Tag Archives: Lifestyle

This North Face x Bialetti Collab Is Peak Coffee Culture

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There’s something beautifully absurd about combining outdoor gear with coffee culture, and the new collaboration between The North Face and Bialetti hits that sweet spot perfectly. It’s the kind of partnership that makes you wonder why it didn’t happen sooner, bringing together two iconic brands that have been fueling adventures in their own ways for decades.

The TNF x Bialetti Moka Set is exactly what it sounds like: a limited-edition coffee kit that packages Italian espresso tradition in North Face’s signature Summit Gold and black colorway. At the heart of the set is a three-cup Moka Express, the classic aluminum stovetop coffee maker that’s been gracing Italian kitchens since 1933. This version comes emblazoned with both brands’ logos and The North Face’s “Never Stop Exploring” slogan, because apparently your morning caffeine ritual is now an expedition.

Designer: The North Face x Bialetti

But here’s the thing about this collaboration, it’s not trying to be some ultralight backpacking essential. Despite the marketing suggesting it’s built for explorers and designed to be taken on the road or trail, this is really more about bringing style to your coffee routine than revolutionizing camp cooking. The set comes in a fairly large box and includes two stainless steel cups (one in Summit Gold, one in Bialetti black), matching spoons, and a 100-gram tin of pre-ground Bialetti coffee. It’s comprehensive, coordinated, and honestly quite handsome, even if the portable claims are a bit optimistic.

What makes this collaboration interesting isn’t its practicality for wilderness expeditions. It’s the cultural collision it represents. Bialetti’s Moka Express is a design icon in its own right, as recognizable in Italy as The North Face’s logo is on college campuses worldwide. Both brands carry serious nostalgia and street cred in their respective spheres. Bialetti revolutionized home espresso making with a design so perfect it hasn’t fundamentally changed in nearly a century. The North Face turned technical mountaineering gear into everyday fashion statements. Together, they’ve created something that speaks to coffee nerds, design enthusiasts, and brand collectors equally.

The color scheme is where this collab really shines. That Summit Gold is instantly recognizable if you’ve ever owned or lusted after a vintage North Face jacket, and seeing it on a Moka pot feels both surprising and completely right. The black and gold combination gives the entire set a premium, cohesive look that transcends either brand’s individual aesthetic.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. At $220, this isn’t exactly an impulse purchase. You can get a standard Moka Express for a fraction of that cost. But you’re not just buying a coffee maker here. You’re buying into a collaboration between two heritage brands, complete with the matching cups, spoons, and that perfectly branded tin. It’s collectible merch that happens to make excellent coffee, or an excellent coffee setup that happens to be collectible merch, depending on how you look at it.

The reality is that this set probably makes more sense sitting on your apartment’s kitchen counter or at your glamping setup than it does in your actual hiking pack. And that’s perfectly okay. Not every outdoor-branded product needs to summit Everest. Sometimes it’s enough to add a little adventure aesthetic to your morning routine, to have that moment of enjoying rich Italian espresso while wearing your Nuptse jacket and dreaming about trails you’ll hike someday.

This collaboration taps into something broader happening in design culture right now: the blurring of boundaries between function and lifestyle, between genuine outdoor gear and urban fashion, between coffee equipment and collectible objects. It’s the same impulse that puts Supreme on Coleman coolers or sees luxury brands creating camping gear. We want our everyday objects to tell stories about who we are or who we want to be.

Whether the TNF x Bialetti Moka Set is worth the investment depends on how much you value that intersection of coffee culture, design heritage, and brand storytelling. If you’re someone who gets excited about limited-edition collaborations and appreciates when iconic designs get reimagined, this might be calling your name. Just don’t expect it to revolutionize your backpacking coffee game.

The post This North Face x Bialetti Collab Is Peak Coffee Culture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Motorola Edge 70 Is 5.9mm Thin But Somehow Lasts 50 Hours

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Flagship phones keep getting pricier and chunkier, making it easy to feel left out if you want a device that’s both stylish and practical without emptying your wallet or your pockets. The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Apple iPhone Air are everywhere, but their price tags and premium positioning aren’t for everyone who just wants a good-looking phone that works reliably without costing a month’s rent.

