Monthly Archives: August 2024

4-in-1 EDC Pen also packs a Ruler, Stylus, and an Eternal Pencil that lasts forever

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Remember when some pens had multiple refills inside them and that somehow felt like peak functionality? Well, we now live in 2024, where a multi-refill pen is severely outdated. Instead, we’ve got 4-in-1 pens that pack rulers/scales, pencils, and even a capacitive stylus for working digitally. The FLINTONE is an all-metal pen that comes with a unique modular design. Its outer sleeve has a waterdrop cross-section that allows it to double as a grip for the pen on the inside. However, if you want to change things up, the pen element swaps out for other modules… namely a capacitive stylus, or an eternal pencil capable of writing forever without running out of graphite or needing to be sharpend. Designed with professionals and creatives in mind, this tool reflects a deep understanding of the demands placed on those who require precision, adaptability, and convenience in their daily tasks.

Designer: FLINTONE

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $109 ($30 off) Hurry! Limited units left.

The FLINTONE 4-in-1 EDC Pen is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, making it both lightweight as well as durable (definitely more durable than those plastic pens you carry around). At the core of its design is the ability to switch between four functions—pen, pencil, touch pen, and ruler—effortlessly in just a few seconds. This pretty much guarantees never needing to carry a full-fledged stationery kit with you. The FLINTONE’s multipurpose design gives you all you need. The outer sleeve serves as a scale or ruler, and the pen, which can be detached from the sleeve, can be used independently. Conversely, the sleeve’s teardrop shape provides a nifty grip if you’re using the pen while it’s docked within. The pen itself uses a standard G2 refill, giving you the ability to swap out old refills for new ones.

The sleeve’s unique form factor has two functions. For starters, its non-cylindrical design means it’ll never roll off a table. However, on the tapered edge lie both imperial and metric etchings, allowing you to take measurements in the unit of your choice. This is particularly beneficial for engineers, architects, and designers who work in diverse environments and require precise measurements in different units. The rulers are integrated with a dual synchronized roller design that allows for smooth, parallel movement, making it easier to draw straight lines and achieve accurate measurements.

The roller design lets you move the scale on a perfect straight axis, allowing you to quickly draw parallel lines.

The barrel of the pen module comes with a threaded end, allowing you to attach any one of the FLINTONE’s other modules. This effectively allows you to slide the pen out, flip it over, and slide it back in, basically swapping modules in a way. Apart from the ballpoint pen, the FLINTONE offers a capacitive stylus, allowing you to draw on most touchscreens the way you would on paper with a pen/pencil. Unlike other styluses that require charging (looking at you, Apple), the one on the FLINTONE works without a battery, although don’t expect any functions like pressure-sensing or tilt detection the way you would get with an Apple Pencil.

Alternatively, you have the option of using the eternal pencil module – perhaps the most interesting of the bunch. The eternal pencil uses a specific alloy instead of graphite. While graphite rubs off on paper, creating the black mark you see, this alloy oxidises onto paper, providing a similar mark without getting depleted the way graphite does. The result, stellar black lines without dust, smudging, or even the need to sharpen. The eternal pencil quite literally works forever, without losing its pointed tip.

The FLINTONE’s waterdrop-shaped body provides an ergonomic grip, allowing for extended use without causing hand fatigue. This design consideration is particularly important for those who spend long hours working on detailed projects, where comfort can significantly impact productivity. The pen also features a magnetic closure that secures it in place, preventing it from rolling off surfaces and ensuring it is always within reach.

In addition to its multifunctional capabilities, the FLINTONE 4-in-1 EDC Pen is built to last. The pencil component, for instance, is constructed from an ultra-durable carbon alloy, capable of withstanding extensive use. This durability is matched by the pen’s overall construction, which is designed to endure the rigors of daily use in demanding environments. The pen also comes with a specially crafted storage case, which helps keep everything organized and prevents any mess.

