Apple is known for moving slowly but surely, changing things only when it really makes sense and after numerous tests. That can be especially seen in the iPhone’s cameras, which don’t change year after year, unlike the general trend in the mobile industry. Whether it’s the hardware itself or the design of the camera bump, Apple has been careful and meticulous in introducing changes. That’s why it’s a bit of a big thing that Apple is rumored to be changing the iPhone 16’s camera design for the first time in three years, but it’s a change that will bring a significant change in functionality, at least for the base iPhone models, and possibly a very different aesthetic as well.
Apple has traditionally been modest with its camera hardware because it is able to pull off great images even with sensors that look outdated on paper. It also doesn’t change the design of the camera island as often as other brands, introducing a pill-shaped bump in the iPhone 8 Plus in 2017 and only switching to a square enclosure in the 2019 iPhone 11. In the 2021 iPhone 13, it moved the position of the lenses so that they’d be diagonally opposite to each other, creating a visually more interesting composition than the plain vertical arrangement of the iPhone X.
According to rumors, however, Apple is switching back to a vertical design for the iPhone 16 cameras, and it’s unlikely just on a whim. There is a chance that this change will enable the Spatial Video function that’s only available on the iPhone 15 Pro models, a feature that allows recording video in three dimensions. This, however, requires using both the main wide camera and the ultrawide shooter in tandem, in which case these two sensors have to be aligned vertically or even horizontally.
What’s a little more interesting is that Apple is reportedly testing a different design for this new camera as well. There is one that looks exactly like the iPhone 11 and 12, with the cameras vertically arranged. Another potential design, however, places the vertical pill shape of the iPhone X on top of the square bump of the iPhone 15. As interesting as that may look visually, it’s a rather distracting design and would be a bit complicated and inconsistent with the current iPhone design language.
Changing the camera arrangement to enable Spatial Video recording is another sign that Apple is aiming to bring Pro features to the base iPhone 16. An earlier leak claimed that a redesigned Action Button will be available on all iPhone 16 models. That button will supposedly switch from a mechanical button to a pressure-sensitive capacitive surface, a feature that could expand what the button is capable of doing.
Here’s a fact you probably didn’t know – In the time it takes to blink, a car traveling at 60 mph will have moved over 50 feet. It’s exactly that much of a moment, a single blink, that is enough to change an entire life or multiple lives… and while your eyes might have missed that moment, a dashcam never blinks. Once a tool for law enforcement, these compact devices have become indispensable for everyday drivers around the globe. With road incidents on the rise and accountability more important than ever, we’re diving into why equipping your vehicle with a dashcam isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Whether it’s a near brush with death, a careless driver/pedestrian flouting traffic rules, or just a vandal trying to cause trouble, having a steady pair of eyes on the road helps keep you safe and also helps prove your point. The folks at 70mai, makers of some of the leading dashcams on the market, are running a 25% discount on their best-selling dashcams. With features such as 4K capture, AI motion detection, built-in GPS, and 24-hour surveillance, 70mai’s dashcams start as low as $66 and fit easily on both the front and the rear of your car, monitoring every corner to keep your car, but also ultimately you and your family, safe.
1. 70mai Omni Dash Cam 360° Vehicle Security Guard
Touted as the world’s first-ever 360° rotating dashcam, the 70mai Omni monitors the front, rear, and even insides of your car. The single-unit camera attaches to your front windshield, with a 140° FoV wide-angle lens that can rotate 360° to surveil every corner of your car and its periphery. The cameras rely on best-in-class OS02K10 sensors which record at FullHD 1080p@60fps in HDR, working even in low light thanks to 70mai’s Night Owl Vision feature. The patented design features a compact display for viewing your feed, and a set of rotating cameras that leave no stone unturned, especially given their AI-powered features that track motion, humans, and collisions. Moreover, the dashcam’s ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) feature helps you stay aware of your surroundings as you drive. 24-hour smart surveillance means your car stays alert even when you’re not in it, and video footage gets recorded locally to an eMMC built-in storage (this offers faster read and write speeds than an SD card), and can also be accessed using 70mai’s app. The camera automatically rolls over older footage if it doesn’t detect any activity, and automatically saves logs of events/detections that don’t get deleted, allowing you to access them at a later date. The Omni comes with voice control, along with a built-in GPS that location-stamps your footage and even tracks your routes for you, making it a remarkably vigilant companion. Currently running on a special 25% discount, the 128G version Omni with hardwire kit bundle starts at just $164.98 which includes the camera unit, mounting accessories, a crowbar for concealing the wiring behind the interior paneling, a power cable, and a car charger to keep your dashcam charged when its 300mAh battery runs out.
If you’re looking for something reliable without breaking the bank, the A810 is a stellar pick. It uses Sony’s best-in-class STARVIS sensor to capture 4K footage from the front while offering 1080P HDR footage from the rear camera of your car. The two-part camera system attaches to your front and rear windshield, with dual-channel HDR recording and 70mai’s Night Owl Vision that gives you a clear picture even in low-light settings. A 150° FoV on the front and 130° on the back gives a reliable wide-angle view of your car with hardly any blind spots, and the dashcam’s display and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) prove handy when it comes to navigating tight spaces or parking. The A810’s smart features allow it to capture incidents before they even happen. The camera runs on a 24-hour surveillance mode, rolling over older footage with a new video feed. AI-powered software aids in motion detection, human detection, and collision detection, and the dashcam sends alerts to your smartphone through a dedicated app, while also saving a log of any event that it may have captured. The video is also accompanied by GPS metadata that proves incredibly handy in ensuring the validity of legal and insurance claims. The 70mai Dash Cam 4K A810 is available for a special Christmas discounted price of $149.98, which includes the two cameras, mounting gear, a hardwire kit for parking surveillance, a power cord, and a car charger that lets you juice the dashcam’s 500mAh battery.
