Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Retro-modern N200 desktop speaker has serious Teenage Engineering vibes

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Desktop Bluetooth speakers are plentiful, and the one you choose for your desk setup purely depends on the desired audio signature and your design affinity. While the commercially available desktop speakers from numerous brands go for the tried and tested designs with some trendy innovations in the mix, some unique desk speaker designs do catch our attention.

This is the Orgdot N200 Bluetooth desktop speaker that bears a tell-tale industrial design influence and a pinch of steampunk vibe. Designed by Shu Zhang and his team, the wireless speaker is mindful of the design sense of modern users. The primary motive is to create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere for the user, while keeping the practical functionality intact. The retro-modern form of the speaker takes you back in time when muted colors were beautifully fused with the vibrant hues to instantly pep up any desk space.

Designer: Shu Zhang and Orgdot

The Orgdot Bluetooth speaker draws inspiration from the modular design of the LEGO bricks, thereby having a swappable front panel, physical buttons, indicator lights, and a dot-matrix display. First look at this thing, and I presumed it was a Teenage Engineering-inspired product, but it turned out otherwise. This makes the audio accessory much more than just a possession to listen to your favorite tunes. It’s more like a playable and explorable sound companion for your desk. I can already imagine this one sitting on my geeky desk with the future garage or lo-fi tunes playing for hours on end as I dive deep into my productive sessions.

For Shu, the guiding principle in crafting the speaker is “Form Follows Function.” Keeping intact the brand’s signature design ethos, the portable speaker has a simple geometric shape for visual consistency. Coming back to the choice of colors, the low-saturation beige for the body frame brings an element of tranquil aesthetic, while the bright orange denotes the interactive components like the volume dial. To put stress to a minimum on the new users, the physical button colors correspond to the corresponding icons. To put the speaker on the desk sturdily and have a distinct appeal, the integrated metal stand adds to the nostalgic charm. The design of the stand enables multi-level adjustment to adjust the elevation depending on the desktop layout.

The 8Watt speaker is made out of plastic, metal, and rubber with strategically placed functional zones for the best tactile experience. It comes with support for TWS pairing, wherein you can connect two N200s for an even more immersive soundscape. The pixel display shows all the current playback vitals and the preloaded emoticons, which is cool. On the back, there are aux-in and USB-C connectivity options as well, so that you can connect the BT speaker to physical hardware.

The post Retro-modern N200 desktop speaker has serious Teenage Engineering vibes first appeared on Yanko Design.

Retro-modern N200 desktop speaker has serious Teenage Engineering vibes

Posted on by

Desktop Bluetooth speakers are plentiful, and the one you choose for your desk setup purely depends on the desired audio signature and your design affinity. While the commercially available desktop speakers from numerous brands go for the tried and tested designs with some trendy innovations in the mix, some unique desk speaker designs do catch our attention.

This is the Orgdot N200 Bluetooth desktop speaker that bears a tell-tale industrial design influence and a pinch of steampunk vibe. Designed by Shu Zhang and his team, the wireless speaker is mindful of the design sense of modern users. The primary motive is to create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere for the user, while keeping the practical functionality intact. The retro-modern form of the speaker takes you back in time when muted colors were beautifully fused with the vibrant hues to instantly pep up any desk space.

Designer: Shu Zhang and Orgdot

The Orgdot Bluetooth speaker draws inspiration from the modular design of the LEGO bricks, thereby having a swappable front panel, physical buttons, indicator lights, and a dot-matrix display. First look at this thing, and I presumed it was a Teenage Engineering-inspired product, but it turned out otherwise. This makes the audio accessory much more than just a possession to listen to your favorite tunes. It’s more like a playable and explorable sound companion for your desk. I can already imagine this one sitting on my geeky desk with the future garage or lo-fi tunes playing for hours on end as I dive deep into my productive sessions.

