IT'S OK Cassette Player: A Bluetooth-enabled tape recorder with a nostalgic feel

With the rise of digital streaming, traditional physical media such as vinyl and CDs are gradually fading from people's horizons. However, with the support of a group of retro enthusiasts, some manufacturers are actively promoting the development of new products. This article will introduce you to the IT'S OK cassette player from Nimm Lab in Hong Kong. It is worth mentioning that even though it uses traditional tape media, the machine still has the latest Bluetooth 5.0 function.

Forty years ago today, Sony launched the Walkman portable cassette player, which changed the way people around the world consume music. However, under the unstoppable trend of technological development, Walkman eventually embarked on the path of digitalization. At the same time, wired headphones are slowly being replaced by wireless Bluetooth. However, just like the "Renaissance" of vinyl records, there are still a group of loyal listeners of tape media in the market.

With this in mind, Nimm Lab decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign for the IT'S OK portable cassette player. You can plug in wired headphones as usual, or connect Bluetooth headphones or wireless speakers via a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter. Nimm Lab includes a 60-minute blank tape with each machine, and it has a built-in microphone so that users can record their thoughts anytime, anywhere. There are five large buttons on the top of the machine for playback/recording control. There is also a clip on the back for easy hanging on a belt or backpack shoulder strap. The machine is powered by two AA batteries and starts at HK$498 (about US$63).

If all goes well, it is expected to start shipping in December this year.