Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

This super-slim, portable Bluetooth speaker is fitting companion for your next travel destination and Harman Kardon portfolio

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There is no denying the profound impact travel and music have on healing the mind and rejuvenating the body. When we travel, a good portable speaker is a necessary companion to enhance well-being and inspire us back to take up the mundane life by its neck, until travel is on the itinerary once again.

Top-notch brands have a range of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market that tinkle the audio senses beyond imagination, but it’s the design that weighs heavier on our choice. To that accord, Harman Kardon has been at the forefront of delivering portable audio equipment that helps us tap the transformative power of music on the go. Case in point the Esquire Mini 2!

Designer: Sunghyun (Teddy) Hwang

Taking a leaf from the design of this ultra-slim and portable Bluetooth speaker, a designer has tweaked the form factor to give us a super-slim speaker that evokes memories of a Sony point-and-shoot camera. Fittingly called the Traveller, the Bluetooth speaker is designed according to the Harman Kardon design language. It has a premium design and a look as iconic as the Esquire Mini 2, with touch control buttons and LED light indicators on the top.

Entrusted with meaty features for a traveler’s liking, the slimy speaker comes powered by a high-density battery offering up to 10 hours of backup for uninterrupted music on the go. Interestingly, the Traveller has reverse charge functionality. So, when your primary device playing music through the speaker dies, you can use the Traveller as a power bank to juice it up back to life.

Since the beautiful and compact speaker has Harman Kardon branding; the range and sound quality are a given. What would stand out for many – who cannot avoid calls no matter where they go – the Traveller features dual microphones with built-in echo and noise cancellation for clarity in calls you take or make. To be delivered in three interesting colors: black, silver and electric blue within a premium quality carry pouch, the Traveller Bluetooth speaker intends to be a suitable companion for your next travel destination and Harman’s portfolio.

 

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Cybertruck-inspired Cyberdrop trailer would make bike packing more adventurous and fun

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A Canadian cyclist has designed and developed an e-bike trailer that he calls the Cyberdrop. Inspired by the angular design of the Tesla Cybertruck, the trailer, to tow behind an electric bike, is everything a Cybertruck isn’t. Like the Cybertruck is designed to make pickup camping a breeze, the Cyberdrop, still a prototype, will make bike-packing a comfortable journey and effortless activity when it is available for production.

When you venture out into the great outdoors on a bike, you tag along your camping tent. Everything is fine until you install and uninstall the canvas and pitch it again without fail, night after night. The Cyberdrop hitches up an interesting contraption behind your bike to save you the setup and repacking woes, instead giving you a permanent structure with basic amenities so no matter where the day takes you, you have a comfortable place to stretch your legs and rewind for the next day’s adventure.

Designer: Cyberdrop

Given the fact that bike packing is a huge industry, there is insignificant attention paid to making adventures with an e-bike comforting in comparison to a car or pickup. One reason that comes to mind could probably be the kind of energy a bike and rider must generate to get the towing trailer going.

Cyberdrop is not just about its look and Cybertruck inspiration. It’s a camping solution that has been thoroughly thought out even to a position where the bike’s two motors are further assisted for power by the third one installed on the wheel hub of the Cyberdrop. So, you can decide how much or how little to pedal while negotiating moderate hills or gunning for the bigger climbs. The motors, onboard electricals, cabin lights, and vent fan are powered by a built-in 9.5-kW lithium battery or the rooftop solar panel option.

For stability and compactness, the Cyberdrop features an aluminum frame, covered with neoprene to avert condensation, and a good 8 feet of living space. The bed stretches most of the construction, which includes nifty storage spaces, and height enough to allow a user to sit, change clothes, or cook comfortably. On the roll, the Cyberdrop offers a 130-mile range and is likely to retail for approximately $6,500.