By combining multiple tools into one sleek and durable device, the folks at FLINTONE have created a product that meets the needs of professionals and creatives alike. Whether you are drafting a technical drawing, taking notes, or interacting with your digital devices, this pen is engineered to deliver performance and convenience at every turn. The FLINTONE sports a $79 price tag, which may seem high for a pen, but can be justified when you look at its 4-in-1 aspect and all-metal durable construction. The FLINTONE 4-in-1 pen comes in 3 colors – Frost Silver, Midnight Black, and Aurora Blue (shown in the images above). The pen ships globally, starting November 2024.

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $109 ($30 off) Hurry! Limited units left.

The post 4-in-1 EDC Pen also packs a Ruler, Stylus, and an Eternal Pencil that lasts forever first appeared on Yanko Design.

Snøhetta Builds A Timber School In Norway with 90% Energy Self-Sufficiency

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Kautokeino is located in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle, and suffers from extremely cold temperatures that can hit – 45 °C. Snøhetta was commissioned to build a brand-new cultural and education hub in this difficult location. A lot of thinking and attention to detail went into building this sturdy wooden structure which is supposed to be 90% self-sufficient in heating and cooling. Named, this building was constructed in collaboration with Joar Nango and 70°N arkitektur. The word ‘Čoarvemátta’ is derived from the Sami words for horn and root, which are the strongest parts of the reindeer’s antler. The hub is inspired by the local Sami culture and will be hosting the Sami National Theatre Beaivváš and the Sami High School and Reindeer Herding School.

Designer: Snøhetta

The structure occupies around 77,500 sq ft and is constructed mainly from wood. It features an impressive 53,000-sq-ft sloping roof that slowly moves towards the ground. The exterior was built using the slate from a previous school which has been demolished. The hub has a branching shape which creates surreal outdoor spaces. The south-facing space functions as the main entrance, and is protected by the dipping roof. The interior is equipped with theater and school areas, as well as a cool skylight inspired by a traditional Sami smoke hole. The interior is subtle yet beautiful, letting the natural beauty of the wood truly shine. The interior is also amped with traditional art by respected Sami artists. These pieces add hints of red and blue to the space, livening it up.

“The building is 90% self-sufficient in energy to heating and cooling thanks to 40 geowells drilled about 250 meters [820 ft] into the ground,” said Snøhetta. “The wells supply two heat pumps that both heat and cool the building, while exchangers for the energy wells dump surplus heat back again. On the coldest winter days, the system is supplemented with an electric boiler.”

The Čoarvemátta is in complete accordance with the requirements of the Passive House Standard – a strict green building standard that needs a high level of insulation and air-tightness. The hub also utilizes geothermal heating. The landscaping around the Čoarvemátta has been kept natural since Sami culture does not include creating parks and urban spaces. The soil that was removed from the site has been preserved, stored, and returned, ensuring the safety of the seed stocks.

The post Snøhetta Builds A Timber School In Norway with 90% Energy Self-Sufficiency first appeared on Yanko Design.

Brazil bans X for refusing to comply with Supreme Court order

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Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the nation’s internet service providers to block the social media platform X. The New York Times reports that the order stems from owner Elon Musk’s refusal to appoint a legal representative for his case and comply with Moraes’ order to shut down X accounts he deemed as harmful to the democratic process. The order has been published online by Brazilian news site Poder 360.

The justice issued a deadline to telecom companies and tech giants to remove the X from its app stores and platforms. Apple and Google have five days to take down the social media app from its app stores. Brazil’s telecommunication’s agency Anatel has confirmed it has received the order, and ISPs in the country have just 24 hours to comply with the order.

Justice Moraes’ order doesn’t just block the country’s access to X. It also makes it a crime to use the app through a virtual private network (VPN). Anyone caught accessing X with a VPN could face a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian Real (around $8,900).

Justice Moraes also froze the Brazillian bank accounts of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service provider on Thursday to further pressure Musk to comply with the court’s order. SpaceX, like X, is a private company majority owned by Musk, and X has $3 million in unpaid fines related to its case in the country. The day before, Justice Moraes issued a threat to ban the X platform entirely across Brazil if the social media company did not appoint a legal representative in the country. The deadline passed without any change to the court’s docket so the judge followed through on his promise.

