Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

Level Up Your Mechanical Keyboard: Yu-Gi-Oh! Artisan Keycaps Unleash Iconic Duel Characters

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Dueling monsters and legendary spells come to life on your keyboard with the Yu-Gi-Oh! Artisan Keycaps by Eminent Crafts and Dwarf Factory. Each keycap is meticulously handcrafted and hand-painted, capturing the essence of these legendary figures. rafted in the versatile SA R1 profile and compatible with Cherry MX switches, they’re perfect for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who value both form and function. Each keycap is a visual masterpiece, created with exceptional attention to detail and finished with hand-painted artistry.

Encased in high-quality resin for durability and visual flair, these keycaps also allow for LED shine-through, enhancing their appeal in dynamic lighting setups. Whether you’re summoning nostalgic memories or personalizing your workspace, the collection—featuring the Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, and Blue Eyes White Dragon—adds a dash of personality to your keyboard. Priced at $64.99 each, these officially licensed keycaps are a treat for fans and collectors alike.

Designer: Eminent Crafts X Dwarf Factory

Dark Magician Keycap

The Dark Magician keycap channels the essence of Yu-Gi-Oh!’s most iconic sorcerer into a stunning, meticulously crafted design. Encased in crystal-clear resin, the figure is brought to life with flowing purple robes and a glowing staff, embodying the magician’s arcane allure. Hand-painted with precision, every detail—down to the sharp lines of the lightning strikes emerging from his scepter and the magical swirls of his attire—evokes a sense of motion and mystique. The vibrant colors and lifelike textures make this keycap a centerpiece for any mechanical keyboard setup.

More than just an aesthetic masterpiece, the Dark Magician keycap is engineered with functionality in mind. Crafted in the SA R1 profile, it offers a comfortable typing experience while fitting seamlessly onto Cherry MX switches and their clones. The resin casing doesn’t just protect the intricate design; it also enhances it, allowing LED backlighting to shine through, creating an ethereal glow reminiscent of the character’s magical power. It’s a seamless fusion of artistry and usability, ideal for fans and keyboard enthusiasts alike.

The Dark Magician keycap is a refined addition for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and collectors. Its high level of detail and compatibility make it an excellent choice for those who value both aesthetics and usability. By combining skilled craftsmanship with durable materials, it transforms any keyboard setup into a visually captivating workstation.

Dark Magician Girl Keycap

The Dark Magician Girl keycap radiates charm with its vibrant color palette and exquisite detail. Her signature pink-and-blue outfit is meticulously rendered, with every element—from her wide-brimmed hat to her magical staff—perfectly sculpted and hand-painted. Encased in transparent resin, the design is preserved against wear while allowing your keyboard’s lighting to bring her to life. This keycap effortlessly balances fun and nostalgia, making it a must-have for fans of this beloved character.

Like its counterparts, the Dark Magician Girl keycap is built for both beauty and functionality. Its SA R1 profile ensures compatibility with Cherry MX switches, while the durable resin makes it a lasting part of your keyboard collection. The keycap is ideal for those looking to add a playful yet iconic flair to their setup, bringing the magic of Yu-Gi-Oh! into everyday use.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon Keycap

The Blue Eyes White Dragon keycap is a showstopper, embodying the raw power and majesty of the franchise’s most iconic creature. The intricate sculpting captures every detail, from the beast’s sharp claws to its meticulously scaled body, while its piercing blue eyes dominate the design. Encased in clear resin, the keycap allows for LED shine-through, adding a dramatic lighting effect that mirrors the dragon’s legendary “White Lightning” attack.

Beyond its impressive aesthetics, this keycap is designed with functionality in mind. The SA R1 profile and Cherry MX compatibility make it suitable for a wide range of mechanical keyboards. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Kaiba’s favorite monster or simply appreciate intricate artisan craftsmanship, the Blue Eyes White Dragon keycap offers a striking blend of design and usability. It’s the ultimate statement piece for any keyboard setup, channeling the spirit of this legendary dueling monster.

The post Level Up Your Mechanical Keyboard: Yu-Gi-Oh! Artisan Keycaps Unleash Iconic Duel Characters first appeared on Yanko Design.

How Collaborative Tools are Revolutionizing the Design Pipeline: An Interview with KeyShot

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The journey of creating a product doesn’t end at design—it’s where it begins. KeyShot, a trusted name in product visualization and rendering, is evolving that journey with its innovative Product Design-to-Market Suite. Imagine a world where designers, developers, and marketers don’t work in silos but move together in perfect sync. That’s the vision KeyShot is bringing to life, and it’s already shaking up workflows for companies big and small.

We sat down with Garin Gardiner, Product Director of KeyShot Hub, to uncover how this suite is solving challenges designers didn’t even know had solutions. From effortless collaboration to smarter asset management, KeyShot isn’t just keeping up with the demands of the design world—it’s rewriting the rules. Dive into this conversation to explore how KeyShot is empowering creators to dream big and deliver faster.

Click Here to Download Now: The whitepaper for an in-depth look at how this new framework can transform your business.

Yanko Design: What specific areas in the product design process does KeyShot’s new Product Design-to-Market Suite address? How does this optimize a business’ workflow in ways that older versions of KeyShot didn’t?

