FireChat: messaging off-the-grid

New iPhone app FireChat enables users to send messages even when they have no phone signal or internet connection. Described as "a new way to chat: off-the-grid", the free app uses Bluetooth to transmit messages to people nearby. The range increases as more users log on to the app, acting as 'nodes' to connect and expand the network. Messages can also be sent anonymously if the user so chooses.

AKIM tables by Gallotti & Radice: Milan preview

Gabriele and Oscar Buratti have designed a collection of dining tables for Gallotti & Radice that will be launched at Milan's Salone de Mobile. The pieces feature a glass base in the shape of an octagon, with sides in different sizes.

Bitossi Home Pink Bar by Arabeschi di Latte: Milan preview

During Milan Design Week, Brera Design District will host Bitossi Home Pink Bar, a reinterpretation of the eccentric Pink Bar (located at Via Varese 6) by Bitossi Home and food designers Arabeschi di Latte.

Never Alone living room by Sièges Perrouin

Digital culture is transforming our relationship with living spaces. The unidirectional sofa no longer fulfills the requirements of a modular and flexible lifestyle, where we use tablet computers, internet television or game consoles, alone or with others.

Made up of independent platforms, the Never Alone sofa by Sièges Perrouin thus revisits the way we share space, by offering modular seating.

Aroma Fork by Molecule-R

Molecular gastronomy kit specialists Molecule-R have announced an innovative new product. Available now for pre-order and due to ship in June/July, the Aroma Fork is sold with a set of 21 aromas that can be used to scent it, enhancing the taste of food eaten with the fork.

Hot & Cold: a design experience by Fabrica for Daikin at Milan Design Week 2014

Fabrica, Benetton Group's communication research centre, and Daikin Italy, the Italian branch of the Japanese multinational world leader in air conditioning systems, will present HOT&COLD, an intriguing workshop of hot and cold experiences, at Milan Design Week this year.

Daniel Libeskind for Lasvit: Milan preview

Daniel Libeskind has designed Ice, a geometric ceiling lamp for Lasvit, which will be launched during the upcoming edition of Milan Design Week.

Double O bike light by Paul Cocksedge Studio®

London-based Paul Cocksedge Studio® has launched a new product on crowd-funding website Kickstarter this week.

The Double O bike light comprises two round-shaped LED lights: one to be attached on the front part of the bike and emit a white light, the other to be attached on the back and emit a red light.

Champagne & Blintzes pop-up, Melbourne

Melbourne-based bar The New Gold Mountain will continue its pop-up series with a Champagne and Blintzes pop-up, opening next Thursday April 3rd on the bar's Red Level. Pairing Perrier Jouët Champagne and classic champagne cocktails with blintzes by Jabili Mchawala - which include combinations like sweet and sour beetroot with orange, dill and creme fraiche - the pop-up follows the trend of unusual food and drink pairings.

Read about London's Bubbledogs, which opened in 2012 and pairs hot dogs with Grower champagne, here.

Scented forms by Kerzon

Parisian company Kerzon offers scented sachets and paper forms inspired by wooden building blocks. They can be arranged into geometric compositions, stacked or hung, and release their fragrance over several weeks. The collection is conceived in Grasse, in the South of France, the capital of perfume manufacturing.

Google partners with Luxottica to redesign Glass technology

Google has formed a partnership with Italian eyewear giant Luxottica to make its wearable Google Glass technology more fashionable and broaden its appeal. The two corporations will establish a team of experts devoted to working on the design, development, tooling and engineering of Google Glass products to bring together high-fashion, lifestyle and innovative technology, they said Tuesday.

Homebuildlife subscribers can see our full news report here, and read about the future for wearable tech in our Big Idea reports from CES and SXSW Interactive.

New furniture by Tony Grilo for Riluc

Vibe side table

French-Portuguese designer Tony Grilo has added a new side table and wall shelf to his collection for Riluc, as well as extending the metallic finish options for the Mousse side table and Line chair.