Tag Archives: Product Design

Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Review: an Eco-Friendly and Cost-Efficient Solution for Pure Drinking Water

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PROS:


  • Fast setup and doesn’t require installation

  • The most efficient reverse osmosis system on the market with 3:1 ratio

  • 3-stage filter with an extra long 12-month lifespan

  • Removable water container

CONS:


  • Requires refilling the water container daily

  • Takes up counter space

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop RO System is compact, efficient, and sustainable, offering high-quality water and significant savings. An excellent investment for any household.

A countertop RO system brings a plethora of benefits to your home. Not only does it provide clean and delicious water, but it also takes convenience to a new level. The system requires no complicated setup, saving you from the upfront high cost of purchasing a traditional under-stage RO, hassle, and time typically associated with such installations. Furthermore, it doesn’t come with the high installation costs that often accompany traditional water purification systems. Unlike under-sink models, a countertop RO system does not take up any space under your sink, which leaves you with more room for storage. All these advantages make the Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop Reverse Osmosis System an excellent choice for those who value both quality, value, and convenience.

Designer: Waterdrop

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $249 (20% off, Use coupon code “WDYanko5” to get additional 5% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Aesthetics & Ergonomics

As the name implies, countertop Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, such as the Waterdrop CoreRO, are designed to be placed on a kitchen or utility room countertop, ideally close to a water source. This placement is not only for convenience but also for the system’s efficient operation.

The Waterdrop CoreRO is designed for compactness, standing just 17 inches tall. This height, considered small compared to other models, is a major selling point. It should fit comfortably under most if not all, kitchen countertops. Despite its powerful purification capabilities, it won’t dominate your kitchen space. It’s crucial, as the kitchen is often a family gathering spot, and the last thing you want is an unsightly appliance on the countertop.

Moreover, its slim yet wide dimensions (15.6 inches by 10.9 inches) significantly add to its compact nature. These dimensions have been carefully chosen to ensure the system takes up minimal space on your countertop while providing ample room for the necessary filtration components. Overall, the Waterdrop CoreRO’s compact design can seamlessly fit into your kitchen setup without disrupting your space or routines.

The front of the device has an easy-to-read touch-screen control panel, and underneath is a drip tray. The filter is inserted into the top left, while the pure water tank sits on the right side. At the same time, the feed water tank hangs out in the back of the unit.

One feature I particularly appreciate is the mode settings, which can store the precise amount of water to dispense. I’ve set the favorite mode to dispense 8oz of water, as this is the daily recommended intake for an adult. The option on the right allows for amounts ranging from 4, 8, 12, and 20 ounces all the way up to 999 oz. It also has a TDS display showing the Total Dissolved Solids in the water. These include small particles like minerals, salts, or metals. The display provides a measurement that allows you to assess your water quality. A lower TDS value indicates purer water.

What sold me is the 40oz removable water container. It’s the perfect size for the refrigerator. The part is it’s convenient to have a few of these containers on hand, prefilter the water, and have them nice and cold, ready to pour for a refreshing drink.

Performance

Operating with a “3:1 pure to drain RO filtration,” this system showcases its proficiency in water purification. The “3:1” ratio indicates that for every three portions of clean water it generates, only one portion is wasted, highlighting the efficient use of water resources. This makes the Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop RO System a sustainable choice for clean water.

During the RO process, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane, separating out impurities and contaminants. The Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop System, which is NSF/ANSI 372 Certified, SGS&CSA Tested, and FCC approved, utilizes a 5-stage filtration process, reducing up to 99.9% of impurities. This process includes a PP cotton layer, a scale inhibitor layer, a carbon fiber layer, another PP cotton layer, and a final 0.0001μm RO membrane. The discarded water, often called drain or wastewater, removes the rejected substances from the system. The system strikes a balance between producing purified water and managing wastewater, ensuring clean drinking water delivery while reducing resource wastage.

My family consumes a significant amount of water daily, more than I do, since I primarily drink coffee. They can’t tell the difference between Waterdrop CoreRO and bottled water. More importantly, they prefer its purer taste over the filtered water from our refrigerator.

Sustainability

For several reasons, a countertop RO system, such as the Waterdrop CoreRO, is highly sustainable and better for the planet. First, it reduces the need for disposable plastic water bottles, a major pollution source. Providing clean, filtered water directly from the tap eliminates the need for bottled water and the associated waste.

