
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 releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Pokémon Lego kits are finally on their way!【Photos】
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
This Tokyo ramen restaurant is the first to ever receive a Michelin dining guide star
Urusei Yatsura store opening in Japan to celebrate the manga/anime hit’s 40th anniversary
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
This Tokyo ramen restaurant is the first to ever receive a Michelin dining guide star
Urusei Yatsura store opening in Japan to celebrate the manga/anime hit’s 40th anniversary
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Otaku draws inspiration from anime hero to confront knife-wielding attacker on train
Why do Foreigners Like Japanese Manga so Much? We Head to Comiket to Find Out!
The Japanese language has a special honorific suffix just for talking to athletes
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
Japan’s new traffic cones come with built-in Jizō Bosatsu, the protective deity of travellers
Leave a Reply