Tag Archives: metaverse

Bang & Olufsen brings its design DNA to the metaverse with its first NFTs

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Perhaps it was thanks to Mark Zuckerberg’s and Meta’s recent event that the Metaverse and its related but dissimilar buzzword Web 3.0 came back under the spotlight. After a long stretch of near silence, companies and brands are once again showing interest in this still ambiguous market, especially when it comes to controversial non-fungible tokens or NFTs. After all, NFTs that can sell for thousands of dollars apiece are perfect for limited edition collectibles that put the brand’s stake in future virtual worlds. Granted, most people still can’t make heads or tails of all these concepts, but there’s already a good number of collectors and believers that are willing to show their support with their money and other resources. It’s for this group of fans that Bang & Olufsen had decided to take the plunge into the world of Web 3 and the metaverse with an NFT collection designed to show off its creative chops more than its audio expertise.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

Although the technologies and details swarming around NFTs are indeed complicated, the basic idea behind its pull is understandable from a human perspective. In essence, it is related to owning a unique and singular digital artifact, similar to the idea of physical property that can’t be cloned perfectly. In a digital world where it’s trivial to copy files and images, such a kind of ownership sounds radical and revolutionary. Of course, implementation has been far from perfect, leading to the rather contentious position of NFTs, especially among artists, designers, and other creatives.

That hasn’t stopped big brands from proving they can go with the flow and the times, and Bang & Olufsen’s “DNA Collection” NFTs are in the same vein. The company best known for its exquisite audio equipment has announced an upcoming collection of 1925 NFTs, a nod to the year the company was founded. Rather than just a simple NFT drop, as these events are usually called, B&O is putting a rather unique and fun twist that tries to share the spirit of creativity with its music-loving community.

The DNA collection revolves around some of its most elegant products, including the Beogram 4000 as well as the Beoplay A9 and Beolab 90 speakers. These have been distilled down to key parts like legs, frame, front cover, and back cover, which are then combined with a custom-made range of digital product materials. During the minting process, buyers will be able to get a random selection of products and product materials that will allow them to mix and match designs for a truly unique B&O product that they’ll be able to display in their future virtual home in the metaverse.

The DNA Collection is meant to showcase Bang & Olufsen’s design heritage over the decades, which is an admittedly surprising venture for the company. While the brand is definitely praised for its design chops, it is, at its heart, an audio company, something that won’t translate so smoothly to Web 3.0. NFTs are also still a divisive topic within the design community, especially because of their environmental repercussions. In that regard, B&O promises that it has chosen a blockchain that reduces its climate impact, even if that impact can still be quite significant.

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RIMOWA luggage jumps into the metaverse phygital market with RTFKT NFT collab

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After a short period of relative silence, the metaverse became a hot topic again in no small part thanks to Mark Zuckerberg’s and Meta’s most recent buzz, which, unsurprisingly, split people into camps again. Some say or are hoping that the metaverse is already dead and, along with it, the more controversial NFTs. If that were the case, it seems that nobody told luxury luggage maker RIMOWA about it because it seems that the marque will be diving right into this mess when others seem to be silently stepping out. RIMOWA has partnered with Nike-owned digital fashion brand RTFKT to bring its iconic luggage brand to the metaverse via two NFT drops, but RIMOWA fans can rest assured that they can still get this upcoming limited edition luggage in physical form as well.

Designer: RIMOWA x RTFKT

The metaverse will eventually happen and become our present, though many argue that we’re still ways off from making that a reality. Even more problematic are NFTs, which were supposed to bring the concept of unique ownership of goods from the physical world to the digital realm. Camps are still split on whether it’s a boon or a bane, but many companies have already put a stake down on those nascent ecosystems to appeal to early adopters, especially among designers and collectors.

While news about big brands embracing NFTs seems to have mellowed down a bit, RIMOWA is stirring things up again with a “phygital” campaign in partnership with RTFKT (pronounced “artifact”). The latter has been making a name for itself in bringing big brands into metaverse spaces, specifically via those highly-debated NFTs. “Phygital” is the new buzzword coined to describe products that are getting both a physical as well as a digital release, the latter usually through NFTs to ensure their uniqueness and exclusivity.

That’s probably a good thing for RIMOWA loyals that have a few geeky inclinations because the limited edition “Meta Artisan” Original Cabin Luggage is quite a looker. Its surface is covered with a pixelated “Anti-FUD” pattern print that looks like a corrupted QR code spread across the luggage. Only 888 of these will be made available, both digitally and physically, as a nod to the triple-digit figure that has become synonymous with good luck in the crypto community.

