Vincent Nguyen - Yanko Design https://www.yankodesign.com Modern Industrial Design News Fri, 18 Apr 2025 18:28:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 Available Now: Hisense U8QG MiniLED QLED Series — The Visual Focal Point of Your Home https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/18/available-now-hisense-u8qg-miniled-qled-series-the-visual-focal-point-of-your-home/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=available-now-hisense-u8qg-miniled-qled-series-the-visual-focal-point-of-your-home Fri, 18 Apr 2025 20:45:56 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546957

Available Now: Hisense U8QG MiniLED QLED Series — The Visual Focal Point of Your Home

Hisense has introduced the U8QG series of large-format MiniLED QLED TVs. Ranging from 55 inches to 100 inches, these displays are crafted to serve as...
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Hisense has introduced the U8QG series of large-format MiniLED QLED TVs. Ranging from 55 inches to 100 inches, these displays are crafted to serve as the central visual element in any interior space. They are designed to draw attention and define the aesthetic of a room.

Designer: Hisense

The U8QG series employs MiniLED technology. Thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen provide localized dimming, enabling precise control over contrast and brightness. The images produced are detailed, with bright highlights and deep blacks. The high luminance levels, reaching up to 5,000 nits, support HDR content, bringing scenes to life with vibrant highlights and subtle gradations. Quantum Dot Color technology further enhances the palette, expanding the range of vivid colors.

The design takes into account the visual impact of the display as the room’s focal point. The larger sizes, especially the 100-inch model, dominate the space, transforming it into an immersive environment. Placement within a room must account for the size and viewing distance; larger screens require more space to fully appreciate their scale and detail. When positioned thoughtfully, the display becomes a defining element that influences the room’s atmosphere and layout.

The series’s high refresh rate of 165Hz ensures fluid motion during fast scenes, such as sports or gaming sequences. The rapid response times help maintain clarity during rapid movement, preventing blur and maintaining visual coherence. The integration of spatial audio through a Dolby Atmos system fills the space with multidimensional sound. This acoustic design emphasizes the display’s role as the room’s primary entertainment feature, supporting a fully immersive sensory experience.

Support for high-quality formats such as Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced ensures that content remains true to its original intent. The interface offers access to a wide array of streaming apps and channels, making the TV a versatile centerpiece. Voice control through Google Assistant and Alexa enhances its functionality as the room’s interactive hub.

The variety of sizes available—55, 65, 75, 85, and 100 inches—allows for tailored integration into different spaces. Smaller models fit comfortably in bedrooms or smaller living areas, while larger models serve as the dominant visual element in open-plan rooms or dedicated home theaters. Proper seating and placement maximize the immersive qualities of the large screens, emphasizing their role as the room’s primary visual focal point.

These displays are now available at Best Buy and Amazon. With their commanding presence and advanced technological features, they redefine what a home display can be. The series encourages a thoughtful approach to interior design, where the screen is not just a piece of technology but a central visual and atmospheric element that shapes the entire space.

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The Lapp RiverHouse: Arthur Dyson’s Organic Masterwork Carved by River and Ridge https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/18/the-lapp-riverhouse-arthur-dysons-organic-masterwork-carved-by-river-and-ridge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-lapp-riverhouse-arthur-dysons-organic-masterwork-carved-by-river-and-ridge Fri, 18 Apr 2025 17:20:02 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546929

The Lapp RiverHouse: Arthur Dyson’s Organic Masterwork Carved by River and Ridge

Deborah and Greg Lapp were floating down the Kings River when they saw it: a For Sale sign half-hidden behind the brush, perched right on...
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Deborah and Greg Lapp were floating down the Kings River when they saw it: a For Sale sign half-hidden behind the brush, perched right on the water. Still soaked from kayaking, they pulled ashore and made an offer that afternoon. The site—tucked into nearly nine acres of foothill terrain—spoke louder than any brochure. They already knew who to call: architect Arthur Dyson.

Some homes are built. This one was uncovered. Now listed at $2,300,000, the Lapp RiverHouse at 26210 Elwood Road is on the market—architect-designed, site-shaped, and available now. It won’t last.

Designer: Arthur Dyson

This was a return engagement. Dyson had designed Deborah’s first home decades earlier, a residence known as the Hobbit House. That project earned international recognition for its curving forms and rooted presence. With this new property, the Lapps brought fresh intentions to familiar hands. The result is the Lapp RiverHouse—a residence shaped by slope, light, and long memory.

Exterior Architecture: Where Mass Meets Movement

From the first glimpse, the house appears to emerge from the site rather than sit on it. The curved roofline rises from the ground, clad in standing-seam metal that catches shifts in daylight. Oversized steel beams extend beyond the envelope, forming horizontal elements that provide shading and structural support. These dark fins modulate sunlight and punctuate the visual rhythm of the roof.

Primary materials include stucco, cedar, and steel. Their combined tonality matches the site’s muted palette. The exterior reads with quiet weight. Curved forms soften transitions between vertical and horizontal surfaces. There’s no abrupt shift between structure and land.

A rounded pool traces the home’s outer arc. Water reflects the sky and forms in tandem with it. Concrete slabs form the patio and seating areas, wide enough for function, spare enough to let the landscape remain the focal point. There are no fences or hard enclosures along the edge—only topography and natural grade.

The landscaping features drought-tolerant California natives, including grasses, succulents, and strategically placed boulders that complement the terrain. These choices reinforce the home’s responsiveness to its environmental setting.

Interior Volumes: High Glass, Low Ego

The entry opens into a long, lifting volume. Light moves without obstruction. The roof continues its arc indoors, uninterrupted by dropped soffits or excessive framing.

Glass walls dominate the southern face. Floor-to-ceiling panels run the length of the common areas. Corners meet cleanly, supported by slender frames. Natural views anchor the space. Mullions are minimized to create a floating effect. Above, clerestory windows distribute ambient light throughout the day.

Built-in benches stretch along the base of the windows. These aren’t afterthoughts; they serve as transitions between the interior floor and the exterior view. In the living room, neutral-toned furniture keeps visual emphasis on the outside. Upholstery and finishes remain within a consistent palette: rust, clay, pale ash, and natural oak.

The ceiling geometry slopes asymmetrically, creating a directional pull that balances acoustic performance and spatial drama. Wood soffits appear to absorb sound and soften visual echo.

Kitchen and Dining: Function Drawn in Curve

The kitchen is designed to follow the house’s geometry. Cabinetry curves along the outer wall. There are no breaks in the circulation path. The island holds center with a round footprint. Materials include matte-finish stone and integrated fixtures. There are no high-gloss finishes or heavy ornamentation.

Overhead, clerestory windows and mirrored backsplash reflect ambient light across the preparation area. Storage remains concealed behind flat-panel fronts. The adjacent dining nook includes a built-in banquette. This continuity reinforces the spatial intent—rooms are drawn, not inserted.

Fixtures and appliances are embedded into the cabinetry, preserving uninterrupted surfaces. No visible handles or external panels distract from the form.

Private Quarters and the Quiet Details

Bedrooms follow the slope of the roof, continuing the home’s rhythm. Ceiling fans trace a low arc above. One wall features full-height shelving. Lighting is indirect, with accent fixtures placed for function.

Bathrooms use large-format slate tile. A full-height window in the primary bath looks out at filtered trees. Clerestories allow additional light without compromising enclosure. Fixtures are matte and functional. The room opens wide without theatrical gestures.

The laundry room includes full-height glazing and generous counter space. Every functional zone offers access to daylight and views. Utility isn’t confined; it’s integrated.

