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First Look: The Nike LeBron 23 is a Gold Trophy You Can Wear

Most athletes are lucky to get a fifth signature shoe, let alone a tenth. We’re now at the Nike LeBron 23, a number so aligned with his career it feels like destiny written by a marketing team. Twenty-three seasons, twenty-three shoes. This symmetry poses a design challenge: how do you encapsulate a career that defies expectations? Nike’s answer is to go big, creating 23 colorways for 23 iconic moments, an audacious project that risks being overwhelming. It’s an approach that could easily dilute the impact of any single design, but the launch model sidesteps that problem entirely by being impossible to ignore.

Out of this sprawling narrative collection, the launch colorway, dubbed “Uncharted,” immediately commands attention. This is a coronation in footwear form. It celebrates the almost unbelievable milestone of LeBron scoring 40,000 career points, a statistical Everest no NBA player had summited. Nike has interpreted this achievement through a lens of pure, unapologetic opulence. The shoe is a gleaming, all-gold statement piece walking a fine line between tribute and trophy. It’s a design that forces a reaction, demanding to be seen as wearable history.

Designer: Nike

…and that gold finish is where the nerdy details begin. Nike is using a vapor deposition process, a technique more common in aerospace, to apply the metallic sheen. This method allows for an incredibly thin, uniform coating, giving it a liquid-metal look without adding significant weight. The engineered mesh upper is embossed with a diamond pattern, a visual cue to the rarity of the 40K achievement. It’s a smart textural choice that breaks up the monochromatic gold. A subtle “40,000” graphic on the heel grounds the aesthetic. This is material science as storytelling.

Beneath that gilded exterior lies serious engineering. For the first time, they’ve implemented a full-length ZoomX drop-in midsole. This is Nike’s lightest, most responsive foam, the same stuff from their record-breaking runners, promising insane energy return on court. To manage that bouncy foam, a new “Crown Containment System” works with a carbon fiber shank for stability and support. It’s a sophisticated setup, balancing propulsive cushioning with the lockdown required for a 250-pound athlete’s movements. The shoe hits globally on October 3rd for $210, a price the tech alone justifies.

So, does it work? As an object, it’s undeniably striking. An all-gold sneaker can look gaudy, like something a mid-level king would wear. Yet, the precision of the vapor deposition and the textural diamond pattern lend it an elegance. It feels less like a trophy and more like a crafted artifact. The shoe perfectly captures this phase of LeBron’s career: it’s a monument to legacy, an acknowledgment of his status as basketball royalty, built on tech that insists he’s not done. It’s a bold, almost arrogant design, and for an athlete crossing 40,000 points, that feels exactly right.

While the ‘Uncharted’ offers a blast of pure gold, the rest of the collection promises dramatic tonal shifts. We already have a preview of the ‘Miami Twice’ colorway, which will almost certainly lean into the vibrant, sun-soaked visual vocabulary of his championship years there. The real creative test, however, lies in translating more abstract moments into compelling design. Will we see a stark, aggressive colorway for ‘The Block,’ or perhaps a more subdued, familial design commemorating his first game with Bronny? Nike’s challenge is to build a narrative arc across 22 more releases, moving from monolithic gold trophies to nuanced stories told through texture and color. The execution will determine if this is a masterclass in storytelling or just an ambitious gimmick.

The post First Look: The Nike LeBron 23 is a Gold Trophy You Can Wear first appeared on Yanko Design.

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We Are Rewind’s GB-001 Uses Analog Power to Finally Solve Digital Audio Fatigue

Spotify’s endless shuffle leaves you scrolling past the same algorithmic recommendations. Apple Music’s curated playlists feel disconnected from your actual taste. Your carefully assembled digital library gets buried under subscription services that prioritize discovery over intentional listening. Modern music consumption has become passive background noise rather than the focused, deliberate experience that music deserves.

