Apple fandom has inspired a generation of designers to create products that complement, contrast or clash with design guru Jonathan Ive’s cleverly thought out consumer electronics.
We’ve pulled together a list of Apple-themed products — both real and conceptual –- that ooze wit, and celebrate those that nod to the fun side of life in their product designs.
If we’ve missed anything, do let us know your favorite fun Apple-themed object in the comments below.
Apple’s iconic white earbuds have become a symbol of the iPod, despite the fact that many real music connoisseurs will swap them for a better pair. These speakers then, shaped like gigantic (500 times the size) earphones are a witty audio accessory for your desk.
Cost: $60
When Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air on stage at Macworld ‘08 by pulling it out of a manila envelope, the crowd gasped at its slimness. Two Apple geeks saw an opening and created the AirMail sleeve for the slimline laptop, ensuring all Air owners could re-live the moment again and again –- as well as receive knowing nods from other fans when out and about.
Cost: $34 plus shipping
The iClooly stand makes your iPhone or iPod touch look just like a mini-me for your iMac. Described as “the perfect little buddy for your iMac,” the iClooly is made out of aluminum and features a 90-degree pivot joint to hold your favorite gadget in landscape or portrait mode. It also offers tilt functionality, and a speaker cable cut-out. So cute!
Cost: $39
The kind of Mac-themed innovation we love, Jake Harms takes old, unloved iMacs and converts them into cozy homes for our fishy friends. Holding 3.5 gallons of water, a converted Mac-quarium is a great way to celebrate the iconic, semi-see-through design of the G3 iMac, long after its computing powers have been eclipsed by more modern machines.
Cost: $199, plus shipping
Li Jianye’s brilliant storage unit may not be able to display your entire CD collection, but it does offer a fantastic real-world representation of iTunes Cover Flow functionality. Someone should really make this.
Concept only
These coffee tables from Italian design house Mirko Ginepro are shaped as huge iPods with glass for the screen and hollow innards, meaning you could, theoretically, use them to store your CD collection — a sort of Gulliver-scale physical format version of the original digital music device.
Cost: Varies (custom made)
Originally designed for iPhone developers to get a to-scale, real-life canvas to sketch their app ideas and designs on, the Aussie creators behind the Notepods also suggest they are ideal for “jotting down the phone number of a hot geek,” so good luck with that. At the very least, they might make for a good conversation starter.
Cost: $17.95
Described by the inventor as a “retro-kitsch ‘love it/hate it’ thing,” the RetroPod took a big, heavy, yellow Sony Walkman from the 80s and turned it into an iPod case, either to repel muggers or show off some ironic retro-chic. Unfortunately, Sony shut the outfit down with some threatening legal letters, but they can’t stop us from remembering such a witty idea.
Concept only
A fairy tale figure with a penchant for apples, and a high-tech laptop make for a pleasing contrast. The vinyl graphic cleverly puts the poisoned apple right into Snow White’s hands, adding a little knowing whimsy to any MacBook. The alternative apple-lover would be Eve of course, but the laws of decency might not allow that.
Cost: From around $15
So you’ve got a MacBook right? Well the BookBook hardback leather case for MacBooks and MacBook Pros makes your Apple laptop look just like that, providing not only protection, but a cunning disguise for your pricey portable.
Cost: $79.99