For $45 less, the 70mai A800S is a compelling budget alternative with a $104.99 price tag. It has all of the A810’s features including dual-channel 4K recording with 70mai Night Owl Vision, built-in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), and 3D dynamic noise reduction to give you a clear image in both night and day. The A800S, however, records at a slightly smaller 140° FoV, and at 30fps, using Sony IMX415 sensors on both the front and back. Those minor changes don’t affect the A800S’ performance, given that it still has all the AI-powered motion, human, and collision-detection features. You’ve still got 24-hour surveillance, which lets you keep an eye on your car even when you’re not inside, and events get logged locally on an SD card and can be accessed, along with GPS data, on 70mai’s smartphone app. The A800S is available for a discounted $104.98, which fetches you the dual-camera setup, mounts, a power cable, and a car-charger.
At $65.99, the A500S is 70mai’s best-selling dashcam on sale. With 1944p recording capabilities, the video footage is just above FullHD (2.7K to be precise), thanks to Sony IMX335 sensors on the front and back that offer stellar recording quality even at night (coupled with 70mai’s 3D Dynamic Noise Reduction). A 140° FoV, parking surveillance, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), time-lapse recording, built-in GPS, and a companion app give you everything you need if you’re looking for a budget-friendly dashcam for your car. Don’t trust us, how about asking the 500,000 drivers who use it every day?!
If youre an urban modern man, living a hectic but fulfilling life in the city, then you know that looking good is a must. When you dress well, and carry yourself well, a whole lot of doors open, and you’re always regarded with a certain degree of respect and admiration. Besides picking the perfect set of clothes, and great looking shoes, it’s also essential to have a set of fashionable gear with you. From a functional but sleek wallet, to an excellent watch, or even the ideal belt – great care must be made when picking your fashion gear. And, we’ve curated a collection of fashionable and functional gear for the urban men out there. Have a look!
1. Fantom X
The Fantom X is designed as little as 0.3 inches in thickness and is the slimmest wallet made without sacrificing security, durability, and modularity.
Why is it noteworthy?
With the ability to hold anywhere from 4 to 13 cards, and also the option of adding modules for holding coins, banknotes, keys, and even AirTags, the Fantom X is the perfect blend of minimalism and materialism. And if that somehow wasn’t enough, it also comes with a lifetime warranty!
What we like
Crafted from highly durable Cerakote aluminum
What we dislike
The wallet is made of two pieces of CNCed aluminum connected, so we’re unsure if it would break if the wallet was to be dropped and hit just right
2. Eye Of Horus Watch
The Eye of Horus watch from the CIGA Design X Series merges Egyptian mythology and modern craftsmanship into one mesmerizing and good-looking timepiece. The Eye of Horus occupies a special place in ancient Egypt and contemporary symbolism. It represents power, luck, and rejuvenation.
This powerful symbol is embedded inside the triangle which also serves as the second hand, and it functions as the visual and spiritual center of the watch, building an air of mystery and spirituality irrespective of your beliefs.
What we like
Features a transparent design giving a 360-degree view of all the intricate machinery for everyone to see
What we dislike
The triangular second hand takes sometime to get accustomed to
3. Bucqle
If you have a pair of pants that you completely adore, but can never wear because they almost always slip off your waist, then worry not, Bucqle is here to the rescue! It’s a metal buckle that clips around the waist-rim of your pants and tightens it by as much as 2 inches.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Bucqle’s radical redesign isn’t just different, it’s exceptionally better. The Bucqle slips right into your pant and clamps shut, showing up as just a minimal-looking silver bar right above your pants.
What we like
Works equally well with formal pants as it does with shorts, skirts, and even pajamas
What we dislike
While it is uniquely functional, the Bucqle takes away the fashion element of dressing up, where the belt of your choice doubles up as an accessory.
4. The Wilsdorf Collection
The Wilsdorf Collection is an ingenious product that combines a cufflink and a watch into one single unique piece. It cant be any watch, since you’ll mostly need it in formal functions.
Why is it noteworthy?
Each of the four pieces in this fashionable set is a homage to an iconic Rolex luxury watch, giving each miniature watch not only a luxurious appearance but also a clear connection to some of the industry’s most-loved timepieces from the brand.
What we like
Cant be easily damaged despite always being exposed
What we dislike
There’s a fear of losing the cufflinks if not taken care of properly
5. The Montblanc TWS Earbuds
The Montblanc TWS Earbuds are a conceptual pair of ear-candy designed by Jinwoo Hong. They’re super classy and sport an insignia on the outside, which allows people to notice the brand from far away.
Why is it noteworthy?
These conceptual Montblanc TWS earbuds have the appeal of cufflinks, with their monochrome design and bold use of Montblanc’s insignia. The earbuds, rather compact, rest in an all-black case with a matte-gloss interplay for drama.
What we like
Feature silicone tips to ensure a perfect seal when in the ear
What we dislike
Would love to hear some real-world reviews on this design once it is in production
6. The Full Leather Wallet Case
The Full Leather Wallet Case is designed to keep your iPhone 15 Pro protected while also ensuring it looks great. It is clad in premium European leather tanned in the Netherlands, with remarkable grain and an option between black, brown, and blue finishes.
Why is it noteworthy?
Each Wallet Case comes with a slot stitched into the back that holds two cards that you can easily fish out whenever you need… and unlike MagSafe, the wallet doesn’t accidentally detach while you pull your phone out of your pocket.
What we like
Use the highest-quality leather and are tanned using a special DriTan process
What we dislike
You need to remove the cards when you charge the phone using MagSafe
7. ModernTie Modular Magnetic Necktie
The ModernTie Modular Magnetic Necktie is a modern accessory that helps you wear your tie in a new and exciting way. It is made using recycled pill bottles and is quite eco-friendly and easy to use.
