Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Xbox introduces appealing transparent controller and stunning customization options for Elite Series 2

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Microsoft has always believed in giving gamers more options when we talk of accessories. This is true for the gaming controllers under the Xbox line, and we’ve seen plenty in the past. These include the Dune: Part Two, Deadpool Edition and the Remix Special Edition controller. Other unofficial options like the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla-themed controller and Do3D’s limited edition gamepads.

A more recent themed controller from Microsoft’s dedicated portal for experimentation, the Xbox Design Lab, really caught our attention for its translucent cool blue theme. Yes, I’m talking about the Xbox Wireless Controller – Sky Cipher Special Edition. On the same lines, Microsoft has not revealed the Ghost Cipher Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller.

Designer: Microsoft

The gamepad has a transparent outer shell to expose all the innards in their bare form and working dynamics. The craze for transparent and semi-transparent gadgets is slowly taking over the tech community and I love it to the core. The Ghost Cipher Special Edition gamepad contrasts the see-through aesthetics with, a silver interior, grey joystick, and bronze accents on the triggers and D-pad for a very futuristic appeal. The buttons and the Xbox logo in white add a sophisticated charm to the mix.

This clear design will lure millennials who’ve seen the era of translucent iMacs, as well as Gen-Z who are accustomed to Nothing’s transparent design language. Coming at $70, the special edition controller is up for pre-order with a release slated for October 8. Expanding the Cipher Series are two new chromatic D-pad and paddle metallic designs called Energy Chroma and Sunset Chroma which create a hypnotic gradient that shifts colors based on the angle of viewing.

That’s not it as Xbox Design Lab has crafted shells for Elite Series 2 as well. Carrying translucent aesthetics these faceplates – Ghost Cipher colorless, Velocity Cipher green, Candy Cipher pink, Pulse Cipher red, Astral Cipher purple and Surf Cipher teal contrast with black handles to pep up your controller’s look. You can mix and match the color of the buttons and triggers for complete freedom of customization.

According to the Design Lab, these controller mod kits draw inspiration from the “90s and early 2000s, the Cipher Series brings six stunning transparent top case designs. These vibrant, candy-colored top cases encapsulate the controller’s metallic frame, showcasing both its external beauty and the advanced engineering within the Elite Series 2 controller. These customizations for the Elite 2 controller start at $150 and give you complete freedom to facelift your controller.

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THOR x Harbinger test world’s first hybrid Class A RV with 500 miles range, fulltimers take note

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THOR Industries – the parent company of Airstream – has been at the forefront of plug-in-hybrid motorhomes, which could soon be on the verge of a new electric journey. In collaboration with electric vehicle company Harbinger, THOR has unveiled what it touts as the world’s first hybrid class A RV electrified for the future of RVing.

Range anxiety and long charging times have been deterrents in the acceptance of electric vehicles and electric RVs as a choice of living and traveling. With the hybrid motorhome chassis, built for THOR by Harbinger, the two are addressing the range requirements that have pestered the EV industry.

Designer: THOR Industries

The THOR test vehicle, built on this special plug-in hybrid electric chassis that mimics a truck or bus chassis, is tailor-made for the unique range requirements of the RV industry. The hybrid option could give RV owners that ultimate freedom each fulltimer desires from his Class A. This platform for RVs manufactured by Harbinger trades the usual gasoline and electric powertrain hybrid option with a low-emissions gas generator and electric option.

This range extender system allows the gas generator to power onboard a 140kWh battery, which means the RV users can get additional range in their trip and camp without the need of an EV charger at the campsite. The battery is also hooked to the rooftop solar panel, which also adds to the electric prowess of the powertrain. In collaboration, the entire unit can deliver up to 500 miles of range.

According to evidence from the test vehicle built on this new chassis, the electric powertrain not only offers unbelievable mileage but also delivers acceleration and torque almost twice that of a diesel engine. This means RVs based on this new system should be able to compete with the best in the market in power and performance, and outsmart them by miles in the range department. In addition to the range extender and solar power, the 800-volt electrical system of the Harbinger platform can be charged via a DC Fast Charger at traditional charging points. This option for quick charge means you will spend less time at the charger and more time on the road and camping in peace off-the-grid.

