Tag Archives: Product Design

With Springs for Tires, this SUV is Breaking All the Rules to Test a Simple Theory

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Why do cars have air-filled tires? And why do spring suspensions exist as separate entities? What if someone just made tires out of springs, wouldn’t that kill two birds with the same stone? Moreover, spring tires would be more durable, wouldn’t require air, and could therefore never get punctured. All of these questions make a lot of sense, and to be honest, Germans even experimented with spring tires in the 1900s during rubber shortages, but soon reverted back to good-old air-filled rubber tires soon thereafter, sticking to it when they developed the autobahn too.

A YouTuber by the name of Garage54 decided to put this experiment to the test, just to see how things would play out. Instead of rubber treads, G54’s car was outfitted with wheels made of springs in the hopes of being able to travel well on snowy roads and off-road trails. Hate to give you spoilers, but the experiment almost instantly failed, in part because metal doesn’t make a good rubber substitute, and also because G54 quite literally welded springs to his tire. However, it was a great starting point for what I personally think is a pretty unique theory. The design could be optimized, material considerations could be made, and if there’s anyone I trust with getting things right, it’s The Q, who designed the Wheelless Bicycle we saw last year!

Designer: Garage 54

The project started, as most do, with seeing an image on the internet of a spring tire from the early 20th century – designed to boost off-roadability. Of course, good ideas have a certain sticky nature to them, so the fact that nobody uses spring tires anymore was a warning sign to begin with… but then again, I bet you’re just as curious as I am. What if you replaced bouncy rubber tires with bouncy spring tires? How much of a difference could it really make?!

The process of attaching springs to the wheel was quite literally as simple as sanding down the wheel, bending a few massive springs, and welding them in place. To make sure the springs don’t make direct contact with the ground (and potentially destroy the roads), an extra metal strip was then welded around the rim.

A look at the springs that were going to be attached to the wheel

Bending and spot-welding the springs in place

Attaching the rim

Finally, the new tires got a spray of red paint to increase their visibility. Even in their new avatar, they were just about as thick as the original wheels, making the modification incredibly easy.

G54 then attached the tires to his Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The tires, however, ran into a few snags as G54 drove the car on sludgy snowy roads. For starters, metal doesn’t provide much friction, so even though the spring shape promised to easily conquer off-road paths, the tires tended to either rotate in place or slip in all four directions. Secondly, rubber and air are infinitely lighter than steel springs, so the new wheels added immense weight to the car, causing it to literally sink in the snow – this happened especially when the car was stationary. What also didn’t help the weight problem was the fact that snow managed to fill right up inside the hollow spring tires, adding to the vehicle’s bulk. The springs also managed to catch stray twigs and branches, creating more problems than they solved. And as far as suspension was concerned, the new wheels hardly offered any improvements.

Although an instant flop, the experiment had a few areas of improvement. For starters, manually welding together a metal wheel will result in imperfections that then affect the car’s performance. However, before we dismiss metal tires entirely, it’s worth noting that NASA has been extensively testing airless metal mesh wheels for its Mars rover, allowing the vehicle to quite literally drive on the most off-road terrain mankind has ever witnessed! If NASA can do it, I’m sure us normies could figure something out too!

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Gustav Düsing’s Flat-Pack Barcelona Chair Version With Sustainable Plywood And No Binding Materials

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The furniture design industry is increasingly crowded with visually striking creations, and standing out requires a blend of innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Gustav Düsing’s Space-Frame series, though conceived over a decade ago as an architectural experiment, offers a refreshing perspective that seamlessly merges cutting-edge production technologies with timeless design principles.

Designer: Architect Gustav Düsing

The Space-Frame series, crafted from Baltic Birch plywood, brings back the charm of childhood 3D wooden puzzles, this time, in life-size form. What sets this collection apart is its utilization of space-consuming structural elements, aptly named space-frames, which serve as the foundation for its intricate yet functional designs.

