Author Archives: JC Torres

Best Scented Candle Cards to Leave a Lasting Impression

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Candles are one of the oldest ways man has brought light and warmth into the world, and while electricity and bulbs now fulfill that function, candles still have meaning beyond providing illumination.

They have become almost symbolic, representing ideas, hopes, and emotions, or they come with scents and designs that tickle the senses or soothe the soul.

Candles have become the perfect medium to convey feelings and create memories, and this simple yet innovative design combines an extra-thin aromatic candle with an equally thin multi-purpose packaging that lets you send a more personal and more memorable message that delights the senses and warms the heart as the candle flame dances and spreads a soothing fragrance throughout your room.

Designer: LURA Design Studio

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $19 (10% off at checkout). Hurry! Black Friday deals end in 48 hours.

The Problem: Forgettable, Distant Messages

E-mail and instant messaging have made the world a smaller place, allowing us to immediately reach people half a world away in the blink of an eye. While that does open up new channels of communication, it has also made messaging feel less personal and, ironically, more distant.

It’s almost too easy to just pick an emoji, sticker, or animated GIF to convey a message, almost like simply cutting out a random picture from a magazine and sending it to your friend as a birthday card. It technically works, but not in a way that you’d remember for years to come.

There will always be a need to have more meaningful and memorable connections, and sometimes doing it the old-school physical way has more impact. You could always write a personal message on a card by hand, by why not go the extra mile and send something that really conveys your intentions not just through words but also through the sights and smells of a fragrant candle?

That’s the complete package that this unique candle and card combination offers to make sending personalized messages not only more effective but also faster and more affordable as well.

Why this is the Best Scented Candle for Cards

Scented candles aren’t new, but few of them could be easily mailed using standard postage stamps. This aromatic candle and its packaging, however, are so thin that it be easily sent with a 94 Japanese Yen standard stamp, removing the hassles of sending packages and whatnot.

Using the message card is simple as well. The sender writes their heart-warming message on the card and mails it, while the receiver takes out the thin candle, stands it on the indicated slot on the packaging, lights up the candle, and enjoys its fragrance as they read the message and watch the little flame dance.

You might have reservations about lighting a candle that’s standing on paper packaging, but this aromatic candle card is specially designed to protect you while you bask in the emotive experience. The packaging is made from fire-retardant paper, so it will only turn black without flaming up when burned.

The candle itself also has a natural extinguishing design where it only burns halfway through, around 30 minutes, before it dies out. All you have to do is light up the candle and sit back as you enjoy the sensations that it brings.

Who This Scented Candle Card is For

Candles have a naturally enchanting aura about them, with the flickering flame causing you to sometimes zone out in deep thought. Candles have also traditionally been used to honor loved ones, whether on birthday cakes or on memorial sites. The emotions that the sight of a lighted candle can be as varied as the messages sent with it. Pair that with soothing aromas, and you’ve got the perfect blend for a memorable sensory experience.

Sakura (Pink): The delicate and elegant scent of cherry blossoms, capturing the essence of springtime in Japan, adds warmth and beauty to any space.

Green Tea (Green): A soothing blend of sweetness and bitterness, evoking calm and relaxation, making your “Thank You” even more meaningful.

Yuzu (Yellow): A refreshing and slightly bitter citrus aroma that invigorates the senses, perfect for brightening someone’s day.

With such a visual and olfactory treat, this aromatic candle message card makes for the perfect gift if you want to quickly send a heartfelt message that no app or email can adequately convey. Its compact packaging and safety features make it convenient to simply mail a package to your loved one without worrying too much about costs and logistics.

Step away from the chaotic and impersonal world of instant messaging once in a while and create a deeper and longer-lasting connection with this beautiful Scented Candle Card.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $19 (10% off at checkout). Hurry! Black Friday deals end in 48 hours.

The post Best Scented Candle Cards to Leave a Lasting Impression first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mac mini M4 dock offers a stylish way to expand your ports and storage

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The popularity of the Mac mini has made small desktop computers quite the fad. Especially with small components getting more powerful, it’s now possible to have a decent desktop experience in a small box. What isn’t possible, however, is enjoying the same range and variety of ports available on towers, at least not without some outside help.

Docks for mini PCs aren’t new, but the Mac mini does present some very particular design challenges. How do you make a dock that isn’t just functional but also just as aesthetic as the Mac mini itself? That’s the puzzle that this new dock for the latest Apple mini computer tries to solve using a large number of ports, a hidden SSD enclosure, and a rather peculiar appearance.

