Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great

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People are much more productive on coffee, they say. A single cup can get you working with more energy and focus, but one company is making your cup of coffee a little more productive than you think. While the coffee you drink enriches your mind, the coffee grounds you throw away after the brewing process can apparently be bound into pencil leads, letting you literally write/sketch/doodle WITH coffee! Meet GRIND Z – a pencil lead that ditches graphite for coffee, giving you an all-natural zero-waste alternative to regular pencils. The 5.6mm lead fits into any clutch pencil that accepts leads that size, allowing you to scribble, write, take notes, doodle, and sketch with coffee. Each lead is made up of recycled coffee grounds along with a combination of binding agents – and the result is an earthy brown lead that writes on paper and actually has a coffee aroma too!

Designer: Zirobio

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

Coffee grounds are a major contributor to landfill waste, with millions of tons ending up in dumps each year. GRIND Z effectively diverts these grounds from an unwanted fate, giving them a new life as a creative tool. The company behind this project, Zirobio, is a biotechnology firm dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through bio-based materials. Initiated by Hailey and Miles, avid coffee drinkers, the GRIND Z was their way of seeing if this humble cup of coffee – a symbol of work, happiness, and hustle – could be channeled into something else. Something that transforms coffee waste into even more productivity.

This is a 5.6mm pencil lead containing 20% recycled coffee grounds and other components like wax and adhesives.

Coffee has been embraced by the art community already, with people using espresso and black coffee to make stained art. The liquid imparts a brown or ochre tint on paper, depending on how diluted it is – Zirobio’s idea builds on this already existing trend, transforming it from liquid to lead. One cup of coffee can generate enough grounds for up to 6 leads, Zirobio says. Each GRIND Z lead boasts a unique blend of 20% recycled coffee grounds and 80% essential binding agents like waxes and adhesives. This carefully formulated combination ensures a smooth writing experience you expect from high-quality pencil lead. But the real magic lies in the subtle, natural coffee aroma (with a hint of bitterness) that lingers with each stroke, adding a delightful sensory element to the drawing/writing process.

The lead comes in a standard 5.6mm size, ensuring compatibility with most clutch pencils – the refillable mechanical pencils commonly used by artists and designers. Zirobio even offers a sleek aluminum clutch pencil as part of their Kickstarter rewards, creating a perfect match for the eco-friendly lead. The natural brown hue of the coffee grounds eliminates the need for artificial coloring, resulting in a unique aesthetic that complements the sustainable philosophy behind the product.

Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, GRIND Z offers a captivating visual appeal. The subtle variations in the brown tones add a touch of organic charm to your artwork or sketches. This earthy aesthetic sets it apart from traditional graphite leads, allowing artists to explore a new visual language in their work. The lead can be used with a clutch pencil or even as a crayon. It supports being sharpened by a knife or a sharpener, with zero wastage (because there’s no wood being used), and if all that wasn’t impressive, the GRIND Z is naturally skin-friendly, allowing people with sensitive skin to handle it with ease.

You can grab yourself a 2-pack of GRIND Z leads (each pack contains 6 leads) for $26 and YD readers get a free custom-made coffee bean ring too. Alternatively, a $29 pledge gets you a GRIND Z 2-pack along with a compatible 5.6mm aluminum clutch pencil. If you own a coffee shop or a small studio, YD readers can also enjoy a 34% discount, getting a 10-pack of GRIND Z and 10 clutch pencils for $109, adding a sustainable highlight to your brand. Additionally, stretch goals have unlocked more free rewards with free shipping, such as art posters, coffee ground soap, and coffee ground mugs, included along with your order.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

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Lisbon’s Iconic Bica Funicular Railway gets a stunning 2997-brick LEGO recreation

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Anyone who’s visited Portugal has undoubtedly encountered the Ascendor da Bica… either in person or through a postcard, a fridge magnet, or perhaps a tourist recommendation. The Ascendor da Bica is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of Lisbon’s identity. Christened “The Bica Funicular,” it scales the steep hills of the Bica district with a unique charm. LEGO builder Peter_Designs’ creation reflects this spirit faithfully. The tram itself is a marvel of LEGO engineering, built at a 20.5-degree angle to mirror the real tram’s ingenious solution to conquer Lisbon’s challenging topography. This intricate build utilizes 2997 pieces (with 773 being dedicated to the cart alone), ensuring not only structural stability but also a remarkably accurate representation of the tram’s distinctive design.