Designer: We Are Rewind

We Are Rewind addresses this digital fatigue through their GB-001 boombox, which resurrects mixtape culture with contemporary technology. This next-generation audio system transforms nostalgic design into practical tools for escaping streaming service monotony and creating tangible musical experiences. The device launches at £379 (€449), positioning itself as premium audio equipment for serious music enthusiasts. Production follows their successful WE-001 portable cassette player, demonstrating market validation for analog-digital hybrid products. The GB-001 weighs 6.81 kg with dimensions of 50.6 x 25.1 x 17.9 cm, providing substantial presence while remaining transportable. Physical construction echoes an era when music devices commanded respect through substantial build quality. The matte black finish resists fingerprints from years of loving use, while silver accents catch light like chrome bumpers on classic cars.

Physical tape sharing recreates the social aspect of mixtape culture that digital playlists fail to capture. Users create personalized recordings as gifts, compile live performance archives, and document audio experiences that become collectible objects rather than ephemeral digital files. This tangible approach to music curation stands in direct contrast to subscription services that can remove favorite albums without notice.

Hands-On Controls That Make You Feel Connected to Your Music

The GB-001’s twin VU meters glow with amber warmth, their analog needles dancing across graduated decibel scales with each musical crescendo. These precision instruments provide visual feedback that cold smartphone waveforms cannot match, transforming sound into physical manifestation through mechanical movement. The meters operate with professional accuracy, displaying real-time audio levels during both playback and recording sessions. Unlike digital displays that show abstract waveforms, these analog meters breathe life into sound through physical needle movement across calibrated scales.

Chrome-trimmed speakers flank a precision-engineered cassette compartment that elevates music selection from mindless scrolling into deliberate ritual. The mechanical loading mechanism accepts both Type I and Type II cassettes with optimized bias adjustment, while internal speed regulation maintains consistent playback accuracy. Professional-grade components deliver frequency response spanning 40-11,500 Hz with signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 55 dB. The built-in AC erase head completely wipes previous content for clean recordings, while Dolby B noise reduction emulation maintains compatibility with pre-recorded tapes from the format’s golden era. Total harmonic distortion remains below 0.5% for playback, matching specifications of dedicated home audio equipment. Recording capabilities transform any audio source into mixtape material through the auxiliary input accepting 200mVrms levels. Users can capture vinyl sessions, radio discoveries, or live performances onto cassette with frequency response that preserves musical detail across the audible spectrum.

Substantial control knobs require physical engagement rather than touch screen taps. The MIC VOL and REC VOL dials provide tactile feedback through their weighted construction, enabling precise adjustment through mechanical authority that connects fingertips directly to sound waves. These controls manage recording levels with visual guidance from the backlit VU meters, ensuring optimal capture quality for mixtape creation.

Two-track stereo operation supports authentic cassette playback through components that exceed typical boombox specifications. The system bridges generational gaps by accepting input from turntables, CD players, and smartphone streaming simultaneously. Bluetooth 5.4 integration acknowledges contemporary connectivity needs while maintaining analog soul. The GB-001 seamlessly switches between cassette playback and wireless streaming while preserving consistent audio quality through its four-speaker configuration.

A microphone input with level control enables live recording, karaoke sessions, or commentary tracks, with dual wireless microphone compatibility supporting collaborative performances. Multiple input options accommodate various music sources simultaneously through the 3.5mm auxiliary input that handles turntables and CD players. Guitar input transforms the system into a portable amplifier for impromptu musical expression, making the GB-001 a central hub for multiple audio devices rather than another single-purpose gadget competing for outlet space. Social features encourage group participation through capabilities that streaming services cannot replicate. Multiple microphone inputs support karaoke sessions and collaborative performances, while the substantial carrying handle enables transport for gatherings, outdoor activities, or travel sessions.

Audio Architecture Built for Social Sharing

Internal amplification drives four dedicated speakers through separate Class D amplifiers optimized for different frequency ranges. Two 32-watt woofers handle bass response and midrange content, while dual 20-watt tweeters ensure clear vocal reproduction and extended treble clarity.

