Hasta La Ideas

The world is slowly trying to get back up on its feet while still trying to keep in mind that the dreaded virus is still around. Despite lifting restrictions, some safety measures are still in place to ensure that the worst-case scenario is never going to happen again. Sometimes, simply being mindful of your own body’s status can already have a significant impact. This is why a designer conceptualized what could be the easiest way to check your body anytime, which also doubles are your key to unlock experiences inside schools, workplaces, and other closed spaces.

Designer: William Fairnington

Even while businesses have started opening up again, some still implement basic checks before they let people in. While not exactly a sure indicator for a viral infection, one’s body temperature can still be a good sign of one’s health or lack of it. Some establishments might even take that as a requirement before you can enter the premises.

That’s why the name of this tiny vital monitoring system is quite apt. “Portal” suggests an entrance, and this keyfob is your figurative and literal key. A Portal owner can simply swing the key fob near a specially-made contactless detector, wait for it to turn green, and walk right in. Unlike some digital ID on your phone or smartwatch, this monitor leaves fewer opportunities for fingerprinting and tracking people, providing them with some level of privacy.

Portal doesn’t just check for body temperature, of course, and it is equipped with some of the same sensors you’d find in a smartwatch or fitness tracker. That includes heart rate and blood oxygen levels, the latter being an important point of interest for those keeping tabs on respiratory problems. These three sensors are packed in a small rectangular block that simply glows green if you’re good to go.

It might be puzzling why you’d want a separate device for something that a smartwatch already provides, but not everyone is actually keen on having a tracker on their wrist. The Portal offers this kind of easy monitoring without the complications, allowing anyone to simply place the fob on their wrist whenever and where ever they need to take a reading.

It still connects to a smartphone, of course, to provide exact readouts and historical data, but it’s easy to imagine the device itself wouldn’t have much that could leak personally identifiable information. The designer hopes that the concept, if it becomes a product, would help democratize vital monitoring, which is going to be critical in our civilization’s journey back to normal.

The post This key fob concept checks your vital signs and becomes your portal to establishments first appeared on Yanko Design.

Although there have been Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and earphones long before it, the Apple AirPods truly started a new chapter for the audio equipment industry. Truly Wireless Stereo or TWS earbuds started becoming more prevalent and, unsurprisingly, started to look a lot like one another. Many laughed at the AirPods’ unorthodox “stem” when they first came out, but it is now one of the most copied earbuds designs in the market. That state of affairs inspired a former smartphone company exec to strike off on his own and build a company on a theme of transparency. It’s against that backdrop that the Nothing Ear(1) was born, and we tried it out to see just how far its clarity goes.

Aesthetics

Nothing co-founder Carl Pei wanted to introduce a niche design trend in the mobile market starting with the Ear(1) buds, and he does hit the target, though only barely. There is already a sub-trend in minimalist design circles that call for transparent frames and chassis that reveal a product’s internals in all its glory, and it’s something that even tech-loving people fall for. Phone skins that fake a transparent back are quite popular among this crowd, and there are even one or two phones that deliver a translucent design for these people.

Unfortunately, the Nothing Ear(1) isn’t really completely transparent. In reality, only the buds’ stems let you see the minute electronics inside, from the microphones to the sensors to even the magnets. The buds themselves, particularly the part that houses the speakers and the battery, is completely opaque to the outside world, shattering any expectations of a fancy view of what makes a wireless earbud tick.

More disappointing perhaps is the Ear(1)’s charging case, which shows off no electronics at all. Yes, the cover and base are transparent to let you see the buds when they’re nested inside, but that’s pretty much it. At least you won’t be caught by surprise when you notice that one bud is missing from its cradle.

The Nothing Ear(1) is definitely aesthetically interesting, but it’s just a few steps away from feeling a tad too gimmicky. In terms of the overall design, Nothing doesn’t really offer anything revolutionary to set it apart from the crowd. Without those transparent stems, there is really nothing to keep it from being mistaken for the Apple AirPods Pros.

Ergonomics

Fortunately, the startup doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the feel of the accessories. As something that most people will put in their ears for hours on end, comfort is one of the most important design considerations, even for tiny TWS buds. In that area, the Ear(1) definitely delivers.

The buds offer a comfortable fit, and the three different silicone tip sizes ensure they won’t accidentally fall off when you’re sweating it out. It’s almost too easy to forget they’re even there, given how light they are at 4.7 grams. Of course, that’s an exaggeration because you will always notice them since you’ll be enjoying your favorite workout tunes or podcasts while wearing them.

