Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Chishu 2X is a modern granny designed to read bedtime stories to your tiny tots

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‘There is no friend as loyal as a book,’ but the benefits of reading and the entire idea of owning books are taking a back seat nowadays. The shift of entertainment forms to digital speeds has made our free time busier and immersed our reading hours in reels. The biggest sufferers of this neglect and transformation are kids who remain devoid of bedtime stories and instead are fixated on the screens, swiping through reels and videos with little quality to improve concentration or cultivate the habit of reading.

Taking advantage of all the benefits of reading is essentially impossible going forward. Of course, some parents have managed to keep the routine of reading bedtime stories to their kids; it’s really not a norm anymore. Chishu audiobook player was idealized to help children relive the losing charm of someone reading stories in bed to them. And following the humble recognition of the concept, it is now reimagined with new colors and approach.

Designer: Chanie Liao

Enter Chishu 2X audiobook player, a humble, handy device that wants to improve children’s concentration and cultivate in them the habit of listening to books, at least. The pocket-sized player, equipped with a specially designed story card, is tailored for children below the age of 12. A child can insert the card in a dedicated slot, tune the player to their audio liking, and play the story content while being engrossed in some secondary activity or playing.

The curved, interactive design of the Chishu 2X shortens the distance between children and the audiobook player, making it their storyteller capable of ‘immersing them in the world of stories’ at an early age. To make it more adaptable amid the little ones, the device comes in various base colors. However, each functional area on the device – the story card slot; volume rocker; skip next knob; and the speaker grill – all come in different color options, making the entire package fun to hold and playful to interact with.

Taking of interaction; the little window display in the top right, where the story card slots in from the top, kids can keep tab on the story they’re listening to. The speaker system of the new Chishu 2X has been upgraded and embedded within a lighter and more drop-resistant molded metal body, rendering the device suitable even for older children and young adults to explore.

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Maserati Tridente electric superboat redefines luxurious water adventures

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At the Folgore Day event in Miami, Maserati revealed the world’s first convertible all-electric car, and we were impressed by another one of their unveils. This is the Tridente all-electric luxury motorboat that dots the Italian automaker’s presence on the waters as well.

Just picture a scenario wherein you arrive on a coast in your GranCabrio Folgore, and the Tridente powerboat has you covered for a day at sea. Completely electric, the powerboat is developed in collaboration with VitaPower, a seasoned EV marine company. The EV boat has traces of the Vita Lion powerboat in its DNA, but the Maserati influence is seen in the modern design and upgrades.

Designer: Maserati

The carbon fiber-hulled speedboat measures 34 feet long and allows fat-pocketed millionaires to explore the waters in luxury and comfort. The vessel draped in a beautiful rose gold finish has seating for eight, a swimming platform, and a sundeck bed. The interiors are done in cream to contrast the luxe exteriors and Maserati’s craft can be seen in the streamlined design. The hull is made out of carbon fiber to keep the weight down to a minimum and that helps the dual electric motors powered by the four batteries churn out a maximum of 600 horsepower.

According to Maserati, the powerboat will reach a top speed of 40 knots with a cruising speed of 25 knots for a range of 43 miles on a single charge. The batteries can be topped up in an hour with a DC fast charge connection which is great if you don’t like long delays before another escapade to the waters.

With a price tag of $2,660,000, the Tridente is the perfect companion for your supercar. That said, if you can own this baby, you’ll have to wait for 10 months before laying hands on it.

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G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 is made from recycled resin sourced from waste in the production of Casio watches

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Casio G-SHOCK watches have set a new precedent in durability, functionality, and material design. It is a preferred choice among people who indulge in extreme activities or work in rugged environments, owing to its ability to withstand extreme conditions and live through all the beating. The G-SHOCK wristwatches are unbelievably tough and the brand’s continuous efforts to keep the standard and reliability unchanged have only worked in its favor.

Now in time for Earth Day on April 22 and to make environmentally conscious individuals a fan of its incredible robustness, Casio has released G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 made from recycled resin. The limited-edition watch, made essentially to mark April 12, the birthday of G-Shock, comes with a bezel and band made using recycled resin waste.

