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Toys we wish did more: Star Trek Classic Communicator
The Star Trek Classic Communicator is finally out and, while it's undeniably awesome, we can't help but feel it falls a little short of the mark. Here's what it does do: it's got 20 sound effects from the TV show including noises and voice clips from the original series, working lights when you flip open the metal faceplate and a "Hailing Function," which simulates a non-interactive call from the Enterprise. It looks just right and would make a fantastic prop or toy for any Trekkie.
What it doesn't do? Act as a communicator. Simple two-way communication would have really sealed the deal on this one. Hopefully you're not wearing a red shirt while you're using it, because your away team is going nowhere.
The Star Trek Classic Communicator costs $30, though you could just wait for currency to be abolished under the formation of the United Federation of Planets in 2161 and replicate one.
Via Think Geek
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By tlhintoq at 3:06 AM ON 03/13/08
"Finaly out"? I have one of these that is at least 10 years old that made the 'chirp' on open, press left button to record a sound, right button to play the sound, open the moire in the middle for the clock and open the entire middle for the hidden calculator. We used to gut them and put walkie-talkies inside.
By fcw3 at 10:53 AM ON 03/13/08
Please, for the love of all that is geekdom, someone tell me why no cell phone company has created a Star Trek cell phone.
Make it voice dialing capable.
Make it whistle when a call comes in.
Make it have direct, 2-way connect.
Make all of the standard buttons under an interior overlay.
And when it starts to wane in popularity, add a camera, cell-based and wi-fi internet access and a little video screen and call it a tri-corder.
By HalRappaport at 12:23 PM ON 03/13/08
I would love to see this as a Bluetooth device!!
By HalRappaport at 12:25 PM ON 03/13/08
I would like to see this as a Bluetooth device!!
By Lantesh at 1:31 PM ON 03/13/08
I also have the one that tlhintoq mentioned. I may have to pick this one up too. I also agree with fcw3. Will some company please make this into a cell phone. My inner geek wants one very badly.
By CAPTDerek at 4:53 PM ON 03/13/08
Lets see...I would love one of these things with a real cell phone built in too. CBS/Paramount would unfortunately want so much to license this gizmo, that it would cost $500 and the maker would still lose money.
By long lost admiral at 6:01 PM ON 03/13/08
Someone was supposedly about to put a communicator cell phone on the market a couple years ago. I believe the company was called "Soma". Even though the case was very much in the style of the TOS communicator, the display was very TNG. The prototype or mock-up looked pretty cool. Don't know what ever happened to it.
By taxman at 11:54 AM ON 03/17/08
The company was SONA and they cancelled the project after they failed to get any "investors" to give them $ up front to put out the phone. In short, it was a pipe dream where they needed to use someone else's money. I do not believe they were very serious as they never returned any e-mails and never answered their phones and moved a few times.