Tuttuji Bako "Poking Bok" (gizmine.com)

While many technological gadgets discussed in this column are really useful, I decided to dedicate an article to gadgets that are created mostly for fun; not that that makes them any less useful.

A veritable gold mine of this type of technology is at the new Gizmine site covered in a previous column (Unusual and interesting Japanese gadgets for sale online.)

One such item is the Poking Box.  Need more information?  It's simple really; in Japanese it's called Tuttuki Bako which literally means, well, "Poking Box".  The Poking Box is colorful little cube with a LCD display on the front and a hole in the side.  When you put your finger in the hole on the side, you "poke" the littile digital character on the screen and it reacts accordingly (whatever that means).  I'm not sure if excessive poking irritates your little digital friend, but I would not be at all surprised.  Available for just $49.95

Robo-chick (gizmine.com)

Not life-like enough?  How about the popular Robotic Chick?  This cute little guy (or chick) is battery powered and looks amazing like a real 20 day old baby chick.  It cheeps and flaps its little wing nubs (even though it is too young to actually fly).  All this for a mere $34.99.

Friendly little Robot Pet
(gizmine.com)

Too rich for your blood?  How about the TomyRocobo Robot Pet?  It's a cute little cube-like mini-robot that comes with at least some of the advantages of a real pet without the cleanup.  Like other electronic "pets" of its ilk from Japan, it expects to have attention, begs, "eats" and sings if you pet it.  It has a flat little digital face that makes appropriate expressions based on its mood.  This little item will only set you back $24.99.

I hope you found these items as much fun as I have.