Lenovo’s AI Student Phone prioritizes learning over entertainment with smart parental controls

Lenovo has introduced a smartphone with a very different purpose from the devices that dominate today’s gadget landscape. Instead of chasing higher performance, better cameras, or immersive entertainment, the AI Student Phone is designed to help students stay focused on learning while giving parents greater control over how the device is used. Launched in China at an affordable price of 299 Yuan (approximately $44), the phone strips away many of the distractions associated with modern smartphones. The device instead replaces them with AI-powered educational tools and safety-focused features.

Unlike conventional Android smartphones, the AI Student Phone intentionally excludes games, web browsers, and social media platforms. This reduces digital distractions during study sessions while still allowing students to stay connected with parents and access learning resources. Rather than serving as an all-purpose entertainment device, it functions as a communication and educational companion that encourages healthier smartphone habits.

Designer: Lenovo

A dedicated AI button sits on the side of the phone, providing instant access to the built-in assistant. Students can ask questions using voice commands, receive explanations for school subjects, and get homework assistance without navigating through multiple apps. Lenovo positions the AI assistant as a reliable study companion that can provide quick answers while keeping interactions simple enough for younger users.

Parents receive an equally important set of features through extensive remote management tools. They can monitor the phone’s location using GPS tracking, establish geofenced safe zones, and receive notifications whenever a child enters or leaves designated areas such as school or home. The parental controls also make it possible to manage usage remotely, ensuring the device remains focused on educational activities rather than unnecessary distractions.

The phone includes support for voice and video calling, allowing families to stay in touch throughout the day. Despite the simplified software experience, the device still offers practical communication capabilities, making it suitable for everyday use. Lenovo has also incorporated emergency features that enable children to quickly contact family members if needed, further strengthening the device’s appeal as a first phone for younger users.

From a hardware perspective, the AI Student Phone focuses on reliability instead of premium specifications. It features a compact touchscreen display, basic cameras for communication, and sufficient battery capacity to comfortably last through a school day. The modest hardware helps keep costs low while remaining adequate for the educational tasks the phone is intended to perform.

While its highly restricted software environment may not appeal to general smartphone users, Lenovo’s latest device fills a niche that many parents have been looking for. This is an affordable phone that keeps children connected without exposing them to the endless distractions of traditional smartphones. The budget-friendly AI Student Phone is a highly practical solution for families seeking a safer introduction to mobile technology for students.

 

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Twin Phone splits into two for users who don’t want to live with a dumb phone for the rest of their lives

Just when you think you’ve seen all the smartphone form factors – flip phones, triple-fold ones, ones with popping cameras, and whatnot – there’s still one more to surprise you. This is the Twin Phone designed to have the most flexible form factor you could imagine on a daily driver device. You can virtually take this phone apart into two halves, because why not?

The concept device created in collaboration with Olivier Verbeke concentrates on the perils of modern-day devices that overpower the user’s will to have self-control and not go down the doom-scrolling rabbit hole. While we do have dumb phones and dedicated applications to control smartphone addiction, whether they actually work is anybody’s guess. That’s where Twin Phone has a different approach to things.

Designer: Wild Mind and Olivier Verbeke

Two halves of the phone serve their own dedicated purpose, while putting them together brings the best of both worlds together. One half is a simple phone for basic functionality like taking calls, texting, reading e-books, or essential functions like navigation. The other half has a larger battery module for heavyweight tasks and functions as a dock for the smaller unit to snap onto. Slide them together, and there is the Twin Phone ready for a day’s work, just like your usual modern-day smartphone.

The simple phone module has everything toned down in that mode, as the E-ink display is easy on the eyes and uses very little power. Since the compact form of this module houses a smaller battery, power conservation is essential, which is achieved by the minimalist approach. This comes in handy when you simply leave the other module in your closet and tag along with the module without feeling disconnected from the world. Come back home and put the two modules together to get the advantage of a “smart phone” in your possession.

