From Superinnovators 08/11/23. This article is in TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read) format which is popular in the innovation community and provides a bullet summary of information.
- Innovative fusion: In July 2022, Yamaha’s Design Lab unveiled the “TurnT” concept, a novel design that converts a smartphone into a vinyl record player, drawing attention from various technology and design-focused media outlets.
- Creative initiative: The TurnT is part of Yamaha’s “Stepping Out of the Slate” projects, which challenge conventional interactions with music by repurposing everyday technology in imaginative ways.
- Nostalgia: Evoking nostalgia and solemn respect to the music you are about to play playing, you carefully place a unique tonearm attachment onto a virtual spinning record displayed through a dedicated app. This imitates the record player tonearm, stylus and needles of old.
- Minimalist design: Emphasizing a clean and simple design language, the TurnT features a wooden base for the turntable and a transparent acrylic platter, designed to aesthetically complement modern smartphones.
- Complementary concepts: Alongside TurnT, Yamaha Design Lab introduced two other concepts: the ‘Vinyl’ Bluetooth speaker and the ‘Winder’ phone charger, both inspired by classic audio equipment.
- Conceptual stage: These innovative designs, including the TurnT, are conceptual explorations and are not currently available for commercial purchase, serving as a testament to Yamaha’s forward-thinking design philosophy.
- Positive reception: The TurnT has garnered a favourable response for its inventive combination of old and new music playback methods, although questions about its practical application and market feasibility remain open for discussion.
More info
Thank you to social media influencer Sebastian Winkler for the tip
