Retrofuturistic streaming audio player recreates the simplicity of a radio

There is no shortage of powerful and sophisticated media players these days that have almost every and all features you can possibly cram inside. Some of these designs are more upfront with the complexity of options and controls, while others hide behind a deceptively minimalist facade that relegates the knobs and sliders to a mobile app instead. While there is always a place for such advanced devices, there is sometimes also a need for simpler and more focused features. An old-school radio, for example, simply plays music it receives from certain frequencies, and that’s the kind of distilled listening experience that this DIY streaming audio player tries to offer in a retrofuturistic design that looks like a cross between that analog radio, a small TV, and, oddly enough, a miniature microwave.

Designer: Nik Reitmann

Streaming devices are so common these days that it almost makes no sense to make one yourself. After all, our smartphones themselves are capable of these and more, and you can easily pair them with a wireless speaker at home for louder output. Of course, if you value the journey and the process of making such a functional design more than the final product, then you’ll probably want something that at least stands out in more than just appearance alone.

This DIY streaming audio player stands somewhere in between a smart speaker and a smart display, focusing on the streaming audio activity but with a touchscreen display that adds a bit of flavor to the experience. It’s not a touch-only device, however, as its creator preferred to embrace some analog controls, especially a volume dial that seems to be a rare sight on many smart speakers these days. There are also a few LED-lit buttons, though, and the whole setup can be controlled remotely from your phone or even a computer.

The design chosen for the player is admittedly distinctive, embracing an aesthetic that seems to mix different eras. The arrangement of a large display or rectangular element opposite a set of buttons and a knob is reminiscent of analog radios and even some TVs from decades past. The smooth surfaces and curves, however, give it a more modern look that is amusingly close to the appearance of a microwave with a physical knob instead of just buttons. Either way, it’s an interesting design for a dedicated streaming audio player that distills the listening experience to its very basics rather than getting lost in a multitude of features.

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This DIY retro audio player is a cute homage to 80s cassette tape recorders

Some of us may laugh at the fashion, designs, and technologies of the past, but sooner or later, they actually become the inspiration for products and designs of today. The number of successful and profitable “retro” recreations has proven the power of nostalgia, especially when you can avoid the limitations of the past. Tape recorders, for example, were rather funky-looking contraptions from our modern point of view, which also makes them a perfect candidate for a retro recreation. Unsurprisingly, someone did take on such an endeavor and gave the venerable cassette record from the 80s a modern makeover, one that relives part of the look and feel of the original but without the physical and mechanical restrictions.

Designer: Max.K

Given the technologies of that era, the cassette tape itself was a revolutionary invention that freed people to listen to music away from the hulking phonographs at home. Cassette players and recorders came in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most iconic forms was a flat box that would lie on a table or desk. You would see these devices even on TV, usually used as a prop for recording interviews, interrogations, or depositions, making their form easily identifiable even today.

A retro cassette player would have to stay true to that form, but it doesn’t need to have loyalties to the same flimsy and unreliable physical medium. In other words, this Retro Audio Player is practically a digital player in old-school clothing, but one with a few tricks and quirks that make it delightful to look at and fun to use.

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The 2.8-inch display on top, for example, tries to visualize the spinning reels of an honest-to-goodness cassette player, making it look almost like the real deal from afar. There are no extraneous elements on the screen other than the name of the file being played, the artist, and its progress, sticking closely to the unavoidably bare designs of its predecessors. And yes, it plays files stored on an SD card you slot into its side.

The DIY Retro Audio Player is also simple to use, with only a dial for volume and three buttons that are actually MX keyboard switches in disguise. The bright yellow paint job on top almost makes it look like a toy, and any child can actually operate it thanks to its simplicity. Whether it will survive rough handling from youngsters, however, is a different question entirely.

Its simplicity is also its Achilles’ heel, though, at least as far as audio players are concerned. Its diminutive size only has room for a single speaker, making it better suited for audiobooks than party music, but it does have a headphone jack in case you want more oomph. The three “buttons” can only pause or play the music and switch tracks, nothing to fast-forward or rewind within the same song like modern audio players. That said, the Retro Audio Player wasn’t envisioned to be a full-blown media player and more as a fun-looking nod to the past, and in that regard, it definitely scores an A+.

