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Lenovo’s ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept at IFA 2025 Solves the Laptop Orientation Problem That’s Frustrated Users for Decades

Reviewing lengthy documents, coding on vertical monitors, or scrolling through social media feeds creates the same frustration every day. Your laptop screen forces you into horizontal viewing while the content screams for vertical space. You crane your neck, squint at cramped text, and constantly scroll through information that would fit perfectly if only your screen could rotate. This daily annoyance affects millions of professionals, students, and creators who’ve adapted their workflows around technology’s limitations rather than the other way around.

Designers: Lenovo

At IFA 2025 in Berlin, Lenovo addresses this fundamental mismatch with the most comprehensive product portfolio the company has ever announced at a single event. The “Lenovo ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept” leads an ambitious lineup that includes the 24-core ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 mobile workstation, the groundbreaking 39.7-inch ThinkVision P40WD-40 curved ultrawide display, advanced Thunderbolt 5 smart docks, and an entire ecosystem of AI-powered business solutions. These announcements collectively demonstrate Lenovo’s commitment to “Enabling Smarter AI for All” through hardware that adapts to human workflows rather than forcing adaptation from users.

The VertiFlex Concept represents the first serious attempt to break the orientation paradigm that has defined laptop design since the category’s inception. Social media platforms, coding environments, document editing, and web browsing all benefit from portrait orientation, yet traditional laptops lock users into landscape mode, creating inefficient workflows and ergonomic strain.

VertiFlex Concept: Reimagining Laptop Display Design

The ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept centers on a 14-inch OLED touch display with 2.8K resolution (2880×1800) that pivots seamlessly between landscape and portrait orientations while maintaining the essential laptop form factor. The display delivers 400 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and Dolby Vision support with a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate that automatically adjusts based on content and orientation.

Core specifications include Intel Core Ultra 7 processors (Series 2) with integrated Arc graphics and dedicated NPU delivering up to 47 TOPS for AI workloads. The system supports up to 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 memory and up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD storage with dual M.2 slots for expandability. Despite its groundbreaking display technology, the concept maintains remarkable portability credentials with an ultra-slim 17.9mm thickness and lightweight 1.39kg construction.

Connectivity features include two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A 3.2 Gen2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack, and Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 5.4 support. The 65Wh battery provides up to 12 hours of mixed-use battery life, with rapid charging capability reaching 80% in 60 minutes through the included 90W USB-C adapter.

The swiveling mechanism operates through 360 degrees, allowing users to position the display at any angle between orientations without requiring locks or additional mechanisms. The vertical display mode transforms productivity workflows that naturally favor vertical formats, from split-screen multitasking and displaying code to reviewing documents.

The concept’s hardware engineering enables smooth rotation through a precision-balanced hinge system that maintains structural integrity while supporting the display weight across all orientations. Users can transition from horizontal laptop mode for traditional computing to vertical tablet-style orientation for reading, coding, or social media consumption without compromising the keyboard and trackpad functionality.

Advanced connectivity enables seamless integration through Lenovo Smart Connect technology, allowing smartphone tethering for file transfer and phone mirroring functionality while in vertical display mode. The concept incorporates intelligent software that automatically adjusts interface elements when users change orientations, recognizing pivoting and adapting screen layouts, application positioning, and user interface scaling. This software integration prevents the disjointed experience that often accompanies hardware innovation, ensuring the swiveling capability feels like a natural extension of the laptop’s functionality rather than a novelty feature.

ThinkPad P Series: Mobile Workstations Redefined

The newly redesigned ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 delivers unprecedented mobile workstation performance with Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processors featuring up to 24 cores and an integrated NPU for AI processing. This represents a significant leap from typical 8-16 core laptop processors, bringing desktop-class computing power to mobile form factors. The workstation pairs these processors with up to NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell graphics and 24GB VRAM in discrete GPU design, delivering maximum performance for graphics-intensive tasks from complex 3D rendering to AI development workloads.

Lenovo’s complete P Series lineup addresses diverse professional needs across multiple form factors. The ThinkPad P1 Gen 8 combines workstation power with ultra-premium mobility, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) and up to NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell generation graphics for content creators, game developers, and CAD specialists. The ThinkPad P16v Gen 3 offers powerful yet affordable performance with a sleek chassis design featuring 16:10 aspect ratio display, narrow bezels, and high screen-to-body ratio. The ThinkPad P14s Gen 6 and P16s Gen 4 represent the thinnest and lightest mobile workstations in Lenovo’s portfolio, combining premium performance with portability for professionals tackling complex workloads on-the-go.