Secondly, this system is designed with longevity in mind. The 5-stage filter has a lifespan of 12 months, reducing the frequency of replacement and the associated waste. This is significantly longer than many other filtration systems on the market, further contributing to its sustainability.

Moreover, the Waterdrop CoreRO system’s efficient 3:1 ratio ensures minimal water wastage during filtration, a big improvement over less efficient systems that waste more water. The system contributes to water conservation efforts by minimizing water waste, an important consideration given the increasing global water scarcity. The Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop Reverse Osmosis System is a high-performance water purification system that, through its sustainable design, significantly contributes to environmental conservation.

Value

Thanks to its low initial cost, the Waterdrop CoreRO countertop system offers substantial long-term value. This is particularly evident when considering the financial savings and positive environmental impact it provides.

The recommended daily water intake for a family of two adults and two children averages around 240 ounces. Factoring in the system’s cost of $199 plus next year’s filter replacement only comes to less than $300.

Contrast this with the expense of purchasing bottled water. With an average cost of $0.50 per 16.9 oz bottle, the family’s daily consumption translates to approximately $7.10. Annually, this reaches a staggering $2591.50.

Despite the initial investment, the cumulative annual savings become evident. Deducting the total yearly cost of using the filtration system from the annual expense of buying bottled water yields a net annual savings of approximately $2391.50.

Living with two teenagers who participate in sports year-round, it’s crucial for them to consume water beyond the recommended daily intake. Hence, we find great value in the Waterdrop CoreRO system. Instead of reaching for bottled water, my kids use this system to fill up their water bottles.

As a coffee enthusiast, I’ve always found that coffee tastes much better when made with filtered water. I can enjoy this luxury without paying for bottled, filtered water. I’m convinced.

Verdict

For any household looking for a compact, efficient, and sustainable solution for high-quality drinking water, the Waterdrop CoreRO countertop RO system is an exceptional choice. Its standout features include a hassle-free setup that eschews complex installations, a leading-edge 3:1 reverse osmosis efficiency ratio that signifies its outstanding efficacy, and a 5-stage filter boasting an impressive 12-month lifespan for sustained use. The design includes a removable water container for added convenience alongside a built-in safeguard against leaks, a common issue with traditional under-the-sink systems. While it requires daily refilling of the water container and occupies some counter space, the overall benefits, such as its aesthetic appeal, user-friendly design, top-notch performance, sustainable operation, and excellent value proposition, make it a sound investment for accessing pure drinking water.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $249 (20% off, Use coupon code “WDYanko5” to get additional 5% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post Waterdrop CoreRO Countertop Reverse Osmosis System Review: an Eco-Friendly and Cost-Efficient Solution for Pure Drinking Water first appeared on Yanko Design.

Caviar’s Custom iPhone 15 Pro Has A Vision Pro-inspired Design And A Ridiculous $8060 Price Tag

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You could buy two Vision Pros at that price and still have change to spare…

I’m not sure whether to call this prohibitive pricing or to just keep scrolling without reacting viscerally, but the folks at Caviar, in their infinite wisdom, have created a version of the iPhone 15 Pro that’s so ludicrously expensive it actually makes the $3500 Vision Pro look affordable. The ‘Vision’ is Caviar’s latest customized iPhone model, designed to pay homage to the Vision Pro. Its rear comes embellished with Vision Pro-inspired details, featuring a close-up of the nose-ridge, along with speaker and camera details along the edge, and a diamond-knurled surface on the top. The entire iPhone’s backplate is machined from Titanium (unlike the regular iPhone which has a glass back), and detailed with jewelry-grade enamel. The collection is limited to just 99 units, and Caviar says it’s perfect for people who want an iPhone that complements their Vision Pro. That’s if you’ve got any money left over from purchasing the spatial computing headset in the first place…

Designer: Caviar

The Vision’s overall appeal lies entirely in the design of its backplate. Under the hood, it’s still your standard 128Gb iPhone 15 Pro with all the features intact. Caviar just takes liberties with redesigning the exterior surface, sometimes embellishing it with rare materials like gold, diamonds, and other jewel-worthy accouterments. With the Vision, while you don’t get any gemstones per-se, you do get an edgy, futuristic-looking backplate that complements your spatial headset. The drawback, however, is the fact that it costs 80 Benjamins (and some more) and you can’t wirelessly charge the Vision because of the metal back.

