Bluesky experiments with dislikes and ‘social proximity’ to improve conversations

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Bluesky is adding a dislike button as a way to signal the kind of posts you don't want to see in your Discover feed. The experiment is part of several new ideas Bluesky is exploring to a improve conversations on its platform.

The new experiments Bluesky is running are primarily built around the notion of "social proximity." The company says it's aiming to build a system that maps your place in a "social neighborhood" of "people you already interact with or would likely enjoy knowing." By prioritizing replies and posts from the people in your general "neighborhood," the company believes it can make conversations "feel more relevant, familiar, and less prone to misunderstandings." Following that logic, the beta test of the dislike button (which sounds private, rather than public-facing) will "help the system understand what kinds of posts you’d prefer to see less of," but could also affect reply rankings in your threads and in the threads of other people in your social neighborhood. 

The social platform already offers a way to limit replies to only people who follow you, as Bluesky CTO Paul Frazee noted in a recent post, but the company doesn’t “want to make that the only option.” Bluesky is also experimenting with adjusting how the Reply button works by making you see the whole thread first when you tap the button, rather than dumping straight into a new blank post. Combined with a new model for detecting bad replies, the company thinks it’ll improve the general social climate.

Charitably, these tweaks sound like another way Bluesky is trying to give users more control over what they see on the platform, in the same way it does with things like notifications. Less charitably, you could read the "social neighborhood" concept as a way to entrench users in their "filter bubble" rather than address larger moderation issues.

Recently, Bluesky has been criticized by users for failing to remove the accounts of people who allegedly violate the company's community guidelines. Ensconced in a social neighborhood, those critics wouldn't necessarily see offensive posts, nor would a poster see their critics. That might lead to less conflict overall, but it could also impact more productive forms of disagreement in the process.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-experiments-with-dislikes-and-social-proximity-to-improve-conversations-205226194.html?src=rss

Apple To Launch $599 MacBook With An A18 Pro Chip Inside? Here’s What We Know

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The budget laptop market has long been dominated by Chromebooks and entry-level Windows machines, but Apple may be about to crash the party. Reports indicate the tech giant is preparing to launch a $599 MacBook featuring the A18 Pro chip, offering desktop-class macOS performance at a price point that directly challenges competitors. If true, this could be Apple’s biggest strategic shift in the laptop space in over a decade.

The rumored device would mark a dramatic departure from Apple’s traditional pricing strategy, which has kept MacBooks firmly in premium territory. But with Chromebooks capturing the education market and budget Windows laptops satisfying casual users, Apple has watched from the sidelines as millions of potential customers chose competitors simply because the price of entry was too high. This move could change that calculus entirely.

Designer: Apple

The laptops could sport a colorful design, helping differentiate it from the more capable Air and Pro models.

The A18 Pro chip is the same processor that powers the iPhone 16 Pro, and Apple claims it delivers performance comparable to the M1 MacBook Air. That’s a legitimately capable chip for everyday computing tasks like web browsing, document editing, video streaming, and light photo work. You’re looking at a 12.9-inch display housed in what’s described as an ultra-thin, lightweight frame, with color options including silver, blue, pink, and yellow. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM, though there’s reportedly an option to upgrade to 16GB. It runs full macOS, which means you get access to the entire Apple ecosystem and software library, something Chromebooks fundamentally cannot offer.

But here’s where things get interesting, and where Apple’s compromises become obvious. No Thunderbolt ports. Limited external display support. That base 8GB of RAM is going to struggle with anything beyond basic multitasking. This machine is clearly designed for a specific user: students writing papers, casual users checking email and browsing the web, first-time Mac buyers who want to dip their toes into the ecosystem without dropping two grand. Apple isn’t trying to replace the MacBook Air or Pro with this device. They’re creating an entirely new category within their lineup, one that prioritizes accessibility over capability.

