Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Nintendo SWEEP cordless vacuum cleaner gamifies your laborious household cleaning tasks

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To gamify everyday use products and services is the mantra for success as it encourages engagement and appeal. For me, household cleaning tasks are the most boring and I can procrastinate for eternity. This concept design gives me reason enough to engage in daily house cleaning chores because of the gamified element.

Meet the Nintendo SWEEP, a cordless vacuum cleaner that brings two polar opposite worlds into a product anyone will notice. The concept appliance inherits the Nintendo’s brand identity of “fun to play,” turning it into a fun experience.

Designer: Jinho Choi

At the core, Nintendo is all about play and adventure – the Nintendo SWEEP retains that element with a design that is retro-modern. It has the reminiscences of old appliance charm in faded grays and rust-color transparencies. The appliance turns any cleaning task into a fun game interface on the accompanying Nintendo Gameboy touchscreen. You can control the vacuum cleaner with a joystick to adjust the functional elements including suction power adjustment, and amount of power delivery via the pull and push operations. In the virtual world, it controls the game content which can be anything from an endless runner adventure or a racing buggy fighting for the lead on a race track.

While the overall design of the cordless vacuum cleaner is based on the Gameboy, the headbrush design is inspired by the Super Famicom. In particular, the pack insert takes the shape of the front portion. The joystick controls and the accompanying buttons let you control everything from the movement to remapping the cleaning area or checking the uncleaned spots in the minimap. Various items can be collected as you go along cleaning which enhances the overall experience. While Nintendo is probably never going to release a vacuum cleaner like this one, perhaps a startup can cash in on this idea!

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RM 65-01 McLaren W1 Split-Seconds Chronograph is a true racing machine for the wrist

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Richard Mille and McLaren both have in common the fire to strive for the pinnacle of innovation. Now the two brands have fused this ambition into an exquisite timepiece that signifies performance and aesthetic beauty. Meet the RM 65-01 McLaren W1 Split-Seconds Chronograph that carries both these attributes with a flair that’s worthy of a millionaire watch winder collection.

The watch is inspired by McLaren’s latest supercar, the W1 and it is the fourth timepiece created by the duo. The first one came in 2016, and the idea still seems as fresh as a teenager’s love affair. The RM 65-01 is not just about the premium feel of sporting it on your wrist, since it carries advanced features, a horologist will be proud of.

Designer: Richard Mille and McLaren

Richard Mille’s automatic winding chronograph gets the highest speed oscillation movement of 36,000 times per hour, and the ability to record the elapsed time down to one-tenth of a second. They’ve included the rapid winding system for a power reserve of 60 hours. RM 65-01 comes encased in a polished grade 5 titanium carbon case which emulates the bodywork details of the supercar such as the high waistline and anhedral doors. You will notice them at first instance, and instantly know that there is a McLaren story in there.

Going into the intricate details, the watch has an upper bezel measuring five-tenths of a millimeter thick, which technically makes it the thinnest ever from the Swiss brand. The similarities with the McLaren’s latest show stopper don’t end there as the skeletonized titanium dial and the crown are inspired by its wheel rims. Of course, the UK-based automotive company takes a lot of pride in its papaya shades, so we can see the subtle use of the hue on the watch face and the rubber strap. According to Richard Mille’s technical director for casing, this fourth watch in the series “left us with the feeling that Richard Mille and McLaren are perfectly in-tune” and we second that view.

Richard Mille is only going to sell a limited edition of 500 RM 65-01 timepieces each one having a mind-numbing price of approximately $274,000. Whether it’s a day at the track or a usual day at the office, this chronograph is the perfect match for your supercar.

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Teenage Engineering Mind Games Limited Edition OB-04 Speaker celebrates John Lennon’s 84th Birthday

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Teenage Engineering is long known for its musical design and they’ve got another head-scratcher for all the John Lennon fans. His son Sean Ono Lennon has collaborated with Teenage Engineering to create a custom-made Bluetooth speaker for the legendary singer’s birthday. Coincidently, Sean shares his birthday with his father, and this is the perfect gift for him turning 49 and also for diehard fans.

The focus of the minimalist wireless speaker-cum-radio christened Mind Games Limited Edition OB-04 is the 1973 album Mind Games. The audio accessory has a two-hour loop recording function for rewinding, time-stretching and looping the live radio.