Dynamic power control reduces harmonic distortion across all volume levels, while built-in equalization maintains natural sound characteristics regardless of input source. Spatial processing technology widens the stereo image beyond the physical speaker placement, creating immersive soundstage reproduction despite the compact form factor. The combined 104-watt RMS output provides sufficient volume for both intimate listening and party environments without distortion during loud musical passages. The substantial weight provides stability during transport while the integrated carrying handle maintains portability for music sessions anywhere power outlets cannot reach.

Battery Independence Powers All-Day Music Sessions

The user-replaceable 14.8V, 3000mAh lithium-ion battery system delivers genuine independence from wall outlets. Runtime extends up to 15 hours in tape mode and 28 hours using auxiliary inputs, providing all-day music enjoyment for gatherings, travel, or outdoor activities. The replaceable battery design prevents obsolescence issues that plague sealed portable electronics. This independence transforms the GB-001 from wall-dependent equipment into truly portable music creation and sharing platform.

The GB-001 launches during sustained growth in physical music format sales, with cassette purchases increasing over 400% in the past decade. This trend reflects consumer desire for intentional music curation and ownership rather than rental-based streaming access that disappears without warning or explanation. Market validation comes from their previous WE-001 success, proving demand exists for analog-digital hybrid products that serve contemporary needs through vintage-inspired functionality. The pricing targets serious music enthusiasts willing to prioritize experience quality over convenience alone, positioning the device as premium specialty audio equipment rather than commodity electronics.

Production timing aligns with renewed interest in tactile music experiences, addressing listener fatigue from algorithmic curation and subscription uncertainty. The GB-001 offers genuine ownership of musical experiences through physical media creation, something streaming services fundamentally cannot provide regardless of subscription tier or premium features. Users control their music destiny through mixtape creation, live recording, and collaborative audio sessions that create lasting memories rather than disposable digital interactions.

The post We Are Rewind’s GB-001 Uses Analog Power to Finally Solve Digital Audio Fatigue first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Canvas HiFi’s €10,000 Soundbar Makes the Samsung TV Frame Look Like Art at IFA 2025

Every year, the halls of IFA in Berlin are littered with products trying to solve the “black rectangle problem.” Tech companies, especially TV manufacturers, have been on a quest to make their dominant, screen-based products disappear into our living spaces. We have seen TVs that mimic paintings, speakers disguised as lamps, and projectors that promise cinematic experiences from a tiny box. These efforts are often clever, but they usually feel like acts of concealment rather than true integration. They try to hide the technology, apologizing for its very presence in our carefully curated homes, which always strikes me as a missed opportunity. A truly great design should not just hide; it should enhance its environment.

This year, a Danish newcomer, CANVAS HiFi, arrived with what might be the most assertive and elegant solution yet. In a striking collaboration with Samsung, CANVAS has introduced The HiFi Frame, a product that frames the television, quite literally, with high-fidelity audio and art. It wraps Samsung’s flagship TVs in a beautifully crafted enclosure that houses a powerful sound system, effectively transforming the entire setup into a single, cohesive piece of functional art. It presents the television and its audio not as something to be hidden, but as a deliberate centerpiece, a gallery piece for sound and image. It is an audacious move that shifts the conversation from concealment to celebration.

Designers: Carsten Beck and CANVAS HiFi

Tethering your wagon to Samsung’s flagship TV lineup is a smart, if focused, decision. This approach guarantees a level of picture quality that matches the audio ambition, creating a unified system for consumers who value both. The HiFi Frame is built to accommodate Samsung’s premium TVs from 55 to 85 inches, with a price tag that floats between €5,000 and €10,000 depending on the size and materials chosen. This is certainly not a casual purchase; it is a statement piece aimed at a market that prioritizes aesthetic cohesion and is willing to pay for it. The product’s flexibility, allowing it to adapt to various high-end Samsung models, also suggests that this is a long-term platform, not a one-off gimmick.

