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Galaxy S22 Ultra design turns Samsung's flagship phone on its head – Yanko Design

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It is pretty much everything the leaks said it would be, but now Samsung might be caught in a bit of a bind moving forward.

Thanks to a plethora of leaks that started way back in September last year, Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones didn’t come as much as a surprise. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, in particular, turned out to be exactly what they said it would be, a successor to the Galaxy Note line in everything except the name. This brings quite a few big design changes that are ironically too familiar, but it does make one wonder if this new direction muddles Samsung’s product design story more than consolidates it.

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A Tale of Two Galaxies

For those unfamiliar with Samsung’s innumerable smartphones, the company has always had to top-of-the-line brands, the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Note families. In the beginning, the two were easy enough to distinguish because of clear design differences and features. The Galaxy Note phones set themselves apart by not only having a stylus but also by using extra-large screens. Once ridiculed by Apple, “phablets” as they were called, have now become the norm, and the line delineating the two have become blurrier every year.

Every year, Samsung has been rumored to ditch the Galaxy Note brand because it overlapped too much with the Galaxy S series. Those rumors came to a head last year when the Galaxy S21 Ultra sported a stylus, albeit one that had to be stowed away separately, and when no new Galaxy Note phone was launched for the first time in a decade. The Galaxy S22 Ultra pretty much cemented that by looking less like a Galaxy S and more like a Galaxy Note.


This could put Samsung in a conundrum for the future of its phones. If it does retire the Galaxy Note line, and it is likely to do, will it adopt this duality of designs for the Galaxy S phones for the coming years? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to just adopt a single design language? That remains to be seen next year, though, but I wouldn’t put it past Samsung to keep this dichotomy for a while.

Subtle Differences

The differences between the two are even more pronounced this year because the two designs are used in the same brand. The smaller Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ have an almost iPhone-like look this year, with the usual flat display matched with flatter edges. Granted, the sides still have a bit of curve to them, but not as pronounced as in previous generations. Given how Samsung is often accused of following Apple’s lead, this subtle change won’t be lost on its critics.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra easily sets itself apart with its size and design. It is the largest of the three and is perhaps Samsung’s largest premium Galaxy to date (it is shorter but wider than its immediate predecessors). It comes with a curved edge screen and very curved edges, which isn’t exactly new and might even give its target audience some problems (as we’ll note later). It is, to some extent, a nod to the past, but there are also some designs that are somewhat new, at least for the Galaxy S flagship.


The biggest one is that the S Pen stylus now has a silo inside and won’t require extra accessories to keep it close to the phone. It’s a double-edged sword, though, since users will have to contend with a thin stick to use as a pen. It’s not the most ergonomic for prolonged use, and heavy users might find themselves buying and keeping a bigger S Pen anyway.

One new design detail about the Galaxy S22 Ultra is that it doesn’t have a camera bump, leaving the camera as small, individual islands of their own. While it does away with somewhat controversial camera structures that have become obnoxiously big, it might cause some concerns over how vulnerable those lenses might be. Conversely, those protrusions might also be cause for concern over how they might scratch surfaces they’re lying on, like wood.

Designed for Creatives

The Galaxy Note line has traditionally been aimed at professionals or “prosumers,” people who would have had use for a stylus for note-taking in particular. Over time, Samsung has tried to play up the S Pen, which is powered by technology from the famed Wacom, as a creativity tool, and it makes its biggest spiel with the Galaxy S22 Ultra this year. There is, of course, all the hardware you can ever ask for in a smartphone, but that only serves to power the actual experiences that creatives, including product designers, might need to do their work on the go.


The S Pen, of course, can be used for note-taking as well as sketching. The larger screen of the Galaxy S22 Ultra affords more space, at least for thumbnails and rough ideas, things you would sometimes do on the back of an envelope, a napkin, or a small pocket notebook. The powerful cameras and photography software also allow designers to quickly snap up photos of interesting objects and designs they come across.

Samsung, however, is also playing up the phone’s utility as an extension of its other new product, the Galaxy Tab S8 tablets. A special connection between the two devices transforms the phone into a dedicated screen for tools in apps like Samsung Notes and Clip Studio Paint. This would move almost all UI controls from the larger screen, leaving only the canvas you need to work on.

Sustainability Promise

One thing that’s new and common to Samsung’s newest line of devices is a stronger push towards sustainability. Samsung has committed to using plastics recycled from discarded fishing nets, starting with this year’s lineup. It also tried to reduce its packaging even further to reduce the materials produced and used, which adds up to reducing carbon emissions in the long run.

