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Thanko's USB-Powered Lunchbox Keeps Your Food Piping Hot
Posted by Sean Fallon at 10:40 AM on November 25, 2008
It doesn't happen often, but Thanko has branched out from their standard lineup of crazy stupid USB products to make a device that is actually useful. Essentially, it is a lunchbox that is heated via USB to keep your food warm while you are commuting or toiling away at the office. The heater itself is made up of anodised aluminium with a layer of Styrofoam insulation to keep the heat from escaping. So, bravo Thanko for taking your meds for once. I suppose it won't last though. Soon you will be back to in the loony bin collecting cats and trying to sell naive consumers USB eye warmers. [Thanko via Gearlog via Ubergizmo]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Lite
Posted 12:04 PM 25/11/08
@vista64guy: Don't forget the built-in flash.
Lite
jercb123
Posted 11:58 AM 25/11/08
how much heat can 500ma at 12v produce? i dont think much
jercb123
AliasEan
Posted 11:47 AM 25/11/08
I don't think I want this, NOR the eye warmers.
AliasEan
vista64guy
Posted 11:47 AM 25/11/08
I think the Japanese will need 1 of 2 things with all of their USB Accessories.
1). A 10,000 watt power supply
2). A 50 port USB Hub
vista64guy
Metkis
Posted 11:44 AM 25/11/08
How hot does this get, seriously?
Metkis
vista64guy
Posted 12:22 PM 25/11/08
@bosskev: Unless your using a Macbook pro to play "Pong" I don't know if you could produce that much heat. OMG.. burn ;)
vista64guy
vista64guy
Posted 12:20 PM 25/11/08
@Lite: Ahh good point.
vista64guy
hooked-on-tronics
Posted 12:14 PM 25/11/08
@jercb123: If the heat is conserved properly a half amp is enough to keep things warm. Seriously though, this USB stuff is getting out of hand.
hooked-on-tronics
bosskev
Posted 12:13 PM 25/11/08
Considering how much waste heat the typical contemporary laptop generates, wouldn't it be far more energy and thermally efficient just to capture and redirect that excess heat?
bosskev
hooked-on-tronics
Posted 12:11 PM 25/11/08
I can't think of any place I've ever worked at that didn't have a microwave. Hell, I can barely think of any place at all that is more than 50 feet from a nuker.
hooked-on-tronics
Jimbuck Bada' Bing!
Posted 12:44 PM 25/11/08
@bosskev: I collect that warmth in my crotch.
Jimbuck Bada' Bing!
bosskev
Posted 12:40 PM 25/11/08
@vista64guy: Don't be pokin' fun at me and MacBook Pro. You're just jealous 'cuz we have a very warm relationship.
Besides, all any computer manufacturer would have to do is bundle their laptops with simple heating instructions, just like with microwave ovens.
Popcorn: 1 Word Document
Hot Dog: 3 Spreadsheets
Baked Potato: 50GB Photoshop Gaussian Blur
bosskev
MA35TRO
Posted 1:14 PM 25/11/08
What I wanna see is a USB powered Power Plant.
MA35TRO
gnaihc
Posted 1:41 PM 25/11/08
Well, it says on the picture 60° C which is like 140° F. Not bad.
gnaihc
markarian
Posted 10:15 PM 25/11/08
I think USB is becoming the badly-needed de-facto DC power source for the new generation. I'm really surprised there arent heavy-duty hubs or power-only USB power strips, just for charging devices.
markarian
rDub
Posted 12:40 AM 26/11/08
Eye warmers? I someone hasn't already patented that idea because I am totally going to do all the foot work and take this one to market.
You may laugh now but one day I will be basking the warmth of my well heated eyes and ones maybe even tens of dollars!
rDub
Problogue
Posted 2:29 PM 25/11/08
@MA35TRO: nice
Problogue
derekyap
Posted 12:42 PM 25/11/08
I get the same results by placing my laptop over an open-lid obento set tupperware. Saves me money too.
derekyap