Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

RIP Ergonomic Keyboards, the Tetra boasts a Split Wireless Design, with an Elgato-style Display in the center

Posted on by

Remember the watershed moment when Steve Jobs unveiled the MacBook Air for the first time? He walked up on stage with a manila envelope, and opened it to reveal the thinnest laptop ever made. It changed how laptops looked from then on, and when people first saw the stunningly thin MacBook Air, everyone had the same question on their minds – why doesn’t my laptop look like this? The Tetra keyboard does the same thing for other keyboards. When you look at the Tetra for the first time, chances are you’ll have never seen anything quite like it before. It challenges the notion of keyboard design… and for the better. It’s more compact, easier to use, ruthlessly ergonomic, and comes with a world-first touchscreen display built right in. The keyboard splits in half, allowing you to place the parts wherever you want for a more comfortable typing experience… and the display tilts upwards or sits flat, transforming into a dock for widgets, shortcuts, playback controls, or a media center of sorts. Think Keyboard-Meets-Elgato-Stream-Deck.

Designers: Zikang Feng, Jarvie Liu, and Stephen Ng

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off). Hurry, only 5/405 left! Raised over $140,000.

Trust the folks at Mobile Pixels to come up with such a unique idea. The company first jumped to prominence with its plug-and-play laptop extending displays (lauded for their compact designs). These displays were targeted at one thing – boosting productivity through multi-display setups. The Tetra keyboard does the same too, in a matter of speaking. The split keyboard comes with its own dedicated screen that can be used as a secondary display or as a control center for apps and shortcuts. While keyboards are a first for Mobile Pixels, the Tetra highlights their bigger goal of enhanced productivity, thanks to a split wireless keyboard design that can be used in a variety of ways for a more comfortable and efficient typing experience.

SPLIT MODE

SPLICE MODE

Split keyboards aren’t new, conceptually. Most researchers noticed that a cramped keyboard, although compact in size, wasn’t great for your wrists and fingers. Over prolonged periods of time, people developed carpal tunnel and ulnar deviation (where your fingers end up deviating sideways) because of the way these keyboards were designed. The split keyboard was created as an ergonomic alternative, increasing the space between your left and right hands while typing, so that they’re in a much more relaxed position. The Tetra takes that concept and builds further on it, turning it wireless, while also introducing a display into the mix.

Use Bluetooth to Connect to Your Device (up to 3 devices with 3 channels).

Position keyboards at shoulder width for ergonomic comfort.

Customize Your Experience

Type Away!

Broadly, the Tetra exists in three pieces – a central display unit, and the two keyboard halves that attach onto either side. Snap them together or use them independently, the Tetra gives you freedom to set your workspace up exactly the way you want. When attached together in a linear format, you’ve got a comfortable split keyboard with a screen in the middle. The screen functions as an extra display, a shortcut center, or perhaps even a trackpad if you want. The keyboards get spaced out on the left and right, allowing you to type comfortably without having your fingers and wrists bend awkwardly. Alternatively, you can snap the keyboard’s halves away from the display, accessing what Mobile Pixels calls the ‘Split Mode’. The keyboards then can sit anywhere on your desk, as can the screen, giving you full ergonomic freedom. If you want a more traditional keyboard experience, just the two keyboard halves can be attached to each other, creating a compact typing device, while the screen exists independently. Dubbed the ‘Stacked Mode’, this lets you opt for something that feels familiar, with the added benefit of a dock-style screen on the side.

Secondary Display

The keyboard comes with a 65% layout, split across its two halves. Scissor switches enable a fair amount of key travel, up to 1.3mm, and a backlight lets you type with ease. The keyboard halves and screen also have an underglow that feels reminiscent of gaming gear. 1200mAh batteries in each half of the keyboard allow it to operate wirelessly for hours if not days, and the central screen remains connected to your machine via a USB-C cable at all times. To charge your keyboard, simply snap them to the screen and pogo pins allow the Tetra to charge all the way through.

The screen is truly where Mobile Pixels’ innovation shines. It’s a little smaller than the ones that Mobile Pixels offers, measuring just 8 inches diagonally – but it’s an IPS LCD display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 300 nits of brightness. The screen stays connected to your machine at all times via cable, and sits on a unique tilting mechanism that lets you either lay it flat or tilt it upwards to face you. Touch sensitivity means you can control the display the way you would a tablet PC of sorts… and the Tetra offers a fair amount of flexibility in terms of how you use said display. You can use it as an extension of your PC or Mac’s shortcut bar, adding your favorite apps to it. Conversely, it also doubles as a media control center for playback, and even transforms into a tiny secondary display for extending or mirroring your screen. Use it to store notes while presenting on a video call. Turn it into a calculator. Allow it to be your dedicated Spotify device. Mobile Pixels created a special interface known as the Tetra Board App that you can use to customize your display. Yes, you can even load functions, tools, macros, and shortcuts, unlocking power-user potential while running apps like Photoshop, Premier, Final Cut, Logic Pro, After Effects, etc.

