LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera revives 70s photography nostalgia

LEGO Ideas is the best thing that happened for the community of enthusiastic LEGO builders who can’t curtail their imagination when it comes to creating jaw-dropping builds. Now, yet another LEGO set brings back the nostalgia of photography just in time for the holiday season. Thanks to YouTuber Marc (Minibrick Productions YouTube channel) who shares his interesting ideas on Google’s invincible video-sharing platform.

Remember the Polaroid SX-70 fold-flat instant camera that rocked the early 1970s? Now this iconic shooter has got the LEGO treatment in the form of a 516-brick set. The creation is a result of Minibrick Productions’ submission of the idea that earlier debuted as a concept. It’s partially functional, so you can’t click real-time photographs with this camera. The LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 is for yours to grab as it can be pre-ordered right away at a price tag of $80 with release slated for January 1, 2024. Certainly, that’s way cheaper than getting the original one that’s a prized collector’s item now.

Designer: LEGO Ideas

It’s a disappointment that this piece of retro-futurism cannot click actual photographs, still to keep the enthusiasts in the feels, there’s a Polaroid Time-Zero Land Film pack with three storable slides. Just slide one of these slides into the camera’s body and press the shutter button to eject the illustrated photograph. One of these photographic slides is that of Edwin H. Land, who invented the Polaroid camera.

To keep things authentic, the LEGO camera has the signature Color Spectrum of the Polaroid and the exposure compensation dial to a new 8×10 tile. As I said, it’s partially functional, so there working viewfinder and shutter button. To induce a bit of quirkiness, there’s the “photography-led” marketing that comes with the “NOT SHOT ON LEGO Polaroid Camera” sticker on the photos.

Piecing together this LEGO Polaroid camera is going to be a fun activity over the weekend and it’s going to induce the interest of onlookers who might mistake it for the real thing at first glance.

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Moment iPhone 75mm macro lens lets you get close and personal

Smartphones are wonderful tools that enable a great deal of functionality, from productivity to gaming to creativity. Their cameras, in particular, are powerful enough to threaten even point-and-click and entry-level cameras, but there are still some things that aren’t possible to achieve because of limitations in size and price. DSLRs, for example, have a wider variety of applications because they can swap out lenses depending on the need. That’s impossible with smartphone cameras, but a compromise has been developed that lets you augment or change the way those cameras work by attaching a separate lens, like this new accessory from Moment that enables a powerful macro shot that’s not normally available on the iPhone.

Designer: Moment

Some Android phones advertise having a macro camera, but those really don’t do justice to what macro lenses are truly capable of. Not only are the magnification levels low, the imaging sensors are also so substandard that it might be better to have no macro camera at all. The only way you’ll be able to pull off a pleasant or dramatic close-up shot is to pair an appropriate lens with a decent sensor.

That’s exactly what the new Moment macro lens brings to the table by attaching a lens with a 75mm focal length equivalent to the powerful wide or ultrawide camera of a smartphone like the iPhone 15 Pro. This kind of lens allows the mobile photographer to capture crisp foreground details with pleasant blurring in the background, even from a distance of four inches from the subject. With a 10x magnification, you can achieve an intense shallow depth of field while still including more of the background in the shot.

Normally, you wouldn’t be able to attach a different lens on a smartphone, but Moment’s T-Series lenses use an innovative yet easy-to-use system to make that possible. In a nutshell, you put a special protective case on the iPhone and then attach compatible lenses on the specially designed mounts to expand the camera’s capabilities using lenses that would have never fit inside the cramped space of a smartphone. This ingenious design means that this new Moment macro lens can also be used on other phones, including the Pixel 8 or Samsung phones, provided you use the matching case or special mount made for the T-series lenses.

With the Moment 75mm macro lens, you can take breath-taking close-up shots of natural objects or even moving subjects, allowing you to create better memories or even win some awards. The $119.99 price tag is a bit tough to swallow, but professionals will probably be able to justify such an expense if they can get more stunning images in every shot. Of course, there’s also the hidden cost of requiring that case to always be on, at least while you’re using the lens, and the lens jutting out from the phone’s back awkwardly, but these are the things that your social media followers will probably never see anyway.

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Top 10 3D Scanners and Tools that upgrade your setup and help you craft your ultimate creative expression

The lines that separate the physical world and the digital realm continue to blur every day. Augmented reality is putting digital artifacts like windows and buttons, while platforms like the metaverse are bringing bits of the real, physical world into a virtual space in a seamless way. None of these happen by magic, of course, and someone still has to do the work of creating these striking digital objects. Making them from scratch using 3D modelers is definitely possible but also a lot of work, especially if you’re trying to aim for realism or when you need to 3D print a replacement part for a machine or a car. 3D scanners are the tools of the trade for these tasks, and there are 10 of the best products that will get you on your way to making believable, accurate, and precise 3D models of physical objects for all your creative endeavors.