Flooring across private and shared spaces appears to be polished concrete or limestone, chosen for thermal mass and minimal reflectivity. Thresholds are flush, and transitions are seamless.

Wine Room: Sculpture in a Shipping Container

A separate structure behind the home contains a wine cellar, built into a converted shipping container. One wall is surfaced in cork, arranged into a sweeping relief pattern. The visual texture mimics the appearance of erosion or windblown sediment.

Shelving is made of raw wood and steel brackets. A narrow bar anchors the space, with two chairs set for quiet tasting. No artificial lighting schemes or ostentatious displays. The materiality carries the mood.

The space is thermally contained with minimal glazing, relying on insulation and passive airflow to regulate temperature.

Site, Performance, and Purpose

Cross ventilation is achieved by placing operable windows along prevailing wind paths. Roof overhangs block high summer sun while admitting low winter light. These strategies are part of the structure itself. There are no overlays or aftermarket additions.

The roof system reflects solar load while maintaining a low visual profile. No dormers interrupt the massing. Drive access follows the site’s natural contours, leading through oaks and native vegetation.

The lighting strategy avoids the use of spotlights or pendants. Most fixtures are recessed or integrated into reveals. LED strips provide ambient glow rather than directional glare.

This house invites a pause without performance. Each room opens toward calm. Every surface respects its place. There are no declarations. Just presence, and the kind of design that reveals itself slowly, over seasons, through shadows, and in silence.

Inquire now to experience the Lapp RiverHouse at 26210 Elwood Road, listed at $2,300,000—before it’s gone.

The post The Lapp RiverHouse: Arthur Dyson’s Organic Masterwork Carved by River and Ridge first appeared on Yanko Design.

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GM’s EV Corvette Concept Strips Down the V8 Legacy https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/17/gms-ev-corvette-concept-strips-down-the-v8-legacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gms-ev-corvette-concept-strips-down-the-v8-legacy Thu, 17 Apr 2025 22:30:05 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546756

GM’s EV Corvette Concept Strips Down the V8 Legacy

General Motors is rethinking its most sacred nameplate. The new Corvette EV concept, revealed at GM’s Advanced Design Studio in Royal Leamington Spa, England, trades...
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General Motors is rethinking its most sacred nameplate. The new Corvette EV concept, revealed at GM’s Advanced Design Studio in Royal Leamington Spa, England, trades rumbling V8s for an all-electric platform wrapped in something far from retro. The silhouette still squats low, still signals speed, but does so with no exhaust and with a profile that barely glances backward. Corvette’s identity hasn’t been erased—it’s been redrawn with electricity in mind, targeting a global audience without bowing to nostalgia.

Designer: GM Advanced Design Studio in Royal Leamington Spa, England

The move is more than symbolic. GM has planted this concept in European soil with deliberate purpose. This isn’t a car built for one continent. It’s aimed at drivers from Stuttgart to San Francisco, designed in collaboration with studios across the globe. It doesn’t pander. It announces.

Rewriting the Corvette Shape Language

What you see first is the roofline. The entire upper half of the vehicle tilts toward sculpture, not memory. Those gullwing doors aren’t there to echo a Mercedes or to turn heads for novelty. They exist because the body sits so impossibly low that they’re the most rational way in. And yes, they make a dramatic entrance without being theatrical.

The front grille is gone. EVs don’t need them, and GM doesn’t pretend otherwise. In its place, light signatures define the fascia with a shape that still looks aggressive, but with intention. Sharp contours across the hood and fenders don’t decorate—they redirect airflow, visually and physically.

Out back, a single horizontal light bar stretches from edge to edge, tying in with active aero elements that morph based on driving conditions. It feels more like a low-slung hypercar than a traditional coupe. But the Corvette DNA lingers—most noticeably in the split rear window, a nod to the 1963 Sting Ray, done without dipping into retro design.

Battery, Torque, and the EV Transition

Underneath that form sits GM’s Ultium platform. Expect a tightly integrated battery chassis, structural rigidity baked into every panel, and a center of gravity pulled toward the Earth. The likely AWD layout and dual- or tri-motor setup translate to explosive torque and surgical traction. This isn’t an adaptation. It’s a rebuild.

The Corvette EV shares electric bones with the Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, but application matters. Here, the same 800V architecture will be tasked with delivering speed between corners, not climbing rocks. Fast charging becomes a pit stop, not a feature.

Cooling ducts carved into the body hint at motorsport roots. This isn’t a heat-trapped city cruiser. GM has shaped the chassis and airflow to handle repeated high-speed stress. Expect lessons pulled straight from Corvette Racing’s back catalog, translated into venting, ducting, and thermal control.

Driver-First Cockpit, Digitally Rewired

Inside the concept, analog thinking meets digital interface. A squared-off steering wheel cuts visual clutter and consolidates tactile inputs. You keep your hands planted at 9 and 3. Augmented reality overlays your data in motion—speed, g-force, track line—but only when needed.

Materials matter. Recycled composite trims don’t cheapen the cabin. They focus it. Upholstery swaps indulgence for precision. The carbon-backed seats don’t pad you in leather; they clamp you in position. The center spine of the cabin flows between seats, eliminating the transmission tunnel and adding usable space without drawing attention to it.

The layout is purposeful, the materials selected with restraint, and the controls placed for use under pressure, not for show.

The Corvette Goes Global

GM didn’t pick Royal Leamington Spa by accident. The UK design hub brings European proportioning and urban sensibility to a traditionally American platform. The lines are leaner. The angles more decisive. This design didn’t pass through Detroit untouched—it was shaped in dialogue with Seoul, Melbourne, Shanghai, and beyond.

It also shows GM’s strategy: bring American icons into a design vocabulary that speaks internationally. Performance EVs are no longer niche in Europe. Regulations, infrastructure, and consumer appetite are already in place. This Corvette concept signals GM’s serious intent to sell electric performance on a global stage.

Where Concept Meets Reality

Don’t expect gullwings on the production model. They make a point here, but crash regs and cost constraints tend to win that argument. The same applies to some of the show-car detailing. But what matters is the architecture, and that looks production-ready.

GM hasn’t committed to a launch window, but the hybrid E-Ray was the opening act. A fully electric Corvette landing by 2026 isn’t off-script. When it arrives, it won’t be a re-skinned Stingray with batteries stuffed in. It’ll be a purpose-built machine.

The EV space is full of promises, missed timelines, and brand pivots. What this Corvette concept offers is a clear signal: GM plans to make performance EVs with teeth. And if the production car looks and drives anything like this concept implies, that future’s going to be loud—even if the engine isn’t.

The post GM’s EV Corvette Concept Strips Down the V8 Legacy first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Hands-On with the Sigma BF Camera: A Beautiful Union of Minimalist Design and Purposeful Function https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/17/hands-on-with-the-sigma-bf-camera-a-beautiful-union-of-minimalist-design-and-purposeful-function/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hands-on-with-the-sigma-bf-camera-a-beautiful-union-of-minimalist-design-and-purposeful-function Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:20:55 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546690

Hands-On with the Sigma BF Camera: A Beautiful Union of Minimalist Design and Purposeful Function

When a new camera lands on my desk, I typically approach it with measured expectations. Yet sometimes, a piece of gear comes along that defies...
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When a new camera lands on my desk, I typically approach it with measured expectations. Yet sometimes, a piece of gear comes along that defies convention so boldly it demands an entirely fresh perspective. The Sigma BF is precisely that kind of device. Having spent a very short time with this striking mirrorless marvel, I can say this is one of the most thoughtfully designed and satisfying cameras I’ve ever held. That impression aligns with Sigma’s broader direction in 2025.