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Buddy allows you to simply enjoy pure audio content consumption

Buddy

Podcasts have suddenly become more popular in the past couple of years. The pandemic has made people yearn for more quality content they can listen to instead of watching. We have seen several podcasts gain popularity and some social media influencers just decided to do podcasts instead of vlog.

We understand the convenience of a podcast, as you can simply listen to one while doing other tasks. And with the popularity of wireless earbuds, it has become more accessible and more efficient to be just listening to audio content without having to look at a screen. We know how browsing the internet on your smartphone can be a rabbit hole.

Designer: Naeun Jeong

Buddy Audio Device

Buddy

One solution to this minor problem is this Buddy concept. It is an audio device that lets you listen to pure audio. Media consumption is evolving even with all the technological advancements. This Buddy simply lets you focus on audio without checking your other mobile apps.

Some people just want to listen to music or audio without being disturbed by smartphone notifications. People who commute may also want to listen to podcasts without taking out their phones. Listening to audio can relieve stress as you can listen to podcasts, audiobooks, lectures, or even ASMR. It’s as if we are going back to the time when radios and walkmans were popular. That could be the inspiration but imagine those times when life was less stressful–pure bliss.

Buddy Audio Device

Buddy allows pure audio content consumption. It is one way to focus without being disturbed by visual elements. The Buddy is an accessory that can easily bend and be installed on the phone. The idea is for it to work on the Naver platform so you can check on original content, popular playlists, and more. It is still managed on a compatible app under the Management page.

Buddy Audio Device

The idea is for Buddy to work when combined with the smartphone, the lock screen changes. It works over NFC and will play audio content or a playlist in the slot. You can move to another page or screen until the Buddy is removed—you need to move the dial.

Buddy Audio Device

The Buddy allows you to move to the previous/next song or skip back/forward 30s. There is a dial for changing the audio slot, Play/Stop, and three audio slots. It works with a Buddy Bed, so you can listen indoors as it works as a speaker and a wireless charging bed. Put the phone on the Buddy bed when you want to listen to audio while you’re also in bed but want to be away from the phone. It really is a challenge to be away from the screen, but this Buddy can help you and me. This pure audio content device can be helpful, especially to those people who can’t seem to part from their mobile devices.

Buddy Audio Device

Buddy Audio Device

Buddy Audio Device

Buddy Audio Device

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Yoto Mini Player can be your kids’ darling companion for every adventure

Kids shouldn’t be given screens whenever they have tantrums. Meltdowns are a parent’s nightmare so to avoid such, more often than not, most parents just bring out their phones or tablets to play videos for the kids to watch. Perhaps you have promised yourself you’d never let your baby use a gadget before he’s two but like many parents we know, you’ve already given into the temptation which can very well be a convenience for some adults.

For a change, why not do something different. Instead of screen time, set a music time where the children can be on their own to just listen to music. Kids are visual but they can also be looking for sensory activities. The Yoto Mini is a small audio player that gives kids the experience of having something like a CD player from your youth. This device offers audio playback of kid-friendly tunes to entertain the youngsters.

Designer: Pentagram

Yoto Mini Design

Sure, there’s Spotify and YouTube but before the world gets really modernized and taken over by robots and computers, let’s allow the children experience regular things like we used to. The Yoto Mini is a little companion for your little one that will be useful, especially during long trips or boring hours. It looks like a toy but it packs a powerful audio experience the children can appreciate.

The Yoto Mini is a follow-up to the Yoto Player introduced by Pentagram. The latter is a design studio that offers more personalized service as the company owners are also the designers themselves. Pentagram has worked on the Yoto Play to be smaller and more affordable. The device also uses the Yoto platform that is now more accessible by a wider audience, specifically, the kids.

Yoto Mini Player Packaging

Yoto Mini Yoto Player Price

This Yoto Mini appears to be the same shape and color as an older iPhone charger—the square one. It can be protected by a colored silicone jacket with a lanyard so the kids can bring them anywhere. With the cover, the Yoto Mini is protected, safe, and made more portable as it is easier to carry.

Yoto Mini Features

In front, there are two kid-friendly knobs, speaker holes, plus a small round screen called a pixel display that shows the time and icons. It offers Bluetooth connectivity, USB-C, and a clock. This one doesn’t take voice commands as there are no mics or a camera. It’s purely an audio player so you are guaranteed less distraction.