1. Revopoint MINI 3D Scanner Dual-Axis Turntable Combo

If you find yourself always 3D modeling small objects like jewelry, miniature models, or ancient artifacts, then the Revopoint MINI 3D scanner has got your back. Providing single-frame precision of up to 0.02mm and a resolution of up to 0.05mm, this handheld scanner is perfect for working with small objects where accuracy and detail are critical. With an industrial-grade blue light, it can capture detailed scans of objects as small as 10 x 10 x 10 mm in size, making short work of the tiniest targets.

Click Here to Buy Now: $721 $974 (Total of $253 off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint MINI blue light 3D scanner makes it trivial to capture small objects and is the perfect tool for jewelry design, miniature models, reverse engineering parts, scientific research, and any other task where high-precision models are needed.

What we like

  • Designed for accurate, precise, and detailed scans of small objects down to 10 x 10 x 10 mm in size
  • Portable design makes it easy to set up shop anywhere
  • Combo includes dual-axis turntable and markers

What we dislike

  • A bit pricey (but the bundle includes many accessories)

2. Revopoint INSPIRE 3D Scanner

Being able to turn real-world objects into 3D models is perhaps every creator’s dream, and with the cost-effective Revopoint INSPIRE, those dreams can now come true without breaking your wallet. Despite its accessible price tag, the lightweight 3D scanner offers nearly the same features are larger and more expensive hardware, such as single-frame precision up to 0.1mm and high-speed scans up to 18fps. It can even connect with Android and iOS for truly portable workflows.

Click Here to Buy Now: $356 $458 (Total of $102 off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint INSPIRE 3D scanner bundles powerful features into a user-friendly and cost-effective package that will appeal to both hobbyists and pros alike.

What we like

  • Affordable price tag makes 3D scanning accessible to anyone
  • Portable and lightweight design allows creators to take their tools anywhere
  • Basic package includes a mini turntable

What we dislike

  • Not much to say

3. Revopoint RANGE 3D Scanner Premium Package

Not everything you want to scan will be in a small or even medium size, but that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank for an expensive and complicated studio rig. With the Revopoint RANGE 3D scanner, creating digital models of large objects is no sweat at all. With an infrared light projector that supports a distance of up to 800mm and a single-frame precision of up to 0.1mm, you can easily scan furniture, bodies, and even cars and still be able to hold the scanner in your hand.

Click Here to Buy Now: $889 $1199 (Total of $310 off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint RANGE 3D Scanner makes it easy to create 3D models from large objects without having to sacrifice portability and ease of use.

What we like

  • Portable handheld design makes it easy to work when and where creativity strikes
  • Can scan objects as large as 360mm x 650mm @ 600mm from a distance of up to 800mm with accuracy, precision, and high detail
  • Premium package includes a large turntable, a power bank, and a remote

What we dislike

  • A bit pricey (but the bundle includes many accessories)

4. Revopoint POP 3 Handheld 3D Scanner Advanced Edition

Say goodbye to bulky setups and get ready to start working anywhere. With the Revopoint POP 3 handheld 3D scanner, getting accurate and precise digital versions of real-world objects won’t be a burdensome chore. It boasts an Auxiliary IR that enhances tracking performance in Maker Mode, while White LEDs make the digital model colors more vibrant. Plus, touch-sensitive buttons on the camera itself remove the need for external devices, making the whole workflow more seamless and convenient.

Click Here to Buy Now: $605 $769 (Total of $164 off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint POP 3 Handheld 3D Scanner’s portable design and powerful yet easy-to-use features make 3D scanning accessible to everyone.

What we like

  • Portable design makes it easy to start working anytime, anywhere
  • Single-frame precision of up to 0.05mm at up to 18fps for fast and correct 3D models
  • Advanced Edition includes everything you need such as a dual-axis turntable and a power bank

What we dislike

  • A bit pricey (but the bundle includes many accessories)

5. Revopoint Handheld Stabilizer for 3D Scanners

Handheld 3D scanners truly revolutionize the industry, allowing almost anyone to do creative work when inspiration strikes. Not everyone, however, has steady hands, which is where a stabilizer comes in. Designed for Revopoint’s portable 3D scanners, this Handheld Stabilizer lets you work without having to worry about shaky hands, getting accurate, detailed, and clear scans each and every time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $139 (Accessorize and Save: $20 Off with $200+ Cart Total)

Why is it Noteworthy?

Compatible with all Revopoint 3D scanners, this Handheld Stabilizer lets you spend more time scanning and less time worrying about shaky hands.