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Explore Instagram in a refreshing interface with this retro-modern gadget

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For those who just can’t resist scrolling their Instagram feed, a standalone gadget is the way to go. The easy accessibility to carry it along in your pocket and access anytime. This is the Retro Instagram Gadget that carries the charm of the classic 90s designs with a definitive element of the old television and a semblance of retro gaming console shapes.

But don’t let the looks fool you as the concept gadget is fitted with state-of-the-art technology to enjoy Instagram on your terms. Loaded with the latest wireless and Bluetooth configuration, the gadget lets you upload your favorite photos and videos on the fly.

Designer: Edwar Banquet

The accessory makes complete sense for someone who’s using Instagram for content creation or taking advantage of business avenues in the online space. The ability to update the latest from your kitty without having the distractions of phone calls or messages from other apps is the high point here. Casual users can also simplify their Instagram checking rituals with this lifestyle accessory. There are dedicated buttons for interacting with your followers, scrolling the feed, typing in your responses on comments, or simply sharing content with buddies.

The long-lasting battery on this one can last for days, so even if you are constrained by charging issues during travels or busy office hours, the Retro Instagram Gadget doesn’t disrupt your updating schedule. The nostalgic element of this accessory makes you want to appreciate the finer things in life and the tactile button input further enhances the usage experience.

Using this standalone gadget makes sense for people who use Instagram extensively. For those who use other social media platforms as well, they are better off with their multi-tasking bundle of joy – yes your smartphone!

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Industrial design influenced music player impresses with transparent body shell

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For audiophiles the craving to hear the smallest little detail can lead to purchases that otherwise might seem pointless to normal music listeners. In times dominated by wireless audio solutions, a wired solution seems pre-historic but it does deliver superior audio. That’s why you can still find enthusiasts yearning for Sony, Shanling, FiiO, Astell & Kern or iBasso.

This Cyberpunkish MP3 music player concept is designed for geeky audio listeners who love to own gadgets that are a league apart. The transparent aesthetics expose all the hardware inside, letting you connect with the intricacies of the micro equipment like none other. This holds merit in a space where all the high-resolution MP3 players follow a predictable design language.

Designer: Alex Casabò

The interface of the music player induces elements of the famous Winamp player that ruled every geeks personal computer way back in the late 2000s. That’s mixed perfectly with the diffused amber LED lighting reminiscent of the Cyberpunk world. Use of metal inserts in X-shape to the bottom front section enhance its industrial appeal. While the designer doesn’t detail-in about the reinsertable part on the top behind the screen, I assume it’s the memory storage that can be connected to your PC for easy data transfer.

The Device is functional with a pair of AA batteries or can be charged up with the USB-C connector. To ensure seamless connectivity with you DAC’s or other audio equipment, there are ports on the left side. The whole design bears a raw industrial look – right from the menu buttons to the volume toggle buttons. There’s no clarity about the audio formats supported by the gadget – all we know is it atleast comes with plug-and-play MP3 support.

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This TV Trolley installed with a 55-inch screen is perhaps the most effective room divider

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Open floor plan is not just a dominant architectural trend in offices and tiny house, it is one of the most interesting trends in residential construction as well. As the name suggests, this type of home layout comprises one large open room that caters to functions of multiple rooms. In general, the “great room” as this segmentation is referred to, includes the living room, dining, and kitchen in a common shared floor space.

There are many advantages of such a layout, but it minimizes privacy. Therefore, the use of room dividers is hugely popular among homeowners residing out of such residential floor plans to create a division for privacy. These dividers largely – made of wood – serve a visually appealing dual function of bookshelves. Now Trolley, wants to add another segment to this functionality.

Designers: Hongseok Seo, S2Victor Design Studio, Haechan Nam and Minkwan Seo

As the name suggests, the Trolley is a unit based on wheels for easy maneuverability. Again, designed with multifunctionality in mind, the designers have tried to create this room divider with a TV screen on one side and shelves: for books and décor items, on the other side. Interestingly, there is another shelf extending the width of the contraption in the base.

