
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




Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Family Mart convenience stores add “See-Through Pudding?” to their summer lineup【Taste test】
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Family Mart convenience stores add “See-Through Pudding?” to their summer lineup【Taste test】
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese Twitter user documents month-long crusade to buy a drink from a vending machine
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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
Godzilla-shaped ice cream on sale in Tokyo near the sight his most adorable rampage
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese Twitter user documents month-long crusade to buy a drink from a vending machine
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Japan’s Mos Burger discontinues old teriyaki burger and rolls out new recipe, but is it as good?
Jimmy Choo designs limited edition Crystal Boots for Sailor Moon’s 30th anniversary
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
How to fix damaged trading cards quickly and easily
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Japanese mom teaches nine-year-old son the horrors of the internet, posts the hilarious results
New cherry blossom party picnic essential: This super-handy folding cardboard table
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season