The newstalgia trend is seeping into gadgetry, with a rise in the popularity of retro-fitted technology (often among those too young to remember the originals). Think steampunk (iphones encased in burnished brass) and Analog Hero’s unlocked GSM Brick Phone (”Zack Morris approved”). It’s old-school form meets new-school function.
Now if you are ever lacking a wi-fi signal, you can pump quarters into this new coin-op wi-fi base station like grandma at the slots. When your time expires, you need to add more money. Targeted mainly at hotels , coffee shops and the like, it’s a decidedly manual alternative to your T-mobile/AT&T hotspots and Boingos of the world.
What is the draw to such unmodern aesthetics? Perhaps some find it romantic, reminiscent of simpler times, or expressive of anti-modern sentiments. In any case, it’s kitschy cool, something that will never get old.
