Transparency is quite literally all the rage, with brands like Sharge (previously known as Shargeek), Nothing, and even Beats by Dre adopting the style. Xiaomi seems to be boarding the same train too, with leaked images showing that the company is working on a massive 25,000mAh power bank powerful enough to charge your phone nearly 5 times from 0 to 100, or even charge your laptop twice. This new futuristic design features a transparent front panel, offering a glimpse of the internal charging circuitry. In fact, a lesser-known Xiaomi subsidiary by the name of CUKTECH has been selling similar transparent-themed power banks. Now under the Xiaomi brand label, this upcoming power bank (which was leaked on Chinese social media site Weibo by user @体验more) will likely see a more mainstream audience, going head to head with brands like Sharge, while also boasting fast charging capabilities.
Designer: Xiaomi
Both Xiaomi’s upcoming power bank and CUKTECH’s own 25,000mAh power bank share many similarities. They both offer a 25,000mAh capacity, a trio of USB ports (two USB-C and one USB-A), and a handy color display on the front panel. However, Xiaomi pulls ahead with a maximum fast-charging output of 212W, surpassing the CUKTECH one’s 210W limit.
Delving deeper into the specs, the leaked information reveals that the first USB-C port outputs a maximum of 140W, while the second offers 45W. The USB-A port isn’t left behind either, providing up to 120W of quick charging. With this versatility, the power bank can breathe life into a wide range of devices, including even a demanding laptop like the MacBook Pro 16.
Another noteworthy detail is the 90.08 Wh rating mentioned in the leaked pictures. This ensures the power bank complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations for safe air travel, which possibly means this won’t be just a China-specific release.
While there’s no official word on pricing or availability yet, the CUKTECH 20 power bank offers a possible reference point. Priced at $129.99 and available internationally, we can expect Xiaomi’s offering to be priced similarly and likely launch globally as well.
The average price of a hearing aid in the US is upwards of $2,000. The average price of a pair of TWS Earbuds, on the other hand, is $150. Doesn’t that sound a little wrong to you? It would be like pricing prescription spectacles at thousands of dollars but selling sunglasses for a mere hundred bucks. There’s a pretty sizeable gap in price between hearing aids and TWS earbuds, but functionally, the two of them share a major overlap… so the folks at Olive Union just decided to bridge the massive price gap by designing the Olive Air, a set of AI-powered OTC (over the counter) hearing aids that look fashionable, bring ANC to the hearing-disabled community, and are priced in the sub-$250 category so that you don’t go bankrupt just to be able to regain the power of hearing.
Styled to look exactly like a pair of TWS earbuds, the Olive Air shatters the notion that hearing aids need to look like medical devices. Instead of a design that often is associated with awkwardness and stigma, the Olive Air comes with a stylish aesthetic that makes them look like your average pair of earbuds. They’re designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and are classified as FDA Class II aids that can be sold over the counter. Wear them and select one of the AI-powered preset hearing modes to start using them for everything from hearing the world around you to having conversations, listening to music, or even taking calls from your smartphone.
Built-in microphones pick up the soundscape of your environment, and Olive Air processes the signal to create “anti noise” — an opposite soundwave that effectively cancels out the noise of your surroundings.
This design bridge between the hearing aid and the TWS Earbud isn’t just a visual one, it manifests in the Olive Air’s features too. The earbuds come with active noise cancelation that helps tune outside noise out so you can focus on your music and media. ANC is a staple feature in earbuds but is unheard of in hearing aids. The Olive Air’s ANC feature puts it in lock-step with current technologies and then goes beyond with the inclusion of AI presets. Olive Union’s custom My Olive app lets you access the hearing presets as well as tinker with your earpiece’s performance. Aside from simply adjusting the volume and EQ in each earpiece, the app’s AI-powered hearing modes allow the hearing aids to intuitively focus on certain sounds. A preset for Television focuses on directional audio coming from a TV or playback device, a Restaurant preset cuts out the chatter of everyone around you, and a Meeting Room preset accentuates the voices of active speakers.
AI supported hearing presets let you swap between different hearing settings to best match your environment. Plus, customize volume and specific frequency bands with Hearing EQ and Music EQ for a personalized listening journey.
