Author Archives: Sarang Sheth

Ugreen’s NASync at CES 2024: Redefining Smart Storage with AI and User-Centric Design

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At CES 2024, Ugreen has made a significant statement in the world of data storage by introducing its new NASync series. This foray marks Ugreen’s expansion beyond its traditional scope of charging and accessories into the realm of Network Attached Storage (NAS), doing so with a flair for innovation and user engagement. The NASync device also targets regular consumers (rather than the enterprise-specific tech users that usually rely on network-attached storage) – this shift comes with its distinct benefits, as Ugreen highlighted in their keynote, talking about how the NASync could now become the iCloud or Google Drive alternative that you don’t have to pay monthly subscriptions for… or the Netflix or Disney Plus streaming service that lets you play movies/media you own on any connected device anywhere.

Designer: Ugreen

The collaboration with Intel is a cornerstone of the NASync series, empowering these devices with Intel® processors. This partnership brings together Ugreen’s expertise in HDD and SSD solutions and Intel’s robust capabilities in cloud computing and PC components, creating a product that stands out for its technical excellence and user-friendly approach.

The integration of AI is a key highlight of the NASync series. This is a core component that transforms the NASync into an intelligent hub for digital activities. The AI in these devices is designed to adapt to user behaviors, streamlining tasks and offering personalized experiences. The NASync device can automatically read text within an image or a document, allowing you to then search for text WITHIN a file (like finding all invoices with a certain client’s name). Ugreen’s Hernan Lopez also demonstrated the ability to create visual tags, with the AI autonomously learning what different objects (or even faces) look like. For instance, you could create a tag for “Drone” and then visually search through your entire database for drone images, with the AI automatically understanding the visual archetype of a drone’s design. It all happens locally, allowing you to build your own Google Image Search right within the comforts of your own home.

Ugreen has also placed a significant emphasis on the design of the NASync, ensuring it is approachable for a wide range of users. The focus on a user-friendly interface, both in the hardware’s physical design and the software interaction, makes NASync an accessible yet powerful tool for anyone, regardless of their technical expertise. Easy hot-swappable drives allow users to add new HDDs or SSDs on demand, and if a drive fails, they can simply swap the old one out for a new one while still maintaining all their data on the NAS.

The NASync series stands as a powerful example of Ugreen’s commitment to blending high-tech features with ease of use. It’s a product that respects the user’s need for simplicity without compromising on performance – ideal for managing large data sets, running AI algorithms, or effortlessly streaming 8K video.

Ugreen’s entrance into the NAS market with the NASync series is reflective of the brand’s evolution and its commitment to being at the forefront of technology. This series is a bold demonstration of Ugreen’s ability to infuse cutting-edge technology into consumer-friendly products.

As we look at Ugreen’s new venture at CES 2024, it’s evident that the NASync series is more than a set of NAS devices; it’s a harbinger of how integrated and intelligent technology can become a seamless part of our daily lives. The NASync isn’t just about data storage; it represents a smarter, more intuitive way of interacting with our digital world.

The post Ugreen’s NASync at CES 2024: Redefining Smart Storage with AI and User-Centric Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Regular Phone Cases are Dead… These Phone Stands from TORRAS offer Ultimate Hands-free Ergonomics

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It’s 2024, and your phone case should do a LOT more than just protect your phone. The folks at TORRAS believe that too, which is why they’ve been spearheading the ‘phone stand’ movement since as early as 2018. In fact, even renowned global research firm Ipsos has ‘declared’ the phone stand as the next generation of phone cases… and after a 6-year headstart, they’ve labeled TORRAS as the global leader in this domain.

Even though the company has a wide product range, going all the way from phone accessories to neck-worn fans, the phone stand dominated the TORRAS showcase at CES this year (so much so that their booth had a massive phone stand on the front of it too, making it recognizable from a distance). The company launched two new stands this year – the simple yet delightful Lstand, and an improvement on their existing Ostand, now with a rotating ring (called the Ostand R). They also refreshed their neck-worn cooler line with the COOLiFY Cyber, which can now adjust its temperature based on your surroundings, making it the most advanced neck-worn ‘air-conditioner’ on the market!

Designer: TORRAS

Click Here to buy a TORRAS Phone Stand (20% Discount)

The Lstand on the left, and the Ostand R on the right.

