Latest news with #Design
Vogue
4 days ago
- Business
- Vogue
Berluti Spring 2026 Menswear Collection
Stepping forward, said Berluti CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt this morning, the focus at these Berluti presentations is: 'to do less things, but to really cultivate season after season what for us are the most important.' And at Berluti, of course, it is shoes that are the most important category of all. To underline this, the first room in today's presentation was dominated by a giant reproduction of a marble foot surrounded by fittings sketches. As light as that foot looked heavy was the new Far Niente, a square-nosed suede slipper shoe with gommino soles that looked like the hybrid of a driving shoe and 19th century soccer boot. There was a room dedicated to the slip-on Shadow sneaker, Berluti's best-seller, that highlighted a new grippier sole construction and four new formulations of knitted upper, including cashmere and linen, each of which was designed for different functionalities. Other footwear emphases included handsome new versions of the angled-toe Stellar sneaker and a supple new version of the Alessandro oxford. Bags are the second core category at Berluti. New proposals today included a paperback sized sundries bag named the Jour de Poche that was available in multiple varieties of the company's signature high patina leather. Berluti has rather turned its heel on clothing in order to focus on the entirely rational strategy laid out by Mansvelt. The exceptions to that, however, are in outerwear: today there were fresh versions of the Forestiere (whose beautiful history was laid out in last season's review) in zestily toned silk-lined linen and what felt like a cashmere-shot shades-of-gray tweed. There were also blousons and a short parka in painstakingly l'aquarelle shadowed leather.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Infinix GT 30 Pro review: Fast, flashy, and fine-tuned for gaming on a budget
Infinix GT 30 Pro review: Gaming phones aren't just flagships anymore, mid-range options now pack enough punch for serious play, and Infinix seems to be aiming right at that space with its latest device - the GT 30 Pro, a follow-up to last year's GT 20 Pro. This new model offers enhanced performance, design, camera and battery capacity, and is aimed at those who want a high-performance gaming device without paying flagship prices. Infinix GT 30 Pro is priced at Rs. 26,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant.(Ijaj Khan/ HT) One of the standout additions is a pair of built-in shoulder triggers, something rarely seen in this price bracket. It also comes with a dedicated game centre offering various controls typically seen in higher-end devices. While the specs look promising on paper, real-world use can reveal a different picture. In this review, I'll explore how the phone handles long gaming sessions, multitasking, and performs with everyday tasks. If you want a clear look at what the GT 30 Pro offers for gaming and beyond, this review covers it all. Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Design Infinix has taken a direct approach with the GT 30 Pro - this is a phone that speaks to gamers without subtlety. Its rear panel, based on what the brand calls Cyber Mecha 2.0, clearly borrows inspiration from high-performance gaming machines. From the moment you pick it up, its design hints at its performance-first intentions. Infinix GT 30 Pro comes in two finishes: Blade White and Dark Flare, and I received the latter for the review. It has a darker tone with red accents around the camera and subtle RGB lighting, which clearly indicates its gaming purpose without being excessive. Unlike many gaming phones that try to mask their intent with flashy designs, the Infinix GT 30 Pro fully owns its gaming identity. It features RGB lighting, shoulder triggers, and red accents near the camera, which gives you an option to showcase its gaming nature or keep a low profile when needed. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Flagship features in a handful package On the other hand, the back panel uses polycarbonate with a matte finish, which gives a solid grip and resists the device from accidental slips during intense gaming sessions. Additionally, despite its bold look and gamer-centric design, the handset maintains a slim 7.99 mm profile and weighs just 188 grams, which makes it comfortable to hold over long periods of gaming sessions. Infinix GT 30 Pro Cyber Mecha 2.0. (Ijaj Khan/HT) Furthermore, the phone's layout includes well-positioned power and volume buttons on the side, and they are easy to reach. At the bottom, it offers a Type-C charging port, a SIM card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a speaker. The top edge carries an additional speaker, a small IR blaster, and a secondary microphone, the IR blaster being a practical feature not always found in this segment and is so useful for controlling devices remotely. The GT 30 Pro clearly identifies itself as a gaming phone but manages to maintain a level of subtlety that lets it fit in everyday situations without standing out too much. Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Display and Sound Infinix GT 30 Pro display. (Ijaj Khan/HT) The Infinix GT 30 Pro sports a 6.78-inch LTPS AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. That high refresh rate truly stands out when scrolling through menus or during fast-paced games. Everything feels responsive and fluid. But a quick heads-up: not all apps fully support 144Hz. For instance, in BGMI, you're limited to 120Hz, so running the display at 144Hz doesn't always bring extra benefits and can drain battery faster. The display gets seriously bright, peaking at 4,500 nits, which made it easy for me to read content even under direct sunlight. However, the adaptive brightness sensor didn't always respond immediately. Sometimes, the phone took a few seconds to adjust when switching from dark to bright environments, particularly after waking from standby. It wasn't a deal-breaker, but noticeable during outdoor use. Although the colour reproduction felt well-balanced while streaming content or gaming. It didn't oversaturate the visuals. Also read: Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G review: Well-balanced smartphone with AI smarts, but not without trade-offs On the other hand, Infinix has introduced a feature called the Dynamic Bar, somewhat like the iPhone's Dynamic Island. It shows important info in a neat strip, and you can customise it for things like Face Unlock animations, call info, charging status, or Spotify. It's a thoughtful addition for quick access to key details. Moreover, the display comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection, which protects the display against scratches and drops. Switching gears to sound, the dual stereo speakers deliver surprisingly loud and clear audio, supported by DTS Sound and Hi-Res Audio certification. I tested some EDM tracks and didn't feel the need for earphones. At max volume, the phone's back vibrates with sound, creating an immersive listening experience. On the sound front, the GT 30 Pro delivers solid performance with its dual stereo speakers backed by DTS Sound and Hi-Res Audio certification. The speakers get loud enough to fill a room, and the back of the phone vibrates noticeably at full volume, which gives you a more immersive audio experience. I tested it with some different generres songs and a few EDM tracks and didn't feel the need to reach for headphones. Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G Review: Software The Infinix GT 30 Pro runs on Android 15 with XOS 15 on top. It offers several customisation features and AI tools designed to simplify daily tasks. The Folax Assistant lets you control the phone with voice commands, while the AI Note and Writing Assistant aim to boost productivity. For photos, the AI Eraser and AI Cutout tools help refine images quickly. Additionally, the gamers get a dedicated GT Gaming Dashboard, which includes features like FPS monitoring, trigger mapping, and touch sensitivity settings. Moreover, the Infinix promises two OS updates and three security patches, which aligns with what you'd expect in this price range. Also read: iPhone 16 review: Solid design, performance with a few unmet expectations Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Performance Playing BGMI on high settings. (Ijaj Khan/HT) The Infinix GT 30 Pro makes its mark where it matters most for gamers: performance. The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset, built with a 4nm process, and is paired with the Mali-G615 MC6 GPU. This combo gives the GT 30 Pro a solid edge over many competitors in its price range. Additionally, you have two RAM options: 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, coupled with 256GB UFS 4.0 storage. You can expand virtual RAM by an additional 8GB or 12GB, depending on the model. But numbers only tell part of the story. In real life, this phone handles heavy games impressively well. I tested a few demanding titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Genshin Impact at high settings, and the GT 30 Pro kept up without any major hiccups. It consistently hit an average of 116 FPS, sometimes even reaching 120 FPS. Krafton's official certification for 120 FPS gameplay in BGMI is a clear nod to the phone's gaming chops, and that really matters if you want smooth, responsive gameplay without breaking the bank. Although after about an hour of an intense gaming session, the phone did heat up around the upper back, which is expected given the hardware involved. Still, I didn't notice any significant drop in performance, so it handles long gaming sessions better than I anticipated. GT Triggers(Ijaj Khan/HT) One feature I found genuinely useful is the GT Triggers. Unlike regular physical buttons, these touch-sensitive triggers sit at the top corners of the screen and can be assigned to any in-game action, like shooting or jumping. Setting them up is simple: just drag the function to the trigger area, and you're set. It made gameplay smoother since I didn't have to constantly tap on the screen. The triggers respond quickly, which is essential for games that need fast reactions. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: Almost the perfect Android flagship On top of that, the phone offers bypass charging, a dedicated sports mode, and touch optimisations, along with a voice changer feature that adds a fun twist to gaming sessions. On benchmarks, the Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G holds its ground with an AnTuTu score of 13,02,144 and GeekBench 6 results of 985 (single-core) and 3548 (multi-core). In the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, it scored 2,847, with 79.4% stability. But when compared to other phones in the same price range, many offer better performance, especially with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chips. Infinix GT 30 Pro's benchmark test results. (Ijaj Khan/HT) The Infinix GT 30 Pro also includes MediaTek's Hyper Engine and the X-Boost Gaming Engine. These work together to reduce latency and control device temperature. The 6-layer 3D Vapour Chamber Cooling system helps keep things from getting too hot during extended play or when using the device in Delhi's hot weather. X-Boost Gaming Engine Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Camera The Infinix GT 30 Pro features a 108MP rear camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 13MP front camera.(Ijaj Khan/HT) The Infinix GT 30 Pro doesn't try to impress with flashy camera features, but it handles the essentials quite well. It comes with a 108MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 13MP front camera for selfies. In daylight settings, the primary camera captures images with accurate colours and clear details. The AI helps sharpen photos and balance contrast, which keeps colours close to natural and without making it oversaturated. The ultra-wide lens offers additional framing options but does not significantly stand out. Additionally, the portrait mode applies background blur effectively but struggles with edge detection around complex subjects like hair and shoulders. On the other hand, the front camera performs well under good lighting conditions and delivers sharp selfies with low noise. In low light, selfies show some grain, but AI enhancements help improve dynamic range and overall clarity. To be fair, Infinix isn't pushing this as a camera-centric phone. It's more about gaming and performance. But for a device priced around Rs. 25,000, the camera performance fits the bill for everyday use without major complaints. It won't wow you, but it won't let you down either. Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G Review: Battery Life and Charging Battery health. (Ijaj Khan/HT) The Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G houses a 5,500mAh battery with 45W wired charging, 30W wireless charging, and support for 10W reverse wired and 5W reverse wireless charging. It also includes bypass charging, which powers the device directly through the charger without routing through the battery. That came in handy during long gaming sessions and will let you stay plugged in without adding strain to the battery. Also read: Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 review: Promising foldable but far from benchmark Furthermore, the GT 30 Pro got me through my usual routine, like gaming, taking calls, and scrolling through social media on a single charge. I didn't need to plug it in until the end of the day. Also, it took me to recharge the device from 0 to 50% in around 25 to 30 minutes, and it fully juiced up in about an hour. Moreover, the 45W charger that comes in the box did the job well. I also liked that I could charge my other gadgets with the phone while on the go Final Verdict The Infinix GT 30 Pro offers solid value for its price, especially if gaming tops your priority list. Features like 144Hz display, shoulder triggers, bypass charging, and reliable performance make it a good pick for budget-conscious gamers with a flagship-level feel. Its design and extras like wireless charging and Dynamic Bar add to the overall appeal. However, if camera quality, build quality and a cleaner software experience are more of a priority for you, you may wish to consider other alternatives that offer better value for money in the same price range. Though at around Rs. 25,000, the phone justifies its price by focusing on what it claims to do well - gaming.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
