Navigating city streets by bicycle is an experience that blends independence, speed, and a closer connection to your surroundings. Yet, cycling in the urban landscape also means dealing with shifting weather, crowded roads, and the need to carry essentials in a way that doesn’t slow you down. Every ride calls for a careful balance of safety and convenience—whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or simply exploring the city’s neighborhoods. Urban cyclists know that the right accessories can make all the difference. A secure lock offers peace of mind at every stop, while smart lights and protective gear boost visibility and confidence among traffic. The challenge of unpredictable rain or the need to carry bulky items can turn a simple trip into a logistical headache without the right solutions. Today’s innovative cycling accessories are designed to meet these demands, combining clever engineering with practical features to support every aspect of city riding. We have curated ten excellent products designed for cyclists who want to ride smarter, safer, and more comfortably in the city. 1. Omnilock The Omnilock is a three-in-one accessory that acts as a heavy-duty bike lock, a bright taillight, and a portable tire inflator. Its integrated design means fewer separate gadgets to carry, making commuting more streamlined and convenient. The taillight increases visibility in low light, while the lock’s sturdy construction helps keep your bike secure at public racks or in urban parking spots. Urban cyclists benefit from knowing they have essential safety and emergency features always at hand. The tire inflator is built directly into the device, so unexpected flats can be handled on the go. Combining these tools into one compact accessory saves space in your bag and reduces the risk of forgetting a critical item during busy daily routines. What we like Combines lock, light, and inflator. Improves night visibility and security. What we dislike Heavier than standard locks. Not as compact as basic alternatives. 2. Sherman Bike Backpack This bike backpack features a flexible tri-fold design with open sides, allowing you to carry large or irregularly shaped objects, like spare tires or boxes, that wouldn’t fit in traditional bags. Adjustable straps help secure oversized items, and the backpack adapts to different cargo shapes, making it ideal for city errands or racing support. It is great for urban cyclists, as it offers the freedom to carry whatever the day demands, from groceries and packages to cycling essentials. Its adaptable structure means fewer limitations, supporting spontaneous trips and unexpected needs. The open sides add versatility, while the overall design keeps your load steady and easy to manage on busy city streets. What we like Fits oversized and odd-shaped items. Adjustable, adaptable design. What we dislike Less protection from rain or dust. It can be awkward with heavy loads. 3. BellBeats BellBeats is a digital bike bell that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, mounting easily to your handlebars. It delivers clear, customizable alert tones for safety and can stream music, navigation, or calls from your phone. Its compact design keeps your cockpit tidy, while the rechargeable battery ensures consistent performance on daily rides. BellBeats makes it easy for cyclists to alert pedestrians and vehicles, even in noisy city environments. The ability to switch between bell functions and speaker mode adds convenience, letting you stay aware of traffic or enjoy entertainment without removing your hands from the bars. It’s a smart solution for both safety and enjoyment in the city. What we like Dual function as a bell and a speaker. Customizable tones for alerts. What we dislike Needs regular charging. Music quality is basic. 4. vabsRider Bicycle Saddle The vabsRider saddle features a split, movable seat design that adapts to your pedaling motion. This dynamic movement reduces pressure on sensitive areas and aims to prevent soreness, allowing for longer, more comfortable rides. The saddle’s engineering helps distribute weight more evenly, supporting healthy posture and reducing fatigue. Urban cyclists are offered increased comfort, especially on longer commutes or frequent rides. The unique design helps alleviate the discomfort that can come from traditional saddles, making daily cycling a more inviting option. With less pain and better support, city riders can focus on navigating traffic and enjoying their journey. What we like Reduces pressure and soreness. Moves with the rider for comfort. What we dislike Unusual feel at first use. May not fit all seat posts. 5. Flitedeck Flitedeck is a carbon fiber smart handlebar that integrates a touchscreen, built-in headlight, and wireless connectivity (Bluetooth, ANT+, WiFi, 5G) into one cockpit. The system provides instant access to navigation, performance data, and lighting, all without cluttering the handlebars with separate devices. Its carbon construction keeps it lightweight and sleek. It is important for cyclists to have all essential controls and information in one place since it increases both safety and convenience. This integration helps reduce distractions, letting you focus on the road. Real-time data and built-in lighting make city rides easier to manage, especially when navigating unpredictable traffic or dimly lit streets. What we like Integrated touchscreen, lights, and connectivity. Streamlined, lightweight design. What we dislike Heavier than non-digital bars. Advanced setup required. 