Garin Gardiner: Our flagship product, KeyShot Studio, is primarily geared towards the individual designer. It was the first scientifically accurate rendering engine, now used in over two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, with thousands of customers around the world. We’ve always worked closely with our customers to keep Studio relevant to their needs, and over two decades of development, we learned about other significant needs related to the design process, team workflows and business logistics. We saw a huge opportunity to help – and to revolutionize the way products are brought to market.

We’re introducing a concept called Product Design-to-Market, which is a holistic strategy that connects the many departments involved in product creation and market delivery. You can think of it as bridging the product design and go-to-market processes. Instead of working in silos, we’re encouraging a smooth exchange of information and assets across design, development and marketing teams. The result is faster iteration, better alignment, and a seamless transition from first sketch to market delivery.

Of course, you need the right tools to make this vision a reality. Our Product Design-to-Market Suite, which includes KeyShot Studio, also provides comprehensive design team support in KeyShot Hub and connection to the management and distribution of marketing assets in KeyShot Dock.

Yanko Design: How have early adopters responded to KeyShot Hub’s collaboration capabilities, and can you share how it has improved their design process?

Garin Gardiner: It is amazing how nearly every customer we’ve talked to, when we ask them how they’re navigating team workflows, say they struggle managing a central repository for their team to find the core items they use frequently. When individuals can’t find what they’re looking for, they often create duplications, and there’s so much time wasted in that. Hub provides that central repository, so everyone has access to the current version of the file, meaning no duplications are necessary. Plus, changes to the file can automatically be tracked and you can easily revert back to a previous version.

Another favorite is the shared material library in Hub. Customers say being able to work from the same material library makes a huge difference. If a material gets modified, the entire team will automatically get the latest and greatest the next time they use a material. They are also able to tag it for easier searchability, so they aren’t creating duplicate materials, like they often do today.

Hub’s related assets feature is really resonating with customers. When you apply materials to a scene and save it to the Hub, you are able to see all those materials linked to the scene in the Hub for a quick CMF view of your scene.

Tagging is another feature customers appreciate. When saving a rendering to the Hub it will automatically attach tags – Model Sets, Camera, Studio, Environment, Image Style, Colorway, and Materials. These tags can then be used to search for renderings. Searches can be saved for later re-use by all members of the team. Our customers care a lot about their CMF – it’s a key aspect of what they do. They can also manually update tags if they prefer.

Customers are also loving the side-by-side comparison feature between versions. You can select two versions and real-time compare them using a dynamic slider; it’s really helpful to compare differences between versions, especially when the differences are in small details. Our customers create a lot of versions of the same rendering and being able to compare versions side-by-side is helpful.

These are all features that Hub users say address the team and workflow challenges they’re facing today. Ultimately, it’s all about saving time and enabling easy collaboration, so designers can focus on their craft rather than administrative tasks. And you can see how everything works in a full demo of Hub available on YouTube.

Yanko Design: What developments in other industries are providing inspiration for KeyShot as it paves the way forward with its new Product Design-to-Market Suite?

Garin Gardiner: There’s certainly movement toward breaking down silos and supporting cross-collaboration. We have seen how companies like Microsoft have enabled richer collaboration using the cloud through their Teams platform. We have also seen design tools like Fusion transform how their customers work with Fusion Team.

These developments were part of what inspired us to offer a purpose-built Product Design-to-Market Suite to better support our customers. Now KeyShot provides speedy and intuitive rendering, support for design team workflows, and support for marketing.

Yanko Design: We’re very excited about KeyShot Dock’s enhanced Digital Asset Management system! How do you envision it helping companies better organize and distribute their 3D assets across marketing and sales channels?

Garin Gardiner: Right now, marketing teams are typically responsible for generating their own images and animations, separate from product design. They budget for product visuals and often make them from scratch, spending time and money on photography and design work. But they could be saving time and money by repurposing the 3D renderings already produced by design teams, which make it easy to create an infinite amount of marketing-worthy product visuals. CAD models and KeyShot scenes can be stored in KeyShot Dock, providing a connection between marketing and product design and empowering marketing to use those assets across go-to-market channels.

Our customers tell us that 3D visuals are much more effective than 2D images or product photography; 3D visuals lead to higher conversions and lower return rates.

Customers can expect regular updates to Dock. Over time, we are looking to enable viewing 3D interactive files like GLBs and even the possibility of generating on-demand 3D viewables from CAD models like SolidWorks, STEP and more.

Yanko Design: How do you see technologies like AI and machine learning influencing the future of 3D rendering and Digital Asset Management, and will KeyShot incorporate these innovations?

Garin Gardiner: We’re considering how to incorporate AI into our tools in a way that adds value to users. While generative AI can provide impressive results in image generation, we still believe that accurate rendering – down to highly detailed materials and brand elements – will require physics-based rendering. However, we are analyzing how AI can help our customers achieve greater efficiency in their workflows or increase the speed and quality of rendering, through processes like sampling light rays used by rendering algorithms or denoising rendered images.

On the marketing side, AI has the potential to make it faster and easier for teams to generate 2D renderings as a replacement for physical photography. Imagine feeding AI with 100% accurate product data and using it to generate creative environments around accurate renderings.

These are all possibilities we’re looking at right now. AI has so much potential to provide creative and logistical support – it’s all about making the most of it.

Image Credits: Silvester Kössler

Click Here to Download Now: The whitepaper for an in-depth look at how this new framework can transform your business.

