Tag Archives: Technology

Top 10 Smart Home Appliances That Are Perfect For Tech-Savvy Homeowners

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When organizing and setting up your home, smart home appliances are essential. If you’re a tech-savvy homeowner seeking convenience, efficiency, and a touch of modern elegance in your home, then you need to collect a few worthy smart appliances. From intelligent control panels to portable smart assistants, we have curated a collection of nifty devices that will seamlessly integrate with your home, while providing advanced functionalities.

These smart home appliances represent the pinnacle of modern technology, offering tech-savvy homeowners an array of options to enhance their living spaces. Whether you’re seeking elegant design, intuitive control, or comprehensive management, these devices provide innovative solutions to meet your needs. Pick the one that perfectly caters to your techy requirements!

1. The Frame

Say hello to the Frame – a sophisticated smart device that merges cutting-edge tech with a stunning design. The appliance measures 13.3 inches, and it functions as a full-screen touch system, serving as the central hub for all your IoT devices. The smart device is wrapped in Kvadrat fabric and features a lovely color palette.

The Frame is more than just a functional and nifty smart appliance, it also serves as a statement piece that elevates the aesthetic and appeal of any living space. It seamlessly merges with your home, and your decor style, ensuring it doesn’t stand out like a boxy eye-sore.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes the Frame Wall Pad unique is that it seamlessly merges with any sophisticated living space. It provides a level of control and convenience that redefines home automation. With one single touch, users can manage and control their entire home’s IoT equipment, including the security systems and front door panels.

The Frame is a wonderful combination of functionality and elegant design, making it a great purchase for homeowners and tech lovers who value both style and technology. The minimal but luxurious color palette and attention to detail set the device apart.

What we like

  • The Kvadrat fabric and color palette add a touch of sophistication
  • Allows you to manage all IoT devices from a single interface.

What we dislike

  • We are unsure of the fabric options being provided.
  • It will require some professional installation for optimal integration.

2. Anona Aurora Security Camera

The Anona Aurora Security System was created with a clear focus on utility and independence. It delivers 4K resolution, a long-lasting battery, always-on recording, and smart AI detection. These handy features make it a true security asset for your home. It is an excellent option for those who are fed up with subscription fees and complicated installations. Most cameras on the market max out at 1080p, but the Anona Aurora provides an impressive 4K HDR resolution, providing a clear and clean view of your surroundings.

It delivers eight megapixels, ensuring you capture significant details like license plates and distant movements with up to 8x zoom. It also works wonderfully in low-light conditions with color night vision. It uses a starlight sensor, an F1.2 aperture, and a 10-LED spotlight to ensure the color and detail remain intact even in the dark.

You could also pair up the Anona Aurora Security Camera with the Anona Holo Smart Lock – which is designed to merge with your existing door setup and provides multiple access methods, including fingerprint recognition, smartphone control, and even voice activation via Google Assistant or Alexa.

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Why is it noteworthy?

It is equipped with a worthy 10,000mAh battery, which can deliver up to 180 days of power on a single charge. This makes it a better choice than the popular Google Nest Cam which lasts an average of 1.5 to 3 months. The Anona Aurora can be paired up with Anona’s 4.8W solar panel, allowing it to function as a self-sustaining security unit

The solar panel will harness renewable energy, hence reducing the camera’s dependency on power outlets, and making it a viable option for those looking for low-maintenance, long-term installation options. It is also equipped with on-device AI, which can easily distinguish between people, pets, cars, and packages – without any kind of monthly subscription fees or cloud dependency!

What we like

  • Equipped with a two-way audio, a 10 LED spotlight, and a siren.
  • Pocket-friendly price tag.

What we dislike:

  • If the security system does not integrate with the existing smart home ecosystems, it could be an issue for some users.

3. Zoey Smart Home Assistant

Say hello to the Zoey Smart Home Assistant – a revolutionary device that is redefining the concept of home automation. This device merges functionality with portability and aesthetic appeal. It provides the flexibility of wireless use and adapts to your dynamic and fluid lifestyle. It features a sleek and minimalist form built with premium materials.

The assistant will seamlessly merge with your home decor, feeling like a natural component of your home. It focuses on user interaction and engagement, ensuring it becomes a part of your everyday life. Zoey can detach from its dock, converting it into a portable assistant that can be carried around in the home.

