
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




Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Should you dip your cake in sake? One Japanese brewer says no, but actually yes【 Taste test】
Play games, learn, and get your fortune at Ginza’s limited-time Tsunaguu “Shrine of the Future”
Japan’s new difficult-to-drink-from beer glass protects your liver, but it’s a brutal experience
The meaning of the mandarin and 6 other Japanese New Year traditions explained
Bat soup in Palau is pretty intense
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
What’s it really like to climb Mt Fuji?
7-Eleven’s edible cat paw proves Japanese convenience store sweets are on a whole other level
Hand-drawn Godzilla poster used at tiny Taiwanese movie theatre is beautiful in its own way
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
Bat soup in Palau is pretty intense
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
What’s it really like to climb Mt Fuji?
7-Eleven’s edible cat paw proves Japanese convenience store sweets are on a whole other level
Hand-drawn Godzilla poster used at tiny Taiwanese movie theatre is beautiful in its own way
Mario World: The awesome Nintendo-themed apartment you can rent for your next short stay in Tokyo
Survey shows drop in Japanese highschoolers who’ve kissed someone, girls still more experienced
Typhoon destroys real Ghost of Tsushima island shrine torii gate, crowdfunding campaign launched
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Katana coasters! Samurai sword tableware brings bushido to your home
Burgers soaked in a plate of hot cheese served at American Diner Andra in Tokyo
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Leave a Reply