Phobile
Museum piece meets cell accessory
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Forget international roaming and Bluetooth capability, phones were far more entertaining in the good old days. Unwieldy hunks of plastic with clunky dials, shrieking bells, pulse dialing and, best of all, bulky handsets. You remember; the hefty dumbbell-like things that you could barely balance between shoulder and ear. Needless to say there's no place for such impractical appendages on today's slimline models. Or is there?
Because despite a relentless stream of cellular phone innovation, talking on the phone just isn't as satisfying as it used to be. For starters you can't slam a cell down in disgust, throw the receiver skywards in delight, or re-enact your favorite ‘the killer’s calls are coming from inside the house’ movie moment.
Fortunately, all that's about to change thanks to the technologically advanced but hilariously retro Phobile handset. Simply plug this highly evocative hunk of shiny retro-ironic plastic into your cell via an adapter and you'll be the envy/laughing stock of all those who encounter you.
The daft but desirable Phobile is a replica of the fabulously ungainly handsets that once dominated the world of home telephony. It's even got an old-style curly cable.
To be fair, attaching an old-school handset to a modern phone is a bit like tying a typewriter to a laptop, but that's exactly why we love it. It doesn't make sense, but it's guaranteed to get a laugh and attract attention wherever you may roam. Imagine the look on people's faces when your cell rings and you pull this ancient relic out of your pocket. There's something unfathomably satisfying about talking on the Phobile. Maybe it's the incongruous juxtaposition of old and new; maybe it's the thrill of talking into an ergonomically ancient design classic; or maybe it's just the fact that it makes you look faintly ridiculous. Who cares? Just enjoy the irony and buy one!
Phobile handsets are exact replicas of the Western Electric 500-series models. These were made in the US starting in 1949 and ultimately became the standard handset for American rotary phones. These high quality reproductions have a sound quality that’s superior to the original handsets.
Because despite a relentless stream of cellular phone innovation, talking on the phone just isn't as satisfying as it used to be. For starters you can't slam a cell down in disgust, throw the receiver skywards in delight, or re-enact your favorite ‘the killer’s calls are coming from inside the house’ movie moment.
Fortunately, all that's about to change thanks to the technologically advanced but hilariously retro Phobile handset. Simply plug this highly evocative hunk of shiny retro-ironic plastic into your cell via an adapter and you'll be the envy/laughing stock of all those who encounter you.
The daft but desirable Phobile is a replica of the fabulously ungainly handsets that once dominated the world of home telephony. It's even got an old-style curly cable.
To be fair, attaching an old-school handset to a modern phone is a bit like tying a typewriter to a laptop, but that's exactly why we love it. It doesn't make sense, but it's guaranteed to get a laugh and attract attention wherever you may roam. Imagine the look on people's faces when your cell rings and you pull this ancient relic out of your pocket. There's something unfathomably satisfying about talking on the Phobile. Maybe it's the incongruous juxtaposition of old and new; maybe it's the thrill of talking into an ergonomically ancient design classic; or maybe it's just the fact that it makes you look faintly ridiculous. Who cares? Just enjoy the irony and buy one!
Phobile handsets are exact replicas of the Western Electric 500-series models. These were made in the US starting in 1949 and ultimately became the standard handset for American rotary phones. These high quality reproductions have a sound quality that’s superior to the original handsets.
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More Info
Please note:
The Phobile does not require batteries; it runs off the power in your phone. This does mean that battery life will be marginally shorter than usual. But it's a small inconvenience for irony.
Phones supported:
To connect your mobile to the Phobile handset you will need to use one of the adapters (included) from the list below:
Compatible Phones:
The following phones do not require an adapter to work with Phobile:
Phone not supported?
If your phone is not on the above list, you will need to purchase a "Hands Free Base Adaptor" for your handset from your local mobile phone shop, or the following websites:
Please note:
As the Phobile is a third party product, its use in conjunction with a mobile phone may invalidate your phone's warranty.
The Phobile does not require batteries; it runs off the power in your phone. This does mean that battery life will be marginally shorter than usual. But it's a small inconvenience for irony.
