A Japanese company called Idea Label has designed the “Music Planet” [JP] today, a portable, ball-shaped MP3 player that you can take with you to the bath tub. The device is IPX7-certified, meaning it can withstand immersion in water up to a depth of 1m for up to 30 minutes.

The device also features an FM radio tuner, an alarm clock and stereo speakers. It supports SD/SDHC cards (up to 32GB) and has a USB port.

Sized at 165×160×165mm, the Music Planet is powered by six AA batteries that are enough to listen to MP3s stored on an SD card for 13 hours (9 hours for USB files and 28 hours for the radio).

The device is already on sale on Idea Label’s Japanese website (price: $120) and is Japan only. So if you live outside this country, I’d suggest you contact import/export specialists Japan Trend Shop, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya.

Via AV Watch [JP]

Tokyo-based crap gadget maker Thanko continues to amaze. The company today announced [JP] a mouse with an integrated speaker, believe it or not (Thanko already gave us the “mid-air” mouse, the USB cooler mouse, a heated mouse, and a liquid mouse).

This new model is supposed to replace conventional speakers that take away so much valuable space on your desk, but I doubt this will happen. Thanko also throws in a mic so you can use the mouse/speaker for your Skype calls, too.

The 1000dpi/USB mouse is already listed on Thanko’s Japanese website and costs $20 (including the mic). Ask import/export specialist Geek Stuff 4 U if you live outside Japan and are interested in this thing for some reason.

For some reason, Tokyo-based USB accessory maker Thanko has rolled out a slew of spy gadgets in the past weeks and months. About four weeks ago, Thanko gave us a spy pen that shoots video in HD, and today we are getting the Motion Sensor Spy Pen [JP]. The device looks like a regular ballpen, but it detects people moving in its vicinity and starts recording them on video automatically.

Unfortunately Thanko doesn’t specify the range of the motion sensor but says the pen stops recording automatically once it stops detecting movement for 10 seconds. The pen shoots video in AVI format and 736×480 resolution at 30fps. Alternatively, it can take pictures (JPEGs) in 1,280×960.

The pen weighs 30g, has 4GB of internal memory and a battery life of about 70 minutes. Needless to say, you can transfer your video or photo files to your computer via USB (Windows XP / Vista / 7 and Mac OS are supported).

Thanko is already selling the Motion Sensor Spy Pen on its Japanese website (price: $70). Ask Thanko partner and import/export specialist Geek Stuff 4 U if they can get one and ship it outside Japan if you’re interested.

Here’s a sample video (taken with the spy pen):

The Japanese website Nikkei’s Tech-On! reports that engineers are developing a small, portable, and most importantly, wireless EKG system. Designed to run approximately 3 days on a charge, the device will communicate wirelessly using either a wifi or cellular connection.

[Via Medagadget]

Tokyo-based USB gadget maker Thanko gave us a video camera button last July, which was basically a mini camera for your shirt or jacket that could be used for secretly recording video. And today the company started selling the second version [JP] of the Spy Button Camera whose main new feature is the sound recording function.

So now you have a device that shoots video (AVIs in 720 x 480 and at 30fps) and JPEGs (in 1,280 x 1,024), but which also lets you store sounds. The Spy Button Camera weighs 20g and is powered by a lithium-ion battery that lets you shoot up to 70 minutes of video. As the device has no internal memory, you’ll need to get a microSD card for it (cards holding up to 16GB are supported).

All the material you recorded can be transferred to your PC via USB, but only Windows XP/Vista and 7 machines are supported. The new camera doesn’t have a remote control anymore, meaning you have to push a button on the device itself to start the recording (see picture above).

Thanko already started selling the Spy Button Camera on their Japanese website (price: $55 including six buttons). If you live outside Japan, you can ask import/export specialist Geek Stuff 4 U if they can get one for you.

It’s Thanko time again. The Tokyo-based company, famous for gadgets like the USB-powered boob warmer, the USB eye warmer or the USB gloves, is now offering not one [JP] but two [JP] USB-powered, heated slippers – just in time for winter. I can’t decide which one is uglier, but maybe you can.

First, we have the Hot Slippers (pictured above). They are available in brown or grey and get the power they need to keep your feet warm through the USB port of your computer (Windows or Mac OS will work). Price: $23 per pair.

Then there are the Hot Room Shoes. I am not really sure what the difference to the Hot Slippers is function-wise, as these shoes are supposed to keep your feet warm via USB power, too. Price: $23 (available in M or L).

Thanko already sells both versions on their Japanese website. As the company closed their English store recently, you’ll need to contact import specialists such as the Japan Trend Shop or Geek Stuff 4 U to get a pair.

NEC has developed a shape-memory plastic that can be formed at room temperature . The plastic can be heated and cooled, remaining pliant for for several minutes during which it can be processed.

The usual problem with shape-memory plastics is differences in temperature. Shape-memory plastics that needs to be hardened at high temperatures may burn users, while those that need be kept at low temperatures lose their shape when exposed to heat.

NEC says their material is made by mixing polybutylene succinate (a bio-degradable, “eco-friendly” plastic) with other organic substances. Users need to heat it up to 90C and then let it cool off to up to 20C before being able to use their hands to form the plastic.

The company aims at commercializing the plastic to makers of wearable electronics and medical devices, among others. NEC’s Japanese website isn’t mentioning the invention, which is why I had to put the pic of the sex plastic man up there.

Via Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]