These workstations integrate with Lenovo AI Developer, a full-stack AI development solution that combines leading open-source tools, AI libraries, and frameworks with superior workstation hardware. The ecosystem enables professionals to build, scale, and secure their AI workflows beyond everyday AI PC tasks to power advanced AI development workloads. Lenovo’s comprehensive AI PC Services portfolio, including AI Fast Start, Care of One, and AI PC Premier Support, helps businesses maximize productivity and achieve faster returns from every AI-ready PC through tailored onboarding, curated toolkits, and expert platform readiness support.

Professional Displays and Connectivity Revolution

The ThinkVision P40WD-40 curved ultrawide display engineers a superior visual experience for serious multitasking with breathtaking 5120×2160 resolution across a 39.7-inch display featuring 21:9 aspect ratio. The monitor delivers reliable color precision and rich contrasts, supported by 98% DCI-P3 color gamut and IPS Black technology, while the 2500R curved screen wraps professionals in immersive visuals for creative work, data analysis, or content consumption. Beyond visual excellence, the ThinkVision P40WD-40 functions as a productivity hub with Thunderbolt 4 one-cable docking solution, DisplayPort outputs, PD3.1 charging up to 140W, and 2.5G RJ45 Ethernet port.

The monitor achieves industry-leading efficiency as the first desktop monitor featuring 24 to 120 Hertz variable refresh rate, using up to 34% less power than ENERGY STAR 8.0 standards through DisplayPort Power Saving technology. This Lenovo-unique feature uses panel replay technology to dynamically adapt refresh rates without compromising visual quality, representing a significant advancement in professional display efficiency.

Lenovo’s new ThinkPad smart docks revolutionize workspace connectivity with cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 performance. The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 5 Smart Dock 7500 delivers up to 120 Gbps bandwidth, driving up to 3 x 8K @ 60Hz displays plus 1 x 4K @ 60Hz, or ultra-smooth playback with 2 x 4K @ 240Hz and 2 x 4K @ 120Hz, while supporting up to 180W power delivery. The ThinkPad Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock Gen 2 7500 supports up to 1 x 8K @ 60Hz or dual 4K @ 144Hz displays with up to 100W power delivery, while the ThinkPad USB4 Smart Dock 5500 provides 4x the bandwidth of traditional USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 docks with support for one ultra-crisp 8K display at 60Hz or dual 4K monitors at 144Hz.

Advanced AI Integration and Desktop Solutions

Lenovo’s AI innovation extends beyond mobile workstations to comprehensive desktop solutions and intelligent software platforms. The ThinkCentre neo-Ultra Gen 2 undergoes significant upgrades with NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti dGPU support, delivering improved AI capability for local LLM deployment and supporting connections to up to 7 displays simultaneously. This compact powerhouse enables local AI computing, machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision applications while maintaining the space-efficient form factor that defines the neo-Ultra series.

The company pilots the Lenovo AI Agent Pilot Program powered by Intel’s AI Assistant Builder, a modular software toolkit designed to help organizations build and deploy protected, on-device generative AI solutions tailored to unique workflows. In a proof of concept developed for IEEE journal editors, the assistant automates time-consuming aspects of peer review processes including manuscript formatting checks, qualified reviewer identification, and reviewer feedback synthesis while maintaining strict privacy requirements and keeping sensitive data local.

Design Innovation and Future Computing Concepts

Lenovo continues driving visual experience innovations through breakthrough concept displays and design evolutions. The NaturaSynth Display proof-of-concept monitor showcases hardware-based zero blue light technology, with LCD panels that mimic natural light illumination and reduce blue light content to under 1% to significantly reduce visual fatigue and enhance overall eye comfort.

The Smart Motion Concept introduces one of the industry’s first smart multi-directional laptop stand concepts, integrating with laptop cameras, microphones, and speakers to deliver auto-facial tracking, voice control, and ergonomic health features. An AI ring enables gesture control of the stand’s movement, creating a comprehensive workspace solution that adapts to user needs through intelligent automation.

The Magic Bay HUD brings the previously conceptual Magic Bay Tiko Pro to limited market availability as a heads-up display that attaches magnetically via Pogo Pin. This always-on HUD offers users a convenient, screen-free way to extend their workspace for intelligent multitasking, ideal for keeping transcription, notes, or notifications off the main screen while integrating seamlessly with Lenovo AI Now assistance.