The Motorola Edge 70 is Motorola’s answer to those flagships with a phone that looks the part, feels great in hand, and packs a battery that goes the distance without constant charging. It’s designed to compete with the big names visually and functionally, but takes a slightly different approach under the hood with mid-range specs. The Edge 70 offers style and stamina where others demand deep pockets and constant charging anxiety.

Designer: Motorola

The Motorola Edge 70 is impossibly thin at just 5.9mm, making it the slimmest in its class and lighter than most competitors at only 159 grams. The matte finish, rounded corners, and Pantone-certified color options like Lily Pad and Bronze Green give it a premium vibe that stands out in a sea of black rectangles flooding the market. The aerospace-grade aluminum frame adds durability without compromising the slim profile.

Up front, you get a 6.7-inch pOLED display with a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and Pantone-validated color accuracy for authentic visuals. It’s bright at 4500 nits peak, vibrant, and smooth for scrolling, streaming, or editing photos on the go. The screen-to-body ratio of 96.32 percent delivers edge-to-edge immersion that rivals the best flagships on the market today.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage handle daily tasks, social media, and light gaming with ease and reliability. While it won’t out-muscle the Galaxy S25 Edge or iPhone Air in benchmarks, it’s more than capable for most users who aren’t pushing hardcore gaming or intensive video editing. The specs are mid-range, but performance feels premium for everyday life.

The Motorola Edge 70 sports a triple 50MP camera setup, including main, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, plus a high-resolution selfie camera for social sharing and video calls. Moto AI brings smart features like auto-capture, scene optimization, and instant note-taking from photos without complicated menus or settings. The camera system is versatile for everyday snaps, portraits, and 4K video recording, though it’s not aiming to dethrone dedicated camera phones at higher price points.

Where the Motorola Edge 70 really shines is battery life and charging speed that outpace many flagships. The 4800mAh silicon-carbon cell and 68W TurboPower charging mean you can go up to 50 hours on a single charge with moderate use, and top up in just 15 minutes when you’re running low. This battery performance beats many flagships that sacrifice capacity for thinness, making the Edge 70 ideal for heavy users.

Shipping with Android 16, IP68 splash resistance, 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, the Motorola Edge 70 is a well-rounded package at £700. For anyone who wants flagship style, exceptional battery life, and everyday performance without the flagship price or constant charging anxiety that plagues thinner competitors, it’s a compelling alternative worth serious consideration.

The post Motorola Edge 70 Is 5.9mm Thin But Somehow Lasts 50 Hours first appeared on Yanko Design.

Raspberry Pi E-Ink To-Do Display Disguises as Framed Desk Art

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Most productivity tools are designed to grab your attention constantly with pop-up reminders, blinking notifications, and endless browser tabs competing for focus throughout the day. But sometimes, the best way to stay focused is to keep your most important information quietly in view, not fighting for your eyes or demanding immediate action every few minutes. Finding that balance between visibility and distraction remains surprisingly difficult in modern productivity software.

The InkyPi E-Paper Productivity Display is a DIY project that addresses this challenge directly and elegantly with minimal hardware. Built with a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and a crisp E-Ink screen, it turns your to-dos, deadlines, and progress into a calm, always-on dashboard that helps you stay organized without the noise. The project is open-source, customizable, and refreshingly simple in its approach to keeping you on track without overwhelming you.

Designer: AKZ Dev

InkyPi’s minimalist design starts with a 7.3-inch or 7.8-inch E-Ink panel from Pimoroni or Waveshare, framed in a simple IKEA picture frame that looks more like a piece of art than a gadget on your desk. The Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W sits discreetly behind the display, keeping the whole setup slim, silent, and consuming minimal power throughout the day. The paper-like display is easy on the eyes and never glows or flickers.

The framed display can be wall-mounted above your desk for easy glances throughout the day or set on a stand for desktop reference during intensive work sessions. The E-Ink screen shows information with the clarity of printed paper, making text and graphics readable from across the room without squinting. The lack of a backlight means it works well in any ambient lighting without causing eye strain during long days.

The open-source InkyPi dashboard runs a growing library of 20 plugins, all managed through a web-based user interface that’s accessible from any device on your network. You can schedule automatic refreshes, rotate through different plugins throughout the day, and customize layouts for your specific workflow. Recent plugin additions include a to-do list, day countdown, GitHub commit graph, year progress bar, and RSS feed reader for staying informed.

