As a huge fan of science fiction content, from books to movies to TV shows, I am excited to see which things from what I’ve read and seen will come true one of these days. And with the advances in technology, a lot of them are not far-fetched ideas anymore. There are some things that may be scary or at least creepy but it’s still pretty interesting to see what we’ll see next which we thought were just works of science fiction before.
German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom recently unveiled the Concept T project which is a collection of advanced technology and gadget concepts that will show consumers what may be the future of communications. Concept View is a home hub with a twist: it has a 3D holographic AI-equipped virtual assistant called Emma to guide you through things like video calls and other digital world activities. It looks like a cross between a crystal ball and the Palantirs from Lord of the Rings but instead of showing you what the future holds, it will show you the future of technology.
A Wi-Fi router isn’t the sexiest gadget out there but Concept Level definitely makes it more interesting. It is a re-configurable router that is made up of different interchangeable, modular elements. The set includes a display unit, Wi-Fi sensing element, mesh repeater, and computational module for Web 3 use cases. The elements are designed using different geometric forms so it looks like you have interesting mini sculptures rather than an actual router.
Concept Buddy is your own personal robot at home, similar to the ones you see in malls and airports. It’s an AI-based digital assistant companion that is able to communicate through the “emotion and information display”. It is able to give reminders like taking medication and household chores and can also assist in calls, online shopping, and other tasks you may need assistance. It can even warn you of potential hazards and contact emergency services if needed. It is able to adapt to your routine and will only “come alive” when it is engaged with.
Ever wanted to connect half a dozen things to your 2-port laptop? Or how about charging multiple devices at the same time without getting trapped in a tangle of cables? Do your neck and wrists ache whenever you use your laptop for hours on end? As powerful as our computers and smartphones might be, they don’t always have all the features you might want, at least not out of the box. Fortunately, there is a very large market for accessories and gadgets that provide these missing pieces, offering so many options that it can get overwhelming and confusing at times. To help you make better and smarter choices, we’ve gathered 10 of the best gadgets available that provide not only added value but clean and attractive designs that are sure to upgrade your Apple devices.
1. CASA Hub Stand Pro USB-C 6-in-1 Laptop Stand Hub
Laptops trade comfort for portability and are probably one of the biggest causes of computer-related injuries. Even disregarding the position of the keyboard, the laptop screen is never at a proper ergonomic height. The CASA Hub Stand Pro helps you keep a good posture without sacrificing your productivity, raising the laptop to a comfortable eye level. The adjustable height and 360-degree rotating base make it easy to switch viewing angles or share your screen, while a detachable 6-in-1 hub handles cable management whether you’re on your desk or on the go.
The CASA Hub Stand Pro adjustable laptop stand and its detachable multi-functional hub provide comfort, convenience, and flexibility in a sleek and space-efficient design.
What we like
Ergonomic adjustable height with a 360-degree rotating base
Detachable 6-in-1 USB-C hub includes 1000Mbps Ethernet and 4K HDMI ports
Sleek, durable, and thoughtful design
What we dislike
Portable but large size
2. Mag 3 Magnetic 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station
It’s not uncommon for people these days to own a smartphone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds, especially when they’re from Apple. That, unfortunately, means having to juggle at least three chargers, especially when you want to charge them at the same time. With the Mag 3 Foldable Charging Station, however, you really need only one, whether you’re charging just a single device or all three. Best of all, it folds up quite nicely so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, especially when you’re not using it.
The Mag 3 can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, and then fold into a compact form to save space or carry with you anywhere.
What we like
Charge iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods at the same time with MagSafe tech
Compact, pocket-sized form when folded
What we dislike
Doesn’t open completely flat
3. iKlips C Lightning/USB-C Flash Drive
Even with Apple now fully embracing the USB-C standard, there are still plenty of devices out there using the company’s Lightning technology. With the iKlips C Flash Drive, you don’t have to sweat the details of what storage solution to use for which device and effortless switch between all of them using the same flash drive. And with the free iKlips mobile app, you can enjoy convenient features like automatic backups while charging or recording 4K videos directly onto the flash drive to save space on your iPhone.
The ultra-slim iKlips flash drive lets you easily share files between all kinds of devices, whether using Lightning or USB-C, and offers added features through the free iKlips app for iPhones and iPads.
