Google Pixel Watch 3 leak reveals more details about the upcoming wearable

Before every gadget is released officially it must go through the rumor mill to keep things spiced up for prospective buyers and reviewers. Google Pixel Watch 3 slated for an August 13 release will take on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 head-on with its rounded dial and we hope it doesn’t have any inaugural issues like battery drain.

We’ve already seen OnLeaks and 91Mobiles reveal the first batch of design and specification details for Google’s upcoming wearables. Now another spar of leaked marketing material by Android Headlines reveals more information. The highlighting one has 10 percent more screen space than the predecessor – the Pixel Watch 2.

Designer: Google

Going by the leaked information, the Watch 3 could have a brighter display at 2,000 nits which is almost double the Watch 2, courtesy of the in-house Actua Display. According to the specs sheet, the smartwatch will get 24 hours of battery life with AOD enabled and around 36 hours if you opt for the battery saver mode. The charging speed of the 41mm model will be 20 percent better than the predecessor, although no mention of the 44mm model is there. That directly implies that the new smartwatch will not employ the hybrid interface on the Wear OS 4.

On the software front, the Watch 3 can stream live Google Home videos from your Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell. The user will also get the option to toggle between image and video feed when controlling the phone’s camera from the watch. There’ll also be voice support and quick access to apps including Maps and Wallet. Fitness is going to be another focal point of the interface with workout tracking. It’ll have audio and haptic feedback for initiating a spring, run or cooldown. For better workout planning, the Fitbit morning brief offers a summary of health and fitness metrics.

According to Android Headlines, the Pixel Watch 3 will be available in Matte Black Aluminum with an Obsidian band and Polished Silver Aluminum with a Porcelain band. Model-specific colors include the Champagne Gold Aluminum with a Hazel band for 41mm, and Matte Hazel Aluminum with a Hazel band for 45mm. The band options are going to be plentiful with Active Band, Woven Band, Metal Link Band, Crafted Leather Band and Performance Loop Band each having a further set of color options. According to the leak Google will offer exclusive options for the 41mm model that’ll include Strech Band, Metal Mesh Band, Metal Slim Band and Two-Tone Leather Band.

 

The post Google Pixel Watch 3 leak reveals more details about the upcoming wearable first appeared on Yanko Design.

Samsung unveils recycled Hershey’s-themed accessories for new Flip, Fold, and Galaxy watch

The loved chocolate company, Hershey’s, is a household name, but it contributed roughly 24,000 metric tons of waste in 2023. Through a collaborative and conscious effort, The Hershey Company is assisting Samsung develop custom accessories for its lineup of phones, watches, and earbuds. All of these are made from recycled material comprising Hershey’s plastic packaging waste that would otherwise end in landfills.

Interestingly, the collaborative accessories are part of the new Samsung Friends lineup. Samsung Friends is a lifestyle accessories wing of the South Korean tech giant, which aligns partnerships with different brands to create collaborative accessories through the uses of eco-friendly materials. It currently has 17 such collaborations – with Minions, Disney, Pokémon and more – to its credit and with accessories made using recycled material from Hershey’s confectionary packaging waste, it is making a new story.

Designer: Samsung x Hershey’s

Samsung Friends x Hershey’s collection was officially launched in South Korea on 29 July, 2024. Inspired by the packaging of Hershey’s Kisses, milk chocolate bars, and more; the 12 unique accessories include Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6, Galaxy Watch7 and Galaxy Buds3 series cases and bands.

There is no word on the pricing structure of the accessories, but Samsung Friends will allow customers to interact and customize their accessories in Hershey’s pop-up at Samsung’s Gangnam through 11 August, 2024. Customers can live experience the cases and bands made from 100% recycled material and also savor Hershey’s limited-edition chocolate beverages alongside.

Currently, the lineup of these Hershey’s-themed accessories is only available in South Korea, but the US release is likely in the near future. Tech company informs that the Samsung Friends x Hershey’s collection will also be made available in Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines soon.

The post Samsung unveils recycled Hershey’s-themed accessories for new Flip, Fold, and Galaxy watch first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nine recently completed skyscrapers in Latin America

Mitikah

From a complex designed by RSHP in Bogotá to skyscrapers made of interlocking volumes in Quito by BIG, we’ve rounded up nine recently completed skyscrapers across Latin America.

While most of the attention given to skyscrapers in the Western Hemisphere usually goes to North American metropoles such as New York and Toronto, there are many tall and supertall skyscrapers across Central and South America.

