Tag Archives: CMF

Smart ceiling fan concept takes its design cues from a customizable smartphone

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Home electronics aren’t just getting smarter, their designs are also getting more sophisticated. It’s not just the usual culprits such as lamps and TVs either, as appliances with less presence like air purifiers and speakers become more conspicuous in the space they occupy. Designs vary widely from minimalist to elaborate, though most seem to use nature as a source of inspiration. In contrast, this design concept for a ceiling fan takes a page from a distance cousin in the consumer electronics market, mixing interactive functionality with minimalist aesthetics to provide a user experience that can be personalized to one’s preferences.

Designer: Eshant Kumbhakarn

Nothing’s new sub-brand appropriated the popular “CMF” acronym to indicate its heavy leaning towards a design-centric approach. By putting an emphasis not just on looks but on the color, material, and finish of the design, CMF by Nothing aims to elevate the prestige of products often simply seen as technological tools. So far, the brand’s designs have revolved around making exceptional design more accessible, which is what this ceiling fan concept tries to achieve as well.

FanPro brings that attention to detail to a smart home appliance, one that seems to be the least likely recipient of such a treatment: a ceiling fan. At the same time, however, it also offers the perfect opportunity to put into practice the design theories put forward by CMF. This design, for example, pays close attention to the engineering involved in the design process, making sure that the four blades are precisely angled at 15 degrees for optimal airflow and minimal noise.

A particularly interesting twist to this design is the full screen display on the base that can show not only information like operational modes or the time, it can even show emotions through simplified faces to give the appliance a more personal touch. All these can be controlled through a remote designed with intuitive use in mind. An easily accessed dial, for example, lets you instantly change the fan speed, while navigating menus is done through directional buttons.

The first CMF Phone garnered fame for its modular and customizable design, something that FanPro also adopts both for the fan itself as well as the remote control shell. Although it’s probably not as easy or probably safe to change the fan’s parts, it does leave the door open for more personalized experiences, even if it means just changing colors.

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CMF-inspired clock concept with appealing aesthetics could benefit from a dose of connected features

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The see-through aesthetics of the Nothing earbuds and then the Phone (1) have inspired numerous concept designs. All these products spill the transparency of consumer electronics hardware into forms we never thought of, but love. CMF By Nothing is a more accessible brand that carries the same design philosophy and we’ve not seen many CMF-inspired designs until now.

Meet the CMF Clock concept that reimagines the reliable ticker on your wall in modern attire. The design leverages the harmonious integration of color palettes, material choices and surface finishes to mimic the CMF’s philosophy. According to the designer, this ensures the final product is a true reflection of the brand and timeless design sensibilities.

Designer: Kedar Bagaria

The aspiration for this project is to elevate the status quo of the good old wall clock, creating a balance between both form and function. Also, the vision of the concept is to pen down a design that functions as a timepiece and elevates the aesthetic appeal of any interior space – whether it’s your home or office. The depth of perception is portrayed via the shorter seconds hand while the hours and minute hands are signified by the semi-circular shaped disks running along the diameter of the clock dial.

The color palette chosen is a balanced Sierra of white, grey, black and the signature orange. The concept is imagined in three different color variants – one emphasizing the whites, the other the blacks, and the last one going for an overpowering orange look. While the design here looks gorgeous for a geeky den, we longed for an integrated functional approach that is aligned with modern needs. Things like connected features for showing important notifications, calendar updates, schedules, or preferred pings from social media apps.

The technology to superimpose a thin smart display on top and connected hardware modules like WiFi or Bluetooth will enhance the overall appeal of such a consumer product.

