GeekSugar

A Cute Desk Set With a Retro Theme

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:30:32 PST

I'm loving all of the cassette tape-themed finds this year (like this awesome holiday card), and here are two more fun finds perfect for a cassette-lover's desk.

The Here's My Demo Tape Dispenser ($15) and Dub Duty Keepsake Box ($16) would make cute, inexpensive gifts, too. Both are made from dark stained wood and painted with colorful cassette designs, and both are absolutely adorable.

Vinyl Stickers For All Your Retro Geek Needs

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 07:30:25 PST

When I peruse Etsy (which is often), I always end up scoring something awesome. Case in point: this Cassette Tape Sticker Pack ($9). I mean, I didn't know I needed vinyl cassette tape stickers that are "ever so slightly larger" than the real thing, but once I saw them, I had to have them.

But taking a cruise around the rest of Beepart's shop, I found a treasure trove of vinyl goodness that you can adhere to your walls, your laptop, even your Trapper Keeper. I've picked out some of my faves in the retro geek/robot categories below. Check them out, and I dare you to try to not click "Buy."

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Ready For the Holidays? These Adorable Cards Are!

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:30:01 PDT

As a child of the '80s and '90s, I love that the mixtape will not die. The Walkman may be dead but there are plenty of cassette-themed finds to go around . . . these cute cards included!

Spread the retro love this holiday season with these Mix Tape Holiday Cards ($15 for 8 cards). The outside features a cassette tape illustration and on the inside, a reminder to "get into the holiday groove."

Eight fun greeting cards come with bright red festive envelopes for your holiday greeting merriment.

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Sony's Cassette Walkman Discontinued After 30 Years

Kristen Hawley — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 01:47:01 PDT

Last week, Sony announced it would be ceasing production of its cassette Walkman after 30 years. The original Walkman, which debuted in 1979, sold over 200 million units in its history.

Since then, the Walkman has given its name to many Sony personal, portable players like this waterproof model perfect for working out and the latest colorful release, currently only available in Japan.

Obviously, the demand for cassette players is gone, much less the demand for a portable cassette player weighing ten times as much as a typical portable digital music player. It's certainly become an icon in gadget history, even inspiring at least one modern MP3 player's design, not to mention its effects on headphone design. Still, it's always a sad day when a beloved gadget goes the way of the 8-track. Perhaps the Walkman will some day make a comeback similar to the record player.

Source: Flickr User edvvc

Cassette Tape MP3 Player: Totally Geeky or Geek Chic?

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:47:23 PDT

I do love retro-themed gadgets, but I'm not sure how I feel about the Old Time Rock 'n' Roll MP3 Player ($48). The MP3 player's design is a throwback to the days of the chunky Walkman, but I feel like small, compact size is one perk of new technology. (Remember how much I love the new Nano?)

The MP3 player stores 1GB of music, and comes with a USB connector and in-ear headphones. I like that it so closely resembles the beloved Walkman of my elementary school days, but don't know that I'd find a practical use for this player. Cute and quirky, sure. . . but are you in love?

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Is This Gadget For Sale or Just a Concept?

GeekSugar — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:30:53 PDT

Remember your huge stash of mixed tapes from when you were younger? Mine is somewhere in a shoebox in my parents' basement, but there are some days I'd really love to relive my middle school memories via a mixed tape listening party. This gadget would certainly come in handy! The HIDEOTO is a cassette tape deck that plugs directly into your computer via USB connection, allowing you to convert those cassette tapes to digital files.

Awesome idea in a compact package, but is it real?

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Get Your Retro On: Mixed Tape Madness

GeekSugar — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:01:20 PDT

I love a good mixed tape, which is why I love all these retro-inspired goodies that resemble the 80's icon. Who didn't love receiving a good mixed tape from a friend, or even better, a crush? I thought so. Check out some of my favorite mixed tape items right here in this slideshow!

Fake It With a Headphone-Print Tee

GeekSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:06:58 PDT

I really liked the headphones hoodie when I posted it a few months ago, but I wasn't sure who would wear it.

That is, until I threw a barbecue a couple weekends ago and one of my guy friends showed up in a headphones-printed tee, and got compliments on it all night long. Sincere compliments.

So now I want one, and I found this cute white Cassette Player Tee from Forever 21, with a very spare black graphic of earbuds - but instead of an iPod, the print is an anachronistic tape player. Cheeky enough for me to love it.

Invite Your Mixtapes to the Revolution With a Cassette Archiver

GeekSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:30:57 PDT

All the mixtape accessories and websites are pretty cute and novel, but you don't actually play cassette tapes - do you?

If you have something you are hanging onto in cassette form for whatever reason (hey, I've got an old "Forever Your Girl" single in my memory box), it might be time to get yourself this USB Cassette Tape Archiver (on sale for $169) so you can convert your old tapes to mp3 files.

Finally, you can relive your high school BFF's "Friday Night Party Mix" on your iPod!

Make Funny Photos and Graphics With Says-It

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:00:54 PDT

Oh my gosh, I absolutely love Says-It! When I first came across this rad site, I had no idea that you could choose from a variety of objects, signs, seals and badges to create hilarious graphics for! Says-It is just as addictive as MagMyPic because the options are endless with what you can design. Here I selected a lovely VHS tape to have some fun with and there's even an old school cassette tape to customize - fun fun! Just enter some text in the lines provided, choose colors and font, and click the "Go" button. A picture of a tape will be generated for you, which you can then email to friends or put them on your own blog or social networking site!