There are times when form overcomes any missteps in function, and we'd probably say this is one of those times. On the downside, Brionvega's 19-inch Alpha LCD / DVD combo display tops out at 1,280 x 1,024 and obviously boasts a 4:3 aspect ratio, but it can be equipped with a digital DVB-T tuner. Beyond that, you'll find a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, 350 nits of brightness, five-millisecond response time, 160-degree viewing angles and a small array of ports. There's also a pair of three-watt stereo speakers in there, and the integrated DVD player even handles VCD, SVCD and MP3 discs. If you've found yourself overran with disposable income, you can grab yours in orange / silver / black for €1,950 ($3,016) and up.

[Via RetroToGo]

We already knew what Marshall was capable of when we caught wind of his masterfully assembled portable Nintendo 64, but the modder extraordinaire has really outdone himself this time. As the name implies, The Multari is a portable Atari 2600 with 32 games built right in. The chassis itself was crafted from vacuum-formed styrene plastic, and aside from the colorful buttons and iconic D-pad, there's also a 5-inch display and what appears to be a set of speakers. Mmm, retro never looked so good. Peek the video after the break (right after you grab your drool cup).

There's absolutely no shortage of ways to geek up the inside of your domicile, but few creations posses the perfect balance of class and geekiness like the ASCII Curtains. Reportedly hand-crafted by designer / artist / undiscovered genius Nieke Sybrandy, these nerdalicious curtains feature a light gray tree motif that is compiled entirely from code. Breathtaking, no? Hit the read link for one more look -- and don't even bother phoning up Bed Bath & Beyond, we already tried.

[Via gearcrave, thanks William]

Okay, so the totally nifty Pocket IR Modem actually works with a few devices other than the antiquated Palm III, but it's clear these two were made for each other. Put simply, this device connects with any Pocket PC / Palm OS unit via IrDA and enables it to hop on the intarwebs in blazing fashion, but truthfully, it was designed to allow folks in the field to upload data more so than check your favorite gadget blog. Reportedly, ENR Technologies is hoping to loose these for $80 apiece if purchased in bulk, but it'll take $149 to snag one for personal use. All of a sudden, EDGE doesn't seem so bad, now does it?

Let's face it -- that VHS camcorder you're still holding on to would probably do you more good as a Salvation Army donation than anything else, but if you've got even a single DIY bone in your person, don't hand it over just yet. The same fellow that brought you the $40 spy glasses is at it once more, this time concocting a night vision "headset" with just a VHS camcorder viewfinder, a dozen ultra-bright LEDs, black / white mini camera and a few other nuts and bolts. After all was said and done, we're left with a device that enables you to easily see in darkness and record your journey. We know, you can't wait to tell your SO how right you were about hanging on to that clunker for one more year, so after you return, click on through for the instructional video and get to work, you hear?

If you've balked at the prices automakers are charging for integrated navigation systems, you should really take a look at what ¥300,000 ($2,746) would buy you in 1981. That atrocity you see above was an actual option in Honda's Accord during Ronald Reagan's presidency, and while it didn't sync up with any satellites, it did help to guide you along in some form or another. The Electro Gyrocator, as it was so eloquently named, accepted transparencies of maps and utilized a gas gyroscope that allowed the map to move with the motion of the car and plot your progress. Once a certain map ran out of road, you just popped the next one in and kept on cruisin'. And here we are kvetching about whether our portable navigator has 10 or 11 million POIs...

[Via Autoblog]

Yeah, we did a double take upon seeing the above image too, but believe it or not, that car phone is actually a new Bluetooth handsfree system. Developed by Cartel Mobile Solutions, this in-car setup can reportedly be installed into nearly any whip and will connect up with most every BT-enabled handset. From there, it mysteriously warps you back to the 1990s where you can dial on near-Chiclet sized buttons; once the haze clears, it ushers you back to modern day by enabling motorists to chat without holding anything up to their yapper. Users can opt to wire it to their vehicle's sound system or plug in an external speaker, and yes, that display you see does indeed handle Caller ID duties. Unfortunately, no price was readily apparent, but you can bring that 1979 Buick of yours a few years closer to the 21st century by hitting Cartel up for purchasing details.