The collaboration will also produce 2222 WorkerBots NFTs that will be like collectibles for this virtual world made by RIMOWA and RTFKT. These admittedly cute robots won’t have physical counterparts, unfortunately, and you’ll only be able to enjoy their existence on AR platforms or digital displays. The unique-looking luggage could spark a bit of interest as well as controversy, as you won’t be able to buy the physical luggage separately and will have to buy the NFT version first for around $3,000 at a “forging” (redemption) event later on.

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Meta Quest Pro is an expensive gamble on the future of the metaverse

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Although almost everyone still refers to it as Facebook, changing its official name to Meta shows just how much the company, or at least CEO Mark Zuckerberg, believes that the metaverse is the future not just of computing but also of social. After a few months of hype and buzz, some of the narratives around the metaverse have died down a bit. There is even news that Meta itself is taking a step back to reflect on its grand plans. That’s not to say that Meta has given up on those ambitions, though, and it is, in fact, making an even bigger gamble on that future. It has just launched a new mixed reality headset that aims to take the metaverse beyond games and entertainment, but it carries a rather high price that almost makes that dream even more unreachable for most people.

Designer: Meta

The Meta Quest Pro is the latest headset to come from the company formerly known as Facebook, and it combines two of its major designs and strategies when it comes to virtual reality. Like the Quest 2, the Quest Pro is a standalone device that doesn’t require tethering to a PC that would limit the wearer’s mobility. Like the old Oculus Rift system, however, it boasts enough power and features that enable a wider variety of experiences and, in Meta’s words, enable the metaverse.

It definitely looks refined and more streamlined than even the Meta Quest 2, so you finally won’t look ridiculous wearing one for “serious business.” It’s no longer front-heavy like almost all standalone VR headsets due to the battery being relocated to the back of the strap, creating a more balanced design. Pancake lenses also help make the entire assembly thinner while also providing an even better view of the wearer’s field of vision. More than just the design upgrade, however, the Meta Quest Pro also offers more power and flexibility in how it mixes the virtual and the real.

Full-color outward-facing cameras, for example, will let you see the real world beyond the headset, allowing Meta’s system to seamlessly merge virtual objects with physical ones or vice versa. Inward-facing cameras, on the other hand, are able to track not only where your eyes are pointing but also your expressions that can be reflected on your avatar’s face. Even the new controllers themselves have their own cameras so that they can keep track of their location and position independently and more accurately.

All of these do translate to a metaverse-oriented device that offers more flexibility and more options that go beyond the usual applications of VR and AR. In fact, Meta envisions the Quest Pro more as a productivity and work tool that can help you get your job done, no matter where you are in the physical world. All that power comes with a hefty price, though; $1,499, to be exact. That’s almost four times the price of the $399 Meta Quest 2, but it does also pack a lot more features. Still, it’s a pricey investment even for companies who might be able to afford it, especially for a metaverse future that few people can see.

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Walmart wants to wean kids on the metaverse through shopping and Roblox

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The metaverse might baffle many adults, but kids with wider and wilder imaginations might be able to wrap their heads around the concept better than their elders. In particular, younger people have already been enjoying a preview of these virtual worlds through games like Minecraft and Roblox. Of course, the metaverse is more than just a game and involves the interaction between the physical and the digital in some manner. That might be the part that stumps these young ones, so Walmart is embarking on an adventure that will get kids used to this aspect of the metaverse by bringing its brand and shopping experience to Roblox.

Designer: Walmart

Roblox is a child-friendly platform that lets kids (and even adults) unleash their creativity by building virtual objects, lands, and even games within the game. It’s pretty much like Minecraft but with more pixels, a bit more freedom, and plenty of safeguards to protect young users. Because of its open world design, it is practically a form of the metaverse that can be experienced without headsets. Naturally, it is also a fertile ground for establishing metaverse-related activities, like selling virtual goods and dealing in virtual money.

That’s the kind of opportunity that Walmart is now trying to grab with the announcement of two new experiences within the larger Roblox world. As the name suggests, the Universe of Play is an experience that revolves around playful activities, particularly toys. Virtual toys, of course. The highlight of this experience is Walmart’s blimp which will be showering Roblox users with a regular drop of toys to add to their collection.

