A natural celestial body that revolves around a planet in its orbit is a natural satellite. One that orbits around the earth and is man-made is an artificial satellite. And now one that intends to revolve around you – not literally – but the transition between your music consumption requirements is called the Satellite: A pair of headphones that turns into a portable speaker or, if you may, a speaker you can wear as headphones on your morning walk with your pooch.

This idea of headphones that can turn into a speaker is instantly enticing. The main reason is that such concepts have rarely borne fruit. Perhaps because by virtue the speakers in the headphones are designed and optimized to sound good in the ear and placing them on the desk – to function as a speaker – makes them sound rather frail.

Designer: Changhwi Kim

One iteration that comes to mind, and touches on the idea somewhat, is a pair of Bluetooth headphones from Veenax that could transform into a speaker. The headphones had cups you could twist outward in speaker mode and inwards while listening to music through headphones. Either way, you could have them around the neck, but it lacked the loud voice of a speaker. Some interesting takes on this concept have floated since, but none like the one idealized by designer Changhwi Kim in the Satellite.

This pair of headphones with speaker abilities is made to complement our lifestyle so you can enjoy the sound in your diverse activities throughout the day. The designer notes, “when you’re walking alone in a noisy city, it functions as headphones.” In moments shared with others, say in a gathering of friends or while playing with your kid, “it transforms into a speaker.”

There is no technical information regarding the product that we can share. From the design standpoint, that has been awarded the Red Dot Award 2024 in the Design Concept category, this resembles an Amazon’s Echo Dot with a handle when in speaker mode. For the headphone mode, the speaker ball splits in half to form two cups attached to the handle that now rests over the head. Designed in three enticing color options, the Satellite is a sound object imagined to adapt to these different situations, enhancing your music experience in all of them!

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Stokholm-based audio innovator Transparent is well-versed in the subtle art of manufacturing audio equipment, particularly speakers. As clear from their naming convention, it’s all about see-through design in their speaker and turntable designs. For a change, they’ve parted way with the transparent aesthetics to design a speaker that pays homage to the UK’s brutalist architecture common in the 1950s and 1960s.

This is the Brutalist Speaker crafted after three years of deep in-house R&D, keeping the minimalist aesthetics and signature sound technology intact. The audio system is 60cm tall and weighs a solid 12 kg, making it a statement piece in any interiors. So much time invested in the design resulted in dynamic acoustic properties for immersive and clear sound delivery. They support hi-res audio up to 192kHz and 24-bits for superior audio quality.

Designer: Transparent

This loudspeaker is well in line with Transparent’s mission to be the first circular tech brand courtesy of the 70 percent consumer-recycled aluminum construction. Hidden underneath that stellar body are the dual three-inch tweeters at an angle of 90 degrees and the bass reflex drivers carefully positioned to deliver thumping audio without compromising clarity and balance. The soundstage is very wide and lifelike, ideal for watching high-octane content. Supported audio formats include MP3, FLAC, WAV and more. For streaming music lovers, the audio accessory is perfect since it is Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and Tidal Connect compatible.

Brutalist Speaker is a perfect fusion of bold architecture and sonic sound since it byproduct of the brand’s core aspirations. As Transparent Creative Director Per Brickstad rightly puts this project forth as a venture that brings “legendary architectural style into people’s homes, and to bring the worlds of architecture and design closer together.” Brickstand further adds that this speaker is a manifestation of a longing for aesthetic sophistication and technical simplicity.

Bringing close cutting-edge tech and sculptural design, the new loudspeaker is both an artistic centerpiece and a high-performance device. For those who cherish refined speaker design and sublime audio quality, the Brutalist Speaker is the one to buy right away. The audio accessory is available in two finishes – Black and Metal, priced at $4000.

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Haute horologists have been targeting sleek and futuristic watches that innovate mechanics and complications without adding bulk. Belgium-based watchmaker Ressence watches is building on this image with added emphasis on minimalism – replacing conventional hands with series of smaller disks for an inventive take on the method of time-telling.

The company started in 2010 but is already making watches, unlike any other brand on the market. Case in point is the new limited-edition watch with a dial threaded using indigo-dyed silk fabric. It is made in collaboration with Swiss Art & Métiers artisans, who have weaved a spectrum of colors that like the rings of a tree depict the passing of time created through shades of electric blue to almost black tones at places.

Designer: Ressence

Ressence has selected its Type 8 model – the newest in its repertoire – for the indigo treatment. This 42.9mm grade 5 titanium case watch, launched in 2022, is the brand’s lightest model and measures only 11mm thick. The crownless timepiece is wound and set by turning the caseback that powers the solitary rotating minute hand while the smaller subdial reads the hours. Both orbit on the same plate while blue-glowing Super-LumiNova fills the engraved indications for legibility in all light conditions.

The Ressence Type 8 Indigo carries the same look, feel, and ethos of its worked-upon compatriot but distinguishes itself with the handmade métiers d’art dial woven with indigo-dyed silk thread measuring 2.5 meters in length and only 0.20 mm in diameter and the cutouts around the edges to lock in the thread. This is a strictly limited-edition watch, made in only eight examples, wherein the hypnotizing weaving has been carried out through precision handcrafting over two days on each timepiece.

Featuring a polished grade 5 titanium case and a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the inside along the silk threaded dial, Ressence Type 8 Indigo is powered by Ressence ROCS 8 automatic ETA 2892/2 base calibre offering 36-hour power reserve. The watch comes paired to a Saffiano calfskin strap and is now available starting November 25 for CHF 25,000 (approximately $28,000).

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If an idea is the life of a product story, its design is the oxygen to keep it alive. Design however doesn’t have to always reinvent the wheel to visualize an idea; it can sometimes just draw inspiration and reimagine the familiar with a new breath of air. The Modern-day Vintage Alarm Clock & Wristwatch combo by a young designer on Behance is an embodiment of this. It is a beautiful blend of nostalgia with modernity that would strike a chord with minimalists and vintage lovers alike.

The wristwatch and alarm clock concept envisioned with the inspiration of what’s existed in the past, isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about telling that vintage tale with new characterization and symbolism. Through the idea of these analog timepieces, the designer draws us to appreciate the past and embrace the innovative simplicity that forms the mainstay of her work.

Designer: Elif Bulut

The clean lines and the smooth finish of the cases – of both the watch and the clock – are instant enticers, but the charm lies in their dials. The center of the dial is minimalist, it features four strokes marking the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. This unembellished center amplifies the retro aesthetic while the timepieces scale up to modernism high with a labyrinth-style periphery of the center.

This labyrinth-style dial layout with two colored balls acting as hour and minute indicators of an analog timepiece is a playful way of telling the time. Idealistically, the balls glide along the labyrinth paths to represent time, in their way transforming every glance at the watch/clock into simple to see and clutter-free to read.

The design of the alarm clock leans heavily into its vintage roots. Its visual charm is accentuated by its two-pusher top that reminds of the classic bedside clocks from yesteryears. The square face of the clock is complemented with the similar silhouette of the watch which comes paired with a sleek silicone strap ensuring comfort without compromising style.

The overwhelming digital minimalism of the watch and the accompanying clock is not only for the collectors and horologists to spend a moment with, it is for me, an encouraging concept for other designers to think in the past and design in the present. Its balance of ingenuity and simplicity is overpowering to look, but that at no point understates the basic time-telling function of these timepieces.

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Watchmaker Audemars Piguet tends to blend contemporary pop culture facets into the Royal Oak design philosophy. Its latest creation the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” is a true embodiment of this. In creating this watch – that intends to explore new boundaries of art and haute horology – AP is joined by KAWS, a Brooklyn-based front-running artist in the contemporary pop art scene.

The resulting KAWS x Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” is no short of charisma, even considering the fact that it is only limited to 250 examples. Making it incredibly elite and enticing in the same breath is the iconic KAWS Companion character – a grayscale cartoon mouse with a skull and crossbones for its head and eyes made from crosses, trapped inside the face of the watch with its palms pressing against the sapphire crystal.

Designer: Audemars Piguet xx KAWS

The watch’s spectacular dial with the ‘Companion’ at the center grows interesting with the surrounding hour and minute hands, featuring luminescent coating, that move in the periphery of the movement. Audemars Piguet calls it the peripheral time display that might create many aesthetic possibilities especially in such watches when a statement figure or identity at the heart of the dial does not anymore block the time-telling hands.

The Companion, revealing the tourbillon cage on its chest, sits on top of the Royal Oak’s sunburst-brushed titanium dial plate with its X-shaped eyes glowing in the dark with grey lacquer. The KAWS x Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” features a 43mm sandblasted titanium case and black ceramic crown, and measures only 17.4mm thick. Even with the visually dominant character inside, made from brushed and sandblasted titanium, the AP Royal Oak does not tip the scale too much, the titanium watch is surprisingly lightweight for everyday use.

In the past 50-plus years, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has been through numerous iterations. Still, its design aesthetics including the tonneau-shaped case and the apparent eight hexagonal screws on the bezel have remained unchanged. It’s true with the Companion edition as well, which sees hexagonal screws earmarked in KAWS ‘X’ motif. The watch itself is powered by hand-wound 2979 movement that beats at 3Hz and offers 72 hours of power reserve. The caseback carries the KAWS branding, Audemars Piguet logo, and the words “Limited Edition of 250 pieces,” engraved on it. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon “Companion” comes with a dark grey calfskin leather strap or choice of and a slate grey calfskin strap and is priced at 200,000 CHF (approx. $220,000) through Audemars Piguet boutiques.

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Winters are setting in and it’s time to snuggle up in puffer jackets to shield your body from losing heat to the frigid conditions outside. This time of the year can be quite dull as one prefers being in the cocoon and not indulging in much fun in daily life.

The MERTRA Heat Reactive Jacket is here to break the monotony with its unique features that’ll have you up and dancing. The Australian brand is slowly gaining popularity, especially in the UK given the cold year-round weather. Their latest creation, the Heat Reactive Puffer Jacket is more than just a cozy winter wear, and it’ll further increase their brand awareness worldwide.

Designer: MERTRA

Normally a stylish jacket you can sport every day on the commute, the piece of clothing has some wizardry hidden in its design. Only when it is exposed to the elements like heat or water, does the stylish wear turn into a canvas of color and play. Yes, the puffer jacket instantly shifts colors for a visually striking experience for the onlookers. If someone slaps their hand on the jacket it’ll create a hand pattern since the body has a heat signature. Yes, this jacket is very sensitive to any heat or water exposure, so you’ll have limitless options to create a unique canvas. Now, that’s going to lift the spirits and get everyone in the mood for some fun.

The apparel will launch on 29 November via the official website and more details are expected to come in about this fashion wear. There is no word on the pricing of the Heated Puffer Jacket yet but we expect it to be more than their normal range of products.

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Jaguar XJS is one classic car that retains its distinct charm even after decades of going out of production. British tuning company Tom Walkinshaw Racing known for creating renowned performance car restomods has now focused attention on the XJS. Meet the TWR Supercat, a stunning racy version of the XJS announced just in time for the rebranding of Jaguar as it heads into the EV-only future.

The hot two-wheeler shares its design inspiration with the car manufacturer’s other racing models like the XJR-15 and XJ220. Concealed underneath that carbon body bonnet is a supercharged 5.6L V12 engine tuned by the engineering wizards at TWR. No doubt it produces 660bhp and 730Nm of torque. All the power is transmitted to the rear wheels mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Designer: Tom Walkinshaw Racing

To keep the overall weight down, the body panels are made out of carbon fiber material. This reduces the overall weight down to 1,605 compared to the 1,770 of the XJS. The Super GT racer is not shy of being labeled as a muscle car purely because of its bold looks and power-packed performance under the hood. Khyzyl Saleem and Magnus Walker are the brains behind the design of this sculpted creation in a singular steel hue. The side profile carries embossed lines and the front has an aggressive element with the bonnet and grilles. Move to the rear and you’ll be stunned by the upper tail peaks flowing like an aerodynamic surfer’s surfboard.

The signature DNA of the XJR is perfectly blended with the flying buttresses optimizing the airflow at high speeds. The rear splitter and the flatter floorpain tune the handling when downforce is generated. To this end, the exhaust is reposited on the sides which looks absolutely cool. On the inside, the Supercat is embellished in leather with contemporary or heritage options to choose from. Once you are inside, the XJS influence is more than apparent as the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel are all draped in leather treatment. This classic influence is complemented by the more modern digital multimedia interface which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compliant.

TWR Supercat is going to be a limited edition version of which only 88 units will be made. The car will be available in both left and right-hand drive versions in the UK, the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Prices for the retro-modern supercar will start from $285,000 and we’re sure it will be stocked out in an instant given its charming persona and cherished history behind the creation.

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In an exciting Apple-exclusive release; the manufacturer of high-performance gear for gamers, Corsair, has launched two new versions of its iconic K65 Plus Wireless keyboard and a M75 Wireless mouse. While Apple exclusivity – the design specific for Mac users starting at $180 and $130 respectively – is the key benefit, the highlight of the new releases is the special Glacier Blue and Frost colorways that the peripherals come in.

Designed and delivered for unrivaled quality and performance, the K65 Plus Wireless keyboard features macOS-specific key legends. For connectivity with MacOS and iPadOS, it features Bluetooth or a USB receiver to pair over a 2.4GHz wireless network. The keyboard, tailored a little for Apple aesthetics and convenience, boasts up to 266 hours of battery life if the integrated RGB lights are disabled.

Designer: Corsair

Thi La, President and COO of Corsair said, that though the K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard is “Purpose-built for gaming and productivity on Mac, everyone from students, creators, businesses and more are going to love them.” He added that the “K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard and the M75 Wireless Mouse truly are the perfect blend of Apple aesthetics and performance.”

Coming back to the keyboard, it is 75 percent gaming keyboard and 25 percent customizable, comprising hot swappable CORSAIR MLX Red v2 linear switches for incredible typing. The K65 Plus Wireless keyboard features two sound-dampening layers for a pleasant acoustic experience and has a multi-function knob in the top right corner that allows quick switching between multiple wirelessly connected devices.

