Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

MOFT’s new MagSafe iPhone Stand packs a Sleek Pen and Notepad for Jotting Ideas and Doodles

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For the people who think Artificial Intelligence is a bit of a gimmick, the MOFT Snap Flow helps you harness the power of Human Intelligence. Designed to attach to the back of your phone, the MOFT Snap Flow gives you the sleekest possible note-taking solution ever designed. While the company is best known for designing ‘invisible’ stands for phones and laptops, the Snap Flow takes the phone stand to another creative level. Sure, it props your iPhone up at an angle when you want hands-free viewing… but flip the Snap Flow open and you’re greeted with a tiny Post-It-sized notepad, a foldable pen, and a tiny folder for organizing your paperwork, to boost productivity and creativity anywhere. It’s analog beauty at its best, allowing you to quickly jot down ideas, take notes, make lists, capture verses, or make subway doodles – without an app, a screen, or the cloud. Just good old-fashioned ink and paper.

Designer: Julianna He, Founder of MOFT

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $49 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left! raised over $130,000.

Your smartphone can be an extremely noisy place, mentally and visually. You could get a call while you’re typing an email, an Instagram DM while working on a deck, or just get sidetracked by a flurry of notifications during a video call. Your phone is a multipurpose device, and when you’re trying to concentrate on a single task, that multipurpose nature goes from blessing to curse really fast. That’s where the notepad becomes a sanctuary. You can allow your mind to think without being distracted, since pen and paper don’t inundate you with messages and notifications. That’s what the MOFT Snap Flow hopes to provide – a personal space that lets you ditch digital distractions, and apps snooping on you or storing/stealing your personal information. The Snap Flow’s notepad gives you that slice of analog, but while being conveniently snapped against the back of your smart device. It’s slim, lightweight, and hey, it also works as a phone stand.

The design is sheer genius. The Snap Flow is like a mini notebook that sits on the back of your phone. Open it the way you would a book, and you’re greeted with blank papers (or as MOFT calls it, a ‘canvas’) on your left, an organizing folder system on your right, and a flat-packed pen. Lift the pen off its magnetic base and fold its three-panel design to go from flat to a grippy prism-shaped writing tool. You can now use the pen on the paper to write notes, capture ideas, make to-do lists, or just doodle away. Believe me, there’s something truly primal about ideating on paper with a pen that a digital notepad cannot compete with. It feels intuitive and allows you to feel more productive.

Once you’ve sketched on a canvas, tear it off and either mount it on the magnetic clipboard on the right side of the Snap Flow, or tuck it away in a hidden folder behind the clipboard for later. Effectively, you’re left with a miniature organizer that’s smaller than the size of your phone… and that isn’t including the fact that there’s a stand built into the design too.

Nobody does invisible stands better than MOFT, and the Snap Flow embraces that culture too. A flap on the bottom lets you open the Snap Flow’s stand, which lets you vertically rest your phone on any flat surface – or simply rotate the Snap Flow to have your phone rest horizontally. MOFT’s most user-loved feature gives your iPhone its very own kickstand that sits fairly flat against the phone’s back. Prop it up on a table without your phone and it becomes a miniature focus. Clever, eh?

The MOFT Snap Flow measures 7.56mm thick, and weighs a mere 62 grams. Aside from the stack of papers and that Invisible Pen, the Snap Flow has yet another slot for storing up to 2 payment cards, doubling as a wallet for good measure. Each Snap Flow is made from MOFT’s proprietary scratch-resistant MOVAS™ eco-friendly vegan leather. The Snap Flow comes in 4 color options ranging from subtle to eye-catching, and starts at just $39. The package includes the stand and pen, along with two sets of paper – one regular and one sticky. For non-iPhone users, there’s even a magnetic ring sticker included that turns any non-supported smartphone or case into a MagSafe one so you can securely attach your Snap Flow and take notes mindfully without any of that visual or mental clutter!

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $49 (20% off). Hurry, only a few left! raised over $130,000.

The post MOFT’s new MagSafe iPhone Stand packs a Sleek Pen and Notepad for Jotting Ideas and Doodles first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 WiFi Router Placement Tips for Perfect Internet Connectivity at Home

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Have you ever wondered why the WiFi signal in your home is strong in one room but weak in another? Or why sometimes your internet seems slower even though you’re paying for high-speed service? The culprit often lies not in the service itself but in the placement of your WiFi router. Think of your WiFi router as the heart of your home network system. Its location can either make or break the quality of your internet connection. Proper placement isn’t just about putting the router anywhere that’s convenient; it’s about strategically positioning it to maximize its effectiveness. In this article, we’ll explore five essential tips to help you place your router for the best possible WiFi coverage throughout your home.

