For those who prefer the style and baking method of a horizontal toaster (i.e., toaster oven) to that of a traditional vertical toaster, the premium paid for such a device shouldn’t run much higher than roughly $60. So why are people in Tokyo falling over themselves to get their hands on one of these ovens, which will cost them an astounding $230?
According to Balmuda (the company that manufactures the device), as well as the droves of happy owners already using the machine, it boasts the ability to turn ordinary store-bought bread into a bakery-fresh loaf in a matter of minutes. As anyone who’s enjoyed a slice of fresh-baked bread can attest, it doesn’t get much better.
The idea for the Balmuda toaster oven occurred to business founder and CEO Gen Terao during a recent company gathering that took place on a particularly rainy afternoon. During the get-together, Terao and a few other employees were warming bread on a grill before realizing that what they were producing were batches of high-quality toast.
As the downpour around them subsided, the group attempted to duplicate their toast masterpiece but failed to do so. It was then that Terao realized how important the presence of water (and more importantly, steam) was in the process.
Born from this realization was the Balmuda toaster, a device that uses steam to trap moisture inside bread while slowly heating it at low temperatures. As it nears the end of the cook cycle, the Balmuda turns up the heat to give the toast a perfectly cooked crust.
“Consumers are embracing gadgets that do one thing well,” said Euromonitor analyst Hiromi Yamaguchi. “Larger appliance makers are selling products with too many functions, and not a lot of people use them.”
Though the toaster debuted in June, demand for the device has created a wait list of at least three months — all without Balmuda airing any commercials or taking out ads. The company has recently expanded its business into South Korea. However, it has stated that there are currently no plans to bring the toaster oven to the United States or Europe. A sad day for bread lovers in those countries, sure, but we did find the product floating around Amazon — that is, if you don’t mind paying double for one.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.