Finally, an official Bluetooth 'Star Trek' communicator
Star Trek fans have settled for toy prop replicas, DIY projects and the occasional off-brand (but functional) Starfleet comm-badge--but the age of compromise is almost over. In January of 2016, you'll finally be able to buy an official, screen-accurate, Bluetooth-enabled Star Trek Original Series Communicator.
Technically, the replica prop is just a simple Bluetooth handset with pretty basic functionality: it takes calls and plays music. That's about it. It's pretty snazzy looking though--the Communicator is a die-cast metal, aluminum and ABS replica modeled after a 3D scan of the original "Alpha Hero" prop, made and manufactured by The Wand Company. Its magnetic charging connector turns the unit into a pretty nice display piece, too. It's pricey, though: the Communicator will cost $150 when it starts shipping in January--the same price as the replica phaser (and TV remote control!) the manufacturer made last year.
