The most iconic cell phone from the distant past has returned with some upgrades. The 2019 Motorola RAZR ($1,500) shares a lot with its pre-smartphone ancestors, including a flip-open design, pronounced "chin", outward-facing screen, this time touch-enabled for quickly responding to messages and controlling music, and even the same radii on the curves. But instead of a keypad and tiny screen, it opens to reveal a 6.2-inch plastic OLED panel running Android 9 Pie. Its specs aren't overly impressive — it has a Snapdragon 710 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a single 16mp front-facing camera, and a fingerprint reader. The specs are nice but the world can't bring the joy of flipping the thing closed to end a call. For the truly nostalgic, it also has a "Retro RAZR" mode that apes the original's interior design, from the interface and boot sequence to the iTap text entry. It will be available exclusively on Verizon in the US and will start shipping in January 2020.
Named for its ethereal presence, the Ghost House is a striking contemporary dwelling in England's Warwickshire. The home inspired by the work of architect Tado Ando and features a concrete construction that was cast in-situ concrete. Its simplistic form frames in floor-to-ceiling steel windows on three sides. At night, the glazing gives off a celestial glow that creates a hauntingly beautiful effect as it mirrors off the reflecting pool that spans across the roof of the lower ground floor. The monolithic facade is left exposed to the interior continuing the sleek, minimalist design while a floating steel staircase adds a sculptural element to enhance the aesthetic. Find out more information on the Ghost House.
Wireless charging has made those cheap white cords a thing of the past, except while on the go. That is, until now. The Native Union Jump+ ($100)offers built-in Qi-compatible wireless charging in addition to the traditional wired ports found on portable power banks. Its ample 12,000 mAh battery can be accessed via a USB-A port, a PD-enabled USB-C port providing up to 18W of juice for phones, tablets, and even laptops, or the built-in Qi-compatible wireless charger. It can charge three devices simultaneously, recharge an iPhone 11 2.5 times, and ships with a handsome 4-foot USB-A to USB-C cable for recharging both the power bank itself and other Type-C devices. Free shipping over $69 as well.
Capacity: 12,000 mAh / Ports: 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C with PD / Wireless Charging: Qi-compatible
Analogue is known for its beautiful renditions of classic gaming systems like the NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis. Now add the Game Boy to the ever growing list. The Analogue Pocket ($200) works natively with the more than 2,700 games released for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. Cartridge adapters let it work with Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket Color, Atari Lynx, and other portable carts as well. Its 3.5" color LCD screen has 10x the resolution of the original Game Boy. Games look incredibly sharp, while stereo speakers, mappable buttons, and a USB-C rechargeable battery provides conveniences. Paired with an Analogue Dock, it can output games to a TV over HDMI, with Bluetooth for wireless controllers, and a second dedicated FPGA gives developers the chance to expand its capabilities. Should be arriving in 2020.
Wouldn't it be really cool to create your own vinyl playlist? The Phonocut ($1,100) aims to add vinyl to the mix. Roughly the size of a regular turntable, the 20-pound lathe uses a diamond stylus to etch sound waves into blank vinyl discs in real-time. Between 10-15 minutes of audio will fit on each side, and once cut, the record can immediately be picked up and played back on a traditional turntable. The project is being developed and backed by a slew of talent, including lathe experts, audio engineers, and even a co-founder of the Polaroid-rescuing Impossible Project. Check out the Kickstarter to get more information and they have a goal of shipping the first units out in December 2020.
Long-rumored, Microsoft's first post-Windows Mobile phone isn't really a phone at all. Sure, it makes calls, but that's just one feature of the Surface Duo ($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.
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.
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!
