Monthly Archives: February 2024

This RFID-blocking Smart Wallet has the most Satisfying Opening Mechanism

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Select a card from the Shuffle Wallet, and it’s no surprise if it evokes the familiar feel of a deck of playing cards. The concept of the Shuffle Wallet resonates widely, given the universal experience of playing cards, adding a touch of brilliance to its conception. When Stephen’s co-founder Jack asked him how he came up with the idea, his simple response, “It was an accident,” made me chuckle. He said this while wearing a neck brace. While I like minimalist wallets and shuffling cards, will combining the two make for a great form and functional wallet? Let’s explore further and discover why this product is the perfect solution for the most personal accessories you carry daily.

Designers: Jack Yao & Stephen Ng

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 Hurry, only 5/285 left! Raised over $190,000.

The Shuffle Wallet is cleverly designed as an ideal solution for those looking to simplify their lives and protect their cards, especially those with NFC chips, from unwanted scans. Consider a common situation that I’ve experienced, where I’ve flustered my children in front of their friends by fumbling through cards and old receipts to locate the Starbucks card when treating them to drinks at Starbucks. While this may have only lasted seconds, it felt mortifying to a teenager with their friends watching. Another costly example where the Shuffle Wallet could have saved me time and money occurred during my visit to Tokyo. When riding the subway there, you must retain your exit ticket. Otherwise, you’re required to pay again if you lose the ticket. This situation becomes even more problematic when riding the bullet train, where the ticket price can exceed $80. These instances underscore the shortcomings of traditional wallets, and it’s these everyday inconveniences that the Shuffle Wallet aims to eliminate.

The Shuffle Wallet is thinner, classier, and more fun than your thick leather bifold

The Shuffle Wallet, created by the innovative team at Mobile Pixels, stands out for its practicality and elegant design. It includes a unique opening mechanism reminiscent of a deck of cards, which allows you to easily browse and select one of the six or eight cards (if you use the silicone pouch). The quick-draw slot provides swift access to your most frequently used card.

Your cards fan out in a satisfying way, allowing you to easily pick the right one every time.

This feature isn’t just about speed; it’s also a security measure designed to keep your cards securely in place, preventing them from accidentally slipping out. It also comes with a sleek money clip for those who prefer to carry cash, providing a minimalist yet organized way to keep your bills secure and accessible.

The creative features of the Shuffle Wallet continue with its unique opening mechanism. It also incorporates RFID-blocking technology. This feature provides a secure barrier to protect your cards from potential digital theft, ensuring your sensitive information is safe from unauthorized RFID scans.

The Shuffle Wallet is entirely RFID-protected, so digital scammers can’t scan your cards without your permission!

RFID blocking creates a barrier or shield around your cards that operate using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This technology is commonly found in credit cards and passports, allowing information to be read wirelessly via radio waves. While this provides convenience, it also opens up the potential for unauthorized access or theft of sensitive data.
An RFID-blocking feature, like the one integrated into the Shuffle Wallet, prevents this unauthorized access. It uses materials that interfere with radio waves, making your cards ‘invisible’ to a scanner and securing your information.

This feature is crucial because digital theft is becoming increasingly common. Criminals can use portable RFID readers to steal information from your cards without you even knowing. The RFID-blocking feature in the Shuffle Wallet protects your cards against such potential digital theft, ensuring your sensitive information is safe from unauthorized RFID scans.

Want to share your contact card? The Shuffle Wallet has a built-in NFC business card that lets you share with a tap.

Networking is essential for everyone, from new graduates to accomplished entrepreneurs. That’s why the exchange of contact information must be swift and efficient. The Shuffle Wallet offers a perfect solution that combines convenience and technology. This innovative wallet features an NFC chip inside a silicone pouch, allowing you to embed your digital business card. You can easily share your contact information with a friendly tap of the wallet.

Recognizing the diverse needs of its users, the Shuffle Wallet offers a range of optional accessories to enhance its utility. An AirTag holder is available for those who want the added reassurance of being able to track their wallet, a feature that merges technology with peace of mind. For added convenience, there’s also a flashlight attachment with two brightness levels, a keychain capable of holding up to 10 keys, and a multifunctional credit card tool that includes a range of tools from a screwdriver to a bottle opener, all designed to be TSA-approved for trouble-free travel.

The wallet also provides an optional non-RFID silicone pouch for those who need quick access to specific cards without RFID protection. This is especially useful for items like subway passes or gym cards, which you might need to swipe or scan frequently.