What we like

  • Built-in rechargeable 4000mAh battery delivers a 6-hour operating time
  • Compatible with all Revopoint 3D scanners

What we dislike

  • Stabilizes on 2 axes only

6. Revopoint Dual-Axis Turntable

Just because you have a handheld 3D scanner doesn’t mean you always have to hold it in your hand to use it. Sometimes, going around the object isn’t the best way to get the best scans, which is actually true even for very small objects. On the flip side, turning the object manually yourself is also a lot of work with a lot of room for error. With the Revopoint Dual-Axis Turntable, you can prop up both the object as well as the 3D scanner for a steadier and more consistent rotation that will let you get all the details you need without having to rely on your shaky hands.

Click Here to Buy Now: $119 (Accessorize and Save: $20 Off with $200+ Cart Total)

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint Dual-Axis Turntable can rotate at a 30-degree tilt to make sure you can capture all the angles you need for an accurate 3D scan.

What we like

  • Supports 360-degree rotation, clockwise or counterclockwise, and up to 30 degrees tilt
  • Has markers for accurate scanning

What we dislike

  • Can only be controlled via Bluetooth using Revo Scan or Revo Assistant (app for iOS or Android)

7. Revopoint Power Bank Mobile Kit

It’s easy to use handheld 3D scanners anywhere, given their portable and lightweight designs, but they’re still electronic devices that do need power to be used. The Revopoint Power Bank provides the juice you need to do your work, wherever you are. You can even easily swap out batteries so you can get up and running again before your creative ideas fly away.

Click Here to Buy Now: $48 (Accessorize and Save: $20 Off with $200+ Cart Total)

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint Mobile Kit provides the power you need to minimize your downtime and keep on scanning.

What we like

  • Rechargeable 4,000mAh battery offers enough power for hours of work
  • Designed to work with all Revopoint 3D scanners

What we dislike

  • Rather plain design

8. Revopoint Large Turntable

With a handheld 3D scanner, you might think that you will always need to go around the target to scan it. That’s not always easy, however, and sometimes even error-prone. With the Revopoint Large Turntable, you create more efficient workflows by having the object turn around instead. And with a maximum load of 200kg, you can put almost anything that can fit on the turntable, including a human person!

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $489 ($20 off with $200+ Accessory Cart Total).

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint Large Turntable enables more efficient and time-effective workflows by having the object steadily turn around rather than having you move around it.

What we like

  • Can support loads of up to 200kg

What we dislike

  • A bit heavy at 7kg

9. Revopoint Markers for 3D Scanning

While handheld 3D scanners have definitely made it so much easier to scan almost any object, not all objects in the physical world are actually that easy to scan. Objects with completely smooth and featureless surfaces, such as cups or cars, can be more difficult to scan. The Revopoint Markers for 3D scanning easily solves this problem by adding visual points for the scanner to track more easily. With a specially designed adhesive foil, applying and removing these markers are as easy as pie and won’t cause damage to the object.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.90 for a pack of 500 pcs (Accessorize and Save: $20 Off with $200+ Cart Total)

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint Markers for 3D scanning instantly turn stubborn, featureless surfaces into scanner-friendly textures for more accurate models.

What we like

  • Easy to apply and remove without damaging the object
  • Single pack includes 500 markers

What we dislike

  • Not reusable

10. Scanning Spray

Scanning physical objects might sound easy, but not all real-world things lend themselves well to this process. Objects with reflective or transparent surfaces are especially tricky because of how they can interfere with the scanner’s optics. The Scanning Spray deftly transforms the glossiest surface into a textured easy-to-scan surface. Best of all, it doesn’t leave permanent marks and doesn’t do any damage to the object.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 (Accessorize and Save: $20 Off with $200+ Cart Total)

Why is it Noteworthy?

The Revopoint Scanning Spray easily solves surface texture problems without damaging the scanned object.

What we like

  • Great for metal, glass, and anything with reflective, transparent, or highly textured surfaces
  • Does not cause damage to the object and vanishes within 4 hours

What we dislike

  • Non-refillable

The post Top 10 3D Scanners and Tools that upgrade your setup and help you craft your ultimate creative expression first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Ultimate Outdoor Camera: This Concept Separates the Screen and Lens Body for Simplifying Tough Shots

For photographers who have experienced the thrill of capturing breathtaking shots in the great outdoors, there is an undeniable passion that drives them. However, this passion often comes with its fair share of challenges. Carrying heavy cameras, enduring rugged environments, and spending long hours in uncomfortable positions are just a few of the hardships that outdoor photographers face. But what if there was a solution to make their lives easier while maintaining the quality of their work? Enter Duo: a revolutionary camera designed to alleviate discomfort and enhance the maneuverability of outdoor photography.

