Smartphone design has been getting worse and worse while the industry itself has become an environmental and humanitarian nightmare, writes Phineas Harper. More about "The role of smartphones in contemporary life feels increasingly stupid"
Swedish tech company Teenage Engineering has developed a beat machine that allows users to create their own medieval-style music by combining samples of lutes, hurdy-gurdies and "rowdy peasants". More about Teenage Engineering releases "world's first medieval electronic instrument"
Following the recent launch of a necklace wearable that provides AI friendship, here are seven products that are trying to imagine the future of hardware for artificial intelligence. More about Seven portable AI devices that attempt to give shape to a new technology
Designer Kacper Motyka has developed Chairie, an adaptable piece of furniture that was informed by the work of designer Verner Panton and features a three-cylinder design that aims to enhance sexual experiences. More about Kacper Motyka designs cylindrical sex-centred furniture for "elevating intimate experiences"
A hand-drawn lowrider features on the packaging of Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre's premixed drinks brand, envisioned by designer Ini Archibong to "encapsulate the spirit" of 1990s West Coast hip hop. More about Ini Archibong designs packaging for Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre's Gin & Juice
A new vision for artificially intelligent devices has emerged from US start-up Friend, which is launching a necklace wearable that promises constant companionship. More about Wearable Friend device aims to fight loneliness with AI companionship
Northumbria University graduate Amelia Cook has taken home the PriestmanGoode award at this year's New Designers showcase for developing a food container that allows hikers to preserve and eat home-cooked meals in the wild. More about Savour food prep kit makes dehydrated meals a "gourmet experience"
Pentagram co-founder Kenneth Grange, whose playful and prolific product designs helped to define the face of modern Britain, has died aged 95. More about "Unparalleled" British industrial designer Kenneth Grange dies aged 95
Central Saint Martins graduate Saima Fateh has designed a system of automatically closing window blinds that shade the interior when it gets too hot and change colour to signal dangerous levels of UV radiation. More about TranSense Screens automatically respond to outdoor temperature changes
Design studio IDEO has created a device for healthcare startup Teal Health that enables women to self-collect samples required for cervical cancer screening in the privacy and comfort of their own homes. More about Teal Wand offers accessible and comfortable at-home sampling for cervical cancer
Promotion: the six finalists for this year's DesignEuropa Awards have been revealed, including industrial designer Dieter Rams as the winner of its lifetime achievement award. More about Transparent turntable and cantilevered holiday home among DesignEuropa Awards 2024 finalists
Fine woodworking and explorations of recycled materials are among the furniture and object designs from these eight independent Chicago design studios presented as part of our North American Design 2024 series. More about Eight independent design studios working in Chicago
French ceramicist Jacques Monneraud has created Carton, a collection of ceramics that appear to be crafted from cardboard and tape. More about Jacques Monneraud designs cardboard-like ceramics collection
Tech company Nothing has made modularity and customisation two big selling points for its first budget-conscious phone, the CMF Phone 1, which was launched today. More about Nothing brings modularity to budget smartphones with CMF Phone 1
Hong Kong design studio Raskh has developed the Leverage watch, which features a patented mechanism that reveals a hidden bottle opener concealed in the case body. More about Raskh launches "world's first" watch with built-in bottle opener
The Barbie dolls and Dreamhouses featured in Barbie: The Exhibition at London's Design Museum reflect shifts in visual culture over the famed toy's 65 years. More about Barbie exhibition aims to show toy is "worthy proposition from a design point of view"
A boom box made with mycelium and a teeter-totter that reaches across the US-Mexico border are some of the projects from the 10 independent design studios from San Francisco presented as part of our North American Design 2024 series. More about Ten independent design studios to watch in San Francisco
Palestinian designer Majdulin Nasrallah has created key-shaped candle holders made of tear gas canisters salvaged from Bethlehem and Nablus, which intend to reflect "the layers of pain, hope and strength Palestinians carry within them". More about Majdulin Nasrallah transforms tear gas canisters into candle holders as ode to Palestine
Montreal-based artist Gab Bois has compiled her viral clothes and furniture into a new book. Here, she shares her six favourite projects that show surreal compositions of ordinary objects. More about Six playful projects by Gab Bois that transform ordinary objects into tactile art
A lightweight coffin and an aestheticised pill box feature in Anker Bak's exhibition about empathetic design for the elderly as part of this year's 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen. More about Anker Bak designs products to address "taboo" topics of ageing and death