Monthly Archives: June 2024

New Earth-Inspired Omega Swatch MoonSwatch: Lava, Polar Lights, Desert

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If you thought Omega and Swatch were out of tricks to come up with new variations of the MoonSwatch, think again. The two brands just dropped three new collaborative releases today. Unlike the year full of “Full Moon” subtle variants and two Snoopy-inspired releases, these are Earth-inspired and incredibly creative.

Designer: Swatch + Omega

The new MoonSwatch collection, under the banner “Mission on Earth,” introduces three distinct models: Lava, Polar Lights, and Desert. These watches maintain the familiar look of the iconic Omega Speedmaster ‘Moonwatch’ but bring fresh, vibrant, and earthy inspirations into the design, each echoing unique natural phenomena. Priced at $300 each, these models are available exclusively at selected Swatch stores starting June 15. Let’s delve into the intricate details of each model, exploring the thoughtful design elements and how they pay homage to their inspirations and predecessors.

Mission on Earth: Lava

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Lava

The Mission on Earth Lava model is an embodiment of fiery energy and volcanic intensity. The vibrant orange Bioceramic case immediately catches the eye, creating a striking contrast with the black dial and bezel. This color choice is not merely aesthetic; it pays homage to the Speedmaster “Ultraman” with its signature orange seconds hand. The subdials on the Lava model feature Arabic numerals and indexes arranged in a radial format, reminiscent of the designs seen in the Speedmaster Alaska II and III projects. This attention to detail links the watch to its Omega heritage, while the modern Bioceramic material ensures durability and a lightweight feel on the wrist.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Lava

The black VELCRO strap is a practical choice, featuring orange topstitching that ties the overall color scheme together. The strap’s design ensures a secure fit, suitable for both casual wear and more adventurous outings. The Super-LumiNova coating on the hands and hour markers provides excellent visibility in low-light conditions, enhancing both functionality and the watch’s visual appeal in the dark.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Lava

The back of the watch continues the thematic focus with an engraved image of Earth as seen from space. This engraving reinforces the watch’s connection to the “Mission on Earth” theme and adds a unique touch that distinguishes it from other models in the collection.

Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

The Polar Lights model pops with its turquoise Bioceramic case, reflecting the mesmerizing colors of the Aurora Borealis. The dark blue dial, speckled with tiny silver-colored flakes, mimics the starry night sky and is inspired by aventurine glass dials. This design choice makes each watch unique, as the pattern of flakes varies slightly from piece to piece. The turquoise hands and tachymeter scale complement the case, creating a cohesive and visually stunning color scheme.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

The recessed subdials feature white rings and radial indexes, a nod to the Speedmaster Alaska II and III projects. This continuity in design elements connects the Polar Lights to its Omega lineage while introducing a fresh and contemporary aesthetic. The blue VELCRO strap with turquoise stitching is functional and enhances the overall visual harmony of the watch.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

The back of the Polar Lights model is particularly noteworthy. It features an engraving of Earth, viewed from space, emphasizing the “Mission on Earth” theme. This detailed engraving adds an element of artistry and uniqueness, making the watch a collector’s item.

Mission on Earth: Desert

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Desert

The Desert model offers a more subdued yet sophisticated aesthetic, inspired by the vast sandy expanses that cover a significant portion of the Earth’s surface. The sand-colored Bioceramic case, crown, and pushers blend seamlessly with the greige (taupe) dial and strap, creating a monochromatic look that’s elegant and versatile. The hands and tachymeter scale in sand color maintain the cohesive theme, while the radial subdials nod to the Speedmaster Alaska II and III projects.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Desert

The greige VELCRO strap, featuring contrasting sand-colored stitching, ties the design together and ensures a secure fit. This watch is perfect for those who prefer a more understated look without sacrificing the rich heritage and design cues of the Omega Speedmaster.

MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Desert

The back of the Desert model, like its counterparts, features an engraving of Earth from space. This detail reinforces the watch’s connection to the “Mission on Earth” theme and adds a layer of depth to its design.