Why is it noteworthy?
Two magnets hold the tie to the knot and snap them together to form a strong bond. It is quite easy to put on and is also more comfortable than a traditional tie since no material goes around your neck.
What we like
Available in two lightweight styles, three basic colors, and three sizes to provide an ideal fit
What we dislike
Some people may prefer the aesthetic of a traditional tie
8. P’8951
These sleek and good-looking glasses are designed as a part of Porche’s Iconic Machined Series, and they come machined from a solid block of aluminum, giving them a rather edgy and cool aesthetic.
Why is it noteworthy?
Each pair of glasses sports an outline-style frame with a single-piece lens sitting in the middle, connecting both eyes right above the nose bridge. The glasses come from Porsche Design, a luxury lifestyle brand created by F.A. Porsche, the grandson of the legendary automotive company’s founder.
What we like
Has Cybertruck-inspired aesthetics with Porsche style
What we dislike
Since the sunglasses are CNC machined, they are heavier and more expensive
9. The Dango M1 Lite Cardholder Wallet
The Dango M1 Lite cardholder wallet is a sleek and minimalist wallet that keeps all your essentials neat, tidy, organized, and easily accessible. The wallet has a barely-there form but a ton of capacity to store your necessary items.
Why is it noteworthy?
The wallet features CNC-machined aerospace 6061-grade aluminum and is quite lightweight and durable. It also features a Cerakote finish that provides it with an extra layer of protection.
What we like
Ample amount of storage. It can carry 10-13 cards
Equipped with a Dango RFID Secured Card, ensuring that your sensitive information is always safe and secure
What we dislike
Basic + unassuming aesthetics
10. ThinOPTICS
You don’t have to worry about forgetting your reading glasses with the ThinOPTICS. They are stick-anywhere reading glasses that have been specially designed for those who are on the go.
Why is it noteworthy?
They’re quite lightweight and thin, making them pretty easy to carry. You can carry them in almost anything, and get rid of the bulky cases that are often a big pain to carry.
What we like
They come in a variety of colors to pick from, which are quite fashionable as well
What we dislike
They offer a limited range of strengths, which isn’t great for those who have a stronger number
Who knew that a humble interlocking brick from 1932 would become such a versatile ‘pixel’ of the human world nearly a hundred years later?? The LEGO Mineral Display turns plastic bricks into precious gemstones, relying on their inherent geometric nature to mimic the beauty of crystals forming under the extreme pressures of the earth’s crust. Designed in a variety of shapes and styles, these minerals, created by LEGO builder Dario Del Frate, turn you into a gem collector overnight, with the added benefit of allowing you to build the gems instead of mortgaging your house to buy them online! Sure, they aren’t authentic, but they’re intricate, and thanks to the use of transparent gems, gorgeously eye-catching!
Del Frate designed these minerals back in 2020, sharing them on LEGO’s Ideas forum in August of the year. In a statistical rarity, his submission received 10,000 votes from the broad LEGO community but wasn’t approved by LEGO’s internal team. Del Frate, however, decided to refine his design and renew his effort, also building a display unit with the minerals, giving you a nifty place to store and exhibit them to your friends and guests.
LEGO Amethyst Geode
“The old & new specimens are now displayed in a lovely case, built with available dark and reddish brown elements, enriched with golden rivets. The case can be hung directly to a wall or simply put on a shelf,” Del Frate mentions. “The collection is composed of 6 pieces: Rhodochrosite, Amethyst Geode, Black Tourmaline with Aquamarine, Orange Quartz, Emerald, Pyrite.”
LEGO Rhodoschorite
It’s honestly baffling how versatile LEGO bricks can be, replicating the different kinds of gems rather incredibly well. The different geometries, transitions between amorphous and crystalline structures, and the wide variety of colors get captured in Del Frate’s collection beautifully. While he mentions that his previous LEGO entry had a few ‘illegal’ joining techniques, he’s refined all his designs to now be made in a legal fashion, with no wedging, gluing, breaking, or manipulating the bricks in any unintended ways.
LEGO Orange Quartz
LEGO Pyrite
LEGO Black Tourmaline with Aquamarine
LEGO Emerald
Del Frate’s latest submission sits at the 3,500 vote mark and is open for voting. If it crosses the coveted 10,000 vote threshold, he gets yet another shot at having the LEGO review team consider turning this into a box set that people like us can buy and assemble!
Traditionally, Christmas is characterized by the classic colors of red, white, and green, each carrying its own purpose and meaning. Many of these symbolic associations trace their origins to Europe and other Western regions and the significance of each color is as follows:
Red
In Christian tradition, red signifies Jesus Christ’s blood shed on the cross for salvation. It also represents love, mirroring the warm feelings of the holiday season, as the most prevalent Christmas color, red features prominently in decorations, like holly berries.
Green
Legend has it that evergreen branches like Mistletoes and Holly Leaves adorned buildings in cold, dark winters to remind people that winter is temporary, and brighter spring days will eventually come. Romans would exchange evergreen branches as a symbol of good luck and this color is found in Christmas decorations like the Tree, mistletoes, wreaths, etc.
White
In Western cultures, white represents purity and peace while in Christian traditions, it symbolizes the arrival of Christ’s light into the world, evident in decorations like snowflakes, Santa Claus’ uniform borders, and church altars.
Explore an exclusive selection of red, green, and white products for an engaging holiday season shopping experience.
1. Crockery
Embrace the festive spirit with the complete set of Christmas colors – red, white, and green. Crafted in partnership with Rachel Kozlowski and inspired by paintings of actual animals, these Dapper Animal Nutcracker Salad plates are adorned in seasonal attire perfect for the holidays.
