Japan’s “Cardboard Theatre” uses your tablet to create a private cinema
Missed your favourite movie at the cinema? Don’t fret; take a leaf from the Japanese. The country is known for its quirky trends that don’t always make sense, but the latest one might just work: the Cardboard Theatre. 
As its name suggests, the Cardboard Theatre affords the viewer an immersive viewing experience, similar to being in a cinema, using just cardboard!
It’s really easy to set up: all you need is a large cardboard box and a tablet or Smartphone. Next, simply cut a display hole on the bottom of your box to place your smart device on and a neck hole on the side for you to stick your head in. 
Not very technical – in fact somewhat silly-looking – but the Cardboard Theatre does give the user a private cinema of sorts by cutting out light and sound from the outside world. You can even, like some Japanese, customize your own Cardboard Theatre by decorating it, adding soft pillows or including stereo sound.
Of course it does not compare to professional movie viewers like Sony’s HMZ-T3W or Oculus Rift, but if you are living on a budget, the Cardboard Theatre is actually a tiny stroke of genius. 
And don’t forget, yes, the Cardboard Theatre looks a little ridiculous; however Japanese inventors have been behind a number of odd creations that ultimately turned out to be pretty popular outside Japan: karaoke, sushi and of course, the Walkman. 
(All images - credit: Wikimedia Commons and Pixabay under Creative Commons licence)
