The relentless pace of change in the mobile technology industry leaves many with the consumer equivalent of the nausea-inducing downhill chute on a rollercoaster ride, and the May 2017 mobile trends show that companies have taken note. Instead of ceaselessly pushing forward, tech producers are opting to revert to more retro technological devices — while still adding a touch of contemporary convenience.
Throughout the history of phones, there have been several iterations. For decades, one's only access to a personal phone was through the use of a home landline. The Invoxia NVX 200 brings modern smartphone users back to that generation of phones with a dock that charges one's smartphone while doubling as a handset and teleconferencer. The LBER KR999 goes even further in the retro direction, with a shape that's indistinguishable from the very earliest cell phone models despite its smart capabilities.
Top 50 Mobile Trends in May
50
Upscale Smartwatch Collections
The Movado Connect Smartwatch is Designed for Android Wear 2.0
49
Slim Solar Smartphone Cases
The 'Synthetic' Solar iPhone Case Enables Eco-Friendly Charging
48
Anti-Distraction Smartphone Docks
The 'RiVE' Dock Scales Down Devices to Help You Drive Safer
47
Landline Smartphone Speaker Docks
The Invoxia NVX 200 Charges Devices and Enables Teleconferencing
46
Modernized Retro Cellphones
The LBER KR999 Brick Cell Phone Works with Most GSM Carriers
45
Dedicated Documentation Cameras
The Nokia 'Twist' Media Camera Captures 15 Second Bursts
44
Reclaimed Wood Smartphone Cases
'Kerf Cases' Creates Device Cases in Pittsburgh from Solid Wood
43
Card-Sized Wallet Trackers
The KiwiCard is an Ultra-Thin, Waterproof Bluetooth Tracking Device
42
Shifting Angle Smartphone Lenses
The 'ShiftLens' Smartphone Photo Lens Adjusts Device Capabilities
41
Dedicated Smartphone Storage Cradles
The 'nuk' Phone Caddy Offers a Space to Keep Your Device
40
UV Light Phone Cleaners
This Conceptual Phone Sterilizer Can Clean a Smartphone Effectively
39
Anti-Technology Smartphone Apps
The 'Forest' App Plants a Garden That Flourishes Without You
38
Digital 3D Smartphone Microphones
The 'Lolly' Smartphone 3D Mic Upgrades Capabilities Instantly
37
Dual-Device Smart Docks
The Gravitas Apple Dock Accommodates the iPhone and the iPad
36
Retro Computer Smartphone Stands
The Elago M4 Stand for iPhones Turns Them into Mini Retro PCs
35
Promotional V8 Ringtones
Ford's 2018 Mustang GT Ringtone Shows Off the Muscle Car's New Features
34
Interchangeable Battery Smartphone Cases
The 'CoBattery' iPhone Charging Case Kit is Convenient
33
Anti-Radiation Smartphone Cases
The SafeSleeve Smartphone Cases Block Radiation and Deter Damage
32
Unbanked Mobile Credit Cards
The 'boon' App Allows French Consumers to Use Credit Without a Bank
31
Smartphone Photo Drives
The 'Fotofami' Photo Storage Device Backs Up Your Camera Roll
30
Shifting Smartphone Charging Docks
The 'Lecan I/O' iPhone Aluminum Dock Deters Damage
29
Ornately Mirrored Phone Cases
This Magic Mirror Phone Case Reminds of Beauty and the Beast
28
Snarky Fitness Trackers
The Walk Against Humanity App Taunts You into Reaching Your Goals
27
Emoji Language Courses
This App for Learning Language Teased an Emoji Course for April Fool's Day
26
Smartphone Pocket Locks
C-Safe's Anti-theft Product Helps Phone Users Effectively Prevent Theft
25
Dual-Streaming Smartphones
The Samsung Galaxy S8 can Stream Dual Bluetooth Audio
24
Digital Payment Messaging Apps
This WhatsApp Update Will Allow Users to Sell and Buy Goods
23
Device-Charging Alarm Clocks
The Sandman Clock Alarms Enable Device Charging While You Snooze
22
Customizable Smart Buttons
The 'TAG' Bluetooth Tracking Button is a Smartphone User's Best Friend
21
Voice Recognition Safety Apps
The 'SecretlySafe' App Offers Emergency Safety When Danger Strikes
20
ATM-Replacing Apps
soCash is a Start-Up That Aims to Make ATM Machines Obsolete
19
Musical Heartbeat Websites
The 'Russ Per Minute' Site Matches a Russ Song to a User's Heartbeat