Comprehensive Ecosystem Strategy

The ThinkPad X9 Aura Edition receives a striking design evolution with a new Glacier White finish available in both 14- and 15-inch sizes, delivering over 40 TOPS performance as a Copilot+ PC powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and Windows 11. Later this year, Lenovo will transition the Aura Edition’s Smart Share experience to the Lenovo Smart Connect app, delivering a more streamlined and unified experience across Lenovo Aura Edition systems with effortless cross-device control and tap-to-share functionality.

The VertiFlex Concept joins this comprehensive ecosystem as part of Lenovo’s systematic exploration of display innovation. Earlier this year, the company brought their ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable to market at $3,499, transforming from a 14-inch display to a 16.7-inch vertical workspace. While the rollable expanded vertically through mechanical extension, the VertiFlex achieves orientation flexibility through pivoting, addressing completely different user pain points through parallel development approaches.

This demonstrates Lenovo’s systematic exploration of every possible way displays can adapt to human needs rather than forcing humans to adapt to display limitations. The concept’s practical focus and attention to real-world usability suggest development beyond pure research into potential product planning. By questioning the fixed-orientation assumption that has defined laptops since their inception, Lenovo opens possibilities for computing devices that truly adapt to human workflows rather than forcing adaptation from users.

The post Lenovo’s ThinkBook VertiFlex Concept at IFA 2025 Solves the Laptop Orientation Problem That’s Frustrated Users for Decades first appeared on Yanko Design.

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zozaya arquitectos designs home with swimming pool suspended over mexico’s pacific coast

casa Piscina del Cielo: A House Between Sky and Sea

 

Casa Piscina del Cielo, designed by Zozaya Arquitectos, rises from the coastal slopes of Mexico’s Pacific coast as both residence and landscape intervention. The project is set on a site of unusual topography, where natural contours and ancient boulders guided the architectural response. The architects tell designboom:From the outset, the client asked for something extraordinary, a home that would defy convention, a structure that felt singular and paradigm-breaking.’

 

The home’s entrance is framed by strong geometries and stone surfaces, leading visitors through two monumental doors and into a central courtyard with its dramatic swimming pool. Here, massive rocks were uncovered during excavation and preserved in-place to becoming sculptural monoliths around which the home’s program centers.

Casa Piscina del Cielo is designed by Zozaya Arquitectos on Mexico’s Pacific coast | image © Daniel Zozaya Valdes

 

 

zozaya arquitectos sculpts a pool toward the horizon

 

From this central stone courtyard, Zozaya Arquitectos’ Casa Piscina del Cielo unfolds. The architects shelter the main living space beneath a soaring palapa, open on all sides to sea breezes and natural light. Under this thatched canopy, breezy living, dining, and kitchen areas extend into one another, accumulating to create a vast communal space that feels at once wide-open and sheltered.

 

With service areas organized subtly to one side. This allows the main living spaces to flow outward onto a covered terrace where a pergola, grill, and bar gaze outward to the horizon.

 

Casa Piscina del Cielo’s most impressive element is perhaps its swimming pool, which projects 27 meters (90 feet) over the cliffside. Suspended above the cliffy coastline and waves beyond, the pool’s floor is punctuated by a square glass window, framing a watery view down to surf and creating the sensation of floating between sea and sky. This single gesture defines the project’s name and character.

the home is shaped by natural topography and preserved boulders | image © Daniel Zozaya Valdes

 

 

interior design draws from the landscape

 

Alongside the courtyard, a cinema and office space neighbor a guest suite that opens onto a private terrace. Further down, the most secluded level contains the main bedroom and a gym, both facing a quiet terrace that frames distant ocean views. From this sheltered perch, the floating silhouette of the pool above becomes part of the coastal panorama.

 

The landscape design, executed by Taller Entorno, is integral to the architectural intent. Plantings and pathways are woven into the terrain so that the house appears to emerge from the hillside rather than dominate it. This way, the architects create a continuity between natural slope, the jagged stone formations, and the built space.