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CMF Watch Pro 2: A Customizable Smartwatch with Gesture Control and an AMOLED Display

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It’s usually said that October is the busiest time for phone launches. It’s often when Apple announces its entire iPhone lineup, and Google its Pixel lineup too. The term Techtober is often floated about to describe this busy time, but that era’s changed. With Nothing’s sub-brand CMF announcing gadgets on 8th of July, a speculated Google event in August, and IFA Berlin in September, it does seem like the tech rollout is starting well before October. CMF by Nothing is slated to announce three products tomorrow, with their first smartphone dubbed the Phone 1 (not to be confused with the Nothing Phone (1)), and upgrades to their Buds and Watch lineup. The Watch Pro 2, which has already surfaced online, sees a radical design change this year. Instead of the rectangular display on last year’s Watch Pro, the sophomore smartwatch from the brand pivots to a circular screen. It’s an interesting choice, given that CMF will have had to redo the entire UI and OS to match this new display shape.

The redesign isn’t without reason, given that the watch is now expected to come with detachable bezels (which may also play a part in the watch’s OS). A button on the side gets replaced with a rotating crown, and the Watch Pro 2 finally looks like it’s taking on a distinct aesthetic that makes it stand out from the rest of the smartwatches out there… and that can only be a good thing.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

As per the images, the CMF Watch Pro 2 features a classic round dial design with a 1.32-inch AMOLED display. This display technology promises rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent visibility even under bright sunlight. An exciting addition is the inclusion of interchangeable bezels, allowing users to personalize the watch’s look to match their outfit or occasion. The watch is confirmed to also come with gesture controls, although the specific gestures and their functionalities remain to be revealed. This feature has the potential to streamline user interaction with the watch, making it more intuitive and convenient.

Indian Actress Rashmika Mandanna models for the Watch Pro 2

Technical specifications like battery life and processor details are yet to be officially confirmed. However, its predecessor, the Watch Pro, offered a commendable 2-week battery life on a single charge. With the CMF Watch Pro 2, we can expect similar or potentially improved battery performance. The CMF Watch Pro 2 is expected to launch alongside the CMF Phone 1 on July 8th. While the pricing details are yet to be revealed, considering the upgrades, we can expect a slight increase compared to the previous model’s launch price of Rs 4,499 (approx $54 USD).

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Leaks suggest a Cheaper $249 version of the Nothing (2a) Smartphone under its CMF sub-brand

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Nothing’s sub-brand, CMF, has carved a niche for itself in the tech world with various accessories. But it seems they’re about to step outside their comfort zone and enter the smartphone arena. Leaks suggest their first phone, the CMF Phone (1), might be a budget-friendly alternative to the recently released Nothing Phone (2a). According to reliable leaker and developer MlgmXyysd, the CMF Phone (1) borrows heavily from the Nothing Phone (2a)’s core specifications. It notably, however, comes in the signature CMF colors of black, white, or its iconic orange, and sports an alleged $249 price tag, undercutting the Nothing Phone (2a) by $100.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

Just like the (2a), the CMF Phone (1) is rumored to pack a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, a capable processor for everyday tasks. It’ll also likely share the same 5000 mAh battery capacity, offering long-lasting power on a single charge. However, the CMF Phone (1) might compromise a bit on fast charging capabilities. While the Nothing Phone (2a) supports 45W fast charging, the CMF Phone (1) is tipped for 33W. This translates to slightly longer charging times, but hey, the phone costs less than some GaN chargers!

The display seems identical on both phones – a generous 6.67-inch OLED panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This offers a clear and vibrant viewing experience, along with butter-smooth scrolling. The camera department on the CMF Phone (1) is still under wraps, with rumors suggesting a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor.

One key difference between the two phones could be in design. The CMF Phone (1) is expected to have a replaceable plastic back, a departure from the Nothing Phone 2a’s unique transparent design with integrated LED lighting elements. This plastic back might make the CMF Phone (1) more affordable to produce and potentially more durable for users who are prone to accidental drops.

The leaks also mention a “Nothing Lock” feature, which could be related to exclusive CMF accessories that snap onto the phone’s back using the replaceable cover. Storage options are said to range up to 256GB, paired with 8GB of RAM, offering ample space for apps and files for most users.

