A really good indicator that a product isn't that great is when manufacturers put way too much effort into a gimmicky design. Case in point: what looks like a shiny shifter for your car or game console is really an FM radio! Sifting to the right scans through the channels, while shifting to a higher or lower "gear" changes the volume. I guess it might make a great gift for race fans, or those with a car fetish.

While I appreciate everything the Japanese do to make boring products cool, the shift radio doesn't do it for me, especially with a price of 5,000 Yen (about $42 US). For that price I could buy a radio that has FM, AM, TV audio, and weather band. Granted it doesn't have the fancy plastic chrome finish or shift knob, but come on Japan, you used to be cool, why are you making crap like this? All things considered, at least it's better than the Rice Omelet Mouse. — Stephen Schleicher

Nodaya, via Tokyo Mango