# Cooking USB Speakers Thanko's Rice Cooker Sits by Your Computer and Serves as a Speaker By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-01-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usb-speakers References: [japantrendshop](http://www.japantrendshop.com/ES-thanko-rice-cooker-usb-mini-speaker-p-1255.html) & [wanelo](http://wanelo.com/p/2010662/thanko-rice-cooker-usb-mini-speaker) This mock rice cooker USB speaker from [Thanko](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/low-carb-rice-cooker) has a lot going in its favor—it's compact, has a novel design, plugs into a USB port and functions as a speaker. The [Rice](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rice-university-1) Cooker USB Mini Speaker is the perfect size for listening to some great beats and reminding you to get up and make a meal. Just like a [portable music player](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-ears-1) or a phone, this miniature rice cooker can be plugged in and powered up by a computer. Like a home appliance, the fake mini rice cooker has a convincing on and off switch. The novel speaker design won't actually cook your meals for you, but it is a fun way to fool people into thinking that it will. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.9/10 - Popularity: 100% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Kitchen](https://www.trendhunter.com/kitchen) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **USB Speakers:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Develop USB speakers with unique and creative designs to stand out in the market. - **Compact Speakers:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Create compact speakers that combine functionality with a novel design to appeal to consumers looking for space-saving options. - **Mock Home Appliances:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Explore the market of mock home appliances that serve secondary functions, such as speakers, to add a touch of novelty to everyday devices. ### Who This Affects Most - **Consumer Electronics:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Introduce unique and functional consumer electronic products, like USB speakers, to attract tech-savvy consumers looking for innovative gadgets. - **Home Appliance:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Combine traditional home appliances with unexpected features, such as integrating speakers, to cater to consumers who appreciate multi-functional products. - **Computer Peripherals:** Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Invent computer peripherals that serve multiple purposes, such as a speaker that also acts as a USB hub, to enhance the user's computing experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Carb Reduction Rice Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/low-carb-rice-cooker.md) - [Dedicated Instant Noodle Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thanko-instant-ramen-for-one-cooker.md) - [Miniature Colorful Rice Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bowld-mini-rice-cooker.md) - [Anime-Inspired Kitchen Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/naruto-rice-cooker.md) - [Interchangeable Component Rice Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/detachable-rice-cooker.md) - [Health-Focused Rice Cookers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-rice-cooker-concept.md) - [Critter-Like Kid-Friendly Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-grejsimojs-mouse-speaker.md) - [Headphone-Holding Speaker Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cornucopia-speaker.md) - [Three-Dimensional Home Audio](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-speaker.md)