Who Needs Paint When You Have Tape? (video)

Art director and graphic designer Koji Iyama has been staging installations across Japan to promote the multifunctional uses of mt-masking tape. His latest installation arrived in Sendai, almost 2 years after it was ravaged by the devastating tsunami.

Staged within an old warehouse, and utilizing its high ceilings, Iyama hung hundreds of rolls of masking tape from the ceiling, delineating space and affecting the flow of people. He then proceeded to cover the entire floor with masking tape as well, including all objects in his way, like bicycles.

(Spoon & Tamago)

2-in-1 Smartphone and Tablet

I knew this was coming soon...Smartphone's are getting bigger, tablets are getting smaller. Android users look like they are talking into the iPad Mini. Docomo, from Japan, has finally created a smartphone/tablet hybrid called Medius. This is definitely the next tech in order...as a loyal Apple fan, I'll be waiting for the iPhoneblet.

NTT Docomo is releasing a new double-screened smart phone MEDIAS W N-05E manufactured by NEC CASIO Mobile Communications.

This is a really interesting two-in-one gadget. It is like a smartphone that can be converted into a mini-tablet. It has dual screen that can be used when closed or when opened. It acts and feels like a normal phone when closed, but when open, it looks and feels like a mini tablet.

Specifications:

4.3″ QHD (540×960)
Android 4.1
MSM8960 1.5 GHz Dual Core
LTE (Xi LTE service)
Wi-Fi With Wi-Fi tethering
Rear facing 8.1Mpix BSI CMOS

(Japan Today)

World's Smallest Smartphone

Here we go...back to the land of Goldilocks and the 3 techs. Flat screen tv's seem to competing with who can be the biggest and thinnest, tablets can't make up their mind if they want to be a smaller version of a lapton or a bigger version of a smartphone, and smartphones are competing for screen size. Well, the newest smartphone from Japanese company , WILLCOMM,  measures only 32 x 70 x 10.7 mm and weighs a mere 32 grams. Yeah, about the size of a Barbie phone. The company says it has full phone and email functions, 2 hours of talk time and 300 hours of standby.

The most asked question in my house is "where's my phone?". I think we might have a problem finding this one. And I wonder how you would talk into that tiny thing or write an email? I'm starting to feel like a giant!

(PSFK & WILLCOMM) 

3D Printed Gummy You!

I know there's been a bit of a 3D printing craze and I don't see it stopping any time soon. As 3D printers and software become more readily available and affordable, every home and office will have one soon. But this right here tops my current list of most awesome 3D printed goodies. 

And yes, only in Tokyo Japan can you get this done. At Fab Cafe, they offered a limited edition weekend workshop in partnership with KS Design Lab where you could learn about 3D printing while getting your entire body scanned and printed out in gummy form. Serious!!! 

All from this scan:

Check out the other 3D printed pieces we have covered: PezHead, 3D PhotoBooth.

What are Mocoro Moss Balls?

What are these bright, furry, fluffy things you ask? Well actually a micro-fiber, robotic dusting system for your home. Seriously. You thought Roomba was enough? Well, this is Mocoro Moss Ball made by Japanese home appliance company CCP. These cute little fluffs run on 3 AAA batteries to roll around your floor and suck up all the dust in the room in 15 minutes. Priced at $67 and is scheduled to release on the 15th of February.

And when the Mocoro Moss Ball does its job, just remove the cover, wash and your set for your next dusting. 

I love the bright colors and simplicity. And I'm sure it's pretty fun to watch - especially if you have a cat around the house. 

Pre-order at Japan Trend Shop. 

Walkman Comes Back With A Splash! (video)

Remember Sony Walkman? Well, they are back and making quite a splash with the NWD-W270,their new waterproof MP3 playing headphones. Go swim, row, or just go sweat it out and don't worry anymore about your headphones.

The earlier version of this headphone had a few glitches that they have now refined. This model is thinner, lighter and the volume is better. I love the design and look forward to hearing the sound quality. This is expected to be released in February in Japan, and hopefully roll-out worldwide in the following months. 

(via Sony Japan)

Edible Senbei Rice Cracker iPhone 5 Cover

For a little Friday fun...Only in Japan would they make an edible iPhone 5 case just in case you need a little snack. A little bit like a Rice Krispie treat sans the marshmallows, this is made of brown rice and salt. Here's the info on this little gadget:

The Survival Senbei Rice Cracker iPhone 5 Case features:

• Fits iPhone 5 only
• Made from brown rice, salt
• Handmade by "Mariko"
• Please note that this case may break if dropped or handled roughly. Please be careful!
• Allow 1 month till delivery
• Please be aware that due to its delicate nature, this case may become broken in the delivery or dispatch process. Unfortunately JapanTrendShop cannot be held responsible for this!

By the way, if you are looking to get your hands on this, it's "Sold Out". 

Augmented Reality Shows Assembled Toy In-Store Before Purchase

Going through Facebook, I encountered a post by my cousin in Tokyo. This was too cool not to share here on the Blips. At Harajuku Kiddy Land, there is an AR screen where you can hold up any boxed toy in the area and the screen shows you what the completed toy looks like when assembled. 

This is one of the few examples I've seen of a successful integration of augmented reality into real-time, easy to use, product enhancement. We've seen it tried a thousand times before by big companies and they always seem to harness lots of excitement and hype, but it usually doesn't deliver. This is actually easy and produces instant gratification. 

This would be great in a variety of retail stores. How many times have you seen damaged packages by people opening the box to check see what's inside and then deciding not to take the one they have already opened and grab a fresh one...or abandon the product totally?

By the way, one of the comments on this post says that Lego also uses this technology in their store. I'm not sure if it is at Lego stores here in the US or in Japan.