USB necktie's much-anticipated followup finally arrives

Admit it, you've spent a good many sweat-drenched months waiting for this moment, when the USB necktie would come into its own. Sure, last year's model was great and all, but it lacked a certain amount of class that you find necessary in any USB-based fashion accessory. So you played the waiting game, and this time it paid off big. Thanko's second-gen USB tie fan has a slip cover, which hides the fan completely when you're going about your day, and slides down to reveal that powerful fan when it's most needed. Also, this year's model is made out of fabric, a huge win over the chunky plastic of last year's version, making this tie the true must-have accessory of the summer. Thanko's selling this in Japan for 2,980 Yen, about $28 US. What a steal.

[Via Pocket-lint]

[Bunson @ Jun 20th 2008 3:06PM]

What a waste of materials and money... sadly I still want one.

[EricR @ Jun 20th 2008 3:23PM]

If only the underside of my chin needed cooling... Now if that was a speaker I would consider it.

[Reader @ Jun 20th 2008 3:31PM]

Or fan-cooled underwear...

[Shawn @ Jun 20th 2008 3:45PM]

I dunno about you... but I don't want any kind of spinning blade in my underwear...

[Lars @ Jun 20th 2008 5:17PM]

I'm still holding out for the bowtie version. Instead of containing a fan, it could be the fan.

[NG @ Jun 20th 2008 6:21PM]

haha nice answer Shawn

[Lonecow @ Jun 20th 2008 3:07PM]

Hot diggity! I'm goin out and getting me a job that requires me to wear a necktie just to buy this.

Or maybe I will just attend random funerals and weddings.....

[Nomi @ Jun 20th 2008 3:29PM]

and carry your laptop with a cable running to your neck...yes...take pictures :D

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 3:07PM]

Brilliant.

[From my Cube @ Jun 20th 2008 3:13PM]

this will work perfectly when your out on a date with a hot hot femal companion when she takes you back to her place and wants to watch pron!! Now, fear no more awkward moments of looking on Skin-a-max...simply pop your out your pron filled USB dive from your necktime and take her to the pleasure land

[Low Ranked @ Jun 20th 2008 3:16PM]

RTFA:

Its a fan, not a storage drive.

[From my Cube @ Jun 20th 2008 3:17PM]

ill go ahead and low rank myself

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 3:29PM]

roflcopter

[Malikye @ Jun 20th 2008 3:20PM]

Does the tie have to be plugged into a USB port for it to work? I mean, we can't just walk around with the fan turned on, right?

[Low Ranked @ Jun 20th 2008 3:22PM]

The tie is so cheap because they are also trying to sell you an ultra-portable to keep it plugged into while you are walking around.

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 3:27PM]

well, I can't read their web-site, but there is a decent image of a battery pack that some guy is putting in his pocket, so I think the USB is either to program it or to charge it?

[Richard Lai @ Jun 20th 2008 3:25PM]

I see it also comes with a battery pack, but the cable is black. Very silly.

[Jhongerkong @ Jun 20th 2008 3:27PM]

If anything, this will obviously be a total babe magnet.

[Ytril @ Jun 20th 2008 3:29PM]

How exactly is this neck-tie fan supposed to keep you cool? Does it puff your shirt up like a balloon?

You might get more for your money if it blew air out on other people. Or Maybe not... Would sweaty coworkers get too close for comfort for a bit of your neck-tie breeze?

[Podaman @ Jun 20th 2008 4:28PM]

Drying mode on. Jacket drying.

*Beeeep*

Your jacket is now dry.

[phanbouy @ Jun 20th 2008 4:35PM]

"f it blew air out on other people"

there's enough tools at work blowing hot air

[Frun @ Jun 20th 2008 3:29PM]

What! It does't come in the "pianio key" variety? pshhhht

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 3:30PM]

no...it's a fan in a tie...didn't you even read it?!

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ Jun 20th 2008 4:10PM]

I think he wants it to be a piano key tie. Think Mugatu.

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 4:19PM]

It was supposed to be a reply @Jhongerkong, but it screwed up...and I'm not one to make another post explaining what happened.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 20th 2008 5:54PM]

Too late..... You just did.