At this point, discussing the Vision any further becomes a moot point just because of that price tag. Strangely enough, the Vision is still cheaper than some of Caviar’s other custom iPhone models… but ultimately you’re paying for a luxury statement-piece more than anything. People who splurge on Caviar phones are pretty much the creme-de-la-creme of society, with yachts and private jets to their name.

The Caviar iPhone Vision starts at $8060 for the 128Gb model. If you want to upgrade to models with higher storage, the price goes up significantly (why, I don’t know since it isn’t like Caviar’s got anything to do with the storage). The 1TB iPhone Vision has an eye-watering price tag of $9060. Just for context, with that much money, you could buy high-end versions of every Apple product and probably still have enough money to spare for a top-tier iCloud+ and Apple Care subscription.

The post Caviar’s Custom iPhone 15 Pro Has A Vision Pro-inspired Design And A Ridiculous $8060 Price Tag first appeared on Yanko Design.

This hybrid smartwatch cocoons a pair of earbuds for double utility geeks always desired

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Carrying around gadgets is a normal regime for geeks like me who always have a smartwatch, earbuds and the trusted phone at arm’s length. That said, at times you wish things were more compact or a multipurpose gadget would perform double duty to cut the clutter down. The Huawei Watch Buds are a good example of that niche market space where smartwatches and earbuds are in plenty.

Capitalizing on the inherent human nature of forgetting things, especially buds, the Huawei Watch Buds are a good idea to own. On the same lines, Indian tech startup, WatchOut has released their own iteration of a smartwatch with earbuds concealed on the sides. They are pitching it as the WearPods Smartwatch for Gen-Z who are always open to accepting new ideas and gadgets for an upbeat lifestyle.

Designer: WatchOut

Converging the two gadgets always seemed like a sensible idea to me, since it means you have one less gadget to carry around. Moreover, taking out your earbuds from inside the smartwatch is the stuff of Bond movies, for bragging rights. How well these two separate wearable experiences work is still my quandary as little compromises for both have to be made to fit in such a small size. With a typical smartwatch lasting a couple of days on full charge, and with all the smart features enabled, the battery life on this hybrid smartwatch having a 1.93-inch display is going to be an issue for sure.

Just like the charging case of your earbuds juices up the earbuds for the next session of listening, the smartwatch charges the incubating buds inside. Interestingly, the earbuds are quite compact which results in the compact form factor of the squarish smartwatch. The makers have kept the rugged element alive for this timepiece having a 48.5 mm dial with symmetrical chopped edges. At that size, it might be an odd fit for smaller hands but the compact design should make things accommodating.

Just like other smartwatches out there, IP67-rated WatchOut has a suite of features for customization, health statistics (including heart rate, steps, BP measurement and sleep tracking), and of course, bands to match the look. Coming on to the buds, they have a good balanced audio for music lovers. There’s no mention of ANC or transparency modes in the feature list, so we’ll mark that as a downside. That said the buds will last an impressive 8 hours on a single charge. For approximately $60, this combo of a smartwatch and earbuds is not a bad deal considering a standalone product alone costs around $100-$150 if you are on a budget.

The post This hybrid smartwatch cocoons a pair of earbuds for double utility geeks always desired first appeared on Yanko Design.

Iconic Female Designer Patricia Urquiola Upgrades Her Lowland Sofa With A Softer Composition

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Spanish designer and architect Patricia Urquiola is known for her eye-catching creations which are usually characterized by stained-glass panels or entire interior redesigns. She heavily focuses on modern style accentuated with feminine accents and intriguing elements. She is also known for her strong support of female designers. “Where women differ from males is in their flexibility, adaptability, and ability to multitask,” Urquiola said to Elle Decor in 2010. “We must be capable of surviving and even those two qualities—flexibility and adaptability—are extremely important to me in design.” And, she recently updated her Lowland Sofa for the Italian brand Moroso, giving it the name Loveland.

