Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Heineken-themed music device lets you discover new music and create unique jams with strangers

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Heineken has laid great emphasis on the importance of social connections all these years, even before the times we got familiar with online socializing. For the Gen-Z the brand signifies freedom of thought and enjoyment with no strings attached. Going with this philosophy, a team of designers has conjured up this cool gadget christened Hei-Five.

A culmination of Heineken and high five, the palm-sized music device is about sharing songs with like-minded individuals and discovering new music. For instance, you hear a jiving tune at the trending restaurant in your city and desperately want to add that song to your playlist. Yes folks, the Hei-Five will do that without breaking a sweat.

Designer: LFD Official

Simply push the bottle cap-shaped button on one side and the gadget finds the song, thus allowing you to explore music tastes from around the globe. Whenever you meet a new friend at the beach or even a stranger at the local bar, simply clink each other’s device to create a unique playlist of both your tastes. There’s a dedicated share button to instantly share a song or playlist with someone having a Hei-Five device. That’s not it, when hanging in a group, stack everyone’s device on top of each other to create a potent speaker that plays the most liked songs in everyone’s playlist.

When the Hei-Five runs out of juice, simply dock it on the accompanying charger and it displays the current time and charging levels. The packing of the audio accessory is as interesting as its functionality. As soon as you open the box, there’s a Heineken can concealing the Hei-Five docked in the charging box. Stash it on your desk or living room shelf, onlookers will surely mistake it for a striking-looking beer can!

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Google Next-inspired Omni Smart Speaker has integrated display to show what’s happening in real-time

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Google Nest has had a fair share of success thanks to its built-in Google Assistant capabilities. The capable speaker has been the first introduction to the world of smart speakers for many of us, and now it is inspiring the Omni Smart Speaker – which looks similar to the Google speaker – but adds an auxiliary screen to it that distinguishes it for the better.

So, if you’re looking to upgrade your smart speaker, you may have a new option, amid a plethora of choices already available from Google, Amazon, Apple and many other manufacturers. The Omni is far from the others with its novel display that shows real-time visual feedback of what’s happening, saving effort and confusion during voice commands.

Designer: One Object Design Studio

One Object is a Hong Kong-based design and innovation studio with an undwindling focus on creating mobility, smart home, and home furnishing designs. Fueled by passion, dedication, and curiosity for novelty, the designers at One Object have come up with the distinct design of the Omni, which looks pretty recognizable in both form factors, yet is starkly different with the interesting, integrated display.

Described as the “next-generation smart speaker concept” – the Omni is equipped with a voice-enabled assistant – not sure which one though – and allows the users to tap on the convenience of voice to control home appliances easily and more intuitively. Whether the speaker is splash-proof or not, we are uncertain, so we are guessing it is made for indoor use only, where it would allow you to listen to different music in any room of your house.

You should be able to connect multiple devices in different rooms across the house and control them from the Omni, without moving a stride. And when you think, the commands are going to get mixed, you can look up and see the sleek, modern speaker’s integrated auxiliary display and see what’s happening in real time. Whether you’re adjusting the thermostat, turning on the lights, or setting the music, the Omni smart speaker will make every voice command “straightforward and responsive.”

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Give your VW camper van more portable storage and dining space with the Bbox Bulli in tow

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If you’re someone who loves to live in the wilderness in a camper van, you wouldn’t really mind the peace of mind and convenience that a towable little attachment capable of being your cargo hauler, a dining area, a small kitchen or a wardrobe, whatever you may like, can offer.

The Bbox Bulli Edition by mfi camperlife GmbH in Germany is this towable little companion – designed primarily for the Volkswagen camper vans – that will be your ultimate companion at the base camp. Not just for its versatility but also for the compact size in which the Bbox Bulli can store up so much cargo that your van can be cleared up on the inside for comfortable travel on the road.