HR Ministry to collaborate with Penang govt to develop Penang Chip Design Academy
GEORGE TOWN: Discussions are being finalised for the Human Resources Ministry to work with the Penang state government to develop the upcoming Penang Chip Design Academy. Its minister, Steven Sim said that as the institution intended to develop skilled manpower in the semiconductor and high-tech sectors in Penang, he hoped that the collaboration would add value and upgrade the skill training programmes. "It is a state government project and we are in discussion to finalise the collaboration between the ministry and the academy. "As it specialises in developing the semiconductor and high tech sector in Penang, we wish to add value and collaborate to enhance the skill training programmes," Sim told reporters on Thursday (June 19). Located at the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC) building in Bayan Lepas, the academy would support the state's plan for the development of an Integrated Circuit (IC) Design and Digital Park. It is a key component of the Penang STEM Talent Blueprint and would be led by PSDC in collaboration with key industry players, Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tool providers, academia, and InvestPenang. Sim had earlier officiated the northern region National Training Week (NTW) 2025 Learning Tour in Raia Inn in Bayan Lepas here. At the event, Sim said the Human Resource Development (HRD) Corporation and Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) have formed a strategic collaboration under the Advanced Technology Meister Programme (ATMP) to introduce the Matching Grant for skills development aimed at helping local industries upskill their workforce in advanced technology sectors. He added that some 420 families of fishermen impacted by the Silicon Island development project would receive training and skills development programmes in fields to expand their career opportunities. The NTW programme themed "Learning Beyond Borders", organised by HRD Corp, had brought together over 600 participants from various segments of the community, including school students, civil servants, community members, persons with disabilities (PWDs), cooperatives, and senior citizens, with the aim of empowering them with practical skills aligned with future workforce demands. To date, it has recorded over 3.2 million enrolments, exceeding its initial target of one million enrolments, with about 167,000 enrolments with almost 800 courses recorded across Penang, Kedah and Perlis in the northern region. NTW 2025 will conclude on Saturday (June 21) with the closing ceremony in Ipoh, Perak.
Digital Trends
17-06-2025
- Digital Trends
This might be the coolest way to charge an Apple Watch
If you love a touch of nostalgia and have an Apple Watch, then this new charger from Spigen may well appeal. Joining Spigen's C1 collection featuring accessories inspired by the design of classic Apple products, the Apple Watch Classic C1 charger sports the familiar look of Apple's iconic iMac G3, which shook up the PC market when it launched in 1998. Recommended Videos The $35 device is designed to house your Apple Watch charging puck, which fits snugly in the G3's 'display' after you've fed the wire through the back. It even features the computer's slightly slanted display angle for a comfortable view of the watch face. The charger comes in four different colors that match some of the options offered by the original iMac G3, namely Tangerine, Graphite, Ruby, and the original Bondi Blue. The Apple Watch Classic C1 charger is compatible with the Apple Watch Ultra (49mm), Apple Watch series 10/9/8/SE2/7/6/SE/5/4, AirPods 4 (ANC), and AirPods Pro 2, but just to be clear, the actual charging puck is not part of the package. Apple's iMac G3 arrived at a time when PCs came in one flavor — beige and boring. Indeed, its colorful design signaled that it was more than a computer. It was a promise that tech could be, well, joyful. The all-in-one iMac G3 proved popular with customers looking for something a little different, and its subsequent success played a pivotal role in Apple's resurgence after years of financial struggles. Recognizing its iconic status and keen to highlight its significance in design and technology history, the Smithsonian Institution added the iMac G3 to its collection. The computer sold more than six million units between 1998 and 2003, cementing the foundations of the iMac, which continues as a product line today — albeit with a starkly different look. And now it's inspired the design of an Apple Watch charger, too.
