Tag Archives: waterproof

This Rugged Android Tablet with 4 Speakers Is Your New All-Terrain Waterproof Entertainment Hub

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It’s a tablet PC, a shower speaker, your car’s infotainment system, and a portable dashboard for everything from music to video to phone calls. Meet the Nomad – a tablet-speaker that isn’t designed for productivity… it’s designed for entertainment. With a powerful speaker system, a waterproof design, and mounts that let you place the Nomad anywhere, this device doubles as your shower speaker, your smart display, a Carplay/Android Auto-compatible infotainment system, a dedicated device for Netflix and Chill whether it’s in the bedroom, living room, or poolside, and even your perfect radio alternative when you’re camping. For ages, tablets have grown thinner and their speakers weaker… and smart speakers have remained tethered to their plug points. Nomad combines both in a durable, portable package so you can carry your entertainment with you, without compromising on literally anything.

Designer: UpBeat

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off) Hurry! Only 13 days left. Raised over $113,000

The Nomad isn’t a tablet. It isn’t a speaker. It isn’t a smart home hub like the Echo Show or the Pixel Tablet. It’s a little of everything, combined into one product that offers zero compromises if you know what you’re buying it for. It’s designed purely for entertainment, which means that sleek, laptop-bag-friendly profile is a non-issue. The device is rugged, doesn’t compromise on audio quality, and is made to be used everywhere, from in your shower to your car.

With its waterproof build and four-speaker array, the Nomad was crafted with audio at its core. This device excels as a portable entertainment hub, with an audio quality that outshines any tablet’s built-in speaker system—be it the shower, the backseat of a car, or your outdoor adventures. The 4 front-facing speakers and 2 subwoofers on the side deliver rich, resonant sound (at up to 94 decibels) that rivals traditional portable speakers. Combined with a battery life of over 20 hours for music playback, the Nomad is set to keep the party going without frequent recharges.

On the inside, the Nomad runs on Android, which means it’s ready for all your favorite streaming apps, plus it has a microSD slot for expanding storage and loading up on offline content. The 8-inch HD touchscreen has a striking brightness level of 1200 nits, 20% brighter than the iPad Pro which shines at 1000 nits, making it perfect for outdoor use. The display is responsive, has an anti-glare coating, and complements the overall build of the device—it’s rugged yet refined, a rare find in tablets with a focus on durability.

The stick-on Shower Mount lets you easily dock and use your Nomad while in the shower

The built-in speaker is supplemented by microphones too, which means the tablet lets you interact with voice assistants, leave voice notes, or even take phone calls. That’s where the powerful speakers come in handy, allowing you to talk without cupping your ear to hear what the other person is saying. If you want to have a private conversation, just connect Bluetooth earbuds, or better still, use the 3.5mm jack on the Nomad to hook up your wired headphones. The only thing missing is an on-board camera, which means no photographs or even video calls.

Mounting options for the Nomad extend its functionality even further. It comes with a shower wall mount, which lets you easily slip the Nomad in while having a bath. The tablet is fully usable while bathing, so whether you’re watching a TV show or hosting your own bathroom karaoke, the Nomad lets you stay in control, unlike your phone or your Bluetooth speaker, which won’t go in the shower with you.

Outside the shower, a built-in kickstand lets you prop the Nomad up wherever you are. If you want to tether the tablet to a tree or the back of your car-seat for in-car entertainment, the tablet comes with a strap-on mount too. An optional add-on cup-holder mount lets you bring the tablet to the front seat, substituting your in-car radio or music player. When all fails, a tripod mount on the bottom lets you screw a tripod in, allowing you to position your tablet practically anywhere. And since it’s fully waterproof, you don’t have to worry about splashes or moisture damaging the device.

For in-car use, you’ve got built-in Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility, a standout feature that elevates the Nomad from a mere tablet to a full-fledged navigation and media console for your car. CarPlay integration makes the device invaluable for on-the-go use, especially if you prefer your tech streamlined and multipurpose. Mount it on a dashboard, and you have an instant navigation system paired with immersive sound quality, all accessible through the Android interface that many users will find familiar and easy to navigate.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 662 processor keeps the Nomad humming along smoothly. Sure, it’s not the latest SoC on the market, but in a rugged device focused on reliability and battery efficiency, the Snapdragon 662 is a solid choice that provides a good balance of performance and energy efficiency. You’ll find it more than capable for streaming, navigation, and even some light gaming if the mood strikes. Although the exact battery capacity isn’t mentioned, the Nomad delivers 20 hours of audio on a full charge, and can be doubled thanks to an optional magnetic battery that snaps right on top, bringing its output to 40 hours of music, or 10 full hours of video. Both the tablet and the magnetic battery have USB-C charging, which means you can charge your Nomad anywhere.