Designer: RayCue

The Mac mini has always been designed to be discreet and subtle so it could be hidden from view while it does its job. Lately, however, the trend has been to actually show off the beautiful minimalism of these small boxes, though that also meant exposing hubs and docks that extend the modest port selection of the mini computer. Rather than those conventional long bars, hubs made specifically for the Mac mini are designed to sit beneath the computer, blending in as if part of Apple’s design itself.

RayCue’s hub and stand for the newest Mac mini M4 and M4 Pro follow that trend, adopting the same silver colorway as the Mac mini itself as well as its length and width. It sits below the Mac mini, leaving a slight gap in between for better airflow. A rather interesting design choice, however, is the raised fins radiating from the center of the dock, perhaps acting as passive cooling for the small yet powerful computer.

The RayCue Mac mini M4 dock expands the port selection with 10 different connectivity options, including an additional HDMI port for a dual display setup that doesn’t sacrifice a Thunderbolt port. Just like the Mac mini itself, it’s designed to have the most often accessed ports in the front, leaving the more “stationary” ones on the back.

Another trend in this product category is using the spacious dock for additional storage. The RayCue dock and stand supports a variety of M.2 NVMe SSD sizes up to 4TB in capacity, almost double the maximum Mac mini configuration available. Stylish and functional, it’s a perfect complement to the elegant Mac mini M4, one that will, however, cost you $99 without a $20 pre-order discount.

The post Mac mini M4 dock offers a stylish way to expand your ports and storage first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tiny USB-C accessory adds a physical volume slider to your laptop

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Laptops are getting thinner and smaller, but their functionality is getting even more powerful. The usually means plenty of things to control, and some of them need to be reached faster than digging through menus and clicking on buttons. Keyboard shortcuts are, of course, a viable solution, but they can also be cumbersome, complicated, and unintuitive.

Something as normal and as regular as changing the volume, for example, shouldn’t take two keystrokes or scrolling your mouse wheel (which might not exist) over some tiny icon. This simple yet useful accessory brings a bit of sanity and physicality to that action on laptops, at least if you have an extra USB-C to spare.

Designer: Pavel Burgr

Depending on your laptop’s keyboard layout and settings, turning the volume up or down can involve one or two keystrokes. The problem is that the location of these keys is inconsistent across keyboards and laptop brands, and they’re not exactly memorable or intuitive in their location. Having dedicated volume keys would be nice, but it could be a waste of precious space on the keyboard.

SoundSlide attacks that problem from a different angle by providing a physical volume control that you can connect and remove as needed. It’s a rather small object, smaller than a USB-A port and only 3.5mm thin, so it barely sticks out from the side of your laptop. It does connect via a USB-C port, and when it does, it gives you a way to actually feel like you’re raising or lowering your laptop’s volume.

The flat capacitive surface has exposed gold contacts that translate the sliding gestures to volume controls. A tap also mutes or unmutes the volume, giving you instant physical control without having to second guess which keys to press. It’s also promised to work out of the box on Windows, macOS, and even Linux, so you can use it without any setup or configuration. That said, you can also change a few settings such as sensitivity, orientation, and custom gestures using a Web-based interface.

The catch to this almost wonderful trinket is that it does occupy a USB-C slot. Some laptops have a limited number of ports, so you’re sacrificing what could be a potentially critical connection. That said, you don’t always need to have SoundSlide connected, so it’s not like you’re permanently losing an important USB-C port either.

The post Tiny USB-C accessory adds a physical volume slider to your laptop first appeared on Yanko Design.

Casio ring watch offers a playful yet practical way to tell the time

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Smart rings are now being positioned to replace smartwatches but only in terms of tracking the wearer’s health and activities. They can’t tell the time like smartwatches, at least not until they’re able to show a tiny display that’s still readable. There might be a way around that limitation, but it will make you look like you’re wearing a shrunken wristwatch on your finger.

That’s pretty much the case for the new Casio Ring Watch CRW-001-1JR, practically a miniature version of the classic Casio digital watch. It has a full watch face, just smaller, that you can clearly read at a glance. Ironically, it doesn’t have any sensors, but that could be a possibility in the future given how large it is anyway.

