Home
Will ‘Smart Homework Lamps’ Find A Market In The U.S.?
In August, I wrote that Moxie, the “social support robot” was “straight-up one of the most dystopian things I’ve seen in my life.”
Now Moxie has some competition. An article in the Wall Street Journal reports on the latest hit product in China: a “smart homework lamp.” Although it is called a lamp, lighting is a secondary function—its primary purpose is to spy on kids to make sure they are not goofing off when they are supposed to be doing their assignments. Since this could be accomplished just as effectively by a cheap baby monitor, the smart homework lamp also features a small screen that “applies artificial intelligence to offer guidance.” For an additional fee, another human being will watch from afar and “monitor” your child for you.
The depressing part is not that such a product exists, but that this smart homework lamp is currently selling like hot cakes throughout the Middle Kingdom. ByteDance, the company that makes these “Dali” lamps, is reportedly having trouble keeping up with demand.
It is news like this that makes one pine for the halcyon days of “tiger moms.” Tiger moms may have cared way too much about their children’s learning outcomes, but at least they actually invested the time. Today’s version of the tiger mom is all too eager to outsource that important work to some incorporeal app.
Remember a year ago, when cockeyed optimists predicted that “distance learning” would increase the amount of time parents spend teaching their children? Instead, parents are jumping through hoops to have anybody other than themselves further their children’s educational futures.
As a human race, how did we let this happen? When I was a child, I cherished the work my mother put into my insatiable curiosity. Not only would she help me with my assigned homework, but she would also come up with puzzles and other extracurricular assignments to help me learn. For modern parents, that doesn’t seem to be worth their while.
The Journal article ends with a meditation on surveillance culture, gently pondering if such an internet-connected device that is continuously filming children would find as big of an audience on this side of the Pacific. Frankly put, such a discussion is naive. American parents have long allowed tech companies to do their job in loco parentis. Americans might be more likely than the Chinese to say they are fearful of surveillance, but we are talking about the same people who voluntarily give up their personal health data to the most powerful companies in the world. Just look at TikTok, ByteDance’s other great contribution to childhood life—Americans have shown zero compunction letting their adolescents film themselves in all sorts of compromising situations to feed the app’s voracious algorithm.
All this is to say, expect ByteDance’s smart homework lamp to be available (and successful) in the U.S. soon. And remember, if you can do without adding the outsider to the parental-child relationship, there is nothing stopping you from getting a $25 baby monitor today:
When it comes to shopping for your best friend, mom, girlfriend, or any other leading lady in your circle, we’ve got you covered. Shop the best gift ideas for women with this holiday gift guide. All products are available on Amazon!
Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette — $41.69
Surprise the makeup enthusiast in your life with this beautiful neutral eyeshadow palette.
UGG Women’s Maxi Curly Platform Slipper — $129.95
Cozy up with these UGG sherpa slippers that will keep you warm all winter long.
Give the gift of glowing skin with this perfect addition to your skincare routine.
Floerns Women’s Notch Collar Short Sleeve Sleepwear Two Piece Pajama Set — $31.99
Comfortable sleep set that is cozy and cute.
SOL DE JANEIRO Bum Bum Cream and Mini Hair Mask Bundle — $48
A moisturizing lotion that rejuvenates the skin during the dry winter months.
Give the gift of this Pillow Talk icons set. Includes four favorite lip secrets from the collection.
CLOUD by ARIANA GRANDE — $56.99
Like an airy dream, Ariana Grande Cloud is a creamy, soft and luxurious perfume with a high-class scent. Fresh and uplifting bergamot orange, rich lavender and juicy pear create a bright opening.
REVLON One-Step Volumizer PLUS 2.0 Hair Dryer and Hot Air Brush, Black — $42.74
A hair product any beauty buff would love.
YETI Rambler 20 oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Tumbler w/MagSlider Lid — $35
An ideal gift for a girl who’s always on the go!
amika Outta Sight Nourishing Must-Haves Set — $47
These must-haves are essential for every step of your hair care routine. Cleanse with normcore signature shampoo, moisturize with the nourishing mask, and refresh your style with perk up dry shampoo.
Grande Cosmetics Lash Envy AM/PM Mini Set — $26
This lash enhancing liquid eyeliner and serum promote the appearance of longer looking lashes.
A great stocking stuffer and always an everyday must-have.
You can never go wrong with a good pair of earrings, let alone at this price!
In 2022, Santa hats are out. Silly turkey hats are in.
I was on Amazon looking for things to do over Thanksgiving with relatives (eventually landing on the brand new game Christmas Categories) when I came across this:
Kangaroo Plush Thanksgiving Day Roasted Turkey Hat Tan — $8.95
My first thought was that it creates the perfect opportunity for someone in the family to recreate the classic Monica turkey head scene from Friends:
Then I realized that there are many ways you can have fun with the turkey hat Thanksgiving. When you play games, you can decide in advance that the loser has to wear the turkey hat. Or perhaps you can start a tradition that whoever carves the turkey each year gets to wear the turkey hat. The possibilities are endless!
No matter how you are spending the holiday this year (with funny turkey hat, or sans funny turkey hat), the We Know Products team wishes you a very happy Thanksgiving!
If you go on Amazon and search for “handheld massager,” you will find dozens and dozens of clones of the same $100 massage gun. My immediate reaction upon seeing this was that there is no longer any innovation in the massager industry. Instead of actually investing in R&D to come up with more advanced ways to help customers, massager companies seem content to copy one another and compete on price.
One company gives me hope. That company is NAIPO, a well-known massager brand whose stated mission is to help people all over the world “Find Well-being.” NAIPO’s latest handheld massager features a brand new design that provides added value for the user. While it is still a percussion massager, its sleek comfort-grip handle grants access to otherwise inaccessible areas of the body. It also features 5 interchangeable massager heads so that you are able to treat each acupuncture point with the best possible massage.
This attention to detail creates a truly customizable experience. After a workout or just a long day at work, you can choose from 5 different speed levels and 5 different working modes, from gentle relaxation to vigorous, deep-tissue massage. By virtue of the extended front grip, you can give exactly the right type of massage to previously neglected muscles all over your body.
A common complaint about percussion massagers is the noise level that can make it awkward or even impossible to use in public. The new NAIPO handheld massager is different. Unlike its competitors, it provides amazing results with only a single massage head. This has the twin effect of reducing noise levels and making it lighter and therefore less unwieldy, a huge plus especially for older users.
The NAIPO XF-5120 handheld massager will be available for purchase soon, and at $52.99 it is inarguably cheaper than similar products on the market. You get your very own either at NAIPO’s own storefront on naipocare.com or on Walmart.com. Stay tuned for more updates!
How To Treat Neck Pain
NAIPO Joins Massage Gun Craze With New Model
