Realme Q5i unveiled with 90Hz AMOLED and Dimensity 810
Realme tool the wraps of its Realme Q5i two days before its grand April 20 event and it brings some enticing specs for a midranger. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset and can be paired with 4/6GB RAM and 128GB built-in storage.
Realme Q5i in black and blue
There’s a 6.58-inch AMOLED screen on the front with FHD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. Realme went with a waterdrop notch cutout for the 8MP selfie cam. The back houses a 13MP main cam alongside a 2MP depth helper. You also get a 4,800 mAh battery which supports 33W charging while the software side is covered by Realme UI 3.0 on top of Android 12.
Realme Q5i comes in black and blue colors. The 4/128GB trim is going for CNY 1,199 ($188) while the 6/128GB model will sell for CNY 1,299 ($204). The device is already on pre-order in China.
The vivo X80 phones finally got a date for their official announcement. Alongside a teaser that showcases the vivo X80 Pro+ design the company revealed its next flagships are coming on April 25.
The vivo X80 Pro+ will stick to its quad-cam setup where one of the shooters has a periscope lens, but the arrangement is different – it is, in fact, in line with the vivo X Note and vivo X Fold rear design.
Rumors say the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, but we are also expecting a vivo X80 Pro with Dimensity 9000 and a vanilla vivo X80.
We’ll probably see more teasers over the next few days, adding new pieces to our puzzle.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 domination of our trending chart continues for the fourth week in a row, and it’s more good news for Samsung as its Galaxy S22 Ultra flagship has overtaken the Redmi Note 11 for the second spot.
We then see the Galaxy A73 climb to fourth, ahead of newly unveiled vivo X Note and the Poco F4 GT, which just entered the rumor mill.
The Xiaomi 12 Pro gained a spot to place seventh, while the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max slid to eight position.
The Samsung Galaxy A52s is on its way out of the market, but it still clings to our chart, placing ninth, ahead of the returning Galaxy A13.
We wave goodbye to the Realme 9, OnePlus 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which means we are down to just three makers in the top 10, after having a far more diversified chart over the past few weeks.
Beautiful minimalist furniture and mesmerizing art installation in one, the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table takes an innovative approach to introduce calmness and relaxation to any space using age-old Zen garden principles and the magic of technology.
We have covered many tables in the last years. Each one evoking a different emotion. Some are begging to be utilized to their full extent, offering a space for books, cups, or even trinkets. Some look like pieces of art that can be displayed but left untouched. Side tables or coffee tables are designed to fit seamlessly into the lives of people, although few can make bold claims about inducing tranquility. Even fewer can claim to have succeeded, and the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table is perhaps the best exemplar of that.
Aesthetics
Even in its passive, dormant state, the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Site Table can be a calm presence in any room. The juxtaposition of metal and wood in the Walnut finish we were sent to review creates an earthy atmosphere that is often best associated with meditative practices. These materials also try to visually connect us to the dichotomy of nature itself, with the cold and dark metal base contrasting visually and thematically with the warmth of the wooden sides and ring of the table itself. Tables are unique because of the randomness in wood grain and color. There is almost never a table that looks exactly alike.
The tempered glass top furthers the theme of contrasting elements. It evokes both clarity and uncertainty. Glass doesn’t always inspire confidence when it comes to durability, but Sisyphus’ meticulous manufacturing and testing processes ensure that it won’t be as fragile as your eyes might tell your brain. Of course, the glass isn’t merely decorative and serves as the window to the table’s main show.
Inside the Sisyphus sidetable’s wooden frame, there is a lot of sandy material. You will find white sand similar to the one you may see at some beaches. You might also see this kind of sand in Zen gardens. The Sisyphus’ literal and metaphorical soul is actually a small Japanese sand garden that has been enclosed in a wooden bowl and covered with clear glass. This prevents the sand from destroying your carpets or furniture. But unlike a typical Zen garden where you’d use a fork or rake to create circles, a small metal ball rolls calmly across the white desert, leaving a trail of art in its wake. And unlike its mythological namesake, the Sisyphus table seemingly pushes this silver orb not to induce stress but to relieve it.
Ergonomics
It’s not easy to judge a product’s ergonomics if it’s not something you often handle often. A side table, especially one made from metal, wood, and glass, is definitely one of those. Unlike most furniture, however, the Sisyphus does require a few steps to prepare, like connecting the robot to your home network, and there will come a time when you actually need to maintain its electronic parts.
