Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

S4 Honcho is a power-packed electric bike for city commutes and off-road excursions

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LiveWire, the electric-motorcycle arm of Harley‑Davidson, has unveiled its upcoming S4 Honcho mini moto as a striking departure from the usual large-format electric bikes. Designed to fit into urban commutes and light off-road excursions, the S4 Honcho is set to launch in spring 2026 in two versions: a street-legal “Street” model and an off-road “Trail” variant.

The idea behind the S4 Honcho is to make electric motorcycling more accessible. It is sized and rated to match a 125-cc equivalent class in Europe and the UK, while in the U.S., it aligns with the M license threshold. That means a lightweight profile, intuitive performance, and a swappable-battery platform. The design uses a tubular frame with the removable battery pack mounted beneath, and the electric motor driving the rear wheel via a chain.

Designer: LiveWire

Beyond the dimensions and licensing implications, the S4 Honcho stands out for its adaptability. The Street version is equipped with full lighting, indicators, road tires, and a TFT display. The Trail version omits street-legal lighting, features knobbly tires, extends suspension travel, and increases ground clearance for off-road use. Both models reportedly include a combined braking system (CBS) rather than a traditional foot-brake lever.

Performance details remain light, but LiveWire has indicated that the S4 Honcho delivers brisk acceleration from 0 to 30 mph in about 3 seconds, matching the company’s prior figures for its small-format prototype. While exact power, torque, or range figures are not yet confirmed, early reporting suggests it will occupy a different market niche than higher-powered models such as the LiveWire ONE.

The swappable battery architecture is concealed under the seat that lifts to allow double-cell battery removal, enabling quick swap or convenient charging. For riders in cities or exploring light trails, this translates into flexibility and minimal downtime.

From a design and brand angle, the S4 Honcho signals LiveWire’s push into a broader rider base dominated by young riders, urban dwellers, adventure-light commuters and those seeking an electric bike with attitude but manageable scale and licensing. The dual‐variant approach ensures the brand appeals to both paved riders and those willing to stray off-road.

In terms of timing and availability, official production is slated for spring 2026, with the public debut likely at the 2025 EICMA show. Pricing has not yet been confirmed. The electric bike’s compact, dual-variant credentials reimagine what an accessible e-motorcycle can be.  combining city-friendly sizing, off-road capability, swappable battery convenience, and the electric-first architecture of LiveWire’s heritage. For riders seeking flexibility, fun, and ease of entry into electric two-wheels, this model is worth keeping an eye on.

 

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Lexus LS Van Concept is a future-ready motorhome for digital nomads

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Lexus is retiring the LS sedan after 2026, marking more than three decades of trust and user convenience. The Japanese luxury brand has not, however, given up on the LS moniker as it debuts a trio of concepts at the Tokyo auto show that includes a six-wheeled van, a self-driving three-wheeled robotaxi concept for cities, a larger-than-life catamaran, and a more conventional coupe.

None of these concepts is slated for a production run anytime soon, and the idea here looks to preserve the legacy of the LS division, which has served the brand well all these years. Toyota’s luxury brand debuted these interesting creations at the mega auto show with positive response from automotive pundits and motorheads alike.

Designer: Lexus

LS Van Concept

Lexus sells vans in the Asian and European markets, but not yet in the American market. The LS Van Concept takes that idea to the next level with a design that reassures its usefulness for digital nomads. The LS here signifies the Large Space aesthetic of the van, complemented by the luxury amenities that’ll never leave anyone longing for more. The vehicle has six wheels courtesy of an extra axle, giving the van more room for increasing the interior space. That means the vehicle can easily accommodate four to six people on extended adventure trips. In the relaxed mode, the two front seats can be rotated to face the rear for a more socializing layout when parked.

Rather than being a four-door saloon, the van is stretched out to revive the charm of spacious vans. The sliding door opens to reveal the interior space that is unlike any Lexus before this one. The airy cabin has large windows and a couple of skylights that are adjacent to each other for a panoramic view outside and to enjoy the night sky in its full glory. The seating configuration inside can be done in multiple configurations, including the large captain-styled seats or the reclining bench layout that can double as a nighttime sleeper for an adult. Up front, the luxury van has a curved digital display behind the yoke steering, which shows all the vitals HUD elements.

