Author Archives: Ida Torres

OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon

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One of the better design trends that have made a comeback lately (and one that I wholeheartedly approve of) is the transparent device. We’re seeing things from phone cases to game controllers and devices to printers to keyboards to smart glasses sport that see-through design that we went crazy for back in the 90s. It’s pretty interesting to see the “inner workings” of these devices or at least pretending to see the insides of the gadgets. Now it looks like Chinese brand OnePlus may come out with their own transparent design device that is not a smartphone.

Designer: OnePlus

OnePlus India recently released a teaser ad that seems to hint at a new device that they will be announcing soon. With the tagline “The wonder of music meets the power of tech”, the teaser ad features what looks like a speaker system with an obviously transparent design. This is an expansion of their current product line which is mostly made up of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and wireless earbuds. While having speakers is not really that surprising, what caught people’s attention is the supposed design of the alleged device.

The teaser shows a transparent cube that shows off components that are most likely what you can find inside speakers. Since it’s still just an initial ad and not really the official one, we have no way of knowing what are the specifications of this upcoming product, whether it’s just a portable speaker or a whole speaker system. There is also some speculation that this may be a collaboration with another tech brand, Nothing, which has also been reported to be launching new audio hardware with a transparent design as well.

There is no specific date yet for an official announcement so all we have to go on, for now, is this teaser ad from OnePlus in The Times of India. But based on the image in this ad, it will be a pretty interesting piece of audio hardware if they indeed go with the transparent or see-through design. It will also be interesting to see how the brand (or brands, if the collaboration is true) will fit into the market and go against more established speaker brands.

The post OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon first appeared on Yanko Design.

OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon

Posted on by

One of the better design trends that have made a comeback lately (and one that I wholeheartedly approve of) is the transparent device. We’re seeing things from phone cases to game controllers and devices to printers to keyboards to smart glasses sport that see-through design that we went crazy for back in the 90s. It’s pretty interesting to see the “inner workings” of these devices or at least pretending to see the insides of the gadgets. Now it looks like Chinese brand OnePlus may come out with their own transparent design device that is not a smartphone.

Designer: OnePlus

OnePlus India recently released a teaser ad that seems to hint at a new device that they will be announcing soon. With the tagline “The wonder of music meets the power of tech”, the teaser ad features what looks like a speaker system with an obviously transparent design. This is an expansion of their current product line which is mostly made up of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and wireless earbuds. While having speakers is not really that surprising, what caught people’s attention is the supposed design of the alleged device.

The teaser shows a transparent cube that shows off components that are most likely what you can find inside speakers. Since it’s still just an initial ad and not really the official one, we have no way of knowing what are the specifications of this upcoming product, whether it’s just a portable speaker or a whole speaker system. There is also some speculation that this may be a collaboration with another tech brand, Nothing, which has also been reported to be launching new audio hardware with a transparent design as well.

There is no specific date yet for an official announcement so all we have to go on, for now, is this teaser ad from OnePlus in The Times of India. But based on the image in this ad, it will be a pretty interesting piece of audio hardware if they indeed go with the transparent or see-through design. It will also be interesting to see how the brand (or brands, if the collaboration is true) will fit into the market and go against more established speaker brands.

The post OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sticky note printer lets you print your daily reminders to improve productivity

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As much as most of my workflow is already digital, I still love integrating “old school” digital aspects every once in a while. One thing that I still do to this day is write important things on sticky notes and then putting them around my work area. I have to major problems about it though: they sometimes fall off and sometimes, I don’t understand my own handwriting. This new device from an offshoot company of Samsung Electronics might be the answer to my problem.

Designer: Mangoslab

The Nemonic Gen 2 inkless, thermal, and wireless printer lets you print your notes and even images on Ultra Sticky Notes that will not easily fall off. The small printer can be connected to desktops and mobile devices and lets you print notes that you drew, wrote, typed, captured on the connected app. It can even be integrated with Microsoft Office apps as wel as Slack and Zapier so if you use any of those in your regular workflow, then your productivity should run even more smoothly than usual.

There are different templates for each of the integrated apps so you can create either handwritten or typewritten notes. It is also able to remove shadows from photos or diagrams that you capture from a whiteboard or screen through the Nemonic Scanner app and then you can print it directly. It also has a de-curl feature so your sticky notes come out flat if needed. It also has auto-cut finishing so no need to stress about tearing or manually cutting off the note.

It is still currently on Kickstarter but they have already more than met their initial goal of $3,000. The Ultra Sticky Notes come with the package already but they will probably sell refills separately eventually as well. This will definitely be added to my dream devices to have at home in the hopes that my productivity will be further improved with this digital/analog hybrid.

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Takashi Murakami adds iconic sapphire flower design to limited edition Hublot watch

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There are a lot of smartwatch options available in the market already but there are still who prefer their watches to just tell time. Some prefer these analog timepieces as they are more well designed and beautifully crafted than the smart versions. Hublot is still one of the top brands out there when it comes to watches and their latest one is a collaboration with iconic Japanese designer Takashi Murakami. Even for the most casual watch lovers, this seems to be something to aim for although it is a very limited edition.

