All articles tagged with #retro tech
Gen Z is swapping smartphones for retro, friction-filled devices—dumbphones, mechanical keyboards, instant cameras, and typewriters—seeking tangible cause-and-effect, less data exposure, and a slower, more deliberate way to interact with technology, even as nostalgia turns retro gear into a premium market.
Wired headphones are experiencing a resurgence in popularity among celebrities and fashion-conscious consumers, driven by nostalgia, perceived style, and better sound quality, despite the convenience of wireless options. The trend symbolizes a form of digital detox and nonchalant style, with some embracing the tangles as part of the charm, even as wireless headphones continue to outsell them.
The Samsung SPH-M100, also known as UpRoar, was the first MP3 wireless phone released in 2000. It allowed users to listen to music directly from their phones with 64 MB of storage, providing about an hour of music. The device also offered internet access and functioned as a personal organizer, priced at around $400 at the time.
A modder has created the "Short Stack," a miniature version of the Nintendo Wii that fits the console's internal hardware into a 3D-printed enclosure roughly the size of a deck of playing cards. The mod sacrifices the disc drive but retains ports for GameCube controllers, and includes features like HDMI output and a microSD card slot. The creator, James Smith, designed custom PCBs for the console and made sacrifices in the name of miniaturization, such as replacing the GameCube controller ports with headphone jacks that work over a special adapter. The project aims to create a scale model of the original Wii, and further shrinkage may make assembly tricky.
In 1984, a Supreme Court ruling in a lawsuit brought by Walt Disney Productions and Universal Studios against Sony declared it legal for consumers to record TV shows and movies using VCRs, overturning the objections of big companies. This decision transformed TV buffs and gadget enthusiasts from potential outlaws into legitimate home movie collectors. The article also highlights other retro tech from the past, including wild home phones from the '80s, expensive home computers from the '70s, and a '90s video phone that predated modern smartphones.
In 1984, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of consumers' right to record TV shows and movies using VCRs, following a lawsuit brought by Disney and Universal against Sony. This decision transformed TV buffs and gadget enthusiasts from potential outlaws into legal home movie collectors. The ruling had a significant impact on the retro tech landscape, including the rise of home phones and early home computers, and even pre-smartphone video calls in the '90s.
Demand for digital compact cameras from the 2000s and 2010s, such as the Nikon Coolpix S6900, is surging, with searches for these retro devices skyrocketing on platforms like Google, TikTok, and eBay. Despite their inferior image quality compared to modern smartphones, the appeal lies in their nostalgic design and features, with the pink color being particularly popular. This resurgence in interest is prompting people to search for vintage digital compact cameras, and approved secondhand retailers are seeing increased demand for these retro devices.
The author discusses the benefits of using older gadgets, such as a seven-year-old Pixelbook and a reMarkable 2 tablet, for specific needs, emphasizing their focused functionality and affordability. The article also highlights the growing appreciation for retro tech among young people, including the resurgence of iPods and mid-2000s digital cameras. It provides tips for finding and maintaining old tech, emphasizing the importance of being selective, exploring various sources, considering necessary accessories, and being prepared for basic repairs.
The VideoPhone 2500, marketed as the first telephone with a TV screen, allowed users to make video calls in the '90s. Priced at $1,500, it was not accessible to the average consumer. Despite the shaky picture quality, it was considered groundbreaking at the time for enabling people to see each other during phone calls.
The VideoPhone 2500, marketed as the first telephone with a TV screen, allowed users to make video calls in the '90s. Priced at $1,500, it was not accessible to the average consumer. Despite the shaky picture quality, it was considered groundbreaking at the time for enabling people to see each other during phone calls.
The VideoPhone 2500, marketed as the first telephone with a TV screen, allowed users to make video calls in the '90s. Priced at $1,500, it was not accessible to the average consumer. Despite the shaky picture quality, it was considered groundbreaking at the time for enabling people to see each other during phone calls.
The VideoPhone 2500, marketed as the first telephone with a TV screen, allowed users to make video calls in the '90s. Priced at $1,500, it was not accessible to the average consumer. Despite the shaky picture quality, it was considered groundbreaking at the time for enabling people to see each other during phone calls.
The VideoPhone 2500, marketed as the first telephone with a TV screen, allowed users to make video calls in the '90s. Priced at $1,500, it was not accessible to the average consumer. Despite the shaky picture quality, it was considered groundbreaking at the time for enabling people to see each other during phone calls.
The first home computers introduced in the 70s, though primitive compared to modern machines, started a revolution by streamlining finances, operating homes, and educating children. These computers were not cheap and came with a briefcase for easy transportation.
The first home computers introduced in the 70s, though primitive compared to modern machines, started a revolution by streamlining finances, operating homes, and educating children. These computers were not cheap and came with a briefcase for easy transportation.