Balasubramanya:
It is not simply said that "Old is Gold." The purists even go to the extent of considering the "new as nuisance!" While we do not wish to debate on that, there is definitely a charm in all things that are ancient and historic. And a few designers have put in their ingenuity to come up with cell phones that look like they have done a time travel to arrive in the 21st century. We wish to present here, eight steampunk phones that will make you drool.
1. Steampunk cell phone
This gold colored box you see looks like some meter from a bygone era no doubt. But it is a phone! No data plan. No 3G. No games or widgets. But hey! Just wait. There is no keypad also? You make your calls using the binary coded punch cards; it could not have got spunkier than this! This phone defines the term 'call card'! A rugged brown casing holds the ear piece and mouth piece and of course a few dials. Every time you want to order a pizza, you have to punch cards in. Those steampunk fans out there are sure to rejoice and well, companies better start having custom designed punch cards to distribute as the contact numbers!
2. Russian steam punk phone
This is a rich Russian (we have noted the paradox here!) father's gift to his daughter! The phone is all metal and from the backside, it becomes hard to identify as a phone also. Built like a powerful engine, the phone is all nuts, bolts and screws. Ball bearing double up as buttons on the dialing pad. It could also be a handy weapon to use if attacked! Built solidly, the phone packs a punch and its brass and gold look gives it the romance of the medieval ages.
3. Pezzano's steampunk phone
You cannot get a better retro fitted, golden hued 'green' phone than this one. Looking like the strong buckle of a leather belt, this phone has been made entirely from recycled materials and functions only as what a phone is meant to do; make calls and communicate with the other person! Refined with nano-steam technology, this 15cm x 5cm completely recycled phone comes packed with a foldable antenna that is about 30cm long. It has been glued, screwed and painted to appeal to the steampunks and if ordered, there is the promise of delivery anywhere across the globe. There is no display on the phone but let us assure you that the phone itself is a display of its own!
4. Treo Smartphone Mark 1
The phone is not digital and so the clock too is not. But hey! There is a display! Making a happy marriage of the modern with the classy ancient, here is a smartphone that has been modified to thrill the steampunk aficionados. In functionality, you cannot get a better modern phone and in looks, it kills anything with its classic beauty. An embossed clock adds to the looks. The Steampunk Treo Smartphone Mark 1 has been redesigned and retro fitted with brass plates and a leather case. To say the least, it is hard, rugged, cool and completely functional with all mod facilities a simply awesome combination to let go.
5. Celsius X VI II LEDIX 'phone'
Here is a phone that the emperors and empresses of yore would have fallen in love with if only they had the chance of having it! Made regally with grade 5 titanium, this phone has a mechanically elucidated watch also attached to it. Flip it open, and it is a modern smartphone, complete with screen and dials - modern interiors housed in steampunk exteriors. A 2.2 inch OLED screen, a 3.2 MP camera and hours of talk-time are all embedded. Apologies to the geeks for the phone has no Bluetooth or OS. But then, it is not meant for them! It is a limited edition phone with only 28 pieces being made available. Weighing an impressive 245 grams, it is worth its weight in gold for a person who recognizes its beauty and value.
6. Steampunk iPhone
The Apple of the steampunk world too has been busy as we see! The iPhone omega, promises to take you 'back into the future' with its vintage looks encapsulating modern features. Designer Karl Vanderbeek has submitted the phone for the iLounge contest and he must be wishing the captain Jack Sparrow is on the jury that decides the winner! But do not judge it completely by the looks. It has been incorporated with touchscreen technology and has the capacity to support up to 5G! Instead of putting old wine in a new bottle, this is the case of new wine being poured in an old bottle with refreshing results. Video calling camera, GPS tracking, location tracking, camera and super-fast and sensitive touchscreen, makes this the ultimate phone for any modern pirate.
7. Classic Nokia cellphone
Straight out from the Industrial Revolution, this Nokia concept based phone will be a dream for many. It has screws in for the dial pad. The mechanical wheels of some vintage machine seem to adorn the phone as its selection keys and the ear phones! A classical spring winds and loops around the body acting as an 'antenna'. Encased in metal, the phone has been beautifully finished in a pure leather covering. Turn in around and you will see that in true Victorian style, the phone is held in place by nuts and bolts!
8. John Mavrovic's phone
This is rare classic beauty. It is green in color and green in character too. But in looks, it is so historic and grand! The phone has been made entirely out of what most people would term as 'pure junk'. That's right! Broken parts of an old typewriter, components of an old clock and a few screws and nuts have been made into the manufacturing raw materials for this steampunk phone by designer John Mavrovic. But, note that the insides are all the modern components of a modern Nokia phone! Ready for the Globus anyone?
What a pointless waste of time and resources
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