Twin Phone is built from recycled plastic, and the on-board battery can be replaced by removing the screws on the back. A larger screw on the back acts as a strap attachment for the lanyard function. To keep the phone relevant for young users, the designer imagines the device in a range of peppy colors, including blue, orange, purple, military green, and muted white.

I simply love the idea of such a thoughtful device, which doesn’t try to completely put a stop to smartphone usage, giving one no option to retreat for some breathing space. The phone lets you decide when it is time to go minimal and when it’s time to explore the capabilities of a powerful device. This freedom lets the user gradually ease into a lifestyle wherein the phone is no longer dictating terms, and solves the intended purpose for once.

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Casio’s Pokémon G-SHOCK packs three decades of pocket monsters into one collectible timepiece

We’ve seen countless G-Shock versions in our time, and they still keep coming. The latest in Casio’s line-up of its most famous series is the Pokémon edition watch. Celebrating the gaming franchise’s three decades, the timepiece has the G-Shock GA-110 as the base unit. On top are the classic Pokémon colors in Red, Green and Blue.

The watch is going to hit the right notes with Pokémon fans who’ve, over the years, obsessed over the augmented reality game and the themed merchandise resulting from the Japanese title’s influence worldwide. This is the first full-scale G-Shock in collaboration with the game franchise, as previous collaborations only resulted in the Baby-G versions. In Japan, it is only available via a purchase lottery, while in the UK, at least, you can buy the thing for $220 if you’ve had a history of bad luck.

Designer: Casio

Interestingly, the watch band carries all 30 Pokémon – one each of the glorious 30 years. There are the original Kanto starters – Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, while the Paldea region (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly) graces the timepiece. Of course, Pikachu and Eevee are also present. The 30th anniversary theme continues on the catchy Poké Ball-shaped box engraved with the 30 Pokémon and the caseback embellished with their names. The exterior packaging gets the Pokémon treatment, too, in all the Pokémon motifs, which in itself is a collectible for dedicated fans. Whoah… seems I’m 30 again!

Intricate details on the watch face take the shape of the Poké Ball-inspired inset dial at the 9 o’clock position, and the Pikachu-shaped indicator hand from the 1996 release balances things out perfectly. The band loop gets the Mythical Pokémon while the 200-meter water-resistant watch gets the customary shock and magnetic resistance features. Underneath all the Pokémon goodness lies the trusted G-Shock movement, 29 time zone display (gosh that should have been 30), 1/1000th second stopwatch, an automatic calendar going right up to the year 2099, and LED lighting.

The Pokémon x G-SHOCK GA-110PKM-7A is scheduled to arrive in July, with regional availability varying by market. In Japan, the watch will be sold through a purchase lottery via Casio’s online store, while other regions, including the UK and US, will offer limited retail availability through G-SHOCK stores, the official Casio website, and select authorized retailers. The watch carries a price tag of approximately $220 in the UK, $270 in the US, and ¥33,000 (around $225) in Japan, making it a premium collectible rather than an impulse buy. Given that this marks the first full-fledged G-SHOCK collaboration with Pokémon and celebrates one of gaming’s most beloved franchises, don’t expect it to stay on shelves for long.

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Retroid Pocket Nova plays old time classics and demanding titles with the same level of immersion

The handheld gaming arena is slowly getting saturated with tons of options for gamers with specific sets of needs. That has changed the balance of hardware on offer and the corresponding prices, which have become ever more competitive. Retroid is one of the strong contenders in this keenly contested arena, and their next handheld has been all the rage in the last few weeks.

Following a stint of leaks and rumors around the probable specifications of the handheld, the Chinese OEM has finally announced the latest gaming handheld that’s powered by an SoC similar to the one on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The portable gaming console is directly pitted against the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 (Limited Edition, 110 units sold out in all configurations and colors) and the Anbernic RG 55G1, both released just a few days ago.