2. Candle Stand
These captivating candlesticks, resembling branches, are crafted from plaster and meticulously hand-carved to mimic wood. Inspired by the Faux Bois tradition in Renaissance Chateaus’ gardens and mid-century sculptor Kenneth Armitage’s work, Tom Palmer’s Faux Bois candlesticks are cast in durable plaster. Each piece is adorned with a hand-carved texture, and a brass candle sleeve adds an elegant finishing touch to these artistic creations.
The brand’s latest Medusa Garland motif features a detailed fusion of intricate baroque plants, flowers, and Versace’s renowned Medusa head. This intricate design embellishes the surfaces of two porcelain mugs, with one cup displaying rich tones of red and gold, and the other showcasing green and gold that pays tribute to Versace’s most iconic emblem.
Experience the delight of CD listening and admiring their cover art as this portable player not only allows you to effortlessly play a classic audio CD but also enables you to insert its jacket for an enhanced visual impact. Whether hanging on walls or on the go, relish physical CDs while elegantly showcasing their album art. It features a beautiful minimalist design with a built-in frame for jacket art, a built-in battery for portability, and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless connections with wireless speakers and earphones.
Featuring the perfect combination of red, green, and white, this cushion is ideal for the festive season. Sarita Handa’s signature embroidered florals shine best in their decorative cushions as they beautifully showcase small bunches of nature, injecting life into any living space.
Illuminate your space with a serene glow reminiscent of traditional Japanese lanterns. This modern twist on the iconic “chouchin” lantern design, inspired by those that illuminated festivals and bars, provides a tranquil light to help you unwind before bedtime. The minimalist design brings a touch of Japan to any interior, and the handmade candles from craftsmen in Kurashiki, Japan, feature patented technology to prevent outer wax melting, ensuring a mesmerizing dance of light through their unique undulating surface.
The green rug showcases square and rectangular patterns in blue, forming a minimalist composition. It also incorporates pairs of horizontal and vertical stripes of varying thickness. Sthir is a tribute to timeless craftsmanship and artistry, handwoven with the finest wool yarn into knots. It ensures to impart a tranquil essence and minimal charm to any adorned space.
Capture nature’s beauty and showcase your accessories with this distinctive mirror that also serves as an accessory stand or vase. Beyond its reflective function, the mirror enhances anything before it, transforming even a single flower into a captivating display. The simple yet elegant design elevates any desk, table, or shelf, and the bioplastic material, rich in rice husks, ensures both durability and eco-friendliness. Elevate your home’s aesthetics with this multifunctional mirror vase, doubling the beauty in your living space.
This chair employs an innovative 3D-printing technique and is characterized by its expressive wave-like form. Utilizing a single piece of PLA bioplastic, the chair is lightweight and decorative. Its curved seat is inspired by the roofs of Santorini, and the ridged surface symbolizes the meeting of land and sea. With vibrant Mediterranean colors, this chair suits both indoor and outdoor settings, showcasing functional and visually striking furniture through advanced digital manufacturing.
Achieve the ideal Christmas aesthetic with this unique ceramic light with a distinctive spiky texture. The brass stem supports an oval lampshade crafted from wool and worsted nylon. Each light is one-of-a-kind, showcasing slight variations in the handmade ceramic base’s shapes and shades.
Waterford’s Winter Wonders collection serves as a heartfelt ode to the festive season with this wine glass that is a celebration of all things merry and bright. Each meticulously handcrafted piece accentuates the natural features of a blooming rose, with finely cut grooves mirroring the unfolding petals with exquisite attention to detail.
Visionary designer Vito Nesta blends history, memory, and emotion into his unique creations which have the potential to transport us to distant places from our homes. The Grand Tour collection’s distinctive pieces go beyond decoration, interpreting classical themes in a contemporary aesthetic, capturing distinct moments or emotions in time.
The remarkable surrealist style of artist Chiara Sorgato seamlessly blends with her fascination for social and anthropological themes in a stunning painting that captures the challenging yet essential coexistence among diverse communities. Titled with the Italian words for “Him, Us, Them,” this masterpiece, was created using the oil painting technique.
Embracing a timeless romantic aesthetic, the Cinnabar Velvet Frame exudes elegance in a deep, love-red hue. This luxurious frame, suitable for showcasing your dearest memories, stands out in any home. Perfect for tabletop display, it adds a charming accent to both traditional and modern spaces. The gold trim enhances the deep red, providing an extra touch of sophistication, making it a delightful addition to desks or mantelpieces during the festive season.
Infuse a cozy holiday ambiance into any space with a festive pattern featuring gingerbread, snowmen, candy canes, and snowflakes. The soft and silky fleece fabric offers a lightweight feel, providing the perfect amount of warmth for a night in or a comfortable cuddle session on the sofa.
15. Holiday Decorations
The Royal Blue Spruce Christmas tree draws inspiration from the North American Picea Pungens, these festive classic replicates its namesake with dense foliage and needles. Adorned with 435 twinkling lights, it captures the spirit of the season.
Celebrate the season with a red Christmas wreath for your front door, crafted from needles, pine cones, berries, and pine for a festive decoration. When acquiring a holiday wreath, expect unique individuality, stylish design, and harmoniously combined colors.
As charming as Dasher the reindeer, this LED Globe Nutcracker is elegantly attired and poised to spread festive joy in your home. Rooted in the German tradition, the nutcracker figurine symbolizes good luck, making it a delightful addition to bringing more positivity into your life.
Aman, renowned for its opulent hotels that redefine luxury, has ventured into the realm of home interiors with the launch of Aman Interiors. Recognizing the desire of its patrons to bring the Aman aesthetic into their homes, the brand introduces the Foundations Collection, an exquisite line of furniture designed to capture the essence of the iconic Aman experience. The first collection, created by acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, is set to debut at the Design Miami Fair, marking a new era for Aman enthusiasts.