For Shu, the guiding principle in crafting the speaker is “Form Follows Function.” Keeping intact the brand’s signature design ethos, the portable speaker has a simple geometric shape for visual consistency. Coming back to the choice of colors, the low-saturation beige for the body frame brings an element of tranquil aesthetic, while the bright orange denotes the interactive components like the volume dial. To put stress to a minimum on the new users, the physical button colors correspond to the corresponding icons. To put the speaker on the desk sturdily and have a distinct appeal, the integrated metal stand adds to the nostalgic charm. The design of the stand enables multi-level adjustment to adjust the elevation depending on the desktop layout.

The 8Watt speaker is made out of plastic, metal, and rubber with strategically placed functional zones for the best tactile experience. It comes with support for TWS pairing, wherein you can connect two N200s for an even more immersive soundscape. The pixel display shows all the current playback vitals and the preloaded emoticons, which is cool. On the back, there are aux-in and USB-C connectivity options as well, so that you can connect the BT speaker to physical hardware.

The post Retro-modern N200 desktop speaker has serious Teenage Engineering vibes first appeared on Yanko Design.

This $89 Planter Grows Plants in Mid-Air Without Soil or Water

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Biophilic interiors, where people are more connected to nature, are becoming really popular. Just everyone wants plants on the work desk and leafy green sprouting out right in their kitchen. I haven’t really jumped onto the bandwagon primarily for two reasons: The mess of dealing with mud and fertilizers and the constant need for watering. Now, with the world’s first desktop aeroponic plant ecosystem that could stand to change for me, and for many like me, who have been holding themselves back for some reason, err… laziness.

With the new smart mist planter, growing plants becomes something you can constantly see, touch, and truly enjoy day in a day out, while the plants grow right in front for your eyes. The system comprises a transparent chamber, a planting panel, and an adjustable light. It permits the plant to grow floating in mid-air, without soil or water; just with nutrient-rich mist, keeping the roots hydrated to grow life beautifully, right at your desk, without you having to even move a muscle.

Designer: Yunyi Zheng

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $150 (41% off) Raised over $97,789 already!

Dubbed the Izestee, this is a no-soil, no-pest, no-mess planter which grows plants, works as a passive humidifier, and functions as a desktop lamp. The 3-in-one desktop aeroponic plant cultivator is designed to use ultra-fine mist instead of soil and automatically control every stage of growth – from seed to bloom – as it happens with its smart and automatic scheduling.

Each Izestee comes with seven planting baskets, designed to seed and provide a structured place for germination. Beneath, a see-through chamber provides a nice view of the roots growing in real time. It’s here that the roots are hydrated with mist and they grow dramatically healthier. The mist, along with nurturing the roots gently, escapes the unit and humidifies the room it’s placed in.

The system comprises three lighting modes, with different brightness levels, which can adapt to the different moods, moments and spaces. The lights can change color and brightness levels from a rotating effect during the day to a single color by night. The different light modes inside the chamber are controlled using a tactile button on the façade of the Izestee, just above its base.

In addition to nutrients and light, the chamber of the planter is also provided with a built-in heating system, which has a maximum temperature of 45 degrees. The heating system maintains a constant temperature, which is visible on the LED display for real-time temperature monitoring. The small digital display sits in the middle of the control panel and features the temperature controller to its left.

When the plant has grown above the planting panels, the adjustable light takes over. The full-spectrum light can bend and tilt at any angle or height required and mimics the sun’s light for indoor growth of the plants. In addition to plant lighting, this adjustable light with adjustable brightness levels can be used as a desk lamp or night light.

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $150 (41% off) Raised over $97,789 already!

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Super Game Boy is a huge handheld that plays classic arcade games

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LEGO released a 421-piece life-sized Game Boy replica with Game Pak cartridges but it could not play games. Then later a Aussie modder turned it into a fully functional handheld, and promised that there will be a $50 kit coming in future so that fans can turn theirs into a playable LEGO version. However, the LEGO version has a small screen and you are better off playing titles on the original handheld.