Designer: Wolf-Box Design

The convenience of a tiny towable behind your Bulli is not an inexpensive deal by any standard. If you have upward of $13,000 (€11,900) to spare for an extension of your van-living quarters, you shouldn’t think the second time. But if you choose to get one, the excitement is not going to stop at the extension itself, you can get mfi to customize the Bbox Bulli Edition to the color and theme of your ride (now maybe the price seems a little fair).

Of course, this contraption is primarily meant to tow behind a Volkswagen camper van, but there seems to be no reason why you cannot have it in tow of any multi-purpose vehicle that you may drive. When in tow, the Bbox Bulli, comprising a fiberglass-sandwich body and weighing 880 lbs, can be used as an outdoor kitchen and dining using a camping stove and fold-out table. There are two side closets with configurable shelves to carry water canisters, coolers and other gear, which otherwise tend to clutter up the camper van space side.

For those who are wondering how much this little guy can carry, the Bbox Bulli Edition, mfi informs, can carry 660 lbs of payload and has integrated lighting for convenience and jazzing up your camp. Measuring 37 inches deep and 87 inches tall, its tow bar stretches forward from the body, doubling the total length to up to 80 inches.

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Paris Olympics themed limited edition e-bikes by DAB Motors spice-up the highly competitive market

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Paris 2024 Olympics is nearing the penultimate stage, as the US and China again dominate the prized spots. Perhaps the perfect time for DAB Motors to release their Olympics-themed DAB 1α electric motorbikes. This Peugeot Motorcycles owned French brand has made deep inroads in the two-wheeler EV market and these five themed e-bikes reflect their prowess.

The electric motorbike brand celebrates the spirit of the ongoing Olympics by interpreting the five rings of the event with five different bikes. These are created by their service branch which goes by the name DAB Custom Studio. The color code of the Olympic rings is represented in the sports-oriented version of the DAB 1α.

Designer: DAB Custom Studio

Using the motorbike as the canvas, the limited-edition collection dubbed ‘A la gloire du sport’ represents blue for surfing, green for tennis, yellow for basketball, red for boxing and black for skateboarding. Lucky clients who’ve pre-booked the first production versions of the e-bike can give their rundown of the version they’ll prefer and the unique DAB 1α is delivered as per their liking. DAB Motors’ founder Simon Dabadie chose these five sports to represent the rings in the form of these cool motorbikes. We imagine, these are his favorite sports from the event and the final creations by the design team are impressive.

The freedom of the blue variant is perfect for surfers as it gets a front luggage rack and surfboard rack. The bespoke surfboard mounted on the right side carries the DAB branding. It has a saddle finished in wetsuit-style neoprene and special off-road beach-ready tires that have silver forks. In fact, the brand’s roots are in the coastal city of Biarritz, so this version is a homage to the company’s inception.

For Djokovic fans the green and white version is perfect. It comes with a tartan seat, a racket holder on the left side and a rack on the front to carry balls. The brown tires with white spokes stand out and the DAB 1α adapts a completely different personality in this attire.

The more Gen-Z-oriented black version represents the fun of skateboarding in the city streets. This model has carbon bodywork, BMX handlebars foam and hand-painted graffiti. For a robust character, the bike gets crash pods, a tubular protection structure and a skate rack to stash a skateboard.

The fighting spirit is represented in the red and black with gold accents on the suspension rods of the boxing edition. Saddle on this one has a pair of boxing gloves to kick in a fight and represents the tough culture of the golden era.

Finally, the Yellow edition represents the resilience of the basketball game and the connection to street culture. This one comes with a side pannier to hold the ball or your sporting kit. The vibrant shades also represent the hip-hop culture associated with the popular game.

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Ford debuts Bronco and Mustang themed e-bikes for the eco-conscious motorheads

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Bronco and Mustang are Ford’s acclaimed models that have redefined the performance car industry. Now the US-based automotive giant wants to ride the e-bike wave just like Jeep, Porsche and GM have done. They’ve collaborated with bike company N Plus to create two e-bikes inspired by the legendary models.