Morad Tabrizi, CEO of Aman Interiors, expresses the brand’s commitment to capturing a feeling and delivering a sense of calm through materiality and proportion. The decision to launch the furniture line stems from the demand of Aman enthusiasts who wish to take a piece of the Aman experience home. Aman Interiors aims to offer an intimate transaction, allowing clients to immerse themselves in the Aman lifestyle within their own living spaces.
Vladislav Doronin, Chairman of Aman Group and Aman Interiors, shares his passion for design and architecture, which drew him to the brand as a guest. He envisions Aman Interiors as the next phase of the Aman lifestyle, providing clients with direct access to an interior design team deeply immersed in the world of Aman. The multi-faceted business seeks to seamlessly furnish AmanResidences and Aman Hotels while bringing bespoke furniture designs to the market.
The Foundations Capsule Collection:
Crafted in the Aman Interiors London studio and meticulously handcrafted by artisans worldwide, the Foundations capsule collection is a testament to elegance and engineering. The collection, though appearing delicate, symbolizes the foundational elements of any structure, akin to scaffolding. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the Foundations Collection reflects the architectural brilliance seen in Aman’s renowned properties. The Migumi Collection, to be unveiled at the Design Miami Fair, encompasses 30 limited-edition editions of tables and dining chairs, providing a glimpse into the world of Aman luxury. The furniture line not only defines elegance but also sparks conversations, making it a perfect centerpiece for commercial spaces, embodying the spirit of Aman in the form, proportion, and purity of materials.
Ekam Lounge Chair:
The Ekam Lounge Chair, inspired by the Tequesta tribe’s hand-forged tools, features a hand-sculpted steel frame with an antique finish. The hammered texture pays homage to Miami’s heritage, providing both strength and aesthetic appeal. The juxtaposition of the robust frame with voluminous linen upholstery creates a harmonious balance, embodying the continuous spirit of the Aman experience.
Dvaya Bench:
The Dvaya Bench embodies duality through its thoughtful design, harmonizing contrast and equilibrium. The substantial wooden frame is gracefully supported by triadic legs, creating a visually striking piece. The generous seating area, adorned with three identical cushions, seamlessly integrates with the overall framework, offering a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing experience.
Trini Side Table:
Aman’s Trini Side Table masterfully combines craftsmanship with spiritual resonance. The triangular shape symbolizes strength, stability, and unity. The wooden base and Onyx top create a striking contrast, inviting exploration of the seamless interaction between form and mindfulness. This piece transcends conventional furniture, becoming a functional work of art.
With a commitment to delivering the Aman experience beyond hotel walls, Aman Interiors’ line of furniture redefines luxury living. From the Ekam Lounge Chair’s tribute to Miami’s heritage to the Dvaya Bench’s harmonious duality and the Trini Side Table’s spiritual resonance, each piece exemplifies the brand’s dedication to elegance, craftsmanship, and the creation of shared experiences in the comfort of one’s home. As Aman Interiors takes its first step into the world of luxury furniture, it promises to elevate home interiors to new heights of sophistication and opulence.
Tecno just introduced three super cool camera technologies during its Future Lens 2023 event in Shanghai. These innovations are set to change smartphone photography and take it to the next level. The W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture, which features a patented artificial cuttlefish lens, is a breakthrough in light management for photography. It effectively eliminates harsh glare, thus resulting in more balanced shots. On the other hand, the Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens is a compact yet powerful innovation that uses voltage-controlled curvature adjustment to enable the camera to adapt lens curvature in real time while maintaining a sleek form factor. Lastly, the Universal Tone multi-skin tone imaging solution uses extensive skin tone spectral data and advanced research methods to offer vibrant and true-to-life portraits and videos. These technologies exemplify TECNO’s commitment to pioneering solutions that improve photographic capabilities and enhance user experience, reflecting a significant step forward in mobile imaging.
Over dinner, sitting next to Laury Longfei Bai, Tecno’s global CMO, provided a deeper insight into Tecno as a company, its vision for the future, and target buyers. Tecno Mobile, a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings, is renowned for its affordable, feature-rich smartphones, primarily targeting emerging markets in Africa and South Asia. The company emphasizes local market needs, offering devices with region-specific features and designs. Known for competitive pricing, Tecno caters to budget-conscious consumers seeking high-quality mobile experiences. The brand has also made notable advancements in smartphone photography, frequently introducing innovative camera technologies in its products.
W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture
The W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture represents a significant advancement in smartphone photography. This ingenious technology addresses common issues associated with backlight photography, such as overexposure and loss of detail.
At its core, the W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture functions differently from the fixed apertures typically found in smartphone cameras. A standard fixed aperture limits the light entering the lens, which can be problematic in varying lighting conditions. In contrast, Tecno’s W-shaped aperture is dynamically adjustable, allowing for more precise control over the light that reaches the camera sensor.
This adjustability is crucial for enhancing photo quality in different lighting scenarios. In bright, backlit environments, narrowing the aperture reduces the amount of light entering the lens, preventing overexposure and preserving detail. Conversely, widening the aperture in low-light conditions allows more light to reach the sensor, improving image brightness and clarity.
The W-shaped design is particularly effective because it offers a broader range of aperture sizes compared to traditional circular apertures. This flexibility ensures that users can capture high-quality images regardless of lighting conditions, making it a versatile tool for amateur and professional photographers.
Moreover, the physical nature of this aperture system marks a departure from software-based solutions commonly used in smartphone photography. While software enhancements can improve image quality, they often cannot fully compensate for the limitations of a fixed aperture. Tecno’s approach, combining hardware innovation with software algorithms, provides a more comprehensive solution.
In practical terms, this technology translates to significantly improved performance in challenging photographic situations. Users can expect sharper, more detailed images when shooting against bright backgrounds, such as sunsets or brightly lit windows. Similarly, in dimly lit environments, the technology helps capture clearer, brighter images without the excessive noise often associated with high ISO settings.