What we like
Supports both Apple Lightning and USB-C devices
Auto-backup and direct video recording via iKlips app
What we dislike
Silicone cover is awkward and easy to lose
4. CASA Hub Pro Max 13-in-1 USB-C Hub
Super-slim laptops might look great, but their thin profiles come at the expense of some functionality. A very limited number of ports, most of them USB-C, cover just the basics but leave you hanging when you need more options. The CASA Hub Pro Max pulls out all the stops when it comes to connectivity, offering even a VGA port! Best of all, you only need a single USB-C Gen2 connection to your laptop for both data and power, simplifying cable management even further.
CASA Hub Pro Max offers all the connectivity options you’ll ever need in a single hub that requires a single USB-C cable to use.
What we like
13 connectivity ports including VGA, Ethernet, and data card readers
Supports up to 3 external displays
Sleek design, can be used as a laptop stand
What we dislike
Only works with USB-C Gen2 and requires 100W PD3.0 power input
5. Mag 4 GaN 30W 4-in-1 Power Charging Station
3-in-1 wireless chargers have now become more common, but many of these tend to sacrifice power output for the sake of convenience. The Mag 4 GaN charging station, in contrast, uses the latest charging technologies to deliver 30W of total power while still supporting simultaneous charging. In fact, it offers more ways to charge devices with its 20W USB-C and 18W USB-A outputs.
The Mag 4 offers the ultimate multi-device charging solution in a compact package and a distinctive adjustable angle design.
What we like
Supports wired and wireless charging, including 20W USB-C and 18W USB-A
Magnetic snap-on with adjustable angles lets you view your phone while charging
Utilizes GaN technology for fast and safe charging
What we dislike
Requires custom charging cable
6. EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver
Headphone jacks might be gone from smartphones, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. Unfortunately, it does mean that your only pair of wireless earbuds is pretty much useless for devices and sources that don’t support Bluetooth, like airline entertainment systems or older media players. With the ADAM elements EVE II, you don’t have to worry about your privacy, allowing you to connect wireless earphones and speakers to just about anything that has a headphone jack. Never miss out on in-flight entertainment ever again with the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver.
EVE II is an ultra-compact, pocket-sized gadget that lets you connect various devices with a headphone jack to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
What we like
Dual foldable 3.5mm AUX plugs compatible with a variety of sources, including airline entertainment systems
Can pair with up to 2 Bluetooth earbuds at the same time
Easily switch between transmitter and receiver modes with a single button
What we dislike
Boxy shape might block nearby ports (ships with a 3.5mm adapter cable to address this problem)
7. OMNIA CX2 Magnetic Charging Car Mount
The majority of wireless chargers in the market presume that you’re either at home, in the office, or sitting down somewhere. The need to charge, however, can strike anywhere, even while you’re in a car. Of course, car chargers have existed for decades, but MagSafe car chargers still seem to be in their growing days. The OMNIA CX2 tries to prove that this design has finally matured, offering a simple yet elegant way to keep your phone topped up while navigating roads or listening to relaxing tunes.
The OMNIA CX2 Magnetic Car Mount offers a simple, safe, and stylish way to charge your phone on the go.
What we like
Built-in LED light increases visibility in the dark
360-degree head and metal telescopic hook offers stable, one-hand use
What we dislike
A bit bulky yet offers stable installation
8. OMNIA Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
Wireless charging stations are quite useful, but they only cover a small subset of things that you might need to charge. If you’re a lover of Apple’s gadgets, you’re likely to have more than just three types of devices. With the OMNIA Q5, you can expand that set to include an iPad and an Apple Pencil to cover all your bases. What’s even more interesting is that you can even remove the wireless charging pad and use it independently or put it to the side for a more spacious arrangement.
The OMNIA Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station welcomes iPad and Apple pencils to the fray, letting you charge all your Apple devices at the same time.
What we like
Modular phone charging pad can be used separately
Single power cable to charge 5 devices simultaneously, including an iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, iPad up to 12.9 inches, and Apple Watch
What we dislike
Apple Watch charging pad can’t be folded down when not in use
9. OMNIA M3+ Magnetic 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
Who says that wireless chargers all need to be rectangular or circular? The OMNIA M3+ definitely says it doesn’t have to be the case, especially with the likes of Apple MagSafe technology. Adopting a design similar to a tree branch or jewelry holder, this distinctive wireless charger holds your iPhone and Apple Watch up in the air, almost like magic.
The OMNIA M3+ eschews conventional wireless charger designs to deliver a product that is as beautiful as it is functional.