Design Comparison: Original Mission to Earth vs. Polar Lights

New MoonSwatch Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

Comparing the original Mission to Earth with the new Polar Lights model highlights Swatch and Omega’s evolution in design creativity. The original Mission to Earth featured a traditional, restrained color palette, focusing on earthy tones that reflected a grounded aesthetic. In contrast, the Polar Lights model embraces a bold and vibrant approach with its turquoise and dark blue color scheme inspired by the Aurora Borealis.

Original MoonSwatch Mission on Earth

The aventurine-inspired dial of the Polar Lights, with its speckled silver flakes, introduces a unique element absent in the original. This design choice makes each watch distinct, adding a personal touch that collectors appreciate. While the original focused on traditional elements, the Polar Lights model pushes boundaries with its dynamic and visually captivating design.

The original Original MoonSwatch Mission on Earth vs the new Mission on Earth: Polar Lights

Original Moonswatch Mission on Earth

As a watch collector, the Polar Lights model stands out as the most compelling option among the new releases. Its striking color scheme and unique dial make it a must-have for enthusiasts. This model represents a significant departure from the original Mission to Earth, showcasing Swatch and Omega’s commitment to innovation and their ability to cater to diverse aesthetic preferences. This comparison underscores the brands’ dedication to blending heritage with contemporary design, making the MoonSwatch collection a compelling choice for watch enthusiasts.

The post New Earth-Inspired Omega Swatch MoonSwatch: Lava, Polar Lights, Desert first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Google Pixel Tablet with charging speaker dock is $130 off right now

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The Google Pixel Tablet with charging speaker dock is $130 off right now via Woot. This is a discount of 26 percent and a record low for the tablet. That's a pretty good deal for a device that’s still under a year old.

It’s worth re-emphasizing that this sale is for the tablet and the charging speaker dock. It’s the latter accessory that was largely responsible for the positive review we gave the tablet last year. The dock lets the tablet double as a smart display. It charges the tablet quickly and provides a sturdy base for touch gestures. The speakers are also much louder than one would expect, given the size. The combination of a useful dashboard, an easy-to-read interface and impressive audio make it one heck of a smart display.

We were a bit cooler on the tablet itself, though it's perfectly serviceable. The nano-ceramic coating and glass-like backing makes it feel more expensive than it actually is and the low weight, at just over one pound, ensures you won’t cramp up while streaming the latest hit TV show. It is, however, slightly heavier than the iPad Air.

There’s also a neat little kickstand-hanger combo that lets you place the tablet just about anywhere. This is useful, for instance, when following a recipe in the kitchen. You can just hang it right on a cabinet knob. The 2,560 x 1,600 LCD panel isn’t as vibrant as a modern OLED, but it gets the job done.

The Pixel Tablet is the first of Google’s tablets to be a Chromecast receiver, so you can control it from your phone. This comes in especially handy when watching streaming apps, though it only works when docked.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-google-pixel-tablet-with-charging-speaker-dock-is-130-off-right-now-165101833.html?src=rss

Apple’s MacBook Air M3 hits a new low, plus the rest of the week’s best tech deals

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It might be too late to get a big tech gift to ship in time for Father's Day, but if you're looking to upgrade your own setup, you can still take advantage of a few sales that are still kicking ahead of the weekend. The 13- and 15-inch versions of Apple's latest MacBook Air are each down to all-time lows, for instance, as are both versions of the newest MacBook Pro. Beats' new Solo 4 headphones are $70 off, too, while Solo Stove has a sale on some of our favorite smokeless fire pits. Several other gadgets we recommend are also on sale, including Amazon's Echo Buds, the Backbone One mobile game controller and Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-macbook-air-m3-hits-a-new-low-plus-the-rest-of-the-weeks-best-tech-deals-160638174.html?src=rss

Picsart and Getty are making an AI image generator entirely trained on licensed content

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Getty has partnered up with Picsart, a popular photo-editing platform, to build an AI image generator that’s entirely trained on licensed stock images. The companies are calling it a “responsible, commercially-safe” alternative to current platforms. Images created by the model will have full commercial rights, which should address concerns about AI-generated images violating copyright laws.