Starlink expressed its disapproval with the order, vowing to fight the ruling. It even threatened to make its services free to customers to subvert the justice’s order.

The legal fight between Justice Moraes and Musk has been fuming for months. The Supreme Court Judge is also Brazil’s electoral authority and has been monitoring and issuing orders to candidates to steer clear of spreading false information through internet and social media channels.

Brazil’s 2022 presidential election between infamous incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and challenger and former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was reportedly filled with attempts to present voters with false information. Justice Moraes was, until recently, president of the nation's Superior Electoral Court, which gave him the power to order takedowns of content that violated previous court orders. The judge issued a similar block of the messaging app Telegram for failing to freeze offending accounts, which was lifted after compliance.

Musk characterized Moraes’ directives to take down or freeze similar misinformation accounts from X as “censorship orders.” Earlier this month, Musk expressed his continued refusal to comply with the court by closing X’s Brazilian office in order “to protect the safety of our staff.” X’s Global Governments Affairs team also promised to publish all of “Judge de Moraes’ illegal demands and all related court filings.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/brazil-bans-x-for-refusing-to-comply-with-supreme-court-order-230247980.html?src=rss

Sunrise alarm clock coffee maker sits on the bedside to wake you up with refreshing coffee aroma everyday

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In a typical coffee lover’s home, such as mine, the first interaction in the morning is with the alarm clock followed by the coffee machine. Of course, we have been living and functioning this way for most of our lives, and if you would ask, frankly, there wouldn’t be another way we’d want. But a designer duo believes there is a way to integrate the two and perhaps deliver an alarm clock that is also a coffee machine.

Designed to simplify our wakeup process from the loud sound of the alarm to a refreshing aroma of coffee without the extra effort or toiling, the new Sunrise alarm clock coffee maker is not a typical alarm clock or a coffee machine. For the love of waking up more refreshed – in an aroma mimicking that of a café – this is what we would want by the bedside. To know more about how it functions and how the designers have perceived it, read on!

Designers: Marko Filipic and Mati Papalini

For as long as we know it, never before has someone tried to put the coffee machine on our bedside disguised as an alarm clock. The mere idea is commendable let alone the execution, which involves the assurance that you wake up to the smell of fresh coffee every morning. So, with Sunrise, you are saved the effort of setting up an alarm on the bedside clock before hitting the bed and then waking up to the loud and annoying alarm every other day.

With the Sunrise alarm clock coffee machine, you get a coffee maker ready on your bedside. At the time you have set – like in a typical clock – the Sunrise would start making the coffee. There is no loud alarm, instead, as the coffee is being brewed by the bedside, your room is filled with a smell of good coffee that would set a refreshed tone to your day.

At the bedside, the Sunrise appears as a usual coffee maker but with a distinguished color theme and design language. A sublime combination of black, pink, and blue, the coffee machine with no edges has a digital clock at the base. Compact enough to settle on the bedside table or stylish enough to grab the centerstage on the countertop, the Sunrise is worth the time and comfort of every coffee buff. It definitely puts one to think, there could be one less step to waking up and getting a fresh brew first up.

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Judge denies Media Matters’ motion to dismiss X’s not-libel lawsuit

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A Texas judge denied Media Matters for America’s request for a dismissal on Thursday allowing X’s lawsuit over alleged anti-semitic and racist content. The Verge reported that Northern District of Texas Judge Reed O’Connor dismissed the request for a dismissal paving the way for X’s lawsuit against Media Matters to continue.

Media Matters submitted its dismissal request in early March on the grounds that X’s case lacked “personal jurisdiction,” an “improper venue” and the “failure to state a claim.” O’Connor dismissed all of those claims, according to court records.

The lawsuit filed last year in federal court seeks damages from the media watchdog group over “maliciously manufactured” images reporting that X’s platform placed Neo-Nazi and white-nationlist content next to advertisers’ images causing advertisers to flee the site. The images Media Matters used weren’t manufactured but X’s claim is that its dogged pursuit of ads’ placement with racist content by using certain accounts to bypass ad filters caused irreparable harm to the social media giant.