Designer: G-SHOCK

Resin has been the go-to material for G-SHOCK watch straps for years now. It has been majorly used because of its properties to withstand shock, and for being lightweight, water resistant, yet looks modern and stylish. Being overly used, resin is generally left over in the production lines, which now by recycling it for watch material, Casio is giving a new lease of life to the otherwise waste material.

The recycled strap material, available in a combination of black, red and yellow colors is made by kneading red and yellow waste resin from classic G-SHOCK in a matte black base to create a unique colorful pattern. This new repurposed resin is used for the construction of the bezel and strap of the G-SHOCK G5600BG-1. The new watch is available in a multicolored pattern and color tone, which Casio informs, may change in every individual watch due to the characteristics of mixed material color of resin.

Furthering the eco-conscious behavior, beyond reducing the environmental impact of resin waste – which would otherwise be discarded – the G5600BG-1 comes with Casio’s Tough Solar technology to keep it charged with the use of sunlight. The watch is G-SHOCK quality robustness is shock-resistant and 200-meter water resistant.

Featuring a case measuring 46.7 × 43.2 × 12.7 mm, the G5600BG-1 weighs only 47g. It comes with 5 world time and 31 time zones, LED backlight, auto calendar (to the year 2099), alarms, stopwatch and other G-SHOCK basics. Casio adds more environmental-friendliness to the $150 G-SHOCK G5600BG-1 with its packaging, which is again made from recycled materials.

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This Drone Referee hovers above the football and players, serving as an airborne VAR

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The most beautiful game, football, is a team sport. But in realism – at the world stage – the game is not limited to the field and teams. Passionate fans and their diehard enthusiasm for clubs and players take the game far and beyond, into the people’s home and their hearts. Despite the love and admiration for football, one wrong on-field decision can leave players behaving irrationally and discerning fans indulging in brawls, intense enough to set stadiums on fire.

Over the years goal-line technology has made a significant difference in the decision-making often faltered by the human eye. Yet, all the other significant on-field decisions are left for humans to make, which even the most qualified and experienced referees can get wrong from time to time. While replacing human intervention from decision-making is visually impossible in the near future; there is a designer who thinks an aerial observer can pull off the task at the amateur level to start with.

Designer: Seungmin Ha

The idea behind “Referee,” a portable drone football referee is as simple as its design: Take to the air, hover above and track the players and the ball, and sound a whistle when a foul occurs. Designed with a Samsung-backed Design Membership program, the two-part system – a drone with rotors and HD camera – moves fluidly around the ball so that there are no blind spots and decisions are spot on. There is no mention of whether the modern Referee will also issue red card for a cardinal foul, or a human ref would still be needed.

The functioning of the Referee is simple to pull off, and the design – modeled after a training cone – makes it even more interesting. It comes packed in a dedicated trolley bag one can tag along to the field and set it to run the game without having to find a human referee to help you with a night game with friends. Since most hobby footballers have time to play in the night hours, after a day’s work, Seungmin has envisioned a Referee with LED lighting that shines along with the whistle when a foul is detected.

To keep the control simple and the design more intriguing, the Referee is controllable via an app. Through the app, you can customize the device’s color to the team that you are playing and also replay the foul scene to make sure close decisions can be fairly dealt with. Potentially a gimmick at the moment, the Referee through its evolution can maybe reach the Premier League stage someday.

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Maserati Unveils GranCabrio Folgore all-electric four-door convertible touting 270 miles range

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Virtually every carmaker on the planet is making the sensible transition to clean energy and Maserati is no different. Now the luxury vehicle manufacturer has revealed its drop-top electric vehicle which now becomes the third all-electric car in the line-up. The GranCabrio Folgore convertible is one of the world’s first electric four-seater of its kind based on the gas-powered GranTurismo Folgore.

The gorgeous beast comes with a tri-motor (300kW magnet motors) electric powertrain that churns out 818 horsepower and approximately 1,000 lb-ft of torque. It’s worth mentioning, that the EV is based on the 800V technology adapted from Formula E. That makes it capable of reaching a top speed of 180 mph and 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds.