The CMF Phone (1) is expected to be a budget-conscious option, with a starting price rumored to be rather low, and although leaked images say €149, tipsters have suggested a price range of $249 to $279 USD. It is likely to come in a variety of colors, including Black, Green, Blue, and an India-exclusive Orange.

Leaked image of the alleged CMF Phone (1)

While it might not boast the same eye-catching design as the Nothing Phone (2a), the CMF Phone (1) could be Nothing’s Nord or Poco Phone moment, allowing it to become accessible to an even larger audience. With a large display, a capable processor, and a long-lasting battery, the CMF Phone (1) might shake up the budget smartphone market if these leaks hold true.

Image Credits: Sarang Sheth

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CMF by Nothing debuts affordable TWS Earbuds, Smartwatch and a Utilitarian 65W GaN charger

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Nothing started its maiden journey with a pair of earbuds, followed by the radical phone design, backed by loads of hype and anticipation. Carl Pie’s brand has since then consolidated with stellar second-generation products. Now Carl wants to cater to the more affordable section of the market with the newly launched CMF by Nothing.

Abbreviated Color, Material, Finish – the brand is a direct aspiration of the parent company to bring great accessible design to the masses. The budget-friendly brand announced today has three products in its kitty – smartphone, earbuds and charger. According to Carl, CMF is, “here to question the world.” By our understanding that statement is clearly focused on the high price tags of some of the gadgets out there.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

Keeping with the trend of revealing earbuds as the first product, CMF by Nothing has the $49 Buds Pro earbuds to offer. At that price tag, the active noise cancellation, 11 hours of standalone battery in the buds and 39 hours of battery in the charging case are worth the deal. Compared to the now premium Nothing Ear (2) earbuds, the sub-brand’s buds have a more contoured look.

There’s no transparent aesthetic, normally associated with the Nothing products. Also, the case design is different from the Big Brother as they are stored in a circular puck case. The Buds Pro features like equalizer, ANC settings and more can be toggled via the Nothing X app earbuds. For now, the earbuds will be available in grey, black, and vibrant orange colors.

Next, there is the CMF Watch Pro which is a reflection of the brand’s ‘accessible’ motto. The price tag of $54 will shake up the smartwatch market. There are clear traces of the unannounced Apple Watch design and the Watch Ultra’s orange strap here. At one-tenth the price of Apple’s wearable, the 1.96-inch AMOLED display smartwatch touches important bases with a dedicated heart rate sensor, blood oxygen saturation sensor and multi-system GPS. Also, it comes with a claimed battery life of 13 days and 110 sports activities for fitness tracking to choose from.

The most interesting product in the line-up from the perspective of utility is the CMF Power 65W Charger. The GaN (Gallium Nitride) charger juices up most of your gadgets including phones, earbuds, smartwatches, or portable speakers. With the inclusion of three ports, two USB Type-C and a USB Type-A, the branded accessory is cheaper than most other brands at $39.

The wide range of compatibility for  PD3.0, QC4.0+/3.0/2.0, SCP, FCP, PPS, AFC, Samsung 9V2A, DCP, and Apple 2.4A protocols will make it a value-for-money proposition for users buying new flagships or products that don’t have the charger included in the package.

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Nothing launches ultra-affordable $54 Watch Pro with Bluetooth Calling and Heart Monitoring

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It’s about 80% cheaper than Apple’s Watch SE, but has all the features you’d expect from a good budget smartwatch.

Pretty much following exactly what the leaked images said, Nothing’s sub-brand CMF has announced its first three products, the Buds Pro TWS earbuds, the Power 65W GaN charger, and the Watch Pro, an affordable but mighty smartwatch that hopes to bring the Nothing experience to even more users with its pocket-friendly price tag. At just Rs. 4,499 INR (or $54 USD converted), the Watch Pro shouldn’t really come with any expectations, but it exceeds whatever I have with a feature-packed design. It sports a “mighty” 1.96-inch AMOLED always-on display accompanied by a single hardware button. The watch lets you answer calls via Bluetooth (with an AI noise reduction algorithm), tracks as many as 110 sports/activities, has a comprehensive heart monitor, a built-in GPS, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a whopping 13-day battery life. Did I mention it costs just $54 bucks?