Designer: SIGMA

Announced in Tokyo, Sigma’s revitalized visual identity brings its design philosophy into sharp focus. The updated branding isn’t a surface-level refresh—it mirrors the same commitment to clarity, reduction, and form that defines the BF. Alongside new products and lenses, it signals a deeper investment in creativity, one grounded in simplicity and purpose-built engineering.

A Refined Look: The Evolution of Sigma’s Identity

Sigma’s updated visual identity reflects its core philosophy. The brand’s new wordmark and symbol retain the Greek letter Σ, honoring Sigma’s heritage while introducing a refined design. This update will gradually appear on packaging, digital platforms, and marketing materials. The change highlights the company’s focus on craftsmanship and the extensive expertise behind each product, reinforcing Sigma’s longstanding commitment to its roots in Aizu, Japan.

This shift arrives alongside the debut of Sigma’s Art Projects Initiative. Collaborations with artists like Sølve Sundsbø and Julia Hetta mark a renewed focus on supporting the creative process, not only through tools but through inspiration.

The Sigma BF doesn’t follow trends. It ignores them entirely. This full-frame mirrorless camera strips away excess and focuses on essentials. In hand, it’s not like any other photographic tool. With a 24.6MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, 230GB of internal storage, hybrid autofocus, and a solid aluminum chassis milled from a single block, the BF is engineered with precision and intent.

Design and Ergonomics

The BF’s shape is striking—sharp lines, geometric intent, and zero unnecessary ornamentation. It’s a trapezoidal block, sculpted and balanced with care. The unibody aluminum build delivers a monolithic feel. There are no visible seams, no break in continuity—only surface transitions executed with near-microscopic precision.

This isn’t a camera that disappears in your hand. It transforms in your grip. The textured metal pattern on the grip section creates friction without discomfort. It doesn’t attract lint or degrade with sweat. Despite the stark visual language, the camera rests securely and naturally. Palm and thumb rests are integrated into the form itself, not bolted on as afterthoughts.

Both the black and silver finishes are handled with restraint. The matte black absorbs light softly, ideal for low-profile shooting, while the silver variant—the one Sigma shipped per our request—creates a sculptural feel paired with I Series lenses. The aluminum body warms to the touch quickly, encouraging a connection rather than distancing the user from the tool.

At around 650g with battery, the BF lands in that sweet spot of heft and carryability. Whether walking the streets or working on longer handheld shoots, it holds its position without needing constant adjustment.

Simplified Interface with a Focused Layout

The BF features just five physical buttons. No mode dial. No clutter. Power, shutter release, playback, menu, and a center button on the haptic directional pad. Each one is pressure-sensitive and offers responsive feedback without clicky overstatement. The shutter release delivers a perfect half-press tension and a quiet, yet reassuring, release.

The layout supports your muscle memory—power under your thumb, playback just above the natural rest line, and control functions centered. After just a few minutes of shooting, it becomes second nature.

A slim status monitor located near the rear screen displays current adjustments in real-time, without disrupting your composition. When framing, the rear screen stays intentionally clean. Only the essentials show—no histogram clutter, no redundant overlays. The idea is simple: keep your eyes on the shot, not the settings.

Instead of switching through PASM modes, the BF grants direct control over shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure compensation, and color mode. Each is available instantly. You’re not drilling through layers—you’re adjusting the fundamentals of photography. This approach clearly speaks to photographers who want a machine that supports their decisions, not menus.

Real-World Handling and Lens Pairing

With Sigma’s compact I Series primes, like the 50mm F2 DG—our review unit—the BF feels cohesive. The silver-on-silver pairing makes a design statement without being overly loud. The body’s balance remains stable, and the tripod mount aligns with the lens’s optical axis, which is key for accurate panorama stitching and long-lens setups.

While I’ve only had the unit for minutes, I anticipate that even after hours of shooting, hand fatigue won’t be an issue. The grip’s tactile pattern doesn’t irritate, and the chamfered edges prevent pressure points during extended sessions. The BF isn’t trying to vanish. It stays present but never gets in your way.

There’s no EVF, and Sigma makes no apologies for it. The BF asks you to look at the world differently—literally through a screen. It’s a decision that won’t work for everyone, but for street shooters and those composing at waist level or at low angles, it feels natural and refreshingly direct.

Thermals, Power, Storage—and What’s Next

The aluminum body is said to dissipate heat efficiently—something I’ll need to test out over the next week. So far, during brief use, it has remained stable to the touch. The internal 230GB storage eliminates the need for SD cards and supports over 14,000 JPEG images or approximately two hours of 6K video. USB-C handles fast transfers and charging. It’s an ecosystem with less friction, which is the real story behind the BF—less friction, more shooting.

I have a very short two-week period to put this camera to the test, and I plan to make the most of every minute to do so. The Sigma BF doesn’t compete on feature checklists. It doesn’t chase trends. It sets its own agenda—tactile, minimal, intentional. You don’t pick it up for specs. You use it because it makes you feel connected to the process again.

It’s not for everyone. And that’s the point. Sigma created a camera for those who care about how a camera feels, looks, and interacts with the creative process. Once you experience it, returning to plastic shells and bloated menus feels like trading down. The BF offers a different kind of freedom—the kind that reminds you why you picked up a camera in the first place.

Stay tuned for my full review.

The post Hands-On with the Sigma BF Camera: A Beautiful Union of Minimalist Design and Purposeful Function first appeared on Yanko Design.

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ASUS Brings Earth, Emotion, and Engineering Together at Milan Design Week 2025 https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/16/asus-brings-earth-emotion-and-engineering-together-at-milan-design-week-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=asus-brings-earth-emotion-and-engineering-together-at-milan-design-week-2025 Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:30:56 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546496

ASUS Brings Earth, Emotion, and Engineering Together at Milan Design Week 2025

Inside the vaulted Galleria Meravigli, something other than fashion or furniture stole the scene at this year’s Milan Design Week. ASUS arrived not with product...
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Inside the vaulted Galleria Meravigli, something other than fashion or furniture stole the scene at this year’s Milan Design Week. ASUS arrived not with product displays but with a full-on sensory encounter. The exhibition, titled Design You Can Feel, unfolded across a series of spatial experiences—from sculptural installations to textured laptops that hum with the energy of Icelandic lava and Maldivian surf. This exhibition moved beyond messaging—it was full sensory participation.

Designer: ASUS

Willful Wonder, the centerpiece installation by Studio INI, greeted guests with fluid, wing-like panels that moved in rhythm with each step. Every step triggered movement. Touch fed into sensors, and those signals morphed into reactive, AI-generated visuals that shifted in real time. As visitors moved, the sculpture responded—flexing, folding, revealing, and resetting with each gesture. Material design met behavioral input without screens or instructions.

ASUS built the entire exhibition on three themes: materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence. These weren’t just taglines; they were baked into the surfaces of every object on display, especially the laptops.

Four Finishes, Four Stories

The Zenbook Ceraluminum Signature Edition series debuted as a tactile tribute to nature’s most evocative terrains. ASUS moved past brushed metal and predictable silhouettes. Each variant in the collection became a study in geological storytelling.

Obsidian Black draws from the volcanic force of Geldingadalir in Iceland. Laser sintering sculpts the surface, mimicking the movement of lava frozen in time. There’s a tangible duality between gloss and matte that feels like magma cooling mid-motion.