The acoustic engineering here is what separates this from a simple, overpriced soundbar bolted to a TV. CANVAS is making a bold claim, stating its system delivers the authority of a 12-inch subwoofer without the bulky, separate box. Inside the frame’s 24-liter cabinet, two 6.5-inch woofers and a pair of 5×8-inch passive radiators from the well-respected SB Acoustics handle the low end, while a Burr-Brown DAC manages the digital-to-analog conversion. The system also incorporates BACCH 3D sound processing, which aims for genuine spatial realism by canceling crosstalk between channels, a far more sophisticated approach than the typical simulated surround sound that bounces audio off your walls. It is a purist’s take on immersive audio.

What elevates the entire concept is the collaboration with Danish artist Carsten Beck. The front cover of the HiFi Frame, which conceals the speakers, is a physical piece of Beck’s geometric art, available in finishes like Kvadrat textiles and FSC-certified wood. This physical artwork is then mirrored digitally on the Samsung TV’s Art Mode when it is not in use, creating a fascinating dialogue between the analog texture of the frame and the digital light of the screen. It is this thoughtful layering of art, design, and technology that makes The HiFi Frame feel so complete. This is an integrated system designed from the ground up to be a single, curated expression for the modern home.

The post Canvas HiFi’s €10,000 Soundbar Makes the Samsung TV Frame Look Like Art at IFA 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Aukey Debuts Modular Wireless Charger That Turns Into 3 Portable Power Banks at IFA 2025

Every year at IFA, we see a hundred different takes on the wireless charger, and almost all of them are boring. They’re faster, or thinner, or have one more coil than last year’s model. It’s a category that has felt stuck in a loop of minor iteration, a solution that only halfway solves the problem of cable clutter by creating its own form of desk clutter. But every once in a while, a company shows up with an idea so practical and yet so ambitious that it snaps you to attention. This year, that company is Aukey, and the product is the MagFusion Ark, a system that treats wireless power not as a static pad on a table, but as a flexible, living utility within your space.

Aukey is calling it the world’s first modular true wireless charger, and for once, the marketing speak feels earned. The concept is brilliantly simple; imagine your charging setup was built like LEGOs. The MagFusion Ark consists of a main base that can hold up to three devices, and docked on top are three detachable spheres. These spheres are not just passive charging points; they are self-contained power banks. You can charge your phone on a sphere while it’s docked, then just grab the sphere with the phone still attached and walk out the door. This “drop-to-charge, grab-to-go” idea completely reframes the relationship between stationary and portable power, merging them into one seamless system.

Designer: Aukey

They didn’t skimp on the core technology, either. The entire system is built on the new Qi2.2 standard, which is a big deal for future-proofing and compatibility across brands. Each of the six total charging points, three on the base and one on each sphere, can deliver up to 25W of wireless power. That means you could simultaneously fast charge six smartphones without a significant drop in performance, a scenario that would bring most multi-device chargers to their knees. For a busy household or a shared office desk, this solves the constant battle for the fastest charging spot. Aukey also baked in an active cooling system, a critical feature for maintaining those high speeds without cooking your device’s battery over time.

The real cleverness is in how these spheres get their juice. Aukey has integrated what it calls Rx-Tx technology, meaning the spheres can both receive (Rx) and transmit (Tx) power wirelessly at the same time. While a sphere is sitting on the base, it’s wirelessly recharging its internal battery while simultaneously passing power through to the phone sitting on top of it. This makes the system truly wireless. Unlike other systems where the “portable” part has to be plugged in to recharge, the Ark’s spheres are always topped up and ready to go, eliminating that extra step of remembering to charge your power bank.

When you do pop a sphere off the base, it becomes a seriously capable accessory on its own. Each one packs a 6700 mAh battery, which is enough for a full charge on most modern smartphones. It also includes a 30W USB-C PD 3.0 port for fast wired charging in both directions, so you can charge the sphere itself or another device with a cable if you need to. The spheres also double as magnetic stands, perfect for propping up your phone for a video call or watching content. This multi-function design consolidates the need for a separate charger, power bank, and stand into a single, elegant object.