All this functionality and the Tetra still remains ruthlessly portable. The three components come apart and stack together, allowing them to be carried around with ease. There’s even a soft-fabric case to store your Tetra during travel, allowing you to slide it right into your laptop bag along with your charger and other accessories. I bet your existing ergonomic or split keyboard can’t boast this level of portability. The Tetra starts at $249 and ships globally starting September 2024.

Click Here to Buy Now: $249 $399 ($150 off). Hurry, only 5/405 left! Raised over $140,000.

The post RIP Ergonomic Keyboards, the Tetra boasts a Split Wireless Design, with an Elgato-style Display in the center first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Wireless Gaming Mouse’s Charging Display Dock will put Apple’s Magic Mouse to shame

Posted on by

It’s been nearly 10 years since Apple launched the infamous Magic Mouse 2 and its absurd charging port placement. While the 2-trillion-dollar company hasn’t done much to improve its flagship mouse’s design, AJAZZ launched a clever little gaming mouse with a much better charging solution. The AJAZZ AJ159 Apex mouse comes with a wireless design that’s both ergonomic and functional, but its most impressive feature is its charging dock/cradle. Designed to hold your mouse when not in use, this cradle keeps your gizmo rested at an accessible angle while it charges, but more importantly, it comes with a screen on the front that works as a tiny widget for displaying the time, date, battery level, or mouse connection status. It’s a clever solution that works elegantly and impresses too, with just a $79.99 price tag… I guess Apple could use some design inspiration.

Designer: AJAZZ

One of the highlights of the AJ159 Apex is its PixArt PAW3950 optical sensor. This sensor is known for its incredible tracking accuracy, with a maximum DPI (dots per inch) of 30,000 and a blazing-fast IPS (inches per second) tracking speed of 750. This translates to ultra-smooth cursor movements, no matter how quickly you flick your wrist across the mousepad. Additionally, the 8,000Hz polling rate ensures minimal latency between your actions and what appears on the screen. In layman’s terms, your clicks and movements will be registered almost instantaneously, giving you a crucial edge over your opponents.

Beyond raw performance, the AJ159 Apex is lightweight and durable, making it a perfect candidate for a gaming mouse. The mouse itself is incredibly lightweight, clocking in at just 56 grams. This featherweight design minimizes fatigue during extended gaming sessions and allows for effortless movements. Durability is also a focus, with Huanuo switches rated for a lifespan of 100 million clicks. These switches provide a satisfying and crisp click feel, ensuring your commands are registered accurately.

For added customization, the AJ159 Apex is QMK programmable. This open-source software allows you to tailor the mouse buttons’ functions to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prefer complex macros or simple remappings, the AJ159 Apex can adapt to your playstyle. The AJ159 Apex offers three modes: wired USB-C, 2.4 GHz wireless, and Bluetooth. This versatility allows you to choose the connection method that best suits your setup, whether you prioritize low latency or a clutter-free desk.

Perhaps the most unique feature of the AJ159 Apex is its magnetic charging dock. This innovative design not only keeps your mouse juiced up but also doubles as a storage solution. The dock even features a small display that can show relevant information or even custom GIFs. It’s a small touch, but it adds a bit of flair and functionality to the overall package.

The AJAZZ AJ159 Apex is available in four colors (black, blue, orange, and white) to suit your aesthetic preferences. With its impressive specs, user-friendly features, and innovative design, the AJ159 Apex is a strong contender for gamers seeking a high-performance and feature-rich mouse.

The post This Wireless Gaming Mouse’s Charging Display Dock will put Apple’s Magic Mouse to shame first appeared on Yanko Design.

Revolutionary Prosthetic Foot achieves human-level flexibility and grip without motors or electronics

Posted on by

Imagine the constant challenge of navigating everyday life without the natural flexibility of your feet. This is the reality for many amputees who rely on prosthetic feet that can feel clunky and restrictive. These prosthetics often lack the ability to adapt to uneven terrain or provide the natural push-off needed for a smooth gait. However, a groundbreaking design from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is poised to change the game for amputees everywhere. The SoftFoot Pro is a prototype prosthetic foot that is a literal and metaphorical leap forward in prosthetic design, mimicking the structure and movement of the human foot. Unlike conventional prosthetics that prioritize sturdiness or offer minimal flexibility, the SoftFoot Pro boasts an ingenious design that offers human-like foot flexibility and dexterity… without a single motor, servo, circuit board, or battery.

Designer: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Shedding the weight and complexity of motors and electronics, the SoftFoot Pro achieves impressive functionality through a clever combination of mechanics and materials. At its core is a mobile arch mechanism, crafted from lightweight yet robust titanium or aluminum alloy. This arch connects to five parallel chains, made from high-strength plastic segments that replicate the metatarsal and phalange bones of the human foot. Elastic connectors, acting like tendons, link the segments within each chain.

The brilliance of the SoftFoot Pro lies in the details. Running through each chain is an internal steel cable that anchors to the prosthetic’s heel. This cable, along with the elastic connectors, mimics the plantar fascia – the band of tissue in the human foot that stores and releases energy with each step. This ingenious design allows the SoftFoot Pro to absorb impact, propel the user forward with a natural push-off, and even conform to uneven surfaces. This enhanced flexibility translates to greater stability and a more natural gait for users.