Designed to fit any home space without disturbing its aesthetics, the Trolley houses a 55-inch slim display and on the flip, side has storage for accessories such as the remote, game controller, and set top box, et al. Though it is difficult to decipher whether the display is built-in or you can have your own existing TV set installed into it, we do know that it is highly portable.

To that accord, the designers have made the Trolley in two parts, the base which separates from the TV section and the two can be used standalone or as one unit, by assembling the two back together. Trolley is constructed from premium metal and finished in matte bluish-grey hue. Save yourself the effort of purchasing a separate TV stand, or mounting the set on the wall, with the Trolley, you can isolate your living area from the dining/study with minimum fuss.

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Terracamper turns Mercedes G Wagon into an equipped off-grid camper van with Tecrawl conversion kit

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We have seen some interesting and capable camper vans through 2023. A successful year for the industry is about to wrap up but Terracamper – based out of Germany – wants it should do so on a high. It is therefore giving Mercedes enthusiasts, others of course included, the opportunity  to enhance their outdoor activities this winter, and going forward into the summer, with the new Tecrawl G-Camper kit.

Yeah, it’s the G Wagon and not the ideal and beloved Sprinter van that forms the basis for this conversion. The 4×4 G Class Mercedes has been outfitted with a basic layout and modular accessories to make a camper van worthy of being taken out for a longer spin than a weekend.

Designer: Terracamper

Taking of which, the German camping marque has just about done justice to incorporate the luxury a Merc may demand. The idea of the conversion kit is to keep things simple yet focus largely on utility. The Tecrawl, therefore, comes with a full thermal insulation pack for the colder months and a 31-L compressor cool box for the summery days. The power requirement is taken care of by the optional solar energy system and the integrated 150Ah lithium battery.

The renewable energy system renders the Tecrawl capable of camping off the grid. For comfort inside, the Tecrawl provides the G Wagon with a comfortable sleeping unit for three people. The main sleeping section is crafted in the provided rooftop tent – accessible via a ladder – while the convertible dining table morphs into a sleeper for the third person. This table also fulfills the third function: It flips into a work desk beside a side sofa ideal for the needs of a mobile workaholic.

Terracamper furnishes the Tecrawl G-Camper with decent interior storage and provides a retractable awning to extend the living space when you’re camped. Here you can also pull out the kitchenette from within the camper van for the culinary requirements. The pull-out kitchen offers a two-burner gas stove, fold-out counters, a prep area, and a utility fridge. The water requirement is catered to by a removable 20-L fresh water canister and a portable dry toilet space you trip outdoors. Given its merits, the Tecrawl G Wagon camper van conversion kit starts at €11,000 (roughly $11,900).

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Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro headphones analyze brainwaves to optimize your work-life balance

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Master & Dynamic can satisfy the most finicky audiophiles with the highest-quality audio solutions. Already on the high spectrum of the headphones industry, the NY-based company now wants to break the shackles and venture into the new age of music listening experience.

They’ve collaborated with Neurable, a tech company focused on bringing neuroscience to everyday gadgets for user’s well-being. The result is a pair of cans that are smart enough to know when you are stressed or need to focus on the task at hand. In a way these headphones are not just about listening to music, rather they are about optimizing your mental state for peak focus or stress relief to get you through the day.

Designer: Master & Dynamic and Neurable

Dubbed the MW75 Neuro, these high-tech wireless headphones provide precise statistics and graphs for analysis, so that you can plan your day to maximize productivity. This is of course done via the accompanying app that highlights the most productive times to the moments of stress. On their own, the MW75 Neuro can mute notifications, enable Do Not Disturb mode and activate the Active Noise Canceling mode if it determines your brain has too much fluff to filter out in a period of focus tasks. All the fancy tech will be housed in the padded earcups of the headies and they look and feel almost like any other luxury headphones.