Designer: CMF by Nothing

What immediately stands out with the Watch Pro is the fact that it’s nothing like Nothing. There’s no transparency, no fanfare, not even as much as an online event or even a video. The reason lies in Nothing’s underlying strategy to pretty much conquer the budget market with well-made gadgets that are recognizable, but don’t affect Nothing’s own brand positioning. The CMF devices aren’t transparent because that’s the Nothing visual DNA. Instead, they come with opaque designs that are punctuated by the use of a bright orange, either in the hardware, or in the software. The name CMF stands for Color, Material, Finish – a reference to the abbreviated term used by designers and engineers.

While the design isn’t overtly revolutionary or innovative, the watch does deliver quite the bang for its buck. On the hardware front, there’s a whole lot to write home about. The watch obviously tells the time, lets you monitor the weather, has GPS tracking, and even has Bluetooth support so you can answer phone calls without taking your phone out. The folks at Nothing say their AI noise reduction algorithm was trained on over 100,000 noise models, allowing it to work remarkably well at isolating your voice when you’re in a crowded or noisy space.

It even supports up to 110 sports modes, letting you track all your sports and activities right on the watch, with a comprehensive breakdown of your reps duration, calories, heart rate, pace, steps, and distance. The comprehensive health monitor tracks your heart rate, blood SpO2, sleep, stress levels, etc. to enhance your health journey. There’s even a water reminder thrown in there so that the Watch Pro constantly ensures you stay hydrated.

What really does set the Watch Pro apart from any other smartwatch we’ve seen, however, is the OS. Most smartwatches distil down their respective smartphone OS or rely entirely on Android Wear to power their experience, but the Watch Pro is an entirely different experience. The smartwatch’s UI quite literally uses just a combination of 4 colors – black, white, grey, and orange, but achieves so much with its limited palette. The interface is this minimalist Bauhaus-inspired work of art that practically uplifts every screen, from the multiple watch faces to the functions/features within the watch. It might be a $54 smartwatch, but it feels nothing like one, with a kind of cleanliness that’s only reserved for flagships.

The Watch Pro comes with a respectable 13 days of battery life with moderate use, going down to 11 days with heavy use. This includes the fact that the Watch Pro has an always-on display that’s ever ready to give you the time of the day, the date, the weather forecast, or any notification you may need to see. Partnering with your smartphone, the Watch Pro has Find My features to help locate both your phone as well as your watch. There’s also a built-in Voice AI as well as music control for playback on your phone or your TWS earbuds.

For now, the Watch Pro along with other CMF products are just limited to an India launch. It makes sense, given Nothing’s flagship production center is in India too, as is a majority of its audience.

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BREAKING: Carl Pei’s Latest Brand “CMF” is launching a Smartwatch, TWS Earbuds, and GaN Charger

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Earlier this year, Nothing teased a sub-brand by the name of CMF with nothing more than just a logo reveal. Today, leaked images obtained by Twitter-user @techleakszone show three CMF products in the works. We upscaled these low-res images to get a clearer picture of the three products – a smartwatch, a pair of TWS earbuds, and a 65W GaN charging brick, all scheduled for an end-September release in India. All products have one thing in common – the use of a vibrant orange that draws instant attention to them, in a way contrasting Nothing’s transparent approach to design rather wonderfully!

This is an AI-upscaled Image (Ignore warped graphics on product)

The most prominent of the products is the smartwatch, which is priced at a budget-friendly ₹4499 ($54.48 USD) and comes with a 1.96″ AMOLED always-on display. Styled to somewhat lock horns with other budget watches/wearables like the Fitbit, the CMF smartwatch comes with an aluminum alloy case and a silicone band. A 330mAh battery gives it up to 13 days of use on a single charge, and the wearable works as a comprehensive fitness/sports tracker with support for 110 sports, along with features like heart-rate monitoring, blood-oxygen monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep tracking, etc. The spec sheet below compares the watch with other budget smartwatches on the Indian market, comparing features along with an incredibly competitive price tag.