Aukey is clearly thinking about scalability, planning to release one and two-device bases in addition to the flagship three-device version when it launches in the first quarter of 2026. You’ll even be able to buy the spheres separately to expand your setup. It’s a bold and holistic approach to a problem everyone else has been tackling with half-measures. While we’ll have to see how it performs in the real world, the MagFusion Ark is the most exciting idea to hit the charging market in years. It’s not just another accessory; it’s a full-blown power infrastructure designed for how we actually live with our devices.

The post Aukey Debuts Modular Wireless Charger That Turns Into 3 Portable Power Banks at IFA 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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100 large-scale migrant portraits transform venice’s iconic procuratie facade

100 Black-and-White Portraits Transform the Procuratie Facade

 

Until September 7th, 2025, Venice’s St. Mark’s Square becomes the stage for Dreams in Transit, a large-scale installation dedicated to the stories and aspirations of migrants. Curated by the Art for Action Foundation and inspired by JR’s Inside Out Project, the work transforms the facade of the historic Procuratie with 100 oversized black-and-white portraits. Installed on one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the project brings the subject of migration into the symbolic center of Venice, confronting passersby with both absence and belonging.

 

The portraits stem from an eight-month journey across Europe by filmmaker and artist Sarah Makharine, who met with 100 recently arrived migrants, listening to their stories and collecting their dreams. Unlike conventional portraiture, each subject is photographed from behind, gazing outward. This unusual perspective shifts attention away from facial identity toward collective experience, evoking both departure and the horizon of possibility. 

 

The intervention forms part of After Migration, a wider program launched during the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, which examines the long-term social, cultural, and political dimensions of migration. It also resonates with the work of The Human Safety Net’s For Refugees initiative, which since 2017 has supported over 13,000 refugees across six countries through entrepreneurship and training.

all images by Maco Film – Leonardo Mizar, unless stated otherwise

 

 

Migration Narratives at The Human Safety Net home in venice

 

Beyond the public square, the exhibition extends into The Home of The Human Safety Net, where Dreams in Transit, curated by the Art for Action Foundation, continues until March 15th, 2026. Inside, artists and filmmakers expand on the themes of displacement and identity. Sarah Makharine presents the video Echoes of Dreams, while works by Ange Leccia, Lorraine de Sagazan, Anouk Maugein, and the late Leila Alaoui offer contrasting lenses on migration’s personal and collective narratives. The installations trace how stories of movement and loss intersect with resilience and creativity.

 

A conference, organized with the International Panel on Social Progress, is also part of the program. Associations, researchers, and experts convene at The Home of The Human Safety Net to explore the enduring consequences of migration. During the Venice Film Festival, the short film Sweet Refuge, directed by Maryam Mir and already the recipient of nine international awards, will be screened, followed by a discussion with producer and curator Anadil Hossain. 

 

By occupying Venice’s central square and one of its historic facades, Dreams in Transit insists that migration is a subject that shapes the shared public sphere. 

Venice’s St. Mark’s Square becomes the stage for Dreams in Transit

a large-scale installation dedicated to the stories and aspirations of migrants | image by LungoLinea Studio

inspired by JR’s Inside Out Project

the work transforms the facade of the historic Procuratie

100 oversized black-and-white portraits compose the project | image by LungoLinea Studio

installed on one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks

Dreams in Transit brings the subject of migration into the symbolic center of Venice | image by LungoLinea Studio

the portraits stem from an eight-month journey across Europe by Sarah Makharine | image by LungoLinea Studio

each subject is photographed from behind | image by LungoLinea Studio

this perspective shifts attention away from facial identity | image by LungoLinea Studio

Dreams in Transit insists that migration is a subject that shapes the shared public sphere | image by LungoLinea Studio

 

 

project info:

 

name: Dreams in Transit

curation: Art for Action Foundation | @artforaction_foundation

location: Procuratie, St. Mark’s Square, Venice

dates: installation, September 3rd–7th, 2025 | exhibition until March 15th, 2026

artists: Sarah Makharine | @sarah.makharine, Ange Leccia | @ange_leccia, Lorraine de Sagazan, Anouk Maugein | @anoukmaugein, Leila Alaoui | @leilaalaoui