The Sisyphus table can’t be shipped with the sand already inside the table, of course, so you will have to add that yourself. Although it might seem easy to pour the sand in the wooden basin, this is a good opportunity for meditation. During shipping, some sand might have gathered together into bigger particles that you need to pulverize with your finger. It’s also not a good idea to spill any sand in your hurry, particularly before covering it with the tempered glasses top.
All the electronics needed to make the table work are, fortunately, already pre-installed, from the RBGW LED lighting around the insides of the table to the circuit boards, motors, and magnets that make the ball move. The latter set is located directly underneath the wooden body, and all you need to do is to plug the power supply into the cord dangling out of one of the table’s legs. It is easy to access the electronics and mechanisms when the Sisbot needs to be updated. Preparing and maintaining Sisyphus tables is definitely not like your typical table, even those with lighting or wireless charging built-in, but the initial effort is truly worth it once you get the ball rolling, literally and figuratively.
Performance
Calling Sisyphus the Kinetic Art Table would be almost like calling Mona Lisa a drawing by a beautiful lady. Technically, it is correct. But it does not do the Sisyphus justice. The name simply indicates the nature of the masterpiece, utilizing motion to create a work of art. It doesn’t completely convey the almost magical way that art is created, nor the mental health benefits this kind of almost meditative art can offer.
Using stepper motors and magnets as well as small computers such the Raspberry Pi, Bruce Shapiro designed the Sisbot. This is the brain and muscle underneath the art. The magnets move the ball across the sandbox, guided by special programs on the Sisbot and following patterns that were either pre-installed on the tiny computer or created by people. These patterns can range from repeating shapes, lines, and circles you’d often seen in mesmerizing tapestries to almost any line art you can think of. The RGBW LEDs also set the mood, creating a kaleidoscopic light show to captivate your guests or a simplistic warm glow to soothe your eyes.
Sisyphus takes the drudgery out of using the technology behind the table. The company designed it in a way that using the mobile app is like using a music player. The Sisbot creates a track for each pattern. You can add them to your playlist and the Sisbot will run in a specific order. Instead of creating music, the Sisyphus table creates a visual performance meant to mesmerize you with the smooth movement of a shiny metal ball over white sand, helping put your mind in a more meditative state.
Unlike other music players, the mobile app allows you to access more than a limited number of songs to use on your Kinetic Art Table. The mobile app gives instant access to more than 1,000 designs created by other Sisyphus table owners, and that collection continually grows as more people add their creativity and ideas to the community repository. You can also create your own path for the metal ball and share it with Sisyphus enthusiasts to spread the love.
A metal ball rolling on sand isn’t going to be completely quiet, but the Sisyphus table manages to keep it to a minimum. It doesn’t try to eliminate it entirely, but it transforms the “crunching”, soft sound, into something that is part of the experience. Just like the rustling of leaves, the drop of rain, or the rhythmic tapping of a Japanese water fountain, the Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table also engages the ears to immerse the viewer in a Zen-like trance even further.
The Sisyphus table almost looks like it works using magic, but all that magic is hidden in what some might even consider as unremarkable technologies. To work the table, you need to connect to your home network. Wi-Fi works best, but wired Ethernet is an alternative. Even if you go wireless, though, you’ll still need to plug the table into a wall socket, though its actual power use is very minimal at 5 to 25 watts, depending on how active it is.
Sustainability
Many furniture designers are becoming more aware of their critical role in creating a better world. Many are now using more environmentally-friendly processes and sustainable materials to help the earth heal little by little. The Sisyphus Kinetic Art Table, with the exception of the circuit boards is manufactured in the USA. This helps to reduce carbon emissions when it ships within the United States. At first glance, the Sisyphus Metal Side Table looks like a good citizen in this regard, but its score is far from perfect. It scores points for its use of metal, glass, and wood. But the real devil is in the details.
Sisyphus decided to powder coat the metal bases rather than painting them, in an effort to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used during manufacturing. The company does not specify the kind of lacquer used to spray wooden tables repeatedly. It could be a red flag on Sisyphus’ report card depending on how the lacquer is made.