“Electrification will play a central role in the future of mobility, including RVing,” said THOR Industries President and CEO Bob Martin. Since, THOR Industries wants to be ready for the future well in advance, it is likely to show up RVs with this hybrid platform in 2025.

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FIIO K15 DAC’s nostalgic cassette tape charm complements the modern aesthetics

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FIIO has a peculiar knack for reinventing audio accessories with a modern twist. The CP13 cassette player released at the beginning of 2024 is one of them. That’s probably inspired FIIO to design a DAC and headphone amplifier that’s modern on the inside but carries a distinct retro appeal on the outside. Yes, a classic tape recorder on the outside spices up the otherwise contemporary Digital-to-Analog Converter players.

The portable DAC amps up your audiophile-grade music listening experience if analog is your thing – both audio-wise and visually. The FIIO K15 DAC has an inch-wide LCD that emulates the look of a cassette player, replicating the spinning six-toothed spools and music information.

Designer: FIIO

Unlike your high-end phone, the audio accessory has two Cirrus Logic chips and dual op-amps with support for 32-bit/768-kHz and DSD256 decoding. This results in crystal clear sound reproduction even with high-impedance headphones. The companion app lets you toggle the high-precision 10-band parametric equalizer (found mostly on affordable digital audio devices) to fine-tune the listening experience. Since we are talking about audiophile-grade audio accessories, connectivity with your smartphones, PC, handheld gaming device or gaming console is possible with a USB-C jack. Those who use high-end wired headphones get the option to plug in the amplifier via a 3.5mm jack or the balanced 4.4mm jack.

The pocketable audio accessory stands out from its competitors with the unique display interface, while other features are more or less similar to current generation DACs. These include options like real-time voltage and current monitoring to make any dynamic power adjustments. An inline mic also gives you the liberty to take calls or attend Zoom meetings when connected to a phone or laptop. For a price tag of $109, the K15 portable DAC by FIIO is the perfect accessory to own if you’ve got bored with the usual stuff.

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Apple Clear Series reimagines AirPods Max, AirPods Pro and Watch Ultra in transparent skin

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Nothing brought a new dimension to the world of gadgets with their Nothing Ear (1) TWS earbuds. This gave young listeners a reason to show off their audio accessory having see-through aesthetics. The visible hardware of the earbuds and then later on the Phone (1) smartphone created quite a buzz before launch for the invisible aesthetics.

Beats got hooked on the idea and released their version of transparent Studio Buds + TWS. The craze for gadgets with visible innards is obvious as they look cool, and I believe, it’s not just another fad. The Apple subsidiary owned by the Cupertino giant since 2014 might give the big daddy some inspiration for a transparent series of gadgets fit for Gen-Z. Yes, of course, we are in the concept realm on this one!

Designer: Vadzim Sadouski

Dubbed the Apple Clear Series, this concept design reimagines the suite of Apple products with see-through aesthetics. Got bored with your AirPods Max in Blue color? The AirPods Max Clear are meant for you, with the dope transparent cans that expose the rear portion of the earcups. Here we are not talking about Open-Back headphones, but rather ones with the cups covered in a thick layer of acrylic fiber for structural strength. The see-through design continues to the headband with cushioning at the bottom for comfort.

Then there is the AirPods Pro Clear which more or less looks inspired by the sister brand Beats. Of course, we would have loved more renders to let loose our imagination but the designer has created just the frontal view of the earbuds. Just like the transparent headphones, the third proposed gadget is the Apple Watch Ultra Clear with a transparent shell encapsulating the watch. Interestingly the rubber strap is also wrapped in the see-through material.

