Tag Archives: portable speaker

Zoey smart home assistant doubles as a portable speaker that sticks to any metal surface

Posted on by

The Zoey smart home assistant concept represents a harmonious blend of aesthetics and elegant design. This smart speaker can be detached from the dock so that you can use it wirelessly. Moreover, you can stick it to any metal surface as it comes with high-grade magnets on the back. At its core, Zoey is designed to be user-friendly, featuring intuitive voice recognition capabilities that make interaction effortless.

The sleek form factor, with its smooth curves and premium materials, invites users to engage with it regularly. Unlike traditional speakers, which can often be bulky or unattractive, Zoey’s design philosophy emphasizes minimalism and sophistication, ensuring it complements rather than disrupts a desk’s visual harmony.

Designer: Siddharth Jindal

The smart home assistant connects effortlessly with various devices, allowing users to control lighting, temperature, and security systems with simple voice commands. The portable device also boasts high-fidelity audio performance, providing a rich listening experience whether users are streaming music, podcasts, or audiobooks. If you’ve got another speaker biting the dust you can pair it with Zoey to create a stereo surround environment.

Zoey’s versatility extends beyond mere home automation; it serves as a central hub for other smart gadgets as well. With built-in features such as reminders, calendar management, and news updates, it transforms mundane tasks into seamless interactions. The touch interface of the device also lets you seamlessly navigate through the menus and various compatible apps. The design incorporates subtle LED indicators that provide visual feedback, enhancing usability while maintaining the speaker’s sleek appearance. This attention to detail reflects a commitment to creating a product that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

The potential for personalization is another hallmark, as users can choose from a range of color options and finishes, allowing them to select a model that best fits their style. In a world where technology often feels impersonal, Zoey stands out by merging practicality with artistic design. Zoey is not just a portable home assistant speaker; it is a thoughtfully crafted home companion that embodies the future of smart living.

The post Zoey smart home assistant doubles as a portable speaker that sticks to any metal surface first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nothing CMF speaker gets see-through aesthetics of the big brother in a classic radio-inspired form

Posted on by

Nothing’s story has been nothing short of inspirational considering their ethical intent towards the marketplace and its consumers. Their sub-brand CMF adapts the same values for the lower segment of the market that serves the budget segment of the market.

While we’ve been awed by the Nothing Sound (1) and Nothing Bass (1) concepts – envisioning the see-through aesthetics of what a Nothing branded would be like. Since Nothing and CMF are already a strong force to reckon with for competitors, a portable speaker is something that we cannot count out from Nothing’s scheme of things.

Designer: Abdelrahman Shaapan

Unlike its big brother, CMF by Nothing doesn’t rely on transparent aesthetics to create a unique statement. Rather the brand focuses on core functionality and accessibility for a greater chunk of the market. The phones, watches and earbuds in the line-up have the signature papaya orange influence but nothing that’s see-through actually. In the concept world that is not the limiting factor and this CMF Speaker takes due advantage.

Not only does it break the convention of a portable speaker design but also fuses form with function with maximum conviction. The music accessory has the playback information including Albumart, now playing controls and track selection buttons displayed on the touchscreen, along with the Bluetooth toggle and volume knob on one side. The frosted cover panel on all sides keeps the innards semi-transparent and the USB-C charging port is positioned on the rear to keep visual integrity intact.

The front portion is reserved for the grill that conceals the drivers and the back side also has a Nothing-inspired baseplate on which the driver housing is mounted. Abdelrahman has borrowed the classic radio look for this speaker, and I appreciate this nostalgic element. Even though we will never see a transparent CMF speaker (Nothing Speaker still I’m hopeful), this is a good starting point for a budding audio accessories brand to derive inspiration.

The post Nothing CMF speaker gets see-through aesthetics of the big brother in a classic radio-inspired form first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bose Sound Spin portable speaker is disguised as a miniature front-loading washing machine

Posted on by

Portable speakers come in all types, sizes and themes but never before have I laid my eyes on one that looks like a front-loading washing machine. Only possible in the concept design world realm, this Bose branded portable speaker is a true conversation starter in any geeky den.

The intriguing design of this compact sound blaster tickles my fancy for its ingenuity in the placement of the different elements. Most definitely, you’ll start to see all those front-loading washing machines as a huge speaker once you lay your eyes on this concept. However, in reality all the button placements and speaker components are designed in a way that they seem like the perfect amalgam of portable audio equipment and a miniature washer for your undergarments.

