Gizmodo
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camcorders
Even Thanko Makes Sorta Decent Cheapo HD Camcorders Now
How easy is it to make an HD camcorder? Even Thanko, proprietor of all gadgets weird and crappy, has pooped one out. Akihabara News has some not terribly telling sample video, but says for the price ($175), it's "decent." [AkihabaraNews] -
thanko
Thanko Goggle-Mounted Waterproof Camera Is Going To Be a Problem At The Pool
Despite unimpressive 25fps QVGA resolution, I have to agree with Akihabara's assessment on this Thanko waterproof camera—it will be a hit with the perverts. More »
12,724
By Sean FallonComment by Software_Goddess: Um, Who would mount a camera to an RC car like that? This thing belongs on a COOL car… like... 8 Responses | Other threads
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japan
Spider Mouse Is Perfect for Arachnophobes
Spider Mouse, Spider Mouse/Does whatever Spider Mouse does/Can he swing/from a web?/no he can't/he's a mouse/look out!/he's a Spider Mouse! Sing this song in your head all morning. You are welcome. [Japan Probe]
13,056
By Jesus DiazComment by elementary: If you're going to make a corded spider-mouse, wouldn't it be logical to turn the thing around and have the... 3 Responses | Other threads
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usb
USB Cigarettes
We've seen electronic cigarettes before, but not one that charges via USB. More »
13,906
By Odelia LeeComment by spren: "But beware, you [everyone] still look[s] pretty [stupid] standing in public sucking on cigarette[s]." Fixed that one for you. 11 Responses | Other threads
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sd
Pen Reads Four SD Cards While Looking a Bit Like a Rocket
Thanko's 4-slot SD card reader/pen, but we're waiting for the 8-slot, double X-Wing version. No word on retail price, but we're sure it'll be available soon at various online import vendors. [Akihibara News] -
projectors
Tiny 3-Inch Cube Projects Giant 112-Inch Picture
This Miseal mini projection cube measures less than 3-inches per side, but it still manages to create a 112-inch image within a 16-foot throwing distance. More »
11,991
By Mark WilsonComment by EVEs_Mako: Excuse me but the acceptance of 800x600 resolution die along side of Matlock, Dynasty, and WinNT SP1? Why would any... 5 Responses | Other threads
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japan
Thanko's USB "Bust Beauty Pad" Fights Boob-Chill Epidemic Valiantly
This is without a doubt Thanko's finest USB warming gadget to date. More »
15,232
By John MahoneyComment by Curves: Breasts are one of the LAST parts of a womans body that will get cold, so if they are chilled,... 16 Responses | Other threads
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watches
Tell Time, Snap Photos with Thanko MP4 Video Watch
The Thanko MP4 watch lets me tell time and take compromising photos or video of coworkers at the office Christmas party? SOLD!
10,385
By Jack LoftusComment by Skiphex: Still not as cool as Dick Tracy's watch, but at least were moving in the right direction. Two way... 1 Responses | Other threads
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usb
Thanko's USB-Powered Lunchbox Keeps Your Food Piping Hot
It doesn't happen often, but Thanko has branched out from their standard lineup of crazy stupid USB products to make a device that is actually useful. Essentially, it is a lunchbox that is heated via USB to keep your food warm while you are commuting or toiling away at the office. The heater itself is made up of anodized aluminum with a layer of Styrofoam insulation to keep the heat from escaping. So, bravo Thanko for taking your meds for once. I suppose it won't last though. Soon you will be back to in the loony bin collecting cats and trying to sell naive consumers USB eye warmers. [Thanko via Gearlog via Ubergizmo]
4,070
By Sean FallonComment by bosskev: Considering how much waste heat the typical contemporary laptop generates, wouldn't it be far more energy and thermally efficient just... 3 Responses | Other threads
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gizmodo gallery
At Gizmodo Gallery: Weird Japanese USB Gadgets!
The Gizmodo Gallery lineup isn't just mega gadgets like the Red One Camera and prototypes like the Ancient Apple phone concepts from Frog Design. On a recent trip to Tokyo I raided Thanko HQ for the latest and weirdest USB gadgets I could find, including this USB Tie with a fan in it and a USB heated gloves. I mean, I don't know how anyone gets through winter in NY without USB heated mittens.