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Red Bull Racing’s RB19 Motion Simulator brings authentic motorsports action to your gaming den

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Oracle Red Bull Racing dominated the last season with RB19, and through halfway this season they were looking the dominant force until after the summer break when McLaren put more than a foot in the door for claiming this year’s championship. While the battle on the track is going to be more intense than ever until the final race off the track fans can revel in the experience of sim driving in the Red Bull’s untouchable (in fact F1’s most successful car) RB19.

The dominant F1 racing team has revealed their first-ever motion simulators based on the RB19 that became one the most dominant car during the 2023 championship. Red Bull has collaborated with Memento Exclusives who have tons of experience in motorsports to craft the limited-edition simulators. To keep everything authentic to the last detail, they’ve used the same materials and processed as done on the actual racing cars.

Designer: Oracle Red Bull Racing and Memento Exclusives

This results in the exact same experience while driving the real Red Bull F1 car on the daunting circuits of motorsports. Of course, you’ll have the opportunity to navigate those chicanes or brake late like Max if you’ve somehow got his reflexes and skills. The sim comes complete with state-of-the-art technology like haptic actuators and rumble feedback courtesy of the D-Box haptic motion system to make everything feel as authentic as in real life. There are adjustable Heusinkveld gaming pedals, a custom Rexing Mayaris steering wheel, AOC 49” curved gaming monitor and high-end speakers for audio realism. So, these sims are it for Red Bull Racing and hardcore gaming fans.

The Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 Racing Simulator can be bought right away for a mind-numbing price of $136,668 through F1Authetics. Along with these racing sims, they’ve also revealed the limited-edition RB18 and RB19 show cars which are available for purchase. Motorsports lovers bit fat bank accounts can own either the RB18 or RB19 cars featuring Max Verstappen or Sergio Pérez liveries. In addition, fans will get a 1:8 scale model and the special edition liveries from the Miami and Las Vegas races. For those who cannot fathom the thick prices of these show cars, there are memorabilia in the form of replica car parts and bodywork.

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EEG sensor-enabled MW75 Neuro headphones track focus level for peak productivity all day long

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During CES 2023, Neurable AI demoed a pair of smart headphones developed in collaboration with premium audio brand Master & Dynamics. The cans are an extension of the MW75 headphones, as they come with the unique ability to monitor brain activity for variety of applications. The AI company employs advanced electrocephalography (EEG) technology using embedded sensors to detect focus levels or mental fatigue.

In conjunction with the accompanying app, the BCI-enabled headphones designed by M&D have EEG sensors capable of interpreting brain signals with lab-level accuracy. To make things interesting, the app gamifies the goal of achieving peak focus levels during the day. The user can get an in-depth analysis of high-focus periods and schedule the most important creative tasks at that time. The smart app learns user patterns over time to suggest needed actions and gives timely prompts.

Designer: Neurable AI and Master & Dynamic

According to neuroscientist and founder of Neurable, Dr Ramses Alcaide, “Your brain has no pain receptors, so these headphones can help with that. By the time your eyes are hurting from looking at the screen, your brain may have been needing a break for hours.” The ultimate goal is to get a deeper insight into cognitive health and attend to any red flags well beforehand to manage burnout and elevate daily performance and productivity.

Primarily the MW75 Neuro headphones are targeted towards people who use headphones while working. Neurable employs the AI features to expand the functionality when gaming, meditating, or during workouts to gaze the level of concertation. They can be used as normal ANC cans which perform just like the flagship MW75s and have similar transparency modes and customizable EQ settings.

The battery life with the ANC mode on is an impressive 28 hours, while in the focus tracking mode employing the EEG sensors, it drops to 8 hours which is understandable. Those who have been eyeing these advanced headphones since CES can now pre-order them for $699 which is $100 more than the usual MW75 wireless headphones. If you can spend that kind of money on your music accessories going for the MW75 Neuro makes more sense. Book them now in any one of the cool color options – silver, onyx, navy, and olive – and you’ll get them with a pair of lambskin leather earpads.