The W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture is a testament to Tecno’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone imaging technology. By offering a hardware-based solution to a common photographic challenge, Tecno positions itself as a leader in the field, particularly in emerging markets where smartphone photography is rapidly evolving. This technology enhances the user experience and broadens the creative possibilities available to smartphone photographers.
Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens
Tecno’s Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens represents a groundbreaking advancement in smartphone camera technology. This lens system is designed to enhance macro photography capabilities, allowing users to capture highly detailed close-up images with greater clarity and precision than traditional smartphone cameras.
The innovation lies in the unique use of a liquid lens, a technology that differs significantly from the conventional solid lenses found in most smartphone cameras. The liquid lens can change its shape dynamically, allowing for rapid and precise focusing at varying distances. This adaptability is crucial in capturing high-quality macro images, where focusing accuracy is critical for detailed and sharp results.
One of the primary benefits of the Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens is its compactness. Traditional telephoto lenses, known for their bulkiness, are often challenging to incorporate into the slim form factor of a smartphone. However, the liquid lens technology enables a much more compact design without compromising on the telephoto capabilities. This allows users to enjoy advanced macro photography features in a portable, user-friendly device.
The functionality of the Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens is based on the principle of electrowetting, where an electrical charge is applied to alter the shape of the liquid within the lens. By adjusting the voltage, the curvature of the liquid lens changes, thus modifying the focal length. This process allows for quick and precise adjustments in focus, essential for capturing the tiniest details in macro photography.
Another advantage of this technology is its versatility. The lens can seamlessly switch between telephoto and macro modes, offering users a range of photographic options. This dual functionality enhances the user experience and expands the creative possibilities available to smartphone photographers.
In practical terms, users can expect to capture stunning close-up images with remarkable detail and clarity. The lens’s ability to rapidly adjust focus ensures that even the smallest subjects, such as insects or intricate patterns, are rendered with exceptional sharpness. Additionally, the telephoto capabilities allow for high-quality zoomed-in shots, making it a versatile tool for various photography scenarios.
So, Mr. Bai told me this new technology is coming out soon. He said it won’t be ready for a couple of years, but he did mention that we’ll be able to try it out at the Mobile World Congress in 2025. How cool is that?!
Tecno has committed to innovation in smartphone imaging with the Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens. This advanced lens technology addresses a common limitation in smartphone cameras, mainly macro photography. By integrating this development, Tecno is enhancing the capabilities of its smartphones and establishing itself as a pioneer in the industry, particularly in markets where mobile photography is increasingly popular.
Universal Tone Technology – UT
Tecno’s Universal Tone technology is a revolutionary multi-skin tone imaging technology, a key highlight of their Future Lens 2023 event. It uses the most extensive skin tone spectral data and rigorous research methods, ensuring vibrant, true-to-life portraits and videos. This technology is particularly beneficial for its ability to produce images that accurately and beautifully represent a wide range of skin tones. It addresses a long-standing challenge in photography of rendering diverse skin colors naturally and attractively.
The technology works by combining three computational engines powered by AI. The Multi-Skin Tone Restoration Engine uses a spectral matrix of skin colors, which has been derived from extensive research on chromatic skin colors. This engine adjusts and calibrates skin tones in portraits to make them appear more natural and harmonious. It is essential to avoid the common issue of inaccurately representing skin tones in photography.
Complementing this, the Local-Tuning Engine plays a vital role in ensuring the portrait harmoniously integrates with its surroundings. It reconstructs image tone mapping and uses an adaptive 3D-LUT (Look-Up Table) algorithm. This approach enables the technology to ensure perfect interaction between the human subject and the environment in the photo, and it can be customized per region or country. This localization aspect is significant, as it considers the diverse aesthetic preferences and cultural contexts of different user bases.
The third component, the AI-Powered Computational Portrait Engine, is designed to craft vibrant, personalized portraits. This engine considers Tecno’s localized aesthetic preferences and cultural nuances, ensuring that the portraits it produces are not just technically proficient but also culturally resonant and aesthetically pleasing.
Tecno’s Universal Tone technology thus represents a significant advancement in smartphone photography, particularly in its capacity to handle diverse skin tones with accuracy and sensitivity. By integrating these three sophisticated AI engines, Tecno has created a system that not only enhances the technical quality of images but also respects and celebrates the diversity of its users. This technology demonstrates their commitment to inclusive and user-centric technology development, setting a new standard in smartphone photography.
Final Thoughts
At Tecno’s Future Lens 2023 event in Shanghai, three groundbreaking camera technologies were introduced, impressing media attendees with their potential to revolutionize smartphone photography. The W-shaped Adjustable Physical Aperture, Liquid Telephoto Macro Lens, and Universal Tone technology showcase innovative approaches to light management, lens adaptability, and skin tone representation, signifying a substantial leap in mobile imaging. These advancements, eagerly anticipated for future experiences, highlight their dedication to pioneering photographic capabilities and enhancing user experiences.
Making cold-brew just became less annoying, messy, and time-consuming. Shelbru’s carafe design lets you make and serve cold coffee right inside it without those annoying filter bags dripping all over the place. Each carafe makes enough coffee concentrate for 3 jugs of cold-brew, with a dual-layer metal filtration system that does the job of a disposable coffee filter without creating single-use waste. Store, Sift, Brew, and Serve. Shelbru’s brewing carafe is accompanied by its family of containers that manage the entire coffee process from bean to brew. In the end, you’re left with the easiest, smoothest cold-brew concentrate that you can either pour over ice, into milk, or add to a hot cup of water for a luxurious-tasting Americano without those burnt coffee notes.