This isn’t Olive Union’s first rodeo, the Olive Air is their third iteration of affordable, attractive, and accessible hearing aids. Founded in 2016, the company has focused on eliminating hearing aid stigma by designing hearing aids that are at par with consumer-grade earphones. To that end, the Olive Air comes with a slick design and an all-day battery life. Buttons on each earpiece help you manually adjust volume/gain, while the smartphone app gives you access to the ANC and AI presets, along with EQ adjustment. Setting up the hearing aids is a breeze too, and doesn’t require you to go to a hospital or medical professional. Once you’ve set the Olive Air up, it serves its triple purpose well, as aids to boost hearing, as hands-free earbuds for music/calls/videos, and as stylish earbuds that empower you rather than perpetuating the stigma around disability-friendly medical devices.
The Olive Air starts at a discounted $229, which includes the earbuds and charging case, 8 pairs of replaceable ear-tips (of different sizes, materials, and colors), a user manual, and a USB charging cable.
Multitool meets a la carte dining – say hello to ZEN, an EDC multitool that lets you choose which tools you want to have on you. Unlike a Swiss Knife or any other multitool where you don’t really get to choose which tools get included, ZEN focuses on versatility and customization. It comes with an ’empty’ holder that lets you add the tools of your choice, giving you a Swiss Knife that feels truly DIY. Carry the tools you need, and swap them out at any time if you find yourself wanting a change. You shouldn’t be stuck with a multitool that is only 30% usable because you don’t use or need 70% of the tools included in the design… right?
There’s a distinct appeal to ZEN’s a la carte approach. It gives you the freedom of being able to design your own EDC like you would a desktop. A lot like picking a motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage based on your choice, ZEN lets you add the tools of your choice to its open framework. The design offers 7 tools to choose from, and you can either add all of them to the ZEN’s holder, or stick to just the basics and keep the tools you find yourself using the most often.
The 7 tools that come with the ZEN cater to a variety of needs and requirements. You’ve got a bottle-opener, a rope cutter (which also works as a flathead screwdriver), a wood/metal file, an awl or pry-tool, a jagged toothed saw, a drop-point knife, and a screwdriver that lets you load hex-bits of your choice into its design. There’s probably never a time when you’re going to need all these tools at once, so you can choose exactly the tools you may end up requiring and carry just them instead of having a bulky heavy EDC on you all the time.
In fact, the creators of ZEN have even more tools in the works that you can buy as add-ons and attach them to your multitool. Available as separate accessories, you’ve got a ruler, comb, diamond file, scalpel blade, scissor, fish hook, bicycle spoke wrench, can opener, or box cutter, with many more tools in the works. Attaching them is as easy as hooking them into the ZEN, where they secure firmly until you need to remove them. You can build your own multitool to serve a precise scenario or series of scenarios – a camping-specific multitool would have a rope-cutter, knife, and bottle opener, while a tinkerer would require the bike spokes, screwdriver, file, and pry tool. The possibilities are as endless as your needs and requirements.
Using the ZEN is just about as simple as a Swiss Knife. The tools fold open when you need them, and slide shut into their holder when they’re done. The tools sit inside the holder in a stacked fashion, and the topmost tool can be opened with a single hand, which means it’s best to have the drop-point knife or the rope-cutter at the top, letting you singlehandedly flip it open like you would any EDC.
The ZEN’s holder or outer shell comes in one standard size that fits multiple tools inside it, but offers 3 different materials to choose from. The most obvious (and budget-friendly) is stainless steel, but right after that is G10 fiber, which most EDC enthusiasts will love for its grippy tactile feel. You can also opt for a titanium holder, which makes your ZEN virtually indestructible, although the tools on the inside are all 440C high-carbon stainless steel.
The ZEN is entirely CNC machined, from the holder down to the tools themselves. The entire multitool measures 3.54 inches in length when closed, and comes with a sturdy yet lightweight design (the weight depends on how many tools you add to your ZEN). Finally, a pocket clip on the side lets you attach your custom multitool to the lining of your pocket for easy access. The ZEN DIY Multitool ships globally and starts at $49 for the stainless steel variant, while the G10 and Titanium versions start at $55 and $69 respectively.