Spring 2026 puts this launch alongside the M5 MacBook Air, which will undoubtedly carry a higher price tag and more robust specs. Apple gets to segment their market cleanly: budget buyers get the A18 Pro MacBook, mainstream users get the M5 Air, and professionals stick with the Pro and Max configurations. Analysts are predicting this could boost MacBook shipments by up to 40 percent, which would be massive for a company that’s watched competitors dominate the sub-$700 laptop space for years.

There’s a real risk here that Apple cannibalizes their own iPad sales. Why would someone buy an iPad in the same price range when they could get a full laptop with macOS instead? The value proposition shifts dramatically when you’re comparing a tablet with accessories that cost more than this MacBook to an actual laptop with a keyboard included. Apple clearly thinks the trade-off is worth it, betting that bringing more people into the Mac ecosystem will pay dividends down the line when those users eventually upgrade to pricier models.

The post Apple To Launch $599 MacBook With An A18 Pro Chip Inside? Here’s What We Know first appeared on Yanko Design.

How to cancel or pause your YouTube TV subscription

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While YouTube TV is Engadget's pick for the best live TV streaming service, it isn't for everyone, especially right now. Google and Disney's ongoing carriage dispute means subscribers don't have access to channels like ABC and ESPN, and recent price hikes means paying for YouTube TV now costs a minimum of $83 a month. 

Whether you've switched to another service to hold on to your favorite channels or just want to save some money, there's ample reasons to cancel or pause your subscription right now. Here's what you should know about cancelling or pausing your YouTube TV subscription.

How to cancel your subscription on mobile and web

The process for canceling your YouTube TV subscription is the same whether you're doing it inside the YouTube TV app or from a web or mobile browser, provided you're paying Google directly for access.

  1. Open the YouTube TV website or app.

  2. Tap or click on your profile photo.

  3. Select Settings (represented by the gear icon).

  4. Then, select Membership.

  5. Select Manage.

  6. Then select Cancel membership, and then Cancel to confirm your cancellation.

Your subscription is now cancelled and you'll be able to enjoy access to live TV until the end of your current payment period. Any shows or movies you've recorded will be saved in your account for 21 days, after which they'll be deleted. In a support article, Google says it'll also save your preferences in case you want to resubscribe and start recording content again. The company "may store limited info (such as your home zip code)" for fraud prevention purposes, as well.

If you got your YouTube TV subscription through your mobile carrier or internet provider, the process will vary, but in that case, you'll have to cancel through them rather than Google.

How to pause your subscription on mobile and web

If you'd prefer to just take a break from paying for YouTube TV, you can also pause your subscription for anywhere from four weeks to six months.

  1. Open the YouTube TV website or app.

  2. Tap or click on your profile photo.

  3. Select Settings (represented by the gear icon).

  4. Then, select Membership.

  5. Select Manage.

  6. Use the on-screen slider to choose how long you want to pause payments for.

  7. Select Pause.

Once you've paused your subscription, you'll be able to access YouTube TV until the end of your current billing period, after which you'll lose access and won't be charged until the pause is over. Once your chosen amount of time has passed, your subscription will renew automatically. At any point during your pause you can resume using YouTube TV again, provided you're willing to pay. While there's no way to extend a pause, you do have the option to pause again once your billing restarts.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-cancel-or-pause-your-youtube-tv-subscription-192023656.html?src=rss

Heatherwick Studio Breaks Ground on Seoul’s Soundscape: Transforming Forgotten Island Into Musical Oasis

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From forgotten wasteland to cultural destination, Nodeul Island on Seoul’s Han River is undergoing a remarkable transformation under the vision of renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick. After winning a highly competitive global design contest, Heatherwick Studio officially broke ground on its ambitious “Soundscape” project in October 2025, marking a new chapter for both the studio and South Korea’s cultural landscape.

Designer: Heatherwick Studio

From Waste Storage to Wonder

Nodeul Island’s story begins in 1917 when it was first constructed by the Japanese colonial administration. For decades, this artificial island served as little more than a waste storage facility, earning it the reputation as Seoul’s “forgotten island”. Fenced off from the public and left to decay, few could have imagined its potential as a vibrant cultural hub.

