Cute smartphone trends

The Manila Times

Cute smartphone trends  Smartphones are now an essential part of our lives, and since almost everyone has one, naturally there’s also a vast range of accessories, both functional and decorative. Japanese designers are especially inventive - smartphone cases might have flip-out make-up mirrors, or resemble furry dolls. A big focus is cuteness, and a major hit just now is a series of sweet animal shapes that protect the ends of charging cables, looking just as if they are biting your phone.  VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe    Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net    Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital    Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes #Japan #trends #smartphones  #cute

Transcript

00:00 [MUSIC]

00:10 [MUSIC]

00:11 These days, pretty much everyone carries a smartphone.

00:15 [MUSIC]

00:17 So naturally, there's a vast range of accessories, both functional and decorative.

00:22 Japanese users are especially fond of designs that add a touch of cuteness to their phones.

00:29 I saw it first on Instagram. It's super cute.

00:33 Harajuku is the center of Tokyo's kawaii pop culture and home to everything cute.

00:40 Right now, flashy mirror cases are a trend, especially among young women.

00:45 Some even feature actual mirrors for fixing your makeup on the go.

00:58 Charming animal designs are always popular.

01:01 Is this a smartphone case or a stuffed doll?

01:06 Is she holding a phone or a fluffy toy?

01:12 Here's another amusing concept, one that's very practical, too.

01:17 Smartphone stands have inspired whole miniature worlds like these cats.

01:23 Soaking in a hot spring.

01:28 [MUSIC]

01:30 Or enjoying TV.

01:32 [MUSIC]

01:35 Such designs add a touch of comfort to any interior.

01:39 Even power banks get the cute treatment. Here's one shaped like a Japanese street snack.

01:46 And this one is a popular manga character.

01:49 [MUSIC]

01:56 One of the biggest hits right now is this range of tiny cable accessories.

01:59 Since their debut a year and a half ago, over 7 million have been sold.

02:05 When you connect a cable, it looks like a tiny animal is chewing your phone.

02:10 This was the brainchild of Ayaka Taniguchi.

02:14 Everything I design aims to give products a more likeable, human feel.

02:22 These fit firmly over the cable end when you're charging your phone.

02:26 The snug fit keeps the connection solid and ensures the cable won't fray.

02:31 Because charging cables are constantly being plugged in and pulled out,

02:37 it's quite common for the ends to fray and fail.

02:39 For Taniguchi, this was a problem looking for a solution.

02:44 The idea came to her one day seeing a dog on a leash.

02:52 A little animal on the end of the cable would add strength and be fun too.

02:58 These accessories aren't just super cute, they're functional too,

03:03 as they protect your cable and extend its life.

03:06 Taniguchi put a great deal of thought into the design.

03:09 Look at his sweet little bottom, doesn't that make you feel good?

03:13 And the eyes droop a little with a gentle expression so they never seem angry.

03:19 One user on a social media site took her concept as far as it could go.

03:23 It's so cute! It looks like he's chewing my phone, I love it so much!

03:32 Smartphones may be essential for our life and work,

03:37 but there's nothing to stop us making them fun.

03:39 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:42 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:45 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:47 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:49 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:52 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:54 And that's exactly what these cute Japanese accessories do.

03:55 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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