1. Centralize Your Router

One of the simplest yet most effective tips is to place your router in the center of your home. The router ’emits’ connectivity through waves… so think of these waves as ripples – the further they travel, the weaker they get. The more they bounce off objects, the weaker they get. A video by a physicist above shows exactly how WiFi travels around in your home. If your router is placed at one end of the house, the signal has to travel a longer distance to reach the farthest rooms, leading to weaker coverage in those areas. By centralizing the router, you ensure a more even distribution of the signal, minimizing dead zones.

For example, if your home has multiple floors, consider placing the router on the main floor in a central location. This placement allows the signal to reach both the upper and lower floors more efficiently. Additionally, central placement can help reduce interference from walls and other obstructions that can weaken the signal. Remember, the goal is to give your WiFi signal the shortest, most direct path to all areas of your home.

2. Elevate the Router

Once you’ve found the central spot for your router, the next step is to elevate it. Placing your router on a high shelf or mounting it on the wall can make a significant difference in your WiFi coverage. WiFi signals tend to spread out and downward, so positioning the router higher up allows the signal to cover a larger area with fewer obstructions. Try to look around in offices, hotels, or at the airport and you’ll notice that WiFi routers are always wall or ceiling-mounted. There are a bunch of good reasons for this.

Think of it this way: if you place your router on the floor, the signal has to pass through furniture, appliances, and other objects that can absorb or deflect it, weakening the strength. By elevating the router, you reduce the number of obstacles the signal encounters, leading to better performance. Sniper mentality, in short! Additionally, mounting the router on the wall can help avoid interference from other electronic devices that are often found at ground level, such as TVs and gaming consoles.

3. Avoid Obstacles

Obstacles are one of the main enemies of a strong WiFi signal. Large metal objects, thick walls, and electronic devices can all interfere with your WiFi signal, causing it to weaken or drop entirely. When choosing a spot for your router, try to keep it away from such obstacles as much as possible.

For instance, placing your router next to a large metal refrigerator or inside a cabinet can severely impact its performance. Metal absorbs and reflects WiFi signals, causing significant signal loss. Similarly, thick walls, especially those made of concrete or brick, can block the signal from passing through. If your router has to transmit through several thick walls to reach certain rooms, you might experience weaker connectivity in those areas. To combat this, place your router in an open area, free from obstructions, and consider using WiFi extenders or mesh networks for larger homes.

4. Optimal Antenna Position

Many routers come with adjustable antennas, and how you position these antennas can impact your WiFi coverage. A common mistake is to leave the antennas pointing in the same direction. However, adjusting the antennas can help direct the signal more effectively.

For multi-floor homes, the best practice is to position one antenna vertically and one horizontally. The vertical antenna will help distribute the signal to the floors above and below, while the horizontal antenna ensures better coverage on the same floor. This configuration allows the signal to spread more uniformly throughout the home. In single-floor homes, positioning both antennas vertically can provide a wider range of coverage across the floor. Experiment with different angles and positions to find what works best for your specific home layout.

5. Limit Interference

Lastly, minimizing interference from other electronic devices is crucial for maintaining a strong WiFi signal. Many household devices operate on the same frequency as your WiFi router, leading to potential interference that can degrade your internet performance. Common culprits include microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices.

To limit interference, try to place your router away from these devices. If possible, avoid placing the router in the kitchen where appliances like microwaves can interfere with the signal. Additionally, consider using a dual-band or tri-band router, which can help separate your devices across different frequency bands, reducing the likelihood of interference. Dual-band routers operate on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, allowing you to allocate different devices to each band. For instance, you can reserve the 2.4 GHz band for devices that require longer range but can tolerate slower speeds, like smart home devices, and use the 5 GHz band for devices that need higher speeds and can be closer to the router, like laptops and gaming consoles.

Achieving optimal WiFi performance in your home isn’t just about having the latest router or the fastest internet plan; it’s about strategic placement and understanding how WiFi signals work. These tips come from a mix of technical knowledge and practical experience, and while every home is different, the principles remain the same. Implement these strategies and watch as your WiFi performance reaches new heights, providing you with the seamless connectivity you need in today’s connected world.

The post Top 5 WiFi Router Placement Tips for Perfect Internet Connectivity at Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Simple Sheet Metal Tool Rack lets you easily store and access Workshop Gear for DIY Projects

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It has the elegance of a minimalist laptop stand, with the ability to hold practically any DIY or compact workshop tool. Say hello to the Screwdriver Rack from Metalter. It’s made of a grand total of 3 metal plates, held together using four screws. It’s visually simple, yet acts as a nifty organizer for your cluttered workshop. With slots to place your screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, Allen keys, files, and all your other tinkering paraphernalia, Metalter’s Screwdriver Rack keeps your desk clean while you work on all your technical and small-scale DIY projects. If you love to solder, fix watches, build circuits, repair gadgets, or fiddle around with EDC and other tools… this $25 bad boy is perfect.

