These days, designers are looking for ways to add tactile experience and analog physicality to devices that have become virtual and digital. Looking to create interfaces beyond flat touchscreens, they are embracing the clunky and perhaps flawed, but tangible aesthetic of the past.
The NVDRS Cassette Tape concept design utilizes this old-is-new mentality. It’s a digital music player, that uses limitations and physical movement to create a unique music listening experience. Keeping with the 45/60/90 minute limits of traditional cassette tapes, the NVDRS forces you to carefully select the songs you’d like to hear, and not just dump thousands upon thousands [...]

Samsung is releasing what’s been called the “holy green grail” of gadgets. Their new Blue Earth touchscreen phone can be powered by the sun, is partially made out of recycled water bottles and lacks the toxic substances found in many other electronics. A large solar panel on the back of the device taps the power of the sun, and will be able to fully charge the extremely energy efficient phone. The manufacturer also plans to incorporate solar cells into their entire product line in the future. The Blue Earth will be released at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on [...]