If you fancy using Twitter as much as we do, you’ll probably scream like a pre-teen when you lay your eyeballs on what toy maker Takara Tomy has conjured up in Japan. Dubbed Twimal, this loveable Pokemon-esque desk companion plugs into your Windows machine via USB and has one reason for its existence — to read your tweets. Available in blue or white (male or female voice, respectively), these little bots are able to read all sorts of tweets (replies, lists, user-specific, etc.), in what appears to be Japanese only. If you’re interested in getting your 140-character messages read in the cutest way possible, look for these toys on digital shelves in Japan on March 31 for ¥2,480 (around 30 bucks). And do yourself a favor; watch the video after the break. You’ll thank us later.
Continue reading Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video)
Twimal the Twitter reader reads your tweets, looks adorable while doing so (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 07:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Takara Tomy’s 3D Shot Cam: 3D Camera for Less
Can’t get enough of the 3D hype? Let your child enjoy it, too! I’m not talking about taking your kid to the movies or getting an expensive 3D TV for his room. I’m talking about getting him a Takara Tomy 3D Shot Cam. Yes, his very own stereoscopic camera. Relax. It’s specifically designed to be an affordable alternative for kids 12 years and older. It’s like getting him a Fujifilm Finepix Real 3D … Read more on Manila Bulletin
FanHouse: Winning isn’t good enough for Boise St.
LARAMIE, Wyo. – They don’t give extra credit for style, but Austin Pettis went ahead with the somersault anyway, his body flipping head over heels in the end zone, a silly stunt guaranteed to make the weekend TV highlights. Might as well, right? Read more on MSNBC
Sony has been working on the development of efficient bio-batteries since 2007, but the company hasn’t really come close to commercialization so far. The batteries, which exist as prototypes, can be recharged not by using methanol as fuel but glucose. And it makes sense, as a single bowl of rice contains the same energy as 96 AA batteries.
And using the bio-battery in real products might soon become reality, it seems. This week, Japanese toymaker Takara showcased a few radio-controlled toy cars that are powered by the Sony battery. Power is generated by using enzymes to break down glucose found in sugary drinks. Cola, juice, soda and sports drinks can be used, as long as the liquid contains around 7% glucose.
Takara says the prototype cars are able to run for around 60 minutes with “one charge” of 8cc of sugary liquid. The cars can run faster when you fill them up with sweeter liquids, which basically is the same as highly concentrated fuel.
Via The Nikkei [registration required, paid subscription]
I am true believer of the hypothesis that the sillier a given country’s gadgets, the fewer problems it has. In the case of Japan, we now have the Potechi No Te, which translates to Potato Chip Hand. It’s actually silly and not silly at the same time, as it’s meant to protect your fingers from getting greasy every time you eat chips.
The maker, major Japanese toy company Takara Tomy, says they’re especially targeting heavy computer users who are fed up with getting their fingers, keyboard and mice covered with potato chip oil (as I said: another problem solved).
The company claims no matter how hard you push the button on the thing, the Hand will grab chips gently but firmly, without breaking them. The hand’s fingers are placed so that they don’t touch the table when you put it away. I’m telling you, this thing is the pinnacle of industrial engineering.
Amazon Japan is already listing [JP] the Potato Chip Hand. It will go on sale in Japan in June in three versions (price: $8 each). Ask Japan- and US-based import/export specialist Rinkya if you happen to like eating chips, do a lot of computer work and have a penchant for silly gadgets.
I hate sitting down at other people’s computers, because some keyboards are simply disgusting. Now it’s not the keyboards themselves that are gross, it’s the greasy keys and crumbs that inhabit the devices that get me. Sure, I eat at my desk, but I do it away from my keyboard and wipe my hands before typing again. Well if you’re one of those people that gets the munchies during 12-hour games of WoW, the engineers at Takara Tomy have a new gadget aimed at you.
The Potechi Hand is a rather simple-looking device that grabs chips for you. When I say “for you” I mean that you have to pick it up, then press a button that makes it grab hold of the greasy snack. This is designed to keep your fingers free of grease while at your PC. What’s amusing is that Takara Tomy looks to have actually put a good bit of thought behind this simple device.
The chip-grabbing device employs three unique features dubbed “No Broken Clutch System,” “No Touch Table System” and “Finger Easy Cleaning System.” The first is a pressure-sensitive clutch that ensures your chip is held with a grip that is strong enough to keep it in place, but gentle enough that it won’t break apart. The second is simply the fact that the “fingers” do not touch the table when the device isn’t in use. The last one is actually a cleaning mode that rubs the two “fingers” together in a circular motion which cleans the excess crumbs off.
Sure, it’s a silly little gadget that reminds me greatly of a claw toy that I picked up at the zoo as a child. But you have to admit that they did put a bit of thought into this $8 toy.
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