6. STAN Airbag The STAN Airbag backpack deploys an airbag in 0.1 seconds during a crash, protecting your head, neck, chest, and back. The backpack includes an integrated back protector, offering added safety even without airbag deployment. The system is rechargeable and designed for everyday use, making it a practical upgrade for regular city cycling. For urban cyclists, this backpack brings peace of mind on unpredictable streets. The rapid-deploy airbag provides an extra layer of safety beyond a helmet, while the back protector helps shield against impacts. It’s a valuable choice for riders who prioritize safety on busy or high-risk commutes. What we like Fast-deploying airbag protection. Extra back protection is built in. What we dislike Heavier than standard backpacks. Needs regular charging and checks. 7. Soft Top Cover The Soft Top Cover is a bike-mounted rain and wind shield that attaches quickly to most handlebars. It keeps your upper body, legs, and shoes dry without the need for rain gear. The cover tracks with your steering, is lightweight, and can be easily installed or removed for convenience. Urban cyclists benefit by staying dry and visible in wet weather, turning rainy commutes into manageable rides. The cover’s design is streamlined to reduce wind resistance, and its compactness allows easy storage when not in use. It eliminates the hassle of changing clothes or carrying extra rain gear for city trips. What we like Full-body rain and wind protection. Easy installation and removal. What we dislike Not as compact as a poncho. It can be awkward in strong crosswinds. 8. Aerohead II Helmet The Aerohead II Helmet stands out with its aerodynamic, elongated shape and full wraparound visor. Its design reduces wind resistance and protects your eyes from the sun, dust, and debris. The helmet meets strict safety standards and is built for both speed and protection, with ample internal padding for comfort. Urban cyclists gain the advantage of improved safety and efficiency, particularly on fast commutes or when sharing busy roads with vehicles. The extended visor enhances field of vision and shields you from the elements, while the helmet’s streamlined profile helps reduce drag, even in stop-and-go city traffic. What we like Aerodynamic and protective design. Extended visor for sun and debris. What we dislike Bulky for casual use. A distinctive look may not suit everyone. 9. AirBell The AirBell is a discreet bicycle bell that doubles as an anti-theft device by hiding an Apple AirTag inside. Its universal design fits standard handlebars and is easy to install, requiring just a single screw. The bell itself is made from aluminum for a classic, clear ring, while the rugged clamp uses fiber-reinforced plastic for added durability. The hidden compartment keeps your AirTag out of sight, adding a layer of security without drawing attention. The AirBell offers peace of mind and real-time tracking to cyclists, making it easier to locate your bike if it’s lost or stolen in a crowded city. The ability to use Apple’s Find My network gives riders a modern solution to bike theft, all while maintaining the bell’s core function for safety. The compact, affordable design makes it a practical upgrade for anyone who wants to protect their ride without extra bulk. What we like Discreet AirTag holder for tracking. Simple installation and universal fit. What we dislike Only works with Apple AirTag. Bell sound may be quieter than larger bells. 10. The LIVALL LTSW21 The LIVALL LTS21 wireless earphones are purpose-built for cyclists, featuring an open-ear design that preserves situational awareness while you ride. Unlike traditional earbuds, the LTS21 can be used with most cycling helmets thanks to modular attachments, including a secure sports band and a unique helmet bracket that mounts the earphones directly to your helmet. This setup ensures the earphones stay in place whether you’re riding, running, or working out. It offers urban cyclists the ability to listen to music, podcasts, or take calls without blocking out essential city sounds like car horns, traffic, or warnings from other riders. The open-ear design prioritizes safety, while the hands-free features support convenient communication on the go. Riders can interact with voice assistants and remain connected, all without compromising awareness on busy city streets. What we like Open-ear design maintains situational awareness. Helmet-friendly mounting for secure use. What we dislike Audio quality may not match in-ear earbuds. Open design may let in wind noise at high speeds. The post 10 Best Bike Gear For Urban Cyclists To Boost Safety & Convenience first appeared on Yanko Design.

