Technabob » emoticons

Translate Emoticons From Japanese to English

Range — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:26:53 +0000

If you thought that emoticons were the same in all languages, you’d be dead wrong. Just check out the differences between English emoticons and their Japanese equivalents courtesy of Wired’s handy English-to-Japanese emoticon cheat sheet.

I guess this makes sense, since in sign language, American English is pretty different from British English. This means that all of those teenage Japanese girls who are obsessed with texting are using a whole different set of emoticons. I wonder what the Japanese equivalent of “OMGWTF” is?

[via Wired]

Emoticon Rubber Stamp: Otaku Approved

Lambert Varias — Tue, 18 May 2010 12:38:36 +0000

Designed by Ginguni for Japanese brand gung, this handmade rubber stamp will let you mass-produce endearing (at first, and then they’re just freaking annoying) emoticons. We’re not talking about simple smileys and sad faces here – this rubber stamp is for hardcore emoticon enthusiasts. It can stamp Japanese-style emoticons of up to 7 characters. Kawaii, I guess.

You can even create a brand-new expression, because the stamp allows you to combine characters in over 2,000 ways. Just how many expressions are there anyway?

You can pre-order the emoticon rubber stamp from gung or from caina for ¥2,700 (approx. $29 (USD)). Orders will ship starting May 21. I’m not sure if they’ll ship it outside Japan though. ( T _ T )

[via blankanvas via NOTCOT]

Chatman Displays Your Emoticons and Nags Your Kids

Range — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:55:24 +0000

Chatman is a new sort of toy that plugs into your computer, helping to make your instant messaging more interesting for everyone, especially kids.

Chatman is kind of an emoticon itself, but it’s able to display different faces based on your IM discussions. Basically, the device is able to gauge the mood of the conversation you’re having and will show it.

It’s compatible with most chat clients, from Facebook to Google Talk, and you can also upload custom new emoticons. While it isn’t really a parental control system, it will nag your kids if they are chatting about things that they shouldn’t. It has 3 personality options which include over 500 actions and 25 customizable moods.

My only question: when will it start talking back?

[via Pocket Lint]

Emoticons: Get Off of My Screen and Onto My Shirt

Alisha K. — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:32:14 +0000

Cheesy emoticons — they’re not just for your IM client anymore. Thanks to ClixWear, you can plaster semi-colon smileys and less-than-threes on your chest (and regions beyond).

Emoticons are designed to help add context and tone to text-based conversations (because it’s important to distinguish between a joke and a dig), but all the winking on these shirts begs the question of whether the pithy little labels are meant seriously or sarcastically.

Fake diva, or real diva and snarkily proud of it? It’s a mystery! So much for clarity in communication.

[ClixWear, via Chip Chick]