LS Micro Concept

The LS Micro Concept is a single-seater, three-wheeled commuter tailored for tight spaces. To make the city travel a less stressful experience, the vehicle is self-driving and seems less likely to enter the production lines anytime in the future. The inside cabin can be opened up when there is more space freedom, but in the normal configuration, the vehicle seems quite claustrophobic.

It’s more like a moving pod that’s loaded with a business-class-seat layout, much like the other Lexus cars. Unlike the LS Van, this one has a very closed configuration, with blacked-out translucent windows that signify the privacy aesthetic of the car. The trike is more suited to individuals who like to move solo and prefer a private setup to not get disturbed by the bustle of the city.

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Polestar Kairos unifies space travel and daily commutes into one intriguing concept

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We all know that space is the next major frontier that remains to be conquered by humans, sparked by Elon’s ambitions to colonize Mars. Previously, NASA and now SpaceX are spearheading the dreams of space tourism and ultimately moving beyond planet Earth’s nurture. These developments have triggered inspiration for countless concept vehicles that envision what the future could be like.

This future-forward concept overshadows most of them with its unique idea of connecting Earth and space travel without all the strings attached. The idea is to make a seamless transition from driving on the highways to traveling beyond the stratosphere within just a few hours. Meet the Polestar Kairos, a hypertravel vehicle that comes with a normal driving mode and a space transfer mode to dock with a spacecraft that’s destined for space.

Designer: Kim Ye-rin

The front section of the hypercar, made out of reinforced lightweight material, is stronger than the fuselage of an airplane for structural integrity. Transition from the car mode to the docked spacecraft version is seamless, indicating how we could travel in space in the coming decades. Sure, it sounds like science fiction, but we are talking of a time ten years down the line when traveling to Mars would be a usual affair. This concept is based on the Polestar’s DNA and design physics, thereby explaining the industrial look.

The compatible spacecraft will be capable of docking two Kairos hypercars, transporting them to the other habitable planet in the solar system. When docked with the spacecraft, the hypercar unit transforms into an ultra-low temperature sleep chamber. This chamber is loaded with amenities for life maintenance during extended space trips. Since space travel can have a toll on mental and physical conditioning, the module is equipped to handle that too. The spacecraft will essentially be a carrier for people who want their loved ride to stay with them even beyond the limits of Earth.

From a pure four-wheeler perspective, the Kairos concept arrives at a time when Polestar is sharpening its focus on electric mobility and design-led sustainability. While the brand’s recent concepts, such as the Precept, have already charted its future direction, Kairos brings new aesthetic and experiential ideas to the table, melding dynamic proportions, refined materials. The Hypercar is low, wide, and sculpted, with crisp surfaces that emphasize tension and purity. The roofline sweeps seamlessly into the rear haunches, giving the car an almost coupe-gravity despite a potentially four-door or high-performance nature. The front face carries Polestar’s signature front “Thor’s Hammer” lighting graphic while a stubby profile reinforces a performance posture.

Inside, the Kairos concept highlights the brand’s commitment to premium yet sustainable materials. Natural-fiber composites, recycled textiles, and minimalist interfaces dominate. The cabin layout puts the driver firmly in command: clean surfaces, clear lines, and a restrained palette convey calm focus rather than techno-clutter. The floating center console, integrated display architecture, and expansive glazing underline a sense of openness and precision.

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Hublot celebrates tennis legend Novak Djokovic with Big Bang Unico made from his racquets and polos

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There are two interesting facts about the tennis GOAT: Novak Djokovic. He is one of the only five players in the history of the game to win all four grand slams and the Olympic gold medal in singles event. And that he is the brand ambassador of the watchmaking legacy at Hublot. The horologist has been on the wrist with the achievements of the 24-time grand slam winner Djokovic since they served the partnership ace in 2021.

Hublot is now substantiating its commitment toward the Serbian legend and honoring his achievements – including the Golden slam and Olympic medal at the gaming extravaganza in Paris – with the launch of Big Bang Unico Noval Djokovic. The watch inspired by Djokovic’s record-breaking achievements is Hublot’s attribute to the tennis great’s agility on the court and its inclination toward sustainable innovations in watchmaking.

