Carl Pei hints at a Nothing Laptop in the near future. Here’s what we think it should look like…

Asked about a Nothing Laptop during an AMA on Twitter, Carl responded by saying “Considered – yes. We’ve even made some concepts. But as a 2-year-old company, really need to really focus on becoming successful in our current categories.”

The Nothing Book (1) comes from the mind of YouTube channel Concept Central and features a similar transparency-focused design, along with a pleasant surprise in the form of a charging dock for your phone (1) and Ear (1) to the left of the trackpad.

Designer: Concept Central

Transparency has always been at the heart of Nothing’s design ethos, and the Nothing Book (1) is no different. It builds on the visual library left behind by the products before it, i.e., the phone (1) and the Ear (1). The Book (1) sports a minimalist design that combines white elements with transparent ones, creating a device that’s all-telling and detailed, yet minimalist and sleek. Just the way the phone (1) looks a lot like an iPhone, the Book (1) pays a hat-tip to the MacBook’s classic design with a similar visual language, barring that transparent panel around the touchpad.

The bug theme also shines through in this concept. The use of the butterfly is a tribute to the laptop’s folding design.

While the phone (1) was purely an Android device running on Nothing’s minimal skin, It seems like this concept is a Windows laptop that possibly comes with a stripped version of Microsoft’s OS, focusing on the essentials (sort of like the Surface Laptop). You’ve got a 15.6″ device that fits an entire keyboard in (sans the numpad of course). The keyboard also comes outfitted with Nothing’s signature dot-matrix font, even including a row of function keys for good measure.

The minimal notebook concept comes with two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack.

Everything of consequence really lies below the keyboard. The Nothing Book (1) comes with a transparent panel overlaying the lower half of the laptop’s body. This houses the trackpad in the center, and a series of easter eggs around – the most notable one being a wireless charging coil to the left of the trackpad.

The wireless charger to the side of the trackpad provides the perfect place to rest your Ear (1) or phone (1) while working. Place your device in the designated zone and LEDs around the charger light up, like on the Nothing phone (1). The laptop also has another set of lights to the right of the trackpad that light up to indicate things like notifications, battery level, etc.

The Nothing Book (1) is clearly just a fan concept for now… but the main takeaway lies in Pei’s statement which mentions that Nothing has built laptop prototypes already. While our idea of the company’s vision can only base itself on the two (and a half) products it’s launched, I really wonder what’s on the Nothing team’s mind regarding the future of the company… and the potential of a kickass Nothing Book (1).

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This tiny Belkin accessory allows iPhone to be used as webcam for your MacBook

Still, stuck to the 720p webcam on the MacBook? Well, it’s time you move on whether Apple has an intention to or not. I say this, but in the hindsight, I know, Apple is working on the idea of a Continuity Camera to accompany the macOS Ventura and iOS 16. It is a feature that will actually unify the Apple ecosystem we talk so much about how it effectively allows Apple’s different devices to work together seamlessly. It’s a feature that will let the MacBook connect to an iPhone which can be used as its webcam.

While we are at it, Belkin is working on a new puck that is MagSafe compatible. It attaches to the back of the iPhone and using its support can cling on to the Mac (where the webcam is) to let the iPhone’s rear camera be used as a full-fledged webcam.

Designer: Belkin

Belkin’s Continuity Camera accessory sounds like a fantastic idea, one that Apple enthusiasts in you would be gearing to try! Sadly, the accessory is not yet released. Some YouTubers and bloggers have managed to go hands-on with the prototype, giving us a fair idea of what to expect from the MagSafe-compatible Continuity Camera when it arrives.

From how it appears, the Belkin device – in the making – is an all-white circular peripheral that attaches to the iPhone’s back with MagSafe. I’m not sure of the material it’s made from but presume it will be soft silicone so it leaves no scratches on the back of the Mac when it’s mounted. When attached to the Mac at the ideal spot where the webcam features, the Continuity Camera automatically activates to allow the iPhone to be used as the webcam.

The fun really begins here. The iPhone webcam can then be set to features like the Center Stage or Portrait mode, which means you not only get into zoom calls and FaceTime chats at a better resolution but can also make the call more interesting. Even more compelling is the Desk View that users can activate to let the iPhone webcam use the ultra-wide lens to even accommodate your work desk in the video; highly useful for product reviewers making unboxing videos.