The basic bundle starts at $249, which includes the Nomad itself along with the shower mount. The $340 Ultimate Bundle gets you all the other accessories too, like the strap-on mount, the cup mount, and that snap-on magnetic battery. No matter which bundle you pick, the Nomad ships globally, starting February 2025.

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off) Hurry! Only 13 days left. Raised over $113,000

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Motorola Razr+ 2024 foldable phone upgrades might be invisible to the naked eye

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After a short lull, we are entering the second half of this year’s batch of smartphones, most of which will be focused on foldable designs. While Samsung naturally grabs the spotlight, it’s hardly the only game in town. Motorola will try to beat Samsung to the punch next week when it reveals the latest iteration of the spiritual successor to its iconic RAZR clamshell, a foldable phone that some might even consider to have a better design. It seems, however, that expectations need to be tempered a little, as the 2024 Razr+, or the Razr 50 Ultra in other markets, might not carry any visible mark of being a new model, as the improvements will mostly be internal and invisible, at least based on this latest leak.

Designer: Motorola (va @MysteryLupin)

To give credit where credit is due, Motorola has always taken the bolder stance when it came to the design of its clamshell foldable. It was the first to use a large second screen on its back, and it’s now the only one that has a Cover Display that, well, covers the entire surface of the phone’s upper back. There will always be debates on whether having two holes on that screen for the cameras is better or worse than the tab-like cutout on the Galaxy Z Flip, but there’s little argument that it opens the door to more functionality, including displaying the same app on the outside that runs inside.

This signature feature of the Motorola Razr+ line isn’t going to change this year apparently, not even to slightly increase the screen size (the base Motorola Razr/Motorola 50, however, is getting the full-screen treatment this year). In fact, you might not be able to distinguish the 2023 and 2024 models just by looking at them. Of course, there will be upgrades, but most of them are the invisible features of the phone, and we’re not talking just about specs.

For example, this year’s Motorola foldable will bump up the water protection, though worryingly at the cost of dust protection. According to a leaked promotional video, the Motorola Razr+ (2024) will have an IPX8 rating that’s more in line with what Samsung offers. That means it will survive an accidental dip in a pool or sink, but there’s no guarantee it will be protected from dust or smaller particles. Unfortunately, some might argue that the latter is actually more fatal to foldable phones and their hinges than water damage.

There’s also an indication that one of the cameras will finally have a telephoto lens, but the number of cameras won’t be increasing by one either. That suggests that Motorola will either ditch the regular “wide” camera or the ultra-wide shooter, though the latter is probably more likely. Again, it trades one feature for another, and hopefully, the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifices for Motorola’s customers. The Motorola Razr+ or Razr 50 is expected to debut next week.

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Bluetti AC240 All-Weather Power Station delivers reliable power, rain or shine

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More people are discovering the joys of the great outdoors, but they are also learning some of the challenges that come with living off the grid, especially when it comes to the unpredictability of weather. And then there are some outdoor adventures that really expose you to the elements, whether it be on land or especially at sea. During these moments, you need more than just a portable power source that can deliver the necessities and conveniences of modern life. You also need a reliable power source that can weather any storm, almost literally. That’s the kind of power that the new Bluetti AC240 Weatherproof Portable Power Station delivers, keeping up with life’s adventures even when Mother Nature has other ideas.

Designer: Bluetti

Click Here to Buy Now: $1299 $1899 (31% off, use coupon code”yanko240″ to get an additional $100 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Even with all the science and technology at our disposal, changes in weather can throw a wrench in anyone’s plans, especially when those plans happen to involve staying outdoors. Traditional power stations, while extremely useful, might not be a good fit for this situation considering the safety risks involved. That’s where the Bluetti AC240 and its IP65 dust and waterproof rating come in, offering a clean, quiet, safe, versatile, and rugged power source that can withstand the harsh conditions you might find yourself in.