 

Zozaya Arquitectos curates a material palette informed by regional authenticity. Woven palm defines the palapa and interior ceilings, parota wood lends warmth, and chukum plaster recalls the surrounding earth. Exposed concrete, steel pergolas, and wood decks reinforce a dialogue between local tradition and a style that is almost brutalist. The interiors, led by DRDS, extend this approach with restrained detailing and furnishings that echo the textures of the site.

a central courtyard organizes the layout of the residence | image © Alex Krotkov

the main living space is sheltered under a soaring palapa | image © Alex Krotkov

a swimming pool projects nearly 90-feet over the cliffside horizon | image © Alex Krotkov

regional materials like palm parota wood and chukum plaster define the palette | image © Alex Krotkov

monolithic stones are preserved on-site | image © Alex Krotkov

passive design and water recycling systems ensure sustainable performance | image © Alex Krotkov

 

project info:

 

name: Casa Piscina del Cielo

architect: Zozaya Arquitectos | @zozaya_arquitectos

location: Punta Garrobo, Zihuatanejo, México

area: 1,976 square meters

completion: 2025

photography: © Alex Krotkov | @alex.krotkov, © Daniel Zozaya Valdes

 

lead designers: Enrique Zozaya Diaz & Daniel Zozaya Valdés
project team: Danitza Pérez Reyes, José Antonio Vázquez, Ana Karen Cadena, Jesús López, Cesar Octavio

construction: ZAR
structural design: Omar Hernández
interior design: DRDS
landscape design: Taller Entorno

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Meet AuraFrame: Where Gallery-Worthy Art Fuses with Modern Audio Design

There’s something deeply satisfying about finding the perfect piece of art for your living room. That moment when you discover a painting that not only complements your space but somehow captures the mood you’ve been trying to create. The AuraFrame takes that familiar experience and adds an unexpected twist that makes you reconsider what a picture frame can actually be.

At first glance, AuraFrame looks like any other beautifully crafted oil painting frame, complete with hand-carved solid wood construction available in North American black walnut or European oak with gilded finishes. The craftsmanship feels genuinely luxurious, with that subtle woody fragrance and tactile satisfaction that comes from real materials rather than the plastic and metal that dominate most tech products today.

Designer: Xiaoying Yu

Click Here to Buy Now: $259 $519 (50% off). Hurry, Only 12/86 left! Raised over $89,000.

But look closer, and you’ll notice something intriguing about the way sound seems to emerge naturally from the frame itself. The magic happens through a surprisingly elegant integration of a museum-grade digital display and a high-fidelity audio system that somehow manages to feel completely organic rather than forced or gimmicky like so many smart home devices we encounter.

The 20-inch paper-like display mimics the subtle texture and color rendering of actual canvas, supporting 256 levels of grayscale with anti-glare technology that makes digital art feel remarkably authentic. Meanwhile, a 120W audio system with 360-degree panoramic sound delivery transforms your wall into what can only be described as a concert hall disguised as a painting hanging in your living room.

What makes AuraFrame particularly compelling is how it handles the relationship between visual and auditory experiences in ways that feel genuinely thoughtful rather than just technically impressive. You can pair Monet’s water lilies with Debussy’s Clair de Lune, creating those perfectly curated moments that make your living space feel like a personal art salon where creativity and technology meet seamlessly.

The mood lighting system adds another layer of ambiance, with customizable scenes that can transform the frame from a meditation focal point during morning yoga sessions to a warm, inviting centerpiece for evening gatherings with friends. The personalization possibilities extend far beyond displaying classic masterpieces, though those museum-quality reproductions certainly look stunning on the paper-like screen that mimics real canvas texture beautifully.

Upload your own family photos, travel memories, or even digital art you’ve created, and the frame becomes a living record of your experiences rather than just static decoration. The AI painting feature lets you generate original artwork by simply entering prompts, essentially making everyone a master painter without requiring any actual artistic skill or training. Touch controls and smartphone app integration make switching between different modes feel natural and intuitive throughout daily use.

The impressive battery life means you’re not tethered to wall outlets or constantly managing charging cables that clutter your carefully designed space. The frame can serve as your electronic photo album during the day, transform into a digital clock or calendar when needed, and become an immersive audio-visual experience for evening entertainment or relaxation sessions that help you unwind after long days.

The technical specifications reveal serious engineering behind the elegant exterior: 40,000mAh battery capacity provides 22 hours of operation, while dual-band WiFi ensures reliable connectivity. The speaker system delivers genuine high-fidelity sound with panoramic audio coverage, and the BOE display technology maintains color accuracy that rivals professional monitors used in graphic design studios worldwide.

Perhaps most importantly, AuraFrame succeeds in making technology feel human and approachable rather than cold or intimidating like so many smart home devices. The solid wood construction and traditional frame aesthetics provide a sense of permanence and craftsmanship that contrasts beautifully with the dynamic, ever-changing digital content. It’s the kind of product that starts conversations, not because it’s obviously high-tech, but because it creates genuinely memorable experiences.