What we like
Unique stylish design
Qi Wireless Charging Base supports different wireless earbuds brands
What we dislike
Charging base doesn’t match the overall chrome-plated aesthetic
10. CASA Hub S USB-C 5-in-1 SSD Hub
USB-C hubs have become more common these days, but that doesn’t mean we’ve run out of ways to innovate on their designs and features. These gadgets are great for connecting laptops and phones to external devices, but they can also carry other functions to maximize the space they occupy. The CASA Hub S is an innovative twist on that design, integrating SSD storage so that it can function not just as a hub but as an external drive as well, which can be especially useful for Time Machine and iPhone 15 backups.
Laptops have become so powerful that they’ve started to rival some desktops, except for the part that they’re forever limited in how many devices you can attach to them. At most, you’ll probably have five to seven, depending on how thin the laptop tries to be. It’s not really unusual for many owners to expand their portable computer’s capabilities using hubs and docks, especially now with the use of USB-C and the related Thunderbolt technologies almost everywhere. These accessories, small as they may be, still take up space on your desk and can be a source of distraction. So why not put an eye-catching and enviable design on that dock, turning it into a unique homage to the original Apple Macintosh, one of if not the first to blaze a trail for personal computing.
You’d be forgiven for mistaking this docking station as a fancy desktop toy, given how cute and attractive it is. The RayCue 128K is basically inspired by the design of the pioneering Macintosh from 1984, from its chunky and boxy design to its off-white paint job. There’s even a keyboard-like partner that uses the same motif to complete the faithful recreation. That design alone already makes it a worthy addition to your desk, bringing life and fun to your work, but it’s more than just a piece of eye candy. It is, after all, a docking station, but it goes above and beyond the call of duty compared to your standard docks.
The RayCue 128K Pro, for example, boasts 14 ports of different kinds, including three different types of USB ports, SD/TF card readers, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and not one, not even two, but three 4K 60Hz HDMI ports. As if that number wasn’t already impressive, these video out ports support DisplayLink Apple MST (multi-stream transport), making it possible to connect that many extra monitors to your MacBook. With a powerful DC-in capable of accepting up to 130W of power, the RayCue 128K can charge not only your laptop but also other devices for a total of 100W of output.
But as they say on TV, “there’s more!” The screen on the RayCue 128K isn’t just for show and is, in fact, a 3.5-inch IPS color screen that can display the time, calendar, media information, and even photos, turning the dock into a true decorative accessory to enhance your working experience. It doesn’t end there either, since the box also hides a Bluetooth Speaker, making it a jukebox to help keep your focus. It’s going to keep you entertained and productive and might even turn you into the envy of your friends.
Given how it works, you can’t really take the RayCue 128K with you wherever you go. That’s where the RayCue 128K Pocket comes in, a portable 7-in-1 hub that comes in the form of a miniature Macintosh keyboard. It might not have all the bells and whistles of the Pro dock, but it still has plenty to offer, including a 4K 60Hz HDMI port and card readers. If you’re going to put a docking station on your desk, you might as well put something that offers the best impact and experience. With the RayCue 128K Pro and Pocket, not only are you getting a powerful dock and hub, you’re also getting an adorable yet functional decoration that gives a nod to the personal computer that started it all.
Laptops are extremely convenient in letting us bring the power of computing almost anywhere we go, sometimes even when we don’t have a flat surface to place it on. That portability, however, does come at a cost, taking a toll on our health because of the bad posture they enforce. Screens are well below our natural eye level, and keyboards are not only cramped but also very, very flat. There are laptop stands that try to raise your laptop to match your eye level or ones that tilt the keyboard a bit, but very few can do both. That’s the kind of flexibility that this innovative laptop stand brings to your table, literally and figuratively, and it goes beyond just raising your laptop to offer a new level of productivity and comfort.
Laptop Stand & Hub – The CASA Hub Stand Pro integrates stand, ergonomic adjustment, and USB-C hub functions.
Detachable Design – The lightweight hub works as either an integrated part of the stand or an independent device.
Designed with the MacBook in mind, the CASA Hub Stand Pro is able to raise any laptop up to 29cm in height, providing a more ergonomic position that won’t strain your neck. Of course, you can also set it a bit lower if you don’t have an external keyboard available, or if you want to use its inclined platform as an easel for drawing on a tablet. With a high-precision load-bearing mechanism that can handle weights of up to 3.5kg, this handsome laptop accessory can handle not just MacBook Pros but even heftier gaming laptops as well.
Fits Personal View Angles – With a maximum elevation angle of 180 degrees and a height of up to 11.4″ (29cm).