Each plugin is designed to give you just enough information to stay on track without overwhelming you with excessive detail or constant updates that break concentration. The to-do list shows three customizable lists with clean formatting, the year progress bar visualizes how much of the year remains for goal planning, and the GitHub graph motivates coding consistency through visual streak tracking. Everything updates automatically on your chosen schedule without requiring manual intervention.

The E-Ink display’s slow refresh rate and lack of backlight mean it’s only updated when necessary, keeping your focus on the task at hand rather than the screen itself pulling attention. The dashboard is intentionally passive, meant for glancing rather than interacting, so you’re never tempted to click, scroll, or dive into rabbit holes when you should be working. The analog feel makes it more like checking a wall calendar or notepad.

All hardware and software files are open-source on GitHub, with active community support and ongoing plugin development from contributors worldwide who continue adding features. For anyone tired of digital noise and constant notifications interrupting deep work, the InkyPi E-Paper Productivity Display offers a reminder that sometimes less screen time is exactly what you need to accomplish more meaningful work throughout your day without burning out.

The post Raspberry Pi E-Ink To-Do Display Disguises as Framed Desk Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

Your Floor Cleaner Is Just Spreading Dirty Water. BSTY’s Dual-Tank System Fixes It.

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The lines between form and function have never been blurrier, or more beautiful, than they are in today’s best home tech. The BSTY Dual-Action Cordless Floor Washer is a testament to this evolution, offering a singular device that manages to look as sharp as it performs. Its seamless integration of vacuuming, steam mopping, and self-cleaning mechanisms is tailored for those who want their spaces immaculate, but never at the expense of visual serenity. This is not merely another entry in the crowded floor-care market; it’s a thoughtfully considered piece of hardware that addresses the entire life cycle of a chore, from start to finish.

Let’s be honest, the way we clean floors is broken. It’s a clumsy, multi-stage process that often feels like you’re just moving dirt around. You start with the vacuum, wrestling with a cord or racing against a dying battery to suck up the crumbs, the pet hair, and the dust. Then comes the second act: the mop. You’re either sloshing a dirty string-mop around in a bucket of increasingly murky water, or you’re using a fancy hybrid cleaner that often just turns dry debris into a wet, gritty paste. It solves one problem by creating another. The BSTY project seems to have started with a deep, almost obsessive, understanding of this frustration.

Designer: BSTY

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $599 ($200 off). Hurry, only 15/50 left. Raised over $61,000.

The solution begins with a simple, elegant workflow that is physically built into the machine. As you push the BSTY forward, it’s a dedicated dry vacuum. The front of the cleaning head houses a system that delivers a full 20,000Pa of suction, a figure that puts it in the upper echelon of cordless stick vacuums. That’s enough power to lift embedded dirt from grout lines and grab pet hair without just rolling over it. All that dry debris is whisked away into its own separate container. Then, on the pull-back motion, the mopping system engages. A fresh stream of water, which can be heated up to a steamy 100°C in the tank, wets a microfiber roller that scrubs the floor. The dirty water is immediately lifted off the roller and funneled into a second, completely separate dirty water tank. This clever little feature is a fundamental re-engineering of the hybrid cleaner, ensuring that dirty water never gets a second chance to touch your clean floor.

Beyond just using hot water for mopping, the BSTY integrates a true 180°C steam function. This is a significant leap beyond the boiling point, generating a dry, high-temperature steam that can sanitize surfaces and break down greasy, stuck-on messes without a drop of chemical cleaner. It’s a feature that will appeal to anyone with kids, pets, or just a healthy aversion to chemical residues. This focus on thermal cleaning creates a more effective, hygienic result. And it manages to pack this technology into a cordless body that delivers a solid 40 minutes of runtime, all while operating at a reported 50 decibels in its quiet mode, which is about the level of a calm conversation. The physical design is just as considered. The entire unit can pivot to lay completely flat, a 180-degree articulation that finally allows a machine this powerful to slide all the way under a low-profile sofa or media console.