As I said, this is only a prototype that has shown up, so the final accessory could be different from the slightly delicate one we see. But for the fact that it can also prop up as a kickstand for the iPhone, we are expecting a resourceful tool. From how things are panned, the Continuity Camera accessory will be launched in a couple of months alongside the macOS Ventura and iOS 16.

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An all-screen Apple MacBook concept hovers on the thin line between a laptop and iPad

The idea of an all-screen folding MacBook is out there floating in the tech circle courtesy of a reputed Apple analyst. While you may think, the MacBook is already foldable; the idea in discussion is a laptop with a foldable screen spanning down to the keyboard, offering a device with a complete display and no physical keyboard. Apple’s plan to create something like an all-screen folding MacBook is likely to get many creatives thinking of their own interpretations. If you’re game: here is how Antonio De Rosa perceives it.

Apple is already (for a long time) mulling the idea of a foldable iPhone. In reality, a handset of sorts is still in oblivion, while competitors have had about three generations of their foldables already on the market. Apple is known for its watch, wait, perfect and then market to kill strategy; and for me, Apple is perfecting the game before it divulges the irresistible foldable iPhone.

Designer: Antonio De Rosa

In the wake, if Apple is to reveal an all-screen MacBook, it would be an extremely new product category for the Cupertino tech giant. Such a MacBook would be sold alongside the traditional laptops with keyboard but for us, it may be difficult to pin it in a product category for it would hover on that thin line of distinction between the MacBook and the iPad.

For Antonio the notion is simple. It will be a new league in MacBook design, and this is what it could possibly look like. A fantastic all-display foldable MacBook-style laptop featuring a large single screen that folds in the middle. The folding screen will eliminate the physical keyboard and it would be something reliable, since Apple perhaps would have creased out all the hinge and the ultra-thin glass display issues that Samsung and other companies with foldable smartphones on the market generally reel under.

This different species Apple MacBook will, Antonio defines, support TouchID (as a slide button), a trimmed version of FaceID, and a gorgeous AirPen to scribble neatly on the generously big screen. All-display foldable Mac may lack a physical keyboard but the design here makes provision for the choice to pull up a digital keyboard with haptic feedback for the real typing feel. Fanboys may or may not fancy the idea of an all-screen MacBook, but there is little denying the fact that such a device will have dual usage. An iPad role to play when folded and a full-fledged laptop when open.

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MacBook Air 2022 mixes the old and the new: What you need to know

As expected, Apple announced the new MacBook Air right at the start of its week-long developers’ conference, but, also as expected, it managed to throw in a few new surprises that changed the tone for its hardware reveal. Yes, some of the last-minute rumors were on point, disappointing some who had hoped for a more colorful selection, but MacBook Air 2022 ended up turning heads, even with its more subdued hues, and was generally received well. As they say, the devil is in the details, so here is a quick rundown of what has changed in the MacBook Air’s design, both the good as well as the inevitable bad.

Designer: Apple

Power in a slim package

The MacBook Air has always been characterized as Apple’s slimmest and lightest laptop, but that also came with some compromises in terms of power. With the new Apple M2, however, the MacBook Air leads the trail with a newer and more powerful processor, though the bottleneck remains to be its 8GB of memory. The rest of the hardware package, however, is something befitting higher-end laptops, so this year’s MacBook Air definitely levels up its game.

Despite those upgrades and its slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, the MacBook Air gets to keep its title as Apple’s slimmest, at only 11.3mm thin and 2.7lbs light. This means that carrying all that computing power won’t be a literal burden, which does give the iPad Pro, which will be more macOS-like in the next upgrade, more competition.

The Notch

Apple may have addressed some of the biggest complaints and criticisms about the MacBook Pro, but it also introduced a new one last year. The notch has found its way to MacBooks, and, unsurprisingly, it’s also here on the new MacBook Air. And as with any new Apple design, it will be around for a few generations before the company ever turns around.

The notch is what allows the MacBook Air 2022 to have a slightly larger screen without downsizing the Face ID camera. In fact, that camera just got upgraded to 1080p, so that may actually be worth the design sacrifice, in this case, especially considering how often laptop users are subjected to video meetings. There are ways around that notch, but it’s not as convenient as what you’d see on Android phones, so it will be one of the biggest things to get used to when switching to the newest MacBook Air.