That changed when the Seoul Metropolitan Government launched an international competition to reimagine the space. Following a year-long process involving exhibitions, consultations, and public voting, Heatherwick Studio’s “Soundscape” emerged victorious in May 2024.

A Design Inspired by Sound and Mountains

The winning design draws inspiration from two distinctly Seoul elements: the city’s mountainous terrain and the visual patterns created by soundwaves. This dual inspiration manifests as a landscape that literally bends and folds like sound itself, creating what Thomas Heatherwick describes as “a trail of dramatic spaces on different levels that can host musical performances and artistic interventions”.

The centerpiece of the design features floating islets held in the air, providing elevated rest points with panoramic views across the island and back to Seoul’s skyline. These structures will be connected by a 1.2-kilometer skywalk, allowing visitors to experience what Heatherwick calls “drama and harmonies in the sky”.

A Cultural Destination for the Digital Age

Soundscape addresses what Heatherwick sees as a growing problem in our “hyper-digital age” – the increasing sense of loneliness and isolation. His solution is decidedly physical: a space dedicated to bringing people together through music and nature. The island will house an impressive array of cultural facilities, including recording studios, small concert halls, a waterfront amphitheater, and a K-pop experience center .

More unique offerings include an anechoic chamber for acoustic experimentation, a music café, and even a karaoke bar, ensuring the island caters to every musical taste and experience level. Beyond entertainment, the project emphasizes ecological restoration. The design incorporates native flora and fauna, with naturalistic plantings strengthening the riverbanks. This biodiverse landscape serves as both an environmental restoration and a sensory experience.

The post Heatherwick Studio Breaks Ground on Seoul’s Soundscape: Transforming Forgotten Island Into Musical Oasis first appeared on Yanko Design.

DJI’s Neo 2 selfie drone has LiDAR for obstacle avoidance

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DJI just announced the Neo 2 selfie drone, a follow-up to last year's original. This upgraded model includes a whole lot of new features. Just make sure to set DJI's website to Hong Kong/China to see images and specs. 

Perhaps the biggest upgrade here is the inclusion of LiDAR sensors for obstacle avoidance. The LiDAR is paired with downward-looking infrared sensors so it should be much safer as the drone follows you during flight. It still has integrated guards to protect the propellers, but the new obstacle avoidance system adds some more peace of mind.

The drone also now allows for gesture controls, which is handy when filming quickly-moving selfie videos. Users can adjust position and distance by moving their hands around. It still supports motion controllers and DJI's RC-N3 remote controller.

A drone and accessories.
DJI

The max speed has been increased to nearly 27MPH, which is much faster than the original's follow speed. DJI told The Verge that the drone is better at handling difficult weather conditions, as it can maintain a stable hover in winds up to around 24MPH.

The battery life is better, with a larger 1606mAh rechargeable battery that gets up to 19 minutes of use per charge. The original got around 14 to 17 minutes per charge. The camera now uses a dual-axis gimbal for improved stability, though has the same half-inch sensor of the original. However, the field of view has been widened and it can capture 4K footage at up to 60FPS. This goes up to 100FPS when the drone is being piloted manually.

The internal storage has been boosted all the way up to 49GB, from 22GB. All of these upgrades have made the drone slightly heavier than the original, at 151 grams compared to 135 grams. If the battery life and speed are better, then the added weight doesn't really matter in my eyes.

The bad news? The Neo 2 is currently only available in China. We called the original "the best $200 drone ever made" so we hope DJI goes for a wider release as soon as possible. The good news? The price should remain relatively similar, as it costs 1,499 Chinese Yuan. This translates to $211 in US dollars. However, we have no idea how or if tariffs will impact this pricing.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/djis-neo-2-selfie-drone-has-lidar-for-obstacle-avoidance-174700215.html?src=rss

Are you a YouTube TV subscriber looking for ESPN and ABC? Here are your options

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POLAND - 2023/02/07: In this photo illustration a YouTubeTV logo seen displayed on a smartphone. (Photo Illustration by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SOPA Images via Getty Images

If you're a YouTube TV subscriber, you may have noticed that ABC, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels have gone dark on the platform today. The Walt Disney Co. has pulled its channels from YouTube TV as of midnight on Oct. 30 after the two companies failed to reach new terms on their latest carriage agreement.