Designer: Casio

To be really blunt, this “finger watch” is more of a cute and funny novelty than something you’d really want to depend on. It’s meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Casio’s digital watch business, which is why it tries to stick as close as possible to that design. It is also functional, though comfortable use is obviously out of the question.

With a display that’s almost an inch in size, the Casio Ring Watch manages to squeeze in a 7-segment LCD that can display hours, minutes, and seconds. There are also multiple modes, including dual-time, alarm, and a stopwatch. Yes, it has an alarm, but rather than cramming a tiny and terrible speaker, it just flashes the screen to get your attention.

The Casio Ring Watch is roughly 1/10th the size of a regular Casio digital watch, but to accommodate that unusual design, which includes three physical buttons, the company opted to have a single ring size. It’s equivalent to US size 10.5 or 20mm inner diameter, but the package includes two spacers for those with smaller finger sizes. Unfortunately, that design does mean that larger fingers are out of luck.

This odd “smart” ring is more of a collectible product rather than an everyday wear anyway. Since we humans use our hands a lot, such a large ring will get in our way often. It is advertised to be waterproof, though, but the exact rating isn’t disclosed. It runs on a replaceable battery that is also stated to last at least two years before needing a substitute. The Casio Ring Watch will be launching next month with an SRP of 19,800 JPY, roughly $128. International availability is still unknown.

The post Casio ring watch offers a playful yet practical way to tell the time first appeared on Yanko Design.

Maximize Holiday Hydration with Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems: Black Friday Deals

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Just like the planet itself, our bodies need water in order to survive. Not just any water, of course, but clean and safe drinking water. With pollution in every corner, ensuring the purity of the water we consume is more important than ever. Water purifiers have become essential kitchen appliances, providing peace of mind and protecting our health, yet people are almost always on the fence when they should buy one.

With the holiday season fast approaching, there’s never a better time to make such an investment. With increased water usage during festive cooking and gatherings, having a reliable purifier ensures every sip is safe and refreshing. Fortunately, this is also a perfect time to grab a water filtration system with a sweet discount, and Waterdrop Filter’s Reverse Osmosis Systems are the perfect fit to quench your thirst for clean and safe water all year round.

Designer: Waterdrop Filter

Why are Water Purifiers Important for Homes

Having a water purifier at home means access to clean, safe water anytime. They remove contaminants, ensuring that every sip you take is safe and refreshing. It’s not just about taste; it’s about health. Purified water helps prevent waterborne diseases, supports better digestion, and even enhances the flavor of your cooking.

With holiday festivities around the corner, having a water purifier means access to clean, safe water for all your needs whether it’s for cooking or mixing a hot cup of cocoa. The growing awareness of water quality issues has caused more households to invest in these vital devices. Plus, with a water purifier, you can reduce your reliance on bottled water, saving money and reducing plastic waste. It’s a win-win for you and the environment!

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Buy A Water Purifier

Even if they know the critical benefits of clean drinking water, many households put off buying a system that serves the purified water they need. Some water filters are prohibitively expensive, perform poorly, and don’t meet their household’s needs, forcing homeowners to rely on tap that may not be as clean as they think. Well water often includes bacteria, parasites, and heavy metals, while municipal water would have chlorine as well as disinfection byproducts. Others put it off until family members get sick from the substances, parasites, and microorganisms that come with their drinking water.

If you’ve been considering a water purifier, there’s no better time than now to make the purchase. Black Friday discounts offers the perfect opportunity to make the purchase, allowing you to secure a top-quality purifier without breaking the bank. These deals make it easier to prioritize your family’s health and prepare for holiday gatherings without stretching your budget. Seize this chance to upgrade your kitchen and enjoy pure water throughout the festivities.

Choosing the Right Water Purifier: Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems

Incorporating a water purifier into your home is a smart move for health and convenience, but it shouldn’t be done haphazardly. When selecting a water purifier, consider factors like the type of filtration system, maintenance requirements, and capacity. Whether you opt for a reverse osmosis system, UV purifier, or a simple activated carbon filter, ensure it meets your needs.

Reverse osmosis (RO), in particular, has been proven to be a very efficient and cost-effective way to purify water and improve its taste. It is able to filter out nearly 95% of particles and dissolved contaminants in water without mixing in other substances that can also affect its taste. Just in time to prepare for the holiday season, Waterdrop Filter is giving three of its most popular RO systems some very sweet Black Friday discounts to meet every hydration and household need.

