If you are a part of the small group of people still using landline phones, and you want something that stands out from the crowd, this violin model might be just the ticket.

The mahogany-colored phone measures 3 x 3 x 4 1/2 inches when it’s folded, it is tone/pulse switchable and it features buttons that will light up in the dark.

Here’s a video demonstration of the violin phone in action:

Product Description

• Receiving a call: when the phone rings, pick up the receiver and use as you would with any standard telephone
• Dialing a call: pick up your phone and listen to the dial tone, then press the keys of the number you want to call.
• Ending a call: after you have finished your conversation just hang up the handset. If you want to make another call immediately, press the ”Flash” button once and the line is ready for another call.
• Redial: If you dial a number and get a busy signal, you can press the “FlASH” button and then the “REDIAL” button. The number will be automatically redialed.
• Mute Key: for your privacy, depress the “MUTE” key as long as it is depressed, the other party will not hear anything you say

The Violin Phone is available from the sourcingmap.com website for $19.99.

Toyota has unveiled today two new robots today, a “Mobility Robot” and a “Violin-playing Robot” – both developed to support people’s everyday life.

Mobility Robot

Main use:
Assistance with short-distance personal transport.

Description:
Can negotiate steps with independent vertical movement of left and right wheels, allowing it to assist in short-distance personal mobility.

Features:
- Has a traveling range of 20km on one hour of battery charge.
- Travels at up to 6km/h and capable of traversing a 10-degree gradient.
- Capable of following a person, allowing it to function as a porter.
- Capable of avoiding obstacles to reach its owner and of autonomously transporting its owner.

Violin-playing Robot

Main use:
Assistance with domestic duties and nursing and medical care.

Description:
Easy-to-become-familiar-with bipedal robot, capable of performing a variety of tasks with its hands and arms.

Features:
- Able to achieve dexterous, human-like hand movement and arm strength when playing the violin.
- Able to achieve vibrato on a violin similar to that created by humans.

Here’s a video of the two robots in action:

Head over to toyota.co.jp to read the full press release.

(Via Akihabara News & Prylfeber)