Starlight, Midnight

While the notch was really expected to be inevitable, there were still some that held out hope that the MacBook Air would follow the path of the colorful new iMacs. Sadly, Apple dashed all hopes and finally put all rumors to rest when it revealed only four colors for the MacBook Air 2022. That’s admittedly one color more than usual, but the selection isn’t exactly that groundbreaking anyway.

Joining the standard Space Grey and Silver are Starlight and Midnight. Starlight is really more like the old Gold, except with a more champagne-like shade, while Midnight is a very dark and deep hue of blue. The latter two could probably be the bestsellers given their novelty, but it won’t be surprising if more expressive owners continue to patronize third-party skins and decals to make their new MacBook Air stand out.

MagSafe Returns, Headphone Jack Remains

The new MacBook Air ushers in a new age for Apple’s lightweight notebook, but it also does so in an almost ironic way. It brings back a few features it shed off in the past, almost like a vindication of the technologies the company shunned for a while.

As with the MacBook Pro, the MagSafe charging connector makes a return to the side of the MacBook Air 2022, delivering stress-free and accident-safe charging back to Apple’s laptop line. It can still charge over USB-C, of course, and the braided MagSafe cable itself uses a USB-C plug on the other end. Still, it might be comforting to long-time MacBook fans to know that an iconic feature has made its way back home.

And for those worrying that Apple will turn the MacBook Air into an iPad Laptop, the presence of the 3.5mm headphone jack proves otherwise. Some might consider it a small matter, but it leaves up USB-C ports for more critical connections and avoids the stress of having to deal with Bluetooth.

Charger: Two isn’t always better than one

In addition to the revival of the MagSafe charging connector, Apple also introduced what is pretty much its first dual-port USB-C charger, both in compact and standard form. This charger comes with a higher-specced MacBook Air 2022, while the base model only gets the standard 30W charger. Things get a bit confusing here, though, because Apple also laid out a few gotchas and options.

For one, despite the two USB-C ports, the 35W dual-port charger won’t be able to support the fastest MacBook Air charging capacity. It also means that already modest power output will be split between two devices if you try charging them simultaneously. If you want to take full advantage of the MacBook Air 2022’s fast-charging capabilities, you’ll have to buy Apple’s 67W charger. Even then, however, you have to make sure to use the MagSafe 3 charging cable to make that happen.

Final Word

Apple definitely outdid itself in meeting expectations and then going beyond them with the new M2 MacBook Air. The lure of power in a slim profile is already enough for some Apple fans, but the addition of MagSafe 3 charging is definitely icing on the cake. Still, there are some places where we wished Apple did more, like in the color selection, while others probably wished the notch was never invented in the first place. Despite and because of all these, the MacBook Air retains its character as Apple’s most talented juggler, balancing the old and the new, the good as well as the bad.

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Corsair’s first-ever laptop embraces a divisive MacBook Pro feature

Gaming laptops are a dime a dozen these days, and many of them have started to look similar on the inside. The computing hot rods are often distinguished simply by their branding, but once in a while, you get a newcomer that tries to do more than just promise insane performance that won’t burn the house down. That’s somewhat the proposition that Corsair is making with the upcoming Voyager a1600 laptop. A veteran in gaming desktops, parts, and accessories, Corsair is leaping into the gaming laptop market that’s a little too crowded already at the moment. Its claim to fame, other than the first for a well-known brand, is a feature targeted at a very niche group of gamers and creators, one that takes a page out of Apple’s less than perfect book on MacBook Pro design.

Designer: Corsair

Despite being famous for its design acumen, it’s hard to deny that Apple made a few missteps in some of its products, including the venerable MacBooks. Its adoption of problematic keyboard switches, for example, led to numerous class action lawsuits before Apple returned to tried and tested designs. It was also heavily criticized for throwing away almost all ports, forcing people to spend more money on USB-C hubs and docks to fill in the need. There is also the case of the ill-fated Touch Bar that replaced the entire row of function keys. These three were all instances where Apple backtracked on its design, but it seems to have also opened the door for others to follow in its footsteps.