That means that until that negotiation is resolved, you won't be able to watch any programming from those stations. That includes all upcoming college football and NFL games broadcast on ESPN's suite of channels —including Monday Night Football — as well as all ABC programming like Abbott Elementary, Grey's Anatomy and Dancing with the Stars.

YouTube TV has stated that if Disney’s channels remain off the platform for an extended period, customers will receive a $20 monthly credit. That's all fine and good, but if you're looking to watch one of those upcoming games, you're likely looking for a solution as soon as Friday night. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to get those channels back. If you want a permanent switch from YouTube TV, there's Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV, or Fubo, where you can watch all of those channels. If you're looking for a workaround for this weekend (or for the long term) to watch ESPN, the Disney Channel, ABC and more, here's are the best options so you won't miss a moment of sports, news, or entertainment, all pulled from our list of best live TV streaming services to cut cable. 

Get Hulu + Live TV at a great price

You may have heard that Sling offers day, weekend and week passes to its streaming programming for as little as $5 per day. That is an option if you're looking for just some of the ESPN channels (the Sling Orange tier), but ABC isn't included. You can get both with Sling's Orange and Blue package ($30 a month to start, $61 thereafter), but you'll need to add on the Sports Extra package for ESPNU, which requires an additional charge. 

Need your local ABC programming? Your station may have its own free local streaming news channel (many do), you can see if The Roku Channel carries your local station's news, or download your local news station app if it's a Nexstar channel. 

The other alternative — if you're within the broadcast radius of a local ABC affiliate — is to get an over-the-air antenna. You can plug in your ZIP code at antennaweb.org to see what channels are in your area. This off-brand unit has worked very well in our initial testing — it's under $30, and the channels are truly free. 

If you're wondering what games you might miss as a result of the YouTubeTV/Disney blackout, here's a list of NCAAF games that will be broadcast this weekend on ABC or on one of ESPN's many channels, and don't forget about Monday Night Football on ESPN/ABC, too.

Friday, Oct. 31

7PM ET | No. 25 Memphis at Rice | ESPN2
7PM ET | Brown at Penn | ESPNU
7:30PM ET | North Carolina at Syracuse | ESPN
10:30PM ET | Idaho at Northern Arizona | ESPN2

Saturday, Nov. 1

12PM ET | No. 9 Vanderbilt at No. 20 Texas | ABC
12PM ET | No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at SMU | ESPN
12PM ET | Duke at Clemson | ACC Network
12PM ET | UCF at Baylor | ESPNU
12PM ET | Navy at North Texas | ESPN2
3:30PM ET | No. 5 Georgia vs. Florida (in Jacksonville, Fla.) | ABC
3:30PM ET | No. 12 Notre Dame at Boston College | ESPN
3:30PM ET | Pitt at Stanford | ACC Network
3:45PM ET | No. 15 Virginia at Cal | ESPN2
4PM ET | Mississippi State at Arkansas | SEC Network
4PM ET | Central Michigan at Western Michigan | ESPNU
7PM ET | South Carolina at No. 7 Ole Miss | ESPN
7:30PM ET | No. 8 Georgia Tech at NC State | ESPN2
7:30PM ET | No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee | ABC
7:30PM ET | Kentucky at Auburn | SEC Network
7:30PM ET | Wake Forest at Florida State | ACC Network
8PM ET | Arkansas State at Troy | ESPNU

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/are-you-a-youtube-tv-subscriber-looking-for-espn-and-abc-here-are-your-options-173330155.html?src=rss

This 3-in-1 Mouse Just Fixed Everything Wrong with Magic Mouse

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The computer mouse has barely evolved in decades. Sure, we’ve added more buttons, improved the sensor technology, made them wireless, and added haptic feedback, but the fundamental interaction remains stubbornly unchanged. The Melt Mouse arrives to challenge that stagnation with a radical proposition that transforms a single device into a mouse, a trackpad, and a customizable shortcut pad, all wrapped in a seamless aluminum body with clean lines and an uninterrupted surface.

