Although the whole steampunk current is not as popular nowadays as it was a while ago, from time to time, we come across certain devices whose external look and functionality has been modified by some eccentric (but, nevertheless, quite talented) modder in order to “transcend” the realm of consumer electronics and become actual works of art.

In fact, that's exactly the case with the latest creation from Steam Gear Lab, namely the Eye-Pod Victrola, an Apple iPod nano 1st generation mod that will surely change forever the way you envision your portable music player.

According to the modders who have developed it, the Eye-Pod was inspired directly by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, something that it's indeed visible from the photos. However, in spite of looking like something that has just popped out of someone's nightmare, the device is, apparently, fully functional, its developers mentioning the fact that it can be worn on the wrist via the leather cuff, or placed on its custom Victrola base.

Additionally, the device features a hidden USB cord that retracts from the base to either a wall charger or one's computer. Plus, the guys from Steam Gear Lab mention the fact that “there are hidden pressure plates that when touched send a strobing 'static charge' into the quartz crystals on either side of the magnified viewing portal” (the large, lens-like thingy installed where the iPod's display should have been located).

As for the music, it apparently goes out via the Victrola horn or through a portable personal hearing apparatus (most likely, a modded pair of headphones), which is still under development. For the time being, this thing has not been put up for sale, but it would really be interesting to see just how high the price of such a “monstrosity” would get.


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