This concept mouse is something I would have in my home computer setup. It was inspired by the iconic design of the Eames Lounge Chair, Shane Chen's lounge mouse elevates the humble input device. True to the original, the base is formed from bent plywood with a cutout on the bottom for a black plastic plate housing the battery, optical sensor, and power switch. The top surface is appropriately covered with black leather, save for the scroll wheel, providing a luxurious feel fitting for its inspiration. While it remains a concept, there isn't yet any plans for a real-world example but I'm hoping it does!
This home is inspired by both the water and the forest, the Turlersee Lake House is a modern tribute to its surroundings. The home is defined by its dramatic curved profile created by a wall that gradually transforms into a roof. The seamless transition gives the illusions that the home is organically emerging from the water's surface, almost like a wave, its concrete facade gives the exterior a sculpted appearance. Subtle nods to the landscape continue on the interior with timber-clad walls. An arc of floor-to-ceiling windows and a glazed roof flood the interior with natural light while immersing the living spaces in views of the forest and lake.
When You Think of Home is a creative project that enlists artists around the world to create unique posters to share their perspective of home. The posters benefit Acres of Love, a nonprofit that houses orphaned kids in South Africa. These are prints with a purpose and a ton to check out.
The Mini Transparent Speaker ($550) from Stockholm-based Transparent Sound designed a splendid minimal speaker. The single-piece aluminum frame has side panels of tempered glass, so as to put the dual full-range drivers on display. A built-in amp provides power, built-in Bluetooth provides a wireless option, and "True Wireless" support lets you pair two units together for a broader soundstage. There are a volume control and an input on the front, and a compartment in the bottom that provides both USB power and an input for an Echo, Sonos Hub, Chromecast, or similar additional wireless device, giving you the ability to upgrade the system as needed.
Do you want a smaller, cheaper version of the Nintendo Switch($200)? Now it's here! It does make a few trade-offs to reach its size and price point. Most notably, it won't dock for display on your TV, its Joy-Con controllers aren't detachable, and its screen measures 5.5 inches instead of 6.2. That said, it should also feel more sturdy thanks to the lack of removable pieces, has longer battery life, is slightly lighter — 0.61 lbs versus 0.88 lbs — and yet is still compatible with the vast majority of Switch titles, making it a great entry-level option. Launching in yellow, gray, and turquoise on September 20.
Sony's WH-1000XM3 ($230) are considered the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. Now they're bringing the same tech to the wireless earbud space. The WF-1000XM3 are powered by a QN1e processor, a sibling to the WH's QN1. Dual microphones. One feed-forward and one feed-back to help get rid of unwanted noises, while the 0.24" driver creates amazing full sound. You'll get about six hours of battery life per charge, with a total of 24 available with the charging case, and they come in silver or black.
There are plenty of reasons to choose a bike for transportation, especially in an urban area. But when you have to pick up groceries or bigger objects, hopping into a car seems a little easier. The Convercycle ($1,340+) is the first two-in-one biking option that is both a city bike and a cargo bike. It's equipped with a Shinamo Nexus 5-speed geared hub, 28-inch wheels, and professional disc brakes, and converts to a cargo bike by simply lifting the back end to extend the frame by rolling out the back tire. It can haul over 130 pounds, and there is an electric option as well that is powered by a 250 W motor with a max speed of 15mph. Made to fit anywhere you go, it's easy to ride, park, and lock at your destination.
The 1982 Commodore 64 is making a comeback. It not an old replica either. The C64 Home Computer ($140) houses its internals inside a full-size keyboard, letting you run any software compatible with the original C64 or Commodore VIC-20. In addition, it includes a Games Carousel mode with a micro-switch joystick and 64 pre-loaded titles. It connects via HDMI to modern monitors and TVs, and has a USB port for software updates and loading your own applications.
Released in 1970, JBL's L100 ($4,000) became a classic both for its sound and its eye-catching design. The L100 Classic is updated with modern components. Behind the removable, iconic Quadrex foam grille sits a 1-inch titanium dome tweeter, a 5-inch pure-pulp cone mid-range driver, and a 12-inch pure-pulp woofer with a bass-reflex enclosure and front-firing port. The result is a speaker that can hold its own against contemporary options, with a design that pairs perfectly with vintage pieces, particularly when paired with the JS-120 stand.