The Corsair Voyager a1600 has your typical gaming laptop features, from the top-of-the-line hardware to the RGB lighting that gamers seem to adore. One thing that sets it apart from the competition, however, is a row of capacitive buttons sitting on the edge of the laptop, right where the hinge should be. These programmable buttons are inspired and powered by the Elgato Stream Deck, a popular accessory aimed at live streamers. In a nutshell, both the Stream Deck and its incarnation in this laptop allow owners to assign different shortcuts to those buttons, automating much of the work that’s needed in a smooth live broadcast.

This will undoubtedly call to mind the Touch Bar that Apple just killed, starting with the latest MacBook Pros. This feature split Apple fans into camps, but lukewarm reception and technical problems eventually spelled the end of the Touch Bar. Criticized as it may have been, Apple’s Touch Bar has one huge usability advantage over the Corsair laptop’s version. The Voyager a1600’s shortcut bar only shows buttons numbered S1 to S10, and it will be up to the user to remember which buttons map to which actions. Ironically, the Elgato Stream Deck on which this feature is based actually lets you customize the icons that each button shows, creating a better mnemonic for programmed actions.

The Corsair Voyager a1600 does have one other unique feature that very few laptops have, if any have it at all. It has an integrated receiver for its CORSAIR SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS system, which means you can connect up to three wireless peripherals to the laptop without having to plug in their USB receivers. Not only does this free up the USB ports for other uses, it also makes for a cleaner look. Of course, that only works if you’re using compatible Corsair peripherals, which is probably the point of this particular feature. Maybe other PC makers will wise up and adopt something similar, though it runs the risk of creator vendor lock-in in the long run.

Corsair is making a daring entry into the congested gaming laptop market in more ways than one. While the S-key shortcut bar can be programmed for any use, it is primarily designed for streamers and content creators, just like the Elgato Stream Deck. It’s a rather niche market, even among gamers, so it remains to be seen if it will actually appeal to that crowd or if Corsair will kill off the feature after just one try. It’s definitely a big risk for its first laptop, considering it won’t be inexpensive. The Corsair Voyager a1600 will start at $2,700, though the company hasn’t yet announced when it will be available.

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Modder Builds MacBook Mini: “The World’s Smallest MacBook Pro”

Because dream it and you can achieve it, modder Michael Pick (aka the Casual Engineer) went and built himself a custom MacBook Mini, which he considers “the world’s smallest MacBook Pro.” It doesn’t actually run iOS, though, instead, it’s powered by a Raspberry Pi 4 running iRaspbian OS. It only looks like an Apple product, which is what a lot of consumers only care about anyways.

The MacBook Mini features a light-up Apple logo on the back of the screen and a MagSafe charging connector and USB 3.0 port. Besides those features, the tiny laptop looks almost unusable – at least with my big bear paws. Maybe my wife could use it; she has tiny hands. They’re so small she can’t even open pickle jars, which is one of the two reasons I suspect she keeps me around. The other is jelly jars.

Pretty cool, albeit impractical. You’re probably better off just using your phone as a computer. Unless you still sport a Nokia 3310 brick phone as I do. I took it to the phone store recently to ask about an upgrade, and the kid behind the counter said he’d never even seen one before. Wait till I bring in my pager!

[via TechEBlog]

These 2022 MacBook Air renders could be the most accurate pictures of how the new device will look

A new MacBook Air was expected at the Apple Peek Performance Event earlier this month. Apple launched a slew of gear back then, but the new MacBook Air was nowhere to be seen despite all the speculations in favor of its launch. Now about a month later, as a new MacBook Air still remains the hot topic, a YouTuber has gotten all creative and rendered interesting – and if you believe – the most accurate pictures of how the new device could look (when Apple eventually releases it).

Before we get into the discussion of what the renders suggest and how ZONEofTECH (YouTube channel) perceives the new MacBook Air; we shall just take a dive into what the tech circles expect – and we know – by the way of leaks and speculations.