Designer: Hari 3D

Although there is no detailed information about this concept’s development stage, there’s a picture at the end suggesting a prototype or a display model is indeed crafted by the designer. Dressed in a cool titanium grey finish, the portable speaker is a treat to watch if you are an audiophile who appreciates modern product design. The front of this cool gadget has all the audio telemetry to show the player controls on the touchscreen display along with the volume rocker knob, power button and play/pause buttons. On the left bottom side there’s the Bass actualizer knob.

To the front lies the subwoofer and on each side are the stereo speakers to beam quality sound. Wireless connectivity should be a given on this one, since no one in 2024 would buy a portable speaker without that option. Frankly speaking, this portable speaker would rock your desk setup as well. Folks over at Bose would also be keenly viewing this design language if they want to add something on these lines to their existing line-up.

The post Bose Sound Spin portable speaker is disguised as a miniature front-loading washing machine first appeared on Yanko Design.

This super-slim, portable Bluetooth speaker is fitting companion for your next travel destination and Harman Kardon portfolio

Posted on by

There is no denying the profound impact travel and music have on healing the mind and rejuvenating the body. When we travel, a good portable speaker is a necessary companion to enhance well-being and inspire us back to take up the mundane life by its neck, until travel is on the itinerary once again.

Top-notch brands have a range of portable Bluetooth speakers on the market that tinkle the audio senses beyond imagination, but it’s the design that weighs heavier on our choice. To that accord, Harman Kardon has been at the forefront of delivering portable audio equipment that helps us tap the transformative power of music on the go. Case in point the Esquire Mini 2!

Designer: Sunghyun (Teddy) Hwang

Taking a leaf from the design of this ultra-slim and portable Bluetooth speaker, a designer has tweaked the form factor to give us a super-slim speaker that evokes memories of a Sony point-and-shoot camera. Fittingly called the Traveller, the Bluetooth speaker is designed according to the Harman Kardon design language. It has a premium design and a look as iconic as the Esquire Mini 2, with touch control buttons and LED light indicators on the top.

Entrusted with meaty features for a traveler’s liking, the slimy speaker comes powered by a high-density battery offering up to 10 hours of backup for uninterrupted music on the go. Interestingly, the Traveller has reverse charge functionality. So, when your primary device playing music through the speaker dies, you can use the Traveller as a power bank to juice it up back to life.

Since the beautiful and compact speaker has Harman Kardon branding; the range and sound quality are a given. What would stand out for many – who cannot avoid calls no matter where they go – the Traveller features dual microphones with built-in echo and noise cancellation for clarity in calls you take or make. To be delivered in three interesting colors: black, silver and electric blue within a premium quality carry pouch, the Traveller Bluetooth speaker intends to be a suitable companion for your next travel destination and Harman’s portfolio.

 

The post This super-slim, portable Bluetooth speaker is fitting companion for your next travel destination and Harman Kardon portfolio first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tivoli reveals two nostalgic Songbook remakes and a classy streaming speaker

Posted on by

Tivoli Audio is a name synonym for high-end audio equipment and they’ve stood the test of time when other brands gave stern competition. Now, the Boston-based specialist has revived its pint-sized portable AM/FM clock radio, the SongBook in modern form for music lovers.

There are three portable speakers in the new collection that each combine innovative technology while maintaining the vintage touch of a boombox for audiophiles to cherish. Two of them are the Songbook and Songbook Max which surprisingly stick to mono sound rather than stereo, come with IPX4 water resistance and double as amps too. The third is the enhanced Model Two Digital which also reflects the brand’s focus on design and excellent acoustics is apparent in all these versions.

Designer: Tivoli Audio

First up the Songbook is a small little powerhouse with built-in preamp and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. The portable speaker is driven by a 40-watt amp, a 3.5-inch full-range driver and a 3.5-inch woofer. It weighs a bit beefy at 6.7 pounds and comes with 10-hour non-stop playback. Songbook priced at $450 is available in Green and Cream color options.

The Songbook Max similar in design to the sibling is powered by dual 50-watt amps, a 4-inch subwoofer, a 4-inch midrange driver and a .75-inch tweeter. It sounds better than the Songbook version and comes with FM radio function. Tivoli has chosen to add the Max with an oversized tuning knob (like the classic Model One Radio) to choose from five radio presets and has a scan button on the top panel. The speaker weighs 11.5 pounds and boasts 10 hours of battery life. The speaker is priced at $600 and comes in two cool color options.

