Author Archives: JC Torres

This AI-powered dog bark collar safely trains your furry friend to bark only when necessary

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Having pets is fun and rewarding, but as our parents warned us, it’s also a big responsibility. In addition to feeding them and cleaning after them, it’s also our job to make sure they behave properly, both in private and in public. The latter can be especially problematic when it comes to dogs with bad barking habits, making a lot of noise almost incessantly. There are many ways to teach a dog to keep quiet, but most of them end up being ineffective. Manual training is stressful for both dog and owner, while some tools or gadgets turn out to be harmful to the pet’s physical and mental well-being. With this innovative dog bark collar, however, your dog can gradually learn when to bark and when to keep quiet safely and humanely, all thanks to the power of AI.

Designers: 66 Studio, Zhe Sun & Bin Hu

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $109 (45% off). Hurry, only 247/500 left!

HushPuppy – The world’s first AI dog bark collar.

HushPuppy can help you train your dogs to learn to be quiet at the correct times and locations.

Dogs can be a person’s best friend, but just like humans, they can have different temperaments and behaviors. Unfortunately, some dogs develop what people call nuisance or excessive barking, which can sometimes be triggered by random everyday sounds or objects. Bark collars are growing in popularity as a way to train dogs not to bark at certain times, but they aren’t always effective and can even be excessive, defeating the purpose of training and causing the poor dog more stress and anxiety. By utilizing cutting-edge AI, the HushPuppy bark collar can be smart in detecting your dog’s barking and safely guide your faithful companion to better behavior.

AI soundprint detection accurately recognizes dog bark, leading to an interruption of barking behavior.

Through repeated interruption, the dog learns to quiet down so you can enjoy a peaceful life once more.

NFSF technology ensures that the collar won’t easily capture a dog’s bark more than 5 feet away.

Unlike most bark collars in the market, HushPuppy uses tiny AI models installed right onto the collar’s chip to detect sounds and differentiate a dog’s bark from other indoor and outdoor sounds such as alarms, car horns, doors, and even people laughing. This prevents a “false alarm” that would have otherwise triggered the collar’s conditioning effect incorrectly. HushPuppy boasts 99.1% accuracy and, thanks to Adaptive Sound Detection (ASD) and High Precision Computational Audio (HPCA) technology, it can even identify your dog’s bark in a noisy environment. Even better, a state-of-the-art Near-Field Sound Filter (NFSF) ignores barking that is more than 5 feet away, which means a nearby dog’s barking won’t incorrectly trigger the collar either.

Warning mode (white LED) and training mode (blue LED).

When HushPuppy does detect your dog barking, it will send a safe “reminder” to tell your dog not to bark, applying the principles of Pavlovian behavioral conditioning to discourage dogs from this kind of behavior. In training mode, this comes as a vibration and a beep. In warning mode, however, a mild static stimulus is also added to the response. This static stimulus is delivered by a single AAA battery at a fixed electricity level to ensure the safety of the dog while still delivering a memorable nudge to help develop good behavior. Over time, this repetition will help the dogs form a positive association so that they will quiet down when they hear or feel the stimulus.

In addition to a safe training method, HushPuppy is also designed to be completely safe and comfortable to wear. No metal parts are exposed and a conductive soft silicone gel is used instead, ensuring that the collar is soft on the skin and free of potential allergic reactions and unsafe edges. It’s so easy to use, there isn’t even a manual power button! The collar immediately springs into action once it detects a bark, and then goes into a low-energy standby mode when no more barks are heard. Thanks to this smart operation, it can last up to 300 days on standby or 21 days of regular daily use, all on a single AAA battery. With the AI-driven HushPuppy, your canine companion will be able to learn good barking habits in a smart and safe way, saving both you and your precious pet from embarrassment and stress.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $109 (45% off). Hurry, only 247/500 left!

The post This AI-powered dog bark collar safely trains your furry friend to bark only when necessary first appeared on Yanko Design.

This wooden shoe rack doubles as a bench and a tray for transient bodies and objects

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A lot of the clutter and missing items in our homes are caused by having no proper place to put our stuff. Whether they’re keys or shoes, small objects can lead to big messes when left anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes, it’s not enough just to have a place to put them; you also have to be smart in where you actually place these objects’ homes. Things that you take with you outside but not indoors are often best left near the door, but that space might not always be the best location for shelves. This design concept offers a rather elegant solution to this multi-layer problem, providing a more permanent fixture for temporary things like shoes, keys, earbuds, and even your own tired body.

Designer: Joao Teixeira

Shoe racks are not an uncommon sight inside houses, apartments, and living spaces. More often than not, their placed by the door to make it easy to put shoes on when leaving and have a convenient spot to leave them after you’ve taken them off. Due to the space these pieces of furniture occupy, however, they usually serve a single purpose only and have almost no other use except for shoe storage. It’s practically wasted space, especially if you don’t have that many shoes there to begin with.

Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture like torii gates, “Tokyo” is a shoe rack that goes above and beyond the call of duty, at least if you want it to. It actually serves two other functions in addition to holding your shoes. The cushioned top serves as a comfy bench, perfect for when you need to sit down to take a breather or put on shoes. There is a small tray on one side that lets you put down your phone, keys, and other knick-knacks for a while. Given the multi-functional design of the concept, it’s something that can easily be placed near the door or against any wall. Yes, it will take up a length of space, but you’re getting three for the price of one.

What’s even more impressive is how this design implements those three functions in a beautifully minimalist manner. Like many of Joao Teixeira’s furniture concepts, it involves using bent planks of plywood to achieve simple yet sophisticated-looking forms. In this case, the two legs are bent at opposite angles, but one of them extends upward and curves embrace the cushion, creating a completely flat and solid surface to act as a temporary holding area for small objects. Structural support is provided by a pseudo three-centered arch, also made from bent plywood, that creates a shelf for larger things.

Admittedly, Tokyo hardly looks like any typical shoe rack, which makes it an ideal piece of furniture to place anywhere. The large empty space at the bottom can be home for taller shoes and boots, while the shelf can hold sandals, loafers, sneakers, and similar footwear. Of course, it could also be used to hide books, foldable umbrellas, or other things you might want to quickly grab before you rush out the door. Either way, this shoe rack and bench in one provides a convenient and charming place for shoes and small items, not to mention a comfortable way to catch your breath after coming back home.

The post This wooden shoe rack doubles as a bench and a tray for transient bodies and objects first appeared on Yanko Design.

This retro gaming console is actually a mini PC disguised as a classic Macintosh

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Nostalgia is a very powerful emotion, especially judging by the number of successful “retro” products sold in the market in the past years. Although the flood has seemingly trickled down a bit, it continues to flow especially in the gaming scene. Old gaming brands have suddenly resurfaced to bring nearly forgotten designs to the present, taking previous generations down memory lane while introducing today’s gamers to old-school experiences. While some of these retro consoles actually try to relive the past, this interesting and rather cute box might take your head for a spin with its Mac design and PC internals, combined to offer not just a gaming computer but a piece of desk decoration as well.

Designer: AYANEO

Compared to the computers put out by the likes of Atari and Commodore, the early PCs didn’t really have a memorable design that would go down in history as iconic computers. It was the original Apple Macintosh, instead, that captured people’s attention and imagination of what a home personal computer should look like. Of course, that was decades in the past, but the imagery has stood the test of time as proof of the design’s timeless character. AYANEO, a brand better known for gaming handhelds, is now taking that immensely popular design and giving it a rather curious twist.

As part of its AYANEO REMAKE concept line, the AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 slaps the old Mac design onto a new machine. The basic elements that have distinguished one of Apple’s earliest successes are there, tweaked a bit to avoid potential controversies, of course. There’s the telltale sign of a floppy drive, as well as a square rainbow badge that’s a nod to the old Apple logo. There’s a black rectangle near the top that’s purely cosmetic, denoting where the screen is supposed to be located. There’s nothing there, though, which is a bit of a waste, but it doesn’t really matter considering how the mini PC is used.

Unlike the Mac, the AYANEO Retro Mini PC is meant to lie down on its “back” rather than standing up, with that black rectangle in the rear. That’s because the ports for the computer are actually located on what would have been the top and bottom sides, so it has to be horizontal to actually be useful. Of course, this product is a gaming console anyway, not a standalone computer with a built-in display, so you’ll need to plug in peripherals to make it work. And yes, it runs Windows 11, which, given the eternal rivalry between Macs and PCs, some might find a bit insulting.

AYANEO has other retro designs also in the pipeline, including the Retro Mini PC AM02 that takes after the classic NES design. Curiously, that one does have a functional mini display since it can actually be used upright. It’s also working on a handheld that brings back the dual-display design of the not-so-old Nintendo DS, though the practical purpose of that second display is yet to be revealed.

The post This retro gaming console is actually a mini PC disguised as a classic Macintosh first appeared on Yanko Design.

This striking mechanical watch is a fusion of modern design and ancient Egyptian mysticism

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Some things seem to inspire awe and marvel just by their very nature, probably because of their sophisticated appearances or their otherworldly concepts. This list of things ranges from the mundane to the mystical, from the intricate machinery behind mechanical watches on one end to myths and legends of ancient cultures on the other. In most cases, these two opposite ends of the spectrum don’t exactly mix, except perhaps in some fictional setting. But when they do mix, they create a visual experience like no other, generating a unique aesthetic that enhances the sense of mystery and wonder behind ancient symbols and civilizations, just like this one-of-a-kind timepiece that feels like it’s calling forth the power of the gods to expose the mystery behind time, turning each tick and movement into a magical moment.

Designer: Jason Jiang

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $269 (26% off). Hurry, only 3 left!

If you’re in any way familiar with fictional stories involving treasure hunters who try to unlock ancient mysteries, you might have imagined or even seen how those long-forgotten sites would sometimes have mechanisms that seemed far too advanced for their ancient cultures. It’s this combination of mechanical marvels and ancient mysteries that has always captured the fancy of people for ages. It doesn’t matter if they’re historically inaccurate, it’s the power of story-telling that inspires and elevates the mind, almost like gazing at another plane of existence.