For Gen Z, homeownership or even just living alone brings a new set of responsibilities, and, often, a lot of confusion. How do you manage a home without letting it manage you? How do you keep it clean without feeling like you’re constantly at war with dust bunnies and mildew? SCOP helps you with that! A sleek, intelligent, and modular cleaning system designed specifically for the needs, habits, and lifestyles of today’s youth. SCOP is more than a robot vacuum; it’s a quiet, ambient home assistant that handles the unseen, unnoticed tasks you didn’t even know were weighing you down. Gone are the days when cleaning simply meant sweeping and mopping. Gen Z knows better. Home maintenance today is about convenience, wellness, and vibes. But even with the occasional chore, it’s easy to overlook what’s not right in front of you, like the dampness creeping into corners, the musty smell that slowly blends into the air, or the dust silently collecting behind the couch. These are the invisible chores, and SCOP is here to make them visible and manageable. SCOP consists of three core components: SCOP-Hub: A robotic vacuum that doesn’t just clean floors, it acts as the brain of the operation, moving around your space, collecting data, and sensing invisible environmental changes. Think of it as your home’s subtle yet all-seeing eye. SCOP-Humi: A moisture-fighting module using silica gel to prevent mold in areas prone to dampness. It’s perfect for dealing with rainy days, laundry forgetfulness, or muggy bathrooms. SCOP-Odor: This plasma ionizer tackles unpleasant smells at the molecular level. Whether it’s lingering food smells, pet odors, or that “I’ve lived here too long” funk, Odor handles it. Together, they work in harmony, scanning, detecting, acting, and predicting. Once SCOP identifies an issue, it recommends or even automatically deploys the appropriate module. Your only job? Toss, hang, or place Humi and Odor where the SCOP-Hub suggests. SCOP’s design language is minimalist, modern, and quietly confident. The entire set blends seamlessly into your living space, feeling more like curated home decor than cleaning equipment. It’s not another plastic gadget cluttering your floor; it’s an integrated part of your interior. One of SCOP’s most innovative features is its intelligence in when and what to clean. It learns your patterns, when you leave the house, where you tend to leave wet clothes, what corners gather dust, and builds a smart routine. It logs this in the SCOP Log, a sort of memory bank that helps it predict and suggest tasks before problems even occur. Say you’ve got pets, SCOP automatically triggers dust control. If you’re out on a rainy day and leave damp laundry behind, it deploys the Humi module without waiting for you to notice the smell of mildew. That’s the power of predictive, invisible task management. SCOP recognizes that your schedule is packed. It doesn’t ask for your time, it just does what needs to be done and lets you know afterward. No deep dives into cleaning routines, no complicated settings. You don’t have to be a home expert. SCOP already is. It’s a solution made for small homes with big personalities. For shared apartments where no one wants to take out the trash. For city-dwellers who crave order but don’t want to obsess over it. In a world where tech is everywhere, SCOP stands out by being exactly where you need it, without demanding your attention. It shifts the mindset from doing chores to living in a place that just takes care of itself. By mapping your home’s unique personality and addressing even its most hidden needs, SCOP allows you to finally exhale and focus on what truly matters: living.The post The Smart Cleaning System Revolutionizing Home Care for Gen Z Renters and Owners first appeared on Yanko Design.

Reading Time: 5 minutes Last week, Google unveiled many interesting updates around Gemini at Google I/O 2025. The key highlight was the launch of Gemini 2.5 Pro, their most intelligent model yet. Although there were many updates, we’ve focused on those that will be beneficial for marketers like you. So, relax and read on to discover all the insights. Future of Google Search Shopping Google is reimagining how shoppers shop online—from product discovery to trial to checkout. If you sell online and list your products on Google, this is a huge update. The traditional method of shopping involved scanning hundreds of websites, reading reviews, and then buying a product. But with Google AI Mode or the Gemini app, shoppers can ask complicated questions, and Google will do the heavy lifting. Source – Google  For example, rather than searching for “best rugs for sofa”, shoppers can use Google AI mode and ask something like this, “I have a light gray sofa, I need a rug to brighten my room”. They can also add insights like “I have four kids at my house and they like to bring friends over”. But that’s not it, there’s more. Try it on Now, shoppers can try on clothes virtually to get a feel for how a style might look on them. Source – Google  They just need to upload your full-size image. While you might have seen something similar on other platforms, Google takes it to the next level with – Advanced 3D Shape Understanding Segmentation Diffusion There’s also a completely new way for checkout. Agentic Checkout