The Ostand R is an impressive case given its abilities. For starters, the case has a ring on it that folds flat when not in use, but opens up into an angle-locking stand that can be used in landscape and vertical modes (or even as a ring to support your finger as you hold the phone). Moreover, it rotates on its hubless axis, giving you the ability to position the ring wherever you want, all while still managing to support the iPhone’s MagSafe and wireless charging features.

You also (obviously) get the benefits of a case, with a soft bumper frame around the sides and even the camera bump. The edges have an air cushion that gives your phone even more security from bumps or accidental drops. The frosted polycarbonate back is a great way to show off your phone’s color, while the Ostand R’s colors on the TPU rim and the metallic buttons complement your smartphone from top to bottom.

It isn’t easy building a phone case that has its own stand which rotates, while still maintaining a slim profile… but TORRAS lifted the veil on the Ostand R’s design to show the amount of research and innovation that goes into every detail. A specially designed hinge measures a mere 1.2mm (0.04 inches) thick, but can resist tens of thousands of folds, and can even hold its angle like a laptop hinge (while taking the weight of your phone). The hinge is also accompanied by a hubless rotating element that lets the ring orient however you want it to, giving you the kind of freedom you wouldn’t get with other cases.

A quick breakdown of the Ostand R shows all the innovation gone into its features and details

The Lstand, on the other hand, is for people who want a smooth case with nothing on the back. Research from TORRAS’ customer base showed that while the Ostand was a hot favorite, there were some who liked the appeal of the company’s older stands that were either built into the bottom of the phone, or the sides. To cater to these people, TORRAS built the Lstand, a stand case with a fold-out element around the camera lens. The robust ring adds an extra layer of beefed security to your iPhone camera, but pop it open and it transforms into a nifty stand to rest your phone on.

The two stands, while impressive, come backed by an Ipsos paper that puts Torras at the forefront of the upcoming phone stand trend. Ipsos mentions that the rise of digital nomads and of social media has prompted a lot of people to rely on their phone for staying connected, and entertained. Given that phones are now growing bigger, flatter, and heavier, it’s becoming more and more important to shift focus from merely ‘phone cases’ to phone stands that allow people to hold their phones better, and to rest them on surfaces for work, leisure, and everything in between. Phone cases aren’t going anywhere, because people inherently need to have protective accessories for their expensive smart-devices… but more than 52% of people mention that they want their phone cases to have a hands-free feature, while a staggering 59% mention the need to still maintain a minimalist sleek design. The Ostand R and Lstand (along with Torras’ other stands) maintain these considerations, resulting in smartphone accessories that don’t protect the phone… they enhance the phone’s experience too.

When asked about TORRAS, the Ipsos study revealed: “Through continuous innovation and research and development, TORRAS integrated upgraded protection and portability, restoring the design style of bare phones. At the same time, it pioneers a new design of phone case with the combination of kickstand and magnetic suction, which performs excellently and has won many international design awards, patented innovations, and industry honors, leading the development and progress of the kickstand and magnetic suction phone case products.” They added that “TORRAS is the next generation of phone cases.”

Click Here to take a look at the Ipsos study on the future of Phone Stands

The COOLiFY range also saw some changes with the Cyber, TORRAS’ latest neck wearable. Building on the existing line, the COOLiFY Cyber comes with a larger cooling plate and air ducts, creating a bigger impact. The air ducts blow wind (cold or hot) towards the neck and face, while the cooling plates rely on an electric current that passes through a semiconductor to rapidly cool down. With 3 speed settings to choose from, 3 heat/cool plates, and a total of 36 outlets, the COOLiFY Cyber is the equivalent of wearing an air conditioner on your neck.

The COOLiFY Cyber sports an incredibly slick design that can easily be worn around any neck thanks to its flexible horseshoe-shaped design. It’s made to be lightweight, it charges via USB-C, and from personal experience, it feels a lot like wearing an ice or heat pack around your neck – something you’ll probably appreciate in the harsh summers and winters. The neck’s unique location (near the face and connected to the spine) makes it a perfect spot for something like the COOLiFY Cyber, as its cooling/heating effect can be felt all over you (and not just your neck). The COOLiFY Cyber is slated to launch around March, which is when additional details like battery life and pricing will emerge.

