This LEGO Vintage Radio lets you actually play music through your smartphone…

With 25 submissions to the LEGO Ideas forum (5 of which crossed the 10,000 vote mark), LEGO builder Dimexart is somewhat of a veteran when it comes to putting plastic bricks together. The brick aficionado’s latest creation combines LEGOs with the real-world in the form of a vintage radio that actually plays music. Made from over a thousand LEGO bricks, this vintage radio has a secret flap on the back that lets you slide your smartphone in. Switch on Spotify or YouTube, select your favorite track, and hit play as you pop your phone into the LEGO Vintage Radio and it recreates the feeling of having an antique radio playing your favorite tracks! The best part, Dimexart’s build comes with functional knobs and buttons that you can twist and press, moving sliders inside the gizmo just like you would with an authentic AM/FM radio.

Designer: Dimexart

Strangely enough, Dimexart made a radio back in 2021 out of LEGO bricks, and it did cross the 10,000 vote mark too, but was rejected by LEGO’s internal team. Unfazed by this, Dimexart went back to the drawing board and decided to tweak the radio to make it even better. The new MOC (My Own Creation, as it’s called in LEGO parlance) now features a flap on the back that let’s you slide any smartphone in, using the phone’s speakers and the acoustic chamber of the empty LEGO radio to create that warm, slightly twangy audio associated with radios of the past.

In Dimexart’s demo, he even uses the phone screen to mimic the warm backlight seen in most radio control panels. Given that they were sometimes used at night too, radios came with lights in their gauges so you could see which station you were on. Dimexart’s build uses light from your smartphone’s screen to create a similar experience.

The dials on the left and right are both functional and cause sliders inside to move left or right to indicate the station/frequency or the volume. There are dials/knobs and buttons on the bottom too, which are functional in that they can be interacted with – but that’s about all they do. It’s a fun interaction, however, and recreates the real tactile joy of the radio, which firmly belonged in a much more hands-on era long before touchscreens dominated our lives. The radio comes with a wood-inspired aesthetic, a rather realistic set of grills, and that gorgeous control panel on the bottom that I’m sure you won’t be able to get enough of.

Dimexart’s entry currently has 3,228 supporters as of writing this article. If you want to vote for the entry (and hopefully see it turn into a retail box set), vote for it on the LEGO Ideas website here.

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i Ready O is an iPhone analog radio that sustainably blends retro and modern

In my journey through the corridors of memory, it’s the radio that often stands out as an idea of happiness and wonder. It reminds me of the joy of tuning into my favorite radio station, letting the music fill the air, while I croak along in all likeliness to myself matching the tonal quality of the finest singers of yore.

Arguably, radio has had a unique power to transport us all to different times and places, evoking emotion that is impossible to replicate today in the digitally charged world. But before you think so, a designer has breathed new life into the idea of an analog radio with the help of a used iPhone.

Designer: Mark Choi

Interestingly dubbed i Ready O, this inventive design idea bridges the gap between analog charm and the new digital age by putting a used iPhone into an analog-style radio contraption. While the design is a reflection of the designer’s love for radios, it also in a way addresses the growing concern of electronic waste. This sustainable solution allows an otherwise discarded iPhone to be reused as a fully-functional radio.

The i Ready O provides a seamless combination of traditional radio functionality blended with the convenience of smartphone apps that you can use to play and tune into radio stations from around the world. It lets you scroll on the iPhone touchscreen or tune in traditional manner with round twistable buttons on the side. Its adjustable handle rests at different angles to allow the iPhone radio to be used in portrait or landscape orientation.

In the ever-evolving technological world, where televisions have undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, flowing through high-definition, smart capabilities, and streaming services, the radio has managed to retain its analog allure. While the imbibed simplicity and nostalgia make the radio so endearing even today, this welcome change is both a sustainable and enchanting idea for every radio fanatic like me.

