Tag Archives: internet router

Blocky Wi-Fi router concept is inspired by smokestacks factory

Posted on by

Usually, we don’t really think of where to place WiFi routers since they just look like ordinary devices. It doesn’t matter where they are placed as long as it does what it’s supposed to do. They’re also not that well-designed anyway so it’s better to hide them away. But what if the router’s design is actually well thought out and can actually be part of your decoration?

Designer: In Je Lee

This is the idea for the Wi-Fi router concept called Complex ‘1’ which has found inspiration in the most unlikely places: a factory smokestack. The designer says that just like the chimney diffuses the smoke, the antenna of this router spreads the Wi-Fi signal throughout your space. There is really no direct correlation between the two of course except that he got the cylindrical shape inspiration from the smokestacks.

Instead of the usual slim antennas that you see on routers, this one actually looks like a lego piece, with the square body and the two cylindrical and asymmetrical antennas. It also comes in a bright, yellow color so if you display it on your desk or shelf, you can get a spot of color in your space. It also has a clock on it so you can use it for another purpose. There’s a small, orange button at the back for resetting or toggling the clock on and off.

This is an interesting take on the common router, which is usually hidden under or behind stuff because it’s not that aesthetic. This way, since you’ll display it in the open, there’s no interference with the signal reception. Well, hopefully there will also be other colors since not everyone is fond of this kind of yellow.

The post Blocky Wi-Fi router concept is inspired by smokestacks factory first appeared on Yanko Design.

Artistic router concept opens like a folding fan based on the Wi-Fi strength

Posted on by

Being stuck at home for months on end has been an eye-opening experience for many people. For some, it revealed how little space we have at home, while others realized how they are ill-equipped to work at home. At the same time, many people have also become more aware of how the tools they use, especially consumer electronics, have aesthetic value that could either uplift their mood or burden their subconscious minds because of their designs. Wi-Fi routers, in particular, come in uninspiring or sometimes menacing designs that we often hide in corners or behind other objects that can actually negatively affect their performance. This router concept design tries to address that and other pain points with a design that turns a boring box into something like an art object that unfurls its beauty like a peacock when the Wi-Fi signal is strong.

Designer: Sunjin Na

Common home routers are simple boxes with one or two antenna rods sticking out from them. More powerful and sophisticated equipment, however, would have multiple antennas that transform the router into something like a robotic sci-fi creature. Unless you actually go for that kind of aesthetic, chances are you’ll be hiding the router from view. But if you’re not careful, that could actually affect the signal that it transmits. Additionally, you wouldn’t have any way of knowing whether the router itself is receiving a good Internet signal without looking at your phone’s Wi-Fi bar or some other app.

Blooming Out is a design concept that fixes those problems by making sure you wouldn’t want to hide the router in the first place. It gives the router a makeover that isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but also functional. It uses the concept of a folding fan that “blooms out” when the Wi-Fi signal is strong but retracts and folds in when it is weak. It’s not a binary state, though as the 29 fans can indicate the signal strength in between.

1

The router also has visible antennas, but not in the design you’d normally expect. The three antennas stand together a bit off-center and can be rotated to maximize the spread of the signal. Because of this design, Blooming Out looks more like a peacock fanning out its tail in pride when it’s working in full force.

With this design, the Blooming out router concept becomes more than just a tool. It becomes an aesthetic object that adds visual value to any space, disguising its actual function without compromising its functionality. Of course, there could still be some technical drawbacks with this unconventional design, but it could be something that’s easily resolved with today’s technologies.

The post Artistic router concept opens like a folding fan based on the Wi-Fi strength first appeared on Yanko Design.

An award-winning wifi router +wireless charger that helps you disconnect from the digital world

Posted on by

Last year, the Bium wifi router took home the Bronze award from the Asian Design Prize for its unique mission: to help users disconnect from the internet. Ironic? Perhaps. But in the Internet age, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with information and mild distractions. The occasional break from social media can do wonders for your mental health.

Sometimes, it’s hard to step away from our devices. The Bium has a setting that switches off the internet periodically, helping users clear their minds of digital distractions. The length of these internet-enabled intervals is indicated by four glowing antennas on the router. As the data “runs out,” the light fades — almost like a candle flame. Users can also extend the Bium’s self-imposed internet limit by placing their phone on the little tray that appears to double as a wireless charger. This is such a clever feature because it truly stops users from going online; they can’t be tempted to use their phone data. No cheating allowed.

When you first look at the Bium, its function (as a wifi router) is not immediately apparent. It looks more like an electronic incense holder – a smart design choice that helps foster a calm, meditative environment. However, its appearance and function perfectly embody its name, bium, which translates to “emptiness” in Korean. The digital world is full of distractions, which is why the Bium encourages users to put down their devices and embrace the bium.

Designer: Jonghoon Yoon

The Blockchain Internet Bodyguard

Posted on by

Aleia_01

Government surveillance… privacy attacks… cyber theft. All things you can live without right? Yet, we’re all still using antiquated routers that don’t protect us properly. Did you know that your router takes in every action you make online whether it’s ordering cleaning supplies or logging in to your bank account? So how do you protect you, your family and friends from cyber attacks? Introducing, Aleia – a next-generation router utilizing blockchain technology to protect your sensitive information and give you complete control and customization over your wifi and hot spots.

It tracks your internet activity and breaks down your history into chunks called blocks. Each block consists of your history over a specified period of time and can then start to be verified by millions of data points inside of the network. Every action you take is encrypted by a set of keys that are linked to your account, one private and one public. These encryption keys set up a sort of two-step verification for every action you take while using your wi-fi. Once the block is verified by the network, it becomes part of the linked chain of previous blocks and can no longer be changed or replicated within its structure.

Designers: Daniel Perry, Jorien Hopkins & Ranon Pritchard

Aleia_02

Aleia_03

Aleia_04

Aleia_05

Aleia_06

Aleia_07

Aleia_08

Aleia_09

A Router that Won’t Ruin Your Life!

Posted on by

yrouter_01

The Y router begs the question WHY?! Specifically, WHY are all routers so dang ugly! Seriously, I just moved into a new apartment over the weekend… spent a ton of time making it look spectacular… only to kill my vibes when the internet company came to install my wireless router. YUCK. Lucky for me, I was able to hide the unsightly monster. However, we shouldn’t have to. That’s the idea behind the model Y.

Unlike the antiquated box/antenna form, Y’s triangular shape is at once minimalistic, sculptural and functional. Its internal parts have been reorganized in a more sensible way that keeps the antenna contained and protected. Better yet, one section of the triangle is dedicated to cable storage! You can actually tuck away any extra cord directly into the device. Until Mark Zuckerberg gets thats universal internet idea off the ground, I NEED this in my life!

Designer: Ninety Studio

yrouter_02

yrouter_03

yrouter_04

yrouter_05

yrouter_06

yrouter_07