Designer: Dami Seo and Taeyang Kim

The duo is a game-changer in the world of photography. It boasts a groundbreaking design that allows photographers to separate the screen and lens body, providing unparalleled convenience during those long and challenging photo shoots. By enabling the detachment of the camera’s body and lens, photographers gain newfound maneuverability, making it a breeze to capture shots in tight or elevated spaces. No more contorting into uncomfortable positions or missing out on that perfect angle – Duo empowers photographers to focus solely on their creativity.

One of the standout features of Duo is the detachable screen. This unique design element allows photographers to view and review their images with ease. Instead of squinting into a tiny viewfinder or straining to see a fixed-screen display, photographers can hold the screen in their hand or place it at a comfortable viewing angle. This is especially useful when working in challenging lighting conditions or when reviewing shots after a long day of shooting. With Duo, the photographer’s comfort and convenience are prioritized, ultimately leading to better results and a more enjoyable experience.

Furthermore, Duo is equipped with Bluetooth-enabled remote shooting capabilities. This feature opens up a world of creative possibilities for photographers. They can place the camera in a strategic location and operate it remotely using the control unit’s two screens and buttons. This proves incredibly useful for wildlife photography, capturing candid moments, or shooting in situations where getting close to the camera may disturb the subject. Duo’s remote shooting capabilities give photographers the flexibility and control they need to excel in their craft.

The camera itself is a marvel of modern technology. The body comes with an included lens that delivers exceptional image quality. Whether it’s landscapes, portraits, or action shots,  its lens ensures sharpness and clarity in every frame. The control unit houses the screens and buttons, providing an intuitive interface for photographers to control their settings and access their shots. The combination of the camera body and control unit creates a seamless and efficient photography experience.

The duo is a game-changing camera that addresses the discomfort and challenges faced by photographers during long and challenging outdoor shoots. Its detachable screen and lens body provide unmatched maneuverability, allowing photographers to capture shots in even the most challenging environments. With Bluetooth-enabled remote shooting and a powerful camera body, Duo empowers photographers to elevate their work and explore new creative horizons. If you’re a photographer looking to take your outdoor photography to the next level, Duo is the camera that will be your ideal partner in every adventure.

The post The Ultimate Outdoor Camera: This Concept Separates the Screen and Lens Body for Simplifying Tough Shots first appeared on Yanko Design.

REVOPOINT POP 3 – An Affordable 3D Scanner for Designers, Engineers, Game Devs, and Hobbyists

The camera on your phone isn’t just a photography device, it’s a memory-maker. When it isn’t capturing memories of where you went, who you met, and how you looked, your camera captures memories of things you want to preserve as inspiration, reference material, etc. A pretty ornament, a nice painting, a great-looking car, some sculptures, textures, patterns, etc. What if, however, instead of taking 2D photos, you could take a 3D scan of an object? Imagine being able to capture more than just an image – imagine having a 3D model instead, with color information that you can then use as reference material or for source material that can be directly edited, printed, and prototyped. Sounds pretty remarkable, doesn’t it? That’s what the REVOPOINT POP 3 promises, letting you capture your world and turn objects, environments, and people into highly realistic 3D models.

Designers: Jingshuai Ding, Luca Strauss & Xuemei Tian

Click Here to Buy Now: $659.

The affordable handheld 3D scanner uses a binocular dual camera infrared system to stereoscopically capture the world around you in vivid detail as well as in color. Working at 18fps with a single-frame precision of 0.05mm, the POP 3 is perfect for designers, engineers, manufacturers, historians, animators, game developers, and even filmmakers looking to create 3D or metaverse-ready experiences. The POP 3’s lightweight, handheld design makes scanning objects and characters incredibly easy, offering a much more comprehensive way to capture objects in the world around you… in three dimensions!

Starting at a price of $659, as opposed to most studio-grade scanners that can go up to a whopping $20,000, the POP 3 is an affordable 3D scanner with a UX that’s quite literally as easy as waving a wand. The T-shaped device features two IR cameras that capture the depth information and an RGB camera for color data. It boasts a working distance between 150mm to 400mm (roughly 6 to 16 inches), working with normal surfaces as well as with enhanced marker tracking for better precision.

Built into the device lies REVOPOINT’s cutting-edge 3D scanning system, which uses a combination of sensors, illuminators, and chipsets to build stunningly accurate 3D replicas of real-world objects. A depth camera captures depth information, aided by an IR light that improves scanning output. An RGB camera captures surface colors and material information, using white LED to improve accuracy and quality, giving you a full color model at the end of your scan. An integrated 9-axis IMU (inertial measurement unit) constantly monitors the scanner’s movement for enhanced point cloud capture, ensuring that your scans are seamless with flawless frame stitching. The POP 3 scans at up to FPS, with each frame having an accuracy of up to 0.1mm, giving your scans a high amount of detail.