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This SoS gadget for the hearing impaired is a lifesaver in case natural disaster strikes

When a natural disaster strikes you’ve got mere seconds or minutes to stay away from harm’s way. The split-second decision-making backed by your senses can be the difference between life and death. Now, just spare a thought for individuals who are deaf – ones who cannot depend on auditory information alone to get instant alerts about a natural disaster like a tornado, wildfire, or flash flood.

In such a situation, more often than not internet communication and even mobile networks are offline. So are the other channels for acquiring the latest news like television. This is a grave disadvantage for deaf people who rely heavily on visual information to stay aware of their environment.

Designer: YUPD

This prompted the mindful team of designers over at YUPD to create a gadget for deaf individuals to stay abreast of all the latest happening in their surroundings. Dubbed Sito, this pocketable device can be a lifesaver in adverse situations. It beams all the vital visual clues on the LCD display and also converts the ambient noise into a frequency displayed in the form of visual graphs on the small screen.

As soon as a distress situation is detected, the gadget automatically turns on the live radio feed of the local region in text format to keep the user informed. The LCD switches to low power mode to conserve energy just in case you are stuck in a precarious situation. For instance, in the event of an earthquake or flood, you can use Sito to inform others of your location with a siren button. A flashlight at the bottom of the gadget is another useful function in a dire situation, like being stuck under the rubble of a building.

A very useful concept that needs to materialize to keep the unfortunate disabled people safe without having to deal with any disadvantages. I can’t help but get a Teenage Engineering vibe from the Sito given its design. That said, the looks are not the talking point here, rather the functionality that’ll be vital in saving lives wherever and whenever possible.

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Minimalist Radio Desk gives you Braun vibes while bringing music from the airwaves

With things like Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc, listening to your favorite music and podcasts have never been more accessible. You just open your smartphone or whatever device and you can already start queuing up your playlist or the latest episode. But there are those who still want to do it old school by listening to music and shows through radio stations (yes, they’re still around). Devices that can play radio are becoming few and far between but there are still some designs floating around that will make you want to have them in your living room or works space.

Designer: David Knop

Radio Desk is a concept design for a radio device that you can place on your desk, as its name states. It has a monochromatic gray design with a stone-like surface, making it a perfect addition to your minimalist desk aesthetic. The Berlin-based designer says the design is inspired by those vintage Braun HiFi collections that you may have seen in your grandparents’ house (or maybe your own), if you’re of a certain age. It looks like an old-school remote control or gaming console at first glance.

The controls and the interface are pretty simple and minimalist in design and in color. In fact, you won’t notice that there’s a display until the frequency numbers start moving as you turn the dial. The display also shows the date, time, station, and even the track that’s playing. For the user interface, you get two buttons, one for the volume and one that is pretty unclear what it represents but it’s probably to add or remove slots. The encoder is a simple dial that controls various functions like volume, frequency search, or slot change.

The rest of the Radio Desk is the speaker itself with the traditional speaker holes patterns that we see in most traditional devices. You can place the radio flat on your desk or if you want it to be raised, there’s a small stand built in the back. It can look right at home in your work space or even on your shelf, wherever you want to have some music, podcasts, radio shows, or audio books playing. Since it’s still a concept for now, we don’t know about the audio quality which is a pretty important part of any audio device. We’ll have to wait and see when it becomes an actual device.

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Nintendo Radio completely encapsulates the nostalgic Game Boy spirit

It’s a shame that Big N doesn’t have a radio on the market yet. If that’s how you think as a Nintendo fan, Aditya Pandharpure has a surprising entrant: the Nintendo Radio!

Nintendo has been quenching our thirst for gaming ever since I can remember. The video gaming company has been at the helm of entertainment and happiness for generations of families, fans and gamers – not essentially in the same order – worldwide. Right from the Game Boy to the Nintendo Switch, the journey has been impeccable with little to deviate the company from the underline agenda of transforming the gaming industry.

Designer: Aditya Pandharpure

Now, if big N was to take a leap of faith into the retro classic category, perhaps, Aditya’s idea would be a feasible aspect to tap the growing fandom. A Nintendo Radio, which has little too much resemblance to the classic Game Boy. What else would the Nintendo Radio look like? Fittingly, the toggle buttons create an instant nostalgia, while the overall shape of the radio and the color schemes leaves no surprises.

