'Shargeek,' a design-focused consumer electronics company, launched the 'Retro 35 GaN Charger.' This charger resembles a retro Macintosh computer from Apple. The charger is a small beige block with a CD drive slot, airflow vents, and a smiling face on a small green sheet that resembles a computer screen. The screen is illuminated with several LED lights for visibility.
The Retro 35 GaN Charger delivers 35-watts of power through its USB-C port. This means the device can not only charge mobile phones with ease, but it is also capable of charging devices as power-hungry as laptops. Shargeek is currently crowdfunding for its Retro 35 GaN Charger in order to bring it to the mass market. One pledge costs $25 USD to secure a charger, while the device will retail for $49 USD at launch.
Image Credit: Shargeek
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Retro-inspired Tech Accessories
- There is a trend in creating tech accessories that resemble retro technology like the Retro 35 GaN Charger, offering disruptive innovation opportunities in the design and production of these products
- Multi-functional Chargers
- Chargers like the Retro 35 GaN Charger delivering 35-watts of power through its USB-C port that can charge not just mobile phones but laptops, are becoming increasingly popular, opening up opportunities for multi-functional charger designs
- Crowdfunding Consumer Electronics
- More and more consumer electronics companies are starting their manufacturing process through crowdfunding sites, like Shargeek with the Retro 35 GaN Charger, paving the way for more innovation and access to funding for companies who may not otherwise get traditional funding
Where This Applies
- Consumer Electronics
- Companies in the consumer electronics industry can create retro-inspired tech accessories, like the Retro 35 GaN Charger, to provide consumers with new and stylish products while offering additional functionalities that increase the charger's value
- Design
- The trend in creating retro-inspired designs in tech accessories provides opportunities for designers to come up with new designs that appeal to consumers and that are a departure from what is currently on the market
- Crowdfunding
- Companies in the crowdfunding industry can serve as an alternative source of funding for startups and emerging businesses like Shargeek, creating more opportunities for innovation and market disruption in the tech industry