Pamukkale White channels Turkey’s cascading terraces. Its soft sheen and gold accents emerge from CNC diamond cutting—light bends and bounces along every curve, like mineral-rich water sliding over travertine steps.

Terra Mocha reaches into Jordan’s Wadi Rum. Its rosette-like geometry emerges not from surface prints, but from within the material, shaped entirely through ASUS’s own ceramization technique. You don’t see the pattern—you sense it, like the grip of sandstone under palm.

Luminous Blue is the most ethereal. Inspired by Vaadhoo Island’s glowing tides, its surface dances under ambient light thanks to calibrated laser-induced oxidation. It shimmers, pulses, disappears in shade, and returns in reflection.

These designs weren’t made for decoration. They were shaped with geological intent, built to retain the memory of the environments that inspired them.

Ceraluminum: Skin and Skeleton

What connects these finishes isn’t aesthetic alone. It’s the material itself—Ceraluminum™. ASUS spent four years developing this patented ceramic-aluminum hybrid. No pigments are used, and no acids are involved. The surface is formed by exposing aluminum to precise voltage and mineral inputs through a high-voltage water-based process. That creates a hard, scratch-resistant shell with three times the fracture toughness of anodized aluminum.

It’s not a coating. It is the surface. The hues and porosity are intrinsic, not sprayed on. ASUS refers to this as “modern alchemy.” Fair. It balances mass reduction, structural strength, and textural richness with zero chemical runoff. And it’s 100% recyclable.

The first laptop to feature it fully was the Zenbook A14, already available in Iceland Gray and Zabriskie Beige. At 2.18 pounds and measuring just 0.53 inches at its thinnest, it showed the material’s production potential. The Signature Editions expand that ambition with storytelling built into every curve.

Engineering, Hidden in Plain Sight

Every Signature Zenbook includes top-tier hardware. Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors and Intel Arc graphics drive the experience. Up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD handle creative workloads without lag. The vapor chamber cooling system keeps noise low and heat down.

ASUS Lumina OLED displays—3K, 120Hz—show off deep blacks, punchy highlights, and subtle midtones. The sound system is Harman Kardon-certified. There’s a dedicated Copilot key, and the glass touchpad supports smart gestures. No spec is tacked on. Every feature serves a purpose.

The machines feel as refined inside as they do on the outside. Even the sleeves—made from Kvadrat Febrik’s Arda textile—extend the story. Woven from wool using water-efficient methods, they provide grip, protection, and texture.

Not a Concept. Not a Campaign.

Zenbook Signature Editions are real machines built to handle real work. They’re thin enough to slip into a tote, strong enough to live untethered, and precise enough to become part of your everyday rhythm. They aren’t pretending to belong in a gallery. They operate, perform, and happen to also carry the clarity and restraint of something display-worthy.

ASUS hasn’t announced the release date yet, but the Zenbook A14 is already on sale in the U.S. and offers a preview of the Ceraluminum experience in two colorways. For those who value tactility, quiet resilience, and design rooted in place, the Signature Editions mark a new intersection—where Earth meets interface.

Where your next laptop stops feeling like a device and starts behaving like something alive.

The post ASUS Brings Earth, Emotion, and Engineering Together at Milan Design Week 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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CHECKMATE: ROLLS-ROYCE REDEFINES THE ANCIENT GAME OF KINGS https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/16/checkmate-rolls-royce-redefines-the-ancient-game-of-kings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=checkmate-rolls-royce-redefines-the-ancient-game-of-kings Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:20:01 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546478

CHECKMATE: ROLLS-ROYCE REDEFINES THE ANCIENT GAME OF KINGS

Chess has captivated strategic minds for centuries. Now, Rolls-Royce has transformed this timeless battle of wits into an extraordinary artifact of luxury craftsmanship. The new...
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Chess has captivated strategic minds for centuries. Now, Rolls-Royce has transformed this timeless battle of wits into an extraordinary artifact of luxury craftsmanship. The new Rolls-Royce Chess Set represents far more than a playing board and pieces – it’s an extension of the brand’s philosophy into the homes of discerning clients who appreciate both heritage and innovation.

Designer: ROLLS-ROYCE

The set’s design immediately communicates its prestigious origins. Sleek, contemporary lines blend with theatrical functionality to create an experience that begins well before the first move is played. Having examined the images and details provided, I’m struck by how thoroughly the designers have considered every element of the chess experience, from the dramatic unveiling of pieces to the satisfying tactile sensation of each move.

A THEATRICAL ENTRANCE

First impressions matter, whether stepping into a Phantom or preparing for a chess match. The Rolls-Royce Chess Set opens with a single, fluid motion that mirrors the brand’s signature coach doors. This theatrical unveiling sets the stage for what’s to come. The board doesn’t merely open – it performs, with a leather-lined holder that elevates to present the magnetized pieces in an elegant, ceremonial fashion.

This sense of occasion transforms a simple game setup into a ritual worthy of the Rolls-Royce name. The leather-clad base rises gently from the center, creating the illusion that the board floats above its narrow footprint. These waft lines, reminiscent of the marque’s motor cars, establish a visual connection between the chess set and the vehicles that inspired it.

ENGINEERED FOR PERFECTION

Six different magnet types were tested before the design team found the perfect balance. Too strong, and the pieces would be difficult to move; too weak, and they’d lack stability. The chosen magnets provide just enough force to keep pieces perfectly aligned during play while allowing them to glide effortlessly across the board’s surface. This attention to detail creates a sense of precision with each move – deliberate, decisive, and deeply satisfying.

Hidden drawers on each side of the board open with the lightest touch, revealing storage for additional queens when pawns are promoted during play. These thoughtful touches demonstrate an understanding of chess that goes beyond aesthetics. The designers clearly considered how the game is actually played, incorporating functional elements that enhance the experience without sacrificing beauty.

SCULPTURAL PIECES THAT COMMAND ATTENTION

The chess pieces themselves are miniature works of art. Each is precision-crafted with faceted surfaces that transform traditional chess piece profiles into modern, sculptural forms. The designers have taken traditional silhouettes and extruded them downward into square bases, creating pieces that are both familiar and distinctly contemporary.

Made from ceramic-coated aluminum, each piece contains a hidden magnet and features a jewel-like polished stainless-steel head. The weight and cool-to-the-touch quality deliberately evoke the solid-metal organ stops found in Rolls-Royce motor cars – creating a tactile connection between playing chess and driving a Rolls-Royce. Black pieces receive a sophisticated satin finish, while white pieces feature a subtle iridescent treatment that catches the light as they move across the board.

MATERIALS WORTHY OF THE MARQUE

Rolls-Royce has applied the same exacting standards to this chess set that they bring to their motorcars. The playing board incorporates a machine-milled aluminum grid, hand-refined to achieve precise definition at the corners – a delicate process, as the fine metal bends easily. Laser-cut veneer squares are placed by hand, with all pieces crafted from the same log to ensure consistent grain patterns and uniform aging over time.

The set offers four veneer combinations, each arranged in a diamond pattern when viewed from above. High-gloss options include Blackwood with Ceramic White and Macassar Ebony with Royal Walnut. For those preferring a more subtle finish, Open Pore treatments in Smoked Eucalyptus with Paldao and Obsidian Ayous with Blackwood are also available.

Personalization extends to the leather elements as well. Clients can select from thirteen distinct Rolls-Royce leather colors – from classic Black to bold options like Forge Yellow, Peony Pink, and Lime Green – allowing them to tailor both the exterior and chess piece holder to complement their home décor or match their Rolls-Royce motor car.