The National
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
The V&A exhibition by disabled artists that wants to reclaim the narrative with humour
One of the pieces in the new Disability and Design exhibition at London's V&A South Kensington is a short film by disabled performance and video artist Katherine Araniello which parodies an advert made by UK TV's Channel 4 for the 2012 Paralympics. Named Meet the Superhumans, the original advert's premise was how inspirational and resilient disabled sportspeople are, depicting them as strong and invincible. In Araniello's satirical version of the advert, she can be seen smoking and stuffing her face with junk food to the same hyper-catchy soundtrack as the original advert. Her mock interviews as an inspirational athlete in a wheelchair are delivered deadpan to camera and riddled with tropes and superlatives along the lines of: "It was the toughest race of my life", "I never let my disabilities hold me back" and "I have inspired a future generation of sporting excellence". It's a deeply funny yet deadly serious reminder that disabled people shouldn't have to be superhuman to be worthy of respect, attention or care. 'And it's a way of saying, 'Hang on, this isn't how I want to seen',' says Natalie Kane, curator of the exhibition that opened on Saturday at the museum's original South Kensington branch. 'It's important to challenge when we don't feel represented,' Kane tells The National, and comedy or humour is a tool that some disabled artists have used successfully to do that. Divided into three sections – Visibility, Tools and Living – the exhibition includes 170 objects from the spheres of design, art, architecture, fashion and photography. Unlike a lot of other exhibitions dedicated to design and disability, the pieces here are made or conceived by disabled people and highlight aspects of living and working with disability that are personal and intimate but also often political and quietly revolutionary. There's Conor Foran's Dysfluent magazine, which gives brilliant graphic form and a visual identity to stammering by repeating certain letters or stretching parts of them. Other standout pieces include Maya Scarlette's incredible hand-sewn Notting Hill Carnival costume inspired by Sandro Botticelli's The Birth of Venus. Scarlette is a fashion designer with ectrodactyly, meaning digits in her hand or feet are absent. There's also a moving performance piece by Carmen Papalia, who calls himself a non-visual artist. In the piece, Papalia replaces his white cane with a brass band, the latter guiding him though a Vancouver park via a site-reactive musical score and sound cues – when an obstacle is near, the music becomes more shrill. The results of these works, which highlight the need for collaboration and support are joyful, unexpected and, at times, fraught. Disability is not a problem that needs to be fixed posits the exhibition. Rather, disabled people are the experts when it comes to expressing their identities and designing for their own needs, hacking and subverting everyday objects in ingenious ways. A great example of the latter are the low-tech but clever adaptations made by septuagenarian disabled woman Cindy Garni in the US, who added a cable tie to the zip of a purse to help open it, or a stick-on-wall-hook to the screw top lid of a pot of beauty cream to do the same. In the same vein, the McGonagle Reader is an audio-assisted tactile voting device created for people with low vision. But there's also the adapted bike of Palestinian cyclist and founder of paracycling team Gaza Sunbirds, Alaa al-Dali, who was shot by an Israeli sniper in Gaza in 2018. It's a timely and poignant reminder that access to disability rights or activism is even more difficult (and often impossible) for people living under war or the brutality of occupation. The exhibition hones in on the moments when technology or sustainability aren't always the silver bullets we think they are. For instance, the policy to phase out plastic straws that has been problematic for disabled people who require a lot of support as plastic straws are stronger, safer and more hygienic. Or the robotics or GPS elements non-disabled designers have tried to add on to the white cane that have proven unpopular and even dangerous. One modification to the cane that did stick was when a foldable version was produced in the 1950s after a woman asked for a cane that would fit in her shopping bag. But it's not just the content of this exhibition that takes a disability-first approach, the design and organisation of the exhibition does as well. For one thing, visitors are repeatedly reminded to touch objects and, where possible, it's the original object and not just a 3D copy. It feels awkward but it is a useful reminder of how two-dimensional and exclusionary many exhibitions can be. The other is that the show begins with a rest space filled with modular chairs, some with armrests, some without, for different sorts of physical support. Round tables, for example, are much better than square or rectangle tables for deaf people to gain full vision of people who use sign language. There's also an inviting blue and white bench by Finnegan Shannon inscribed with the words: "Do you want us here?" There are further seating options dotted around the exhibition, including an inviting chaise longue in the last room, in what is an obvious attempt to address the startling and deeply exclusionary lack of seating in so many exhibitions. Further attempts to make the space as accessible as possible include a tactile key to the different exhibition sections. But there are also mirrored doorway arches that help deaf people understand what is around the corner in a given space. Or low stools that can be pulled out so that people of all heights can enjoy the displays fully. There are also a range of ways of experiencing the exhibition including tactile maps, audio descriptions, sign language, large print and online audio options. The idea is that the museum, which like many older institutions is grappling with accessibility issues, is accruing knowledge and training in this area and creating a legacy for the future. 'It shouldn't be that a show about disability is the only show where you get access principles,' says Kane. 'The aim is for this design thinking to be applied to future exhibitions.'