Shoppers are always on the hunt for the best deals. Google’s new Agentic Checkout feature simplifies online shopping. It allows shoppers to specify their desired price, color, and size for a product, and Google will alert them when the item meets or drops below that price. When the price is dropped, shoppers can instantly check out with a click of a button, and all the details of your product (including size and colour) will already be added. Source – Google  Google examines numerous websites, sending alerts when its findings align with your specified preferences. If a price reduction occurs, a single click enables immediate checkout, as all your product specifics, such as size and color, are already saved. What does it mean for marketers? If you sell products online and list them on Google, you have a completely new channel through which your customers can discover, try, and purchase your products. However, optimize your products according to Google’s guidelines to ensure that they appear for relevant queries. Apparel companies must take advantage of the Try it on feature to provide their customers with a rich, personalized experience. Overall, E-commerce marketers can drive a lot of awareness, engagement, and conversions using the above updates. Gemini 2.5 Pro, AI Overviews and the New “AI Mode” Gemini 2.5 Pro is Google’s most intelligent, secure, and efficient LLM yet. Marketers can continue to use it for complicated tasks and deep research. It powers Google AI Overviews and the latest AI mode inside the Gemini App. Google AI Overviews is used by over 1.5 billion users every month across 200 countries. Rather than just providing links, AI Overviews provide direct, conversational answers and summaries. This change means that users get more information without clicking through, changing how visibility and traffic work. Seeing the rapid usage of AI Overviews, Google has launched something called “AI Mode.” They’ve reimagined Search from the ground up. Source – Google   Unlike a normal Google search, users can ask longer and more complex questions. The queries can be 2-3 times longer, and they can even ask follow-up questions. And the best part: It’ll take into account their personal information for even more personalized answers. AI Mode has already been launched in the US. What does it mean for marketers? To summarise, marketers now need to shift gears from just getting people to their website/app to making sure their content shows up in these AI-generated snippet/answers. Google has updated its generative AI capabilities, including image, audio, and video generation. Veo 3 now generates audio alongside video. Below is an example. What does it mean for marketers? Google is really pushing boundaries when it comes to what you can generate using AI. Marketers should definitely explore the various generative AI capabilities for improved campaign creation. However, if you’re looking to craft customer campaigns that resonate with your target customers and get higher engagement, you need to check out our own Generative AI platform, Merlin AI. There’s nothing better than an AI that constantly analyzes your previous campaigns to give you personalized output. Glance leveraged it for 50% faster campaign go-live times. Read the complete story here. Gemini Now Supports MCP The Gemini SDK now supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which was introduced by Anthropic. In addition, Google is bringing agentic capabilities to Search, Chrome, and the Gemini App. They call this “Agent Mode.” MCP is an emerging technical standard that allows AI models (like those used by Google) to connect more easily and securely with external, real-world data sources and tools. What does it mean for marketers? If you’re serious about building AI agents and you’ve been using Gemini, this is big news. The support for MCP opens up a new world of possibilities. But if you’re just getting started, you can read our latest on AI Agents for Customer Engagement. AI Agents can assist marketers with everything from campaign creation to analytics to decision-making. To help drive awareness, we’re also hosting a live masterclass titled “Agentic AI and Customer Engagement in 2025 and Beyond”. In this live panel discussion, we’ll cut through the noise and explore the exciting, practical ways to leverage AI in customer engagement. You can save your seat here. Android XR The most interesting launch was Google’s push into the XR space, the Gemini-powered Android XR platform. Designed for smart glasses and VR headsets, Android XR leverages Gemini for real-time translation, live messaging, contextual navigation, and more. Source – Google  What does it mean for marketers? Android XR is an emerging channel for marketers to consider. Its potential for rapid adoption suggests it could become a significant additional marketing avenue in the near future. Keep an eye out for future updates. Wrapping Up For marketers, the above updates mean that embracing AI-powered tools and strategies is no longer optional but essential for success. By leveraging these innovations, marketers can drive better results, improve customer engagement, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world. The post Google I/O 2025 – What Marketers Need to Know appeared first on MoEngage.