The service will only be available to paid Picsart subscribers and the whole thing recalls Adobe’s Firefly AI model. That generator is also trained on stock images, though not exclusively. Adobe recently outraged users by updating its terms of service to indicate that it could access and use people’s work to train AI models. The company quickly amended the terms of service once the backlash started spreading.

Picsart and Getty hope to avoid any backlash by sticking to fully licensed stock images, so regular Picsart users won’t be at risk of having their creations snatched up by the model for training and generation purposes. “It allows creators to bring their visions to life while maintaining the highest standards of commercial safety,” Grant Farhall, CPO at Getty Images, wrote in a blog post.

It also looks like Getty is playing fair with this one, for those worrying about the work of professional photographers being co-opted. We reached out to the company and a rep said that it is "compensating creators included in the dataset on an annual basis." That's something at least!

The Picsart x Getty Images model releases later this year, though there’s no concrete launch date. It’ll be accessible via Picsart’s API services.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/picsart-and-getty-are-making-an-ai-image-generator-entirely-trained-on-licensed-content-154058696.html?src=rss

Canon’s quirky new lenses help you create content for Apple Vision Pro and VR

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Mixed reality platforms try to seamlessly blend physical and digital objects, but our current technologies have their limits. You can, for example, view a regular photo or video in this virtual world, but it’d be like seeing a TV float in front of you. Such content doesn’t fully convey the power and the possibilities offered by these technologies, for which you’ll require specialized tools that are often well beyond the reach of even the majority of professional content creators. Fortunately, the industry landscape is changing, and more accessible tools are becoming available, like this pair of Canon lenses recording at creating stereoscopic 3D photos and videos that don’t require you to buy a new camera, provided you already have a compatible Canon model.

Designer: Canon

To create a stereoscopic 3D video effect that doesn’t look fake, you’ll naturally need either multiple cameras working in sync or one that records in 3D from the get-go. Since there isn’t a huge demand for the latter, 3D or spatial cameras are rare and expensive. More importantly, they require you to set aside your existing cameras and settle for something unfamiliar and potentially less capable than your pro DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Canon’s solution is to actually equip its interchangeable lens cameras with optics designed to take photos or record videos directly in stereoscopic 3D or spatial video. This does mean using two lenses, which is what the upcoming RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens will bring to the table. Details are still slim on this particular lens, other than it’s designed with the Apple Vision Pro in mind, particularly its new Immersive Video capability. Best of all, this lens is compatible with existing cameras, though only the Canon EOS R7 has been named so far.

The RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens is, of course, also compatible with Canon’s own EOS VR system, as is a slightly odder RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens, also for the Canon EOS R7. As the name implies, the lenses for this module are farther apart, allowing for a wider field of vision and a deeper 3D effect. It does make your camera look weird and could potentially block easy access to the grip or buttons on the front of the camera.

At $1,099, the RF-S3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s also within reach of pro content creators. More importantly, they won’t need to buy another camera and can stick to the powerful Canon EOS R7, presuming they already own this model. The price for the RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL for the Apple Vision Pro will most likely be revealed closer to its launch this Fall.

The post Canon’s quirky new lenses help you create content for Apple Vision Pro and VR first appeared on Yanko Design.