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Although not directly related to using sustainable materials and processes, Samsung also made a rather big promise that does contribute positively towards reducing e-waste. Extending the period that it will officially support these devices means that owners get to keep them for far longer. It’s still not up to Apple levels, mind, but it still goes beyond what most manufacturers offer, including Android maker Google. This means that it would take much longer before we see the Galaxy S22 Ultra and its siblings being thrown out or replaced, something that eventually adds to the amount of electronic waste and manufactured materials in the long run.



Designer: Samsung

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Take-Two Interactive to Acquire 'Borderlands' Developer Gearbox From Embracer Group for $460 Million – Yahoo Canada Sports

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Take-Two Interactive has acquired video game developer Gearbox, the maker of the “Borderlands” franchise, from Embracer Group for $460 million.

Per Take Two, the company “expects the transaction to deepen its successful relationship with Gearbox Entertainment and to provide increased financial benefits through a fully integrated operational structure.”

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As part of the deal, Take-Two will acquire Gearbox IP, including “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises, games published by Take-Two’s 2K Games, as well as “Homeworld,” “Risk of Rain,” “Brothers in Arms” and “Duke Nukem.”

Currently, Gearbox has six “key interactive entertainment projects in various stages of development,” per Take-Two, which includes five sequels, two from “Borderlands” and “Homeworld” universes, and at least one “exciting new intellectual property,” all of which have been acquired in the sale.

Take-Two’s purchase of Gearbox is expected to close in June, pending regulatory approval. Upon completion, Gearbox will operate as a studio within 2K, continuing to be led by Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford and his management team.

Former Gearbox owner Embracer, a Swedish gaming conglomerate who snapped up the rights to “Lord of the Rings” two years ago, has undergone a severe restructuring program over the past year, which has seen the company shut down or dispose of dozens of games studios and titles and lay off hundreds of staff, resulting in aftershocks that have reverberated throughout the games industry.

The sale of Gearbox marks the latest insistence of Embracer unloading assets, following the company divesting Saber Interactive.

“Our acquisition of Gearbox is an exciting moment for Take-Two and will strengthen our industry-leading creative talent and portfolio of owned intellectual property, including the iconic Borderlands franchise,” Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick said. “This combination enhances the financial profile of our existing projects with Gearbox and unlocks the opportunity for us to drive increased long-term growth by leveraging the full resources of Take-Two across all of Gearbox’s exciting initiatives.”

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An OLED iPad Pro and the first big-screen iPad Air will reportedly arrive in May – Engadget

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Apple will finally launch new iPads in early May, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Expected are a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and a faster iPad Air, including a 12.9-inch model for the first time in that lineup. The details of the upcoming iPad models have been consistent, circulating through the rumor mill since last year.

The new iPad Pro models will reportedly add OLED displays (offering deeper blacks and richer colors) and run on the new M3 chip, already found in several Macs. The new tablets are said to launch alongside a redesigned Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Other than a white color option, the latter has remained unchanged since its arrival four years ago.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air will supposedly run on a new processor. Bloomberg didn’t specify which, but — considering the current model uses the M1, and Apple likely wants to reserve the M3 for the more expensive Pro — the M2 sounds like a safe bet. The 12.9-inch screen option would mark the first time the iPad Air line has offered a display larger than 10.9 inches. Although Apple will charge more for that model than the smaller sibling expected alongside it, that would be the cheapest way yet to get a supersized iPad screen.

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Gurman said early this month that the new tablets would launch alongside the M3 MacBook Air, but the laptop arrived without any iPads in tow. He now reports that Apple’s release schedule was pushed back to finish working on the devices’ software and ironing out the kinks from the “complex new manufacturing techniques” they require.

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Ashleigh Oakridge offers boutique-style condos with concrete construction – Vancouver Sun

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Peterson Group’s latest project will be chock-full of amenities and have timeless interiors

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It may not sound exciting to say the big selling points for a new condominium project are that it’s concrete construction and four storeys. But start thinking in terms of getting all the benefits of concrete-tower construction in a sophisticated, boutique-style building of only 34 to 35 units, chock-full of amenities, situated on a quiet, tree-lined Vancouver street and the appeal is obvious—especially to those downsizing in the neighbourhood.

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“That on its own really sets it apart because if you want to be in a boutique setting, you don’t love the idea of highrises, and you want a concrete home type, there aren’t many options. It’s highly unique,” explains Barrett Sprowson, vice-president of sales and project marketing at Peterson Group, the developer of the Ashleigh Oakridge project, which will be composed of three buildings when completed.