As clear from the name, these advanced headphones are based on the brand’s acclaimed MW75 headphones that have class-leading audio performance courtesy of the 40mm Beryllium drivers, ANC capabilities thanks to the 4 microphones that toggle the ANC levels based on the environmental sounds and stellar 28 hours battery life with ANC turned on. The MW75’s Master & Dynamic wants to usher into a new era of BCI-enabled wearable technology with these cans, and this is a clear sign of where the industry is heading toward, taking the next big leap in audio.

As Jonathan Levine, Master & Dynamic founder & CEO put it, “The greatest advancement of audio technology over the last decade has been the migration from analog to Bluetooth wireless devices. Moving now into brain sensing thrusts the industry into a new wave of innovation. We’re proud to lead the charge with Neurable.”

The Neuro variant will be available in four colors (Onyx, Argent, Olive, and Navy) for early adopters in the first quarter of 2024 for a price tag of $649. That’s only $50 more than the standard MW75 version which increases its likelihood of being picked up by geeks who want to experience more than just sublime audio. The M&D headphones will be a game changer for professionals who strive for a balanced work-life regime and audiophiles who are too obsessed with the technical and specifications!

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BeTriton unveils first affordable solution of a boat, camper, and trailer in one to tow behind your e-bike

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There are some who conceive an idea, build on it, and sit back and relax on the royalty. Then, there are others who gather feedback and set out to recreate what the people really want. Aigars Lauzis of BeTriton – formally Z-Triton – is from the league of recreators. Thriving on the success of the sustainable adventure partner, BeTriton 2.0 released in Spring 2023, designed for uninterrupted journey on land and water; the adventuring builder is back with a new camper/trailer for your electric bike. This would let you camp on land and water again with equal convenience.

An exciting and practical combination of a boat + camper + trailer, the BeTriton e-bike trailer is not starkly different from what we got with the full-fledged BeTriton 2.0. In fact, it strips down some unnecessary elements – identified on consumer feedback – and retains the cabin to still accommodate two people and a dog. The significant change here is an option for e-bike owners to use their standard bike, instead of an integrated variant, to tow the trailer on land.

Designer: BeTriton

The more affordable and flexible BeTriton trailer also carries on with the most beloved, core functionality: boating, users wanted the company to carry forward with, when the BeTriton 2.0 was rented out during the summer for trails. The flexible towing design allows various e-bike variants to be used as hauling ride for the trailer that was unveiled at the Nexpo Exhibition in Tallinn.

According to the information shared in a YouTube video, the BeTriton Trailer is an affordable and convenient adventure camper and boat. Unbolting four bolts, the users can remove the wheels and get into the super fun electric boating mode. Rear wheels can even fold up on the buoyant floats if you don’t want to make the extra effort. 24-inch wheels are used in the trike contraption of the trailer, which can connect through a simple mechanism to the bike seat post when you are up for the road journey.

The cabin maintains the structural integrity and interiors of the predecessor yet it is highly customizable to give users the tailored convenience for the journey. There is an electronic Lift System for the motor, on the front, and the cabin can be used in open configuration with just the windscreen or covered up with PVC cover to weatherproof the cabin. And when you are riding on an unbeaten path, you can also have an aluminum frame installed for a full cabin look.

There is no information, at the time of writing, about the battery power or range of the BeTriton trailer. What we readily know is the trailer camper can make space to store your foldable electric bike, but if you don’t have a foldable one, the company may soon have a mount so you can carry the bike onboard when you go floating on the water. The initial variant of the e-bike trailer is ready for production with worldwide limited edition delivery expected in the summer of 2024.

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Philippe Starck designs futureproof Hydrogen refueling station disguised in an invisible cloak

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Philippe Starck is renowned for his ingenuity when it comes to enriching lives with unique creations. The acclaimed French designer and architect has proved time and again what comes to the fore when unwavering focus and brilliance are fused. In the latest venture with HRS (leading European manufacturer of hydrogen stations), Starck has created one of the most striking hydrogen refueling stations you would come across.