The high-performance two-wheelers not only carry the aesthetical legacy of the Bronco and Mustang but also deliver with their high-performance hardware. The Bronco version has an off-roading character while the Mustang one has the pure muscle to beat any other e-bike in a drag race.

Designer: Ford and N Plus

According to Tyler Hill, Ford’s global brand licensing manager, “These new e-bikes will allow more people to experience the adventurous spirit of a Bronco and the exhilaration of a Mustang from the moment they grip the handlebar.” That’s evident from the specifications of the two models. Both these variants will have four-piston hydraulic brakes and a center-aligned colored LCD panel to display vital information including speed, battery life and range.

The Bronco e-bike gets a 750W hub motor for superior torque of 85 Nm to conquer steep hills and a dual-suspension system to counter the punishment of the rugged terrain. Ford calls this G.O.A.T (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain). This e-bike with a motorcycle-styled comfortable saddle is rated as Class 3 as it can hit top speeds of 28 mph. The battery range is promised at 60 miles on a single charge, and it can be topped in 3.5 hours. This one will ride on Pirelli Scorpion Enduro M hardwall 27.5 x 2.6-inch tires for better grip and traction out of tight corners.

The sporty Mustang e-bike will further come in two variants with specifications more or less same as the beefier Bronco variant. One will be a standard model and the other a limited-edition Mustang 60th Anniversary Edition for purists. Both versions will get the Pirelli Angel GT semi-slick tires. The seat is going to be more conventional and you will instantly like the Mustang-style triple-bar tail light.

Coming from the house of Ford, these celebrated models will have a steep starting price of $4,500 for the Bronco’s Area 51 blue model and $4,000 for the Mustang Carbonized Gray Metallic version. Buyers can also choose from 10 custom paint color options that’ll add $390 to the cost. The e-bikes can be pre-ordered right away from the company’s website. Deliveries are expected to commence later this year.

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Transparent Game Boy with detachable projector promises uninterrupted gaming on the big screen

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Nintendo Game Boy is one of the bestselling consoles of all time, owing to its competitive pricing and gamer-friendly features. Right from the original version to the consequent variants released in the 90s, the handheld gaming console has been popular across generations and inspired similar designs all these years.

While Nintendo has no plans to release a Game Boy version in the future, a concept design puts the handheld right in the realms of ultra-advanced gaming accessories. The gaming handheld visualized here solves your gaming needs indoors and outdoors sans any restrictions on whether you prefer playing it on the native small screen or the bigger one.

Designer: LFD Official

That’s possible with an integrated mini projector that can be taken right off the back of the handheld and positioned to project on any room wall, outdoor tent, or anything with a plain surface. This detachable projector module seamlessly switches the gameplay output, so you can enjoy games on the big canvas anytime. The transparent aesthetics of the handheld are inspired by the clear transparent version dubbed Game Boy Bros. released in 1995.

The display is much bigger, using most of the screen real estate with minimal bezels. Right below it are the gamepad controls that are much bigger and more tactile for improved gameplay and ergonomics. The tiny hardware of the gadget is enclosed in a transparent polycarbonate housing protected by the gorilla glass layer. To make this modern Nintendo handheld stand out, the designer envisions it in cool color options – Flame Scarlet, Greenery, Ultra Violet and Blue Grotto.

The back panel of the handheld holds the detachable projector in place and adjacent is the speaker to enjoy multimedia content and favorite games on the go. The UI of the gadget is heavily influenced by the Game Boy cartridge and the pixelated Gill Sans font evokes the neo-retro feel.

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This watercraft turns into a submersible as the seating compartment lowers down underwater

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The Titan submersible implosion was a grim reminder of the serious dangers involved in deep-sea expeditions and explorations for eco-tourism. While some might argue that it is way better than exploration on the sea surface, there’s got to be a better and safer way to experience the wonders of the underwater world in person.