How to Finally Fix Battery Drain in iOS 17.5.1

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iOS 17.5.1 Battery Drain

Battery drain is a persistent issue for many iPhone users, especially after updating to a new iOS version like 17.5.1. If your device’s battery life seems to be dwindling faster than usual, don’t fret. There are a range of things that you can do on your iPhone to mitigate the problem and extend your iPhone’s […]

The post How to Finally Fix Battery Drain in iOS 17.5.1 appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Give your creativity and convenience an unconventional approach with the fresh perspective of Village projector

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If you’re living by yourself in a studio apartment, studying or working by the day only to return home to spend time in solitude, – at max with your smartphone – Village projector is designed to give you company. The vibrant home entertainment system, is unlike any usual projector you come by for three reasons: it’s essentially made for single-person households; it’s immensely portable for user requirements; and it can be used in multiple orientations to project on the floor, wall, or ceiling, as and when required.

A catalyst for harmonious experience, productivity, and creativity; the Village gives a fresh perspective to your solitude at home. Built-in with sensors, cameras and a high-end projection lens, it can be your friend in everything you intend to do from creating murals to doing a craft project. It has the ability to become your artistic and information companion, fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds.

Designer: Seunghyun Ko, Seohyun Park, Minji Kang and YE JIN LEE

If you’re brimming with creativity and want a contemporary way to bring it to life; employ the Village at home for a fresh perspective. Installed in the curtain rail the projector follows the curtain when you draw it open in the morning to sense the weather outside and project details for you on the floor or in the ceiling – depending on how you have positioned it – so you wake up with complete information of how to plan the day.

During the day, you can remove the portable Village projector from the curtain rail and use it where you like in your tiny apartment. Project inspiring text, news, captivating art, or use it to display guides to your DIY endeavors. After working or studying, when you feel tired and want to relax, the projector can let you play your favorite video game on a sizable display.

Sitting on the desk can help you create your private sanctuary, free from distractions while working, projecting your calendar for the day on the desk. By the evening, you can project the screen on the wall and share unforgettable moments with loved ones. Of course, you can do that on the phone, however, screen on the smartphone is too small. Using it for long durations can hurt your eyes. The portable projector can connect to the smartphone and project what you want to see or learn on a bigger screen, so it’s convenient and less straining.

Made in vibrant color options, in what seems – from images – a plasticky body, the Village features a projection lens in the center with an external recognition sensor and a LiDAR camera on either side. A pair of cameras sit to the right of the sensor and a microphone to the left of the LiDAR cam. On the top – when positioned upright – you get the sliding touch control for volume.  There’s no word on the availability of the conceptual Village projector, but we can say it has versatile use cases. You can transform your workout routine by using it to project fitness or exercise instructions in front of you or on the wall and create an engaging exercise session, or carry the projector into the kitchen to project the intricacies of a dish you’re preparing so it’s cooked well enough to tantalize your taste buds.

The post Give your creativity and convenience an unconventional approach with the fresh perspective of Village projector first appeared on Yanko Design.

Give your creativity and convenience an unconventional approach with the fresh perspective of Village projector

Posted on by

If you’re living by yourself in a studio apartment, studying or working by the day only to return home to spend time in solitude, – at max with your smartphone – Village projector is designed to give you company. The vibrant home entertainment system, is unlike any usual projector you come by for three reasons: it’s essentially made for single-person households; it’s immensely portable for user requirements; and it can be used in multiple orientations to project on the floor, wall, or ceiling, as and when required.

A catalyst for harmonious experience, productivity, and creativity; the Village gives a fresh perspective to your solitude at home. Built-in with sensors, cameras and a high-end projection lens, it can be your friend in everything you intend to do from creating murals to doing a craft project. It has the ability to become your artistic and information companion, fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds.

Designer: Seunghyun Ko, Seohyun Park, Minji Kang and YE JIN LEE

If you’re brimming with creativity and want a contemporary way to bring it to life; employ the Village at home for a fresh perspective. Installed in the curtain rail the projector follows the curtain when you draw it open in the morning to sense the weather outside and project details for you on the floor or in the ceiling – depending on how you have positioned it – so you wake up with complete information of how to plan the day.

During the day, you can remove the portable Village projector from the curtain rail and use it where you like in your tiny apartment. Project inspiring text, news, captivating art, or use it to display guides to your DIY endeavors. After working or studying, when you feel tired and want to relax, the projector can let you play your favorite video game on a sizable display.

