Hasta La Ideas

With cord-cutting and streaming services, the boundaries between home entertainment and watching videos on the go have gotten even blurrier. With the freedom and flexibility of sources for entertainment, consumers have also begun yearning for freedom from conventional TV boxes or even flat displays. Laser projectors have risen in popularity in the past few years, whether they’re the big hulking boxes that are kept at home or the funky cylinders that we can take anywhere with us. The designs of these projectors have also changed considerably over the years, adapting not just to the needs of people but also to their aesthetic tastes. Now XGIMI is introducing not just one, not even just two, but five sleek new projectors to satisfy your entertainment needs, wherever the craving hits you.

Designer: XGIMI

XGIMI Elfin Flip: Elegance and Power in One

Laser projectors have this connotation of large, uninspiring boxes used in meetings or formal presentations, but today’s designs have thankfully outgrown that stereotype. In fact, some projectors have even embraced the call of adventure, accompanying people wherever they go, ready to play a movie at a moment’s notice. The new XGIMI Elfin Flip is one of the latest in this new breed of projectors, and it doesn’t sacrifice elegance for portability.

With its thin and tall triangular body, the Elfin Flip almost looks like an Objet d’art that adds a subtle yet beautiful accent to any space. But flip its middle section down and it’s ready to play a movie in your living room, impress your bosses with a presentation in the board room, or dazzle your friends with photos from your latest island getaway vacation. And with its compact design, you can easily switch between any of these places without breaking a sweat.

The XGIMI Elfin Flip doesn’t skimp on the performance to get that slim body either. Boasting a brightness of 400 ISO lumens, two built-in 3W speakers, a multi-angle projection of up to 150 degrees, and featuring automatic keystone correction and screen alignment, this stylish projector delivers the right amount of power for an enjoyable movie day or movie night. Powered by WebOS with support for Netflix and thousands of apps, the Elfin Flip offers nearly limitless possibilities on what you can show on an extra-large screen. Best of all, the XGIMI Elfin Flip only costs $399, making it a very tempting offer for those who want a stylish project at home and anywhere they go.

XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro: Fun Anywhere, Anytime

If portability is the name of the game, then the EISA award-winning XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is the projector to beat. Weighing only 2.4 lbs (1.1kg), this cylindrical beauty lets you take your binge anywhere inside your house or outdoors. With Google TV support, a first for any XGIMI projector, the MoGo 3 Pro has access not just to Netflix but also to hundreds of media sources and apps. Whether you want to watch a video, blast out some tunes, or start a party light show, the MoGo 3 Pro has got you covered.

Inside its very petite body lies a 450 ISO lumens bulb and a projector capable of a 1080p display that supports 90% of the industry-standard DCI-P3 color gamut. With dual 5W Harman Kardon speakers, you enjoy not only bright and vibrant visuals but also mind-blowing audio. And with the Ambient Light mode that syncs the projector light with the music being played, you can instantly get the party started anywhere.

The XGIMI MoGo 3 Pro is filled to the brim with convenient features for use anywhere. Simply rotate the projector body out of its multi-angle base stand to turn it on, no fumbling with switches and buttons necessary. Intelligent obstacle avoidance, automatic keystone correction, and other smart features offer stress-free and effortless operation so you can worry less about setting the projector up and spend more time enjoying the video or music. It can even be powered by a 65W power bank via USB-C, so power outlets will never be a problem. For only $449 ($499 for a bundle that includes the power stand), this agile projector delivers an unforgettable audio-visual experience in no time flat.

XGIMI AURA 2: Theater and Art Gallery at Home

Sometimes you just want to kick back and relax in the comfort of your favorite couch or chair and the XGIMI AURA 2 makes for a perfect partner in crime. With an ultra-short throw ratio of 0.177:1, you can put it near a wall and still get a 150-inch screen with no effort at all. Uninterrupted automatic keystone correction, color adaptation, and smart alignment assist make it super-easy to get the perfect screen without having to get up from your couch each time.

With Dual Light technology, a brightness of 2300 ISO lumens, support for 99% of the DCI-P3 color range, Dolby Vision certification, and 2-channel 15W Harman Kardon speakers, the XGIMI AURA 2 is a multimedia powerhouse disguised as a low, stylish object that can fit in many cramped spaces in your home. With rich and vibrant colors, you can display not only videos but also photos and artwork, turning into wall into a dynamic art canvas.

It can even display games and sports with the smooth MEMC mode. With Wi-Fi 6 support for wireless streaming, any device can become a source of entertainment, fun, and awe. Competitively priced at $2,699, the EISA award-winning XGIMI AURA 2 can turn any flat wall into a vibrant display with ease and convenience, creating a cozy environment for your personal movie night or a lively atmosphere for a celebration with family and friends.