Yoto Mini

No ads will be served so there really is no unnecessary airtime. Kids will simply hear songs or audiobooks that are age-appropriate. The children can also use the Yoto Mini to meditate, relax, learn, or get to sleep. Just insert a card of your choice to listen to as there are plenty of choices. The icons on the pixel display will change.  You can choose the track from an album by turning on the right knob. The left button changes the volume level.

Yoto Mini Player

If we had the Walkman and the CD players from decades ago, your kids have the Yoto Mini. They can also listen to the Yoto Daily podcast where they can learn new facts, hear jokes, and play games. Just press on the right knob to change the settings.

Yoto Mini Yoto Player

Yoto Mini Concept Design Parts

Yoto Mini Player Design

Yoto Mini Concept Design

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This vertical record player deserves attention for its eye candy looks + practical functionality

A vinyl record player that looks and feels way advanced than your modern music player thanks to its vertical orientation, the cool blue color theme, and overall sleek aesthetics. Playing music never looked this good, before I laid my eyes on this!

In normal circumstances, a record player is perceived to play the records lying flat – as the music churns out melodiously. In the design world, there is nothing that cannot challenge the existing perception of design elements, same goes with the good old vinyl players. The wall-mounted TT-90 System and o-ton turntable are prime examples of that out-of-the-box thinking are what we always tend to appreciate.

Industrial design student, Daniel Visintainer’s Asenso Vertical Record Player is yet another eye candy record player you’d want to sport in your living room or geeky den filled with Star Wars merchandise and high-end gaming accessories. Well, if that association wasn’t relevant enough, do pardon me, I get carried away at times! Alright coming back to the record player here, the designer has infused a subtle touch of modern to the good old vinyl player that we generally relate to our grandfather’s music fantasies. Sure, record players have lots of lovers, and for good measure too – the audio produced is high quality without any loss in frequencies, just as intended by the producer. Compare that to the modern digital formats and you’ll appreciate the difference.

The vertical approach adapted by the designer for Asenso is practical and commercially viable for the audiophile market. The big chunky buttons right where the record player slots in, lends the audio equipment a very modern technological bent. There is the big power On/Off button, the Play/Pause button and the Needle Release button – all these inclusions bring a sense of coolness to the design. Mids, bass and treble knobs are positioned on one side – just like any contemporary music player. Even better, the cord on the bottom section is movable for one reason – the vertical record player can be used horizontally too. Just like the PS5 or Xbox Series X gaming consoles!

Designer: Daniel Visintainer

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This portable home speaker is a sculptural design that rocks a very Dyson-like aesthetic!

Reminiscent of a Dyson fan, Stelae is a portable home speaker designed to deliver quality audio through a technical build that could be mistaken for a piece of sculptural artwork on your coffee table.

Home speakers have a reputation for looking too high-tech to fit into modern living rooms. When placed beside gleaming photo frames and metallic light fixtures, the wires and bulky build of speakers take away from an otherwise clean, minimal interior design. Merging an abstract sculptural look with a metallic chrome finish, Stalae is a portable home speaker designed by Lucis Ceng to bring the subtle taste of sculptural work to electronic design.

While Stelae’s physical build is reminiscent of a Dyson fan’s, the inspiration for Stelae’s distinct form stems from sculpture work. Standing out from other home entertainment systems, Stelae’s speaker plumes from its circular base into the shape of a feather for a slim design that doesn’t take up too much room on the coffee table. The long tube-like portion of Stelae is also lined with four woofers.

Portable by design, Stelae comes with a wire for at-home charging but can also be run on its charged battery for wireless listening. The vertical control panel of Stelae is located at the top of the speaker, equipped with volume and play buttons, users can also connect to Bluetooth and turn the speaker on and off from the control panel. Along the outer edges of Stelae’s circular base, users can find the speaker’s USB type-c ports to connect their own smartphones and control the music from there.

While speakers are generally seen as bulky electronic hardware, Stelae looks to sculpture work to solidify itself as a statement interior design product, seamlessly blending in with other artwork around the house. Since Stelae is also portable, the artful design can be taken anywhere – from the beach to the streets.

Designer: Lucis Ceng

Inspired by sculptural artwork, Stelae has an appealing and distinct design.

The transparent tube-like portion of Stelae houses the speaker’s woofers.

Finished in chrome, Stelae merges sculptural artwork with electronic tech design. 

This modern minimal CD Player will make your CD collection the next big thing!

