Duo-Man Turns Apple’s Foldable Into a Nostalgic Music Player

The project debuted at the Bitrig hackathon, where it secured second place. The interface leverages the iPhone Duo’s dual-screen design: users open the 7.6-inch display to "insert" a virtual cassette tape, then snap the device shut to initiate playback on the 5.4-inch outer screen. Bhargava, a long-time enthusiast of analog audio, recorded actual static and mechanical sounds from his personal collection to ensure the software felt grounded in physical reality.

Following a viral reception on X with over 1.8 million views, the developer confirmed plans to release the project as a functional app. Future updates will include support for Apple Music and local files, alongside a unique feature allowing users to manipulate the cassette reels using an Apple Pencil. While the app leans into the current cultural obsession with retro technology—from flip phones to CDs—it also demonstrates the creative potential of Apple’s foldable hardware. Bhargava, who previously developed the LookUp dictionary app, is currently exploring further integrations like Spotify support to round out the experience.