Phones have changed over the years, but chances are that most of us still remember (and have) the banana-like handsets we held to our head to talk to people. While handsets are closer to flat slates these days, a Swiss brand is working on bringing that design back.
Released under Swissvoice’s “ePure” range of products, the devices are an exercise in skeuomorphism, also known as design that borrows from elements necessary in the original design, like how the iPad calendar application resembles an old paper desk calendar, complete with torn edges.
In this case, that design is the phone itself, with the $149 ePure Bluetooth station offering your mobile a retro phone handset that docks with your smartphone.
Think of an old desk phone, and draw the shape. That’s what Swissvoice is drawing on with the ePure, a desktop handset that follows on from the old design, but integrates modern technology.
The Bluetooth ePure can let you make and take calls over the handset – like the original phone – while built-in stereo speakers can play music or work as a speakerphone from a smartphone. This model can connect to either the older iPod/iPhone dock or a USB port that handles everything else, including the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Apple iPhone 5.
A version of the handset is also available for your regular home phone, with the DECT edition of the ePure available for $99, while a basic 3.5mm corded edition (above) for phones and tablets is available for $49.