Designer: Peter_Designs

The set extends beyond the meticulously crafted tram, offering a delightful recreation of the surrounding cityscape. With a staggering 2224 pieces dedicated just to the scenery, the build incorporates colorful buildings in a style reminiscent of Lisbon’s architecture. A detailed platform completes the scene, providing the perfect stage to display the tram in all its glory. The total piece count reaches a substantial 2997, promising a rewarding and immersive building experience for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages.

But the Ascensor da Bica’s appeal transcends its impressive brickwork. This set offers a unique opportunity to add a historical landmark with a touch of whimsy to your LEGO world. Imagine this iconic tram, painstakingly recreated in LEGO form, gracefully navigating the slopes of your existing LEGO City. The set even includes functional tracks, allowing you to integrate the tram seamlessly into your cityscape and transport minifigures (not included) on a scenic journey, just like their real-life counterparts.

Peter_Designs’ motivation behind this creation is evident – a love for Lisbon and a passion for LEGO. Their design choices reflect a deep appreciation for the city’s charm and the Ascensor da Bica’s undeniable appeal. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of wandering Lisbon’s cobbled streets and marveling at the Bica Funicular, or simply dream of visiting this vibrant city someday, this set offers a delightful way to celebrate Portugal’s rich heritage and experience the magic of Lisbon from the comfort of your home.

The Ascensor da Bica LEGO Ideas project is currently in the crucial stage of garnering support from the LEGO community. With enough votes from passionate LEGO enthusiasts like yourself, this little piece of Lisbon could become a reality for LEGO fans worldwide. Imagine gifting this set to a friend who has fond memories of Lisbon, or displaying it proudly in your home – a constant reminder of the beauty and ingenuity that LEGO bricks can bring to life! Head down to the LEGO Ideas website if you want to vote for the LEGO Ascensor da Bica.

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Ultra-sleek Waterdrop X16 RO Purifier brings mineral-rich water with a single touch

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I don’t know about you but I’ve never seen a water filtration system that looks elegant enough to integrate into your house or kitchen’s decor. They’re almost always made of plastic, with a design that can only be described as ‘worthy of being hidden’. That’s why most kitchens come with under-sink compartments for hiding these purification systems, so all you get is clean water through the tap without that hyper-industrial aesthetic of the purifier ruining your kitchen’s design. That’s something the folks at Waterdrop Filter wanted to change – among other things. The first time you lay your eyes on the Waterdrop Filter X series – X16, chances are you won’t even think it’s a purification system – with the sleek aesthetic of probably a high-end PC, the X16 is a state-of-the-art tankless RO water purifier that couples with a touch-sensitive faucet that truly uplifts your kitchen. Place the X16 in a hidden compartment or have it sitting on your countertop, it delivers RO-purified water at a speed of 1600 gallons per day. The water goes through a meticulous 11-stage filtration system, coming out as pristine and tasty as you’d expect from a device that looks this cutting-edge.

Designer: Waterdrop Filter

Click Here to Buy Now: $1199.40 $1999 ($799.60 off, use coupon code “YDreader” to get an additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Unlike conventional dispensers that rely on pre-filled tanks, the Waterdrop Filter X series – X16 operates on a tankless design. This means it generates purified water on demand, eliminating the need to wait for a bulky dispenser to slowly trickle out water. This helps give it that sleek design that sets it apart from other bulkier purifiers that store up to 10 or 20 liters of water at a time in advance. Water gets purified on demand, and the instant you touch the faucet, water flows at a maximum rate of 1600 gallons per day (that’s fast enough to fill a glass in a mere 2 seconds, or a kettle in 10 seconds). The flow speed can be adjusted too, but the idea of never having to wait with a carafe or jug while it slowly fills up is quite the boon.

