Luxury Smart Home

Bang & Olufsen relaunches flagship store, showcases luxury lineup

Luxurious blend of form and function

Published

September 24, 2024

Manila Connoisseur

Photos by Rodneil Quiteles

Bang & Olufsen relaunched its newly renovated flagship store in the Philippines on Tuesday, highlighted by a showcase featuring some of the brand’s most iconic premium home audio solutions.

Located at Shangri-la Plaza, the 124-square meter flagship store featured various state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen home theater systems and other finest offerings from its Beosound and Beovision lineups.

The offerings all exude the brand’s luxurious blend of form and function, coming in Scandinavian modern minimalist aesthetics that complement various interiors.

Visitors can experience an immersive journey first-hand when they visit the store, while looking for the solutions to fit their needs.

Beolab 8: Fidelity from every angle

One of the relaunch event’s highlights was the Beolab 8, which is making its Philippine market debut.

Priced at PhP 504,000 for a pair, the powerful compact speakers blast full, rich, and clean sound with a volume that’s enough to fill a medium-sized room.

The sound from the three-driver setup is tuned by Bang & Olufsen’s renowned tonmeisters.

The Beolab 8 can connect to devices via Wi-Fi. It also has its own internet connectivity capability so users can play audio directly from streaming apps without needing their smartphones.

Moreover, the top part of the Beolab 8 functions as a stereo system. Just a touch will illuminate its controls so users can adjust every setting from the two speakers themselves.

Lastly, the offering comes in three wood colors to complement the user’s interior motif.

Beoplay H100: Sound that moves

Meanwhile, the Beoplay H100 is the brand’s major in-ear headphones offering. It is crafted from topnotch materials, including real leather for its magnetically detachable ear pads and headband cushion.

Priced at PhP 115,000, the audio solution features unrivaled high-quality sound and noise cancellation.

The Beoplay H100 boasts of 40mm custom-made titanium drivers that can produce up to 96 kHz / 24 bits high-resolution sound. It also supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio and has 10 microphones.

Furthermore, it comes in three colors: Sunset Apricot, Infinite Black, and Hourglass Sand. It will release starting this October but is already available for preorders.

Beosound A5: Powerful, portable

Bang & Olufsen also emphasized its powerful and portable picnic basket-looking Beosound A5 speaker.

This particular product flaunts 360-degree sound of the same quality, making it ideal for gatherings and even outdoor trips.

Users an even utilize its top part as a wireless charging station for compatible devices.

Beovision Harmony: Complete package

For those looking for a complete theater package, the Beovision Harmony is comprised of a 97-inch 4K OLED screen.

It works seamlessly with the Beolab 50 and Beolab 90 floor-standing speakers. A space-saver, the Harmony’s speakers fold vertically when not in use, covering part of the large display.

Beosound Shape: Personalized wall-mounted system

Lastly, the Beosound Shape offers consumers to own an art piece-like audio package.

With a minimum of eight cube-looking tiles, each coming in various colors, users can decorate walls with a mounted system that they can personalize by being creating various patterns and arrangements.

Each set of eight includes four speakers, which can be expanded to as many as whatever number a homeowner desires.

Related Topics:Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8 Beoplay H100 Beosound A5 Beosound Shape Beovision Harmony

Luxury Smart Home

Dyson PencilWash makes wet cleaning feel effortless

Built for daily spills, stubborn stains

Published

February 23, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Dyson introduces the PencilWash, its slimmest and lightest wet cleaner yet. It’s designed for modern homes that value both efficiency and hygiene.

At only 38mm thin along the handle and weighing 2.2kg, it’s built to glide and reach places that usually collect dust and forgotten spills.

Designed to slip into real life

The PencilWash feels closer to holding a broom than pushing around a bulky machine. The 38mm ultra-slim handle sits comfortably in hand, making quick cleanups feel less like a chore.

It steers with a natural twist and lays almost completely flat, reaching under beds, sofas, and consoles with a clearance as low as 15cm.