But the most insightful piece of design might be what happens after the cleaning is done. Anyone who owns a current-generation floor washer knows the secret shame of the post-clean cleanup: rinsing a filthy roller, scrubbing a grimy water tank, and leaving the parts to air-dry, hoping they don’t develop a funky, mildewed smell. The BSTY’s docking station is designed to eliminate this final, frustrating step. When you dock the machine, it automatically begins a self-cleaning cycle, flushing the roller and internal tubing with clean water. But then it initiates the real game-changer: a high-temperature drying cycle. It circulates hot air through the brush head, leaving the roller completely dry, clean, and free of the moisture that breeds bacteria and odor. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about making the entire ownership experience better. It ensures the machine is genuinely ready for its next use, not waiting for you to reassemble its damp components.

The early-bird pricing is set at $399, which is a considerable discount from the planned $599 retail price, positioning it as an aggressive play for early adopters who are tired of the status quo. For that price, the package appears to be comprehensive. The box includes the main BSTY unit, the crucial self-cleaning and charging dock that completes the automated experience, a power adapter, a spare roller brush for good measure, a small cleaning tool for any manual maintenance, and a 1-year warranty. The campaign is targeting a global shipping window around March of next year, aiming to bring this thoughtful approach to floor care into homes just in time for spring cleaning!

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $599 ($200 off). Hurry, only 15/50 left. Raised over $61,000.

The post Your Floor Cleaner Is Just Spreading Dirty Water. BSTY’s Dual-Tank System Fixes It. first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google Unveil’s Its First Mass Timber Building That Looks After The Environment & Employees

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This week, Google unveiled its first mass timber office building in Sunnyvale, California. It is designed to be a cutting-edge and eco-friendly building that will serve as a productive and conducive workspace for the employees. It was designed, keeping in mind the needs and requirements of the environment and employees. It is a five-story structure that will have 96% less carbon emissions than a traditional steel and concrete building of the same size.

“This building, 1265 Borregas, showcases creating sustainable buildings that empower people to do their best work,” said Michelle Kaufmann, Google’s director of R+D for the Built Environment and the guiding force behind the creation of the new workspace in Sunnyvale’s Moffett Park district.

Designer: Google

As mentioned, it is the first building to be constructed from mass timber, which is a new type of engineered wood. Small pieces of wood are layered and laminated together to build large beams and walls. The office is designed to create an environment of collaboration, support, and focus. It is equipped with neighborhood spaces that will facilitate hybrid connections and interesting collaborations.

It is a representation of Google’s priority to build nature-based or biophilic workplaces. According to research, people work best when surrounded by nature, and with this new workspace, Google is hoping to create a fresh and inspiring work environment. Timber is exposed inside and outside the office, which allows natural light to stream in while offering splendid views of the Northern California landscape. Automatic wooden blinds have been integrated, and they adapt to the sun’s position, minimizing glare.

Mass timber is blessed with regenerative qualities, as it can absorb and store carbon over time. Hence, choosing mass timber was a sustainable and eco-friendly decision made by Google. It also reduces carbon emissions that are emitted from the extraction, production, and transportation of traditional building materials. Additionally, 100% of the structural mass timber lumber used to build 1265 Borregas was sourced from responsibly managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Around three acres of pollinator-friendly native plants, such as coast live oak, California wild rose, and common milkweed,d were planted at the site and its neighboring sites. This further encourages the creation of an office building and site that is sustainable and efficient. The widespread presence of greenery helps to improve employee wellbeing, ensuring they focus and work better.

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Maximize Holiday Hydration with Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems: Black Friday Deals

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Just like the planet itself, our bodies need water in order to survive. Not just any water, of course, but clean and safe drinking water. With pollution in every corner, ensuring the purity of the water we consume is more important than ever. Water purifiers have become essential kitchen appliances, providing peace of mind and protecting our health, yet people are almost always on the fence when they should buy one.

With the holiday season fast approaching, there’s never a better time to make such an investment. With increased water usage during festive cooking and gatherings, having a reliable purifier ensures every sip is safe and refreshing. Fortunately, this is also a perfect time to grab a water filtration system with a sweet discount, and Waterdrop Filter’s Reverse Osmosis Systems are the perfect fit to quench your thirst for clean and safe water all year round.

Designer: Waterdrop Filter

Why are Water Purifiers Important for Homes

Having a water purifier at home means access to clean, safe water anytime. They remove contaminants, ensuring that every sip you take is safe and refreshing. It’s not just about taste; it’s about health. Purified water helps prevent waterborne diseases, supports better digestion, and even enhances the flavor of your cooking.