Why is it noteworthy?

Zoey’s portability helps it stand out in a crowded market of smart home assistants. The assistant can move with its users, instead of being tied to a single location. Zoey is also equipped with a bunch of cool features such as – advanced voice recognition capabilities, enabling effortless interaction through simple voice commands.

This feature allows you to control Zoey in an intuitive and user-friendly manner, making it easy even for not-so-tech-savvy individuals. Zoey can connect with different smart home systems, allowing it to control lighting, temperature, and security settings, providing comprehensive home management at your fingertips.

What we like

  • Delivers rich sound quality for an immersive listening experience.
  • Easy to interact with via voice commands.

What we dislike

  • It has limited surface compatibility and only sticks to metal surfaces.

4. Nothing Robot Vacuum (1)

Dubbed the Nothing Robot Vacuum (1), this conceptual smart cleaning device is a far cry from the traditional robot vacuums on the market. It features a unique design and innovative features. The vacuum is inspired by the design language of Nothing’s tech products, and it features a transparent D-shaped outer shell, offering a visually appealing appearance.

The transparent nature of the design offers it a futuristic, and “preserved in glass” aesthetic, which makes it a real conversation starter for your home. It also features a Glyph Interface, which provides real-time feedback on the cleaning process. This interface functions as a visual progress bar, allowing you to track how much cleaning is left.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Glyph Interface adds a layer of interactivity that improves the user’s control over the cleaning process. This offers real-time updates, cutting out the guesswork often required with automated cleaning devices. This feature is great for homeowners who value transparency and efficiency in their smart home devices.

The Nothing Robot Vacuum (1) offers the perfect approach to design and functionality. It serves as a statement of modernity and technological advancement. It is a great option for tech enthusiasts who want home appliances that push the boundaries of traditional and typical design.

What we like

  •  Transparent shell and LED indicators for a futuristic look.
  • Glyph Interface offers real-time updates.

What we dislike

  • Since it is a concept, we are unsure how well it will translate into a real product.

5. Flic Twist

Dubbed the Flic Twist, this innovative smart home controller provides a tactile and intuitive way to manage all your smart home devices. It is a wireless dial, created for simplicity and versatility, allowing users to control lights, music, blinds, and more without having to use smartphone apps or voice commands.

The Flic Twist features a minimalist design, making it a functional tool and elegant addition to your home. The Flic Twist is made up of four distinct actions – push, double push, twist, and push & twist—each of which can be customized to perform different functions.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Flic Twist prioritizes tactile interaction, providing a refreshing alternative to voice and app-based controls that are currently dominating the smart home market. It provides users with a more hands-on method of managing their devices, offering a sense of physical engagement, which isn’t available in digital interfaces.

The device also allows users to set up custom actions that merge well with their daily routines. This makes the Flic Twist a flexible device that can handle a wide range of applications – ranging from adjusting lighting and music to controlling blinds and other smart home devices. It features a user-friendly design that can be used by different family members.

What we like

  • Easy to use with four customizable actions.
  • Manage various smart home devices with a single dial.

What we dislike

  • It may not support all home devices.

6. NEEO

Dubbed the NEEO Smart Home Automation System, this innovative solution will simplify how you manage your smart home devices. It includes two components – the brain and the remote. It provides a seamless way to control all your devices from one single place. This system is designed for user convenience, offering an intuitive interface that recognizes users, and provides personalized control options.

NEEO focuses on easy usage and integration, allowing users of all tech proficiency levels to handle it. The brain functions as the central hub, it communicates with different smart devices, while the remote offers instant control with a touch. It provides remote management capabilities as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

NEEO can streamline smart home management, serving as a centralized solution, while eliminating the need for multiple apps and remotes. The user recognition features add a layer of personalization, ensuring each user has their own settings and devices. This is excellent for homes with multiple users, offering a tailored experience for everyone.

The system’s ease of setup is another key advantage, addressing one of the most common issues in smart home management. With a simple three-step process, users can quickly connect their devices and begin enjoying the benefits of home automation. This user-friendly approach makes NEEO an attractive option for tech-savvy homeowners looking to simplify their smart home systems.

