It looks like Royole has beaten the Korean giants Samsung and LG with the announcement of the world's first folding smartphone.  They call it the FlexPai ($1318.00), it has a 7.8-inch display and a footprint that's roughly half that. It's powered by the yet-unannounced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 processor, has 16-megapixel wide-angle and 20-megapixel telephoto cameras in its sizable bezel, and runs Water OS on top of Android 9 Pie. Available for order now, with deliveries beginning in December.  Check out more info on Royole.

Welcome to the new Playlists on The Collective Loop. The Collective Series 004!  Fall is in the air so I thought I would slow it down and put the feeling of fall in the heart. New music by MO, Gryffin and Half Moon Run.

If you want to check out any of the other older Playlists then click on TCL Playlists in the menu.


Cover art by: Damion S. 

Tracklist

TCL-Collective Series 004 from The Collective Loop on 8tracks Radio.

The Google Home Hub ($149) which is powered by Google Assistant with its smallish countertop appliance has a 7-inch display with a speaker as its base. Its speaker sound is to be on par with the Google Home. It performs the usual tasks, like setting timers and answering general questions, can stream media from YouTube, Spotify, and Pandora, amongst others, and is a perfect digital frame for Google Photos with its new ambient light technology. It also gives you an overview of any compatible smart devices you have in your home. Perhaps most impressive? It lacks a camera, so there's no worry of it spying on you, and a Mute button in the back completely shuts off the mics, further ensuring your privacy. If you buy a Google Home Hub you also get 6 months free of Youtube Premium and Youtube Music.

It's been nearly 25 years since Sony introduced the original PlayStation. The PlayStation Classic($100), like Nintendo's NES and SNES Classics, lets you replay select retro titles on a nostalgia-creating box. Its case is modeled closely to the original disc-based console, yet it's roughly 45% smaller and connects to your TV via HDMI. Two controllers are included, as are 20 pre-loaded titles, including Tekken 3, Ridge Racer Type 4, and Final Fantasy VII. In stores December 3, the 24th anniversary of the console's launch in Japan.







Source: PlayStation Blog

These stunning looking Koto Cabins bring a piece of Scandinavia to your neck of the woods. Named after the Finnish word for "cozy at home," the sleek, sculpted dwellings range in different sizes from 161 to 430-square-feet making them ideal for backyard studios or rural retreats. I know that I want one. Each one is clad in Siberian larch that can be charred upon request. Interiors follow the Nordic aesthetic with pale wood floors and white walls washed in natural light. Concealed storage and furniture help create a minimalist atmosphere. Underfloor heating, double glazed windows, and covered terraces come standard while customizations like wood stoves, saunas, and bespoke furniture are optional add-ons. They come in different sizes from large all the way down to kids size. Check out more on Koto's website.






Photos: Joe Laverty / Koto

Phones now a days can capture amazing videos but it seems that the sounds is a little lacking. The Sennheiser Memory Mic ($200) is out to make sure the audio is equally as good. Designed to clip onto any thing even your clothing, it connects via Bluetooth but continues to record even if it's out of range. It can record up to four hours of audio at a time, recharges via USB, and has a companion app that automatically synchronizes the audio and video and also allows you to mix audio from the mic with ambient noise from your phone's built-in mics. Is this something that can up your video recording game with your phone.

The world of camera's is changing and no longer are the days of the smaller sensors in smaller bodies.  Nikon's new Z7 and Z6 cameras ($1,995+) mark the start of a completely new system. The company's first full-frame mirrorless models, they use the new Z mount that's wider than before, letting more light in and packing other tricks like a ring on the lens that can be used to control everything from focus to exposure compensation. They're powered by the Expeed 6 image processor, have fast hybrid AF systems, and offer five-axis in-camera stabilization. The Z7 is more for pure shooters, with a 45.7-megapixel sensor, while the Z6 is more versatile, with a 24.5-megapixel sensor, higher maximum ISO, faster burst, and higher-quality video capture. Both are arriving later this year.

Summon nature inside, transform your space with Morvah Wall Hanging Planters ($350) by Tim Raffield. A steam bent piece of solid oak loops around and embraces a hand-glazed earthenware planter bowl creating a unique, wall hanging feature.

Inspired by nature, shaped by steam, curated by you. Check out more product design by Tim Raffield on his website.



Key Information:

• Dimensions: L 295mm x W 410mm x H 800mm
• Weight: 2.1 kg (unboxed)
• Main materials: Sustainably sourced oak
• Finish: Eco-friendly natural oil blend, matt finish

It looks as though Samsung is joining the likes of the Alexa and Google Home. Now Samsung's Bixby assistant has the Galaxy Home ($TBA) if you're a fan of Bixby. Aimed at the higher end of the market, the unit hides six speakers and a subwoofer inside its tulip-shaped body and sits atop three metal legs. Eight far-field mics listen for your "Hi, Bixby" commands, which encompass music playback, SmartThings controls, and many of the same tasks Bixby handles on Samsung's Galaxy phones. Would you get one?