Chair23D, a standout piece from the series, draws inspiration from iconic lobby chairs like the Barcelona Chair by Mies van der Rohe. Its complex three-dimensional structure is a testament to Düsing’s mastery, ingeniously assembled without the need for adhesives or screws. Instead, it mimics the human skeleton, with a spine, ribs, and pelvis, resulting in a stable, self-contained system that defies conventional assembly methods.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Space-Frame series embodies a commitment to sustainability. Crafted from Baltic Birch plywood, a renewable resource, these pieces offer a guilt-free indulgence for environmentally conscious consumers. Furthermore, their flat-pack design not only minimizes shipping costs and space but also reduces fuel consumption, making them a truly eco-friendly choice.

Düsing’s design ethos is evident in every facet of the series, from its honest construction to its meticulous attention to detail. Unlike conventional CNC-cut furniture, which often exposes unsightly joints, Düsing’s designs cleverly conceal such imperfections while transforming them into visual elements in their own right. It’s this fusion of form and function that sets this series apart, elevating it from mere furniture to functional art.

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iPhone 16S concept mimics the Rabbit R1 format to reinstate that a phone is the best pocket AI device

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We are still living with the iPhone 15 and its variants; the era of the iPhone 16 is further away from now. As known, it’s customary of Apple to drop its new seedlings (iPhone variants, if you like) in September every year and it looks like there is nothing unusual this year as well. Like every other year in the past, since Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone – feels like it was a century ago – iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro variants will arrive with new features.

A lot of them are leaking in bits and will continue to do so until the launch date. Irrespective of that, we will continue to have our own wishlists: long battery performance… please, elaborate AI integration into the iOS, and perhaps smaller screen real estate…hmm! When everyone else is putting their money on predicting the possible large display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Phone Industry is taking an ‘S’ route: A concept of an iPhone 16S that looks to take design cues from the Rabbit R1.

Designer: Phone Industry

For reference, the Rabbit R1 isn’t a typical gadget, and so is not its design. The boxy little AI device is designed to learn from your commands and do more than what the average smartphone can do. That is until the recent debacle of reviews that are showing that the real-world evolution of the Rabbit is far from its advocated details. Anyhow, this is not about what the Rabbit R1 does, it’s about the identical-looking (minus the hold bars on the top and bottom) iPhone 16S concept because the best AI device you can have in your pocket – in the foreseeable future is a phone!

Perhaps then the form factor of the concept phone in question may be stolen from the Rabbit R1, it does have some interesting ideas reliving its iPhone 16 identity (as the rumors hold it for now). The iPhone 16S is taking the expected Capture Button idea from the forthcoming iPhone deals, to give us a pocket camera-like physical clicking button from the yesteryears.

So, the hypothetical capture button on the opposite side of the iPhone 15 Pro like the Action Button, gives this iPhone a more camera-like feel. While Apple is considering on reworking the camera array in the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, this concept sticks to the S series iPhone basics and uses just one – obviously multi-capability – camera in the rear. The highlight for me – besides the square form factor – of the iPhone 16S concept is its all-metal body and an interesting pattern around the Apple logo on the back. What do you think?

 

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This Stationery Set Of The Future Unlocks Unique Opportunities For Designers And Artists

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The advancement of a society is determined by the tools it uses. That’s why we labeled epochs by materials, like the stone age, bronze age, iron age and the industrial age. With how much design and art has evolved over the past few decades, it really doesn’t make much sense using stationery tools from centuries ago. Gone are the days of relying on protractors and set-squares, the folks at Ddiin have designed something new, the Exlicon L is an all-encompassing toolkit that combines clever detailing with new-age requirements. With 3 tools that achieve a variety of unique tasks, the Exlicon L lets you master distances, circles, arcs, parabolic curves, triangles, and the golden ratio – one of nature and visual design’s most prominent templates.