Sure, you may not be able to afford the real deal, but LEGO’s replica of the Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole ensures it’s as close to the original as possible. Detailed down to sheer perfection, this 1506-piece LEGO build comes with scissor doors, a massive rear spoiler, an openable hood, and a boot that you can lift up to see a proportionally accurate V12 engine inside the car. A detailed cockpit, deep-dish rims, expansive taillights, and a sleek rear spoiler all contribute to the car’s undeniable authenticity, making it a captivating display piece that will be a standout in any home or office. If Marcello Gandini were alive, he’d love this tiny brick-based homage.
Designer: LEGO
The 1,506-piece set meticulously captures the essence of the legendary 1980s supercar. From the sleek, wedge-shaped design to the signature scissor doors, every detail is faithfully recreated using LEGO bricks. The model boasts a wealth of realistic features, including a working steering wheel, opening trunk and hood, and a meticulously crafted V12 engine. Deep-dish rims, a large rear spoiler, and the instantly recognizable taillights complete the authentic look.
This LEGO Lamborghini Countach is more than just a display model. Builders can explore the intricate inner workings of the car thanks to the opening features. The detailed engine compartment allows for a closer look at the powerful V12 engine, a feat of engineering ingenuity replicated in LEGO form.
The finished model measures over 3.5 inches high, 13 inches long, and 6.5 inches wide, making it a substantial and impressive centerpiece for any home or office. The set also includes digital building instructions accessible through the LEGO Builder app, providing an interactive and alternative way to follow the construction process.
The LEGO V12 Engine is visible once you lift the trunk up
The LEGO Lamborghini Countach 5000 Quattrovalvole starts at $179.99, and is coming to the LEGO online store as well as everywhere else on the 4th of July this year.
With its retropunk fishtank design and a few design awards under its belt, the ADATA XPG Invader X immediately grabbed our fancy at Computex 2024. A cool-looking gaming PC chassis no doubt, the Invader X also scored major points for its ESG-compliant design that uses post-consumer recycled plastic to be cutting-edge yet sustainable. Crafted with eco-friendly materials, The XPG Invader X’s design minimizes waste by allowing for easy upgrades. Pre-installed, eco-friendly fans utilize innovative reverse spinning technology to prevent heat buildup, maximizing airflow and maintaining optimal system temperature.
Designer: ADATA
Beyond aesthetics, the Invader X boasts features to keep your high-performance system cool. It comes pre-installed with five ARGB fans, with three in the front for intake and two reverse-flow fans in the back for exhaust. This airflow configuration helps maintain optimal temperatures, making the Invader X suitable for overclocking enthusiasts.
The case supports radiators up to 360mm in both the side and top positions, which means it can accommodate even the most powerful liquid cooling setups. Additionally, it boasts ample space for graphics cards up to 400mm in length.
A unique feature of the Invader X is its compatibility with the new BTF motherboard standard. This standard positions motherboard connectors on the underside, contributing to the clean, uncluttered look and keeping cables hidden from view. For those using traditional motherboards, the Invader X offers ample space for cable management with pre-installed straps and strategically placed cutouts.
For those who prefer a vertical GPU presentation, the XPG Invader X includes a dedicated GPU holder and a high-quality 180mm PCIe Gen 4 riser cable.
No that isn’t the latest prop or collectible from the obscure film franchise Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark. It is, in fact, a high-end PC from the folks at Cooler Master. With a mission of wanting to build some of the world’s literally and slangily coolest PCs ever, Cooler Master’s latest showcases at Computex 2024 has us wondering if anything can be a PC (no, sometimes things are also cakes). The company brought out the Shark X and their sneaker-shaped PC designs, which should be available later this year. Standing at anywhere up to 3 feet tall, these PCs aren’t for making spreadsheets, they’re the sportscars of the PC world, designed to dominate both visually as well as in performance. Oh, and they cost upwards of $7000 as per sources, so maybe we’re better off relegated to more budget-friendly PCs, even though they may look boring.
