Chinese audio manufacturer Edifier has unveiled the "Huazhai New Cyber," a wireless speaker with a design reminiscent of the inside of a gaming PC. Featuring a transparent case, exposed electronics, and RGB lighting that rotates like a cooling fan, the speaker resembles a miniature high-performance gaming desktop. Inside, the speaker features a 4-inch subwoofer, two 52mm mid- and high-frequency drivers, and three passive radiators, delivering rich bass and clear sound. […]
Google is transforming the navigation experience by fully introducing its generative AI, Gemini, to its Maps service. Google has expanded its Maps functionality to allow users to explore destinations and surroundings through natural conversations with Gemini. Users can ask questions like, "Is there an affordable vegetarian restaurant nearby?" or "How's the parking there?" and Gemini will synthesize map data and local reviews to provide answers and route corrections. It also manages schedules […]
The Danish Women's Football League has rebranded with a new name, "Ligaforbundet." This change demonstrates a strategic commitment to establishing a new identity focused on the game itself, rather than gender, and elevating the league's standing. The project, led by Swedish-Danish design studio NORD ID, redefined the overall visual language under the concept of "A Game at Pitch: Two Can Play." The league association was established in 1981 as "Damedivisionsforeningen" (women's […]
OpenAI's AI-based video generation app, Sora, has officially launched for Android. This launch will begin in seven countries: the United States, Korea, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sora can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store without an invitation code. Sora, which debuted on iOS last September, immediately ranked first on the App Store and surpassed 1 million downloads in just five days. With this Android launch, users […]
Rivian has launched its micromobility brand, Also, and unveiled the "TM-B" electric bicycle. This product is not just a simple e-bike, but a platform-based electric mobility system, showcasing a new approach that combines Rivian's electric vehicle technology and design sensibility. The TM-B features the "DreamRide" chainless pedal-by-wire drive system. When the user pedals, a generator charges the battery, and a separate traction motor drives the rear wheel. Eliminating the mechanical chain and using electronic control, this system delivers the acceleration […]
Apple has dropped the "+" from its streaming service "Apple TV+" and rebranded it simply as "Apple TV." Along with the new name, the company has also unveiled an opening soundtrack. Composed by Finneas, Billie Eilish's brother and music producer, the sound serves as Apple's new signature to signal the brand shift. Finneas describes the sound as a "mnemonic," describing it as "a bite of ginger that you can hear multiple times a day without getting tired of." From a one-second version, […]
Interbrand has released its 2025 Best Global Brands rankings. Apple once again topped the list, continuing its trend of holding the top spot since 2013. This year, Apple's brand value fell 3.7 percent year-on-year to $47.09 billion. Microsoft, in second place, rose 10.2 percent to $38.85 billion, and Amazon, in third, rose 7.3 percent to $31.99 billion. Google maintained fourth place with $31.71 billion, and Samsung ranked fifth with $9.05 billion. The keywords that changed the trend this year were AI and […]
Grammarly has changed its name to "Superhuman" and launched a new AI productivity platform. This rebranding signals Grammarly's expansion from a grammar correction service into a broader AI-powered work ecosystem. The new Superhuman brand encompasses four products: Grammarly, a writing assistant; Coda, a collaborative workspace; Mail, an intelligent email client; and the newly unveiled AI assistant, Superhuman Go. These four products are now collectively known as "Superhuman […]"
Canva announced a new AI model, along with a variety of new products and features, updates to its AI assistant, and a spreadsheet integration for creating data visualization widgets. Canva also announced the release of its "Foundation Model," trained on Canva's design elements. Unlike traditional diffusion models, which generate flat images, this model creates designs comprised of editable layers and objects. For social media posts, presentations, whiteboards, websites, and more, […]
PepsiCo has unveiled a new corporate logo for the first time in 25 years. This rebranding marks the 60th anniversary of the merger of Pepsi and Lay's, and marks an attempt to redefine the company's identity across over 500 global brands. PepsiCo has grown into a global powerhouse with 300,000 employees, including brands like Gatorade, Quaker, Siete, and Poppy, but its corporate logo has remained unchanged for many years. The new identity is based on the slogan, "Food. Drinks. Smiles." The logo's core […]
Thanks to the support of so many, I've been able to continue my Design Compass activities. Thanks to you, I'm steadily establishing practical design theories that drive business impact. Recently, I've met and talked with several CEOs and designers, and it's been more enjoyable than I expected to be able to help them in person, rather than through media channels. Surprisingly, many people think design is difficult and complex, and some find my writings and videos confusing.
Canva has relaunched its Affinity creative suite, which was once considered a competitor to Adobe after its acquisition of Serif last year. The new Affinity suite has been revamped to include photo editing, vector illustration, and page layout in a single app. Unlike the previous version, where Designer, Photo, and Publisher were each sold separately for $70, the new Affinity apps emphasize that they are "forever free." The new version is currently available for Windows and Mac […]