Designer: Ddiin Concept Ltd./ Sofia Lee Pik Shan

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

Sofia Lee, the visionary behind Ddiin, founded the company in 2019, winning over 30 design awards (like the iF Design Award and IDEA Award) for their unique spin on stationery and their commitment to enhancing the functional aesthetics of design tools. The Exlicon L is perhaps their most extensive toolkit yet, designed to allow web designers, graphic designers, architects, artists, industrial designers, fashion designers, and more to effortlessly create shapes and lines that adhere to the golden ratio—a universally admired aesthetic standard that imbues works with a natural sense of harmony and balance.

The golden ratio is a mathematical concept that describes a perfectly balanced and visually pleasing proportion found in nature and design. It is approximately 1.618, and can be expressed mathematically as follows: φ = (1 + √5) / 2

We are inspired by the golden ratio in nature and architecture.

The toolkit is cleverly engineered to be compact yet comprehensive, accommodating a wide array of design needs. It includes tools like the TG, Triangle, and Circle, each crafted to facilitate the creation of precise geometric shapes, golden spirals, and thick lines, all within the palm of your hand. The precision of these tools addresses a common challenge in freehand drawing—achieving accurate proportions without traditional measuring devices, which can often disrupt the creative flow.

The design of the Circle Tool has a broad spectrum of radius sizes enabling a total of 112 circles to be drawn.

One of the set’s key components, the Circle Tool, addresses a longstanding challenge for artists seeking to master circles and arcs. The tool lets you easily draw as many as 112 circles of different diameters, using pencils, pens, and even thick markers. Three measuring scales built into this tool let you capture distances including metric and imperial linear distances for radii and diameters, or even measure circumferences with a length of up to 18 centimeters. Unlike any existing circle-master, this tool gives you mastery over radial lines too, as well as allows you to quickly make mandalas and other geometric patterns.

Extending the Circle Tool’s functionality is the Golden Ratio Tool Set, comprising the TG Tool and Triangle Tool – each brimming with functionalities designed to streamline the creative process. Imagine incorporating golden spirals, precise angle measurements, and a ruler seamlessly into your workflow – all within a single, portable, and user-friendly toolset.

The TG Tool

Parabolic Curve

The TG Tool is quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Modeled on the shape of a golden spiral, the TG Tool gives you mastery over one of the oldest ratios based on the Fibonacci sequence found in nature. This sequence helps determine proportions and can be found in nature, architecture, art, and practically every phase of life. The golden ratio, roughly equal to 1.618, is a mathematical formula that embodies perfect balance and aesthetic appeal, frequently observed in nature and artistic masterpieces. Traditionally, achieving this ratio with freehand techniques has been a frustrating exercise, often requiring rulers, dividers, and a healthy dose of guesswork. The Exlicon L TG Tool eliminates this frustration. The ingenious tool comes with 3 spirals of 55.7, 51.7 & 47.4 mm radii, allowing you to draw spirals, plot details along the golden curve, make isosceles golden triangles, and even draw parabolic curves with sheer certainty.

The Triangle Tool

Finally, the Triangle Tool enables the creation of a series of golden triangles, which are essential for designs that require rigorous proportionality and aesthetic alignment with the golden ratio. It features various marking groups that guide the user in drawing triangles starting from different base lengths, such as 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 mm. Each marking group is distinctly designed—solid, hollow, and semi-circular—to facilitate easy identification and use, making this tool incredibly user-friendly and efficient for both professional designers and hobbyists aiming for precision in their creative endeavors.

You can either buy the set of three tools together, or choose an individual tool that you’re most likely to use often. Each tool is crafted from high-quality stainless steel, making them robust, sleek, and resistant to damage or corrosion. The Exlicon L starts at $26 for an individual tool of your choice, or you can bag the entire set of $79, with free shipping anywhere in the world.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $36 (27% off). Hurry, only 9/100 left! Raised over $47,000.