Mexico’s T.Op Torre 1 skyscraper is currently the tallest skyscraper in Latin America at 305 metres high, far off from the world’s tallest, the 828-metre-tall Burj Khalifa.

Many of the recently completed towers in the region were designed by Europe and US-based studios such as RSHP, BIG and Pelli Clarke & Partners. Most of these skyscrapers are the first and only projects in Latin America by the international studios.

While all of the skyscrapers on the list are completed, there are many others in the works.

Earlier this year, Heatherwick Studio unveiled plans to build the firm’s first building in South America, which features a brightly coloured, basketry-informed facade.

Read on for nine recently completed skyscrapers across Latin America.


Mitikah
The photo is by Jason O’Rear

Mitikah, Mexico, by Pelli Clarke & Partners

Opened in 2022, the Mitikah skyscraper is the tallest tower in Mexico City at 267 metres tall with 62 storeys. Located in the Benito Jaurez neighbourhood, it towers over the surrounding low-rises and single-family homes.

“Torre Mitikah is the ‘ventana al infinito’ [window to infinity], that meets the human need to reach for the heavens,” said US-based architecture studio Pelli Clarke & Partners. “The tower is a landmark, an hito [milestone] that provides this connection.”

Find out more about Mitikah ›


Richard Rogers building Bogotá
The photo is by Alejandro Arango

Atrio, Colombia, by RSHP

Located in the heart of Bogotá, Atrio is a skyscraper development consisting of two mixed-use office towers and a cultural centre at its base.

Reaching 201 metres high, the North Tower is the first building to be completed within the project, while construction is underway on the second tower and cultural centre.

Find out more about Atrio ›


Wrapped skyscraper in Quito with park in the background
The photo is by Bicubik

Epiq, Ecuador, by BIG

The 101-metre-tall Epiq skyscraper by BIG is composed of four interlocking, curved L-shape volumes that conclude in an entrance facing La Carolina Park in the centre of Quito.

According to developer Uribe Schwarzkopf, the building’s multi-coloured, concrete facade is a reference to the “domed roofs of the city’s cathedrals and old colonial buildings covered with local tiles”.

Find out more about Epiq ›


Iqon skyscraper in Quito
The photo is by Pablo Casals Aguirre, courtesy of Uribe Schwarzkopf

Iqon, Ecuador, by BIG

Completed in 2022, the 32-story Iqon skyscraper marked BIG’s first completed project in South America, located in Quito.

Bordering La Carolina Park, it is composed of interlocking, concrete boxes topped with balconies planted with native plants and trees that were designed to reflect the surrounding greenery.

Find out more about Iqon ›


Skyscraper from the side
The photo is by Pedro Vannucchi

Platina 220, Brazil, by Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetos Associados

Platina 220 is the tallest building in São Paulo at 172 metres tall with 46 storeys, unseating Aron Kogan’s Mirante do Vale tower, which reached 170 metres tall.

Featuring a central white block surrounded by three, smaller volumes cast in greys of different hues, the design is meant to enhance the building’s verticality and to encourage economic development in eastern São Paulo.

Find out more about Platina 220 ›


Brazil skyscraper
The photo is by Pedro Mascaro

Bosco Corporate, Brazil, by Aflalo Gasperini Arquitetos

Completed in 2024, Bosco Corporate is a 16-storey office building located in São Paulo. It is composed of a tower atop an open plaza.

A series of deeply set terraces wrap around the building, which totals 1,760 square metres of “vertical forest” which “acts as a thermal insulator, acoustic barrier and generates a pleasant microclimate” according to local studio Aflalo Gasperini Arquitetos.


Building with many volumes
The photo is by Fran Parente

POD Pinheiros, Brazil, by FGMF Arquitetos

The 24-storey POD Pinheiros tower by FGMF Arquitetos is composed of a base of interlocking, rectangular volumes containing retail spaces and a residential tower wrapped around a central atrium.

Concrete walkways, pillars, and balconies fill the void, which is clad in a deep red and hues of grey throughout.


Torres Obispado image by Daniel Escobedo
The photo is by Daniel Escobedo

Torres Obispado, Mexico, by Pozas Design Group

Completed in 2020, Torres Obispado encompasses two towers, T.Op Torre 1 and T.Op Torre 2. At 305 metres and 64 floors high, T.Op Torre 1 is currently the tallest skyscraper in Mexico and Latin America.