Features Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning Fan Theory Fixes Series’ Most Controversial Twist A new fan theory about the ending of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is gaining steam online. And it would fix what some consider to be the series' biggest mistake. By Tom Chapman | May 30, 2025 | | Photo: Paramount Pictures This article contains Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning spoilers. For now it looks like Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning really could be the end of the long-running spy series. While there’s plenty of talk about Tom Cruise hanging up his badge as the Impossible Missions Force’s Ethan Hunt or possibly handing over the baton to one of the many other unwilling recruits, there’s plenty of evidence that we’re not done yet. The critic scores and box office point to an appetite for Mission: Impossible 9, and now a popular online theory is taking off that a fan-favorite could soon be back in action. After Brian De Palma’s original Mission: ImpossibleRebecca Ferguson’s Isla Faust in 2023’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning that sticks out more than most. Although Ilsa was seemingly killed by Esai Morales’ villainous Gabriel during a tense Venice action scene, the fact that her death seemed so sudden and was glossed over so quickly led many to believe she’d be back for The Final Reckoning. That’s sadly not the case, but what about in the franchise’s future? Previous outings have shown that Ethan’s dangerous career path affects his ability to hold down a relationship (Michelle Monaghan’s Julia in Mission: Impossible III). Additionally, the franchise is no stranger to bringing characters back from the dead (Jon Voight’s Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible springs to mind). When both features are coupled with Ilsa’s somewhat underwhelming death, it’s no surprise that fans are clinging onto the idea she’ll return in the inevitable next movie. And during The Final Reckoning’s final scene, where Ethan splits from his team in London, eagle-eyed fans spotted him veering close to an unnamed woman who looks a lot like Ferguson’s dearly departed assassin. Some suggested it was Hayley Atwell’s Grace, but with her having already said her goodbyes and gone in a different direction, it clearly can’t be her. Supporters of the theory have latched onto footage of Ilsa from Fallout and compared it to the mysterious Final Reckoning woman. The stranger has a similar wavy hairstyle to Ilsa, and a choice in baggy clothes. It would also be a neat parallel of the pair parting ways and going in different directions (in London, no less) during Rogue Nation. Others have likened this theory to Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne meeting with Anne Hathaway’s Selina Kyle after he faked his death in The Dark Knight Rises. Given Ferguson’s raised profile in Silo and the Dune movies, landing her again would be a major coup, but what has the star herself said? Ferguson has previously explained why she felt the need to step away from Mission: Impossible, telling the Unwrapped podcast how it was more than just her three-movie deal being done: “Ilsa was becoming a team player. And we all can want different things, but for me, Ilsa was rogue. Ilsa was naughty. Ilsa was unpredictable. There was a lot of characters coming in, not leaving enough space for what she had been.” We previously said how Ilsa’s Dead Reckoning death effectively ‘fridged’ her character to catapult Ethan’s arc forward and leave more room for Grace to step up as a franchise lead. Most frustratingly, after becoming a mainstay of the previous two movies, she was forced to take a backseat in the first half of Dead Reckoning and given a quick demise that was barely referenced afterward. Going against the idea that we’ll see Ilsa again, Dead Reckoning’s Arabian-set opening already had Ethan help her fake her death. It’s true that we don’t see what happens to her body, but a double fake out might be even too much for a franchise that’s taught us to never trust what we see thanks to its mask technology and old-fashioned sleight of hand.  Another reason you shouldn’t start cheering Ilsa’s welcome return to Mission: Impossible is that McQuarrie might have shut down the theory before it even got to do the rounds. The issue of Ilsa’s absence has been a hotly contested one, especially considering Ferguson only appeared via archive footage without filming anything new. Despite the controversy, McQuarrie told theHappy Sad Confused podcast that “it’s the cost versus benefit. The death of essential characters has followed Ethan [Hunt] throughout every one of these movies. I don’t think up until that point a character that resonated so deeply with the audience had died.” While the director says he understands why some were dissatisfied with how it happened, he concluded, “Which is where I thought that wouldn’t motivate me to undo the one thing that gives Mission: Impossible teeth, which is ‘death is permanent’.” It’s no secret that the Mission: Impossible movies have tried their best to tie up loose ends. Thandiwe Newton denied rumors she was asked to reprise her role as Nyah Nordoff-Hall in Mission: Impossible III, Jeremy Renner recently told the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he turned down another chance to play William Brandt because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter, and Maggie Q told Yahoo in 2020 that she had to turn down two opportunities to reappear as Zhen Li due to filming commitments. Unfortunately for Faust fans, it sounds like McQuarrie thinks she got the ending he wanted. It might be hard to keep Ferguson’s return a secret if there’s another Mission: Impossible, and we’re still a long way from potentially seeing Isla Faust again. Join our mailing list Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!