Designer: Metalter

Click Here to Buy Now

The rack features a slick, sheet metal design made from anodized aluminum (sort of the same as your MacBook). It’s classy, lightweight, and does the job well. Different cutouts on the rack allow you to dock different tools in, although nothing’s set in stone. You can use the rack exactly however you want, depending on how many tools you have. Separate them by category or frequency, the system is a whole lot better than having a cluttered drawer cabinet filled with your tools that you then have to fish through.

Featuring 50 cutouts for organized storage, this tool organizer boasts a convenient 45-degree angle for effortless access to your equipment, and a non-slip base that prevents the rack from moving around. The double-layered design keeps tools upright and separated, while the platform at the bottom provides additional storage for hardware. For even greater convenience, consider adding a magnetic strip to the bottom platform so that your screws and bolts don’t go rolling around while you work.

Click Here to Buy Now

The post Simple Sheet Metal Tool Rack lets you easily store and access Workshop Gear for DIY Projects first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wolverine-themed Xbox Controller with Claws pairs perfectly with its ‘Cheeky’ Deadpool counterpart

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Just last week, Microsoft announced a limited-edition Deadpool-themed Xbox controller with a bright red design and a less-than-conventional ergonomic design, if you know what I mean. Let’s just say that biblically accurate controller had curves in all the right places, and was exactly as hilariously audacious as its inspiration, the merc with a mouth. The biggest problem was that the controller was limited to just 2 units, which would be gifted to the winner of a Twitter (or X) competition… and the second biggest was that there wasn’t a Wolverine controller to match. However, 3D artists at Do3D have solutions for both of those problems.

Meet the unofficial Wolverine Xbox Controller, complete with a yellow body and even three Adamantium claws appearing outward from behind the controller. Designed to pair perfectly with its Deadpool counterpart, this controller actually comes as a set of 3D files you can buy and 3D print on your own.

Designer: Do3D

The Wolverine-themed controller augments the controller’s body in a similar way to its Deadpool counterpart. An attachment fixes to the back, providing a themed take on the handheld unit. In Deadpool’s case, it was a rather cheeky little attachment… however, Wolverine’s controller has his signature back-of-the-fist with three Adamantium claws emerging from within. The attachment is purely cosmetic, and doesn’t affect the grip or gameplay at all. The controller’s body, on the other hand, comes with a diamond plate-inspired texture, along with the wolverine whisker pattern on the front in black.

The controller isn’t available as is, but Do3D is selling detailed 3D files for those looking to print the parts. Once printed (and painted), you can simply disassemble the outer plastic housing of your existing Xbox controller and replace it with this one, provided the print is 100% accurate and without any errors or flaws. We recommend going for ABS, known for its durability… but a PLA filament should work just as well too. You may have to do some additional spray-painting work to make the controller look exactly as shown in the renders here.

The best part is that Do3D is even selling an unofficial version of Microsoft’s Deadpool controller, which you can similarly buy and 3D print. Both the Deadpool and Wolverine controllers can be used with or without their magnetic attachments, and while individual files cost $19, you can buy the combo for just $29 on Do3D’s website and print as many controllers as your heart desires.

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Top 5 iPad Pro Accessories to transform your Tablet into a Productivity Powerhouse

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The leap from M2 to M4 was Apple’s way of completely future-proofing the iPad against any sort of competition. The iPad Pro 2024 edition is easily the world’s most powerful tablet (and the thinnest one in its category too)… and every powerful superhero definitely needs a sidekick or companion right? We’ve put together a list of accessories that empower your iPad Pro physically, allowing you to do more with it, and be more secure with it. From productivity gizmos to protective gear, here are our 5 favorite accessories to pair with your 2024 iPad Pro.

1. Pitaka MagEZ Case 2

Pitaka’s MagEZ Case 2 coats your iPad in a protective layer like no other. The ultra-slim case comes made from aerospace-grade aramid fibers (like Kevlar) along with polyurethane, impact-proofing your iPad from all corners. The camera comes with a protective lip too, shielding the lenses from damage when you lay down your iPad Pro flat on a surface, or even if you drop your tablet. The beauty of the MagEZ Case 2 is how stunningly light it is, weighing a mere 78 grams or 2.5 ounces. The fibers on the back are put together using Pitaka’s Fusion Weaving technology, resulting in a gorgeous checkered design all along the back of your iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the exposed edge on the side lets you snap your Pencil Pro with ease… and here’s the kicker, the MagEZ Case 2 is compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard Folio, so you can snap the tablet onto the Magic Keyboard, case included.