Weighing in at a mere 450 grams (1 pound), the SoftFoot Pro is incredibly lightweight despite its ability to support users weighing up to 100 kg (220 lbs). Initial trials conducted at Hannover Medical School and the Medical University of Vienna have yielded promising results. Amputees who participated in the trials experienced a significant improvement in their gait, with increased balance and a more natural walking experience on various terrains.

The applications of the SoftFoot Pro extend beyond human users. Researchers have also successfully tested the design on robots, including the Anymal quadruped robot and the HRP-4 humanoid robot. This versatility highlights the potential of this design to revolutionize not just prosthetics but also the field of robotics.

The post Revolutionary Prosthetic Foot achieves human-level flexibility and grip without motors or electronics first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Ultimate DIYer Powerhouse: Unveiling the xTool M1 Ultra and Heat Press

Posted on by

The realm of design, creativity, and DIY culture thrives on innovation – on being able to physically keep up with our ideas. Crafters and aspiring entrepreneurs constantly seek tools that empower them to translate their visions into reality. xTool, a company championing this movement, consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Their latest offerings, the M1 Ultra and the Heat Press, promise to revolutionize the way we approach creative projects, offering a powerful one-two punch for any crafting enthusiast. xTool has established itself as a leader in the laser engraving space. Machines like the S1, and F1 Ultra have garnered a loyal following for their precision and ability to handle diverse materials. However, given the rise of modular multipurpose 3D printers that can also CNC machine and laser cut, xTool decided that it was time to bring modularity to their flagship laser cutter – the M1 Ultra.

Enter the M1 Ultra – a 4-in-1 machine that boasts an impressive array of functionalities. With laser engraving, blade cutting, pen drawing, and inkjet printing at its disposal, the M1 Ultra unlocks immense creative freedom. Imagine meticulously etching intricate patterns onto wood, then adding vibrant pops of color with inkjet printing. To finish it off, personalize your creation with a touch of calligraphy using the pen drawing function. All within the same machine, all within a single workflow.

Designer: xTool

Click Here to Buy: M1 Ultra $1299.99 $1699.99 ($400 off) and xTool Heat Press $299.99 $439.99 ($140 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Beyond its impressive 4-in-1 functionality, the M1 Ultra boasts impressive technical specifications. The 10W or 20W laser diode allows for clean and precise cutting and engraving, while the working area of 11.8 x 11.8 inches (300 x 300 millimeters) accommodates a variety of project sizes. It boasts a revolutionary inkjet printing function too, opening doors to a world of colorful creation. Unlike traditional laser cutters limited to engraving, the M1 Ultra can print vibrant color designs directly onto various materials thanks to an inkjet module that swaps right into the M1 Ultra, replacing the laser diode module. This opens doors for personalizing phone cases, mugs, keychains, and a whole host of other items with custom artwork, logos, or photographs. The ability to print directly onto unconventional materials like wood, clay, and even stone further expands the creative potential of the M1 Ultra.

xTool M1 Ultra The World’s First 4-in-1 Craft Machine

xTool Heat Press Versatile 3-in-1 Heat Press Machine Kit

Laser and Inkjet modes aside, the M1 Ultra also has a Blade mode that lets you swap out the laser diode and CMY head for a blade that can deep-cut into thick materials, rotary cut in any shape or profile, and even help with foiling and debossing. Finally, a pen head lets you mount a pencil or pen into the M1 Ultra, turning it into a sketch-machine that can make ‘hand-drawn’ and ‘hand-written’ graphics with precision and at scale. The modules take under 3 seconds to switch out, letting you essentially go from laser to printing to inking to cutting in one device and in minutes.

The M1 Ultra isn’t just about power; it’s designed for ease of use. The intuitive software ensures a smooth learning curve, and the machine itself is compatible with over 1,000 materials, from wood and fabric to leather and even stone. This broad material compatibility empowers crafters to think beyond single materials and break from the limitations of having machines that only work within constraints. You can now design objects, customize them, and even create the packaging for them within one device.

While the M1 Ultra empowers creators with unparalleled versatility, xTool’s Heat Press acts as the perfect complement. This versatile tool offers multiple configurations, transforming from a handheld unit to a mini press or even a platform press, depending on the project at hand. With a precise temperature control range of 100°C-205°C (212°F-400°F) and rapid heating, the Smart Heat Press is ideal for heat transfer projects like creating custom t-shirts, tote bags, phone cases, and a multitude of other personalized items, all with professional-looking results.

The M1 Ultra starts at $1299.99, while the Heat Press comes in at $299.99. This range caters to a broad spectrum of budgets, making these tools accessible to seasoned crafters and aspiring creators alike. With the M1 Ultra handling the intricate details and the Smart Heat Press adding a professional touch to heat transfer projects, xTool’s offerings streamline the workflow and unlock a world of creative possibilities. The future of crafting is not just versatile, it’s efficient and empowers crafters to bring their visions to life with greater ease than ever before.