Designer: Retroid

This 4.5-inch AMOLED screen (4:3 screen resolution) handheld operating at a peak 120Hz refresh rate is ideal for playing retro titles from the early 2000s, like the ones from the PS2 and GameCube libraries. Powered by the Qualcomm QCS8550 chip mated to an Adreno 740 GPU (clocking at 680MHz) which is equivalent to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor on the flagships of 2023, sans the cellular modem. Just in case the handheld doesn’t get hot and drop off in performance, there is an advanced active cooling system in the mix.

Weighing under nine ounces, the gaming machine comes with a 5,000mAh battery and the ability to fast charge via a USB-C port. The maker is claiming a play time of around eight hours on the fly, which should get you through a day’s gaming spree without having to recharge again. The base version of the device comes in an 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage configuration, while the 12GB RAM paired with 256GB storage variant is well suited for gamers who don’t mind spending a few extra dollars. If you want even beefier storage, expansion via the microSD slot is also an option.

Connectivity of the handheld for OTA updates is taken care of by the WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 modules, which should be less power-consuming. In the hands-on video of the engineering prototype, we can clearly see the handheld with a highly flexible DPAD and 3D Hall effect joysticks. The handheld will be compatible with a second-screen accessory – just like the Pocket 5 and Pocket 6 – which should catch Nintendo DS fans’ attention.

Retroid Pocket Nova can be pre-ordered right now, but there is no confirmed date for the shipping timeline. That said, the see-through black version in the base 8GB/128GB configuration is priced at $229, and the 12GB/256GB variant costs $269. Spend a little more, and you can grab the retro-futuristic translucent colors like Ice Blue, Crystal, Watermelon, and Clear Purple for $234 and $274, respectively, for the same configurations.

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Explorer camping trailer is designed with comfort, convenience, and adventure in mind

We all have different adventure needs. If your lifestyle requires you to go beyond the paved roads and into the wild, you need a capable setup that’s designed with comfort and convenience to go where you want it to. A new entrant among the likes of Adventure Pro Mini 2.0 or the Polydrops P21X is the Fortress Explorer camping trailer that is built for genuine off-grid comfort.

The explorer gains off-grid capabilities without having to compromise on its comfort or the capability at any point. New Zealand-based Fortress Trailers says their trailers are “designed for Kiwi tradies who need a setup that works as hard as they do.” But this one is different; it’s designed to be tough and secure, always configurable to be more than a utility trailer: an adventure trailer!

Designer: Fortress Trailers

Over the years, Fortress has been developing very secure and rugged utility trailers. To be the mobile workstation you have always wanted, for the first time, the company has developed an outdoor trailer. The Explorer is built using aluminum panels and finished in scratch-resistant paint, as opposed to a steel body that other Fortress trailers are built with. The camping trailer, however, retains the hot-dipped galvanized steel chassis.

Measuring about 13.5 feet long, the Explorer makes for 6.9-foot headroom inside, and it rides comfortably on 15-inch wheels, ready to go just about anywhere. A great combination of convenience, adventure, and comfort, the Fortress Explorer camping trailer features a spacious rooftop tent to increase the sleeping capacity and offers a fully equipped slide-out kitchen with a 90L fridge, bench space, and storage for cooking essentials.

Packed with all the amenities that you need to be in the great outdoors, whether for a short weekend or for a slightly longer stay. It comes with a 270-degree awning to extend the living space beyond the interior, comprising a spacious queen-size memory foam bed. To take care of your living comfort like at home – away from home and far away from the grid – the Explorer features a 120W solar charging setup paired with a 100Ah battery, and a 1000W inverter.

The trailer with a 100L water tank features a DC-DC charger for powering 12V lighting and USB ports via the tow vehicle. Priced at NZ $42,990 (approximately $25,000), the trailer has a huge slide-out drawer for easy organization of camping gear and storage under stairs leading to the rooftop tent. The fuel is stored in a 9kg gas bottle and a pair of jerry cans. For that price, you also get, along with the Explorer, a shower tent for privacy and convenience.

Fortress Trailers, we learn, added the Explorer to its tradesman utility trailer lineup a few months ago. It is available now for the adventurers in New Zealand, but we have yet to hear whether the Explorer camping trailer will make it to North America or not.