The concept challenges our assumptions about what constitutes art in the digital age while respecting the traditional craftsmanship and aesthetic principles that have made paintings central to home decoration for centuries. By housing cutting-edge display and audio technology within a frame that honors classical design traditions, AuraFrame creates something that feels both timeless and thoroughly contemporary.

Click Here to Buy Now: $259 $519 (50% off). Hurry, Only 12/86 left! Raised over $89,000.

The post Meet AuraFrame: Where Gallery-Worthy Art Fuses with Modern Audio Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

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hotcake’s modular speakers and wearables bring remote jam sessions to life

Hotcake: A Modular System for Shared Music-Making

 

Hotcake is a modular system designed to enable collaborative music-making regardless of location. The project integrates a speaker unit called Cake with a wearable device named Butter, combining 3D spatial audio with haptic feedback to reproduce the sense of playing together in the same space. Designers Woojin Jang, Eunhye Jang, Hyeryoung Jeong, Ilyeo Lee, and Chaeeun Kim join to realize the creative project.

all images courtesy of Woojin Jang, Eunhye Jang, Hyeryoung Jeong, Ilyeo Lee, Chaeeun Kim

 

 

Combining Sound and Touch for Remote Collaboration

 

The Cake system consists of three modular speakers and a subwoofer station, which together generate spatial sound for immersive group sessions. Each module receives live audio signals from the station via a 2.4GHz RF channel, while wired Ethernet ensures stable, low-latency performance. This configuration minimizes delay or interruptions, allowing participants to remain synchronized even across long distances. The Butter device translates sound into vibrations, giving users a tactile sense of rhythm alongside the auditory experience. The design includes additional features such as metronome mode for maintaining tempo and a built-in microphone for direct communication.

Hotcake enables collaborative music-making from anywhere

 

 

Hotcake Merges Acoustic and Physical Musical Experience

 

By combining modular sound hardware with haptic wearables, Hotcake recreates both the acoustic and physical dimensions of live music. The design enables remote jam sessions that balance sound fidelity, timing accuracy, and embodied musical interaction.

 

Hotcake system combines modular speakers with wearable haptics

Cake is the speaker unit at the core of the design

the design integrates 3D spatial audio with haptic feedback

three modular speakers connect with a subwoofer station

the setup minimizes delay for synchronized remote sessions

wired Ethernet ensures stable, low-latency performance

together, Cake and Butter recreate the feel of playing live

the system recreates both acoustic and physical dimensions of music

Butter is a wearable that translates music into vibrations

Butter provides a tactile sense of rhythm during play

 

project info:

 

name: Hotcake
design team: Woojin Jang | @woojinjid, Eunhye Jang | @ihaveaspirit, Hyeryoung Jeong | @hyeryoung2, Ilyeo Lee | @leeilyeoo, Chaeeun Kim | @rlaeunoia

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Art Explained—100 Masterpieces and What They Mean by Susie Hodge, Book Review

The post Art Explained—100 Masterpieces and What They Mean by Susie Hodge, Book Review appeared first on DailyArt Magazine.

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Mix & Match: Fashion Photography Meets Contemporary Art

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The Women Who Changed Photography: Book Review

“The ex

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This French Tiny House Proves Less Really Can Be More

French design company Quadrapol has revolutionized the tiny house market with its latest creation, the Nid Luxe. This compact dwelling proves that sophisticated design doesn’t require excessive square footage or hefty price tags. At just 5.5 meters long and built on a double-axle trailer, this mobile home prioritizes thoughtful planning over sheer size, creating surprisingly spacious living through intelligent design choices.

The exterior immediately captures attention through its natural material palette and clean architectural lines. Treated pine cladding provides warmth and authenticity, while the steel roof ensures long-term durability against harsh weather conditions. Generous glazing floods the interior with natural light, creating an airy atmosphere that defies the home’s compact footprint. The single entrance opens directly into the kitchen, establishing an efficient flow pattern throughout the space.

Designer: Quadrapol

Upon entry, the deliberately simple kitchen reveals Quadrapol’s understanding of weekender living requirements. Essential amenities include an induction cooktop, a hidden refrigerator, a sink, and thoughtfully arranged cabinetry that maximizes storage without overwhelming the space. A small dining table accommodates two people comfortably, while a netted storage loft above provides additional organization options. This streamlined approach reflects the home’s intended use as a vacation retreat rather than a full-time residence.