What we like

  • Manages all devices from one system.
  • Recognizes users for tailored device management.

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t include voice controls, which may be preferable for some users.

7. Smart Pad

This adorable design concept gives your impersonal tech products a makeover, by giving a smart display a comical and funny face. This makes the product seem friendly and approachable! Called the Smart Pad, this clever little product changes the core design of its smart display. It features a 4-inch screen which may be a bit too small, but which only shows the essentials, instead of flooding users with information.

The smart display looks like an egg, bringing to mind visions of old, colorful iMacs or some vintage CRT TVs. The screen is positioned at a comfortable angle, and you don’t need to employ any stands or external mechanisms. The Smart Pad aims to transform the way users interact with smart home technology by making it more approachable and engaging.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Smart Pad adopts a cartoon face, hence creating a more inviting and welcoming user experience. This design is great for tech-savvy homeowners who want products with a more personal touch. The pad also features a compact size, which is ideal for homes with space constraints. It also incorporates a minimal design, ensuring it will complement different decor styles.

The Smart Pad is blessed with the ability to humanize technology, forming a more engaging user experience. It is the right choice for individuals who appreciate both functionality and personality in their home devices, with the ability to enhance home automation.

What we like

  • Features an egg-shaped screen with a cartoon face that adds charm and personality.
  • Small size fits seamlessly into any space.

What we dislike

  • The 4-inch display may restrict information visibility, as it has a limited screen size.

8. Sonoff NSPanel Smart Scene Wall Switch

Named the Sonoff NSPanel Smart Scene Wall Switch, this device is a comprehensive solution for home automation. It provides centralized control of different appliances and systems. It is equipped with an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) panel design, which offers a harmonious and seamless way to manage lights, temperature, and preset scenes from a single interface.

The wall switch includes multiple control methods, including a touchscreen, dual-channel switch, voice commands, and a smart app. It is designed to make smart home management an intuitive and more accessible process. It features a design that is both functional and stylish, allowing it to complement any home environment.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Sonoff NSPanel Smart Scene Wall Switch is versatile, and equipped with comprehensive control capabilities. It merges multiple control methods into one single device, cutting down the need for multiple remotes or apps. This simplifies the user experience and offers an all-in-one approach that is appealing to modern homeowners.

The NSPanel’s ability to activate preset scenes based on user preferences is another excellent feature. This functionality allows users to customize their home environment with ease. The remote access provided by the smart app ensures that users can manage their home automation systems from anywhere, adding an extra layer of convenience.

What we like

  •  Centralizes management of multiple devices and scenes.
  • Equipped with touchscreen, voice, and app controls for flexibility.

What we dislike

  • May require time and effort to configure all devices.

9. TOKIT Omni Cook

Dubbed the TOKIT Omni Cook, this all-in-one kitchen appliance is the innovative kitchen assistant you’ve been searching for. It makes your meal prep process quick, and efficient, ensuring you don’t spend hours cooking. The TOKIT Omni Cook is designed to bring some fun and playfulness to your cooking and meal prep experience.

It is the versatile device you’ve been searching for. It merges state-of-the-art technology with user-friendly features to streamline your meal prep process. It will encourage even the most hesitant cooks to explore new recipes and techniques, opening up the culinary world for them.

Why is it noteworthy?

The TOKIT Omni Cook is equipped with an impressive array of features that will simplify the cooking process for you. It makes cooking accessible for both beginners and seasoned chefs. It automates the cooking to an impressive degree, so you can depend on the appliance to deal with complex cooking tasks with minimum intervention on your part.

The appliance is equipped with a library of digital recipes, which guide you through the cooking process. This is a great feature for individuals who aren’t too confident in the kitchen and require clear instructions and visual aids to prepare their meals.

What we like

  • Features an integrated 7-inch touchscreen display, which lets you customize and tweak your preferences.
  • It will not occupy substantial space in your kitchen.

What we dislike

  • It has multiple culinary modes and functionalities, hence users may take some time to adjust to the appliance.

10. Mr.Alfred

Meet Mr.Alfred – a smart home appliance that functions as a humidifier, dehumidifier, air purifier, and vacuum. It is blessed with a unique combination of retro aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. Mr.Alfred is on a mission to revolutionize the home appliance landscape, by serving as a comprehensive solution for healthy air management.