With holiday festivities around the corner, having a water purifier means access to clean, safe water for all your needs whether it’s for cooking or mixing a hot cup of cocoa. The growing awareness of water quality issues has caused more households to invest in these vital devices. Plus, with a water purifier, you can reduce your reliance on bottled water, saving money and reducing plastic waste. It’s a win-win for you and the environment!

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy A Water Purifier

Even if they know the critical benefits of clean drinking water, many households put off buying a system that serves the purified water they need. Some water filters are prohibitively expensive, perform poorly, and don’t meet their household’s needs, forcing homeowners to rely on tap that may not be as clean as they think. Well water often includes bacteria, parasites, and heavy metals, while municipal water would have chlorine as well as disinfection byproducts. Others put it off until family members get sick from the substances, parasites, and microorganisms that come with their drinking water.

If you’ve been considering a water purifier, there’s no better time than now to make the purchase. Black Friday discounts offers the perfect opportunity to make the purchase, allowing you to secure a top-quality purifier without breaking the bank. These deals make it easier to prioritize your family’s health and prepare for holiday gatherings without stretching your budget. Seize this chance to upgrade your kitchen and enjoy pure water throughout the festivities.

Choosing the Right Water Purifier: Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems

Incorporating a water purifier into your home is a smart move for health and convenience, but it shouldn’t be done haphazardly. When selecting a water purifier, consider factors like the type of filtration system, maintenance requirements, and capacity. Whether you opt for a reverse osmosis system, UV purifier, or a simple activated carbon filter, ensure it meets your needs.

Reverse osmosis (RO), in particular, has been proven to be a very efficient and cost-effective way to purify water and improve its taste. It is able to filter out nearly 95% of particles and dissolved contaminants in water without mixing in other substances that can also affect its taste. Just in time to prepare for the holiday season, Waterdrop Filter is giving three of its most popular RO systems some very sweet Black Friday discounts to meet every hydration and household need.

Waterdrop Filter X12 Reverse Osmosis System

Drink from the tap with the confidence of having filtered and purified water all the time with the Tankless Waterdrop Filter X12 RO under-sink system. With a rapid 1,200 GPD (gallons per day) flow, you don’t have to wait for clean water to drop from the faucet; just instant and pure hydration whenever you need it. An 11-stage 16-layer precision filtration system promises water safety and quality while alkaline mineral infusion promotes health and elevates flavor.

With its smart and elegant design, the Waterdrop Filter X12 easily hides itself from sight, and its tankless design can save 50 to 70% of the space under the sink. With a hi-tech smart digital faucet, you can instantly see TDS and filter life information to keep track of your water quality. With a simple twist and a gentle tap, you can conveniently adjust the water volume you need to help prevent wasted water.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • 1,200 GPD Rapid Flow makes it feel like you’re simply turning on the tap and fill a cup in 3 seconds.
  • High capacity enough to meet the needs of a large household.
  • Unparalleled 3:1 pure-to-drain ratio saves precious water resources.
  • 11-stage precision filter with robust 16-layer 0.0001μm RO membrane assures maximum water safety.
  • Healthy alkaline minerals and optimal 7.5 pH levels promote health and enhance flavor.
  • Space-saving minimalist design makes DIY installation a breeze.

Click Here to Buy Now: $827.08 $1299 ($471.92 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Waterdrop Filter K6 Instant Hot Water Reverse Osmosis System

Enjoy hot or warm drinking water on-demand with the Waterdrop Filter K6 under-sink Reverse Osmosis System. Why wait for water to boil or hot water to cool down when you can have precise control over the temperature of the water that will flow from the faucet? Of course, with a deep 5-in-1 filter that removes harmful substances, you don’t have to rely on heat only to guarantee the purity of your hot drink.

It’s almost a shame that you will rarely see the Waterdrop Filter K6’s stylish design, as it is meant to hide inconspicuously underneath kitchen sinks. The innovative smart display faucet, however, will make you feel like you’re living in the future, providing easy access to information as well as exact temperature controls. Of course, there’s also a safety lock to protect your loved ones from accidents.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • First Reverse Osmosis System with heating function for purified and hot water in a single unit.
  • High-capacity 600 GPD (Gallons Per Day) water flow rate delivers hot water in just seconds.
  • Delivers room temperature or hot water in the range of 104°C – 203°C (40°C- 95°C)for any drinking or cooking need.
  • Smart Display Faucet provides water filter information, temperature adjustment, and safety lock features.
  • 5-in-1 RO filter removes harmful substances through deep purification.