What makes this device remarkable goes beyond its ability to multitask. The Melt Mouse represents a philosophical shift in how we think about input devices. Rather than cluttering your workspace with separate peripherals for different tasks, Melt Interface has created a unified tool that adapts to your workflow instead of forcing you to adapt to it.

Designer: Melt Interface

The design language clearly draws inspiration from Apple’s Magic Mouse aesthetic. That same smooth, button-free glass surface and minimalist aluminum construction creates an immediate visual connection. However, where Apple’s approach prioritizes form over function to sometimes frustrating results, the Melt Mouse appears to learn from those missteps.

The charging port sits in a practical location rather than underneath the device. The ergonomic profile offers more substantial palm support than the Magic Mouse’s notoriously flat design. This feels like taking Apple’s design philosophy and asking what happens when you actually prioritize the user experience alongside the visual appeal.

Where the Magic Mouse offers basic touch gestures, the Melt Mouse takes that concept considerably further. The entire top surface consists of a single curved plane of micro-textured glass that functions as a precision touchpad. The surface recognizes multi-finger gestures while maintaining the ergonomic advantage of a mouse form factor. For tasks requiring pixel-perfect precision in design work, it offers up to 6,000 DPI resolution.

Physical buttons have disappeared from the front, replaced by haptic feedback technology that provides tactile responses mimicking traditional scroll wheels and clicks. The system promises silent operation while maintaining sensory confirmation for each action. Users can customize the pressure sensitivity, adjusting from light taps to firm presses depending on preference. This button-free approach maintains the minimalist profile while potentially reducing mechanical failure points over time.

The device offers mode-switching through customizable gestures like double tapping or long pressing. These actions transform the mouse into a trackpad, number pad, or shortcut pad on demand. Twelve dots appear on the glass surface in numpad mode, providing visual reference points for number entry. Those same twelve positions become programmable shortcuts that can trigger macros or application-specific commands. The software allows different profiles for different applications, with the mouse adapting its shortcut layout accordingly.

The body gets machined from a single block of aluminum with an anodized finish that adds durability and refined tactile quality. The seamless construction eliminates gaps where dirt accumulates or mechanisms fail. Every surface transition flows smoothly into the next, creating an object that looks substantial on any desk setup. The shape follows the natural resting position of your hand, with curves that cradle your palm.

Customization extends beyond software to the physical design through the MagSole system. The bottom sole attaches magnetically and swaps effortlessly between five different colors. This allows users to match the mouse to their desk setup or simply change the look based on mood. The magnetic attachment system makes switching between colors a matter of seconds without tools or complicated mechanisms.

Wireless connectivity keeps desks free from cable clutter while maintaining the responsiveness required for professional creative work. Two physical buttons remain on the side of the device for functions that benefit from traditional tactile feedback. The combination of wireless freedom, sensor accuracy, and hybrid input methods creates a technical foundation designed to support rather than limit creative possibilities. Customizable software manages profiles, shortcuts, and sensitivity settings across different applications.

Melt Interface has created something that challenges assumptions about mouse design. The Melt Mouse demonstrates that minimalist aesthetics and multiple functions can coexist in a single device. By combining mouse, trackpad, and shortcut pad capabilities into one seamless package, they’ve proposed a new direction for interaction design that attempts to bridge physical and digital workflows through consolidated hardware.

The post This 3-in-1 Mouse Just Fixed Everything Wrong with Magic Mouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Looped Umbrella Stand Soaks Up Rain and Looks Like Art

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There’s something quietly revolutionary happening in the world of everyday objects, and it starts with something as humble as where you put your umbrella. Arihant Israni and Anoushka Braganza have created InBetween, a piece that challenges our assumptions about what functional design can be. It’s not just a place to stash wet umbrellas. It’s a whole vibe.