Click Here to Buy Now: $66.50 $69.99 (Use coupon code “YD2024ipad” to get 5% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

2. HyperDrive USB Hub

Sometimes just a multiport hub isn’t enough – the HyperDrive packs buttons too. With 6 ports and 3 playback control buttons, the HyperDrive expands your iPad Pro’s capabilities in a way that most hubs couldn’t. Sure, it helps to have HDMI, USB, SD Card, and 3.5mm Aux input for your iPad Pro… but imagine being able to remotely play/pause or skip tracks/episodes through a USB-C hub. Three playback buttons on the HyperDrive unlock this possibility, allowing you to control playback without switching apps, dragging down the control center, or even touching the screen. You could be working on an important document with YouTube or Spotify playing in the background and the HyperDrive lets you play or pause music or even skip tracks while you work, without letting you skip a beat. Meanwhile, those 6 extra ports are perfect for turning your iPad Pro into a pro-grade workstation.

3. CUKTECH 10 Power Bank

Powerful enough to handle your iPad Pro’s (or even MacBook’s) charging requirements, the CUKTECH 10 is a 10,000mAh power bank that outputs a stunning 100W of power. A Xiaomi sub-brand, CUKTECH developed the CUKTECH 10 to be an all-in-one power bank small enough to fit in your laptop bag, but capable enough to juice even your tablet or laptop at fast-charging speeds. A USB-A and USB-C port let you charge up to 2 devices at the same time, while the 10,000mAh battery on the inside is enough to juice your iPad Pro to 100% at fast-charging speeds, doubling your tablet’s battery life while you’re working on a holiday, on a flight, or at a cafe. The CUKTECH 10’s sleek all-metal design stands shorter than your phone, and the entire power bank can literally fit in your pocket while traveling. Not to mention, a nifty TFT display on the power bank lets you know its battery percentage while also measuring the output of the power bank’s dual ports.

4. Pitaka MagEZ Folio 2

We’ve seen folio cases galore, but this particular one from Pitaka has a pretty clever design that allows you to prop up your iPad Pro in as many as 4 different angles. With a simple origami-inspired creased flap on the front, the MagEZ Folio 2 lets you quickly have your iPad standing at 62° in portrait mode, or 57°, 53°, or 34° in landscape mode. Like any good folio case, it protects your entire iPad Pro (screen included) from damage, while the flap on front has an auto-sleep/wake feature. Meanwhile, a separate magnetic flap on the side actually holds your Apple Pencil in place, preventing it from accidentally being knocked off the tablet. The MagEZ Folio 2 comes with a PU leather exterior, a microfiber interior (to safeguard your screen), and weighs a remarkable 240 grams or 8.4 ounces, making it lighter than 95% of folio case/stands on the market.

Click Here to Buy Now: $47.50 $49.99 (Use coupon code “YD2024ipad” to get 5% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

5. Twelve South HoverBar Duo

Designed to work with iPads and even Kindles, the HoverBar Duo is a tablet stand on steroids. It holds the iPad Pro in infinite positions, heights, and angles thanks to its two-arm adjustable design. You can lift your iPad up to face level for better viewing, or attach it to your bedside for hands-free movie-watching while you’re in bed. The HoverBar Duo gets its name from the fact that it can be desk-mounted or shelf-clamped. A weighted base lets you stand your iPad Pro on a table without the fear of having it topple over, and friction hinges on the arms let you adjust your iPad to pretty much any angle you need, giving you a display that’s exactly where you want it to be.

The post Top 5 iPad Pro Accessories to transform your Tablet into a Productivity Powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

From SpaceX to Your Closet: The Story of Vollebak’s Stainless Steel Blazer

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When you hear the words ‘stainless steel’, chances are you’re never going to think of fashion. Your mind will probably conjure up hundreds of products before it thinks of a ‘stainless steel’ blazer, but here’s where the folks at Vollebak love pushing the limits of imagination and invention. To them, cotton, linen, polyester – these materials are a little too basic for fashion. Vollebak’s created garments out of carbon fiber, kevlar, ceramics, ballistic nylon, even copper (known for its anti-bacterial properties at the height of the pandemic). So, while most of us usually think of utensils when we hear the phrase ‘stainless steel’, Vollebak’s designers are already 10 steps ahead, figuring out how to make clothes out of it. To that end, meet the world’s first (and probably only) Steel Blazer. Made from 24% stainless steel, this isn’t your grandfather’s tailored jacket; it’s a fusion of fashion and function, incorporating aerospace-grade stainless steel into a surprisingly lightweight and versatile design.