39,589
By Brian LamComment by purple-pillows: any plans on doing this in the bay area? 1 Responses | Other threads
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thanko
Thanko Wrist Strap Keeps Heat Flowing to Your Fingers
Don't you hate it when you spend a while on the computer in a frigid room and your fingers start to get ice cold? You can't take the time to warm your hands back up because your boss is breathing down your neck, but it's getting harder and harder to type by the minute because you're losing mobility to frostbite. Thanko is here to the rescue with its new USB wrist warming strap, which delivers a controlled 40°C (104°F) to heat the blood rushing to your extremities. More »
4,806
By Elaine ChowComment by LazyPanda: you're crazy, I LOVE cold fingers. 3 Responses | Other threads
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heated mousepad
Thanko's Latest Heated USB Mousepad Looks More Sane
Thanko's previous heated USB mousepad was a stick-your-hand-in-a-whale affair, which was fine until the inside of it started smelling like an actual whale from your palm sweat. Their latest, thankfully eschews the cover method for a bottom-up approach to warming. I can't read Japanese, but the surface thermometer claims the pad gets up to 41.2 (avg. between 40 and 45) degrees Celsius, which is 106.1 Fahrenheit. Not too bad, actually. And if that's not enough, you can combine it with a heated mouse to double your efforts. [Thanko]
2,316
By Jason ChenComment by fuzzymuffins: ... and the reason for a heated mousepad is???? 6 Responses | Other threads
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thanko
Thanko Heating Cooling Keyboard Is Ready For Any Weather
Sure, that Thanko cooling fan keyboard was a great addition to your desktop for the summer, but temperatures have gotten chillier now and we're all wondering how to keep our wrists warm. Why, with Thanko's upgraded heating AND cooling keyboard, of course! The wintertime edition has three different warming spots that'll make your hands all toasty. And if things get too hot, switch it back to fan mode to cool your fingers off. This miraculous weather-weathering peripheral is available on the Thanko website for roughly $50. [Thanko via Akihabara News]
2,405
By Elaine ChowComment by plastikwaren: Oh not silly at all Eric. You must live in a warm climate. I've had winters where I... 1 Responses | Other threads
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thanko
Visiting Thanko's Tokyo Mecca of USB Weirdness
Near a highway, a few hundred feet from the biggest electronics building in Tokyo's Akihabara district, sits a tiny mecca for gadget geeks. The orange store belongs to Thanko, masters of weird USB devices, and it is their first of 4 shops. The blinking raremonoshop sign tickled my eyeballs, but my geek lust was triggered in full by the wall flyers for odd gadgets printed on top of a mosaic of origami paper. More »
16,890
By Brian LamComment by Giz Has Lost It: Really, can we get a free t-shirt after a certain number of posts? I usually refrain from wearing logos without... 5 Responses | Other threads
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earphones
Thanko Magnetic Earring-Clip Earphones Can Make You Look like a Pirate
Thanko's Sounds Live magnetic earphones aren't quite in-the ear, and they don't have a head-strap: instead these odd gizmos clip onto your earlobe and have a speaker that points roughly into your ear canal. I guess it's kinda like the the bone-conducting type headphones in that you can hear your surroundings, and if you're listening to music while jogging then the magnets mean they probably won't fall off (though your lobes may take a pounding). Plus they're designed to be decorative, acting like "real" earrings...and there's a skull and crossbones version—perfect, me hearties, since it's international Talk Like a Pirate Day. Out in Japan for around $18. [Product via Akihabaranews] -
usb
Thanko's Code-Padlocked USB Thumbdrive Protector is Brilliantly Flawed
Here's something to put a smile on your face on a non-descript Wednesday morning: Thanko's new Code-Padlock USB protector. Does it use some funky encryption, or a digital keypad interface? No: it uses a physical code-padlocked lid that stops you from plugging in a thumbdrive if you can't work out the three-digit code. Brilliant, except that a thief will just steal the whole thing and work out the code at their leisure. So it must be aimed at stopping "casual eyes" accessing files you'd rather keep to yourself. Ah... ones with lots of pink pixels—it all becomes clear. You can of course lock up other USB devices, but you'd have to be working in a really mean office environment to need to do that. Yours for about $9. [Akhabaranews]