Frequently used cards can sit in the Quickdraw slot, allowing you to instantly access them in under a second

The Shuffle Wallet is available in two durable materials: aluminum, which weighs 4.7oz, and titanium, weighing slightly more at 6oz. The aluminum version is offered in various appealing colors, including neon black, polar ice, gunmetal, and diesel green, while the titanium version showcases the sleek, raw beauty of titanium. Despite its compact size of 4.25 x 2.44 x 0.5 inches, the wallet is designed to be functional and stylish, with an aluminum keychain extending to 9cm in length.

From a broader perspective, the Shuffle Wallet provides more than just a storage space for your money and cards. It is a thoughtfully designed accessory that blends security, style, and practicality, catering to individuals who prioritize efficiency and grace in daily life.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 Hurry, only 5/285 left! Raised over $190,000.

The post This RFID-blocking Smart Wallet has the most Satisfying Opening Mechanism first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wooden Pavilion With A Sunken Walkway Is Designed To Facilitate Orchid Cultivation

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Located outside Puerto Escondido, Mexico, at Casa Wabi is a majestic pavilion made from wood. Created by the Mexican architecture studio Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia, the Orchid Pavilion was commissioned by the art institute Casa Wabi to be built surrounding the Tadao Ando-designed center.

Designer: Centro de Colaboración Arquitectónia

The rather unique and eccentric-looking pavilion includes a rose-colored sunken walkway with benches on the sides and gravel-filled spaces in between the slabs. It has a simple wooden structure with an A-shaped canopy over the sunken walkway. Horizontal wooden slats cover the face of the pavilion. Clay basins have been installed along the apex of the buildings, with bowls facing the sky to collect rainwater that will filter into the space below, forming a drip-irrigation system, and creating a humid environment. Holes have been dug along the walkway, in turn exposing the gravel, and allowing water to drip below and evaporate, providing sustenance to life inside.

“Firstly, the pavilion is a simple and austere machine,” said CCA. “The water is collected by clay-based trays that remain permanently humid.” “The breeze and heat enable the orchids to drink water directly from the environment, eliminating the need for manual watering of the specimens,” they continued.

While building the pavilion, the studio tried to incorporate Japanese sensibility and slight touches with the work of local craftsmen. Local materials were used in the construction of the structure. Vases are hung from the joists of the pavilion, and they hold orchids, which have been curated from the local area. A little basin with a faucet has been positioned at the end of the walkway, providing visitors with a space to drink water, next to the orchids.

“The sound of dripping in the bowls resonates with different natural cycles and human activity,” said CCA. The pavilion is designed to be a “cool, semi-submerged space”, which provides visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the diversity and beauty of orchid species, while also letting them connect with nature and the roof of life.

The post Wooden Pavilion With A Sunken Walkway Is Designed To Facilitate Orchid Cultivation first appeared on Yanko Design.

Innovative Shampoo Bottle Includes a Detachable Mini Bottle for Travel

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How many times have you had to buy a separate smaller bottle of your favorite shampoo for travel? Even if you rely on those tiny shampoo bottles that come complimentary with your hotel room, it’s still an extra bottle that you now have to worry about. The Carry On is a simple, borderline-genius solution that gives you a dedicated travel mini-bottle with your existing at-home shampoo bottle. With a compact design that conveniently comes packaged with your regular bottle of shampoo, the Carry On’s mini bottle can be carried around with you on your travels, and refilled whenever you’re running low, so you don’t need to stress out about buying an additional smaller bottle separately to travel with.

Designer: Yeo Seo Koo

A winner of this year’s Asia Design Prize, the Carry On is an economy-sized 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) bottle of shampoo that comes with its own handle built into the bottle’s design. Except, when you buy it off the shelf, the handle has a perfectly-fitting carry bottle nestled into it like a jigsaw-puzzle piece. When you buy one larger bottle, you get a small one for free that’s the ideal size for your toiletry kit. At 50ml (1.7 fl oz), the shampoo bottle easily gets you through a week-long holiday (you won’t shampoo everyday, obviously) comfortably, allowing you to use your favorite shampoo instead of using those substandard ones that come free with your hotel room.

There are a few things about Carry On that are definitely award-worthy. For starters, getting a smaller bottle free with a larger bottle isn’t new – but Carry On’s implementation is genius. It fits the tiny bottle right in the negative space created by the larger bottle’s handle design. This is usually dead space that gets wasted during logistics, but the clever integration allows the Carry On to use that hollow area efficiently. Moreover, let’s also appreciate the fact that the mini bottle (either by coincidence or by design) has a rounded design that looks like a bar of soap, immediately creating that toiletry-based association! Clever, no?!

