Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 enhances device connectivity, security, and AI-driven productivity for a seamless, integrated user experience across smart devices.
The post Xiaomi HyperOS 2: A New Era of Connected Experiences first appeared on Trendy Gadget.
Visually Unique Tiny Home Adopts The Form Of A Traditional Shepherd’s Hut With A Modern Twist
Dubbed the S’Mouse City Model, this modern dwelling adopts the aesthetic of a traditional shepherd’s hut. It is equipped with a compact yet comfortable interior, and is also available with optional off-the-grid updates. Shepherd’s huts are often used in the UK and France as resting spaces for farmers after working in the fields.
They are also often used for home offices, tiny homes, and vacations houses. This dwelling is designed by Texas-based S’Mouse Tiny House Co., and it is supported by a double axle trailer, and features a length of 18 feet. The exterior comprises of white asphalt shingles and cedar shakes, topped by a curving roofline. An exterior storage box is also included.
Designer: S’Mouse Tiny House Co.
The interior of the home features a finishing of cork paneling. It is also equipped with a big window that allows natural light to stream in effortlessly. As you enter the home, you are welcomed by the kitchen. The kitchen contains a two-burner electric cooktop, a microwave, fridge/freezer, a coffee machine, sink, and cabinetry. The living room is closely located, and it also functions as the main bedroom. This space includes a sofa bed that can be folded out into a double. It also contains a coffee table, TV, and loads of underfloor storage.
The opposite end of the house includes the bathroom. The bathroom is compact and snug, featuring a shower, sink and bath. Besides the main sleeping area in the living room, this tiny home also accommodates a bedroom above the bathroom. It is a typical tiny house-style loft space with a double bed and low ceiling. This room can be accessed via a removable ladder.
The home is priced at US$84,500, and it is up for rent on Airbnb. An off-the-grid model is also available which is equipped with solar panels, and a composting toilet, and on-board water tanks. The off-the-grid variant is priced at around US$94,500.
The post Visually Unique Tiny Home Adopts The Form Of A Traditional Shepherd’s Hut With A Modern Twist first appeared on Yanko Design.
The Resident Evil 2 remake will shuffle its way to Apple devices in December
Now you’ll be able to play one of the greatest zombie survival games of all time on your iPhone or iPad. Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake is headed to the Apple and Mac App Store on December 10.
The game won’t be available on every Apple device. You’ll need any iPhone 16 model, an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPad or Mac with the M1 chip or later. You’ll also be able to try a small portion of the game before purchasing the full experience. The game comes with “universal purchase” and “cross-progression” for all your eligible devices, according to a Capcom statement.
The Resident Evil 2 remake will offer advanced controls for touchscreens and the Mac version. Both Leon and Claire will also have “a new Auto Fire feature” so you can unload your clip into whatever’s shuffling towards you.
This is just one of four Resident Evil games available for Apple devices and computers. Capcom and Apple have released versions of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil 4 on the App Store and Resident Evil: Village on the App and Mac App Store.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-resident-evil-2-remake-will-shuffle-its-way-to-apple-devices-in-december-234511380.html?src=rssThis quaint Indoor Wind Chime automatically rings by sensing outdoor wind speeds
Wind chimes have a rather understated charm. They can have a very calming effect on you, helping keep anxiety and stress away – but what if you’re in an enclosed area? You couldn’t possibly have a wind-chime in a room that doesn’t receive any wind, right? Well, the folks at Fujitsu may have developed the first wind chime to work without wind…
Meet the LIIN, an indoor wind chime that works autonomously by sensing outdoor wind. Designed to work in enclosed environments or in spaces with not much cross-ventilation, the LIIN’s chime works on cue as soon as you switch it on. In fact, think of it as the audio version of a sun-lamp. A sun-lamp mimics the sun in rooms without sunlight – similarly, the LIIN mimics the auditory effects of a breeze, even when there isn’t any.
Designer: Fujitsu Limited
The chime works in tandem with an outdoor sensor that detects wind speeds. Switch the chime on and an internal clapper swings gently, ringing against the outer glass bell cover, creating a graceful, pleasant sound. The entire device works on an automated pendulum motion, which goes fast or slow depending on the wind speeds outside. This means you could sit in a cushy air-conditioned office but still enjoy the musical effects of the outdoor breeze!
A winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2024, the LIIN is Japanese minimalism at its finest. While most wind-chimes are inherently minimalist, this tabletop objet d’art really does have an understated charm. The wooden base sports a simple geometric form that shows off the wood grain wonderfully. Brass elements like the clapper and the switch/knob on front contrast wonderfully against the wood, and the glass bell gives the overall product a light, see-through aesthetic. I imagine the sound produced by the borosilicate glass is just as zen-inducing too!
The post This quaint Indoor Wind Chime automatically rings by sensing outdoor wind speeds first appeared on Yanko Design.