Designer: Vollebak

The key to the Steel Blazer’s innovation lies in its unique material composition. Unlike traditional blazers crafted from wool or cotton, this garment utilizes a blend of 76% polyamide and 24% stainless steel. This might seem counterintuitive – why would someone make a metal jacket, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable and heavy? However, Vollebak’s clever engineering ensures the opposite. The stainless steel fibers are woven into the polyamide in a way that maintains a comfortable weight and a surprisingly soft feel. The resulting fabric looks undeniably unique. It has a grunge aesthetic, caused by how the fabric creases and folds. These creases eventually end up becoming your blazer’s identity, giving the blazer an incredibly cool distressed look. “You’ll also feel a subtle grain under your fingers when you touch it – and these are the steel fibers you’ll be feeling”, say the folks at Vollebak.

However, the inclusion of stainless steel goes far beyond aesthetics. This space-faring material boasts exceptional properties that translate into real-world benefits for the wearer. Stainless steel is renowned for its remarkable strength. Early lab tests by Vollebak indicate that the Steel Blazer surpasses their previous copper-infused garments in tensile strength by a significant margin. This translates to a jacket that’s highly resistant to tears and abrasions, perfect for those who lead active lives or simply appreciate built-to-last clothing.

The benefits extend beyond strength. Stainless steel is naturally resistant to corrosion, which means the Steel Blazer is unlikely to succumb to rust, a common concern with some metal-infused clothing. Additionally, the material offers surprising weatherproofing capabilities. The outer layer of the jacket boasts a water-repellent finish, making it ideal for light rain or unexpected downpours. This versatility ensures the Steel Blazer can seamlessly transition between various weather conditions.

With steel fabric on the exterior, the blazer also features a soft and breathable inner lining that wicks away moisture and keeps the wearer comfortable throughout the day. The minimalist design prioritizes clean lines and a sleek aesthetic. The convertible collar allows for customization – wear it folded down for a relaxed look or fasten it up for a more formal presentation. Hidden metal snaps ensure a secure closure, while four strategically placed pockets provide ample storage space for everyday essentials.

The story behind the Steel Blazer’s development adds another layer of intrigue. Vollebak spent four years meticulously researching and refining the process of integrating stainless steel into wearable garments. Their inspiration came from an unlikely source – the SpaceX Starship, a behemoth of a rocket designed to propel humans towards deep space exploration. The outer shell of the Starship is constructed from stainless steel due to its ability to withstand the extreme temperatures of outer space. Vollebak recognized the potential of this material and embarked on a journey to translate its properties into a revolutionary piece of clothing.

The post From SpaceX to Your Closet: The Story of Vollebak’s Stainless Steel Blazer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Modular Coffee Machine lets you vertically add an Ice Maker and Cup Washer to your Brewer

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It’s sort of reminiscent of how some homes stack washing machines and dryers one above another… but imagine that scaled down ever so slightly and dedicated to your coffee. Meet UOCO, a modular all-in-one coffee machine that does just more than brew you a stellar cup. Designed to even resemble the washing machine with its clean, boxy aesthetic, the UOCO is a stackable appliance that lets you add extra modules to your coffee maker. Sure, its central feature is the coffee machine itself, but the UOCO also features an ice-maker, and a cup-washer that attach to the coffee machine, giving you an all-in-one vertical station for making ice lattes, and then washing your glass/cup after!

Designer: Yui Jo

Designed by Yui Jo, a student at the Hongik University in Seoul, UOCO is much more than your tabletop coffee maker. In fact, it isn’t a tabletop appliance at all. Large enough to be a floor-standing gizmo, the UOCO is significantly larger than your Keurig or Nespresso maker… but it’s also thrice as efficient.

The UOCO features three distinct modules that stack one on top of the other, connecting through a central port that supplies power to all three gadgets. Right at the top is an ice-maker, which delivers perfect ice cubes to go into your iced coffee. At the center is a pod-based coffee extractor that works just like your Keurig and Nespresso machines. Place your cup inside, add a pod to the tray, and press a button to watch fresh coffee percolate and pour right into your drinking vessel… with or without ice. Once you’re done enjoying your beverage, the cup/mug goes into the third, lowermost vessel – the cup washer. Working like a scaled-down dishwasher, it rinses your cup with hot water, cleaning it inside out and drying it for your next round of caffeine.

Scaled-down design prototype

It seems odd that Yui Jo didn’t opt for more coffee-adjacent modules like a roaster or grinder… but that’s the beauty of UOCO’s open framework. You can add modules as you go, and the UOCO can easily feature a non-pod-based coffee machine option with roasting and grinding capabilities too. Ultimately, the aesthetic is really what matters here. It’s clean, industrial-looking, and adds quite a touch of modernity to your home. You can even opt for colored modules, creating a nice color-blocking totem that goes with your decor.

