Out with the old, in with the older: Modernizing the vintage

Archive bot

Thank you for your answer, very interesting points. As a person using a laptop from 2011 and a 2 years old smartphone, that I’m not considering changing anytime soon, I partially agree with you.

Tech changes, indeed, but I think that not as quick as the companies make us believe. If you compare a smartphone with its previous model, in terms of daily usability, traditionally there is not that much of a jump. Probably not even with two years of difference. Of course it depends on the brands, the specific innovations, the needs you have as a user, etc.

It is also a matter of preference, in the sense of truly experiencing the changes of innovation. Those who renew their gadgets once a year may lose the perspective of evolution, like it happens with ourselves and our closest relatives: we rarely notice the changes unless we see images from the past.

Cheetosdust

Lovely idea for a thread, @[deleted]. Thank you for taking the time to write it - beautiful touch with the banner too.

About the matter at hand, I think it’s a case of combining form and function. There are some revitalizations that just want to capitalize on the nostalgia factor. Companies know the power an imprinted image can have, especially the ones we tirelessly fabulate about - it’s called the “rosy retrospection”.

But some of them are bliss or pure fun. Nokia understood this - more or less - with their “banana phone” and even the New Nokia 3310. They are not perfect, but we can identify the form-factor that so many still cherish while putting in the market a device that can be used and enjoyed by people who can’t or don’t want to spend a lot of money.

About your second question: a typewriter. It’s as retro as retro can be, but imagine a Royal or a Corona with a revitalized look, perhaps a display with basic information and a feature that allows you to type directly to a word processor (doubling as a keyboard) or into a sheet of paper.

For example, picture a Brother Deluxe 1522 with a front panel where the faux wood is. Is it more useful than a traditional keyboard? No, not at all. But it can be the inspiration to kickstart the creation of something beautiful. Also: baby blue. 😎

Archive bot

Cheetosdust

Thanks for mentioning the “rosy retrospection”, I didn’t know about it. Very interesting philosophical topic to wander about.

I will always remember my adoration for the Nokia 3310. It was meant to be my first phone, but for some reason I ended up buying another one. Those clicky buttons, the design, the unbreakable exterior, the almost forever-lasting battery and, most importantly: snake. Rosy retrospection, where? 😛

Every single time I see a typewriter, the dream of having one increases, but in this case, an original one the way they were before, without any modernization. Though I am absolutely sure that I would crave those ideas you mention.

What about a non-portable MacBook form factor with a typewriter-like keyboard? After the butterfly system debacle, what could possibly go wrong? 🤓

Rob ⚡️

Cheetosdust

Well, my mind immediately jumped back to seeing this video:

Does that bring you any retro joy?

Cheetosdust

Archive bot Thank you for sharing the article.

It took me a little bit to reply, but I’ve read it. There’s a quote from Shu Suzuki that tells me a lot about how this product was conceptualized. “I personally use a Nikon FM that was handed down to me from my grandfather,” he mentioned.

The inspiration was loved and cherished before the redux was born.

I don’t own a Nikon Z fc nor a Nikon FM2, but it really feels like it’s so much more than a quick and easy cash grab. Genuinely enjoyed reading it. I hope that Nikon has solved the initial problems with stock.

I would love to see Braun bringing back what Dieter Rams designed. I believe we talked about this in another thread.

If Nothing decides to make a smart speaker, for example, I wouldn’t mind if it is inspired by the T41. That design with a touch screen? Yes, teenage engineering, “y” to the “s”, pretty please with a cherry on top. 😁

PS: Using “The glass is greener” as a title for a section in the article was inspired. 🤓

Rudi

Wow, guys. I really enjoyed reading this topic. So nostalgic and interesting to rethink design based on favourites from the past. I’m indulged in the keyboard shown above - what a quirky product.

I also own a SNES Classic Edition and that little thing not only gives me great memories but also feels modern. Mostly because it has lots of games installed, it’s tiny, and it connects to the TV via HDMI. Some stuff should just be reinvented, really.

cristian

Hi guys, finally got my buds. So… Bauhaus, Braun, Apple. This is the right path, that won’t end to inspire. The compromise between talking art and not-end-in-itself design, the word that not exhaust and reflects the ego of times from which came out. This is the design that will light up in dark times.

PRAY FOR PEACE

Sib64

I’ve found this. FOCAL is a French brand, world leader in the manufacture of high-fidelity solutions

I invited you to read this article about FOCAL powered by Naim

Pyrodox

The modern age record player.

cristian

Pyrodox I’m sure the Braun one inspired design guys in making the case of the buds. It would be a great quote

adbo

Pyrodox How about this modified one? 😄

cristian

adbo Cool! So flashy but cool!

Louis ☕️

adbo This is RIDICULOUS and I’m all for it! 👏 🎵

adbo

cristian Louis ☕️ Isn’t it! I was very tempted to do something similar myself but apparently the card printer alone is $400. I suppose I could do the poor man’s version of printing stickers onto regular NFC cards 😄 but then I’d have the issue of deciding which playlists to use!