With the AC240’s modular design, it practically is! Stack up B210 expansion batteries and watch your power options multiply.

The Bluetti AC240 is rated IP65, which means it’s certified to withstand the intrusion of dust as well as low-pressure water jets from any angle, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The weather-hardened solar generator boasts a variety of patented technologies and safeguards that protect it from the elements, including independent air ducts, sealed electronic compartments, a special drainage system, vacuum-coated fans, and, since they’re always exposed to the outside world, double-layer protected ports. In the event that water does manage to get in, built-in exhaust fans and the heat dissipation system will make sure the water gets out or evaporates quickly before it does any damage.

Whether you’re basking in the sun’s energy with solar panels, plugging into a wall outlet, staying juiced on the move with a car charger, or even tapping into a lead-acid battery or shore power, the AC240 ensures you’re always powered up and good to go.

Of course, the Bluetti AC240 is more than just a large weatherproof box. It’s a portable power station first and foremost, and it does an incredible job at that as well. With an output of 2,400W and a 1,536Wh LiFePO battery, the AC240 can easily power anything from a phone charger to a 20 cubic feet fridge for at least one day. A 3,600W powerlifting mode can even power that hot plat to make sure you get warm meals even when it’s pouring outside your RV. The plethora of charging ports, which include 2 standard AC outlets, 1 NEMA TT-30 port, a car outlet, 2 USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and a 12V/30A RV port, make sure every electronic machine is supported, even an RV or a boat.

Whether you’re navigating the high seas or driving into the unknown wilderness, the AC240 reliable enough to keep your adventures smooth from start to finish.

If that’s already impressive, then you’ll probably be blown away by what the Bluetti AC240 can do when paired with the B210 expansion battery, which itself is also IP65 weatherproof. Each B210 adds 2,150Wh of power and you can have as many as four packs connected to the AC240 for a whopping 10,135Wh total capacity. And if that weren’t enough, you can link two AC240 using Bluetti’s unique parallel technology with the Parallel Box P480, delivering 4,800W output (without expansion batteries) without doubling the voltage. With this much power and flexibility, including simultaneous connection to the power grid while powering your devices and a responsive 15ms UPS function, the Bluetti AC240 can even provide enough power to your house to weather out a storm.

When it comes to charging the power station itself, the AC240 offers a variety of options, from super-fast 1.1-hour AC charging at 2400W max input (when paired with a B210 expansion battery) to completely green solar charging at 1200W intake in just two hours. Weighing only 72 lbs (33 kg) and almost as big as a microwave, the Bluetti AC240 offers portable, reliable, and durable power that you can take with you anywhere you go, confident that it can handle anything thrown its way, whether by you or by Mother Nature herself.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1299 $1899 (31% off, use coupon code”yanko240″ to get an additional $100 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

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Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights Review: It’s a Holiday Everyday of the Year

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PROS:


  • Relatively easy to install

  • Durable and weatherproof with IP67 rating

  • Bright and vibrant LEDs with 16 million colors

  • Powerful customization and control via app or smart assistants

CONS:


  • A bit expensive

  • Triangular light pattern might not appeal to some

  • Overwhelming mobile app

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Bright, colorful, durable, and versatile, the high-quality Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights make sure you never have to buy and put up Christmas lights over and over again.

Christmas in Summer? Sure, why not? Especially if you can beat the summer heat and hold a raving ‘outdoor party at night. You’ll need to set the right atmosphere, though, to help your guests forget about the sweltering temperatures. And what better way is there to set a festive mood than with brilliant lights that dance to the music? Of course, those same outdoor lights could provide not only decoration but also safety at night, any time of the year. That’s the proposition that the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights is making, replacing your Christmas lights and staying beyond the winter holidays to be used all year round. These aren’t the first outdoor fairy lights in the market, though, so we took these unique-looking LED lights outdoors, hooked them up, and lit up the house to see if it can rise to the challenge and stand proud apart from the crowd.

Designer: Govee

Click Here to Buy Now: $299.99.

Aesthetics

You’ve probably seen your fair share of outdoor lights, fairy or otherwise, but if you haven’t, suffice it to say that the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are nowhere near what you’d expect. Instead of bulbs sticking out of a strand of cable, you get LEDs enclosed in 3cm squares with a small clear dome covering the LED itself. Each square is set about a foot apart from each other on the flat cable, forming 6 segments that total a 100ft (50m) long string of light of lights that offers some flexibility in how you install them (more on that later). What all these mean is that the lights are designed to be minimalist and almost invisible, getting out of the way to let the lights take center stage.