The post How Collaborative Tools are Revolutionizing the Design Pipeline: An Interview with KeyShot first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Compact E Ink Phone Promises to Simplify Your Digital Life

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This year’s been exhausting, hasn’t it?! Especially the last few weeks have been emotionally and mentally draining, and it isn’t just the news, but more specifically, it’s the information overload we’ve been subjected to. Even for a device small enough to fit in our pockets, the smartphone is capable of creating a lot of ‘noise’ in the form of news, texts, calls, notifications, ads, and a lot of data clutter that can overwhelm our brains. This data clutter and relentless bombardment of information is what led to the creation of the Mudita Kompakt, a phone that prioritizes mindful living over doomscrolling.

Created by the minds behind CD Projekt (think The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077), Mudita Kompakt reflects co-founder Michał Kiciński’s personal journey toward a more balanced life. After years in the gaming industry, where endless connection was the norm, he sought a solution to keep people both connected and grounded. That drive led to Mudita’s mission to design devices that encourage simplicity, privacy, and a conscious digital experience.

Designer: Mudita

Click Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.

The Mudita Kompakt keeps things refreshingly simple. Its 4.3-inch E Ink display is easy on the eyes and demands very little power. That’s right—this phone’s battery can last up to six days, which, in today’s daily-charging world, feels almost revolutionary. Inside, it packs a quad-core MediaTek processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage (expandable via memory card). Sure, these aren’t flagship specs, but that’s really not the point. It’s all about cutting the clutter and retaining only the things that ‘spark joy’ here. Mudita keeps it lean, pre-loading only the most basic apps like phone, SMS, a calculator, and a voice recorder—none of those attention-demanding apps or bloatware that love to ping you at all hours.

For a phone, the Mudita Kompakt offers dual-SIM capabilities, with 4G LTE compatibility. You can make and receive calls on either SIM and even make/receive VoLTE or Wi-Fi calls, offering connectivity without much of a compromise. Given its entire premise is to stay disconnected from the clutter of the internet, it clearly doesn’t come with 5G, but that’s more of a feature than a bug, truth be told. There’s even support for eSIMs, which is perfect for carriers that don’t traditionally offer SIM cards.

For a phone that strives to be different from the status quo, it still makes a conscious effort to retain features that are cutting-edge… only if they matter to Mudita’s overarching ethos. You may not have a flashy screen and 5G connectivity, but the Kompakt DOES come with a fingerprint sensor to unlock your phone, ensuring biometric-grade security feels reassuring. Surprisingly enough, the phone comes with NFC support too, allowing you to use existing NFC tags around the house, as well as ensuring future compatibility with NFC-ready apps that Mudita may introduce down the road.

What’s remarkable about the Kompakt is its genuine intent to keep users focused on the real world, not the screen. It features an Offline+ mode activated by a physical switch, cutting off cell networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and even disabling the mics and camera for a true offline experience. Think of it as Airplane Mode on steroids, with no features that cause you to linger on your phone for too long. You can read existing messages (you won’t receive new ones), browse through your gallery, or listen to music without any distractions. All these actions have heavy intent behind them, so you’re less likely to end up in a doomscrolling spiral.

Tailored for E Ink®

On the design front, the Mudita Kompakt feels compact, sturdy, and unassuming. It boasts an IP54 rating, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes, so it can hold up to daily wear without needing a bulky case. While it does include a modest 8MP camera, this isn’t about capturing every detail of your day—just the moments you truly want to remember. Photos get displayed in greyscale on your E Ink display, adding a rather retro touch to your photography chops. And for the rare occasion you need to recharge, it’s conveniently equipped with wireless charging and a USB-C port, keeping up with modern conveniences.

The Kompakt’s software is built on a custom OS based on the Android Open Source Project. The twist? There’s no Google lurking in the background, collecting data. Mudita promises three years of software updates to keep things smooth, even though this isn’t the kind of phone that’ll be weighed down by big updates. That’s another angle to the Kompakt’s appeal: minimal fuss, minimal distraction, and maximum control over what you interact with.

Of course, going minimalist does have its trade-offs. There’s no Google Play Store here, so you won’t find a wide selection of apps. Mudita provides basic offline maps, a music player, and a few utilities like a meditation timer, voice recorder, an e-reader, and even a chess app that promises you won’t find yourself getting bored. You can, however, sideload other Android apps, although compatibility isn’t guaranteed. For those of us used to feature-packed smartphones, adjusting to a stripped-down OS could be tricky. But that’s the appeal—it’s a purposeful move away from digital noise, offering just enough functionality to meet core needs without temptations. A true digital detox, if you will.

Another perk of the Kompakt is privacy. Since it doesn’t sync with most cloud services, your data stays on your device. Sure, it may feel a bit old-fashioned to manage contacts and files through Mudita’s desktop app, but for privacy-minded users, this setup grants peace of mind. It’s a minor detour to ditch the endless cloud syncs and data-hungry services tracking your every move. The Kompakt is available starting at $316 for early adopters, with a 14-day money-back guarantee just in case the Kompakt feels like too much of a culture shock. Mudita offers Global and North American versions of the Kompakt, so it’s compatible with networks worldwide. Just don’t expect it to work everywhere yet—currently, it’s only shipping to select countries in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Oh, and just in case you were wondering… it has a 3.5mm audio jack!

Click Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.

