Tag Archives: bluetooth speaker

These ergonomic earbuds double up as speaker controls, adding a new dimension of functionality to wearables

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There have been a lot of truly wireless earbuds and earbud concepts over the past few years as wired devices have gone out of style. But basically, they serve just one purpose and that is to play something in your ears or as a secondary tool for accessing digital assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, etc. Once they’re off your ears though, they become practically useless and most of the time, they’re just sitting pretty there in the charging case. What if they had another function when they’re not in your ears.

Designer: Liam de la Bedoyere for Bored Eye

That’s one of the main ideas behind the Bored Buds, a concept for a pair of earbuds that are not just intuitively designed but are also multi-functional. Basically, they’re earbuds that are also part of a Bluetooth speaker. So when you’re not listening to music using the audio accessories, they are nestled in the speakers through the protective case and serve as the control buttons. The speaker itself does not have any interface or display so the earbuds will serve as your on/off, pause/play, and volume up/down buttons.

But as earbuds, they are also pretty well-designed. They are pill-shaped so they will fit comfortably in your ears. They are made from titanium, they are water-resistant and durable, and are 100% recyclable. They have magnetic connections and there is no cover as the buds nestle below the surface. The case is attached to the speakers through a USB-C connection. The controls themselves are gesture-sensitive both as earbuds and for the speakers.

When switching from the speakers to the earbuds, you only have to pinch them to transfer the sound back. Both the speaker and the earbuds use monochromatic colors and minimalist design. Hopefully, the sound will also be of good quality as no matter how good a design is, it’s how an audio accessory sounds that can make or break it. This is an interesting concept for audiophiles who want to have music and other aural products always on hand.

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Polaroid ventures into musical lanes with colorful Bluetooth speakers that make an impact

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If you have been a photographer or love photography, chances are you have used or at least are familiar with the name Polaroid. After giving us colorful cameras to make photography impactful, Polaroid is venturing into the musical lanes with a series of four consumer-oriented speakers that are reminiscent of the company’s vibrant image.

The line of speakers is released in different sizes and price points to give all types of consumers a choice that suits their pocket and style. The playful Polaroid image reflects instantly in the hues that these speakers boast, which are an embodiment of the company’s decades of perfection. The exciting Bluetooth speakers in addition to doing absolute justice to the Polaroid’s image are equally effective when it comes to their audio performance.

Designer: Polaroid

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The four speakers in question are simply called P1, P2, P3, and P4. The basic naming doesn’t at all mean that these music players are in any way inferior to the competition. They may not boast support for voice assistants or any fancy connected features to go with their cute image, but all of them have the hues to floor us. The little, cube-shaped Polaroid P1 music player the company says “is apple size.” The absolutely compact device is pairable to other speakers in the lineup for a more robust sound and it can play music for up to 10 hours on a single charge. It is the only device with IPX5 waterproof rating, making it splash resistant. In fact, all the speakers can be paired with a simple tap and have the same music flowing through all the rooms of your house.

With 15 hours of playback time, P2 arrives in size roughly twice that of the P1. It is more powerful in comparison but equally portable to take anywhere you like. P3 with polished metal handle for portability as opposed to wrist strap on P2, the speakers are pretty identical in shape but this guy outpowers the P2 in output quality. The largest and loudest of the Polaroid speaker line up, the P4 music player can fill the largest of rooms with sound. This watermelon-sized speaker also boasts 15 hours of playback time.

All these colorful and powerful Polaroid speakers feature an array of handles and straps for easy transport. You can wear them on the wrist or carry them in Boombox style, the choice is yours! All the speakers, except for P1 feature an exciting, but small LED screen that dances with music and gives out some information. The most exciting thing about the Polaroid speaker lineup is that they can tune into the company’s radio stations and offer a lovely heart button to share for a song you love. If you are interested, the square-shaped P1 is priced at $59.99; compatible with Polaroid Music App, the P2 is priced at $129.99; Polaroid P3 will set you back $189.99; while the biggest of them all, the P4 music player, available in black and yellow, will cost $289.99.

