iRetrofone Base: perfect for homes with cutting-edge GPRS reception

Still looking for that perfect iPhone dock? Struggling to convince ma and pa that ditching the landline really is the best thing to do? Freeland Studios is up for helping with both quandaries, as the handmade iRetrofone Base provides both a perfect resting place for your iPhone (or any phone, really) and a pinch of vintage to boot. Cast from resin with the utmost care, this here adornment can be ordered in both black and clear, though you'll have to wait around a fortnight for one of the $195 devices to actually ship. Up next? A resin-based bag phone holster for those who constantly lose their smartphone between the seat and center console. Thanks for repeating yourself, history.

[Joshs Red Pants Posted Apr 27th 2010 7:48AM]

The black one looks so much better.

[Luke Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:53AM]

@Joshs Red Pants

Agreed. And the visible cord ruins it. It needs to be a true dock, especially for the price.

[Maurizio Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:08AM]

@Joshs Red Pants
What happens when it melts? (looks like it's made out of ice)

[Kid Red Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:45AM]

@Joshs Red Pants- $195 and they couldn't integrate the dock into the unit? Seems a bit much when produced from a mold.

[darkmax Posted Apr 27th 2010 1:56PM]

@Joshs Red Pants

Apple's products and their accessories are getting from bad to worse.

[One Love Posted Apr 27th 2010 2:00PM]

@Joshs Red Pants : and it looks like you have also plug-in the headphone jack. :|

[AppleDrank Posted Apr 27th 2010 7:49AM]

Why are there clouds in the reflection?

besides this looks like something a cheap stripper would have as decor...

[hsevna Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:11AM]

@AppleDrank

They're called windows, a great alternative to otherwise effectively living in an oversized box.

[grandmainger Posted Apr 27th 2010 7:59AM]

WANT.

[JD01JD Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:09AM]

Would be better if you could use a rotary dial to dial...

[Akston Posted Apr 27th 2010 10:09AM]

@JD01JD http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dial-plate-rotary-dialer-for/id311342031?mt=8

[grub Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:10AM]

Usefull only if it charges.

[FORDY Posted Apr 27th 2010 11:59AM]

@grub
You think the dock connector is just for good aesthetic effect?

[tapius Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:12AM]

Okay -- cool idea AWFUL execution, the connector should be integrated into the phone -- there should be a hang up switch when the handset comes to rest. awful ipod connector hanging out there -- wtf? ART LEBEDEV WHERE ARE THOU?

[Mr Blurrycam Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:27AM]

@tapius

I was gonna post the same thing. That cable hanging down there looks just fail...

[BinaryHelix Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:12AM]

I think the cable looks a bit naff tbh. If it had a pivoting or fixed dock connector at the base instead, this would be awesome! :D

[newdeal Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:12AM]

uh this POS costs $195? Clearly it is made from about 50 cents worth of parts...its getting audio from the headphones as you can see the cord so it must be charging through the dock. Can't see myself hooking this up when I can just use the phone as it was designed. Only way I would purchase this (but not for anywhere near $195) is if it made the ringer louder on the phone and even then I probobly wouldn't buy it

[newdeal Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:15AM]

oh p.s. I bet the reason that it has a cord for the dock connector is that you have to use your included cable and AC adaptor you got when you bought your iphone with it...if that wasn't it why would they have made it white when the phone is black or clear and the headphone cable is black

[fr4nk1yn Posted Apr 27th 2010 8:24AM]

Agree with the other posts. It's universal but the connector could be much cleaner and it should really have bluetooth instead of using the headphone jack.

For close to $200 you'd think there would be a better description on the their site.

Good idea though.

[strictlymac Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:11AM]

Now if someone will make a rotary dialing app we'll have something.

[Akston Posted Apr 27th 2010 10:19AM]

@strictlymac

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dial-plate-rotary-dialer-for/id311342031?mt=8

[Hate Everything Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:15AM]

Rotary dial = You mean there isn't an app for that?

Handset = should be cordless... as a matter of fact, the curly cord could really be a charger for the handset.

For novelty, I get it... but all I'm saying is make the handset cordless so you can leave your phone or iPhone "docked" and still be able to walk around freely w/ the handset.

[fourthletter Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:34AM]

@Hate Everything

There is for Android
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-bakhtiyor-android-rotarydialer-zDAi.aspx

[Sisyphus Posted Apr 27th 2010 9:53AM]

"Cast from resin with the utmost care, this here adornment can be ordered in both black and clear, though you'll have to wait around a fortnight for one of the $195 devices to actually ship."

When did Engadget become QVC?

[wingZero21 Posted Apr 27th 2010 10:16AM]

@Sisyphus

Ever since engadget sold their soul to Apple, they like to advertise wares relating to their products..its not anything new you should be brainwashed by now..why is it not working...

[Sisyphus Posted Apr 27th 2010 10:20AM]

@wingZero21

The whole "engadget is in bed with Apple" thing was "edgy" here for about two days. You people are hopelessly boring.

[bvalentine Posted Apr 27th 2010 10:53AM]

How about a cordless phone with multiple hand sets that plugs into your mobile phone instead of a land line? Then I could spend more time on the phone at home without worrying so much about radiation. Of course you also get the convenience of having a handset on every floor instead of having to sprint up or down the stairs in a frantic search for your mobile phone.

[iDrum Posted Apr 27th 2010 12:52PM]

$195 really? For a piece of crap like that?! I can just get a real landline phone and just charge my iphone with the wall charger..

[Waltah Posted Apr 27th 2010 12:53PM]

So this actually costs as much as a 3GS? What a bargain!

[SirNoDroin Posted Apr 27th 2010 1:55PM]

NO

[Johnny Rockets Posted Apr 27th 2010 3:59PM]

Yay for the iphone:

Bringing dropped calls to landlines

[tim0th Posted Apr 27th 2010 7:20PM]

I'd like one in the traditional bakelite design.