The post 100 large-scale migrant portraits transform venice’s iconic procuratie facade appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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Instagram’s iPad App Finally Solves the 15-Year Tablet Frustration Through Design-First Thinking

Fifteen years. That’s how long iPad users have endured the awkward, blown-up iPhone version of Instagram, pinching and zooming through pixelated posts while watching the device that practically invented modern tablets get ignored by one of the world’s biggest social platforms. What makes a company overlook the device that defined mobile computing’s future? The answer reveals everything about how tech companies really prioritize design decisions.

Designers: Meta + Apple

Meta finally released Instagram’s native iPad app, but this represents far more than a belated platform expansion. The app’s interface decisions demonstrate a fundamental shift in how social platforms approach large-screen experiences. Instead of simply scaling up phone interfaces, Instagram reimagined content consumption for tablets in ways that could reshape how we interact with visual media across all screen sizes.

Why Fifteen Years of Waiting Actually Makes Design Sense

The delay stemmed from a deeper design philosophy question rather than technical incompetence or corporate spite. How do you translate an intimate, personal sharing experience to a device that encourages collaborative and communal viewing? Phones promote private, immediate consumption. Tablets invite sharing, discussion, and extended engagement periods with multiple people gathered around the screen.

This fundamental difference explains Instagram’s decision to launch directly into Reels rather than the traditional feed. Watching short-form videos feels natural on larger screens, mimicking the lean-back experience of television while maintaining social media’s interactive elements.

The interface reorganization extends beyond simple scaling. Stories appear above Reels rather than above the feed, acknowledging that tablet users consume content differently than phone users. The larger screen real estate enables simultaneous content viewing and interaction, with comments displaying alongside videos rather than overlaying them. These design choices recognize that tablet usage patterns differ fundamentally from mobile phone behaviors.

How Design Thinking Shaped Every Interface Decision

Instagram’s iPad app demonstrates sophisticated understanding of spatial design principles that go beyond responsive layouts. The new “Following” tab introduces three distinct content filters that leverage the tablet’s expanded interface capabilities. “All” combines algorithmic recommendations with followed accounts, “Friends” shows mutual connections, and “Latest” provides chronological ordering.

The messaging integration exemplifies thoughtful multi-panel design that treats tablets as distinct computing devices rather than oversized phones. Users can view their conversation list while simultaneously engaging in specific chats, similar to desktop email clients.

What This Reveals About Platform Strategy Evolution

Instagram’s tablet strategy illuminates broader shifts in social media design philosophy that extend beyond feature additions. The app’s video-first approach reflects TikTok’s influence on content consumption patterns across all platforms. By launching directly into Reels, Instagram acknowledges that short-form video has become the dominant social media format regardless of device type.

The timing coincides with increasing recognition that tablets deserve platform-specific consideration rather than afterthought adaptations. The company spent considerable development resources creating interface paradigms that work specifically for larger screens, suggesting confidence that tablet usage will continue growing rather than declining.

Multi-device synchronization capabilities suggest Instagram envisions tablets as complement devices rather than phone replacements. Users can start content creation on phones and finish on tablets, or begin conversations on tablets and continue on phones. This ecosystem approach positions Instagram as a platform that works seamlessly across device categories rather than favoring mobile-first design.

The keyboard and trackpad support reflects deeper consideration of how people actually use tablets in various contexts. Whether propped on a desk, held casually, or used with accessories, the app adapts to different input methods without compromising functionality.

What This Reveals About Design Innovation and Future Strategy

Instagram’s tablet strategy illuminates broader shifts in social media design philosophy. By launching directly into Reels, Instagram acknowledges that short-form video has become the dominant social media format regardless of device type.

The company spent considerable development resources creating interface paradigms that work specifically for larger screens. This suggests confidence that tablet usage will continue growing.