X owner Elon Musk’s other companies are located in Texas but aren’t directly connected to the Media Matters lawsuit. X closed its San Francisco offices earlier this month and owner Elon Musk announced in July that X’s headquarters will move to Austin. Tesla moved its headquarters from California to the Lone Star State in 2021 and SpaceX from Delaware earlier this year when a judge threw out a $56 billion pay package from the state.

However, in dismissing the personal jurisdiction argument, O’Connor noted that two of X’s “blue-chip” advertisers like AT&T and Oracle included in Media Matters’ coverage are based in Texas. He cited the landmark 2002 Internet defamation case Revell v. Lidov quoting the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ assertion that “if you are going to pick a fight in Texas, it is reasonable to expect that it be settled there.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/judge-denies-media-matters-motion-to-dismiss-xs-not-libel-lawsuit-204732720.html?src=rss

The Samsung Freestyle Projector gets a $335 competitor from Zebronics

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With a dynamic capsule-shaped design that can be pivoted to face pretty much anywhere, the Zebronics Zeb PixaPlay 54 is far from those boring box-shaped projectors of yesteryear. It feels refreshing, artistic, and worthy of placing on a mantelpiece from which it can cast images and videos onto a wall. The pivoting capsule design feels fairly similar to a conceptual projector we saw back in 2018 or more recently, the $900 Samsung Freestyle. At practically a third of the price, the Zeb PixaPlay 54 feels like quite the deal, although it does come with its fair share of compromises – none too drastic if you ask me. You get exactly what you’re paying for… if not more, considering the projector has a few nifty features like auto-keystone, multiple connectivity options, and the ability to cast a 140-inch screen on any wall you point it at!

Designer: Zebronics

The Zebronics PixaPlay 54 LED projector is an intriguing entry-level option for those looking to enhance their home entertainment setup without breaking the bank. Positioned within the Indian market, this projector aims to deliver a solid viewing experience while keeping the price tag accessible. Despite its marketing claims of 1080p support, the PixaPlay 54’s native resolution is 720p, which is a crucial consideration for potential buyers who prioritize image clarity and detail (even more so considering the Freestyle does output 1080p). This slight dip in resolution might be a drawback for some, but it doesn’t negate the fact that the PixaPlay 54 can still provide a satisfactory visual experience for casual movie nights or presentations. Personally, 1080p at a slightly higher price would absolutely seal the deal.

The Zeb PixaPlay 54’s internal light source outputs up to 3,800 lumens of brightness. This should suffice for most indoor settings, ensuring that images remain vivid and clear even in rooms that aren’t completely dark. Moreover, the LED light source is touted to have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, translating to years of use without the need for a replacement bulb. This longevity is a significant advantage, especially for users who plan on using the projector frequently. However, it’s important to note that while the brightness is commendable, the native resolution may not fully leverage this feature, leading to a trade-off between sharpness and luminosity.

The cylindrical pivoting shape is perhaps the projector’s biggest visual highlight, which not only gives it a modern appearance but also allows for practical adjustments. The adjustable stand is a thoughtful addition, enabling users to tilt the projector to achieve the optimal viewing angle without the need for additional mounts or tripods. Automatic keystone correction further enhances the user experience by ensuring that the projected image remains rectangular and undistorted, even if the projector isn’t perfectly aligned with the screen. The inclusion of a lens adjustment wheel allows for fine-tuning the focus, which is essential for achieving the best possible image clarity given the projector’s native resolution limitations.

Connectivity options on the PixaPlay 54 are robust for its price range. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1, offering a range of wireless connection possibilities, from streaming content directly from your smartphone to mirroring your laptop screen. Considering its positioning as a smart speaker, it DOES come with its own OS, although you won’t find every app you need. Personally, as a Zebronics projector user myself, I find it easier defaulting to an Amazon Fire Stick for seamless content. The projector also features various ports, including HDMI, USB-C, USB-A, and AUX, which provide ample options for connecting external devices such as gaming consoles, laptops, and sound systems. The built-in speakers are a convenient feature, though they may not deliver the audio depth that dedicated external speakers can provide. Your best bet is to pair an external speaker with the projector – preferably using the aux to avoid any audio lag.