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Oa is a speaker that can also be a pillow to help you sleep deeper

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My constant companions before falling asleep, aside from my smartphone, is a pillow and my smart speaker which I use to help me fall asleep. I know I’m supposed to not use any devices as the screens actually do not help my circadian rhythm so I really should be satisfied with the latter two. If you would like to have both your pillow and the speaker in the same space, this new concept for a “companion” may be the answer to that.

Designer: Woojin Shin, Subin Kim, Hyorung Choi

Oa is a speaker that you can use as a pillow to embrace (not to lie on) to help you fall asleep if that’s a problem that you’re having. But more than just something that can play white noise or sleep music, it actually is designed to capture the life of the companion (meaning you) and the device. It’s a bit weird to actually be embracing your speaker when you’re trying to fall asleep but it’s probably the next step in the evolution of our relationship with devices.

The shape of this companion is like any oval-shaped smart speaker with one major difference: there’s a huge hole in the middle which they call curved grooves. And of course, the material used is smoother and softer since it’s meant to be embraced by the user and may even be tossed and turned as you sleep. There are functions familiar to smart speaker users, like playing music or white noise with a timer but it also gives off some “vibrations” to keep you warm and help you sleep.

One other unique thing that the Oa brings is that it will be able to store white noise when you leave it alone at home and it can be your companion while you sleep. It adapts your background to your sleeping habits so if that’s something that can help you out to get better sleep, then you’ll get it from this. It also has the usual buttons and a USB-C charger to power it up when not in use. I most likely wouldn’t want to have a speaker as my pillow but it’s certainly an interesting concept.

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This Bluetooth speaker and wireless charger is like a piece of sculptural art

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Wireless speakers have been on the rise in the past few years, especially with the mass exodus of headphone jacks from smartphones. Because of that, manufacturers have started playing with different designs, going from traditional boxes to cylinders to all sorts of shapes and forms. In many cases, like smart home speakers, these audio devices have taken on more artistic forms, functioning both as tech equipment as well as room decor. Some even hide in plain sight as picture frames or sculptures. This wireless speaker concept is cut from the same cloth, providing a beautiful art piece that is both a Bluetooth speaker you can carry around as well as a wireless charging pad for your devices.

Designer: Jong Han Lee

Most portable speakers come in rectangular or cylindrical forms. These, after all, are the easiest to produce and the most convenient to put in any location. Ever since their popularity exploded, however, designers have started to go beyond the norm and explore different styles and aesthetics. Some are inspired by nature, while others try to pay homage to art movements of the past. All of these with the goal of creating a product that isn’t just functional but also pleasing to look at in any space.

DROPS, as its name would imply, is inspired by the gentle ripples created when something small falls on a larger body of water, represented by the concentric circles in the center of the base. Just like how the water eventually settles down and returns to its calm state, the rest of the base outside the ripples is flat and smooth. Coincidentally, this part of the base also functions as a wireless charger, so you can easily put your phone or earbuds down on it while playing some music.

The actual speaker itself is actually the tetrahedron that stands upside down on its top, representing an object falling into a pond. Like many wireless speakers these days, it uses some fabric material to cover its surfaces. The only parts that remain uncovered are the playback buttons on top, and the curved tip below that acts as the wireless charging contact point for the base. This would also be where strong magnets are located that keep the speaker from toppling over.

Yes, the speaker can actually be removed from the base if that wasn’t yet evident. This allows DROPS to be used anywhere at any time, though charging outdoors could prove to be difficult when the battery runs out. The loop on top is specifically designed to be easily hooked onto a carabiner or strap. It’s no larger than most portable speakers, though its actual audio output can’t really be guaranteed. Then again, there are speakers of this size that can produce decent quality sound, so that might not be that big of a problem.

The DROPS speaker and wireless charger concept isn’t exactly mind-blowing or game-changing in terms of innovation, but its distinctive design will definitely make it an eye-catching piece in any room. The use of a flat circular bed to both represent water and serve as a wireless charger is definitely genius. Its very design and reference to water produce an almost calming effect, making it an excellent centerpiece when listening to some soothing and relaxing tunes.

