TapeWriter is yet another one of those products that allows you to convert your old music collection into digital files. This specific device does it from cassette tapes to MP3 files.

This fully functioning cassette deck is also a converter, to transfer all the music and memories to MP3 format on your computer. It’s as easy as plug and play—no drivers needed. And there’s a built-in speaker so you can hear the music as you record. Software is included to improve sound quality, too.

The TapeWriter is available over at the FirstStreet website for $119.95.

The U Record Music Convertor allows you to easily convert your analog music collection into digital files. Simply hook it up to your cassette deck or record player and you’re good to go.

The software provided makes it easier than ever to transfer your music onto your computer, clean up those annoying hisses and import it onto iTunes (or any other music software you decide to use). Now there’s no need to drag out your decrepit record player the next time you want to subject your dinner guests to your horrendous fabulous collection of disco hits.

Features:

• The U Record Music Converter is a bridge between the past and the future.
• The converter has a stereo line input so you can connect your record player, cassette deck, walkman, minidisk player (why weren’t those popular?) – anything with a stereo or headphone output.
• The converter has 2 settings: phono and line in, so if you’re record player is older than you are you needn’t worry.
• Includes EZ Vinyl (PC) & EZ Audio (MAC) converter software to transfer your tracks onto your computer to produce CDs and automatically import the tracks into your iTunes library.
• Includes Audacity to enhance your recordings by filtering out sound imperfections. It also separates tracks and exports your files.
• The converter is plug and play so there’s no need to install any drivers.
• Powered by USB.
• Includes a USB Cable.
• Recommended for use with USB 2.0.
• Requires Windows XP/Vista or Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, 256MB of Ram, 250MB of hard drive space and a CD/DVD rom drive.
• Suitable for ages 12 years +.
• Size: 11.2 x 11.2 x 3 cm.

The U Record Music Convertor is yours for £49.99 (about $80 USD) from the IWOOT website.

Jeff Davis, an American industrial designer probably most known for his Record Bowls, has now come out with a line of retro inspired jewelry.

The necklaces and earrings are available in three models – cassette, 45 rpm and headphones – and they are all made from recycled records.

You can get Jeff Davis’s Recycled Record Necklaces and Recycled Record Earrings for $25 a pop from the UncommonGoods website.

After having seen the classic cassette tape in the shape of a USB drive and MP3 player, you will now be able to take a walk down memory lane using it as a 4-port USB hub.

Now you can power up all your myriad of USB devices with a blast from the past. There may no longer be tape hanging randomly from telegraph poles around the country anymore, but the icon can live on on your desktop.

Features

• A 4 port USB 2.0 Hub in the shape of a classic cassette tape.
• Its retro styling looks so realistic you’ll have to stop yourself from trying it in your walkman.
• This is not a real cassette tape and attempts to play it in a cassette player could cause serious damage to your stereo and the hub.
• Size: 97 x 61cm

The 4-port Cassette Tape USB Hub is available over at the I Want One Of Those website for £12.99 (about $23 USD).

(Random Good Stuff via Boing Boing Gadgets, Geeky Gadgets and Technabob)

A little something for all the fans of pink and retro: the portable Studebaker stereo. It features a CD player, AM/FM radio, cassette player and a design that gives a “hint of that old Studebaker grill”.

There’s a drawer-type CD player with an excellent bass boost. It plays not only commercial CDs but also self-compiled CD-R/RW discs. It has a 20-track programmable memory. You can program up to 32 tracks on a disc for playback in any desired order. You can also program a specific track to play several times within the same program, and you can use the program and repeat features together to continuously repeat a programmed sequence of tracks.

Then there’s a cassette player and an AM/FM radio with analog tuning. The cassette player is also a recorder, and you can record directly from the CD player or from the radio. The unit has an Automatic Level Control circuit that controls the recording volume level and prevents overloaded and distorted recordings. A headphone jack is included, so you can listen in private.

The Studebaker Portable Stereo is available from First Street for $19.95.

This Bluetooth adapter is designed like an old cassette tape and connects with mobile phones, MP3 players, PCs, PDAs and other devices that support the wireless Bluetooth technology.

Features:

• Bluetooth audio tapes adapter specification: Version 1.2, Class 2, 10meters
• Car charger input: DC 12V-24V
• Car charger output: DC 5V
• Normal charge time: more than 2hrs
• Talk time: 5 hrs
• Standby timers: 120 hrs
• Build-in the rechargeable lithium battery
• Dimensions: 100mm x 64mm x 10mm
• Net weight: 40g

The Flexii Bluetooth Cassette Adapter is available from Vavolo for $39.99, or you can get it from Uxcell for $34.99.

(Crave via OhGizmo)

Mixa is a website where you can make your own 1GB cassette tape USB drive. The 4-step creation process lets you design it just the way you want to.