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Top 10 Star Wars-Inspired Designs To Gear Up For The 4th Of May In True Jedi Style

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It’s one hell of a day – it is the 4th of May. Every year the 4th of May is a pretty special day for Star Wars fans as it is celebrated as Star Wars Day! It is a widely celebrated and much loved day by nerds, sci-fi fans, and movie buffs in honor of the iconic series. This exciting day lets you nerd out, show off your love for the Star Wars series, and most importantly bring out your favorite movie-based merchandise. And if you’re looking for a a few cool Star Wars merchandise to celebrate this day with, well we’re here for you. This collection includes some super cool Star Wars-inspired product design that will have the hearts of Star Wars freaks thumping! These items boast innovative designs that resonate with the passionate fanbase, capturing the essence of the legendary franchise. May the Fourth be with you!

1. Star Wars Timepieces

These stunning imaginary timepieces are designed by our Editor-In-Chief Sarang Sheth, and they draw inspiration from the characters of the Star Wars Saga. The pieces were designed on MidJourney’s AI art generator to celebrate the 4th of May, which is celebrated as Star Wars Day. The first timepiece is a tribute to the Storm Trooper, and it features a cloudy transparency and ceramic surface. There is even one dedicated to Darth Vader, and it has been adorned with the Sith lord’s iconic helmet! They perfectly capture the different characters and their trademark characteristics. The timepieces include variety – they range from a wristwatch to a pocket watch and even a table clock!

2. BM1

Dubbed the BM1, this super cool mouse is inspired by the Lambda-class T-4A Shuttle from Star Wars. This unique ergonomic mouse features an innovative design while celebrating one of the greatest cinematic movies of all time! Inspired by the saga’s iconic vessel, the mouse features sleek contours and an impressive resemblance to the Imperial Shuttle. The left and right clicks remind you of the cannons that are placed on the front of the Imperial Lambda. The inventive mouse provides gamers with an immersive experience, similar to piloting a starfighter.

3. R2D2

LEGO launched a 1050-brick version of R2D2 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Star Wars. It is a 1050-brick version of R2D2 – the popular droid who is seen in multiple Star Wars adventures. The droid is much loved and is making a phenomenal return in this brick-built form but in a compact and tinier version than the 2214-brick version from three years ago. The impressive little build is created for younger galactic lovers aged nine and above.

4. A30 Wireless Gaming Headset The Mandalorian Edition

Designed by Logitech G in partnership with Lucasfilm, this headset is called the “A30 Wireless Gaming Headset The Mandalorian Edition”. It is designed to be an amazing collector’s item for Star Wars fan who can use this cool accessory to stream the latest installment of the series. The Mando-inspired aesthetics will have you drooling. They have a Beskar steel-inspired theme which is a tribute to the galactic roamer who is seeking resurrection. The special edition headphones have a claiming force that creates the right balance, providing a secure and comfy fit.

5. Animal Stormtrooper Helmets

Take a look at these stunning Animal Stormtrooper Helmets by William Kang. The helmets are beautifully fabricated and they are given a rigorous process from sketches to CAD to quick renders, and again sketches to CAD and quick renders. The process continues until the design can be physically construed. The helmet is delicately and intricated detailed, making it shocking to believe that they are renders.

6. Star Wars-Inspired Headphone Stands

These Star Wars-inspired headphone stands are 3D-printed, and they are pretty much to scale. They are created to fit the most standard headphones and even VR headsets. Despite being 3D-printed, the impressive stands have an amazing amount of detail. This is possible because Angled partners with artists and designers to create new variants and models online. The artists produce detailed models which are then approved by the Angled’s team on the basis of proportions, sizing, and their ability to be 3D-printed without any errors. And once the design has been approved by the Angled team, the headphone stand is send to the store, and the artists gets a commission for every sale.