A YEAR OF METICULOUS DEVELOPMENT

The Chess Set represents a full year of design, engineering, and experimentation. This investment of time speaks to Rolls-Royce’s commitment to getting every detail right. The aluminum grid required particular attention, with designers developing specialized techniques to achieve the precise corner definition that gives the board its distinctive character.

Polished aluminum edges frame the generously sized board and chess piece holder, and a discreet Spirit of Ecstasy emblem is affixed to the front and back—a subtle reminder of the set’s prestigious origins. These finishing touches elevate the chess set from a mere game to a collector’s item.

THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION OF HOME LUXURY

What makes this chess set particularly fascinating is how it translates Rolls-Royce’s automotive design language into a home accessory. The floating appearance, theatrical movements, and material authenticity all draw direct inspiration from the marque’s vehicles. Yet the chess set never feels derivative – it stands as its own achievement while maintaining a clear family resemblance.

As Nick Abrams, Accessories Designer at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, notes, this set offers a natural extension of the brand into the homes of Rolls-Royce clients who enjoy chess “often at an extremely high level. ” It brings the same sense of occasion and craftsmanship they expect from their motorcars to a game that rewards patience, strategy, and appreciation for tradition—values that align perfectly with the Rolls-Royce ethos.

The Rolls-Royce Chess Set is now available for commission through Rolls-Royce showrooms and Private Office boutiques worldwide. For those who view chess not merely as a game but as an intellectual pursuit worthy of the finest accoutrements, this extraordinary creation represents the ultimate playing experience – one where every move feels like a special occasion.

The post CHECKMATE: ROLLS-ROYCE REDEFINES THE ANCIENT GAME OF KINGS first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Sculpting Nature and Future: The Organic Elegance of Belém’s Quadra Towers https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/15/sculpting-nature-and-future-the-organic-elegance-of-belems-quadra-towers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sculpting-nature-and-future-the-organic-elegance-of-belems-quadra-towers Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:20:32 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=546208

Sculpting Nature and Future: The Organic Elegance of Belém’s Quadra Towers

A building can occupy a corner of the city, or it can carve its way into the urban psyche. In Belém, the latter is happening...
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A building can occupy a corner of the city, or it can carve its way into the urban psyche. In Belém, the latter is happening with undeniable force. Two new towers—Quadra Legacy and Quadra Authentic—are taking shape with an ambition that runs deeper than height or scale. This collaboration between Pininfarina and Quadra Engenharia transforms 265 meters of vertical construction into a layered dialogue between Amazonian heritage and urban renewal. The façades, shaped by the memory of flowing rivers, capture movement in static form. Their interiors, rooted in biophilic principles, create sanctuaries that breathe with the rhythm of the rainforest. These towers function as architectural storytellers narrating Belém’s evolution.

Designer: Samuele Sordi, Chief Architect Officer at Pininfarina

Located two blocks from Baía do Guajará, the development strategically plants its footprint along Avenida Pedro Álvares Cabral and Avenida Senador Lemos. That dual frontage creates constant exchange with the city’s diverse energy. Medical centers, financial services, and commercial activity buzz on one side. The whispers of the jungle echo from the other. The genius of Pininfarina’s design lies in its refusal to choose between these worlds—it embraces both, creating a harmonious dialogue where urban energy and natural serenity coexist.

Fluid Forms: Architecture in Motion

From the ground up, the towers ripple like currents moving upstream. No harsh corners interrupt their flow, and no static geometry constrains their expression. The buildings breathe with soft curves inspired by the Amazon’s sinuous waterways and indigenous craftsmanship. Each balcony reads like a motion study—frozen mid-flow yet never truly still. This represents architecture shaped by water, carved by wind, and textured by tradition.

The material palette reinforces this vision with remarkable coherence. Locally sourced, recycled components fuse with high-performance solutions that address both climate demands and sustainability goals. These buildings speak the visual language of the forest: layered, textured, deeply organic. The renderings reveal how light interacts with these surfaces—gliding across the façade at dawn, transforming into dynamic shadows by dusk. The towers present a different face with each passing hour. They remain in constant dialogue with their environment—responsive to time, temperature, and terrain in ways that conventional skyscrapers rarely achieve.

Inside, that fluid movement continues—it transforms. The lobby evolves beyond its functional role to become a sensory arrival point. Curved ceilings mimic forest canopies. Strategic greenery and filtered natural light ground visitors in something quieter, more primal. Everything reflects the Amazon without resorting to literal imitation. The spaces feel thoroughly modern yet deeply connected to place—refined without disconnection.

Living Sanctuaries: Beyond Convention

Quadra Engenharia and Pininfarina have crafted 158 living sanctuaries where daily life unfolds in harmony with nature. Biophilic principles guide every layout decision. Natural light becomes a constant companion rather than an occasional visitor. Ventilation works with the building’s organic form instead of fighting against it. Balconies offer seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces—genuine extensions of living areas.

The design renderings show how these spaces invite rituals shaped by nature. Morning coffee becomes a meditation in sunlight. Evening breezes drift through wide thresholds. The materials feel indigenous to this place—grown from local inspiration. This authenticity creates a sensory richness that many developments cannot match.

The design philosophy extends to every corner of the project. The underground parking—typically the most utilitarian of spaces—has been reimagined as an unexpected gallery of light and texture. Linear LEDs trace structural rhythms across ceilings. Reflective surfaces expand the space visually while echoing the fluid geometry above. It’s an environment where steel and concrete participate in the larger narrative. They belong to the story being told.

As darkness falls, the towers undergo another transformation. The city settles into night, and the buildings come alive again—with quiet presence. Lighting embraces each curve, revealing depth and subtlety in the architectural forms. From across the city, they glow like river stones warmed by sunlight—silent markers of identity and evolution on Belém’s changing skyline.

Beyond Buildings: A New Urban Dialogue

These towers defy conventional categorization. They function as living components of the urban ecosystem—interacting with it, responding to it, and reshaping it through thoughtful design. The public plaza at ground level invites more than transient foot traffic. It creates space for community, connection, and momentary pause. This represents an architectural ethic that informs every square meter of the project.

Samuele Sordi, Chief Architect Officer at Pininfarina, described the project as capturing “the essence of the Amazon in bold, modern architectural language.” The renderings demonstrate that this language expresses itself with remarkable fluency. Every line serves a purpose. Every material tells a story. Every detail holds meaning within the larger narrative.

Legacy and Authentic. Two towers with one cohesive voice. They offer Belém a new way to see itself—elevated not merely by physical height, but by conceptual depth. The buildings define themselves through openness to their environment. As the city continues its evolution, these towers will do more than mark the skyline. They will speak to the identity of a region shaped by river, rainforest, and the quiet strength of its people.

This is architecture that rises above display to become dialogue with the city, with history, with the future. It reminds us that the best buildings transform space into something meaningful, connected, and alive.

The post Sculpting Nature and Future: The Organic Elegance of Belém’s Quadra Towers first appeared on Yanko Design.

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OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Edition: A Neon Genesis Gaming Machine with Real Power https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/14/onexplayer-x1-pro-eva-edition-a-neon-genesis-gaming-machine-with-real-power/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=onexplayer-x1-pro-eva-edition-a-neon-genesis-gaming-machine-with-real-power Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:30:13 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=545992

OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Edition: A Neon Genesis Gaming Machine with Real Power

The handheld gaming PC market just got a lot more colorful. Shenzhen-based One-Netbook has unveiled its upcoming OneXPlayer Youxia X1 Pro EVA Limited Edition, a...
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The handheld gaming PC market just got a lot more colorful. Shenzhen-based One-Netbook has unveiled its upcoming OneXPlayer Youxia X1 Pro EVA Limited Edition, a striking collaboration that marries cutting-edge portable gaming technology with one of anime’s most iconic franchises.