You start by picking a black or white cassette. In the next steps you name your USB drive and choose an image for the sleeve and label.

A Mixa USB cassette costs £19.99 (about $41 USD), inc. worldwide delivery.

(Via Retro To Go)

Artist David Herbert is the creator of this wonderful art installation showing a copy of 2001: A Space Odyssey on a 2×4×8ft large VHS cassette.

(Via gearfuse)

Here’s an alternative to that other USB cassette deck we covered a couple of weeks ago. PlusDeckEX from the Korean BTO company is a follow-up to their PlusDeck 2c model – a cassette deck that lets you rip tracks from those old tapes and save them as MP3 files on your computer.

This stand-alone version version comes with RCA I/O, 7.1 support, a USB port, LCD control panel, AM/FM radio tuner, and a remote control.

No word on pricing or release date as of yet.

(Akihabara News via Digital Drops & Freshpilot)

Connecting your MP3 player to the car stereo with a cassette tape, nothing new there. But this Cassette MP3 Player from Chinavasion Wholesale Electronics takes a different approach by acting as the MP3 player itself.

The Cassette MP3 Player has no internal memory, you use it by sliding in your own SD card in the built-in slot (MP3 file format only).

Features:

• External Memory: Compatible with SD/MMC card (max.2GB)
• Music Format: MP3
• Bit rate: 32-256Kbps
• Earphone Jack: 3.5mm
• SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio): >75dB
• Output of earphones: 2 x 10mW(32Ohms)
• USB: 2.0
• System: Compatible with windows 2000/xp
• Battery: Built-in 450mAh lithium battery
• Dimension: 63X102X11.5 (mm)
• Manufacturer Ref.: 5G8YYLNJJ9F2
• Use like a normal cassette in a car cassette player or cassette player
• Use as a stand alone MP3 Player
• Repeat playback mode
• 7 button interface
• Recharge by USB cable

The product will be available soon. No word on pricing at so far.

(Via technabob)

Maybe you have a lot of old cassette tapes with great music laying around, but no device where you listen to them. Here’s your chance to change this.

The USB Cassette Deck ($198) lets you convert those tapes into MP3 files, giving you the chance to enjoy the music on your computer or portable audio player. Simply plug the double tape deck into the computer’s USB port and you are ready to start converting.

Completely plug and play with no special drivers required, the USB Cassette Deck comes with idiot-proof Audacity and EZ Tape Converter software. This allows you to archive your recordings directly into iTunes® in a few clicks. Just think, you could be listening to old mix tapes on your MP3 player or burning CDs of that ancient recording of your gran prattling on about the price of Spam.

Features:

• Quickly transfer music on your tapes to MP3 format on your computer!
• Dual dubbing cassette deck
• Plug & Play USB audio interface – no drivers needed!
• Metal and CrO2 tape selector
• PC and Mac compatible
• Audacity (Mac and PC) and EZ Tape Converter (PC) recording software included!
• Approximately – 42cm (W) x 13.5cm (H) x 22cm (D)

Do you still have a lot of good music on cassettes and vinyl, but no device to play it on? The Instant Music Vinyl & Cassette Ripper ($82) will make it easy to convert your records and cassettes into crisp, clear digital audio (MP3, WAV, WMA and AAC). The Nero CD burning software is also included in the price.

I’m sure most of you have already seen the cool Cassette Tote Bag – it was featured in many blogs some months ago.

It’s been very hard to get it outside the U.S. though. Hence this entry. The good news is that it’s now possible to order the Cassette Tape Handbag ($15) from Baron Bob, where it in the FAQ says: We now ship internationally.

Congrats retro lovers!

These awesome Tape Dispensers ($25) will start shipping in September, but can already be pre-ordered from j-me – a UK design site run by two brothers.

The j-me tape dispenser uses two different objects that use the word ‘tape’ in different contexts. The fusion of music recording tape and sticky tape results in a piece of stationary lovers of retro iconography should not be without.Mmade of rubber, it uses this advantage to be weighty and non-slip. ‘Small core’ tape is easily installed, changed and cut on the metal cutting blade mounted in the top corner.

• Non-slip
• Hard rubber
• Holds ’small core’ tape (19mm x 33m)
• Product dimensions: 90 x 140 x 37 mm

(designboom via technabob)

Cajsa Westerman from Sweden is the creator of these gorgeous retro geek jewelry. Featured above is the Floppy Disc Earrings ($18), Cassette Tape Necklace ($27) and the Pink Cassette Tape Solo Earring ($12).

An eclectic mix of kitschy and minimalistic, new and reconstructed, all made with love from Sweden. ALL EARHOOKS STERLING SILVER, unless otherwise noted, but the necklaces are only gold or silverplated. These too can be made in sterling, send me an email for price examples. Also: shipping from Sweden to Europe takes 3-4 days, to the rest of the world 4-6 days.

Tack för tipset Cajsa!