François-Alexandre Bertrand has a solution in the form of Platypus Craft prototype, a semi-submersible vessel for safe and feasible underwater exploration. This is in line with breaking the notion that water adventure activities and environmental responsibility are hard to coexist. Clear from the naming convention, the zero-emission craft is inspired by the amphibious Playptus mammal.

Designer: Playptus Craft and Evoy

The five-seater watercraft is developed in partnership with Evoy who have developed the high-output electric motors for the vessel. Platypus Craft has some cool trickery up its sleeve for underwater exploration. The seating platform can be lowered down completely to submerge the riders safely for a whole new experience. It comes with an array of safety equipment like retractable air hoses connected to an onboard compressor.

This dual configuration has many benefits, including multi-functionality and fewer chances of harming the marine ecosystem. One can use it for riding the waters for scenic trips or more intense underwater explorations within the safety norms.

The watercraft gets twin Evoy Outboard Breeze 120+ electric motors mated to a 63KW twin battery pack. This makes the vessel having a catamaran hull design, reach a top speed of 25 knots and have a cruising speed of 15 knots when riding the surface. When submerged underwater, Platypus Craft prototype’s speed is reduced to a comfortable 3 to 5 knots for unobstructed views of the marine life. In the submerged mode, the craft can cover an impressive distance of 30 to 80 nautical miles.

Initially, the maker is going to release the Platypus Yacht Edition in 2025, fueling a new era of submersible explorations sans the inherent dangers of deep-sea explorations. The watercraft will be the first ever commercially available submersible to feature Evoy’s electric motor system that comes with zero-emission promise and also eliminates the typical fuel slicks and bilge water problems with non-electric versions.

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Breville’s new Oracle brews barista-quality cold and hot coffee at “Jet” speeds with precision

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I’m a coffee buff but have a limited sense of good coffee. A simple machine keeps me satisfied but a nice brew at a café really tells the difference. I wouldn’t say I’m going to translate into someone keen on brewing specialty coffee at home anytime soon. But if you’ve been yearning for barista-level precision and control over your cup of coffee, you can settle for the new Breville Oracle Jet, which is now available in the US.

A keen coffee machine that can produce hot or cold-press espresso, most of it automatically, the Oracle Jet is Australia-based Breville’s first-of-its-kind option on the market. From how it appears, it’s an impressive coffee machine with a brushed stainless steel finish (available in a range of exclusive colors) featuring a touchscreen display that would let you control it in most cases. Interesting however is the fact that the intuitive machine automatically does the grinding, dosing, and tamping to eliminate the human intervention, yet enhancing the brew quality in return.

Designer: Breville

What really distinguishes Breville’s new entrant in the world of specialty brewing at home concept is its ability to brew perfect cold espresso drinks. In fact, it’s the first in the Breville’s portfolio that makes cold brew but then the price of the machines really makes me skip a beat. Not that I was going to make an effort to secure finances for purchase, but $2000 for the coffee machine will have many like me deterred and setting in return for a regular drip coffee maker.

This doesn’t at all mean that the Oracle Jet does not have its mouth where the money is. Of course, the price is nothing for a good shot of cold brew espresso that this machine has been designed and manufactured to achieve with little to no effort. A definitely lift up of your stature from a barista visitor to a full-blown coffee specialist at home!

As an auto cold-brew espresso machine, it requires a bit of doing to install it and get the beans and water calibrated. Thereafter the process is pretty automatic and straight-forward. The touchscreen panel onboard is where all the controls are for you to set the grind size, switch between hot and cold brew or add your choice of milk to the coffee. The controls on the screen are generated with the tech-based ‘barista guidance,” and the machine helps execute the moves to brew you a perfect temperature espresso every time of the day.