TORRAS even partnered with the Dallas Maverick to create special Mavs-branded merchandise for them and their fans

Click Here to Buy a TORRAS COOLiFY Portable Air Conditioner (20% Off)

The post Regular Phone Cases are Dead… These Phone Stands from TORRAS offer Ultimate Hands-free Ergonomics first appeared on Yanko Design.

SHARGE Flow Mini Hands-On at CES 2024: A Tiny yet Mighty ‘Power Backpack’ for your Smartphone

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Power banks have a reputation for being bulky. Nobody really likes carrying them in their pockets given how large and heavy they can be, which often means most power banks spend all their time inside backpacks and purses. The Flow Mini, from Sharge (formerly Shargeek) has a different story to tell. It’s extremely handy, with a compact design that fits into pockets and even around your belt loop (should you choose) and a 5000mAh battery that’s enough to charge your phone. It also boasts a nifty transparent outer design that makes it the kind of power bank you wouldn’t mind flaunting to people around you. Measuring just about as wide as your smartphone, the Flow Mini practically ‘piggybacks’ onto your smartphone’s form factor, blending right into its design in ways that most power banks don’t.

Designer: SHARGE

Click Here to Buy Now

Over the years, Sharge has pretty much nailed its core design DNA, focusing on functionality combined with a unique design that uses transparency to help create curiosity and a feeling of being able to see products for what they are. Sharge’s products aren’t for mere masses, they’re more aimed at people with a distinct penchant for design and power-use, as seen with their Shargeek 170, a whopping prism-shaped 170W charger with a transparent design and an LCD screen that lets you accurately measure the power output delivered to each port (along with things like battery percentage and other data-points). The Flow Mini, albeit too small to have its own display, comes with a transparent outer housing and a cylindrical base that’s reminiscent of pencil batteries or a roll of camera film (if you’re from that generation).

Designed to plug right into the base of your phone, it comes with an integrated port that lets the power bank itself attach to your device. This makes things a lot easier because you don’t need to hunt for a charging cable to connect your phone and power bank. However, the Flow Mini DOES have a cable that doubles as a lanyard or loop-grip when not actively in use.

The Sharge Flow Mini comes equipped with a tiny yet mighty 5000mAh battery that’s more than enough to take your dead smartphone from 0 to 100, or to juice your battery multiple times in the day for that extra boost.

The tiny design blends right into your phone’s overall form factor, allowing you to hold/ use your phone even with the Flow Mini attached. Perfect for people who prefer not carrying around a 10,000mAh brick along with them everywhere.

Given the fact that the world is still divided by USB-C and Lightning users (and will be for at least the next 4-5 years), the Flow Mini offers the option to alternate between USB-C and Lightning variants. The battery unit stays the same between both designs, with the only change being the primary port on the front. However, Sharge lets you detach the primary port and swap between USB-C or Lightning variants. Meanwhile, a lanyard/loop cable sits on the side, letting you charge another device simultaneously, or charge the Flow Mini itself by directly plugging it into a power outlet.

Th Flow Mini is Sharge’s smallest charger, but its size shouldn’t be taken for granted. While Sharge does make larger, powerful, and more feature-rich charging banks for the tech-nerd and power-user, the Flow Mini is perfect for on-the-go battery. In fact, the folks at Sharge call it your phone’s second battery, because plug it in place and it sits flush against your device, adding power to it without adding all that extra bulk and weight!

Click Here to Buy Now

The post SHARGE Flow Mini Hands-On at CES 2024: A Tiny yet Mighty ‘Power Backpack’ for your Smartphone first appeared on Yanko Design.

We checked out The World’s First “Aroma Speaker” at CES 2024

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It projects audio as well as over 100 different unique scents. The creators, Aroma Join, say that developers can customize their own scents and use an SDK (scent development kit?) to create specific experiences that combine video with smell to make a much more immersive overall experience.

As I entered Showstoppers, I walked past the exhibitors, even past the food buffet (which didn’t have a smell, to be frank), but was stopped dead in my tracks when I smelled a distinct salted caramel scent coming from somewhere. I looked around and saw a sign that said “Digital Scent Technology” two meters away from me. At the booth sat two rather gorgeous glossy-red speakers, and a screen that displayed a looped video of different sceneries. The folks at Aroma Join were debuting their “Aroma Speaker 60” for the first time – a speaker capable of projecting both sound and scent up to distances of 6.5 feet.

Designer: AromaJoin

The metaverse, or at least its initial stages, has always focused on just three things – sight, sound, and touch. If you’re wondering why metaverse experiences (or spatial ones, for Apple lovers) aren’t highly immersive, it’s because your brain uses a combination of inputs from all your senses together. Leave out one or more, and the experience feels less believable… Designer Jinsop Lee has a very interesting TED Talk on this too. What the Aroma Speaker 60 does is plug that gap in a way. By shooting both audio as well as aromas, it subconsciously tricks your brain into believing what it sees. You’ll see a grassy field and feel more relaxed, even if you don’t know it. Or if you see food, your mind will make your tongue salivate.

Scent-firing devices have been around for a decade now, but if you listen to anyone who’s tried them, they’ll all tell you the same thing. The technology isn’t completely there yet. I stood alongside industry veteran Vincent Nguyen and his first reaction was “this isn’t like the stuff we’ve seen before”. The Aroma Speaker does a few things incredibly well. It hyper-targets an area and shoots scents really far (up to 6-7 feet). That’s enough to catch your attention even if you aren’t paying attention. The smells are distinct, powerful, and VERY dynamic… by which I mean when a scene on the TV or monitor chances, the old scent vanishes and a new scent appears almost instantly.

Although the technology is a bit of a black box (they won’t tell us how it works), it boils down to a set of aroma modules that sit in each individual speaker unit, totaling 10 modules in two speakers. Each module is equipped with 6 cartridges that have essential oils of some sort. The speaker (and the software on the laptop) use those 6 cartridges as the building blocks for scents, creating as many as 60 different distinct scents. Sure, the speakers fire audio too, but it’s the fragrances that really set it apart.

The folks at AromaJoin have figured out how to precisely blend these 6 base fragrances to create an entire gamut of aromas – both pleasant and unpleasant. The scented caramel aroma was almost too strong, but the floral aromas were wonderful, the speaker even generated a petrichor aroma as the laptop display showed an endless green field. The scene then switched to a polluted city and you could instantly smell the smoke. The fragrances weren’t a 100% exact (your mind can somewhat tell that they’re artificial), but they fell well within their ballpark.

AromaJoin isn’t currently selling these speakers but is using them as a proof of concept to lure developers and marketers into building out the ecosystem. They’ve got an open-source app and SDK that allows people to build scent profiles for their video content, and with time, hopefully, AromaJoin will have an entire library that then makes the Aroma Speaker 60 a much more lucrative buy. Until that happens, the company IS selling its VR accessory, the Aroma Shooter Wearable 3, a neck-worn device that works in tandem with headsets like the Meta Quest 3 to help make the metaverse more immersive and multisensory.

The post We checked out The World’s First “Aroma Speaker” at CES 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Moft Invisible Phone Tripod hands-on at CES 2024: A phone tripod as thin as two credit cards

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If there’s anything we’ve come to expect from Moft, it’s the ability to combine design and origami together to make some of the slimmest-yet-most-enduring stands for phones, tablets, and even laptops. Moft’s stands are so thin that they’re practically invisible… but fold them open and you’ve got something that’s so robust and functional it’s honestly surprising.

We came down to Moft’s stand at CES to check out their latest product – the Invisible Phone Stand. As ardent fans of the Moft Z (the world’s thinnest laptop stand) and the Moft X (a shape-shifting slim phone stand with a built-in wallet), we wanted to check out what else they were building, only to set eyes on the ‘Invisible Phone Tripod’ – a highly versatile and adjustable tripod that sits at a mere 0.27 inches thick when folded back into your phone.

Designer: Moft

Designed to be no thicker than two credit cards sandwiched together, the stand sits flat against the back of your phone. Open it up, however, and you’ve got yourself a perfectly stable tripod that can be angle-adjusted and even switched between landscape or portrait modes thanks to the inclusion of MagSafe. The secret lies entirely in a blend of origami-inspired design and some clever material choices and engineering to create a stand so seamless and so slim, it’s there when you need it, and invisible when you don’t.

One of the standout features of the MOFT tripod stand is its versatility, offering three distinct modes with adjustable angles. These include Floating Mode, which raises your phone to a height of 8 inches and offers various angles such as Video Call Angle, Showcase Angle, Theatre Angle, Browsing Angle, and Macro Photography Angle. Then there’s Stand Mode and Vlogging Mode, catering to different content creation and viewing needs.

The folding procedure takes just a few seconds

Despite its multifunctionality, the tripod stand boasts a compact design, measuring 3.82.50.27 inches and weighing just 2.9 oz. It’s crafted from MOVAS™ Vegan Leather, magnets, metal sheets, fiberglass, and PC, ensuring both durability and a premium feel​. The MOVAS™-E vegan leather used in the stand is designed to resist yellowing, boasting impressive UV and dirt resistance compared to regular leather. The material retains its vibrant color over time through a unique dyeing process, although it’s advised to avoid strong chemicals and to clean any stains immediately for optimal maintenance.

Its origami-inspired structure provides a stable triangular base, and it has been tested to support a weight of up to 17.6 oz, which is more than twice the weight of an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The hinge is made from manganese steel, which remains solid even after 5,000 open-close cycles, ensuring longevity. Paired with the MOVAS leather, the entire product is durable inside and out, and won’t show signs of ageing even with constant everyday use.

Priced at $39.99, this tripod stand is not only compatible with MagSafe for iPhone 12 and newer models but also offers universal compatibility for various phone models, including Android, through the inclusion of a MOFT Metal Ring. This ring is suitable for non-silicone cases made from PC, TPU, or aluminum, ensuring a wide range of devices can benefit from this accessory.

The post Moft Invisible Phone Tripod hands-on at CES 2024: A phone tripod as thin as two credit cards first appeared on Yanko Design.

Speck Tagimals hands-on at CES 2024: Adorable AirTag holders that attach to kids’ shoes!

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Part cute character, part serious parenting tool, Speck’s latest AirTag case may be a literal lifesaver.

Dubbed the Tagimals, these AirTag covers come with slots that let you strap them to kids’ shoes, letting parents keep tabs on the whereabouts of their young ones. Each Tagimal sports a unique character (with its own name), and houses a single AirTag within. It works with kids’ shoes as well as pet collars, going above and beyond what Apple envisioned for its mere ‘keys and wallet tracking device’.

Designer: Speck

The Tagimals (a portmanteau of Tag and Animal) come in four styles, each with their own animal character. Children can choose the animal they love the best and strap/secure them to their shoes, sort of like Crocs Charms. A wide slot allows parents to string the Tagimals onto laced shoes, slide them into velcro shoes, or even secure them around pet collars.

You’ve got four adorable creatures to choose from – ‘Milo’ the dog and ‘Mittens’ the cat make for the most obvious Tagimals, but you’ve even got whimsical creatures like ‘Blaze’ the dragon and, ‘Tink’ the unicorn for kids with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Attaching an AirTag to a Tagimal is as easy as pushing it in as the tag then secures within with a satisfying click. To remove the AirTag, simply press down on the silicone animal face and it forces the AirTag out, allowing you to replace it, or put the AirTag in a new character because maybe your kid feels like a dragon on some days and a cat on others!

The Tagimals come in a set of four, featuring the motley crew of animal characters. The kit starts at $34.95, which works out to be vastly cheaper than Apple’s own AirTag holder… while offering features that most parents and pet-owners will absolutely love!

The post Speck Tagimals hands-on at CES 2024: Adorable AirTag holders that attach to kids’ shoes! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Shiftcam Probe Lens hands-on at CES 2024: the WILDEST iPhone camera accessory ever, just $299

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Remember the $1,599 probe lens Laowa made for DSLRs? Well, Shiftcam built one for 1/5th the price… and it mounts onto your iPhone for the most surreal macro videos ever.

A probe lens for smartphones was definitely not on my 2024 bingo card, but it seems like Shiftcam had other plans. When Laowa launched the first probe lens in 2019, it instantly became the talk of the photography community. The lens had a distinct design, shaped less like a cylinder and more like a projectile. Its design was the perfect example of form following function, because the probe lens could shoot macro unlike any other lens on the market. The only problem, it cost an eye-watering $1,599.

At CES, Shiftcam’s broadly achieved two incredible feats. Not only has it debuted its own probe lens for an ultra-affordable $299, it’s also redesigned it to work with iPhones, bringing the incredible experience to pretty much any smartphone photography enthusiast.

Designer: Shiftcam

Shiftcam’s Probe Lens has that same unmistakable design, with its long, tubular form factor. This pretty much lets you sneak your way into places where most smartphone camera lenses wouldn’t, allowing you to get what’s called a ‘bug’s perspective’ on things. Aside from being able to prod your way into tree trunks, aquariums, and other tight nooks, the distinct benefit of a Probe Lens is the fact that it doesn’t have an extreme DoF. This keeps things in your frame relatively clear, unlike most macro lens that aggressively blur foregrounds and backgrounds out to focus on a singular subject.