There’s so much craze around the classic Game Boy, you are bound to come across DIYs that spark the attention of arcade gaming community. Chinese YouTuber LCLDIY ventured out on creating his own interpretation of a Game Boy – only that it is much larger in scale. Best of all it plays games sans any glitches and can be carried around like a cool boombox.

Designer: LCLDIY

The DIY starts off by creating a 3D printed shell (using a light curing printer, printing for a week) that houses the 10-inches electroluminescent LCD TV that emulates the warm glow of the original Game Boy. The choice of the display makes sense as the soft glow illuminates the pixels that otherwise would look too harsh on the big display compared to small screen of the Game Boy. Getting the games to run on the rig was not an easy feat as he had to fit in an Intel 845 motherboard for driving the big display and also creating the interface for running the emulated software of the Game Boy handheld console. The classic processor is assisted by the 65540 Flat Panel VGA Controller chip to simplify the clock synchronization and data signals.

BIOS of the graphics card is modified to match the appropriate resolution of the display. The brick-built shell fits into pieces just like an assortment of LEGO pieces and the guts are flush with all the electronic components that make possible the magic. To complete the build, the maker spray paints the shell to replicate the look of the Game Boy. He also makes big tactile buttons and joystick to keep the arcade feel going, and the stickers for labels and the logos are put on the shell. The classic Nintendo gamepad is used to input the in-game actions for games (like Sonic, Yoshi’s Island and Comix) from other platforms like Sega. This is done as big buttons would be impractical and require even more tinkering around of the electronics.

The DIYer is kind enough to make the design files of the shell, PCB files and graphics card BIOS settings available for free for keen DIYers who love the idea of a Super Game Boy. Just seeing him play the classic titles like Contra and Super Mario using those chunky buttons and the joystick is pure joy.

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This concentric turntable with a CD player is the ultimate Hi-Fi system for newbie audiophiles

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Revival of the vinyl records and CD players was inevitable, as we’re seeing a swarm of physical media players that bring the invincible charm of analog music with the twist of modern design and technology. The rich and warm sound of record players is unmatchable, and the resurgence of physical audio is not going to tone down anytime soon.

Mixx Audio, known for their affordable turntables, wants to spice up the audio accessories market with a turntable that lets you have the best of both worlds – CDs and vinyl record players. Driven by the need to create a player that fits modern homes, the Analog Plus 2-in-1, fully automatic vinyl turntable has a built-in CD player. That means you don’t have to buy separate players for both to enjoy your vinyl records and CDs.

Designer: Mixx Audio

Design takes precedence here as the concentric turntable makes judicious use of the space below the platter for fitting in the CD player. The idea is to make it simple for listeners who want to enjoy both their vinyls and CDs with minimum fuss. Analog Plus is inspired by the industrial design of the 80s hi-fi components that weighed heavily into the sharp angular visuals. On the inside, it gets the Audio Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge, capable of playing 7-inch and 12-inch records at 33/45 rpm. Apart from this, you can enjoy your digital media as well, since there’s Bluetooth 5.3 and aux output. The included remote makes it convenient to toggle tracks, volume, or other player options.

The physical controls are mounted on the front for ease of use, alongside the small display that shows the current track progress and the mode selection buttons. The CD player of the turntable has a top-loading mechanism at the center. You can play normal CDs, or audio CDs, and RW discs as well. The audio quality output from these digital audio files is quite good, as it plays MP3 and WMA at up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz, and WAV files at 48kHz. Of course, the delivered audio will depend on the audio equipment you hook it to via the RCA audio outputs. That way, you can connect it to traditional hi-fi systems or modern speakers.

Mixx Audio has chosen the minimalist white and black color options for the record player that should go well with any interior. Analog Plus 2-in-1, priced at £299 (approximately $400), is a good starting point for budding audiophiles who want to ease into the hobby. The added convenience of loading your CD into the platter is another big advantage that goes a long way for music lovers.