The post This Compact E Ink Phone Promises to Simplify Your Digital Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

For Me Buds: The Travel TWS Earbuds That Double as an AI-Powered Sleep Monitor

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The TWS Earbud market is absolutely flooded with products right now. Go to Amazon or even Temu and you won’t find hundreds of smart earbuds, you’ll find hundreds of thousands of them… all in the ‘Audio’ category. The “For Me Buds” are probably the only ones that would fit in a ‘Wellness’ category instead. Designed to be the first health-focused earbuds, the For Me Buds are perhaps the only sleep-monitoring earbuds on the market. They come from Sleepwave, a team of former LG engineers dedicated to developing a sleep-health-centric ecosystem of products.

The For Me Buds are a set of ANC earbuds designed for people who need help with fixing or optimizing their sleep schedule. The buds were predominantly designed for travelers, who often see the highest amount of sleep routine disruption over a day-to-day basis, but the earbuds are made for general light sleepers too. Aside from being worn during the day to listen to audio, the For Me Buds are designed to be worn while asleep too. Set up your sleep routine, put the buds in, and they perform real-time sleep monitoring.

Designer: Sleepwave

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 (45% off). Hurry, only 2334 units left! Raised over $173,000.

The buds analyze your sleep and provide personalized sound tailored to the user, while AI monitors sleep quality and adjusts performance in real-time. A built-in PPG sensor and motion sensor work in tandem to analyze heart rate and other health metrics, along with body movement during sleep. Unlike smartwatches that only perform sleep analysis, the For Me Buds analyze sleep stages in real-time and provide dynamic binaural beats tailored to each stage. Their unique design as in-ear earbuds offers the added advantage of delivering personalized sound to enhance sleep quality. Additionally, the companion app utilizes AI to analyze your sleep and provide feedback to help improve your sleep patterns.

Sleepwave’s patented DB Beats™(Dynamic Binaural Beats) technology delivers personalized sound. This technology synchronizes brainwaves by playing different frequencies in each ear that dynamically change over time. Its effectiveness has been clinically validated and published in the Oxford Sleep Journal. Beyond improving sleep quality, it also offers various modes tailored to users’ needs. For example, at night, the “Sleep Mode” helps users achieve their sleep goals, while during the day, the “Refresh Mode” supports relaxation or maintaining a focused state.

The comfort factor is a big deal here. The earbuds are designed to be so small and lightweight that they feel almost unnoticeable, especially when your ear is pressed against a pillow. Thanks to their sleep-friendly ergonomic design, they can be worn comfortably by users lying down or sleeping on their side. Additionally, the hybrid ANC effectively blocks out external noise, creating a serene and quiet environment, whether you’re on an airplane seat or in bed.

Speaking of regular TWS earbuds, the For Me Buds double as those too, helping with music and playback. Given that booming audio isn’t its primary focus, don’t expect an extra-pumped bass or high-decibel audio with the For Me Buds. The overall output offers a balanced soundstage that’s great for music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. rather than being a one-trick pony. The earbuds come with Bluetooth 5.3, which maintains a steady connection even if you’re shifting around in bed. Compatibility with both Android as well as iOS means everyone gets access to great audio and better sleep, regardless of their product ecosystem. IPx4 keeps the buds dry in most conditions, in case you’re a bit of a sweaty sleeper, or you choose to wear the buds during or after workouts.

The companion app lets you do more than just toggle the earbuds’ basic settings—it actually includes sleep-tracking capabilities that analyze your sleep duration and quality based on your listening patterns and other inputs. This isn’t medical-grade data, of course, but it does give a decent snapshot of your sleep trends and patterns over time. It’s a nice bonus for users who are interested in improving their sleep hygiene, as it provides some feedback without requiring a separate device like a smartwatch. And if sleep science isn’t your thing, the app still lets you customize your listening experience, from volume limits to noise calibration, to make sure the For Me Buds adapt to your specific environment.

The battery life is a crucial part of the sleep-friendly equation. Each charge lasts around ten hours, enough to cover a full night’s sleep for most users, with the charging case holding up to 5 additional charges to keep you covered. The math checks out well: you could use them every night for almost a week without needing to find an outlet, or alternatively, charge them just once during the day if you plan on using them for sleep as well as things like music, meetings, etc. A USB-C port helps the buds’ case to charge, or alternatively, support for wireless charging means you can place the case on any charging mat to juice up the battery.

Although the market for ‘sleep earbuds’ is incredibly niche, it isn’t what the For Me Buds is pitching. The For Me Buds is more of an earbud that does a better job at sleep monitoring than your smartwatch, making it a great hybrid device to have on you instead of earbuds AND a fitness bracelet. The earbuds are obviously great for travelers who find themselves taking frequent red-eye flights, or anyone who thinks great sleep requires a little more than just a sleep-monitoring watch or mattress. Besides, the future of earbuds is clearly more than just playing audio. With the inclusion of various sensors that help track heart activity, body temperature, and even brain activity by extension, the For Me Buds are the perfect blend of audio tech and health wearable.

The For Me Buds start at an affordable $99, which includes the buds and case. The companion app is free to use, offering AI features without any added cost or subscription. The For Me Buds ship globally in January 2025, and come with a 1-year warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $179 (45% off). Hurry, only 2334 units left! Raised over $173,000.