The post Innovative Shampoo Bottle Includes a Detachable Mini Bottle for Travel first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wednesday’s Nintendo Direct will focus on upcoming third-party releases

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The next Nintendo Direct is scheduled for this Wednesday, the company just announced. It's being billed as a "partner showcase," with Nintendo saying it'll show off Switch games coming in the first half of this year from "our publishing and development partners." It'll kick off on February 21, bright and early at 9AM ET. 

While Nintendo holds these showcases on a regular basis, this one is potentially more significant than usual. Last week, Microsoft made an expected but still surprising announcement that it would begin bringing some of its titles to "other consoles," a phrase that's hard not to interpret as games coming to the Switch (and Sony's PlayStation 5 as well). 

Nintendo says it'll be a 25-minute presentation, so there's a chance we'll hear about some games from other developers, as well. But we're all expecting to see some news about what games Microsoft is going to bring over to the Switch. Microsoft only said that it would be bringing four games to other platforms but didn't name them; the latest rumors cite Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, Halo and Gears of War as likely options to make the move.

This comes at a time when Nintendo doesn't have a lot of its own first-party games scheduled for the platform (that we know of, anyway). There's also the looming specter of a Switch 2 console; reports just said that the hardware is getting pushed back to 2025 after an expected launch at some point this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wednesdays-nintendo-direct-will-focus-on-upcoming-third-party-releases-221910223.html?src=rss

Stone light sculptures use shadow play to create a more dramatic effect

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Lamps are designed to bring light to a space, but that doesn’t mean they need to be dazzling or blinding. In fact, some lamps emit more subdued and diffused illumination to create a specific atmosphere and enhance the ambiance of an area. Some lighting fixtures even go beyond just the light they shine, putting just as much emphasis on the form they come in or, in some cases, the effects they have on the environment around them. This collection of light sculptures, for example, are more pieces of art than just lamps, but the way it casts shadows inside and around it delivers more impact that, in turn, further enhances the effect that the warm light produces.

Designer: Alex and Henri (Frero)

It’s almost too easy to take for granted the effect that shadows have on our surroundings. Given their dark nature, they’re often regarded as “bad” or even “ugly” elements, especially when they do obscure other more important objects in a composition. That said, shadows actually create a more impactful composition, especially when they contrast with light and create interesting forms thanks to the shapes that stand between the light source and the surface the shadows are projected on.

Fuca

Fuca

Suma

Suma

The Tala Asa collection of light sculptures embraces this kind of shadow play, putting equal importance on both light and darkness to generate a more striking overall visual. Just like in art, negative space provides not only breathing room but a canvas for these contrasting elements to draw on, casting shadows inside holes while also shining light through them. The earthen aesthetic of sculptures provides additional contrast to the unearthly glow of the light shining from inside.

Coco

Coco

Anta

Anta

Each of the five sculptures has a story to tell through their different forms. Fuca’s simple frame pays homage to the beauty of square elements you might find around you, while the arching Suma is inspired by the geological wonder that is the Ring of Fire. Two squares on top of each other make Coco represent balance and equilibrium, while the interplay of Anta’s three stripes embodies both unity and individuality. Lastly, Sunda’s more complicated pairing is meant to convey the intricate structures and complex relationships of tectonic plates, cutting a powerful and imposing figure in any space it stands on.

Sunda

Sunda

Regardless of their design or inspiration, all five sculptures draw from the earth in more ways than one. They’re available in natural tone finishes, including bone, sienna, terra, olive, and lava, but they’re also made from reclaimed stone and minerals bound with resin and coated with natural plaster paint. And just like how the sun and the earth create an interesting play of light and shadow, the Tala Asa light sculptures bring that interesting dynamic to a smaller degree in your home, office, or any space that needs just a little bit of natural inspiration to bring it to life.

The post Stone light sculptures use shadow play to create a more dramatic effect first appeared on Yanko Design.

Introducing An Acoustical Material That Can Be Used Even For Outdoor Events

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In the dynamic world of sustainable design, Jonas Edvard stands out with his innovative approach to integrating organic materials into functional and aesthetically pleasing objects. His latest creation, the Myx Sail / Floor, unveiled at the Mindcraft Project 2023, is a sound-absorbing panel that showcases the remarkable properties of mushroom mycelium, hemp, and willow. This 1m x 1m panel not only exemplifies the structural possibilities of composite biomaterials but also represents Edvard’s commitment to responsible design practices.

