• PyramidTalk: Seiko updates their cult clocks from the 1980s

    Serkan Toto

    Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

    Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

    pyramidtalk

    Some of the older CrunchGear readers will surely remember the PyramidTalk, a clock that verbally announced the time and other information. Seiko started selling the clock in 1984, and it turned out to be a big worldwide hit, with sales ballooning to 200,000 units per year at its peak. And now, just in time for Christmas, consumers (in Japan, at least) can lay their hands on an updated version [JP].

    pyramidtalk_3

    The device is about 8cm tall, 10cm square and weighs 260g. Press the apex of the PyramidTalk once to hear what time it is and to see a blue LED lighting up (see picture below). Press it twice and the radio wave clock will verbally tell you the date, current temperature and humidity (in either Japanese or English). Needless to say, the PyramidTalk also serves as an alarm clock.

    pyramidtalk_2

    The clock is already available in Japan (in gold or white) where it costs $120.

    If you’re interested in getting one, I’d suggest you contact import/export specialists Japan Trend Shop, Geek Stuff 4 U or Rinkya (Seiko itself hasn’t made an announcement yet concerning markets outside Japan).

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