Composed of segmented volumes with a sloping top, Torre 1 contains a Hilton Hotel and office spaces, while Torre 2, which mirrors the shape of its much taller partner, contains residences.


Towers in Brazil
The photo is by Diviena

Yachthouse Residence Club, Brazil, by Pininfarina

Located in Brazil’s Balneário Camboriú, a popular city for affluent tourists, the Yachthouse Residence Club is the country’s tallest.

The project consists of two identical residential towers atop a podium that reach 294 metres tall and 81 storeys high. According to developer Pasualotto&GT, they are the tallest residential towers in Latin America.

The post Nine recently completed skyscrapers in Latin America appeared first on Dezeen.

The Do-It-All Modular Bottle

You’d think you’d seen it all, when it came to the design of water bottles. But this futuristic-looking Modular Bottle actually has some new, perhaps useful tricks:

The borosilicate glass insert is the red flag for me; while I understand the appeal of not drinking out of plastic, borosilicate’s pretty delicate stuff—will this thing survive a drop? It’s not like there’s shock absorption on the inside.

That said, the ease of cleaning, the ability to increase the bottle’s volume, the removable bottom compartment, the reusable straw, and even the different caps all appear useful. I’d use the Flat Cap for driving or other shouldn’t-spill situations, and the “Industrial” cap when working outside with gloves on.

This was Kickstarted last year, to the tune of $1.8 million. They now retail for $80 to $115, depending on options.

Nine design and illustration projects by students at University of the Arts London

Visualisation of a museum space in tones of brown and grey with white figures in the space

Dezeen School Shows: a typeface designed to reflect the frustrations of reading for people with dyslexia is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at University of the Arts London.

Also included is an exhibition focused on graduate employment and a museum space that utilises adaptive building reuse.


University of the Arts London

Institution: University of the Arts London
School: Camberwell College of Arts
Courses:  BA Fine Art: Computational Arts, BA Fine Art: Drawing, BA Fine Art: Painting, BA Fine Art: Photography, BA Fine Art: Sculpture, BA Graphic Design, BA Illustration, BA Interior and Spatial Design, MA Designer Maker, MA Fine Art, MA Global Collaborative Design Practice, MA Graphic Design Communication, MA Illustration, MA Interior and Spatial Design and Graduate Diploma Illustration

School statement:

“Camberwell College of Arts is a renowned art and design college. We give students the space to explore their creativity; staff support and challenge students to rethink current practices.

“Our facilities embrace both traditional craftsmanship and digital technology. Our design and fine art courses will make you think about your social responsibility, as well as develop your critical and making skills.

“View our recent graduates’ work online here: UAL showcase. Join our open days to learn more about Camberwell College of Arts and our courses.”


An exhibition poster in tones of red, white and blue, with the words 'not my circus not my monkeys' written in large red text in the centre.

Not My Circus Not My Monkeys by Alice Goodliffe

“How do we go about getting a job? Who is going to hire us? Do we even know what we want to do? How do we get there?

“It feels daunting and impossible to break into the creative industry. Despite loving our course and working hard for the past three or four years it still feels like an unfeasible task.

“This is something we find ourselves constantly discussing with friends and peers as we reach this crossroads in our lives. This exhibition, Not My Circus Not My Monkeys, aims to create a space to capture this shared feeling.”

Student: Alice Goodliffe
Course: BA Graphic Design
Email: alice[at]goodliffe.net


A photograph of a person handling small glass vessels with blue-coloured liquid inside.

Diary of Village Doctor’s Work by Danxi Zhang

“Against the backdrop of uneven distribution of healthcare resources in present-day China, rural doctors spare no effort in supporting residents in areas with limited medical conditions.

“Through their daily work, we gain profound insights into the challenges faced by rural healthcare.

“Using various media, the project showcases the healthcare system of rural doctors and their communities, aiming to promote equal access to healthcare resources, ensure the medical safety of villagers and raise awareness of necessary improvements in this field.”

Student: Danxi Zhang
Course: BA Graphic Design
Email: dancy817[at]outlook.com


A visualisation of an interior space in tones of brown

Homesickness | An Emotional Journey by Danni Fan

“Homesickness is a design project that encapsulates the emotional journey of longing and belonging, inspired by London’s diverse community, particularly the vibrant environment at University of the Arts London and the rich heritage of China that I have discovered during my time in the city.