Designer: Patricia Urquiola for Moroso

Patricia Urqouila upgraded her Lowland sofa for the Italian brand Moroso, imparting it with a softer composition, and adorning it with a new name – Loveland. The three-seater sofa design adapts the previous design which was created in 2000. It features lower-positioned armrests, and a rounded backrest shape, which gives the sofa a gentler and more pebble-like appearance.

“The new design choices enhance the architectural qualities of the series while maintaining the sophisticated rationalist mood of this sofa, as a stand-alone piece or in a composition,” said Moroso. The Loveland sofa features a modernist steel base, which is paired up with warm and contemporary wood, and arranged at interesting sculptural angles.

Lowland was upgraded to Loveland to implement “a different approach to sustainability”. With Loveland, they eliminated developing a whole new product, and instead, they jazzed up a beloved classic to create an eternal and evergreen piece. There isn’t any unnecessary production or any additional waste. Resources are saved and minimized, as a pre-existing furniture piece is transformed and elevated. The Loveland sofa is available with or without armrests and can be upholstered in fabric or leather. You can choose between Honey, Tropical Wood, or Coffee finishes for the sofa’s wooden base.

The post Iconic Female Designer Patricia Urquiola Upgrades Her Lowland Sofa With A Softer Composition first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Kitchen Appliances To Prepare Healthy Meals & Achieve Your Fitness Goals In 2024

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I honestly don’t approve of the word ‘health freak’ because it seems like a negative term used for those who genuinely and wholeheartedly want to focus on their holistic health and dedicate time and energy to bettering it. Of course, there are always a few people who take dedication to a whole other unhealthy level, but I do believe most of us have good intentions and balanced mindsets when it comes to taking care of our diet and health. I prefer the term ‘health nerd’ for this crowd, and if you’re a health nerd who has decided to not only consume but cook your healthy everyday meals, then you’ve reached the right spot. In an attempt to support your cooking plan and help you eat better, we’ve curated a collection of kitchen appliances that make healthy cooking easy and simple.

1. The Cheat Sheets

These oven-safe, non-stick silicone dividers are called the Cheat Sheets, and they are created to transform and elevate oven cooking. They convert a single baking tray into a multi-compartment cooking surface, which lets you prepare multiple dishes in one go while retaining their distinctive flavor.

Why is it noteworthy?

The innovative Cheat Sheets divide a single sheet pan into a multi-portion culinary canvas, which can hold six small or three large portions. The Cheat Sheets are a great option for preparing family meals or for your weekly meal planning. In fact, if you have multiple Cheat Sheets, you can prepare healthy baked meals with real efficiency and control.

What we like

  • Lets you cook multiple dishes in one tray simultaneously
  • It can prepare various portion sizes, which is great for family or individual meals

What we dislike

  • The sheets are made from silicone which can easily get covered with dust and grease, creating a sticky surface if not used regularly

2. Cookmate

This innovative and handy kitchen appliance is called the Cookmate, and it is designed to be all-in-one. You can use the Cookmate for prep, cooking, and serving. It has a modular design with stackable pieces that let it function as a crock pot, pan, or steam – supporting various healthy cooking techniques.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Cookmate is an induction cooktop that focuses on every aspect of the cooking process. It sees the cooking process as something that progresses from ingredient to table. This allows Cookmate to be universally applicable, allowing you to save energy, effort, and space with other vessels.

What we like

  • Equipped with an integrated weighing scale
  • It can be split into 6 parts

What we dislike

  • It is a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

3. Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker

If you’re trying to eat healthy, then one of the best and easiest dishes you can prepare is a salad! And if you’re ready to chop up a delicious salad, then you may want to consider this shaker and pourer by OXO. It is a smart modern solution that helps you churn up some yummy dressing without making a major mess in your kitchen.

What we like

The shaker features a wide top that you can unscrew to add and mix up ingredients like vinegar, oil, onions, garlic, and mayonnaise to prepare a delicious dressing. The cup has measurements in milliliters and ounces to support easy and efficient measuring.

What we like

  • It is a leakproof design, ensuring there are no spills
  • Besides dressing, you can use it to prepare and serve sauces and marinades

What we dislike

  • The shaker seems to be a bit fragile and easily breakable, so needs to be handled with care

4. Plate Grater

This extraordinary little grate perfectly merges a plate’s functionality with a grater’s practicality. It is shaped like a round little plate and is designed to be set on the table, rather than being used up in the air. The Plate Grater is excellent for grating fresh garnishing for your meals, or some wasabi for your sushi.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65

Why is it noteworthy?