Walmart Land, by comparison, is a more expansive metaverse setup. It has a place for music festivals, for example, something that is already common in Roblox. There is also a House of Style where kids can have fun discovering the world of fashion. Despite their different themes, both Walmart Land and Universe of Play experiences revolve around the concept of virtual merchandise or “verch” as a way for users to dress up and accessorize their avatars. Just like in a typical metaverse setting, these products have ties to real-world Walmart goods, except they’re exclusive to Roblox.

Walmart’s entry into the nascent metaverse ecosystem isn’t exactly surprising, but its decision to target a younger audience might ruffle a few feathers. It is inevitable that today’s kids will be the metaverse users of the future, so familiarizing them with concepts of virtual merchandise this early might not be a bad idea. That said, platforms like Roblox are already in danger of becoming a target of less conscientious companies, so new experiences focused on raising consumeristic mindsets might not sit well with some parents and guardians.

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This Bluetooth projector tries to bring the metaverse to your room

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Although the hype around the buzzword seems to have dialed down a bit, it’s hard to deny that the metaverse or something like it will eventually become our reality. The merging of the physical and the digital is something that will happen eventually, pending the development of hardware and people’s mindsets. Most of the rhetoric around the metaverse involves placing ourselves in the digital realm through avatars. It can, however, also involve placing digital assets into our physical spaces. That could become possible with holograms of the future, but until then, this stylish home projector system could bridge the gap by transporting some parts of the metaverse into your living room or bedroom.

Designer: Gyung Min Lee

Home projectors have become trendy these days, especially for people pressed for space or simply want to have flexibility. Naturally, these projectors prioritize displaying videos and sometimes photos on a rectangular space that recreates a TV screen. Their primary target, after all, is entertainment, so their designs and hardware are geared toward that purpose. The Light House projector concept might be capable of that as well, but its raison d’être is really to set the mood in a room with different visuals and, if needed, different worlds.

Rather than a typical box-type projector, Light House is made of one or two cylindrical projectors hanging from a pole stand. It has a typical projector lens in the middle, surrounded by an array of six bright LED lights. Together, these pieces can project not only images but also different colors that match a specific theme or mood.

While Light House can probably function as a normal projector for watching videos, it really shines in transforming a room into a lively party or a calming space. The ambient lights can set the mood, flooding the area with vibrant colors or soothing hues as desired. It can even try to recreate natural light, giving you a proper wake-up call while mimicking the sunrise.

The metaverse comes into play when you start projecting virtual objects onto walls, ceilings, and floors. Rather than having your avatar go to a beach or into space, you can bring those scenes right into your bedroom. Of course, you can also project screens and other pieces of UI that show information, though you won’t be able to interact with them directly except through a smartphone or a computer.

Although it’s not the most efficient use of a projector, Light House makes an interesting proposition on how we can build a bridge between the real and the virtual without having to wear headsets or touch screens. We’re still a long way from creating convincing room-wide holograms, so until then, we’ll have to make do with projectors like these, though hopefully with some form of hand gesture control in the near future.

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This AR helmet for kids hones creativity by scribbling and drawing in 3D space without any limitations

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Honing the creative bend of kids in their early life is important, and their best tool is drawing. That, however, comes with a menacing aftermath for the parents who have to ensure the kids don’t etch the walls of the living room or bedroom with a permanent marker or a hard-to-wipe-off crayon.

To create a good balance between the incremental increase in kids’ creative levels over time without having a messy home, virtual and augmented reality are the best solution. That’s what this AR Helmet concept is all about.

Designer: Designer Dot

With Metaverse applications gaining traction all this while, a product like this one is imminent. It lets children go wild with their scribbling skills without parents having to worry about messed-up walls, tables, or anything else the little ones perceive as the perfect canvas. The combination of the AR helmet having a smart wiser screen to display the augmented interface and the pen controller to let the imagination loose makes this concept highly feasible. Moreover, the unique element of the gadget will appeal to children as well who are becoming tech-savvy by the day.

Both the helmet and the pen controller are lightweight for obvious reasons. The AR elements on the helmet wiser screen guide the kids to draw meaningful shapes by inducing learning. The easy-to-use UI comes with interesting tools to increase productive engagement. Things such as in-built example drawings and the ability to sketch with friends or play educational AR games. The pen controller with one button control is equally easy to use.