It is more than just an appliance, Mr.Alfred is also a statement piece that will seamlessly integrate with your home decor. It resembles an elegant bar cart, equipped with gold rails that add a retro touch. A muted grey body adds to the rich yet subtle aesthetic. This appliance not only saves space but also merges multiple appliances into one.

Why is it noteworthy?

Mr. Alfred is designed for comprehensive air management. It will sense the air quality, and take targeted action to keep your home clean and healthy. This smart system combines the functionalities of an air purifier, humidifier, dehumidifier, and robot vacuum, ensuring comprehensive air management.

The appliance also features a sleek form and includes six important parts –  the main body, a drone for space monitoring, a robot vacuum, an air purifier, a humidifier, and a dehumidifier. These components are designed to work together seamlessly. The air-management parts rest on the robot vacuum, making them portable, and ensuring they clean your home spectacularly.

What we like

  • Merges elegant aesthetics and smart functionality.
  • A multifunctional appliance that embodies four devices in one.

What we dislike

  • It is a concept, so we are unsure how well it would work as a tangible product.

The post Top 10 Smart Home Appliances That Are Perfect For Tech-Savvy Homeowners first appeared on Yanko Design.

Japanese wooden satellite launched to help curb space trash

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The media focus on rocket launches, moon landings, and Internet satellites has inspired many to look to the stars for the future of mankind. There are still plenty of areas on the Earth that can be explored, but our expansion can only expand upward at this point. But even before we get there, we are already filling our outer skies with dozens if not hundreds of small metal objects known as satellites, and their numbers are only expected to grow as we move forward.

Satellites have various applications, from communication to observation, but none of them so far remain in orbit in perpetuity. We are, thus, facing a two-headed problem of a myriad of these objects cluttering the space around our planet as well as plummeting back down, sometimes with disastrous results. To find out if there are more sustainable options, the world’s first wooden satellite just made its extraterrestrial voyage in the hopes of replacing metal with wood in the future.

Designers: Sumitomo Forestry, Kyoto University

Satellites can orbit the Earth for years, but they will eventually be decommissioned and fall back to Earth. Most of their mass will burn up on re-entry, but the burning metal will release dangerous aluminum oxide pollution into the atmosphere. Wood will also burn up, of course, but the effects on the environment will be significantly smaller.

Made from Japanese hinoki or cypress wood, the boxy LingoSat satellite is designed to test the theory of replacing metal satellites with wood-enclosed versions. The sides of the box are held together without screws or glue, using a traditional Japanese craft technique similar to dovetail joints. This method will help minimize the use of metal or potentially toxic materials that would burn in the atmosphere.

The experiment will test how well wood will fare in the harsh environment of space, such as extreme temperature fluctuations, and how well it can shield electronics inside from space radiation. The latter could have useful applications back here on Earth as shielding for semiconductors in data centers. If successful, this design could significantly help solve the problem of space trash and debris falling back down.

The LingoSat wooden satellite launched into space last Tuesday and will be heading to the International Space Station. From there, it will spend six months in orbit at a height of 400km (250 mi) above the Earth. Like any other satellite, it will eventually be decommissioned and fall down but with less fanfare.

The post Japanese wooden satellite launched to help curb space trash first appeared on Yanko Design.

White noise speaker concept helps lull you to sleep

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Are you the kind of person who’s always sleepy when at the office but suddenly feels energized as soon as you leave? Then when it’s time to sleep, you have so much energy and you find it hard to fall asleep? It’s a vicious cycle that affects a lot of modern employees now. It may be that they just don’t like the work but it can also be because of things like insomnia and even Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS). It can affect your work, social life, and overall quality of life.

Designer: Jinkyo Han

One thing that works for some people to help them fall asleep is having some kind of white noise playing in the background. You can use your phone or smart speaker to play white noise playlists but what if there’s a device that just does that? That’s the idea behind the concept for a white noise speaker. It doesn’t have any other purpose that may distract you from sleeping. All it’s supposed to do is play white noise and accompany you as you drift off to dreamland (hopefully).