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This rugged portable speaker looks like a war-torn sci-fi space carrier

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Portable wireless speakers come in many shapes and sizes, but most of them are designed to be easy to carry around, whether by hand or inside a bag. That means that typical designs revolve around conventional shapes like cylinders and bars, though a few speakers have unusual and interesting forms that try to grab your attention. There are, of course, always exceptions to those rules, and some portable speakers seem to prioritize appearances over portability, especially when they’re just in concept form. This particular wireless speaker is an example of the latter, and while it uses one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of rugged equipment as its muse, it can easily be mistaken for a miniature model of some sci-fi spaceship.

Designer: Harry Rigler

A spaceship naturally has to be made to be able to withstand many dangerous forces outside of our control. One that could be carrying a fleet of smaller battleships needs to be extra tough to survive enemy fire. Given its purpose, this kind of ship doesn’t need to have an elaborate design, which is almost a perfect model for something that’s designed to be used in an industrial setting today.

The Aurras speaker concept tries to take its design cues from Caterpillar, better identified by its CAT logo, a brand whose heavy equipment has become a de facto standard in the industry. It has even lent its name to smartphones that try to capitalize on the company’s fame for producing rugged products. This speaker’s black, white, and orange motif try to convey that association beyond the telltale logo, but you can’t be blamed if you connect the design with something totally unrelated to heavy machines used in construction.

The speaker looks like something that would be coming out of an outer space warp gate, carrying inside it other spaceships. The trapezoidal shape and industrial appearance give it an almost militaristic look in this context. You can almost expect the front of the device to lower like a drawbridge and unleash dozens of smaller ships upon enemy forces.

Despite its futuristic aesthetic, the Aurras’ design is pretty simple and utilitarian. There are three knobs along the top to control treble, bass, and volume. Everything else is operated using a smartphone or any other device connected via Bluetooth. The back has a single port for a USB-C cable to charge the battery inside, though it might also be possible to connect it to a sound source that way.

Beyond its appearance, the concept is also interesting in its actual construction. It’s designed to be easy to take apart using an Allen key, making it more trivial to swap out components or shells to customize its look. Its aluminum and HDPE plastic shell were also chosen to give it actual ruggedness, helping it survive present-day enemies such as accidents. Whether it’s sitting on a workshop table or hanging around in our gaming room, the Aurras portable speaker concept tries to look good and hopefully sound good as well, bringing some enjoyment to what could be a busy day of work or play.

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Lego-inspired modular accessories can make your desk fun again

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Anyone who ever had a moderately happy childhood probably enjoyed playing with legos or other similar toys with modular blocks. Sometimes this spilled over into adulthood since a lot of these (very expensive) Lego sets aren’t just for kids anymore. Modular accessories and furniture are also pretty popular right now and a lot of the designers get their inspiration from Lego as well. The joy of creating these modular designs is that you won’t run out of ideas anytime soon.

Designers: Yunshang Edu, Ii jianfeng, Szesam Oze

Obviously, Legos are the inspiration for this set of Modular Design accessories for your work area. Not only will they brighten up your space because of the colors but it also aims to give you a sense of play even as you’re working or studying. The various devices can be used on their own but can also be assembled together in various combinations in case you feel the need to mix it up and add some fun to a space that’s normally just associated with tasks and work.

The centerpiece of this collection is the Grasshopper, a wireless Bluetooth speaker that looks to be more three-dimensional because of its parametric design. It looks like a classic Lego piece with its yellow color but it’s something that can be used to play music or to listen to audio from videos and even from voice calls. You can also attach the other accessories to the speaker but hopefully, this will have no effect on the sound quality.

Some of the other accessories or modules shown in the product renders include storage boxes where you can put small plants and also those cute minifigs of various characters. There’s also a clock that looks like a toy but is a real clock. There’s also a night LED light, a card holder, a small fan, and even a disc player although who uses discs now right? You have the option to use them individually as they are or to combine different modules as you see fit.