The POP 3 offers a minimum scan volume of 20mm x 20mm x 20mm, stitching multiple tiny detail-rich frames together to give you your final result. The IR array captures a 125 × 225mm area in a single frame, while the scanner’s handheld design makes it easy to move around objects to scan them, whether it’s for prototyping, industrial design, reverse engineering, 3D game design, cultural heritage restoration, medical rehabilitation, or scanning furniture and other interior decor.

Scanning progress and data are transmitted over Wi-Fi 6 (for high-speed low-latency feedback) to the Revo Scan 5.0 software available on Windows and Mac devices, as well as an app on Android and iOS devices. A Type-C connector makes scanning incredibly easy, letting you capture scans on your smartphone too, directly from the POP 3 device. You can save your scanned data in STL, PLY, and OBJ, for compatibility with most mainstream 3D modeling and slicing software like Solidworks, Blender, ZBrush, Rhink 3D, Unity, Cinema 4D, Adobe Substance Painter, KeyShot, and many more.

Available starting at just $659, the POP 3 comes with a simple 3-button interface to start/stop scanning as well as adjust exposure. The scanner works best under regular light conditions (Revopoint recommends not using it in harsh daylight), and you can even buy a special scanning spray for special objects with reflective, translucent, or transparent surfaces.

Click Here to Buy Now: $659.

The post REVOPOINT POP 3 – An Affordable 3D Scanner for Designers, Engineers, Game Devs, and Hobbyists first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Adidas M is a Leica-inspired film camera concept to tantalize shutterbugs and sports aficionados

I’ll be waiting for my Nike 360° camera and my Under Armour FPV drone too, thanks…

Although I’m fairly certain Adidas isn’t trying to enter the photography world after abandoning its $1.3 billion deal with Kanye, this Adidas M film camera concept absolutely made me do a spit-take. Not for one second did I think that the company’s retro branding would carry forward so well onto high-end camera brands, but this concept by Thiago Botelho has me absolutely hooked. The camera styles itself on the Leica M6, but with a cheeky rebranding featuring the same camera body (albeit a little cleaner) along with a new lens, and a red Adidas logo on the top… As the company says, Impossible Is Nothing.

Designer: Thiago Botelho

The camera is unapologetically a Leica, although that Adidas branding on it really feels like a winning collab to me. There’s a macro Elmar 50mm lens mounted on the front, and the rest of the camera’s details and trimmings are on point too, from the textured body to the controls on the top that give you the flavor of full analog photography.

Right beside the Adidas branding is the camera’s built-in flash (although there’s a mount for an external flash too), and a viewfinder on the top right corner.

A textured knob on the top helps you control the camera’s shutter speed, offering the only real control on the camera apart from the focus ring on the lens itself. Beside it lies the camera’s “accessory shoe” that’s used to mount external flash modules for a more powerful light source while shooting in low light or at high shutter speeds. On the other side, lies the shutter button with a threaded socket for ‘cable release’, and a reel counter that lets you know how many more photos you can click.

Designed as a CGI exercise by Botelho, a Brazil-based designer, photographer, and CG artist, the Adidas M shows that there’s really no limit to how versatile some logos can be. The three-leaf logo really feels like it belongs on the camera, although the best way to really make this a Leica x Adidas collab would be to also include a highly powerful sports photography mode within the shutter speed knob. Also, is it just me or would an entirely red camera look even more appealing?

The post The Adidas M is a Leica-inspired film camera concept to tantalize shutterbugs and sports aficionados first appeared on Yanko Design.

Multifunctional clock moonlights as a security camera when no one is home

Space is a very precious commodity these days, whether it’s a floor, a desk, or any other surface you can place things. We sometimes have to be smarter about the products we buy, often picking things that can serve more than one purpose while occupying the same space. Some things, however, best serve a single purpose only, though that purpose sometimes loses meaning depending on the day. A clock, for example, should only tell the time, but that function becomes meaningless when no one is around to see it anyway. This concept design thus gives the humble desk clock another function when it’s not in use, merging it with another product that ironically loses its purpose when people are actually home.

Designer: Jungmin Park

There are some products that wouldn’t cross paths under normal circumstances, especially when they have seemingly opposite use cases. A clock, for example, is only meaningful when there are people around to actually look at it. In contrast, a home security camera is most useful when there’s no one around. swap is a design concept that tries to smash these two opposite home products together, creating an object that not only saves space but also changes with the owner’s lifestyle in an almost playful manner.

swap almost looks like a toy at first glance, especially with its pastel colors. It even feels like a toy with the way the circular head flips over like a coin, depending on its mode. One side shows a minimalist analog clock face with no second hand or numbers along the ticks. The other side is a nondescript camera that might be similar to common webcams.

