How to enter a state of flow on demand to improve your focus

how to obtain a state of flow on demand

Have you ever experienced a moment where you were so deeply immersed in an activity that the world around you seemed to fade away? A state where your focus was laser-sharp, your productivity soared, and your creativity flowed effortlessly? This is the essence of the flow state – a powerful mental zone that allows individuals […]

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Top Ten Ways To Integrate Storage With Multifunctional Furniture

The latest trend in furniture design revolves around multifunctional furniture integrated with clever storage solutions. Choosing furniture with built-in storage offers numerous advantages, making it a smart choice for individuals and households alike. Here are some emerging trends in furniture design that are gaining popularity.

Designer: Vank

1. Embrace Flexibility

Modular multifunctional furniture pieces showcase creativity by adjusting to available space according to specific needs, whether it’s altering height, built-in storage configuration, or layout. This adaptability empowers homeowners to tailor their living spaces to fit their needs, rather than the other way around.

The Vank Cube is a modular furniture system by the Polish brand Vank. Crafted from flax and hemp fibers, these versatile “building blocks” can transform into storage units, space dividers, tables, and desks. Designed for adaptability, they seamlessly blend minimalist aesthetics with functionality, perfect for various interiors from homes to offices. With reversible connectors, modifications are quick and easy, while optional add-ons like upholstered cushions and biomaterial side panels offer further customization. Sustainable, sleek, and adaptable—the Vank Cube is the modern solution for versatile furniture needs.

2. Focus on Minimalism

Numerous minimalist furniture pieces prioritize sleek design aesthetics. These pieces feature smooth curves and seamlessly integrate storage options too.

Designer: Julian Topor

The KURVE furniture collection is a blend of minimalist design and functional innovation. Crafted from simple curved layers of plywood, each piece seamlessly integrates storage solutions into its sleek aesthetic. From the throne-like KURVE chair with a backless storage box to the KURVE Couch featuring a central console and ample storage space, every element maximizes utility without compromising style. The table and nightstand complete the collection, offering practicality with their trapezoidal designs and clever storage solutions.

3. Go for the Compact Home Office

In the post-COVID era, remote work became the new standard with the rise of WFH (work from home), and now, hybrid work models are becoming permanent fixtures. Consequently, our homes must now serve the dual purpose of living and office spaces. This shift is particularly challenging for urban dwellers residing in compact homes, leading to an increased demand for compact home office setups.

Designer: Gökçe Nafak

The Portable Compartment Desk Looha is a transformative piece designed for the contemporary workspace. Crafted with portable wire compartments, it redefines organization while seamlessly integrating practicality and aesthetics. Foldable legs ensure mobility and flexibility, allowing easy transitions between spaces. With adaptable trays for storage and pinboard functionality, this desk promotes efficiency and personalization. Made from durable, eco-friendly materials, Looha combines functionality with timeless design, elevating any workspace into a haven of productivity and style.

4. Prioritize Organization

Structured environments guarantee clutter-free spaces, achieved through multifunctional furniture equipped with storage solutions down to the smallest details. Take, for example, this gaming console.

Designer: Bauhutte

Bauhutte, renowned for its gaming comfort has introduced a sleek, organized solution which is a specially designed cabinet for storing game consoles and accessories. Featuring open shelves and a dark color scheme, it ensures optimal ventilation and maximizes storage space. Equipped with a hidden cable box and compatibility for multiple consoles, Bauhutte’s cabinet combines functionality and style for the ultimate gaming setup.

5. Say Yes to Quirky Furniture

Not all furniture needs to be serious; it can also infuse a playful touch into home decor while integrating storage and serving multifunctional purposes in any living space.

Designer: Priyam Doshi

The Moose Cabinet is a whimsical yet functional statement piece that is designed to infuse joy into your living space. Crafted by Priyam Doshi and winner of the A’ Design Award, this handmade cabinet features a playful silhouette inspired by the majestic moose. Made from Oakwood with a water-based matte finish, it integrates four storage areas, including open compartments in the legs and concealed storage in the body and face. The tabletop surface comes equipped with trays for organizing small items, while the moose’s tail features a built-in mirror. With horns that serve as convenient hangers, this cabinet adds both charm and practicality to any room.

