Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

A mini controller for your mobile gamers who love minimalism

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Smartphones have evolved to be more than potent gaming devices with constant evolution in processing power. Titles like Genshin Impact, COD Warzone, Car X Street and Asphalt 9: Legends have high-end graphics comparable to consoles and PC titles. Of course, there are capable phones that can play these games at the highest settings without breaking a sweat.

The perfect alibi for serious smartphone gamers who want to gain tactical advantage is a gaming controller. Yes, the likes of 8BitDo Pro 2, Backbone One, GameSir G8 Galileo and Razer Kishi V2 elevate the gaming experience on a smartphone but they are bulky for sure. Imagine holding a 6.8-inch smartphone with the controller mounted on it. This calls for a compact and lightweight option that is easy to carry around and a treat to use.

Designer: Wootae Kim

The Mini Controller is an option for mobile gamers who don’t want to carry around the bulk and also like the compact form factor of the gadget for better ergonomics. Everything on this dongle-sized controller is kept to the minimum with a round joystick, D-Pad buttons and shoulder trigger buttons. This cool gaming controller can be used both in Bluetooth mode and connected mode depending on the titles you want to play. In the latter mode, the accessory can be plugged into the USB-C port and the joystick can be used for the directional control and the on-screen buttons for other input.

The Bluetooth mode works best for FPS shooters and racing games where you want total multidirectional control without missing a move. The connected mode is ideal for playing MMO titles and strategy games like Clash of Clans that require movement in the two-dimensional plane. The designer intends to pitch this controller to Gen-Z mobile gamers who like to explore fresh options. It is easily pocketable just like your earbuds case or can be hooked to a keychain. Also, the availability of the Mini Controller in peppy color options makes it best suited for the younger generation.

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Navigator Analog Watch reflects its allegiance to USS Armstrong starship from the word go

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Certain watchmakers shoulder the responsibility of pushing the defined boundaries with exceptional haute horlogerie. This is not only toiling with complexity; it is reinventing the wheel with craftsmanship and material usage that catapults the timepiece into ultimate rarity where it stands alone to be admired from afar. Its exclusivity substantiates it will forever be away from our reach yet the lure keeps us connected to the unique character.

Based on the idea of reconsidering the mold and reinventing the retro-futuristic allure; a designer envisioned one such analog timepiece – for the Yanko Design x Titan Design Competition – that reflects its allegiance to the USS Armstrong (NCC-317856) starship from the word go.

Designer: Santosh Palaniappan

The competition challenged aspiring designers to reimagine select everyday products – an analog wristwatch, a women’s handbag, a piece of wearable jewelry, and eyewear – with a unique twist. The idea had to fulfill the underlying theme of Retrofuturism, so it resonated with nostalgia yet had its feet in the future.

By swaying into sci-fi territories and then stitching it in time for a wearable, Santosh has for us the Navigator Analog Watch, which he believes is a “humble tribute to his beloved franchise, Star Trek.” From what’s apparent, the watch has a timeless aesthetic – created from a deep admiration for the saucers of the starships – which finds synergy with Star Trek’s optimistic portrayal of humanity’s progression and neatly blends science-fiction with reality.

From how it is designed, though; its interface is ready for global exploration with a red compass needle occupying the dial adorned with subtle geometric motifs. The Navigator Analog Watch innards are neatly streamlined within its disc body which is precision crafted from a single piece of aluminum. The watch case clips magnetically onto a specially designed rubber strap with thematic metal stars using the magnetic crown present underneath the watch. What do you feel about it?

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LEGO G Wagon and SL63 convertible roadster arriving in June for an irresistible price

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LEGO and cool cars have a long-standing relationship that gravitates toward kids as well as grown-ups. The Speed Champions Sets address the craving for every generation to build their loved cars from scratch in LEGO form. The LEGO Mercedes-AMG W14 F1 car is one of my favorite because I love the sport so much.