The post For Me Buds: The Travel TWS Earbuds That Double as an AI-Powered Sleep Monitor first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Grade 5 Titanium Knife Hides Two Extra Backup Blades for Unmatched Versatility

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I love it when an EDC knife goes beyond the standard template to throw in a few surprises. Whether it’s hiding a glass-breaker into its design or having a unique opening/closing mechanism, knives that don’t necessarily follow all the rules are a breath of fresh air. Take a look at the Ezsharp Titanium Knife and chances are it’ll look like just another ordinary knife with a scalpel blade mounted on the front. However, hit a switch on the handle and a cartridge pops out, revealing two MORE backup blades.

It isn’t often that you see a knife with extra blades hidden away in a secret chamber in the knife’s handle, but the Ezsharp does just that. Designed to be dangerously sharp, ruthlessly efficient, and relentless, the knife packs one main blade for cutting, slicing, shopping, or whittling… but just in case that blade isn’t enough to get the job done, you’ve got two more blades ready to be locked and loaded. Pretty cool, no?!

Designer: Backing Tech

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $120 (34% Off) Hurry! Only 39 units left.

At the heart of Ezsharp’s appeal is its blade—a surgical-grade scalpel capable of extraordinary precision. Whether you’re slicing through paper, fabric, or plastic, the knife performs with the accuracy of a craftsman’s tool. The compatibility with various scalpel blades (#10, #11, #12, and #15) adds versatility, allowing you to tailor the knife to the task at hand. And when the blade loses its edge, there’s no need for sharpening like you’d have to with most pocket knives. Just swap out the old blade with a new one from the built-in slot housing spare blades—a feature as practical as it is innovative.

The body of the knife comes machined from Grade 5 titanium, which is in itself a mark of good, durable EDC. This is a material chosen for its unique combination of strength and lightness. Weighing only 45 grams and measuring 3.15 inches, it feels feather-light in your pocket but doesn’t compromise on robustness. Titanium’s corrosion resistance and germproof properties mean this knife is built to last, no matter where life takes you. The CNC-machined design ensures a flawless finish, making the knife as much a statement piece as it is a utility tool. Its bead-blast grey finish exudes understated elegance, while its ergonomic contours provide a steady, comfortable grip for prolonged use.

Opening the Ezsharp is seamless and should come naturally to anyone who’s wielded a folding blade before. There’s a flipper that helps you quickly deploy the knife, alternatively, a finger groove in the handle lets you get your nail in and open the blade out – just like your standard Swiss Army knife. A sturdy frame lock ensures it stays securely in place during use, offering the confidence of a heavy-duty tool in a sleek, compact package. Even closing the knife is hassle-free; a gentle push of the locking bar lets you fold it away with ease.

The Ezsharp ditches the regular blade for a standard Scalpel blade and with good reason. Scalpel blades are notoriously sharp, are readily available, are extremely cheap, and come in a variety of shapes for different activities. Mount a scalpel blade on the Ezsharp and it’s a formidable cutting tool, capable of doing everything from opening boxes to whittling wood to even slashing through seatbelts and paracord. Scalpel blades come in a variety of designs, which means you can choose a profile/shape that suits your needs the best. As far as sharpness goes, they’re all dangerously capable, and are medical grade, which means you can use the knife for hunting and cooking too.

Instead of worrying about sharpening your dull blade, Ezsharp sidesteps that laborious process by allowing you to simply swap out an old blade for a new one. A simple press of a resilient tab unlocks the blade for swift removal or installation. No risk to your fingers, no frustration—just smooth, effortless efficiency. It’s easy, and actually reduces waste by allowing you to swap out just the thin blade rather than ditch an old knife for a new one (let’s face it, not everyone sits and sharpens their knife). The replaceable blade is also great for travel, but more on that later.

The Ezsharp’s most impressive feature remains the hidden slot to store extra blades. Discreetly integrated into the handle, it can store up to two additional blades, secured with powerful magnets. A simple button press releases the slot for quick access. This thoughtful addition ensures you’re always prepared, whether you’re tackling a creative project, embarking on an outdoor adventure, or simply handling day-to-day tasks. You can store the same blade type or diversify by keeping different blade designs which you can then interchange depending on what blade profile you need.

The detachable blade makes the Ezsharp perfect for travel too. Just ditch the blades and the knife is TSA-friendly and flight-ready. The blades can be stored separately in your check-in luggage (or bought at any hardware/medical store), making just the handle perfectly safe for any kind of travel. Carrying the knife around is fairly simple too, thanks to a pocket clip for traditional carrying, or a lanyard hole for strapping the Ezsharp to your backpack or even around your keychain.

Beyond its practical features, Ezsharp embraces design as an art form. Its titanium body offers opportunities for stunning finishes, from anodized colors to laser-engraved patterns. The exclusive Adventurer’s Edition, available only to Kickstarter backers, takes this artistry to the next level with unique textures and iridescent effects.

The Ezsharp starts at $79, which includes the titanium knife along with ten scalpel blades (#11 design). The colorful Adventurer edition starts at $86, if the idea of simple microtextured titanium doesn’t excite you. Although there’s no official warranty on the Ezsharp, its titanium construction should be more than capable of lasting decades with regular use. Just keep changing the blades and your Ezsharp should be as good as new every single time!

Click Here to Buy Now: $79 $120 (34% Off) Hurry! Only 39 units left.

