Category: Gadgets and Tech

Some time ago, we featured the Rolleiflex MiniDigi AF 5.0, a camera that mixed vintage-style top-down snapping with digital technology. If that wasn’t authentic enough, the Lomo Lubitel 166B could be for you.

This authentic vintage deadstock item (originally sold in Russia) packs that same style of top viewer, as well as a Triplet lens (for ‘distinctive’ colourful images), manual shutter and aperture controls and some nice vintage-style accessories, including a case and carry strap. You can also upgrade to a flash, authentic vintage film and a leather bag.

Limited numbers available (around 25), selling from just over £150.

Find out more at the Lomo website

I don’t think any home phone has been talked about quite so much as the Colombo Two. In fact, we’ve been talking about it since January this year. And after all the waiting, it’s finally being offered for sale – but only in Selfridges.

We don’t really know much more – the marketing team has gone very quiet on us (which isn’t a good sign), but the designer’s site does promise the phone will be in Selfridges this month. No price given though, but as the phone has now been adapted slightly (with an answerphone heading up a few improvements), we would expect the previously-mentioned £40 price tag to be well exceeded. And yes, we have checked the store’s online shop.

If you want to know more about the Joe Colombo-inspired space age phone (and its companion Colombo One), you can see more here.

Selfridges website

We have previously featured the iRiver Mickey Mouse M Player on the site, but usually with the line ‘…available in Japan now’. Well, that’s no longer the case, with the super-cute MP3 player now available in the UK and for less cash than we expected.

This is an officially licensed Disney product, using the head of Mickey Mouse to store 1GB of your music, as well as offering a rechargeable battery (for up to nine hours playback per charge), earphones, a keyring to attach to your bag and an interesting way of controlling the volume and track order – just twist Mickey’s ears.

Three colours to choose from initially – white, black and pink – all selling for £29.99.

Find out more at the Advanced MP3 Players website

We mentioned the Lego iPod plug-in speaker when it was offered for sale over at Fred Flare. If you weren’t able to pick one up from there, you can now pick one up from I Want One Of Those – with the speaker now renamed the iBlock.

New name, but essentially the same gadget – just plug the brick-like speaker into the bottom of your iPod and you can give the earphones the boot. Volume can be controlled by the to central ‘bumps’ and the speaker is powered by your iPod, so no batteries required.

Take your pick from white, black or red, all retailing for £12.99.

Find out more from the I Want One Of Those website

Ok, it’s not DAB and there’s no option of getting an internet radio stations, but if you want the 60s looks and your usual selection of stations, the Steepletone Heartbeat could be for you.

The 60s looks are obvious – just like the radio your parents had, it offers a choice of coloured faux leather exterior, vintage-style dials, a large analogue aerial and three bands – medium wave, long wave and FM. Not sure about that Heartbeat logo though.

But if you don’t mind it, you can pick up the radio for £29.99.

Find out more at the Just Click Radios website

An old name in audio is using an old method of air travel as inspiration for new sound system – the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Zeppelin iPod dock.

State-of-the-art design meets audiophile quality audio, but that design does have a practical quality, offering surround sound from its 360° speaker. The iPod hooks up via a separate support arm, which also features a unique spring-loaded mounting system for compatibility with all iPods. There’s also connectivity for other MP3 players and a total output of 150W.

Yours for £399.

Find out more from the John Lewis website