Click Here to Buy: M1 Ultra $1299.99 $1699.99 ($400 off) and xTool Heat Press $299.99 $439.99 ($140 off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post The Ultimate DIYer Powerhouse: Unveiling the xTool M1 Ultra and Heat Press first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Patio Umbrella has Built-in Fans to help you Cruise through the Summer Heat

Posted on by

Summer warmth can be a blessing and a curse. As the days lengthen, inviting us to parks, beaches, and outdoor gatherings, the sun’s relentless heat can quickly turn a leisurely afternoon into a struggle against sweat and discomfort. That’s when you crave the indoors, with its shade and its fans and modern cooling – but what if you could get shade and fans while outdoors? Say hello to Alizé, a foldable patio umbrella that comes with a set of 4 built-in fans. Designed not just to shelter you but to actively keep you breezy and sweat-free, Alizé is a patio umbrella with a weatherproof design, built-in fans, and even USB ports that let you charge your gadgets. ‘Sunbrella’ fabric keeps the harsh sun out, and a robust aluminum frame and wide span lets Alizé host up to 4 people at a time, bringing the comfort of the indoors to the fresh vibrancy of the outdoors.

Designers: Tony Lee and Ryan Dickerson

Click Here to Buy Now: $309 $702 (56% off). Hurry, only 32/50 left!

What really stands out with Alizé is that it’s a clever idea executed in a totally new way. At first glance, it looks like a high-end patio umbrella with a slick, foldable, weatherproof design. Open it using the pulley system and you’re greeted with a control panel on the main stem that connects to a set of fans integrated into the umbrella’s structural frame. Press a button on the control panel and the fans begin to spin, generating a steady breeze directed at the perfect downward angle keeping everyone cool throughout the hot summer days, windless mornings, or humid evenings. The fans move a lot of air thanks to powerful brushless DC motors, – quite similar to the ones found in drones. When deployed, the system transforms the Alizé into a personal air conditioner, generating a breeze from fan blades that can turn at speeds up to 2200 RPM. The blades have been custom-designed to limit turbulence for quiet operation and each is individually controlled by the person sitting directly under it for a truly personalized experience that no outdoor fan has been able to achieve before. At the heart of the design is an ingenious electro-mechanical locking system that ensures the fan’s blades line up perfectly with the frame so you can shut the umbrella without manually making sure everything is aligned. Advanced safety features prevent the fans from operating when the umbrella is closed as well as automatically turn off and lock the blades if the umbrella is accidentally closed with the fans still spinning.

The umbrella offers a choice between 2 or 4 fans, depending on how many people will sit under it. The smaller parasol comfortably seats two people, while the larger, with 4 fans, lets up to four people lounge in the shade. Three speed settings on the control panel let you easily adjust the fans’ intensity, and if that wasn’t impressive enough, multiple USB-A ports let you plug your gadgets into the Alizé too, so you can charge your phones, earbuds, or Bluetooth speakers. Suffice it to say that the umbrella directly connects to a power source given its fixed design, eliminating the need for batteries.

Moving onto the umbrella itself, the Alizé comes with a robust marine-grade construction that can take on any weather – be it harsh sun or strong winds. The canopy is constructed from Sunbrella fabric, a premium material renowned for its durability, UV protection, and resistance to fading. This ensures the umbrella provides ample shade while withstanding the harsh summer sun. The frame is crafted from rust-resistant aluminum, offering a lightweight yet sturdy structure that can handle unexpected gusts or sudden downpours.

Beyond its innovative cooling technology, the Alizé Umbrella prioritizes user convenience. The setup process is designed to be quick and effortless, with an external pulley that allows you to bask in a cool shade under its canopy within minutes. User-friendly controls with adjustable fan settings empower you to personalize the airflow for optimal comfort. No more struggling with clunky buttons or confusing dials – the Alizé is designed for intuitive operation. Each Alizé comes in a choice between 3 models, with an ability to further customize the fabric color, or the finish on the fan’s frame, choosing between polished metal or a faux wood finish for that rustic cabana aesthetic.

Click Here to Buy Now: $309 $702 (56% off). Hurry, only 32/50 left!

The post This Patio Umbrella has Built-in Fans to help you Cruise through the Summer Heat first appeared on Yanko Design.

Concrete iPhone MagSafe Stand adds a touch of Brutalism to your Desk Setup

Posted on by

I think it’s wonderful that we managed to create an entire art movement out of trauma and recovery. The Brutalist design period was mainly seen as a post-war period when buildings were being rebuilt to help cities restore themselves. With very little money to spend on opulence, architects often opted for more utilitarian styles, relying purely on concrete (sometimes without even so much as a coat of paint) to reconstruct societies and neighborhoods. This is a period that people associate with pure functionality to the point of emotional coldness, and somehow, it managed to turn into an architectural style even though the severe limitations on aesthetics. Today, brutalism is seen as a design style that reflects a clutter-free mind, or an almost industrial approach to life – brutalism is getting revived in homes, and even in home decor, with people making their own concrete side tables, using exposed concrete facades indoors, and opting for concrete stationery/decor too. To that end, the Monument brings a wonderful touch of brutalism to homes. Inspired by the cold architecture of brutalist Germany/UK and Soviet-era Russia (with a touch of Arrakis from Dune), the Monument is a monolithic stand that docks your iPhone’s MagSafe charger.