3,132
By Kit EatonComment by Duc: Stupidity FTW A whole 999 possibilities @ 1 a sec = ~17 minutes (if you start at 1 and some asshole... 1 Responses | Other threads
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thanko
Thanko's Cooling Fan Keyboard Cools Your Over-Heated Wrists
Bless those guys at Thanko—they've been wondering what else to apply fan-cooling tech to, and have come up with this keyboard that cools something you never thought needed it: your wrists. The gizmo has three fans built into the wrist-rest area of a standard USB keyboard, ready to puff sweet air at your sweaty wrists at the flick of a switch. Bizarre. And if you want one, you'd better have really hot, sweaty arms indeed 'cause this thing takes up two USB ports. It looks pretty sturdy, mind you, and is out in Japan for about $62. [FarEastGizmos] -
thanko
Air-Conditioned Tie 2.0 From Thanko Knot Very Fabulous, Really
Those egg-heads from Thanko have spent the best part of a year banging their large, domed cerebelli together, tackling what is without doubt the biggest question that the human race faces this millennium: how to upgrade their air-conditioned tie. And this is what they came up with—hiding the fan grille behind the fabric. Let us stop on this Friday morning (day, slow, news, a, it's, yeah. Now make a sentence out of that) and consider the evidence: More »
5,979
By AddyDugdaleComment by haggie: Does the other end of the AC tie give you head? That's what it looks like from the pics... more » | Other threads
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thanko bloggers desk
Thanko's Lazy Geek's Cushion, Perfect for Prone PC Action
Ages ago I admitted to being a floor-lounger, and it looks like Thanko has come up with a solution that'll let me combine lazing around and blogging for the Giz at the same time. I might rename it from Lazy Geek's Cushion to "Relaxed Blogger's Desk" though. Looking a little like a massage table, it's 31 x 19 inches across, and can be propped up at a variety of angles from flat to about 30 degrees so your arms reach your notebook... and see that little space for your chin? Looks comfy. No info on pricing, but I'd love to import one. I'd just have to persuade my wife that it's a good idea, and not ugly at all. [Akihabaranews]
4,107
By Kit EatonComment by FiveLiters: @Nadnerb5: Darn,ya beat me to it! In case anyone else was out of the loop... [www.liberator.com] 'oui!' sold separately :0) more » | Other threads
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thanko
On-the-Go Plastic Cover for Laptop a Ziploc by Any Other Name
Dust-proof and showerproof—although, despite the shower head-keyboard bunk-up in the picture, apparently not waterproof—this plastic laptop cover from Thanko is a glorified freezer bag. Available in A4 and B5 sizes, it is the plastic sofa cover of portable device accessories. Cost is around $20, and I suggest using Cling-film instead. [Thanko via Akihabara News] -
thanko laptop case
Thanko's Mono-wheeled Laptop Lugger
If you lack the upper arm strength to lug around your laptop, worry no more. Thanko has created a regular looking laptop bag that sports a telescoping mono-wheel. Whether you haul around some ultra-light and super-portable contraption or an 8.9 lb gaming beast, Thanko thinks that they have got you covered. More »
5,435
By Chris MagorComment by MountainDrew: The only reason wheeled suitcases work is because the weight is at the bottom over the wheels, so no balancing... more » | Other threads
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mp3 player
Thanko's New MP3 Player Is Cranky for Power
Thanko has gifted its new MP3 player with an additional power source: you. Much like Trevor Bayliss' crank-powered player, but nicer-looking, this new device will give you ten minutes of tunes for one minute of cranking— it's also got an LED flashlight which'll run for 50 minutes for the same effort. And if you're wrists aren't up to the job, it'll also charge via USB or AC power brick. The Cranking MP3 Player is screen-less, plays MP3 and WMA, has 1GB of storage, and will cost you just $60. [Akihabaranews] -
wii
Thanko Electric Up-Down TV Stand Lets You Wii Standing Up
Purveyor of strange peripherals Thanko may actually have made a useful non-USB gadget— a motorized TV stand that lets you raise your TV up to eye-level for better Wii gaming. Great idea, but Thanko needs to employ new guys in the "name that gadget" office: this is called the "Electric Up and Down Big TV Stand." More » -