“The project addresses the feeling of homesickness, a common emotional experience within the international community, and embraces the emotions felt during challenging times, incorporating memories and elements of traditional Chinese architecture.

“These elements are intertwined with modernity and the remains of the Kennedy’s Sausage Factory site, located just down the street from Camberwell College of Arts.”

Student: Danni Fan
Course: BA Interior and Spatial Design
Email: dannifan24680[at]gmail.com


A photograph of a street with banners hung above it in tones of orange, yellow and pink

Our Crofton Type by Molly Shenstone

“Collaboration in design brings a community together through shared experiences, resulting in tangible outcomes that we can use to project our voices in communal areas.

“Our Crofton Type explores how creative workshops can strengthen and amplify the collective voices of a community.

“Through shared experience and locale, participants of Crofton Road co-designed a typeface for their own street identity. We discussed what they care about to generate messages for typographic posters displaying their type face.

“In response, I reproduced their posters as a set of ten A2 posters and four banners incorporating their type and illustrations for street decoration.”

Student: Molly Shenstone
Course: BA Graphic Design
Email: molly.shenstone[at]icloud.com


A photograph of a white paper card and a folded paper square with pink, purple and red details on both

Longing For You by Folasade Lawal

“A British Nigerian illustrator, writer and educator from south east London, Folasade creates emotive and conceptual work on a variety of subjects.

“Often exploring the spectrum of positive and negative states of human emotions, she creates thought provoking illustrations using symbolic and minimalistic marks, lines, textures and colours, with her love for poetic writing informing her evocative concepts.

“She works with digital and traditional mediums; when making refined pieces she often works digitally, with her illustrations having an analogue quality to them.”

Student: Folasade Lawal
Course: BA Illustration
Email: folasadelawal2013[at]gmail.com


A photograph of a printed typeface specimen in tones of black and white

Systema Squiggles by Natasha Husain

“Systema Squiggles is a computationally produced display type, given shape by language. The typeface is created from letterforms that are selected from a random set of squiggles, based on their similarity to Latin letters.

“The random squiggles are created using p5.js to create a randomised generative algorithmic composition.

“Those squiggles are then subjected to the constraints of typographic systems, which dictate the appearance of the letterforms to create a functional typeface.”

Student: Natasha Husain
Course: BA Graphic Design
Email: natasha.husaindesign[at]gmail.com


An illustration of a figure among city streets in tones of pink, blue and yellow

Visiting Quiet London by Zaker Hussain

“I am an artist and illustrator based in London.

“My art is a result of my passion for creating visual images that depict different landmarks or areas of London, as well as sports and socio-political issues.

“I use various techniques like printmaking, collage, painting and drawing to create my artwork.

“I work as a freelancer and am open to collaborations with other artists who either primarily work through drawing, painting or are printmakers.”

Student: Zaker Hussain
Course: BA Illustration
Email: artworksofzaker[at]gmail.com


Visualisation of a museum space in tones of brown and grey with white figures in the space

Unwrapping by Zijue Wei

“The project aims to transform an old building into a narrative historical museum and research space.

“Approaches used included adaptive reuse, encouraging local students’ critical thinking and developing Peckham and Camberwell culturally, economically and politically – ensuring a sustainable and equal community full of artistic characteristics.”

Student: Zijue Wei
Course: BA Interior and Spatial Design
Email: weizijue975[at]gmail.com


A photograph of wooden letterpress blocks displaying various characters from a custom typeface

Help Others Understand Dyslexia by Harmony Closs

“My project, Help Others Understand Dyslexia, aims to recreate the frustrations of reading with dyslexia using typography.

“I have created three unique typefaces that are intentionally difficult to read, by manipulating letterforms in a way that mimics the visual challenges associated with dyslexia.

“By creating typefaces that are almost illegible, the whole process of reading becomes significantly slower.

“By gaining an insight into the literary struggles they face, we can begin to understand the daily challenges that come with this common disorder.”

Student: Harmony Closs
Course: BA Graphic Design
Email: harmony[at]closs.uk

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and University of the Arts London. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Nine design and illustration projects by students at University of the Arts London appeared first on Dezeen.

What are the Olympics Shooting Competitors Wearing On Their Faces?