The cold-brew process seems easy – just chuck coffee in water and leave it in the fridge – but it’s a process that can get annoyingly messy without the right technique or equipment. Sure, you could add your coffee grounds in a bottle of water, but you’d still have to drip-filter it, which can add hours more to an already long brewing process. Alternatively, just chuck a ‘cold brew’ bag of coffee into your water and let it infuse over a period of 12-24 hours, but then you need to fish the bag out, making sure it doesn’t drip all over your kitchen, before throwing it in the trash. To solve for this, the folks at Shelbru designed a simple system that takes you from start to end of your cold-brew process. The Shelbru System features a series of containers for effectively storing beans and grounds, for brewing coffee in the fridge, and then enjoying in all its golden caffeinated glory later. All the containers come made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, and are designed as a family of products with universal interchangeable lids that make them incredibly easy to use.
The system starts with Shelbru’s Smart Canister, a container with an active vacuum-sealing lid that stores your coffee beans in a pristine air-free environment to prevent them from oxidizing and developing any off flavors. The beans stay the freshest they can possibly be for longer… and yes, you can use the Smart Canister to store other perishables too, from cookies to cornflakes and beyond. The Smart Canister’s lid has a single-button interface that activates the vacuum, expelling air and moisture from inside the container. Moreover, a sensor in the lid actively monitors the container’s internal pressure too, and a simple push of the button again releases the vacuum, letting you open the canister with ease.
If you fancy yourself to be a bit of a coffee wonk, the Shelbru Sifter lets you quickly sift your coffee grounds so that you’re left with a uniform batch of coffee for brewing. The Sifter features a shorter glass container with a sieve built into its lid. The sieve lets you quickly separate the larger coffee particles from the smaller ones, ensuring your brew (either hot or cold) has a uniform taste. The Sifter comes with two interchangeable filters – 500µm and 800µm – that let you adjust the consistency of your grind based on whether you’re priming it for an espresso machine or a French press.
Shelbru’s Brewer and Carafe are perhaps the two heroes in the picture here, making the entire cold-brew process as simple as waiting and pouring. This dynamic duo allow you to use your own coffee grounds to create cold-brew right in your fridge, without any extra effort or hassle. The Brewer features Shelbru’s standard borosilicate outer vessel, along with a dual-filter metal insert that holds your coffee grounds and water. Attach the insert to the Brewer’s vessel and fill it up with your coffee before topping it off with water. Close the Brewer with a lid and place it on your kitchen counter or in the fridge, and the water gets infused with the mellow flavors of the coffee that are signature to the cold-brew experience.
The insert features a double filter lining, comprising an inner 600 wire mesh and an outer 500µm filter. These replace your disposable paper filter, allowing the water to get infused with the coffee flavor before filtering out into the borosilicate vessel. Once your brew is ready, pop off the lid, take the insert out and place it on the upturned lid which acts as a coaster to collect any dripping liquid. Empty out the coffee grounds and rinse the insert and it’s as good as new. Simultaneously, you’re left with a jar of coffee that you can either store in the fridge for later, or enjoy by transforming the jar into a Carafe.
A Carafe Lid attaches onto your borosilicate jar, giving you a perfect pour without making a mess anywhere. Perfect for elegantly measuring and pouring your brew, the Carafe lid is Shelbru’s final step in giving you that perfect cold brew every time. Conversely, pop that lid from earlier back on and your cold-brew can last for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Shelbru’s entire family of products help you on your coffee-making journey, ensuring an expert brew whether you’re a novice or expert. The Smart Canister and Sifter are ideal for storing and sifting your coffee before hot/cold brewing cycles, and the Brewer (which can also transform into the Carafe) is perhaps the simplest, easiest, and most sustainable way to make cold-brew right in your fridge. No more disposable coffee filters, and definitely no more going to a café for what you can make at home!
The ubiquity of smartphones has made these communication tools the perfect portable media players as well, allowing owners to enjoy their tunes, podcasts, and even videos at any given time or place. But while smartphones are great for private listening, even the most powerful smartphone speakers have limits, especially once the sound starts to distort at maximum volumes. Speakers can help spread the sound, but only as much and as far as their batteries or power cords take them. This distinctive smartphone speaker, in contrast, harnesses the laws of physics to take your tunes farther and immerse you and your friends in moving sounds, all without using any power and looking quite handsome to boot!
At one point in time, there was a breed of speakers that boasted requiring no electricity, no batteries, and absolutely no power at all to operate. These accessories acted as echo chambers to naturally amplify sounds, offering a simple and sustainable option to common speakers. Most of these, however, used plastic or at most wood to avoid the effects of vibrations, leaving their aesthetics and textures much to be desired.
The speaker is an innovative and unique take on this kind of no-power smartphone speaker that, unlike the rest of its kin, uses metal to offer a product whose value goes beyond its function. It uses Duralumin, a type of aluminum alloy that’s used in the aviation and aerospace industries because of its vibration-resistant properties and durability. Thanks to this, all you need to do is insert your smartphone into the speaker and feel the sound envelope you from all sides.
The choice of metal for this speaker’s material also gives the battery-free speaker a unique aesthetic you’d be hard-pressed to find in similar products. With a minimalist and retro industrial style, the speaker adds some character to any surface or space it is placed on. This elegant design is achieved through the use of the famed golden ratio to create a more natural proportion of the form’s shapes, particularly the different sizes of the speaker holes. Whether standing on its own or holding your smartphone, the speaker easily grabs your attention without being dominating or distracting.
And if you want to give the speaker a little more oomph, figuratively and literally, there are custom accessories you can screw into the holes to tweak the experience a bit. Reminiscent of airplane engines, Jet focuses and delivers sound in the direction the attachments are facing. Bloom, on the other hand, diffuses sound along the curves that try to resemble a blooming flower. Enjoy an immersive audio experience with this electricity-free smartphone speaker that requires no power to use and looks captivating anywhere you place it.
