How to make sense of Logitech’s universal remote lineup

When I was a kid there were two devices attached to the television in my family’s living room: a VCR and a cable box. And we had a universal remote to tie it all together. These days, the amount of gear in my home theater is far greater and it’s all...

Harman Kardon Smartphone concept comes with a massive “speaker bump”

This smartphone concept has curves where you wouldn’t expect!

Say hello to the Harman Kardon Harmony, a conceptual smartphone created by James Tsai that says “Hold my beer” to the camera bump. The Harmony, on the other hand, comes with a pretty pronounced protrusion on its rear, owing to the presence of a powerful 360° speaker on the back of the smartphone. Styled to match Harman Kardon’s other speakers, the Harmony smartphone concept sports a 45° grille sitting under a transparent clad that helps guide airflow to maximize sound output while also protecting the smartphone itself, almost like a case would.

Speakers are arguably more complicated than cameras, because a relatively less powerful camera can be made better by using computational photography, but that same advantage can’t be extended to less-powerful speakers… which explains the Harmony’s massive speaker-bump. That being said, I would assume the Harmony would be fitted with one of Harman’s finest audio drivers, resulting in a sound that rivals most smart speakers. There’s a single-lens camera on the back, but honestly, a person who buys the Harmony wouldn’t be buying it for the camera. Dual hole-punch cameras on the front, however, help sweeten the deal.

Clearly the Harmony is just a fan-made conceptual render, in part because Harman Kardon is owned by Samsung (which wouldn’t want to compete with itself), and also in part because it seems the interface running on the phone belongs to iOS. It’s still a fun exercise to look at companies and extend their technology and visual language/branding onto a product that they would arguably never make. Personally, I like the idea of a smartphone with better speakers, being an audiophile myself. Plus a smartphone that’s actually thicker and more grippy? Bring it on!

Designer: James Tsai

Huawei reveals Harmony OS, its alternative to Android

Huawei's long-rumored Android alternative, Hongmeng, is finally official. At today's Huawei Developer Conference, the company's Consumer Business Group CEO Richard Yu surprised the audience by unveiling "Harmony OS," which is said to be faster and sa...

Bang & Olufsen made a TV with dancing speakers because why not…

Bang & Olufsen’s design team sure knows how to defy all odds. This is the Beovision Harmony… a TV that “folds away to reduce its visual presence”. Yes, the TV literally shyly covers its face with its hands. With a display and two rotating speaker units, the Beovision Harmony, when closed, hides the switched-off display behind its speakers. Switch the TV on and the speakers fold outwards and downwards as the display emerges from its cocoon of sorts.

Displayed at the Milan Design Week, the Beovision Harmony comprises a pretty impressive 77-inch OLED display from LG, with Bang & Olufsen’s signature audio touch added to the mix. Crafted from oak and aluminum, the speaker unit has three-channel audio, 7.1 surround-sound compatibility, and the ability to work with up to 8 more speakers to give you a cinematic experience when you want it, and a shy, introverted, hiding television when you’re done.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

The Bang & Olufsen Beovision Harmony is a TV with dancing speakers.

There’s a new sex robot in town: Say hello to Solana

It's been just short of a year since I locked eyes with Harmony, RealDoll's first sex robot, at her home in Southern California. It was an arresting experience that has remained cemented in memory. In that moment, I suddenly understood the Uncanny Va...