Long-rumored, Microsoft's first post-Windows Mobile phone isn't really a phone at all. Sure, it makes calls, but that's just one feature of the Surface Duo ($TBA). This book-like device has a pair of thin 5.6-inch screens that unfold to form an 8.3-inch computing surface. It can be used as a tablet, like a mini-laptop, or as something altogether different when the 360-degree hinge is bent so both screens face outwards. It runs Android, instead of Windows 10X like its big sibling the Surface Neo, and will available for the 2020 holiday season.





Source: Uncrate.com

This is a home to fall in love with! The interior/exterior and natural light with  a minimalist look and feel. Placed in a forest in Hamburg, Germany, the Villa Neo brings a sculptural contrast to its natural surroundings. The main form is made from two intersecting concrete rectangles. Its L-shape is resting on a glass foundation wrapped in steel beams. Internally, exposes concrete walls create a minimalist aesthetic that's complemented by sleek, contemporary fixtures and modern furnishings. The monolithic barriers are only interrupted by expansive glazed panels, offering both natural light and views of the vibrant verdant landscape.







Photos: Frank Löschke / Querkopf Architekten

Looks like Amazon is getting into the Wireless earphone sector. The hands-free Alexa, which also supports Siri and Google Assistant. Bose Active Noise Reduction Technology. There's a lot to like about Amazon's first true wireless earphones. Dubbed the Echo Buds ($130), they have a sweat-resistant design that's ideal for workouts, 5 hours of battery life with up to 20 with the charging case, an in-ear design with three sizes of included ear tips for a comfortable seat, and an audio passthrough feature that lets you hear the world around you. So are you on board with the Echo Buds?

Who doesn't like to air drum? Now it is an air drummer's dream come true, Pocketdrum ($69+) lets you play a complete set of drums on the go with nothing but a pair of sticks and their phone. The force-sensitive sticks connect via Bluetooth and use haptics to recreate the feeling of real drums. They run for up to 10 hours per charge and work in three modes: tutorial, free mode, or game mode, with the former and latter designed to increase the user's skill. Not even the LED beam of the standard version there's also a Lite model. So get your air drumming on in style now!

In my time in Florida, I've had the pleasure of meeting some very talented people with passion. So without further or do, let me introduce you to one of those people. J. Walt  who was born and raised in Tampa, FL and has an array of talents from being  a vocalist, producer, rapper, and studio engineer. He is currently working on releasing his first EP "Vieux Carre", which will be on all platforms in a few weeks. (Will update post with links once released).

Update: J. Walt just put out The Happy Hour Mix Tape on SoundCloud. Combination of two EP's for your enjoyment during quarantine of 2020.

J. Walt was even kind enough to let me put out one of his new tracks "Go All In" on The Collective Loop Collective Series 007. His track has that soothing sound of slow R&B with a nice bass beat to keep you swaying throughout the whole track.  Don't just take my word for it. Check out his tracks and other produced tracks on SoundCloud.

I even had the pleasure of asking J. Walt some questions for the curious mind. So continue reading and find out what this artist has to say about his musical style.

TCL: What influence your desire to make music?

J. Walt: Honestly, my time spent as an only child, I used music to entertain myself. Although I have older siblings they were all moving out by the time I came of age.

TCL: What does this EP Vieux Carre mean to you?

J. Walt: I was introduced to this drink through my bartender friends and I love this cocktail. Its usually served at a classic craft cocktail bar, and the vibe of those bars set the mood for this EP.

TCL: Who would you really like to collaborate with on a song if you could?

J. Walt: Andre 3000, heavily influenced by him.

TCL: Where do you get your inspiration for your lyrics?

J. Walt: Vibes I get from hanging out on vacations and the night life within in the up and coming Tampa party scene. 
TCL: What can we look forward to next in your desire to make music? Any new project?

J. Walt: I have A LOT of unreleased music that remains relevant to the current sounds in music. As far as new projects, there will be more after this EP.

TCL: You work at a studio. Tell me a little about the studio.

J. Walt: Glass House Studios is now a cultural stable of the Tampa Hip hop community. It's a joy. We watch artist grow into their own sounds as well as enjoy more establish artist making it a point to stop by and catch a vibe with our quality of work. It's a pleasure to work with so many different styles of artist in a short time span. It gives me a look into the music culture most don't get a chance to.

If you haven't heard "Go All In" have a listen to below.

The Rhythmo BeatBox ($TBA) is a DIY project that was meant to be a cost-effective first step in making music. It uses a cardboard box as a platform and leaves it up to the future performer to assemble it (no soldering required). It can be built in under one hour and uses an array of arcade buttons, knobs, and a joystick for control. A companion app handles much of the sound processing, and it also can serve as a standard MIDI controller. Creations can be enjoyed via the built-in speakers, through headphones, or through external speakers attached to the headphone jack.

Welcome to the new Playlists on The Collective Loop. The Collective Series 008! Summer is almost coming to an end and fall is right around the corner. So get those candles out and let the fall in with some new music.  New music by Matoma, Tycho and more...

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 008 from The Collective Loop on 8tracks Radio.

Electric scooters are booming in big cities and piling up on sidewalks and causing a slew of accidents. Now here is Yamaha's Tritown scooter, which gives an innovative take on the electric scooter that aims to fix the usual electric scooter's flaws. Designed as a last-mile mobility solution and using Yamaha's Leaning Multi-Wheel mechanism, the Tritown has dual front wheels and is controlled by the rider's balance. The Tritown stands upright at a stop, and never requires the rider to step off the scooter until they've reached their destination. It has a  380 Wh battery powers a 500-watt motor mounted in the rear.  I'ts top speed is about 15 MPH. The Tritown weighs in at 88 pounds and is just over three feet long, making it light and compact while having a substantial structure and lighting. The project looks to be ready for production, and the rumor is that it will be available for purchase within the year.

Samsung's Galaxy Note has always been known for its boundary-pushing screen and pen-based interaction. The new Note 10 ($950+) offers both, in a smaller size. 6.3-inches is the size of the Dynamic AMOLED display in the standard model, while the newly-named 10+ has a 6.8-inch screen more in line with past models. Both offer edge-to-edge coverage, a re-designed, uni-body S Pen, expanded DeX capabilities, and improved cameras, including a 3D-scanning DepthVision camera in the 10+. A vapor chamber cooling system helps boost gaming performance, and 5G-capable versions provide access to the fastest possible cellular data speeds. If you're looking to get one, they're taking pre-orders now!