The next finger-lickin’ tech giant? KFC builds its own smartphone, game box

On top is the smartphone holder, and on each side is one half of a game controller.

Silicon Valley is awash with new startups and old corporations vying for supremacy, but rarely does a fried chicken company enter its ring. 

But last month, Kentucky Fried Chicken released not only but two hardware products: a budget-priced smartphone exclusive in China and a chicken sandwich box that can be converted into a gaming box in India. 

Apple and Nintendo, be very afraid. 

For those in the United States, eBay or another marketplace site will be your best bet. (On eBay, there is a listing for the KFC smartphone.) 

The KFC smartphone was released two weeks ago in China and at first glance, it looks like any generic Android phone. Built in partnership with Huawei, the KFC phone has 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot inside a 5.5in frame. 

If the bright red colour and the Colonel Sanders logo in the back don't wow you already, there is a KFC music app through which you can share songs with the 4,000 KFC stores in China. Those who purchased the phone – a small group considering there is only 5,000 made – will also receive 100,000 "K dollars," KFC's artificial currency to buy its food. 

The phone was made as a 30th anniversary celebration of KFC opening its first store in China, according to media reports. The phone was sold at US$125 (RM535).

KFC also unveiled its "Gamer's Box 2.0" last week. Partnering with Mountain Dew, KFC India offered the gaming box and a free soda was provided when purchased with a chicken sandwich. 

So what's in and around the box? On top is the smartphone holder, and on each side is one half of a game controller. The smartphone connects to the controller via Bluetooth and one can presumably play a game on it. 

Tech media outlet BGR India reviewed the box, and from its appearance, it looks like the box works quite well as a gaming apparatus. 

KFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on both the smartphone and the gaming box. — San Jose Mercury News/Tribune News Service

Source: The next finger-lickin' tech giant? KFC builds its own smartphone, game box