The Ear(1) does support that exercise scenario but be careful not to go overboard. An IPX4 rating means it’s minimally water-resistant, at least against some accidental splashes of water. There is absolutely no protection against dust, so forget about bringing it to the beach unless you’re very, very careful.

Sustainability

Nothing wants to reinvigorate and revolutionize the consumer tech market, but it has so far failed to address one of the biggest problems with that industry. Earbuds, in particular, are the epitome of unsustainability and electronic waste, and the Nothing Ear(1) is no different. Despite claims of its durability and longevity, the buds will eventually break. And when that happens, there’s really not much choice but to throw them out.

Despite its unconventional transparent design, the Ear(1) is 100% conventional when it comes to the materials used for its construction. That translates to a lot of plastic, and not even the recyclable kind. Given how earbuds like these are often lost or aren’t exactly long-lasting, the chances of a pair finding its way to landfills will happen quite often.

It wouldn’t be as bad if the buds were easily repairable but, then again, almost no TWS earbuds are. They are extremely difficult to open up, and their soldered parts make it impossible to replace broken components. No wonder, then, that repair expert iFixit gives it its lowest score.

The one silver lining is that co-founder and CEO Carl Pei is well aware of the sustainability concerns hounding consumer electronics and is promising to work towards fixing that as well. He said that the Ear(1) would be carbon neutral in its production by the end of last year, though he stopped short of explaining the steps the company has taken to achieve that. That, however, still leaves the question of the materials used, and that will probably be more difficult to address than carbon emissions during production.

Performance

It’s almost too easy to write off the Nothing Ear(1) as some fancy buds with an artsy gimmick and nothing more. With the price tag it carries, not to mention the age of the company, it’s also too easy to presume you’ll be getting what you pay for. The surprising reality is that it isn’t the case at all.

We could hardly describe the Ear(1)’s audio output as mind-blowing, but it’s definitely unexpected for something in this price range. Mids and highs are clear and discernible and bass is present, though definitely lacking in punch. The companion mobile app offers some equalizer presets to swing towards more bass or more treble, but those won’t really do much to compensate.

The buds are actually feature-packed, which is another surprise given that same price tag. There are touch gesture controls that are somewhat configurable via the mobile app and automatic pause and resume when you remove or put on the buds. The biggest feature, however, is the presence of Active Noise Cancellation, something that you’d only typically see on more expensive pairs. Sadly, ANC performance isn’t exactly impressive, and there’s still a good amount of sound that gets through.

With that many features, it’s almost disappointing to discover that the Ear(1)’s mobile app is almost the exact opposite. Going for simplicity, it doesn’t offer much control over the buds. You can change some of the touch gestures, sure, but you are forever stuck on the EQ presets that Nothing has provided. The buds themselves also lack some high-end features like high-quality aptX codec and Bluetooth multi-point, but some might consider those as luxuries rather than essentials.

Value

The Nothing Ear(1) costs $99 and is easily one of the most affordable TWS earbuds in the market. That alone might already convince some to try a pair, but its value goes beyond the tag. You aren’t getting what you pay for because you are actually getting more.

While ANC isn’t the top of its class, few $99 buds can boast of even having that feature. Audio quality is also decent and should be enough to satisfy the average music lover. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, for sure, but you probably won’t expect that from a $99 pair anyway. Unfortunately, that price tag also makes it feel like the buds are disposable, which doesn’t do well for its impact on the environment.

Verdict

The Nothing Ear(1) is a rather surprising first product for a man whose name has been associated with one of the most successful smartphone startups in recent history. Just like how OnePlus used “Never Settle” as its battle cry, Nothing is making “Transparency” as its prime directive. The design definitely conveys that, but the Ear(1) is, fortunately, more than just a pretty face.

It is far from being the best in class, but Nothing really packed quite a whopper inside a $99 package. The company’s goal of breathing new life into the consumer tech market falls a bit short, though, especially in blazing a trail for sustainable products. The good news is that the company is at least aware of those shortcomings and is steering its ship in the right direction. For a first try, the Ear(1) is definitely nothing to laugh at.

The post Nothing Ear(1) Review first appeared on Yanko Design.

Named after Aeolus, the Greek god of wind, the Aeolian is a brawny e-hyperbike with an aggressive form that still somehow manages to look elegant.

With a muscular, sinewy, characterful silhouette, it’s difficult to ignore the Aeolus. The e-bike, envisioned by India-based designer Prathmesh Banubakde, models itself on the likes of other hyperbikes, notably from brands like Suzuki and Ducati who command the space. Its body is elegant, yet far from sleek. It has curves where it needs to, sports large forms/volumes in places where you’d expect it to, and is the kind of hyperbike you’d take second and third glances at, just to appreciate how perfectly proportioned and beautiful its design is.

