Rattan furniture with a modern look: This Machiya Bench and Stool are by Japanese industrial designer Jin Kuramoto.

"Rattan is extremely flexible," writes manufacturer Sika-Design, "and when it gets steamed it can be formed by hand, using old traditional manufacturing techniques and a few simple tools. Rattan is the most sustainable material for furniture manufacturing as it regenerates in the span of 5-7 years."

Rattan doesn't survive long in outdoor furniture, however. Thus the company also makes exterior-use versions of the bench and stool, and in this case the sustainability ranking of the materials used is not mentioned.

"Our Machiya Exterior bench is handcrafted in Alu-Rattan and ArtFibre, and therefore has a unique strength and durability. Alu-Rattan is weather-resistant powder-coated aluminum and ArtFibre is artificial fibers made from polyethylene. Due to the weather-resistant materials the bench can stand outside all year round, without affecting the design or durability. The Machiya Exterior bench [and stool] requires no maintenance and is easy to clean."

Following in Netflix, Disney+ and Crave's footsteps, Amazon will introduce ads to Prime Video sometime in 2024.

The information was first shared by Variety, and later confirmed by Amazon, according to MobileSyrup contributor Steve Vegvari.

According to Variety, the company is looking to run up to four minutes of ads per hour to generate more revenue from its subscriber base and compete with other streaming services that have already launched ad-supported tiers. Amazon will roll out ads in phases, starting with Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Germany in early 2024, followed by France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and Australia in late 2024.

https://twitter.com/SVegvari/status/1705198498432389151?s=20

However, unlike some of its rivals, Amazon will not offer a cheaper subscription option for those who are willing to watch ads. Instead, it will reportedly charge an extra $2.99 USD (around $4.02 CAD) per month for those who want to keep their ad-free experience, which might not work in the company's favour.

In a statement given to iPhone in Canada, Amazon said it will share the price of that ad-free option later. Current subscribers will be notified several weeks before ads are introduced with more information on the ad-free option.

Prime Video is included with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $9.99/month or $99/year.

Source: iPhone in Canada

Honda is releasing a new e-scooter dubbed the Motocompacto - and its adorable design is taking the internet by storm.

Despite having the appearance of something like an enlarged briefcase, PlayStation 5 or AirPods case, rest assured, the upcoming Motocompacto does not skimp on performance. The roughly 40lb scooter can hit a top speed of 15mph, an output of 400 watts, and a maximum range of roughly 19.3 kilometers.

The scooter, which you could argue looks more at home in a Mario Kart title than it does in real life, is being touted by Honda as a revolutionary transportation device that is "designed for the new realities of urban mobility."

For those scratching their heads over the overly compact design, Honda designed the scooter after its now-defunct gas-powered Motocompo scooters from the 1980s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzkSthZHRiI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fhondanews.com%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&feature=emb_title

Unlike the Motocompo line, though, Honda's new ride will be available for purchase from participating Honda and Acura dealerships as soon as this November and carry a price tag of only $995 (approximately $1342.68 CAD).

There is currently no word on whether or not the Motocompacto will make its way to the Canadian market.

Even with owners making themselves open to a few odd looks or pointed fingers, the Motocompacto's specs are no laughing matter. The scooter boasts an integrated LED display with a speedometer, two power levels and a battery gauge. It also features  Bluetooth connectivity where users can use an app to fine-tune settings to their liking.

The scooter is capable of carrying a full charge in 3.5 hours whether folded or in the ready-to-ride configuration via a 110v outlet.

It may look silly at first, but Honda is hoping the blend of 80s aesthetic and modern performance will have common commuters and hipsters alike riding together on Motocompacto scooters in the near future.

Image credit: Honda

Source: Honda Via: The Verge

A food slicer is a nice thing to have…

…but how many of us could fit one in our kitchen?

German manufacturer Ritter makes "the optimal built-in solution to free up countertop space:" This incredible AES line of disappearing food slicers that fit into a drawer.

While they're designed to fit within standard drawers, installing and wiring the things aren't trivial; the company says if you want one of these put in, "it is best to contact a specialist kitchen retailer in your area." (By which they mean Europe, as far as I can tell these aren't offered in the 'States.)

Honda will produce a new hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in 2024.

The first model will be a Honda CR-V and offer electric driving when commuting around town and zero emissions for longer trips. Honda's current CR-V is a hybrid with a gas engine.

The new vehicle will carry a high-pressure hydrogen tank instead of a gas tank. It will be the first in North America to combine a plug-in with FCEV technology.

The company says FCEVs powered by hydrogen are part of its push to make transport more sustainable. Honda will manufacture the vehicle at the Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Marysville, Ohio. The plant has previously manufactured the Acura NSX supercar and Honda race cars.

The company says it will share more details closer to the vehicle's introduction in 2024.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: Honda

Apple TV+'s Ted Lasso is coming to EA Vancouver-developed FIFA 23.

Specifically, Dani Rojas, Sam Obisanya, Roy Kent and the rest of the AFC Richmond English football club will be featured in EA Vancouver's upcoming sports game.

https://youtu.be/TUamiLX6gp4

EA and Warner Bros announced the crossover, and you'll be able to even have Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) as a manager in Career Mode for AFC Richmond or on another team. You can also create your own character and join the AFC Richmond team.

FIFA 24 launches September 27th on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and Windows PS5. EA says that specific will be available in the Series X and PS5 versions of the game.

Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis, Brett Goldstein, Hannah Waddingham, Jono Temple and more. The first two seasons of the show have already aired on Apple TV+, with the third season still lacking a premiere date.

Image credit: EA

Via: EA