18
Cartoon Subscription Services
Boomerang TV is Now Available as a $5 Monthly Streaming Service
17
Hands-Free Filming Wearables
Thanko's 'Smaneck' is a Hands-Free Phone Holder for Filming
16
Social AR Geolocation Apps
The 'Grifidi' Social Experience App Creates Location-Based Socializing
15
Single-Use Smartphone Chargers
'Powrtabs' Smartphone Battery Chargers Offer Four Hours of Power
14
Text Message-Scheduling Apps
The Scheduled App Sends Stores Text Drafts and Sends Reminders
13
Smartphone-Shaped Landscape Frames
This Phone Advertisement Shows the Galaxy S8's Large Screen
12
Desktop Smartphone Connector Docks
The Samsung 'DeX' Smartphone Desktop Unit Extends Usage
11
Runner Training Smartwatches
The Polar M430 Run Watch Offers Actionable Guidance During Use
10
Social Sandwich Payment Options
Subway Can Now Be Purchased with Mastercard's Masterpass
9
Multipurpose Phone Cases
Protean Turns iPhones Into a Pro Camera, GPS, Wall Speaker or a TV
8
Contextless Video Apps
'Yo Stories' Shares Video from Friends Without Additional Details
7
DIY Selfie Lights
Adafruit's 3D Printed Project Helps to Enhance One's Phone Photography
6
App Tester Platforms
'Taskers' Finds the Ideal Users for App Testing
5
Digital Dating Snapshots
The Lively App Introduced 'Quickies,' or the Snapchat of Dating
4
Vintage Communication Apps
Teletype for iMessage Lets You Send Virtual Telegrams
3
Video-Steadying App Features
The Google Photos Stabilize Function Smooths Out Videos
2
Data-Saving Social Apps
'Twitter Lite' Offers Optimized Features for Mobile Users
1
Card Payment Management Apps
'WalletFi' Shifts Subscriptions When You Get a Replacement Card
Related Ideas
Vehicle Security Trackers
The 'Mankiw' Car GPS Tracker Offers Real-Time Tracking for Drivers
Seamless eSignature Services
'eversign' Eliminates the Need for Paper Contracts (SPONSORED)
Stylish Anti-Theft Knapsacks
The 'ClickPack Pro' Water-Resistant Backpack Keeps Belongings Safe
Atypical Architectual Stools
The 'ARTU' Stool Seat is Crafted Using Both Wood and Metal
Experiential Tech Stores
Toronto Will Become the Home of the Next Samsung Experience Store
Multifunctional Cooking Appliances
The All-Clad Prep & Cook Food Cooking Appliance Does it All
Slim Solar Smartphone Cases
The 'Synthetic' Solar iPhone Case Enables Eco-Friendly Charging
Raw Baby Food Subscriptions
Raised Real Delivers Baby-Friendly Packets of Raw Meat and Veggies
Programmable Wooden Stools
The Swish Stool Can Be Adjusted into Predetermined Shapes
Quick Access Card Wallets
The 'Fantom' Slim Case Wallet Stores Cards, Cash, Coins and More
Device-Charging Wallets
The Lucca Bozzi 'Solar Wallet' is a Men's Bifold Wallet with Tech Features
Stationary Laptop Docks
The Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Laptop Dock Stations Expand Capabilities
Chromatic Springtime Smartwatch Straps
The Apple Watch Spring 2017 Interchangeable Bands are Chic
Selfie GIF Creators
The Giphy Says App Instantly Turns Your Voice and Face into a GIF
Multipurpose Smartphone Charging Stations
The 'JUICED' Charing Station Offers a Dock and Batteries
Trackable Everyday Backpacks
The Knomo #LiveFree Backpack Offers Style and Technology
Card-Sized Wallet Trackers
The KiwiCard is an Ultra-Thin, Waterproof Bluetooth Tracking Device
Connected Heartbeat Crystals
The 'momenzz' Crystal Ornament Displays Digital Heartbeats
Inexpensive Activity Trackers
The Misfit 'Flare' Wrist Fitness Tracker Tracks Workouts and More
Aerospace-Engineered Smartphone Cases
The Vihoo Phone Ring Offers Slim, Contoured Protection
Informative Wireless Charging Docks
The 'Reflexbox' Features a Built-in Display
At-Home Espresso Subscriptions
This Service Helps to Perfect the Art of Making Espresso at Home
Disney Tea Collections
Twinings Launched a Herbal Tea Collection Inspired by Beauty and the Beast
Alternately Angled Apartment Balconies
AVA Building Features an Angular Facade
Fantasy-Themed Cruise Stops
Adventures by Disney Now Has a Beauty and the Beast Themed Offer