6. Consider Rotating Furniture

Compact spaces inspire creativity and drive innovative product design. Consider a single piece of furniture that effortlessly functions as both a bedroom and an office, boasting a sleek and minimalist design without appearing bulky.

Designer: Expand Furniture

The Compatto Rotating Office Murphy Bed with Desk is the ultimate space-saving solution for small living spaces. This innovative furniture piece seamlessly transitions from a comfortable bed to a functional workspace and multimedia area with just a few rotations. Its wide desk offers ample space for dual monitors, TV screens, or all-in-one iMacs, while also providing storage for files, books, and decorations. Thoughtfully designed with provisions for power cords and wires, this compact yet versatile unit is perfect for those seeking a stylish bed and workstation combination.

7. Invest in Space Saving Furniture

To maximize storage capacity, make sure to use the walls effectively, transforming them into functional furniture when needed. This innovative approach revolutionizes design, optimizing space utilization in multifunctional ways.

Designer: Friday Furniture

This Space-Saving Marvel by Friday Furniture is closed with a sleek 6.6-inch fixture against the wall. Once opened it reveals a spacious workstation with a built-in webcam and warm LED lighting. Crafted from sturdy birch plywood, it seamlessly combines style and function, offering room for the monitor, accessories, and storage, along with smart features like cork pinboards and USB ports for organization. With dimmable LED lighting and a foldable design, it’s the perfect space-saving solution for any urban setting.

8. Experiment with Interlocking Storage

Leveraging 3D printing technology opens up boundless creative possibilities. Through 3D printing, multifunctional furniture pieces emerge, featuring interlocked storage options and fluid curves that craft captivating compositions while offering dedicated storage compartments.

Designer: Deniz Aktay for recozy

The Drop Side Table is a sleek and versatile piece of furniture designed by Deniz Aktay. Crafted with minimalist elegance, it’s 3D-printed using recycled materials for sustainability. Its unique asymmetrical twisting point allows for flexible usage from every angle, doubling as stylish storage for books, magazines, or decor. With a space-saving design and geometric aesthetic, the Drop Side Table effortlessly enhances any room with its functional charm and modern appeal.

9. Integrate Technology

As Generation Z enters the workforce, they are heavily influenced by technology and the digital era. Their preference leans towards furniture that is technologically advanced and can enhance storage capabilities.

Designer: KOREA DESIGN MEMBERSHIP PLUS (Chaewon Lee, Chan woo Park, Jungwon Lee, Da-yeon Choi)

PRISOOM is the ultimate party companion designed collaboratively by LG and KDM for the MZ generation. This sleek mobile serving table doubles as storage and features integrated lighting for captivating photos and a powerful speaker for the perfect party vibe. With customizable hues and user-friendly controls, PRISOOM enhances interaction and ambiance. Its stable design ensures items stay secure, while convenient cable management keeps things tidy. As the go-to solution for house parties, PRISOOM offers compact functionality tailored to modern socializing.

10. Add Interest in 3D Furniture

Three-dimensional furniture injects a dynamic vibe into interiors, doubling as an artful accent piece in any space, with the added functionality of accommodating storage.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

The ‘Overlap’ Table is a sleek and versatile furniture piece designed by the renowned Deniz Aktay. This innovative table combines functionality with minimalist elegance, serving as both a coffee table and a compact storage solution. Crafted from interlocking wooden boxes, it maximizes storage while maintaining a small footprint, perfect for modern living spaces. Whether as a centerpiece or tucked into a corner, the ‘Overlap’ Table offers both style and practicality for today’s homeowners.

The post Top Ten Ways To Integrate Storage With Multifunctional Furniture first appeared on Yanko Design.

3 Google Workspace templates to improve your productivity

Free Google Workspace templates

Jeff Su introduces three Google Workspace templates designed to boost productivity in workplace settings. These templates, developed over a decade, are tailored for use with Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive, and are intended to streamline various routine tasks. To remain competitive in today’s professional landscape, your efficiency is not just an advantage—it’s a […]

The post 3 Google Workspace templates to improve your productivity appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

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The Morning After: Boston Dynamics’ bi-ped Atlas robot is going into retirement

Almost 11 years after Boston Dynamics revealed the Atlas humanoid robot, it’s finally being retired. The DARPA-funded robot was designed for search-and-rescue missions, but it rose to fame thanks to videos showing off its dance moves and—let’s be honest—rudimentary parkour skills.

