Pribek

Takara Tomy will soon introduce the “Hi-kara” a tiny, personal karaoke machine.

The machine is a 3 inch cube that weighs less than a pound with a 2.4 inch screen. The machine will cost around $100 and special song cartridges around $40. Warblers will also be able to download songs from the internet.

Karoake singers have longed for the day the that their efforts would no longer be confined to seedy night clubs and Japanese living living rooms. This exciting technology will make it possible for aspiring vocalists to showcase their performance abilities in venues once only dreamed of; elevators, public transportation, restrooms, fast food outlets, and even in their vehicles during rush hour traffic.

There may be some possible benefits, as well.

Shigekazu Mihashi, marketing director at Takara Tomy, told Reuters the machine was aimed at youngsters who could not go into karaoke booths or parlors, which often serve alcohol…

“Girls who are middle-school age and under can’t go to karaoke parlors by themselves even if they wanted to sing, but now they can try it at home with this new karaoke machine,” Mihashi said.

Any step that diverts traffic from the dens of karaoke violence has to be considered a step in the right direction.

Industry insiders consider this a gamble on the part of Takara Tomy, as there remains much speculation as to how karaoke performers, as well as tolerance of karaoke performances, will fare without alcohol as a standard part of the equation.