The grater/plate design is known for its dual functionality, as it serves as both an effective grater and a stylish plate. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also excellent for grating fresh ingredients at the table, adding a refined gourmet touch to your food.

What we like

  • You can grate fresh garnishing onto your meals
  • Adds a gourmet touch to your meals

What we dislike

  • Users may not be accustomed to its dual purpose, so it may require a period of adjustment

5. 4T7 Smart Chopping Board

Called the 4T7 Smart Chopping Board, this innovative kitchen appliance is designed to simplify every stage of meal prep and help beyond it as well. It is made up of different parts, which come together to form a creative and united product that can help you in your quest for healthy eating.

Why is it noteworthy?

The chopping board is equipped with 4 distinct parts, one of which is a built-in weight scale. The 4T7 also has an accompanying smartphone app that counts calories as you weigh your ingredients. Once the prep work has been completed, the digital display can also function as a kitchen timer.

What we like

  • The board’s different components are designed to be functional and independent elements as well
  • Works great for fruits, veggies, and meats

What we dislike

  • Count calories precisely, which can get users unhealthily addicted to counting calories at all times

6. Playful Palm Grater

Dubbed the Playful Palm Grater, this playful and amusing little product is created to add some functional fun to your kitchen and dining experience. It will fit snugly into the palm of your hand, grating some fresh garnishings into your food, and adding a gourmet touch to your everyday meals.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

The Playful Palm Grater is a charming little product that resembles a curled piece of paper. It is made from a single aluminum alloy plate and is available in vibrant color options, so you can pick the one that best suits your kitchen/dining space.

What we like

  • Has a unique and minimal form that offers a firm grip
  • Transforms the simple act of grating into something convenient, fun, and playful

What we dislike

  • It has a pretty small size, so you can’t use it to grate large amounts of food

7. Electric Chopsticks

Electric Chopsticks Design

These electric chopsticks are an interesting project by Kirin Holdings and the Miyashita Laboratory (Meiji University Dr. Homei Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences). It includes a chopstick device that is equipped with an electrical stimulation waveform that can customize and adjust the taste of low-sodium food.

Why is it noteworthy?

These innovative chopsticks are designed to make low-sodium food tasty, you can enjoy food with low-sodium content, allowing you to take better care of your health. These chopsticks are an excellent option for those who need to go on a low-sodium diet.

What we like

  • Adds a sense of saltiness to low-sodium food
  • Uses a weak electrical current to transmit sodium ions from the food to your mouth

What we dislike

  • It’s still in the prototype stage, not an actual product yet, so we don’t know how it will turn out to be

8. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl & Servers Set

We’ve found another great tool, if you’re trodding down the path of healthy eating, and want to prepare some quick and tasty salads. Joseph Joseph and Element Studio teamed up to create this minimal and smart salad bowl and servers set. It is a space-saving design, that seamlessly merges both products into one nifty product, creating a clever combination of functionality and form.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bowl and servers set are excellent for preparing some salad, while also occupying minimal space on your dining table or kitchen drawers. They offer an exciting take on an ordinary salad bowl, and a rather mundane servers set. They make preparing and serving salads an interesting and fun experience.

What we like

  • Ingeniously merges two products into one
  • Space-saving design that will occupy minimum space in your kitchen and dinner table

What we dislike

  • There seem to be no diverse options in colors and sizes, limited choice

9. Fresh Fridge

Meet the Fresh Fridge by Tati Feruccio. It is designed to help you eat more mindfully, and ditch the latest trendy diets, for something that is sustainable and manageable. The smart refrigerator analyzes the user’s eating and health habits to portion and plan out healthy meals from them throughout the day. It features a digital interface, right above the fridge.

Why is it noteworthy?

The innovative digital interface displays cooking recipes and interesting facts. It is like a personal cooking show for the multiple meals throughout the day! There is also a space for meal preparation that makes following recipes from the screen super easy and simple.

