Superyachts are stunning to look at. Just a glance and you'll be met with an extremely polished and seamless package. Valkyrie certainly doesn't fall short in this regard, its designer has looked to break the mold somewhat with a fragmented exterior inspired by an architectural movement spawned in the 1980s. However, it doesn't compromise on luxury either. Chulhun Park, Valkyrie's designer says "Having seen too many conventional white yachts which were vertically stacked like wedding cakes, I was determined to design a visually unique yacht which would stand out from a fleet."



This pointed him toward a postmodern architectural movement known as deconstructivism, characterized by building exteriors warped into irregular, fragmented forms that deviate from the typical neat geometric design. This design style can be seen through the work of notable architects like Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry.



Initially, the Valkyrie started off as a thesis project while Park had studied vehicle design at the Royal College London. However, his sketches had soon drawn the attention of Palmer Johnson, where he was completing an internship at the time. Johnson had taken Park on full-time where he had become a senior designer before moving onto Larvia's Latitude Yachts as its chief designer.



If built, the 229m (751ft) yacht would become the largest yacht in the world and it would outsize the 180m Azzam owned by Khalifa bin Zayden Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. But Park says that Valkyrie is a lot more than a student project, and it was deeply researched and benefited from cooperation with the Palmer Johnson team.





However, he designed the Valkyrie to serve as public space for the masses as opposed to a personal playground for the billionaires. He imagines casinos, galleries, theaters, and restaurants setting up shop on board. This idea will draw in customers, and profits, all while providing a good time for all. The floating entertainment hub could be used to host events, and guests may buy single day tickets to check out the action.



As for accommodating overnight guests, the Valkyrie features 26 cabins for 52 guests, along with 92 crew spread across 46 cabins with plenty of large windows and open decking to take in the surroundings.

The exterior, above the waterline, was designed by Park, but beneath the surface, is the handiwork of Palmer Johnson. The steel or aluminum hull would be fitted to a carbon fiber superstructure, with the vessel based on Palmer Johnson's trimaran hull design. Park says this design limits drag at high speeds and offers greater stability than a traditional mono-hull design, leading to a 50 percent increase in fuel efficiency.

While the Valkyrie is still a plan on paper, is it ever likely to be built? Park says only that there "has been genuine interest" in it.

From high-end tablets to powerful cameras, the year 2018 saw some cool gadgets arriving in India.

Here are the top 5 picks from the lot.

1. Apple Watch Series 4



Call it guardian of your health. If you are constantly worried about an elderly person in your family suffering a fall in the bathroom or in the garden, the Apple Watch Series 4 is what you need.

The device houses a feature called "Fall Detection" that will alert emergency contacts saved in your iPhone in case you meet with a hard fall.

The new Watch has an electrical heart sensor with two new features -- low heart rate notifications and faster heart rate reading.

The moment you get furious, Watch Series 4 sends you an immediate notification about your heart rate going through the roof, requiring you to cool down.

In the US, Apple Watch Series 4 will now help users take an electrocardiogram (ECG) right from their wrist and check irregular heart rhythms (hope these features come to India soon).

Apple Watch Series 4 is now available in India- the GPS+Cellular variant starts from Rs 49,900 and GPS-only model from Rs 40,900.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S4



Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 for Rs 57,900 is packed with rich features -- both for the workaholic and the lazy soul. The 2-in-1 comes equipped with Samsung "DeX" (docking station) and S Pen, making it a perfect device for those who are always on the go and seek entertainment on the side.

The redesigned S Pen offers services like navigate, translate and organise notes -- and even to send personalised texts via Samsung "Live Message".

The device has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, runs Android 8.1 Oreo, has 4GB RAM in two 64GB and 256GB internal memory with microSD variants. There is a 13MP rear and 8MP front camera.

If you are a Samsung smartphone user, especially Note 9, and want the same experience on a bigger display, Galaxy Tab S4 is your default choice. Invest in a Book Cover Keyboard to give the tab a laptop-like form factor.

3. OnePlus 6T



Undoubtedly the flagship killer of the year in the Rs 30,000 - Rs 40,000 segment.

The company's latest addition packs in all the goodness of OnePlus 6 along with meaningful upgrades such as the much-anticipated under-display fingerprint sensor, a smaller waterdrop-style notch and a bigger battery.

The 6T is OnePlus' costliest smartphone so far with a price tag of Rs 37,999 (for the 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage base variant). It is also available in a configuration of 8GB RAM+128GB storage and 8GB RAM+256GB storage for Rs 41,999 and Rs 45,999, respectively.

OnePlus has brought a slew of meaningful upgrades to the 6T and the phone definitely looks and feels better this time. Topped with a bigger battery and some hardware improvements, OnePlus 6T makes for a highly desirable smartphone in the premium category.

4. Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen)



The Rs 14,999 All-New Echo Plus (2nd Gen) with a smarter Alexa comes with a built-in smart hub that helps you set up compatible Zigbee-enabled smart home devices directly, just using your voice.

Just ask Alexa to discover your devices and begin controlling compatible lights, plugs, locks, thermostats, sensors and in-wall switches.

With seven microphones, beam-forming technology and noise cancellation, Echo Plus will hear you from all directions.

One feature that is worth mentioning is the equaliser (EQ) feature that allows users to personalise sounds by adjusting the bass, mid-range and treble.

Just ask Alexa to increase or decrease a specific band like "turn up the bass" or "decrease the treble" and she does it for you.