The most interesting part of the concept, however, is how smart swap is, or at least tries to be. It can automatically switch between those two modes, showing the clock when you’re at home and switching to a security camera when you’re out. It mostly does so by detecting the location of your phone on the presumption that if it’s out of the house, you’re most likely out as well. Of course, you can also manually switch between modes or lock the device to a specific mode. There will be an audible notification whenever you switch modes, so you won’t be caught off-guard. There’s also an extra feature where you can display a countdown timer to the next schedule on your phone’s calendar app. This timer is displayed on an LED dot matrix on swap’s body.

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You might not be entirely convinced of the need for combining clock and camera functions, but swap, fortunately, serves another, though indirect, purpose. Given its aesthetic, it can also be a cute decor for your desk or shelf, so you aren’t exactly losing space if you place this multifunctional product somewhere in your home.

The post Multifunctional clock moonlights as a security camera when no one is home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Toy camera design prints outlines of your photos on thermal paper for you to fill colour

While I am very much a digital girl, there are still some things that I enjoy the analog versions of. That includes journaling and scrapbooking. I love printing out photos and adding them to my journals or putting them up on my cork boards. I’ve gone through my fair share of various photo printers but I’m always looking for something new that can make my notebooks prettier or more interesting. This concept for a printer seems to be unique and can add even more creativity to your journaling life.

Designer: Gabin Park and Subin Lee

Potto is a concept for a toy camera that prints different kind of photos. Unlike the polaroids and instax cameras and printers, this one doesn’t print your typical pictures but instead gives you an outline of the image that you took or that you sent to the camera. You get a line drawing that you can either keep as it is or color in the images if you want a more colorful or creative thing to add to your journal. It’s something that both kids and adults can appreciate as both may actually love the coloring part of the process.

The camera itself looks like your typical mobile photo printers with the round and soft shapes as well as pastel colors. The line photos are printed on a thermal paper rather than the polaroid or zinc paper. This means that the heat-sensitive paper is more affordable but will also eventually fade over time (apparently just like our memories). So if you want something that will last longer, then this is not the camera or photo printer for you.

The camera has a yellow button that lets you take the picture and then print them directly. There is also a display screen at the back so you can still see the images first before you take the photo. There is a cutting blade so you can easily cut the thermal paper, which are available in sizes 79 x 70 cm or 2 x 3 inches, depending on what you need. This is something that I would like to someday have so hopefully, this doesn’t remain just a concept.

The post Toy camera design prints outlines of your photos on thermal paper for you to fill colour first appeared on Yanko Design.

OPPO Find X6 Pro Review: Maintaining the Balance

PROS:


  • Eye-catching but pleasant camera-inspired design

  • Impressive flagship performance

  • All three cameras have nearly equal quality

CONS:


  • Global availability is still uncertain

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

From its symmetrical form to its "Three Main Cameras," the OPPO Find X6 Pro's well-balanced design creates a soothing effect that's perfect for a chaotic modern world.

If you don’t have a design that screams at the viewer, you’re unlikely to get any attention, let alone sales. That seems to have been the unspoken rule in consumer products, especially in the smartphone market, for the past years, giving rise to sometimes eccentric and often impractical designs whose novelty wears off easily. Just like in the larger design field, there seems to be a growing counter-movement in the smartphone industry where phone designs are starting to settle down into something more refined, less obnoxious, and, in some cases, almost minimalist. That said, there’s still plenty of room to make a positive impression with some unique aesthetic that will quickly set the phone apart from its peers. That kind of delicate balancing act is easier said than done, so we take a deep look at the new OPPO Find X6 Pro to see if it manages to pull that dance off with finesse and aplomb.

Designer: OPPO

Aesthetics

Finding a good design that manages to enclose the growing camera sensors in today’s smartphones is a true test of ingenuity and craftsmanship. Some manufacturers seem to be content on just slapping whatever design element is trending these days, though some thankfully give the phone’s second most important feature a lot more thought. It’s not easy to hide the fact that you have multiple large lenses on the back of your phone, and OPPO seems to have decided to simply embrace that fact but present it in a more pleasing manner.

The Find X6 Pro is part of the growing number of phones with a large circular island that encloses the imaging sensors on its back. In a way, it’s not exactly space-efficient because it takes up a lot more area than the sensors themselves. At the same time, however, it spreads out the circular form wider so that it doesn’t look like a wart on an otherwise flat, rectangular back. It also improves the phone’s balance, as we’ll see later.

OPPO’s adoption of a large circular camera design isn’t by accident either. It’s meant to emulate the design of a camera lens from a traditional camera or DSLR, and even the small details were chosen for that purpose. The grooves on the aerospace-grade aluminum bezel around the lens is reminiscent of the grip of camera lenses, while the orange dot on the bottom of that bezel is an homage to the alignment dot found on SLR cameras. Given how cameras have become a core feature of phones, it’s not exactly surprising that some try to look like one as well.