Suitable for MacBook and iPad – Compatible with the M2/M1 MacBook and iPad series.
Stable & Durable – Virtually no laptop the CASA Hub Stand Pro cannot support.
This Red Dot 2023 award winner carries an atmosphere of elegance and durability with its sleek, all-aluminum design and premium craftsmanship that fits perfectly with the MacBook’s own aesthetic. That design, however, isn’t just for show, because every part has a purpose and function to help increase your working efficiency. The plate, for example, is perforated to help dissipate heat and reduce its weight. The base can also rotate 360 degrees, so it only takes a swivel to get the laptop into a comfortable position or to share your screen with other people present.
4K High-resolution – The hub supports super-crisp 4K@60Hz resolution and HDCP 2.2 encoding for perfect video streaming.
6 Multi-function Ports – For charging, video and data transmission.
The surprises don’t end there, though. The CASA Hub Stand Pro is also home to a detachable USB-C hub that can extend the selection of ports on your laptop, including 4K 60Hz output to an external monitor and 100W pass-through charging to keep the laptop topped up. The hub perfectly fits the base when you’re at your desk, and when you need to go, you can easily remove it and take it with you so that you can have the same conveniences even when away from the laptop stand.
Your MacBook Pro might not be designed for the ultimate comfort, but that doesn’t mean you need to suffer the pain and injury all through your life. With the CASA Hub Stand Pro, you can raise, tilt, and swivel your MacBook or any laptop at any height and angle, letting your body decide your perfect working conditions. Best of all, with a detachable USB-C hub, you can also extend the power of your computer, whether at home or on the go, leveling up your productivity game in comfort, convenience, and style.
Modern homes are slowly but surely becoming smart homes, adding Internet-connected devices around the house to make our lives safer and more convenient. These can range from smart bulbs to smart ovens, and there’s a wide variety of brands to choose from. Unfortunately, that also means that some of these brands speak different languages, depending on whether they decide to support Apple, Google, Amazon, or something completely different. That, unfortunately, means that some of these smart home products can’t work together, making your smart home feel a little less smart. Fortunately, these companies themselves have wised up, and you can now enjoy the fruits of their collaboration with the new SwitchBot Hub 2 that now comes with Matter support.
A Better Foundation for your Smart Home – SwitchBot Hub 2 supports old infrared appliances and can help make them smarter.
The promise of a smart home quickly loses its appeal when you suddenly realize you will need different apps or different hubs for different sets of smart devices. That will hopefully become a thing of the past now that the new Matter standard is on the scene, supported by most of the major manufacturers and smart home platforms. Of course, that still requires that these devices or at least their hubs support Matter, which is where the SwitchBot Hub 2 comes in.
Adding Matter support with the SwitchBot Hub 2 is no small matter. SwitchBot made a name for itself with small robots that made regular appliances “smart” by pressing switches, turning locks, or even opening curtains, all controlled through the Internet. In addition to that same innovative versatility, the SwitchBot Hub 2 allows SwitchBot Bluetooth devices to be controlled using any Matter-compatible platform over Wi-Fi, which means you will be able to connect these SwitchBot products via Apple HomeKit. This also means that you can also use the third-party smart assistant of your choice, be it Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri.
Temperature, humidity, and light all directly through your device.
See clinical changes in your home environment via the app.
The SwitchBot Hub 2, however, is more than just a Matter-enabled smart home gateway. It’s actually a 4-in-1 smart home device, with the hub being just one of its many talents. The SwitchBot Hub 2 is the first Matter-enabled hub to feature a Thermo-Hygrometer sensor so that you can monitor temperature and humidity changes in real-time. This information is shown on an LED display that can intelligently change its brightness depending on ambient light. It also retains SwitchBot’s popular IR control function, taking the place of your old remote to more conveniently control older appliances that don’t support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. There is also Scene control that lets you create manual or automatic Scenes that can run multiple actions from one or more triggers, like turning lights on and opening the curtains in the morning.
Aside from the SwitchBot Hub 2 itself, you won’t even need to buy new SwitchBot Bluetooth products just to reap the benefits of Matter. The latest version of the Switchbot app on the App Store now supports the Hub 2 with Matter, and both SwitchBot Blind Tilt and Curtain are now Matter-comptabile, with other Switchbot Bluetooth products scheduled to follow one after the other. For just $59.49 $69.99 (Use Coupon Code “YANKOHUB2” to get 15% off) and available now on Amazon, the new SwitchBot Hub 2’s advanced features and future-proof Matter support give your home a long-overdue smart upgrade with an elegant minimalist aesthetic that will fit any interior or motif.