The eagerly anticipated moment has arrived, and the designated color of the year for 2024 by Pantone is PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz. Amid worldwide conflicts, climate change, and multiple sources of stress, Peach Fuzz is a “velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches heart, mind, and body,” Laurie Pressman, Vice President, Pantone Color Institute said. This soft and comforting peach shade evokes a sense of warmth and gentleness, conveying a message of kindness, tenderness, communal spirit, and cooperation.
What Is the Pantone Color of the Year and Why Is It Important?
Annually, during the initial days of December, The Pantone Color Institute headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey reveals the latest Color of the coming Year. Recognized globally as a leading source of color expertise, the Pantone Color Institute tracks yearly color trends, considering diverse societal aspects like fashion, marketing, social media, and politics to determine the influential Color of the Year, impacting design and brand marketing.
Peach is a great color for making us feel calm and positive. It shields us from negative emotions like sadness and disappointment, encouraging us to be our best selves even in tough times. Peach is widely appreciated as an excellent color for communication and instilling a sense of calm and courtesy. This color radiates positivity and consistently revitalizes us, especially during challenging moments.
Which colors complement Peach Fuzz?
Peach is a warm hue between pink and orange on the color wheel, distinct from orange and terra cotta.
Explore the vibrant and lively color combinations that emerge when peach is paired with various hues applied to these functional and aesthetically pleasing home décor products.
You can combine peach with lively colors such as blue, yellow, orange, grey, white, and green—pair peach with white, grey, and black for a modern aesthetic.
Explore the mood boards through product design, highlighting colors that pair well with peach, along with innovative products and ideas.
Do you want to embrace the essence of sophisticated minimalism.
How to introduce Peach Fuzz into your interiors?
Peach color can refresh the look of the décor and create a lively ambiance. If you’re seeking to bring a touch of this peachy color into your space, here are tips to get you going.
1. Home Décor
A fantastic way to introduce Peach Fuzz into your living space is by incorporating it into the items adorning your shelves. This subtle tone makes a soothing impact, so consider starting with vases, sculptures, or floral arrangements that can be layered to subtly infuse this lively shade. If you’re still craving more of this color, you can enhance the vibrancy in your home with peach color lighting, such as candles and lampshades, or make a bold statement with a couch or accent chair.
The Nyx Candleholder by Villa Arev x French Cliché is a limited edition, playful twist on traditional candleholders, made of glazed earthenware—a colorful tribute to grand candelabras.
Textiles provide an excellent means to harmonize this peach hue with a touch of added softness. Drape a woven magenta blanket over your couch or bed to introduce a cozy texture and a personal touch to the décor. Enhance comfort by layering vibrant accent pillows on your bed, couch, or outdoor furniture, and by incorporating peach-hued towels into your bathroom, or incorporate this color with flowing curtains that filter sunlight through the windows.
This Peach All Season Comfort Luxurious Soft Comforter brings a modern aesthetic to a neutral-toned bedroom and adds a pop of color.
The Aram rug by Hands captivates with its distinctive shape and layered design inspired by sandstone formations. It showcases a spiral pattern reminiscent of the gradual erosion seen in sedimentary rocks, echoing the natural formations shaped by shifting sand dunes over countless millennia.
The circular patterns of the Bloom Rug draws inspiration from the dry gardens or karesansui gardens of Japan. Adding a touch of uniqueness and chic style to your home, this rug is hand-tufted and meticulously hand-trimmed to replicate the aesthetic of Japanese gardens.
3. Create an Accent Wall
If you want to fully embrace the peach fuzz aesthetic, contemplate incorporating it into your space through an accent wall, capturing the soothing hue. Begin by selecting a focal point in your home—whether it’s the wall behind your bed or TV, or the wall along your staircase, and introduce the accent color with wall paint or textured paint. For a less permanent burst of color, consider using tapestries or peel-and-stick wallpaper as an ideal temporary solution.
Choose a soft floral wallpaper with peach blooms or go for bold patterns with Blossom Peach Chinoiserie Wallpaper for a touch of intricate style.
This orange and peach wallpaper showcases the gradual transition from one hue to another, typically progressing from lighter to darker tints and shades.
4. Create a Gallery Wall
Creating a gallery wall is an excellent method of incorporating this color into your home décor. Use peach-colored prints or peach-colored frames against a neutral backdrop, such as beige, white, or grey walls.
The inspiration for the Desert Gallery Wall comes from journeys to Saguaro National Park in Arizona.
5. Beautify with Accent Pieces
How about bringing in the beauty of Peach Fuzz via accent pieces?
The Chhau Donna Cabinet features beautiful colors, a nautical resin head in gold, two drawers, and ample shelves. Its timeless design and superior craftsmanship make it a standout in your space, offering a captivating experience every day! The cabinet boasts two drawers and ample shelves for practical storage.
The Hullabaloo is a unique standalone bookshelf with a twisting design created from four cuboidal quadrants forming a circle. Functionality is achieved by opening each quadrant, and a translucent back adds mystery. Its shape, requiring multiple glances, blends aesthetics seamlessly with function in a compact yet captivating design.
The Marigold One Arm Sofa designed by Fleur Delesalle features a beautifully rounded bench-like design, showcasing exquisite details from every angle—front, side, and back. This sofa serves as an ideal room divider. Its distinctive armrest also functions as a comfortable headrest, making it perfect for a relaxing break.
6. Design the Tablescape
Revitalize your dining area with Peach Fuzz by creatively using your tablescape to mix and match plates, cups, bowls, napkins, and more. For a subtle nod to the color, consider placing a beautiful bouquet of peach flowers on your dining table or incorporating peach hand towels in your kitchen. For a more complete embrace of the color, introduce a Peach Fuzz table runner or placemats to rejuvenate your dining space, infusing new life into gatherings with family and friends.
Soirée8’s collection is both eccentric and subtle, bold yet minimal, seamlessly blending vintage and modern elements.