And then there’s the presence of electronics and some plastics, always bad signs when it comes to sustainability, especially off-the-shelf ones that aren’t made with more eco-friendly materials or substances. One thing that goes in Sisyphus’ favor is that it designed these tables to last a long, long time and sells replacement parts when they break. Unfortunately, there is no guidance for recycling the parts which will end up in landfills.
Value
The Sisyphus Kinetic Art Metal Side Table, in Walnut or Cherry finishes, isn’t cheap. Even for a piece of designer furniture, it might look a tad too pricey for a 22-inch high side. But the Sisyphus can do what no other side tables can.
While there are many side tables that have minimalist designs, others feature artistic designs to make beautiful visuals. These side tables, however, are fixed in design and do not adapt to the owners’ needs or tastes. The Sisyphus, on the other hand, is not a Kinetic Art installation that can be installed at home. It allows owners to create their own experiences and allow their imaginations to run wild inside the table.
Is it worth $1,600? That’s definitely a “yes” and not just because the table is built to last. The table’s capabilities extend beyond what its designer originally designed. These capabilities are possible to grow with software updates, which don’t need you buying any new hardware.
Verdict
Some homeowners desire their furniture to express their personality. Others prefer more minimalist designs that invite an atmosphere of calm into their homes. Sisyphus Kinetic Art Metal Side Table is a table that caters to both of these groups. It uses nothing more than sand, a metal ball and rolling metal balls. If you ever need to plop down on the sofa and have a relaxing cup of tea, the Sisyphus offers a soothing distraction that is both mesmerizing and entertaining, especially if you have guests to impress.
Some interested buyers might balk at the price tag, but it’s pretty much like investing in a piece of furniture and an art installation in one. This table will not run out of ideas soon thanks to the availability of upgradeable software and replacement parts.
Savannah Anti-Theft Kit features smart devices that look like minimalist toys
Savannah is a city in the United States in Georgia, known for its beautiful landscapes and rich history. It is also famous for its well-preserved architecture. We know it now as the inspiration for the Savannah Anti-theft Kit, which integrates safety and security tools more into our domestic life.
Savannah is a line of smart products that are nothing like the devices you see in the market. They are similar in basic functions, but they are made from ceramic. The result is smooth aesthetics with a very evident minimalist appeal.
Designers: Francesco Isaia, Alessandro Pomponio, and Cecilia Veglio
You won’t think these are anti-theft devices as they look like small toys. But that’s the beauty of these products because they are very subtle you wouldn’t think they have other essential functions.
The landscapes and animals of Savannah inspire the Savannah. Several products are available, like a WiFi router (hub controller), siren/Bluetooth speaker, window sensor, smoke sensor, and a camera. The WiFi router looks like a table home decor. It is designed like a landscape with a couple of trees, and it also works as a hub for all the other Savannah devices. The Bluetooth speaker is shaped like a cube, with the top cover looking like a mountain range. We can also imagine this design being applied as an air purifier.
The window sensors are ready in different shapes. They help detect and report the opening and closing of doors. There is also a smoke sensor that looks like an upside-down character. The camera looks cute in different animal designs and colors.
The Savannah Anti-Theft System is a design by Francesco Isaia, Alessandro Pomponio, and Cecilia Veglio. These Italian designers prove that Italian design is really something more. It goes beyond the aesthetic appeal as it is also about quality, craftsmanship, tradition, innovation, and passion. The Savannah 2021 Collection is likely to have additional products in the future. But first, this project needs to get into production. The devices remain as a concept product design for now but we know the idea can be easily picked up by other designers.
We have featured other anti-theft devices before but nothing cute like the Savannah. The ones we’ve seen were specifically for cyclists. There was the Anti-Theft Collapsible Bike Wheel and those discrete metal tags by Cycling Boom. Special anti-theft bags have been introduced as well—the Bobby Anti-Theft Backpack and the Tribal Anti-theft Sports Bag.
This circular router tries to be an island of calm and privacy in your room
Home routers are often depicted as alien or futuristic objects in the room, but this privacy-focused design goes in the opposite direction to bring a sense of serenity instead.
Home networks have changed a lot in the past few years. There are many Internet-connected devices within our homes. This is not counting tablets and phones that can connect to one access point. Many smart home devices need to connect to the same network at all times, and sometimes only occasionally. Routers are now more capable of spreading wireless signals across smaller spaces due to the increasingly complex needs of home networks. Most of these routers are designed to look technical, geeky, and sometimes downright overwhelming. This doesn’t help with mental or visual stress, so this router was designed to be unique in order to calm people’s fears and soothe their eyes.