So, we can instantly recognize one half of the rectangular device, which has the half coved by a grayed speaker grill. The aforementioned half is further divided into two equal portions: top for the analog/digital display, showing the tuned-in station and the frequency, while the bottom half here features the good old red and black themed buttons.

The four red circles comprising on/off and AM/AM bands are aligned alongside the black direction pad, with the volume rocker on the horizontal plane and shuffle on the vertical. The retro-futurism of the very enticing Nintendo Radio is topped by the plasticky antenna, which presumably rests flat along the top of the device.

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A retro-modern speaker to revive fond memories of the good old radio player

A classic speaker design fused with the most upbeat features and audio technology gives me no reason to disbelief this concept’s potential to rock the audio market, just like Marshall does!

Most of the speakers on the market have adopted a more modern approach that zooms in on the aesthetic appeal and of course the audio output. However, brands like Marshall have created a niche with a very exciting fusion of retro with the modern, and their audio prowess is at the next level. All this gives them a distinct space and a dedicated fan following amongst audiophiles. Now another cool speaker concept ignites my excitement in the retro-modern fusion of audio equipment, and it is more like a classic low-rider of the speaker world.

Designer: Back Quote

This is the Memory retro-style speaker which looks like a 1967 radio taken for a spin and magically turned into a shiny new audio boombox ready to rock any party. A speaker Elvis Presley would have loved to own in his era. Memory has the typical shiny chrome feel to it, perfectly complemented by the off-white hue. The speaker has a frequency response of 50Hz – 20KHz which should cover all the human audible frequency ranges in the music. It can connect to mobile devices via Bluetooth or wired connection. Also, it gets wireless charging capability which is a big advantage. All these features make the Memory retro speaker utterly desirable from every perspective.

The volume toggle and the bass boost knobs are so dope, I instantly traverse to another realm. A time and place in the yesteryears where things were a lot simpler and the little material joys of life meant like the whole world. This retro speaker evokes that comforting feeling every time I look at it. No doubt, I desperately want this accessory to see the light of day, and I’m sure all you audiophiles too want this to be a real thing!

 

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This analog radio concealed as a minimal ornament is proof that modern tech can be one with our home interiors!

This is currently an era of unstoppable and unparalleled technological advances! Almost every day we’re taken by surprise by innovative tech trends and ingenious product designs. At times, one can’t help but miss the old days, where life was simple and the products even simpler. In an ode to simple designs that occupy minimum space while providing top-notch functionality, Milan-based designers Fabio Verdelli, Manuel Frasson, and Alice dal Verme created ‘La Moderna’. As modern as its name may sound, La Moderna is in fact an analog radio hidden in the minimal form of an ornament.

The radio features ceramic and copper accents with four little narrow rods protruding from its main base, giving the impression of a unique and intriguing decorative ornament. But the rods have a more meaningful function than mere decorative purpose! The rods are a smart replacement for the traditional dials and knobs found in a radio. You can twist, fiddle around, and manipulate the rods to catch a radio frequency. We also believe you can use the rods to change the volume as well.

The radio is shaped like an elegant cube, with a speaker hidden beneath the main perforated base. All the other additional parts and features of a traditional radio have been eliminated from La Moderna, in turn creating a product with a “gentle aesthetic”, to prove that contemporary tech can indeed seamlessly and harmoniously merge with the interiors of our living space.“We do believe that in the future there’ll be no need to describe something as technological because more or less everything will have some kind of interactive attitude or smart skill,” explains the designers. “For this reason, it’s time to start and reconsider the design language of common items. The next generation of products will not require an evident declaration of technology. Our goal will be to try and render them as discreet as possible.”