If you happened across the Olympic Air Pistol event for the first time, you might’ve been puzzled by the competitors’ eyewear:

So those are mechanical irises. Shooting competitors fine-tune them to bring their gunsights into sharp focus. Here’s an example of one by manufacturer Gehmann:

And the competition frames they sell, for those who don’t wear eyeglasses:

If you’re wondering why competitors don’t just rely on prescription glasses, it’s because your eyesight can actually change over the course of the day. You’re dealing with both fatigue and changing light conditions. The adjustability of the mechanical iris allows you to compensate for that.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that Oh Ye-jin, the South Korean competitor who took Gold in the 10 Meter Air Pistol event this year, eschews the irises.

A Gaming PC Designed to Look Like a Sneaker

“When one thinks about high-end desktop PCs, what comes to mind are glass panels, right-angle aluminium frame cases and tons of RGBs,” writes PC accessory manufacturer Cooler Master. To break that mold, they worked with a case modder called JMDF to create this Sneaker X gaming PC:

“Sneaker X, blending the vibrant essence of sneaker culture with high-tech performance. JMDF and Cooler Master are on a mission to redefine the very essence of PC technology, proving that it’s not just about function – it’s about the thrill, the flair, and the fun.”

The Sneaker X was originally designed in 2020, but this year they’ve refreshed the line with new colors:

The water-cooled PCs run $3,500 for the “mainstream gaming” version, and $3,800 for a “hardcore gaming” version.

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review: It Keeps Getting Better

PROS:

  • Elegant transparent design and Glyph Interface
  • Improved performance across the board
  • 50MP selfie camera
  • Sustainabile design

CONS:

  • No telephoto camera
  • No wireless charging
  • Spotty operator compatibility in the US

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR’S QUOTE:

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers on its promise of an optimal and accessible daily driver that builds on the essentials and gets it almost perfect.

It hasn’t been that long since we reviewed Nothing’s latest masterpiece, the Phone (2a) which was designed to offer an “optimal” daily smartphone. It was another way of describing what most would bill as a mid-tier device, though it was definitely one that lived up to its hype in both design and performance. It was far from perfect, of course, but it wasn’t bad either. And yet here we are now with a “Plus” version out of nowhere, not a larger version but one that promises a more premium experience, at least compared to the Phone (2a). Color us intrigued, despite the obvious monochrome motif, so we gave the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a few spins to see if it really has something to be proud of.

Designer: Nothing

Aesthetics

By now, Nothing’s design identity has been well established. It may not be the geeky full transparency many have hoped for, but it definitely managed to strike a beautiful balance between technology and art in its phones. To some extent, that design is even more refined in the Phone (2a) series, with its own unique patterns of opaque lanes snaking down the phone’s back, not unlike roads on a map. It feels like it has a story to tell, not just a composition of shapes, lights, and shadows.

Nothing also embraced that cute little oddity we noticed on the Phone (2a): a face on the back of your phone. The placement of the two cameras in the middle of the NFC coil is no accident, and the company says it gives an anthropomorphic character, almost literally. It’s like having a pair of eyes on a cartoony circular face looking at you, or at least at the person in front of you. It is not by coincidence, either, that the Phone (2a) Plus’s silicon brain actually sits beneath this face as well.

There’s also the Glyph Interface, of course, at least the toned-down version. It might not have the same head-turning effect as the TRON-like Phone (2), but it’s more practical, more efficient, and also longer-lasting. It remains useful and visible even after the novelty has worn off.

Of course, these are design elements that the Phone (2a) also has, but what sets the “Plus” model apart is its more elegant finish. The Phone (2a) Plus has a metallic edge that’s not simply machined and then polished but is actually a product of multiple intricate processes, which is to say it’s quite a laborious and somewhat costly design. It’s well worth it, however, if only for the fact that it gives the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a more stylish and premium look that raises its profile to the same level as more expensive handsets.

Ergonomics

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a few upgrades inside that we’ll get to in a moment, but despite the internal and material changes, it remains just as lightweight as the Phone (2a), exactly 190g light, in fact. This makes the phone incredibly easy to hold without feeling flimsy or cheap. That’s very important given how large the phone actually is.

The design of the edges also helps improve that grip. Nothing adheres to that modern flat design school that gives phones more angled edges that lodge themselves into your hand without biting into your skin. It is yet another balancing act that Nothing gets right, allowing users to hold such a big phone with confidence.