The minimalistic and humanistic aesthetics that have taken over computer accessories seem to have avoided modems and routers. These devices are no longer able to be hidden away in corners or on shelves, particularly considering the potential impact they have on Wi-Fi network quality. Modern routers, especially the most advanced ones, seem to be designed to call attention to themselves by being more conspicuous. This is often evident in their bright, bold lines and multiple antennas.
The Island stands in sharp contrast to this conventional design by being round and white. There is probably no shape that is more calming than circles, so this router has five concentric circles that seem to ripple out of a central sphere. The circles rise slightly so that it appears as if there is a mountain high above the island.
While the Island router is already visually calming, its features are also intended to relieve people’s stress, especially over their privacy on the Internet. The router offers a built-in VPN service that can hide you from malicious actors that try to snoop into your browsing activities and eventually steal your information. Ideally, this VPN is already configured out of the box, so no software or app is needed to get it working, another source of stress for some less tech-savvy users.
The Island smart router is an example of how form can still follow function, even for something as technical as a router. The Island smart router is based on the idea of a resort island, which protects against unwanted intruders. It aims to instill calm and peace in the workplace as well as at home. The Island doesn’t need to use foreboding antennas in order to transmit signals. This is a common feature of mesh routers that have abandoned the traditional router design. The minimalist form and generic design make this a beautiful decorative item that can be placed on your desk, or stuck to your wall.
Exclusive: Here’s our first look at the Doogee S98 Pro with an alien-inspired camera island
Back in February, we exclusively gave you the first look at the Doogee S98 and reported that Doogee will launch two more devices under its S98 series, dubbed S98 Pro and S98 Ultra, expected to arrive in April or May. The S98 is already official, and while we await more details about the Pro and Ultra models from Doogee, we’ve got the S98 Pro’s specs and images for you.
The Doogee S98 Pro is a rugged smartphone, and our source tells us that the camera island on the rear is inspired by an alien’s head. The protective case that will be bundled with the S98 Pro also has an alien-inspired design.
The S98 Pro’s camera island comprises a 48MP primary camera (Sony IMX582) and a 20MP Night Vision camera (Sony IMX350) joined by a thermal imaging camera of unknown resolution. For selfies and video calls, there will be a 16MP unit (Samsung S5K3P9SP) on the front inside the waterdrop notch.
Doogee S98 Pro with its protective case. The thermal imaging camera is in the island’s center, flanked by the 20MP camera on the left and 48MP camera on the right.
The smartphone will sport a 6. 3″ FullHD+ LCD protected by Gorilla Glass and have the Helio G96 SoC at the helm with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. The rugged phone will run Android 12 out of the box.
The S98 Pro will pack a 6,000 mAh battery that will draw power through a USB-C port at up to 33W. However, it will also support 15W wireless charging.
Doogee S98 Pro in Classic Black color
The rest of the Doogee S98 Pro’s highlights include a side-mounted fingerprint reader, IP68/69K dust and water resistance, MIL-STD-810G certification, NFC (region dependent), and a customizable key.
It’s unclear how much the Doogee S98 Pro will cost, but our source says it will be launched towards the end of May.
This minimalist bedside table is definitely too smart for its own good
After years of being immersed in minimalism, the design world seems to be saying in the other direction to promote the strengths of maximalism. Not everyone is ready to jump ship, however, and some are finding ways to bridge the divide. Hidden functions are often found in furniture that looks bare or uninteresting. IKEA is known for its minimalist approach and has begun to incorporate smart functions into its furniture like hidden speakers or wireless charging. Sometimes, however, those hidden features themselves can feel a bit overwhelming, like when a handsome bedside table turns out to have no less than eight functions you have to discover and remember since none of those are obvious at first glance.
A bedside table is where we often place a night lamp, either for reading at night or for lighting in the darkness. These days, it’s also where we put our phones on as well, sometimes charging them while we sleep. Books and other accessories can also sometimes go on or inside the table’s shelves and drawers. Some appliance makers are now trying to make it more convenient by placing everything but the kitchen sink on a tiny table next to your bed.