Designer: Teenage Engineering

On the outside, the speaker is inspired by the album art of the fourth solo studio album by John. The graphic has the popular graphic where a mini Lennon is minusculed by the Yoko-mountain graphic. The legendary musician and singer was a proponent of peace and the Teenage Engineering’s white truly matches that vibe. Till date fans mourn his death after he got shot, and the speaker’s exclusive content is a homage to that. There are six sets of new mixes of the Mind Games album which include the raw studio mixes, the Evolution documentary, the Elements mixes and Elemental mixes. That’s not it as there is a new metronome, meditation mixes (nine re-edits of the album’s title track) and nine mantras to complete the set. Some of the aforementioned tracks have instrumentals and record engineering by Sean and Scott Holingsworth.

This limited edition version is based on the OB-04 BT speaker which in itself is an exclusive audio accessory. The hardware on the inside remains the same, so audio quality and soundstage are going to be similar. On a single charge, you can listen to the music albums for 40 hours uninterrupted and in the radio mode it goes up to 72 hours. Carrying the weighty legacy of John Lennon, the ‘Mind Games’ edition is understandably priced at $999, almost twice as the standard version which can be bought for $549 in 7 color options.

 

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This AI-equipped smart radio cooks up engaging conversations on trending topics, comes with TWS earbuds for listening freedom

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AI is gradually creeping up in our daily lives, giving us all better ways to be productive without exercising our neural network. If we weren’t already slaves to our phones and PCs, AI will ensure we stay hooked on to our gadgets more than ever. Many applications of AI are more than useful if used smartly.

Most AI models are slowly inching towards a machine learning level that’s useful for more complex day-to-day applications. A direct byproduct of that metamorphosis is this concept radio that is entertaining for good. Meet Symphony AI language module radio that won’t leave you bored sitting on your couch scrolling endlessly in your Instagram feed.

Designer: Junha Kahm

The device comes with an in-built AI language module that creates engaging debates and conversations on a variety of topics. They can range from online news, podcasts, or trends that can be on any platform via YouTube, audio files or PDFs. The gadget is more than just summarizing information that doesn’t require debate. It captures the gist of the reasoning process and discusses information to further provide an opportunity for objective thinking that’s free from any biases. This is done based on all the latest world’s information.

These two functions of the Symphony radio are kept separate via two modes. One of them is the Summary Mode which is more of a knowledge-condensing function for extracting the summary of elaborate topics that can get boring at times. The other is the Debate Mode which is more engaging and dynamic since it gathers and presents contentious information available online in a narrative format. In the second mode, the AI-driven approach presents individual perspectives and understands the issues more openly. This expands the user’s thoughts in a very entertaining way.

Symphony is like a small radio playing local channels in the afternoon, letting you engage with the latest news and information while sipping coffee. The gadget also comes with a monochrome screen to prompt all the spoken content in a textual format. Carrying a very future-forward design language, the Symphony radio has two wireless earbuds attached magnetically to the sides, hidden from plain sight. They let you enjoy all the AI-generated conversations without disturbing others in the room. Other than that, the radio has all those normal buttons to change channels, toggle volume levels and play/pause the broadcast.

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Reebok Boktober collection comprises five spooky Monsters-inspired shoes for Halloween

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The media franchise, Universal Monsters, has influenced pop culture in many different ways, especially with their notable characters that live with us even outside of the cinematic universe. Reebok is tapping the legacy of these iconic characters to captivate its consumer base with a footwear collection themed after Dracula, Frankenstein, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Creature From the Black Lagoon, and the Wolfman.

This plunge into the Halloween spirit is brought forth in a collaborative effort from Reebok and Universal Monsters. The “Boktober” collection celebrates the iconic monsters to revive the nostalgia with spookiness. The uniquely-themed silhouettes will resonate with fans from all age groups and ethnicities.

Designer: Reebok

Reebok, in the collective, is giving a Halloween makeover to its iconic footwear silhouettes, which through the Universal Monsters x Reebok “Boktober” Collection are likely to be available starting October 11 priced between $120 – $220. The first in the collection is the Reebok BB 4000 II + Dracula which pays tribute to the greatest vampire of all time. The $130 pair features a patented leather upper with color-shifting material, making the shoe appear blood-stained.

$180 Pump TZ + Frankenstein is a tribute to Frankenstein with glue-stain details and deco stitching throughout. It has metal hardware mimicking the monster’s neck bolts while the translucent aged rubber outsole wraps up the look. In the catalog next is the Club C Bulc + The Wolfman priced at $120 which is the least expensive but a wholesome tribute to the Wolfman. Featuring a textile upper with draping hairy suede overlays, the shoes have distressed laces and a blood-stained textile finish.

Designed to mark the the 70th anniversary of Creature From the Black Lagoon and the 30th anniversary of Reebok’s Instapump Fury; the Instapump Fury 94 Mid + Creature from the Black Lagoon in the collection is priced at $220. The most expensive pair is a fusion of history and style featuring reptilian-textured nubuck overlays topped with moss and algae print. The women-only silhouette Club C Megacourt + The Bride of Frankenstein is perhaps the spookiest of all, which draws inspiration from the dead body parts Frankenstein constructed the monster with. Highlighted with deco stitching throughout, the shoes have distressed laces and rubber soles.