GOG’s preservation label highlights classic games it’s maintaining for modern hardware
GOG is launching an effort to help make older video games playable on modern hardware. The GOG Preservation Program will label the classic titles that the platform has taken steps to adapt in order to make them compatible with contemporary computer systems, controllers and screen resolutions, all while adhering to its DRM-free policy. The move could bring new life to games of decades past, just as GOG did two years ago with a refresh of the 1999 title Wheel of Time. So far, 92 games have received the preservation treatment.
"Our guarantee is that they work and they will keep working," the company says in the video announcing the initiative.
Preservation has been a hot topic as more games go digital only. Not only are some platforms eliminating disk drives by default, but ownership over your library is more ephemeral than it seems. After all, most game purchases are just a license, and licenses can be revoked (as The Crew players know all too well).
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/gogs-preservation-label-highlights-classic-games-its-maintaining-for-modern-hardware-231606454.html?src=rssBluesky surges to 15 million users after getting a million sign-ups in one week
Bluesky may still be the underdog in the race for alternatives to X, but the once Twitter-affiliated service is gaining momentum. The app just passed the 15 million user mark after adding more than a million new users over the last week, the company said in an update.
While Bluesky is still considerably smaller than Threads, which with 275 million users is its biggest rival, there are signs that Threads users have been increasingly curious about the upstart. “Bluesky” has been a trending topic on Threads in recent days and an in-app search suggestion shows there are more than 19,000 posts about “Bluesky.” Bluesky itself has also made a push to win over Threads users in recent weeks by posting regularly on the Meta-owned service.
That effort seems to be working. A month ago, Engadget noted, the service had just under 9 million users. Its mobile app also has the top spot in Apple’s App Store, followed by Threads and ChatGPT. Its recent success also seems to be driven, at least in part, by frustration with Elon Musk and X following the US presidential election.
A recent report from web analytics company SimilarWeb found that “more than 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their accounts,” on November 7, “more than on any previous day of Elon Musk’s tenure.” The report also noted that “web traffic and daily active users for Bluesky increased dramatically in the week before the election, and then again after election day,” with Bluesky at points seeing more web traffic than Threads. (Threads’ mobile usage, however, is still “far ahead” of Bluesky.)
SimilarWeb
“In the US, Bluesky got more web visits than Threads in the immediate aftermath of the election,” the report notes. “For context, it’s important to note that both services are app centric, even though they support a web user interface.”
On its part, Bluesky seems intent on distinguishing itself from its larger, billionaire-controlled rivals. The company, which began as an internal project at Twitter before it spun off into an independent entity, has experimented with novel features like custom feeds, user-created moderation services and “starter packs” for new users.
“You're probably used to being trapped in a single algorithm controlled by a small group of people, that's no longer the case,” Bluesky’s COO Rose Wang shared in a video aimed at new users Tuesday. “On Bluesky, there are about 50,000 different feeds … these feeds provide a cozy corner for you to meet people with similar interests. And you can actually make friends again, because you're no longer tied to a dominant algorithm that promotes either the most polarizing posts and or the biggest brands, and that's the mandate of Bluesky.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-surges-to-15-million-users-after-getting-a-million-sign-ups-in-one-week-224213573.html?src=rssThe Professional Women’s Hockey League will join EA’s NHL 25 this year
NHL 25 is slated to get a sizable content update at the end of the year. EA announced that the six teams of the Professional Women's Hockey League will be added to the game in an update this December. The Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres will be available to choose in the game's Play Now, Online Versus, Shootout and Season modes.
This EA sports franchise has been putting more women's leagues and female players into the spotlight in recent installments. Women's teams first appeared in NHL 22 back in 2022, and last year NHL 23 showcased Olympic gold medalist Sarah Nurse of Team Canada on its cover alongside Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks.
In addition to the December update with the PWHL partnership, NHL 25 is adding an NHL Arcade mode this Friday. In early 2025, the game will also see new content tied to the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off event.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-professional-womens-hockey-league-will-join-eas-nhl-25-this-year-224023998.html?src=rssSpotify unveils a new payout model for creators with popular videos
Spotify is aiming to give YouTube some competition with its new partner program for video creators and content that goes viral. The music and podcast app announced a new “Partner Program” that monetizes audio and video beyond income from advertising starting on January 2, 2025.
The new monetization program pays Spotify creators in two ways. Creators can earn a share of ad revenue from their content on all platforms through its Partner Program. They can also earn money through monthly podcast subscriptions that “allow listeners to support creators directly in return for exclusive bonus content and perks.”
Both tiers also come with eligibility requirements. The Spotify Partner Program requires participants to host and upload their content through its Spotify for Creators platform, have streamed 10,000 hours and at least 2,000 unique views in a 30-day period and published at least 12 episodes. Subscriptions will be open to content creators who have at least two published episodes and at least 100 unique Spotify listeners in a 60-day period. The new programs will be available for subscribers in the US, UK, Canada and Australia next January.