The number of sets available for every kind of motorhead is increasing in this collection and the Mercedes brand keeps calling us back to the LEGO world. The German automaker has revealed the LEGO version of two of its most acclaimed cars for speed enthusiasts and avid off-roaders. Yes, I’m talking about the AMG 63 G-Wagon SUV and the AMG SL63 convertible roadster. The kit can be ordered June 1 onwards for a price of $50 which is an absolute steal if you are a collector.

Designer: LEGO

The two performance cars come in a kit with 2 driver minifigures as a part of the LEGO Speed Champions line. Combined the two cars have a total of 808 pieces that when put together for weekend fun, turn into the G Wagon in black and the SL 63 roadster in yellow. Of course, the color distinction will help you out in separating the pieces if you happen to mix them up. The LEGO car models boast authentic design details adapted from real-life models. Attention to detail has been paid to the front grilles, hoods and interiors complete in the Mercedes livery.

This pack comes with the printed building instructions if you want to go old school, or via the app that’ll guide you step-by-step to bring the G Wagon and convertible roadster to life. Since there are two cars in the set, the size of each one is a bit smaller than the other individual Speed Champions collection. Standing tall at 2.5 inches the AMG G 63 LEGO car measures 7 inches long and 3 inches wide. Parked on your living room shelf or the geeky desk, these two LEGO collectibles could be easily mistaken for a toy car but you know the deeper truth!

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Xbox Half handheld gaming console has retractable side panels to hide away buttons and joystick

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If recent leaks by trusted tipsters like Jez Corden (Windows Central Managing Editor) are to be believed, then we should see an Xbox handheld gaming console launch in 2026. Insiders have already hinted that the handheld prototype is already in the development stage and Microsoft plans to reveal some details next year or even earlier.

Interestingly, Microsoft recently sent out a survey about the current usage of handheld gaming devices and whether interested candidates are willing to buy one in the next five years. Also, the survey was keen on knowing whether candidates would prefer the ability to stream games via Xbox Game Pass. So, are we finally looking at a Microsoft handheld gaming device that could dethrone Nintendo Switch, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Steam Deck from the top spots in market share?

Designer: Banseok Seo

Investing years of R&D in developing gaming consoles is a winning formula for Xbox, Sony and even Nintendo. This applies to handhelds too as manufacturers release gaming devices only after a gap of a couple of years or even more. This concept for an Xbox handheld has a great form factor that Microsoft would be keenly observing for its form factor and functionality. Called the Xbox Half, this portable gaming device stands out from the rest when it comes to ergonomics and function. Just like the PSP, this one is good for gaming, consuming multimedia content, and listening to music.

With a retracting beacon of joystick and buttons on both sides, in full-width configuration, the gadget measures 11.30 inches for gaming and a compact mode that conceals them for an 8-inch form factor. This makes the Xbox handheld comfortable and convenient to use. The back panel keeps the brand identity alive as you pull the beacons out the X logo appears. Pretty cool isn’t it? To give distinction to the handheld from the Xbox game console, the buttons and joystick have a muted color hue in black.

Other input buttons including the power button, brightness controller, volume buttons, and the USB Type-C connector and the game slot card lie on the front and rear sides. A lot of thought has been put into conceptualizing the Xbox Half and we are looking forward to seeing what the real thing will look like when finally revealed.

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Polestar Fenrir is a sophisticated electric hot rod straight from the Hot Wheels universe

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Polestar as an electric car manufacturer has taken the heat to Tesla in the last few years. The Swedish brand has proved its metal with the Polestar 2 EV, even when stacked against the Tesla Model 3. There’s a whole lot to like and the brand is evolving in the right direction.

The Polestar 6 slated for production in 2026 as an open-top grand tourer has got the challenge very well accepted for future dominance, at least in the electric roadster domain. We though, are always on the hunt for something larger than life in the concept world. Just like this Hot Wheels-inspired Polestar hot rod that would be perfect for the Japanese street racing scene.