Click Here to Buy Now: $459.08 $799 ($339.92 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Waterdrop Filter A1 Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser

Quench your thirst with a cold drink or savor a hot cup of tea anywhere in your home with the Waterdrop Filter A1 countertop hot and cold water dispenser. With its Plug-and-Play design, you can easily put this multi-functional water dispenser in your living room, home office, or bedroom so you that your favorite drinks are always within reach. Supporting six temperature settings for ice-cold or boiling water, the Waterdrop Filter A1 lets you enjoy clean water in the temperature that you need in an instant.

Of course, that water purity is delivered by Watedrop’s 6-stage RO filtration system that can efficiently reduce over 1,000 impurities. It also includes a UV-LED light for sterilizing the water tanks. Despite its advanced features, the Waterdrop Filter A1 is easy to use and safe, with smart touch keys that put all the control under your fingertips and child lock to protect against accidental operation.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • All-in-One water dispenser for hot and cold water in a single stylish unit.
  • Six temperature options ranging from 41°F – 203°F (5°C – 95°C) delivers the water you need in an instant.
  • 6-stage filtration and UV-LED sterilization ensure the safety of the water, regardless of temperature.
  • Plug-and-Play Installation-free design provides flexibility in placement options.
  • OLED Smart Display and touch keys simplify the user experience while providing safety at the same time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $434.13 $699 ($264.87 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

With fantastic discounts available, now is the ideal time to make this essential purchase. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is clean and safe. Don’t let this opportunity slip by — upgrade your kitchen with a Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis System today and experience the difference in every drop.

The post Maximize Holiday Hydration with Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems: Black Friday Deals first appeared on Yanko Design.

ND filters adjust the tint on your sunglasses with a retro futuristic look

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I’ve been wearing transition eyeglasses for several years now. It’s become handy as I don’t need to bring sunglasses or have graded ones made to replace my eyeglasses when the sun is too high. However there are also some inconveniences to it as it sometimes takes long for it to turn back to “light” once I get out of the sun. I sometimes wish there was a way to control how much light gets in or out.

Designer: Lombell

Lombell has created sunglasses that utilize what photographers have been using for some time now: neutral density (ND) filters. Professional cameras are able to adjust the opacity of their lenses through these filters. So why not apply this technology to sunglasses? The titanium-frame sunglasses use ND filters to increase or decrease the amount of light that can pass through your eyewear, giving you more control over it.

The ND filter that they used has 9-stop variables and lets users adjust accordingly through the graded markings on the lens, making your sunglasses darker or brighter. It is also able to block more than 99% of UVA and UVB light no matter what level you’ve put the filters on. If you’re also like me that always need prescription lenses, you can replace the back piece of glass with one.

The ND filter sunglasses can also be a fashion statement as you exude a retro feel with them, especially for those who actually don’t know what camera filters are. It can actually even be cool when you’re adjusting the filter, like you’re a robot or android. And it’s also pretty cheap at just $89.99 for the regular lenses or $99.99 for prescription lenses.

The post ND filters adjust the tint on your sunglasses with a retro futuristic look first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO® Botanicals to release four new collections for your inner florist

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While it would be nice to always have fresh flowers adorn your homes, there are several reasons why not all of us can have that. It can either be too expensive to constantly have to replace them or if you’re like me, you have a black thumb and they may not last that long. An alternative to this would be to have artificial or plastic ones but wouldn’t it be more fun if you could “build” your own?

Designer: LEGO®

This is what LEGO® has discovered with the success of their hugely popular Botanicals collection. It’s not kids and geeks who have fun with all these builds but even those who believe plants and flowers are relaxing. It’s so popular that it now has its own logo and specific theme. For next year’s collection, they are adding four new sets: the LEGO® Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet, the LEGO® Botanicals Mini Orchid, the LEGO® Botanicals Lucky Bamboo and LEGO® Botanicals Flower Arrangement. They will be available for pre-orders at the very start of 2025.