 Atlas is trotting off into the sunset with one final YouTube video, thankfully including plenty of bloopers — which are the best parts. Boston Dynamics, of course, has more commercially successful robots in its lineup, including Spot. It’s likely not the end of the line for the company’s humanoid robots, either.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Meta’s Oversight Board will rule on AI-generated sexual images

Motorola’s Edge 50 phone series includes a wood option

Ooni reveals an even bigger pizza oven

The best foldable phones for 2024

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

NASA confirms its space trash pierced Florida man’s roof

It was part of a cargo pallet the space station dropped in 2021.

Back in March, a piece of space debris hit the roof of a house in Naples, FL, ripped through two floors and (fortunately) missed the son of homeowner Alejandro Otero. On Tuesday, NASA confirmed it was a piece of equipment dumped from the International Space Station (ISS), three years ago. NASA expected the haul of discarded nickel-hydrogen batteries to orbit Earth for between two to four years, “before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere.” Not the case.

Continue reading.

A Netflix true crime documentary may have used AI-generated images of a real person

It’s the messy hands.

TMA
Netflix

Netflix is accused of using AI-manipulated imagery in the true crime documentary What Jennifer Did. Several photos show the usual AI issues: mangled hands and fingers, strange artifacts, curved edges that should be straight and more. If accurate, the report raises serious questions about using such images in documentaries, particularly since the person depicted is currently awaiting retrial. Netflix has yet to acknowledge the report.

Continue reading.

Insta360’s X4 camera is the first 8K 360-degree video

And is better than the last model in every way.

TMA
Engadget

When the X3 landed, it was a 360-degree action cam that solved a lot of the usual problems with that camera genre. With the X4, Insta360 has just… upgraded everything. The technical improvements focus on video, with the new ability to record footage at up to 8K 30 fps or 5.7k at 60 fps. Slow-mo video has been boosted up to 4K resolution, too. In short, it captures more of everything. The X4 has a 2,290mAh battery, 67 percent bigger than the X3’s. According to the press release, it should be able to capture video for up to 135 minutes. The camera is available for $500 now.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-boston-dynamics-bi-ped-atlas-robot-is-going-into-retirement-111534431.html?src=rss

The Morning After: Boston Dynamics’ bi-ped Atlas robot is going into retirement

Almost 11 years after Boston Dynamics revealed the Atlas humanoid robot, it’s finally being retired. The DARPA-funded robot was designed for search-and-rescue missions, but it rose to fame thanks to videos showing off its dance moves and—let’s be honest—rudimentary parkour skills.

 Atlas is trotting off into the sunset with one final YouTube video, thankfully including plenty of bloopers — which are the best parts. Boston Dynamics, of course, has more commercially successful robots in its lineup, including Spot. It’s likely not the end of the line for the company’s humanoid robots, either.

— Mat Smith

The biggest stories you might have missed

Meta’s Oversight Board will rule on AI-generated sexual images

Motorola’s Edge 50 phone series includes a wood option

Ooni reveals an even bigger pizza oven

The best foldable phones for 2024

​​You can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

NASA confirms its space trash pierced Florida man’s roof

It was part of a cargo pallet the space station dropped in 2021.

Back in March, a piece of space debris hit the roof of a house in Naples, FL, ripped through two floors and (fortunately) missed the son of homeowner Alejandro Otero. On Tuesday, NASA confirmed it was a piece of equipment dumped from the International Space Station (ISS), three years ago. NASA expected the haul of discarded nickel-hydrogen batteries to orbit Earth for between two to four years, “before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere.” Not the case.

Continue reading.

A Netflix true crime documentary may have used AI-generated images of a real person

It’s the messy hands.