Designer: One-Netbook

This isn’t just another gaming device with a fancy paint job. The new limited edition model features a globally exclusive “Unit-02 Asuka” color scheme inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion, the groundbreaking anime series that continues to influence popular culture decades after its debut.

What immediately catches the eye is the bold red and orange chassis, instantly recognizable to fans of the series as Asuka Langley Soryu’s distinctive EVA unit. One-Netbook has gone beyond mere aesthetic homage, incorporating dynamic RGB light blade effects that recreate the anime’s tense “cockpit combat atmosphere” when gaming. The attention to detail extends throughout the design, with the CNC-machined aviation-grade aluminum alloy frame featuring numerous franchise-specific industrial design elements.

But impressive visuals mean nothing without the hardware to back them up.

Powerhouse Performance in Your Hands

At the heart of this special edition device beats Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 255H processor, part of the new Arrow Lake-H series. This 16-core chip can boost up to 5.1GHz, providing substantial computing power that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in a handheld form factor.

Graphics processing comes courtesy of the integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU, which early benchmarks suggest performs comparably to the Radeon 890M found in the AMD variant of the X1 Pro. Interestingly, the Arc 140T appears to outperform its AMD counterpart in non-gaming benchmarks, suggesting superior general computing capabilities.

The device comes loaded with 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at 8400MHz and a spacious 2TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD storage solution. This combination delivers considerable horsepower for both gaming and productivity tasks, ensuring the device can handle everything from AAA gaming titles to creative workloads.

Visual fidelity is maintained through a 10.95-inch 2560×1600 (2.5K) fully laminated LTPS display running at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This high-quality touchscreen provides an immersive visual experience, whether you’re deep in a gaming session or consuming media.

Versatility Redefined

What truly sets the OneXPlayer X1 Pro apart from other gaming handhelds is its innovative modular design. The device features detachable controllers that support three distinct usage modes:

  • Combined handheld configuration for traditional portable gaming
  • Separated tablet/controller setup for a more comfortable experience
  • External keyboard/mouse peripheral connectivity for productivity tasks

This “3-in-1 PC hybrid” approach redefines portable gaming by allowing seamless transitions between handheld gaming, tablet productivity, and desktop workstation modes. The included magnetic keyboard attachment and controller stand further enhance this versatility.

For serious gamers, the controllers feature Hall-effect linear triggers and dual customizable rear buttons in an Xbox-style layout, providing precise control and customization options.

Connectivity and Expansion

One notable hardware upgrade in this model is the shift from USB4 to Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering improved peripheral compatibility and data transfer speeds. The device also includes a USB-A 3.2 port and microSD card reader for additional connectivity options.

An OCuLink port provides eGPU support, allowing users to connect external graphics cards for enhanced performance when docked. This feature essentially transforms the handheld into a capable gaming desktop when at home.

Wireless connectivity hasn’t been overlooked either, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections for online gaming and peripheral pairing.

Limited Availability and Pricing

As with most limited edition collaborations, the OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Asuka Edition will be produced in restricted quantities, making it a potentially valuable collector’s item for both gaming enthusiasts and Evangelion fans.

While official pricing hasn’t been announced, it’s expected to command a premium over the standard X1 Pro models. For reference, the 2023 Youxia X1 Pro model, equipped with AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, launched with configurations starting at 8,699 RMB (approximately $1,200 USD).

Based on recent information, the EVA Limited Edition with its 64GB RAM and 2TB storage configuration is likely to be priced around $1,649.99, positioning it firmly in the high-end segment of the handheld gaming PC market.

Final Thoughts

The OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Asuka Limited Edition represents a significant advancement in portable gaming PC technology. By combining Intel’s powerful Arrow Lake-H processor with ample RAM and storage in a versatile 3-in-1 form factor, it offers genuine desktop-class performance in a device that can function as a handheld console, tablet, and laptop.

The Evangelion-inspired design adds collecting appeal beyond pure technical specifications, though the premium price point positions it firmly in the high-end segment of the market. For enthusiasts seeking maximum performance in a portable form factor—particularly those with an appreciation for anime aesthetics—this limited edition represents a compelling, if expensive, option in the increasingly competitive handheld gaming PC landscape.

One-Netbook’s collaboration with the Evangelion franchise demonstrates how gaming hardware is increasingly intersecting with pop culture, creating devices that serve as both functional tools and collectible expressions of fandom. Whether this trend continues will likely depend on the success of limited runs like this one.

Pre-orders are expected to open soon, with shipping anticipated to begin between April 15 and April 30, 2025. Given the limited production run, interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly once sales begin.

The post OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Edition: A Neon Genesis Gaming Machine with Real Power first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Samsung Ballie Is Finally Real—And Yes, It’s Following You This Summer https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/14/samsung-ballie-is-finally-real-and-yes-its-following-you-this-summer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=samsung-ballie-is-finally-real-and-yes-its-following-you-this-summer Mon, 14 Apr 2025 17:20:13 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=545963

Samsung Ballie Is Finally Real—And Yes, It’s Following You This Summer

Remember that cute little robotic ball Samsung teased back at CES 2020? After five years of development (or perhaps rolling around in Samsung’s R&D labs),...
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Remember that cute little robotic ball Samsung teased back at CES 2020? After five years of development (or perhaps rolling around in Samsung’s R&D labs), Ballie is finally making its consumer debut this summer in the US and South Korea. What started as a tennis ball-sized concept has grown to volleyball proportions—kind of like how the promises about its capabilities have expanded with each passing year.

Designer: Samsung

The journey from concept to consumer product hasn’t been a straight line for this spherical sidekick, but Samsung seems confident they’ve finally perfected their rolling companion. In its latest evolution, Samsung just announced a partnership with Google Cloud to integrate Google’s Gemini AI into Ballie.

This means your expensive rolling robot will now have the same AI that’s already in your phone and available on your computer for free. Progress! Though to be fair, combining Google’s AI prowess with Samsung’s hardware expertise could potentially create something greater than the sum of its parts.

A Smart Speaker That Chases You Around

What truly separates Ballie from the seventeen smart speakers you’ve already scattered around your home? It moves. While your Echo Dot sits sadly collecting dust on your kitchen counter, Ballie actively pursues you throughout your living space like an eager puppy—or a particularly friendly surveillance device, depending on your perspective.

“But Vincent,” you might ask, “couldn’t I just carry my phone with me instead?” Sure, but where’s the fun in that? Why use the perfectly functional device already in your pocket when you could have a volleyball-sized robot following you to the bathroom?

The robot’s multimodal AI capabilities allow it to process various forms of input simultaneously—voice, visual data from its cameras, and other audio cues. In theory, this creates a more comprehensive understanding of your needs and environment. In practice, it means Ballie will know exactly what you look like in your pajamas and precisely how many times you’ve asked it to play “Despacito” (judgment included at no extra charge).

Ballie’s most distinctive feature is its projection capability, which genuinely separates it from other smart home devices. This clever sphere can project interfaces onto floors, walls, and other surfaces, turning any flat area in your home into a potential display. Need to check your calendar while getting dressed? Ballie can project it onto your bedroom wall. Want everyone to see your private messages? Ballie’s got you covered there too!