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This Pocket Knife with a Vertical Sliding Blade is Breaking the Internet

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Designed merely as a prototype for TikTok, the Sliding Knife by Midgards Messer seems to have broken the EDC world by proposing something that’s equal parts ridiculous and intriguing. You see, when someone says “sliding knife”, chances are, you think of a switchblade or an OTF knife. What Midgards Messer’s knife does is something vastly more interesting. It’s your regular folding knife, but instead of having a standard pivot mechanism, it has a pivot-and-slide system. Open the blade out, and before you use it, slide it down to lock it in place. Why is it interesting, you ask? Well, it helps the knife achieve the power of a much bigger blade, while still being fairly tiny. Let me explain…

Designer: Midgards Messer

A big blade is usually better for heavy-duty tasks. It’s bulkier, adds more weight, and holds its shape without warping or bending. Think of an axe blade versus a sword – one of them is clearly surviving being used against a tree bark, right? Well, the bad thing with bigger blades is that they aren’t really portable. Try to incorporate a big blade into a small pocket knife isn’t easy. Making the blade big means the handle needs to fit the folding blade too – and a thicker handle isn’t easy to grip.

So the folks at Midgards Messer came up with a pretty cool-looking workaround. Keep the blade big and the handle small, but incorporate a sliding mechanism that allows the blade and handle’s spine to align while in use. The blade’s edge sits inside the handle when shut, with the rest of the blade peeking out. Open the blade and you notice that it sits at an offset, with the jimping being a little higher than expected. Push the blade down and it locks in place, creating the aesthetic of a fixed-blade knife with a larger, heavier front, while still being foldable and portable.

Although having a pivoting AND sliding mechanism isn’t ideal, this knife isn’t meant to be hyper-practical. It’s designed as a proof-of-concept and a prototype for a unique format that can be refined further. As far as this ‘Sliding Knife’ prototype goes, it’s fairly mid-sized, which means you’ve got an easy-to-grip handle (made presumably from metal), while the blade itself has a drop-point design that’s a lot ‘taller’ than your average folding knife. This makes it perfect for cutting, slicing, and piercing, but also holds up well to more heavy, sustained use.

Midgards Messer made this as a one-off prototype (which promptly sold out instantly on their website), but is open to taking reservations for future models it manufactures. The Sliding Knife starts at $349, which is pretty reasonable for something this game-changing, and even though I don’t recommend it as an everyday-use tool, it definitely belongs in the EDC collector showcase!

The post This Pocket Knife with a Vertical Sliding Blade is Breaking the Internet first appeared on Yanko Design.

The RGB Tube Clock Brings Nixie Nostalgia to a New Generation – Without the Fragility

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Here’s a clock that does more than keep time; the RGB Tube Clock merges vintage nostalgia with cutting-edge tech in a piece that’s part décor, part high-precision gadget. Inspired by the look of classic Nixie tubes, it mimics that retro display style but swaps out the fragile gas-filled tubes for a modern RGB spectrum. It’s a nod to mid-century tech with a fresh, colorful twist, offering the vibe of a Nixie clock without the maintenance.

The way the RGB Tube Clock works is by relying on the edge-lighting property of clear plastics like acrylic. The numbers are etched onto acrylic sheet, and as soon as a light is shone through the edge, the number glows brightly, almost as if it were illuminated. The clock has 6 channels, two for hours, minutes, and seconds, and each channel has 10 acrylic sheets stacked one behind another – one sheet for each number. The clock works by controlling which LEDs shine on which sheet, illuminating that individual number in a highly controlled fashion.

Designer: Breza

Click Here to Buy Now: $71.99 $89.99 (20% off, use coupon code “Yanko” at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Nixie tubes worked in a similar way, heating up wires that were shaped in individual numbers. However, while nixie tubes went out of fashion around the fall of the Soviet Union, they slowly became more of a historical relic (and an expensive one at that). This acrylic workaround feels like a hat-tip to that retro display technology, without any of the high power consumption, fragility, or expense. For those nostalgic for old-school Nixie aesthetics or new to the allure, the RGB Tube Clock brings an accessible version with plenty of flair.

If you’re wondering why a 24-hour clock has 10 acrylic sheets in its first channel (since it only goes up till 2), it’s because the RGB Tube Clock doubles as a stopwatch and timer too. If a timer is too tedious for you, the regular clock has an alarm function built-in, allowing you to place the RGB Tube Clock at your bedside and use it as both an alarm clock as well as an ambient night lamp. Thanks to the DS3231 clock chip—a high-precision piece of tech—it’s also reliably accurate, ensuring you stay on schedule down to the second. The clear interface means even these extra features are easy to navigate, whether you’re timing a workout or setting a reminder.

And here’s a fun touch: the clock includes a music spectrum display, so you can watch the lights dance along to your favorite tunes. It’s one of those features you didn’t know you needed until you see it in action, making it as much an interactive décor piece as a timekeeper. Plugging in with a simple USB DC 5V connection, setup is hassle-free—just plug, play, and let it enhance your space.

The clock comes with a fairly minimalist design, thanks to those transparent acrylic sheets that take away from the clock’s visual density. The entire gizmo measures just 10” x 1.8” x 2.75” making it small enough to sit on any tabletop surface. The clock weighs a little over a pound, runs off a USB cord, and can be configured using buttons on the side.