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NEO S Mobile Kit gets you ready for ergonomic smartphone gaming with CRKD’s controller

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Mobile gaming is here to stay and numerous brands are trying to cash in to this buzz with mobile gaming controllers that turn your powerful smartphone into a handheld gaming machine. Now premium gaming brand CRKD, known for Nitro Deck+ handheld and NEO S controller, wants to try its prowess as a mobile gaming controller.

They’ve released two innovative accessories dubbed NEO S Mobile Kit and Wall Display Kit for mobile gamers. Both these gaming accessories are developed in collaboration with Accessories maker Mechanism. As the name suggests, these are compatible with CRKD’s existing line-up of gaming controllers – most notably the NEO S.

Designer: CRKD

The NEO S Mobile Kit gives you the freedom to mount your iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, or other gaming-capable devices to the NEO S controller. That’s perfect for playing AAA titles like Resident Evil, Fortnite, CODM, PUBG, Asphalt Legends or Real Racing. One thing that you need to consider though is the weight of the premium smartphones which can sometimes weigh down the whole setup. So, I presume CRKD has sorted that out to some extent. Hooking on the kit’s elements to the controller and your smartphone is pretty simple, all you have to do is attach the magnetic grip to the smartphone and mount the extension arm on the controller. The gaming accessory makes more sense for Apple users since it is MagSafe compatible.

Coming on to the Wall Display Kit, the idea is straight-forward, you can add a permanent mounting position on your wall to display your CRKD hardware when not gaming. The kit comes with Adhesive Wall Mount, NEO S Grip, universal grip (for other devices) and adhesive mounts. The NEO S Mobile Kit comes for $30, and the Wall Display Kit retails for $35 which I think is a little overpriced. That said, if the NEO S Mobile Kit aligns with your mobile gaming needs, only then it should be considered for buying. As for the Wall Display Kit, the buying decision completely depends on your budget.

According to Jack Guinchard, Global Brand Manager for CRKD, “would broaden the scope of use for CRKD products and bring new ways to use and display our range of gaming collectibles.” He further claimed that “Mechanism is a perfect fit for the CRKD community.”

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Herman Miller Gaming x FAILE artistic gaming chairs and character joysticks are impressive

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Herman Miller is known better for its consortium of office chairs than for gaming chairs. But its gaming division: Herman Miller Gaming, has a new, artistic vision to turn some eyes its way. The furniture giant has partnered with FAILE, a brainchild of Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, to revive the nostalgia of the Arcades, Ataris, and Nintendos of the ‘80s through painting and printmaking approach on chairs, wooden Joysticks, and printed posters.

The initial idea for Herman Miller and FAILE collaboration was to work with the prints collection of the former. McNeil and Miller, however, saw varying opportunities in the furniture maker’s gaming repertoire and besides gaming-inspired printed posters and tangible painted joysticks with whimsical game-like characters, they have gone ahead to give colorful art love to Herman Miller’s ergonomic gaming seat.

Designer: Herman Miller Gaming x FAILE

Brooklyn-based collaboration between artists Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, FAILE, has been blurring the lines between fine art and popular culture through painting and printmaking. The choice of material is little of significance, since their collaboration since 1999, the two artists have worked with a range of materials ranging from traditional canvas to sculptures, from window pellets to wooden boxes and their idea of transforming the Embody Gaming Chair into a piece of exceptional art is therefore no surprise.

McNeil and Miller have characterized 12 variants of the Embody, using its seat and back as the canvas of distinction similar to skateboard decks. According to the duo, through the artwork, they intend to bring to ‘Herman Miller Gaming that which was not in the digital realm but captured some of the character making of gaming.’ This also extends into the creation of joysticks, which have a tactile wood feel and personality of their own that uniquely comes to life depending on the setting they’re used in.

FAILE and Herman Miller have created 100 unique characters, based on drawings and doodles. Each of these is handcrafted and painted with hand for uniqueness. While the chairs are designed exclusively for the Herman Miller Gaming archives, and are not available to purchase. Joysticks and prints are available for preorder and will go on retail starting October 1 for $995 and $250 respectively. If you want an experience of the artistic collection before committing to it, you can check them out in an installation in New York from September 27 through September 29.

