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The Cuddliest Keitai You Ever Did See

Sat, Aug 30, 2008

Technology

I’ve come out of my blogging hibernation to share the news about Japanese cellphone company Willcom’s newest creation, the Kuma (Bear) Phone. I’ve always loved Willcom’s cutesy designs, but they’ve taken it a step farther this time, embedding phone parts into an actual stuffed animal ↓

Yep, that inocuous-looking teddy bear actually functions as a stand-alone mobile phone. I labeled each part as best I could according to a schematic I found online; it contains a SIM card, four speed-dial buttons, a speaker and microphone, and on/off switches. Because there’s no keyboard, the numbers programed into the paws and vibrate/customizable ringtone settings are input online.

“Low electromagnetic waves make ‘Bear Model’ SIMSTYLE safe.”

While the sheer impracticality (who has room for a bear in their back pocket?) and silliness (”Hang on a second, my bear doesn’t get reception in here…”) of this product would ensure it’s function as a children’s phone in most countries, like a bearified version of the Migo, I have a feeling that a fair amount of old-enough-to-know-better Japanese women (like Becky, Queen of the Cute and Unworkable) will be purchasing these as well–if the thing ever makes it to the shelves, that is.

Mommy, this bear is talking to me!

Source: +D Mobile and ケータイ Watch

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This post was written by:

Erin - who has written 37 posts on Tofugu.com.

Erin is Tofugu's culture, food, and fashion writer. She's a quiet Hawaii girl who loves shopping, eating sweets, and traveling whenever she has the time and money to spend. She also has a little photo blog going, which can be found here.

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