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This teardrop trailer with fiberglass body tows efficiently behind an electric bike

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For me, the ultimate luxury of biking is the combination of self-fitness and environmental friendliness. If there were another dimension to add, it would be the wonder of knowing where to sleep or relax after a tiring day riding up to the favorite spot in the wilderness. This is where the all-new bike camper, from Nirvana Van based in France, pedals in, towing behind a capable e-bike.

The makers argue, it can tow behind a regular bike without much effort on a level path, but that’s not what you want the trailer for. You want the towing residence to go where your electric bike, grit, and adventure take you, and that’s what the bike camper promises to do without a hiccup.

Designer: Nirvana Van

Bike campers like this one have been around for a while. Towable teardrop trailer from ModyPlast is a good example. Such compact teardrop trailers present the eco-conscious camping enthusiasts with an undeniable reason to ride, explore, and live at the place of their choosing. It is, in comparison, a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly way to spend a weekend in a picturesque location, something the regular trailers fail to do. They are luxurious and designed for more than a couple. But if you’re adventuring on a bike, surely you are doing so to go solo, and for that, the compact bike camper is a good choice.

If you remember the SpaceCamperBike, it was an electric bike you can ride, work, sleep, and camp in. The Nirvana Van’s idea of the teardrop trailer is pretty traditional: a trailer to tow behind. The company can customize the trailer hitch to suit a varied choice of electric bikes, making it compatible with whatever brand you own. The bike camper’s efficiency and durability have been put to the test by Raphaël Dakiche of Nirvana Van with over 1200 km journey across France: living out of the trailer riding behind the electric bike.

So, whether you are planning a long-distance adventure or just a short weekend trip, the camper is ready to go where you want it to. The easy-to-tow and set-up trailer, which is proposed to be a reliable and comfortable shelter at every stop, is made available in two variants: 67kg Classic and 57kg Premium. The former is made using a cellular polypropylene shell and a steel chassis, while the latter is a fiberglass shell on an aluminum chassis. These come with optional 250Wh or 850Wh batteries, and the choice of either 105W or 190W roof-mounted solar panels.

Irrespective of the model, the teardrop trailer is provided in a size measuring 6.8 feet long and 3.1 feet wide. The bike camper is made comfortable for year-round camping with 20mm extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam insulation and safety on the road is managed by the lockable door and leg stabilizers. The circular window makes for ventilation inside, where you get a bed and ample storage. The Classic starts at €3,500 ($4,100) and the Premium costs €3,900 ($4,300).

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LEGO and Nike revive the Air Max 95 Neon for a spring release next year

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LEGO and Nike make an impactful pairing. We have seen that in the past, and it’s a story that will repeat itself in the Spring of 2026, when the two stalwarts revive the Nike Air Max 95 in its OG colorway for the love of brick fans. Designed by Sergio Lozano, Air Max 95 is often regarded as the most popular Nike sneaker, and now, with its collaborative revisit after twenty years since release in 1995, the LEGO x Air Max 95 “Neon”⁠ is going to have some definite takers.

Nike and LEGO have been redefining the norm with their collaborations since the first fully co-branded Nike Dunk x LEGO Set. The idea behind their partnership has been to give kids a world where sports and creative play always win. In that accord, an inspiring celebration of the sneaker culture and creative imagination of LEGOs was the LEGO x Nike Air Max Dn that painted the internet yellow on its release in the summer this year.

Designer: Nike x LEGO

After dropping these beauties, the two now have their eyes set on the release of the LEGO x Air Max 95 next spring. The sneaker in its neon colorway has a drawn-on upper and an evident love affair with LEGO bricks. The reimagined “Neon” colorway of the Air Max 95 is confirmed in Grad School and Pre School sizes, and is remarkably apparent in its inspiration even though it doesn’t feature the typical suede side panels.

The new LEGO Air Max 95 has a T-toe, which appears stretched on both sides and climbs up to the laces in shiny leather. The illustrated gradient panels – reaching up to the mesh upper – in a smooth progress from deep black to smoky gray and up to metallic silver, have a sense of charm in themselves. But what stands out is the vibrant neon accents that illuminate the lace eyelets, the Swoosh branding, and also finds a hint in the pressurized Air units within the midsole.