Designer: ZONEofTECH

MacBook Air has been through many alterations since its inception in 2008 and what we currently have on the market is the M1-powered version of the MacBook Air that now stands to change – in design, power, and colors – in 2022. What’s likely to change in the 2022 MacBook Air? According to seasoned leakers and analysts, there is plenty of insight that the rumored MacBook Air will arrive with the new M2 chip powering its guts. Moreover, the Air is likely to coincide with the 2021 MacBook Pro’s design language and steal colorways from the iMac.

If you have been following Apple leaks, you would be aware that the MacBook Air is expected in multiple colors, which is more than the gold, silver, and space grays we are used to. The new MacBook Air could roll out in a multitude of hues that would match the iMac colors. Taking leverage to show off the new MacBook Air renders in multiple colors, the YouTuber has created a design of the device to match that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the rounded body. This is done to unify the entire MacBook lineup to look the same, which would be Apple’s idea too, as it has followed a unified design approach for the entire MacBook Air lineup in the past.

From the look of things, these renders of the upcoming MacBook Air may seem slightly thick, but these are actually modeled – with all the ports aligned – in a thickness of little over 1cm, ZoneofTech notes. The renders have been visioned with a notch – also to maybe unify the MacBook lineup – which could house an upgraded 1080p camera. The idea of a notch makes the bezel feel thinner – like with the MacBook Pro – but for most of us, the notch in a 13-inch display may just ruin a little more space than what’s already available on the little guy. To ensure more unification across all models of MacBooks, the designers have here modeled the MacBook Air with a larger keyboard, which means the trackpad size is slightly trimmed in length, even though the width can remain the same as on the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Air is expected in purple, blue, red, orange, yellow, green and white color options. Of course, with all that jazz and altered design, the 2020 MacBook Air will already have many takers, but there is a lot more to this laptop than its looks. For instance, the MacBook Air would be the first device powered by M2 chip, it would come with MagSafe port, and cost roughly around the $1,100 mark. If you’re all anxious, the Air is likely to arrive anytime between June and September 2022. Start budgeting!

Designer: ZONEofTECH

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M1 Mac Mini with interactive iPad Mini display combined is one heck of a MacBook alternative

We generally fancy our laptops for the ease of portability and convenience. But if you’re someone like the YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan who despises a laptop; you’ll appreciate the Portable Mac Mini that lets you leave the laptop behind, yet travel light with a handy computer at your service when you may need it.

Apple’s in-house silicon – M1 chipset – made a significant upheaval in the market when it debuted in the new MacBooks. Beyond that, Apple chose to smartly update its existing products instead of launching all-new models; Mac Mini was one such device. The M1 Mac Mini then became a computing powerhouse. Without compromising its form or style, it became a reliable machine for anyone overlooking the power and portability of a M1 MacBook.

Designer: Scott Yu-Jan

If that’s not how you saw it, designer Scott Yu-Jan took to YouTube with an idea of a portable M1 Mac Mini, that paired with an iPad Mini, can be a MacBook alternative for the heavy-duty workaholics who would want to enjoy the power of M1 on the go without owning a MacBook. The DIYer, designer, and creator has made the Mac Mini really portable so that it would allow you to take your M1-powered workstation anywhere and use it conveniently as long as you can plug it into a socket.

Yeah, the portability of this mod is limited to the indoors for now, until Scott thinks of adding additional bulk of a battery to his creation. Till then, some 3D printed parts can be screwed together as a case to slide the Mac Mini in, and attach an iPad Mini to it to be used as the interactive display for it. The two gadgets can be connected via USB to a USB-C cable. The contraption comes complete with cable holders, a quick-release clasp (so that the two devices here can be used independently when you’re back home), and an Allen key (inconspicuously tucked away but usable for the quick tightening of screws as and when required).

If you were holding yourself from investing in a MacBook (for whatever reason) the portable Mac Mini mod is a good alternative to consider. You’d want Scott’s help to make this right, eventually, you can have a workstation that’ll want you to pair your iPad Mini and a favorite keyboard. If this is too much of a hassle; wait until Apple rolls out a large foldable – laptop/tablet hybrid – it reportedly has in the works.