Whether you’re a retro-tech enthusiast or simply appreciate unique, stylish pieces, the RGB Tube Clock stands out. It combines the charm of Nixie tube nostalgia with all the convenience of modern RGB tech, reimagining what a clock can be in a way that’s visually stunning, interactive, and wonderfully functional.

Click Here to Buy Now: $71.99 $89.99 (20% off, use coupon code “Yanko” at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post The RGB Tube Clock Brings Nixie Nostalgia to a New Generation – Without the Fragility first appeared on Yanko Design.

iPhone 17 Pro Max Concept showcases a MAJOR change to the Camera Layout

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It’s been a while since the Pro line of the iPhone’s seen any significant change. In fact, the 14, 15, and 16 Pro all look fairly identical, with the same 3-lens camera bump at the back, and the dynamic island on the front. It’s time the iPhone 17 Pro showcased a new aesthetic, and this concept does that. The first-ever iPhone to have FOUR main cameras, this bad-boy locks horns with the Galaxy S24 Ultra in the photography department. As a result of this addition, the camera layout sees its biggest change in years (ever since the iPhone 11 Pro), hinting at a new era for the Apple smartphone’s Pro line.

Designer: ADR Studio

This iPhone 17 Pro Max concept comes from the mind of Antonio de Rosa, an established concept artist who’s worked on a few remarkable concepts before (like these Jobs-inspired AR glasses). Built around the rumor of an ‘iPhone Slim’ that made its way around this year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max ushers an age of ‘Thinnovation’, where the smart device offers a sleek, no-compromise experience.

Given it’s a part of the iPhone’s Pro line, the 17 Pro Max concept has a titanium frame (with a glass back that supports wireless charging). It comes in 5 colors, has USB-C charging (obviously), and measures a mere o.7 centimeters thick, even with the camera bump… making it venture into iPad Pro thinness territory.

The most notable change in this phone’s design comes in the form of its main camera layout. Deviating from the triple-lens-in-a-square-bump setup that the iPhone has religiously stuck to for years, this one feels… well, different. It’s asymmetric, which sort of feels like an absolute non-starter since Apple has a blood-bond with symmetry in their designs.

Regardless of that oversight, this camera setup includes a dual-lens array on the extreme left, followed by a 7X telephoto mammoth of a lens right beside it. Below that, lies a small Macro camera that powers the iPhone’s Super Macro vision, and the flashlight. Look a little carefully between the two left-hand cameras and you’ll see a LiDAR sensor hiding in plain sight too.

ADR Studio dubs the screen as the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s ‘Ultra Retina’ display, capable of better clarity and higher brightness than its predecessors. Although not fairly noticeable, the screen also comes with a much smaller dynamic island that houses all the FaceID tech and the front-facing camera in a 15% smaller piece of real estate.

The Action Button finds a place on the 17 Pro Max, following its announcement this year. ADR Studio envisions the camera will also have AI features built into it, following Apple’s rollout of Apple Intelligence this year. All this gets powered by the A19 Pro chip, designed to take Apple Intelligence to the next logical step.

ADR Studio’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is merely a concept for now (I’m not sure if we even have any credible rumors to work with this early), and chances are we’ll get a clearer picture just before WWDC next year. Personally, the phone seems wonderfully designed (that YouTube snippet is produced remarkably well, using AI image and video clips) and the feature quilt (below) detailed fairly well. It’s just the camera bump for me. Maybe a more symmetric bump would be much more in line with Apple’s design philosophy.

For now, we’re waiting for the new iPhone SE to drop. Rumor has it the phone will be announced sometime in January, probably with newer AirPods, HomePods, and hopefully an M4 MacBook Air. The iPhone SE will allegedly be the most affordable iPhone to have Apple Intelligence built in.

The post iPhone 17 Pro Max Concept showcases a MAJOR change to the Camera Layout first appeared on Yanko Design.

This quaint Indoor Wind Chime automatically rings by sensing outdoor wind speeds

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Wind chimes have a rather understated charm. They can have a very calming effect on you, helping keep anxiety and stress away – but what if you’re in an enclosed area? You couldn’t possibly have a wind-chime in a room that doesn’t receive any wind, right? Well, the folks at Fujitsu may have developed the first wind chime to work without wind…

Meet the LIIN, an indoor wind chime that works autonomously by sensing outdoor wind. Designed to work in enclosed environments or in spaces with not much cross-ventilation, the LIIN’s chime works on cue as soon as you switch it on. In fact, think of it as the audio version of a sun-lamp. A sun-lamp mimics the sun in rooms without sunlight – similarly, the LIIN mimics the auditory effects of a breeze, even when there isn’t any.

Designer: Fujitsu Limited

The chime works in tandem with an outdoor sensor that detects wind speeds. Switch the chime on and an internal clapper swings gently, ringing against the outer glass bell cover, creating a graceful, pleasant sound. The entire device works on an automated pendulum motion, which goes fast or slow depending on the wind speeds outside. This means you could sit in a cushy air-conditioned office but still enjoy the musical effects of the outdoor breeze!

A winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2024, the LIIN is Japanese minimalism at its finest. While most wind-chimes are inherently minimalist, this tabletop objet d’art really does have an understated charm. The wooden base sports a simple geometric form that shows off the wood grain wonderfully. Brass elements like the clapper and the switch/knob on front contrast wonderfully against the wood, and the glass bell gives the overall product a light, see-through aesthetic. I imagine the sound produced by the borosilicate glass is just as zen-inducing too!