The Probe Lens boasts a wide-angle 25mm focal length, quite similar to Laowa’s 24mm lens. The results are incredibly similar too, but it’s a constant endeavor to remind yourself that while Laowa’s $1500 lens fits on expensive high-end cameras, Shiftcam achieves the exact same thing with a $299 price tag and the ability to mount onto any iPhone.

The lens builds on your smartphone’s camera specs, basically leveraging the iPhone’s wild 4K@60fps shooting ability. It relies on Shiftcam’s existing mounting cover cases, which means the lens can attach onto older versions of the iPhone too.

Shiftcam’s announced two versions of the Probe Lens at CES 2024. The regular variant sports a $299 price tag, while the $399 Pro variant boasts extra features like a built-in LED ring, variable DoF adjustment, and a waterproof front tube that lets you point the tip of your lens into water.

The post Shiftcam Probe Lens hands-on at CES 2024: the WILDEST iPhone camera accessory ever, just $299 first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Minimally Elegant ‘mui Board’ IoT dashboard gets upgraded at CES 2024 with Matter and ChatGPT support

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At first glance, the mui Board Gen 2 appears to be nothing more than a simple wooden plank, designed to be mounted on a wall. However, this unassuming piece of timber transforms into a touch-sensitive interface for controlling various aspects of a smart home. Imagine adjusting your lighting, curtains, thermostat, and even your speakers with a simple tap on this wooden surface.

Now in its second generation after a successful run on Kickstarter back in 2022, the designers behind your smart home’s most minimally elegant accessory are back with round two. The mui Board Gen 2, which made its simultaneous debut at CES 2024 as well as Kickstarter, now comes with a few upgrades which include support for the Matter protocol, as well as integration with ChatGPT for a more innovative and intuitive smart home experience.

Designer: mui Lab

The second-generation Mui Board integrates the new Matter networking protocol, significantly broadening its compatibility with smart devices from tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon. This integration promises easy connectivity and enhances the Mui Board’s appeal as a universal smart home control hub​.

Additionally, the Gen 2 also gets ChatGPT integration via APIs, allowing you to interact naturally with your Mui Board to create schedules, task lists, and even ask questions and get answers on the backlit wood interface.

When not in use, the Mui Board slips into sleep mode, reverting to its original wooden plank appearance. This feature underscores the company’s ethos of blending technology seamlessly into the home environment, making it a subtle yet powerful addition to any room. The Gen 2 continues to use real wood veneers to give the mui Board its unique natural appeal. While the company only showcased the mui Board in a single color, it’ll be available in ‘natural’ and ‘dark’ veneer options at the end of its Kickstarter campaign.

What truly sets the mui Board apart is its focus on “calm technology.” Japanese company mui Lab, the creators of the mui Board, aims to reduce distractions and information overload in our daily lives. By minimizing the presence of glaring screens and providing a more discreet way to interact with smart devices, they hope to maintain a balance between connectivity and tranquility at home.

The post The Minimally Elegant ‘mui Board’ IoT dashboard gets upgraded at CES 2024 with Matter and ChatGPT support first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lenovo Unveils Powerful Yoga and IdeaPad Laptops at CES 2024, along with its own Generative AI app

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New Year New Gear, as they all say… which holds especially true for tech enthusiasts as CES comes rolling in. Lenovo’s taking this opportunity to announce a series of devices that are set to redefine our interaction with personal technology. The spotlight this year is on the Yoga, Tab, and IdeaPad devices, each a testament to Lenovo’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and user-centric design. With the explosion of AI over the past year, Lenovo’s also shining a light on its own AI offering, the Yoga Creator Zone – a generative AI that comes built into its Yoga-series laptops running Microsoft Windows 11.

Designer: Lenovo

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16-inch Gen 9

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 14-inch Gen 9

Yoga Series: The Pinnacle of Premium Personal Computing

The Yoga series has long been synonymous with premium quality and cutting-edge technology, and the new additions continue this legacy with flair and function.