Triangle Seconds Hand – It resembles the Eye of Horus, an emblem of protection, luck and rejuvenation drawn from ancient Egyptian mythology.

It’s this kind of potent imagery that the Eye of Horus watch from the CIGA Design X Series tries to harness, blending Egyptian mythology and modern craftsmanship into a mesmerizing timepiece. The Eye of Horus has always enjoyed a special place in ancient Egypt and contemporary symbolism, representing power, luck, and rejuvenation, among other things. Embedded inside a triangle that also serves as the seconds hand, this powerful symbol becomes the visual and spiritual center of the watch, creating an air of mystery and spirituality, regardless of your beliefs.

Majestic Obsidian Crown – A unique and powerful symbol of transformation and healing properties.

Luminescent Glow – Makes the hands and indices glow mystic green bringing the Eye of Horus to life in the dark, and the diamond cuts on the dial offer a reflective shine from all angles in the light.

The watch’s back-to-front transparent design accentuates the timepiece’s otherworldly character, giving a 360-degree view of all the intricate machinery for everyone to see. The X-shaped skeleton perfectly complements the Eye of Horus, providing not only structural stability but also a path to guide the eyes towards the center of the watch where the mystical Eye sits. The black case, strap, and obsidian crown seemingly fade into the background, making the sophisticated machinery and design really pop out. Luminous green elements in the hands, scales, and the Eye give off an eerie glow that not only emphasizes the otherworldly character of the watch but also makes it effortless to tell the time in the dark.

Precision Crafted Automatic Movement

Of course, the Eye of Horus watch isn’t just a work of art, it’s also a reliable timekeeper as well with a movement frequency of 21,600 times per hour. The automatic mechanical movement offers long-lasting precision, thanks to CIGA Design’s first-ever custom-created Caliber CD 01 Movement that deviates for as low as 15 seconds every 24 hours and boasts a reserve power of approximately 40 hours. As a member of the X series, it incorporates a self-finding movement that recharges automatically as you wear it. Even with this kind of precision, the Eye of Hours barely makes a sound, but hold it close to your ear and listen closely to hear the mechanical song it creates deep within.

All those intricate components are housed inside a bioceramic frame, a material famed for its lightweight durability, and topped by a heat-hardened mineral glass that can easily withstand scratches and accidental bumps and drops. The skin-friendly silicone strap brings unparalleled comfort and durability, combining practicality and style in perfect harmony. And with a 3 ATM water resistance, the Eye of Horus can stand the passage of time and the wear and tear of daily life, achieving near-immortality like the Egyptian deity it is named after.

The watch’s exquisite mechanics are available in three color options of Black, Silver, and Rose Gold, letting you chose the style that best suits your tastes. With a body that’s only 47.3 x 48.0 12.1 mm small (without the crown) and weighing only 67.4g (with the 20mm strap), it feels as if it’s simply gently resting on your wrist. Timeless both in function and form, the CIGA Design X Series Eye of Horus watch lets you tell your hero’s story through a stunning timepiece that harnesses the power of myths and design.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $269 (26% off). Hurry, only 3 left!

The post This striking mechanical watch is a fusion of modern design and ancient Egyptian mysticism first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Shargeek 170 Is a Powered-Up Powerbank With Prismatic Style

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Pink Floyd’s legendary album, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” has become something of an iconic source of inspiration among designers. The album’s innovative instrumentation and cutting lyrics changed rock music in the 70s, but the cover art itself is a treasure — one which has withstood the test of time. A beautiful yet simple piece of artwork, “The Dark Side of the Moon” album cover depicts a full spectrum of color radiating off of a single point as it passes through a triangular prism. Metaphors aside, there’s real science going on there, and thus it was only a matter of time before we’d see consumer electronics designs taking cues from the album’s minimalistic, yet far-ahead-of-its-time (and very far out) box art.

Fast forward about 50 years, and here we have the Shargeek 170. Its distinguishing transparent prism design houses a full array of internal circuitry, giving it a futuristic look. But its true value goes far beyond appearance and style; the charger itself contains some really powerful capabilities. Plus, if you’re unfamiliar with SHARGE (aka Shargeek, though they’ve switched it up now), you’re in for a treat. This storied tech designer has a long and bright track record devising uniquely gorgeous and durable yet high-performance chargers, like a tiny Retro 35W GaN Charger which looks like an old 1984 Macintosh, MacOS logo and all. That’s why the Shargeek 170, possibly SHARGE’s best portable charger to date, is so exciting.

Designer: SHARGE

Click Here to Buy Now: $119 $199 (40% off). Hurry, only 183/2500 left! Raised over $600,000.