Enjoy refreshing mineral water at home

However, water speed isn’t what defines the X16 – it’s the fact that the water goes through a meticulous 11-stage filtration process across 3 different filter modules. This multi-stage approach tackles a wide range of contaminants that may be lurking in your tap water. The heart of the system lies in the 18-layer RO membrane filter. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a technology that forces tap water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively filtering out a wide range of impurities, including Chlorine, Lead, Fluoride, Heavy Metals like arsenic, mercury, and chromium-6, and finally Microscopic Contaminants like bacteria, cysts, etc. RO filtration is considered to be arguably the highest standard in home-based water filtration – but it does have a caveat – for every liter of water filtered, the tankless RO system also ejects contaminated water out of its system, leading to wastage. The X16 tackles that with a 3:1 fresh-to-waste water ratio – which means for every 3 liters of fresh purified water, there’s just 1 liter of impure water that’s disposed at the end of the day – a metric much better than some purifiers that waste up to 50% of water in their purification process.

While the multi-stage filtration process removes a wide range of contaminants, the X16 takes an extra step to ensure water safety. The system also integrates a UV sterilizer that eliminates bacteria and viruses in the dispensed water, providing an extra layer of peace of mind. This is especially beneficial for those with compromised immune systems or concerns about microbial contamination in their water supply. While the filtration happens behind the scenes, what you really end up interfacing with is the X16’s tap – a smart, touch-sensitive faucet that comes with its own color-coded display to let you know that your water is pure and contaminant-free. An intuitive dial on the faucet lets you select the desired water volume, from 1 to 64 ounces, with automatic shutoff once the chosen amount is dispensed. Need to stop dispensing early? Pushing the dial again stops the water flow – it’s so easy even a kid could do it.

A simple glance at the faucet’s display also lets you know the status of each of the three filters – blue indicates a healthy filter life, yellow signifies a filter nearing replacement, and red signals an urgent need for a filter change. This intuitive system ensures optimal performance and prevents potential water quality issues by reminding you to replace filters before they become ineffective.

The result is a design and tech overhaul of how drinking water is filtered and dispensed in your kitchen. Instead of purifiers that you want to hide away, and faucets that can often look archaic, the X16 puts a minimal-futuristic spin on the category, with a sleek-looking purifier that’s worthy of being on your countertop, but if space is a constraint, fits perfectly well in your undersink, occupying a minimal footprint. The faucet echoes the same intuitive, sleek, cutting-edge approach that’s seen in the tankless purifier too. It’s simple and easy to use, giving you fresh water that’s enriched in minerals and has a pH level of 7.5± so you actually enjoy the taste of water too.

Bringing an Apple or Tesla-kind of innovation and disruption to the water dispensing space comes with a price, though. The Waterdrop Filter X series – X16 starts at $1999 for the entire kit (purifier + smart faucet), but you can grab a 35% discount on Prime Day and an additional 5% off using the code YDreader during checkout!

Click Here to Buy Now: $1199.40 $1999 ($799.60 off, use coupon code “YDreader” to get an additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

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Ultimea’s $299 Budget Projector gives you a massive 120-inch Movie Theater experience at Home

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I’ve said it for ages, but televisions are an intermediary product stage. Just the way smartphones are a passing phase for the next big thing, televisions are too – the only difference is that the next big thing after TVs exists… it’s just that not everyone owns one yet. I’m talking about projectors. They’re usually portable, can project screens as large as 120 inches, and in a matter of seconds, turn your home into a theater. Modern projectors come with smart OS features, image correction capabilities, and more importantly, they’re now just as affordable as TVs are. The Ultimea Nova C40, with its $299 price tag offers an incredibly compelling option for those looking to switch from a 40-something-inch TV to a viewing experience that’s larger than life. The Full HD projector comes with a unique gimbal design tat lets it face practically anywhere (you could watch a movie on your ceiling if you want), with automatic focus and keystone features so the projector can instantly align its image instead of having you do it. Sure – it’s no staggering 4K OLED TV, but as a proud owner of an HD projector myself, size matters to the experience much more than pixel density and resolution.