Performance

The biggest divide that separates the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus can be found inside, starting with the new MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G that Nothing says was developed exclusively for the brand. It’s definitely a step up from the stock Dimensity 7200 of the Phone (2a), especially by the fact that it can run at 3.0GHz max. It also has a stronger GPU with the Mali-G610 MC4 clocked 30% faster at 1.3GHz. What all these mean in practice is that the phone is even better equipped to handle mobile games, let alone the everyday tasks you throw at it. You’ll still have to dial down the settings, of course, but not to the point that games lose their visual flavor and appeal.

The large 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen definitely contributes to an enjoyable multimedia experience, especially with its 120Hz refresh rate. The display is vibrant and bright, but not so bright that it will strain your eyes. For that, it supports 2160Hz PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimming, supporting longer screen time use, though it’s still advisable to take regular breaks, regardless.

The other big upgrade that the Phone (2a) Plus boasts of is the triple 50MP camera system. No, there are still only two cameras on the back, and both definitely produce impressive output. The newcomer is the 50MP front-facing camera, up from the already good 32MP shooter from the Phone (2a). This is a Samsung JN1 with an F2.2 aperture lens and a wide 81.2-degree field of view. Suffice it to say, whether you’re taking selfies or food pics, you’ll be treated to clear, crisp, and detailed photos, even at night.

Despite the slightly more powerful hardware, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus retains the same 5,000 mAh battery. It’s still a large and generous serving by today’s standards, so you shouldn’t be worrying about going empty in the middle of the day. For the Plus model, Nothing upped the charging speed a bit to 50W from 45W. It’s not exactly the fastest on the block, but bigger brands have done worse. Sadly, there’s still no wireless charging here, which is disappointing but not unexpected. In the grand scheme of things, that is probably the least of people’s needs for a phone on this tier.

Part of the Nothing Phone’s appeal is its take on the Android experience, and the Phone (2a) Plus definitely has that down to a “T,” including the new AI buzzword. Nothing OS has been famed for its minimalist aesthetic, especially when it comes to home screen widgets. Version 2.6 adds new widgets to that set, and productivity buffs will love the new Date widget for important reminders. There’s also ChatGPT integration for getting the answers you need quickly, though it might be a controversial feature considering some privacy concerns.

Sustainability

Nothing has always positioned itself as a design-conscious company, and designers these days are also conscious of the impact that their designs have on the environment. This is especially true in the smartphone industry where material waste from production and electronic waste from discarded products continue to rise each year as more and more devices are made. That’s why it’s quite encouraging to see Nothing’s efforts in this area, from using 100% recycled aluminum for the midframe to sustainably sourcing over 50% of the Phone (2a) Plus’ plastic parts. It even reuses plastic waste from the production of the Ear (2) buds for this phone.

The Phone (2a) Plus also scores a few points for longevity, particularly with its IP54 dust and water resistance rating. We wish it had a longer software support period, which currently stands at 3 years for Android updates and 4 years for security patches. That can change somewhere down the road, and we hope it does. Where it doesn’t do well is repairability, which isn’t all that surprising considering its uncommon design. Nothing is still young, though, and with the CMF sub-brand, we could see some improvement in that regard as well.

Value

If the Phone (2a) already provided great value for its price, the Phone (2a) Plus takes that a step further. Better performance, a better selfie camera, a slightly faster charging battery, and a great distinctive design all make this handset a great sell. At only $399 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it even practically makes the $349 Phone (2a) almost ignorable, strange as that may sound. It is definitely worth considering for your everyday driver, presuming you can get your hands on one.

That is the bit that slightly takes away some of the Phone (2a) Plus’ appeal. You can always import the phone if no local store or carrier offers it, but you will have to do your own research to make sure you can actually use it in your locale. In the US, for example, it doesn’t support AT&T’s 5G network at all and only some of T-Mobile’s 5G bands. Verizon has “limited support,” which means you can use it at your own risk. It’s hardly Nothing’s fault, but it does show some of the disadvantages of being a small fish in such a large pond.

Verdict

The arrival of the Phone (2a) Plus was quite a surprise. Definitely a pleasant one, but a surprise nonetheless. It’s not like the Phone (2a) wasn’t a good phone, but now there might be even fewer reasons for people to want one other than availability and that $50 difference. That’s because the Phone (2a) Plus practically addresses some of the imperfections of its older sibling without taking away any of its charm. It definitely lives up to its promise of a powerful everyday driver, whether you’re scrolling through social media, responding to emails, or even passing the time with games.

The post Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review: It Keeps Getting Better first appeared on Yanko Design.