XGIMI HORIZON S Series: Accessible Home Theater Experience

If space is no problem but your budget is, you don’t have to go far to enjoy a quality home theater experience. With the XGIMI HORIZON S Max (formerly HORIZON Max) and HORIZON S Pro, you have more affordable choices that won’t compromise on quality. Starting at only $1,299, you’re getting “Max” Performance and “Pro” Innovation in a box that won’t burn a hole in your wallet.

The HORIZON S projectors are brimming with power, with a contrast ratio of 1000000:1 and brightness of 3100 ISO lumens for the HORIZON S Max and 1800 ISO lumens for the HORIZON S Pro. They’re also packed with intelligent ISA 5.0 features like uninterrupted auto keystone correction, intelligent object avoidance, and autofocus, just to name a few. Featuring Dual Light 2.0 technology that combines a Tri-Color Laser with LED, the projectors offer accurate imagery and eye comfort for every video or photo. And to match that superb light display, both are equipped with two 12W Harman Kardon speakers for the ultimate sound experience.

The XGIMI HORIZON S projectors are also masters of flexibility, with a built-in stand that can rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 135 degrees vertically. With premium designs that integrate with your home decor, the HORIZON S Max and HORIZON S Pro stand out as aesthetic pieces when not in use and as incredible home theater systems when the projectors turn on.

But Wait, There’s More!

Even with five new projectors under its belt, XGIMI hasn’t forgotten about fans of its beloved projectors. Launching the MoGo 2 Plus and Halo+ (New), XGIMI is introducing a new generation in its portfolio that adds Google TV support. This makes Netflix a first-class citizen, as demonstrated by new remotes with a dedicated Netflix button. Of course, these projectors still boast the same features that consumers have grown to love, like ISA 2.0 intelligent features and Dolby Audio. At $299 for the MoGo 2 Plus and $799 for the Halo+ (New), XGIMI covers a wide range of features, designs, and market tiers to make sure no one is left behind in their search for a theater experience at home or on-the-go.

The post XGIMI Debuts Stylish Projectors to Deliver Quality Entertainment For All, Wherever You Are first appeared on Yanko Design.

Developer Related Companies has released additional images of the SOM-master-planned Hudson Yards West development in New York, amidst an outcry from local advocates.

First announced last year, the development is proposed for a disused rail yard to the west of Hudson Yards – a neighbourhood master-planned by KPF, with buildings including Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s The Shed performance centre and BIG’s The Spiral skyscraper.

Related Companies (Related) has released new renderings of the scheme, which add more details to the potential structures and show a massive Hollander Design and Sasaki-designed park. SOM will be carrying out the development master plan, and will activate what it calls an “urban void”.

SOM said that a “vast platform built over the railyard” will created on top of which the development will sit.

“Equipped with ventilation and critical fire and life safety measures, the platform will modernize the Long Island Rail Road’s infrastructure, while supporting a 5.6-acre park that unites the site with all of its surroundings,” said SOM.

The project is still being reviewed by the city, but it will contain three skyscrapers – the tallest of which may reach 1,172 feet (357 metres) in height, making it a supertall.

In the renderings, the largest of the skyscrapers is roughly pyramidal in shape with floor-to-ceiling glass covered in louvres. No details about the skyscrapers’ architects have been released.

The images also show a park weaving around the buildings and extending to the area along the waterfront.

SOM has worked with Hollander Design and Sasaki to devise a scheme where all car traffic is pushed to the perimeter, opening up the middle of the development to parks and pedestrians and providing easy access to the aspect of the park along then Hudson River.

“By designating Hudson Green exclusively for pedestrians, all car traffic will be pushed to the roads that border the site,” said SOM.

“These streets, which currently operate as a makeshift parking lot and service roads where pedestrians rarely walk, will be completely redesigned.”

According to the proposal, Related is working with global hospitality group Wynn Resorts to plan a hotel and casino for the development, one of many such proposals as New York prepares to issue three casino licenses next year. Other proposals include a development on Manhattan’s East Side designed by BIG.

As of now, the resort and amenities will occupy the podium of the pyramidal skyscraper on the north side of the plot, and will also service the Javits Convention Center across the street.

Affordable housing has also been included in the Hudson Yards West development, according to Related, which said 324 affordable units out of 1,500 apartments are part of the plan. A K-8 school is also included in the proposal.