The ‘cenotes’ of Tulum, Mexico are quite iconic and proclaimed by now. These timeless wells are natural pits or sinkholes that are created when limestone bedrock collapse, in turn exposing groundwater. Considered mystical and magical, these wells populate the depths of the Yucatan rainforest, and were considered sacred to the ancient Maya civilization. And these mysterious water bodies have inspired ‘ZENOTE’ – a Work-Play-Live concept designed by DNA Barcelona.
With ZENOTE, DNA Barcelona attempts to embrace the Mexican jungle by drawing inspiration from the ‘cenotes’. ZENOTE is meant to be a circular building defined with vegetation and greenery, with a central open space functioning as the focal point of the site. “Based on these mythical elements, we developed a project that emerges from the forest, a circular building crowned with vegetation that embraces a central open space full of vegetation that houses the common areas and a large central pool. The façade emulates the colors of the geological cuts that appear in the cenotes, creating a concept of Biophilic Architecture, one of the pillars for DNA Barcelona,” said the studio.
ZENOTE is meant to be a 21,942.45 sqm complex that consists of eight residential buildings, each including four floors. The first floor will house a shopping area, bar-restaurant, beach club, community pools, a swim-ups on the rooftop. The other three storeys will hold 129 apartments with two, three, or four rooms, as well as a huge terrace, private jacuzzi, and loads of vegetation. All the entrances are secured and provided with a 24-hour concierge service. ZENOTE functions as a circular community hub with a ‘cenote’ placed in the center, which allows a harmonious connection with Yucatan nature.
ZENOTE can be considered a cocoon, since it has a rather unique micro-climate of its own, which reduces hot temperatures, and allows cross-ventilation without using any kind of air conditioning system. “DNA presents its relevance in the concept of sustainability, respecting the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the fauna, contributing to the use of natural materials specifically from the Yucatan region, which minimizes the impact of construction and waste generation. The concept of water harvesting is also respected and represents a recovery of river water. DNA’s goal is to find the balance between mind-body-soul to provide a true escape from everyday life, leaving you to enjoy the Mexican lifestyle,” DNA concluded.
In the past, the biggest source of clutter on people’s desks was paper that’s strewn around or stationery that hadn’t been returned to its proper storage. While those can still cause a mess on any surface, they’re relatively easier to tidy up by putting them back where they belong. As computers become more common in offices and homes, the cables that come to and from these machines have become even more problematic in maintaining a clean and neat worktable. It’s not as easy to get rid of these without losing functionality unless you go completely wireless, which carries its own set of drawbacks. Cable management solutions try to hide these essential eyesores from sight, but this docking station gives it a bit of a twist to make sure it doesn’t sacrifice accessibility in the process.
Most cable management solutions don’t simply organize computer and accessories cables to prevent them from going in different directions. Plenty of them, including those built into desks, also hide them from sight to keep them out of mind. There are USB docks and hubs that go under desks for that same purpose, but it comes at the cost of making it harder to actually plug and unplug peripherals quickly. Having the hub on the table, however, keeps things in the same place but isn’t as presentable as craftily hidden cables.
Humanscale’s M/Connect 2 works on the principle that not all of these cables and USB devices aren’t created equal. Some are rarely removed once they’re plugged in, like power cords, monitor cables, and even wired keyboards. Others, like dongles and external drives, do get inserted and removed multiple times, sometimes in a single day. This USB docking station’s solution is to actually split the ports between these two kinds of cables and hide those that don’t change often.
M/Connect 2 is designed like a clamp that attaches to an edge of a desk, preferably on the back, with ports above and below the table. The ports that are on the half underneath the desk are for cables and wires that can be conveniently hidden from view. The top half is practically a USB and Thunderbolt hub that provides the necessary ports for more transient devices and peripherals. This part is also modular so that the hub can be removed for repairs without having to disassemble the entire contraption.
Another thing that makes the M/Connect 2 different from other docking stations is that it can be used in conjunction with a monitor arm to further reduce the amount of desk space that your computer accessories occupy. It can be used without such a monitor, too, making it a very versatile piece of equipment. Of course, it also looks quite elegant on top of any desk, which helps add to the ambiance that this innovative cable management system provides.