The open living room dominates the remaining floorspace, demonstrating how single-story design can feel expansive when executed properly. A daybed sleeps two people while incorporating integrated storage beneath, serving dual functions essential in compact living. The large nearby window bathes the space in natural light, while a strategically placed radiator ensures comfort during cooler months. This multifunctional approach transforms limitations into advantages through clever design thinking.

Opposite the kitchen, the bathroom proves that compact doesn’t mean cramped when space planning prioritizes essential functions. Accessed through a sliding door that saves precious square footage, the bathroom efficiently houses a shower, sink, and toilet within minimal space. This arrangement demonstrates how thoughtful design can provide full amenities without compromising the home’s overall livability. Every element serves its purpose while maintaining comfortable proportions.

The Nid Luxe represents a philosophical shift toward intentional living, where every square meter justifies its existence. Quadrapol has created more than shelter; they’ve designed a lifestyle statement that challenges traditional housing assumptions. For those seeking affordable homeownership without sacrificing quality or style, this tiny house offers compelling evidence that home isn’t measured in square footage but thoughtful execution.

Currently available throughout Europe, the Nid Luxe offers optional upgrades that enhance its versatility and sustainability credentials. Buyers can equip their tiny house with solar panels and water tanks for completely off-grid living, transforming it into a self-sufficient retreat perfect for remote locations. While delivery costs remain unspecified, this enhancement package appeals to environmentally conscious buyers seeking energy independence and the freedom to establish their home anywhere.

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What To Expect at IFA 2025: More than just ‘Artificial Intelligence’

There’s a hush before the gates open, but everyone in the Berlin tech orbit feels it: IFA 2025 is about to hit. The pre-show hype is thick with rumor and calculated leaks, while press passes and demo invites pile up like confetti. For anyone who rides the intersection of design, product, and culture, this expo is the real tech Olympics. Forget the corporate self-congratulation of some US shows. IFA is where major European taste meets global ambition, and the world’s sharpest brands are forced to impress an audience that actually knows its gadgets. I’m here to map out what to expect, what to care about, and what to ignore.

Scan the exhibitor list and you see the usual suspects – Samsung, LG, Sony, Miele, Bosch, TCL, Hisense – but this year, their collective muscle is wrapped around a fresh set of obsessions: AI that’s finally practical, sustainability that’s more than greenwash, smart homes that feel less like tech demos and more like genuine upgrades, and a relentless push for premium in TVs, audio, and even robot vacuums. Expect surprises, expect spectacle, but most of all, expect a new baseline for what your next tech purchase should deliver.

AI That Actually Thinks

LG’s AI Appliances Orchestra

Forget the vaporware and sci-fi nonsense. AI at IFA 2025 is about real-world value. LG’s “AI Appliances Orchestra” concept lands right in the sweet spot, connecting their entire suite of appliances to the ThinQ ON hub. FURON, their AI agent, runs the show, serving up proactive maintenance alerts, energy optimization, and a kind of household choreography that feels more like a service than a gimmick. LG is betting heavily that European homeowners want less friction, more smarts, and zero drama from their kitchens and laundry rooms.

Samsung’s Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra doesn’t play second fiddle. This robot vacuum pairs AI navigation with a proper steam mop and a camera for home monitoring. It runs on Samsung’s Knox security platform, which gets a UL Diamond IoT security rating. That matters if you actually care about privacy and not just clean floors. The specs? Expect multi-pattern 3D LiDAR, adaptive scanning on the fly, and a camera that doubles as a home security feed.

Then there’s Nvidia, lurking at the edge of consumer and pro. Their AI content creation tools and smart device integrations are getting baked into everything from streaming rigs to next-gen TVs. Think real-time video upscaling, AI-driven audio optimization, and generative editing in the hands of everyday users. The AI conversation at IFA is shifting from “what if” to “why isn’t yours smarter yet?”

Smart Home, Smarter Living

Miele Triflex HX3 Pro Aqua

Smart home brands at IFA are finally showing some respect for design and durability. Miele drops the Triflex HX3 Pro Aqua: a cordless vacuum that also mops, all wrapped in a design language that actually looks good in a European apartment. Miele’s pitch isn’t “look at my robot” but “don’t think about cleaning at all.” Their integrations let you automate schedules, tap into remote diagnostics, and get energy usage breakdowns that are actually useful.