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Color Shifting Defenders with meaty power are the most unique Land Rovers on the planet

How far will you go to customize your favorite ride if money is not a problem? I guess we’ve just seen the pinnacle of a motorhead’s love for Defenders go absolutely wild. A fat-pocketed client had commissioned Land Rover Classic – restomod shop for customizing and restoring classic Defenders – for one of the craziest projects to date. The deal was to customize not one but four prized Defenders into the most unique off-roaders on the planet right now.

The four vehicles getting the special treatment include the Classic Defender 90 Station Wagon, the 90 Soft Top version, a 110 Station Wagon, and a 110 Double Cab Pick‑Up. The highlight of this restomod is the color-changing Spectral Green paint treatment that shifts from green to purple to gold depending on the angle at which light falls on it.

Designer: Land Rover

“The single-client commission represents the near-infinite customization possibilities that Land Rover Classic offers clients via its Works Bespoke service, including the option to specify a colour inspired by any source, including personal items, natural landscapes, or other vehicles in their collection,” says Land Rover. This client however, has gone that extra mile to ensure his quadruped Defenders are unique on the planet, as the color shifting magic extends to the 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels and the exterior badges. The level of personalization is apparent from the inscribed Defender on the hood and hand-painted coachline in white shade.

The paint job alone took around 400 man-hours for each of the vehicles, getting draped in the special color-changing paint, at the in-house facility. Those icy White roofs and the expedition cages contrast the look perfectly. This eye-catching treatment follows on to the interior as well, wherein the centrally located facia panel gets the color-shifting effect. This is matched with the Vanilla Bridge of Weir leather and silky green stitching. The floor mats are not ignored in any way, as they come embellished with the Superwool carpets in Bridge of Weir leather cover and the debossed Defender wordmark.

Under the hood, each one of them gets a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine churning out 380 lb-ft of torque to match the flamboyant looks. The engine is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox that gets all wheel drive config with a low range. Other hardware upgrades come in the form of improved dampers, springs, anti-roll bars, and the bigger disks with four-piston calipers.

Range Rover Classics has not revealed the pricing of this exorbitant package, but I’m sure it would have run in millions, given that the stock Defenders themselves start at around $264,000. That paint job and the added restomods should shoot up the final price for each by a considerable amount!

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Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 handheld gets better ergonomic design, boasts beefier battery inside

Ayaneo has a good foothold in the portable console gaming market with its versatile handhelds for every type of gamer. It wasn’t surprising that their upcoming Android-powered handheld was pretty much on the hype train and shrouded in speculative leaks for a few weeks. Now, the fog has finally cleared, and Ayaneo has teased the highly anticipated Pocket Micro 2 gaming handheld, poised to compete with Android devices from competitors like 8BitDo and Retroid.

The gaming handheld has been officially announced on the brand’s X channel, with some details still kept under wraps for later. This device will come in two classic color options: black and silver, indicating that the gadget is targeted towards more serious gamers.

Designer: Ayaneo

This device builds on the 3.5-inch screen Pocket Micro launched way back in 2024, powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor. The latest one has the updated joystick design based on the feedback given by the gamer community. The processing hardware also gets a good bump up for enjoying demanding titles, sans any lag. To keep the winning design going, the handheld has the same familiar rectangular form factor.

The official post clearly reveals the front section of the device, and more of the device is slated to come in a couple of days when the company reveals it fully in a livestream. Just like many other handhelds by Ayaneo, the Pocket Micro 2 also features a front glass panel with a borderless display and menu buttons on the chin that could be susceptible to accidental touches. Buttons on the handheld are fairly similar to the predecessor, albeit they’ve gone a little small compared to other handhelds.

On the other hand, the analog sticks take the biggest design change, being recessed deeper into the device for better fused LED lighting and adaptability with customization. Those TMR recessed joysticks ensure there is no stick drifting at all for a more consistent gaming experience. Shoulder buttons on the handheld are slightly larger, along with the enhanced DPAD and action buttons for a better ergonomic feel and precise input. It’ll also get a larger 3,950mAh battery paired to an energy-efficient Snapdragon processor for longer gaming sessions. For connectivity, the Android gaming device has a 3.5 mm jack and a fully featured USB Type-C port.

