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
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
10 tips to remember for your first trip to izakaya, Japan’s awesome traditional pubs【Video】
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba