gadgets – DesignApplause

what’s it take for apple and google to partner up? a novel covid-19 pandemic.

Apr 11, 2020

apple and google. masters of privacy. how is it even possible. here’s the concept.

apple and google just announced an unprecedented collaboration to leverage their smartphone technology to help trace and contain the spread of covid-19.

the collaboration will open up their mobile operating systems (!) to allow for the creation of advanced contact-tracing apps, which will run on iphones and android phones alike.

the apps would work by using bluetooth technology in mobile phones to keep track of every other phone a person comes into close contact with over the course of a day; if that person later finds out they have covid-19, they can use the same system to alert all those people, dating back to before they would have become infectious.

the idea is to help national governments roll out these contact-tracing apps to allow lockdowns to be lifted earlier, by letting authorities much more readily identify new clusters of infection. the technology would also help those who have been exposed to a person with covid-19 self-isolate before they themselves become infectious.

of course there are concerns. privacy for one. opting to use bluetooth rather than location services which are very secure.

“no contact-tracing app can be fully effective until there is widespread, free and quick testing and equitable access to healthcare,” jennifer granick, the surveillance and cybersecurity counsel at the aclu said. “people will only trust these systems if they protect privacy, remain voluntary, and store data on an individual’s device, not a centralized repository.”

privacy and civil liberties activists have warned that such apps need to be designed so governments cannot abuse them to track their citizens. apple and google said in a joint announcement that user privacy and security are baked into the design of their plan.

pam dixon, executive director of the world privacy forum, said she will be looking closely at the companies’ privacy assurances and for evidence that any health data they collect will be deleted once the emergency is over.

“people are dying. we have to save lives. everyone understands that,” she said. “but at some point, we’re going to have to understand the privacy consequences of this.”

security experts also note that technology alone cannot effectively track down and identify people who may have been infected by covid-19 carriers. such efforts will require other tools and teams of public healthcare workers to track people in the physical world, they say. in south korea and china, such efforts have included the use of credit card and public transit records.

given the great need for effective contact tracing, the companies will roll out their changes in two phases. in the first, they will release software in may that lets public health authorities release apps for both android and ios phones. in the coming months, they will also build this functionality directly into the underlying operating systems.

recently the companies released preliminary technical specifications for the effort, which they called privacy-preserving contact tracing.

we are grateful that this collaboration is being attempted to help subdue the coronavirus.

agencies contributed reporting

gia global innovation awards honoring product design excellence. international housewares show 2018.

Mar 11, 2018

lockdown cut-proof bag by travelon / home organization + storage / booth n6031

with features like safetex cut-proof strap and body material, sold brass lock and one-piece construction valuables are safe when on-the-go.

safetex material cannot be cut with knives, scissors or razor – nor can bolt cutters cut the strap. lockdown bags come in two sizes, one for essential items the other for larger iPad size items.

theft is a crime of opportunity and the travelon¨ anti-theft lockdown bag stops theft.

below> fledge – flip edge cutting board by dreamfarm / kitchen hand tools + cutlery / booth n8107

fledge is the world’s best cutting board. fledge has unique flip up edges that prevent food from falling or rolling off the sides when being transported to a pot, bowl or table for serving. both fledge and the double-sized big fledge (coming soon) have non-slip rubber feet and knife-friendly patterns on both sides, and a generous juice groove for carving on the underside. won’t warp in the dishwasher.

below> flex by joseph joseph / bath + personal care / booth n7900

the concept behind the head is appearing in a variety of products. what makes this product standout is the unique head design and elegant packaging that easily stores with its minimal footprint, even if you don’t have a utility storage room.

conventional toilet brushes hold dirt and liquid, making them messy and unhygienic to use and clean. also their bristles can distort and wear, meaning they need to be replaced regularly. flex™ is an innovative toilet brush designed to solve all these problems.

it features a flexible, d-shaped head that reaches all areas, even under the rim. it has widely spaced bristles that prevent dirt clogging, allowing liquid to drain quickly and minimising drips between cleaning and storing.

it also has durable bristles and comes with a slimline holder for neat storage.