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Oakley Flex Scape hybrid ski goggles-sunglasses adapt to your face shape for the ideal fit

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Oakley is known for its innovation in the eyewear category and we expect nothing but the best every time they come up with something new. The futuristic Moonveil cape for tough sports in extreme conditions impressed us a lot. Now, the California-based eyewear pros have revealed the Flex Scape performance eyewear that comes with a hybrid frame to function both as alpine goggles and sunglasses.

This fashion-forward eyewear makes use of PhysioMorphic Geometry and is based on the acclaimed Kato model. The former ensures a natural fit around the face for a wide level of coverage. This new launch gives active individuals more reason than one to invest in the brand, both for their jogs in the city and explorations in the high mountains.

Designer: Oakley

The USP of these ski goggles is their ability to adapt to the wearer’s face for unmatched comfort and performance. The purpose-built nature of the lens conforms to the facial structure just like a mask dies. This results in a wide field of vision which is important in fast action sports or highly active lifestyle activities. The switch from the goggles to the sunglasses is easy with the one-size-fits-all woven strap. Each of the single-layer lenses comes with the brand’s signature Prizm technology which is highly optimized for color, contrast and detail – wherein there is a significant reduction in distortion, reflection and refraction. No wonder top athletes swear by the performance of products equipped with this tech. The durability of these goggles is top notch like all times, and you don’t have to worry about high-impact collisions on the slope.

According to team Oakley athlete Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the 100% UV-protected glasses are a game-changer having the flexibility to flex from the mountains to the streets. Not only does it look dope but also suits any lifestyle from air to apres. The Oakley Flex Scape goggles cum sunglasses priced at $373 are available in two colors – Matte Black with Prizm 24K and Matte Grey Snow with Prizm Snow Sapphire Iridium.

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Nintendo’s attractive little smart alarm clock gamifies your waking up routine

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Nintendo has just dropped a surprise product for fans and it has nothing to do with the anticipated Switch successor. Meet the Alarmo desk clock which is initially going to be available to Switch Online customers in the US and Canada later this week, and from Nintendo Store, you can buy it right now for $100. If you ever imagined what an alarm clock from Mario’s nightstand would look like, this would be it.

The in-house project is a result of collaborative work between hardware developer Tetsuya Akama and games developer Yosuke Tamori. This special alarm clock is not a result of random design iteration, but rather a product of numerous trials and errors after building many prototypes.

Designer: Nintendo

Dubbed Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, the desk alarm clock is built with a major focus on motion sensor technology courtesy of a camera. Keeping privacy at the forefront, the sensor tracks user movement during sleep to wake them up smoothly out of the slumber in the morning. The clock will not simply beep or ring bells like a regular alarm clock, as it’ll smartly wake you up (with adaptable snoozes) depending on whether you have been turning and tossing in bed or slept like a dog. If you do sleep with a partner or a pet, the thing won’t work, so the accessory is intended mainly for loners.

The red-themed clock uses classic game sound to wake you up with the option to set the display theme to one of the 35 options including scenes from popular titles like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure. Linking your existing Nintendo account expands that library to scenes from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons games. The $100 is justifiable with other features including hourly chimes during the day for focus sessions, playing chill music to doze off during nighttime, and recorded data of your sleep patterns over time.

According to Nintendo, the smart clock rewards you for getting up with a “victory fanfare” for your efforts. This is more like gamifying your getting up routine to feel a sense of achievement first thing in the morning. They are going to add more titles to the library in the coming days with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons already in the works. Nintendo has promised availability to a greater audience in the future, so gamers can look forward to adding another gaming-themed accessory to their den.

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Kia reincarnates the iconic old school Pride as a powerful electric car restomod we love

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The gas-powered Kia Pride was a successful subcompact hatchback from the 90s that was a rebatched Ford Festiva. For the 80th anniversary of the brand’s business in the UK, they have restored the 1996 Pride 1.3 LX into an all-electric restomod. This one-off electrified reincarnation of the classic family car gets a stellar EV powertrain conversion courtesy of a British manufacturer.

According to Kia, the electric hot hatch is one of the most powerful of its kind, and they playfully call it a “true socket rocket.”  All the combustion components have been replaced with a powerful EV powertrain and the only components retained from the original are the five-speed manual transmission and drive shafts. This brings maximum drivable engagement for motorheads who care.