Let’s get straight into the nitty gritty. The Shargeek 170 power bank has a maximum output of 170W thanks to its use of the PD 3.1 USB-C specification in both of its two USB-C ports. Within the Shargeek 170’s titular 170W maximum power output, it can deliver a maximum single-port output of 140W to any device which can safely charge that fast — for instance, a modern MacBook Pro. The important part of this feature is that it allows compatible devices to charge from 0% to 50% within 20 minutes. On the other hand, you can simultaneously charge the charger itself plus up to three devices across the charger’s two USB-C ports and single USB-A port, and that’s fantastic because the Shargeek 170 will actually split its output (up to 65W) between each connected device, even in passthrough mode.

Inspired by Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd’s timeless masterpiece.

170W max output with PD 3.1 140W max single-port output. Powers up your devices in no time.

If you’re curious about how much power each device needs before it can finish charging, the Shargeek 170 charger features a few bells and whistles to make that easier. First, it comes with a smart display; this provides what SHARGE describes as “full visibility and control over the charging process,” and it can even set off a warning alarm if you attempt to push the charging cells outside of their maximum operating range (as in, if you try to charge too much stuff while outside in the hot sun). Second, if you need to charge your laptop and your phone plus a wearable — like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch — you’ll benefit from the Shargeek 170’s Low-current Mode, which is designed to charge those devices safely.

Packed with 2×USB-C and 1×USB-A ports, for 3-device fast charging at once.

Speaking of safety, this is easily one of the sturdiest portable power banks on the market: every type of environmental hazard you can think of is evidently protected against, including “over-current, over-voltage, overload, under-voltage, overheat, and short-circuit protections” on top of, of course, standard IP4 dust and water resistance.

Surprise with IP4 water resistance – one fewer thing to worry about!

And on top of all that, this could be the longest-lasting portable charging bank I’ve seen with fast-charging capabilities this smart. Did I mention how gorgeous it is? Its translucent prism design makes it reflect light in a beautiful spectrum wave not unlike what’s happening in Pink Floyd’s legendary box art. But, what exactly is inside of all that gadgetry hidden beneath its see-through outer shell? The answer: 24,000mAh of sheer battery power stored across six durable electric-vehicle-grade batteries. These allow the Shargeek 170 to maintain 80% capacity even after 800+ charges, and that means you can use this thing heavily for — at minimum — three years, before you ever see a dent in its performance.

So far, SHARGE has raised over $2.5 million thanks to the help of more than 23,000 backers, signaling that the Shargeek 170 is garnering strong market interest, and given how successful its crowdfunding campaign has been thus far, you’re going to want to grab one of these super-fast, super-durable chargers at their current discount price. You can still nab one for $119 via the Super Early Bird pledge tier — a 40% discount from the charger’s eventual MSRP.

Click Here to Buy Now: $119 $199 (40% off). Hurry, only 183/2500 left! Raised over $600,000.

The post The Shargeek 170 Is a Powered-Up Powerbank With Prismatic Style first appeared on Yanko Design.

This bioethanol brass fireplace brings light and joy with an enchanting and safe fire

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Lamps are not an uncommon sight in homes, ranging from big chandeliers to small desk lamps. Regardless of their size or design, they all serve the same purpose of not only bringing light but also adding to an area’s ambiance. Given the setting for most of these lamps, it’s really no surprise that the majority of them use electricity for safety and efficiency. There is, however, a certain charm to watching a dancing fire that can brighten up your surroundings while also offering warmth and comfort. Lighting a fire indoors is, of course, an unwise and dangerous thing to do for many reasons, unless you have this one-of-a-kind brass box that lets enjoy a small yet enchanting flame, whether outdoors or indoors, and never have to worry about the dangerous fumes you might inhale.

Designer: BRASSCENE

Click Here to Buy Now: $203 $239 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

Although there’s no getting away from the fact that fire burns, fireplaces that use gas or fuel bring their own set of risks, mostly from the smoke, odors, and fumes they produce. Fortunately, there is such a fuel called bioethanol, which is ethanol or ethyl alcohol made from plant-based raw materials, so it doesn’t produce dangerous monoxide while it fuels the flame. That’s exactly the kind of fuel this distinctive fireplace uses, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. While the fuel is a marvel of science, the fireplace itself is a work of art.

Brasscene, a portmanteau of “brass” and “scene,” brings a beautiful bioethanol fireplace whose origin sounds so far removed from the rest of its kind. More than just metalwork, the craftsmanship that goes into forming this eye-catching vessel is the same expertise that’s used in making musical instruments like trumpets and horns. The same precision machining, brazing, and polishing techniques that make these beautiful products are employed to create an equally enchanting accessory for your home.

The brass bioethanol fireplace’s luxurious exterior adds glamour anywhere you put the box-shaped lamp, whether on a dining table or on a patio. Its stainless steel tank in the middle provides a safe receptacle for the bioethanol fuel that you simply pour inside and light up. It’s as simple as that, no complicated setup required. Glass barriers keep the flame from dancing too wildly, always making it go up, while a matching brass lid is all you need to extinguish the fire by covering the tank. It doesn’t get any simpler than this.