Ecovacs, Roborock, Dreame, and the new kid, DJI (yep, the drone guys), are all competing for the robot vacuum crown. DJI’s Romo series borrows drone navigation tech for hyper-accurate mapping, while Ecovacs doubles down on AI obstacle avoidance. Narwal and Tineco bring clever tweaks, but the arms race is clear: more sensors, fewer crashes, better pathfinding, and apps that don’t make you want to throw your phone out the window.

Haier, Electrolux, and Bosch are all flexing hard with smart appliances. Their latest fridges, ovens, and washers are IoT-connected, energy-starved (in the good way), and designed for the kind of interoperability that European buyers expect. Think appliances that talk to each other about when to run cycles, or ping your phone when it’s time for a filter change. BSH’s new lines are especially promising, pushing for open standards rather than walled gardens.

Sustainability: Beyond Greenwashing

Anker Solix X1

The EU has teeth when it comes to regulation, and IFA shows how that’s driving real product innovation. Samsung’s Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is a textbook case: A-grade energy efficiency, a 98-minute wash and dry cycle, and smart dosing to save water and detergent. That’s a product built for actual resource scarcity, not just a sticker on the box. Samsung claims measurable reductions in annual energy cost for the average user – watch for those numbers to get fact-checked on the show floor.

Anker’s Solix X1 is the kind of home energy storage tech that gets off-grid nerds drooling. It stores enough juice to run an EV for days and can be recharged by solar or grid. Specs point to modular expansion, app-based load management, and compatibility with most major inverter brands. In an era when home battery systems are finally breaking into the mainstream, Anker’s pitch is about reliability and open standards, not just backup during blackouts.

LG’s new French-door refrigerators and AI-driven laundry solutions keep hammering the point: space-efficient, lower power draw, and designed for longer product lifespans. The company is investing in materials that are actually recyclable and repairable, and their PR teams are smart enough to know that savvy IFA visitors will ask tough questions about sourcing and lifecycle.

TVs, Audio, and the Premium Push

CANVAS HiFi Frame

Super-premium is the word, and every major brand is showing up with a flagship. Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, and Metz are all rolling out new 8K, OLED, and microLED panels. LG’s cloud gaming portal and new gaming monitors (look out for the specs on latency and HDR) are aimed straight at the living room and the esports crowd. Samsung’s AI-powered upscaling and real-time scene analysis should make a real difference for everything from Netflix to live sports.

Projector nerds are getting spoiled too. Xgimi’s MoGo 4 lineup brings built-in batteries, laser brightness upgrades, and Google TV integration, all under 2 kg. That’s portable cinema that doesn’t compromise on clarity or color accuracy. Expect the battle between projectors and traditional TVs to get fresh fuel this year, especially as more people blend home and travel.

Audio isn’t getting left behind, either. We just recently covered CANVAS HiFi’s staggering €10,000 soundbar designed to fit around the Samsung TV Frame. Speaking of Samsung, the company is showcasing its Sound Tower Bluetooth Speaker on the floor too. Gaming company Gravastar showcased some rather stunning speakers last year, and we’re expecting the same this year too.

Digital Health and Beauty Tech

Ulike Me 2025 Series

The wellness wave is everywhere. Ulike’s AI-powered beauty devices bring pro-level skin analysis and customizable at-home treatments into the mainstream. Samsung and LG are pushing smartwatches that do more than count steps. These wearables now serve as full-time health coaches, delivering real-time suggestions and actionable data, not just passive metrics. The algorithms are getting smarter, using your week-to-week trends to fine-tune advice and flag anomalies. Ringconn, Ultrahuman, and Noise are sure to showcase their latest fitness wearables too. Amorepacific is set to launch ‘ONFACE,’ a high-end micro-LED mask developed by its AI-enhanced beauty device brand, ‘makeON.’

IFA’s digital health zone is also thick with startups chasing the holy grail: home diagnostics that don’t require a PhD to operate. Expect blood oxygen sensors, ECG-enabled watches, and a new generation of sleep trackers to fight for attention, each promising medical-grade accuracy with consumer-level simplicity.

Mobility and the Connected Home

DJI Romo Robot Vacuum

Anker’s new EV chargers and portable power stations are perfectly timed. With Europe’s push for electrification, these devices offer faster, smarter charging and backup solutions that play nicely with solar. DJI’s leap into home cleaning with the Romo series is a signal that robotics is about to get much more mainstream, leveraging navigation precision that’s been honed in the air for use on your living room rug.

E-bike and e-scooter brands are expected to flaunt new models with better range, smarter anti-theft, and app-based controls that actually work. The story here is integration: your home, your vehicle, your grid, one data platform. Expect product managers to be grilled on security, open APIs, and fail-safes.

