I saw this and now I want one…so badly: the ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset ($39.99). My friend/co-worker Julie ordered hers off ThinkGeek.com and brought it over to my desk to show it off. I called her on her cell and she answered through the handset; this ridiculously huge old-fashioned handset.
At first I laughed at its preposterousness. “Um, I think you’re missing the point, Julie.” “No. I think you’re missing the point,” she laughed. “It’s just funny so that people will think that you’re crazy.
“Can you imagine walking through a convention center talking on this thing?” she went on, and proceeded to pantomime walking and gesturing that she was in Aisle C while shouting into the handset.
“Yeah, but you can’t drive and talk on that thing at the same time! It’s so the opposite of convenient.” Me and my eavesdropping co-workers laughed and pointed at poor Julie. In this day and age? Getting telephone neck?
But then when I tried it out myself and held it in my hand, I suddenly wanted one. I forgot how much I missed these heavy handsets. It feels so solid. You can use it as a weapon, you can break through glass with it or you can just use it to bewilder strangers in public areas.
I imagined myself walking down the Promenade chatting away on one. Simply awesome. I told Julie that she should attach it to her head using a headband. Now, THAT would be funny.
I dunno. This reminds me of that time I bought Doraemon scissors because I imagined someone asking me, “Do you have any scissors?” and me whipping them out and impressing people. Except no one is that impressed by scissors. Buying something with the primary intention of getting a reaction out of people is kind of odd.
But I’d buy it to break glass.
I like it cuz I miss handsets. Phones nowadays are too light! ;)
You could so totally use it while driving. You forget the old cock the head and squeeze the handset between your head and your shoulder thing. You can’t do that with a tiny cellphone. Strange as it sounds, but this actually seems like a reasonably practical thing to have.
Yeah, telephone neck! Sigh, the good ol’ days. I dunno about practical though. How are you supposed to lug that big ol handset around? I would need a mighty big purse for it.
I have one, the audio on them is horrible, I was so disappointed. I’ll sell you mine.