Let’s be honest: most umbrella stands are afterthoughts. They’re plastic cylinders hiding in corners, collecting dust and forgotten receipts. But what if that neglected corner could hold something beautiful? What if the act of coming home on a rainy day could feel a little more intentional, a little more like a ritual worth noticing?

Designers: Arihant Israni and Anoushka Braganza

That’s where InBetween comes in. The design is built around flowing loops that curve and connect, creating this continuous rhythm that feels almost hypnotic. It’s sculptural in a way that makes you stop and look twice. The loops aren’t just aesthetic choices, they’re functional, too, each one cradling an umbrella while creating negative space that gives the whole piece a sense of movement. Even when it’s sitting still, it feels alive.

The designers say the form is inspired by the idea of transitions, those moments between leaving and arriving, between chaos and calm. And honestly? You can see it. There’s something about the way the curves flow into each other that captures that feeling of moving through your day, of pausing to shake off the rain before stepping into your space. It’s design that understands that our homes aren’t just backdrops. They’re where we reset, where we breathe.

Now let’s talk about the base, because this is where things get really interesting. It’s made from Diatomaceous Earth, which sounds incredibly science-y but is actually just fossilized algae. And here’s the genius part: it’s naturally porous and absorbent, which means it soaks up all that rainwater dripping off your umbrella without you having to do anything. No puddles, no mess, no gross waterlogged mats that smell like mildew after a week. The material is also antimicrobial, so it resists mold and odor naturally. It dries fast, stays clean, and if it ever needs refreshing, you just give it a light wipe or a gentle sanding. That’s it. In a world where everything seems to require constant maintenance and upkeep, there’s something deeply satisfying about a product that just works quietly in the background.

But beyond the practical magic, there’s a conceptual layer here that makes InBetween feel special. The base becomes this mediator between outside and inside, between the storm you just walked through and the calm you’re entering. It’s material intelligence meeting emotional design, and it works on both levels.

Visually, the stand fits into almost any space. The minimalist aesthetic and organic geometry mean it doesn’t scream for attention, but it definitely holds its own. Whether you’re living in a sleek modern apartment, a cozy studio, or something in between (pun intended), it adapts. The deep, muted burgundy tones in the images give it warmth without being loud. It’s the kind of piece that elevates a space just by existing in it.

What really gets me about InBetween is how it reframes something we barely think about. We’re so used to design being about big statements, about the couch or the coffee table or the art on the wall. But what about all the little moments? What about the act of setting down your umbrella when you get home, shaking off the rain, taking a breath before you move further into your day? InBetween turns that mundane gesture into something worth noticing. It’s a reminder that thoughtful design doesn’t have to be loud or expensive or complicated. Sometimes it’s just about paying attention to the details, about understanding that every object in our lives has the potential to be more than just functional.

In a culture obsessed with productivity and optimization, there’s something radical about slowing down enough to appreciate the poetry of an umbrella stand. InBetween proves that even the most ordinary objects can become opportunities for beauty, mindfulness, and a little bit of wonder. And honestly? We could all use more of that.

The post This Looped Umbrella Stand Soaks Up Rain and Looks Like Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

The IOC and Saudi Arabia call it quits on their Olympic esports partnership

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The esports partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Saudi Arabia is no more. On Thursday, the IOC said that it and the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) have "mutually agreed" to part ways. The breakup comes weeks after Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and other investors bought EA for $55 billion.

The IOC and SOPC agreed on a 12-year esports partnership in 2024. At the time, the IOC was reportedly in talks with publishers of Rocket League, Street Fighter and League of Legends. The two sides discussed holding the Olympic Esports Games every two years. (The first games were initially scheduled for this year, but were pushed back to 2027.) Potential hosts for later installments were said to include South Korea and the US.

Instead, the two sides are now "committed to pursuing their own esports ambitions on separate paths," according to the IOC. The organization now plans to "spread the opportunities presented by the Olympic Esports Games more widely." It still wants the inaugural games to happen "as soon as possible."

