Fukushima Geiger Counters. Sanwa Corporation's President Yuichiro Saito shows the newly developed Geiger counter models. (Mainichi)

Sanwa Corporation of Japan recently developed a small Geiger-Muller tube for use with the iPhone Geiger Bot app.  The Geiger Bot app counts the audible clicks from the output speaker of a Geiger counter setup.  Although the Geiger Bot app could previously be used to provide a digital readout from older, analog Geiger counters, Sanwa has developed their own Geiger tube for use with the app.  There’s no confirmation yet on the accuracy of readings or if they’re sold pre-calibrated.

The Sanwa team started developing the tube in June, after the March tsunami and subsequent radiation disaster created high demand for radiation survey meters.  According to the Daily Yomiuri, a leading Japanese newspaper, as of November 16 nearly 3,000 reserved orders had been placed for the iPhone compatible Geiger tube and another, self contained Geiger counter developed by the company.  More info can be found at the Mainichi Daily News.