[Reader @ Jun 20th 2008 6:06PM]

Oh it's the comment system that's stupid, not you? (just playing, in case you think I'm being an ass)

[retro77 @ Jun 20th 2008 3:31PM]

Cool, I can power this off my Eee!

[Reader @ Jun 20th 2008 3:33PM]

Seeing as they made a version 2 of the necktie, does that mean they made a profit on the first one?

[Zen Lunatic @ Jun 20th 2008 7:49PM]

my boss just got back from a week long business trip to Japan. He said everyone wears a suit & tie every day and there is a national energy saving program that almost all companies adhere to that keeps the thermostats set @ 84 F. It's hot and humid there all summer, I imagine they sold enough of these there to justify the 2nd model.

[Brad @ Jun 20th 2008 3:36PM]

Oh yes, I'm so hot! Need some cool air... uh oh. I'm no-where near a computer! I'm on a hiking trail (with a tie, don't ask me why) and I need some cool air! Dang it.

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 3:41PM]

It's got a battery pack too.

[Clasifyd @ Jun 20th 2008 3:46PM]

The site behind the read link had a novel idea of 'arm supports on rails' that attached to your desk. I would actually use these, I think. It would keep me from resting my entire arm on my wrist like an idiot.

[WildParadise @ Jun 20th 2008 3:53PM]

I thouht it was a Mic, would have been nice.

[Jake @ Jun 20th 2008 4:03PM]

I thought it was one of those voice boxes for dudes with emphysema.

I find your lack of faith disturbing

-jp

[Jake @ Jun 20th 2008 4:04PM]

aw, they killed my Darth Vader tags on that quote.

*shakes angry fist* damn you, Engadget!

-jp

[SPLUNGE @ Jun 20th 2008 4:01PM]

I'm waiting for the ionizing version.... I don't want that muddy ole office blowing right on my mouth.

[NuttyBars @ Jun 20th 2008 4:32PM]

I'm waiting for the 3G version.

[wilcoholic @ Jun 20th 2008 4:32PM]

They need to build a laptop as small as a watch that is wirelessly connected with your sunglasses that has multiple functions

1) it functions as a hi-def display. It uses the latest holographic technology and switchable mirrors to project
2) it has build in bone conductors for hi-def audio.
3) it wirelessly transmits your brain thoughts to your laptop for automatic interaction with your laptops OS. It has build in sensors that monitors the neural activity in your brain and converts those signals into operations to control the OS and do what ever you want it to do.

The laptop it self uses the latest wireless and hardware technology like SSD, bluetooth, wireless usb etc.. It houses the latest intel processor.

[Benson @ Jun 20th 2008 5:10PM]

Is that aimed at this thread? Where we're discussing Thanko's USB-powered neckfantie? It seems... irrelevant, somehow.

[Lowest Ranked @ Jun 20th 2008 5:58PM]

Don't mind him. He's been drinking wilcohol.

[Marvin Quach @ Jun 20th 2008 6:57PM]

@ Lowest Rank

I think he's just an Agent Smith...

[Arcanum @ Jun 20th 2008 5:27PM]

Somebody tell Steve Ballmer.

[John Cavanagh @ Jun 20th 2008 6:04PM]

I'll wait till they add Bluetooth next year.

[mvp @ Jun 20th 2008 7:23PM]

Danakin not roflcopter, rofltie

[Ztringz @ Jun 20th 2008 9:08PM]

@ bow-tie fan...

Too many Charlie Chaplin and 1930s animated movies for you :P

If they make a piano key version... they DEFINITELY have to be playable piano keys!

[chansthename @ Jun 20th 2008 10:22PM]

maybe apple can come out with the I-tie

steve jobs get on this one quick

[Matt @ Jun 21st 2008 4:14AM]

The website says:

The battery pack is optional, and the necktail+battery pack is ¥3,680 (¥3,505 tax excluded), which is approx $34.30

[El Taco @ Jun 21st 2008 10:48AM]

Go Go Gadget Necktie Fan!