Designer: Jonas Edvard

The Myx Sail / Floor project is a testament to Jonas Edvard’s dedication to exploring the symbiotic relationship between design choices and their impact on nature. Collaborating with a living material – mushroom mycelium – throughout the design and production process, Edvard creates a flexible room divider within a pre-designed mold. As the mycelium gradually grows and bonds with a plant fiber mixture, the panel takes shape, marrying flexibility with rigidity.

The designer draws inspiration from the natural role of mushrooms as recycling agents, breaking down plant matter into soil. His design philosophy revolves around a deep respect for nature, evident in his exploration of the intricate relationship between raw materials and human life. The Myx Sail / Floor prototype serves as a modular design that aims to emphasize how organic materials like mycelium can seamlessly integrate into our living and working spaces.

Jonas Edvard’s broader research study, conducted in collaboration with Arup Engineers in Germany, delves into the sound-absorbing qualities of mycelium. The panels are meticulously designed to absorb frequencies between 200 and 2500 Hz – the standard range of human conversation and interaction (same as glass wool). Edvard envisions the potential for natural, organic materials to become integral components of our buildings and interior architecture, contributing to a more sustainable life cycle.

The design philosophy revolves around responsible design choices and their impact on nature. His open-minded approach to design leads to experiments that yield new materials and objects from local or organic sources, often embracing a circular and sustainable ethos. In his testing phase, Edvard explores various material combinations to understand the design, appearance, and functionality of mycelium-based sound-absorbing material.

The Myx Sail / Floor sound-absorbing panel invites people to touch and feel the natural qualities of mushroom mycelium, hemp, and willow. Edvard aims to create an immersive experience, allowing individuals to sense the porous, lightweight, and stiff characteristics of the materials. By reshaping these materials into functional forms, he hopes to spark conversations about the value and aesthetics of natural origins, encouraging a new understanding of how these materials can be incorporated into our homes and living areas. Now the acoustic installation won’t just be on the walls and ceilings conventionally, but the floors too!

The Myx Sail / Floor is more than just a sound-absorbing panel – it is a tangible embodiment of sustainable design principles and a testament to the possibilities that arise when designers collaborate with nature. As Edvard continues to push the boundaries of material innovation, his work inspires the integration of organic, natural materials into our built environment, fostering a harmonious relationship between design and the natural world.

The post Introducing An Acoustical Material That Can Be Used Even For Outdoor Events first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lamborghini Countach LP400 replica flaunts intricate scissor doors and rear-view periscope mirror

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The Lamborghini Countach LP400 was the first generation of its kind and way ahead of time in terms of design given it debuted way back in 1974. Those scissor doors and the rear-view periscope mirror that vanished into the roof, just like the periscope of a submarine captured the imagination of performance car lovers. Fast forward to the current day and Lambo is basking in the glory of the Revuelto plug-in hybrid supercar.

Amalgam Collection, a brand out of Bristol, UK, renowned for making the most detailed scale model replicas of famous four-wheelers like the Ferrari 296 GT3 sportscar has again caught our attention. This time they’ve created intricate 1:8 scale models of both the Revuelto and Countach LP400. Since we like things classic, so for now our focus is the nostalgic LP400 scale model that’s handmade to perfection with thousands of precisely engineered parts completing the build.

Designer: Amalgam Collection

As expected from the scale model builder, this fully-opening scale replica took almost 400 hours of the craftspeople’s time and skillful effort. The design took shape from the original CAD models and digital scan files provided. Further details were obtained from the thousands of pictures of the classic 4.0-liter V12-powered supercar. If we overlook the 250-400 hours of creating each of the scale model units, the initial time input to develop the tooling for vehicles that the maker has never before made alone takes a mind-boggling 2,500 – 4,000 hours!

According to Amalgam, the exterior and interior of the car will be accurately replicated to the last visible detail. These include the color of the seat stitching, brake calipers, steering wheel, speaker indents, manual shifter, license plates, and even the ashtray in the center console. Predictably, the front trunk has a spare tire and the headlights can be toggled between up and down position.

They further added that their long-term collaboration with Lamborghini  permits them full access to “the brand’s paint codes, color samples, and every personalized detail to ensure their model matches their full-size counterpart.”

There will be a limited number of 199 units of the scale model Countach LP400 in Giallo Fly yellow or Rosso red color options. This model is priced at approximately $19,900 for automotive collectors willing to pay any price for such intricate works of art. You could buy a real sedan for that price tag!

