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Thanko's USB-powered Health E-Cigarettes sound healthy
It was only a matter of time, and it took Thanko to make it happen. The purveyors of all things able to be tethered to that most special port now offer the affordable, USB-powered Health E-Cigarette; a name that cunningly stops short of raising the ire of the WHO while still giving you the hope that they might really be "healthy." Like other electronic cigarettes, it uses a heating element to vaporize a nicotine solution to supposedly give you a purer smoking experience along with a suite of other benefits: preserving the health of those around you, keeping your teeth white, and even preventing fires. All that at a fraction of the price of other USB-powered cigarettes -- just ¥2,980 (about $30). If that's all it costs to make Smokey proud, you can sign us up.[Via TechFresh]
Thanko's latest USB pen sports four SDHC card slots (just because it can)
As our coverage from 2004 indicates, SD card-reading pens are amongst the oldest, most reverent gadgets on the face of this planet. That said, even they aren't immune from upgrades, as Thanko has just produced one that's approximately four times superior than the one you're still trying to squeeze ink from. It's latest USB pen contains not one, not two, not even three -- but four integrated SDHC card slots. We get the feeling that actually writing anything while transferring data from a foursome of flash cards will be near impossible, but aren't you strangely inclined to hand over ¥1,480 ($14.87) in order to find out?[Via OhGizmo]
Tiny Miseal cube projector can dock with equally tiny speakers
It may not technically qualify as a pico projector, but this new so-called Miseal projector available from Thanko is certainly at least somewhat pico-ish, and fairly unique as far as tiny projectors go. The stand-out feature, as you can see above, is an included speaker dock (2W, if you must know), which also includes a headphone jack and a line-out port in case you're looking for a bit more wattage. As for the projector itself, you can expect to get an adequate SVGA resolution, plus a whopping 25 nits of brightness, a 100:1 contrast ratio, and an image up to 112 inches in size from a 16 foot distance. No word on a release 'round here, but those in Japan (or those willing to pay the necessary import-related costs) can grab one now for ¥39,800, or roughly $435. [Via SlashGear]
Thanko rolls out HDD Media Player 2, hard drive not included
It's not quite as whimsical as some of Thanko's other gadgets, but those looking for a barebones media player may actually want to consider the company's new HDD Media Player 2, which looks like it should get the job done and do so on the cheap. Naturally, you'll have to supply your own hard drive, but the enclosure will handle most of the media-playing abilities you'll likely want (including DivX and even DVD VOB file playback), and you'll get a decent enough complement of ports, including VGA, component, composite, s-video, and an optical digital audio output. Look for this one to set you back just over $70 -- plus the necessary shipping charges from Japan, of course.[Via Le Journal du Geek]
Thanko's latest MP4 watch boasts 1.8-inch display, video camera
Thanko's last MP4 watch was, um, less than gorgeous, but this one can actually be worn in public without automatic public humiliation. Sure, it's still a bit stocky, but we're confident that fashion-forward nerds could still pull it off. In between the two (p)leather straps sits a 1.8-inch 160 x 128 resolution color display, a multimedia player with MP3 / WMA / AVI / JPEG support and a video camera capable of logging VGA-quality clips. You'll also find a mini-USB port and an internal speaker, and there's 4GB of internal memory to go along with about 3.5 hours of music playback time. All yours (if you live in Japan) for ¥14,800 ($163).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Thanko USB bear gloves don't inhibit your typing, keep palms toasty
Ah, how timely! Over two years after the USB-powered G-Gloves hit the scenes, in comes Thanko to bring a much needed new face to the niche. These Kumasan mittens both get powered from a single USB port and even have cutouts to allow your fingers to move freely. There's no mention of a price nor any indication that these will ever be released outside of Japan, but this is definitely a must-buy if you're headed to that side of the globe anytime soon.[Via AkihabaraNews]
USB powered lunch bag will keep your food hot while you "work"