Designer: Takashi Murakami for Hublot

There are only 50 MP-15 Takashi Murakami watches available and for a serious watch collector who likes pretty things, this is a must-have. Not only does it have the iconic motif from the Japanese designer of a sapphire flower, but it is also the first watch that Hublot produced for an exclusive release that has a central flying tourbillon and it also does not have a traditional dial. Instead, you get a complication in the center and the hands are moved to the edge instead of the center, running under the tourbillon.

The aforementioned tourbillon is in the middle and surrounded by the sapphire flower with 12 petals. The entire design is luminous and so you get to experience the play of light when it is reflected on the translucent flange and bracelet as well as the sapphire case, caseback, and crown. The flying centre tourbillon has a power reserve of 150 hours and a special pin to wind it up that can be charged through a USB port. All of the components for the watch are skeletonized, giving off a mixture of transparency and delicacy.

The overall effect of all these different elements make it look like it is floating in space. Since there are only 50 pieces of the MP-15 Takashi Murakami, you can expect that it is not cheap. But for those who collect rarities like this, the chance to own an intricate timepiece like this will probably be too good to pass up.

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Turn your bathroom into a sustainable piece of art with 3D printed tiles

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If you’re redesigning your bathroom but you’re bored with the regularly-designed tiles that you see in the market, this 3D printed tile design may be for you. That is, if you don’t mind having some organism looking creatures permanently displayed while you’re taking a bath. It is sustainable and biodegradable so that’s a major bonus if you’re concerned with things like that.

Designer: bioMATTERS

The MYCO-ALGA is an interior tiling system that is made from natural and organic waste that have been upcycled together with actual living organisms. There are different sustainable processes involved in coming up with this including designing them digitally, 3D printing, growing the organisms, enriching them with bio-pigments, fabrication, etc. It begins with the waste materials being ground into a paste-like substrate as a foundation.

Once it has been turned into paste, it is then 3D printed into customized shapes and for two weeks, they are placed and cultivated in a controlled environment so that the mycelium turns into the thing that binds the material together. They are then placed in convection ovens and as they “bake”, they turn into lightweight materials but at the same time, they become strong and rigid. The bio-pigments from the harvested algae which are now gel are then applied to the tiles.

The tiles are definitely unique looking and can be a conversation piece when you have people visit your bathroom. They were designed to specifically look like organisms are crawling all over your space. The mosaic-like design with the non-repeating patterns are visually striking and 100% sustainable.

The post Turn your bathroom into a sustainable piece of art with 3D printed tiles first appeared on Yanko Design.

Minimalist lamp uses simple, linear shapes to create a functional and ambient light source

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Lamps are something that you need especially if you’re particular with the working or ambient light at home. I particularly don’t look that much at the design when I’m buying one but more on the practicality or how easy it is to set up and use. But if something can tick all of those boxes and has a minimalist look as a bonus, then it’s something worth looking at. You don’t need elaborate or intricate parts and designs to come up with something pleasant to look at that can also be as multi-functional as possible. As the designer says, “Good design is as little design as possible”.

Designer: Y.S.M. Products and Baptiste Vandaele

The Linear Table Lamp is an upcoming Kickstarter project that aims to bring a simple enough lamp that only needs a few linear planes and a light bulb. It is made up of a steel body with a rectangular base and two planes that face it at a 45 degree angle. This particular angle of the planes brings a light and shadow effect to your lamp so that the light is reflected downwards. The metal surfaces are bent and welded but there are no other redundant elements as it is inspired by the Bauhaus art movement.

The light source itself is a 3000K LED bulb that is dimmable so you can use it either as a desk lamp or an ambient lamp. The color of the bulb is the perfect one that can be functional or cozy and can be controlled through a button attached to the cord. You will be able to adjust the brightness or dimness of the lamp depending on what you need at the moment. The color of the lamp itself is also pretty minimalist but with splashes of bright colors in case that’s what you prefer.

The simple design of the lamp as well as the color options (green, orange, white, gray) makes it appealing as an addition to my sometimes messy desk. The Kickstarter funding project will launch by January next year where people will be able to pre-order it. No price or other funding details have been revealed but it is one that I may actually watch out for if the other details are reasonable.

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Casio miniature watch erasers celebrate G-Shock’s 40th anniversary

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I probably haven’t used an eraser for quite some time now since I rarely use pencils to write or draw on my journals. And the few times that I did use a pencil, it already comes with a “built-in” eraser anyway so no need to have a separate one. But if i do find a cute shape for an eraser, I would not hesitate to get one as a souvenir or keepsake.

Designer: Casio

If someone hands you a tiny Casio G-Shock, make sure that it’s an actual watch before you get excited. That’s because the Japanese watch brand is releasing a very realistic albeit smaller version of its famous G-Shock watches to celebrate the watch line’s 40th anniversary. But instead of telling time, these “watchpieces” will be able to erase your mistakes. Well, at least if you used a pencil to write something down.