Designer: Henrique Alves

This electric concept named Polestar Fenrir imagined for the 2024 Polestar design contest hits the nail right on its head with the Hot Wheels theme. That’s because the contest is done in collaboration with Hot Wheels. The only doubt in Henrique’s mind was if the vehicle should be a Monster Truck, Surf Van or Dune Buggy. Ultimately he went for the obvious choice of a hot rod, since Hot Wheels is all about cool street racers. The idea was to fuse the Hot Rod DNA to a modern electric car aesthetic that the designer creatively achieved with the form.

The contours are maintained at the right places while the heavy influence of an EV is not ignored at all. Muscular element also follows in with a forward-leaning stance that’s exemplified by the fat rear, both in the body and the size of the wheels. This broadening stance from the front to the back makes space for a unique two-seater configuration. The low ride height barely enough to slip through a sheet of paper means the hot rod will have to avoid any bumps or speed breakers.

The designer expresses the creation as a 2-seater hot rod with some goofiness and playful feelings. He adds that the Polestar Fenrir is a well-proportionated EV racer with minimal lines and shapes that complement the Polestar’s visual identity. Surely we second that thought and a Polestar concept of the future could draw inspiration from this model.

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7-Eleven and Tetris collab results in this super cool Slurpee handheld gaming device

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Alex T has lately broken every record possible for the Tetris game and the cult classic is again in the trends. Perhaps the perfect time for the Slurpee Handheld Gaming Device to make an appearance. This limited-edition merchandise from convenience store 7-Eleven is designed in collaboration with Tetris. Along with this, the duo has created other products too for gamers who love retro stuff.

Limited to just 20,000 units, the unique handheld device has the shape of a Slurpee that’ll always entice you to game more and drink even more. Released almost four decades from now, the iconic arcade game has seen generations of fun and bonding that makes it a common name among gamers. There have been thousands of knockoff versions and variants, but still the original Tetris has stood the test of time.

Designer: 7-Eleven and Tetris

According to CEO of Tetris, Maya Rogers, “As we mark the milestone 40th anniversary of Tetris, we are excited to announce our partnership with 7-Eleven, another iconic brand beloved across generations,” she added, “this collaboration celebrates our spirit of innovation and delivers fans with a new, fun way to experience Tetris.”

The game is played on the front of the Slurpee cup-shaped handheld that looks like 7-Eleven’s iconic cup. There’s a small full-color display (smaller than the original Game Boy) measuring 1.8 inches on which you can play the nostalgic game. The device draws power from the three AAA batteries and if you want, you can also plug it into a laptop or power outlet with a USB-C cable connection. To elevate the gameplay immersion, it also has built-in speakers.

There is no release date for the Slurpee Handheld Gaming Device yet, but we should expect the announcement soon. As we said, the collection comes with other goodies as well including shirts, tote bags, two cap designs, stickers and more. What we are interested in is this cool gadget that you can carry around on the beach and then settle down to play a stint of your favorite classic game.

 

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CubeSeries pop-up trailer with aluminum body is strong, lightweight, and all-weather camping solution

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Pop-up roof campers have their own advantages of space and towing convenience. Add to that the cost effectiveness of this camping solution and you arguably have the most perfect option for a small group of friends or a family on a budget. On that course is the Cube Series pop-up roof trailer; a home-away-from-home for the campers desirous of experiencing the enhanced version of all-season camping with the security and reliability of the best.

‘Strong, lightweight, and waterproof,’ the Cube Series pop-camper is a new kid on the market that presents a worthwhile solution to the tent-like canvas-lined pop-up roof campers that are susceptible to elements and make the unit slightly weighty. The new CubeSeries trailer is hard-sided, canvas-free pop-camper which is made from industry grade aluminum, resilient composites, and numerous alloys to ensure robustness and durability.

