pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium. The price is set at ¥139,980 which include a 19-inch LCD display with resolution of 1,440×900 pixel (WXGA+).