[Thanks, Mickel]

Dream Arcades has been on a rampage of late, and just over a month after we caught wind of its Dreamcade 2.0 arcade cabinet, the outfit is looking to take over our basement with the Dreamcade Vision 120. This multigame unit packs over 145 classic titles such as Centipede, Dig Dug and Ms. Pacman, and comes with a built-in DLP projector that features 2,000 lumens, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and a 1,024 x 768 native resolution. Additionally, you'll get a 120-inch portable projection screen, programmable Ultimarc interface card, an authentic arcade control system and HDMI / component inputs that enable users to hook up their console of choice to play on the big screen. Sure, this masterpiece may set you back four grand, but just think how many quarters you'll save in the long run.

Hot on the heels of Gamerator's stupendous MAME cabinet and AOTS "world's largest arcade machine" comes a DIY project that gives both of the aforementioned products a run for their money. The aptly-titled IKEA MAME Dinner Table cleverly crams a MAME machine into a standard dinner table, which we're absolutely sure any warm-blooded mother (and / or gamer) could appreciate. The table can slide open to reveal a 15-inch LCD, Happ Controls and an Ultimarc I-PAC, and while a myriad games can be played, the creator's personal favorite is the famed Ms. Pacman. Click on for a couple more looks, and then head on to the read link for a slew of pics from the underside.

[Via MAKE]

Looking to scratch that retro itch? If so, you'll likely find oodles of satisfaction in the MIXA USB tape, which not only weds the modernness of a USB flash drive with the old school flavor of a cassette, but also bows down to your funky fresh customization skills. You heard right -- those interested can select a black or white 1GB tape, add on any design they choose and cough up £19.99 ($41) to have it shipped anywhere in the world. Finally, the perfect complement to your shoulder-mounted USB boombox.

[Thanks, Earl]

Don't look now, but Jack and Meg are at it again. Yep, the White Stripes are once more reaching out to the retro lovin', geeked-out crowd by offering up a set of "all-plastic," limited edition Lomography cameras. The JACK Holga and MEG Diana+ seem to only differ from their standard counterparts externally, but fans of the band are sure to appreciate the Rob Jones-designed motifs. Notably, the JACK Holga Starter Kit includes "an additional Fisheye lens, three filter set and a custom Peppermint lens filter," while MEG's version comes with the "Nobody Knows How To Talk To Children" ringflash and a custom Peppermint Film Mask filter. Both kits are available as we speak for $180 apiece, but you better make haste, as only 3,000 of each camera were constructed. Check out a few more looks after the break.

[Thanks, Favian]

Those wild 'n crazy kids over at Dream Arcades are at it again, and just when you thought you had your holiday budget ironed out, along comes the four-player cocktail Dreamcade 2.0 to put you back in the red. This arcade cabinet features an "integrated trackball, lighted buttons, a Windows-based DreamPC and a collection of more than 145 licensed games including classic titles from Midway, Digital Leisure, Atari, Namco and Capcom." The 2.0 version of the Dreamcade boasts a 21-inch "real arcade monitor," tinted safety glass and the ability to connect your own console. Sure, it'll cost you $1,899, but that's a small price to pay for all this retro.

[Via I4U News]

Sure, the compact disc may have just celebrated 25 years in the biz, but nothing says quasi-old school like a double-sided cassette tape. Granted, it's a bit harder to effectively distribute mix tapes on a format rarely appreciated this day in age, so the Mix Tape USB Drive steps in to deliver your favorite compilations in a modern form without ditching that crucial retro flair. Pricing details have yet to be released, but it's slated to hit the streets next month for those interested.

[Thanks, Damien]

We'll admit, we're suckers for just about anything retro, and Grundig has certainly won us over with its forthcoming Audiorama speakers. These spherical gems can be placed on narrow stands, hung around, or sat on an end table, as the 360-degree sound emissions should cover the space adequately. Unfortunately, details concerning the power handling, frequency range, etc. are still under wraps, but those feelin' the vintage vibe can check out a four pack out next February for around €600 ($826).

[Via I4U]

We know, you've got a zillion ways to get your Pong on whilst lounging around in your geeked-out crib, but how in the world will you deal with the withdrawals on this year's trip to Vegas? Thanks to Bally, you may not have to suffer at all, as Nevada gambling regulators recently approved the concept behind Bally Pong, a "slot machine that would for the first time allow hand-eye coordination to affect payout." Put simply, the machine would enter a 45-second round of Pong if three bonus icons line up on the five-reel video slot machine, and regardless of one's skill, a minimum award would be doled out simply for reaching the bonus. Oh, it gets better -- Bally also said that this was just "the first in a series of skill games (including Breakout!) it had planned," so those looking to see a hint of vintage when they hit the casino floor should be very pleased if everything goes as planned over the next few months.

[Via The Raw Feed]