It looks like something that can be made in an arts & craft class but it is actually a working radio. Inspired by transistor radios of the 60s, this no frills receiver is simply constructed out of recycled cardboard housing made from more than 25% post-consumer waste, a speaker and a radio circuitry. Not even glue is used.

Called the Environmentally Sound radio and created by North Ireland designer Chris McNicholl, this world’s first made with cardboard radio is designed to be sold in flat-pack form and can be easily assembled by the user. It is hoped that the user will choose to recycle the material at the end of its product life, serving one of its primary purpose as an eco-friendly product.

This device can also be used as a speaker for iPhones, other smart phones or any device that is capable of ouputting audio using 35mm audio jack.

 

Environmentally Sound Cardboard Radio available at Amazon.com

For more info, visit Enviromentally Sound by Chris McNicholl

Anyone who loves retro stuff would be tempted by these products inspired by Vespa, the Italian scooter brand that made its first appearance in 1946. Vespa’s iconic bike has remain popular till today and even has its own cult following.

Even if you don’t own one of its famous scooter, you would find the chic vintage charm of these products hard to resist. Above, an alarm clock radio inspired by the typical shape of the most well known Vespa speedometers, comprises an AM/FM radio. The radio alarm clock function with snooze/radio settings. Or how about a table lamp (below) with a lamp head that resembles the headlight of the Vespa “98″ (year 1946)?

Above, a mini alarm clock that is reminiscent of the head lamp used in ’125′ Vespa.  Available in 3 colors – black, white and pastel green.

Vespa mini table alarm clock available at amazon

Source: Forme

 

Launched on 6th December 2012 in London by American singer/songwriter will.i.am and available now exclusively at Selfridges, the i.am+ foto.sosho, is not just another stylish looking iPhone accessory — it turns your iPhone into a point and shoot camera with social functionality. The handsomely designed iPhone case on steroids comes with a few interchangeable lenses  – a 0.67 wide macro, 0.28x fish-eye and a standard lens — and a built-in flash.  A photo editing software with various filters to beautify your photographs and built-in social network connectivity for easy sharing of your photos via social network complete the package.

In an interview with Sharif Sakr of Engadget, i.am+ CEO, Chandra Rathakrishnan, the former CEO of Fusion Garage, called it a fashion accessory that “intersects with technology” and allows you to look cool and feel good using it. There are currently 4 different models that are compatible with iPhone 4/4s. The more expensive V.4 model retails at £299 and comes with a slide-out keyboard for easy entering of text.

i.am+foto.sosho for iPhone 4/4S, from top: “vintage look” V.4 in White/Gold and Black/Silver; “modern look” C.4 in White and Black.

Coming in the 1st quarter of 2013 is the iPhone 5 version, which has its very own built-in 14 megapixel camera sensor, much bigger than that of iPhone 5′s 8 megapixel camera. Coupled with a 5x zoom lens and interchangeable lenses, this definitely seems more like a proper enhancement than just a plastic makeover. Below, a peek at the foto.sosho V.5 that emulates a classic camera body.

In Will.i.am’s new music video, Scream & Shout featuring Britney Spears, we spot another 2 prototype models,  a bumblebee yellow+black model and one bearing what looks like Burberry’s tartan print.

On the outside, the i.am+foto.sosho sure looks pretty, but with a starting price of 199 British pounds for the basic C.4 model, one needs to think if all these enhancements are worth the heavy price tag, considering that you can easily get interchangeable lenses (albeit less good-looking ones) for the iPhone for less than 15 US dollars each at eBay. That said, this cases might be at the top of Christmas wishlists of the too-cool-for-school, Beats by Dr Dre headphone-wearing crowd.

Visit Selfridges & Co. for more details.