The post Lamborghini Countach LP400 replica flaunts intricate scissor doors and rear-view periscope mirror first appeared on Yanko Design.

GlobalFoundries secures $1.5 billion in CHIPS Act funding for US expansion

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The Biden administration is granting $1.5 billion in funding to GlobalFoundries to bolster semiconductor production under the CHIPS Act. The company, which spun out from AMD in 2009 and also has access to $1.6 billion in loans from the CHIPS Program Office, will split the cash between three projects.

First, GlobalFoundries will build a new fabrication facility in Malta, New York, where it aims to produce "high value technologies not currently available in the US," the Department of Commerce said in a statement. GlobalFoundries says it will use the facility to build chips for a range of industries and applications, including the automotive, aerospace, defense and AI spaces. Construction is expected to start in 2025.

Secondly, GlobalFoundries plans to expand its existing facility in Malta by incorporating tech from its Singapore and Germany plants with the aim of making more semiconductors for use in cars and trucks. This expansion, combined with the new fab, will enable GlobalFoundries to triple the capacity of its Malta campus over the next decade or so. Once all phases of both projects are complete, GlobalFoundries expects to increase wafer production to 1 million per year across the plants.

Last but not least, the remaining funding will go toward modernizing an existing fab in Burlington, Vermont. The aim is to build the first US plant capable of high-volume manufacturing of next-generation gallium nitride on silicon semiconductors for electric vehicles, smartphones, the power grid and other key technologies. The plant will use entirely carbon-free energy, while an on-site solar system will provide up to nine percent of annual power needs.

Through public-private partnerships, GlobalFoundries plans to invest more than $12 billion into the sites over the next 10-plus years. New York is also supporting the Malta projects with $575 million in performance-based Green CHIPS tax credits, while the New York Power Authority is investing at least $30 million.

The Department of Commerce says the three projects are expected to create 1,500 manufacturing positions and around 9,000 construction jobs over the next 10 years. The positions are slated to pay fair wages and offer benefits including childcare.

Aligned with the broader aims of the CHIPS Act, the investment is designed to improve domestic semiconductor supply chains. GlobalFoundries says that there are only four companies that can deliver "current and mature foundry capabilities" at its scale outside of China, and it's the only one of those based in the US.

Last year, the company reached a direct supply agreement with GM to provide the automaker with US-built processors and help it avoid the kinds of chip shortages that caused a significant slowdown in car manufacturing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. GlobalFoundries agreed to create an exclusive capacity corridor for GM chips. GlobalFoundries struck a chip deal with Ford in 2021 as well.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/globalfoundries-secures-15-billion-in-chips-act-funding-for-us-expansion-172754429.html?src=rss

The Nomad 30 Tiny House Is The Perfect Little Home On Wheels To Support An Off-Grid Adventurous Lifestyle

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Minimaliste originally designed Nomad – an all-weather tiny home with a small and easy-to-tow package. And recently they unveiled a newer version – the Nomad 30. The Nomad 30 is an upgraded tiny home with a newly improved interior layout and an adventure-ready off-grid design. This tiny home is perfect for those who want to adopt an off-grid lifestyle and have an adventurous life on the road.

Designer: Minimaliste

As its name quite aptly signifies, the Nomad 30 has a length of 30 feet. It is founded on a double-axle trailer that is adjustable, hence the wheels can easily be moved forward or backward on the trailer, allowing the weight to be balanced effectively, making the home quite easy to tow. The tiny home has a sleek yet warm appeal to it, and it is finished in steel sheets and faux wood steel, which is intended to be low maintenance.

You can access the cozy home via a folding deck, and steps at its rear which can be operated with a winch and a remote control. A double glass door leads you from the living room to the outside. The living room in the Nomad 30 is more spacious as compared to previous Nomad models, and it contains a lot of storage space, as well as a sofa bed and a wall-mounted TV. The space also includes a mini-split-air-conditioning system and a heat recovery air exchanging system.

Adjacent to the living room is a kitchen, and it accommodates a dining area that can seat up to four people. The dining area also includes integrated storage space. The kitchen is amped with a propane-powered oven, a four-burner stove, a washer/dryer, a double sink, and a fridge/freezer. The cabinetry also locks up to facilitate safer travel, and a folding extending countertop is also included. The tiny home has a bathroom as well, lined with a composting toilet, a small bathtub and shower, and a sink.

The post The Nomad 30 Tiny House Is The Perfect Little Home On Wheels To Support An Off-Grid Adventurous Lifestyle first appeared on Yanko Design.