Skip to main content

Google Japan’s bizarre new keyboard can also catch (literal) bugs

Japan delights us with products like the Pen Pineapple Apple Pen and the Iyashi Octopus Sucker Massager. Google captivates us with joyful products such as Gmail and Pixel phones. So, what happens when you combine Japan with Google? Simple. You get a Gboard bug catcher, of course.

Meet the playful concept for a keyboard from Google Japan. The Gboard stick is a long and thin ruler-like device with alphabetical keys running down its length, to which a net can be attached at the end.

A man holds a gboard with a net at the end while a young boy stands next to him
image: Google Japan

It’s clearly a joke from Google — perhaps trying to make up for its merciless shuttering of Stadia over the weekend), and even its URL is sprightly and very Google-y. (https://landing.google.co.jp/________________/).

Recommended Videos

There’s a catch to this entire concept. You have to make it yourself. It requires a 3D printer and a working knowledge of the Japanese language … and culture. For example, the specifications given by Google Japan for the Gboard stick include such accurate pieces of information as “It is wide enough for a cat to walk across” and is strong enough to carry “three T-shirts when supported at both ends.”

The actual keyboard is 65 inches long, or 165cm. The keys are arranged in QWERTY format although this can be changed to ASCII code layout if needed. The keyboard can be used as a ruler or hiking pole, or you can sling a net to the end of it and catch bugs, which is what Google Japan is super hyped about, judging by the website. The site also mentions the ability for two people to sit by side and use the keyboard at the same time as a piano.

Gboard 棒バージョン

This isn’t Google Japan’s first foray into whimsical keyboard design. The company released the yunomi, a Gboard teacup, back in October of 2021. It’s a teacup covered in kanji keyboard keys. No more spilling tea on your keyboard.

If you’re ever tired of mechanical keyboards or you’ve ever thought to yourself “Man, keyboards are getting so boring,” take a moment to look across the Pacific, to the great nation of Japan, where neck wrinkle irons and keyboard bug catchers are born.

Nathan Drescher
Former Computing Writer
Nathan Drescher is a freelance journalist and writer from Ottawa, Canada. He's been writing about technology from around the…
Google is giving Drive users nudges to make use of Gemini features
The Google Drive app logo.

Google Drive users are being introduced to a recent tool in an easy to understand way, as Google is adding prompts to make use of its Gemini AI assistant technology. Though Gemini has already been accessible in Drive, the new prompts, or "nudges", appear prominently displayed and offer quick and simple ways to start using the technology.

As reported by Android Authority, the nudges include suggestions like “Learn about Gemini in Drive,” “Summarize a folder,” or “Learn about a file.” These prompts appear at the top of your Google Drive page, beneath the "Welcome to Drive" message and above the suggested folders.

Read more
Google is testing a new refresh shortcut for AI Mode
Google AI Mode for Search.

Google’s new AI Mode for search may soon get an update to make the feature easier to navigate after users input a query. 

The Gemini 2.0-powered AI-search function is an elevated search experience, providing a mix of contextual AI Overviews and relevant search links. Currently, Google has made AI Mode available to its Google One AI Premium subscribers as a preview. However, the brand may soon expand availability to free users, while also making it easier to reset an AI Mode conversation and remain on the same page. 

Read more
You can now have secret chats with Google’s Gemini in incognito mode
Launching Gemini Deep Research query on Chrome desktop.

You can now have a quick chat with Gemini on your web browser without having to sign in first. And, to speed up the process, the Gemini website even takes you directly to the chat window instead of showing you a landing page first.

This move, spotted by 9To5Google, is pretty smart as it allows unconvinced users to try out the product with no strings attached. With any luck, they'll enjoy the experience and decide to sign up to get access to more of the features.

Read more