The Rotary Mechanical Smartphone Takes Your Cellphone Back to the 60s
Michael Hines — June 19, 2011 — Tech
References: clarksrich.tumblr & dezeen
I wonder how long it will be before some enterprising Etsy seller designs and sells his own version of Richard Clarkson's Rotary Mechanical Smartphone. The Rotary Mechanical Smartphone is the epitome of vintage, steampunk and retro design, incorporating a rotary wheel into a touchscreen smartphone.
In a perfect world, users of the Rotary Mechanical Smartphone would dial numbers from the backside of the phone using the rotary wheel. All other functions such as Internet browsing, music downloading and sending text messages would be performed on the touchscreen on the front. While the Rotary Mechanical Smartphone is just a conceptual design as of now, I bet that with a little know-how, this concept could become a reality. I'll bet dollars to donuts that someone out there is already deconstructing her iPhone and searching for a suitably sized rotary wheel.
In a perfect world, users of the Rotary Mechanical Smartphone would dial numbers from the backside of the phone using the rotary wheel. All other functions such as Internet browsing, music downloading and sending text messages would be performed on the touchscreen on the front. While the Rotary Mechanical Smartphone is just a conceptual design as of now, I bet that with a little know-how, this concept could become a reality. I'll bet dollars to donuts that someone out there is already deconstructing her iPhone and searching for a suitably sized rotary wheel.
Trend Themes
1. Vintage Smartphone Design - Opportunity to design smartphones with retro and vintage aesthetics.
2. Steampunk-inspired Technology - Innovation in incorporating steampunk design elements into modern devices.
3. Touchscreen-rotary Combos - Potential for combining traditional rotary controls with touchscreen functionality.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating unique and nostalgic smartphones for consumers.
2. Design and Fashion - Opportunities for incorporating retro and steampunk aesthetic elements into consumer products.
3. DIY and Crafting - Potential for DIY enthusiasts to create and customize their own retro-inspired smartphones.
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