There is one way to place a mini fridge in that same position as a bedside desk, but this is mostly for space conservation, particularly in hotels. Midea’s Smart Bedside Table admittedly doesn’t go that far, but it has thrown in everything else that it says is related to bedroom activities. Or at least the ones that will help you sleep more comfortably.
The bedside table’s main functions are supposedly for air purification and humidification, something that’s not directly apparent when looking at the beautifully minimal piece of furniture. The “sub-functions,” however, are where things get a bit more out of hand. The table has a concealed wireless charging spot, however it is only at the top. The rear area of that surface actually flips open to reveal low-temperature storage with just enough room for a bottle or a few cans. The front area actually does open up to a UV sterilizing compartment for your gadgets or jewelry. You’ll also find a USB hub and an aroma diffuser. There is even some lighting.
On its own, the Midea smart bedside table is already quite attractive with its wooden body and clean design. It’s hard to see that the Midea smart bedside table hides a lot of functions, but it is possible to. As the saying goes, “Out of sight is out of mind” and you might not want to think about a few functions before drifting off into dreamland. You will be able to drift off into dreamland in peace, and not disturbed by the thoughts about that drink in your hidden minibar.
Honor is a hardworking company that has worked tirelessly since its independence. It’s now establishing its own path. The company introduced the Magic4 series at MWC 2022 back in February, and this month we saw a more affordable handset enter the series – the Honor Magic4 Lite.
The phone, also sold as Honor X30 in China and Honor X9 5G in other Asian-Pacific markets, is with us, and we want to explore the first actual mid-ranger the company is launching on the global scene.
The triple camera design of the Magic4 Lite shares the design of the other two Huawei Mate 40 series phone with its cameras in a black ring around a circle with some text in it. There’s only one usable shooter, though, a wide camera with a 48MP sensor, joined by a couple of 2MP modules for depth and macro.
The Honor Magic4 Lite comes with Google Services, and the entire Google suite of Play Store, Maps, Gmail, Chrome, and Google Search preinstalled.
It’s running Android 11 skinned with MagicUI 4.2.
The phone is built around a large 6. 81″ screen with minimal bezels on all sides and weighs 189 grams, which is very reasonable for the size. Thickness of just 8mm and helps with handling, while the buttons are all placed comfortably on the right-hand side.
A USB-C port on the bottom, a card tray for two nano SIMs, and a speaker grille are the other elements of interest. Although the earpiece does not reside within the bezel, it is located on the top.
The Honor Magic4 Lite can already be found at some stores for EUR319 with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. It comes with a 66W charger in the box and a 4,800 mAh battery, which should ensure some proper quick top-ups.
We’ll make sure to test that, alongside just about every other side of the Magic4 Lite’s performance in our review. Keep watching!
This modern refrigerator optimizes storage and organization with smart technology
The Aura refrigerator is a modern home appliance equipped with smart technology to optimize storage and use.
As technology advances, our homes and appliances also become more technologically advanced. Smart technology dictates most of the controls behind modern kitchen appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers, but their overall look has largely stayed in the past. Hoping to bring the refrigerator into the modern era by reshaping its structure and technical fittings to accommodate today’s smart technology and environmental needs, Aura is a new type of refrigerator. Designed by FUHUA Design Studio, the Aura refrigerator breaks down the conventional fridge into smaller compartments to allocate the energy used and minimize its impact.
The eggs and additional breakfast-ready food items can be found in one slide-out drawer, while the beers and other late-night beverages are reserved for a unique pull-out caddy. Describing the design choice behind breaking down the fridge into small compartments, FUHUA explains, “Dividing the door into smaller compartments allows users to have quick access to the frequently used items, thus reducing the energy waste by optimizing user behavior.”
Additionally, the refrigerator automatically turns its lights off when users aren’t around. Then, once someone enters the kitchen, Aura gradually illuminates its internal lighting to invite the users for something to drink and a bite to eat. Appearing like a genial cabinet, Aura is designed for optimal organization, allowing users to easily pull out food and drink items according to their designated compartment.
Without having to open the door, users will be able to see what’s inside the fridge thanks to the integrated backlight, “When approached by the user, the brightness increases as if AURA warmly greets them. At the same time, the soft back-light creates elegant silhouettes of the items inside on the translucent glass door, to remind the users what they have in the fridge without having to open the door.”