Waterdrop Filter X12 Reverse Osmosis System

Drink from the tap with the confidence of having filtered and purified water all the time with the Tankless Waterdrop Filter X12 RO under-sink system. With a rapid 1,200 GPD (gallons per day) flow, you don’t have to wait for clean water to drop from the faucet; just instant and pure hydration whenever you need it. An 11-stage 16-layer precision filtration system promises water safety and quality while alkaline mineral infusion promotes health and elevates flavor.

With its smart and elegant design, the Waterdrop Filter X12 easily hides itself from sight, and its tankless design can save 50 to 70% of the space under the sink. With a hi-tech smart digital faucet, you can instantly see TDS and filter life information to keep track of your water quality. With a simple twist and a gentle tap, you can conveniently adjust the water volume you need to help prevent wasted water.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • 1,200 GPD Rapid Flow makes it feel like you’re simply turning on the tap and fill a cup in 3 seconds.
  • High capacity enough to meet the needs of a large household.
  • Unparalleled 3:1 pure-to-drain ratio saves precious water resources.
  • 11-stage precision filter with robust 16-layer 0.0001μm RO membrane assures maximum water safety.
  • Healthy alkaline minerals and optimal 7.5 pH levels promote health and enhance flavor.
  • Space-saving minimalist design makes DIY installation a breeze.

Click Here to Buy Now: $827.08 $1299 ($471.92 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Waterdrop Filter K6 Instant Hot Water Reverse Osmosis System

Enjoy hot or warm drinking water on-demand with the Waterdrop Filter K6 under-sink Reverse Osmosis System. Why wait for water to boil or hot water to cool down when you can have precise control over the temperature of the water that will flow from the faucet? Of course, with a deep 5-in-1 filter that removes harmful substances, you don’t have to rely on heat only to guarantee the purity of your hot drink.

It’s almost a shame that you will rarely see the Waterdrop Filter K6’s stylish design, as it is meant to hide inconspicuously underneath kitchen sinks. The innovative smart display faucet, however, will make you feel like you’re living in the future, providing easy access to information as well as exact temperature controls. Of course, there’s also a safety lock to protect your loved ones from accidents.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • First Reverse Osmosis System with heating function for purified and hot water in a single unit.
  • High-capacity 600 GPD (Gallons Per Day) water flow rate delivers hot water in just seconds.
  • Delivers room temperature or hot water in the range of 104°C – 203°C (40°C- 95°C)for any drinking or cooking need.
  • Smart Display Faucet provides water filter information, temperature adjustment, and safety lock features.
  • 5-in-1 RO filter removes harmful substances through deep purification.

Click Here to Buy Now: $459.08 $799 ($339.92 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Waterdrop Filter A1 Reverse Osmosis Hot Cold Water Dispenser

Quench your thirst with a cold drink or savor a hot cup of tea anywhere in your home with the Waterdrop Filter A1 countertop hot and cold water dispenser. With its Plug-and-Play design, you can easily put this multi-functional water dispenser in your living room, home office, or bedroom so you that your favorite drinks are always within reach. Supporting six temperature settings for ice-cold or boiling water, the Waterdrop Filter A1 lets you enjoy clean water in the temperature that you need in an instant.

Of course, that water purity is delivered by Watedrop’s 6-stage RO filtration system that can efficiently reduce over 1,000 impurities. It also includes a UV-LED light for sterilizing the water tanks. Despite its advanced features, the Waterdrop Filter A1 is easy to use and safe, with smart touch keys that put all the control under your fingertips and child lock to protect against accidental operation.

Why it’s noteworthy

  • All-in-One water dispenser for hot and cold water in a single stylish unit.
  • Six temperature options ranging from 41°F – 203°F (5°C – 95°C) delivers the water you need in an instant.
  • 6-stage filtration and UV-LED sterilization ensure the safety of the water, regardless of temperature.
  • Plug-and-Play Installation-free design provides flexibility in placement options.
  • OLED Smart Display and touch keys simplify the user experience while providing safety at the same time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $434.13 $699 ($264.87 off, use coupon code “YDreaderBF” to get extra 8% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

With fantastic discounts available, now is the ideal time to make this essential purchase. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is clean and safe. Don’t let this opportunity slip by — upgrade your kitchen with a Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis System today and experience the difference in every drop.

The post Maximize Holiday Hydration with Waterdrop Filter Reverse Osmosis Systems: Black Friday Deals first appeared on Yanko Design.