La Moderna comes in two variations – one of them can be placed horizontally, to make the interface more visible and accessible when placed on a desk or any other flat surface. It is available in white and coral tones. La Moderna is a prime example of ‘hidden technology’, wherein the true functionality of a gadget is subtly concealed in a minimal and gentle aesthetic or design.

Designer: Fabio Verdelli, Manuel Frasson and Alice dal Verme

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SiriusXM launches music channel dedicated to TikTok hits

You can't escape viral TikTok songs. They're everywhere, and you're bound to hear them over and over again if you spend time on any social media platform. If you actually like listening to TikTok earworms, you can now also listen to them on SiriusXM. The satellite radio service has launched TikTok Radio, a full-fledged music channel dedicated to viral hits from the platform that's now available in vehicles, on desktop, connected devices and on the SXM app.

According to the companies, the channel will sound like a radio version of the platform's "For You" feed. In fact, some of TikTok's most popular creators will be presenting music and sharing stories about the viral hits you can listen to. They named Billy (@8illy), Cat Haley (@itscathaley), HINDZ (@hindzsight), Lamar Dawson (@dirrtykingofpop) and Taylor Cassidy (@taylorcassidyj), in particular, though the channel will feature more creators in the future. 

One of the shows you can look forward to is The TikTok Radio Trending Ten, which will have the creators presenting the current most popular songs on the platform. It will stream every Friday at 3PM ET with replays throughout the weekend. You can also listen to it anytime through the SXM app. DJ Habibeats (@djhabibeats) and DJ CONST (@erinconstantineofficial) will also serve as the channel's resident DJs and will mix trending hits live simultaneously on TikTok and Tiktok Radio every Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 PM ET.

Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer of SiriusXM, said in a statement:

"Our groundbreaking new channel with TikTok is a first-of-its-kind, capturing the pulse of the global music culture, vibrancy and vitality found on the entertaining social platform and recreated as a full-time music channel on live national radio and our streaming platforms. The creators, who are also presenting the music on TikTok Radio, are deeply involved in the channel and will reflect the unique sound and personality of TikTok that is so enmeshed with today's music culture and community. TikTok creators will be delivering new audio experiences for our listeners as they tap into the latest music trends on TikTok."

Lucille Ball’s radio show is now a ‘podcast’ on SiriusXM

Lucille Ball sadly passed away long before podcasts became a reality, but that isn't stopping her from joining the modern phenomenon. The LA Timesreports that SiriusXM is turning Ball's Let's Talk to Lucy radio show into a 'pop-up' satellite radio station for three weeks. Once that stint is over, all 240 episodes of the 1960s-era show will be available as podcasts through both SiriusXM's app, Stitcher and other common platforms.

Notably, this isn't just mining nostalgia. This is the first time Let's Talk to Lucy has been heard since airing on the radio 50-plus years ago — there are conversations with legends like Bob Hope and Carol Burnett that haven't surfaced for decades.

SiriusXM is clearly hoping to boost its satellite and podcast offerings. At the same time, this also illustrates the usefulness of podcasting as a historical tool. In theory, the podcasts will both preserve Ball's interviews and make them accessible to a wider audience that might not listen to radio in the first place.

Lucille Ball’s radio show is now a ‘podcast’ on SiriusXM

Lucille Ball sadly passed away long before podcasts became a reality, but that isn't stopping her from joining the modern phenomenon. The LA Timesreports that SiriusXM is turning Ball's Let's Talk to Lucy radio show into a 'pop-up' satellite radio station for three weeks. Once that stint is over, all 240 episodes of the 1960s-era show will be available as podcasts through both SiriusXM's app, Stitcher and other common platforms.

Notably, this isn't just mining nostalgia. This is the first time Let's Talk to Lucy has been heard since airing on the radio 50-plus years ago — there are conversations with legends like Bob Hope and Carol Burnett that haven't surfaced for decades.

SiriusXM is clearly hoping to boost its satellite and podcast offerings. At the same time, this also illustrates the usefulness of podcasting as a historical tool. In theory, the podcasts will both preserve Ball's interviews and make them accessible to a wider audience that might not listen to radio in the first place.