Braun Calculator

Sometimes it’s not about doing the different but its about doing the similar only looking and functioning better.

I recently received a birthday gift from a very old friend, a Limited Edition white Braun Calculator. My pal has particularly good taste – obviously other than his clearly suspect taste in friends – and I know that he has championed, amongst other products, these perfect, stylish and durable calculators for years.

A little like the argument about why do you need a camera or a calculator when you have an IPhone? Surely they cover the same bases. Yes but no. Admittedly, you may need more than pockets or even a brief case to carry your choice of camera, calculator, Filofax – which, mark my words is about to see a resurgence supported by ‘back to basics’ and ‘digital detoxing’ Millennials – wallet, alarm clock and phone but there is something fun and creative in developing your portfolio of preferred items and relishing their use for their specialized task.

You are probably saying, Braun, don’t they make shavers, depilatory trimmers and hairstyling tools – and you’d be right. Originally, only available in black the iconic ET44 and ET66 Braun Calculator (the latter has an additional and very useful slide on protective cover) were collaboratively designed by Dietrich Lubs and Dieter Rams in 1977 and 1987, respectively.

Dieter Rams, joined Braun in 1955, a German business originally founded by Engineer, Max Braun, who made radio sets in Frankfurt in 1921, and it comprises a beautiful and practical example of Rams’ lean design philosophy “weniger, aber besser” – literally “less, but better”. It is said that early Apple designers – Rams is known to have been a huge influence on Apple’s chief designer, Jonathan Ives – were so influenced by the look of the ET44 that the original IPhone calculator app, down to the yellow “equals” button, and the early incarnations of the IPod bore striking resemblances to the Lubs/Rams designs, including the ET44.

The ET44 and ET66 are not Rams and Lubs’ only iconic collaboration for Braun. From 1971, we also have the the charming and hugely tactile AB1A travel alarm clock, another exceptional example of function, great design and adherence to Rams’ simple design mantra. It’s almost a pleasure to wake up to its shrill chirrup!

If you’d like to add these beautiful, highly practical and iconic objects to your personal collection please click the AMAZON link below the image in the following gallery.

Braun Calculator – White

Braun Calculator – Black

Braun Classic Square Travel Alarm Clock BNC002WHWH – White

Braun Classic Square Travel Alarm Clock BNC002BK – Black

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Image credits – with grateful thanks – Braun AG and Zeon Ltd.

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Arctic Monkeys “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino”

Here’s my 10 cents on the recent release by these icons of British music.

The Arctic Monkeys are not the same band they were in 2006 with “Whatever People say I am….” but twelve years on their songwriting and musicianship have matured, wonderfully.

“Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” is varied, complex and above all box-fresh.

I suspect the intention may be for it to be seen as a concept album – and here an ace is scored. It is also aimed at dissuading the purchase of single tracks – the scourge of the album market – and arguably disrespectful to an artist’s creative intentions.

As a piece of standalone mastery, it is a class all its own. That said stand-out tracks for me include the title track, “Four Out Of Five”, the more classic AM “Science Fiction” and “The Ultracheese”. Alex’s delivery is as usual, Sheffield steel and the reverb is wonderful.

The homage to Bowie is well done and there are so many film soundtracks and sound beds for commerials their music publishers must be thrilled!

Great job lads, brilliantly executed.

STOP PRESS:

In case you thought I was alone in loving this new album, then you’d be wrong! The judging panel of influential Q Magazine have just announced that “Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino” has been given the accolade of “Album of the Year 2018”.

Read the report here from the Irish Independent Tranquility Base Album of the Year 2018 – Q Magazine

Do yourself a favour and get a copy for the car and/or the turntable by clicking the Amazon link below the image on the album’s cover.

Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino

In case you have not already heard the stunning debut album by the Arctic Monkeys from 2006 “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” – please click on the Amazon link below the image to secure a CD or vinyl.

Remember this album not only won the Mercury Prize it was also the fastest selling debut Album ever in the history of the UK Charts!