Its compact build also means easy storage, fitting into tighter spaces without demanding a dedicated corner.

Fresh water only, every time

Wet cleaning often comes with a compromise. Traditional systems trap dirt in filters that can smell, clog, and affect performance over time.

The PencilWash removes that layer entirely. Its filter-free system reduces the risk of sludge buildup and unpleasant odours, so maintenance stays simple and performance remains consistent.

Dyson combines hydration, agitation, and extraction in one seamless motion. An 8-point hydration system distributes clean water evenly across a high-density microfibre roller, packed with 64,000 filaments per square centimeter.

The roller spins rapidly to lift wet spills and dry debris in one pass, while dirty water is continuously extracted on every rotation.

The result is straightforward: you are always cleaning with fresh water, from the first swipe to the last.

Built for daily spills and stubborn stains

The PencilWash offers two hydration modes, allowing you to adjust water flow depending on the mess and the floor type.

Light spills can be handled quickly, while tougher stains receive a more thorough rinse, all with a quick-drying finish that lets you walk through your space sooner.

A 300mL clean water tank covers up to 100 square meters. With up to 30 minutes of runtime on a single charge, it’s designed to clean more of your home in one uninterrupted session.

A lighter way to keep things clean

Dyson continues its direction of making machines smaller and lighter while improving performance.

The PencilWash brings that philosophy into wet cleaning, pairing a pencil-thin profile with the precision engineering the brand is known for.

For homes that value ease, hygiene, and thoughtful design, the PencilWash turns everyday floor cleaning into something simpler and far more manageable.

Accessories

Thoughtful gift ideas for modern living: 2025 holiday gift guide

Gift ideas that feel intentional and considered

Published

December 20, 2025

Chay Lazaro

The best gifts aren’t impulse buys nor extravagant. This year’s holiday gift guide is about giving with intention. Each pick was chosen not as a novelty, but as something that adds value to your loved ones’ lives. They support routines, encourage rest, create shared moments, elevate everyday comforts, and provide peace of mind. These are the kind of gifts that feel considered, personal, and truly meant for the person receiving them.

Peace of mind, wherever the day goes

OrbitKey Travel Sling (3L), US$89.90

This sling is designed for moving through the day feeling organized and secure. Along with its compact, structured layout, it includes RFID-protected pockets that help shield cards and personal information from digital theft. It’s ideal for both commuting and traveling and comes in Black, Stone, and Terracotta.

Statik TireHero Smart Tire Pump, US$69.99

This is the kind of gift that helps people feel prepared rather than reactive. Compact and easy to use, it quickly inflates tires at home or on the road. A small tool that offers real reassurance, it’s especially useful for drivers and cyclists alike.

ExpressVPN Aircove Go, US$169.90

This pocket-sized router creates a secure, VPN-protected network anywhere, making public Wi-Fi far safer to use. Ideal for travelers, remote workers, or anyone handling sensitive information on the go. It’s small enough to travel with but powerful enough to protect privacy beyond the home.

OrbitKey Foldable Duffel, US$49

Having an extra bag when you didn’t know you need one can remove a surprising amount of stress and unnecessary expenses. This duffle folds down flat for easy storage, then opens into a 55L bag when packing gets too ambitious and you’re being charged at the airport for your overweight suitcase. It’s reliable, flexible, and quietly reassuring to have on hand.

Thoughtful tech for home and productivity

Native Union WEIGHTER, starts at US$19.99

Sometimes the smallest upgrades make the biggest difference. This weighted desk accessory keeps charging cables from slipping out of reach, reducing friction in everyday routines. It’s a subtle but satisfying improvement for someone who works from home or their messy night stand. It comes in Black and Sandstone, and two models: 1 Cable and 3 Cables.

Rocketbook Core, US$38.99

For someone who loves writing by hand but also wants their notes organized digitally, this reusable notebook allows handwritten notes to be stored in the cloud. It’s great for planners, students, even creatives that don’t want clutter. It combines the satisfying tactility of pen and paper and digital convenience.