The choice of brass material is genius and creative, as it develops its own unique appearance as it ages, giving it a character that grows old with you. The end result is a beautifully hand-crafted design that can already bring joy and delight just from its presence. And, once the flames start to dance, you will be dazzled by the natural play of light, shadows, and reflections, creating a unique atmosphere that no electric lamp or LED bulb can ever reproduce.

Click Here to Buy Now: $203 $239 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

The post This bioethanol brass fireplace brings light and joy with an enchanting and safe fire first appeared on Yanko Design.

xTool Screen Printer reinvents screen printing with laser engraving to bring designs to life

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There has been a massive flood of new designs from makers, creators, and even hobbyists, all thanks to new tools that have made production processes simpler, easier, and more affordable. There are, however, some designs that are still difficult to pull off, like those that need to be painted on flat surfaces or clothing. The screen printing process for these kinds of designs has traditionally been tedious, expensive, and error-prone, making the activity less enjoyable and less approachable for beginners and hobbyists. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. Thanks to a combination of creative design and expertise in laser engraving technologies, this revolutionary screen printing system lets you cut down the time and steps needed to make your wildest print dreams come true.

Designer: xTool Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 ($200 off). Hurry, 103/400 left! Raised over $450,000.

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Screen printing can be quite frustrating, even if you exclude the variability that might result when you don’t spread the inks properly near the end of the process. Just the preparation itself can take hours or even days, involving emulsions and exposures that could go awry at any step, forcing you to go through the grueling process again, wasting not just time but also money. If only there was a way to make screen printing easier and more beginner-friendly, just like how 3D printing opened the creative floodgates, especially for budding designers. Fortunately, that’s exactly what the new xTool Screen Printer is bringing to the table, combining an easy-to-use screen printer with laser engraving to deliver the speed and precision creators have always wished for.

While the traditional screen printing process would usually take days just to prepare the screen and make plates, the xTool Screen Printer requires 1-3 hours only on average to create the screen. With its two-sided coated screen using customized professional-grade spray net technology and industrial-level spraying equipment, you practically skip the lengthy emulsion preparation time. Reducing the waiting time is already a huge boost in productivity, but that’s just the beginning. You’ll still need to actually actually put your design on the screen, which is where xTool’s expertise with laser technologies comes in.

When paired with the xTool S1 diode laser cutter or the xTool D1 Pro 5W laser engraver, you can rapidly create stencils at a mind-blowing speed. No longer do you have to worry about printing on transparencies or hoping that the designs are properly imprinted on the screen, both of which could also fail at any time. And thanks to the xTool Creative Space software, you have even more freedom to transfer complex digital designs to your stencils, ensuring that the final print will be just as stunning as your original idea. So while you can use other laser engravers as well, you’re definitely in the best hands with xTool’s industry-tested products.

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Stencil creation is reduced from approx. 24 hours to about an hour – at laser speed!

There’s no escaping the act of applying ink to the pattern in order to print it on paper or textiles, but the xTool Screen Printer makes this process easier and worry-free. The EasyStretch Frame ensures a uniform stretch, while an intuitive press design makes short work of swapping screens, minimizing ink spillage, and supporting different materials, including metals and wood. And it doesn’t cost much to get started, with a $199 Early Bird Basic Kit that includes the printing press, one 11.5×16-inch frame, three 11.5×16-inch screens, and other essentials. The $369 Early Bird Multi-Color Kit includes 4 frames and 12 screens to enable you to work with more colors and layers. And if you want to get the laser engravers in one go, you can opt for the $499 or the $1,968 Early Bird bundles for the xTool D1 Pro 5W or the xTool S1 20W, respectively.

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Groundbreaking EasyStretch designs simplifies the screen stretching process to an amazing 30 seconds!

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The quick-release frame clamp structure facilitates swift stencil switching for seamless creation multi-color masterpieces

Whether you’re a seasoned designer establishing your own brand, a budding creator who wants to spread your ideas to the masses, or a hobbyist who crafts personalized gifts for family and friends, the xTool Screen Printer reinvents and revolutionizes the screen printing process, removing the tedious and bothersome tasks so you can focus instead on letting your creativity shine.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 ($200 off). Hurry, 103/400 left! Raised over $450,000.

The post xTool Screen Printer reinvents screen printing with laser engraving to bring designs to life first appeared on Yanko Design.

This modular bracelet concept lets you choose how smart you want your jewelry to be

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The popularity of the Apple Watch has finally given smartwatches their place in the market, making them understandable and even desirable. Of course, that doesn’t mean that everyone now wants a smartwatch, especially those who prefer mechanical watches or have different aesthetic tastes. Unfortunately, the majority of wrist-worn smart trackers seem to be made with sporty and rugged designs in mind. Given hardware requirements, that’s not exactly surprising, but that shouldn’t stop designers from imagining what’s possible. One such dream is reflected in this minimalist yet distinctive bracelet that throws all smart wearable design conventions out the window, offering a modular piece of jewelry that is smart in more ways than one.