This is an AI-upscaled Image (Ignore warped graphics on product)

The second product (code-named Corsola) is a ₹3499 ($42.3 USD) pair of TWS earbuds designed to compete with other brands in the low-budget segment. CMF’s earbuds are significantly different in appearance from the Nothing Ear (2) earbuds. They aren’t transparent, and they come in a circular case instead of a square one. The earbuds have up to 45dB of active noise cancellation and an impressive 37-hour battery life with the charging case. Just like the Ear (2), they are IP54-rated as well, although at half the price.

This is an AI-upscaled Image (Ignore warped graphics on product)

The third is probably the most interesting product of the lot – a GaN charger designed to compete in the accessories market and probably bring in the green for CMF by selling to both Android and iOS users alike. In a world where phone makers are increasingly deciding to ditch the idea of packaging chargers along with their phones, CMF’s 65W GaN charger makes quite an impact. With three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A), the charger can simultaneously power three devices, giving you a multifunctional power brick that takes care of your phone, tablet, and earbuds or power bank. The GaN semiconductor keeps the charging brick’s size extremely compact, and that bright orange color means you’ll never misplace it! The charging brick is expected to have a ₹2499 ($30.2 USD) price tag at launch a month from now.

Images via @techleakszone

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Computer accessories look like delicious hard candy on your desktop

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From keyboards to mice to webcams, computer peripherals have existed since the dawn of computers themselves, and most of these were designed for technical function more than anything else. It has only been in the last few decades that ergonomics and comfort have become a core focus for some but not all of these products, and aesthetics have arrived even more recently only. Of course, function, ergonomics, and form aren’t mutually exclusive, but it takes a lot more work to make sure that all three boxes are checked. It requires a lot of back and forth between designers and engineers and definitely a lot of prototyping and waiting time. With the right tool, however, that waiting time could take only minutes, or at most two days, allowing manufacturers to play around with materials and finishes that lead to eye-catching results like this almost literally sweet collection of peripherals for desktops and laptops.

Designer: Beta Design Office

It’s not really that much of a surprise that computer accessories have traditionally been labeled as utilitarian or even geeky products. The most common designs don’t inspire much appreciation because of their, well, common forms, and they aren’t even that comfortable to use for long periods of time. Fortunately, we have come to a point where good ergonomics and good lucks have become more important and also more common, like these prototypes for three of the most common computer accessories that look almost delicious enough to lick.

The Mayku Accessories collection comprises a keyboard, a mouse, and a more traditional webcam that attaches to the top of a monitor. While their designs don’t show anything functionally new, it’s their appearance that really catches the eye. Instead of using the usual flat surfaces and sharp corners, these products use “softer,” more curved forms, like the sides and tops of the keycaps, the entire surface of the mouse, or the body of the webcam.

While the designs themselves are already interesting, the story behind their creation is equally so. It is the result of multiple iterations and prototypes that played around with different colors, materials, and finishes, more commonly known as “CMF” in the design world. The end result is a series of shells that use soft colors and sometimes transparent materials, making these usually cold and impersonal devices look like hard candy or even soft marshmallows.

What actually made this possible is a novel machine called the Mayku Multiplier that allows the creation of molds and parts in just minutes rather than hours. This has made it easier to create those prototypes with different CMFs, allowing designers to quickly discuss and change designs in just days instead of weeks. With tools such as this multiplier and 3D printers becoming more accessible, it will be easier and more feasible to create designs that buck trends and appeal to the sensibilities of different people while still maintaining their technical features and ergonomics.

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By looking more ‘fashionable’, this insulin injection helps break stereotypes

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Spectacles, walking sticks, both are products that started as medical devices but slowly evolved into objects of fashion and style. You see, somewhere down the line people with walking difficulties and weak eyesight felt that their affliction shouldn’t make them look inferior. Thus, the stylish monocle and the fashionable walking cane were born. Youtrust brings that very approach to insulin injections.