Along with the K65 arrives the M75 Wireless Mouse which offers a 26,000 DPI optical sensor and is expertly designed for ambidextrous Mac users. Weighing only 89 grams, the mouse has been designed with two-zone RGB and features SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS connectivity for near-zero latency. Both the keyboard and the mouse variants interface with Corsair iCUE for enhanced customization including lighting control and reprogramming the keys.

If you’re interested, the $180 K65 Plus Wireless Keyboard and the $130 M75 Wireless Mouse are currently only selling through the Apple Store. Corsair is backing the Glacier Blue or Frost-colored keyboard and mouse with a two-year warranty, while the mouse.

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There are two interesting facts about the tennis GOAT: Novak Djokovic. He is one of the only five players in the history of the game to win all four grand slams and the Olympic gold medal in singles event. And that he is the brand ambassador of the watchmaking legacy at Hublot. The horologist has been on the wrist with the achievements of the 24-time grand slam winner Djokovic since they served the partnership ace in 2021.

Hublot is now substantiating its commitment toward the Serbian legend and honoring his achievements – including the Golden slam and Olympic medal at the gaming extravaganza in Paris – with the launch of Big Bang Unico Noval Djokovic. The watch inspired by Djokovic’s record-breaking achievements is Hublot’s attribute to the tennis great’s agility on the court and its inclination toward sustainable innovations in watchmaking.

Designer: Hublot

To that accord, the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic has been made from parts of his actual rackets and on-court kits. The 42mm case Hublot with Djokovic’s name, measures 14.5mm at the thickest point, and features an epoxy resin base with quartz powder reinforcement. It has been fused with the recycled fragments of 25 HEAD racquets and 32 Lacoste polos (17 dark blue and 15 light blue) that Djokovic used in the 2023 season to complete the matte blue recycled composite case and bezel of the watch.

The skeletonized dial of the watch, with yellow seconds pusher and bezel screws curved to mimic a ball, makes clever references to tennis. It rests under a tempered Gorilla glass that replaces the sapphire glass from the previous Big Bang’s. The Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic has been created lighter than a tennis ball at just 49.5g and is powered by a PVD-finished in-house self-winding Unico manufacture chronograph movement offering up to 72 hours of power reserve.

While Djokovic fans would do anything to get this piece of historic relevance on their wrist, not all would have the pleasure of it. Hublot strictly limits production of the Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic to 100 examples at AUD78,700 (approximately $51,000) each. If you happen to chance upon one, you will have the option to take it home on one of the four straps: elastic sweatband, Velcro strap, white rubber strap, and a Lacoste strap.

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Let’s be honest Windows 11 is not perfect, evolving at an agonizingly slow pace. This has pushed many power users down the Apple alley. The recently launched Mac Mini has a lot going in its favor, further creating a deep divide between the Microsoft and Apple options.

As a last-ditch effort to save the glitchy Windows 11 OS and very less options to choose from that bind the hardware and software for a seamless experience, Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Link mini PC strictly limited to cloud usage in a walled environment. The portable CPU is targeted towards big organizations and businesses who give a lot of weightage to security and keeping the working environment productive.

Designer: Microsoft

Targeted towards enterprise users

This is the world’s first dedicated “boot to cloud” device that runs Windows 11 OS via the Windows 365 link on the Windows 365 servers. Priced at $349 it is specifically designed to run Windows 365 Cloud PCs, and you need a Windows 365 subscription to get started. That adds another $28 to $315 per month. It’s still not clear whether the mini PC will get the extra perk of a subscription discount as a bundle, but we hope so.

The most popular option for employees is a $66 per month per user with applications including Microsoft Teams and browsers. Include the $349 hardware cost of the Windows mini PC and you’ve got a fat bill of $2,000 for a closed ecosystem with limited applications. Compare that to the $1,300 price tag for the 15-inch touchscreen Microsoft Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip and having 256GB storage. Clearly, Microsoft’s compact PC is not targeted towards individual users, and in no way competes with Apple’s powerhouse mini PC.

Security takes center stage

This 120 x 120 x 30 mm desktop PC has a fanless design, and comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a single DisplayPort output. There’s one Ethernet port, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. The mini PC is designed for specific requirements where workers need to be quickly rotated between workstations and securely access their files. This eliminates the hassle of configuring the user settings and saving time. Also, the PC is ideal for setups where cloud-based software and hardware integration takes precedence.

Windows 365 Link will be available for purchase in April 2025 – that’s a long way off. However, one can enroll for the preview program in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. Interested users can join the program before December 15 with permission from the Microsoft account team.

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