Designers: Akasaki Vanhuyse, Astrid Vanhuyse

If you remove the actual time-keeping function of a smartwatch or a fitness tracker, all you’re really left with are the sensors that actually do the work of keeping tabs on different metrics of your health, directly or indirectly. A display isn’t even necessary since you can always check those figures on a smartphone. In fact, a display might even be detrimental because of the distractions it pushes your way or how it clashes with some fashion styles. Smartwatch designs are primarily constricted by hardware such as displays and big batteries, but what if you could be free of those restrictions?

That’s what the BEAD concept seems to be proposing, offering the same health and wellness monitoring functionalities but in a form that is a bit more universal and, at the same time, more personal. At the heart of the design are the beads, actually tiny cylinders that each hide a single sensor used to track a specific biometric like a pulse oximeter or an accelerometer. Each bead is an independent unit, free from displays or large batteries, performing a single task and performing it to perfection.

The idea is that you can combine any number of these beads on a string or wire to achieve the same collective effect as a fitness tracker. You wear it around your wrist like a bracelet, held together at the ends by magnets in the shape of half-spheres. The wire is white, plain, and unadorned, which puts a bigger visual focus on the beads. Those beads themselves carry a brushed metal finish that helps hide whatever scratches they may incur over time while also giving them unique characters.

You can add or remove as many of these modular beads as you need, only paying for the functionality you actually use. It also makes repairing broken beads easier, since you only need to replace that single piece. Admittedly, the industrial aesthetic might not appeal to everyone’s tastes, but the concept opens the possibility of using different, perhaps more stylish designs that will truly create a fusion of fashion and technology in a simple smart bracelet.

The post This modular bracelet concept lets you choose how smart you want your jewelry to be first appeared on Yanko Design.

Onyx BOOX Note Air3 C E-Reader Review: Solid Basics

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PROS:


  • Simple, Elegant, Lightweight Design

  • Crisp, comfortable, and fast color E Ink display

  • Perfect size for comics, magazines, and A5 documents

  • Google Play Store pre-installed

CONS:


  • Quite pricey

  • Reduced battery capacity

  • No keyboard folio like the Tab Ultra C

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

With a crips color E Ink display and a more affordable price tag, the BOOX Note Air3 C delivers the essential modern e-reader experience without unnecessary cruft.

The current generation of e-book readers has torn down the walls separating it from typical Android tablets. In fact, except for the display and customized home screen, these devices are pretty much Android tablets using E Ink panels instead of LCDs or OLEDs. While this empowers e-readers to be able to do more things, there’s also the risk of going overboard with features that may burden the user, both literally as well as figuratively. Fortunately, there’s quite a wide range of options for those who want different things from an e-reader, ranging from the most basic to the most powerful, but that also makes it harder to choose the right one for your needs. The new Onyx BOOX Note Air3 C promises the middle ground between these two extremes, so we give it a good test to see if it really offers a new experience or is just a rehash of a recent product.

Designer: BOOX

Aesthetics

Although BOOX is probably better known for blurring the lines between e-readers and tablets, it can also be credited with changing the face of e-readers for the better. While these devices started out as simple yet uninspiring small slabs of plastic, the current generation can stand with their heads held up high, proudly displaying their more elegant designs. The BOOX Note Air3 C carries this tradition with a minimalist yet elegant appearance that attempts to resemble the appearance of a thin book. In addition to the wide bezels surrounding the display, the left side has a very wide margin similar to the spine of a book. Of course, you can flip the e-reader around if you prefer that margin to be on the right side, and the UI will rotate as well.

The overall design of the BOOX Note Air3 C is mostly flat, from the front to the back to the edges. It’s the trend in tablets these days, so it gives the device a more modern appearance compared to the curved backs of typical e-readers. It’s arguable whether this design is more ergonomic, as we’ll see later, but there will be little debate that it looks premium. It also feels premium, with a light yet solid aluminum chassis that is sure to stand the test of time and your bag. There are very few markings on the device, most of them on the “margin” side and its edge. There isn’t much visual noise that will distract you from what matters the most: reading on the screen.

That 10.3-inch screen size is admittedly still a novelty among e-readers, most of which are designed to easily slip inside small bags or hold comfortably in bed above your head. It is, however, also the perfect size for viewing most reading material, including comics, manga, and magazines. Some papers, particularly those in A4 size, will look a bit compressed, but the crisp and sharp Kaleido 3 E Ink panel still makes such content comfortable to read. Of course, it’s a color E Ink panel, which looks fantastic on the matte screen. Of course, colors are limited and muted compared to regular tablets, but we’re talking about eye-friendlier e-paper displays here anyway.

All in all, the BOOX Note Air3 C presents a minimalist design that really contains the basics for an e-reader. There isn’t even a camera, a.k.a. document scanner, unlike its BOOX Tab Ultra C look-alike. Save for the minimum branding accents, it has very few distractions in terms of appearance and even controls, allowing you to be fully immersed in what you’re reading instead.

Ergonomics

The Onyx BOOX Note Air3 C is by no means a small device, especially when compared to common e-readers like the Amazon Kindle. While that does mean it has more screen space for comfortable reading, it also means it’s larger and heavier than your typical e-book readers. That, in turn, has implications on how comfortable it is to use, especially for long periods of time.