Designer: Kia

The renewed avatar of the Pride boasts 107 bhp (80kW) and 173 lb-ft of torque, almost double the power of its older counterpart. On the inside, the electric motor, twin 10 kWh battery packs, and a charging port replace the older gas-powered engine, fuel tank and filler neck. All these core modifications lead to an acceleration of 0 to 62 mph in 8 seconds flat. Kia assures that the 20 kWh battery pack can stretch a total mileage of 120 miles on a single full charge in the Evo mode which is good enough for a city commuter like this one. In this drive configuration the engine shifts to producing 60 bhp with a maximum torque of 11 Nm. Talking of which, the Pride EV also has two other modes – Auto and Sport – the latter offering a max power output of 107 bhp and 173 lb-ft torque.

Sadly, this restomod version is going to be a one-off and not up for sale anytime in the future. That said Kia is launching many EVs like the latest EV3 as a part of the plan to have 15 electric vehicles by 2027. Nine of these will be available for sale in the UK.

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Globe-Trotter’s James Bond carry-on trolley suitcase is tribute to 60 years of the Goldfinger

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Goldfinger will rekindle so many memories in numerous 007 fans. The cars, the music, and the one-liners of this first Bond blockbuster, and perhaps to date, the most revered James Bond movie, live on with us since the 1964 film was released. Now, to mark its 60th anniversary, Globe-Trotter has made a limited-edition suitcase collection that all bond fans would want to lay their hands on, if their budget permits that is!

The James Bond Carry-On Trolley Case is inspired by the gadget-packed Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5 and the grey and white glen check three-piece suit in which Bond drove the DB5. The modern luggage with hints of the iconic past will be released in an exclusive limited edition of 60 examples only.

Designer: Globe-Trotter

Globe-Trotter is a team of highly skilled artisans based in Herefordshire, England. Reckoned for their handcrafted suitcases and travel accessories, their ways of manufacturing and machinery date back to the Victorian era, a glimpse of which is apparent also in the Goldfinger 60th Anniversary Numbered Edition Carry-On Trolley.

Globe-Trotter has made the suitcase worthy of James Bond from vulcanized fiberboard panels, a material first invented in the 1850s, with properties stronger than leather and as light as aluminum. Replicating the DB5’s Silver Birch finish from the iconic movie, the suitcase, on four wheels, has a gloss metallic silver exterior accentuated by black leather trims for the straps and on the corners. Reportedly, the leather corners are molded on Victorian press machines over five days for their form and strength.

Things are equally engrossing and detailed on the inside where the fabric lining is digitally imposed with Bond’s three-piece glen check suit. The co-branded leather patch is engraved with ‘Goldfinger Sixty Years’ and the Globe Trotter logo with the individual number of each case. The branding also carries on multiple places on the exterior.

The James Bond Carry-On Trolley suitcase weighs 4.2kg and measures H55cm, W40cm, D21cm. Owing to the size and character, this can be your ideal partner on flights if you have £3,895 GBP (approximately $5,000) to shell for the cabin bag. Available to pre-order, the cases will begin shipping in mid-late October with a choice of three license plate charms on James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in the UK, France and Switzerland.

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This portable toothbrush sanitizer keeps bristles super dry and sterile for complete oral care

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Toothbrush is a holy grail personal care accessory we all need to keep our teeth clean because it’s the first thing in the morning and the last one before going to bed we invest our trust in. For all possible reasons, this product needs to be 100 percent hygienic and clean for oral health. After all your mouth is one of the easiest entryways for harmful pathogens to infect your body.

Thus, it is imperative to invest in a toothbrush sanitizer to maintain oral hygiene as well as prevent any unwanted health hazards. Monsoons can be a hindrance in this motive due to unwanted buildups, and excess humidity which can be breeding ground for pathogens in the brush’s bristles. That’s where this portable toothbrush sanitizer excels compared to other advanced products in the market touting premium oral hygiene.

Designer: Biu Biu

Designed with the motive to give you complete peace of mind while traveling or at home, the Clea toothbrush sanitizer is aesthetically pleasing too. The HG accessory comes with a two-part housing that has a UV sanitizer on one half and a turbofan on the other. The latter keeps the bristles dry at all times, thereby enhancing the anti-bacterial effect. It is also equipped with a smart reminder when it’s time to change the toothbrush based on the longevity of use and the amount of biological buildup.

Clea Toothbrush sanitizer leaves nothing to chance as it displays the level of sanitization and amount of moisture in your brush. Being completely portable makes it ultra-hygienic on travel trips where you can lose track of where your toothbrush is resting in the backpack or on the shelves of your Airbnb. Although it is only a concept for now, materializing it as a real-life product doesn’t seem like a herculean task. So, expect to see the Clea Toothbrush Steriliser elevate your oral health in the near future.

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