Those lights definitely deserve all the attention because of their impressive output. Thanks to Govee’s RGBIC technology, each light is capable of showing any color within a range of 16 million. Of course, you won’t be looking at each LED on its own, and its real appeal comes through the combination of those lights, whether as a single stream of color or in a kaleidoscopic display. At 26 lumens per LED, the Outdoor Lights will definitely be an attention grabber, no matter what color you choose. That might also be a consideration you have to take in mind if there are related regulations about night lights in your area.

All-in-all, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights delivers a stunning visual, regardless of the holiday or occasion. They’re pretty much like super-powered Christmas lights you don’t have to take down and can use all throughout the year. You can even dim the lights a bit and use a solid swath of color to illuminate your house without making it look like you’re having a party every night. Thanks to its simple and minimalist design, there are no bulbs that stick out from roofs and eaves to steal the show. These outdoor lights are an effective and cost-effective way to make your house pop, any time of the year.

Ergonomics (Installation)

You won’t be handling these outdoor lights all the time, fortunately, but you will have to wrestle with them at least once when you install them on your house. Because they are meant to stay in their place, hence the “permanent” part of their name, you do have to take some time to properly plan out where you’ll be placing them. Fortunately, Govee is making it easy to install these strands of light, giving you plenty of flexibility to run the lights even along areas where you might not want to have any light at all.

That’s because the 100ft (30m) string of LEDs is actually divided into 6 strands, each with clearly-marked waterproof connectors so you can easily tell which end connects to which. There are also extension cables included in the box, in case you need to run the lights down from roof to wall but want to leave gaps in the lighting in those transitional areas. This also means you don’t have to force yourself to use all six segments if you don’t need to. Conversely, you can also extend the length with another 100ft set or the 3-segment 50ft (30m) set that Govee also sells.

Once all the planning is done, installing the lights is relatively painless, though still needs a bit of work to pull off. Each light square has a 3M adhesive that lets you easily stick them to any flat surface outside your house. There are also clips you can use to keep wayward clips in line. Once all the lights have been installed, the last bit is connecting the control box and the power box to finally light up your house. Connecting the lights to the Govee mobile app is just as painless and you’ll be off playing with the settings and features in no time.

Performance

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are definitely one of those things that you have to see to truly appreciate their value. The bright lights can effectively illuminate your house, adding not only flavor but also safety at night. The lights might actually be too bright, so you might want to put on covers or blinds on windows if the lights are anywhere near them.

These Outdoor Lights are also smart lights, which means they’re meant to be controlled through a connected smartphone or via some smart assistants, particularly Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This is where the lights really shine, pardon the pun, thanks to the countless ways you can change the way they look or behave. In fact, the sheer number of options available on the app might be overwhelming and confusing for new users. Fortunately, there are also plenty of presets available, including over 70 scenes that let you set the right mood for given occasions.

While there are plenty of ways to configure the Govee Outdoor Lights, one of the most interesting and most dramatic is the Music Mode, where the lights react to the music and sound it hears either through the phone or its control box, making them dance to the beat. Even better, you can harmonize multiple Govee products through DreamView mode to create a captivating synchronized Light Show. And when the party’s done, you can just ask Alexa or Google Assistant to turn the lights into a more peaceful hue to call it a night.

Due to its rather unique enclosure design, the light that the LEDs project has a rather distinctive triangular shape that’s even more visible if the lights are placed close to a wall. Unlike most fairy or string lights that wash the surroundings with a more or less even diffusion, the lights coming from the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights look more like mini spotlights with a wide-angle spread. It creates a rather unique visual effect, like sharp ridges or stairs, it’s an aesthetic that won’t appeal to everybody. That could be a deal-breaking design that potential buyers will have to consider before making this rather substantial purchase.

Sustainability

Like many outdoor lights, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights make use of plenty of plastic and some rubber, not exactly the most environment-friendly materials. Given design and production requirements, however, this is hardly surprising, but it’s definitely a big opportunity for Govee to further take the lead in the smart lighting market. Imagine a brand that not only delivers powerful smart lighting but sustainable products as well. That could be Govee a few years down the line!

