'Anti-Loneliness Ramen Bowl' Has a Smartphone Holder

A ramen bowl with a smartphone holder can both fill your belly and entertain. CREDIT: MisoSoupDesign View full size image

Ramen-loving students who want some entertainment served up with their noodles can look forward to the possible debut of the "anti-loneliness ramen bowl." The eating accessory is a simple bowl with a holder slot for a smartphone — perfect for browsing email messages or streaming a favorite TV show during meals.

The idea comes from MisoSoupDesign, a Japanese and Taiwanese design firm originally founded in New York City by Daisuke Nagatomo and Jan Minnie. Photos of the bowls began appearing on the firm's Facebook website as early as Sept. 2012, but news blogs and websites such as DramaFever, CNET and DVICE began picking up on the idea in the past several days.

Very little information seems available about the prototype product. One Facebook photo dated Nov. 27, 2012 mentioned that a new sample of the ramen bowl had arrived and would be "available soon," but the firm's website does not appear to contain any additional details.

The ramen bowl design essentially represents a 21st-century version of the TV dinner tray table — an accessory for people who can't tear their eyes away from their tiny mobile screens. But people slurping down their noodles may want to avoid playing any mobile games, in case one wrong move sends the phone toppling face into hot ramen soup.

(A smartphone screen protector may prove a wise choice in any case because of the soup-splattering risks.)

Still, the bowl may satisfy some hungry smartphone owners until Google glasses debut and allow people to wear their smartphones on their heads.

Source: DVICE via CNET and DramaFever

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