The volt green is not limited to the abovementioned accents, you can also find it in the underfoot, where it livens up the Air Max bubbles. The iconic square LEGO logo with the brand name outlined in white font is featured on the tongue and insoles. But what subtly makes its presence felt are the LEGO mini figs on the heel tab – one with a trophy in the hand and the other heading a football. If you like what you see, you can get the LEGO x Nike Air Max 95 Neon starting March 28, 2026. It will be released through Nike and select retailers, both online and in-store, in grade school and pre-school sizing, starting $162 and $132, respectively.

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Tech-savvy YouTuber builds a cardboard airplane with detachable landing gear

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The Wright Brothers changed the course of history when they took the first ever flight on December 1903. Their biplane, crafted from wood and fabric, had a rudder for yaw control, wing warping for roll control, and front elevators for pitch control. The first flight lasted for just 12 seconds, driven by the custom 12-horsepower engine and propellers.

The aviation industry has come a long way since that decisive event, and it’s always good to have a similar nostalgic feel again. Peter Sripol, along with his team, has built a cardboard airplane that has plywood-structured wings (just like the Wright Brothers’ airplane) and is capable of flying one person with ease. Interestingly, the DIYer uses a Pizza box to fit in the altimeter, air speed gauge, and the attitude indicator. According to his estimation, the plane is a giant shipping box, given that it has around 95 percent cardboard parts, which in itself is a feat.

Designer: Peter Sripol

The shape of the fully assembled airplane is just like any other double-propeller plane that’s commercially produced. It is narrower on the tail end and wider near the seating section for aerodynamic efficiency. Just that it’s not as polished and fine-tuned since it is just a prototype for now. After putting together the fuselage, wings, and the custom-made wheel assembly that ejects once the thing is airborne to shed extra weight, Peter drove around the plane in taxing mode to check if all the basics are working fine. The wheels seemed to drag a little, and the batteries powering the thing were not enough for the flight speed.

After fixing the initial kinks, he managed to get off the ground a few feet, but as soon as the landing gear assembly detached, the cardboard airplane flew for a few feet and veered off course to land abruptly. Coming back to the design, the corrugated cardboard parts of the plane are glued together for structural integrity. There are small cutouts on the sides and on the front to have a clear view. The DIY project is in work, and the maker plans to install the controls on the sides and the rudder pedals on the floor. For now, Peter uses the wireless controller to actuate the inputs for the drive and flight tests. Fitting the flight controls inside is going to be touch-and-go, given that there is only one entry and exit opening on the plane from the front. The tail section has folded cardboard skins that take the shape of the stabilizers, elevator, and rudder.

The wing is the most challenging section to build, as during flight, cardboard is not the most ideal material due to its low compression tolerance, hence the small plywood plates embedded inside the wing structure. For a secure embodiment, the wings are attached to the fuselage with bolts and reinforced cardboard doublers. The electric motors for propulsion are mounted on the reinforced cardboard structure, while the batteries, speed controls, and the messy wiring are housed inside the fuselage. We’ll have to wait for a few weeks, when the next video arrives, and hopefully Peter will take flight in this DIY cardboard airplane.

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Fiio Snowsky Disc is a compact audio player tailored for modern listeners

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For audiophiles, nothing gets beyond their love for music and the audio gear they own. The exploration for the best headphone, IEM, or DAC never ends, given there is so much to discover and the different permutations of combining the gear for blissful audio output. This has consequently led to several brands trying to cater to this serious hobby while staying on a budget.

Fiio, as a Chi-Fi brand, has ensured that audiophiles don’t always have to invest in steeply priced gear to get the preferred sound without breaking the budget. The DM15 R2R Portable CD Player by the Chinese brand already demonstrated how serious they are about spreading the love for music in all forms and shapes. Now they’ve revealed the Snowsky Disc digital audio player, which is the perfect amalgam of modern audio technology and the unrelenting charm of the CD player.

