The past has always been an inexhaustible source of inspiration to reinvent the future. And indeed, the tech sector has always liked to revisit certain trends by (re)updating devices considered obsolete. From Polaroids and vintage radios to 1970s record players, vintage-inspired products are making a real comeback.
A return to basics driven by the nostalgia of the users, but also by objects that take up designs from the past, adapting them to current technological standards. For Christmas, Tech&Co has selected for you the most chic vintage technological products of the moment.
The BFMTV newsroom made this selection independently. BFMTV may receive compensation when one of our readers makes a purchase through the links in this article.
Roberts iStream 3 Connected Radio
With the iStream 3, British brand Roberts puts small turntables into big ones. Simply put, this is one of the best connected radios in its class. This transistor immediately stands out from its peers with its elegant curves and cool looking retro design. Everything is enhanced by fine finishes, from the brand name engraved in gold letters to the leather-covered wooden frame. The hardest part may be choosing among the many available colors (blue, black, berry red, dark pink…).
If the device displays a delightfully “old-school” style, the features it incorporates are decidedly modern. In fact, the iStream 3 has full connectivity with the presence of a USB port, a mini-jack audio input and a headphone output. Compatible wireless, in particular, it is capable of reading all FM, DAB and DAB+ stations, as well as web radios. The device also allows access to audio streaming services such as Spotify Connect, Deezer or even Amazon Prime Music while Bluetooth, for its part, ensures the distribution of music stored on devices such as a smartphone or PC.
Ergonomic, this radio incorporates a color LCD screen. The user interface is easy to navigate and makes it easy to control the device, which can also be done through Amazon Alexa. On the audio side, it is also a hit with dynamic and accurate sound reproduction. Mains powered, it can also be recharged for outdoor use.
instax mini evo
The instant photo is making a comeback. With Polaroid which has relaunched and updated its devices, Instax is the other big player in the industry with a very wide range of cameras and portable printers. And the brand had fun integrating its instant photography concept into devices with a decidedly vintage movie camera look.
The mini Evo will appeal to the nostalgic, with its knobs and buttons just like old Fuji cameras. The device brings its touch of modernity with 10 integrated optical effects to play with light (artistic blur, double exposure, mirror…), 10 film filters (red, blue, sepia, monochrome, etc.) to choose from and possibly mix before to take the image. A screen allows you to preview the rendering, manage parameters, settings, use the self-timer, etc. The app adds features for taking and retouching photos before printing. You can even add a microSD card to store your photos before printing.
Audio Technica AT-LP120 Turntable
With the return in favor of vinyl records, many music lovers are now considering the purchase of a suitable medium for listening to them. In this context, this Audio-Technica model stands out for its modern design and its ease of installation and use. Powerful, this device, capable of spinning records up to 78 rpm, takes care of the sound aspect, offering very good sound quality. However, the latter can vary depending on the audio system the turntable is connected to.
Otherwise, if you don’t have one, simply plug the turntable directly into a pair of wired speakers with RCA inputs, as the turntable has a built-in preamplifier. Packed with many customizable features, it also offers the ability to simply convert your records to digital audio, as well as connect the turntable via USB to a PC or other device. A practical option to easily record your favorite vinyls.
Rymek DPV Connected Typewriter
Typewriters have come a long way since Arabesquethe mythical police television series of the 80s in which Jessica Fletcher, the heroine of the program, wrote her novels about an old brother 200. As proof, the DPV Rymek which, behind its elegant vintage appearance, is decked out in the latest technological finery.
This typewriter allows you to connect it to all mobile devices or computers thanks to its Bluetooth compatibility or via a USB cable. It is also equipped with backlit keys and has a rechargeable battery that offers only 50 hours of autonomy.
Connected Walkman Serge – We’re rewinding
After the vinyl, the K7 returns with a smell of sanctity. And in order to listen to your old tapes, you need a walkman. The French startup We are rewind modernizes the cassette player, taking up the original look in premium aluminum (and a bit heavy), with a battery that recharges in USB-C with up to 10 hours of autonomy, the possibility of connecting a Bluetooth headset and even registration.
Physical buttons (on/off, fast forward/backward, stop, volume), as well as headphone and microphone jacks or any external device. The sound is of very good quality (it also depends on the quality of the original tape) and the walkman supports all types of tapes.
Named after three artists, the walkman is available on the website of we are rewinding in three colors: orange (Serge), blue (Kurt) and gray (Keith).
Pure Evoke Home
For all those who still want to listen to their CDs, it becomes difficult to find a system that is equipped with it. Pure has the solution with this all-in-one connected speaker. The Evoke Home features a stylish wooden cabinet (black, wood or white) to deliver powerful and detailed sound.
On the audio side, it is possible to listen to DAB+ radio, content from streaming services and in particular thanks to compatibility with Spotify Connect, international radio or media connected via Bluetooth. From the LCD screen, it is easy to navigate through the menu and the various options using the keyboard; otherwise, a remote control is available. But the highlight of the speaker is also the presence of a CD player.
Amiga 500 Controller
Miniaturized versions of consoles of yesteryear have been delighting retrogaming fans for years. After Nintendo with its Nintendo and Super Nintendo mini, Sony and its PlayStation Classic or even the PC Engine mini and the Mega Drive mini, it’s Amiga’s turn to give a new impetus to an emblematic model: the Amiga 500.
The mini version of the computer comes with a (dummy) keyboard, joystick, and mouse that now connects via USB on the back. The A500 revolutionized gaming and graphics in the late 1980s. The mini plays in this same nostalgic fiber by revisiting the iconic design of the device (minus the screen) that connects via HDMI to a TV and USB for streaming. feeding. 25 games are pre-installed, including the cult game. Another world either worms and various old arcade games. They can be played in emulation, in a version close to the original. It is also possible to run ROM games using a USB key.
Source: BFM TV