The company does make up for it by making sure that its products don’t meet their untimely demise quickly. In other words, Govee lights are built to last, and these Outdoor Lights are no different. In fact, they’re even better, boasting an IP67 dust and water resistance rating that makes them ideal for use even in inclement weather. Even the control box and adapter are IP65 rated, truly marking them safe for outdoor use. As for the LEDs themselves, they’re advertised with a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, around 5 years if you use them 24/7 (which you won’t anyway). Govee makes these affirmations regarding the durability of the RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights:

  • Successful operation test at 140 ℉
  • Successful operation test at -40 ℉
  • Passed operation test at a water depth of 49ft
  • Withstood a tensile force of 11.02lb
  • Endured manual pulling of over 10 pounds

Value

It’s easy to do a double-take when you see the $299.99 price tag attached to these lights, but it’s a first impression that won’t last long. Yes, it is a bit steep and pricier than other outdoor fairy lights, but few or none of those can even offer half of what Govee delivers. Some, for example, won’t even last more than two seasons of limited use during holidays only, let alone regular use both on or off-season. Few can also offer a quick and easy method of installing lights that you’ll leave in place until they die many years later. You don’t have to dread removing the lights after the festivities and can just leave them there for the next occasion or as regular night lights for the house.

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights also offer a level of control and customization you might only find in more expensive brands. There is, in fact, an overwhelming number of settings you can tweak to your heart’s content, making these outdoor lights not only beautiful but also versatile. Given all that, the $299.99 figure doesn’t look bad at all, especially when you consider that it’s a longer-term investment that will last you for years compared to cheaper lights where you truly get what you pay for.

Verdict

Summer isn’t just about beaches and camping (or glamping). Night pool parties and quiet times out on the porch are also common activities during this season, both of which require the right lights to set the right mood. You could get different lights for different occasions, or you could get the Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights and have a versatile outdoor lighting solution for any occasion.

With a modular design and easy installation process, these Govee outdoor lights offer more flexibility in where and how you want to put them up. The bright and vibrant colors of the LEDs help create the atmosphere that you want, while the powerful mobile app put an almost endless array of options at your fingertips. Whether it’s a holiday, a seasonal party, or just a dark night, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights will make your house stand out and make you the talk of the town.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299.99.

The post Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights Review: It’s a Holiday Everyday of the Year first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Carbon Neutral Backpack is built with recycled plastic and captured CO2, and is 100% storm-proof

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The 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack isn’t your average backpack. For starters, it’s designed to be entirely carbon neutral, with materials and processes that take waste out of the system rather than putting waste into the system. The bag’s fabric uses 123 recycled plastic bottles in its construction and is strengthened by atmospheric-captured CO2, using a proprietary procedure. In fact, the 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack is so strong that it’s rated to be 100% storm-proof, and comes with a seal of approval from Ed Stafford, a renowned English explorer and survivalist who holds the Guinness World Record for being the first human ever to walk the length of the Amazon River, and who also played a sizeable role in designing the 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack… and why is it called Hybrid? Well, because it can seamlessly alternate between backpack, side-strap, and duffle modes, preparing you for all scenarios… and for all weathers.

Designer: GROUNDTRUTH

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $400 ($151 off). Hurry, only 4/65 left!

Coming from the mind of GROUNDTRUTH and Ed Stafford, the 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack was just built to dominate in the outdoors. However, at the same time, it’s functional and urban-friendly enough to be your everyday carry too. The bag’s design upcycles plastic waste in a way that blurs the lines between sustainability, fashion, and function, giving you a backpack strong and hyper-functional enough to be the last one you’ll ever buy.

Backpack – Robust semi-detachable shoulder straps with stabilizers for extra comfort.

Hand Carry – Three exterior robust grab handles for hand carry.

Duffle – Detachable waist belt transforms into comfy shoulder strap for shoulder and cross-body carry.

The hyper-functionality starts with the bag’s hybrid design, which alternates between handheld, side duffle, and backpack styles in a matter of seconds. The bag comes with a detachable duffle-style shoulder strap, a semi-detachable backpack harness with stabilizers, and 2 side handles to facilitate the three carrying styles. With all the straps tucked away, it can be carried like a handheld briefcase. Pop the duffle-style shoulder strap on and you have a side-sling duffle bag… attach the two backpack harness straps and you’ve got a backpack. The backpack mode can further be reinforced with the extra strap (from the duffle configuration) transforming into a secure waist belt letting you carry heavy items with ease as the bag hugs your back to prevent the straps from cutting into your skin and causing you fatigue.