7. Casabò’s SSD

Alex Casabò created his own “really fast sci-fi SSD” by upgrading a traditional SSD and taking it to a whole new level. It is inspired by sci-fi movies like Star Wars, and it depends on flash memory to keep things moving, and to ensure that storage is processed. The device has a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic, since the faster speed signifies technological advancements, and it creates a vibe very similar to the sci-fi films we all watched growing up!

8. TIE Advanced X1 Watch Winder

TIE Advanced x1 Watch Winder

Kross Studio TIE Advanced x1 Watch Winder 3

Meet the TIE Advanced x1 watch winding sculpture which is inspired by the dark universe. It is an excellent piece of art for the hardcore Star Wars fans. It is a spectacular watch winder in solid aluminum glory with an integrated winding engine which ensures the automatic watch is always running even if it is not worn. The watch is more like a dedicated art piece, and it weighs 4kgs and measures 20cm long, 28cm wide, and 17cm high. It is crafted from solid black anodized aluminum.

9. Hoth & Kamino-Inspired Workbench

This Hoth and Kamino-inspired workbench is truly one of a kind! It’ll keep anyone glued to their seat for hours on end. The desk is made out of a salvaged IKEA table, and the workbench features the weathered and rugged look of the dystopian world seen in the saga. This impressive workbench is a tribute to the mystical worlds. It features greeblies on the front edge, a droid power port, and the floating Mandalorian ship. The power strip is artfully hidden in a vertical position, and you can pull it up by turning the mechanism and pushing a button.

10. Conceptual G-Shock Watch

Designed by Vinicius Gasparate, this collectible watch is what lightsabers would look like now! This stunning G-shock watch is a part of the challenge he took at the Vida de Motion School. It perfectly captures G-Shock’s design philosophy, and the sporty and masculine aesthetic that the brand embodies, but at the same time, it pays a lovely tribute to the elements and details of the Star Wars world. This conceptual G-Shock watch balances both themes with grace and power, creating a visually appealing watch that will grab eyeballs.

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This Butterfly Machete with a folding design may be the most badass EDC Knife we’ve ever seen

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It’s as if Danny Trejo met Donnie Yen…

Say hello to the Gerber DoubleDown, or as I like to call it, the EDC equivalent of your worst enemy. Designed to be perhaps the only folding machete I’ve ever seen, the DoubleDown is equal parts nimble and dangerous. Modeled on the format of a butterfly knife, the DoubleDown scales the knife up to the size of your standard machete, giving you an EDC that can cut, chop, and split wood while looking deviously cool. The knife features a two-part handle with a quad-locking system that gives you all the benefits of a full-size blade for outdoor use, with a compact form factor that shrinks down to half its size when the deed’s done.

Click Here to Buy Now

The DoubleDown boasts a lengthy 6.75-inch high-carbon steel blade, surpassing the typical butterfly knife in both length and width. When unfolded, the DoubleDown reaches a total length of 15 inches, rivaling Gerber’s own fixed-blade machete offerings. The magic lies in the folding mechanism. The DoubleDown’s dual-piece handle, reminiscent of a pliers multi-tool, folds securely around the blade for safe and convenient storage. A MOLLE-compatible sheath makes carrying the DoubleDown on your pack a breeze. When deployed, the handle sections rotate a full 180 degrees, locking into place at four points while providing a comfortable, ergonomic grip.

So, is it a folding machete or a supersized butterfly knife? Gerber cleverly calls it a “folding machete hybrid.” The design caters to three key tasks: cutting, chopping, and batoning. The innovative QuadLock system ensures the blade stays securely locked in three different positions, guaranteeing user safety during operation.

For taking on dense jungle or thick mangrove undergrowth, a traditional fixed-blade machete might still be the champion… But for lighter brush clearing and those seeking a more pack-friendly option, the DoubleDown shines. Weighing in at a manageable 18 ounces, this Gerber creation offers a compelling blend of power and portability.