The Obalende bus terminus is one of Lagos’s most important transport nodes and a ‘graveyard’ for old danfos, which in Yoruba means ‘hurry’. These yellow‑painted minibuses form the backbone of Lagos’s informal transport system and are mostly second‑hand imports from the global north. Located in the heart of Lagos Island, Obalende is one of the first areas to be developed east of the lagoon that splits Lagos into two main halves: the Island and the Mainland. It receives a large portion of urban commuters daily, especially those entering Lagos Island for work. Obalende plays a critical role in the cycle of material reuse across the city. The life of a danfo does not end at retirement; it continues through a vast network of informal markets and recyclers that sustain entire communities. Their metal parts are either repurposed to fix other buses or sold as scrap at markets such as Owode Onirin. Located about 25km away on the Lagos Mainland, Owode Onirin, which means ‘money iron market’ in Yoruba, is a major hub for recycled metals. Waste collectors scour the city’s demolition sites for brass and mild steel; they find copper, bronze and aluminium in discarded vehicles. These materials are then processed and sold to companies such as African Foundries and Nigerian Foundries, as well as to local smiths who transform them into building parts, moulds and decorative objects. Sorters, welders and artisans form the backbone of this circular micro‑economy. Their labour breathes new life into discarded matter.  Lagos has a State Waste Management Authority, but it is fraught with politicking and inefficient in managing the city’s complex waste cycle. In the absence of intelligent state strategies, it falls on people to engineer solutions. They add armatures, build networks and modulate the static thresholds and borders imposed by the state. Today, these techniques and intelligences, born out of scarcity, are collectively labelled ‘informality’, a term that flattens their ingenuity.  Across the streets of Obalende and around its central roundabout, kiosks and pop‑up shops dominate the landscape. Most are constructed from materials such as timber reclaimed from collapsed buildings or fallen fascias, along with salvaged tarpaulins. Stones and concrete blocks found at demolition sites are moulded into anchors using discarded plastic paint buckets, serving as bases for umbrellas offering relief from the scorching Lagos sun. To anticipate flash flooding, many structures are raised slightly above ground on short stilts. Space, which is in short supply, is creatively repurposed to serve different functions at various times of the day; a single location might host breakfast vendors in the morning, fruit sellers in the afternoon and medicine hawkers at night. Due to its proximity to the city centre, Obalende experiences constant population shifts. Most entering the city at this node have no means of livelihood and often become salvagers. Under the curling ends of the Third Mainland Bridge, for example, a community of migrants gathers, surviving by scavenging motor parts, sometimes from old danfos, zinc roofing sheets and other materials of meagre value. Discarded mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets are repurposed as shelter beneath the noisy overpass, which becomes both workplace and home. In the absence of supportive state frameworks, communities like those in Obalende create micro‑responses to urban precarity. Their fluid, multifunctional spaces are adaptive and resilient architectures resulting from necessity, survival and material intelligence.  ‘Informality as a way of life is inherently circular in its use of space and materials’ In Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria and one of the most populated in Africa, two thirds of the population live on less than US$1 a day, according to Amnesty International. This speaks not only to income levels but to multidimensional poverty. Unlike global cities such as Mumbai, Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro, where poorer demographics are largely confined to specific neighbourhoods at the margins, informality in Lagos is not peripheral but integral to how the city functions, defying the rigid thresholds and boundaries of formal urban planning.  Across Lagos, self‑sustaining circular economies flourish. Orile, a metal market located on the mainland, is one of the sites where discarded metals from sites in Lagos can be sold as part of a recycling system. Further out in the suburbs of Lagos, also on the mainland, is the Katangua Market, which is the biggest second‑hand clothes market in the city. In Nigeria’s largest hardware technology hub, Computer Village, just south of Lagos in Ikeja, used electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE) is sold for parts. A TRT World report notes that about 18,300 tonnes of UEEE arrive in Nigeria annually – although the number varies in other studies to as much as 54,000 tonnes smuggled in – with the majority coming from Europe, closely followed by the US and China.  Computer Village evolved into a dense network of shops, stalls and kiosks between 1998 and 2000, just before Nigeria adopted early digital cellular network technology. The market sits just minutes from the local airport and the Ikeja High Court, but its edges are fluid, spilling out from the Ikeja Underbridge. Over time, formal plots have dissolved into an evolving mesh of trade; the streets are lined with kiosks and carts, built from repurposed plywood, corrugated metal and tarpaulin, that come and go. Space is not owned but claimed, temporarily held, sublet and reshuffled.  Today, Computer Village generates an estimated US$2 billion in annual revenue. Yet most of the shops lack permanence and are constantly at risk of demolition or displacement. In March this year, over 500 shops were demolished overnight at Owode Onirin; in 2023, shopping complexes at Computer Village were torn down in a similar way. The state has continuously announced plans to relocate Computer Village to Katangua Market, with demolition of parts of Katangua Market itself making way for the move in 2020. Urban development patterns in Lagos prioritise formal sectors while ignoring self‑organised makers and traders. This contributes to spatial exclusion, where such communities are often under threat of eviction and relocation.  