As always, the Find X6 Pro will be available in different colorways, but the one that will attract attention the most will be the brown vegan leather variant. The synthetic material doesn’t cover the entirety of the phone’s back, though, but leaves some room for a metal-like glass surface at the top. This dual-material design is also reminiscent of classic cameras that have some amount of metal at the top, with a different plastic or leather material for the rest of the body. The Find X6 Pro will also be available in Black and Green, both of which employ AG glass that has been polished to the point of looking and feeling like metal.

Ergonomics

High-end flagships these days are usually either too heavy, giving your hand a strain, or too light, giving a bit of anxiety that you might accidentally let go of it. With a 6.82-inch screen and a weight of 218g, the OPPO Find X6 Pro is happily straddling the middle ground and gives owners a sense of confidence when holding the phone in their hand. Beyond those figures, however, the phone’s design also has a few qualities that improve its ergonomics.

The material on the back of the phone, for example, adds to the grip, though that’s mostly true for the brown vegan leather variant. The Green and Black glass models might be a different story, so it’s fortunate that OPPO includes protective cases inside the box. Amusingly, the case for the vegan leather Find X6 Pro mimics the phone’s dual-tone design, even though the material is completely made of TPU plastic.

The large circular camera design also gives the phone a more balanced weight distribution. Rather than having the thicker part of the chassis in a corner, having it in the middle and occupying almost the entire width of the phone’s back spreads the weight more evenly. It also means that the phone won’t wobble on your desk or any flat surface, remaining just as usable when laid down as it is in your hand.

Performance

There is really no fault to find with the OPPO Find X6 Pro when it comes to its specs. It is blazingly fast and responsive, which is what you’d expect from a phone running on a top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 16GB of RAM, the latter of which can be expanded a bit thanks to virtual memory function. The same can’t be said for the internal storage, though, which is a fixed 512GB in this review unit. There’s a generous 5,000 mAh battery that, thanks to 100W SuperVOOC technology, can charge from zero to full in around 30 minutes. Wireless charging is no less impressive with a 50W AirVOOC that does the same trick in less than an hour.

The 120Hz 2K AMOLED screen is the star of the show when it comes to the front of the phone, and it’s touted to have one of the brightest panels in the market. Your mileage may vary due to settings and environmental factors, but it’s definitely vibrant and crisp under almost any lighting condition. The curved edges of the display may seem more like a holdover from a past generation, though, especially with many flagships now going flat on almost all sides.

If the phone’s design didn’t make it clear enough, the OPPO Find X6 Pro’s signature feature is, of course, its cameras. While almost all smartphone brands will, of course, make similar claims, OPPO really sets the bar higher with its 2023 flagship. It practically breaks down the wall between the “main camera” and “others” by using nearly the same quality hardware on all three cameras. To be precise, all three shooters use 50MP sensors, though their exact configurations still differ according to their purpose.

The “standard” wide camera, for example, gets a large 1-inch 50MP Sony IMX989 sensor that’s partnered with a 1G+7P element lens. The ultra-wide camera isn’t that far behind, with a 1/1.56-inch 50MP Sony IMX890 and a 110-degree field of view. Even more interesting is the telephoto camera that uses the exact same sensor but paired with an f/2.6 aperture lens, perhaps the largest for a smartphone periscope-style shooter. The telephoto camera can handle 3x optical zoom up to 6x hybrid zoom with little loss in detail. On their own, the cameras can take very detailed images and have no problems with low-light situations. They don’t, however, function just on their own.

There is, of course, OPPO’s in-house MariSilicon X Imaging NPU (Neural Processing Unit) that empowers the Find X6 Pro to deliver even more impressive shots, thanks to high-speed autofocus, intelligent resource management, and low-light processing. There is also OPPO’s proud partnership with Hasselblad that brings a distinct Portrait Mode look that simulates the optics expert’s classic lenses, such as the XCD30 and XCD80, to generate beautiful bokehs and portraits. And to prove that those shots were indeed taken in that special mode, there’s a Hasselblad Watermark function that adds details such as shutter speed, aperture, and the like to truly mark that impressive shot.

All in all, the OPPO Find X6 Pro delivers on what it promises, creating a balance between the three cameras, so you don’t have to make compromises in choosing one mode over the other. Transitioning between wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto is seamless and smooth, losing very little quality or detail in the process. It’s almost like simply switching between modes or lenses rather than sensors, which is the camera-like experience that OPPO is aiming for.

Sustainability

Smartphone makers naturally try to make their products durable and long-lasting in order to protect their reputation, but there always comes a time when disasters do happen. Unfortunately, companies don’t make repairing their own phones easy, except if it’s from official yet pricey channels. A phone’s durability goes a long way in making sure it stays in your keep a lot longer than usual. Its ease of repair, however, goes even further in prolonging a device’s life. Unfortunately, the Find X6 Pro isn’t exactly a shining example in that light.