Thanks to the events of the past two or three years, people have become more conscious of how their homes can be expressions of their personalities as well as a way to set certain moods. Homeowners have started to pay closer attention to the designs of their homes, especially living rooms that act as a hub for families and visitors. Although there are countless design trends and styles, minimalism continues to be the most popular, especially because of how clean it looks by default. Appearances can sometimes be deceiving, though, and it might ironically be more difficult to pull off because of the choices you have to make to get that effect. A minimalist room doesn’t have to be barren, though, and it definitely doesn’t mean it has to be low-tech. To help get you started in upgrading your living room, here are a few gadgets and devices that will deliver a hi-tech lifestyle without clashing with your space’s minimalist aesthetics.
IKEA Dirigera Smart Home Hub
As the number of smart devices at home grows, the need to have them communicate well with each other also becomes more important. Smart home hubs are on their way to becoming essential pieces of any setup, and they will soon have to also be more conscious of how they look against their surroundings. The IKEA Dirigera not only communicates with almost all smart home devices and platforms in the market, but it also communicates well with the rest of your living room decor with its more refined and less conspicuous design.
As the king of minimalist furniture and decor, you can never really go wrong with an IKEA. Compared to its predecessor, the IKEA Dirigera comes in a shorter form, almost resembling a low bowl. It still has the same white and gray dual-tone color scheme, but its stature makes it more discreet and more space efficient. Whether you prefer to place it inconspicuously on a shelf or put it near your Hi-Fi entertainment system, this central gateway to your smart home quietly stands as part of your minimalist decorations.
Google Pixel Tablet
Although it has confirmed that it will be launching its own tablet next year, Google is bucking the trend and giving the Pixel Tablet a different focus. Designed mostly to be a homebody, the tablet will behave as a smart home hub and video calling device when docked or a more portable entertainment slate that you can carry around inside the house. Sure, you can use it as a regular tablet as well for work or even games, but its mission is to keep you company at home and be the nexus of your Google-centric life.
The Pixel Tablet is a good example of how minimalism can have different flavors as well. It might be less visually interesting compared to an iPad Pro, but its plain design is meant to make it blend better with your home decor. It is unassuming and almost nondescript so that your eyes are immediately drawn to its screen instead. That said, Google is pouring resources into special materials that will make the tablet’s body feel good in your hands, while the Charging Speaker Dock has the typical fabric wrapping common among smart speakers. As something that should be easily visible and accessible, the Pixel Tablet won’t make you feel ashamed about having a piece of tech become the virtual and perhaps literal center of your house.
Small Transparent Speaker
Next to smart bulbs, the smart speaker market is easy to get into because of their ubiquity and a wide variety of designs to choose from. Thanks to the Amazon Echo, most wireless speakers take on a cylindrical design or something close to it. Not all of these are a good fit for minimalist styles, though, especially those that look like miniature tanks or rubber capsules. Fortunately, there is also a good selection of fine-looking audio equipment, and the Small Transparent Speaker that we reviewed earlier this year is one of the bolder designs our eyes have feasted on.
Nothing is probably more minimal than naked speakers enclosed in a metal frame. A glass enclosure not only protects the delicate electronics inside but adds both visual appeal and class to a barebones piece of audio equipment. The Transparent Speaker’s unique charm is its simplicity and honesty, hiding no tricks up its sleeves to stand in between you and your listening experience. While some speakers stand in corners or hide below TVs, this is one that you’ll want to prominently and proudly put on display, even when you’re not using it.
IKEA Symfonisk Picture Frame Speaker
If two heads are better than one, then furniture or devices that perform two or more functions will definitely be more desirable. Of course, those multiple functions need not be directly related, only that they can co-exist in the same body in a harmonious fashion. Using the principle of hiding in plain sight, the IKEA Symfonisk collaboration with Sonos offers a speaker that looks good by default because it is a speaker hiding in an art piece you will really want to hang on your wall.
Less of a picture frame and more like framed art, the IKEA Symfonisk challenges the preconceived notions of how speakers should look like. Blending technology and art in a simple yet ingenious way, the smart speaker brings your living room to life by letting sound emanate from locations you least expect. Although you can’t exactly change the art, the geometric patterns on contrasting black or white canvases are typical of minimalist decor, especially those that distill the colors of the world down to black and white.
LG Objet Collection Easel TV
Television sets have traditionally served the purpose of being an entertainment hub where families and friends would gather around and bond over shared interests. While they still function similarly, today’s TVs have started to change shape in order to avoid wasting space when not in use. Even the thinnest panel, however, will leave a black box in the middle of your wall, so some manufacturers have gotten a bit more creative in solving that problem. As part of its Object Collection, the LG Easel TV becomes an attractive art canvas that adds a little to any wall it leans on.