Designer: Maserati

The drop-top performance EV has a WLTP-rated range of 260-277 miles on a single full charge. The Italian marque is also promising a maximum charge speed of 270 kW. That means a charge of just 10 minutes will get you 120 miles of range. The convertible top mode operates at up to a speed of 31 mph and retracts in mere 14 seconds. Noticeably, the contraption takes very little space to preserve boot space for hauling luggage.

If you are wondering how the GranCabrio manages those classic proportions despite being and EV, well, that is attributed to the T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack positioned between and behind the passengers. This eliminates the traditional seating position of EVs that’s more of a tall-in-the-saddle category. On the inside, the EV’s cabin is laden in premium inserts, a luxe ambiance, tech inclusions and the use of eco-friendly materials make it a sweet deal. Maserati has paid much attention to detail for the Econyl seats that come with laser-etched perforations for visual attractiveness.

The front seats come with 18-way adjustable freedom and neck warmers for chilly weather conditions. That steering wheel is wrapped in leather and complements the brushed aluminum paddle shifters. The 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster is paired with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, heads-up display, and a 16-speaker Sonus Faber sound system. Maserati is offering the EV in a staggered wheel-and-tire package that has 20-inch fronts and 21-inch rears. These can be chosen in six different wheel designs and four different finishes.

Someone looking for a performance electric convertible has got their wish granted as the Maserati GranCabrio is slated to hit the showrooms in early 2025. Of course, it’ll come at a steep price tag of approximately $200,000!

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Nike is pushing the ‘Air’ to make a difference in the athletes’ stride at the Paris Olympics and beyond

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While athletes around the globe are preparing to compete at the Paris Olympics this year, there is one company that is pushing “Air” to make a difference in the competitor’s stride. We are talking about Nike which is going futuristic with the new Blueprint Pack, its upcoming set of sneakers that will thrive on the boundless properties of its Air cushioning for the athlete’s foot.

When it comes to long-distance runners’ preference for shoes, Nike is the name to reckon with. This is not only because of the brand name and robust marketing but also because the Swoosh brand has, over the years, perfected the comfort for enhancing the runner’s performance. With the new list of 13 products that will be released in time for the Summer Olympics in Paris, Nike is also targeting a new range of sports, including track, basketball, football, and even lifestyle footwear.

Designer: Nike

Besides, Nike is also showcasing A.I.R (Adaptive Intelligence Responsive) concept footwear in Paris, planned in collaboration with champions of their repute including Eliud Kipchoge, Kylian Mbappé, and Sha’carri Richardson and more. These never-seen and idealized designs are a glimpse of the future of sports shoes meant to revolutionize how athletes train and compete. The interesting aspect of these prototypes, beyond their futuristic design, is that they will include sensors to analyze data that would allow the athletes to optimize their performance while providing support and comfort.

In the ambitious move to rework the Air midsole, which is already versatile and comforting, Nike is working more precisely with athletes’ requirements to bring it to every category of footwear possible. The dynamic Nike Air unit is the focus of the company’s designs for the summer, which is a nod to the brand cofounder Bill Bowerman and his obsession to make the best shoes for athletic performance.

Based on the designs envisioned by Bowerman, Nike is using cutting-edge technologies to imagine those sketches to create the Blueprint Pack that closes the gap between sports science, design, and manufacturing. To that accord, the Nike Blueprint Pack will, when it is released on July 3, feature the best of Air innovations in multiple ranges of shoes including the Pegasus Premium, which was the first running footwear with a visible Air Zoom unit.

Besides, the inventive designs have been envisioned for the Nike Victory 2, Nike Maxfly 2 for the runners; the G.T. Hustle 3 for the basketball fans, and the 2024 Nike Mercurial football boot. These shoes, with the new Air cushioning approach, will make their presence felt at the Olympics, while Nike informs, alongside the Blueprint Pack, it could release an energy-driving colorway pack before the games. However, there is no word from Nike on when or if the A.I.R prototypes will be released to the public.