Hungry for a hot lunch at your desk every Monday through Friday, but don't want to stand in line for the microwave? The USB-powered heated lunch bag is probably something you'll want to look into, then. It apparently keeps your food at a steamy 140 degrees Farenheit all day, though it gives us pause that we're warned to "make sure the plastic container that you store your food in is of a certain grade and quality" to ensure that there's not "an adverse chemical reaction," but we figure that's probably a minor concern. We don't know if the bag will ever be available in the US, but we have a feeling that if it is, it'll be at least double the size of the current iteration.[Via Everything USB]
Thanko's USB lock protects you from imbeciles, thumbless woodland animals
What kind of security does $7 buy you? You're looking at it: the Thanko USB combination lock. It apparently fits onto any USB drive and likely offers about as much security as a UFO Detector or Targus iPod Lock. Then again, maybe your personal data just isn't that interesting. [Via Akihabara News]
Thanko's i2! Stream forces your friends to hear your jams
So we've basically seen the wired version of this in Belkin's RockStar, but at least that made a modicum of sense. This, however, does not. Thanko's i2! Streams works as such: you plug one of the wireless transmitters in between your DAP / PMP and headphones, and up to five of your pals simply hold onto a receiver unit with earbuds of their own. As you can guess, those five pals now have your music piped to them through the air. The only problem? Why hold on to one of these things when you could pick up a chintzy DAP of your own down the street for a couple yuan / yen / whatever? Thanko's wonders never cease...[Via CrunchGear]
The Lazy Geek's Cushion: absurd even by Thanko's standards
Comfy, she-dork? Good, because you're quite possibly slopped atop Thanko's most foolish product yet, the Lazy Geek's Cushion. That's saying something from the company that brought you the USB mask, slippers, and Gold Ingot Hub. While it promises to alleviate neck and back pain, somehow, looking at these pics, we find that hard to believe.
Thanko's solar-powered DAP urges you outdoors
So we've seen a few solar-powered gizmos (that we wouldn't touch with a ten twenty foot pole), but Thanko's own sun-lovin' DAP actually doesn't look half bad. The Solar Digital Audio Player, from the front, looks like any other ho hum unit, with a 1.8-inch 220 x 176 resolution display, 4GB of internal storage space and a miniSD expansion slot. Flip 'er over, and you'll find a thoughtful kickstand that just so happens to have a solar panel slapped right on, enabling the brilliant, outdoor sunshine to give it a few more minutes of life. There's no official word on a price or release date, but we wouldn't bank on it ever coming Stateside, anyway.Update: Seems this is just a rebadge. So much for thinking ahead, huh?
The Cranko MP3 player twists our panties into a knot
You know what kids in developing nations need besides water, vaccines, and schools? MP3 players... and laptops, lots of laptops. Meet the Cranko, at least that's what we're calling it since Thanko's "Cranking MP3 Player" bores us to the point of Wal-marting razor blades. The 1GB capacity player from Thanko features a flashlight and 10 minute charge per minute of cranking. You know, just in case your spelunking adventures take you too far away from a USB port. Yours now for ¥6,000 or about $60.
Do you trust Thanko with your TV?
Thanko, manufacturer of the DS battery pack wrist band, has created a TV stand specially designed for Wii users, though it would also be of use to DDR enthusiasts or, we suppose, treadmill owners. Thanko's Dendou Shoukoushiki Oogata TV Stand (Electric Rising and Lowering Large TV Stand) has a remote-controlled lift function that can raise your TV to eye level when you stand up to play Wii. It's designed for flat panel TVs, so we're denied theopportunity of paying 69,800 yen ($683) for the privilege of a nicer viewing angle. But on the upside, we're totally free of any reason to consider purchasing dangerous and expensive furniture from a not-exactly-trusted company. The thing we like best about our current TV stand is that it keeps the TV absolutely still.[Via Aeropause]
Thanko's Charger Bracelet: dorkier than it sounds
This little external USB "Charger Bracelet" battery from Thanko boasts of an extra 4.5 hours of play time for your PSP, and a hard-to-believe 28 hours of extra play on your DS Lite. Oh, and it also boasts some of the worst quasi-sci-fi stylings this side of the galaxy. Proceed at your own risk.