Designer: The Artifox

The stand comes cast in a single block, with no extra parts, glue, or fasteners. It’s as monolithic and brutalist as it gets. The relatively clean design emphasizes the brutalist approach further. Place the Monument anywhere on table and you can pass the Apple MagSafe Wireless Charger right through it, effectively concealing the wire within the Monument’s hollow body. A micro-suction pad holds the charger in place, and the MagSafe magnets allow your iPhone to securely attach to the Monument, allowing it to charge.

The Monument is position-agnostic. You can mount your iPhone either in portrait mode, allowing you to make video calls or watch TikTok videos. Flip it into horizontal mode and you can either watch YouTube/Netflix on it, or activate the iPhone’s Standby Mode which turns the screen into a functional display with clocks, calendars, widgets, and photos to choose from.

At a whopping 2lbs, the Monument is as stable as can be, so you can stop worrying about your phone ever getting knocked over. A felt base ensures that the stand doesn’t scratch your tables either. Each Monument is made in the USA, and comes in two colors – a lighter Natural color, and a darker Charcoal finish (shown here), and starts at $90.

The post Concrete iPhone MagSafe Stand adds a touch of Brutalism to your Desk Setup first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Electric Cafe Racer revives the motorcycle category with a modern-classic design aesthetic

Posted on by

The road to electrification strangely lacks enough two-wheelers. While the electric movement has seen a whole slew of automotive companies jump on board, the EV spectrum only covers cars and last-mile e-scooters and e-bikes. The motorcycle everyone is familiar with hasn’t seen an electrification… the reason? A combination of a lack of demand, and a lack of infrastructure. Even then, there are companies looking to bring an electric powertrain to the motorcycle category, while also redefining the aesthetic of these motorbikes in a way that allows people to differentiate between gas and electric two-wheelers.

Inspired by Tesla’s mission to bring eco-friendly cars to the mainstream, Brooklyn-based Tarform is setting its sights on sustainable motorcycles. The Vera is not only electric, but it’s also crafted with recyclable materials and natural fibers, minimizing its environmental impact.

Designer: Tarform

The Vera’s design is a head-turner. It balances classic motorcycle aesthetics with a modern twist, echoing the design DNA of Tarform’s previous creation, the Luna. The clean lines and sculpted bodywork convey a sense of sophistication, while the lightweight build (around 360 lbs) promises agility and maneuverability in city traffic. Visually, it’s evident that the Vera sits well within cafe racer territory, but there’s a refined sense of design that makes it stand apart from gas-powered motorbikes. The surfaces, although curvy and aerodynamic, are exceptionally clean. Everything is designed with intent and with sleekness. The silhouette looks distinctly classical, but the form language and surfaces are exceptionally modern, from the slick tank-to-seat integration, the halo-shaped headlight, and a rather unusually pretty split mud-guard on the rear wheel.

The Vera’s stunning design is matched by its impressive performance capabilities. The electric motor propels the bike from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds, delivering an exhilarating rush of acceleration. With a top speed exceeding 85 mph and a peak torque of 120 lb-ft, the Vera provides ample power for navigating cityscapes or conquering challenging terrain. An air-cooled system keeps the motor from overheating, ensuring reliable performance even in demanding conditions.

The fuel tank gets replaced by a battery that gives the Vera a surprisingly good range for e-bikes. The motorcycle boasts a 100-mile range on a single charge, making it ideal for everyday commutes and weekend getaways. The 8 kWh lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in just 2 hours using a Level 2 charger, ensuring you’re never stranded for long.

A keyless ignition system adds convenience, while a 3.4-inch digital display dashboard provides essential information like speed, battery level, and navigation. 4G connectivity allows riders to connect their smartphones for navigation or entertainment.

The Tarform Vera addresses a key barrier to electric motorcycle adoption – affordability. With a starting price of $16,000, it positions itself as a more attainable option compared to some high-end electric motorcycles on the market. This strategic pricing makes electric motorcycle technology more accessible to a wider range of riders, potentially accelerating the shift toward sustainable urban transportation.

The post This Electric Cafe Racer revives the motorcycle category with a modern-classic design aesthetic first appeared on Yanko Design.

SwitchBot Prime Day Sale lets you Upgrade your Home into a Smart Home on a 40% Discount

Posted on by

A lot of people think a smart home is all about being able to turn lights on with a voice command, or telling your smart speaker to let you know what the weather’s like – but the definition of a smart home has changed a lot since the earlier days. You can now have your home intuitively do things like maintain a consistent temperature/humidity in all rooms, unlock your door when you come home from work, lock all your doors before bedtime, alert you when intruders approach, or even do obscurely brilliant things like draw the curtains in the morning when you need to wake up, and draw them shut if the house gets too warm with all the sunlight. Your home has the ability to adjust itself in ways that benefit you and also help you be energy and money-efficient. That’s the kind of smart home that really makes life feel different, and we’re here for it. We’ve spoken at length about how SwitchBot’s IoT gadgets make your smart home more useful, with their curtain bot that can close-open curtains on command, WiFi door lock that can open/lock doors through your phone or Apple Watch, or even the all-famous Button Pusher, a bot that attaches to manual switches to turn them into smart ones – SwitchBot’s range of home gadgets really help upgrade your regular home into an internet-powered smart one. With Prime Day rolling up, SwitchBot’s products go on sale seeing discounts as high as 40%, so if you’re looking to automate your home in clever, meaningful ways, this might just be your day… Head down to SwitchBot’s Amazon store, or just scroll down to see our three favorite picks from their exhaustive IoT lineup.

