2011年7月22日「モバイル英語学習」第108号(エッセイ): Hello. Is Anyone Home?

Notes:
fool into〈人〉をだまして…させる;
burglar 強盗;
fed up 飽き飽きして、うんざりして;
collect 取ってくる;
device 装置;

—————-
A young British boy aged 13, could win a prize of 250,000 pounds (32 million yen) for inventing a doorbell that fools burglars into thinking that someone is home. The invention is called the ‘Smart Bell’ which calls your cell phone when someone rings on the door bell. This allows for a conversation with anyone who comes to your door. As well as tricking burglars the invention can also talk to delivery people. He thought of the invention after his school had a competition asking students for ideas based on a popular TV program. The teenager, said: “At first I designed the idea because my mum was fed up going to the Post Office to collect deliveries made when we were not at home.” The device has already sold more than 20,000 units and could sell many more, making him a very rich young boy. (by Prof. Simon Smith)
——————–

2011年5月23日「モバイル英語学習」第91号(エッセイ) : Japanese Innovators

Notes:
・affluent(形): 裕福な、富裕な;
・tragedy(名): 悲劇、悲しい事件、惨事;
・predict(動): …を予言する、予測する;
・emerge(動): 〈人が〉〔貧困・苦境から〕身を起こす、抜け出す;
・aim(動): …することを目指す、努力する;
********************
Japan has always been regarded as one of the great innovators of the world – think autos, steel, but especially electronics. Some have argued that in the last 10 years Japan has seen a trend away from innovating as people become more affluent and comfortable. But with the tragedy of the earthquake some are predicting that Japan may emerge even stronger, just as after the war. Perhaps an early demonstration of this is Sony’s prediction that it is aiming to become the second largest player in the popular tablet PC market segment behind Apple within one year.  (by Prof. Simon Smith)
********************