  • Yoga Pro 9i (16” 9): This laptop is a fusion of power and elegance. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU makes it a beast for high-end creative tasks, gaming, and AI applications. The PureSight Pro Mini-LED 3.2K screen isn’t just about stunning visuals; it’s about bringing your creative visions to life with impeccable clarity and color accuracy. The six-speaker system, with enhanced bass, transforms your laptop into an auditory theater, ensuring that every note and sound effect is heard with crystal clear precision. It’s not just a laptop; it’s an experience.
  • Yoga 9i 2-in-1 (14” 9): This device redefines versatility. As a 2-in-1, it easily switches between a high-performance laptop and a dynamic tablet, adapting to your needs on the fly. The PureSight OLED 2.8K screen offers visuals that are as vivid as they are smooth, perfect for professional-grade design work or enjoying your favorite media. Coupled with the rotating soundbar featuring Bowers & Wilkins speakers, the audio is just as immersive as the display. Add in the Lenovo Smart Pen, and you have a tool that’s ready for whatever creative task you throw at it.
  • Yoga Slim 7i: This model is the epitome of sleek, portable computing. It’s designed for those who are always on the move, offering a balance between performance and portability. With advanced Intel processors and an optional 4K display, the Slim 7i doesn’t compromise on power or visuals. It’s slim, it’s light, and it’s ready to accompany you wherever your work or creativity takes you.
  • Yoga Pro 7i: This laptop is a balance of performance and aesthetics. It’s built for those who demand top-tier functionality and a design that stands out. With its high-performance processors and stunning display options, the Yoga Pro 7i is ready for everything from intensive work sessions to movie marathons. And with its stylish design, it’s sure to turn heads wherever you go.
  • Yoga Pro 7: Designed for professionals who demand durability and performance, the Yoga Pro 7 comes equipped with features that make multitasking a breeze. Its robust build quality ensures it can handle the rigors of daily use, while its high-performance internals mean it’s ready to tackle any task. It’s a workhorse that doesn’t skimp on style or functionality.
  • Yoga Book 9i: This innovative device pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with a laptop. Featuring a unique dual-screen design, the Yoga Book 9i allows for unparalleled multitasking and creativity. Use it as a traditional laptop, or take advantage of the extra screen real estate for drawing, designing, or extending your workspace. It’s a glimpse into the future of personal computing, offering a new way to work and play.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i Gen 9

Yoga Creator Zone: AI Features for Lenovo’s Yoga lineup
In a groundbreaking shift, Lenovo’s latest array of Microsoft Windows 11 Yoga laptops come equipped with the Lenovo Yoga Creator Zone, an AI text-to-image software exclusively designed for creators, artists, and anyone eager to leverage the simplicity and privacy of generative AI. Positioned as a catalyst for creativity, the Lenovo Yoga Creator Zone simplifies the process of transforming text descriptions or sketches into vivid imagery, eliminating the need for intricate prompts, codes, or setups. Users can effortlessly input their vision, and the system promptly materializes it into a visual form.

For those using Lenovo Yoga Pro devices with specialized GPUs, including the powerful NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 Laptop GPU, the Lenovo Yoga Creator Zone introduces an advanced feature called Image Training. This unique Lenovo capability enables users to cultivate a personalized model that resides directly on the device. With each image or series of images fed into the system, the Lenovo Yoga Pro laptop becomes more attuned to the user’s artistic inclinations, generating images that reflect their distinct style and preferences. Whether a user is drawn to the geometric intricacies of cubism or the bold vibrancy of pop art, Image Training ensures their creations are consistently aligned with their tastes, without the need for repetitive specification. The result is a series of stunning creations that are deeply personal, offering a bespoke reflection of the user’s artistic identity.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 14-inch Gen 9

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i 2-in-1 16-inch Gen 9

Lenovo Tab M11: Entertainment and Education in One

The Lenovo Tab M11 is a testament to Lenovo’s understanding that technology should be accessible and enjoyable. Designed for students and entertainment enthusiasts, the Tab M11 features an 11-inch FHD screen that makes learning and leisure a visual treat. The dual-screen capability and the Lenovo Tab Pen transform it from a reading device to a digital canvas, offering a versatile tool for both productivity and play.

Lenovo Tab M11

IdeaPad Series: Powering Everyday Excellence

The IdeaPad series is where innovation meets the everyday, offering a range of laptops that are as diverse as the users they’re designed for.