 

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This hybrid adventure motorbike with balloon tires can take on any tough terrain with ease

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There’s something about motorbikes with fat tires that makes them exceptionally interesting. Either it’s a perceived notion that they are more suited for all-terrain adventures or their beefy tire set makes them seemingly more durable than the rest. Either way, it’s a fact that fat-tire bikes are more suited for slippery, sandy or snowy terrain. The Arsenale have reincarnated their 2×2 Ultrabike in a new avatar because the two-wheeler somehow failed to capture attention at its maiden attempt. The improved and rebranded Plan B (the name says it all) is a second strive to pique interest in the cross-country off-road adventure bike genre.

What’s not going to go down well with prospective buyers is that the 2×2 bike costs $2,000 while the Plan B motorbike is priced at $15,000. That’s an exorbitant inflated value even though this newer version comes with added upgrades and tech improvements. Tough, we’re hoping for a lauded set of improvements, and a more affordable price tag in consequent versions.

Designer: The Arsenale

The balloon-tired motorbike retains its electric powertrain DNA in a low-power hybrid gas/electric format, powering the 2WD system. The bike touts an ultra-long range of more than 200 miles (depending on driving style and terrain) as it is more lightweight now. Even though it doesn’t look production-ready compared to the likes of Rokon, if everything goes well, it could lure buyers who are seeking a reliable adventure bike that’s easy to maneuver and promises a long range. But that price tag when compared against the $10,250 MotoTracktor by Rokon still is a deal breaker.

The form, as seen in the pictures looks impressive and we’re eager, as to how the thing will look in real life. That ride height is quite assuring of its capability to take on any rough surface, and the chunky tires look good to take on any abrasive surface without suffering multiple punctures. The on-board batteries sit right beneath the rider’s sitting position and the electric motor. For the hybrid function when the batteries are short on charge and there’s no charging station in sight, the hybrid drivetrain kicks into action.

In its current state, the e-bike is still raw compared to other offerings that have proven their mettle for some years now. The reliability for first mover advantage is also going to factor in as the Plan B is factually still a “Plan B” by the brand with little proven testing.

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Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot reincarnates as an all-electric humanoid that’s more agile and good-looking

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Boston Dynamics has been building a fleet of robots for decades now, and they are quite serious about it. the MIT spin-off has made a name for itself with cutting-edge innovations in robotics that serve a purpose for the future. After retiring the Atlas hydraulic robot just a day ago, now the company is looking beyond the horizon with an all-electric Atlas version which is better than the retired predecessor, both in form and physical capabilities. Plus its smartness with new AI and machine learning tools opens up new avenues of applications that we could only have imagined a decade ago.

After a resounding success with Spot the robot dog and Strech multi-purpose mobile robot, they are entering a new era with Atlas that’s more humanoid without having the limitations of a bipedal robot. The result is a super agile robot that can tackle “dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks.” According to Boston Dynamics, electric Atlas is stronger and dextrous. Even though it looks more human than ever, the machine is not limited by the inherent limitations when it comes to our range of motion.

Designer: Boston Dynamics

The new version has a more refined design that’s akin to a sci-fi movie character. It looks eerily close to a humanoid. The electric version has a straighter back, longer limbs, and a head that can rotate 360 degrees. It’s heartening to see all the exposed cables vanish and a face with a built-in ring light. In the teaser video, it can be seen how the Atlas swivels 180 degrees to get up and then turn to head towards the camera. According to BD, the robot “will move in ways that exceed human capabilities.” Hyundai is one of the first clients to test out the nimble robot, and its agility with the interchangeable grippers for varied tasks.

I can’t help but avoid mentioning the Pixar lamp-like head with a jittery motion reminding us all that it’s a robot at the end of the day. We can expect more information to come in about Atlas in the coming weeks, and other humanoid robots from Figure and Apptronik will have to keep a close eye on this development by Boston Dynamics.

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HMD’s Clamshell “Boring Phone” is a nightmare for productivity but lifesaver for offline social life

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Smartphone usage has become a nemesis for people of all generations, and this addiction isn’t going to die anytime soon. Some try to get out of the clutches with strong willpower, others try to restrict themselves with minimalist phones, and most of us simply give in to the temptation of using the smart device. Eventually, those who can’t limit their screen time succumb to the overhyped online world and damage their mental well-being.