Designer: Cube Series

Courtesy of the aluminum construction overlaid with a fiberglass roof, the 17.6-foot CubeSeries trailer is lightweight at 2730 lbs, yet it features sturdiness (both in flat and camp mode) seldom seen in campers of this kind. The standout feature of this foldable camper still is the multipurpose roof system that allows the rig to grow from a towable low-rider during the day to a full backcountry home by opening up without much human intervention. The system thrives on a set of 12V electric actuators lifting the roof up while you fold out the side walls together in support.

The folding system is patent-pending, but according to Cube Series, it makes sure the camper can haul behind your truck without creating much drag, yet reaching where you like it, and then effortlessly gives you (in minutes) a space you can call home in the middle of nowhere, no matter the weather outside. The tough structure walls are provided with windows for ventilation and light, while the structure is approved waterproof and secure to withstand the elements and harsh weather conditions.

When open, the hard roof of the camper pops up to increase the height to an interesting 9.8 feet, leaving a clear 7.5-foot headroom. This makes ample space inside the trailer for a family of four or a small group of friends to live together. For this to be an inhabitable area for so many people, Cube Series has actually made some interesting interior tweaks.

The fully equipped space is furnished with a double bed on one side, and a wraparound sofa on the other. In the middle is the full-functional kitchen and a collapsible wet bathroom with a standing-height shower cordoned off with curtains. The dining lounge – comprising a sofa and a folding table – allows the table to drop down by evening creating an additional bed for two people. Handy for all-season camping, the four-person trailer also receives some off-grid capabilities to help increase the days in the outdoors from a weekend to a few weeks.

To that accord, the CubeSeries trailer comes with 94.5 liters of fresh and gray water storage, 53 liters of LPG to run the cooking business, and a 12V water heater with a 19,000-BTU air furnace to keep you rolling in the colder months. An electrical system comprising a DC truck-to-battery charger, AGM battery, and 30-A shore power out, accompanied by a 2,000-W inverter hooked to 1,140-W solar panels keeps the trailer powered at all times. The entire package starts at $55,730, though there is the option to include AC, more solar charging options, and, of course, more off-roading capacities as add-ons.  

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Hi-fi Audio Player inspired by Teenage Engineering and Sony refreshes an age-old design

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Purist audiophiles always come back to the DAPs and high-resolution audio players to enjoy their favorite music collection in high definition. Sony has a foothold in the hi-res audio game for as long as memory goes back, and they continue to offer some of the best players for music listening. Walkman MW-A306 released last year is a favorite one for music lovers.

Teenage Engineering resonates the same value for its consumers with a broader portfolio of innovative and unconventional audio gadgets. Both Sony and TE have things like modern design, Gen-Z targeting and sublime quality at their helm to attract a niche set of audio lovers. We certainly love TE and so does the community of designers who have been mustering up cool concepts inspired by the Stockholm-based electronics company.

Designer: Evgeniy Vakulich

This cool concept of collaborating together the two loved brands is surely going to bring the heat to the likes of Astell&Kern, Fiio, iBasso and Shanling. Interestingly called the Pony Project, the DAP has the design DNA and color theme of Teenage Engineering. It gets a digital display to show the currently playing music and library elements to search for tracks. All the other buttons for toggling the elements like the tempo, loop, mode or FX. The tactile input for the L-Shift, R-Shift, Mic, Select and Start is heavily inspired by the Teenage Engineering aesthetics.

The top of the gadget has the volume rockers, bass and treble, power and stop buttons. A lot of mind has been put into the design and conceptualization of the music player by Evgeniy. The popular color theme of the TE products is so good to see in a DAP which usually comes in contemporary dark hues. If you’ve already not noticed, the audio player comes with the Pony branding which dupes the Sony brand name.