We’ll have more on the specifications, pricing, and the official pre-order dates as soon as the live stream revelations are out in the open.

 

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Nothing’s Dream Phone concept fixes everything fans dislike about modern smartphones

Let’s be honest, phones virtually look the same with no major design innovation, or for that matter, even hardware progression that would turn eyeballs. The improvements have plateaued and mostly arrive in small increments wrapped in loud marketing jargon to drive sales. So, do we actually own a phone with features that we genuinely desire? Not quite.

For that very reason, Nothing set out on a design experiment to craft a smartphone that reflects what fans actually want in their daily driver. This isn’t the first time the company has explored such an idea. Last year, it collaborated with MKBHD and JerryRigEverything on community-inspired Dream Phone concepts. This time, however, Nothing turned to its broader user base, gathering suggestions from enthusiasts and longtime smartphone fans to create what it calls the ultimate “Dream Phone.”

Designer: Nothing

Community feedback also brought back features that have largely disappeared from flagship devices. The concept includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a dedicated microSD card slot, two additions frequently requested by users who value flexibility and long-term usability. While manufacturers have largely abandoned expandable storage and wired audio, Nothing’s exercise highlights that demand for these features still exists among enthusiasts.

One of the most interesting design choices is the elimination of both the display punch-hole and the protruding camera bump. To achieve an uninterrupted screen experience, the Dream Phone uses a pop-up selfie camera system that houses dual front-facing cameras. The rear camera arrangement sits flush with the body, creating a completely flat back that avoids the wobble commonly associated with modern smartphones. Beyond aesthetics, the design also touches on privacy, as the pop-up mechanism provides a visible indication when the front camera is active.

The project also explores the engineering compromises required to build such a device. According to Nothing, shrinking the phone while retaining fan-requested features significantly limits internal space. The company explained that maintaining a slim profile would force sacrifices in areas such as processing power, display quality, and biometric hardware. Instead, the concept adopts a slightly thicker chassis, allowing room for a 3,800mAh silicon-carbon battery and the additional hardware requested by the community.

Another unusual idea discussed during the concept’s development was reducing software restrictions. The Dream Phone imagines a device with minimal pre-installed software and maximum user control, reflecting ongoing conversations around bloatware and device customization.

As appealing as the concept may be, Nothing has made it clear that the Dream Phone is not headed for production. It remains a design exercise intended to visualize what a community-driven smartphone could look like when user wishes take priority over mainstream market trends. Still, the overwhelmingly positive reaction demonstrates that many consumers are eager for devices that prioritize practicality, individuality, and thoughtful design over spec-sheet competition. Whether or not this exact phone ever becomes reality, the Dream Phone serves as a reminder that some of the most desired smartphone features are not necessarily the newest ones; they are the ones people genuinely miss!

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Adventure Pro Mini 2.0 delivers off-grid freedom in a woodless, lightweight off-road trailer

There is something about high-durability, compact, off-road camping trailers. They are not the most comfortable. But they do the job just right that even some full-size camping trailers fall short. Adventure Pro Mini 2.0 is one such compact trailer that is designed to go where the tow vehicle can, and still offer food and comparatively comfortable lodging, without worrying about the weather and the elements.

Owing to its petite size, the camping trailer is easier to drag through tight spaces in the deep woods or where the road stops, looking black and has a worn-out bumpy face to maneuver. The brainchild of Indiana-based Kingdom Camping, the off-road-ready Aventure Pro Mini 2.0 comes with an articulating hitch coupling. It can conveniently adjust to the shakes and jerks and allow the trailer to follow its towing ride pretty smoothly.

Designer: Kingdom Camping

Adventure Pro Mini 2.0 has an interesting façade. The fiberglass shell keeps the compact rig lightweight but allows it to be stuffed with a host of amenities and facilities you need on the road. The topographical motif on the body is the first interaction you have with this 3,500-pound GVWR trailer that sits on a steel chassis with rock sliders. It rides on 33-inch all-terrain tires featuring independent suspension for a smoother experience on unpaved paths.