The Zebronics PixaPlay 54 is competitively priced, with an introductory offer bringing the cost down from ₹27,999 ($333 USD) to ₹10,999 (approximately $131 USD). This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers who are looking for a versatile projector without the premium price tag. Don’t expect to turn your home into an IMAX studio, given the 720p output… but rather revel in the fact that your projector looks like a million bucks, and gives you a whopping 100-plus-inch display on command!

The post The Samsung Freestyle Projector gets a $335 competitor from Zebronics first appeared on Yanko Design.

Quirky ‘Wordle’ Handheld Game Device feels heavily inspired by Game Boy and Teenage Engineering

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Designed as a part of Richard Falcema’s ‘Fictronics’ (Fictional Electronics) series, the WORDLE TERM is a handheld console that lets you play NYT’s hit game Wordle anywhere you go. Although Wordle is mainly played on phones (and is even available as a board game for true-blue nerds), Falcema’s quirky gadget gives the game its own standalone handheld device with an aesthetic and interface that’s just about as adorable and fun as the game itself.

Designer: Richard Falcema

The gaming device is simple to a point of being almost a meme. You can literally ONLY play Wordle on it and nothing else, which I guess makes it even more appealing if you think about it. The device sports a 25-display grid on the top,very reminiscent of the kind seen on Elgato’s hardware, except those displays can’t be pressed. They’re controlled using a set of 5 wheels at the bottom, which let you cycle through letters in each row. Once you select all 5 letters, the device accepts your input and judges your guess. For non-Wordlers, the game involves guessing the word of the day. You have 6 chances (this game gives you just 5), and each chance gives you clues as to what the word could be. When you guess the letters, tiles either stay grey if the letter is wrong, or turn orange if the letter is right but in the wrong position, and finally green if the letter is right and at the right position. Using this color-coded system, you’re required to work your way through the 5 or 6 guesses, trying to get the word in the fewest attempts.

Falcema’s device captures the Wordle game perfectly through its quirky design. The exposed circuitry, vibrant colors, metal bar on top, and that lone AA battery at the bottom are highly reminiscent of Teenage Engineering’s design cues. The device comes with a Wordle-themed lanyard too, adding to the fun appeal of the entire device. I’m assuming that this device also lets you play as many instances of Wordle as possible, rather than having to wait 24 hours for each new challenge!

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Google is rolling out more election-related safeguards in YouTube, search and AI

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As the US speeds toward one of the most consequential elections in its 248-year history, Google is rolling out safeguards to ensure users get reliable information. In addition to the measures it announced late last year, the company said on Friday that it’s adding election-related guardrails to YouTube, Search, Google Play and AI products.

YouTube will add information panels above the search results for at least some federal election candidates. The modules, likely similar to those you see when searching the web for prominent figures, will include the candidates’ basic details like their political party and a link to Google Search for more info. The company says the panels may also include a link to the person’s official website (or other channel). As Election Day (November 5) approaches, YouTube’s homepage will also show reminders on where and how to vote.

Google Search will include aggregated voter registration resources from state election offices for all users. Google is sourcing that data through a partnership with Democracy Works, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works with various companies and organizations “to help voters whenever and wherever they need it.”

Meanwhile, the Google Play Store will add a new badge that indicates an app is from an official government agency. The company outlines its requirements for apps that “communicate government information” in a developer help document. Approved applications that have submitted the required forms are eligible for the “official endorsement signified by a clear visual treatment on the Play Store.”