Seven furnishings designed with sustainable principles in mind

Tejo seating by Paul Crofts for Isomi

Dezeen Showroom: a modular seating system with a base made from surplus cork and bathroom furnishings made from wood chips are among sustainable products recently listed on Dezeen Showroom.

The furniture industry is a significant contributor to the climate crisis due to resource-intensive manufacturing methods and how difficult furniture can be to recycle.

Designers are now turning to sustainably sourced, reclaimed and recyclable materials when creating furniture pieces

The selection includes an A-frame stool made from types of wood that are usually discarded and another stool with a terrazzo-like appearance, made from colourful fragments of recycled plastic.

Read on to see our picks of products on the platform that are produced by eco-conscious designers and brands.


Elle bookcase by Ferruccio Laviani for Mara

Elle bookcase by Ferruccio Laviani for Mara

Designer and architect Ferruccio Laviani has created a metal bookcase for Italian brand Mara characterised by its slim frame and pivoting shelves.

The Elle bookcase comes in a selection of powder-coated colourways and is recyclable at the end of its lifespan.

Find out more about Elle ›


Remi chair by Boss Design

Remi chair by Boss Design

Furniture company Boss Design‘s tub-shaped Remi chair contains an FSC-certified plywood frame and one made from steel, both of which are recyclable.

Bio-Pur injection moulded polyurethane foam makes up the rest of the chair – the renewable material is derived from agricultural sources and has a carbon footprint 75 per cent lower than conventional foam made from fossil fuels.

Find out more about Remi ›


Tejo seating by Paul Crofts for Isomi

Tejo seating by Paul Crofts for Isomi

Surplus cork created during the manufacturing of wine bottle stoppers forms the base of this modular seating system by designer Paul Crofts.

Tejo seating comes in a selection of shapes and colourways and is designed for use in public interiors such as offices and shops.

Find out more about Tejo ›


Photo of pink bathroom furniture by Woodio

Woodio Blossom bathroom collection by Woodio

Finnish company Woodio has developed a series of bathroom furniture made from a composite containing wood chips.

The Woodio Blossom bathroom collection contains washbasins, toilets, bathtubs and solid panels and comes in a range of colours, including baby pink Blossom.

Find out more about Woodio Blossom ›


Vank Cube modular system by Vank

Vank Cube by Anna Vonhausen for Vank

Flax and hemp fibres combine in this furniture system designed by Polish brand Vank.

Vank Cube can be used to create storage, tables and space dividers, all sporting a characterful appearance defined by its mottled surfaces.

Find out more about Vank Cube ›


Stump stool

Stump Recycled stool by Derlot

Dappled surfaces cover this stool designed by Australian design brand Derlot, which is made from slivers of repurposed plastic.

The Stump Recycled stool is made out of 80 per cent post-industrial plastic and has a tapered body with a circular base and seat.

Find out more about Stump Recycled ›


Wooden stool

52 stool by Studio Plastique

Brussels-based brand Studio Plastique uses underutilised varieties of timber – including elm, koto, willow, acacia and birch – as opposed to typical wood types popular in the furniture industry.

52 stools have a distinctive A-shaped profile and can be used as step stools or as informal seating.

Find out more about 52 ›

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

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In Out Office seating by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World

In Out Office seating by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World

Dezeen Showroom: designed by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World, the In Out Office seating collection is intended to be moved around and used flexibly within a hybrid workplace.

The In Out Office furniture collection features armchairs with backrests of different heights and widths, which create a partially enclosed area with sound-dampening properties for private work or impromptu meetings.

In Out Office seating by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World
The In Out Office range includes seating with built-in tables

The collection also includes benches, pouffes, workstations and seating with small built-in tables.

The furniture can be specified in a range of Andreu World upholstery colours and with wheels, allowing for fun and flexible spaces to be created within the workplace.

In Out Office seating by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World
Armchairs come with sound-dampening backrests in a choice of heights

Häberli and Andreu World created the collection to allow employers to foster a more productive and dynamic work environment through their choice of furniture.

The seating is available with optional charging ports, and there is a choice of oak or lacquered finishes on the laminate tabletops.


Product details:

Product: In Out Office
Designer: Alfredo Häberli
Brand: Andreu World
Contact: london@andreuworld.com

Dezeen Showroom

Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen’s huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.

The post In Out Office seating by Alfredo Häberli for Andreu World appeared first on Dezeen.