The Model Two Digital streaming speaker joins these two to complete the line-up. It gets a slotted front grille and a non-fabric surface that’s easy to clean. It can be displayed in the horizontal or vertical position, going with any modern décor perfectly.  This stylish speaker is built for streaming music with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast compatibility. Model Two Digital comes in three colorways – White/Silver, Black/Black, and Walnut/Gold. Priced at $475, the speaker can be pre-ordered right now with a release slated for November 15.

The post Tivoli reveals two nostalgic Songbook remakes and a classy streaming speaker first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nothing Sound (1) will refresh portable speaker market with aesthetic design and Glyph interface

Posted on by

Carl Pie kicked off a new chapter of his successful journey with the Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds, then followed by the Phone (1). One thing common with every Nothing product release to date is its share of hype and leaks. Ever the more reason for creative digital artists to come up with their proposed concept versions of a Nothing inspired product.

To be honest, any Nothing iteration piques my interest, and this portable speaker follows suit. The concept is an interesting piece since portable speakers should fall right into Nothing’s core technology expertise. So, there’s no reason for anyone to believe that there won’t be a portable speaker on Carl’s timeline in the coming years.

Designer: Hao Ping Chang

Christened the Nothing Sound (1), this portable speaker concept keenly emulates the visual design language that a real Nothing portable speaker would adopt. A fashion accessory for home and outdoor use that’ll turn eyeballs, and will be equally capable when it comes to practicality. Portability and ease of use are the keys to this design that aims to refresh the closely contested portable speaker market.

This portable speaker is a balanced mix of contoured and geometric shapes, bringing to life a very aesthetically pleasing form. The audio accessory can sit pretty on a desk just like an Xbox Series X. Compare that to an earlier conceptual design that heavily weighed in on the contoured shapes and see-thought aesthetics. The Nothing Sound, however, keeps things simple without missing out on the classy vibe.

Controls of the chick portable speaker are seamlessly integrated into the design in the form of a rotary knob on the speaker’s top. This allows for intuitive interaction with the gadget such as volume adjustment, power on/off, and Bluetooth connectivity. Enhancing the user experience are the Glyph interface LEDs that are programmed to interact dynamically with the beat of the music. If desired, they can be deactivated for a more subtle experience.

According to Hao, the speaker is inspired by a book’s form, since they are a common companion for many on their journeys. Therefore, the aspiration is that “Nothing Sound” will accompany “its owner in a myriad of contexts and situations.” The focus of this product design is to have a pursuit of uniqueness, self-expression, passion and a style that is second nature to Nothing!

The post Nothing Sound (1) will refresh portable speaker market with aesthetic design and Glyph interface first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bring in some old-school feels with this retro camera-looking speaker

Posted on by

Kodak, as we all know, has a very peculiar visual style. They value results over aesthetics. It began with a simple box camera with a 100-exposure roll of film. And now, the newest proposal for a new Kodak Bluetooth speaker concept is designed for audio enjoyment rather than visual pleasure as a new product lineup after Kodak’s corporate expansion.

Designer: Hyunjun Yu

The field of audio technology is continually developing, bringing us chic and new products that improve our listening experience. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker combines the appeal of retro design with the practicality of contemporary wireless technology. With its retro-inspired design and advanced audio capabilities, this speaker not only delivers high-quality sound but also adds a touch of nostalgia to any space.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker honors the classic aesthetics of old-school audio gear. Inspired by archival film cameras, this speaker’s slim, minimal, and portable design makes it look like a vintage camera. A genuine vintage feel is produced by retro-inspired elements, including textured fabric, metallic highlights, and the Kodak branding. The speaker becomes a focal point that delivers excellent music and gives any space a nostalgic and upscale feel.

The minimalism of the design seems to follow the principles of Dieter Rams, who truly believes in the concept of ‘less is more.’ This design has a minimum variety of tangible elements which aligns with their tagline; you press the button, and we do the rest. The speaker only has two buttons for UI requiring minimum user intervention. Just press the button and get quality audio feedback.