Designer: Prathmesh Banubakde

The Aeolus has some unique design details that immediately stand out to the viewer, from the incisive, edgy headlight on the front to the bike’s very form, which seats the rider in a triangular stance, commonly seen with GP motorcycles. The bike almost seems like it’s leaning forward, and it encourages the rider to do so too, taking on a much more aggressive riding position that’s synonymous with aerodynamism and speed.

A breakdown of the Aeolus provides a detailed look at the hyperbike’s assembly. A massive battery pack sits between the rider’s knees, right in front of the motor which powers the bike’s rear wheel. The designer even outfitted the Aeolus with a CPU, although I assume that it just powers the hyperbike’s dashboard, which lets you access things like driving modes, navigation, and battery levels. An interesting aspect of the Aeolus’ design, however, is the retention of the signature fuel tank ‘hump’, even though the bike isn’t fuel-powered. This hump, however, acts as the Aeolus’ storage compartment, letting you stash anything from a helmet to a backpack right within the bike, and securing it with a lock and key.

Ultimately, the Aeolus is less of a concept bike built for production, and more of a concept aimed at form exploration. Prathmesh’s inspiration board looked at everything from MotoGP bikes to organic architecture and even the odd stealth fighter jet. The hyperbike’s main beam definitely draws inspiration from computational and organic architecture, while the bike’s fascia alternates between edgy/aggressive, and curvy/flowy.

The post The Aeolian Hyperbike is an electric beast with an aesthetic that’s a hybrid between Suzuki and Ducati first appeared on Yanko Design.

A Maldivian scientist has officially announced a new fish species: the mesmerizing Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, or rose-veiled fairy wrasse, named after the Dhivehi word for rose (finifenmaa). The rainbow-colored fish was first spotted in the 1990s but researchers believed it came from an already-known species. Now, scientists from the California Academy of Sciences, the University of Sydney, the Maldives Marine Research Institute and the Field Museum have amended that belief after careful study, concluding that the rose-veiled fairy wrasse is a unique species. Beyond its dazzling color, the fish is important as it represents the first time a new fish species has been scientifically described in a study by a Maldivian scientist, and its announcement contributes to conservation, taxonomy and the overall quest to understand the ocean. As co-author of the study Luiz Rocha says, “It speaks to how much biodiversity there is still left to be described from coral reef ecosystems.” Learn more about this stunning fish at CNET.

Image courtesy of Yi-Kai Tea

The sofa is not just for sitting; it can also serve as a bed that can give you a good night’s rest. There is something about it that makes me fall asleep right away. I wish to have one inside the bedroom the same way I also want a TV inside. How weird is that? Or is it just because I’m getting older?

For many people, sofas also serve as home decor. A couch can be the centerpiece of a living room. It can offer comfort and be an oasis for those living a busy life. Imagine yourself coming home and plopping down on the couch and going for a nap—now that can be relaxing.

Designer: Tells Studio

A sofa can also serve as an accent piece. The Mass Sofa by Tells Studio can start conversations when you have guests over. Its design is something to be discussed and celebrated. Is it a sofa or a storage bin? It depends on how you intend to use it.

A good sofa design offers is not just about comfort. Yes, it should be comfortable, but it should also be aligned with or reflect your personality. Your stuff at home reveals one’s desire and choice of aesthetics. Your home should represent the kind of life you want to live. If you’re shopping for new furniture pieces, you may check out the Mass Sofa. It has an exciting design that shows how one furniture item can be reconstructed.

Tells Studio’s sofa art project was introduced with a very clear and clever look. The clear sofa can be filled with almost anything you want to put inside. So fill it up with whatever you want to see before sitting down.

The material used is transparent TPU which is durable like hard rubber. It is the same material used on 3D-printed sneakers. Holding the sofa is a beautiful stainless-steel frame, offering an unobstructed view of what’s inside. The transparent couch can receive a variety of fillings depending on the user’s style and desire. This means the Mass Sofa can have different unique looks. Customization is an essential element so feel free to be creative and playful—just be yourself.

You can put all your expensive sneakers inside, or how about stuffed toys. You can also place pillows or colorful plastic balls. Bag lovers can probably put their favorite pieces there too. The possibilities are endless, but make sure you don’t put anything sharp inside.

Demand for furniture personalization is increasing among different age groups. The younger generation is seemingly the perfect target for such hip pieces, but older people are also looking for artistic and interesting items. The Mass Sofa is something everyone at home will love, so perhaps each family member should get one so no more hogging the couch.

The post Transparent Mass Sofa lets you personalize your couch to your own style first appeared on Yanko Design.