As for generative AI, which can be prone to hallucinations that would make Jerry Garcia blush, Google is expanding its election-related restrictions, which were announced late last year. They’ll include disclosures for ads created or generated using AI, content labels for generated content and embedded SynthID digital watermarking for AI-made text, audio, images and video. Initially described as being for Gemini (apps and on the web), the election guardrails will apply to Search AI Overviews, YouTube AI-generated summaries for Live Chat, Gems (custom chatbots with user-created instructions) and Gemini image generation.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-is-rolling-out-more-election-related-safeguards-in-youtube-search-and-ai-190422568.html?src=rss

Comcast Xfinity customers can get a year of Perplexity Pro AI for free

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If you have an account with Comcast Xfinity, then you also have a year-long subscription to the Perplexity Pro AI answer engine. Perplexity announced the special deal on Threads. Perplexity Pro differs from the company's free option by allowing unlimited quick answers from a choice of AI models, including GPT-4o, Claude-3 and Sonar Large. Engadget hasn’t reviewed the service, but if you’re already paying for Xfinity, free seems like a good price for you to make up your own mind on its value.

All you have to do to get your free year of Perplexity is to log into your Xfinity Rewards account and obtain a promo code. You’ll punch in your code on Perplexity’s website and you can start using the AI to explore life’s most puzzling mysteries like “Who was that guy who played that squirrely dude in Office Space?” (For the record, that was Stephen Root and his character was Milton).

A Perplexity Pro subscription normally costs $20 but if you take advantage of Comcast Xfinity’s perk, you’ll get a whole year for nothing. You still might want to take Perplexity’s answers with a big grain of salt. The media company Condé Nast has accused the company of plagiarism, and the online retail giant Amazon, which hosts some of Perplexity's infrastructure, has investigated whether the AI company's actions are within its terms of service. So this isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for Perplexity Pro but again, it’s free so you could do worse. A lot worse.

Update, August 30, 4PM ET: A previous version of this article used imprecise wording that suggested Amazon, rather than just Condé Nast, had accused Perplexity of plagiarism. The article has been updated to correctly indicate that Amazon separately investigated claims made by Wired, one of Condé Nast's publications, and has made no allegations of wrongdoing. We regret the error.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/comcast-xfinity-customers-can-get-a-year-of-perplexity-pro-ai-for-free-183727093.html?src=rss

Minimalist side table concept uses a single wood sheet with almost no offcuts

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Wood is a favorite among designers, especially furniture designers, because of its innate beauty, unique grains, and sustainability. But although the material is indeed biodegradable and recyclable, most furniture designs still result in a lot of waste. There can be many uses for wood chips, sawdust, and unused wood pieces, but an even better solution would be to reduce the wasted material in the first place. That means making every square inch of a sheet of wood count, leaving very little behind once the piece of furniture has been put together. That’s the idea behind this beautiful minimalist side table, where designing for efficiency has also led to a very interesting organic shape in the process.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

Flat-packed furniture has become trendy, especially with the minimalist designs propagated by the likes of IKEA. But while these designs are indeed space-efficient and economical, most of the time they’re mass-produced in a manner that produces plenty of offcuts and waste by-products. After all, it is also more efficient to cut all the legs of tables from the same batch of wood and all the tabletops from another, even if their shapes mean there will be plenty of scraps literally left on the cutting room floor.

Slide Table is a design concept for a side table that advocates efficiency both in packaging as well as in manufacturing. Every part of the table is actually cut from a single sheet of wood, so even mass-produced versions would have the same qualities. Yes, there will still be some unused parts that are cut off to produce the gaps between parts, but the goal is to minimize this waste as much as possible rather than eliminate them completely.

What makes this efficient use of the material is the rather unique design of the table itself. The tabletop is a disc carved from the middle of a rectangular plank of wood, and the remaining section is split in half to form the legs. The legs themselves “slide” into each other, connecting in the middle and forming a cross shape on which the circular top rests. It’s a simple yet intriguing shape that creates something like an optical illusion when viewed from the side.

While Slide Table does offer a beautiful and more sustainable design, it leaves some concerns about the stability of the furniture itself. There is no clear indication of how the legs stick together, or how the tabletop stays stable. It’s certainly possible that other smaller parts of the wooden sheet can be used as dowel rods to connect the pieces, which would further reduce the amount of wasted materials. This design, however, also has its limits in how big the table can be, as the tabletop will always be proportional to the rest of the sheet that would become its legs.

The post Minimalist side table concept uses a single wood sheet with almost no offcuts first appeared on Yanko Design.