Spotify has taken other steps to make its video and music content more accessible and mainstream. The music and video streamer integrated with TikTok and Instagram so users can post tracks on the social media sites.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-unveils-a-new-payout-model-for-creators-with-popular-videos-221706698.html?src=rssThe Best Designer Box Cutter for a Stylish Package Opening Experience
Almost everyone has a tool to open packages, be it a cutter, a pair of scissors, or even a knife from the kitchen. Not all of these tools are appropriate for the job, though, especially when they are as likely to cut you as they are the packaging tape.
And those that are indeed designed to slice through these materials are often just shoved back into drawers after their use because they have no place or role to play in people’s lives in those moments. Taking inspiration from ancient tools, this distinctive box cutter defies misconceptions and expectations of what the tool should look like, offering a design that is every bit as functional as a standard unpacking knife but is also beautiful beyond measure as well.
Designer: AATISMO for Seiwa
The Problem: Boring Cutters are Always Out of Reach
Box and paper cutters often come as long rectangular implements whose blades slide out and in as needed. Unlike scissors or kitchen knives, these tools are specifically designed with that singular use case in mind, which means they often come with safety measures and ergonomic mechanisms to make the act of cutting through cloth, tape, or cardboard comfortable and convenient. Unfortunately, the majority of cutters also have designs intended to look practical, tactical, or industrial, which is why they often find themselves hidden in drawers or containers after their use.
This has the sometimes unintended effect of actually losing time looking for that cutter when you actually need it. Imagine feeling hyped after receiving a package, only for that excitement to die from annoyance when you can’t get your hands on your trusty cutter immediately.
You could always just leave the unpacking knife on your desk, but not only is it a safety hazard, it can also be an eyesore against your beautifully maintained minimalist workspace.
Why is This the Best Aesthetic Box Cutter
The OOPARTS-001 is a cutting tool that breaks free from the mold to present a functional yet also beautiful box cutter, and it takes inspiration from the unlikeliest source. Although made from metal, the disc-shaped object almost looks like those ancient tools carved from stone that our distant ancestors used to survive and thrive. There is a sense of raw power emanating from the form’s faceted surface, while at the same time exuding elegance and prestige thanks to the aluminum alloy’s shiny anodized finish.
Machined from a single block of metal, the process leaves traces of the cutting that become accents that give the cutter a unique character.
It isn’t all just looks, of course. It is also a sharp and safe tool for cutting through different kinds of packaging material, from tape to cloth to paper. The sharp tip of the knife is located in a single point only to avoid accidents, while the opposite edge acts as a guide that keeps the blade grounded and prevents it from slipping and injuring you.
The wave-like patterns on the front of the cutter aren’t just for show but help you get a more solid and stable grip. And when you’re done with the task at hand, you can simply place the box cutter on your desk or stand it up on its base, proudly showing off its aesthetic beauty for everyone to see.
Who This Aesthetic Box Cutter is For
Just because tools need to be functional doesn’t mean they can’t be beautiful as well. Sure, you’ll need to squeeze out some creative juices and think outside the box to get a design that meets both requirements equally, but as this Stone Tool-like Unpacking Knife proves, it’s definitely worth the effort. And you don’t even have to limit yourself to well-known design patterns from the past centuries, especially when the Stone Age can also be a treasure trove of unexplored sources of inspiration.
With this Aesthetic Box Cutter, not only do you get a sharp cutting tool that feels great in your hand, you also get an art object that you can display on your desk without shame, ensuring that you can quickly reach for it when your next exciting package arrives.
The post The Best Designer Box Cutter for a Stylish Package Opening Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.
Amazon can’t force employees into anti-unionization meetings
After a lengthy consideration, the National Labor Relations Board has ruled that Amazon’s “captive-audience meetings” are a violation of the National Labor Relations Act. These are mandatory meetings where an employer shares its stance on unionization.
“Ensuring that workers can make a truly free choice about whether they want union representation is one of the fundamental goals of the National Labor Relations Act. Captive audience meetings—which give employers near-unfettered freedom to force their message about unionization on workers under threat of discipline or discharge—undermine this important goal,” Chairman Lauren McFerran said of the ruling. “Today’s decision better protects workers’ freedom to make their own choices in exercising their rights under the Act, while ensuring that employers can convey their views about unionization in a noncoercive manner.”
The decision noted that employers may hold meetings about unionization as long as workers receive advanced notice about the topic, are told that attendance is voluntary and without consequences for opting not to participate, and that attendance records are not kept.
Today’s ruling centers on Amazon, which has a rocky history with its employees’ efforts to organize and with the NLRB. However, the decision could impact other big tech firms that have followed similar practices around unionization.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-cant-force-employees-into-anti-unionization-meetings-214438177.html?src=rss