Injections are inherently scary looking, and the fact that you’ve got to get approximately 3 of them a day doesn’t help soothe the pain, metaphorically speaking. Youtrust reinvents how they look by overhauling their clinical design for something that’s functional yet also trendy. Its form language is simple and sophisticated, and is upgraded by gradients, vibrant hues, and speckled CMF (although orange speckles on injections may irk some folks).

The Youtrust Insulin Injector comes with a concealed needle (like the ones found in blood sugar monitors). The vial sits inside the device, with a meter letting you know how much insulin is inside. You can calibrate your insulin units using the knob on the top, and a digital display on the side helps you track your daily and monthly doses as well as see step-by-step instructions for administering them (just in case someone else has to help you out). The Youtrust device comes with a pod-shaped flat design with rounded edges, which makes it easy to carry around in a bag or your pocket. Ever so often (a couple of months, maybe), its display and electronics will need charging too, and a nifty wireless charging tray lets you charge your injection by simply placing it on the tray’s surface overnight!

Now if only someone went back 20 years and made braces look cool too…

Designer: Dorian Famin

YD JOB ALERT: Bang & Olufsen is looking for a CMF Designer

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Bang & Olufsen was founded by Peter Bang and Sven Olufsen in 1925, starting with manufacturing radios and growing to become one of the world’s best producers of high-end audio equipment with a design style that’s sculptural, and that puts form on a pedestal, without sacrificing function. B&O has a distinctive design appeal that Wired described as “quality media delivery via striking objects”. The company is looking for a seasoned CMF designer to join their team in Copenhagen, Denmark.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Do you have 3+ years of experience working with color, materials and finish, and would you like to use this experience in the design of Bang & Olufsen’s luxury lifestyle audio products? And are you looking for an opportunity to:
– Improve your CMF design skills and apply them to Bang & Olufsen products?
– Join one of the best-known luxury brands in the world?
– Gain an international network of competent and collaborative colleagues?

Join the Design team
As our new CMF designer, you will join the Design team in Lyngby, Denmark, consisting of 6 design managers with different competencies. Together with colleagues based in Lyngby, Struer and Singapore, we participate in cross-functional projects, contributing with our product design expertise. Doing so, we work as one team to share knowledge, run design reviews and provide feedback on a weekly basis. And now, we are looking to expand our CMF team with a designer.

Implement world-class CMF across Bang & Olufsen’s luxury products
As our new CMF designer, you will work closely with our CMF manager to implement colour, materials and textures across speakers, headphones and earphones. Working with inline products, special editions as well as fashion and interior collections, you will ensure that our products live up to our CMF strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

– Design and visualize versions of existing products by applying color, texture and materials
– Create CMF briefs and specifications based on CMF strategies, brand language and manager input
– Work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure they understand specifications and deliver quality execution
– Engage with external partners such as agencies, suppliers and artists, e.g. international musicians and athletes, for our fashion and – interior collections, ensuring compliance with our CMF strategy
– Play a major role in managing our overall color activities across inline products, collections and special editions
– You can expect approx. 20 travel days a year to review color samples at supplier factories in China.

REQUIREMENTS

– You have 3+ years of experience from a CMF position within fashion, lifestyle, design or consumer electronics
– You can tell a compelling CMF story
– You have knowledge of all phases of the CMF design process – from palette development through manufacturing and sample approvals
– You are fluent in spoken and written English
– You thrive in a fast-paced environment
– You master Photoshop and Keyshot, and experience with Grasshopper is a plus
– As a person, you have excellent collaboration skills, and you know how to reach results through teamwork. It comes naturally to you to coordinate your own tasks and drive many projects at a time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information about the position, please contact Head of Design Michael König on +45-42414261.
Applications are continuously assessed, so please send your application as soon as possible.

LOCATION

Copenhagen, Denmark

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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