Made to easily withstand the extreme outdoors, the bag boasts a 100% storm-proof design that’s further backed by GROUNDTRUTH’s 10-year warranty. The 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack’s exterior uses the company’s proprietary fabric, made from recycled PET bottles. The bottles are collected, cleaned, and then shredded into thin fibers before being woven into a strong yarn. The yarn is then transformed into a high-performance fabric with a 600D ballistic property and a tristop weave. The resulting fabric is absolutely water-proof, and the bag’s panels are joined together with the triangular ripstop stitch pattern that prevents them from fraying, splitting, or tearing. Waterproof YKK lockable zippers help keep your bag’s contents dry and safe no matter how inclement the weather.

The backpack is spacious enough to accommodate 38 liters, as its name suggests, and is wide enough to fit a 16″ laptop in the main fleece-lined laptop compartment. The bag features two main compartments that open in a 180° clamshell fashion for full accessibility, alongside four outer front pockets. Additionally, a top-access pocket with a dedicated keychain holder lets you store your EDC. Additionally, bottle holders on either side of the bag let you store up to two 1L bottles.

The bag’s eco-friendly approach is truly one-of-a-kind. Not only is the exterior fabric crafted from recycled plastic bottles, but the interior lining is also made entirely from recycled fishing nets using zero-added dyes. What’s more, GROUNDTRUTH’s innovative process involves infusing captured CO2 into the recycled plastic hardware, resulting in a material that is up to 40% more durable than virgin plastics. To top it off, the textiles are also coated with an advanced water-based film that contains zero VOCs. GROUNDTRUTH is also committed to working with Bluesign®-certified partners to ensure fair and ethical treatment of workers throughout the entire supply chain.

The bag truly shows a remarkable balance between sustainability and functionality. Purposefully designed to help mitigate the effects of humanity’s wasteful decisions, the bag comes with a carbon-neutral design that’s further reinforced by the fact that it’s ridiculously durable, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. Made for travel, the 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack is cabin-friendly, and is available globally in two colors – ECO-X Black, and Ice Sheet Blue, for a discounted price of $249.

The 38L Hybrid Duffle Pack is part of GROUNDTRUTH’s award-winning RIKR range collection.

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $400 ($151 off). Hurry, only 4/65 left!

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IKEA’s new tiny soap-shaped wireless speaker was designed to be waterproof for those shower karaoke sessions

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I wouldn’t really put you at fault if you accidentally grabbed IKEA’s latest VAPPEBY speaker and mistook it for a bar of soap in the shower. The tiny device, designed for a water-friendly environment, is perfectly soap-sized, and pairs rather wonderfully with shower karaoke sessions. Pair it with your phone and the VAPPEBY literally becomes the difference between a good shower and a great one. It’s compact, but packs a punch in the audio department, so you could burst into your soprano knowing fully well that you’re well accompanied, at least music-wise!

Designer: Iina Vuorivirta for IKEA

The VAPPEBY speaker sports a charming design that takes cues from the humble bar of soap. Featuring a square shape with rounded edges and available in an array of pastel colors, this compact speaker adds a touch of whimsy to your shower experience. To complete the look, the VAPPEBY comes with a woven cord lanyard, allowing you to hang it up anywhere you please, be it on your showerhead or a nearby hook. A single button on top lets you control your VAPPEBY, switching on or off the device, and playing/pausing music.

Despite its small size, the VAPPEBY packs a punch when it comes to battery life and performance. With a playtime of 80 hours when used at 50% volume, you can enjoy countless shower concerts without worrying about constantly recharging the device. The VAPPEBY delivers clear audio, ensuring that you can enjoy your favorite tunes even amidst the sound of rushing water.

The VAPPEBY’s IP67 waterproof rating means you can confidently take this speaker into the shower without any fear of water damage. But its versatility doesn’t stop there—the VAPPEBY is also perfect for outdoor use. Whether you’re hanging out by the pool, camping, or enjoying a day at the beach, this waterproof speaker is built to withstand the elements while providing you with a quality audio experience.