Designer: Ultimea

Click Here to Buy Now

The Nova C40 packs a fair bit of punch for its price category, delivering a projection as large as 120 inches. 600 ANSI lumens is fairly bright for dark and dimly-lit rooms, and the presence of a built-in AndroidTV 11.0 OS means access to all your favorite apps on demand. Want to take things to another level, HDMI and USB ports let you hook your laptop or gaming console to the projector for immersive work and gaming. The large 120-inch display completely surrounds your periphery in gaming content… and for work, you can multitask with efficiency by turning the large display into multiple smaller windows.

The throw ratio of 1.25:1 translates to a projected image size between 80 and 120 inches diagonally when placed at a relatively short distance. This makes it ideal for smaller rooms or even outdoor movie nights, transforming your backyard into a cinematic haven under the stars. Setting up the projector is a breeze, thanks to automatic keystone correction and autofocus features. No more fiddling with dials – the C40 ensures a crisp and properly aligned image in seconds, with zero effort.

One of the C40’s standout features is its fully sealed optical unit. This innovative design choice aims to minimize dust infiltration, potentially enhancing image quality and extending the projector’s lifespan. With a brightness of 600 ANSI lumens, the C40 performs best in slightly subdued environments. While not ideal for projecting movies in brightly lit rooms, it delivers a watchable experience in dimmer settings. The projector boasts a native Full HD (1080p) resolution, but upscaling capabilities allow it to handle 4K content. It covers 95% of the NTSC color gamut, ensuring a decent range of colors for vibrant visuals.

The Nova C40’s design integrate a gimbal that lets you point your projector in practically any direction. Face it forwards, tilt it at an angle, or even directly upwards, the 90° freedom of the C40 is perfect for all kinds of adjustments. Moreover, the base also supports ceiling mounts, so you can attach your C40 to a beam or to the ceiling for a more traditional experience. Me personally, I love the fact that the projector is fairly mobile, which means you can travel from room to room with it.

The Nova C40 breaks free from the shackles of external media players by integrating Android TV 11 directly into the system. This built-in smart platform grants access to popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, eliminating the need for additional devices. Feeling the urge to explore a wider entertainment library? The C40 allows you to download additional apps, expanding your options and catering to diverse interests.

For seamless connectivity, the C40 offers an HDMI input, perfect for connecting laptops, gaming consoles, or other external devices. It also boasts Bluetooth 5.3, enabling you to connect external speakers for a more immersive audio experience. Additionally, Bluetooth allows for voice control through the remote, adding a layer of convenience. While the built-in 5-watt speakers might suffice for casual viewing, a soundbar connected via Bluetooth can significantly elevate the audio quality, transforming movie nights into truly cinematic experiences.

So, who exactly is the Ultimea Nova C40 designed for? Movie buffs seeking a cinematic experience at home will find the C40’s Full HD resolution with upscaling capabilities delivers crisp visuals for a captivating experience. While the brightness might not be ideal for brightly lit rooms, creating a movie night ambiance with dimmed lights unlocks the projector’s true potential. Casual gamers on a budget can also enjoy the thrill of big-screen gaming without breaking the bank. However, it’s important to note that the C40 might not be ideal for fast-paced, competitive games due to the potential of slight input lag. Presenters on the go will appreciate the portability and ease of use that the C40 offers, children will love the idea of having a cinema experience in their bedroom before going to bed, and friends will probably invite you to every single backyard party for movie or sports nights.

Click Here to Buy Now

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Unique Modular Furniture Piece lets you work, lounge, read, and relax thanks to its plug-and-play form

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“Working lying down is seldom seen in office environments,” pointed out Timothy Widmer, a student at Lucerne School of Art and Design. Lying down is often associated with relaxing – the antithesis of productivity and professionalism – but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t need an ‘office chair’ or a ‘cubicle’ to work. You could work from a high-chair, a beanbag, a recliner, a sofa… so why not use that as a starting point to revisit how furniture can look and behave?