Designer: Cooler Master
The Shark X is advertised as a “fully upgradeable” gaming PC. While the final specifications might change slightly, the current iteration boasts a powerful core: an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and an MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti graphics card. That’s paired with 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD for speedy storage. Cooling is handled by a Cooler Master MasterLiquid 120 ATMOS liquid cooler, ensuring the system stays frosty during intense gaming sessions. The power supply is a Cooler Master SFX 850W Gold PSU, providing ample wattage for the hardware.
The price tag? Brace yourself – the Shark X is expected to cost upwards of $7,000. Let’s be honest, at that price point, raw performance upgrades become secondary. The Shark X is for those who prioritize an unforgettable conversation starter and a unique centerpiece for their battle station.
The Shark X was also accompanied by the Sneaker X, a more footwear-enthusiast-focused PC that comes with unique panels, stickers, and even a suspension spring giving the PC an over-the-top futuristic look. Both the Shark X and Sneaker X made appearances at CES in 2023, although it seems like Cooler Master’s refining them to a point of an eventual sale.
Cooler Master debuted the Sneaker X in a red variant last year, but this year sees the addition of newer colors. Word on the CPU is vague (the pamphlet says “latest high-end CPU”), but the PC also packs ITX motherboards, and supports Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs. Cooling comes courtesy the Cooler Master PL360 FLUX 360mm AIO liquid CPU cooler. The Sneaker X also has a much more manageable price tag that starts at $3,500 as compared to the Shark X which is double the price. I can understand the appeal, though. A dynamic mecha shark leaping in mid-air does have more eye-catching appeal than a sneaker with suspension springs and a fan. You can’t deny that they’re both pretty gorgeous though…
Just months after its initial launch, MSI is showcasing the next version of its handheld gaming PC, the Claw, at Computex 2024. The new iteration, dubbed the Claw 8 AI+, boasts a complete hardware overhaul and aims to address the shortcomings of its predecessor. Although the design language remains arguably the same, the Claw 8 AI+ now comes with a gray body that helps highlight the controls better, a larger screen, and a much more comfortable ergonomic design.
MSI isn’t revealing the specific Lunar Lake CPU model powering the Claw 8 AI+, but it confirms the presence of this next-generation Intel chip. This is coupled with up to 32GB of speedy LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB SSD. The storage solution is an M.2 2280 SSD, mirroring the ASUS ROG Ally X, potentially allowing for easier upgrades in the future.
Designer: MSI
Beyond internals, the Claw 8 AI+ sports a redesigned chassis that appears more comfortable to hold compared to the original Claw. The device was kept under a glass display so we couldn’t get a handheld experience. It accommodates a larger 8-inch display, though the resolution remains 1080p with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Dual Thunderbolt ports are a welcome addition, offering versatility for connecting external displays or high-speed peripherals.
Battery life was a major pain point for the original Claw. MSI is rectifying this with a substantial leap in capacity for the 8 AI+. The new model boasts an 80-watt-hour battery, matching the ROG Ally X and offering a significant improvement over the original’s disappointing 53-watt-hour unit. This rapid turnaround from MSI highlights their determination to carve a space in the competitive handheld gaming market. They assure continued support for the original Claw with ongoing driver updates, including one released recently.
The success of the Claw 8 AI+ hinges heavily on the capabilities of the Lunar Lake CPU. Intel boasts a “radical low-power architecture” ideal for handheld devices, alongside improved integrated graphics powered by their Battlemage architecture. While details are scarce, the potential for efficient performance and impressive visuals is promising.
However, past experiences with the original Claw, hampered by the Meteor Lake CPU, serve as a cautionary tale. While other manufacturers opted for AMD processors, MSI’s choice limited performance. Here’s hoping the pairing of Lunar Lake and the Claw 8 AI+ proves fruitful.
Pricing details remain under wraps, but a September launch window is expected. While the final design might differ slightly from the prototype showcased at Computex, a potential price drop for the original Claw is also hinted at.