SOM also noted its commitment to sustainability for the project, and said that it plans to make the buildings all-electric, outfit the site with photovoltaic panels, and irrigate the park with storm water recycled on site.

The development has recently been criticised by Friends of the High Line, an advocacy group that led the conversion of a former elevated train track into a landscaped walking path designed by studios Field Operations, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Piet Oudolf.

The renderings show the High Line extending to the south of the development, wrapping around the development to the west.

Friends of the High Line claimed that the development will negatively affect views from the High Line and the success of businesses in the area.

However, Related denied the claims, calling them “disinformation”.

“First, the High Line is not remotely under threat by our proposal to develop the Western Rail Yards; as longtime neighbors and supporters of the High Line, we have met with them 10 times and made substantial amendments to our proposal in response to their concerns,” a spokesperson told Dezeen.

“Since that time, they have failed to communicate any substantive concerns and instead have launched a disinformation campaign.”

Other developments around the original Hudson Yards development include two massive skyscrapers by SOM as part of the Manhattan West development.

The images are courtesy of Related Companies/Wynn Resorts. 

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In the run-up to this year’s London Design Festival, we have selected ten installations, exhibitions and other standout projects taking place across the city from 14 to 22 September.

Held over nine days, London Design Festival (LDF) will be located across 11 districts spread throughout the capital.

The 22nd edition of the festival will include a wide-ranging programme, from workshops, talks and tours to open studios and product launches.

See Dezeen Events Guide’s digital guide to London Design Festival 2024 for more information on the many events taking place all over the city.

In the meantime, read on for what to expect from the programme’s highlights:

Vert by Stefan Diez

Designer Stefan Diez has created Vert, an installation finished with red-oak glue laminated timber, which will feature a biodegradable net packed with 20 plant species.

Diez designed the project with the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) and urban greening specialists OMC°C to promote city biodiversity and provide a gathering space for community engagement during the festival.

Parade Ground, Chelsea College of Arts, 16 John Islip St, London SW1P 4JU

Design You Can Feel by ASUS Zenbook and Dezeen

Dezeen has collaborated with electronics brand ASUS to curate Design You Can Feel, a major exhibition for LDF. Participants including Natural Material Studio and Giles Miller will showcase works examining materiality, craftsmanship and AI.

In particular, the exhibition will investigate Ceraluminum – an innovative material by ASUS used to make its Zenbook laptop. Design and research studio Future Facility has created a specially commissioned piece made from Ceraluminum for the show.

Protein Studios, 31 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EY

Toogood Openhouse by Faye Toogood

For the first time at LDF, designer Faye Toogood and her team will open their studio doors for an open-house event that offers a glimpse into their daily creative processes.

The team will present two new furniture collections, including Gummy – Toogood’s first upholstered seating designed with chubby curves.

Studio Toogood, 150 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TA

Well Made: What It Means Today by Pearson Lloyd

Industrial design studio Pearson Lloyd will present Well Made: What It Means Today – an exhibition of pieces by over 40 design voices exploring the criteria required to achieve creative, sustainable and quality products.

Jasper Morrison, Erwan Bouroullec and Lilli Hollein are among the contributors.

Yorkton Workshops, 1-3 Yorkton Street, London E2 8NH

Pavilions of Wonder by Nina Tolstrup

Designer Nina Tolstrup of Studiomania has created three Barbie Dreamhouse-style pavilions for the Strand in central London.

Created in collaboration with Barbie and Californian tourism agency Visit Greater Palm Springs, the structures intend to explore how California’s iconic mid-century modernist architecture has influenced the many toy houses of the world’s most famous doll.

Strand Aldwych, London WC2R 1ES

Material Matters

Launched in 2022, design think tank Material Matters will return to LDF with a varied programme exploring the significance of materials and how they influence our lives.

Five floors of central London’s Bargehouse gallery will be taken over by an exhibition of products and installations made of unusual materials – from mud and orange peel to seaweed, bioplastic and collagen.

Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH

Cafe Tolerance by Mitre & Mondays

Design agency Mitre & Mondays has converted a Bedford Rascal van into a mobile coffee shop called Cafe Tolerance. The van will travel to different locations, including Granary Square in King’s Cross and Material Matters’ site at Oxo Tower Wharf.

Throughout the festival, Cafe Tolerance will invite visitors to engage with the idea of tolerance and what it means to them. Mitre & Mondays will record conversations between participants and use the research as the starting point for a future video and audio essay, which will question how design can respond to the issues raised.

All of the proceeds from coffee sales will be donated to London homeless charity Hackney Night Shelter.

Find Cafe Tolerance’s daily location via Mitre & Mondays’ Instagram.