Designer: Timothy Widmer

Meet Gustav, a 4-piece modular furniture set that comes together in a variety of ways. Its odd shape strays away from any kind of traditional furniture – it looks nothing like a chair, a stool, a sofa, or a pouffe. Once put together, however, you get to understand the kind of freedom and flexibility it brings, and how it could possibly be used for a variety of activities.

The Gustav is position-agnostic. It allows you to use its shape in whatever way you choose. You can sit on it like a stool, recline backwards with your legs stretched out, or even folded in. The stool’s rear space (behind the recliner) lets you store books, EDC, chargers, cables… and the cuboid-shaped pouffe at the end doubles up as a side-table just in case you want one.

A cushion strapped to the recliner can be moved up or down, giving you the height-adjustment you need

“The multi-components allow different constellations to be created – from an individual workspace to a conversation pit,” says Widmer.

Ultimately, a lot of Gustav’s success depends on the upheaval of corporate work culture. Whether offices embrace relaxed working as a practice isn’t something the Gustav can control – but it does pose a very interesting schematic for coworking spaces, cafes, and even lounges at airports. And it asks a rather fundamental question too – if productivity is a state of mind, why does the way you’re seated matter SO much?

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CMF Watch Pro 2: A Customizable Smartwatch with Gesture Control and an AMOLED Display

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It’s usually said that October is the busiest time for phone launches. It’s often when Apple announces its entire iPhone lineup, and Google its Pixel lineup too. The term Techtober is often floated about to describe this busy time, but that era’s changed. With Nothing’s sub-brand CMF announcing gadgets on 8th of July, a speculated Google event in August, and IFA Berlin in September, it does seem like the tech rollout is starting well before October. CMF by Nothing is slated to announce three products tomorrow, with their first smartphone dubbed the Phone 1 (not to be confused with the Nothing Phone (1)), and upgrades to their Buds and Watch lineup. The Watch Pro 2, which has already surfaced online, sees a radical design change this year. Instead of the rectangular display on last year’s Watch Pro, the sophomore smartwatch from the brand pivots to a circular screen. It’s an interesting choice, given that CMF will have had to redo the entire UI and OS to match this new display shape.

The redesign isn’t without reason, given that the watch is now expected to come with detachable bezels (which may also play a part in the watch’s OS). A button on the side gets replaced with a rotating crown, and the Watch Pro 2 finally looks like it’s taking on a distinct aesthetic that makes it stand out from the rest of the smartwatches out there… and that can only be a good thing.

Designer: CMF by Nothing

As per the images, the CMF Watch Pro 2 features a classic round dial design with a 1.32-inch AMOLED display. This display technology promises rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent visibility even under bright sunlight. An exciting addition is the inclusion of interchangeable bezels, allowing users to personalize the watch’s look to match their outfit or occasion. The watch is confirmed to also come with gesture controls, although the specific gestures and their functionalities remain to be revealed. This feature has the potential to streamline user interaction with the watch, making it more intuitive and convenient.

Indian Actress Rashmika Mandanna models for the Watch Pro 2

Technical specifications like battery life and processor details are yet to be officially confirmed. However, its predecessor, the Watch Pro, offered a commendable 2-week battery life on a single charge. With the CMF Watch Pro 2, we can expect similar or potentially improved battery performance. The CMF Watch Pro 2 is expected to launch alongside the CMF Phone 1 on July 8th. While the pricing details are yet to be revealed, considering the upgrades, we can expect a slight increase compared to the previous model’s launch price of Rs 4,499 (approx $54 USD).

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Upgrade your Regular Bamboo Toothbrush to an Electric Toothbrush with this clever attachment

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This might be the most sensible idea of the decade. Instead of buying electric toothbrushes, what if there was an attachment that made regular toothbrushes vibrate the way electric ones do? That’s what the Motomoto tries to do. A simple silicone sleeve that attaches onto a standard bamboo toothbrush, the Motomoto ‘electrifies’ your brushing routine, adding ultrasonic vibrations while you clean your teeth. This helps dislodge food particles, clean plaque, and keep your mouth cleaner than just using regular hand motions. The toothbrush itself is made from bamboo and is designed to be replaceable, while the Motomoto itself stays constant. Genius.