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Maxvan Access camper van is designed to maximize floor space for style, comfort, and function

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Maxvan has become a name synonymous with recreational vehicles, whether it is designing the Pathway, a Class B wheelchair-accessible RV, or now the Access, which is more than a traditional leisure vehicle with the space it has on the inside. This spacious floor plan is made possible by pushing the rear of the van back by a few inches, the liveable space thus created accommodates a queen Murphy bed, a hidden toilet, shower, and free-standing headroom.

Maxvan says, ‘Access can go where other Class B RVs cannot with its low-profile clearance and thoughtful exterior design,’ which is pretty boxy on the driver’s side, but has a slightly rounded appearance on the passenger side. On the inside is where the magic begins. The driver seat is fixed for obvious safety though the passenger seat can swivel around to face the living area.

Designer: Maxvan

The obvious space inside a van home is pretty compact, but this one has an excitingly open floor plan to make up fo the tiny room, especially through its interesting rear bed composition. This is a combination of the Murphy bed at the extreme end on the driver side, and the sofa placed on the passenger side. The two combine to form a queen bed that’s laden with a cushiony mattress.

When not being used as a bed, the sofa can be used usually or for dining with a stowable swivel table aligning well. The sofa has a direct viewing angle at the wall-mounted 24-inch TV with HDMI port and DVD player. A walk toward the cabin will take you into the kitchen with a stainless steel countertop, a portable single burner stove, a sink, a microwave in the overhead storage, and a 76L fridge. The counter space folds out ahead of the sink, which hides below a cassette toilet seat covered using a shower curtain when occupied.

The kitchen faucet is attached to a showerhead, which you can use in the recessed floor area ahead of the kitchen, which works as a shower pan with integrated drainage and also lowers the kitchen floor slightly, increasing the headspace for someone cooking in the kitchen. The Access can be prepared for off-grid living with optional solar panels and awning, but for its asking price of $99,800, it comes packed with an air conditioner, heater, 100Ah battery, and 1,000W inverter.

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YouTuber builds mind-blowing UFO jet boat you’d want to ride right away

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If you have ever wanted a jet ski, I wouldn’t think you have imagined it in the shape of a UFO. Now, here’s a Vietnamese YouTuber who made a jet ski UFO and I am like, why not? Creator Tran Long Ho of Mr. Ho Thanh Che YouTube channel has spent much time sculpting and building this unidentified jet boat, before taking it to the water for a crazy ride.

The video – released on YouTube – which showcases the process of building the UFO boat in detail, starts with the simple tracing of a flying saucer base on the floor and the construction of a to-design arm from scrap material, which would later help Mr Tran Long Ho and his team to craft the basic structure out of what appears as usual sand.

Designer: Mr Ho Thanh Che

Built upon a sculpture of sand and later cement (to harden it), the UFO jet boat is a look-alike of a mysterious flying object. Even though it is not one! The creator used this sand and cement sculpture to mold a fiberglass shell for the saucer’s body.

The body is then coated with purple paint followed by steel frames that are used to hold this jet skis body secure. Next up, hexagonal cutouts are made from wood, which are then plastered onto the cabin frame for insulation. There are numerous windows cut out in the entire structure which bear acrylic panes and are also installed with solar panels.

The motorized door is a sassy way into the cabin of this mysterious boat. The cabin is pretty cramped for space but is neatly done – revealing no wires, pipes or the scrap it is made from. The inside is lit with LED lights, the cockpit has buttons for various onboard controls, while the interesting steering wheel bearing the words YouTube is pretty fancy.

Since the cabin is fairly low, the rider has to recline back in the seat and reach out for the speed padel when steering it over the waters. The engine – which is the same as one you’d find in a jet ski – rests under the rider’s seat and it powers the UFO jet boat for an impressive ride. There is no word on its top speed, but we can see it glide really fast (check out the video above to believe).

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