Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2009

We still feel a bit iffy when we get Facebook friend requests from people we’ve only just met, but the modern networker takes such things in her stride. Chances are she also packs a Poken, a dinky device with a magical mitt that allows you to transmit your SNS and website details by doing a virtual high-five with fellow users. We were a bit creeped out by these at first, but on reflection, they aren’t a whole lot different from the way people here use the sekigaisen infrared function on their phones to exchange numbers. If you want to get a taste of the action, head to one of the Poken Meetup events being held around Tokyo each month (see website for details).
Poken, ¥2,480. Available from Amazon Japan.. http://poken.jp/en