Today in Gear: In-the-Know on New Releases

Citizen — the crime awareness app — is planning to bring back its on-demand private security feature (which was previously tested in Los Angeles) to Chicago in a secondary trial of the service. Citizen’s feature works with help from security service giant Securitas, who would — ideally — be used as a “a check-in service for users,” one anonymous source told Motherboard; following up on reported incidents or supplying private bodyguards to watch over a piece of property or employees closing up shops at night. This differs slightly from what was targeted in the Los Angeles trial, which focused on rapid responses to health and safety-related emergencies. On the whole, Citizen’s private security service has come under criticism due to the likelihood that the service could balloon out of control from its intended use and turn into a de facto non-governmental, private police or community security force. This is on top of Citizen’s issues surrounding vigilante-style justice; when the company offered a $30,000 bounty on a man suspected of starting a wildfire in Los Angeles (including revealing his full name and likeness), the entire move went up in flames (pun not intended) when the person fingered by the the startup turned out to be the wrong guy. For more on the Citizen’s planned feature trials in Chicago, head over to Motherboard for more details. As for today’s gear updates, we’re going in on a super lightweight addition to G-Shock’s MT-G series, a new small-batch bike frame maker from Africa and a Blu Dot desk that demands a spot in your home office. This is Today in Gear.

Sleek meets surrealist: Introducing Session Goods’ new colorway series.

Session Goods

Session Goods’ smoking accessories look so sophisticated, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them as modern art or thoughtful home goods at first glance. The brand’s slew of smoking accessories are intelligently designed to blend in, but the team is constantly finding ways to make its products stand out. A desire to celebrate creativity has inspired Session Goods’ new Surrealist launch. Inspired directly by Surrealist masterpieces (as well as the dreams and memories of the Session Goods team), the new set of silicone accessories are meant to both accent your Session Goods bong or pipe and inspire you to embrace your own imagination.

Onguza is building world-class bicycles in Namibia with Olympian know-how.

Onguza

Founded by Dan Craven — a professional cyclist and former olympian, Onguza is making small-batch steel frame bikes in his hometown of Omaruru, Namibia. Roughly 12 years in the making, the brand is his chance to leverage his own international visibility to help support local craftsmen in Nambia who, According to Craven, often end up stuck in low-wage jobs that don’t leverage their skill sets. The brand is also setting out to recontextualize what people think of when they hear terms like “African-made,” promising a luxury-level product (in this case, bike frames) that can reflect both a handmade attention to detail and world-class performance. While the first bikes will release in April 2022, we recommend learning more by taking a look at Onguza’s site below.

Casio adds super slim MTG-B3000 to the G-Shock MT-G series.

G-Shock

Another day, another G-Shock. The newest addition to the MT-G series, the MTG-B3000 stands as one of the slimmest solar-powered G-Shock chronographs to date, thanks to its high-density mounting technology. To make sure the watch is still shock-resistant to G-Shock standards, the watch boasts an advanced Dual Core Guard structure, enclosed with metal components. The overall finish keeps the G-Shock’s metallic look without adding weight. The watch also has radio-controlled calibration and Bluetooth connectivity, The only negative, this watch is currently Japan only. Stay tuned to see if this timepiece receives a U.S. release date.

Blu Dot’s Tabloid desk is ready to turn up the charm in your WFH office.

Blu Dot

Blu Dot is a trusted name when it comes to furniture design, and the Tabloid desk is a solid example of the label’s design chops. Built to work in a variety of office or home settings, the almost piano-like design features a wood frame and wraparound Forbo linoleum tabletop with slim steel legs (colored to match the desk’s surface). Subtle enough to blend into its surroundings but featuring enough color and a strong enough silhouette to stand on its own, we think it’s the small details (like the hidden cord management space) that make this piece really sing.

Meet the pant that’s designed to go from day to night (it’s even in the name).

Alo Yoga

Alo’s reimagining of the classic four-pocket pant puts performance first, incorporating a engineered, moisture-wicking fabric that’s designed to move with the body. What’s really impressive is that — especially in the darker colors — the Day to Night Pant looks no different than a traditional pair of chinos or pants. With belt loop detailing and a simple straight leg silhouette, Alo’s decision to dub this the “Day to Night Pant” is no misnomer.

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