 

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iPhone 16S concept mimics the Rabbit R1 format to reinstate that a phone is the best pocket AI device

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We are still living with the iPhone 15 and its variants; the era of the iPhone 16 is further away from now. As known, it’s customary of Apple to drop its new seedlings (iPhone variants, if you like) in September every year and it looks like there is nothing unusual this year as well. Like every other year in the past, since Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone – feels like it was a century ago – iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro variants will arrive with new features.

A lot of them are leaking in bits and will continue to do so until the launch date. Irrespective of that, we will continue to have our own wishlists: long battery performance… please, elaborate AI integration into the iOS, and perhaps smaller screen real estate…hmm! When everyone else is putting their money on predicting the possible large display sizes of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the Phone Industry is taking an ‘S’ route: A concept of an iPhone 16S that looks to take design cues from the Rabbit R1.

Designer: Phone Industry

For reference, the Rabbit R1 isn’t a typical gadget, and so is not its design. The boxy little AI device is designed to learn from your commands and do more than what the average smartphone can do. That is until the recent debacle of reviews that are showing that the real-world evolution of the Rabbit is far from its advocated details. Anyhow, this is not about what the Rabbit R1 does, it’s about the identical-looking (minus the hold bars on the top and bottom) iPhone 16S concept because the best AI device you can have in your pocket – in the foreseeable future is a phone!

Perhaps then the form factor of the concept phone in question may be stolen from the Rabbit R1, it does have some interesting ideas reliving its iPhone 16 identity (as the rumors hold it for now). The iPhone 16S is taking the expected Capture Button idea from the forthcoming iPhone deals, to give us a pocket camera-like physical clicking button from the yesteryears.

So, the hypothetical capture button on the opposite side of the iPhone 15 Pro like the Action Button, gives this iPhone a more camera-like feel. While Apple is considering on reworking the camera array in the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, this concept sticks to the S series iPhone basics and uses just one – obviously multi-capability – camera in the rear. The highlight for me – besides the square form factor – of the iPhone 16S concept is its all-metal body and an interesting pattern around the Apple logo on the back. What do you think?

 

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Camper’s bliss: Nike’s convertible ISPA Metamorph Poncho will let you leave your tent at home

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If you don’t mind the inconvenience of hiking to a dramatic campsite in a waterproof robe hanging all the way down to your ankles, you could leave your tent home and just head out on your adventure wearing the Nike ISPA Metamorph Poncho. Watch closely! The reversible and convertible poncho, created by Nike’s innovative division, is completely unique in style and function. Made from multiple layers of weather-resistant materials, the wearable converts into a functional tent to ensure you’re covered from the elements whenever the need arises.

ISPA (Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, Adapt) is a Nike sub-label that has been pushing the bounds of design across all categories, especially footwear, for years now, always innovating to the discrete demands of the city dwellers. This time around, the target is the fashion-conscious adventurers who may prefer this – inconvenience for me – convenience on their camping adventures.

Designer: Nike ISPA

The stylish ISPA Metamorph Poncho, whether you agree or not, is definitely the ultimate piece of all-season gear that stands out for its convertible design. Provided in a grayish colorway, this reversible wearable is made from – ISPA special–layered lightweight nylon. This option along with a two-way zip closure makes the poncho water-resistant and capable of handling the elements both as apparel and as a sunshade or tent.

Speaking of which, the Metamorph Poncho has a detachable hood and comes complete with collapsable tent poles, so you can just take it off your body, pitch it, and forget about the world outside. All this convenience with Nike ISPA branding throughout the poncho (visible on the outside of the tent when pitched) scales the price way past $600 ($620 to be precise), but that seems somehow acceptable for the fact that this poncho can fully transform into a one-man tent.

The Metamorph’s versatility is not limited to its transformation into a tent. When you’re not hiking to a remote campsite, but only loitering in the market, the Nike poncho can swiftly transition into an easy-to-carry bag to haul your groceries. ISPA has made the poncho tent available, but stock’s running out fast.

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