What we like

  • Supports and encourages mindful eating over following trendy and unsustainable fad diets
  • Features an integrated digital interface

What we dislike

  • We don’t know how precisely the fridge will analyze portions, and how well would they work for users

10. STEAMIE

Named STEAMIE, this kitchen appliance reintroduces steam into mainstream cooking! It can cook food without diluting or compromising on the flavor, providing you with healthy food, that is not only rich in nutrients but also pretty delicious. It is a tabletop appliance that will present you with food that is nutritious and delicious.

Why is it noteworthy?

STEAMIE is equipped with a built-in scale that lets you measure your food before you cook it. It also features a bamboo-wood lid that functions as a cutting board for food prep. You can watch your food being prepared via the frosted-acrylic food bowl, while an intuitive display lets you input and check prep times.

What we like

  •  Utilizes a unique turbo convection method to rapidly steam-cook the food

What we dislike

  • Bulky and heavy form that will occupy substantial space on your kitchen counter or dining table

The post Top 10 Kitchen Appliances To Prepare Healthy Meals & Achieve Your Fitness Goals In 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

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After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

Posted on by

After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak

Posted on by

After MWC 2024 last month, it was clear that foldable phones aren’t going anywhere despite previous prophecies of doom. Samsung is obviously very much in the running, and Honor is pulling out the stops as well. Google is the one brand that is believed to be a bit over the fence, especially in the direction it will be taking its Pixel Fold in. There are already some expected big changes in design, but the changes might be even bigger than expected, literally. According to the latest rumor, the Google Pixel Fold 2’s screens will indeed be bigger, but they will actually be a lot bigger than previously cited, and this change could have significant repercussions for the rest of the foldable phone’s design.

Designer: Google (via Ross Young)

Although foldable phones are marketed as phones that can turn into tablets, the reality is that they can only turn into mini tablets that are even smaller than the iPad mini. This is mostly due to the requirement that these devices should still be usable as normal phones, something that’s actually near impossible if you fold a 10-inch tablet in half. Not unless you can actually fold it in three, which is what Samsung might be doing soon.

In the meantime, however, phone manufacturers have to work within that limitation, and Google will apparently be pushing the boundaries with its second-gen design. According to the newest unofficial information, the Google Pixel Fold 2 will have an external “Cover Screen” size of 6.29 inches and an internal main display of 8.02 inches. Considering the first Pixel Fold had sizes of 5.8 inches and 7.6 inches for those same screens, that’s a rather big jump in terms of screen size. For comparison, the iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen.

That size increase won’t just be for the sake of bragging, though, as it will definitely affect the usability of the device. Yes, you will be able to enjoy more content or a less cramped space, but that could come at the cost of being bigger to hold in one hand, especially when folded as a phone. There’s also the matter of bezel size, which the Pixel Fold was notorious for. Either way, it won’t be the compact foldable that many people actually loved, so Google might lose some fans but gain others.

Unfortunately, the source didn’t confirm the other two big changes rumored for the Pixel Fold 2, particularly the aspect ratio and especially the camera design. The latter might prove to be the more controversial change for Google’s once-beautiful design, especially if the hardware upgrade doesn’t exactly warrant that change. The screens for the Pixel Fold 2 will reportedly go into production next month, so an announcement won’t be far away.

The post Google Pixel Fold 2 display might be even bigger, according to a leak first appeared on Yanko Design.

True full-color night vision goggles turns night into day with AI

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There are 24 hours in a day, but almost half of those remains shrouded in mystery and, in some cases, fear. The darkness of the night makes us feel a little less secure because we can barely see anything, especially in areas away from bright city night lights. It’s an almost literally different world that’s just begging to be explored and enjoyed, provided we can see safely and adequately. Night vision cameras and equipment do shed some light on the subject, but they paint the world in dull shades of gray that make it impossible to actually enjoy the experience. That’s where the AKASO Seemor Night Vision Goggles come in, revealing the beauty and wonders of the night as if it were daytime, with some help from AI.

Designer: AKASO

Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $302 ($113 off). Hurry, less than 72-hours to go! Raised over $655,000.

You need light to see things, and that’s true for both our eyes as well as the cameras that turn light information into the beautiful images and videos we enjoy. Of course, there isn’t much light at night, so cameras need to either add more lights or use a different kind of light. This is why most night vision cameras, including security cameras, only see the world in shades of black and white, because the light that they get is only enough to see the forms but doesn’t have sufficient color information.