Multi-device synchronization capabilities suggest Instagram envisions tablets as complement devices rather than phone replacements. Users can start content creation on phones and finish on tablets.

The side-by-side comment display during video viewing could influence how other media platforms handle user engagement on larger screens. Professional content creators gain new tools for managing their Instagram presence through the improved interface design.

Instagram’s design choices validate tablets as distinct computing categories. The social media landscape increasingly recognizes that optimal user experiences require device-specific design thinking rather than universal approaches.

After fifteen years of waiting, iPad users finally have an Instagram experience designed specifically for their device category. More importantly, the app demonstrates that patient, thoughtful design can create experiences that feel both familiar and innovative. Sometimes the best technological advances come not from rushing to market, but from understanding exactly what users need from their technology in different contexts.

The post Instagram’s iPad App Finally Solves the 15-Year Tablet Frustration Through Design-First Thinking first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Space-Saving Design Tricks in a Tiny Parisian Apartment

Paris-based architecture firm Beth X Episteme, a/k/a Marie Fleur Same & Bertrand Harold Emgoue, were tasked with making a tiny Parisian flat livable. The space has just a kitchen, a bathroom and a single room. The pair used a number of space-saving tricks to wring maximum utility out of a few scant square meters.

The interior wall conceals a Murphy bed.

The platform supporting the bed features tons of storage.

One of the panels raises up to become a table.

The design is about “Optimizing space without compromising charm and comfort,” the duo write. “An approach that enhances every square meter revealing the full potential of the place. Because living in a small space does not mean giving up on uniqueness.”

You can see more of their work here.

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Dangbei to Unveil AI-Powered Fish Tank and Ultra-Bright 4K Projector at IFA 2025

What I’ve learned about fish since getting my first aquarium is that they’re surprisingly delicate creatures. One small mistake: overfeeding, wrong temperature, poor water quality, or an imbalanced ecosystem, and these little babies will quickly perish. I’ll be honest: even as someone graying his hair in the overdose of AI in everyday life, I never imagined the convenience of an AI-powered fish tank. One that would understand what the fish need, anticipate problems, and maybe, yes, just maybe, help them live longer.

Chinese tech brand Dangbei seems to have put the foot on the pedal and driven straight into IFA 2025 with their Smart Fish Tank 1 Ultra. It is an aquarium backed with smart features to provide fish with an inhabitable ecosystem, while using AI to maintain temperature, clean water, and even feed them automatically. Wouldn’t this pretty little thing floating next to me love this?

Designer: Dangbei

Alongside the Tank 1 Ultra, Dangbei is making a significant gesture to the global community with the international debut of its S7 Ultra Max at IFA Berlin. It’s the company’s first-gen liquid cooling projector that touts new highs of brightness. The projector was launched in China earlier this year. The China variant of the 4K S7 Ultra Max projector toured 48 laser-light sources offering 5800 CVIA lumens of brightness. Launching globally at IFA, the 4K projector is likely to have ridiculously high brightness of 6,200 ISO lumen. Of course, that’s way too much to believe. But considering the CVIA is a far stricter standard than ISO – 5800 CVIA and 6,200 ISO lumens, both seem justifiable. What’s official will be known at the official launch only, but that doesn’t take away the fact that this projector will feature 48 RGB laser sources, Dolby Vision, and support for HDR10+, so that the visuals it produces are way beyond the expected realm. The $2,250 S7 Ultra Max is likely to feature dual 15W speakers and have an 8000:1 native contrast ratio.

Coming back to the other important unveil scheduled in Berlin, the Smart Fish Tank 1 Ultra is arguably the first-of-its-type aquarium. The high-tech fish tank, as Bangbei prefers to call it, is likely to arrive with dual air pumps and dual circulation filtration. Besides, all of the other aspects in here are automated. Using AI, the aquarium can automatically feed the fish on a need basis. It can monitor the quality of the air and water in the tanks, while keeping tabs on the water temperature to maintain it optimally. For some aesthetic appeal, Dangbei has added studio-grade lighting to the tank that, courtesy of AI, also ensures a self-sustaining ecosystem for the fish and other aquatic inhabitants. Fish Tank 1 Ultra, S7 Ultra Max, and a slew of other products are likely to be unveiled to IFA 2025 audiences at Booth H21-127 in Messe Berlin.

