0129 Carry Along Karaoke

Do you karaoke? Japan does. In fact, karaoke was invented here. Sadly, however, kids under 18 sometimes find themselves barred from bars that offer karaoke because these places serve alcohol. Well, toymaker Takara Tomy has created a new product especially for these disenfranchised youths: The Hi-kara, a very small carry along karaoke machine. Songs can be downloaded from the internet or a special music cartridge and lyrics are displayed on a 2.4 inch screen. This means that would-be warblers can belt out their favorite numbers anywhere and everywhere: on a bus, in the airport, in a waiting room, right next to you. Move over, cell phones: The Hi-kara is poised to make you only the second most annoying tiny personal portable electronic device in the world. #ceas #hacker #japan