TMA
Netflix

Netflix is accused of using AI-manipulated imagery in the true crime documentary What Jennifer Did. Several photos show the usual AI issues: mangled hands and fingers, strange artifacts, curved edges that should be straight and more. If accurate, the report raises serious questions about using such images in documentaries, particularly since the person depicted is currently awaiting retrial. Netflix has yet to acknowledge the report.

Continue reading.

Insta360’s X4 camera is the first 8K 360-degree video

And is better than the last model in every way.

TMA
Engadget

When the X3 landed, it was a 360-degree action cam that solved a lot of the usual problems with that camera genre. With the X4, Insta360 has just… upgraded everything. The technical improvements focus on video, with the new ability to record footage at up to 8K 30 fps or 5.7k at 60 fps. Slow-mo video has been boosted up to 4K resolution, too. In short, it captures more of everything. The X4 has a 2,290mAh battery, 67 percent bigger than the X3’s. According to the press release, it should be able to capture video for up to 135 minutes. The camera is available for $500 now.

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-boston-dynamics-bi-ped-atlas-robot-is-going-into-retirement-111534431.html?src=rss

StudioLink-Pro Apple Mac modular external storage solutions

Kickstarter StudioLink-Pro Apple Mac external storage solution

As a Mac user, you know that your device is more than just a tool; it’s an extension of your creativity and productivity. You’re used to the sleek design, intuitive interface, and powerful performance that Apple is known for. But what if you could take your Mac experience to the next level? That’s where the […]

The post StudioLink-Pro Apple Mac modular external storage solutions appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

New DJI Avata 2 FPV drone launches from $999

FPV drone DJI Avata 2

This week DJI has launched its new Avata 2 FPV drone, designed to elevate your FPV (First Person View) experience, boasting a powerful 1/1.3-inch image sensor and an impressive 23-minute flight time. Whether you’re an experienced pilot or just starting out, the DJI Avata 2 ensures that every flight is an unforgettable adventure. With the […]

The post New DJI Avata 2 FPV drone launches from $999 appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Menteebot is a human-sized AI robot that you command with natural language

The whole world is ragging on a barely functional $700 AI pin at the moment, but what if similar tech was squeezed into a gigantic robot that lives in your home? That’s a worst case scenario for the recently-introduced Menteebot, a human-sized robot that’s stuffed to the brim with AI-adjacent bells and whistles.

It’s being advertised as the “personalized AI-based robot you can mentor.” It can run, walk sideways and even turn, all “with the same balance and control as a human.” Manufacturer Mentee Robotics also says it’ll adjust its gait when lifting heavy objects. It should be able to lift these heavy objects with ease due to the fact that it’s, well, absolutely gigantic. Many of the models also have no head, which certainly doesn’t recall any old-time myths about a scary demon on a horse.

Now, we’ve had humanoid robots for a while. There was Honda’s Asimo, which has been sadly discontinued, and the army of nightmare creatures that Boston Dynamics is busy cooking up. Agility Robotics has been building out its robot assistant Digit and Elon Musk, who never makes false promises ever swear to God, says that Tesla is working on a humanoid robot called Optimus.

There’s one major difference between the aforementioned bots and Mentee’s creation. Menteebot is stuffed with AI algorithms, natural language processing models and software that unlocks “advanced training techniques.” The company says that this means the robot is “not bound to a limited set of commands” and that it can even hold conversations with humans. As a matter of fact, users issue commands to the robot via natural language. 

It’s a robot with two arms and two legs that can, in theory, do many of the same things we do. The company says that we can train it to do these things. This seems to sort of work like another controversial piece of AI tech, the Rabbit R1. To teach Menteebot a new task, you run a simulated version of the bot through a digital version of the task. The software completes the task over and over until it figures it out. Then the robot should be able to complete the task in the real world. This seems like an extremely lofty promise, but we’ll wait to see the final result. Here’s hoping it doesn't hallucinate and do whatever the heck it wants like other bits of AI tech. 

Menteebot does look quite agile. There are tons of videos of the robot being put through its paces. It can run and the arms and hands “present a full range of motion and enough accuracy to perform delicate tasks.” To that end, there’s a video of it gently handing a piece of dinnerware to a person.