  • IdeaPad Slim 5i (15″, 9): The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i (15”, 9) introduces a new form factor to the IdeaPad family, offering a 15.3-inch 16:10 display that provides more screen real estate for your ideas to roam free. The WUXGA display with 90% AAR and 100%sRGB ensures ultra-vibrant, accurate color reproduction, making every visual more immersive and every detail crisper. With an edge-to-edge keyboard design and two full-function USB Type-C™ ports, it offers extended compatibility with peripherals. The up to 76WHr Polymer battery with Rapid Charge Boost ensures that your creative flow isn’t interrupted by a search for power outlets.
  • IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1: The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 and 5i 2-in-1 convertibles redefine what it means to be versatile. Available in both 16-inch and 14-inch sizes, these devices offer OLED displays that bring every image to life with stunning clarity and color. Whether you’re working in laptop mode or exploring your creativity in tablet mode, the full touch functionality ensures a smooth, intuitive experience.

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i G9

Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness

Lenovo’s dedication to sustainability can be seen across its entire lineup. The entire Yoga, Tab, and IdeaPad lineup reflects a commitment to a greener tomorrow, with recycled materials and plastic-free packaging being standard across the board.

Pricing and Availability: Innovation Within Reach

With a range of products designed to cater to various needs and budgets, Lenovo ensures that innovation is accessible. Starting April 2024, the Yoga, Tab, and IdeaPad devices will be available, with prices ranging from the affordable Lenovo Tab 11 at $179.99 to the premium Yoga Book 9i at $1999.99.

Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 Gen 9

The post Lenovo Unveils Powerful Yoga and IdeaPad Laptops at CES 2024, along with its own Generative AI app first appeared on Yanko Design.

The XGIMI Aladdin is the iPhone of smart projectors…

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It’s a Smart Projector, a 360° Harman Kardon Speaker, and also a Ceiling Lamp.

Far be it for me to throw an iPhone analogy willy-nilly, but when Steve Jobs took the stage to reveal his breakthrough device, he used a similar analogy. The iPhone was touted as three great things (a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a Phone, and an Internet communications device)… but in one small handheld package. XGIMI’s Aladdin, which was announced at CES 2024, has a similar back story. Disguised to look like a ceiling lamp, the Aladdin is, in fact, a 1080p short-throw projector capable of outputting a screen as large as 100 inches, with a more-than-capable 2.1-channel 360° Harman Kardon speaker built into its rather compact ceiling-mounted design.

Designer: XGIMI

Foraying into a new format after dabbling with compact projectors and UST behemoths, the Aladdin explores an entirely new design template for XGIMI – putting a projector into a ceiling light fixture. It addresses the perennial problems of traditional projectors – bulkiness, screen blockage, and glare – with an innovative approach. By integrating a projector into a ceiling light fixture, XGIMI offers a solution that is both space-efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Imagine having a cinematic experience of up to 100 inches, projected directly from your ceiling, without sacrificing any floor space. The added benefit of it being a short-throw projector with a 0.7:1 throw ratio means that it can easily fit into small rooms, making it a perfect addition to a bedroom.

The Aladdin is a fixed-position short-throw projector, capable of casting a 1080p image that spans 100 inches, all from a mere 5.98 feet away from the projecting surface. The strategic positioning not only provides an immersive viewing experience but also prioritizes user safety by preventing direct light exposure. Moreover, once installed, the image can be adjusted and tweaked to cater to the size of your room, accounting for direction, angle, focus, and keystone.

The auditory experience with Aladdin is equally impressive. The integrated 360-degree speaker by Harman Kardon, featuring a 2.1-channel sound system, creates an immersive audio environment. This system ensures that sound seems to emanate from the screen itself, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

In terms of design, Aladdin mirrors the simplicity of installing a standard ceiling light, making it a practical choice for homes. The projector also goes beyond traditional usage, offering interactive experiences like dynamic wallpapers, interactive children’s books, and ambient sounds, adding a unique touch to everyday moments. Speaking of unique touch, the Aladdin operates entirely touch-free and without a remote, relying on voice commands that make it a breeze to operate.

Scheduled to launch in Japan in June 2024 and priced at under $1000 USD, the Aladdin is poised to make a significant impact in the market. This pricing strategy positions the XGIMI Aladdin as an accessible option for a wide range of consumers.

The post The XGIMI Aladdin is the iPhone of smart projectors… first appeared on Yanko Design.