SwitchBot S10 Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Matter Support

Launched in May 2024, the S10 has a few tricks up its sleeve like its ability to auto-drain and refill its water container for the mopping function. For starters, it looks and functions exactly like a top-notch robot vacuum. It uses LiDAR to scan your house, creating a map that allows it to navigate your space with ease and efficiency. It avoids obstacles, stays away from no-go zones, and can both suck and mop to keep your house clean. 6500Pa suction allows the S10 to effectively clean any dust and dirt lying around the house, while the self-cleaning RevoRoll™ Roller Mop head wet-wipes your floor while RinseSync™ tech automatically rinses the mop head with each spin. What’s more, the mop head actually retracts into the S10 when it climbs onto carpets, so that your rugs and floor linen don’t get wet – the S10 scrapes the water off the mop too, ensuring it’s dry at all times. Dust automatically gets dumped in a 4-liter dust tank which you can clean every week or so, and for the dirty water from the mop cleaning, the S10 comes with a water refill/drain station that attaches to your plumbing. Every time the S10 needs a water-change, it goes to the station, dumping the dirty water into the drainage and taking fresh water from your house’s water supply. Here’s the best part though – if you’ve got a SwitchBot Humidifier in your house, future updates will allow the S10 to travel to the humidifier, dock into it, and fill up its water supply so you don’t have to! It operates on voice commands, integrates into your smart home when paired with SwitchBot’s Matter-enabled Hub 2 or Mini Hub, and can even be controlled through the SwitchBot smartphone app. Now isn’t that a smart home worth living in?!

Click Here to Buy Now: $739.99 $1199.99 ($460 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

SwitchBot Universal Remote

Not everyone enjoys voice-operated smart homes, and that’s absolutely understandable. It’s much easier to press a button rather than tell Alexa to switch on the AC in the living room… but what do you do when you’ve got multiple devices in your house and multiple remotes to work with? Yep, that’s right – remote fatigue can be a thing. A separate remote for your TV, your streaming box, your soundbar, AC, and maybe even the slew of apps on your smartphone to control smart devices like lights, fans, thermostats, etc. It can get much, and SwitchBot’s Universal Remote hopes to change that. A single gadget for all your infrared-controlled devices and SwitchBot devices too, the Universal Remote lets you directly control practically every device around you, from TVs and Air Conditioners to every single SwitchBot IoT appliance. With support for more than 80,000 IR codes, the Universal Remote works with a whole host of existing devices from TVs to projectors, fans, and even your Apple TV and Fire TV box/dongle. A control panel and a color display dominate the Universal Remote’s design, giving you an interface is both traditional and intuitive. The device replaces the need for multiple remotes, and for fishing out your phone every time you want to open the SwitchBot app to control your curtains, vacuum cleaner, thermostat, or smart bulb. Moreover, when paired with the Matter-enabled SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, you can use the Universal Remote to control all the Matter-compatible smart devices in your home!

Click Here to Buy Now: $44.99 $59.99 ($15 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

SwitchBot WiFi Smart Lock Pro Bundle

When you think of a smart home, you rarely think of smart locks, and it’s time that changed. Locks and keys have existed for centuries, and in a time of biometrics, passcodes, and authenticated devices, it makes sense that our locks upgrade too. The Lock Pro does just that by attaching to your existing deadbolt-style door-lock in just a matter of minutes, and giving you a staggering 15 ways to unlock your door while still being absolutely secure. Sure, the Lock Pro supports keys… but in the event you end up forgetting them, you’ve got a biometric scanner and numeric keypad included in the bundle that lets you use your fingerprint or a passcode to enter your home. The fingerprint is ideal for residents, while the passcode can be set up for guests or house help (with notifications of entry going to your app in real time). The Lock Pro interfaces with your smartphone or Apple Watch via Bluetooth, so you can open your door through your phone or watch just by being near the lock and hitting a button on the app. Better still, the bundle also includes SwitchBot’s Matter-supported Hub that gives your Lock Pro WiFi connectivity, allowing you to remotely lock your door (just in case you’re outside the house and you’re paranoid about whether you locked up properly before you left)… or perhaps the most impressive feature – voice control, so you can give Siri/Alexa/Google a command (through a secure device) to unlock the door when guests or the DoorDash guy shows up. The Lock Pro runs on 4 AA batteries, lasting 270 days on a full charge, with the ability to hot-swap battery packs while the lock’s still running. Plus, AES 128-bit encryption brings server-grade security to your home so nobody ever breaks through – physically OR digitally.

Click Here to Buy Now: $129.99 $199.99 ($70 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

The post SwitchBot Prime Day Sale lets you Upgrade your Home into a Smart Home on a 40% Discount first appeared on Yanko Design.