Reclaimed: The Silo Collection by Studio Omelette

Local design firm Studio Omelette has partnered with restaurant and brewery The White Building to create an exhibition of ceramics made from repurposed waste. The exhibition will take place at Hackney zero-waste restaurant Silo.

Twenty-two London-based potters will present a range of functional designs and hand-crafted sculptures. Each piece has been finished with a distinctive ceramic glaze made out of used Silo wine bottles, developed by ceramicist Lucia Ocejo.

Silo, Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, The White Building, 1st Floor, London E9 5EN

New Perspective by Stella Smith for The Conran Shop

Design retailer The Conran Shop will present an installation called New Perspective at its flagship store, exploring the dynamic between art and design and how the two can enhance each other, addressing form, materiality and processes.

Curated by Stella Smith, founder of art advisory platform Izena, the project will showcase work from emerging designers.

The Conran Shop, 16 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8ER

Proof of Concept

Ten emerging multidisciplinary designers and studios will take part in Proof of Concept – an exhibition created to reveal the evolving stages of the design process, from concept to realisation.

Prototypes, sketches and scale models will feature alongside finished designs to highlight the myriad challenges involved in creating products, furniture, ceramics, textiles and architecture.

83 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3EY

The images are courtesy of London Design Festival unless stated otherwise.

The London Design Festival takes place from 14 to 22 September 2024. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world. 

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AI as a buzzword has many raising their eyebrows at their every reference, but like any emerging technology, it is something that will redefine human life in the years to come. From AI assistants that understand and carry out every query to analytical AI that makes sense of your notes and data to summarize them into digestible information to generative AI which lets anyone create images and words, AI is empowering people to make more efficient use of their time and resources. That technology, however, will only truly have a positive impact on human civilization if it’s made available to everyone rather than just an elite few. As part of its mission to bring advanced technologies to emerging markets, TECNO is now announcing at IFA 2024 its encompassing vision for AI as well as the AIoT experiences and designs to bridge the digital divide.

Designer: TECNO

AI Vision: Practical AI

To some people, “AI” is a vague buzzword, while others understand it only in the form of Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa. The reality is that AI encompasses a wide range of features and applications, but its most important facet is how it can be integrated into daily life in order to improve the quality of people’s lives. For TECNO, this goal involves not just fancy new features or complicated neural networks or large language models, but also AI that can be understood by everyone, requiring localization and integration with local apps in markets where TECNO operates.

One such example is the Gemini-integrated TECNO smart assistant, Ella AI. Its conversational style makes interaction feel more natural, like talking to a real human who can adapt to the dynamic nature of most conversations. Whether you’re asking for advice on what to wear based on the weather or suggestions for recipes, the TECNO AI Assistant offers a more intuitive alternative to the conventional one-question-one-answer systems of smart assistants.

TECNO’s AI vision also includes features like Real-Time Translation that breaks down language barriers and better connects people across the globe. There’s also AI Writing, which can summarize long walls of text to make them easier to comprehend or help improve your writing with proofreading and suggestions. And, of course, there’s also AI Search that puts the world’s information beneath your fingertip, and quite literally, too, with the now popular circle to search gesture.

AI Artboard takes the somewhat controversial generative AI technology and transforms it into a tool to help give users a creativity boost when brainstorming for ideas. AI Image Editing cleans out undesirable objects in photos or helps put together a comical collage of objects in a single composition. Whether it’s for fun or serious work, TECNO’s AI Assistant helps people get their tasks done faster so they can have more time for more important creative work.

TECNO is also showcasing its first-ever AI PC, the TECNO MEGABOOK T16 Pro 2024 Ultra. Powered by an AI-powered Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage, this AI laptop promises exceptional power to drive AI experiences, including those from Windows Copilot+.

TECNO Devices: Technology For All

Of course, AI isn’t the only focus of the technology company. At IFA 2024, TECNO is also unveiling its portfolio of devices that help bridge the digital divide and deliver much-needed technologies to emerging markets. First unveiled at MWC 2024 in February, the TECNO Pocket Go puts a twist on the handheld gaming PC market, combining a gaming computer inside a controller and AR glasses that offer a bigger screen than what these small handheld devices can offer. It also offers advanced AI head tracking and vibration algorithms to add a bit of spice to your games.

The TECNO MEGA MINI Gaming G1 shrinks a gaming desktop down to a more space-efficient size without compromising on performance and, more importantly, cooling. A whisper-quiet cooling pump ensures stable and consistent performance that both gamers and creators need to level up their game. Despite its minuscule form factor, it boasts an Intel Core i9-13900H processor and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card not just for raw performance but to also support AI-powered features.

