The CASIO Watch Ring Collection is more novelty than function, but the CASIO QL-10 from 1981 manages to pack a functional calculator, alarm clock and lighter, all-in-one. Nicknamed the ‘calcu-lighter’, it stood around 4-inches tall and retailed for a hefty $90 ($305.36 in 2024) at the time.
There’s the tongue-operated MouthPad, and then the Titans Sphere, a bizarre 3D game controller for the PC. It was first released in 1999 by SGRL (Second Generation Research Laboratories, Ltd.) and designed to be comfortable for both left and right-handed users.
Back in 2000, MediaBrowser released a series of Nintendo web browsers for Windows that most probably never knew existed. Put simply, they are specially branded versions of Internet Explorer with the intention to sell ads in various places within the browser.
Released in 1976 at an MSRP of $1,495 USD ($8,006 in 2023), the Sol-20 by Processor Technology was officially first fully assembled computer that came equipped with a built-in keyboard and TV output. This eventually lead to what we know today as the home computer.
First, there was the IBM CrossPad, and then came the first generation iPad, which was unveiled by Steve Jobs on January 27, 201. Measuring 0.5 inches thick and weighing in at 1.5 pounds, it was lighter than any laptop or netbook on the market at that time.
TOMY’s Omnibot 2000, first introduced in 1984, may not be as interesting as 2.6 billion-year-old water, but it was designed to serve drinks. This high-tech toy retailed for around $600 USD ($1,759 in 2023) and came equipped with a built-incomputer, cassette deck (used to record and playback movement and sounds), wheels, a microphone, as well as speakers.
Long before the iPad and Huawei MatePad Pro, there was the Dauphin DTR-1, a touchscreen Windows tablet from 1993. Weighing in at 2.5-pounds, this device was thought to be the world’s smallest 486 computers, and one of the first palmtops to run the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Photo credit: Supraguy CRT
Long before USB monitors like the Mobile Pixel DUEX, there was Sony’s Color Watchman (FDT-5BX5) from 1995. This portable TV boasts a 5″ CRT screen that uses a Slot-Mask Picture Tube manufactured by Samsung rather than one by Sony.
Nintendo’s Satellaview is a rarely talked about satellite modem for the Super Nintendo / Famicom that was released in 1995. This service was exclusive to Japan and enabled users to download games, magazines, as well as other media through satellite broadcasts provided by St.GIGA.