Discarded devices eventually make their way to landfills. Olusosun, in the very heart of Lagos, is one of Africa’s largest landfills. Over 10,000 tonnes of waste are delivered daily, and more than 5,000 scavengers live and work here, sifting through an artificial mountain of refuse in search of value: aluminium, copper, plastic, cloth. The waste stream, enlarged by the influx of used hardware and fast fashion from the global north, creates both livelihood and hazard. Recent studies have shown that most of the residents in and around the site are exposed to harmful air conditions that affect their lungs. Additionally, the water conditions around the site show infiltration of toxic substances. Scavengers have lost their lives in the process of harvesting metals from discarded electronics.  More than a landfill, Olusosun is a stage for the politics of waste in the global south. Poor regulation enables the flow of unserviceable imports; widespread poverty creates demand for cheap, second‑hand goods. The result is a fragile, and at times dangerous, ecosystem where the absence of the state makes room for informal innovation, such as space reuse and temporary architecture, material upcycling and recycling. In Olusosun, metals are often extracted, crushed and smelted through dangerous processes like open burning. Copper and gold harvested from the ashes then make their way back into products and institutions, such as the insets of bronze or aluminium in a piece of furniture that might eventually travel back to the global north. In its usual fashion, the government has promised to decommission the Olusosun site, but little has been seen in terms of an effective plan to repurpose the site under the state’s so‑called ‘advanced waste treatment initiative’. Informality as a way of life is inherently circular in its use of space and materials. It embodies adaptability, resilience and an intuitive response to economic and environmental conditions. The self‑built infrastructures in Lagos reveal the creativity and resilience of communities navigating the challenges of urban life. Now is the time for designers, policymakers and community leaders to work together and rethink urban development in a way that is more sustainable and responsive to the needs of the people who make cities thrive. The question is not whether informal economies will continue to exist, but how they can be designed into wider city planning – making them part of the solution, not the problem. Featured in the May 2025 issue: Circularity Lead image: Olympia De Maismont / AFP / Getty 2025-05-30 Reuben J Brown Share

Cath Virginia is the senior designer here at The Verge, who creates illustrations and collages for our articles. However, she also has “dabbled” (as she puts it) in feature designs for articles such as 2004 was the first year of the future (which won the 2025 ASME Award for Best News and Entertainment Design), How the Stream Deck rose from the ashes of a legendary keyboard, and The Lurker. “I also designed the branding for Notepad by Tom Warren and recently refreshed the look of Verge Deals,” she explains.When not doing this impressive work, Cath sews. A lot. And so, when I asked her what one of her favorite gadgets was, she said it was her Brother 1034D Serger. If you’re not quite sure what a serger is (I certainly wasn’t), read on.What exactly is a thread serger?A serger, also known as an overlocker, is a type of sewing machine generally used in apparel making. It has two needles and uses up to four strands of thread at a time to create the loops and finished edge you see on the inside of most knitwear, like T-shirts and leggings. It also has a knife that cuts the edge of your fabric at the same time, so the finished product looks clean and professional.When did you buy this one, and what went into the decision?I bought this one this past March as a birthday and tax return present. I’ve been wanting one for a while, because I sew a lot of clothes. I’m picky about style and, being fat, have a hard time finding clothes I like that actually fit me. I also love wearing knits because they’re comfortable, and traditional sewing machines aren’t intended primarily to sew knit garments, which need to have stretchy seams. You can use a zigzag stitch to achieve a stretch in your seam, but the serger sews and cuts all at once, as well as finishes the inside edges, so it saves a lot of time. In choosing a serger, I wanted one that was easy to thread, had an adjustable free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves, and could sew multiple layers of fabric at a time. I watched a bunch of YouTube reviews of sergers and found this one to be pretty affordable — and it checked my boxes. It also got better reviews than its cheaper sibling, the DX. I was intimidated by it at first because four spools of thread is kind of scary. But it has clearly labeled and color-coded instructions for threading and comes with a manual, so I learned it and had it down in under half an hour.The serger creates a chain of stitches called “overlocking” that goes along the inside edge of your garment and can also be used for decoration. Photo: Cath Virginia / The VergeWhat do you usually create with it?So far, I have hemmed a couple shirts and made a maxi skirt (with pockets!) and a crop top. That was after a long and frustrating period trying to learn how to use it. I also dulled two different knives, learning that you can’t sew over pins with a serger because there is a big metal knife chopping your seam off.What do you like about it?Sometimes when you’re sewing knits on a traditional (lockstitch) machine, the edges become unintentionally ruffle-y (due to its one measly feed dog, which is the moveable plate that pulls the material through from stitch to stitch). This can make your piece look pretty weird and bad. Another great thing about this serger is that it has something called differential feed, which uses two feed dogs to sew your fabric together. It can be adjusted to feed one piece of fabric