With a weight of 430g and a size of 226 x 193 x 5.8 mm, it is almost comparable to a 5th-gen iPad Air (2022) but also considerably lighter. That still means it’s going to tire out your arms when you hold it up too long and it will hurt a lot when you accidentally drop it on your face while lying in bed. There’s still an ongoing debate on whether flat edges are more ergonomic because they don’t easily slip from your hand or if curved is the way to go because it’s kinder to your skin.

Where the BOOX Note Air3 C really shines is in the comfort it brings to your eyes thanks to E Ink technology. Unlike typical LCD or OLED screens, it doesn’t shine light directly toward your eyes and uses front lighting instead. It is gentler on the eyes and solves most of the blue light problems that screens have (if you don’t turn on the front light), so it’s definitely a significantly better option for those who love reading all the time. Like most of BOOX’s devices, you also get to select the level of brightness and the warmth of the light that you’re comfortable with, allowing you to fine-tune the reading experience to your personal tastes.

Performance

Similar to the latest generations of BOOX devices, the BOOX Note Air3 C is really an Android tablet at heart, both in hardware and in software. It’s powered by a 2.4GHz octa-core processor, most likely a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 series, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The screen is a 10.3-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 panel with a 300 ppi pixel density for black and white content and 150 ppi for colors, pretty much the gold standard for now. It has a Wacom digitizer layer for input with a stylus, which we’ll get to later. Rounding up the specs is a microSD card slot, built-in speakers and mic, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a fingerprint scanner on the power button.

If most of these sound familiar, you might have already seen or even bought the Onyx BOOX Tab Ultra C. They’re almost identical, save for the smaller 3,700 mAh battery and the lack of a camera that serves as a document scanner. The latter is honestly something that felt quite superfluous on the BOOX Tab Ultra, so it’s a bit encouraging that an unnecessary feature was removed to help cut down on costs. Cutting the battery capacity in half, however, is a bit too drastic, even if it results in a lighter build. Battery life is still a lot better than regular tables, running for days rather than just hours, but it won’t last more than 2 or 3 days of constant use, especially when running a lot of apps.

Those apps will mostly come from the Google Play Store, thanks to being a certified Android 12 device. That means you have access to the same library of apps available to tablet owners, whether or not they make sense to use on an E Ink screen. Performance won’t be the same of course, especially for apps with fast-changing content like games and videos, but you can run them at least. It also means that you won’t be lacking sources for content since you can install the likes of Amazon, Kobo, and more. And yes, you can do your Web browsing, social media, or even work on this device. The built-in speakers are serviceable but not that great, so you’ll want to pair it up with wireless earphones if you really want to enjoy audiobooks or podcasts.

Of course, the real star is the Kaleido 3 E Ink screen, which shows clear, crisp, and sharp text, especially in black and white. Colors are naturally not vibrant and look more like pastels, but that’s on par with current technology. The screen is quite responsive and fast, thanks to the BOOX Super Refresh technology, and it is really at the top of its class. The BOOX Note Air3 C offers the usual four speed modes where you get to trade quality for quick refreshes. Thankfully, the custom user interface lets you choose the mode on a per-app basis rather than just as a global switch.

The BOOX Note Air3 C ships with the Pen 2, the version of BOOX’s Wacom-compatible stylus that doesn’t come with a dedicated eraser on the opposite end. Thanks to using a standard technology, however, you can use different kinds of Wacom styluses if the free one isn’t your cup of tea. On built-in apps as well as a few chosen ones like OneNote, the stylus is smooth, fluid, and accurate. Unfortunately, any other app outside those will reveal the lag that is more a limitation of the slow E Ink screen rather than a flaw in Wacom technology. Hopefully, BOOX will open up its pen optimizations to all apps soon.

Another big difference from the BOOX Tab Ultra C is a lack of pogo pins for connecting a keyboard folio cover. In fact, BOOX doesn’t have such an accessory for this model, which means people who want to type will have to make do with a Bluetooth or USB-C keyboard instead. It’s not a huge deal-breaker per se, but it does change the narrative a bit. While the BOOX Tab Ultra C seems almost geared for productivity, including typing documents, the BOOX Note Air3 C goes back to the roots of enjoyable reading, just with a few productive apps on the side.

On the one hand, the feature set of the BOOX Note Air3 C doesn’t sound so sensational, especially compared to the discontinued BOOX Tab Ultra C and the new BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro. On the other hand, it actually checks all the right boxes and delivers on its promise without excessive features that few people actually use or even ask for. It performs admirably, with just a few kinks here and there, offering a solid E Ink tablet experience without unnecessary cruft that comes at a literal price.

Sustainability

Onyx hasn’t really scored well in this department and, unfortunately, it is keeping its track record. It’s definitely comforting to see it use more metal and less plastic in its devices, though that seems to only be true for its larger readers. It at least has been quite restrained in its packaging and doesn’t ship with a charger, so material and e-waste are reduced. It still uses plenty of plastic, though, so that knocks off a few marks from its grade.

