Picture this: you’re walking down the aisle at the grocery store and the food literally starts talking to you. Is it a hallucination? Nope! It’s just the latest marketing scheme. According to the London Daily Mail, scientists are working on mini computer chips that can be attached to cans and boxes of food. They’re similar to the “talking” greeting cards that play a song or a message when they’re opened. But this version includes a tiny plastic screen that could flash special offers at shoppers, like a “2-for-1” purchase. Or call out recipe suggestions and cooking tips.

Today’s computer chips – the kind used in TVs, MP3 players, and mobile phones - are too expensive to use on throwaway items. But plastic computer chips would be cheaper and easier to produce, making such marketing ideas a reality. The manufacturing company, called Plastic Logic, is also working on miniaturizing the computer chips, so they could fit inside a shirt button. Which means, your clothes could communicate directly with your washing machine to choose the perfect water temperature and spin cycle.   

Of course, these products have yet to hit the market – but we’ll definitely keep you posted on their progress. Meanwhile, enjoy the quiet in the grocery store aisles while you can!