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

Image credits – with grateful thanks – Domino Recordings Limited

BOSE – Future Design Classics

The world of personal electronics is clearly one of the fastest moving. Trade shows like the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, conveniently in January each year, introduce the world to the eye opening developments that have taken a number of years of careful testing prior to bringing to market. The press will be flush with excitement as the market discovers those little boxes that are going to add massively to our lives.

In my search to bring you what may be regarded as “Future Design Classics”, I have scoured the trade shows of recent years seeking identify those aesthetic icons that may already be very popular but also I believe they will stand the test of time.

The first company whose products are, in my view, worthy of the accolade Future Design Classic are made by BOSE. A US corporation based in Framingham (Massachusetts) and was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G Bose (who died in July 2013). BOSE is perhaps best known for its home audio systems and speakers, noise cancelling headphones, professional audio systems and automobile sound systems.

BOSE’s QuietComfort 35 noise cancelling headphone are simply superb. Launched in 2016 they are available in silver or black and use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly. They are ultra comfortable and comprise a simple folding mechanism to be stored when not in use. Widely regarded as the “best of breed” noise cancelling headphones they will permit you to enjoy music or a film on a plane train or on a crowded street. They have the additional advantage of a power cord should the headphone battery run out mid-Atlantic allowing you to enjoy the remains of your film – but with less sound screening.

The SoundLink Mini is a loud speaker that smaller and lighter version of the successful SoundLink Mobile and was introduced in 2013. It weighs just 0.7 kg and includes a charging cradle as well as a power socket. The case is made of sandblasted aluminium. Reviewers and users have praised the excellent sound and build quality. SoundLink Mini uses Bluetooth to play audio from cell phones and other portable devices. Some excellent silicon and leather cases for this beautiful practical and portable mini speaker have been made available by BOSE and others in the market.

In August 2017, the SoundLink Mini II was superceded by the technically more advanced SoundLink Revolve, a conical shaped and aluminium clad mini-speaker, with patented sound delivery. Its sound is big and bold – far superior to the plethora of other Bluetooth mini-speakers on the market. Its real, “head and shoulders” superiority comes from its technology that allows it to be heard from all aspects as you move around the speaker.

If you would like own one of thses BOSE products that we believe will be Future Design Classics please click the following AMAZON links:

Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones – BlackBose SoundLink Revolve Bluetooth Speaker – Triple Black

Whilst we are told that stocks of the SoundLink Mini II can still be obtained we’d encourage you to check with your local suppliers – that’s just how good we feel these mini speakers are!

An interesting postscript: A majority of BOSE Corporation’s shares were gifted by Dr. Bose in 2013 to his alma mater MIT who are prohibited from selling their shares in BOSE and are unable to participate in the management and governance of the company.

If you liked this post please “Like” and share it with your friends. We’d really like to hear your experiences of the subject(s) featured in this post. Please share them below in the “Leave a Reply” section. Thanks

Photos by Bose

Bose Soundlink Mini 2

First Launched: 2013

History: Bose Corporation is a US corporation based in Framingham (Massachusetts) and was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G Bose (who died in July 2013). It’s understood that Bose received revenue for 2015 of US$3.5 billion^.

 Bose is perhaps best known for its home audio systems and speakers, noise cancelling headphones, professional audio systems and automobile sound systems.

The SoundLink Mini is a smaller and lighter version of the SoundLink Mobile and was introduced in 2013 at a US recommended price of $200. It weighs just 0.7 kg and includes a charging cradle as well as a power socket.

The case is made of sandblasted aluminium. Reviewers and users have praised the excellent sound and build quality. SoundLink Mini uses Bluetooth to play audio from cell phones and other portable devices.

A majority of Bose Corporation’s shares were gifted by Dr. Bose in 2013 to his alma mater MIT who are prohibited from selling their shares in Bose and are unable to participate in the management and governance of the company.

Photo by Bose