The speaker looks like one of those digital photo frames that can display random photos from your collection. The rectangular device has a glass frame at the top and then the speaker grill at the bottom where the white noise comes out. The glass seems like a screen where white-noise related videos can play (like falling rain, leaves blowing in the wind) that can accompany the white noise as it lulls you to sleep.

There wasn’t much information about the other features or aspects of the concept design but the product renders seem to be self-explanatory. As someone who also has much trouble sleeping at night (and then consequentially has problems waking up in the morning), this can be a pretty useful device to have.

The post White noise speaker concept helps lull you to sleep first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 AI-Enabled Tools & Gadgets For Creative Professionals To Transform Their Workflow

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In the world of technology, AI has been consistently making innovative and significant strides. It has positively impacted multiple domains including the creative industry. AI tools aren’t just novelties for creative professionals, they serve as transformative instruments that elevate productivity, precision, and creativity. We have curated five innovative AI tools and gadgets that are handy for creative professionals.

These AI tools offer innovative solutions that enhance productivity, creativity, and precision. Whether you are a musician, designer, digital content creator, or global communicator, these tools provide invaluable support in your creative endeavors. As AI technology continues to advance, the possibilities for creative professionals are boundless, promising a future where creativity and technology go hand in hand.

1. ASUS ProArt PZ13

Say hello to the ASUS ProArt Pz13 – a 2-in-1 tablet designed to meet the demands and requirements of creative professionals. The PZ13 is tailored for designers, artists, streamers, and writers who need portability and performance. This sleek device is equipped with a detached keyboard cover and kickstand, ensuring you can use it in different environments.

The PZ13 is amped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus – an octa-core processor that balances performance and power efficiency, making it perfect for creative tasks. It is amped with a robust feature set including a 70Wh battery, IP52 dust and water resistance, and MIL-STD-810H certification.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ProArt PZ13 can seamlessly integrate AI features into the creative workflow, thereby improving productivity, and supporting new forms of artistic and creative expression. It also includes a Neural Processing Unit and integrated graphics processor which enables the tablet to deal with complex creative tasks with ease.

The PZ13 is a powerful sidekick for content creators, as it also features a lightweight design and long battery life, allowing creators to work virtually from anywhere. This makes it a flexible and valuable purchase for creatives who are always on the move, enabling them to capture and execute ideas wherever they may be.

What we like

  •  Lightweight and compact design for easy transport.
  • Enhances creative processes with integrated AI capabilities.

What we dislike

  • It may not be able to match the performance of more powerful devices.

2. AIMake

AIMake is a generative AI tool designed especially for industrial design applications. It provides a prompt-based interface that allows users to effortlessly and easily create graphical outputs. It is great for working on 2D printing, laser-etching, engraving, or embossing, as it offers a streamlined solution to bridge the gap between concept and execution. It provides a choice between 70 different styles.

The platform is designed to meet a whole bunch of design needs and requirements, ranging from ready-to-print logos to editable SVGs for screen-printing and low-relief 3D engravings. AIMake is a versatile and invaluable tool for professional creators and DIY lovers, as it helps them bring their creative visions to life.

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Why is it noteworthy?

AIMake’s ability to democratize and simplify the design process makes it invaluable. It leverages AI, to cut down the need for extensive technical expertise, helping you focus on the creative aspect of your project. It features an intuitive prompt-based design system that helps users generate complex designs with a simple text description.

AIMake is integrated with DesignFind, an asset marketplace, offering users access to a whole range of free and paid project files from creators around the world. This helps build a collaborative and interactive environment where designers can share ideas and inspire one another. This elevates the platform’s utility even more.

What we like

  • Features an intuitive prompt-based interface that simplifies the design process.
  •  Supports various output formats and styles.

What we dislike

  • It may not offer a lot of control over the finer and more intricate design details.

3. ROLI Airwave

Meet the ROLI Airwave – an impressive tool that harnesses the power of AI to completely rejuvenate music education and production. It isn’t an ordinary instrument, it is a comprehensive music-learning ecosystem powered by ROLI’s Music Intelligence (MI) platform. It merges AI with advanced vision and voice technology, providing an immersive learning experience that is interactive, intuitive, and fun.