Ultra-low Light Full-color Night Vision

Fortunately, we have come to a point where what can’t be fully accomplished in hardware can be enhanced by software, particularly with artificial intelligence. The AKASO Seemor Night Vision Goggles is, in fact, the first of its kind to harness the power of AI for this very purpose. Labeled as “AI-ISP,” the technology integrates advanced AI algorithms with the binoculars’ Image Signal Processing (ISP) to enhance image and video quality. The result is a breathtaking view of the night in true full color, with rich hues and 99% color reproduction that blows any night vision camera out of the water. It accomplishes this without requiring more lights that would have disturbed the serenity of the night world and chased nocturnal creatures away.

Of course, AI can only use what it’s given, and the AKASO Seemor, fortunately, has solid foundations, starting with a large 1/1.79″ CMOS sensor that can “see” even with weak light. The more light it can gather, the more data the AI-ISP has to work with in order to create that magical experience of seeing the night in color. The visual range of the Seemor goggles is also mind-blowing, allowing you to spot human or animal movement 1,640 ft (500m) away or identify the outline of buildings that are 3,280 ft (1km) in the distance. All these stunning scenes can be recorded in high-resolution 4K, both for photos and videos, ensuring that those enchanting nighttime memories will be preserved in as high a quality as you saw them with your eyes.

The AKASO Seemor Night Vision Goggles isn’t just powerful, it is also simple and convenient to use. Built-in 2.4GHz Wi-Fi lets you connect to your smartphone both for remote monitoring of what the goggles see as well as fast transfer of photos and videos. Two 3,200 mAh batteries give you up to 8 hours of uninterrupted enjoyment, and two 1/4 nut ports at the top and bottom of the Seemor let you easily mount the device on tripods or even helmets. Whether you’re trying to observe the mysterious creatures of the night, chasing down urban legends, or simply trying to discover beauty in the darkness, the AI-powered AKASO Seemor True Full-Color Night Vision Goggles opens your eyes to a whole new world you could never see before.

Click Here to Buy Now: $189 $302 ($113 off). Hurry, less than 72-hours to go! Raised over $655,000.

The post True full-color night vision goggles turns night into day with AI first appeared on Yanko Design.

Snøhetta Creates An Innovative & Compostable Light Made From Hemp

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Acclaimed Norwegian studio Snøhetta collaborated with lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan to design the Superdupertube – an innovative office lamp made using extruded hemp and sugarcane bioplastic. The hemp-based lighting is a contemporary update of Ateljé Lyktan’s Supertube which is an office light from the 1970s. It was made from extruded aluminum.

Designer: Snøhetta & Ateljé Lyktan

“[The Supertube] had finished production in 2010 or something like that, so it was iconic but sort of forgotten,” said Snøhetta partner Jenny B Osuldsen. “And it’s a tube. It’s not rocket science but it is what you need for a smart lamp in an office.” “We really loved it and think it has a lot of possibilities, so we wanted to upgrade it to a new level,” she added. The lighting design is made from hemp, and it can be industrially composed.

The extrusion technique used to create the original Supertube was developed in the 1960s, and both brands wanted to produce a lamp that was inspired by and pays tribute to the original design. But, at the same time, they wanted to lower the carbon footprint of the lamp and picked the most sustainable material they could find, which is hemp – a material known for being renewable and durable. They experimented with different materials, before finally picking hemp bioplastic to build Snøhetta’s first office lighting design.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan sourced the hemp used for the lights from the Netherlands, as the quality of the hemp from Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd. The hemp used for the lighting design was sourced from the Netherlands, as they believed the quality of hemp from the Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd. The hemp is then mixed with polylactic acid bioplastic which is derived from sugarcane, wood cellulose, and other minerals to form a fossil and gas-free composite. This material is then extruded to form the main body of the lamp, which also includes injection-molded louvers and side covers. The electric cables are covered in linen fabric. The lamp can also be composted in an industrial composter, or even recycled and transformed into pellets to build more lamps.

The post Snøhetta Creates An Innovative & Compostable Light Made From Hemp first appeared on Yanko Design.