Jackets have had a reputation for being predominantly a winter/rain garment. However, the folks at Alpargali have designed a jacket that isn’t just made to be worn all around the year, but it also has enough storage to replace your backpack or sling bag. With an all-weather design that allows you to wear the jacket anywhere you go, and a whopping 14 pockets for everything from your keys to even a laptop, the Alpargali gives you the convenience of a waterproof/windproof jacket that looks slick, and distributes all your belongings so effectively, you can carry an entire backpack worth of stuff without the bulk or shoulder-strain of a backpack.
There are two distinct parts to the Alpargali’s design – its build, and its functionality. On the build front, the Alpargali looks like your classic outdoor windbreaker-style jacket, with a nylon exterior that keeps wind and water out. It’s simultaneously built to be durable yet comfortable – with 70D nylon on the outside and the inside that offers protection from the elements as well as gives the jacket abrasion resistance. The Alpargali also has a zip that extends upwards to become a windguard for your mouth, and an adjustable hood with clear windows on the side that let you have 180° vision on the sides. When it’s cold, the jacket’s built-in fingerless gloves keep you toasty, and when it’s hot, underarm vents let your body breathe by boosting ventilation inside the jacket. A reflective graphic on the back keeps you visible at night – pretty helpful considering the jacket’s all-black design, and built-in shoulder straps let you carry the jacket like a backpack when you don’t want to wear it.
The second, and arguably the part worth highlighting the most, is the Alpargali’s functionality. Armed with more pockets than you could imagine, the jacket doubles as storage for every single one of your belonging, practically turning them into EDC or everyday carry. It comes with pockets strategically located on both the inside as well as the outside of the garmet, giving you a place to store every conceivable thing you own, from a dedicated slot for your phone, to separate pockets for your keys, an RFID-blocking pocket for your payment cards, a tappable pocket for subway cards or access cards at work, a separate pocket for a camera, as well as another for a camera lens, a waterproof pocket for bottles or cans, and even a large pocket at the back for a tablet or even a small 13″ laptop. Overshadowing most jacket pockets by 7x, the Alpargali is basically a backpack built into a jacket. Your belongings get spaced out across your body, keeping the jacket looking slim, and you don’t feel the weight on your shoulders either.
A jacket that doubles as a backpack comes with a heavy list of responsibilities, which means there’s a high emphasis on quality. The Alpargali is made from 70D nylon, which can resist 18,000 abrasion cycles, while still being waterproof and breathable. The jacket is made from 92 panels of fabric (it’s all those pockets), assembled together using 40,000 stitches. The nylon fabric as well as the jacket’s cut offer incredible freedom of movement, so you never feel restricted. 13 waterproof YKK zippers protect you as well as your belongings, and with a moisture vapor transmission rate of 15,000g/m²/24h, the jacket’s fabric does a remarkable job of keeping water out no matter how bad the weather. It may stop water, but it lets vapor pass through, so your body’s sweat makes it out of the jacket, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Given that backpacks really don’t have a season, the Alpargali was also made to be an all-weather jacket. Of course it works well in the rain and the cold, but the jacket’s just as well suited for spring too, with underarm flaps that boost breathability and ventilation. If you ever feel like taking your jacket off in the summers, the Alpargali comes with backpack-inspired straps that let you wear the jacket on your shoulders, so you can shed the jacket in the heat while still carrying it on you.
The Alpargali Jacket starts at a discounted $149, which is quite a steal considering you’re getting a jacket AND a backpack for that amount. It comes in 5 different sizes, ranging from S to 2XL, ships worldwide, and for just $30 more, you can upgrade to the Adventure combo that includes a functional 6-pocket sling bag along with the jacket.
No, they aren’t the Nothing Headphones we’ve been waiting for all this while… but they are pretty spectacular-looking. Meet the Mondo Headphones by Defunc, a pair of over-ear cans with wireless audio and beefy sound that boast a gorgeous transparent body design. Equipped with clear covers on the left and right, the Mondo Headphones are yet another example of the rise in transparency in design. Whether it’s Nothing launching transparent phones and TWS earbuds, or even Beats making a see-through version of their StudioBuds +, it seems like there’s a rise in companies being more transparent with their consumers… literally. The Mondo Headphones come with a design that bares all, allowing you to see the circuitry, drivers, microphones, and batteries underneath the hood. The headphones come with dual-drivers and dual-mics, Bluetooth 5.2, and Environmental Noise Canceling. Plus, a highly affordable price tag of sub-$150 makes them almost a no-brainer to add to your tech gear collection.