The post Dangbei to Unveil AI-Powered Fish Tank and Ultra-Bright 4K Projector at IFA 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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TECNO Slim Unveils Ultra-Thin Phones With Curved AMOLED at IFA 2025

Remember when TECNO first showed off their impossibly thin smartphone concept at MWC 2025? That 5.75mm prototype generated plenty of buzz, but it also left many of us wondering whether such an extreme design could ever make it to production without major compromises. Fast forward to IFA 2025, and TECNO has delivered not one but two ultra-slim smartphones that prove thin doesn’t have to mean fragile or underpowered.

The TECNO Spark Slim and TECNO Pova Slim 5G measure just 5.93mm and 5.95mm, respectively, making them the world’s thinnest smartphones with 3D-curved AMOLED displays. While slightly thicker than the original concept, these production models represent thoughtful engineering decisions that prioritize real-world durability over chasing absolute minimum thickness. TECNO re-engineered eight core components, including a custom 0.45mm Type-C connector inspired by foldable devices, and arranged them using proprietary Honeycomb space stacking technology for 12% better internal space utilization.

Designer: TECNO

The breakthrough in structural engineering becomes apparent when you consider the materials involved. The aerospace-grade fiberglass back cover measures just 0.36mm thick yet delivers 300% greater strength and 200% greater toughness than standard composite plates. Combined with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection, IP64 water and dust resistance, and military-grade shock certification, these phones prove that ultra-thin design can coexist with genuine durability rather than forcing users to choose between style and substance.

Battery life typically represents the biggest compromise in ultra-thin phones, but TECNO’s engineering team found an elegant solution. The 5160mAh high-density lithium cobalt oxide battery measures just 4.04mm thick and includes intelligent health algorithms that maintain 80% capacity after 2000 charge cycles. Paired with 45W fast charging and advanced thermal management through a 0.3mm vapor chamber covering 24,532mm² of heat dissipation area, these phones deliver reliable all-day performance without overheating during intensive use.

The display experience matches the engineering ambition, featuring 1.5K resolution curved AMOLED screens with 144Hz refresh rates and up to 4500 nits peak brightness for excellent outdoor visibility. TECNO added playful interactive elements like the Mood Light design on the back, where animated circular eyes respond to notifications and charging status with different emotional expressions. The AI integration feels genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, offering real-time translation, Circle-to-Search functionality, and the Ella AI assistant alongside practical features like FreeLink for device connectivity without network requirements.

What makes the Spark Slim series particularly impressive is how TECNO transformed a concept phone into production reality in just six months while addressing every major limitation that has historically plagued ultra-thin smartphones. The dual-model approach serves different user needs with the Helio G200-powered 4G Spark Slim for efficiency and the Dimensity 6400-equipped Pova Slim 5G for performance, proving that innovative design can scale across market segments without compromising the core vision.

The post TECNO Slim Unveils Ultra-Thin Phones With Curved AMOLED at IFA 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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A Pneumatically-Height-Adjustable Candleholder

Brooklyn-based Dan McMahon is an industrial designer with a sense of humor. “I designed a very serious object to be taken seriously,” he writes of his Rise + Shine design. The object in question is a pneumatically-height-adjustable candleholder:

“Rise + Shine is a height-adjustable candleholder inspired by a collection of idiosyncratic 19th century candleholders at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA with the same function.”

“The object is humorously direct in its evocation of arousal, a quality which came out of the mechanics-forward exploratory design process. By squeezing the rubber bulb, air pushes a candlestick up to the desired height. By twisting the release knob, the candle can drop down into the aluminum cylinder.”

McMahon batch-produced a bunch of these for an exhibition; there are no production plans.