The idea here is to get super bored with your phone, so that you barely find it interesting, to concentrate on more fruitful activities. That’s what HMD Global wants to achieve with a translucent flip phone developed in collaboration with Heineken and Boston-based creative streetwear firm, Bodega. The flip device carries a retro vibe and lets you connect with friends and family via phone calls or SMS. Yes, no social media or other time churning apps on this one folks. Not even the freedom to connect at 5G speeds. Can you take that challenge up when everything around you seems ultra boring, and you have nothing to fall back on?

Designer: HMD, Heineken and Bodega

Those who have seen or owned the Nokia 2660 Flip will instantly be hit by nostalgia, as this tech-handicapped device is based on the retro flip phone. The transparent casing paired with the monochrome theme makes the Boring phone interesting, at least looks-wise. There’s holographic Bodega and Heineken branding all over the device’s rear to pep up its desirability quotient. Functionally the device is super boring but looks steal the limelight here.

The barebones specifications will not interest nerds we are sure, as it comes with a 2.8-inch QVGA (240x320px) primary display and a 1.77-inch cover screen. On the rear, there’s a 0.3MP camera with an LED flash, but don’t bank on this to take normal photos you are used to even in broad daylight. To kill your time, there a snake game, FM radio (goodbye Spotify and Deezer), and a headphone jack to listen to your collection of songs.

128GB of storage should be more than enough to host your collection and if that isn’t enough you can expand it via a microSD card slot. The 1,450mAh battery lasts at least a week on standby and 20 hours on calls. HMD has fitted dual SIM slots and 4G connectivity, thank god for that if you ultimately buy this phone and decide to go on an adventure spree!

The Boring Phone is limited to just 5,000 units worldwide and it won’t be available to buy, spoiler alert. HMD will hand out the transparent flip phone to users via giveaways, competitions and consumer engagement events. This will start at the Milan Design Week on 18 April, and if you want to reclaim your offline social life, find a way to acquire one!

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IKEA reveals gaming furniture collection that blends perfectly with modern interiors

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There’s something about gamers that reflects in their overall persona and living space. You can walk into a home and instantly tell it’s a gamer’s den. IKEA wants to condition this perception by making a gamer’s living space more accommodating and comfortable for their non-gaming family members or close pals. Taking a detour from the usual dark-themed setups, the BRÄNNBOLL collection of gaming furniture fuses the best of both worlds.

This subtle collection of 20 versatile items makes even more sense as gaming-themed interiors or furniture items are draped in dark-colored hues. Even IKEA’s previous gaming-themed ROG collection was following the norm. This time around the Swedish multinational wants to concentrate more on the simplistic color schemes that are relevant even when you are not gaming, or when other members of the family are around. According to IKEA, the colors used in this collection are inspired by athleisure and street sports. They’ve balanced these hues with neutral and bright colors, so that they easily mix with the modern home interior design.

Designer: IKEA

According to Ikea product design developer Philip Dilé, the collection is about “making it simple for people to create spaces that adapt to gaming, living, and everything in between.” Coming on to the new collection, there is a desk, chairs, storage solutions and accessories that’ll not only appeal to gamers, but also normal users. A deeper insight into the collection reveals a focus on seating. There’s a fold-out armchair that converts into a lounge for playing intense Battle Royale titles, a rocking-style chair for relaxed gaming in utmost comfort, and an inflatable donut chair having a footstool for casual arcade games.

The most luring item in this collection for me is the gaming station that folds away to resemble a contemporary cupboard. It’s like a hidden portal to your gaming island, only revealed when you are in the mood for some serious gaming on your PC or gaming console. The unit includes a foldable tabletop, cable management system, cleverly incorporated PC tower storage, side table that doubles as a storage box and shelves. IKEA has included textile accessories including a mousepad, a throw and a rug to make your PC gaming a satisfying experience every time you open the cabinet doors.

The collection comes with a rollable side table with pegboard customizations to keep your handheld device, gadgets controllers, headphones and of course popcorn basket. Other than this, BRÄNNBOLL collection has the option to pick up wall-mounted display shelves to show off your collectibles and merchandise. There’s no word about the pricing or availability of the collection, but it is expected to be slated to be released in September this year. We should have more information coming in the months leading up to the release, and we are already excited.

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