
Here are 10 Apple inspired products that I've come across that are actually worth owning. What makes the criteria? They have to be designed well and look good — just like an Apple product. Keep in mind that I'm mentioning that these products are worth owning— if they are actually worth the price, that's up to you to decide. Items excluded from the list:
- Headphones
- All MacBook Air sleeves that look like a manilla envelope (That charm lasted about 3 minutes)
- Anything iHome
- That leopard print iPhone case you bought on Canal Street
And here we go:
One Less Desk by Heckler Design. Power-coated and welded steel bent into the simplest shape possible for a desk. And built in cable managment too!
A5 speakers by Audioengine. Auxillary input and USB port for iPod on top, power outlet and auxillary input for Airport Express (running AirTunes) on back. The bamboo version is a drool fest.
Airboard by Bird Electron. A wooden base for your wireless keyboard. I'll admit that this product certainly is bordering the line of "unnecessary", but it does add a touch of class and tactile feel to any desk.
Breakaway Headphone Adapter by Replug. Headphone adapter based on Apple's MagSafe power adapter. This two piece headphone adapter simply breaks away when pulled too hard. See also: ZZYZX Snap Jack Guitar Cables uses this same technology.
PHONOFONE II by Science + Sons. A ceramic audio sculpture modeled after a gramophone horn. Using the two earbud “ports”, the Phonofone amplifies your music through resonance and horn acoustics without the need for any external power.
M Stand by Rain Design Inc. Simple and elegant laptop stand.
Geneva Sound XL by Geneva Sound. The iPod dock to end all iPod docks. The XL is a massive, floor standing speaker system. Yes, there are smaller sizes too, but you're not going to want them after seeing and hearing this.
SpaceStation by Bluelounge. Transforms your mess of a laptop working area into a clean, manageable system with built-in cable management and integrated usb hub. Designed to keep laptop at an incline for cooling as well.
Firewire Speakers by Lacie. Add a little maritime aesthetic with these freightership smokestack-like speakers. A single firewire cable is all that is needed to run these. Owners of the new Macbook: you lose. Owners of the new MacBook Pro: get a FW800 to FW400 adapter.
Slimkey Stand by Macessity. Power coated aluminum monitor stand tailor made for the Apple's aluminum keyboard. Built in USB hub too.
Honorable Mention: Wooden Laptop Case by Rainer Spehl. This handcrafted laptop case for MacBooks is certainly a looker but there's something very "meh" about it. Maybe because it's just too pristine (and heavy!) to actually use in the real world.
A good amount of these items I found at Dijitalfix and Turntablelab. Check em out for some geeky, gadgety goodness. No, they didn't pay me to say that.
If there's any products that you think should have made the list shoot me a line at zoominonlinedesign@gmail.com, I'd love to do a Part 2.
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