Want a cutting-edge TV but don't want something dull in the corner of your home? You need the M21 Flat Panel Console.
Available in two sizes (which can be adjusted before delivery for your set) and for both LCD and plasma TVs, the M21 turns your 2009 TV into something a little more mid-century, with a sustainable black walnut frame, vintage speaker cloth and a hand-rubbed oil finish.
Sadly none of that come cheap, costing even more than your new TV at $3,600.
We featured the camera some time back, but it's now been joined by the Lego MP3 player by Digital Blue – and it's certain to make a real impact on the daily commute.
Not the most feature-packed player you'll encounter, but all the basics are here – 2GB of storage, a rechargeable battery, MP3/WMA playback, USB connectivity and earphones. We're not sure if the latter will be shaped like mini bricks – we can only hope.
Should be cheap too, around £27 when it hits the shelves this summer in the two colour options above.
A great gadget out of Japan – and here's hoping that the Novac MV-CM001U makes it to the UK.
Beneath that retro-styled dark wood casing is a clever bit of technology that coverts your old analogue cassettes to a more useful digital format (MP3 or WMA). Just pop your cassette in the top, hook up to a PC via USB and your tracks are saved for playback on there or on a portable player. If that sounds like hard work, you can just play your cassettes back through that large speaker on the front. Large, but not overly powerful – 1.5w of output.
It's available from this month for the equivalent of around £50 in Japan. Look out for it at the various gadget retail shops soon after.
Find out more at the Novac website (in Japanese)
Via Switched On Set
Camping season is well on its way, and portable creature comforts are a must have for any outdoor living. This Oil Burning Lamp from Urban Outfitters is an ideal choice for both camping, or for an attractive indoor lighting choice.
Available in four bright colours, the floral design of this lamp combines 60s kitsch with the shape and mechanics of the traditional oil burning lamp. The glass combines well with the more modern styling to create an attractive piece of homeware with definite retro appeal.
Get yours for just £6 each from Urban Outfitters online.
Perfect for lovers of all things VW Camper Van, the Dreams VolksWagen Type 2 Radio also offers a clock and an audio system.
As the name suggests, it's first and foremost a radio in the shape of a Camper Van with both AM and FM reception. But that's not all you get – it's also a digital clock (there's a screen on the rear) and a speaker for your iPod or MP3 player.
Take your pick from two colours, both retailing for $129.99. Note that this is a Japanese gadget sold in the US – so if you're ordering, you might want to enquire about the electrics first.
We've see a few old-fashioned handsets for mobile phones in the past (most notably the ones from Hulger), but I don't think we've ever featured anything like the Sparkfun Bluetooth vintage-style rotary phone.
Yes, this is a dial phone, just like the one your parents probably had – only this one is modified to work with your mobile phone. How? Well, you pair it with your mobile via Bluetooth, allowing the phone to remember your mobile number. That means you can take calls with the dial phone and make them too by using the dial. And all on your mobile network.
It's also got a rechargeable batterry – so no wires. And the ring, like the rest of the phone, is authentically vintage. US-only as far as we can see, priced at $249.95, which is the best part of £150.
