Tsure Zure Gusa

This last Monday Casio released its 2010 line of Japanese dictionaries, and next Monday the foreign language models will come out. All of the 2010 Japanese electronic dictionaries feature an improved color TFT touch screen as well as a number of new features. Later this week I’ll write an in depth review of the flagship model, the XD-A10000 that will include a discussion of features common to the entire line. For now I’d like to just mention all of the new models by name with a brief description:

XD-A10000: The professional model, replaces the XD-GF10000. Includes the Kenkyusha 5th edition Japanese to English dictionary as well as the pair of million entry translator’s references. Improved audio content is also included so roughly 70,000 Japanese words have audio pronunciation, and some Japanese classical poems and works of literature included also have recorded readings by a native speaker. Several Oxford English dictionaries and thesauruses are also included.

XD-A9800: “University student model.” Replaces the XD-GF9800. Almost as impressive as the XD-A10000. Compared to the A10000 it lacks the Random House English to Japanese Dictionary, several English dictionaries and some Japanese content. But it still has the prized Kenkyusha Japanese to English dictionary, the pair of Reader’s English to Japanese dictionaries, and the two million entry translator’s references. Also includes audio for about 70,000 Japanese words in the Meikyo and NHK accent guide, though it lacks the poems and works of literature. For about $110 less than the XD-A10000, this may become the most popular one.

XD-A3800: “Junior High School model.” Available in various colors. Limited English/Japanese texts.

XD-A4800: “High School model.” Available in various colors. Limited English/Japanese texts.

XD-A8500: “Business model.” Available in various colors. Again, lacks much in the way of English/Japanese texts.

XD-A6800: “Hobby model.” As above.

XD-A6500: “Lifestyle, General use.” As above.

The foreign language models listed below have almost the exact same dictionaries included as the 2009 lineup, so the only difference will be in the improved screen, navigation, and other features common to all of the XD-A series. (This year the 2009 models seem to be quickly selling out, so in the next month or two the XD-GF and XD-SF series are likely to be completely unavailable.)

XD-A7100: German model. Replaces the XD-GF7150.

XD-A7200: French model. Replaces the XD-GF7250.

XD-A7300: Chinese model. Replaces the XD-GF7350.

XD-A7400: Italian model. Replaces the XD-SF7400.

XD-A7500: Spanish model. Replaces the XD-SF7500.

XD-A7600: Korean model. Replaces the XD-SF7600.

XD-A7700: Russian model. Replaces the XD-SF7700.

A couple of medical dictionaries are also scheduled to be announced in the next couple of months, but since the included medical texts are Japanese, they seldom inspire much interest among the Japanese-learning community.

An in-depth look at the XD-A10000 as well as all the improvements in the XD-A series will follow in the next week.