faster or slower, so it will flatten out your wobbly knitted seams or can be used to create a lettuce hem. It also comes with a gathering foot, which can be used to gather and sew (intentional) ruffles!Is there anything about it that you dislike or that you think could be improved?This is actually on me for not doing quite enough research, but when I bought it, I was excited to finally be able to do the coveted two-thread coverstitch you see on the hems of T-shirts and other knit stuff, only to find out you actually need a whole other machine that literally only does that one thing. That was disappointing to find out, but to compensate, the serger does actually come with a blind hem foot that you can use to do an okay impression of one. It’s kind of a finicky stitch to get right, though, because you’re sewing from the wrong side of the fabric, and I had to do quite a few samples to test it out before I used it on any garments. Who would you recommend it to?If you sew a lot of knitwear clothing, it can be a really useful tool for leveling up your garments and being a bit more efficient! It’s not a total replacement for a lockstitch sewing machine but I’m really liking it so far. Don’t be too intimidated by the four threads: they are your friends. And don’t try to sew over any of your pins. $280Designed for finishing the edges and hems of a wide range of fabrics, especially linens and stretchy fabrics, and for creating ruffles and decorative edges.$280 at Amazon$280 at WalmartSee More:

Credit: Sonos Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Learn more about how we select deals. SAVE $90: As of May 29, the Sonos Era 300 is on sale for just $359 (reg. $449) across retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Sonos itself. That's 20% in savings and matches its record-low price from Black Friday. Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Era 300 $359 at Amazon $449 Save $90 As much as we love the Sonos audio lineup — from their high-end soundbars to their Bluetooth speakers to their first-ever headphones — we're not fond of the steep pricing. It's rare to see Sonos products go on sale outside of big shopping events like Black Friday or Prime Day, so we're pumped that the Sonos Era 300 speaker, which we've tested and love, is back down to its best price ever on this random Thursday in May.As of May 29, you can grab the Sonos Era 300 for just $359 instead of its usual $449 across multiple retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Sonos itself. That's 20% off, or $90 in savings, and matches its record-low from Black Friday last year. You May Also Like The Era 300 is the first Sonos speaker to support spatial audio, which led Mashable's Stan Schroeder to deem it "the king of sub-$500 smart speakers." It's not the prettiest looking speaker, but it's packed with fancy audio technology, including six amps, four tweeters, and two woofers. It also features Sonos Voice Control, as well as Alexa, customizable sound in the Sonos app, and the ability to connect seamlessly with other audio products from Sonos. Not that it needs a boost from anything else, though. As Schroeder puts it in his review, "It singlehandedly produces sound that can often match larger speakers, perhaps even entire hi-fi systems." Related Stories Mashable Deals Want more hand-picked deals from our shopping experts? Sign up for the Mashable Deals newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! While it's not quite as easy to use as Apple's HomePod and requires an adapter to connect a 3.5mm jack, we're willing to overlook those flaws for its absolutely booming sound. Take a rare $90 off for a limited time at your choice of retailer. Shop the Best Audio Deals Now Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.98 (List Price $39.99) Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones — $38.00 (List Price $59.99) JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $99.95 (List Price $129.95) Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker — $149.00 Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $228.00 (List Price $348.00) JBL Bar 300 5.0ch Compact Soundbar — $249.95 (List Price $399.95) Topics Amazon Christina Buff Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.

The kitchenette is minimalist but it manages to include all the essentials. Two primary colors dominate: the yellow found in the kitchen tiles with their zigzag pattern and the blue of the cabinets. And a lemon yellow spineAnd then, like lemons dotting the branches of trees, there are many details in bright yellow. They are like elements of punctuation, never overwhelming the space but introducing moments of light. Prominent among them is the custom-designed “stripe” that runs like a line drawn around the bedroom. Shelves, clothes hooks, mirror frames, and other elements, also in yellow, branch off of it. Holding the space together like a common thread in yellow, it serves as both a functional and a narrative element.Above the bed, the skylight adds an almost poetic touch while also playing its functional role of introducing soft and natural light into the room. “I was interested in having everything speak the same language while having the home still feel light with its stylistic themes always remaining unobtrusive,” the architect explains. “Even the bathroom follows this logic. The ceramics using custom Pantone colors and glazed iron elements were all made by local artisans.”In the bedroom, yellow accents abound most notably in the custom-made iron stripe that runs along the walls. This stripe serves as a support for shelves, a mirror, and other elements and it attaches to the side of the bed. A courtyard with a Mediterranean flavorThe home continues outdoors into a 550-square-foot courtyard where the branches of lemon trees weave together to create a natural pergola. Here, a given homeowner can have lunch, read, or sunbathe on a deck chair while forgetting about the city, which is only steps away. The outdoor furniture was also custom designed. Vietri ceramics from Arcea, like those found inside, pepper the walls of the kitchen and bathroom. Each surface is a small story, a mosaic of color and functionality.