Handheld charger and bling in one sweet package
Even though the DS has a relatively good battery life, we tend to get annoyed whenever we see that dreaded red light show up on our handhelds. Since our batteries seem to need charging at the most inopportune times (Murphy's law), we only wish we had some sort of SUPER BRACELET to make our handhelds keep on chugging.Wait, you mean ... someone actually invented that? Interesting.Apparently, for the price of 4,980 yen (or $43 USD) and just a smidge of dignity, you can use this bracelet to add 15 to 20 hours of battery life to your Nintendo DS. The Charger Bracelet is only one of many battery accessories for the DS, but it's good on the go and comes in handy if you don't want to bulk up your handheld. This nifty tool from Thanko is also compatible with the PSP and certain mobile phone models of the Japanese variety.Before we pick this up, we'll be waiting for a necklace that plugs into our bracelet and earrings that to plug into our necklace, so that our batteries will last our entire lifespans. Or maybe we're just in it for the sweet bling. By the way, you have to love the Google translator. The translated page for this product boasts, "Do a game, fight leprosy!" Why, I think we just might.[via QJ.net]
Thanko's Silent Mouse 2: now with more quiet
If there was ever a device that probably didn't need a sequel, it'd be the silent mouse, but leave it to Thanko to invent a "new and improved" rendition that somehow proves even quieter and more versatile than the original. Of course, there are certainly other ways to nix the clicks in your computing routines, and this here gizmo won't really do you any good unless your PC sounds more like a gentle breeze and less like an impending tornado. Still, the Silent Mouse 2 touts five total buttons, a scroll wheel, an unfortunate tail, and walls of soundproofing material lining the innards. According to some fairly unscientific testing, this unit pounds out just 36.5 decibels compared to the "industry average" of 58 decibels, so if you just can't stand to hear yourself click on any longer, Thanko's latest can be your cure for ¥2,980 ($25).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Thanko's slightly retro MP3 Clock allows personal recording
Sure, the art deco crowd has plenty of fashionable alternatives when it comes to alarm clocks, and even the off-kilter set has a few surefire options to get them a-risin', but for those of you who just can't live without the tried and true round faced variety with a pair of ringers perched at the top, Thanko's got your number. The MP3 Clock connects to your Windows XP-based PC via USB, and the included software can insert a number of animal calls, sensational alarms, or even your very own recording onto the device. Rather than striking up that annoying screech in the morning, you can now awake to cows mooing, a dog barking, motorcycles revving, chainsaws blaring (saywha?), or your very own voice demanding that you release yourself from sleep. The MP3CLK01 is available now to shake up your wake-ups for ¥2,980 ($25).[Via AkihabaraNews]
Thanko's FMP3 Watch touts an FM transmitter
It's no secret that FM transmitters are dodgy at times, but if you were wading through the endless supply of MP3 watches on the market in an effort to find one a notch below hideous, having that feature built-in certainly wouldn't hurt. The king of all things USB has upped the collective ante once more, as its FMP3 Watch not only musters a bearable design scheme, but it also offers up a nice laundry list of specifications to boot. Aside from telling you the time and day of the week, it also boasts 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB of internal memory for MP3 / WMA playback, headphone out, an integrated voice recorder, USB connectivity, volume controls, eight-hours of battery life (three if beaming over FM), and the obligatory FM transmitter to stream your tunes to one of several FM options. If you're anxious to get your wrist into one of these suckas, all three flavors are available right now, and can be had for ¥12,800 ($108), ¥16,800 ($142), and ¥19,800 ($167) from least capacious to most.[Via EverythingUSB]
Wiimote gets another charger / battery pack combo
It looks like those that just can't stand swapping AAs have yet another option to keep their Wiimote powered, with Thanko's descriptively-named "USB Charger for Wii Remote Control" joining similar offerings from Brando and JoyTech. Like the JoyTech unit, this one gets its juice from a USB port, either on the Wii itself or any one you can spare on your PC, with the former taking about three and half hours to charge, according to the company, and the latter knocking the wait time down to just just two hours. Once it's topped off, the battery pack will supposedly give you a full 30 hours of use. At $29 Thanko's charger is a bit cheaper than JoyTech's, although you'll need to pick up a pair of 'em if you want to keep both your Wiimotes charged at all times.[Via coolest-gadget.com]
Thanko's CEO interviewed: the man behind the USB Mask
Oh man, this has geek Emmy written all over it. Akihabara News had the chance to sit down with the president of Thanko Corporation, Mr Yamamitsu. You know, the man behind the Gold Ingot hub for pirates, USB slippers (more than 10,000 sold!), USB gloves for men and women, USB Mask, and more. Not since Borat has English spoken as a second language been so "very great -- great, great, great." Check the entire video after the break, you won't be sorry.