Unlike colorful artwork that could become a source of visual distraction, this TV, as its name implies, brings a more subdued space that uses pastel hues to blend or pop out from its backdrop when the TV is not in use. Even when the canvas is rolled up, a small part of the screen remains visible to show not only some information like the time but also to complement the room’s motif with your own choice of appropriate artwork. And since it’s not mounted to your wall, you can even change the LG Easel TV’s location to better match your ever-changing design tastes.
Samsung The Frame TV
While some modern TVs try to masquerade as artwork, Samsung The Frame TV becomes the artwork itself. Who says an unused TV has to be turned off (maybe your electricity bill does), especially when you can use it for other things? Whether you’re showing off family photos or boasting your familiarity with the masters, the Frame TV will always give your family and visitors something to talk about aside from the latest TV shows or news.
Rather than spending money on art or wall decorations that might change later on along with your interests and preferences, why not turn the TV into a dynamic and customizable digital canvas instead. With custom bezels that truly make it look like frame art, The Frame TV lets you pick and choose the art that matches your style, which may change depending on the day or mood. Or why settle for just one when you can go through different photos, bringing a pinch of anticipation and excitement to your living room.
NOMVDIC X300 Portable Project Speaker
Although some TVs have started to become more sophisticated in their appearance, some people have decided to just do away with them altogether. Choosing wall space and flexibility, these people have espoused projectors of all kinds to deliver their movie-watching fix when and where they want to. A lot of these home projectors come in large, bulky boxes, but the NOMVDIC X300 project and speaker sets itself apart not only with its dual functions but also with its rather distinctive appearance.
The old never really gets old and sometimes becomes new again. With the rise in interest in retro designs, the NOMVDIC X300’s vintage looks will charm its way into many people’s hearts. Looking like a transistor radio of old, the portable projector that carries its own speaker isn’t just a great fit for the home but also an attention-grabbing companion outdoors. It doesn’t hurt that the audio experience is tuned by Harman Kardon, so you won’t have to worry about that aspect of the 2-in-1 device.
LG Aero Air Purifier Side Table
Multi-functional furniture is becoming quite the fad these days, but there’s another way to go about upgrading your home life. Furniture that merges with electronics is starting to rise, even if it’s simply embedding a wireless charging coil on a part of its surface. Conversely, some consumer electronics are also trying to masquerade as works of art or pieces of furniture, like LG’s new air purifier that adds a tabletop so that it can be used in more ways than one. And yes, it can charge your phone, too.
Not all will be fans of LG’s color choices, but the idea of turning an air purifier into a piece of furniture is admittedly interesting. Since the air purifier has to stand in some part of the room anyway, why not give it another task it can easily accomplish as well. Whether it’s holding a book or a mug or charging your phone, the LG PuriCare Aero Furniture won’t be wasting space, especially when that space is at a premium.
Bissell air320 Max Smart Air Purifier
Air Purifiers have become hot items in the past two years or so, in no small thanks to a certain deadly virus that almost made the world grind to a halt. The large majority of these devices come in the form of large boxes or cans, which are admittedly the easiest to produce and probably the most efficient way to suck up air from all directions and blow it out again. Most of these look like your typical home appliance, but fortunately, some manufacturers have started getting better design sense, like Bissell’s air320 Max that looks stylish in any part of the room or with any kind of decor.
The size and shape of a small suitcase, the air320 Max’s compact and flat body makes it easier to place it in the edges of the room where it won’t get in the way of foot traffic. Its white frame blends nicely with any kind of background or wall color, while the gray filter in front is made of fabric that goes in line with the design conventions of many smart home devices today, particularly smart speakers. In fact, this air purifier can easily be mistaken for a large speaker. The stubby wooden legs add a little charm to it, making it look more like a part of your furniture rather than some appliance.
Fiture Fitness Mirror
Personal health and fitness have become another widespread obsession lately, and people have started scrambling for ways to stay in shape, even at home. One can always just use whatever furniture and tools are available at hand, but a new breed of hi-tech devices and programs was born from this need to get guided training even without an instructor dropping by. Of all the new equipment that popped up recently, fitness mirrors like Fiture are perhaps the most novel and have the most potential to become part of your room’s decor.
Having a sleek and stylish mirror always adds a special flavor to any room. One that functions as an advanced piece of technology definitely deserves mad props. You definitely wouldn’t have guessed that this tall apparatus was actually a display intended for exercise, especially since it doesn’t look like any piece of fitness equipment or device. It might be a bit pricey for now, especially with a subscription fee, but this could very well be the future of home fitness lessons.