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These stone-like outdoor loudspeakers are perfect for gardens and poolsides

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You often play music indoors because the acoustics is often better inside enclosed spaces. You don’t need to pump up speakers to the max to be heard, and you don’t risk annoying neighbors with genres they might have no love for. Plus, most audio equipment like speakers aren’t exactly meant to stay outdoors for long, lest Mother Nature wreaks havoc on their sensitive electronics. Lately, however, it has been trendy to have outdoor gatherings to celebrate newfound freedom from home quarantines and restrictions, not to mention parties at pools that really get crowds wet and wild, especially during summer. Fortunately, there are indeed speakers designed not only to be heard outdoors but also to survive whatever weather may come, and Focal’s new set of speakers definitely looks the part of weather-beaten objects.

Designer: Focal

There are admittedly quite a number of speakers that can withstand a splash of water or some dust, but these aren’t meant to be left outside for long periods of time. Those that are designed to be more permanent outdoor fixtures do meet the durability requirement, but they also clearly stand out as alien parts of your garden or pool. That might be fine for some people, but others might prefer outdoor speakers with a bit more discretion in how they blend with their surroundings.

The new OD Stone 8 from Focal’s line of Littora 200 outdoor speakers easily fits the bill with its round, egg-like shape and its textured finishes that deceive your eyes into thinking they’re made of stone. These loudspeakers easily fit almost any outdoor motif, whether it’s a lush garden or a pool with concrete surroundings, which covers pretty much all poolsides. These speakers are also IP55 rated, which means they’ll survive both a rainstorm and an accidental jet of water from the pool.

The Littora 200 collection also includes the new OD Sub 12, a subwoofer that you can partially bury underground to mix with the rest of your garden. These also come shaped like giant mushrooms, so they will blend well with other plants, not to mention the boulder-like OD Stone 8. These two speakers complement each other not only in terms of acoustics but also in thematic appearance.

Of course, no one will probably mistake these speakers for real mushrooms and stones, especially given how geometrically perfect they look. It’s still a nice touch, though, to have audio equipment that is almost virtually invisible rather than standing out and becoming a visual distraction. And they aren’t all just about good looks, though that’s definitely one of their selling points. The speakers are also equipped with Focal’s Iris cone drivers, so you get the brand’s full audio expertise at your beck and call as well.

The post These stone-like outdoor loudspeakers are perfect for gardens and poolsides first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lodge wireless landscape speakers deliver concert-like sound, live outdoors with ease and are powered by the sun

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Many outdoor speakers today come in a portable form, which can be beneficial when you find yourself on the go. The downside with many of these speakers is that their smaller size results in small-ish sound and you constantly worry that the charge will run out at the most inconvenient moment or just when the action is starting to heat up. Whether it’s for a backyard party, a relaxing picnic, or outdoor activities like boating and camping, what you need is an awesome sounding, weather-proof, always-powered speaker for your music. And that’s exactly what you get with the Lodge wireless landscape speaker.

Designer: Tristan Cannan

Click Here to Buy Now: Two for $420 $600 (30% off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers only!

It’s probably fair to say that many portable speakers are designed to withstand the elements like moisture and dust. Sure, they are meant to be used outdoors, but they don’t last outdoors very long because their charge runs out and often when you least expect it, like in the middle of the party or your favorite song. With Lodge speakers, you never have to worry about such interruptions, because they are being continuously charged by the sun and can deliver 15 hours of your favorite music on a single charge.

Effortless Setup – Simply select any spot, insert the stakes, and mount your speakers in seconds.

Powered by the Sun – Covered in 180 square inches of high-performing, shatterproof solar panels to ensure your sound system is always charged.

As you might have guessed, this remarkable feat is made possible by solar charging panels, about 180 square inches in total, covering the speaker’s top, back, and sides. That means that no matter where you set it up or which direction it’s facing, a Lodge speaker will always be able to soak up some rays to keep its battery topped up all the time. And in case you’re worried about those panels, they’re designed to be shatterproof and chip-proof to survive anything the outdoors throws at them.

Everything Proof – Designed to truly weather any storm, whether it’s splashes, rain, dust, sand, or dirt.