It functions as an “intelligent piano” concept, that pushes the boundaries of traditional music learning, helping musicians interact with their instruments and instructors seamlessly and intuitively. It is equipped with 3D infrared cameras and Vision technology, which captures intricate finger movements and gestures, offering real-time feedback and guidance.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ROLI Airwave offers a novel and transformative approach to music learning and production. It provides dynamic, interesting, and real-time feedback to users, helping them improve their skills. The guidance is extremely personalized and tailored to each musician’s needs and requirements.

This level of guidance and help is provided on account of the sophisticated AI algorithms, which analyze and study the musician’s technique. Irrespective if you are a beginner having an issue with finger positioning or an advanced player fine-tuning your skills, the AirWave will be the coach you need.

What we like

  • Offers customized feedback, enhancing learning efficiency.
  • Captures intricate finger movements, improving technique accuracy.

What we dislike

  • Users may take some time to adjust to the new system.

4. AnkerMake M5

The AnkerMake M5 is a state-of-the-art 3D printer that provides an impression combination of high-speed printing and exceptional detail. It is created for professionals and DIY enthusiasts and is engineered to deliver flawless prints with efficiency. It features a PowerBoost technology, which optimizes energy through a Y-axis transmission system.

The system is equipped with a powerful stepper motor, double-belt driveshaft, and a stabilized motion algorithm, thereby generating extra power for high-speed printing without compromising on quality.

Why is it noteworthy?

The M5 is equipped with an advanced AI Camera Recognition System which ensures your prints are on track while making the entire printing process seamless and reliable. It can print at five times the usual speed while maintaining a 0.1mm precision. This enables users to produce high-quality prints in no time.

This is excellent for industries where rapid prototyping and production are essential, like product design and engineering. It features an ultra-direct extruder which always ensures precision, reducing the distance between the extruder and nozzle to enhance control and minimize errors.

What we like

  • Can print at 5X the normal speed significantly reduces production time.
  • Provides real-time monitoring and error detection.

What we dislike

  • The intricate components and systems, such as the ultra-direct extruder, may require maintenance.

5. VocaEase

For creators and creative professionals who often find themselves on the go, the VocaEase is a handy tool. It is an innovative AI-powered translation tool that supports seamless communication, bridging linguistic gaps in spoken and written formats. It provides a comprehensive suite of features to meet the needs of global communicators.

Whether you’re having voice or video calls with clients, or attending international conferences, VocaEase will provide real-time translations with a 0.5-second response time. It also features ChatGPT’s Whisper function, which improves its transcription abilities, and creates summaries of meetings, conferences, and conversations for users.

Why is it noteworthy?

If you’re someone who travels a lot, then the VocaEase will transform the way you communicate across languages. It delivers a whole new level of speed and accuracy. It can deal with multiple languages and formats easily, providing utility in a wide range of applications, from meetings to social media interactions.

It is quite handy for professionals who need to quickly collect information from multilingual sources, saving valuable time, and reducing the risk of miscommunication. It features a user-friendly design, which allows users to operate it easily, using varying levels of technical expertise.

What we like

  •  Provides fast translations, facilitating smooth conversations.
  • Handles multiple languages and formats effectively.

What we dislike

  • Requires reliable internet connectivity.
  • May sometimes struggle with complex or nuanced translations.

The post Top 5 AI-Enabled Tools & Gadgets For Creative Professionals To Transform Their Workflow first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cast metal speaker is made from marine-grade aluminum for aesthetics and acoustics

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When it comes to choosing speakers to adorn your home and play your favorite music in your space, the look or design is not always the priority. The first thing you’re probably looking at is the sound quality (or maybe the cost if you’re working on a tight budget) and how it looks is just an afterthought. There are brands though that have teamed up with designers to make their speakers stand out in the sometimes overly crowded audio market.

Designer: Tom Fereday for Pitt & Giblin

Tasmanian audio brand have teamed up wtih Australian designer Tom Fereday to bring something called the Cast speaker. It has an industrial but aesthetic design, if the look you’re going for is simple but steely. The speaker is mostly made from marine-grade aluminum that not only adds to the acoustic properties of the device but also makes it more durable. This kind of aluminum can combat oxidation and degradation so it can last for a long time without looking so old.

Each speaker is made from four aluminum elements whose casting brings about a soft texture with a certain sheen. This is because the external surfaces are honed and hot waxed. The speaker itself has a complex curve on a circular pattern with a small opening at the center, the only interruption in its cohesive design. The casting is both the cubic framework and the acoustic design for the speaker.