Nomad Stand One Max, US$159

Built with Qi2 25W, this charger brings calm to the end of the day. With one solid, beautifully weighted base, it charges the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods in one place. It reduces clutter and decision-making, turning charging into a simple ritual.

Lexar SL500 Portable SSD with Magnetic Set, starts at US$105

Extra storage becomes invaluable once someone starts creating, traveling, or documenting more of their life. This portable SSD offers fast, reliable storage with a magnetic sleeve that makes it easy to attach and carry. It’s ideal for backing up photos, videos, and important files without fuss. It’s a practical gift to support that creative in your life and help them stay organized.

Rituals, wellness, and slowing down

Üllo Original Wine Purifier, US$79.99

For someone who enjoys a glass of wine as part of winding down but hates the headaches that come after: Üllo removes sulfites while aerating the wine. It helps enhance the flavor and aroma of wine while being gentler for those sensitive to additives. Add the hand blown Decanter that’s made from ultra transparent lead-free crystal to make any bottle taste fancier.

La Jolie Muse Season of Stories Trio Set, US$60

With artful vessels and clean-burning soy wax, these candles feel as much like decor as they do self-care. The scents are cozy and ideal for winding down or hosting. It’s a gift that invites pause.

LEGO Botanicals, starts at US$14.99

A calming, screen-free build that becomes a beautiful piece of home decor, each set invites someone to slow down and enjoy the process. With flower bouquets, bonsais, and plants to choose from, it’s a satisfying project that brings a sense of completion without the upkeep of real plants. As an added bonus, if you can build it together it turns the gift into a shared memory, so every time they see the finished piece, they’re reminded of the time you spent creating it together.

Small joys, big upgrades

SURI 2.0 Electric Toothbrush, US$135

This device makes an everyday habit feel more intentional. Created with sustainability in mind, it’s a sleek yet practical gift that elevates anyone’s bathroom shelf. It’s got wireless charging and the redesigned travel case powers UV cleaning on the go. It comes in five colors: Winter Fern, Sea Mist, Sunset Bloom, Midnight Black, and Morning Waves.

XGIMI MoGo 4, US$499

This portable projector makes it easy to turn any wall into a big screen. You can give the gift of a quiet solo night for someone who needs to decompress from work, or movie nights shared with their loved ones. It’s great for a cozy home setup this winter or the outdoors when the weather starts to get warmer.

Eve Flare, US$109.95

Lighting is one of the most overlooked features in any space, but is truly transformative. This smart LED lamp creates soft, customizable ambient light that works indoors or outdoors. It’s perfect for someone who just moved into a new apartment, or that person in your life who cares about mood and intentional design.

Liiton American Peaks Whiskey Decanter Set, US$129

This glassware set transforms drinking into a sensory experience, whether on display or in use. It’s a great conversation piece and makes a nightcap more intentional. Place your glass in the freezer and get chilled and aerated whiskey in just 18 seconds thanks to its proprietary X1 Crystalline Chill Charge System. Made from lead-free crystal, the glassware is sculpted with the majestic U.S. mountain peaks: Mount Whitney, Yosemite, Smoky Mountains, Mount Rainier, and The Rockies.

For growing lives and staying connected

loog mini acoustic, US$129

With fewer strings and a simplified design, kids can start playing real songs quickly without feeling overwhelmed. It builds confidence and creativity while introducing musical fundamentals. It’s a gift that supports learning through play.

Instax Mini Link 3, US$99.99

This gift turns fleeting moments into tangible memories. With a few taps, photos on your phone become physical prints that can be shared, saved, and displayed. In an age where taking photos has never been easier, having physical prints encourages reminiscing without increasing screen time. It’s a wonderful gift for families and friends who love documenting life.

Arzopa Digital Photo Frame, starts at US$99.99

Bring warmth to someone’s home without requiring technical effort. This photo frame is great for that loved one who’s moved far away. Photos can be updated remotely, making it easy to feel closer despite the distance. It comes in two sizes: 10″ and 14″, both with a champagne colored bezel.