In fact, you could almost say that the Lodge speaker is “Everything Proof.” With a formal dust and water resistance grade of IP66, it can stand in the rain, hold steady at a passing lawnmower, and brave sand and dust, practically almost anything that nature and man can throw at it. And since there’s no need for traditional charging, there are also no wires to make you worry about safety. And when you are ready to move the party somewhere else, you can take the Lodge speaker with you wherever you go, just pick it up from its magnetic stand and bring your music with you, even indoors.

Bluetooth Connectivity – Play your favorite tunes with your favorite apps without worrying about latency or dropped connections.

Besides handling all kinds of weather conditions without a hitch, the true calling for the Lodge speaker is the premium quality sound you will hear coming out of it. And hear it, you will, thanks to its 4-inch passive subwoofer for punchy bass, a 3/4-inch turned dome tweeter for clear and crisp highs, and a 50-watt amplifier to deliver big, spacious sound. You get all of that from just one speaker! Of course, if one Lodge speaker isn’t enough, you can also chain together multiple speakers to create an immersive soundscape. With Bluetooth 5.3, you can easily stream your favorite tunes from as far as 100+ feet away without missing a beat.

Rugged, reliable, and yet also good-looking, the Lodge wireless landscape speaker offers a worry-free listening experience outdoors, whether you’re just staying in your own backyard or living an adventurer’s life just for the weekend. Many wireless speakers are designed to be usable outdoors, but the Lodge speaker was born to be outdoors. When you consider all that it has to offer, from premium sound, to its rugged design, to continuous, worry-free charging from the sun, the Lodge speaker delivers tremendous value for its price.

Click Here to Buy Now: Two for $420 $600 (30% off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers only! Raised over $275,000.

The post Lodge wireless landscape speakers deliver concert-like sound, live outdoors with ease and are powered by the sun first appeared on Yanko Design.

This jacket designed to survive an apocalypse is made of the same material used to coat the Apollo Mission spacecraft!

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The Apocalypse Jacket from Vollebak combines polybenzimidazole, para-aramid, and antistatic to create a jacket that’s built to face the threat of global catastrophe.

Surviving an apocalypse could mean anything these days. Whether we picture zombies chasing us down suburban streets or even retreating to our bunkers as asteroids pelt the planet, our survival depends on our doomsday preparation. But how can we be prepared for the end of the world as we know it?

Designer: Vollebak

Click Here to Buy Now!

Vollebak, a clothing company rooted in science and technology, finds promise in fashion. Launching items like the world’s first Solar-Charged Jacket and even a pair of sweatpants designed to last a lifetime, Vollebak is back with their Apocalypse Jacket. Founded by two brothers, Nick and Steve Tidball, Vollebak uses science and technology to design clothes from the future, for the future.

Built to face the threat of global catastrophe, Vollebak’s Apocalypse Jacket is composed of a fabric that was originally invented by Dr. Marvel, a scientist called on by the Department of Defense to invent a fiber with no melting point. In the face of the Cold War and the Apollo program, Dr. Marvel found that polybenzimidazole (PBI), could offer exceptional thermal and chemical stability.

Used to coat the spacecraft that landed the first humans on the moon in 1972, “PBI retains its integrity after it is exposed to high heat, chemicals, and abrasion – it won’t stiffen and crack, unlike other fire-retardant materials,” as Vollebak puts it. Withstanding temperatures of at least 2,370°F, the Apocalypse Jacket can even survive the same temperature of black lava.

Since its initial development in 1961, PBI has continued to offer the highest tensile strength available in fabrics even when compared with firefighter uniforms. Five times as strong as firefighter uniforms, PBI isn’t the only aspect of the Apocalypse Jacket that will help us survive doomsday.

Lined with 23 pockets, Vollebak designed the Apocalypse Jacket in the likely chance that you’ll have to ditch your survival kit and backpack. Chemical-resistant, fireproof, water-repellent, and almost impossible to tear, the Apocalypse Jacket is built to survive.

With Vollebak’s Apocalypse Jacket, 23 pockets offer plenty of storage space on the run. 

Even in the face of fire, nuclear waste, and human-eating zombies, the Apocalypse Jacket is built to survive. 

Storing most of your personnel in the 23 lined pockets, all you’ll have to carry is your zombie-killing weapons. 

The interior pockets allow you to keep all your Doomsday essentials on you at all times. 

The post This jacket designed to survive an apocalypse is made of the same material used to coat the Apollo Mission spacecraft! first appeared on Yanko Design.