IFA’s mobility hall is where you’ll find the quietly radical: energy management systems that sync home and car, 5G/6G routers built for seamless handoff between fixed and mobile networks, and home security kits that leverage AI for facial recognition and package detection.

Content Creation Goes Pro

Insta360 Antigravity A1 Drone

The influencer economy is getting its own stage this year. DJI and Insta360 are in a pretty heated battle, with the former entering the 360° video space and the latter building their own drone startup to challenge the DJI monopoly. Insta360 and Leica are working to debut a new product on the 5th of September, too.

IFA’s partnership with Webedia means 35 hours of live content, streamed straight from the show floor. The “Find Your Next Tech” show will feature hands-on demos, interviews with designers, and plenty of behind-the-scenes looks at what actually gets shown to press vs. the public. Expect a parade of microphones, gimbals, and AI-driven camera tools aimed directly at creators.

The bottom line: the creator tech on display is no longer a sideshow. It’s built into the DNA of the show, reflecting the way real consumers discover and evaluate new products. If you’re launching hardware in 2025 and you’re not thinking about how it’ll look on TikTok or Twitch, you’re missing the plot.

Final Thoughts

IFA 2025 is the year when the hype cycle finally meets reality. The products on display aren’t just proof-of-concept; they’re ready for the living room, the kitchen, the commute, and the studio. The specs are better, the software is smarter, and the design teams are clearly paying attention to what people want, not just what they can engineer. My advice: tune out the noise, dig into the details, and keep an eye on the brands willing to show their work, not just their marketing. Berlin in September is about to get loud.

The post What To Expect at IFA 2025: More than just ‘Artificial Intelligence’ first appeared on Yanko Design.

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studio vincent eschalier revitalizes historic parisian building for SIA partners’ workspace

Studio Vincent Eschalier renovates 17th-century building in paris

 

Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris to serve as the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners. The renovation spans 3,000 square meters across five floors and a basement. On the street side, the original facades are restored to align with the character of the Grands Boulevards, while the commercial ground floor was redefined with new dark granite cladding. Inside, the layout was opened up to create flexible work environments. Exposed technical elements on the ceiling are painted white to reduce visual contrast, and many walls are deliberately left unfinished, revealing texture and construction traces.

all images by J.P. Vaillancourt

 

 

A Layered Restoration with Contemporary Elegance

 

Originally a private home, the structure had been modified repeatedly over the centuries, resulting in a mix of added wings, altered floor heights, and glass canopy insertions. These accumulated changes left the building in a fragmented state, but still with architectural elements worth preserving. The Paris-based architects approached the project by working with these layers, reorganizing the interior, and restoring historic features while introducing a more unified spatial and material logic.

 

Furnishings, coordinated by Maison Vincent Eschalier, include light wood desks with linen rubber surfaces that are paired with selections from independent and established design studios. These include pieces by Axel Chay, Margaux Keller, Duplex Studio, and manufacturers such as Silvera and Petite Friture. In contrast to the raw surfaces, built-in cabinets and plants throughout the space introduce softer tones and a more domestic atmosphere.

 

Several distinct materials define different parts of the building, with terracotta tiles lining the restrooms, circulation zones marked by mineral finishes, and the central atrium paved in irregular opus incertum stone. This atrium, once a formal courtyard, is now enclosed with a glass roof and functions as a central gathering space. The rooftop of the rear structure, previously underutilized, has been converted into a planted terrace accessible to staff.

Studio Vincent Eschalier completes the renovation of a 17th-century building near the Grand Rex in Paris

the new headquarters for consulting firm SIA Partners

many walls are deliberately left unfinished

revealing texture and construction traces

exposed technical elements on the ceiling are painted white to reduce visual contrast

accumulated changes left the building in a fragmented state

the commercial ground floor was redefined with new dark granite cladding

light wood desks with linen rubber surfaces are paired with selections from design studios

the renovation spans 3,000 square meters across five floors and a basement

 

 

project info:

 

name: SIA Partners Headquarters
architect: Studio Vincent Eschalier | @studiovincenteschalier

location: Paris, France

area: 3,000 square meters

 

design team: Caroline Puleo, Elisabeth Duboys Fresney, Mattéo Lécuru, Lili Mangin

client: SIA Partners | @lifeatsia

photographer: J.P. Vaillancourt | @jpvaillancourtimages

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom

The post studio vincent eschalier revitalizes historic parisian building for SIA partners’ workspace appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.