Phones supported:
To connect your mobile to the Phobile handset you will need to use one of the adapters (included) from the list below:
-
Adapter 1 - Nokia 2.5mm phones:
Nokia: 1100, 2100, 2300, 2600, 2650, 3210, 3330, 3510, 3510i, 3650, 3660, 6510, 6600, 7280, 8210, 8310, 8850, 8890, 8910, 8910i -
Adapter 2 - Nokia 6210 etc:
Nokia: 5110, 6110, 6150, 6210, 6310,7110 -
Adapter 3 - Nokia Pop-Port phones:
Nokia: 3100, 3120, 3200, 3220, 3230, 3300, 5100, 5140, 6020, 6100, 6170, 6230, 6230i, 6260, 6610, 6610i, 6630, 6650, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6800, 6810, 6820, 6822, 7200, 7210, 7250, 7250i, 7260, 7600, 7610, 7700, 7710, 9300, 9500
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Adapter 4 - Sony Ericsson Hands Free Base Adapter phones:
Sony Ericsson: F500i, J210i, J300, K300i, K500i, K508, K600i, K608i, K700i, P800, P900, P910i, S700i, T100, T20, T200, T230, T290i, T300, T39, T600, T610, T630, T65, T68, T68i, V600i, V800, Z1010, Z200, Z300i, Z500, Z600, Z800i -
Adapter 5 - Sony Ericsson - 'Fast-Port' phones:
Sony Ericsson: D750i, J100i, K310i, K510i, K610i, K750i, K790i, K800i, M600i, P990i, V630, W300i, W550i, W700i, W710i, W800i, W810i, W850i, W900i, W950i, Z520i, Z530i, Z550i, Z558i, Z610i, Z710i
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Adapter 6 - Samsung Hands Free Base Adapter phones:
Samsung: D500, D600, E350, E370, E530, E620, E630, E720, E730, E760, E770, E780, E800, E820, E880, P300, Serene, SGH X700, SGH Z500, X660, Z105, Z107, Z130, Z140, Z300, Z320i
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Motorola phones: You will not need an adapter as the Phobile's standard 2.5mm jack will plug straight into your phone.
Note: Some mobile phone models that require a 2.5mm jack may have a design abnormality that makes the jack not flush with the casing. Mobile phones with this problem will not work with the Phobile, since the connection is compromised.
Motorola V3 incompatibility:
In order to make the V3 so very thin, Motorola has excluded a headset port from its design! Therefore, it's only compatible with Bluetooth headsets. Bluetooth adapters are unavailable from Firebox. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Compatible Phones:
The following phones do not require an adapter to work with Phobile:
- AUDIOVOX
- BLACKBERRY
- DANGER
- KYOCERA
- LG
- MOTOROLA All except RAZR V3
- NEC
- PANASONIC G50, G60, GD55, GD67, GD87, X300, X500, X60
- SANYO
- SENDO
- SHARP GX1, GX10/GX10i, GX10i, GX20, TM100
Phone not supported?
If your phone is not on the above list, you will need to purchase a "Hands Free Base Adaptor" for your handset from your local mobile phone shop, or the following websites:
Please note:
As the Phobile is a third party product, its use in conjunction with a mobile phone may invalidate your phone's warranty.
Reviews
Press Reviews...
"..if someone you know hates mobiles, this is a nice reminder of the golden age of telephony."
5 out of 6 starsComputer Buyer - Aug '05
"This thing is just about the greatest thing ever. It has everything—it’s a mixture of irony, goofiness, stupidity, and an incorrigible waste of good engineering skills. The Phobile Handset is an exact replica of an old-time rotary dial handset and connects with just about every possible phone manufacturer including Nokia and Motorola.