Nothing says “cutting-edge technology” like turning your entire home into one giant, hard-to-read screen. Yet the ability to create interfaces anywhere without installing permanent displays could be genuinely useful in many scenarios. Imagine having your recipe projected onto the kitchen counter while cooking, or your workout routine displayed on the floor during exercise. The possibilities are intriguing, even if the practicality remains questionable.

Your Home’s Rolling Command Center (That You Definitely Need)

Beyond mobility and projection tricks, Ballie serves as yet another smart home controller in an already crowded market. The robot can manage connected devices throughout your living space—adjusting thermostats, controlling lighting, and managing entertainment systems. You know, all those things your phone, smart speakers, smartwatch, smart TV remote, and smart light switches already do, but with the added excitement of having to locate a rolling ball first.

According to Samsung, Ballie can offer personalized health and lifestyle recommendations based on your patterns and preferences. Just what everyone wants—another device telling you to get off the couch or suggesting that maybe, just maybe, wearing sweatpants for the seventh day in a row isn’t your best fashion choice.

The robot can even provide styling recommendations, potentially using its visual recognition capabilities to judge your outfit choices with the cold, unfeeling precision only an AI can deliver. Though to be fair, if it can actually help coordinate outfits or remind you about important medications, that could be genuinely valuable for some users. But do we really need a rolling robot to tell us that navy blue and black don’t match? Your mirror has been doing that job for free for years.

Pet owners might find particular value in Ballie’s monitoring capabilities, which go beyond what stationary cameras can offer. When you’re away from home, this robotic companion can keep an eye on your furry friends, alerting you to unusual behavior like your cat knocking things off shelves—something you definitely couldn’t see with the seventeen security cameras you already have installed.

Your pets will surely appreciate having a strange rolling object chasing them around the house while you’re gone. Or maybe they’ll destroy it within the first week. Either way, entertainment value! I’m personally looking forward to the inevitable YouTube compilation videos of cats riding Ballies across hardwood floors.

The integration with Google’s Gemini AI should theoretically make Ballie’s interactions more natural and intuitive. Rather than the stilted command-response pattern of most smart assistants, Ballie aims to provide flowing conversations that feel more like talking to a helpful companion. Whether this will work as advertised remains to be seen, but the potential is certainly there for a more satisfying user experience than we’ve had with previous generations of AI assistants. Just don’t expect it to pass the Turing test anytime soon.

From Tennis Ball to Volleyball: A Growth Story

Samsung’s journey with Ballie illustrates the challenges of bringing truly innovative consumer robotics to market—or perhaps just how long it takes to convince consumers they need another smart device. First unveiled in 2020, the robot captured imaginations but required extensive refinement before Samsung felt confident bringing it to consumers.

The version shown at CES 2024 represented a significant evolution from the original concept, with enhanced capabilities and a more refined design. This extended development period suggests Samsung is taking the product seriously rather than rushing it to market half-baked. Five years is a long time in tech development cycles—either they’re perfectionists or they kept running into walls. Literally.

The physical growth from tennis ball to volleyball size wasn’t just about aesthetics—it reflects the practical realities of packing more technology into a mobile device. A larger form factor allows for better batteries, more sophisticated sensors, and improved projection capabilities. It also means more surface area for your cat to attack and more weight to run over your toes at 3 AM when you’re stumbling to the bathroom.

Engineering a device that can move reliably around a home environment while carrying all the necessary tech is no small feat. Just ask anyone who’s watched a robot vacuum repeatedly ram itself into the same table leg for twenty minutes.

The partnership with Google Cloud for Gemini AI integration shows Samsung recognizes the need for powerful AI capabilities to make Ballie truly useful—or at least to justify whatever eye-watering price tag they’ll announce closer to launch. By combining their proprietary language models with Google’s Gemini, Samsung can offer more sophisticated natural language processing than would be possible alone.

This collaboration may also help Ballie integrate more seamlessly with other Google services, creating an ecosystem so comprehensive you’ll never escape tech company surveillance again! The privacy implications alone should make for interesting conversations. “Hey Ballie, are you recording this?” “No, Vincent, I would never do that… by the way, have you considered those hemorrhoid creams you were googling yesterday?”

Do You Actually Need This Rolling Robot?

Let’s be honest for a moment. Ballie represents an interesting experiment in home robotics, bringing mobility to a category that has been largely stationary. Its friendly, non-threatening design delivers functionality without venturing into uncanny valley territory.

But do you need it? Probably not. Most of us have survived just fine without a rolling AI ball following us around our homes.

Will you want it? Almost certainly, if you’re the type of person who reads Gear Culture articles and has a weakness for gadgets with personality. There’s an undeniable appeal to having your own little robot companion, even if its practical benefits are questionable at best. It’s basically a pet that doesn’t poop and might actually do something useful occasionally.

Ballie exists in the perfect sweet spot of consumer technology—not quite essential enough to be a necessity but novel enough to be irresistible to tech enthusiasts. It solves problems you didn’t know you had with solutions you didn’t know you wanted.

The ability to have your AI assistant physically follow you around might be genuinely useful in specific scenarios, or it might just be another expensive gadget that ends up collecting dust after the novelty wears off. Your mileage will vary depending on how you actually live in your home and how tolerant you are of a volleyball with cameras watching you fold laundry in your underwear.

What remains to be seen is how well Ballie will handle the unpredictable chaos of real-world homes. Can it navigate around furniture obstacles without getting stuck? Will it survive encounters with curious pets and small children? Can it handle varied lighting conditions that might affect its projection capabilities?

The true test will come when this volleyball-sized companion faces the messy reality of actual family life rather than the perfectly staged environments of product demonstrations. I’m particularly interested in how it handles stairs. Does it just sadly gaze up at them like my robot vacuum, or will it develop a concerning tendency to throw itself down them dramatically?

Samsung’s five years of development suggest they’ve been working diligently to ensure Ballie can handle these real-world challenges. The extended gestation period indicates they’re taking the product seriously and addressing potential issues before release. Whether that translates to a reliable, useful device remains to be seen, but the commitment is encouraging.

The Rolling Future

Whether Ballie becomes a household staple or remains a fascinating experiment, it’s rolling us toward a future where our homes feel more responsive, more integrated, and perhaps even a little more alive. There’s something appealing about technology that can physically respond to our needs rather than just sitting passively waiting for commands.

Of course, there’s also something mildly dystopian about having an AI-powered camera on wheels following you around your home, constantly watching and listening. The privacy implications alone deserve serious consideration before inviting this rolling companion into your life. Samsung and Google will need to be transparent about how data is collected, processed, and protected if they want consumers to trust Ballie with intimate access to their homes and daily routines.

This summer, we’ll finally discover if this adorable rolling robot can live up to its considerable promise or if it’s just another expensive tech toy destined for the drawer of forgotten gadgets. Either way, Ballie represents an interesting step in the evolution of home robotics—bringing movement to a category that has been largely stationary and personality to systems that have often felt mechanical.

And if nothing else, it’ll give your cat something new to be terrified of. That alone might be worth the price of admission.

Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself apologizing to a ball after accidentally kicking it. We humans have a funny way of anthropomorphizing anything with even a hint of personality. Before you know it, you’ll be naming it, talking to it when no one else is around, and feeling guilty when you leave it alone for too long. Ballie might not be the companion we need, but it might just be the weird little robot friend we secretly wanted all along.

