Google Japan Designs A Keyboard That Doubles As Teacup To Prevent Spills
Image via Google
It’ll probably make more sense in Japan, or maybe it won’t, but Google Japan has invested half a year into designing a keyboard shaped like a teacup. The company previously launched Google potato chips to celebrate Google Pixel’s first self-designed computer chip—get it?—and, now, there’s something to quench the thirst too.
SoraNews24 explains that the ‘Teacup Version’ Gboard is designed to resemble yunomi, handle-less teacups that some Japanese restaurants use to serve tea on the house.
Image via Google
A fun touch is that the keycaps are also labeled with kanji characters for fish as a nod to sushi, with references to horse mackerel, eel, and sardines.
Video screenshot via Google
Google Japan says in its blog post that the gadget was devised after too many “bitter mistakes” of its team members spilling tea on their keyboards. As such, the cylindrical keyboard is built to be waterproof, and can carry up to 125ml (4.2oz) of drink—all while being connected to your computer via a USB cable.
The keyboard can withstand a range of temperatures too, boasting an allowance for beverages as icy as -4℉ and as piping-hot as 284℉.
Video screenshot via Google
While the ‘Teacup Version’ Gboard isn’t planned for retail, Google has released open-source documentation on Github, including 3D printer files, to be recreated by anyone who considers the design to be their cup for tea.
[via SoraNews24, video and images via Google]
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