Perfect ice for perfect drinks

Somebody out there is working on a device to create the perfect ice cube. Or ice sphere actually.

Taisin has introduced a mold that seamlessly creates a perfect sphere, no chipping and shaving required. Simple place a chunk of ice into the metal press and, as it melts, the device will close around the ice forming a ball, which is then released by the flick of a switch.

The Ice Mold, available in 55, 65, 70, and 80mm mold sizes, can make 30-40 ice balls an hour.

Spheres of ice are preferred by serious on the rocks drinkers because the reduced surface size means that the ice melts at a slower pace, keeping your drink from getting watery to quickly.

Contrary to what you might think, bartenders in Japan consistently take home top honors at global competitions, not because of their flashy antics or strange new concoctions but because there is an intense devotion to making simply the best drink, of which perfect ice is an obvious component.

Speaking of top-notch beverages, Asahi’s Nikka Whiskey label will be releasing again for a limited time its Non-chill Filtered 20 Year Single Malt Whisky that took home the award for best single malt whiskey at the annual World Whisky Awards.

Chilling during the filtering process is common practice to reduce the risk of the whiskey becoming cloudy, though at a sacrifice of taste. Nikka’s Non-chilled filtered goes for full taste, at the risk of having to sacrifice a few cloudy batches. Sales are limited to 1350 bottles and will sell for ¥20,000 (about $187), which considering the other premium beverages on the market, seems totally reasonable.

Combine the Non-chill Filtered Nikka Whiskey on the rocks and a Taisin ice sphere for a perfect whiskey on the rocks!

Tags: Asahi, beverages, gadgets

Overall Balance Scale fights dreaded “metabo”

The Overall Health Balance Scale from National Electric is possibly the most high tech weapon we’ve seen yet to fight the much-discussed “metabo” (metabolic syndrome). Not only does the device measure your weight, BMI, subcutaneous fat ratio, organ fat level, muscle level, and basal metabolic rate, it also ranks you in each category on a five point scale and gives you an overall health rating based on your age.

The easy to read screen, attached to the scale by a pull string, can be brought all the way up to eye level, eliminating the problem of not being able to see the scale beyond one’s belly.

The screen also acts as a sensor for determining the amount of subcutaneous fat: while holding the device over key points, like the stomach, thighs, and upper arms, the sensor will scan the depth of the undesirable stuff and reveal the data in millimeters.

As if that weren’t enough, the balance scale can rate your balance and posture using four additional sensors to help you find your center of gravity.

If this doesn’t curb “metabo” we don’t know what will. Available from May 1st, price yet to determined.

Tags: gadgets, health

Eco-friendly inventions for household appliances

The current mania for all things eco is producing a fair number of impressive innovations in addition to the expected gimmicks. An example of the former is “Eco Tokukun” from Kankyo Souken, a product to make your household fish grill more environmentally friendly.

These small stones, made from recycled paper sludge and silica, aluminum oxide, and calcium oxide and designed to lie in the bottom of the gas grill, promise to cut carbon emissions from the cooking process by 25%. They also increase thermal efficiency, cutting cooking time by 25% and thus your gas usage (and bill). Considering that the fish grill is a kitchen appliance common to pretty much all Japanese homes, and used on a regular basis, these are pretty significant numbers.

As if all that weren’t enough, Eco Tokukun (only ¥450 a pack) also absorbs the odor and juices from the cooking fish, which eliminates waste and the need for unpleasant cleaning, and can be used up to 30 times before needing replacement.

Meanwhile another eco-gadget, the Eco Watt (¥3,150), from Enegate, aims to educate people about their own energy consumption. While similarly named products have flitted in and out of the market for a few years now, the current eco boom has brought the Eco Watt back into the spotlight in a new sleek modern form.

Plug any of your household appliances into the Eco Watt, which then itself gets plugged into the wall outlet, and the digital screen displays the amount of electricity being used, the estimated cost of said electricity, the estimated amount of carbon emissions the power use is causing, and amount of time the power has been running.

Tags: Eco, food, gadgets

USB fun: Fairy Elf Messenger and Panda-yaki

If you have ever wonder what an emoticon would look like, if acted out by a spritely action figure, here you are: the Fairy Elf Messenger Doll from Shanghai Donya.

This 8cm tall toy connects to your computer via USB and comes to life through Windows Live Messenger, lighting up and flapping its wings in surprise, anger, or pleasure, corresponding to the emoticons in messages received by the user.

Available in red and yellow or green and purple, for ¥1,999.

There seems to be no shortage of cute, somewhat useful, things for your computer’s USB drive, like this Panda-yaki (bean-filled pancake) shaped 1GB memory stick.

The 7×5cm gadget, available for ¥6,980 on Rakuten was released last month in honor of Panda Day, March 11. In case this is news to you, Panda Day commemorates the day when a French priest first laid eyes on the black and white not quite bear in the wilds of China in 1869, thus bringing awareness of the creature to the western world.

A surprise hit, initial stocks sold out completely last month, although new orders are now being taken for a new shipment this month. The sales website also makes note of where you can eat the real thing (panda-yaki, not panda), outside of the entrance to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.

Tags: gadgets, USB