The BOOX Note Air3 C is, fortunately, built to last thanks to its durable body and solid build quality. There’s no formal dust or water resistance, of course, but that’s also not surprising for this line of devices. When accidents do happen, repairs are going to be quite difficult considering there won’t be many shops offering services. You’ll have to gamble on sending the unit back to Onyx or the few authorized service providers they have around the world.

Value

At $499.99, the BOOX Note Air3 C is hardly inexpensive as an e-reader or even as an Android tablet. That price does include the BOOX Pen 2 and a folio cover, so you do save a bit in the long run. It’s still not something you’ll be buying on a whim and will definitely require some decision-making. How many of the things you read are magazines, comics, manga, or other kinds of content that are easier to read on a larger screen? How many of those would require color to really enjoy? And why would you choose it instead of Onyx’s other e-readers that come in a variety of sizes and prices?

It all boils down to having the right ratio of features and price, bringing the core features you need for an E Ink device, including a few hues of color, without bumping the cost up too much. The BOOX Tab Mini C might be good for reading anywhere, anytime, but it might be too small for some types of content. The new BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro, on the other hand, has all the bells and whistles, practically replacing the BOOX Tab Ultra C, but has a significantly higher asking price as well.

Verdict

Where there were once just three or so e-book readers in the market, we now have a wide variety of brands and models to choose from. While that’s great for the market and users, it can also make things a bit more complicated when choosing to buy one. Onyx itself has quite a selection, and its newest lineup expands the roster even further. With the discontinued BOOX Tab Ultra C, the new BOOX Tab Ultra C Pro, and the smaller BOOX Tab Mini C, you will definitely wonder what the new BOOX Note Air3 C can offer to make a difference. The answer: a solid E Ink experience with a reasonable price tag.

The BOOX Note Air3 C doesn’t simply heap on features just for the sake of having them there. It carefully distills the experience down to the basics but delivers it in a way that’s almost perfect. You get a well-performing Android tablet with a fast and sharp color E Ink screen wrapped in a subdued but elegant design. Yes, it could use a bit more battery, though that would have also made the device heavier as well, and yes, the price tag is a bit hard to swallow. But if you’re looking for a long-term investment in an e-reader that’s going to last you for years, then the BOOX Note Air3 C is definitely something you should consider adding to your cart.

The post Onyx BOOX Note Air3 C E-Reader Review: Solid Basics first appeared on Yanko Design.

These earth-friendly sustainable cups add joy to every drink without harming the planet

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Even with all the advice to drink plenty of water each day, few people actually pay attention to what they drink. Even fewer, unfortunately, pay attention to what they’re drinking from. Glassware is common in some homes and fine dining, but you’re more likely to see plastic vessels everywhere else. This synthetic material does have its advantages, especially when it comes to durability, but its harmful effects on the environment have already piled up. Fortunately, you can have your personal cup and drink from it, too, thanks to the fusion of innovative, earth-friendly materials and simple yet elegant design, giving birth to this sustainable tumbler that brings a profound experience to every sip.

Designer: PAPLUS

Click Here to Buy Now: $22.50 $25 (10% off at checkout).

There are many plant-derived synthetic resins available today, but the most popular among them is PLA or polylactic acid, a thermoplastic derived from the lactic acid of fermented corn starch and sugar cane juice, among other natural sources. PAPLUS is a new type of thermoplastic resin that mixes biodegradable paper to add the heat resistance, durability, and moldability that normal PLA lacks. And from this innovative material, this earth-friendly tumbler is born.

Unlike the artificial smoothness of plastic, the PAPLUS Tumbler’s use of this environment-friendly material creates a unique texture that can be compared to ceramic or wooden cups. Each sip brings not only a wonderful flavor to your tongue but also an engaging sensation to your lips, elevating the act of drinking to a new level of sensory experience. Thanks to the heat resistance of 120°C, you can enjoy that moment whether your favorite drink is piping-hot cocoa or ice-cold barley tea.

This plastic-free drinking device doesn’t just mimic the sensation of elegant cups, it even looks the part as well. Using black pigments dissolved in harmless urethane, the tumbler achieves a matte black coating on the outside that looks naturally glossy without using blasting methods. The inside retains the PAPLUS’ natural brownish color and texture to yield a distinctive two-tone design. Over time, the color does become uneven and fade from use, revealing the individuality of the owner through the unique wear patterns that set it apart from each and every tumbler.

This tumbler’s commitment to protecting the environment extends to its packaging, made from 100% recycled paper from old newspapers and magazines. And, when it finally reaches the end of its service, the biodegradable tumbler can be treated as burnable waste or, better yet, recycled for a different purpose. With this elegant earth-friendly tumbler, each drink becomes not only a toast to memories but also a toast to the planet’s longer life.

Click Here to Buy Now: $22.50 $25 (10% off at checkout).

The post These earth-friendly sustainable cups add joy to every drink without harming the planet first appeared on Yanko Design.