The second-generation Echo Plus with a far more intelligent Alexa is a real upgrade if you have experienced the first generation Echo.

5. Canon EOS R



The first full-frame mirrorless camera from Japanese camera maker Canon, the 30.3MP EOS R is the show stopper.

With the new EOS R, four types of RF mount adapters have been introduced to complete the EOS R ecosystem.

The EOS R features an electronic viewfinder. The camera is equipped with features like advanced Dual pixel CMOS AF, Digic 8 imaging processor, High density AF points positions, Multi-function slider bar, Flexible AE Mode and High speed data communication RF mount.

The RF lens mount is a balance of optical, mechanical and electronic engineering excellence, enabling innovative full-frame lens designs, faster auto focus and high-speed communication between the camera and lens.

The 54mm diameter RF mount is what makes EOS R unique with its short back-focus of 20mm and 12-pin contact points for enhanced communication between the lens and body.

The camera costs Rs 189,950 and with the EOS R kit (RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens), the price is Rs 278,945.

5. Mint: The best app for money management



If you want an app that can track your spending, create a budget for you, and help you become financially savvy, then Mint is all you need! This is because it allows you to connect all your bank and credit card accounts to your monthly bills, so that all of your finances are conveniently stored in the same place. It can also show you your real-time credit score, whilst sending you useful advice and reminders about bills that are due to be paid off.

6. Robinhood:  The best investing app



Robinhood is a game-changing investing app that's absolutely free of charge, which allows you to invest in either regular (fiat) currencies or Bitcoins. This app is perfect for anyone who's new to the investing game as it is really user-friendly. It also contains plenty of useful features such as real-time news alerts and market information that's relevant to you.

Sticking to a budget and managing all of our finances isn't always quite the straightforward affair that we'd like it to be. Thankfully, there are plenty of brilliant apps available online that can help make personal financial management a breeze, and here are 6 of the most useful ones:

1. Wally: The best app for tracking expenses



Wally will allow you to easily organize and track all of your personal expenses. Instead of having to manually log all of your expenses at the end of the month, this app will allow you to simply take a photo of your receipts, and will do it all for you. If you have geo-location activated on your phone, it will fill even more information for you, saving you several steps. Wally is free and very easy to use, and is the perfect way to help you learn exactly where all of your money is going.

2. Acorns: The best app for saving



Acorns is an incredible app that allows you to effortlessly start investing your small change. How does it do this? Basically, whenever you buy something with a credit card connected to the app, Acorns will round it up to the next highest dollar and automatically invest the difference on your behalf. It's free for anyone who is still in college, and everyone else need only pay a dollar a month!

3. Coinbase:  The best app for trading cryptocurrency



If you're thinking about trading in cryptocurrency, then Coinbase is the only app you need. This app will allow you to trade Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, and Litecoin, with more cryptocurrencies to be added in the near future. This awesome app even allows you to set up price alerts in advance in order to ensure that you're instantly notified when your target sell/buy price has been met.

4. You Need a Budget: The best app for people in debt



You Need a Budget, also referred to as YNAB, is nothing like any other budgeting app you've ever used. This great app allows you to create a budget around money that you actually have, to help you get out of the financially-crippling habit of living beyond your means. If you still occasionally go over-budget, then YNAB will supply you with constructive criticism that will help you achieve your goal of getting out of the red, and staying out!

What started life as a two month project for Swedish musician Martin Molin quickly spiralled into more than a years worth of work, but finally the Wintergatan Marble Machine is complete. Started in August 2014 the musical instrument took 14 months to complete and was made entirely by hand. The hand-cranked device comes loaded with a vibraphone, bass, kick drum, cymbal and also contains a network of tubes and pulleys that are home to 2,000 steel marbles!.

The instrument is actually made up of 3,000 different parts which like earlier prototypes where supposed to be 3D printed however it soon became apparent to Molin as he began building the Wintergatan that it would be far easier to make components up by hand as he worked. The end result is an almost Frankenstein-like instrument that is totally hypnotic to watch in action.

11. Knitted beard hat- wear it while you are on your bike.

9. Power nap pillow - because what else do we need on a Monday?



10. Ironing board mirror - because saving space is a legit thing.

7. All-in-one glass - for shots and for beer



8. Pens and forks and spoons - all in one place.

5. An awesome phone holder - because it's the most important.



6. Rice washer - because let's face it, most of us end up spilling half the amount we wash, in the drain.

3. Coasters like these...



4. An umbrella-like this - because looking through is important.

In our day to day life, we all find ways to make our life a little easier. Thanks to all kinds of developments and inventions around we are able to save time and energy. But are we aware of all the brilliant inventions? Here is a list of things you had no idea existed.

1. LED slippers - because no one needs to bump into furniture while looking for midnight ice-cream.



2. Sleepow Memory Foam Sound Therapy Pillow - because who doesn't like sound sleep, right?

wingback chairs with cutout backs, navy upholstery with a nail trim and bold yellow print backs



bold orange chairs with floral print backs look vintage and modenr at the same time



elegant blue and cream chairs on dark stained wood legs complete the polished style of the dining room



refined vintage chairs with blue velvet seats and floral printed fabric on the backs to match the wallpaper



bold and cool chairs with black velvet seats and creative printed fabric on the backs to make a statement



bold chairs with coral fronts and printed backs plus a coral artwork to match the look