The DoubleDown made its debut in 2020, quickly rising through the ranks as one of Gerber’s most exciting and reliable offerings, and currently comes in 3 colors – green/stainless, black/stainless, and an all-black variant that I assume Batman would use to chop firewood when Alfred’s off duty.

Click Here to Buy Now

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Apple Secures Patents for Future Foldable iPhone and iPad

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Apple’s latest patent reveals a new hinge mechanism for foldable devices, marking what should be a big improvement in durability and user experience. By strategically positioning the rotational axes above the hinge, Apple effectively minimizes screen stress during folding. This smart design choice will combat premature wear—a longstanding challenge in foldable devices—but also extend the device’s operational lifespan. The inclusion of synchronization gear plates ensures that both halves of the hinge move in perfect harmony, eliminating the risk of uneven folding that can damage the screen and compromise the device’s stability.

Designer: Apple

Image credit: USPTO

Additionally, Apple has innovated by introducing asymmetric friction clips within the hinge mechanism. These clips adjust the resistance based on whether the device is being opened or closed, increasing resistance when unfolding to prevent abrupt opening and decreasing it when folding to facilitate a smooth closure. This feature significantly enhances the tactile feedback during use, offering a seamless interaction that contributes to the overall mechanical integrity and user satisfaction.

Image credit: patentlyapple.com

Looking ahead to the potential mass production of a hybrid foldable iPad-MacBook in 2027, as highlighted by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it’s evident that these hinge innovations could play a crucial role. The synchronization gear plates and asymmetric friction clips are likely key features that enhance the durability and usability of this new device. This technology is expected to give Apple a competitive edge in the foldable device market, which I also imagine improves daily user interactions by making the device more reliable and easier to handle.

Image credit: patentlyapple.com

In comparing Apple’s hinge technology with competitors like Honor and Xiaomi, distinct differences emerge. Honor’s “Falcon Hinge,” used in their Magic series, offers robust support for multiple folding angles and aims for a sleek, gapless design that protects the screen while enhancing the device’s aesthetic appeal. Xiaomi, on the other hand, employs a “dual-hinge” design in devices like the Mi Mix Fold, which allows for complex folding actions such as inward and outward folds, providing users with exceptional flexibility. Both companies focus on structural integrity and adaptability but approach the hinge design from different angles, with Xiaomi also emphasizing precision manufacturing to maintain a slim profile without sacrificing durability.

Image Credit: Honor Magic v2 hinge

Apple’s approach, however, integrates advanced stress management techniques and user-centric features more assertively. Positioning the rotational axes above the hinge significantly reduces direct strain on the screen, enhancing the device’s longevity. Furthermore, the use of asymmetric friction clips provides nuanced control over the device’s folding mechanics, likely delivering a superior tactile experience when opening and closing the device compared to the more conventional mechanisms used by Honor and Xiaomi.

Image Credit: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Overall, Apple’s hinge technology showcases a minimalist and functional design in hopes of setting new standards for durability and user experience in the foldable device industry. This progressive approach highlights Apple’s dedication to innovation. It showcases their potential to shape future technology trends, possibly revolutionizing the design and usage of foldable devices across the industry and promoting their widespread adoption by consumers.

The next big Apple event, “Let Loose,” is scheduled for May 7th. This event is expected to focus on a new OLED iPad Pro, rather than showcasing any new foldable technology. However, Apple has additional events planned for the summer, including WWDC 2024 and possibly an iPhone event in September. It seems that we’ll still have to wait a while before seeing a foldable iPhone or other folding devices from Apple, even as the company is securing crucial patents in this area.

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Unreleased Beats Pill Speaker spotted with LeBron could be announced at the Apple Keynote

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Hot on the heels of the new Beats Solo 4 headphones and Solo Buds earbuds, eagle-eyed fans spotted F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and basketball star LeBron James carrying what appears to be a brand new Beats Pill speaker. This has ignited speculation about a potential revival of the popular portable speaker line, discontinued in early 2022.