The trailer measures 180 inches long and 86 inches wide and is rated with a 2,300-pound fully loaded weight. Inside, you get a triple-fold mattress that provides a queen-size bed on the open floor. Presumably, you can use the vacant space (when the mattress is folded) to store and carry your adventure gear. A bunk, closed with safety netting on one side, is an additional sleeping space for a child or a pet you have along.

Kingdom Camping confirms that wood is not used anywhere in the trailer. In fact, the cabinetry inside is all made from powder-coated aluminum for longevity. Just above the cabinet comprising connectivity ports, power outlets, wireless charging port, and a Redarc display, is the dual-pane skylight. Most interesting still is the full rear galley. Accessible via lifting the hatch, the galley comprises a stainless steel sink with hot and cold water, a dual-zone Iceco BL75 fridge/freezer, and a lot of cabinets, again made from aluminum. The cooktop with a quick-connect propane pipe slides out of the side of the trailer. You also get an option for an outdoor shower.

The rooftop is provided with a roof rack for awnings and a 400-watt solar panel. Kingdom Camping furnishes the new trailer with a 300-Ah lithium battery, a 2,000-watt inverter, and a DC-to-DC charging. For all-season computing, the Adventure Pro Mini 2.0 features a 12-volt Dometic RTX air conditioner. And for the choosy ones, the builder is allowing you to customize your rig with preferred colors and features like air suspension, an additional 300Ah battery, and MOLLE boards.

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Airbus converts its successful H145 helicopter into a fully autonomous twin-engine aircraft

Along with the increase in demand for personal mobility aircrafts, there is a snowballing demand for autonomous flying crafts in military, surveillance, and transportation. Taking cues from the shifting focus in the aviation industry, Airbus has unveiled an unmanned variant of its rather popular H145 helicopter.

Renovated to fly completely without a pilot, the new U145 twin-engine helicopter will be transporting large and heavy payloads in and out of rural, inaccessible areas amid other tasks. It is based completely on the existing platform of the recognized H145 and is expected to make its first test flight (with a safety pilot onboard) later in 2026. The completely autonomous flights are expected to begin as early as 20230.

Designer: Airbus

As mentioned above, the idea of this helicopter with a human-less cockpit is based on Airbus’s H145 helicopter. “There are more than 1,800 H145 family helicopters in service for military, parapublic and civil missions, logging a total of more than 8.5 million flight hours,” Airbus notes. For the U145, Airbus has replaced the cockpit of its popular aircraft with a clamshell door, freeing up the human-occupied space for cargo. In addition to the integrated nose door to create additional space, the aircraft includes a foldable loading table and a dedicated cargo floor.

The autonomous aircraft will achieve full autonomy through the use of sensors and artificial intelligence. The sensors will rely on data to AI, allowing the U145 helicopter to fly autonomously on any kind of mission: commercial, military, or who knows even rescue someday. A full-scale mock-up of the new model was shown of at the recently concluded ILA Berlin airshow 2026.

Airbus is not new to converting a traditional crewed helicopter into an unmanned aircraft. The aviation expert first did this with the VSR700 based on the Cabri G2. Now, the Airbus H145 helicopter-based new autonomous aircraft is the second similar iteration. Interestingly, it remains pretty close to the basic structure of the original helicopter. It retains the same Safran Arriel 2E engines and fancies same performance as the H145, though it is now made fully unmanned and is digitally controlled, instead of being piloted by humans piloting it.

The autonomous flyer can still carry up to 3.8-tonne cargo transport, operates extremely quietly, and is environmentally friendly. It can be, Airbus states, used for armed scouting, surveillance, firefighting, and even as a drone mothership. Since there is still time before the aircraft can take off on its own, Airbus will, in the interim, work closely with specialist partners to improve U145’s autonomous capabilities before it can successfully launch.

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