Designer: Frederick Yap

Click Here to Buy Now: $18 $21 (14% off). Hurry, very few left!

An electric toothbrush, simply put, is just a motor attached to a bunch of bristles using an ergonomic handle. That’s all an electric toothbrush really is – and it’s honestly disappointing that companies have somehow corrupted that idea into a capitalist nightmare. Oral-B’s bristles don’t fit on a Colgate toothbrush and vice versa. Companies have colored bristles that fade with time when you need to change them, and just the brush head (the replaceable part on a toothbrush) comes in expensive single packs or cheaper economy packs. Not to mention they’re ALL made out of plastic, so throwing bristles away is tantamount to polluting. It’s the same with printers, and with shaving razors… and Frederick Yap wanted nothing to do with that model. So he designed the Motomoto – an electric handle that attaches to a regular toothbrush. The handle stays, and the biodegradable toothbrush gets replaced… and if you want to brush manually without the motor, that’s absolutely fine too.

The Motomoto itself looks like a simple handle without the bristles. A hole on the top lets you slide your bamboo toothbrush in, effectively turning the brush into an electric one. The brush features a bamboo body, with a choice between 4 bristles – regular flat bristles, charcoal-infused tapered bristles, bamboo tapered bristles, and ultra-fine nano bristles for sensitive gums. Each Motomoto comes with the assorted 4 brushes, and you choose the one that suits you the best. The other brushes can be used by other members of your family, and at the end of their cycle, the brushes can safely be discarded or composted, allowing them to return to nature with minimal waste created in the process.

The handle is where the magic unfolds. Slide the brush in before using, hit the button, and brush like you normally would. The vibrations from the Motomoto enhance the efficiency of your brushing by 50%, adding more bristle movement while you brush so that it scrapes off plaque and food debris faster. The gentle vibrations get the job done so you don’t need to brush as hard, which can sometimes cause your gums to bleed.

Each Motomoto comes along with a 4-pack of assorted brushes, and a holder that lets you vertically dock your Motomoto when you’re not using it. The Motomoto also runs on a rechargeable Li-ion battery, which means you can plug a USB-C charger in to juice your electric toothbrush. There are 4 Motomoto colors you can choose from – Nude Brown, Forest Green, Cream White, and Ash Grey, and the entire kit starts at just $18, with an extra 4-pack of brushes costing $9.

Click Here to Buy Now: $18 $21 (14% off). Hurry, very few left!

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Philips launches Screeneo UL5 Smart, a budget Ultra-short Throw Smart Projector for under $800

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Imagine we’ve come so far that we can fit an entire movie theater into a device that’s essentially the same size as a brick. After launching the Screeneo U5 in the end of 2022, Philips is back with its smallest, most advanced UST projector yet. Dubbed the Screeneo UL5 Smart, it builds on the success of Philips’ past projectors, while focusing on being a budget-friendly gadget to help people convert from TVs to something a little more immersive. Measuring just over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 3.4 inches tall, the Screeneo UL5 Smart outputs an impressive 100-inch screen when kept just 20 inches away from a wall. The tiny device produces a display that’s rich in color, has a 550 ANSI lumen brightness, and has a Full HD resolution of 1080p. Sure, it’s no 4K projector… but at a sub-$1000 price tag, it’s probably the best ultra-short throw projector you can get your hands on. Oh, it also comes bundled with its own OS that let you run popular streaming services, pitching it well into smart projector territory.

Designer: Philips Projection

Click Here to Buy Now: $789 $1406 (43% off) Hurry! Only 7 days left. Raised over $900,000 USD.

While the UL5 Smart departs from the 4K resolution of its predecessor, the U5 model, it maintains a respectable Full HD 1080p resolution – ideal for enjoying movies, shows, and games in crisp detail. The projector utilizes a DLP chip alongside a triple-laser light source, separating red, blue, and green colors for an exceptionally rich and vibrant visual experience. The impressive 0:23:1 ultra-short throw ratio means you don’t need to keep the device multiple feet away from the projection surface, the way most traditional projectors need to be kept. A simple 20 inches away from a wall or screen gives you a staggering projection that measures 100 inches diagonally. Adjust the distance to adjust the size of the projection – the UL5 Smart can pull off 120 inches with absolutely no discernible drop in brightness or clarity. It also automatically keystones and focuses itself, so you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying content.