When it comes to quality, the Cast speaker has a Hypex FusionAmp module that is able to power a 10″ subwoofer, four 4″midrange drivers, and a high frequency unit. The Digital Signal Processing is able to re-align the 3-way geometry that powers the unit. It’s a pretty high-end piece of audio equipment so the price is pretty steep. But if the look and the quality is what you’re looking for, you wouldn’t mind spending that much,

The post Cast metal speaker is made from marine-grade aluminum for aesthetics and acoustics first appeared on Yanko Design.

Insta360 X4 releases variant in collaboration with BMW Motorrad

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Action cameras are pretty much in demand now in the age of content creation as they are more practical compared to using digital cameras or even smartphones. We see the more adventurous type of creators or even just “ordinary citizens” as they do things like surfing, mountain climbing, skydiving, or even something more mundane like walking. One of the more popular brands out there is Insta360 and now they have released a limited edition version in collaboration with BMW Motorrad.

Designer: Insta360

The Insta360 X4 BMW Motorrad Limited Edition is similar to the original version. The main difference is that you have the BMW Motorrad branding on the back, in case you want to flex that as you’re shooting. They don’t really specify if they want it to be used as you’re cruising on your expensive motorcycle, but those who will get this variant will probably use it for that purpose. The two brands previously collaborated on creating motorcycle action shots content.

But otherwise, it’s basically just the Insta360 X4 which is not bad in itself as it boasts of impressive features like it’s 72MP 360-degree lens system that can capture 8L 30fps videos and 5.7k 60fps videos. You can even do some slow-motion videos as it supports 4K 100fps, 5.7K 120fps, and 3K 240fps recording. Other things you can do with it is shoot 4K 30fps ultra-wide-angle videos with a 170-degree field of view and 11K time-lapse videos.

This action camera has other advanced features like a 360-degree active HDR, Flow State stabilization, 360-degree horizon lock, wind noise reduction, and an invisible selfie stick. So if you didn’t have this camera yet but would like to have one to go on adventures with you, and if you’re a BMW Motorrad fan, then this would be a good sign to get one. Well, that is, if you’re in China since they don’t have information yet if it will be available in other markets.

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Blocky Wi-Fi router concept is inspired by smokestacks factory

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Usually, we don’t really think of where to place WiFi routers since they just look like ordinary devices. It doesn’t matter where they are placed as long as it does what it’s supposed to do. They’re also not that well-designed anyway so it’s better to hide them away. But what if the router’s design is actually well thought out and can actually be part of your decoration?

Designer: In Je Lee

This is the idea for the Wi-Fi router concept called Complex ‘1’ which has found inspiration in the most unlikely places: a factory smokestack. The designer says that just like the chimney diffuses the smoke, the antenna of this router spreads the Wi-Fi signal throughout your space. There is really no direct correlation between the two of course except that he got the cylindrical shape inspiration from the smokestacks.

Instead of the usual slim antennas that you see on routers, this one actually looks like a lego piece, with the square body and the two cylindrical and asymmetrical antennas. It also comes in a bright, yellow color so if you display it on your desk or shelf, you can get a spot of color in your space. It also has a clock on it so you can use it for another purpose. There’s a small, orange button at the back for resetting or toggling the clock on and off.

This is an interesting take on the common router, which is usually hidden under or behind stuff because it’s not that aesthetic. This way, since you’ll display it in the open, there’s no interference with the signal reception. Well, hopefully there will also be other colors since not everyone is fond of this kind of yellow.

The post Blocky Wi-Fi router concept is inspired by smokestacks factory first appeared on Yanko Design.

Beam projector concept designed for daddy-kids bonding time

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When you look at products in the market that are meant for parent-child bonding, it can be a little skewed towards mothers. But of course most fathers also want to spend quality time with their kids, especially with activities like camping or being in the outdoors. This product concept comes out of that idea for some “emotional” bonding between dads and their kids, but can also be used by any parent, regardless of gender.

Designer: Kim Taeyeon

Key_Story (or Key-Story, which are both indicated in the concept page) is a concept for a beam projector that you can take along to your camping trip or to any outdoor activity. It is meant to foster an emotional, bonding moment between father and children by watching videos projected on a surface. We assume that you need a wall or a cloth to project of course.