Designer: Hublot

To that accord, the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic has been made from parts of his actual rackets and on-court kits. The 42mm case Hublot with Djokovic’s name, measures 14.5mm at the thickest point, and features an epoxy resin base with quartz powder reinforcement. It has been fused with the recycled fragments of 25 HEAD racquets and 32 Lacoste polos (17 dark blue and 15 light blue) that Djokovic used in the 2023 season to complete the matte blue recycled composite case and bezel of the watch.

The skeletonized dial of the watch, with yellow seconds pusher and bezel screws curved to mimic a ball, makes clever references to tennis. It rests under a tempered Gorilla glass that replaces the sapphire glass from the previous Big Bang’s. The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic has been created lighter than a tennis ball at just 49.5g and is powered by a PVD-finished in-house self-winding Unico manufacture chronograph movement offering up to 72 hours of power reserve.

While Djokovic fans would do anything to get this piece of historic relevance on their wrist, not all would have the pleasure of it. Hublot strictly limits production of the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic to 100 examples at AUD78,700 (approximately $51,000) each. If you happen to chance upon one, you will have the option to take it home on one of the four straps: elastic sweatband, Velcro strap, white rubber strap, and a Lacoste strap.

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Microsoft 365 Link mini PC streams Windows 11 from the cloud in a secure ecosystem

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Let’s be honest Windows 11 is not perfect, evolving at an agonizingly slow pace. This has pushed many power users down the Apple alley. The recently launched Mac Mini has a lot going in its favor, further creating a deep divide between the Microsoft and Apple options.

As a last-ditch effort to save the glitchy Windows 11 OS and very less options to choose from that bind the hardware and software for a seamless experience, Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Link mini PC strictly limited to cloud usage in a walled environment. The portable CPU is targeted towards big organizations and businesses who give a lot of weightage to security and keeping the working environment productive.

Designer: Microsoft

Targeted towards enterprise users

This is the world’s first dedicated “boot to cloud” device that runs Windows 11 OS via the Windows 365 link on the Windows 365 servers. Priced at $349 it is specifically designed to run Windows 365 Cloud PCs, and you need a Windows 365 subscription to get started. That adds another $28 to $315 per month. It’s still not clear whether the mini PC will get the extra perk of a subscription discount as a bundle, but we hope so.

The most popular option for employees is a $66 per month per user with applications including Microsoft Teams and browsers. Include the $349 hardware cost of the Windows mini PC and you’ve got a fat bill of $2,000 for a closed ecosystem with limited applications. Compare that to the $1,300 price tag for the 15-inch touchscreen Microsoft Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip and having 256GB storage. Clearly, Microsoft’s compact PC is not targeted towards individual users, and in no way competes with Apple’s powerhouse mini PC.

Security takes center stage

This 120 x 120 x 30 mm desktop PC has a fanless design, and comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a single DisplayPort output. There’s one Ethernet port, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. The mini PC is designed for specific requirements where workers need to be quickly rotated between workstations and securely access their files. This eliminates the hassle of configuring the user settings and saving time. Also, the PC is ideal for setups where cloud-based software and hardware integration takes precedence.

Windows 365 Link will be available for purchase in April 2025 – that’s a long way off. However, one can enroll for the preview program in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. Interested users can join the program before December 15 with permission from the Microsoft account team.

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Pizza Hut’s 3D printed pizza warmer uses PS5 to keep slices warm while you play

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Pizza and gaming go together very well. But many of us often get lost in the game only to find the pizza slices hard and cold. The walk to the microwave in the kitchen can be a long one when you’re locked in the virtual tussle. This is when we want someone to go heat and give us a nice steaming pizza slice!

If you’re someone who owns a Play Station 5, your wish may just have been granted. Pizza Hut Canada has designed – at least given us the design – a PIZZAWRMR, that rests under a horizontally placed console and keeps the pizza inside of it warm by using the heat dissipated from the PS5. A nice warm pizza between games is not a dream anymore!

Designer: Pizza Hut

Gadgets – especially game consoles – can get really warm during long uninterrupted sessions. Loosely saying then, the PS5 could have enough heat emitted through its vents to keep a pizza hot. How hygienic is this option of heating the pizza, with the hot air released out of a device whose innards have not been cleaned for months, may be questionable; but between intense gaming sessions, who cares?