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This bookend is also a Bluetooth speaker that can read out audiobooks

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Design, meet vertical integration…

Created as a part of the Render Weekly Instagram Competition, this little number from Jonas Daehnert is part bookend and part Bluetooth speaker. It sits on your bookshelf, holding your books in place but also gives you the ability to listen to music, podcasts, and even audiobooks! Pretty neat, huh?

Designer: Jonas Daehnert

Daehnert cites Teenage Engineering as one of his points of inspiration. Taking cues from the computer-1 foldable CPU chassis, Daehnert created a similar foldable-style bookend that can be flat-packed while shipping and bent into shape by the user. The Bluetooth speaker plugs right into the metal armature, and a nifty flick-switch on the front lets you power the speaker on or off.

Assembling the Bookend Speaker is ridiculously easy and only really needs a screwdriver. First, bend the metal sheet into its bookend shape, and then screw the speaker in place using the screws and washers provided. Once you’re done, find a nice bookshelf that’s also conveniently located near a plug point and you’re ready to go! The only thing it really now needs is a dock for your Kindle and the Bookend Speaker officially tackles all three book-related experiences – paper books, audiobooks, and ebooks.

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Alarm clock concept adds light and color to your bedside

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A lot of people use their smartphones or devices as their alarm clock. But for those that would like to keep their digital devices away from their bed, having an actual alarm clock is a necessity. We’ve seen various devices come out these past years that have the sole purpose of telling you what time it is or telling you to wake up in the morning or whatever time it is that you need to wake up. Momax is one such brand that creates Bluetooth speakers that are also alarm clocks.

Designer: mofree design

While there are a lot of Momax products out there, some product designers still come up with neat concepts based on the brand’s current lineup. One such concept is for an alarm clock that also seems like a Bluetooth speaker and a wireless charger, packaged in a cute, oblong-shaped device that looks like a tiny robot. The designer seems to be inspired by a “ray of light” which seems to be what the device will also bring to you when it wakes you up.

There are no explanations or descriptions so we’re basing all this on the product renders on the designer’s page. The LED screen of the device will show you the date, day of the week, time, room temperature, and whether an alarm has been set. The display seems to be “floating” on top of the speaker part which probably has some controls although we cannot see it. There’s a light part in the middle which also makes it like a lamp either to help you sleep or to wake you up.

One photo also shows a phone on top of the device, which the designer calls “alarm sound”, so it may also have a wireless charger function. The renders also shows various colors and color combinations so the devices looks pretty and interesting. I can actually picture it alongside other Momax products or other digital alarm clocks that are in the market.

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Balenciaga and Bang & Olufsen design a Speaker Bag that mixes Hi-Fi with high fashion

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A few decades ago, bringing your music along with you meant hauling a large cassette tape player over your shoulders or shoving a large Walkman inside an equally large pocket. These days, “portable music” often translates to smartphones and, occasionally, Bluetooth speakers, too. Of course, that’s not the only way to carry music everywhere you go, especially if you’re into something more stylish and fashionable. You might have to settle for something eccentric as well if you’re looking for something carrying a heavyweight marque’s name. The Speaker Bag is an example of such an oddity, but in case you think it’s a sort of hoax, it’s really a serious item that comes from the house of Balenciaga as well as Bang & Olufsen.

Designer: Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen

Balenciaga has made a few big waves in the fashion and product design space recently, particularly with the Crocs tote bag that wasn’t a bunch of crock. The accessory definitely had some shock factor, though camps are naturally split on whether it looks ridiculous or glorious. This Speaker Bag is less playful and less disruptive, but it’s still an eye-catching fashion piece that actually has functionality you can use beyond just looking sophisticated.

The Speaker Bag is milled from a single block of aluminum which is then pearl-blasted, anodized, and hand-polished to a stunning perfection at B&O’s Denmark Factory 5. This isn’t an instant process, as some mass-produced speakers might be, and it takes a few days before the structure takes on a satin finish. The bag’s shape is inspired by Balenciaga’s iconic handbags, resulting in a trapezoidal silhouette with smooth curves on all sides and a large gap on top for the handle.

