Month: April 2022

Humidity conditioners are essential, but there aren’t really many devices with such function. VLND (an Industrial Design Studio in South Korea) introduced a concept product design a few years back. This product design won a Bronze award at the International Design Excellence Awards in the United States.

Called ROOT, this Humidity Conditioner for CAIRS is ideal for places that have dry winters and humid summers. A humidifier must be available to keep the humidity at an ideal level, especially indoors. This device will prevent you from feeling dry and uncomfortable in winter, and it can also help to avoid summer sweating.

Designer: VLND Studio

ROOT does the job of keeping the optimum level of humidity. This device can also be used as an air purifier and cleaner, something we all need these days. An air purifier dehumidifier is a home appliance that many people can benefit from. It sucks in air from the bottom and then releases the purified air from the top.

The design was inspired by a traditional Korean brazier. The ROOT is a modern iteration, but instead of providing heat, it helps main the correct humidity level. The ROOT serves the same purpose as the other, creating a pleasant environment for people.

ROOT can be used as both a humidifier or dehumidifier. It detects the humidity and performs various functions, depending on what is needed. It will dehumidify if the humidity level is too high. It starts to humidify when humidity drops. It comes with a water tank that may be filled depending on the humidity. You need to empty out the water when it’s filled with too much moisture in the air.

When the air is dry, you then need to fill the water tank for it to function and do the opposite of humidifying the surrounding. There are fine holes at the top of ROOT. There are lights that indicate the status of the device. The brightness of the device will vary depending on its air quality. If the light blinks, it’s a sign that the water tank is empty or full.

The ROOT is designed to be placed in the center of a space instead of just being placed near the wall. It will perform better if it’s in the middle of the room. The design of this device is something like a furniture item. The device is not too boring, but also doesn’t seem overwhelming. It is one interesting piece that can complement the home interior with its industrial minimalist style. It has a wood texture that gives it a natural feel, while its chrome legs give it a more luxurious look.

While they aren’t making phones that can be repaired easily, Samsung and Google have made big strides in making them more durable.

Smartphones have become more than just a luxury item that the wealthy can afford. However, there are a number that are affordable and that are worth the investment. Some of these mobile devices have been as important as computers and have almost become part of our daily lives. Smartphones are designed to break down, unlike most other tools like laptops or PCs. While they are possible to repair, the expense of replacing a phone can sometimes make it more expensive. This is not to mention the time-consuming process of returning a phone for repair, which can sometimes lead to privacy violations. Smartphone repairs can add to the stress of a broken phone, but two of the world’s most famous tech companies are trying to change the status quo and make these devices easier and more affordable to fix than ever before.

Designer: Google

Google and iFixit team-up

Smartphones are constructed today in such a way as to prevent them from falling apart. The phones are also protected from liquids and dust that could otherwise cause damage to the interior. The side effect of making it more difficult to open up these phones for repairs. Gone are the days when you could simply pop off the phone’s back to change the battery. These days, you risk cracking the glass rear right at the start of the repair process.

That’s not the only consideration when repairing a phone, though. First-party repair services are often expensive and limited, especially for phones with limited availability like Google’s Pixels. Although there are some third-party companies and more advanced users who can repair phones themselves, this practice is strongly discouraged. It’s not always easy to find genuine parts. Most companies won’t sell them to anyone outside the company.

Google is trying to challenge that business model and has partnered with iFixit to sell those replacement parts, ranging from batteries to displays to cameras and more. This, of course, means that Google is giving blanket permission for anyone to repair their own Pixel phone, a trend that is thankfully gaining traction among the big smartphone makers. Apple kicked it off last year, and Samsung followed suit earlier this month, teaming up with iFixit as well.

Images: iFixit

Of course, this presumes that the phones are designed to be easily repaired, which isn’t generally the case. The Google Pixel 6 Pro, however, does diverge from the path that most phones take and have a few places where it does help facilitate self-repairs. Although we are far from perfect, some companies won’t punish you for fixing your phone by yourself.

Samsung Recycled Replacemnts

Samsung is already ahead of the self-repair game, but it might be doing something extra special to really drive the sustainability message home. Making replacement parts easily accessible is definitely a good thing, but that also comes with the risks of increasing e-waste even more. This new program could cause more harm than its intended purpose, as electronics can be thrown away and easily replaced.

According to industry reports, however, Samsung might have a simple solution to that as well. Samsung has made a lot about recycling and upcycling and might use the same process to replace parts. In other words, Samsung might introduce a program where it will provide certified recycled parts to be used for repairs and replacements.

Designer: Samsung

In addition to the environmental benefits of such a program, using recycled parts could also be advantageous to consumers. These parts could reduce repair costs by as much as half. Not only does it make self-repairs more accessible and affordable, it also encourages such a culture of repair in opposition to current business models. Hopefully, both Google’s and Samsung’s efforts will bear good fruit so that they become role models on how to make smartphones more sustainable in the long run.