# Cassette-Inspired Hard Drives The Freecom Mobile Drive CLS is a Retro Throwback By Meghan Young | Published 2010-08-15 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freecom-mobile-drive-cls References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5610374/freecom-cls-external-drives-an-homage-to-obsolete-storage) & [freecom](http://www.freecom.com/ecProduct_detail.asp?OID=15746&ID=4212&catID=8020&sCatID=1146438&ssCatID=1150021) [Retro throwbacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vintageinspired-technology-tech-brand-kickbacks-discman-is-nostalgic) never ever get old, even in the ever-evolving technological world, as the Freecom Mobile Drive CLS proves. Inspired by [vintage cassette tapes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maxell-mxcpp100), it brings back a sense of nostalgia, when tech was simpler and, perhaps, more cumbersome. The German-made, Belgian-designed Freecom Mobile Drive CLS is simple and durable, with labels that encourage handwritten organization, something that is also slowly dying. Sold for $20, the [hard drive](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-skeleton-hard-disk) is both convenient and, let's face it, cute. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 9% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/computers) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Retro-inspired Tech:** Opportunity for creating innovative technology products with a nostalgic design aesthetic, appealing to consumers' love for retro throwbacks. - **Handwritten Organization:** A chance to develop products or services that facilitate handwritten organization in the digital age, catering to consumers who long for a simpler, more tactile way to stay organized. - **Affordable Convenience:** Market potential for affordable yet convenient tech gadgets that offer practical functionality without breaking the bank. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Technology:** Integrating retro-inspired designs into various tech products, such as hard drives, smartphones, and portable speakers. - **Stationery:** Developing stationery products that combine analog and digital elements, providing users with the convenience of digital technology while preserving the charm of handwritten organization. - **Consumer Electronics:** Creating a range of budget-friendly consumer electronic devices that offer practicality and appeal to a broad range of consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Charming Retro Storage](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/floppy-disk-inspired-sd-card.md) - [Nostalgic Retro Music Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-mixtape-kit.md) - [Future-Facing External Storage Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lacie-mobile-drive.md) - [Cassette-Inspired Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-audio-player.md) - [Desk-Mounted Hard Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hard-drive-concept.md) - [Nostalgic Audio Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cassetteone.md) - [Compact Cassette-Inspired Music Players](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowsky-retro.md) - [Retro Cassette-Themed DACs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowsky-retro-nano.md) - [Playful External Hard-Disk Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargo-hard-drive.md)