Less than an inch at its widest point, the .28 ounce Micro Sports MP3/WMA/WAV player comes ready to store 2GB ($55) and 4GB ($75) of tracks. Syncing and charging over micro USB, the Micro Sport can run for about 4 hours before giving in. But honestly, if you're enjoying outdoor activity for more than 4 hours at a time, chances are you're taking part in risky activities that could lead you to fall on your head and have this thing permanently wedged into your ear canal. During the next several years of painful, costly operations, even a 24 hour battery would have proven inadequate in overpowering the cacophonous buzz of saws grinding against your skull, let alone the very sad, very internalized song that is your life. [Geek Stuff 4 U via Akihabara News via UberGizmo]

Fill up the tank with water, plug it in (or insert batteries) and he pees. That's it. But won't that get water all over my desk and my equipment? Yeah, probably—put out a dish or something. Thanko can't do everything for you. Besides, the sound will be soothing...like a fountain. Parched? Go ahead and have a drink. I've changed my mind, this is the most useful product ever. [Thanko via Gearfuse]

What's remarkable (and remarkably Thanko-like) about these is the price: Similarly designed headphones, often not waterproof at all, run for well over $100, while these are only 4280 Yen (about $45). They're waterproof down to 5 meters, which makes them great for workout swimmers (or snorkelers, I guess). Unfortunately, they're Japan-only for now, so we'll have to keep making due with significantly less cool waterproof 'buds. [Thanko via New Launches]

The device features six LEDs, a small CMOS camera that shoots photos in 640×480 resolution or video in 1280×1024. Then you can upload your media files via USB for easy archiving. If only keeping stool samples was this easy. [Thanko via Crunchgear]

For the rest of us, this 22g camera would be great for snorkeling trips or mounting on top of an R/C car or plane for capturing some unique video. No word yet on pricing however. [Thanko via AkihabaraNews]

It's no surprise that this handy device shows up on Thanko's website, since they're guys who usually satisfy our cravings for wonky USB gadgets. The USB version of the electronic cigarette provides inhaled doses of vaporized nicotine, so smokers can puff away without all the harmful effects to second hand smokers. The kit comes with 11 filter butts and an atomizer. You can pick yours up for about $33. But beware, you might still look pretty goofy standing in public sucking on a plastic cigarette. [Thanko via Newslaunches]

The resolution is just 800×600 (SVGA), and its LED bulb only puts out 25 lumens of brightness at a measly contrast ratio of 100:1. Stretch that image several diagonal feet and you will not like what you see.

But back to the neat stuff. It docks for more speaker power! I mean, how cool is that? Order yours from Japan for $434. [Sanko via Slashgear]

These kidney-bean pads heat up to 40°C when plugged into USB, effectively taking the problem of cold boobs (man- or otherwise) while websurfing off of our collective minds. THANK YOU THANKO! They're $22: [Thanko via Crunchgear]

And, does it all without the usual stigma that affects these kinds of devices—utter butt-ugliness. It's a bit bulky, to be sure, but thanks to some solid Japanese ingenuity it's finally something I feel confident bringing into public for another of my infamous "photos of things you can never take back" field assignments.

As for the specs, the MP4 sports a 1.8-inch color screen (160x128), supports MP3 and WPA, WMA audio, and can display JPG or text files. A video camera mode recordsin 352x288, while the photo mode is 640x480. [Akihabara]

[Thanks to REED ANNEX and thanks to our benefactor gizmine.com]

Gizmodo Gallery
Reed Annex
151 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002

Gizmodo Gallery Reader Meetup
The reader meetup takes place across the street from the Gallery, at a place called The Annex (not to be confused with REED ANNEX where the gallery is hosted.) The address is 152 Orchard Street and we'll be there at 9 PM SHARP on Friday December 5th.

