Despite having all the power of modern technology at our fingertips, sometimes we just want to indulge our nostalgia and engage with a throwback to a bygone era. This may seem counter-intuitive at first glance: new clothes and furniture are regularly made with vintage designs, but technology is something that is supposed to be innovative and cutting-edge. However, the embrace of old-school technology in the 21st century brings together the best of both worlds, merging the appeal of retro tech with the capabilities of modern tech.
Here are four contemporary takes on retro technology, each with their own distinct purpose.
Nokia 3310
Nokia are still involved at the innovative end of the mobile phone market, as demonstrated by the March launch of their HMD Connect global data SIM card that covers 120 countries. Yet the Nokia name is arguably still more evocative of a time when Apple and Samsung didn’t dominate the mobile phone industry, when phones were almost exclusively used for making calls and playing Snake.
Nokia transported us back to those times with the 2017 release of a new Nokia 3310, the mobile that was famed worldwide for its durability and its battery life. TechRadar’s review of the new model awarded the device a score of 3/5 stars, deeming the 2017 3310 as a fair tribute to the original phone that sold 126 million units worldwide. The new 3310 offers much more functionality than its predecessor thanks to app technology, but it’s still geared towards being a dependable handset that has the ability to make phone calls.
Entertainment media
The way that we consume music has changed dramatically thanks to the rise of music streaming services like Spotify, but some have stayed true to a type of music device that was popularized in the 1940s: the record player. Tapes, and even CDs to a certain extent, have fallen by the wayside as means of listening to audio, but there’s something about vinyl that continues to beguile dedicated music fans.
The modern record player looks very different from its 1940s equivalent. Speaker quality and portability are two factors that have both been improved by modern technology, with audiophiles able to equally enjoy the latest vinyl releases and their vintage record collection. Vinyl players even have USB connections to help you transfer files. This means that you can connect this retro-themed technology to any of the most modern laptops, including Apple’s latest MacBook.
Another area of entertainment commonly found online but that is beginning to pay tribute to its original format is the casino industry. Online slot machines have undergone a significant evolution in recent years. Slots are a form of entertainment that are inherently simple in their mechanics, so developers have sought to find ways to seamlessly introduce new bells and whistles to elevate the action. This might take the form of a video introduction, a contemporary theme, or the chance for greater agency in bonus rounds.
However, some Casinos stay true to their design of Live Casino games from decades ago. Betway has an entire section of its lobby dedicated to ‘Live Casino’, which include titles like Atlantic City Blackjack and Sapphire Roulette. These slots streamline the action to create a classic vibe, allowing players to focus all of their attention on the symbols and the reels themselves. While these slots may evoke comparisons with older physical slot machines, they are all brought to life by the latest online slot tech that facilitates quick loading times and higher-quality graphics.
Kodak Super 8
Kodak is one of the most popular camera manufacturers in the world, with the American company having now operated in three centuries. Formed in 1888, Kodak became the leading name in photography in the 20th century, with millions of people’s first memory of photography courtesy of Kodak’s products. Among those iconic products is the Kodak Super 8, a defining camera for countless serious and casual photographers alike.
Instant cameras have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, but the return of the Super 8 is even more notable. Kodak relaunched their famous camera in 2018, with the name ‘Super 8’ referring to the specific type of film that the camera accommodates. The first Super 8 camera arrived in 1965 and left an incredible legacy in its wake, to the point that JJ Abrams named his 2011 movie Super 8 as a homage. Kodak updated their Super 8 camera for a 21st-century audience, with an LCD electronic viewfinder and an SD card two features that weren’t available to photographers in 1965.
The Power of Nostalgia
These examples demonstrate just how seamlessly a retro idea can merge with new technology, and there are many more that could be mentioned. The gaming industry has likewise sought to merge the nostalgic with the novel, with the PlayStation Classic a miniature version of the original Sony console that comes preloaded with 20 classic PS games.
No matter what technology can do to keep us moving forward, there will always be a desire to look back and long for elements of the past. New tech can bring dead products back to life, add some shiny new features, and package it all in a way that is a fitting tribute to years gone by.