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The Tiny DWARF 3 Smart Telescope Can Track Stars, Capture The Milky Way with Gigapixel Resolution

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For centuries, telescopes have been the gateway to the cosmos, allowing us to peer into the vast expanse of space and unravel its secrets. However, traditional telescopes often come with drawbacks – their bulky size and complex setups can be intimidating for beginners and hinder portability for outdoor adventures. Moreover, aside from their complicated nature, telescopes were just downright unaffordable to the masses… but technology always endeavors to make innovation accessible to everyone. Enter the DWARF 3, a revolutionary smart telescope that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, making astronomy and nature observation more accessible than ever before.

Designer: DwarfLab Team

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The name DWARF 3 isn’t without reason, as it breaks from the norm of what we expect from a telescope. The name comes from its dwarfed design, which condenses the massive linear telescopes into something the size of a dictionary or novel – and it does so by borrowing a trick from smartphone camera designs. The DWARF 3 boasts a unique periscopic design, a leap forward from its successful predecessor, DWARF II (which raised over $870,000 on Kickstarter). Unlike traditional telescopes with a straight light path, DWARF 3 utilizes a prism to fold the light path, resulting in a remarkably compact and portable form factor. This innovative design allows the telescope to fit comfortably in a backpack, making it the perfect companion for stargazing trips, camping adventures, or even spontaneous backyard astronomy sessions. Despite its compact size, DWARF 3 packs a powerful punch when it comes to optical capabilities, quite like a smartphone’s camera does. By bending light in a different way that doesn’t need a massively long tubular structure, the DWARF 3 achieves telescope-grade zooming but in a small package.

Portable Design

DWARF 3 brings you a state of the art upgrade: in optics, sensors, and more processing power.

That isn’t all the DWARF 3 borrows from smartphones – touted as a smart telescope, it’s designed to be entirely automatic and can remotely be controlled by a user. Whether for astronomy or nature photography, DWARF 3 is ready in minutes via a smartphone app, letting you capture the world around you in a bunch of ways. The DWARF 3 features a dual-camera system, catering to both wide-field observation and detailed target magnification. The wide-angle camera lets you preview shots before the telephoto camera allows you to zoom in on subjects, but also has the unique distinction of being wide enough to capture the entire Milky Way within one frame. An Astro Mosaic mode also lets the DWARF 3 capture and stitch together incredibly detailed panoramic views of the sky so you can zoom in on stars. The EQ mode, combined with the star-tracking feature, allows the camera to automatically correct for the Earth’s rotation and follow specific cosmic objects, eliminating the need to manually reset the camera’s aim. You can even set schedules, so the DWARF 3 kicks in at the right time to begin capturing the star you’ve set your eye on.

DWARF 3 also includes a better view and even better photos!

The true star of the DWARF 3’s optical system is the telephoto lens. A 150mm lens that actually has an equivalent focal length of 737mm, this lens brings distant celestial objects into sharp focus, inviting you to explore the cosmos with unprecedented detail, from the subtle textures of nebulae to the captivating lunar phases. But DWARF 3 isn’t just for astronomy enthusiasts. Nature photographers will find this telephoto lens invaluable. With its wireless control capabilities, DWARF 3 allows you to capture stunning wildlife images from a safe distance, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals in their natural habitat. Whether it’s a majestic hawk soaring high above or a shy deer peeking out from a thicket, DWARF 3 helps you capture those fleeting moments of nature’s beauty in exceptional detail.

DWARFLAB App leads you to stunning shots on a single click. Designed with beginners in mind, the one-click shooting feature streamlines the process, ensuring effortless photography. At the same time, for advanced users, manual adjustments are still open for your precise control over every aspect of the shot.

DWARF 3 goes beyond simply providing magnified views. To elevate the user experience, it boasts a suite of intelligent features powered by cutting-edge technology. The autofocusing functionality utilizes a built-in step motor, ensuring crisp and clear images at all magnifications. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments, allowing you to focus on enjoying the view. For deep sky objects (DSOs), DWARF 3 employs a sophisticated object tracking system that leverages the power of deep learning to automatically track your target object. Simply select your target on the intuitive DWARF App, and the telescope will keep it in focus, even as it moves across the sky. AI-powered post-processing also allows the DWARF 3 to automatically reduce or remove noise from pictures (often a problem with low-light photography) while preserving celestial details, ensuring clarity and texture even when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.

With the built-in Sky Atlas and top pick target suggestions, you can quickly identify worthy objects for observation and effortlessly begin your night sky imaging journey without any hesitation.