The ergonomic comfort of the helmet is paramount so it comes with vents on the front and back to keep active airflow while used for long hours. The chin strap is magnetic for easy clasp action and easily adjustable depending on the head size. AR helmet is charged via a USB cable, and the pen controller attaches to the right side of the helmet for recharging.

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This Metaverse streaming device connects virtual world with the real one

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The augmented reality and virtual reality applications aided by the sensory inputs to blur the lines between the real and the virtual world are staring us right into the eye. Metaverse is the endgame (that’s what we can assume at this point in time) of this cohesive amalgam of hardware and software ecosystems. Currently, in its infancy stage, the market forecast hints at almost double the growth since 2020 in VR and AR applications. Hence, Metaverse applications too are going to get an exponential boost.

This cool gadget for connecting the real world and the Metaverse world is a gateway for extended usability, providing a smooth transition between the two realms. It makes even more sense keeping in mind the future where the lines will be so blurry that identifying the real from the virtual will be vital. This portal will actuate all the possible applications connected to the Metaverse like gaming, roaming in the VR world, or even having a pseudo-life in an alternate reality!

Designer: Fountain Studio

Users are connected to the VR world via the interface of this gadget having a bezeless display and buttons including power on/off, microphone access, and home button. The user has full control over the peripheral device management and a list of compatible applications it can use. When not having intense visual entertainment in the virtual world, the user can interact with other users using the integrated messenger application to ascertain where you need to invest your time.

So, whether you are going all-in shooting enemies in a game using the Oculus Quest 2 or having a milder experience of roaming in your favorite locations in VR, the gadget manages everything seamlessly, so that you don’t have to go through any hassle of synchronizing hardware and apps. It’ll be like your trusted streaming device for the virtual world.

 

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This uber-luxury NFT collectibles furniture oscillates between reality and metaverse

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Metaverse is presumably an indistinct concept. But, that’s only a fragment of individual imagination. 3D virtual spaces called the metaverse – after Zuckerberg’s Facebook rebranding to Meta – are now the virtual fashion in parts fuelled by the concept of Non-Fungible Tokens. NFTs permit the purchase of non-tangible items in the metaverse meant only for viewing not for use. Trimming that part for our little imagination, studio Monde Singulier is pre-empting the launch of ultra-luxe furniture for the virtual and the real worlds. So, you can then furnish the metaverse home and the physical living room with the same piece of collectibles furniture.

Playing with spatial design, 3D artistry, eye-catchy hues and materials, Sebastien Baert co-founder Monde Singulier enhances the excitement by putting the furniture in the natural environment where detaching elements of chairs, tables, and beds awe-inspire the spectator. The pretentious character conceived instantly seeps the heart – knocking back and forth in dwindling narratives – instigating the mind to get one right away.

Designer: Monde Singulier

Get one? How much would you pay for furniture NFTs is a question best left unanswered at least until “Rêveries” – the collection of collectibles furniture – invades the metaverse. Rêveries comprises four luxury furniture collections oscillating between reality and imagination. Spanning over eight exquisite concepts; the Le Champ, La Prairie, Le Lagon, and Le Desert collections are designed for both metaverse and the real world. If not all of them “a few furniture pieces” will be available in the real world while “every single piece will be auctioned in the metaverse” Monde Singulier substantiates through its webpage.

Decorated in immaculate imagery of chairs and tables tossing and flipping in virtual environs, the website of the design studio – bent on designing “ultra-luxury spaces and collectible furniture for both worlds”- is worth a visit until the NFTs and online retail open for our interest.

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Apple WWDC 2022 is just around the corner: What Product Designers Need to Know

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WWDC is always an exciting time for Apple fans. Although the event is primarily aimed at developers, hence the name, there is always something that can be gleaned from what Apple reveals, both on stage and sometimes behind closed doors. Sometimes, there is a new device to pine for in the months ahead, though most of the time, the focus will be on new user experiences delivered through the next releases of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. This year is no exception, of course, though whispers seem to be more subdued and modest than before. That said, there are still a few interesting things that could be announced this Monday, including some that will affect product designers in one way or another.

Designer: Ian Zelbo (rendersbyian)

2022 MacBook Air Colors

Apple broke tradition last year when it announced the new iMacs that came in a variety of colors. As a company best known for its almost clinical choice of colors, this unexpected move seemed like a nod to the candy-colored iMac G3 of old, as well as the more colorful iPhone 5c. Given this sudden change in direction, it wasn’t surprising when rumors started popping up about the MacBook Air getting the same colorful treatment.