Storage-Embedded Dining Tables
The Miro Dining Table has a Crevasse for Storing Tableware
Holistic Athlete Smartwatches
The Garmin Forerunner 935 Fitness Smartwatch is Comprehensive
Fairy Tale Cosmetic Boxes
L'Oreal is Releasing a Collection of Beauty and the Beast Makeup
Coffee-Flavored Creamers
The Newest COFFEE-MATE Creamer Boasts a Rich Coffee Flavor
Sleep-Inducing Wearables
The Thync Relax Pro Uses Electrical Pulses to Help Wearers Fall Asleep
Counterbalanced Bookshelves
The 'ODDLY' Table Bookshelf Uses a Wooden Ball to Keep Books in Place
Ultra-Precise Monitoring Smartwatches
The LEMFO Smartwatch Heart Rate Monitor is Thin and Light
Dual-Use Analog Smartwatches
The 'ZeTime' Wrist Watch Timepiece Features Physical Hands
Biometric Credit Cards
Mastercard is Trialing a Thumbprint Credit Card for Added Security
Digital 3D Smartphone Microphones
The 'Lolly' Smartphone 3D Mic Upgrades Capabilities Instantly
Dual-Device Smart Docks
The Gravitas Apple Dock Accommodates the iPhone and the iPad
Modular Gaming Devices
The 'Potan' Handheld Entertainment Device Has Interchangeable Components
Affordable Video-Recording Doorbells
Dbell HD Live Offers Added Home Security
Immersive Real Estate Platforms
Realtor.com's 3D Virtual Tours Spotlight a Variety of Residences
Powerfully Optimized PC Drives
The Western Digital Portable Solid State Drive is Fast and Durable
Sentimental Disney Proposals
This Beauty and the Beast Proposal Took Place at a Rustic Library
Solar Backup Battery Timepieces
The 'Uvolt' Solar Watch Tells the Time and Charges Devices
Comprehensive Travel Wallets
The Magellan Leather Travel Wallet Has Ample Space for Essentials
Interchangeable Battery Smartphone Cases
The 'CoBattery' iPhone Charging Case Kit is Convenient
Relaxation Sleep Aid Vapes
The NutroVape Inhalable Sleep Aids are a Soothing Way to Get to Bed
Mini Basic Use PCs
The Dell Wyse 3040 Thin Client Mini PC is Compact and Robust
Unbanked Mobile Credit Cards
The 'boon' App Allows French Consumers to Use Credit Without a Bank
Transforming Steam-Powered Cleaners
The Multipurpose Steam Mops Kill 99.99% of Bacteria
Smartphone Photo Drives
The 'Fotofami' Photo Storage Device Backs Up Your Camera Roll
Parent-Mimicking Incubators
The 'Magnolia' Baby Incubator Keeps Infants Warm and Comforted
Shifting Smartphone Charging Docks
The 'Lecan I/O' iPhone Aluminum Dock Deters Damage
Edgeless Smartphone Concepts
The Apple iPhone X Concept Celebrate Ten Years of the Smartphone
Removable Battery Charging Stations
The 'PRSRV' Power Bank Offers a Versatile Solution to Charge
Ornately Mirrored Phone Cases
This Magic Mirror Phone Case Reminds of Beauty and the Beast
Anti-Fatigue E-Paper Tablets
The Sony 'Digital Paper' Tablet is Ideal for Extended Use Periods
Under-the-Bed Vault Safes
The 'Monster Vault' Stores Jewelry, Cash and More in Unused Space
Collectible Fantasy Decor
Disney and HSN Teamed Up to Sell Beauty and the Beast Merchandise
Collectible Beast Toys
Build-a-Bear is Offering a Cuddly Version of Disney's Beloved Beast
Snarky Fitness Trackers
The Walk Against Humanity App Taunts You into Reaching Your Goals
User-Scoring Dating Apps
The 'EVE' Mobile Dating App Rewards Male Users for Being Genuine
Creating Connected Experiences
Nancy Hutson, Corporate VP of Events & Entertainment at SeaWorld
Senior Health Trackers
The 'EMtracker' Tracker for Seniors Monitors Stress and More
Voice Control Smartphone Accessories
The 'Pinn' Smartphone Hands-Free Device Enhances Functions
Animated Video Editing Apps
Apple Clips Offers Fun Ways to Enhance Videos for Sharing with Friends
Essential Oil Tooth Powders
Frau Fowler Makes Oral Health Tooth Powders in Unique Flavors
Diving Deep in Innovation
Ciara Dilley, Senior Director of Global Snacks Innovation at PepsiCo
Mobile ATM Withdrawls
Wells Fargo Will Soon Be Rolling Out NFC-Enabled ATM Machines
Smartphone Pocket Locks
C-Safe's Anti-theft Product Helps Phone Users Effectively Prevent Theft
Holistic Body Cycling Sensors