The AP notes that the dissolution comes seven months into Kristy Coventry's IOC presidency. We don't know the details of how the deal came apart. However, the IOC wants to connect with younger fans through esports, but in a way that "Olympic values are respected." Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup features MOBAs, shooters and fighting games.

If the IOC wants to project a squeaky-clean image while connecting with young gamers, it may have an uphill battle. (For the record, games don't lead to violence.)

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-ioc-and-saudi-arabia-call-it-quits-on-their-olympic-esports-partnership-163148341.html?src=rss

How to Fix Your Beautiful But Cluttered Desk

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You know that feeling when you sit down at your desk and immediately feel overwhelmed? It’s not you. It’s your desk. More specifically, it’s the fact that modern desks have basically turned into minimalist slabs with zero storage solutions. Sure, they look sleek in furniture showrooms, but try working on one every day and you’ll quickly realize something crucial is missing.

Enter Tidy Desk and their Desk Dock System, a collection of add-on storage solutions that feel less like accessories and more like the missing pieces modern workspaces desperately need. The brand has essentially created what I’d call “remedial design” for the era of beautiful but impractical furniture. And honestly, it’s about time someone did.

Designer: Tidy Desk

The star of the show is the Invisible Laptop Dock, which does exactly what the name suggests. It hides your laptop under your desk while keeping it accessible and properly ventilated. Think about it: your laptop just sits there taking up premium real estate on your desk surface, surrounded by a tangle of charging cables and dongles. The Invisible Laptop Dock mounts underneath, giving you full access to all ports from both sides, so whether you’re using a single USB-C dock or plugging in multiple cables, everything stays organized and out of sight. What makes this particularly clever is that it doesn’t just hide your laptop. It actually improves your workflow. One customer put it perfectly when they said, “Finally got my laptop out of the way. Desk looks cleaner and somehow I just focus better now.” That connection between visual clutter and mental clarity isn’t just aesthetic preference. It’s psychology at work.

But Tidy Desk didn’t stop at laptops. They’ve expanded the Desk Dock System to include custom solutions for specific tech gear. The Focusrite 2i2 Dock is designed specifically for the popular audio interface, keeping it locked in place and accessible without eating up desk space. There’s also a Fast Connect LaCie Dock for external hard drives, featuring USB-C with 10 Gbps data transfer speeds and multiple ports. These aren’t generic cable management clips. They’re thoughtfully designed docks that treat each piece of equipment as if it deserves its own intentional home.

The whole system operates on a simple premise: why should we adapt to poorly designed furniture when we can just fix the problem? The rise of sit-stand desks and aesthetic-focused workspace design has given us gorgeous offices, but at the cost of practicality. Drawers disappeared. Cable management became an afterthought. And suddenly everyone was posting photos of their “clean desk setup” while their actual workspace looked like a rat’s nest of wires and adapters. What Tidy Desk understands is that minimalism isn’t about having less stuff. It’s about having the right systems to manage your stuff invisibly. Their tagline says it all: “Craft Your Perfect Workspace.” From cable management to laptop docks, the system aims to keep you focused, organized, and actually proud of your setup.

The products are surprisingly affordable too, with most items ranging from $35 to $37. That’s less than what many people spend on decorative desk accessories that don’t actually solve any problems. And the modular approach means you only buy what you need. Got a laptop and a Focusrite interface? Get those two docks. Just need cable management? Grab that piece. The system grows with your needs.

There’s something refreshing about design that acknowledges real-world messiness instead of pretending we all live in impossibly tidy showrooms. Another user review captures this perfectly: “Didn’t think hiding a few cables would do much, but damn it actually helps. Feels like my mind’s clearer when my desk is too.” Since we’re living at a time where we’re obsessed with standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and expensive monitors, it’s oddly satisfying to see someone focus on the unglamorous stuff that actually makes daily work better. Because at the end of the day, your desk should work for you, not against you.

The post How to Fix Your Beautiful But Cluttered Desk first appeared on Yanko Design.