The speaker grille in front makes it obvious that it’s not your run-of-the-mill handbag, though. It is, of course, a speaker that passes Bang and Olufsen’s standards for audio quality. The audio brand’s mark underneath the handle, together with Balenciaga’s name, is a clear testament to the promise of quality that this unconventional speaker carries. Beneath the branding are the controls for music playback and Bluetooth connection. The speaker can run up to 18 hours before its battery requires topping up, according to B&O.

The Speaker Bag isn’t just a speaker in the form of a bag. It’s also an actual handbag that is as unconventional as the speaker. Instead of opening it from the top like all handbags, you have to open it from the rear to reveal a compartment wrapped in Italian lambskin leather. Given the electronics that have to be housed inside, it’s expected that space would be rather cramped inside.

This Haute Couture Hi-Fi fashion and tech accessory in one isn’t going to be widely available. Only twenty of its kind will be sold, and only from select Balenciaga stores and its Couture in Paris. If you ever get your hands on one, it will immediately make you part of an elite few that are witnesses to this matrimony of fashion and technology. For the brands, the Speaker Bag is proof that you don’t need to sacrifice sound quality to have something aesthetically pleasing and customized to your personal tastes.

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The Solgaard Solarbank Boombox all-in-one device now features a sustainable design

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Solgaard Solarbank Boombox Shell 1

Hatch Duo has been helping different businesses and brands to have a competitive edge in the market with well-designed products and experiences. The company is a product engineering and industrial design house committed to helping startups reach their full potential by providing brand-focused designs. Concept ideas are usually brought to life by Hatch Duo through practical engineering and excellent industrial design while helping groups realize a more marketable version of a prototype. The goal is always to launch things with distinction and relevance, and Hatch Duo can bring you there. This is what happened to the Solgaard Solarbank Boombox, which is now a better version of the original Boombox model. The two worked together to create an all-in-one device with different functions–from a power bank, a wireless speaker, and a solar-powered unit with a more sustainable design.

Designer: Hatch Duo

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox 3

The Solgaard Solarbank Boombox allows you to enjoy listening to music after harnessing the power of the sun. This new accessory can also be powerful enough to juice up other devices like a smartphone or any other small devices. This portable speaker is made with sustainability in mind as proven by the ocean-bound or upcycled plastic materials used.

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox Specs

Finding a decent Bluetooth speaker may be easier because of the many available choices, but for now, the goal is to make the “greener” choices for the benefit of the future planet. The upcycled plastic design described here refers to the Solgaard Solarbank Boombox’s speaker cloth and outer shell from plastic waste. These are supposedly those about to go the ocean but had been upcycled and used instead. It is part of the brand’s initiative to pull about 5lbs of plastic for every product sold.

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox Color Options

As for the solar charging ability, the Solgaard Solarbank Boombox only needs an hour of basking under the sun for extra two hours of listening to music. It allows powerful wireless charging and fast Bluetooth pairing if you want to connect with another device, resulting in an enhanced surround sound experience whenever. The speaker is also now more ready for rugged use as it can survive accidental drops. Furthermore, the Solarbank Boombox is now sand-proof, water-proof, and drop-proof, and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes and a meter under water.

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox 5

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox 2

Hatch Duo aims for a more sustainable future and we know there will be more similar projects. There are plenty of opportunities to design “greener” products that don’t compromise quality, like this Solgaard Solarbank Boombox. The latter doesn’t just offer beautiful aesthetics because it can also deliver excellent audio performance, thanks to the active + passive bass radiator and a pair of 7-watt drivers. It takes on the success of the Solgaard volume 1 boombox, but this one delivers 60% more bass and is louder by 40%.

Hatch Duo has already introduced to the market several other product designs that can be life-changing and we remember the Krado Plant Sensor that can help get information about the plants. There is the Rubbish platform and Rubbish Beam that can make cleanup drives more exciting and fun. There’s also the slim and compact Walker Juicer that pays homage to Norman Walker and can fit easily into any kitchen.

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox 4

Solgaard Solarbank Boombox 6

Solarbank Boombox Features

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