While it’s highly unlikely this robot will live up to the initial promotional materials when it arrives in 2025 (just look at the initial promises Humane made for the AI pin), it still seems pretty darned cool. There’s no announced price, but it’s certainly going to be a whole lot more than the aforementioned $700 pin. This is an agile humanoid robot that weighs over 150 pounds. 

Menteebot will be available in two flavors. There’s the residential bot, which is forced to do household chores, and the commercial bot, which is forced to do manual labor. No matter which you choose, for heaven’s sake, be extra nice to the thing. Don’t boss it around. Let it sit at the dinner table. Keep it away from the vast majority of sci-fi. It can watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, maybe, as Data seems like a decent enough role model.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/menteebot-is-a-human-sized-ai-robot-that-you-command-with-natural-language-110052927.html?src=rss

Menteebot is a human-sized AI robot that you command with natural language

The whole world is ragging on a barely functional $700 AI pin at the moment, but what if similar tech was squeezed into a gigantic robot that lives in your home? That’s a worst case scenario for the recently-introduced Menteebot, a human-sized robot that’s stuffed to the brim with AI-adjacent bells and whistles.

It’s being advertised as the “personalized AI-based robot you can mentor.” It can run, walk sideways and even turn, all “with the same balance and control as a human.” Manufacturer Mentee Robotics also says it’ll adjust its gait when lifting heavy objects. It should be able to lift these heavy objects with ease due to the fact that it’s, well, absolutely gigantic. Many of the models also have no head, which certainly doesn’t recall any old-time myths about a scary demon on a horse.

Now, we’ve had humanoid robots for a while. There was Honda’s Asimo, which has been sadly discontinued, and the army of nightmare creatures that Boston Dynamics is busy cooking up. Agility Robotics has been building out its robot assistant Digit and Elon Musk, who never makes false promises ever swear to God, says that Tesla is working on a humanoid robot called Optimus.

There’s one major difference between the aforementioned bots and Mentee’s creation. Menteebot is stuffed with AI algorithms, natural language processing models and software that unlocks “advanced training techniques.” The company says that this means the robot is “not bound to a limited set of commands” and that it can even hold conversations with humans. As a matter of fact, users issue commands to the robot via natural language. 

It’s a robot with two arms and two legs that can, in theory, do many of the same things we do. The company says that we can train it to do these things. This seems to sort of work like another controversial piece of AI tech, the Rabbit R1. To teach Menteebot a new task, you run a simulated version of the bot through a digital version of the task. The software completes the task over and over until it figures it out. Then the robot should be able to complete the task in the real world. This seems like an extremely lofty promise, but we’ll wait to see the final result. Here’s hoping it doesn't hallucinate and do whatever the heck it wants like other bits of AI tech. 

Menteebot does look quite agile. There are tons of videos of the robot being put through its paces. It can run and the arms and hands “present a full range of motion and enough accuracy to perform delicate tasks.” To that end, there’s a video of it gently handing a piece of dinnerware to a person.

While it’s highly unlikely this robot will live up to the initial promotional materials when it arrives in 2025 (just look at the initial promises Humane made for the AI pin), it still seems pretty darned cool. There’s no announced price, but it’s certainly going to be a whole lot more than the aforementioned $700 pin. This is an agile humanoid robot that weighs over 150 pounds. 

Menteebot will be available in two flavors. There’s the residential bot, which is forced to do household chores, and the commercial bot, which is forced to do manual labor. No matter which you choose, for heaven’s sake, be extra nice to the thing. Don’t boss it around. Let it sit at the dinner table. Keep it away from the vast majority of sci-fi. It can watch Star Trek: The Next Generation, maybe, as Data seems like a decent enough role model.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/menteebot-is-a-human-sized-ai-robot-that-you-command-with-natural-language-110052927.html?src=rss

Deals: 15W Nightlight Wireless Charging Pad, Save 59%

15W Nightlight Wireless Charging Pad

Imagine a world where you can charge your devices, light up your room, and add a touch of elegance to your decor, all with one sleek, multifunctional device. Welcome to the world of the Light + Power + Sleep Wireless Charger 15W Nightlight. This innovative gadget is not just a wireless charger, it’s a lifestyle […]

The post Deals: 15W Nightlight Wireless Charging Pad, Save 59% appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

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