The LEOMO 'TYPE-R' Cycling Training Coach is Comprehensive
Virtual Reality Cafes
'Vrei' is a Hub for Trying Out Virtual Reality Technology and Games
Speed-Checking Chatbots
The Infiniti Q60 SpeedBot Instantly Finds Almost Any Car's 0-60 Time
Analytical Social Subscriptions
Twitter is Developing a Premium 'TweetDeck' for Professionals
Steamy Social Media Apps
Pornhub's Trickpics is Branded as "Snapchat for Nudes"
Dual-Streaming Smartphones
The Samsung Galaxy S8 can Stream Dual Bluetooth Audio
Virtual To-Do Apps
Microsoft To-Do Helps Set Reminders and Track Simple Goals
Powerful PC Gaming Consoles
The MSI Trident 3 Arctic Gaming PC Console is Laptop-Sized
Global Coffee Clubs
Monthly, Atlas Coffee Club Shares Coffee from Around the World with Members
Gamified Dating Apps
The Splish Dating App Makes Users Complete Quizzes to Get Matches
Music-Streaming Rewards Apps
The Sonotize App Gives Out Gift Cards to Listeners of Spotify Premium
Fantasy Princess Fragrances
'Belle by Worth' is a Scent for Women Inspired by a Beloved Character
Airport-Analyzing Information Apps
The 'Ment' Status App Informs Flyers of Wait Times and More
Baby Food Subscriptions
Little Spoon is Now Offering Baby Food Delivery for Its Freshly Made Meals
Secure Mobile Wallets
BNP Paribas' Wa! Mobile Wallet is Piloting at Carrefour Stores Across France
Single-Use Smartphone Chargers
'Powrtabs' Smartphone Battery Chargers Offer Four Hours of Power
Fasting Tracker Apps
The Zero App Aims to Help People Fast to Enhance Their Productivity
Desktop Smartphone Connector Docks
The Samsung 'DeX' Smartphone Desktop Unit Extends Usage
Expansive Alcohol Delivery Apps
'Minibar Delivery' Enables You to Order Alcohol for Quick Delivery
Last-Minute Recipe Apps
The Eathow App Helps You Make Meals Out of Whatever Food is Available
Athletic Health Apps
Adidas' 'ALL DAY' Provides Daily Challenges for Mind and Body Health
Runner Training Smartwatches
The Polar M430 Run Watch Offers Actionable Guidance During Use
Real-Life TV Chicken Shops
A Los Pollos Hermanos Pop-up is Heading to L.A. and New York
Social P2P Payment Apps
France's Pumpkin Mobile Platform Allows for Convenient Payment Sharing
Pet Console Pranks
For April Fool's Day, Amazon Introduced 'Petlexa' for the Echo
Speedy Celebrity Workouts
This Kendall Jenner Workout Only Takes 11 Minutes to Complete at Home
Expansive Usage-Monitoring WiFi Systems
The Amped Wireless 'ALLY Plus' Covers Large Areas
Introductory Menstruation Kits
LOLA's First-Time Kit Includes Organic Starter Period Products
Adjustable Configuration Speakers
The 'TransSpeaker' Speaker Column Adjusts to Suit Needs
Detailed Car Listing Apps
The Carousell Motors App Offers In-Depth Car Listings in Singapore
Secure Home Parcel Lockers
The 'Postello' Safe Locker is for Receiving and Sending Parcels
Mobile Mall Wallets
Samsung Pay Members Can Now Use the Mobile Payment Card App for Online Malls
Augmented Reality Table Lamps
Lampix will Change the Way Users Work and Play
POC Reading Apps
'We Read Too' Connects People to Books with Characters of Color
Communal Video-Watching Apps
The Cabana App Lets Users Watch YouTube With Friends Virtually
Wholesale Price Car Apps
Vinny Allows Consumers to View the Wholesale Pricing of the Car They Want
Burger-Flavored Toothpastes
Burger King's Fun Toothpaste Flavor Mimics the Taste of the Whopper
Live Smartwatch Billboards
This Living Poster for the Samsung Gear S3 Depicts a Live Feed
Pre-Scripted Prank Apps
Ownage Pranks' App Features Characters That Voice Automated Crank Calls
Click-Friendly Romance Apps
Tinder Online Brings Swipe-Based Dating to Desktop Computers
Charitable Coffee Subscription Services
Javabox Coffee Club is Both Affordable and High Quality
Coffee Paraphernalia Subscriptions
Citizen Bean Offers to Expand One's Collection of Coffee Goods
Action Cam Storage Cards
The Team Group 'Go Cards' MicroSD Memory Cards are Speedy
Categorical Social Updates
The New Instagram Update Will Allow Users to Sort Their Saved Posts