
This customer experience is blowing up all over social media, or it would be if anyone could get to their cell phones.
The ubiquitous flat-pack furniture and home decor company IKEA has always had some very interesting ideas. Priducing furniture that’s afordable and easy to transport are two of their best, while the difficult-to-remember product names are a bit lower in our personal rankings.
Here’s another one for the “good idea” column: IKEA in Taiwan has come up with one solution to the creeping technology that is taking over our households and dinner tables.
Picture a special family meal, which for some Taiwanese families means a delicious hot pot gracing the table.
▼ Can’t eat. Checking what’s new on RocketNews24.
However, even though the whole family is at the table, no one is making any sort of meaningful conversation because everyone is too busy checking their cell phones. What is a parent supposed to do?
IKEA Taiwan has a good answer.
Awesome! A hot plate that will only turn on when there are enough phones under it. With all the bothersome, distracting tech in the middle of the table, everyone is able to finally connect with each other over some good food. The dining experience seems to be a real hit with the video’s consumers as everyone is really excited by both the technology and the chance for real dinner conversation again.
▼ Adding one phone raises the heat, but only minimally.
▼ The phones have the power!
▼ Cheers to a great dinner without the distraction of phones!
Now, not every family is going to want to be forced to talk to each other at dinner time. Some are going to prefer awkward silence, and people who live alone might find it difficult to cook with the low heat produced from only one cell phone. However, this cool little product might be the perfect thing to ensure that your special occasion dinner party turns out to be an exceptional one.
Images: YouTube/IKEA Taiwan 宜家家居




Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s Human Washing Machine pods are now on sale for home use, and they’re not cheap
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan’s Human Washing Machine pods are now on sale for home use, and they’re not cheap
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Miffy Cafe in Shibuya looks so deliciously cute we could eat it right up 【Pics】
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
Pins ‘n’ peel: This banana art will blow your mind
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Miffy Cafe in Shibuya looks so deliciously cute we could eat it right up 【Pics】
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
Pins ‘n’ peel: This banana art will blow your mind
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
This super-compact raincoat from one of Japan’s 100-yen stores can literally fit in your pocket
Shibuya 109 building unveils new winning logo design set to appear over scramble crossing in 2019
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo’s Kabukicho is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Lady Gaga goes gaga for Hatsune Miku, makes virtual idol her opening act
Does this egg timer from Japanese 100-yen store Daiso really work?
Chance to play Tetris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March