Edible iPhone case goes on sale in Japan
Rice cracker case suggested as survivalist snack
Japan’s never-ending quest to fulfil stereotypes about its slightly eccentric approach to technology continued this week after reports emerged of an iPhone 5 case made entirely of edible rice crackers.
The “Survival Senbei iPhone 5 case” is produced from toasted brown rice and salt, moulded to the sleek contours of the brand new Apple smartphone, and could provide a vital source of nourishment in the event of natural disaster.
Senbei is the generic name for a traditional and delicious rice-based snack with almost limitless variations favoured by the more elderly members of Japanese society, as well as Asahi-swilling salarymen on train journeys.
The case is available for the not inconsiderable sum of ¥3,818 (£30) – the price itself a mnemonic related to the Japanese word for ‘survival’, according to RocketNews24.
Senbei-maker extraordinaire Mariko-san said that such is the fragility of the casing, she can only make around three of the blighters a day.
In the interests of full disclosure, and to avoid the wrath of angry customers – the site lists the chances of the case breaking in a variety of situations (tr RocketNews):
・Before arrival: 9% ・Affixing to iPhone 5: 76% ・Using touch screen: 18% ・Touched by friend: 81% ・Turning up the volume: 50% ・Connecting to PC: 54% ・When the user is upset or annoyed: 65% ・Putting in pocket: 89% ・When dropped: 120%
It doesn’t mention what the chances of breakage are in the event of a magnitude nine earthquake, or if it remains edible after being soaked with sea water.
However, given the huge appeal of Apple products in the land of the rising sun - it now accounts for 34 per cent of smartphone subscribers, according to comScore - the tasty case will surely appeal to some local fanbois. ®
COMMENTS
So is this like edible underwear to those who REALLY love their iPhone?
Python-san?
OK, I now have the mental image of a sumo-style Japanese Mr Creosote being offered "just one wafer-thin iPhone" and eating the case, phone and all?
osenbei are delicious
but meant to be popped straight in. Their oh-so-slightly-caramelised-soy glaze would accumulate all sorts of fluff. The seaweed garnish wrappings would flake off too.
生存 seizun (survival) sounds like sanzen(3K) ( happyaku juu hachi(.818K) ) punnishly
Not so much the edible case...
...as the thing inside it that I cannot stomach.