It is a perfect fit for people who focus on quality and functionality over the aesthetic value of products. With its cutting-edge audio components, it reproduces sound in a clear and balanced manner. The speaker can nonetheless create deep bass, clear highs, and finely detailed midrange tones, resulting in an immersive listening experience despite its small size. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker provides excellent sound quality whether you’re listening to music, viewing a movie, or participating in a conference call.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker uses contemporary wireless technologies despite its retro look. It effortlessly links with smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices using Bluetooth connectivity, enabling a hassle-free wireless music experience. Because of the speaker’s wireless range, you can walk around and fully enjoy the sound of your favorite music or podcasts without being tied to your device. The speaker comes with two rechargeable batteries and a charger, so you always have one charged to use, and your speaker never runs out of charge, just like a camera.

The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker skillfully integrates contemporary wireless technologies with retro looks. This speaker offers a distinctive audio experience that mixes nostalgia with portability with its retro-inspired design, cutting-edge audio capabilities, and portability. The Kodak C400R Bluetooth Speaker is a tribute to the ongoing attraction of both classic appeal and cutting-edge audio technology, whether you’re a fan of vintage aesthetics, a music fanatic, or simply appreciate the fusion of classic design with modern functionality.

The post Bring in some old-school feels with this retro camera-looking speaker first appeared on Yanko Design.

B&O Beosound A5 Portable Speaker boasts future-proof aesthetics courtesy of swappable hardware

Posted on by

Acoustics, aesthetics and technology are the proven mantra for Danish home electronics company Bang & Olufsen, whose latest Beosound A5 portable speaker has left audiophiles hankering. What looks like an upscale picnic basket from the outside, packs a punch when it comes to features on the inside. B&O renowned for making high-end audio equipment that lurks on being functional art pieces too, does not disappoint with their most powerful compact speaker to date.

Available in two finishes – natural silver aluminum with a Nordic weave cover, and black anthracite aluminum with a dark oak cover – the speaker boasts a modular design while maintaining elegant and graceful looks. Beosound A5 adds a visually stunning aesthetic to your interiors, offering uniqueness with the ability to change looks via swappable grilles, handles and other modules. You can even upgrade the hardware components when things get obsolete, making it 100 percent future-proof.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen and GamFratesi Studio

Coming on to the design, the speaker meant for outdoor escapades combines oak wood, aluminum and paper weave, exhibiting a sleek and stylish body. Designed in collaboration with Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi, Beosound A5 offers a Scandinavian-styled touch to the accessory. “Beosound A5 epitomizes the best of Scandinavian design and materials,” states Bang & Olufsen while GamFratesi calls the iconic Beolit series to be their inspiration behind the product design.

But to lure buyers, especially when you have a starting price tag of $1,099 design is not the sole bait. You must back the visual appeal with thumping acoustics, and that’s what the company does with Beosound A5 offering premium sound quality, courtesy of a four-way driver. These speaker drivers power four digital amplifiers blasting 280 watts for powerful 360-degree sound post-processed by the software for a wide soundstage. A5 also has the most refined 5.25-inch woofer compared to any other portable speaker on offer. It houses a couple of 2-inch midrange units, including a 0.7 inches tweeter, to beam all the audible frequencies with maximum clarity.

Moving on to the other specifications of the speaker, the B&O claims the Beosound A5 to have IP65 construction making it “dustproof, water resistant and durable.” It boasts an impressive battery that lasts twelve hours and the top panel also doubles as a wireless charging pad for phones. The luxury accessory comes with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect built-in, so you can always be hooked to your favorite tunes via preferred streaming services.

While some may argue that one variant of the speaker looks like a woman’s purse, if you do want to spend a grand on a portable speaker, you could not care less about its design. In that case, dudes should go for the oak finish one for a sophisticated persona!

The post B&O Beosound A5 Portable Speaker boasts future-proof aesthetics courtesy of swappable hardware first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Acer Halo Swing is an eclectic, portable, water-resistant smart speaker with a hidden LED display

Posted on by

The Acer Halo Swing’s design is a confusing yet enchanting combination of design details that don’t immediately go together, but somehow create an overall experience that feels pleasant. The speaker’s monolithic like any smart speaker, but comes with a handle and a portable design, like Bose’s Soundlink Revolve+ II. It has a set of colorful lights at the bottom (which feel at odds with the black appearance on the top) and if those weren’t enough, the speaker’s front sports a concealed LED dot display that shines through the fabric to display icons like an alarm clock, the time, and the weather. Debuted just today at CES, the Acer Halo Swing has support for Hey Google, comes with its own built-in subwoofer and DTS Sound™ that fills your room with clear 360° audio, and a battery life that reportedly gives up to 10 hours of non-stop play. The Halo Swing’s built to be water-resistant too, and comes with its own charging platform that juices the speaker’s battery as soon as it’s placed on top.