Designer: Fiio

The compact DAP is designed with the needs of modern audiophiles in mind, who prioritize audio quality, intuitive operation, and a love for physical music libraries. Versatility is the key here as the audio player is compatible with all the devices you throw at it, and supports a wide array of file types. Connect it to your valued in-ear monitors or pair it with sensitive headphones; Snowsky Disc can handle it all without much fuss. The player is built on a dual DAC architecture that promises balanced, clean, and detailed audio, no matter what file type you are playing it through. This enhances the overall musical tonality for a more engaging listening experience.

The CD player-inspired design of this DAP is something anyone would appreciate. There’s a circular touch screen on the front to toggle all the on-screen controls. The inclusion of lyrics playback and album artwork adds to the engagement with your music listening sessions. The audio gadget can also be controlled via the compatible smartphone app for convenience. Along with support for 2TB memory expansion to carry your high-resolution music files, the player also supports audio streaming via apps. It has built-in Wi-Fi support for AirPlay streaming and installing firmware updates on the fly.

For wired connectivity, the player has a USB-C port, a 3.5mm single-ended jack, and a 4.4mm balanced output. The player can even be connected to external DACs, hi-fi systems, amplifiers, and other audio gear via the SPDIF output. If you want to enjoy music wirelessly, the LDAC high-res codec can be connected to supported headphones, IEMs, and earbuds. Snowsky Disc boasts 12 hours of playback, which is enough to get you through a day of work or travel. Priced at $80, the digital audio player will be available to buy in January.

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Shiver x Expandable 6×6 motorhome will deliver comfortable mobile lodging for a team of six

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We have seen luxurious mobile homes, liveable work pods built on trailers, and compact campers to slide onto the truck beds. But this expandable rig is not going that route; it’s changing the spectrum by presenting itself as a first self-sufficient ‘dorm on wheels.’ Perhaps, Expandable Trailers, the company behind the build, will refrain from calling its dedicated creation something on those lines, but if you’re a team of six, requiring a ‘dependable space to rest, recharge, and regroup’ – before a game in the city or in the middle of a sandstorm – this expandable pod is all that you will want.

Expandable Trailers has custom-built this 30-foot expandable motorhome for Shiver Offroad, a prominent raid team that’s a regular at the Dakar Rally – a challenging desert race. It is based on a MAN 6×6 HD truck chassis for the team that needs a stable and comforting basecamp in the most remote place, without compromising space, facilities, and functionality necessary for all the individual and team needs. The compact Shiver Offroad mansion is designed to expand on location into a spacious living area for six.

Designer: Expandable Trailers

The Shiver x Expandable motorhome is not about pomp and show, even though it’s built on the Expandable Trailers’ signature expanding mechanism, which opens the interior on either side for all the necessary elements Shiver Offroad may need for its team of six. It is for all good reasons, a mobile space that puts functionality and comfort ahead of everything else. “No hassle with temporary tents or booking accommodations. Just pull up, expand, and get to work — or rest,” the company press information notes.

The glass exterior of this mobile rally base is topped with a full-size rooftop terrace. It starts as an open floor plan on the inside. For Shiver Offroad, it has, however, been customized to meet the team’s needs with fixed bunk beds for six members on one side (which presents itself like a shared dorm room). Each bed is provided with its own power outlet, a reading light, and a tiny storage compartment for stowing away personal belongings.

The pod is more than just an off-road capable mobile home. It is designed to be fully self-reliant with its own power supply from a generator and a battery. The expanding rig has a kitchen comprising a cooktop, sink, fridge, and storage cabinets. A dining area is also provided for the team members to have shared meals. Without the bathroom, this would be incomplete. We learn that it also features a separate shower room and a toilet, and a washer-dryer combo to handle the laundry. For when the team wants to wind down after the hustle, a small lounge space, along with a large window, makes it possible. Just outside – in the rear – is the spiral staircase leading to the terrace on the roof.

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