Unfortunately, the last-minute word from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is less than encouraging. Despite hopes, dreams, rumors, and drool-worthy renders, the journalist and industry tipster claims that those reports were “probably exaggerated.” Instead, he believes the 2022 MacBook Air will still come in the same trio of hues, namely space gray, silver, and gold. The only change, he says, is that the gold would look more like champagne.

Though the absence of colorful options might be disappointing, the expected arrival of a notch might be even more devastating. The design has been widely debated on the Internet, but Apple might not be backing down from it, at least not yet. Either way, the notch has forced many apps to design around it, changing the user experience, for better or for worse.

AR Headset

The Metaverse isn’t ready yet for Apple, at least not in the way that most people presume the Metaverse to be. Apple is a big believer in augmented and mixed reality, and it’s no secret that it is working on its own AR platform behind the scenes. It’s just not ready to come out with its own headset yet, not even a prototype, so AR hopefuls will have to wait yet another year, or possibly later this year.

That doesn’t mean Apple will be silent on the AR front, though. Its focus will instead be to arm developers with the weapons they need to tackle the problem of adapting their apps for an AR future. Apple already has laid some of the groundwork for these, enabling iPhones and iPads to become windows into this mashup of the real and the virtual. New tools are expected to be announced at WWDC, including one that gives apps the ability to react to QR codes. This, for example, could kick off an AR experience after a user scans a QR code printed on a piece of IKEA furniture.

iOS 16 Always-on Display

The next version of iOS 16 will reportedly gain a capability that the Apple Watch has long had. With Always-On Display or AOD, the iPhone screen could keep on running even when you don’t see anything but will barely consume any power. It can also only light up the specific pixels required to display a notification or some widget with important information.

Designer: Apple

It’s a feature that’s a long time coming, but it remains to be seen whether it will be a battery-saver or a battery-drainer. Accessory makers, particularly for cases and docks, as well as app developers, might try to take advantage of this new capability by allowing the iPhone to function as a smart display when docked or by showing only a portion of the screen through a cutout of a folio case.

iPadOS 16 Multitasking

The next version of iOS for iPads will take Apple’s tablets one step closer to becoming a full computer replacement. iPadOS 16 might include more powerful multitasking features, including one that will allow owners to run apps in floating windows that they can resize and move around, similar to desktop platforms like macOS and Windows. There seems to be a bit of controversy regarding this feature and its impact on the iPad as well as the relationship between macOS and iPadOS, but it is generally being welcomed by iPad Pro owners who have been using the tablet as their bread and butter device.

The iPad Pro has long been a favorite among designers of all trades as a mobile workstation that can almost replace their laptops. These upcoming multitasking improvements could become a game-changer for them, allowing them more control and freedom in their workflows. That said, it will most likely require developers to also adopt those new features, and the user experience for these products could change in a drastic way soon.

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This detachable mouse + VR controller combo is what Metaverse applications demand

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Virtual reality and augmented reality are seeping slowly into our lives, affecting the way we interact with our environment. This has changed the complexion of accessories we own, and again, the way we are used to interacting with them. Take for example the good old mouse – which comes in options including ones dedicated for gaming, editing, ambidextrous ones, or ones that come for dedicated left- or right-hand use.

Now, Metaverse adds another dimension to the already diverse VR applications. This is where the Mozer Mouse designed by Suosi Design comes into the picture with multiple-use freedom, both for computer applications as well as VR applications and gaming. The mouse is suited for any kind of scenario – be it creating content on PC or strolling in 3D virtual reality. Mozer is designed in a way to make the switch from one application to another contrasting application, virtually seamlessly.

Designer: Suosi Design

The design studio has cleverly crafted the shape of the peripheral to perform the VR function for 360 degrees of freedom, and back to a normal mouse use when working on your PC. The VR controller bit of the Mozer Mouse easily detaches from the main housing and easily pairs with compatible accessories. This is where the laser scanner of the mouse and the On/Off toggle button lies. So, when tethered to the base, it acts like any other mouse with the optical scanner and toggle buttons in the desired position.

The design has a very practical essence to it since it solves multiple purposes with a very simple clean innovation that doesn’t disrupt the inherent purpose of the peripheral in any way. Perhaps we are going to see more accessories evolve into such modular forms as the Metaverse craze catches the masses!

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