am on technabob...

I was making the regular rounds of my favorite Asian technology sites when I came across this intriguing hybrid of modern and classic technologies.

The Arch Audio T2 radio combines the warm analog sounds of a tube-based amplifier with the modern digital sounds of MP3 and WMA files. The radio features a beautiful retro-inspired case, but is timeless enough to…

The neo-modern design of this BrionVega desktop radio harkens back to a sixties’ Italian design aesthetic. Maybe that’s because it’s actually based on a radio the company actually made back in 1965 in Italy.

BrionVega’s RR227 is a modern-day update of Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper’s classic RR127 radio, which they created over 44 years ago. The updated model comes…

Areaware’s 2B Radio lets you enjoy the “big, warm, radiant sound” that can only be produced by vacuum tubes, along with a Braun-inspired minimalist design.

Aside from an AM & FM internal antenna, the 2B Radio also has an aux input and a recording output, so you can pair it with modern audio devices.

Nice. Wish I could say the…

When I talk about retro tech, I’m usually going on about stuff from the late 1970s or early 1980s since those were the years that really defined me as the geek that I am today. The 1930s, on the other hand, are just a wee bit before my time. But when I saw this modern update on a classic thirties…

If you’re into sparkly things, this new radio from Sonoro is sure to catch your eye.

The top-of-the-line Elements Stardust clock radio is adorned with nearly 4,000 hand-placed Swarovski crystals, making the case sparkle and shine like diamonds. The Elements features a digital AM/FM tuner, alarm clock with a dimmable vacuum fluorescent display. And the backlit control dial is reminiscent…

These digital alarm clocks from Oregon Scientific offer up a bold modern design that’s sure to look great on your bedside table.

Featuring a striking black and white case with a futuristic, bright orange-on-black display, there’s no way you’ll miss one of these clocks when you roll over in the middle of the night to check the time. And even…

I’m absolutely bonkers for these gorgeous new digital clocks from British industrial designer Theo Williams. The LEXON Jet series of clocks feature a bold electroluminescent backlit dot matrix display that’s really really easy to read.

In addition to telling time, day and date, the Jet wall clock also features a temperature display and an alarm. If you really dig his…

Whether you’re literally joined at the hip to your brother or sister, or you and your significant other are just inseparable, have I got an iPod dock for you. I guess that JVC has decided that the market for the multiple iPod household is growing enough to warrant the creation of this two-headed beast.

The NX-PN7 is capable not only…

This new tabletop radio from upstart Cue Acoustics certainly has a winning look. The Cue Radio features a minimal, modern industrial design and a bright, easy-to-read backlit display.

The Cue Radio will offer a digital AM/FM tuner with RDS track and station display, dual alarms, and a built-in iPod dock on top. While it looks like the radio will only…

The I-Sonic Entertainment System 2 is the latest iPod docking stereo from Polk Audio. The system offers room-filling sound and an HD Radio receiver with a special iTunes track purchase feature.

Using a technology called “iTunes Tagging”, you can flag songs that you’ve heard on HD Radio broadcasts and queue them up for purchase via the iTunes store. The integration…

According to papers recently filed with the FCC, Philips is getting set to release a bookshelf stereo that can be wirelessly paired with Bluetooth sound sources.

In addition to the requisite AM/FM/CD/MP3 capabilities, the Philips BTM288 stereo system will be able to connect to mobile phones and media devices via Bluetooth. According to a snippet from the draft User Manual,…

This compact device sits alongside your computer, and turns it into a serious analog audio conversion system.
Simply connect BTO’s plusdeck EX to your computer’s USB port, and you can take all your old cassette tapes and easily convert them into MP3, WAV or OGG digital audio files. You can also record from the device’s built-in AM/FM radio.

You can…

Ever step into the shower in the morning and accidentally turn on the hot instead of the cold? Now you can make matters even more confusing to you bleary-eyed state of mind with this 3rd knob.

But this shower control doesn’t change the water temperature. Instead, it controls the volume on a compact AM/FM radio.

The radio grips onto your…

This funky portable radio out of Asia has a unique case design that’s almost entirely made out of wood. Envisioned by designer Singgih Kartono, the Magno radio is carved from Indonesian ebony wood. Even its knobs, handle and antenna topper are constructed from hardwoods.

The boxy design echoes portable radios from the sixties and seventies, but thanks to its smoothly…

For those of you who grew up in the Sixties, or just fans of Little Miss Sunshine, this little VW Minibus is actually an AM/FM clock radio.

Zumreed has released these nifty little gadgets which looks just like the classic Volkswagen van. Hidden inside is a fully functional stereo, with an AM/FM tuner and a LCD alarm clock (hidden on…