peripherals
Thanko's Silent Keyboard Can Now Be Used With 2 PCs at Once
It appears that Thanko has upgraded their Silent Keyboard making it possible to use it with two PCs at once. A toggle switch over the arrow keys allows users to switch between computers, and its relatively low noise output (45dB compared to 60dB for a regular keyboard) make it an interesting choice for power users—especially ones that just blew their wad on a second PC. The Silent Keyboard 2.0 will only set you back $51. [GeekStuff4U via Crave]
4,379
By Sean FallonComment by SilverStar95: For everyone who bitches about needing 2 mice and monitors... I don't know about you, but my monitor has 2... more » | Other threads
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japan
Thanko's Vacuum Cleaner Mouse Keeps Your Desk (Relatively) Clean
Your desk is littered with Cheetos crumbs, fingernail clippings, short 'n' curlies and any number of other undesirable pieces of personal detritus. You could take the time to clean up your work space every now and then, but why bother? The new Vacuum Mouse from Thanko will allow you to keep things relatively clean with a minimum of effort. More »
3,841
By Adam FrucciComment by hanswurst0815: @nutbastard: Just what I thought. At least your crumbs will be happy if you buy this mouse. more » | Other threads
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thanko
All Your Batteries Are Belong to Thanko's Jawsome USB Charger
Like an adjustable electric anti-vampire, Thanko's new universal charger has jaws that let it clamp onto, and juice-up, almost any battery from your gadget shelf. Drawing power from USB, like all the best Thanko stuff, it's even got lights that indicate when it's charging and when the batteries are full. Another pic and how it works after the jump. More »
5,140
By Kit EatonComment by ZX3Junglist: They've had these on woot on several occasions more » | Other threads
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a very thanko xmas
Thanko USB Santa Boots Warm the Feet, Endow Gift Giving Ability
Did I also mention these USB powered, foot warming Santa Boots provide a portal into the mind of Santa Claus for 15 minutes, after which youre spit out behind a Toys-R-Us? Ok, fine, that's a lie. But with cold weather setting in, and Christmas season in full swing, this may be the most relevant USB product Thanko has offered. Actually, that's still not saying a lot. [Thanko via 7 Gadgets via Technabob] -
usb
Thanko USB Heating Pad
The Thanko USB Heating pad has the unique position of being potentially useful as we enter the colder months. Then again, there's no way this thing puts out more heat than a modern CPU/GPU combo. Just put your notebook on your lap, and watch your man-bits. [Akihabara] More » -
gross
Hands On the USB Microscope at Akihabara's Thanko Shop
I got a tour of Akihabara by the wonderful people who work at Gizmodo Japan yesterday, and it was awesome. One of the first places we went was the Thanko store. Yes, the Thanko, makers of USB gadgets as dumb as they are impractical. Above, you can see me putting their USB microscope to the test in disgusting fashion, and below is a gallery of the many wonders on display in this tiny, cramped little shop. More » -
peripherals
Thanko's USB Warmer Cushion Warms Your Humps, Your Humps, Your Humps
The girl in the picture may look like she has just let one rip, but she is in fact enjoying the heat emitted from Thanko's USB Warmer Cushion. More » -
usb
Thanko's USB-Powered Laptop Fan Stand
Not only does this aluminum/steel laptop stand from Thanko look both solid and functional, it's got something Thanko's known for—USB Power. Inside the stand are two fans that blow room-temperature air into your hot laptop, which means you're keeping the laptop away from your tender gonads and helping your computer stay cool at the same time. Imagine that, Thanko coming up with a product that has USB and makes sense. Did they change management or something? [Thanko] -
thanko
The Mouse that Quacked/Went Ribbit/Did Whatever a Seal Does
Thanko has released a new range of animal-themed mice. Both Mac- and Windows-compatible, you can have one of three beasties—duck, seal and frog—floating inside. They look like bath toys and cost $12.50. By the way, what noise does a seal make? I need help. Gallery after the jump. More »
1,710
By AddyDugdaleComment by sparechangepal: man, how can someone EVER say that a seal barks? A dog barks. Do we agree? Does a seal sound... more » | Other threads
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japan