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Sleek and innovative MacBook accessories that are the best upgrades for your laptop in 2022

I honestly cannot do without my MacBook, probably because it is one of my most prized possessions! It contains basically everything I hold important in my life – from work documents to memorable pictures from even ten years ago. And not to mention, I do end up spending most of my day, typing away and working on my MacBook. Since it is such an integral part of my daily and work routine, I’m always looking for ways to elevate my MacBook. I love innovative and nifty gadgets that function as the perfect sidekick to my MacBook, helping me boost up my daily productivity and efficiency. Here, we’ve curated a few of our favorite MacBook accessories that’ll promise to level up your already awesome and beloved MacBook. From a tiny 20W power bank that can recharge your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook to a laptop sleeve that doubles up as a sleeve – these are must-have accompaniments to your MacBook, and the best investments of 2022 for Apple lovers!

1. Magic Bar

Extending the Cupertino company’s idea of selling various accessories separate from the primary product, a designer has introduced us to the idea of a Magic Bar, which is nothing but a portable Touch Bar that can be used externally with any Apple (presumably) peripheral. As the renders suggest, this portable toolbar with significantly similar features as the ill-fated Touch Bar, complies with a recognizable design that would align horizontally as the keyboard. And when combined with the new iPhone may be, it could allow smart home shortcuts always in reach.

2. The Pixy Mini

Touted as the most powerful power bank for its size, the Pixy Mini is this pocket-friendly, granola bar-shaped power bank with a capacity of 5,000mAh and a 20W power delivery, making it capable of recharging practically any portable gadget you’ve got on hand… even your laptop. What’s so impressive about the Pixy Mini is its deceptively small size. Tinier than a credit card, and hardly bulkier than a Zippo lighter, the Pixy Mini was designed to be carried around… but not even in your backpack, rather in your pocket. Outwardly, it looks like any other power bank, with a USB-A port and a USB-C port on either side, and 4 LED indicators that tell you how much power the Pixy Mini’s battery has.

3. The FLIKK Laptop Stand and Sleeve

FLIKK Laptop Stand by Jexter Lim

The designer came up with this idea after observing the irking drawbacks of traditional laptop stands. Most of them don’t provide the desired elevation and the right viewing angles. Also, they are very complicated to deploy which mars the whole purpose. This prompted Jexter Lim to plug all the gaps that spoil the user experience and function of the accessory. The laptop stand gives you the desired viewing angle for a comfortable working regime anytime, anywhere. The goodness doesn’t end there, as it seamlessly transforms into a laptop sleeve to head to your next destination without all the bulk of a traditional laptop stand.

4. The HybridDrive

The HybridDrive is a lot like if your external hard drive and your USB hub had a love-child. Think of it as the one, true, all-powerful accessory to your MacBook or your iPad Pro, or even your Android phone. Armed with a two-piece design that can plug into each other, the HybridDrive is like the Yin and the Yang of computing accessories… the Yin being extra ports, and the Yang being extra storage. Compatible with most USB-C devices, the HybridDrive offsets your need for multiple hubs, dongles, and drives. With a multiport on one end, an SSD on another, and a USB-C interface connecting the two, the HybridDrive bridges the gap between your portable devices (laptop/tablet/phone) and your desktop – in the sense that it gives you extra ports and expandable storage… something most desktops have in common.

5. HUB-OX

Designed to be portable and compact, HUB–OX initially comes as a lightweight, palm-sized USB-C hub, which splits into two halves, both equipped with plenty of charging slots, HDMI connections, and ethernet ports. HUB–OX is compatible with MacBook Pro models that have four USB-C ports, generally any MacBook Pro from 2016 or any of its succeeding generations. When HUB–OX is split in two, users can plug the USB-C chargers into all four of their MacBook Pro’s ports, lifting their laptops to an angle of 7.7° to keep them charged and at eye level for the rest of the day.

6. The SuperTank

Sixty minutes is all that it takes for the SuperTank to power-up and be ready for deployment. This 27,000 mAh portable charger with dual USB-C PD (100W + 60W) and dual USB-A ports, has the potential to quickly charge MacBook Pros and many other devices. What this means to people on the go, is that they don’t have to worry about carrying excess wires, multiple power plugs and compatible sockets, when they are out of home or office. One super charge, and this battery pack will last you for seven whole days, making you wish that your lover could last that long!