AYANEO Pocket EVO: A Powerful Evolution in Android Handheld Gaming with a 120Hz OLED Display

Posted on by

It seems like Android gaming hasn’t had a moment in a while. With Nintendo Switch 2 news circling around, and Sony’s PlayStation Portal, and also the news of Assassin’s Creed coming to iPhones, it truly does feel like Android gaming got left in the past for a hot minute. Thankfully that minute didn’t last too long, considering players like AYANEO are always cooking something new. It just seems like yesterday that the company dropped the Next Lite console, and now they’re gearing for their next move in handheld gaming.

The AYANEO Pocket EVO seamlessly integrates exceptional performance with a sleek, user-friendly design. The world’s first Android handheld with a 7″ 1080P OLED 120Hz high-refresh-rate display, it boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset that provides the muscle to effortlessly power through demanding high-resolution mobile games, streaming services, and cloud gaming. This combination makes the Pocket EVO a versatile and unmatched powerhouse in the large-screen Android handheld market.

Designer: AYANEO

The name “EVO” perfectly embodies the Pocket EVO’s philosophy – evolution. It represents a complete overhaul of the Android handheld experience, offering unparalleled advancements in performance, aesthetics, display technology, and control configurations. The design draws inspiration from AYANEO’s award-winning Windows handhelds, inheriting a touch of refined elegance often missing in the Android handheld space. The Pocket EVO boasts a meticulously crafted new mold, resulting in a remarkably slim and lightweight body. The contours are carefully considered to enhance both visual appeal and comfortable gripping. The streamlined screen design and use of OLED technology deliver breathtaking color reproduction and a slimmer overall profile, pushing the boundaries of handheld display technology.

Under the hood, the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Gaming Platform delivers 15W of esports-grade performance, making light work of even the most demanding retro games and graphically intensive Android titles on the highest settings. The larger form factor allows for a more comprehensive cooling system, incorporating a larger heatsink and fan comparable to those found in X86-based devices. This translates to significant improvements in active cooling efficiency, extending sustained performance output and keeping heat dissipation in check.

The control configuration breaks new ground for Android handhelds. The Pocket EVO is the first to feature hall-sensing joysticks, providing a wider range of motion and precise feedback, free from drift and dead zones. The meticulously designed button layout ensures that intense gameplay sequences won’t hinder your grip, striking a perfect balance between aesthetics and comfortable control.

The highly regarded ergonomic grip has been further refined with adjusted curves for a more natural and comfortable experience. The Pocket EVO also features the largest HD linear motor ever implemented in an Android handheld. This, coupled with the comprehensive vibration settings offered through AYASpace software, delivers nuanced, multi-dimensional vibration feedback that deepens immersion across various gaming scenarios.

Despite its slim profile, the AYANEO Pocket EVO manages to pack in a massive battery exceeding 8000mAh, making it the Android handheld with the largest battery capacity among 7-inch devices. Gamers who enjoy streaming and cloud gaming will appreciate the support for the latest high-speed WiFi protocol, offering theoretical speeds of up to 30Gbps for lower latency and more stable data transmission.

Continuing the tradition of AYANEO’s software innovation, the Pocket EVO comes pre-installed with the AYA Home desktop launcher and AYA Space management software. These user-friendly interfaces offer features like performance mode customization, device spoofing for compatibility, button mapping, and optimized game library management. Future software upgrades promise to introduce even more functionalities, further enhancing the user experience.

The post AYANEO Pocket EVO: A Powerful Evolution in Android Handheld Gaming with a 120Hz OLED Display first appeared on Yanko Design.

OBSBOT Defies Expectations With The ‘Tiny 2’ AI-Powered 4K Webcam

Posted on by

We’re in a unique period of innovation where we’ve discovered AI, but we’re seeing how good it is at some things, and how bad it is at others. For starters, AI is great at proofreading – it’s terrible at coming up with life advice. It’s great at understanding objects and subjects in a video – it’s terrible at making videos of its own. It makes sense to leverage the good parts of AI, rather than fumble with the bad ones – and that’s something the folks at OBSBOT have capitalized on. Their latest Tiny 2 4K webcam uses AI in all sorts of ways to enhance what a webcam does. It understands voice commands and will capture video accordingly. It can automatically follow a subject, zooming in on them when necessary, and zoom out when multiple subjects enter the frame. When you can’t give voice commands (maybe you’re in the middle of a presentation), hand gestures help the Tiny 2 understand how to compose a shot. You can use it to track subjects, or even focus on body parts like hands while writing or making art, or feet during dance practices. A dedicated whiteboard mode lets the Tiny 2 hone in on a board during presentations, and if you want to broadcast your workspace while on call, Desk Mode lets you get a perfect top view of your work. If all that wasn’t enough, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 also packs a massive 1/1.5″ CMOS sensor capable of delivering 4K, with ISO switching for day and night settings, HDR for great contrast, and all-pixel auto-focus for accurate focusing and blurring even in low light settings. It might look like a webcam, but it’s a 4K action camera mounted on a gimbal with AI chops.