Gallery Dates:
December 4th-7th

Times:
12/4 Thursday
12-8

12/5 Friday
12-8

12/6 Saturday
11-8

12/7 Sunday
11-4

[Read more about our Gizmodo Gallery here and see what else we'll be playing with at the event.]

The Velcro strap ensures that even the thickest of wrists can get the benefits of this little gadget. You can even get a longer add-on strap in case you want to use it on other parts of your body—neck, back, legs... heck, you can even warm your coffee mug! Available on Thanko's site for roughly $21. [Thanko]

Inside, I found it a bit like the best of Gizmodo's Japan blog pages splattered into a retail space, complete with instructional placards and demo stations. They were all here. The USB heated mittens, the USB lock, the USB microscope, the USB neck tie cooler, to name a few. My purchasing restraint fell, and my credit card did not remain sheathed during this visit. Here's a map to the store if you would like to pay homage to the USB gadget gods. Special thanks to Gizmodo.jp for leading me to the treasure trove.

Old Tie.New tie.Old tie.New tie.

Repeat ad infinitum (rather like Thanko's R&D department does with its products.) [Akihabara News]

Looking at Thanko's wheeled laptop case, one cannot help but think that it was designed with the pathologically lazy in mind. I mean, really, is it that hard to carry a bag? Still, there are times that all that lugging really does become too much and that is where this comes in.

It is a clever little laptop case that takes a step beyond the standard rollerbag. I love the fact that it has the bag up the top instead of down the bottom, I figure that has got to pay dividends every time you have to get on a train or go up stairs; the one wheel gives you that extra support without sacrificing too much mobility. Of course, as is usually the case with Thanko, style plays little to no big part in the equation. If you are prepared to place function before form and weather the $97 price tag, then this could be a good way to rest your atrophied muscles as you prepare for the rigorous demands of a day behind a desk.

I only ever really have to walk from my apartment to my car everyday, so rolling luggage is of little use to me. If I were doing the whole public-transportation thing, however, it would definitely be up for consideration. I almost like it enough to part with my hard-earned money. [Thanko Japan via Far East Gizmos]

Now, I don't own a Wii, but I do play EyeToy games from time to time, and I can totally see the advantages this gizmo offers. With one click of the remote control, you can elevate your flat-screen TV by up to 1.3 meters, negating all that bending and peering downwards that happens when your telly is at a height more convenient for watching from the sofa than for gaming. It looks pretty sturdy in design too, and the motor can power-lift 40- to 60-inch TVs that weigh up to 110 pounds.

Available in Japan, for the equivalent of $675, we suspect that like most other Thanko gear you'll see it here soon. [Thanko via Digital world Tokyo]

It's a pretty standard three button, USB 1.1 mouse with an 800dpi sensor, but it also houses a tiny vacuum cleaner inside. With it being so small I assume you'd have to empty it pretty frequently, and it isn't going to do any good in helping you get your piles of papers and such organized, but if you eat at your desk every day and are seriously too lazy to brush the crumbs off with your hand when you're finished, this is a good solution. I guess. [Product Page via Everything USB]

Inside that plastic jaw are a pair of adjustable arms with contact teeth on the end, so it can adapt to different battery configurations and sizes. While it certainly seems convenient, and might save you carrying around loads of chargers when you travel, how does it cope with varying battery voltages and currents, eh? Answer me that, Thanko. The universal charger is available in Japan for around $18. [Newlaunches]

In case you are in any doubt about what the USB Warmer Cushion does; it is a cushion that you connect to your powered USB port, which will then raise the temperature of your web surfing bum. Thankfully, we never actually need to get off our seat and so our rears remain warm throughout the year. However, if you manage to occassionaly leave your seat and find it turns your goolies into brass monkey nuts on your return, well, the $25.83 price could not be more reasonable. [Sci Fi Tech]

[Thanko via Impress through Google Translate]

It also wouldn't be a Thanko product if it didn't draw power from USB, and luckily this does. How much would you pay for this? How about 4980 yen ($40). No? Us neither. [Thanko]