The DWARFLAB App serves as the central hub for controlling your DWARF 3 telescope. This user-friendly app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices, connects seamlessly to your telescope via Wi-Fi. Through the app, you can access a range of features, from basic camera control settings, image/video settings, and even time-lapse photography options. You can browse a virtual map of the sky and tell the DWARF 3 what to point at, and just in case you’re a noob like me, the app has its own recommended tab that tells you what cosmic bodies to watch out for, from nebulae to galaxies, stars, and even the Moon or Milky Way. The intuitive interface makes DWARF 3 accessible to users of all experience levels, allowing beginners to dive headfirst into the wonders of astronomy and experienced observers to unlock new levels of exploration. The app also lets you download images from the DWARF 3 onto your device, be it a phone or a tablet. There’s support for popular formats like JPEG and PNG, but the DWARF 3 can also capture FITS and TIFF formats (essential for preserving detail in those massive panorama photos).

Milky Way

On just a hardware and software level, the DWARF 3 packs quite a lot for a $469 telescope. Although catered towards both serious stargazers and hobbyists, the DWARF 3’s specs are solid. A 150mm telephoto lens (equivalent of 737mm) and a 6.7mm wide angle lens (equivalent of 45mm) offer the DWARF 3 a massive FOV range. A Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor captures precise imagery across a variety of shooting modes including regular photo, astro, burst, and time-lapse, along with videos at 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps. For the image processing functions, the telescope has an NPU capable of 5 TOPS of processing power (an upgrade from the 2 TOPS on the DWARF II model). A 128GB eMMC comes included with the DWARF 3 for storing photos, and a whopping 10,000mAh built-in battery lets the telescope work for long hours, capturing massive panoramas or long-duration star trails. All this fits into a device that weighs 1.3 kilograms, works automatically, and outperforms most pro-grade camera setups that are 10 times the cost.

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The post The Tiny DWARF 3 Smart Telescope Can Track Stars, Capture The Milky Way with Gigapixel Resolution first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Steampunk Perpetual Marble Machine feels like the Ultimate Desk Accessory for LEGO Enthusiasts

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Building it is just half the experience… Once it’s assembled, JMBricklayer’s Steampunk Marble Run works as a perpetual machine of sorts, creating a dynamic mechanical toy that’s always running on your desk. A rollercoaster for marbles, this over-5300-piece marvel offers a closed-loop design featuring interweaving paths, flamethrowers, dinosaurs, and nuclear reactors… all made from bricks of course. The entire structure measures a whopping 24.8 inches tall, and runs on two motors powered by a battery module. A perfect desktop toy for LEGO and other brick enthusiasts, puzzle geeks, pinball nerds, gamers, steampunk-lovers, and just fun YouTubers who like to have an interesting toy in the background of their vlogs, the Steampunk Marble Run’s $158 price tag makes it a no-brainer for people looking for a challenge.

Designer: JMBricklayer

Click Here to Buy Now: $158 $189.99 (18% off) Hurry! Only 26 hours left! Raised over $116,000.

This isn’t your dad’s LEGO set. It’s rated extremely difficult, with over 5,391 pieces that come together over days of painstaking work. The result, however, is beyond glorious. The entire set looks like something out of a mad scientist’s playroom. The GBC(Great Ball Contraption) features multiple paths and a randomizer that sends marbles on unique journeys. The balls roll down these dizzying routes, overshadowing any Hot Wheels track you could have ever built in your life, and make their way to the bottom of the contraption. A lift then carries them back up to the top, where the entire process repeats itself… with different results every time.

The entire Steampunk Marble Run set is the visual representation of a sensory overload. It’s so incredibly detailed you end up discovering new things every time you observe it from a different angle. The 2-foot-tall structure has industrial equipment, prehistoric monsters, chemical tanks and nuclear reactors, flamethrowers, two different kinds of lifts, and just random rails/paths connecting them all together into a symphony of sheer chaos.

The way the Great Ball Contraption is visually complicated, but theoretically simple. A battery module powers the entire set, delivering juice to the two lifts that carry the marbles up, and the stairways that also help move the marbles around. However, once the marbles hit the tracks, gravity and randomness kick in. Multiple tracks allow your marble to take a unique path of its own, and objects and obstacles on the journey help the marbles change their paths midway. For example, the T-Rex model at the center plays a role in moving marbles around. Its spine has a two-way switch that allows marbles to go either left or right, and the flamethrower emerging from its mouth also nudges balls into different routes, pushing them down a funnel that diverts them thanks to the same two-way switch.

Although JMBricklayer’s set doesn’t use official bricks from ‘that one famous plastic brick company’, it’s designed to be compatible with them… so if the 5,391-brick megastructure doesn’t feel detailed enough, you can actually add more to it and customize it in different ways. With that many pieces and an ‘extreme’ difficulty rating, the entire set should take days or weeks to put together depending on how proficient you are. There’s a detailed guide that comes with your kit, which should definitely make things easier… but don’t expect it to be as simple as putting together an IKEA sofa set.