The post Samsung Ballie Is Finally Real—And Yes, It’s Following You This Summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Time Moves Forward and Now This Gorgeous Watch Does Too https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/04/13/time-moves-forward-and-now-this-gorgeous-watch-does-too/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=time-moves-forward-and-now-this-gorgeous-watch-does-too Mon, 14 Apr 2025 01:45:26 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=545709

Time Moves Forward and Now This Gorgeous Watch Does Too

Time doesn’t circle back. It marches relentlessly forward, minute by minute, hour after hour. Yet watches have always depicted this linear journey as an endless...
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Time doesn’t circle back. It marches relentlessly forward, minute by minute, hour after hour. Yet watches have always depicted this linear journey as an endless loop. Why? MechaVoyager challenges this fundamental contradiction with striking elegance and mechanical ingenuity. The watch represents a philosophical recalibration that aligns timekeeping with actual human experience. It transforms how people visualize, track, and ultimately understand the passage of moments. Its linear motion hands and coaxial reverse-rotating digital display create a visual narrative that feels startlingly intuitive.

Designer: MECEXP

Click Here to Buy Now: $649 $800 ($151 off) Hurry! Only 18 of 95 units left.

Traditional watchmaking has rarely questioned its circular foundations. MechaVoyager does.

Forward Motion: Linear Motion Hands

Minutes travel horizontally across a precisely calibrated track. The hand moves deliberately from left to right in a unique straight-line movement, breaking free from the ordinary circular dial. This approach mirrors how humans naturally conceptualize time’s passage. No circular repetition, no retracing of steps—just clean, directional movement that makes perfect sense to the brain.

This linear approach creates an unexpected psychological effect. Wearers begin to perceive time differently. Each minute becomes a discrete unit of forward progress rather than a position on a circle. The experience feels more intentional, more aligned with how people schedule their days and plan their activities.

When the minute hand reaches the rightmost position, it instantly resets to the left to begin the next hour’s journey. This reset becomes a satisfying visual punctuation mark between hours. The brief movement creates a micro-moment of transition that traditional watches simply can’t replicate.

The linear track features precisely marked indices at five-minute intervals, with numbered markers for enhanced readability. The green-glowing indices ensure clear visibility in low light conditions, maintaining the watch’s functionality around the clock.

Looking closer reveals the extraordinary precision detailing. The dial markers feature a brushed finish with a thickness of just 0.35mm and a width of 0.21mm. This meticulous attention to detail demonstrates the brand’s commitment to both visual excellence and functional clarity.

Dimensional Hours: Coaxial Reverse-Rotating Digital Display

Above the linear minute track floats something extraordinary. The current hour materializes through an ingenious system of dual rotating wheels that create a futuristic, high-depth time display unlike any other. This creates a distinctive digital presentation with genuine physical depth—not printed, not projected, but mechanically formed before the observer’s eyes.

Each hour transition reveals the mechanical choreography at work. The digits don’t simply change. They physically transform as the wheels realign to create the next numeral. This visible mechanical process connects the viewer to the watch’s inner workings in a way that traditional hands never could.

The opposing rotation of these wheels serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. Aesthetically, it creates a captivating visual effect as each digit assembles and disassembles. Functionally, it provides clear time information while maintaining the watch’s distinctive character.

What makes this display truly exceptional is how it layers information. The dimensional hour digits hover above the linear minute track, creating a hierarchy of time that matches how people typically prioritize hours before minutes when planning their day.

Engineering Excellence: Proprietary In-House Movement

Beneath the distinctive display lies a sophisticated proprietary in-house movement with remarkable capabilities. Developed entirely in-house, this movement goes far beyond basic timekeeping.

The movement incorporates multiple functions: time, day, date, power reserve, sleep mode, and chronograph features. This comprehensive suite of complications enhances the watch’s practical utility while maintaining its distinctive visual language.

This design particularly addresses power management. The movement includes an intelligent power reserve system and energy-efficient sleep mode. Perhaps most impressive is the near-perpetual calendar function, which requires only one calendar adjustment every four years. This practical approach balances convenience with mechanical sophistication.

The movement components feature internal tolerances as fine as 0.35mm. Such precision enables the watch’s unique kinetic performance while ensuring long-term reliability. Every gear and component undergoes meticulous finishing—even parts that remain hidden from view. This commitment to comprehensive quality reflects the philosophy behind the entire timepiece: excellence without compromise, regardless of visibility.

Architectural Case Design

The case architecture balances visual presence with ergonomic comfort. Measuring 48.2mm by 39.6mm with a substantial 16mm thickness, it commands attention while maintaining wearability.

Materials matter. The case represents a bold fusion of PVD black coating and 316L stainless steel, balancing ruggedness with refined elegance. The brushed and polished surface treatments create visual contrast and tactile interest, highlighting the watch’s architectural elements.

The watch weighs precisely 123 grams—substantial enough to feel significant on the wrist without becoming burdensome during extended wear. This weight reflects the solid construction and quality materials used throughout.

A closer examination of the case profile reveals an ergonomic case back curved for comfort, ensuring a perfect fit on the wrist for all-day wear. This thoughtful shaping ensures the watch sits properly on various wrist sizes despite its bold proportions.

The anti-reflective sapphire crystal deserves special mention. Beyond its protective function, this carefully engineered component enhances visibility of the three-dimensional display from multiple angles. The crystal’s properties work in harmony with the display mechanism, turning each viewing angle into a unique perspective on time.

The case construction incorporates 3 ATM water resistance, a practical feature that ensures reliability in everyday situations. The MechaVoyager functions as a genuine instrument built for daily wear, though it is not suitable for swimming or diving.

The crown and function pushers integrate seamlessly into the case profile. Their textured surfaces provide tactile feedback during operation while maintaining the overall aesthetic coherence of the design.

Nighttime Clarity: High-Contrast Luminous Dial

When darkness falls, the MechaVoyager reveals another dimension of thoughtful engineering. Strategic illumination transforms the watch face without compromising its distinctive character.

Green-glowing indices and hands ensure clear visibility in low light. This careful application of luminescent material maintains readability without resorting to electronic backlighting or compromising the timepiece’s mechanical character.

The luminous elements create a high-contrast display that preserves the watch’s visual hierarchy even in darkness. Hours remain prominently visible, while minute markers provide orientation along the linear track. This consistency between day and night legibility demonstrates the holistic approach behind the MechaVoyager’s design.

Tactile and Visual Excellence

Every component of the MechaVoyager represents a flawless fusion of depth, contrast, and meticulous finishing. Together, these elements create a watch that simultaneously engages multiple senses.

The watch’s nylon strap offers durability and casual versatility. The material complements the watch’s distinctive case design while ensuring a secure attachment. A traditional pin buckle clasp secures the watch to the wrist. This simple, reliable closure system ensures the watch remains securely in place while allowing easy adjustment for optimal fit. Even the smallest details receive appropriate material consideration. The crown and pushers feature precise machining that ensures both tactile precision and long-term durability.

A New Direction in Timekeeping

The MechaVoyager does more than tell time differently—it fundamentally shifts how people perceive it. By abandoning circular conventions, it creates a timepiece that truly aligns with lived experience.

What makes this approach so effective is its intuitive nature. Despite breaking with centuries of watchmaking tradition, the linear display feels immediately natural. There’s no learning curve because the design matches how humans actually think about time’s passage.

This watch represents horological innovation with genuine purpose. The unique display solves a philosophical disconnect between circular displays and linear time that has persisted unchallenged for generations.

Experience the reliability of MechaVoyager. This watch is built to master time, not simply mark it. Sculpted with intention and engineered for precision, it challenges outdated conventions that no longer serve a purpose.

Time moves forward. Now this watch does too.

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The post Time Moves Forward and Now This Gorgeous Watch Does Too first appeared on Yanko Design.

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