Pizza Hut Canada revealed the idea of the PIZZAWRMR on YouTube last month. At first sight of the promotional video, you can be led into believing that the pizza warmer can be brought off the shelf. However, that’s not how it is. The laptop-style warmer, with a flipping lid that reveals the pizza inside, has to be 3D printed. It’s not for sale, you get 3D printing files on the Hut website to download and then print the warmer yourself.

If you intend to give your 3D pizza warmer a try, Pizza Hut suggests you use food-safe PLA to print the parts. Since the pizza is going to rest inside this contraption you must avoid any plastic-related health concerns by not printing it from unsafe material. Be reminded that the PIZZAWRMR is only a promotional idea and not an officially licensed Sony product; printing it or using it close to the PS5’s exhaust should all be done with caution.

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DBrand Circuit Board Skins make your Gadgets Glow in the Dark when exposed to UV light

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Nothing has made see-through aesthetics for gadgets mainstream, and they are inspiring other bold brands to create transparent product lines that expose the internal components like complex circuitry. Another design variation that people swear by is glow-in-the-dark.

DBrand has brought its unique take on spicing up things for geeks obsessed with their gadgets. Using a unique process to 3D print skins that have a tactile feel and accurate representation of the internal components, they’ve released a series in collaboration with famous YouTuber LinusTechTips. These cool skins are available for devices like the iPhone 16 series, 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, flagship Galaxy devices, Pixel 9 series, Xbox Series X, and more.

Designer: DBrand

To maintain the authenticity of replicating complex innards on the surface of your gadgets, they hired PCB engineers to scrutinize every component. Pretty detailed this Circuit Board skin collection is, has to be said. The three-dimensional design gives each of these skins a slight texture, making this accessory hard to resist even though you might have used innumerable other options.

The patterns have been created prioritizing aesthetics over functionality, hence, they are accurate representations of printed circuit boards and not actual PCB mirrored from the device in question. It is a mosaic of elements like capacitors, resistors and traces. The brand does offer a more authentic PCB appearance with the X-Ray skins line, but we are already drooling over the glow-in-the-dark feature. This version is manufactured with high-performance phosphorescent vinyl which appears glowing green when exposed to UV light. In normal lighting, it appears in an off-white yellowish tint. DBrand is including a UV flashlight in the package for the first batch of orders.

If you are not a fan of the glow-in-the-dark feature, the Circuit Board skins can also be had in a triple black finish or orange-and-white design. In total this new line covers 741 different products, and the prices start from $40. For the initial period, a discount is also available, so you better buy it right away, if you’re totally into the idea.

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Fully-electric CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL makes pilotless take-off debut in Germany

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On the road to a future of aircrafts that consume lesser fuel, are low maintenance, and have no carbon emissions; electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles will play a significant role. Such aircrafts are in their infancy as of now, so the news of an eVTOL making its take-off debut in Germany is a big milestone.

The CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL which has begun its official flight test campaign in Donauwörth, Germany, made the first remarkable unmanned lift-off around November 6, 2024, at the said Airbus facility. Unveiled in March 2024, this fully-electric eVTOL is part of Airbus Helicopters Advanced Air Mobility mission to produce eVTOL personal air vehicles alongside, UTM services, and vertiports.

Desginer: Airbus CityAirbus

The news about the flight test and the debut take-off of the NextGen eVTOL was announced via X by Airbus Helicopters’ Bruno Even. In his post, the CEO wrote, “I’m happy to share that the #CityAirbus NextGen flight test campaign in Donauwörth, Germany has started with a first lift-off. A big thank you to all our teams who have contributed to this important step in the marathon that is Advanced Air Mobility.”

The eVTOL features a large 12-meter wingspan, the wings are fixed and its tail has a distinct V shape. The four-seater electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle prototype – with the seating capacity of one pilot and three passengers with their luggage – can cruise 80 km on a single charge at the speed of 120 kmph.