Dubbed HRS by Starck, the prototype of the refueling station is currently on show at the COP28 climate summit at Expo City Dubai. Being a part of the Green Zone hub (dedicated to decarbonization and energy transition) the creation leverages HRS’s high-capacity refueling prowess and Philippe’s innovation to make possible such a resourceful collaboration.

Designer: Philippe Starck

Amplifying the core idea of clean fuel transition, the fuelling station takes an almost invisible form, just like Hydrogen which is inherently a colorless, clean gas. The fuelling station is made out of polished reflective steel material, as Philippe envisioned it in his mind to have the essence of disappearance. From the very beginning, Starck was crystal clear about the form of the HRS by Starck hydrogen refueling station. This smart-looking device mimics the character of disappearance, dissolving from the viewers’ eyesight, only to reflect the surroundings.

From a distance, the onlookers can only make the distinction when viewing the sunset orange hue from inside the dispenser column on one side. Interestingly, as the viewer has a closer look and peeks inside the rig, it’s almost empty. Obviously, Starck wasn’t going to stop at this, so he added optical effects known as dichroism. For this, the dispenser is fitted with a dichroic-treated glass panel. That is, the refueling rig changes color even though is completely colorless.

The designer wants to dematerialize the design of the refueling rig, thereby making it unobstructed and shifting attention toward the transparent nature of the clean gas. Coming on to the practical aspect of HRS by Starck, the design is modular and scalable. It can dispense hydrogen for vehicles including cars, HGVs, buses, trains, construction machinery and even boats. The dispenser comes with two pressure settings – 350 bar and 700 bar for multi-vehicle compatibility.

The refueling dispenser is all set to be operational by 2024 if the project doesn’t hit any speedbumps. Truly, this design revolving around “elegant and intelligent energy” is all set to serve the future.

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BMW x TYDE reveals world’s largest foiling yacht to efficiently motorize the days above the waves

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Foiling technology in yachts is not new, but it has really taken off above the waves in recent times, for its ability to add substantial efficiency and noise-free rides for the demanding, affluent patrons. Case in point, the first collaborative, “The ICON” by BMW and TYDE. Opening new frontiers, the carmaker and marine expert are back with “The OPEN,” the world’s largest foiling motor yacht with luxury unparalleled.

Some collaborations are meant to be, and that’s exactly where it is going with the two abovementioned industry leaders. It is their second partnership for The OPEN, which is meant to be a larger and refiner electric foiling yacht designed for enjoyment above the waves.

Designers: BMW and TYDE

The OPEN is, as the design team puts it, a new “perspective on electrification, sustainability, and innovation.” The inventive electric vessel is designed to measure 49 feet long and about 15 feet in width. It will be powered by a zero-emissions drivetrain, borrowing the efficacy from The ICON. The battery onboard is a BMW i3 with 400kWh capacity and twin 100kW electric motors that provide The OPEN maximum speed of 30 knots.

An interesting aspect is the integrated hydrofoils that will allow the yacht to begin gliding above the water at around 18 knots with minimum drag and utmost silence. The propulsion system further helps reduce OPEN’s energy consumption by up to 80 percent, the designers note.

Capable of cruising over the waves at 25 knots on 50 nautical miles of range, the luxury yacht also adds to the green performance with solar panels embedded in the vessel’s hardtop. The yacht has a windshield wrapped around the seating area which offers a clear yet safe vantage point to check out the surrounding panorama. The life on the deck doubles up from being a solitary sun-basking regime to a dining area, and bathing platform, if you may.

For when the day is over and you need to hit the sack, onboard you have an accommodation for two. The cabin is luxury-packed with all the amenities including a bed, workstation, TV, and ensuite bathroom.  The OPEN electric foiling yacht is likely to begin shipping toward the end of 2024 with TYDE managing the production and marketing.

 

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