We especially like the high-tech “curly wurly” cable."Gizmodo - Aug '05
"This month I've found the silliest, most amusing item ever...I don't quite have the nerve to speak into my Phobile in public, but you might. These are new reproductions, by the way, so the speech quality isn't bad at all - and they run off the power from your phone."Financial Times - How to Spend It - Aug '05
"If you're one of those guys who's had his Bluetooth set surgically attached to his ear, take a step back, look at yourself in the mirror and go get one of these. People will realise you have got a sense of humour after all and maybe, just maybe, they'll like you again."Boys Toys - May '05
"Modern hands-free kits? Pah, they're for wimps. What you need is a good old-fashioned telephone receiver that you can hook up to your mobile."T3 - Apr '05
"The Phobile - a perfect solution to a non-existent problem - blends cutting-edge technology with a hint of your granny's front room circa 1962. It's a fully functioning, clunky handset of the kind people would use when calling Whitehall 1212 in back-and-white movies."Daily Telegraph - Apr '05
"Forget hands-free devices for your mobile phone and go retro with one of these bizarre..yet totally desirable Phobiles..Grab one before the word spreads, a real ice-breaker if ever we saw one."Zoo - Apr '05
"It is a very simple idea: an old phone handset is wired up to be used as a hands-free kit for a modern mobile phone. It actually works very well and the call quality is great..."Evening Standard - Mar '05
"This has to be one of the funniest things, ever! In fact, the phone is an exact replica of the Western Electric 500-series models - it's even got an old-style curly wurly cable. Just imagine people's faces when you whip this puppy out!"GadgetryBlog - Mar '05
"an old fashioned type handset for your state of the art mobile phone. Just imagine people's faces as you pull this out of your bag and say in your best ultra-loud Dom Joly type voice 'I'm on the phone'."Tech Digest - Mar '05
"...Phobile, a retro home phone-style adaptor designed to add a touch of fogeyism to your state of the art modern handset."ShinyShiny.tv - Mar '05
"Forget about hands-free kits, grab yourself one of these hands-full accessories and watch as people stare...The retro-revolution is taking place and no self-respecting fan of all gear from yesteryear should be without one of these totally impractical and idiotic items."Daily Star Sunday - Mar '05
Visitor Reviews...
Why haven't you made a version of this which looks like a banana yet?Caitlin, Nottingham - Nov '09
Firebox says: Good thinking Caitlin.. maybe one day
When I discovered the Phobile, it was love at first sight! Firebox delivered it amazingly fast - great service, thank you. Unfortunately there was a problem with the sound, so I had to return my Phobile :( I think I'll order a new one soon, though.Emilie, Denmark - Nov '06
Best buy I've made in ages. Not only is it wonderfully silly, it's also very usable - have YOU tried to cradle a modern mobile phone in your shoulder? It's nigh-on impossible. Not anymore! Works out of the box with the Handspring/Palm Treo 600 too. Only downside for me is the lack of an answer button.Wolf, Birmingham, UK - Sep '06
This is the coolest thing. I took it to work after I got it and everyone laughed but still liked it. I walked thru a park to talk to my coworkers outside while on the phone and they said tons of people were staring at me. Dan, Pittsburgh, PA USA - Aug '06
Have just walked through a busy shopping centre using this having go it this morning. What a gadget!!! People were howling with laughter and everyone asked where I got it. Expect lots of orders. Best thing I've bought in ages!!Tom, Oxford - May '05
What a quality gadget. It's been sat on my desk connected to my phone all day and everyone that's walked past has doubled back to enquire what it is. A perfect companion to my Sony Ericsson V800 with it's old school telephone style ringtone. Can't wait for the train journey home tonightJoe Chapman, Upminster - Apr '05
Could this be any better? Walking down the street and your phone rings... What do you do apart from pull out and old chunky monkey from the past! Complete with 'curly wirly cable'. Absolutely love it, everyone should have one.Dan, Portsmouth - Apr '05
Who needs a hands free kit when you can have a hands full kit? Ands mobiles just don't allow you to wrap the cord seductively round your finger....Gail, Surrey - Mar '05
How do you pick up? Is there a button to press on the handset itself or you have to pickup via the phone??
tvoung, London - Mar '05
Firebox says: This depends on how your phone works with handsfree kits in general - many have a setting to "auto pickup" in a given number of seconds.
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Please note:
Phobile is now supplied with 6 adapters. For a full list of phones covered click here.