The aircraft is made from carbon fiber composite material that makes it robust and lightweight. It is propelled by eight electric-powered propellers as part of its distributed propulsion system, which along with other features would ensure it is not only used for private and commercial flying (as a heli taxi) but would also assist in medical use cases and the promotion of eco-tourism. Airbus suggests this is the first eVTOL in a series of prototype aircrafts the company intends to produce. With the advancement of battery density, such aircrafts would surely have a longer range and become a common sight over sprawling cities.

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This solar powered electric scooter is a cooler sibling of the Motocompo moped

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We’ve seen Motocompo knock-offs, personal electric commuters and cargo bikes that would put a four-wheeler to shame. This one by San Francisco-based company Otherlab is radically different though. Dubbed Lightfoot, the electric cargo scooter has built-in solar panels to employ limitless solar power to charge the in-built battery.

The electric scooter’s 120W solar panels sandwich the considerably large 45.2 L storage compartment which is big enough to store essentials like a backpack, grocery bags, books, or any other essentials. One of these panels is hinged to allow access to the inside compartment. This space is also used to conceal the UL-certified 1.1 kWh battery and the 600W on-board charger.

Designer: Otherlab

The padded seat on the bike is comfortable enough for a single rider, however, if a pillion needs to take the ride home that option is also open as the bike has footplates too. Lightfoot is powered by a couple of 750W brushless DC motors that generate 90Nm peak torque and hurl it to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. Whether it can scoot around medium-grade hilly terrain is still not clear, but based on specifications alone it should be able to do that. The motors are plugged into the 1.1kWh battery capable of having a 37-mile range on a single charge.

The solar panels charge up in broad sunlight to add around 3 miles with an hour of charge, and 18 miles on a full sunny day.  People who are heavy users will mostly rely on the wall plug charging option and the solar charge will be a bonus. The bike will be a good option for users who will use it for short trips to the supermarket or local metro station.

Otherlab has kept in mind the maintenance and repairability of the scooter at any service center or local garage since it comes with off-the-shelf components making up the functional parts of the ride. Another set of deal-making features are the one-year complete bike guarantee and two-year mechanical guarantee. To top it off you’ll also get the “ironclad buy-back guarantee” as the company is promising a buy-back option if the user is not satisfied with LIghtfoot. Interestingly the goofy little scooter will be available to buy in the US from January for a price of $4,995. We can expect it to make an appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

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Inspired by desert race, ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper is off-roading genius

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Most advancements happening in the camper industry, of late – directly or indirectly – hint at pushing the boundaries of off-road and off-grid camping. If it were true for the manufacturers in the US, the idea has touched an Australian builder most fiercely. Perhaps so much so that the Queensland-based Patriot Campers (a recognizable name I’m sure) has designed and developed the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper that blows the boundaries of off-road camping in desert dust.

Claimed to be the most advanced camper trailer in the world, the special edition ST5 Supertourer Finke is a premium (and feature-rich) variant of the standard version by the manufacturer. Its name is derived from Australia’s iconic Finke Desert Race and the construction is apt to overcome the most challenging terrains.

Designer: Patriot Campers

The special Finke edition doesn’t borrow the name for the heck of it. In fact, the brains behind Patriot Campers have been involved in the namesake off-road racing for over a decade. The new camper is therefore a consortium of their learning from the extensive involvement in off-roading competition and touring expertise. The wholesome rig with all its merits was launched by Patriot Campers at the 2024 SEMA automotive show in Las Vegas.

The ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition camper is a versatile living quarter on the road with robust riding antics and lightweight body parts. The camper is built with a combination of composite and structural aluminum and has a black canvas pop-out roof. The exterior pops with the green and white color scheme, carbon fiber decals, bronze-colored wheels and 35-in mud tires. The sports car-esque interior equipped with black Alcantara and green upholstery strikes plush at first sight. Carbon fiber table and benchtops in the living area, and bronze basin tap in the bathroom complete the look.

With what you get, the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition is not any ordinary camping trailer. Hybrid by virtue, it complements performance and comfort and is designed thoroughly for off-road adventures with a Trinamic suspension system and 17-in rims featuring Method Wheels’s beadgrip technology for lowering tire pressures while negotiating rough terrains. The exterior of the camper makes more living space with an awning on either side, while a pull-out kitchen facilitates cooking savory meals where your journey takes you.

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