TECHNOLOGY Japanese already use cell phones to shop, read novels, exchange e-mail, search for restaurants and take video clips. Now, they’re taking a university course. [MAINICHI]

TECHNOLOGY A robot math whiz breezes through a Rubik’s Cube, using metal hands to twist and turn the colorful toy. A panda robot uses sensors to detect when people are laughing, and joins in. [MAINICHI]

TECHNOLOGY The 2007 International Robot Exhibition, one of the world’s largest exhibitions focusing on robotics, is set to open Wednesday at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center in Ariake, also known as Tokyo Big Sight, for a four-day run through Saturday. [KYODO]

TECHNOLOGY Japanese representatives from the flourishing nanotechnology sector were in London on Tuesday to attend the second annual U.K. NanoForum — an international partnering event designed to unite companies from around the globe. [KYODO]

TECHNOLOGY NTT DoCoMo Inc. debuted a new 905i line of mobile phone handsets Monday, most of which are based on the world’s most popular GSM standard and can be used in about 154 countries. [THE JAPAN TIMES]

TECHNOLOGY Japanese cars excelled in a survey of the most reliable used cars published Thursday in Britain’s ‘What Car?’ magazine, being awarded an impressive nine of the top 10 places. [KYODO]

TECHNOLOGY Camera manufacturers are zooming in on mid- to top-range digital single-lens reflex models for the year-end shopping season. [ASAHI]

TECHNOLOGY Japanese electronics firms are souping up their latest range of mobile phones with technology — and, crucially, branding — sourced from their flagship products, such as flat-screen TVs and cameras, which could prove an important factor in sales as the Christmas shopping period approaches. [MAINICHI]

TECHNOLOGY The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NHK have successfully taken the world’s first high-definition images of an “earth-rise” with the lunar explorer “Kaguya.” (1)

TECHNOLOGY A cigarette vending machine that can tell adults from minors by determining their approximate ages based on bone structure, wrinkles and the way their skin sags went on sale Monday. [YOMIURI]

TECHNOLOGY The 40th Tokyo Motor Show ended its 17-day run Sunday with 1,425,800 visitors, falling short of the organizer’s target of about 1.5 million. [KYODO]

TECHNOLOGY Personal stereos have come a long way from the days of cassette tapes, with major manufacturers now battling for consumers’ attention with functions such as video capability. The market leader is Apple Inc.‘s incredibly popular iPod, but market veteran Sony Corp. is in hot pursuit with its latest range of Walkman products. [YOMIURI]

TECHNOLOGY Every second counts when you’re built for speed, and the new N700 Series of Shinkansen train is the fastest yet, thanks partly to an innovative window design that cuts down on drag. [ASAHI]

TECHNOLOGY If prizes were awarded for hype, Nissan’s long-awaited GT-R would be a cinch for the Car of the Year award. Launching it Oct. 24 at the 40th annual Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn was at his showman best as he unveiled the GT-R. [BUSINESSWEEK]

TECHNOLOGY “Did you just grope me? Shall we head to the police?” That’s the message women are flashing on their cell phones with a popular program designed to ward off wandering hands in Japan’s congested commuter trains. [MAINICHI]

TECHNOLOGY Kaneko Sangyo Co. said Tuesday it has developed a portable toilet for use inside a car that totally conceals the user with a curtain. [KYODO]

TECHNOLOGY An expert panel established by the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry to study measures to deal with spam e-mail compiled a draft for an interim report Tuesday calling for a ban on sending unsolicited advertising and publicity messages without the prior agreement of receivers. [YOMIURI]

TECHNOLOGY From egg- to gorilla-shaped vehicles, to cars so soft and squishy they can hit a pedestrian without causing much damage, Japanese auto engineers and designers have come up with some wild new designs for the Tokyo Motor Show opening next week. [ASAHI]

TECHNOLOGY A robotic guard dog designed to bark loudly at intruders has become a hit for its cute and loyal demeanor, shifting about 10,000 units since its 1995 release. [MAINICHI]

TECHNOLOGY Sony Corp. has announced it will start selling four new Blu-ray disc recorders to augment its lineup of DVD players in Japan, stepping up the battle in next-generation video formats. [THE JAPAN TIMES]