My article about the California hands free law (HERE) had me searching the net for retro car phones... and then I found this! It's a portable rotary phone that's fully functional as a mobile phone. It works with your SIM card, so you can even keep your phone number. 1-800-Awesome!
TrendHunter actually broke the news about this phone in 2006, but the price tag is now $300 lower.
The phone runs for $200 over at Sparkfun, although if you want it in red, you'll have to pay a $100 premium. Sparkfun describes the phone. "The infamous Portable Rotary Phone is an original rotary phone that has been modified to be a cellular phone. The Port-O-Rotary has a functional rotary dial, rings the original, loud metallic bells when a call is received, and even has a dial tone!"
Note that there's a discount if you buy 100 or more, so maybe you can get your holliday shopping done early...
Just make sure to save enough money for your tickets when the 'hands free law' cops come to bust your ass for being awesome.
Here's some more stuff you'll enjoy:
Portable Rotary Phones (UPDATE)
For Haters of the 'Califronia Hands Free Law'
Trend Themes
1. Retro Mobile Phones - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create modern smartphones with retro designs and rotary dial features to cater to nostalgic consumers.
2. Functional Retro Gadgets - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop retro gadgets that combine vintage aesthetics with modern functionality, appealing to consumers seeking a nostalgic experience.
3. Alternative Smartphone Designs - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design smartphones that deviate from the typical touchscreen format, offering unique and unconventional user experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile Device Manufacturing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore manufacturing retro-style mobile phones to tap into a niche market of consumers seeking vintage-inspired technology.
2. Consumer Electronics Retail - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create a market for retro gadgets by offering a wide variety of functional, nostalgic products to appeal to consumers' desire for unique and unconventional technology.
3. Telecommunications - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce alternative smartphone designs and features to revolutionize the telecommunications industry and cater to niche consumer preferences.