It isn’t exactly a role model in terms of using sustainable materials, and OPPO has been rather silent about the phone’s composition. Vegan leather isn’t exactly a more sustainable option since it’s pretty much synthetic. It’s definitely a missed opportunity for OPPO to boast of its efforts and gains in this area, setting itself apart not just in its design but also in its concrete actions to protect its customers’ future.

Value

If you simply look at the OPPO Find X6 Pro’s core specs, you might get the impression that it’s just another high-end phone in the market, one that has a fancy design on its back, particularly if it’s one made from vegan leather. That’d be selling it short, of course, because what OPPO brings to the table isn’t just another phone but a phone with a symmetrical design in more ways than one. The well-balanced form of the camera bump and the nearly equal qualities of the three cameras make the phone well-rounded in almost every aspect. Unfortunately, its biggest problem isn’t an inherent flaw but a marketing strategy.

As of this writing, there is no clear statement yet on whether the Find X6 Pro will reach its way to global markets. The 6,999 RMB (roughly $1,020) price tag for the 16GB/512GB model becomes a non-issue because it will be difficult to procure one in the first place. Even if you did get your hands on one, though, the lack of official Google Play Support also makes it a deal-breaker for most Android users anyway. That said, most OPPO Find X models do eventually find their way to other regions, so it’s not exactly a done deal just yet.

Verdict

It’s hard to be attracted to phones with rather obnoxious camera bumps that call attention to themselves by screaming into your face. Admittedly, it’s perhaps harder to create a design that balances the contrasting goals of providing enough space for those cameras while keeping things pleasant and minimal. Very few have managed to succeed so far, and OPPO is perhaps a member of that small club. And it does so by embracing the camera enclosure for what it is while also paying homage to the true cameras that came before it.

The OPPO Find X6 Pro emulates the look and part of the feel of an SLR lens in a tasteful and unobtrusive style. It employs a contrast of elements to create a balance that is not only visual but also ergonomic. It also brings that theme of balance to its hardware, particularly with three cameras that are nearly equal to each other. In an industry that thrives on sensational designs and features, the Find X6 Pro is almost like a reminder not only to keep extravagance in check but also to maintain a well-balanced design for the benefit of the user.

Aki Ukita contributed to this review.

The post OPPO Find X6 Pro Review: Maintaining the Balance first appeared on Yanko Design.

OnePlus Pad will bring a somewhat unusual design to the tablet market

Until Apple started trying to present the iPad Pro as something to replace traditional computers, the tablet market seemed to be on its last breaths. Suddenly, plenty of new slates started popping up, not yet counting the foldable phones that unfold into small tablets. Despite that revitalization, the fundamental formula for tablets had changed very little, especially when it came to cameras. With the front-facing camera taking a more important role, the rear camera is almost like something that’s there just for the sake of being complete. Ever the upstart, it seems that OnePlus wants to make that camera more prominent, suggesting that it could have a bigger role to play in its first-ever tablet.

Designer: OnePlus (via Steve Hemmerstoffer)

Tablet cameras have always been less impressive compared to their smartphone cousins, even if both come from the same generation or year. The reasoning is perhaps the lack of uses for a rear-facing camera on a tablet, while the front camera will be heavily utilized for video calls. That said, more recent high-end tablets from Apple and Samsung have indeed stepped up their game, but they have barely changed when it comes to their design.

The OnePlus Pad, the brand’s first Android tablet, is aiming to stand out from the crowd visually, which isn’t that difficult considering how similar-looking most tablets are these days. While the tablet is expected to have a metal unibody design and flat edges, a staple of premium tablets these days, it will have one design detail that you will rarely find in others of its kind. According to renders and confirmed by OnePlus itself, the OnePlus Pad’s rear camera will be placed in the middle of its long edge rather than in the typical corner.

This makes the camera more prominent and visible on this large 11.6-inch tablet, which suggests it might even be more capable than your typical tablet cameras. Indeed, it has a large circular bump that is reminiscent of the confirmed camera design for the OnePlus 11 that will be launching on the same date, February 7th. It could simply be a visual embellishment, but OnePlus is known to be a bit more modest in design changes that don’t bring any functional benefits.

Together with the placement of the front camera, which is also on the same long edge, OnePlus is using design to inform people how this tablet is meant to be used. Unlike most tablets, the OnePlus Pad is designed for a horizontal or landscape orientation, which is how you’re most likely to use it not only to watch videos but also to do some work. OnePlus will probably focus on these use cases when it makes the big announcement next week, pitting the OnePlus Pad against big shots from Apple and Samsung.

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