New to TECNO’s lineup is the MEGABOOK K16S, designed to let entertainment lovers “See bigger, See louder” with its 16-inch widescreen display and 2.5W 4013 quadruple speakers. Running on an AMD Ryzen R7 5800U processor paired with AMD Radeon graphics, the laptop promises stunning visuals and performance as well as AIoT (AI of Things) support that lets it seamlessly multi-task between devices.

The post TECNO at IFA 2024 reveals AI vision and AIoT products to advance Innovation For All first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tech start-up Pentaform has devised a potential solution to e-waste: making gadgets that dissolve in water and leave behind only their electronic components for recycling.

Pentaform‘s idea involves making both the housing of an electronic product and its circuit board from a type of biodegradable and fully water-soluble plastic that the company is calling Aquafade.

The product – for instance, a computer or remote control – is given a thin waterproof coating on the outside to protect it from moisture, but when its housing is opened and the whole thing is submerged in water, it completely dissolves in six to eight hours.

As the plastic starts to break down, the valuable electronic parts can be easily separated from the material by hand, and the remainder of the plastic-water mixture is tipped down a sink or toilet so it can finish decomposing in the sewage system.

Pentaform co-founders Samuel Wangsaputra and Joon Sang Lee came up with Aquafade out of frustration with both e-waste and biodegradable plastics.

According to the duo, biodegradable plastics usually ends up in landfill rather than proper composting facilities and enters the environment as microplastics.

They are also critical of the carbon emissions generated from composting sites and waste transportation, which they think could be reduced.

With Aquafade, there is a shortcut to the best processing facility and no microplastics are left behind, they say.

“It’s the highest probability that people will actually biodegrade the product, because it dilutes in water, it gets transported through the sewage system, and it biodegrades with the bacteria in a sewage facility,” Wangsaputra told Dezeen.

Wangsaputra’s inspiration for Aquafade came from an everyday source: dishwasher detergent pods. Aquafade is made from the same type of synthetic polymer, called polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), but used in bulk rather than as a thin film.

According to Pentaform, the material is durable, with similar mechanical properties to ABS – the polymer used as standard for computer parts – and can be injection moulded using the same machines. It is also commonly used for 3D printing.

Wangsaputra and Lee have been working with scientists Enrico Manfredi and Meryem Lamari to develop the polymer for their intended use, and also to develop the coating that will protect products from degrading upon exposure to moisture in the air and on surfaces.

“We want the coating to prevent the ingress of moisture but also we want the coating to make it a bit tougher, to make it stiffer and to allow it to take a bit more punishment,” said Manfredi. “We’ve actually found formulations to do both in isolation and now the next stage is combining the two compositions.”

The coating consists of two other common types of plastic: polyurethane and polydimethal siloxane, otherwise known as silicone.

These are typically non-toxic, and while they are not usually thought of as biodegradable, Pentaform’s scientists are confident that given the thinness of the coating and the bacteria in the sewage system, these too will break down completely.

“Polyurethane does break down – not quickly, but it does break down,” said Manfredi. “In waterways, we think it will break down much faster, because the activity of bacteria in sewage plants is actually pretty incredible.”

He says it is similar to how wastewater treatment plants already cleanse toxic compounds from soaps and detergents, with the local bacterial fauna adapting to whatever they are given to eat.

“You can kind of think of it as a watery composting facility,” he added.

Pentaform’s vision for Aquafade is to both license the material to other companies and to release their own products.

They have a headstart on the product, having previously designed and released a device called the Abacus computer that they now intend to update with Aquafade in place of recycled ABS plastic.

The product constitutes a computer housed inside a keyboard that can be connected to a TV screen for use. It targeted Wangsaputra’s home market in Indonesia, where most rural households do not have a home computer but do have a TV, and has found some popularity.

Pentaform has only been developing Aquafade since late 2023 and is now among the finalists for the Terra Carta Design Lab prize, which recognises student-led projects focusing on sustainability, and which Wangsaputra qualifies for as a recent design graduate of London’s Royal College of Art.

Wangsaputra’s vision is for the material to be more broadly adopted in consumer electronics. He says that if Aquafade can replace even one per cent of e-waste, it would prevent 140,000 tonnes of toxic and carcinogenic materials from potentially entering the environment.

“If we keep on bringing out these products that are quite radical, hopefully one of them will get accepted by the market and we could somewhat change the way the industry works,” said Wangsaputra.

The winners of the previous Terra Carta prize included the Tyre Collective’s tyre rubber-catching device and the Zelp muzzle for filtering methane out of cow burps.

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