The original Beats Pill, launched in 2012, quickly gained a loyal following for its compact size, bold design, and surprisingly good sound quality. After Apple acquired Beats in 2014, they introduced the slightly larger Pill+ in 2015, addressing some sound quality concerns and adding a Lightning port for charging (likely to be replaced with USB-C in the new iteration).

These celebrity sightings with the new Pill come across as a calculated marketing strategy, similar to how the Beats Pill gained traction in the past. The new Beats Pill maintains the familiar pill-shaped design of its predecessors, measuring roughly 8 inches long and 2.5 inches wide. It retains the clean look with just the Beats logo adorning the front grille. A continuous rubberized strip separates the front and back speaker grilles, and rubber feet on the bottom keep it from rolling around.

For reference, the discontinued Pill+ earned praise for its significantly improved sound quality thanks to an internal redesign. It also sported a Lightning port for charging, which will likely be swapped for USB-C in this new iteration. The Pill+ offered a respectable battery life of 12 hours. While details remain scarce, the leaked images show a design that stays true to the classic Beats Pill silhouette. A lanyard attachment hints at portability remaining a key feature.

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ALTO’s ART 01 is a Gallery of Time on Your Wrist Where Art Meets Precision

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In the ticking heart of the watchmaking universe, a bold new contender named ALTO—short for ‘Art and Limited Time Objects’—strides forward, intent on redefining the very essence of timekeeping. Thibaud Guittard, the visionary behind this audacious enterprise, brings a resume that reads like a passionate love letter to horology. His creation, the ART 01, is beautiful timepiece that’s a defiant manifesto of artistic and mechanical rebellion. With this spectacular debut, Guittard is doing more than just dipping his toes into the waters of watch design. Consider him diving in headfirst, ready to disrupt the calm surface with waves of beauty and unprecedented style, where we’ve seen others play it safe. This launch marks ALTO’s commitment to blending of art with the precision of timekeeping in ways previously unimagined.

Designer: ALTO + Thibaud Guittard

Picture this: The ART 01 is a watch that tells a story, one of art, ambition, and audacity. With its angular, octagonal embrace, it whispers tales of Greek temples and brutalist skyscrapers, daring its wearer to dream differently about the seconds slipping by. In my eyes, art meeting precision on the wrist is a visual feast for the heart and soul with every glance. It’s an invitation to explore a masterpiece of movement and a revolution in the reading of time.

Speaking of movement, the ART 01 features a mechanical marvel, expertly crafted by Nussbaumer and the esteemed Cercle des Horlogers in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This innovative movement redefines tradition with its automatic micro-rotor caliber, which powers the watch through a counterclockwise motion—an audacious deviation from the usual clockwise routine. This unique twist isn’t just a display of exceptional craftsmanship but also a bold break from the conventional, inviting admiration through the watch’s transparent sapphire back. Here, the unique and elegant architecture of the A01 movement is fully visible, turning the act of checking the time into an experience of aesthetic appreciation.

ALTO ART 01: Movement

The ART 01’s titanium case blends durability with elegance. It feels as if ancient sculptors and modern architects collaborated to mold its shape. Inside, the unconventional A01 movement features a micro-rotor that uniquely spins against the norm. Observing its secondhand moving counter to the usual tick-tock is like listening to a punk rock anthem amid classical music—it turns every tick into a statement of artistry.

Drawing inspiration from Greek sculptures and architecture, the dial is an art piece set against a matte black lacquered brass backdrop. The slatted openings allow for a captivating interplay between light and shadow, paying homage to light, a key artistic inspiration for the timepiece. Each glance at the wrist becomes a personal ticket to an ever-present performance where time, the star, plays its role with both elegance and edge.

The ART 01 timepiece will be produced as a limited edition, with only 25 numbered examples available. Each watch is priced at 18,450 CHF (approximately $20,286 USD).

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