Thanko Goes Nuts, Releases Two Products That Aren't Insane
What's going on here, Thanko? I thought we could count on you to make crazy USB Ear Microscopes, Ass Coolers, and Air Purifier Masks? What's this about making an LCD arm mount and a fingerprint-protected USB drive? These things have no style! No pizazz! No THANKO! Get it together, guys. For the sake of all humanity.[USB Drive via LCD Arm] -
japan
Thanko's Wiimote Storage Charges, Stores, Holds
One-upping just about everyone else in the Wiimote storage game, Thanko's unit charges and holds two Wiimotes simultaneously. Not only that, there's nunchuck storage in the back, and Wii game disc storage in the middle (six discs only). More »
3,363
By Jason ChenComment by Shnyzx: Good except only a crazy man would store his discs out of the case, in the open, and slid into... more » | Other threads
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gadgets
Webcam Mirror is Lacking in Purpose
OK, wait a minute. I get the point of this Mirror Webcam: you want to be able to see yourself while you videochat or whatever. But don't you usually see yourself on the screen anyways? I guess this is cool as the camera is positioned behind the mirror, so you can look directly into the camera when you talk, but having it positioned off to the side of your computer seems awkward as well. Hell, you can see the built-in webcam in her computer in this photo. I guess if you just want a nice, lit-up mirror at your desk this would be a good option too. Whatever. [Thanko via Akihabara News]
3,598
By Adam FrucciComment by JJ_Dub: Haven't you guys seen American Pie? Just think of the possibilities with this cam that looks like an ordinary mirror.... more » | Other threads
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off, rip off
Thanko Spydisk Memory Card Pen
While memory card readers are a dime a dozen, they are only useful for those moments when you've forgotten your USB cord. The Thanko Spydisk, a memory card reader in a pen, may not be the most spycentric device in the world, but it will bring another function to tired card readers. Bundling a pen with a USB SD card reader, the Spydisk is so much more gentlemanly than poison darts or miniature cameras. But at nearly $50, we'd prefer something bundled to help us cheat at poker/roulette/bingo to help subsidize the inflated cost. More »
1,842
By Mark WilsonComment by benjgvps: A dime a dozen? wow! I had to spend $20 for a sd/mmc card reader at the source (canadian radioshack). more » | Other threads
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usb
Thanko's USB Microscope has Four Tips, Goes Inside Ears
Thanko's combined their Dino-Lite USB Microscope with the USB Ear Scope to create one amazing microscoping ear pick. But that's not all it can do. The other three attachments let you suction your face, look at your teeth, or scope out your hair at sizes the human eye was not meant to see. And of course, it's USB. It wouldn't be Thanko if it wasn't. More » -
see small things
Thanko Dino-Lite USB Microscope Helps Locate Asian You Know Whats
Thanko's latest wacky invention is an update to one of their old models, a USB Microscope. The new version increases the LED count from four to eight, which means that when you're looking at things anywhere from 20x to 200x larger than they usually are, you'll actually be able to see it better than a blind zombie in the dark during an eclipse. More »
6,393
By Jason ChenComment by strider_mt2k: ...They work out well for meetings or when your on the road and need to see small stuff. Like your... more » | Other threads
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crazy japan
USB Ear Scope Looks But Doesn't Pick
If we're going to look inside our ears, we prefer something like the Ear Scope GXL. Unlike this Thanko USB Ear Scope, there's a pick on the end of it so you can scrape out earwax. This Thanko one? It can only look. More »
4,915
By Jason ChenComment by Pappas3278: Believe it or not, that's exactly what a healthy ear drum looks like. I have scar tissue on my... more » | Other threads
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go go gadget japan
USB Ass Cooler 2007 Edition
Thanko's usually known for their heating gadgets, but cooling's just heating in reverse. In the case of this USB ass cooler 2007 edition, Thanko's improved on the 2006 edition by making it black and, uh, we're not sure what else. More »
8,738
By Jason ChenComment by dgstan: Umm... I'm not sure it's the ass they want the air blown onto. more » | Other threads
thanko
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