The device is designed to look like a robot and has bright colors in order to attract the attention of the kids, especially the younger ones. The top part, which looks like the robot head, is the beam projector and the bottom part is the speaker for “vivid sound”. The package will supposedly come with three Keys that have different content available. You touch the key to the top of the projector to view the videos.

There’s also USB and Bluetooth connectivity in case you have your own video content and you can charge the projector on a C-type port. The two parts have “free movement” because of magnets which should make kids more interested to operate it, but hopefully not break it.

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Make your own Steam Deck handheld gaming PC using a modular laptop

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Handheld gaming devices are quite the fad these days, especially now that major PC makers have all joined the bandwagon. Although we’re reaching a point where all internal specs are becoming identical, there’s still a variety of designs and features available. Just like laptops, however, these designs are fixed and you can only select from what others have already made.

Embodying the spirit of desktop computers, this latest DIY project enables you to build your own Steam Deck clone, presuming you have the parts and skills to assemble one. Unlike other configurations, however, this isn’t relying on some low-power computer like the Raspberry Pi but instead leans on the power provided by a modular laptop design.

Designer: Beth Le

There is no shortage of mods and projects to build custom handheld PCs, whether for gaming or light computing, but the majority of these use small but under-powered single-board computers or SBCs. These are cheap, easy to cram into small shells, but will hardly be able to play any games outside of retro emulators. The problem is that there isn’t an SBC powerful enough to support that use case.

That’s where the Framework modular laptop comes in. Thanks to its modular design, it is possible to actually purchase the mainboard of such a powerful computer, and the 13-inch variant happens to be an adequate size to stuff inside a 3D-printed gaming handheld shell. Although it doesn’t exactly have gaming-worthy specs, it’s still powerful enough to run some AAA games with low settings.

The Beth Deck, which is the name for this hot new build-it-yourself handheld PC, doesn’t stop there. It also uses a matching Framework 13 battery and many off-the-shelf parts. Everything that can’t be bought can be 3D printed, and the claim is that you barely need to solder anything. You could almost say it’s like playing with LEGO, except with computer parts instead of bricks.

It’s not the perfect handheld design, of course, since the Framework 13 mainboard isn’t designed for that purpose. It does, however, reveal the possibilities available with such a modular component available for as low as $199. It might even inspire other designs that customize not just the appearance but also the controls. After all, if you can easily make a Steam Deck clone, why stop at being just a Steam Deck clone?

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Forerunner K2 wants to give other humanoid robots a run for its money

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The battle for the best humanoid robot has been heating up lately with companies like Agility Robotics, Neura Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Apptronik, Reflex Robotics, and of course Tesla developing their own versions of robots that will hopefully not take over the world but help humans in their tasks. Chinese robotics company Kepler has launched the newest version of their Forerunner humanoid robot and it wants to give these other companies a run for their money.

Designer: Kepler

The Forerunner K2 is actually the fifth generation model of the original Forerunner and they say it has been updated to tailor fit commercial applications. It has undergone “extensive software and hardware enhancements” to challenge the latest robots in the market, notably Tesla’s Optimus which has received mixed reviews. This is mostly due to a “stunt” gone wrong wherein people though the black-and-white robots were moving autonomously at an event but were in fact controlled by humans behind the scenes.

Well the latest Forerunner, it now has “52 degrees of freedom” and has a totating and tilting head module which lets it move more naturally. Well, as naturally as a humanoid robot can move for now. Each hand can support up to 11 degrees of active and passive freedom and they can carry up to 15 kg. Battery life is still the same as its predecessor, with the 2.33-kWh battery lasting up to 8 hours before it powers down.

Tesla is expected to deploy its Optimus robot to production lines by next year so companies like Kepler are working doubly hard to create robots that may have better reviews than the former. The Chinese company is currently testing their Forerunner K2 at different customer facilities and later on deploy it in more companies to do things like handling of products, quality control, inspection, etc. As long as there are no robot wars, we’ll happily look at how this humanoid robot competition goes along.

The post Forerunner K2 wants to give other humanoid robots a run for its money first appeared on Yanko Design.