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This compact off-road trailer with staircase to the rooftop tent can park in any Aussie garage

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It’s an adventurous world full of competition to the brim. When every camping trailer manufacturer is distinguishing itself from the pack by expanding the living space for the better of the occupants; HardKorr, a company from Australia, known for its Xplorer trailer, is trimming the height of the famous model so that its little brother can fit comfortably within a standard size garage of a typical Aussie home.

Fascinatingly, that’s not just the brightest aspect of the Xplorer 2.0, happily called the ‘Shorty.’ Shorty is designed – with all the features and skills of the OG – to allow you to live comfortably in the outdoors for weeks and months with your family, without compromising the comfort and living space, and return home to stow the trailer conveniently in your city apartment garage until it’s required the next time.

Designer: Hardkorr

Of course, Xplorer 2.0 is one of the few garage-compatible trailers down under. It is also one of the very few with an integrated staircase to the rooftop tent. This feature makes it a rooftop camper trailer that’s easily accessible by kids and pets you may have along on your journey. And since the Shorty is not all too small, it gives you enough living space under the awnings and a sizable kitchen area for your culinary escapades on-the-go.

To that accord, the Xplorer ‘Shorty’ 2.0 has a slide-out outdoor kitchen complete with a two-burner stove, a large prep area, and a removable sink. Just behind is the slide-out 96-l fridge with another pull-out tray just underneath it, which creates an additional prep space. On the opposite side of the trailer are two separate hatches for carrying batteries and gear, and above that is a drop-down privacy tent that can be used when taking a shower. The shower here is attached to the kitchen sink and draws water from the instant water heater.

Comprising a lightweight aluminum body, the new Xplorer 2.0 is conveniently towable with any offroad-capable vehicle. It can set up in under five minutes and pack back in almost the same time. On the roof, you have a spacious queen-sized tent, and the trailer itself is loaded with plenty of storage sections, combining to give you upward of 3,450-l of storage space. While the integrated staircase makes it easy for everyone to get up into the bed, the robust off-road suspension, galvanized chassis, and all-terrain tires allow the Xplorer camper trailer to easily handle tough terrains and off-road journeys you want to make by yourself or with your family. These can be extended adventures in the Shorty that comes with a 170W solar panel and 2,000W inverter taking care of the power needs. Retailing for about $24,000 (AUD 35,990), the camper trailer is worth the contention more so as it may be available in the US as well.

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BMW Motorrad x Vagabund electric bike has integrated umbrella and Teenage Engineering speaker

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BMW Motorrad Austria has joined forces with design studio VAGABUND to create a custom CE 02 eParkourer ride. The electric bike has a futuristic vibe and retro flair that’ll appeal to Gen-Z and millennials too.

Unlike other electric scooters, this one-off ride gives a sneak peek of where the future of two-wheelers is headed. That’s because it has an integrated BT speaker, hidden umbrella and a strapped skateboard grip tape for all your city riding needs.

Designer: BMW Motorrad

The urban commuter will spark interest in electric bikes that can otherwise have the style and feature-rich element missing. It has a two-tone look which goes perfectly with the needs of the modern crowd. Coming on to the BMW CE 02 bike, it tops at a speed of 59 mph and we expect this special version to have the same 48-volt electric motor and drivetrain. It churns out a peak output of 11 kW and offers a range of 55 miles on a single charge. This bike differs in visual appeal as it has a bit more spark with the contrasted white accents. This white influence is carried onto the half-white wheels.

What makes this electric scooter distinct is the integrated OB-4 Magic Radio by Teenage Engineering and a running board with skateboard grip tape. That cool exhaust that you see is for aesthetics, as well as storing a foldable umbrella for the untimely downpour. All these added elements resonate well with the retro-futuristic vibe of the EV. Mixed with the white and black tones is the lively tan of the saddle.

BMW Motorrad has not detailed a lot about the CE 02 x Vagabund edition, however, it is ultra-exclusive simply because of the $549 TE speaker that has a minimalistic theme.

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