LAYER Home Harmony Collection
Admittedly, this one might remain on the level of “concept,” but Layer Design’s collaboration with Deutsche Telekom gives us a preview of what is possible in the very near future. A roster of devices you might already be familiar with is given a facelift, transforming them into products that not only hide their technological underpinnings but also offer a calming atmosphere you wouldn’t associate with these kinds of devices.
It’s not hard to see how these designs will easily find their way into homes if they ever become available. A router that functions both as a table mirror and a minimalist display will definitely be a sight for sore eyes on desks or even shelves. A Wi-Fi mesh repeater in the form of a decorative wooden bowl can easily be placed inconspicuously anywhere, even on walls. It’s a delightful twist on the devices that have become part and parcel of every modern home, and hopefully, someone will take these designs or something similar to upgrade the aesthetics of these common smart devices.
Smart home appliances have become more common these days, growing beyond the usual culprits like lights, thermostats, and speakers. These days, there’s a wide variety of home products that can connect to the Internet, ranging from refrigerators to washing machines to ovens. Unfortunately, not all of these smart products speak the same language, and you’d be lucky if they happened to be fluent in Apple and Amazon. There have been attempts to create a universal language for all these devices, though those often end up creating different exclusive camps instead. One final effort is underway that finally includes the companies that matter, and IKEA’s upcoming gateway will be one of the first to serve as an all-embracing hub for whatever smart appliance or device you might have.
As with anything in the consumer technology market, different companies often go their own way, only to later converge to create a standard that will let these disparate products communicate with each other. The young smart home market is no different, with the likes of Amazon, Apple, Google, and Samsung each speaking their own language. After many failed attempts at consolidation, the new Matter consortium was born with all these big players involved. There have been multiple delays in its market launch, though, but the appearance of IKEA’s new hub sparks hope that the waiting game is almost over.
Announced back in May, the IKEA Dirigera has finally appeared on the famed furniture retailer’s websites in Norway, Spain, and Germany. It will replace the company’s aging Trådfri gateway that was launched back in 2017, bringing support for technologies that didn’t exist back then. More than just a technological update, however, the Dirigera will bring a more modern and sleeker look to a smart hub that needs to also be smart with its appearance.
Rather than a bulky and thick puck, the IKEA Dirigera’s shorter profile is less attention-grabbing and more appropriate for minimalist home motifs. Just like its predecessor, however, IKEA went with a dual color theme, with a white top that subtly contrasts with a gray bottom. There is almost no other detail on top of the hub, save for a single LED light indicator. The device isn’t completely wireless, though, and you’ll have to make provisions to hide the USB-C power cord and Ethernet cable if you really want a completely nondescript look.
The IKEA Dirigera will retail for around $60, twice that of the $30 Trådfri. Part of the reason for that price hike is the adoption of multiple technologies, including the Matter initiative. With IKEA’s new hub slated for a November launch, Matter’s overdue arrival might not be that far behind. Hopefully, that will signal a new age of cooperation and communication between smart home products that will really make your home feel smarter rather than just more complicated.
We’re already so used to having all of our data on a cloud that we rarely think about all of our personal information, photos, videos, and other data just floating around there in unknown locations. Well, we only become aware when a data breach or something similar is publicized. But more often than not, we implicitly trust these servers to protect our data. But what if you could have your own, private cloud in a secure location, specifically your home or your office?
Designer: Heinrich Zaunschirm and Emile Chuffart for Cisco
The Cisco Home Hub looks like a simple smart speaker hub in terms of its design. But when it comes to functionality, it’s something that brings you data security from the comfort of your own home. It is a modular and upgradable home hub since users’ needs usually change or are in need of upgrading every once in a while. The base station has a 5G router that is protected with a firewall so you know that all your data stored and connected devices are more secure than when it’s hosted somewhere else.
The base can be extended by adding network-attached storage which you can add or remove if it needs to be used in another place or attached somewhere else. All the data as well as your connected smart home devices are also easily accessed and managed through an on-device system. You have a display on top of the base with a home control and file manager although you can also access these through a smartphone app.
The Cisco Home Hub may be a necessary addition to your home devices especially if you have multiple users, devices, and data that need to be managed more securely. The minimalist look with light, pastel colors as well as the user interface and device design itself seems pretty accessible and not hard to use and manage.
