Miscellaneous

Animal Footprint Beach Sandals Make Walkers Paws

by Steve Levenstein

These stealthy beach sandals from Kiko-Kids have really got sole: animal footprint soles to be exact. Now your kid can make tracks to the beach right through your living room and blame it on the family cat, monkey, owl, gecko or dinosaur.

2 comments

USB Record Turntable Plays the Hits, Saves Them to Your PC

by China.new

The Donya Direct DN-USB-TP01 is a USB-powered portable record turntable that can play 33rpm, 45rpm and even 78rpm vinyl records. Like what you're hearing? Download the included 'Audacity' software and save those blasts from the past to your PC!

2 comments

"...And This Side Makes You Live Longer!"

by Norm Cassian

In one of the legendary scenes in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the caterpillar, after exhaling his hookah, informs the young wanderer that, “One side will make you grow taller... and the other side will make you grow shorter.” Alice asks, “The other side of what?” “THE MUSHROOM, OF COURSE!” exclaims the caterpillar. And now we learn that the inside of the mushroom will make you grow stronger, healthier, and likely help you to live better, longer.

4 comments

Teachers Expel School Intruder with Two-Pronged 'Man-Catcher'

by Steve Levenstein

Japanese teachers recently subdued and immobilized a knife-wielding intruder using a variation of the traditional, two-pronged Sasumata. The incident highlights this ancient fighting weapon in its modern iteration as a non-violent, noninvasive, “Man-Catcher” school safety device.

2 comments

Chinese Cafe Chills Iced Tea with Dry Ice Cubes

by China.new

This isn't the “carbonated” iced tea you were thinking of, though there's plenty of carbon in the ice cubes used to chill it. A Chinese cafe is offering customers wilted by summer heat a VERY cold way to chill out: Bubble Tea made with frozen carbon dioxide, aka Dry Ice!

Schick Japan Animates Your Shave with a 'One Piece' Anime Action Figure

by Steve Levenstein

Schick Japan and anime publisher Shueisha have teamed up for the "One Piece" collaboration and campaign running from July 1st through September 30th. The highlight for anime luvvin' shavers is a collectible Schick Hydro razor stand featuring Monkey D Luffy, star of the immensely popular One Piece manga series.

China's Farmers Could Grow Foods Naturally Enriched in Selenium

by China.new

Chinese geologists have announced that over 28 percent of the soil in the Chinese island province of Hainan is naturally enriched in Selenium. Farm produce grown in selenium-enriched soils incorporate this important trace element, offering health-conscious consumers a safe, environmentally-friendly way to improve their health.

It's No Bull, New 'Pepsi Energy Cola' Gives You a Buzz

by Steve Levenstein

Pepsi Japan just can't kick their habit of rolling out one new cola after another, and this time their seizing the Red Bull by the horns with Pepsi Energy Cola!

1 comment

China's New Icebreaker Will Paint the Poles Red

by China.new

If you thought China had cold feet when it comes to polar exploration, think again. The country's State Oceanic Administration has announced that the launch of a new icebreaker in 2013 will give China the ability to monitor both the arctic and the Antarctic environment at the same time.

Presidential Social Media, Not Stymied By WeinerGate!

by Ron Callari

Back in February, when Mia Cambronero was stepping down from her post as Social Networks Manager for President Obama, the open position and job description sought job candidates that were "passionate about engaging millions of Americans in advancing President Obama's agenda and changing the country." And going into the 2012 elections, our "social media" head of state is not going to shy away from social media like so many other politicians who fear from the backlash of Representative Weiner's "below the belt" sharing.

2 comments

Deep Frying Aims To Make The Kool-Aid Man A Little Rounder

by Kim Patterson

On a day-to-day basis I try to avoid deep fried foods (for obvious artery-clogging type reasons), but if I came across fried Kool-Aid, as is being offered at the San Diego, Calif., County Fair, I think that my curiosity would get the better of me.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere... But Where?

by Norm Cassian

As the Country & Western song goes, “It’s five-o’clock somewhere.” But exactly where to go at five-o'clock? Chicago-based SceneTap has developed an eponymous new mobile application that no urban cowboy or hip barhopper will want to leave home without.

Giving Thanks for the Mammaries at Japan's Best Breast Shrine

by Steve Levenstein

Thank God for breasts... and wouldn't you know, Japan has a shrine for that! Since 1678, Karube Jinja in Okayama prefecture has been providing hope and faith for Japanese women seeking the best for their breasts.

Rifle Umbrella Keeps You Dry, Could Trigger Panic

by China.new

Stop or I'll bumbershoot! The Rifle Umbrella from Brando.com may not be the most well-thought-out gadget but at least it'll keep you dry when sudden storms strike.

1 comment

China's Facebook Launches Social Credit Card While It Slides On Stock Exchange

by Ron Callari

A paradox seems a foot when a Chinese social network pilots an innovative global initiative at the same time its stock price is plummeting. As Renren, China's Facebook teams up with China Merchants Bank to create a co-branded credit card with "social features" - in one week's time, the value of its stock fell from US$14 to an all time low of US$6.78 as of closing on June 16.

4 comments

Japanese Black Rind Watermelons Taste Sweet, Cost Plenty!

by Steve Levenstein

What better cure for melancholy than melons – expensive, black rind watermelons to be exact! Be prepared to pay dearly for these sweet black beauties, however, as the premium Densuke watermelons are only grown on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido.

1 comment

Japanese Army Rolls Out Floating Orb Robot That Shoots Pics – For Now

by Steve Levenstein

Remote-control Predator drones operated by the U.S. Air Force may not be old & busted but Japan's army just rolled out some awesome new hotness: a flying robot orb ready for recon or defcon!

1 comment

Retro Brick iPhone Case Recalls Classic Clunky 80s Cellphones

by China.new

The ThumbsUp! iPhone case takes you and your smartphone back to the Cafe 80s when men were men, greed was good, and mobile phones were big black bricks.

2 comments

Bottle Cap Lamp is Ideal for Light Drinkers

by Steve Levenstein

The battery-powered Bottle Cap Lamp from Japan's Ideaco turns most any water or drink bottle into an eerily attractive lamp. Hmm, wonder if it'll turn a bottle of Budweiser into a Bud Light?

Virtual DVD Dinner Dates Satisfy Japan's Lonely, Hungry Geeks

by Steve Levenstein

Loneliness and shyness seem to be serious issues for many Japanese guys, but fear not: a series of 3 self-help DVDs is here to save the day. Microwave up a frozen Swanson entree, pull up a ratty sofa and pop in a disc, hungry Otaku, your virtual dinner dream date awaits!