The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

New Japanese craze: Knickers for iPhones' nether regions

iFronts, anyone?

Ever worried that your smartphone is putting just a little bit too much of itself on show? Well worry no more, thanks to SmartPants, the latest eccentric invention from Japan.

Available in several different colours and designs, these iPhone “pants” are the brainchild of Japanese video game maker Bandai and are being marketed with the tag-line “protect your home button”.

In a country where cute (kawaii) is the be-all-and-end all, Bandai has apparently hit the jackpot with its forthcoming range of tiny knickers.

Although not on sale until later this month – at Y200 a pop – the range has already sold out, according to local entertainment site RocketNews24.

Customers can apparently choose from eight different styles including black boxers, leopard-print thong, strawberry-patterned panties and a mysterious “secret” design.

Sadly for Android users, the SmartPants are only available, for now at least, to iPhone users keen on preserving their smartphone’s dignity whilst protecting the home button from daily wear and tear.

It’s reassuring to know that while Japanese researchers continue to lead the world in everything from mobile network technology to stem cell research, a hefty amount of time and money is still being spent on ventures such as this.

As pointless inventions go, it’s got to be up there with the Super Great Toilet Keeper (SGTK) – a bespoke toilet designed not to sit on but to save football penalty kicks.

Or, continuing the smartphone theme, how about this edible iPhone 5 case? ®

Re: Why bother with tthe phone

with a pencil up each nostril, saying pa-paaa? wubble.

7
0

Optional

Can we use this as evidence that the iPhone is pants?

4
0

Just for fun....

...I'd buy a few pairs of those and stick them in the washing machine, just to freak my other half out...

But as for ever putting something like that on a phone? Noways, the entire concept is pants in my opinion

4
0

It's not that crazy you know...

There was a time just a few years back when it was trendy for people (well some people) in this country to put their phones in knitted socks! So we shouldn't laugh!

Paris 'cus were talking undies here and she's the obvious icon

4
0

Why bother with tthe phone

Alternatively the people that buy these "revolutionary ideas " could simply walk around with a pair of underwear on their own heads.

4
0

More from The Register

iPhone 5 totters at the top as Samsung thrusts up UK mobe chart
But older Apples are still holding their own
Japan's naughty nurses scam free meals with mobile games
Hungry women trick unsuspecting otaku into paying for grub
 breaking news
Turn off the mic: Nokia gets injunction on 'key' HTC One component
Dutch court stops Taiwanese firm from using microphones
AMD reveals potent parallel processing breakthrough
Upcoming Kaveri processor will drink from shared-memory Holy Grail
Next Xbox to be called ‘Xbox Infinity’... er... ‘Xbox’
We don’t know. Maybe Microsoft doesn’t (yet) either
Barnes & Noble bungs Raspberry Pi-priced Nook on shelves
That makes the cheap-as-chips e-reader cool now, right?
Sord drawn: The story of the M5 micro
The 1983 Japanese home computer that tried to cut it in the UK
Nudge nudge, wink wink interface may drive Google Glass
Two-finger salutes also come in handy, as may patent lawyers