The erasers are exact replicas of the DW-5600 G-Shock watches and you can get them for free if you buy specific products from Casio. They’re around 60% of the actual sizes of the G-Shock watches and they have detachable bands in case you need a better grip if you’re using the erasers for what they were created to do. But if you just want them as a cute souvenir from your trip to Japan or from your Casio purchase.

Since Japan is known as the land of cute stationery, it’s not really surprising that Casio chose this kind of commemorative piece to celebrate G-Shock’s anniversary. However, you will only be able to get one of these if you order eligible watches from their online store in Japan. The erasers are available in three colors (black, yellow, red) but you will get a random color as your freebie. I’d still take any color but unfortunately I don’t live in Japan so I will just have to stare at these cute erasers.

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Foldable ham stand lets you save space in your kitchen

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If you live in a part of the world where ham is already served to you sliced and you don’t mind that, then having a ham stand as a kitchen staple might be strange to you. But there are also some parts of the world, particularly in Europe, where it’s pretty common to have that as a fixture in family gatherings, parties, or maybe even just daily life for those who really love this kind of cured meat. Most of those available in the market however are pretty bulky so they need to make space in their kitchen for it.

Designer: Francesc Vilaro

Spain is one of the countries that take their ham “seriously” and a Barcelona-based designer has come up with a solution to the space issue for the ham stand. What he designed was a folding ham stand called Jamonero that serves its main purpose which is to hold your ham while you slice it. When you don’t need it though, it can be folded and tucked into a drawer to save space for other kitchen accessories which you may need at the moment. It’s a small design adjustment to a simple accessory but it is pretty useful especially when you don’t have that big of a kitchen or a dining table.

The foldable ham stand is made of FSC certified beech wood and stainless steel. When you need to use it to hold your ham, the arm folds out and is held in place with a bolt. There is also an anti-slip feature that should keep the holder (and the ham) in place at your table or the counter and make it easier for you to cut and serve the meat. It’s also pretty easy to clean it, either with just a cloth or with water directly. There are two “variants” of the Jamonero, a smaller one for ham that weighs 5-7 kilos and a bigger one for the 7-9 kilos of ham.

It’s little tweaks for accessories like this that make a ll the difference for something as simple as a ham holder. Each piece that they’re selling (from Spanish kitchenware brand Lodivi) was designed and produced in Barcelona so there’s also a local thing going on there. So if you regularly buy legs of ham for your gatherings or regular meals, this is something you might want to have if you also want to be able to put it away in the drawer when you’re not using it.

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CD-inspired Swipe bag brings aughts nostalgia to your arm

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Over the past years, we’ve seen a lot of “old” things becoming hip again. For young ones who weren’t even born when certain fashion items became popular back then, they found these things to be cool and cute. Even gadgets and devices from the 90s and aughts are enjoying a resurgence, even though the current purpose is much more different than the original. We’re seeing items designed like cassette tapes, vinyl players, and now, even the classic CD player has been repurposed.

Desginer: Coperni

The Parisian designer label Coperni has looked to the aughts for design inspiration for their latest Swipe bag iteration. The CD-PLAYER Swipe bag looks just like the silver metallic CD players that became popular back then when we still had CDs to play our music. But this one won’t be able to bring your old Britney Spears CD to musical life even though the bag does come with wired headphones.

The handbag has the faux CD player as its main body with a metallic plated handle so you can carry it around. There are also realistic looking buttons and a small display to really make it look like the CD player, although what these buttons do remains to be seen. And as mentioned, it comes with wired headphones to complete your retro look. But it also is not clear what the headphones are for.

The bag also has a USB-C-chargeable battery so maybe there is indeed a music component that will be revealed. My main concern though is what can actually fit in the bag since the CD player compartment is pretty small. But those who have been using the iconic Coperni Swipe bags are those that can fit everything they need in tiny purses anyway.

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This curved vertical ergonomic mouse helps lessen fatigue on your hand

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As someone who has not used a mouse since I switched to Mac years ago, the idea of mouse fatigue is foreign to me. But I do know a lot of people who spend more than half of their day in front of the screen and with a mouse to guide them most of the time and they testify that it can take a toll on your hand and fingers. There are several ergonomic options out there but this one from Protoarc seems to be unique and even more ergonomic than the usual ones out there.

Designer: Protoarc

The EM11 RGB Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse lets you have a more relaxed position when using the device, especially if you’ll be using it for long periods. The ergonomics vertical grip gives you a more natural position for your hand and will also supposedly give you fatigue resistance because of the way you use it and the way it’s designed. It should be able to reduce the strain on your arm, wrist, and hand and also is more convenient with its back and forward thumb buttons.

If you’re using multiple devices, the mouse is able to switch connection mode through low bluetooth with up to 3 devices and with three different available DPI for high precision control. And if you prefer something a bit more stable, you can also connect it to your computer through a USB receiver. It also has four different RGB light modes to match your mood while working or playing: neon, monochromatic, streamer, breathing. The battery life is also pretty impressive as it can last up to 90 days on a single charge.

With a lot of people staying in front of screens more hours every day, whether for work or for play, it’s really important to have ergonomic devices like these so we lessen the fatigue on our body. If I was still using a mouse, I would probably use something like this as the design seems more natural than your usual mouse devices.

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