7. The Nano II

The new Nano II chargers use what Anker calls its “GaN II” technology, the company’s second-generation version of the gallium nitride-based components. The Nano II offers a 20% increase in working efficiency, which loosely translates to smaller chargers and lesser heat generation. Their compact size is made even more portable and convenient thanks to the folding pins (on the 45W and 65W models), allowing you to chuck the charger in your backpack or even put it in your pocket.

8. The RLDH Alto Standing Desk

The RLDH Alto Standing Desk is a thoughtful flat-pack accessory designed keeping in mind your multiple needs if you can’t invest in a height-adjustable desk. It is simple to carry and disassemble, with the option to adjust the height of your keyboard and mouse tray, giving it the flexibility of use with your laptop. Yes, this stylish yet functional standing desk is tailored for use with your laptop – virtually transforming your table into a standing desk when the need arises. Its flat-pack and lightweight (weighing just 6.5 lbs) nature give you the freedom to tuck it away when not needed or even to take it along during travel for remote work regimes.

9. Multi-purpose Dongle

This Dongle truly empowers iPad Pro users into connecting pretty much anything to their iPad Pros. With one USB-C port at one end, and a WIDE variety of possibilities at the other, the latest dongle lets you connect everything from a LAN cable, to a pair of headphones, to memory cards, to even iPods (Hallelujah!) “With the dongle’s multi-purpose design, there’s something for everyone”, says Jonathan Ive, to which CEO Tim Cook adds, “We believe this is truly the best iPad Pro and MacBook accessory we’ve ever built. We can’t wait to see how the dongle helps users in their day to day tasks”. The dongle even comes with a proprietary cable technology that ensures that the dongle’s multitude of wires don’t get entangled, and is available in a wide variety of colors.

10. The MOFT Z

The MOFT Z was designed keeping the original MOFT brief in mind but was made to push limits. It does come with the ability to prop your laptop at three angles, but that’s not all. The MOFT Z even transforms your sitting setup into a standing one, elevating your laptop up by as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters). The MOFT Z does this using an innovative Z-shaped folding system along with its signature PU and fiberglass material which allows the laptop stand to have a high strength to weight ratio while being thin enough to slide right into a Manila envelope. The MOFT Z was designed to be used independently, without being stuck to the back of your laptop (like the original MOFT). Slightly larger than a sheet of A4 paper, and at nearly half an inch thick, the MOFT Z can be kept on your desk, stored in a drawer, or a shelf, among folders.

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The MacBook Pro Touch Bar gets a second life as this portable, Apple-inspired accessory

The innovative new MacBook Pro models released this year have dropped the infamous Touch Bar in favor of a row of physical function keys. A designer impressed with the idea of the relieved Touch Bar has envisioned the Magic Bar, which is dubbed the first portable Touch Bar. It is conceived with the intention to bring the convenience of a touch-sensitive toolbar to the magic keyboard or even be fastened to the iPhone!

The Touch Bar was introduced on the MacBook Pros back in 2016 and allowed one to use gestures such as swipe, slide and tap to adjust settings, to do quick tasks within apps or even release commands over Siri. The range of options were plenty but the tactile function key appreciators never really valued the idea. Apple stretched on with it for over four years, before giving up its obsessiveness and succumbing to consumer demand. The removal of the Touch Bar from the 2021 MacBook Pro is done therefore to satiate the users who fancy the full-size, physical function keys.

The multi-touch toolbar may be found its way out of the company’s premium laptop lineup, but it still remains a fascination for designers. Extending the Cupertino company’s idea of selling various accessories separate from the primary product, a designer has introduced us to the idea of a Magic Bar, which is nothing but a portable Touch Bar that can be used externally with any Apple (presumably) peripheral. As the renders suggest, this portable toolbar with significantly similar features as the ill-fated Touch Bar, complies with a recognizable design that would align horizontally as the keyboard. And when combined with the new iPhone may be, it could allow smart home shortcuts always in reach.

The Magic Bar features a nice, solid rectangular body made of aluminum to match the peripherals. It is overlaid with the interesting touch-sensitive strip and made to attach with the magic keyboard or iPhone. Notably, the bar can be easily carried in the backpack with your gear and is ideally plug and play, making it convenient to carry and effortless to set up and use.

Designer: atuos_user

The post The MacBook Pro Touch Bar gets a second life as this portable, Apple-inspired accessory first appeared on Yanko Design.