I think CDs are the new vinyl records just like playlists are the new mixtapes. While vinyl records will always be classic, the millennials will have a more nostalgic connection with CDs. I still have my collection and even though it wasn’t too far back in time, having walkmans or CD players in your laptops seems like something from a different lifetime. I don’t want to throw away my collection, it means a lot to me, so I am going to look for CD player like this conceptual CDend instead and tell future generations how you had to simply choose from 12 tracks.

CDend is a CD player that also serves as a modern bookend…or a CD end (make the connection?). Most of us have the habit of starting the day with our favorite morning playlist, well, this gives you just a little bit more – its the difference between brewing your cup of coffee with fresh beans vs pressing a button on a Keurig. The flat CD player is attached to a JBL tube-like speaker which can be charged with a UDB cord. The control buttons are on top of the CD slot and the CD slides in and out from the side opening. The form of the device is modern and minimal, it fits into any setting of your home and elevates the corner it is put in. It’s sleek and to be honest, it doesn’t look like a CD player at all which means it won’t stick out visually in your space.

We probably won’t throw out our CD collections because of the emotional value, but something like CDend could revive the CD culture and blow it up again! CDs bring back so many memories and a device like CDend will be our personal time capsule.

Designer: 250 Design

Make music with any conductive object – fruits, water, even your own body!

While we have the miracle of technology, why not use it for fun and games too? Unusual designs like Playtronica show us that simplicity can be powerfully innovative too. Playtronica describes themselves as a digital playground that uses technologies to unleash a whole new world of possibilities for humans in terms of experiences with audio. Their purpose is to give sound a tactile dimension, and they rock it like Bowie! No really, the fruits literally rock it like Bowie and Let’s Dance is a fineapple (get it?!) song!

Playtronica’s most recent audio-tech is a midi device that can fit in your mom and lets you create music with pretty much anything. They have a list of 16 objects you can experiment in your first try but hey, let your imagination run wild because that is exactly what Playtronica was made – to encourage the creative genius in you. The midi device system has 2 boards with ample cables and alligator clips that you can plug into multiple objects like fruits, water, even your friends and then connect the other end to a computer. As long as the object is conductive in nature, Playtronica will have a sound for it. You can literally even measure the intensity of touch if you form a human chain which is actually the change of electric resistance. That signal can be captured with various online synthesizers via the web MIDI API – our minds are blown! Now you can connect with people in the literal sense.

The cool tech toy requires a 5 minute set up, anything in your house (including yourself) and a computer to hit your first note. I find this is something that the ASMR industry can take over and turn into a goldmine. It’s unique sensory experience really lets you see and feel sound in a whole new way, that is why you can find this stimulative piece of tech in museums like Pompidou, Exploratorium, and even at music festivals! Playtronica has collaborated with brands like Nike, Boeing, Mercedes Benz, Google in the past to conjure immersive audio experiences. Make music with anything – holding hands, your lunch, coffee (I am curious if the Monday cup yawns harder than the Friday one), the movement of paint on paper when you make art, or wind in your hair…curiousity will not kill this musical cat.

Designer: Playtronica

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playtronica

Astell & Kern’s new hi-fi audio player has the strangest bezels on the planet

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(Continued from title) And that’s saying something, especially after this year’s onslaught of notched phones. The screen, tilted a little less than 10° anti-clockwise seems like a great idea in theory, but can result in massively divisive opinions in practicality. The idea behind the tilted screen was probably to give you a gradually thickening bezel, while not compromising on the screen size. The thickened bezel then plays host to the fat volume knob, a design detail that is intended to stand out in function above the rest of the controls. It also means less accidental screen-touching when held with your right hand.

Feature-wise, the A&norma SR15 (not a really catchy name, but it isn’t for regular music listeners either) is a great player with exceptional audio reproduction. It has a quad-core processor, letting it play incredibly heavy audio files with relative ease, and bit-for-bit support for files up to 24-bit/192 kHz (Tidal streams at 16bit, 44.1kHz). Being a dedicated audiophile’s listening device, the A&norma SR15 comes with a MicroUSB port, for charging and file transfer, a balanced 2.5mm jack and a 3.5mm headphone jack for your conventional listening purposes, and even sports Bluetooth 4.1 for wireless listening. The screen is a touch-sensitive one, although its tilted nature also results in a tilted UI, which I personally am vehemently against, but each to their own, I guess.

Designer: Astell & Kern

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