OPPO Find X8 Review: Slim, Sleek, and Subtle

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PROS:


  • Stylish and slim design with a very thin camera bump

  • Improved Triple 50MP camera output

  • Very large battery with fast wired and wireless charging

CONS:


  • Limited availability for now

  • Doesn't stand out from the OPPO Find X8 Pro

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The OPPO Find X8 offers a more refined and stylish design without losing the charm and power of its flagship camera-centric smartphone.

The year is almost over but OPPO is far from done. Aiming to end the year with a bang, the brand has taken the veils off the OPPO Find X8 and the OPPO Find X8 Pro, putting a heavy emphasis on photography chops. Of course, there’s plenty of AI to go around, as well as the computing power necessary to support those features.

The late 2024 models, however, might feel a little iterative, at least if you simply read the specs and feature list. As they say, however, don’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case its technical details, so we dive in to test if you will “Find” some unexpected treasures where “X” marks the spot, terrible puns totally intended.

Designer: OPPO

Aesthetics

Although the basic structure of the OPPO Find X8 doesn’t deviate too much from its predecessor, you can immediately see and feel its more refined personality. If the Find X6 and X7 were toddlers and teens breaking new ground, the Find X8 has the air of a young professional establishing its presence.

Part of that sleeker and more mature charm is its thin body, only 7.85mm without the camera bump. Granted, it’s not the thinnest phone around, but the flat sides, contoured edges, and thin bezels around the screen all contribute to making it look more modern and elegant. It can definitely meet the demand for sophisticated and luxurious designs among today’s discerning consumers.

The biggest contributing factor, however, is the refined Cosmos Ring camera design. It’s no longer unusual to see circular camera bumps on smartphones, but few manage to get it right, including previous Find X designs. With the OPPO Find X8, however, the company managed to pull off a seemingly magical feat of making it incredibly thin, only 3.01mm. No longer will camera bumps look like obscene moles and just gently blend into the rest of the phone’s equally stylish rear.

The cameras themselves are also arranged in a more symmetrical manner, no longer an eyesore that will trigger one’s aesthetic sensibilities. There’s still a periscope-style telephoto camera hiding there, so it’s not sacrificing any functionality with its improved style. It seems that OPPO has finally got it right this time around, and hopefully, it will keep refining its design language for future Find X models.

Ergonomics

The OPPO Find X8’s thin profile comes with another benefit. At only 193g, it’s quite a light object, nesting comfortably in your hand. There’s still some debate over the ergonomics of rounded versus flat sides, but in this swing of the pendulum, the pro-flat faction seems to have won. Thankfully, that also seems to be the case in this case.

The Cosmic Ring camera design also brings its own added value. Since the large circle is located in the middle of the phone, the weight is more evenly distributed across the phone’s width. There’s no wobble when you put it down on a flat surface, and it isn’t as top heavy as other phones that cram all that hardware to a corner. Your index finger also rests gently on the edge of the textured ring, adding to the confidence of your grip.

The Find X8’s comfort extends beyond your touch. It has a screen that boasts extremely high-frequency PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming at 3840Hz, which helps reduce the strain on one’s eyes. Given how much we use our phones even in the dark, that’s no small benefit. It’s not going to beat E Ink displays, of course, but those can never replace the vibrant colors and fast refresh speeds of regular displays.

Performance

While there has been a lot of media buzz around Qualcomm’s shiny new Snapdragon 8 Elite, OPPO went with the someone unusual choice of putting the equally new MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chip inside both the Find X8 as well as the Find X8 Pro. To be fair, the performance gap between these two giants of the mobile processor industry has narrowed over the past years, and MediaTek offers a competitive and accessible alternative to Qualcomm’s pricey products.

That can be seen in the OPPO Find X8, which doesn’t choke on the most grueling tasks, including mobile gaming. The new ColorOS 15, with its fancier graphics, animation, and AI features, performs smooth as butter, owing to the Dimensity 9400’s capabilities. There will definitely be cases where benchmark numbers will show it lagging behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but most people won’t feel the difference in everyday use.

The OPPO Find X8 has a bright and colorful 6.59-inch screen with bezels only 1.45mm wide on all sides, bidding goodbye to the notorious “chin” of yesteryears. In addition to the eye-friendly PWM dimming mentioned earlier, it also has a pixel-dense 1.5K resolution, a fast and adaptable 120Hz refresh rate for fluid videos and games, and ProXDR support for gorgeous visuals. Suffice it to say, it really puts your content front and center.