below> ta da over the sink drying mat by jascor housewares / cleaning / booth s1217

dry your dishes right where you wash them. made with fda-approved silicone and reinforced with stainless steel rods, this simple, sturdy mat allows runoff from freshly washed items to drip directly into the sink. you can even use it to rinse and drain fruits and vegetables. roll up and put away when you’re done. that’s how to-do becomes ta-da.

below> sensor mirror compact by simplehuman / personal electrics / booth n7735

a simple concept tweak creates a must-have travel companion. tru-lux light system simulates natural sunlight, allowing you to see full color variation, so you’ll know when your makeup is color-correct and flawless. the 3x magnification gives you a hyper-clear view of every detail. sensor turns light on automatically when taken out of the sensor pouch, and turns it off when put back in. the power button lets you toggle between 650 or 300 lux dual brightness settings. a fold-out ring handle is secure and comfortable in your hand, or can be used as a stand for hands-free viewing — and it comes with an attached button strap that keeps the mirror secure inside the pouch. the mirror is rechargeable, and one charge lasts up to 1 week with typical daily usage.

below> titan – trash compactor by joseph joseph / household + home electrics / booth n7900

titan is an innovative waste solution with a patented, hygienic compaction system. this allows it to hold up to three times more than a similar-sized household bin. compacting your rubbish means you empty your bin less often and use fewer liners. titan also features an anti-tear design that won’t stretch or pinch the liner and a replaceable odour filter to neutralise any unpleasant smells.

below> cuisnart venture portable gas grill submitted by the fulham group / cook + bakeware / booth s1672

the cuisinart venture portable gas grill is not your average “tailgating” gas grill. the sleek and modern aesthetic, with store ‘n go design inspires adventure and helps couples enjoy those intimate moments. perfect for the date night picnic or small group gatherings. the wooden lid doubles as a chopping board; simply remove the cutting board from the top to prepare your meal or use it for cheese and crackers to enjoy while sipping a glass of wine. the grill grates are porcelain enameled cast iron, giving off more heat and holds heat longer than steel. a simple, complete, and compact portable grilling system.

below> jura s8 / kitchen electrics / booth L11102

below> globe watering can – jet and shower watering can by eva solo / home décor * gifts / booth8324

globe watering can allows the user to select between a jet watering or shower watering with a simple turn of the spout. practical hole in the side for easy filling. perfectly balanced for easy pouring.

below> messy mutts travel water bottle and bowl by jascor / pets/ booth s1217

perfect for your thirsty mutt on the go! just fold up the silicone bowl and press the quick release button. unused water drains back into the 700ml or 24 oz stainless steel bottle after use and the bowl folds back over the bottle for easy portability.

care > disassemble and hand wash with warm water and mild soap or place in dishwasher. hand wash recommended. do not microwave. silicone bowl can be removed from cap. bpa and pvc free.

below> cubit by plott / smart home products / booth L14000

cubit is the first tool that can bring your dimensional data to your smart device and also extract it back into the real world after you have manipulated it. this means that after you measure your space and arrange it to your liking in the app, cubit will then guide you to make your design a reality bringing your project to life. editor’s and gia judge note: with regard to category strength the smart home products category contained quite a few exceptional products and a shame we couldn’t have had a tie amongst two or three products.

below> thawthat! deluxe by that! inventions / kitchenware / booth n8303

thawthat! deluxe defrosts meat right on the countertop without any external heat or power source for a gentle, even thaw in less than half the time of traditional countertop thawing.

features >
dissipates cold and draws ambient warmth to the surface / eco-friendly / rugged anodized aluminum, abs, polypropylene construction / cleaner than soaking and gentler than microwaving / faster (up to 2.5x) than traditional countertop thawing / concave surface directs melted liquid / green – no wires or batteries required / hand wash recommended

/////////
below> collida by promeco / tabletop / booth s3277

promeco has created tempcontrol® technology which keeps dinnerware warm or cold for more than 30 minutes.

this technology is presented via the calido onyx black dinner plate by sanodegusto, offering the perfect backdrop for a culinary tour de force. the anti-scratch structure ensures multiple use without devaluing the design. moreover, the integrated revolutionary tempcontrol® technology makes sure any dish stays warm for at least 30 minutes. sanodegusto is a division of promeco.

[ gia global innovation awards – product design ] the iha innovation awards have honored the best in product design at the international home + housewares show for the past four years. the award’s name and tagline have now changed to the iha global innovation awards (gia), honoring product design excellence.

all products entered into the new product showcase will have a chance at winning. innovative products will be judged by a panel of experts that includes designers, retailers and news media.

product finalists selected by the judges were announced prior to the show and will be featured in each buyers club and at the iha global innovation awards display in the lakeside center lobby.

editor’s note: ron kovach has been a judge since inception of this award.

dot tactile smartwatch ‘feels’ like a 2017 best product-of-the-year candidate.

Jan 26, 2018

we strive to be a pioneer in accessible and affordable innovations for the vision impaired and the deafblind to lead independent, fulfilling lives. ~ dot inc.

the dot watch braille smartwatch is the first of its kind to provide the time with tactile information instead of visual clues. you don’t see time ticking away, you feel it. dot not only tells the time, but also creates text messages, sns, as well as traffic or weather information, with just a tap of your finger.

there’s also an open dot api so anyone can develop apps or services for dot. existing apps can be easily adapted. apps for braille education, social networking, navigation, newsfeed, weather and many more are already in development.

it launched in late 2016 but for practical purposes this is a 2017 product. the dot ‘feels’ like a 2017 best product-of-the-year candidate.

possibly best bike lock just got better. abus bordo alarm.

Jan 25, 2018

the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock

with the bordo alarm, abus, the security expert for mobile safety, is bringing the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock into the market. with electronics that have been proven for years on abus motorcycles locks, these provide a precise 3d movement sensor that triggers a 100-decibel alarm should an attack be attempted and thus deters thieves.

bordo alarm “the sound of security”

[ specs ]

100 db alarm

intelligent alarm system

90cm length

plus cylinder which can be keyed alike with other plus cylinders

level 10 security

designed and made in germany

msrp $169.99

luminaire a highlight among many 2017 design miami/ satellite offerings.

Dec 3, 2017

above > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104

in addition to its distinguished gallery program presenting 34 design galleries from around the world, design miami/ – 6 > 10 december 2017 – offers an extensive series of collaborations, satellites, events, retail and hospitality offerings as well as site-specific design commissions for visitors to enjoy throughout the fair week.

above > luminaire’s latest design district outpost, lab², comes alive with an illuminating investigation of the future of domestic design. in conjunction with the launch of the monograph, this will be the place, cassina’s recently appointed art director, patricia urquiola will join the book’s editor and pin-up magazine founder and editor felix burrichter along with renowned german industrial designer konstantin grcic to interact with guests and sign copies.

event > cassina: this will be the place
venue > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104
date > wednesday 6 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > homage to kuramata by synthesizing the familiar with the avant-garde, japanese designer shiro kuramata created a dynamic and wide-ranging oeuvre that is still celebrated today. on thursday, december 7, luminaire lab opens its latest exhibition with a look at prolific designer featuring a collection of pieces produced by cappellini that highlight his sensitivity to form an abundance of creativity.

event > luminaire to open shiro kuramata exhibition during art basel 2017
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > thursday 7 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > luminairex in collaboration with neushop will host creativemornings / miami presenting designer and dj lia figueredo who will share her experience throughout her career in design, marketing, and music through an interactive talk over breakfast. creativemornings has reunited new york’s creative community and engaged the city’s creative talent, connecting like-minded individuals based on a global theme. today, attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of experts on different topics.

event > creativemornings / miami
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > friday 8 december / 8:30am > 10:30am
[ register ] [ free / details ]

tykho 2 collection by marc berthier for lexon.

Nov 2, 2017

above & below > tykho 2 radio

tykho is the biggest of all the small radios. the new tykho 2 radio versions presented this year project it into a future that is both more demanding and musically intense: more and more powerful speakers, body water resistant, tykho radio second name, bluetooth speakers tykho booster and tykho speaker insist on being taken away all over.

saga tykho continues

last generation in the tykho saga, tykho 2 renovates the tykho radio by bringing it, too, a new speaker water resistant. with this organ donation tykho radio 2 will perpetuate its “icon status”.

description >

am / fm rechargeable radio – usable wet hands – frequency search by antenna rotation – electronic volume – 3w loudspeaker and supplied cable
characteristics
gross weight: 11 oz // 310 (g)
dimensions: 4 – 3/4″ x 1 – 5/8″ // 12 x 4.1 (cm)
autonomy: 14 to 25 hours
charge: 4 hours
material: abs rubber / steel

$ 80.00 usd

if tykho radio was thought (almost 20 years ago) to listen to morning news, set to your favorite station, brush your teeth, tykho booster and tykho speaker have been created to listen to music “anytime, anywhere, indoor, outdoor”: both in the bathroom and in the garden and especially by the pool or on a boat. dressed in a thick colored elastomer gown equipped with water resistant speakers and of course connected to your smartphone. these bluetooth speakers, rechargeable batteries will be of all the holidays.

above > tykho booster $ 92.00 usd [ details ]

above > tykho speaker $ 69.00 usd [ details ]

the signature of marc berthier is here emblematic of lexon‘s delusion in a vision of design, and its attachment to one of the most important personalities of french design, duly medal and finally recognized. the tykho collection is itself a design dream, an ever-irresistible demonstration of intelligence and humor.

three showers that boast a 70-90% water savings.

Dec 10, 2015

curiously, 2015 saw three shower products boasting both water and energy savings surfaced, though one of the products has been in use for over five years ago by the australian air force. they save water with clever design, an unusual application of the 200 year old venturi effect and recycling and filtering shower water itself.

above/below > [ nebia ] is a $400 shower using aerospace-grade spray nozzles that atomize water, allowing for a smaller volume of water to get you just as wet. water savings: 70%. a [ kickstarter ] product.

above/below > the $3,000 [ hamwell e-shower ] recycles what normally goes down the drain. the used water gets filtered and mixed in with about 1.5 liters of fresh water each minute; that mixture gets hit with a uv light before raining down on your head again. the app-controlled shower can also stream music as well as see how much money you’re saving in both energy and water cost. in addition to the 90 percent water savings, the shower should also reduce your energy consumption by 80 percent, the company says. hamwells already has deals with several hotels, so you could come across them even if you don’t actually buy one yourself.

above / below > five year old [ e-shower ] uses the 200 year old venturi effect to draw a tiny jet of air in the shower head, forcing the water into extreme turbulence inside – not atomizing but aerating the water into nanobubbles, an air bubble covered in water. in a normal shower most of the water that hits your body bounces off, while with an e-shower when the air bubble hits your skin it ‘pops’ causing an impressive cleaning effect. a recently funded [ kickstarter ] product, price and availability not yet known at this writing.

designer gifts 2015. mondaine.

Nov 24, 2015

above> helvetica bold | also comes in regular and light

inspired by new york city, the massimo vignelli subway map and the system’s use of helvetica typeface throughout, mondaine created its helvetica 1 new york edition in blue, green and red accents to match the a-c-e, 4-5-6, and 1-2-3 subway lines, respectively. it comes in beautiful packaging that features a section of the map as well as 6 vintage postcards with images of interesting nyc/helvetica views.

[ details ] [ where to buy ]

apple pencil can and cannot features on an ipad pro.

Nov 20, 2015

steven jobs made a big point that apple products don’t need a stylus, just use your fingers. most recently apple’s new leadership has announced the new apple pencil i.e., a stylus. the pencil is expensive, $99, compared to others and only works on the 12.9 inch iPad Pro. The less expensive styluses are designed for smaller screens while the large-screened Pro, if you wish make the best of high-powered painting and design apps, needs this pencil. a precision tool with zero latency.

[ features ]
> you can open apps, navigate and scroll
> you can delete apps and open links with long presses
> you can type on the iOS 9 virtual keyboard for urls, passwords and searches as well as long narratives
> you can invoke Spotlight search by dragging down
> you can scroll to the left to access siri
> you can use 3rd party swipe keyboards
> you can write even with your other hand on the screen, i.e., palm rejection
> you can charge directly via Lightning into your Pro or to a regular lightning cable
> you can trace through a piece of paper

> you can’t work on an older iPad or iPhone
> you can’t use the pencil and multi-finger gesturing together, it’s one or the other
> you can’t gesture with the pencil, swiping with from the top or bottom of the screen does nothing
> you can’t multi-task, like invoking slide over or split view or pushing these features of the screen with the pencil
> you can’t resize apps in split view
> you can’t use the opposite end of the pencil as an eraser, erase software does that

the apple pencil is as accurate as a pen on paper. [ apple ]

chromatropic, chronometric, quattro and more: design miami/ 15 celebrates ten.

Jun 15, 2015

above> andy coolquitt examining majolica during his two-week residency in guatemala city/ courtesy: ag ossaye projects

The Design Miami/ Basel fair is packed with early twentieth century rarities, mid-century masterpieces, rediscovered gems of the 1980s and 90s, and the finest in collectible contemporary works. In 2015 the fair celebrates its 10th anniversary.

The fair’s museum-quality gallery program is supported by additional programming that includes the first edition of Design Curio in Basel, following great success in Miami last December and an exploration of modular architecture in Design at Large, curated by André Balazs.

[ collaborations/ ]

above> audi q7: the great quattro/ design miami/ basel 2015

This year at Design Miami/ Basel, Audi presents an architectural installation inspired by the new Audi Q7, entitled The great quattro: an impressive new design, much lighter and more efficient, boasting significantly greater agility and dynamism without sacrificing comfort, paired with the legendary four-wheel drive quattro.

For Design Miami/ Basel 2015, Audi presents an immersive installation based on this idea of “The great quattro”: A constructed landscape, with varied levels, paths and surfaces. A mixture between object design and architecture, forming the perfect backdrop for the vehicle, with geometric shapes, derived from natural mineral patterns that are both evocative of the power of nature and machine and reminiscent of a monolithic cityscape. The viewpoint changes dramatically depending on the viewpoint of the visitor, inviting visitors to become part of the installation and experience the space in multiple and unique ways.

above> sketch of outpost basel/ tom kundig, 2015/ courtesy of olson kundig olson kundig/ outpost basel

Seattle-based architecture practice Olson Kundig was responsible for one of the highlights of Design Miami/ 2014 with their 38 Beams, a monumental wood-framed space constructed from salvaged glulams for the fair’s Collectors Lounge. For Design Miami/ Basel, Tom Kundig explores his own Swiss heritage, as well as the aesthetic links that bind his hometown of Seattle with Japan. Continuing Olson Kundig’s exploration of sustainable building materials and methodologies, the structure, accented with Seattle-sourced iron, is formed of wood from Austrian firm Schweighofer, and finished using Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese technique for scorching wood that creates a layer of black char on the outside that acts as a preservative.

Tom Kundig of Olson Kundig states “I love how these different elements fuse together to make something new. I hope that with Outpost Basel people recognize these contrasts, but also feel how the space hangs together in harmony, as a whole.”

The Collectors Lounge is furnished by Artek, and plays host to champagne service from regular Design Miami/ partners Perrier-Jouët. Outpost Basel is also home to the Design Talks series, which is part of the Design Miami/ Basel 2015 VIP Program, supported by American Express.

Furniture in the fair’s public areas is provided by Vitra.

above> chromatropic capsule collection/ hentsch man

Founded in 1935 Maison Pierre Frey now has an archive of some 7,000 wallpaper and fabric designs that demonstrate the house’s commitment to fine craft and rich, hand-drawn pattern work. Design Miami/ collaborates with the luxury textile house for its 10th Anniversary to create Chromatropic, a camouflage-inspired print collaged from tropical textiles from the Pierre Frey archive and collection.

Chromatropic also appears in a capsule collection created by Hentsch Man, a fashion label known for its use of prints. The Hentsch Man anorak, hat and sneakers are available in limited numbers, alongside a specially produced J. Crew Chromatropic pocket square, at the JUNE-Basel pop-up store within Hall 1 Süd.

above> left to right: tomás alonso, alexander groves and azusa murakami of studio swine and elaine ng yan ling/ pictured at swarovski’s headquarters in wattens, austria/ credit: james harris

Swarovski and Design Miami/ share a passion for design, along with a history of supporting emerging talents and honoring well-established designers through innovative commissions.

This is the first time Swarovski and the fair collaborate on the Swarovski Designers of the Future Award, which acknowledges emerging studios and designers who are actively expanding design culture through experimentation with cutting-edge technologies.

The winners of the inaugural Swarovski Designers of the Future award are: Tomás Alonso and Studio Swine, both based in London, and Elaine Yan Ling Ng from Hong Kong. New works by the winners, commissioned by Swarovski, debut at the 10th Anniversary edition of Design Miami/ Basel.

[ satellites/ ]

<img src="http://designapplause.com/wp-content/xG58hlz9/2015/06/dm15-basel-rolex1-590×650.jpg" alt="dm15-basel-rolex1″ width=”590″ height=”650″ class=”alignnone size-large wp-image-45601″ />
above> rolex vintage explorer ii 1975, steve mcqueen/ freccione, being inspected by antoine rauis/

Based in Brussels and Luxembourg, the specialist watch dealer Le Collection’Heure presents exhibitions of the work of Gérald Genta and the history of the Rolex Daytona, as well as pieces with exceptional – and often unusual – provenance from the dealer’s collection. The display brings together timepieces of unparalleled complexity completed under Genta’s own marque, as well as his notable creations for other watch houses, including a Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976) and Golden Ellipse (1968), the first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1970, shown together with original sketches) and the Cartier Pasha de Cartier (1997). The Rolex Daytona celebrated its fiftieth anniversary last year: the retrospective at Design Miami/ Basel presents all the models – including some of great rarity – from the first series to the current production.

above> davide parmegiani

For over a quarter of a century, Lugano-based watch specialist Davide Parmegiani has bought and sold the most rare and beautiful wrist and pocket watches, ranging in creation from 1850 to 1980. Travelling extensively to track down exceptional pieces, he has assisted his clients in the creation of some of the most important horology collections in the world, and presents an exceptional selection of timepieces telling a story of great watch-making traditions at the Basel fair.

above> waiting to be shipped to basel/ courtesy of casper sejersen

The cult Berlin book and magazine store do you read me?! returns for a 6th year as purveyor of beautifully designed publications – and beautiful publications on design – including small-press periodicals, the latest books on architecture, art and fashion, and collectible rarities. This year, a selection of special works in print are presented in association with the independent Baden-based art imprint Kadoji press.

JUNE-Basel is a pop-up concept store that showcases Swiss fashion design, fine goods and selected souvenirs while embracing the ‘Sister City’ relationship between Basel and Miami. The hand-picked selection of items includes the first Design Miami/ capsule collection, a variety of Swiss fashion apparel and accessories as well as unconventional souvenirs. The unique product line makes JUNE-Basel the ultimate spot for the urban adventurer, collector and fashionista.

[ design talks/ ]

above> murray moss and rodman primack during a talk at design miami/ 2014

For the first time, the much-anticipated Design Talks series takes place in the Collectors Lounge, utilizing Olson-Kundig’s dynamic design and creating a more intimate setting for the talks.

The talks are available with VIP access, and include a conversation with Patrick and Pierre Frey about contemporary use of historical textiles; André Balazs and Ivan Harbour discussing modular architecture; Tom Kundig on super-charged architecture; Tony Chambers, editor of Wallpaper* magazine, in conversation with the winners of the Swarovski Designers of the Future Award; Jehan Chu, William Lim and Yu Wang exploring the future of architecture and design in China’s Pearl River Delta; and Amelie Klein, Curator of Vitra Design Museum on the new exhibition Making Africa – A Continent of Contemporary Design.

[ Design Miami/ ] is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, USA each December and Basel, Switzerland each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design. For more information, please visit

[ schedule of events ] Design Miami/ Basel 16 > 21 June 2015

Public Show Days
16 > 17 June/ 10a > 8p
18 > 19 June/ 10a > 7p
20 > 21 June/ 11a > 7p

Location/ Hall 1 Süd, Messe Basel, Switzerland
[ information/ ]