Designer: Acer

Right off the bat, the Halo Swing feels like it’s trying to tick as many boxes as possible. While most smart speakers are designed as stationary units that don’t leave your room, let alone your home, the Acer Halo Swing comes with a portable design that encourages you to travel with it and use it outdoors… even in questionable weather, thanks to an IPx5 rating. The monolithic black design has a thick leather strap on top that feels reminiscent of the Vifa Helsinki, although the entire design is black from top to almost bottom. I say almost bottom because the smart speaker also comes with an RGB LED array at the base that lights up to create a visual ‘flutter’ that adds to your music-listening experience.

The other notable visual ‘flutter’ on the speaker is its LED dot matrix on the front that shines through the grill to outline the Halo Swing’s multiple features. It lights up when you set an alarm, or displays the weather when you ask it to, and also gives you the freedom to customize it with emojis, drawings, and messages of your own using the Acer Halo App.

Details on the actual audio elements of the Halo Swing are scarce, although Acer mentioned there’s a subwoofer somewhere in there for expansive, foot-tapping audio, and an omnidirectional far-field microphone for voice commands. The Halo Swing also comes with Bluetooth® 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6, along with support for Google Fast Pair, and can either be controlled via the app, or the panel on top of the speaker, which houses a microphone mute button, hinting at the fact that it can be used for video and audio calling too. The Halo Swing also has the ability to pair with multiple other units to create a symphony of sound, with that 10-hour battery being extremely handy for long parties… although the biggest one of the year just got over the day before!

The post The Acer Halo Swing is an eclectic, portable, water-resistant smart speaker with a hidden LED display first appeared on Yanko Design.

This wireless speaker concept is like a piece of portable sculptural art

Posted on by

Speakers today have outgrown their humble origins as mere audio equipment. Whether they’re proudly standing beside your TV or are discretely sitting on your shelf or coffee table, speakers have grown to become a part of your room’s decor and ambiance, especially the newer breed of smart speakers. The majority of commercially mass-produced speakers, however, still adhere to common designs and simple forms, mostly revolving around cylinders and rectangles. Of course, there are also quite a number of notable speakers that look more like art pieces or decorative accessories rather than hi-tech audio gadgets. This wireless speaker concept design is clearly aiming for the latter class but tries to add a bit of portability to the formula, though that part is a little questionable.

Designer: Mohammod Sanaullah

Many of the speakers that are elegant and beautiful are also the ones that you’d prefer to keep at home. Sure, many of them might be wireless, making it trivial to move around the house, but their price and build might not make them ideal for outdoor use. On the other hand, the speakers that are designed to be really portable often come in designs that prioritize durability and ease of handling over aesthetics.

This wireless speaker concept tries to give the best of both worlds with a portable speaker that looks interesting enough to be considered decorative in any context. Instead of a typical bar or barrel shape, it takes the form of an arch, which is basically a long bar that is bent into a smooth curve. In addition to being a more visually interesting shape, it also helps direct audio in multiple directions, with speakers lining the outward-facing surface of the arch.

The speaker’s shape also makes it easy to carry without having to introduce handles that ruin the otherwise clean design. The arch itself is, in a way, the handle, and you can easily lift it up from its center to carry it. Save for a few inches on each end, the speaker is covered with the now typical fabric that most speakers have today. The textured surface gives it additional character, almost like rough concrete used for architectural arches. It also provides a bit more grip when carrying the speaker and holding its body.

Of course, this design is pretty much just theoretical, so its portability is still in question because of its relative size to most portable speakers. It at least challenges the status quo of portable speakers adhering to simple forms and shapes, as if they are only meant to be heard but never seen. These speakers might indeed have different priorities compared to speakers that stay at home, but it might only be a matter of time before they also become objects of aesthetic beauty as well.

The post This wireless speaker concept is like a piece of portable sculptural art first appeared on Yanko Design.