The compact form factor allows the Screeneo UL5 Smart to be used as more than just a movie-watching device. Sure, projectors and movies are practically synonymous – and the Screeneo UL5 Smart does come with Philips’ LuminOS, which lets you natively run Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, and a whole slew of other apps – but an abundance of ports lets you use your Screeneo UL5 Smart to do things like extend your laptop/desktop/tablet screen, or directly hook your gaming console to the projector for larger-than-life gameplay.

Rest the UL5 Smart on its back the way it’s designed to be placed and you’ve got a projected image on the wall. Flip the UL5 Smart over and stand it vertically, and it projects a bright 35-inch display onto the floor or a table, letting you watch content on the tabletop like recipe videos, the game, or even project drawings onto a piece of paper and allow you to sketch directly. AI-driven auto-focus and keystone kicks in immediately, fixing the image to make it perfectly focused and rectangular.

Spec-nerds will have little to complain about what the UL5 Smart offers. With a peak of 550 ANSI lumens, the projector is ideally suited for dimly lit or dark environments. However, this is balanced by exceptional color reproduction. The UL5 Smart boasts coverage exceeding 200% of the Rec.709 color gamut, 108% of Rec.2020, and a remarkable 150% of the DCI-P3 color space. Additionally, it supports HDR10, ensuring vibrant visuals with deeper blacks and brighter whites for compatible content.

Running on an Android-based operating system, the UL5 Smart comes pre-loaded with popular streaming apps like Netflix and Youtube, eliminating the need for external devices. Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allow for seamless streaming and connection to external speakers for an even more powerful audio experience. For wired connections, the UL5 Smart offers an HDMI port, a USB Type-A power port, and two USB-C ports for data and video. The projector also features integrated 3-watt Dolby speakers, providing a decent audio solution for casual viewing.

At a price of $789, the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart is quite the bargain. It’s compact, smart, outputs screen sizes up to 120-inches, and builds on Philips Projection’s UST capabilities. You’ve got an abundance of ports, along with a built-in OS for a whole lot of variety – and the projector even ships with its own remote control, letting you easily browse through content and enjoy movies, sports, and games larger than life. The Screeneo UL5 Smart begins shipping September 2024 for backers on Indiegogo.

Click Here to Buy Now: $789 $1406 (43% off) Hurry! Only 7 days left. Raised over $900,000 USD.

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LEGO launches detailed C3PO kit to mark 25 Years of collaboration with the Star Wars franchise

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Earlier this year, LEGO revised their R2D2 model and honestly, my first reaction was to ask ‘why?’ The new R2D2 was smaller than the original, and it seems its reason was so that LEGO could debut a scale-matching C3PO to complete the set. Its 15-inch build matches the R2D2 perfectly, so you can pair them together on a mantelpiece and create the iconic duo. The LEGO C3PO build also marks 25 years since LEGO and the Star Wars franchise first collaborated together. The first-ever collab between the two behemoths was back in 1999, when LEGO released a X-wing fighter model alongside the launch of the Phantom Menace movie. Two and a half decades later, their partnership is still going strong, with multiple builds (and even LEGO movies) to mark the successful partnership.

Designer: LEGO

Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.

The entire build comes with a C3PO minifigure, a plaque with C3PO’s stats, and a small poster commemorating 25 years of LEGO Start Wars

Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.

This isn’t a completely static display model either. The C-3PO figure features a posable head and arms, allowing you to recreate classic poses from the Star Wars saga. There’s even a fun detail for die-hard fans – one of the arms can be repositioned to mimic C-3PO’s well-known gesture of patting R2-D2 on the head.