The post This quaint Indoor Wind Chime automatically rings by sensing outdoor wind speeds first appeared on Yanko Design.

Unitree’s Pump MAX: The All-in-One Home Gym Engineered by Robotics Experts

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Whenever I visit any tech expo or fair, I swing by Unitree’s booth to take a look at their incredible robots. With their popular dog and humanoid bots that can do everything from sit to run, jump, wave, walk up/down stairs, and perform complex activities, Unitree’s robots are nothing short of futuristic. Under the hood, the robots run on a highly complex combination of motors, sensors, and algorithms that perfectly execute movements. So when Unitree decided to put these motors, sensors, and algorithms into a compact home gym, you best bet that it’s going to be state-of-the-art.

Although it sounds like an unlikely area for a robotics company like Unitree to venture into, its fitness division (named UnitreeFitness) is a perfect balance to its robotic endeavors. It helps the company fine-tune their hardware in the perfect stress-test environment – exercise. The PUMP MAX is UnitreeFitness’ way of condensing down an entire gym into a compact hub that attaches to a shapeshifting exercise frame. The advanced internal motor provides between 4 to 70 kilos of resistance with half-a-kilo increments, while multiple exercise modes let you work out targeting 90% of all your muscle groups… without spending thousands on a Peloton, or on gym memberships.

Designer: Unitree

Click Here to Buy Now: $499 $899 (44% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $439,000.

PUMP MAX redefines the modern workout experience by putting the gym right on your wall. Imagine having a sleek, multi-functional workout machine that adapts to every fitness goal without taking up half your room. PUMP MAX is compact yet powerful, packed with customizable features that make it your all-in-one home gym solution, ready to cater to beginners and experienced athletes alike.

At its core, PUMP MAX offers a workout experience tailored precisely to your needs. Whether you’re adjusting resistance in small increments or targeting specific muscle groups, this machine adapts effortlessly. Its high-speed motor provides weight adjustments in increments as precise as 0.5 kg, ranging from 4 kg up to 70 kg, so you’re covered for anything from a light burn to a serious strength session. This kind of precision, combined with an innovative design, makes PUMP MAX feel less like a machine and more like a personalized workout partner.

One of PUMP MAX’s standout features is its five distinct workout modes, each designed for a specific training focus. Standard mode brings a familiar gym feel, while concentric and eccentric modes fine-tune muscle engagement, focusing on either lifting or lowering phases of your reps. Constant mode keeps resistance steady, ideal for those looking to push endurance, and Chains mode provides variable resistance, which mimics chain-based weight training. These options mean that PUMP MAX is more than a simple weight system – it’s a high-tech, adaptable fitness experience that gives you the flexibility of an entire gym in one sleek setup.

You might be wondering if one machine can effectively replace traditional gym equipment. PUMP MAX does so by engaging nearly 90% of your body’s muscle groups in one cohesive setup. Thanks to a 2-meter rope and an internal gearbox with dual resistance levels, you get smooth, steady power no matter the weight setting, making exercises for chest, back, legs, and arms feel effortless in their consistency. Every movement, from light reps to heavier resistance exercises, feels fluid, almost as if guided by an invisible trainer who knows exactly how much push you need.

A remote control lets you adjust intensity, switch modes, and activate preset functions on the fly, minimizing interruptions and letting you focus fully on your workout. Plus, the PUMP MAX comes with emergency disengagement sensors built into the system, ensuring you’re protected from unintended movements or risky positions, allowing you to focus solely on your performance without the need for a spotter.

PUMP MAX also offers additional options that make it a truly versatile tool for any home gym setup. If you pair it with a gym bench, you’ve got a full-body workout station that tackles nearly every muscle group in your body. Rack modules are available for those who want seamless integration with their existing setups, making PUMP MAX adaptable to a variety of home gym layouts. It even transforms into a rowing machine, adding cardiovascular workouts into its repertoire, while an optional gym board provides a broader range of exercise positions for ultimate flexibility.

Battery life isn’t a concern, either. Pump Max’s detachable 96.2Wh battery supports over a week of regular use on a full charge, even during intense regimens. Capable of handling between 60,000 to 70,000 kg of training weight on a single charge, this power source combines efficiency with durability, so you’re never caught mid-session without the charge to finish.

And to top it all off, Pump Max connects with your smartphone, bringing app-enabled intelligence to your workout. Track your progress, access personalized programs, and join a thriving fitness community, all in one place. This network of insights and support ensures you’re part of a dynamic fitness ecosystem, where each session is backed by data-driven coaching and encouragement.

The entire PUMP MAX setup (no matter which bundle you opt for), is highly portable – which means it doesn’t eat into your living space the way most home gyms and exercise equipment do (we’re looking at you, Peloton). Setup is a breeze, and once you’re done, winding down takes mere minutes, allowing you to stow away your home gym so it doesn’t look like exercising is your entire personality. The machine adapts to your needs, ensuring you train every part of your body, helping build cardio, strength, and muscle… And not to foreshadow anything, think of it as Unitree’s way of getting you shredded so that when the robots come to take over humanity, you’ll be in fit fighting shape!

Click Here to Buy Now: $499 $899 (44% off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $439,000.

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