Transparent technology, which prominently featured in personal gadgets during the late 1990s and early 2000s, is experiencing a resurgence.
Historical Context
This design trend was notably seen in products like Apple's 1998 iMac G3 and Nintendo's Game Boy Color. It emerged after an era of less visually appealing, often beige, technology. The transparent aesthetic allowed users to see internal components such as buttons, switches, and ribbon cables, symbolizing an open and honest design.
Reasons for Resurgence
The return of transparent gadgets is attributed to a desire for tangibility and nostalgia in an era where modern technology often involves invisible components (microchips) and cloud-based processing. The aesthetic aims to ground current nebulous technology in more physical features.
Modern Examples
Nothing
The British tech firm Nothing utilizes transparent panels in its smartphones and earbuds for aesthetic purposes, showcasing internal screws and circuit traces.
Audio Devices
Beats and Sony have released see-through earbuds. Audio Technica introduced a transparent turntable.
Home Robotics
DJI launched a robot vacuum cleaner with a transparent unit and dock.
PC Peripherals
Razer updated five of its popular gadgets, including a mouse and keyboard, with transparent casings that highlight colorful internal lighting. Charlie Bolton, Razer's global head of design, noted the complexity involved in achieving a high-quality transparent look, citing challenges with materials and maintaining visual appeal.
Impact on Gaming
The transparency trend is particularly strong in the video game sector, where it helps products evoke a retro or boutique feel, offering a contrast to modern digital experiences. Recreations of classic systems like the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 are available with transparent finishes. Enthusiasts are also adopting this look, with some modders creating transparent circuit boards. The new Commodore 64 Ultimate, a recreation of the classic computer, offers a fully transparent option, integrating LEDs.
The underlying principle for this trend is often linked to trust, as consumers desire visibility into their devices.