The set comes complete with a display stand featuring an information plaque about C-3PO and a spot for the included C-3PO minifigure. To top it all off, a special LEGO Star Wars 25th-anniversary brick is included, adding a touch of collectability.

The LEGO Star Wars C-3PO (75398) is priced at US$139.99, and is now available for pre-order, with deliveries commencing August 1st, 2024.

The post LEGO launches detailed C3PO kit to mark 25 Years of collaboration with the Star Wars franchise first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Tekto A5 Spry Mini is a Tiny yet Mighty OTF Knife with a Tactical Demeanor

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Good things come in small packages – this one measures just over 3 inches and packs a powerful blade deployed using one of the most satisfying mechanisms ever. Meet the Tekto A5 Spry Mini, a compact pocket blade with the company’s signature OTF mechanism that lets you deploy your cutting edge with a simple push of a button.

Named after its elder brother the A5 Spry, this mini marvel compresses everything that was great about its predecessor into a more compact, pocket-friendly package. While the original A5 Spry measured a nifty 4.9 inches when closed (and 8.6 inches when open), the A5 Spry Mini condenses it all into a 3.2-inch package that opens up to 5.3 inches, giving you a knife that’s smaller, lighter, more maneuverable, just as strong, and with the same satisfying OTF mechanism that deploys a titanium-coated S35VN steel blade, along with a tungsten steel glass-breaker on the rear to get you out of any sort of emergency.

Designer: Tekto

Click Here to Buy Now: $153 $179.99 (Use coupon code “Yanko15” to get $26.99 off). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

Tekto A5 Spry vs. A5 Spry Mini

The A5 Spry Mini’s all-metal design is a pleasure for the eyes and the hands. You’ve got a handle machined out of 6061-T6 Aluminum, offering a cool, confident grip thanks to its ergonomic, ambidextrous design. Weighing a little more than knives with G10 or carbon fiber handles, the A5 Spry Mini gives you the confidence of a slightly larger knife while still being deviously compact. A single contoured switch helps deploy its blade, while pushing the switch back retracts the blade back into the handle. The process feels so incredibly tactile and satisfying I wouldn’t be surprised if you never wanted to buy a different flipper knife ever again.

Drop Point Blade

Dagger Blade

Tanto Blade

With the A5 Spry Mini, you have 3 blade styles to choose from – a Dagger-style blade with dual edges, a conventional Drop-point blade that’s an industry standard, and a Tanto-style blade with a faceted edge. You can choose the blade type depending on what you predominantly use your EDC knives for. The dagger style is a great tactical option, the drop-point is arguably the most classic of the lot, and the tanto blade is conventional with a twist. The blade itself is crafted from premium S35VN steel, known for its robustness and edge-retention, and further coated with a titanium layer to make the blades even stronger than before.

Equipped with a tungsten steel ball glass breaker for maximum effectiveness in emergencies. The new design ensures quick, efficient glass shattering, providing reliable safety and accessibility when every second counts.

Forged with a premium S35VN steel and coated in titanium, the A5 Spry Mini blade offers unparalleled durability and edge retention, ensuring reliability and peak performance in any situation.

Move your eyes away from the blade and you see that the A5 Spry Mini’s body comes with a few more surprises, from an ambidextrous pocket clip that can attach itself to either the left or right side of the blade depending on your dominant hand. The rear has one last flourish in the form of a tungsten steel glass breaker that lets you strike at even reinforced or laminated glass (like the ones on cars), causing it to shatter at the point of impact. Absolutely ideal to have in the glove box of your car or even on your person, the A5 Spry Mini is one of those miniature miracles that can be quite a life-saver whether it’s escaping emergencies, surviving tactical or self-defense situations, or just using a folding knife for mundane activities like opening parcels, cutting fruits/veggies, or scraping flint to start a fire. Don’t worry, the mundane won’t feel that way for long given how much hands-on fun Tekto’s OTF mechanism is!

Click Here to Buy Now: $153 $179.99 (Use coupon code “Yanko15” to get $26.99 off). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

The post The Tekto A5 Spry Mini is a Tiny yet Mighty OTF Knife with a Tactical Demeanor first appeared on Yanko Design.