1. “Can’t talk right now, I’m busy sending emojis 💅”

Sega’s Emojam pager is proof that everything old is cool again, especially if it comes with emojis. This pocket-sized nostalgia gadget sends up to 10 emojis at a time to friends over WiFi, no pesky words required. Imagine ditching text messages entirely and crafting a new language made of 🐱❤️➕🎉. It’s like a Tamagotchi for your social life but less needy.

At just $46, this emoji-only device is aimed at Japan’s kid crowd, though let’s be real, millennials will be the ones importing them for a hit of ‘90s culture. Bonus: you can only connect with friends by physically touching devices, a quirky throwback to IR tech days. Emojam feels like a playful reminder that sometimes, less is more. Who needs full sentences when you can say it all with “🫠🍕🎮”?

2. Running shoe emoji, IRL 👟✨

Ever wanted to wear an emoji? No? Well, now you can anyway. Designer Jose Wong turned Apple’s running shoe emoji into an actual sneaker, the Shoe 1. With nubuck leather, EVA foam midsoles, and an electronics-themed insole, it’s peak “serious design meets unserious inspiration.” Even the packaging mimics Apple’s minimalist boxes—because of course it does.

The Shoe 1 looks suspiciously like a New Balance 574, which feels appropriate since Steve Jobs himself favored New Balance (though not this style). It’s quirky, it’s absurd, and it’s probably the only sneaker that lets you tell people, “I’m wearing an emoji.”

3. Knight takes art 🤖♘

Google’s new chess app isn’t exactly a checkmate, but it has one flashy gimmick: AI-designed chess piece icons. Want sci-fi knights or pink furry rooks? Google’s Imagen 3 AI has you covered—your opponent might end up with fantasy queens. It’s timed to the 2024 World Chess Championship, where Ding Liren and 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju are battling for the crown.

While Google dreams up robo-pawns, Apple’s dabbling in AI too with Gnemoji, its customizable emoji feature. From emojis to chess, Big Tech is clearly into “AI, but make it fun.” As for the app, it’s worth a spin, but maybe bring a sense of humor (and a top-down view).