Gizmodo: novelty items

The Soda Cup Phone: Because Hamburgers are SO 2007

Adrian Covert — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:40:00 EST

Unlike its spoiled brat sibling, the Hamburger Phone, the Soda Cup Phone doesn't have a major motion picture to serve as its marketing machine. So it turned to us, the blogs, to spread the word.

I'll be honest—the Soda Cup may not have the same quirky appeal as the Hamburger, but it has stealth on its side. Like Joel over at BoingBoing Gadgets mentioned, you'd never know it was a phone if not for the cord (note to manufacturer: make cordless model next year. thx.). The Hamburger would never fool anyone, because a real hamburger would never, ever look plasticky. So if you really wanna throw someone for a loop, you can answer the Soda Cup when it rings, and they'll totally think you've been dropping acid.

Also, at $14, you're paying a dollar less. THAT'S A DEAL! [Soda Cup Phone via Gadgets Alerts via BB Gadgets]

Spaceship Cellphone Makes All Your Calls a Blast

Elaine Chow — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:30:00 EDT

Step aside G1, out of the way iPhone, I think I've found my cellular of choice. This little gem of a communication device was discovered by Brian and I in a gadget shop in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay. Written on the side of the phone was “Shenzhou VII,” the name of China's third human spaceflight mission. Blam wanted to get it right away, but the shop owner asked an astronomical $180 for it. “I bet my stars I can get it for cheaper in China,” I promised him as he reluctantly handed it back.

A cursory search through taobao.com (the ebay of China) proved fruitless, but I did come across a Chinese site reviewing our stellar little handset. The Shenzhou VII mobile phone includes a 2MP camera, MP3 and MP4 capabilities, a microSD slot, USB, and—bet you didn't see this coming—astronaut themes. If anyone knows where to get this, please give me a holler! I don't want to end up looking like a space cadet in front of my boss. [Shanzhaiji]

Dad's Cab Family Taxi Meter Will Make Your Children Cringe

Adrian Covert — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:59:00 EDT

The Dad's Cab Meter is a fake taxi fare counter for parental chauffeurs, made so they can guilt/embarrass their ingrate children into doing chores for them. The meter incrementally increases the pretend fare and comes with a stack of fare receipts that have chores the kids can do as payment (har har har). It's kinda like those redonkulous moments on The Cosby Show where the entire family would participate in a role-play with some sort of real-world moral to it, except not anywhere as funny. Dad's Cab is $18, but in the grand scheme of things, mortifying your children is priceless. [Gizoo via Coolest Gadgets via Dvice]