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Two of the three buildings, the Berkley and the Alma, will be constructed first, with the Cambridge following later. Each one will have its own curb appeal, but all are designed to integrate into the neighbourhood, hence the plan to maintain the existing trees. The wellness amenities of sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and fully-equipped fitness room are centrally located in the Berkley for all the residents’ use. All three buildings have their own rooftop amenities that feature an indoor-outdoor flow from an expansive entertainment and co-workspace to patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area.

The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches.
The interiors at Ashleigh Oakridge will feature classic styling with design-forward touches. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The interiors of the homes, which Sprowson says offer generous, well-laid-out floorplans, feature numerous elevated design details that complement a classic esthetic. His personal favourite is the pot filler over the gas cooktop in the kitchen. “There’s not too many times you run into that, and there’s a little feature that’s practical, helpful and useful but is also tricky and expensive to do,” he says.

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The interior design team at Ste. Marie Studio framed their overall concept around the idea of classic styling accented with design-forward touches.

“We looked at it through the lens of a single-family home and wanting it to feel really timeless,” says Craig Stanghetta, founder and creative director of Ste. Marie Studio. “We don’t want it to feel that it doesn’t have a little bit of risk. There’s a little bit of risk in terms of some brushed metal accents.”

Their use of a bold marble for the kitchen backsplashes makes a dramatic visual statement, but though striking, the pattern is a classic marble, not one heavily veined, and one that would be at home in a Paris apartment or a New York brownstone, Stanghetta observes. In the larger homes, they’ve used it to wrap the islands. “They become a big feature, but in some of these other ones, we’re using the manufactured stone in those areas and letting the backsplash be the big design gesture,” Stanghetta says.

The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room.
The wellness amenities will include sauna, steam room, cold and hot plunge pools and a fully-equipped fitness room. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

In the smaller units where the backsplashes are marble, but quartz is used on the counter and island surfaces, the team introduced a dining table-island combination that works for multiple uses—kitchen prep, home office or dining—and the generous bank of wall storage available in the L-shaped configuration allowed for this unique style of island.

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“I think we just acknowledged that sometimes people are prioritizing different things, and if you’re in a one-bedroom living scenario, then we want the flexibility to choose your own adventure with that piece of furniture,” Stanghetta explains.

The appliance package is Miele and features built-in coffee makers, gas ranges, speed ovens, wall ovens and, in some units, wine fridges. There are also sleek can lights over the islands and open shelving for personalizing the space. Sprowson notes that the full-height pantries also boost the kitchens’ functionality and that, though expected when downsizing from a single-family home, they’re often not an option in condo living.

“It’s also a striking kitchen. You look at the marble backsplash and the marble countertop with the waterfall edge, and you’ve got all the functionality, but it’s also, dare I say, very pretty to look at,” he says.

When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children's play area.
When complete, each building at Ashleigh Oakridge will have rooftop amenities that include an entertainment and co-workspace, patio lounging, dining, fire pits, communal gardens and children’s play area. Photo by Supplied by Peterson Group

The bathrooms reflect that same mix of functionality and sophisticated styling, with details like flattering sconce lighting and wall-mount toilets. Stanghetta says the floating shelf under the medicine cabinet creates a “nice balance of high-functional storage but then these clean lines that also give you a more fully designed and realized space.”

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He notes that the double vanities in the larger bathrooms have an oversized countertop, a beautiful detail that works with the timeless design concept: attention to detail that will last. The combination of timelessness with contemporary accents creates interiors that reflect the project’s overall vision.

The development is ideally situated to allow residents to be central to everything while enjoying a quiet location.

“This is a viable option for anyone who wants concrete, a good amount of space, decent amenities, all the walkability and proximity to Oakridge and all the cool stuff that’s on the Cambie corridor,” Stanghetta observes.

Ashleigh Oakridge

Project Address: 5080 Ash Street, Vancouver

Project Scope: A development of three, four-storey, concrete, boutique buildings offering one, two and three-bedroom homes that range from 590 to 1,800 square feet. Each building features rooftop amenities and a shared wellness and fitness centre in the Berkley building.

Developers: Peterson Group

Architects: GBL Architects

Prices: Starting in the low $800,000s

Sales centre: Ashleigh PC 2094 W 43rd Ave, Vancouver

Sales centre hours: Open daily (Except Friday), noon to 5 p.m.

Sales phone: 604-476-429

Website: ashleighoakridge.com

Occupancy date: Estimated completion summer 2028

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