Designer: OBSBOT

Limited Time Prime Day Offer: $296 (10% Off)! Regularly $329. Starts July 16th. Click Here to Buy Now.

The Tiny 2 builds on the success of the OBSBOT Tiny, which launched in 2019. Visually, it retains the same gimbal-mounted template that was such a smash hit 5 years ago… but on the hardware and software front, the Tiny 2 comes with some impressive upgrades, making it perfect for office presentations, streaming, podcasting, vlogging, gaming, basic content creation or just being able to livestream – something that’s been gaining popularity over the years. It becomes tricky (and sometimes expensive) to splurge on an entire professional recording setup, with multiple devices, wires, etc… but that’s where the Tiny 2 is such a powerhouse. Although it parades around as a webcam, the 1/1.5″ CMOS sensor inside the Tiny 2 measures roughly 5x larger than the sensors found on most webcams. A bigger sensor means more light, better clarity, clearer videos in low-light, and the ability to shoot higher definition. The Tiny 2 outputs 4K video, which on its own is impressive for a webcam, but also has a few extra tricks up its sleeve.

AI Tracking with Auto Zoom

Unparalleled 4K Video: Combining the 1/1.5’’ CMOS and OBSBOT camera calibration technology, OBSBOT Tiny 2 brings sharper detail, a higher dynamic range, and more natural color, as they are seen in the natural world.

The webcam comes with two native ISOs, allowing it to quickly switch between different lighting conditions. While almost every other webcam adjusts its image by manipulating exposure, the Tiny 2 relies on dual native ISOs to help it adjust in day and night settings. This effectively means much more accurate color capture without overexposed burn spots in bright scenarios and noisy images in low-light settings. The two ISO settings effectively mean the webcam can capture two photos together at the same time – a feature that allows the Tiny 2 to produce sharp HDR video that’s comparable to the kind seen on flagship smartphones… but in real-time, and without any motion blur. Speaking of blur, the Tiny 2 also gets OBSBOT’s All-Pixel Auto Focus feature, which works most faster than cameras that use phase detection to hone in on subjects. It relies on every single pixel on its 50MP sensor to focus on subjects, working 4x faster even in low-light settings.

Control the OBSBOT Tiny 2 with just your voice, even if your hand is full.

That, however, is just half of what the Tiny 2 can boast of. While the original OBSBOT Tiny did come with AI tracking and gesture control, the new webcam on the block adds voice commands to the mix too. All AI features get major enhancements thanks to OBSBOT’s proprietary deep neural learning network algorithm. This means better subject recognition (with the ability to track you as you move around and even zoom in on you to compose a better frame), and advanced gesture recognition. You can now zoom in 4X with a simple hand gesture, or move your hands closer or further to have the camera zoom in or out, sort of like a movie director. If your hands are occupied, voice commands let you tell the Tiny 2 to track or untrack you, zoom in or out, or go to predetermined positions. You can now even tell the Tiny 2 to go to sleep or wake up through a simple voice command. Dual omnidirectional microphones allow the Tiny 2 to capture clear audio from anywhere, whether you’re sitting in front of it while streaming, or presenting to it from a few feet away.

Desk Mode

The Tiny 2’s neural learning allows it to track hands too, or even track body parts for unique choreographic styles. A Desk Mode lets you point your camera down at your desk and automatically have it keystone the video for a top-view shot. A companion remote controller lets you micro-adjust the Tiny 2, and even has a Whiteboard Mode, allowing the webcam to focus on a whiteboard in the room, cropping everything out for perfect presentations. Without the remote control, the webcam does have the ability to move around on its own, thanks to a 2-axis gimbal system. You can even manually adjust the Tiny 2’s frame with your hands, or face it downwards when you want it to go to sleep for your own privacy.

A lot of other power features remain the same (because why fix something that isn’t broken), like the presence of various mounts that let you attach your webcam to a monitor, a tripod, or even a ceiling mount. The Tiny 2’s angle can easily be adjusted, and for social content creators, you can record in 4K in portrait mode too – something that other webcams could only dream of. A companion desktop application known as the OBSBOT Center lets you adjust a myriad of settings like focus and AFK or Away From Keyboard protocols. There’s a ‘Beauty Mode’ too, just in case you’re having a bad skin day, and virtual backgrounds you can choose from. The app even lets you set hot keys and shortcuts that you can either map onto your keyboard, or onto an Elgato Stream Deck for that professional-grade setup.

All this advancement puts the OBSBOT Tiny 2 in a category of its own. The $329 price tag may seem high for the webcam category, but then again, it’s vastly better than your average $50 webcam, and it’s also fairly cheaper than most 4K action cameras that professionals tend to use for recording/live-streaming… plus where else could you get advanced AI-powered tracking, gesture-recognition, and voice command control? Besides, grab the Tiny 2 on Prime Day and you’ll get yourself a 10% discount – $296. Deal activates on July 16th! No matter your requirements or your budget, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 ticks all the right boxes.

Limited Time Prime Day Offer: $296 (10% Off)! Regularly $329. Starts July 16th. Click Here to Buy Now.

The post OBSBOT Defies Expectations With The ‘Tiny 2’ AI-Powered 4K Webcam first appeared on Yanko Design.