Sitting on the desk can help you create your private sanctuary, free from distractions while working, projecting your calendar for the day on the desk. By the evening, you can project the screen on the wall and share unforgettable moments with loved ones. Of course, you can do that on the phone, however, screen on the smartphone is too small. Using it for long durations can hurt your eyes. The portable projector can connect to the smartphone and project what you want to see or learn on a bigger screen, so it’s convenient and less straining.

Made in vibrant color options, in what seems – from images – a plasticky body, the Village features a projection lens in the center with an external recognition sensor and a LiDAR camera on either side. A pair of cameras sit to the right of the sensor and a microphone to the left of the LiDAR cam. On the top – when positioned upright – you get the sliding touch control for volume.  There’s no word on the availability of the conceptual Village projector, but we can say it has versatile use cases. You can transform your workout routine by using it to project fitness or exercise instructions in front of you or on the wall and create an engaging exercise session, or carry the projector into the kitchen to project the intricacies of a dish you’re preparing so it’s cooked well enough to tantalize your taste buds.

The post Give your creativity and convenience an unconventional approach with the fresh perspective of Village projector first appeared on Yanko Design.

Toko Meeting Pod is a modular, flexible, beautiful office space

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Most of my professional life has involved working in start-ups or small companies. And most of the time, our offices don’t have the regular cubicles and set-up you see in the corporate world. I’m thankful for that because just seeing those constricting environments already stifles my creativity. A lot of the smaller companies have learned to adapt more creative modular setups in their workspaces to give employees better working conditions.

Designer: Carl Gustav Magnusson

The Toko Meeting Pod is a modular system for offices that want to have a more unique and open space working environment. The way the basic structure is set up, it can become a regular working space for several people, a place where you can do meetings, a space where you can eat together, or maybe even all of the above at different times. It is also meant to be a freestanding design that you can relocate or reconfigure according to what you need at the moment.

The pod can be made from different combinations of materials like wood veneer, engineered wood, and wool felt panels. The wall structure also lets you have visual and acoustic separation while the textile-like properties lets light into the space and the acoustic panels also give you sound absorption for your meetings and conferences.

The Toko Meeting Pod also comes with integrated power and has build-in credenza storage and wall mounts so you can put monitors, whiteboards, shelving. The space can also accommodate tables and seating areas so it’s basically an affordable, sustainable, and flexible space that’s an alternative to the usual office design.

The post Toko Meeting Pod is a modular, flexible, beautiful office space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Toko Meeting Pod is a modular, flexible, beautiful office space

Posted on by

Most of my professional life has involved working in start-ups or small companies. And most of the time, our offices don’t have the regular cubicles and set-up you see in the corporate world. I’m thankful for that because just seeing those constricting environments already stifles my creativity. A lot of the smaller companies have learned to adapt more creative modular setups in their workspaces to give employees better working conditions.

Designer: Carl Gustav Magnusson

The Toko Meeting Pod is a modular system for offices that want to have a more unique and open space working environment. The way the basic structure is set up, it can become a regular working space for several people, a place where you can do meetings, a space where you can eat together, or maybe even all of the above at different times. It is also meant to be a freestanding design that you can relocate or reconfigure according to what you need at the moment.

The pod can be made from different combinations of materials like wood veneer, engineered wood, and wool felt panels. The wall structure also lets you have visual and acoustic separation while the textile-like properties lets light into the space and the acoustic panels also give you sound absorption for your meetings and conferences.

The Toko Meeting Pod also comes with integrated power and has build-in credenza storage and wall mounts so you can put monitors, whiteboards, shelving. The space can also accommodate tables and seating areas so it’s basically an affordable, sustainable, and flexible space that’s an alternative to the usual office design.

The post Toko Meeting Pod is a modular, flexible, beautiful office space first appeared on Yanko Design.