The LEGO® Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet includes 15 flower stems and foliage including some of the most popular pink flowers like daisies, roses, cymbidium orchids, waterlily dahlia, etc. The stems are adjustable and this set can be combined with other bouquets. The LEGO® Botanicals Mini Orchid meanwhile features five orchid flowers that are in bloom and some that are still buds. it also has a terracotta flowerpot on a wood-effect plinth so you can display it beautifully.

The LEGO® Botanicals Lucky Bamboo is for those that find it relaxing to have a bamboo plant in the room but can’t keep an actual one. This includes three green bamboo stems, pebbles, a plant pot, and a wood-effect plinth. Lastly, the LEGO® Botanicals Flower Arrangement has several flowers in the set including camellia, peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, bouvardia and lilies. This is the ultimate collection for those who want to explore their inner florist without wasting actual flowers.

The post LEGO® Botanicals to release four new collections for your inner florist first appeared on Yanko Design.

Portable moka pot lets you enjoy coffee in the middle of nature

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While I will most likely not be going camping anytime soon, there are a lot of people who enjoy this kind of thing. There are also a lot of campers or outdoor enthusiasts who like to enjoy having a cup of coffee once they have pitched their tents or reached their mountainous destination. Sure they can just bring a flask or heat water for their instant coffee but wouldn’t you rather “brew” your own coffee when you’re marveling at nature?

Designer: Militello Design

This product concept is called Moka-mp and based on that name, you kind of already know what it is. It is a portable moka coffee pot that is light enough but still durable enough that you can bring it with you when you’re climbing a mountain or spending the night camping outdoors. It’s meant to help you enjoy your time with nature while still drinking a cup of brewed coffee.

The moka pot doesn’t look like your usual stovetop coffee brewer. If you didn’t know that it brews your coffee, you might think it’s just a regular portable cooking pot, albeit smaller. The bottom part holds the water while just above it is a safety valve and the space where you put your coffee powder and where the coffee magic happens.

This can become an essential part of your camping and outdoor gear if it becomes an actual product eventually. Those who love both coffee and the outdoors will have a good time as they sip their (hopefully) delicious cup while enjoying the wonders of nature. However, I’d stick to my cup of coffee in an air-conditioned coffee shop, thank you very much.

The post Portable moka pot lets you enjoy coffee in the middle of nature first appeared on Yanko Design.

AI-powered smart tea set creates narratives from stories shared by friends

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AI can almost be found everywhere these days, but most people will probably be familiar with generative AI like ChatGPT. These are mostly encountered in computers and phones because that’s where they make the most sense, but their applications can definitely go beyond that limited scope. These conversational AI can, for example, be embedded anywhere that has a computer, a microphone, and a speaker, which can literally be any object you can imagine.

Yes, it might result in an odd combination that challenges your notions of what AI chatbots can do for you. This smart tea set concept, for example, is a rather intriguing example of this idea, weaving technology, tea-drinking rituals, and social bonds in an unexpected way.

Designers: Kevin Tang, Kelly Fang

ChatGPT and others like it have started to approach the so-called “uncanny valley” in a totally non-visual way. The responses they give sound or read so naturally that it really takes an expert to distinguish it from human output. Talking to these chatbots almost feels like talking to someone, perhaps a friend who is willing to hear how your day went.

That’s the kind of experience that gpTea, a play on the brewed drink and this type of generative AI, wants to bring in a rather novel way. As a smart tea set, it not only brews tea but even tips the kettle forward to automatically pour the drink into a specially designed cup. Impressive as that may seem, that’s not even its most notable feat.

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gpTea’s key feature is actually in interactive storytelling that weaves the responses of friends and family separated by distance and connected only through the Internet using this smart tea set. It asks you how your day went and, depending on your response, it might share a similar story given by another friend or loved one in the past. The more people use it, the bigger and longer the narrative grows. It’s almost like developing an oral tradition or history, except one that’s stored in the memory of an AI.

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Another interesting feature of gpTea is the glass cup itself, which has a circular display at the bottom. The AI also generates images related to the story it’s telling, making it feel like you’re using magic to see the scene inside the cup. Admittedly, it’s a rather convoluted and complex way of sharing stories with friends when you can just talk to each other, but it’s still an interesting application of AI that actually tries to build connections between humans who are physically far apart.

The post AI-powered smart tea set creates narratives from stories shared by friends first appeared on Yanko Design.