The Mondo’s design language feels very reminiscent of Nothing x Apple. The headphones themselves are styled with the air of the AirPods Max, boasting metal stems, and comfortably rounded earpieces that cushion you in your own audiosphere. The headphones fold flat too, making them ideal for traveling with, but don’t expect an Apple-style carrying case with these. (Which may as well be a good thing given how unappealing the AirPods Max case is)
The over-ear headphones come with a dual-driver design, delivering balanced full-range audio. Each earpiece is equipped with a 1.6″ and a 0.4″ driver, delivering a respectable frequency range of 20 Hz – 20 kHz for punchy lows, rich mids, and crisp highs. Dual mic arrays also ensure the headphones have great ENC or environmental noise cancellation, allowing you to listen to music, make calls, or even record voice notes with minimal interference from the world around you.
The headphones boast Bluetooth 5.2, offering quick and reliable pairing, and come with a battery that offers 45 hours of constant playback on a full charge – a feature that’s further enhanced by how comfortable the over-ear plus earcups are to wear for long periods of time. The Mondo has 430 hours of standby time, so your battery doesn’t drain too much when not in use (take that, AirPods Max), and a USB-C port lets you charge your headphones from 0-100 in 2 hours.
The Mondo headphones weigh just 9 ounces, undercutting most brands like Microsoft, Sony, Sonos, and Apple which range anywhere from 11 to 13 ounces. The price is a pretty compelling factor too, with a $144.9 tag for a pair of plush headphones with ENC. On the other hand, you do have controls for volume on the Mondo, and there’s a palpable lack of a dedicated button for your phone’s Voice AI like Siri on the AirPods Max. That shouldn’t be a deterrent though, for the budget range. The Mondo Headphones also ship with a USB-C charging cable and a coiled 1/8-inch audio cord for versatile listening options.
A rising tide lifts all boats, they say… and it seems like the AI tide is finally coming to help smaller creators harness the power of new technologies. The Raspberry Pi Foundation just unveiled their latest AI Kit that works with the Pi 5, bringing AI capabilities to hundreds of thousands of creators using the tiny computers to build their own hobby projects or even retail products. The versatile single-board computer has seen seismic growth since it was first introduced in 2012, more than a decade ago. As trends go, Raspberry Pi has also ensured its computers stay relevant, introducing features, capabilities, and modules that keep it on the cutting-edge of budget computer-building.
Developed in collaboration with Hailo, a leader in AI acceleration technology, the Raspberry Pi AI Kit is all about empowering users to build intelligent applications directly on their Raspberry Pi. Imagine creating real-time AI vision applications – object detection, facial recognition, pose estimation, and more – without relying on cloud processing.
At the heart of the AI Kit lies the Hailo-8L AI accelerator module. This tiny powerhouse boasts a whopping 13 tera-operations per second (TOPS) of inferencing performance. That translates to real-time processing of complex AI tasks, with minimal power consumption – perfect for battery-powered projects or those seeking eco-friendly solutions.
One of the biggest challenges in AI development can be the complex software integration between cameras and AI frameworks. The Raspberry Pi team has addressed this head-on by simplifying the process. Their rpicam-apps suite now features a post-processing template specifically designed for integrating AI inferencing within the camera pipeline. With the pre-installed Hailo Tappas libraries, crafting advanced AI applications becomes achievable with just a few hundred lines of C++ code.
The Raspberry Pi AI Kit isn’t limited to rpicam-apps. The kit also includes an API that integrates with the GStreamer framework, allowing you to run inference on pre-recorded videos or build custom Python or C/C++ applications. This opens doors for a wider range of AI projects beyond camera-based solutions.
Installing the AI Kit software is a breeze. With just a few package installations through apt and a reboot, you’ll be ready to explore the exciting world of on-device AI within minutes. Their comprehensive getting started guide walks you through the entire process. The Raspberry Pi AI Kit is priced at $70, allowing all creators to tinker with artificial intelligence, building new products and helping grow the small creator community in lock-step with global innovation.