Other details add to the Steampunk Marble Run’s gloriously otherworldly design. The color palette is overwhelmingly grunge-inspired, evoking an almost Mad Max style. Meanwhile, you’ve got a combination of industrial machinery, pipes, girders, chains, flamethrowers, Gatling guns, chemical tanks, nuclear reactors, and two dinosaurs dominating the design. The kit comes with a battery pack that lets you input 6 AA batteries to run the entire experience. The battery pack powers two motors that control various aspects of the marble run, and the entire set includes 10 marbles as a part of the experience… although you can absolutely add a few more of your own.

One of the Motors

The Battery Module

The entire kit is an experience to be had. It measures 22×21 inches in length and width, with a 24.8-inch vertical that has allows the kit to look positively monstrous. The complete gizmo also weighs a staggering 15.4 lbs (or a whopping 7 kilos), so it’s best if you placed it away from overtly curious/enthusiastic pets and children. The set starts at $189.99, although JMBricklayer is offering early backers an 18% discount, bringing the full kit to $158 excluding shipping. Grab yours now and the Steampunk Marble Run ships starting August 2024.

Grab yours now $189.99 (18% off) Hurry! Only 26 hours left! Raised over $116,000.

The post This Steampunk Perpetual Marble Machine feels like the Ultimate Desk Accessory for LEGO Enthusiasts first appeared on Yanko Design.

Extreme EDC: This rugged Titanium Hatchet is your Best Friend for Outdoor and Tactical Scenarios

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Sure, it’s no Thor’s Stormbreaker, but the HYZER’s handy size and reliable design make it a perfect part of your outdoor or camping EDC. With a highly customizable design that lets you choose the axe head thickness, handle length, and even the color of the grip, the HYZER can be personalized to your liking, whether you need something hefty for felling short trees, or just a light, sharp, maneuverable axe to skin hunted animals and defend yourself in a skirmish.

Designer: Exceed Designs

It isn’t often you see hatchets made from titanium. The material, known for its enduring nature, is often seen in smaller EDCs that need strength in a compact form factor. Hatchets, by definition, are large instruments, and can rely on brute force to make their impact. However, the HYZER’s choice of being machined from solid 6AL-4V GR5 titanium sets it apart in a bunch of ways. For starters, the material allows the axe to be a lot lighter and thinner than its steel counterparts. The HYZER features a skeletonized handle that shifts all the weight to the blade on top, allowing you to swing with force. The head, however, comes fashioned from D2 steel, known for its reliability and edge-retention. Heavier than titanium, it shifts the weight to the top which makes the hatchet more efficient.

The HYZER comes with a few potential modifications that allow you to personalize your EDC. You’ve got a choice between short and long handle lengths, with the option of either going with the skeletonized handle, or opting for a woven handle that offers a significantly better grip. Similarly, the axe head comes in three weight classes too – a lightweight variant that weighs 6.77 ounces, a medium variant that weighs 7.44 ounces, and the heaviest variant that weighs 8.88 ounces. The heads attach to the handle using four countersunk screws to maintain the HYZER’s flush, sleek design, and can easily be replaced or customized depending on your need.

So what would you really need a titanium hatchet for? Well, the HYZER is best suited for adventure and tactical situations. Whether it’s braving the elements in the outdoors, or just old-fashioned survival, the HYZER is quite the sidekick for the job. Depending on your handle, the HYZER Measures either 8.15″ or 9.75″ long, weighing 12.3 or 13.8 ounces. Storing the HYZER is easy thanks to the option of an add-on sheath. Maker ‘Exceed Designs’ offers a classic sheath made from genuine Horween leather, or a molded sheath made from Kydex with an included adjustable belt clip (shown above).

Aside from the various spec customizations, the HYZER also has a few color variants to choose from. The handle comes with a choice between stonewashed, grey, or black PVD finish, while the axe head has four colors to choose from, ranging from stonewashed to two shades of grey, and finally the PVD black variant. If you choose to have your handle wrapped in paracord, there are 8 color options you can choose from, ranging from vibrant to covert.

The HYZER Ti Hatchet starts at $170, with different attachments/modifications being available for an add-on cost. Each hatchet is assembled in USA and comes with a lifetime warranty. The HYZER is limited to just a 500-unit run, so if you’re interested in grabbing one for yourself, head to the Exceed Designs website and snag yourself a hatchet before it’s all gone!

The post Extreme EDC: This rugged Titanium Hatchet is your Best Friend for Outdoor and Tactical Scenarios first appeared on Yanko Design.