Of course, as a member of the Find X family, the main course for this smartphone is the camera system. Going with a triple 50MP setup, which miraculously fits in that thin ring, reduces the jarring change between wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras. Of course, there are still differences in focal length, but the quality is more or less on equal footing.

The main 50MP Sonly LYT700 comes with a 24mm equivalent focal length and takes rather great photos even in overcast weather. It can support at least up to 2x zoom on its own, but you’ll really want to switch to the 50MP Sony LYT600 and its periscope telephoto lens for getting up close and personal. It supports 3x optical zoom, and you can even extend that to 10x with some help from the AI Telescope Zoom feature. Unfortunately, even at 3x, you will start to see some loss in detail under more difficult lighting situations.

The 50MP Samsung JN5 ultra-wide camera has a rather narrow 15mm focal length. That means less distortion around the edges, but also not as wide as other ultra-wide cameras on other phones. There’s also an inconsistency in brightness and white balance compared to the main camera, but that’s not unusual because of its smaller f/2.0 aperture. Regardless, the OPPO Find X8 delivers decent shots with every click, which is quite impressive when you consider how thin it is.

It would be remiss not to mention the other aspects of mobile photography that don’t rely on the hardware only. Like previous OPPO flagships, the partnership with Hasselblad yields special portrait modes that try to recreate the brand’s famed cameras through some software tweaking. There is also an abundance of AI-powered features for tweaking and improving photos, especially when filling in the gaps that can’t be captured by the sensors. There’s also a “Lightning Snap” feature that’s pretty much an AI-assisted burst mode to help with fast-moving cars and kids.

Powering all these features is a large 5,630mAh battery, definitely one of the largest for this phone size. To complement that size, OPPO has equipped the Find X8 with fast 80W SuperVOOC wired charging, which is admittedly just a little bit slower than the previous-gen 100W speed. It does support fast 50W AirVOOC wireless charging, though you’ll naturally need to use OPPO’s proprietary accessories for that.

Long story short, the OPPO Find X8 offers a well-balanced set of features that will delight hobbyist photographers and everyday users. There’s no shortage of AI buzz as well, including integration with Google Gemini and the now popular Circle to Search feature. That said, people are still coming to terms with what AI can do for them on their phones, so these are definitely not killer features for this generation.

Sustainability

OPPO is one of the few major phone brands that has a very strong sustainability program to reduce their negative impact on the environment. Unfortunately, that’s not directly seen here on the Find X8, at least not when it comes to using sustainable materials like recycled plastic or metal. Packaging size has indeed been reduced, but that’s pretty much it. It does ship with a charger, which you’ll really need since it uses a proprietary fast-charging technology.

Where the OPPO Find X8 does shine in this regard is its durability and longevity. It goes beyond the expected IP68 dust and water resistance rating and is actually certified for IP69, protecting it against sprays of water up to 80°C in temperature. It also has an MGJB 150.18A MIL-STD rating for shock protection and Swiss SGS certification for whole-phone drops. In other words, it is designed to last for a long time, at least under regular wear and tear, delaying any need to throw it away for a new unit.

Value

The OPPO Find X8 represents maturity in terms of design and function. It is now more elegant, more symmetrical, and more stylish while keeping the good things that OPPO fans have enjoyed for years. While there might be some inconsistency with camera output, it’s definitely no slouch in that area. It offers a solid contender in the smartphone market that could stand proud against other giants in the market.

The Find X8’s biggest rival, however, isn’t those brands. Ironically, it’s the Find X8 Pro itself that makes the non-Pro model a harder sell. It has nearly identical specs, just better and larger, and a fourth 50MP camera that tries to reach farther. The Find X8 starts at 4,199 RMB, roughly $580, which isn’t that far from the Find X8 Pro’s 5,299 ($730) starting price tag, both with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. At the moment, there is also no word yet on international distribution, which further diminishes the phone’s value in the global market.

Verdict

There’s no stopping the development of more powerful smartphones and more component smartphone cameras, but manufacturers always have to consider the effects these would have on a phone’s design. Some brands don’t really seem to care, opting to just cram as much power they can in the hopes that buyers would overlook the visible warts. Others, on the other hand, prioritize good looks even if it means cutting corners in terms of overall value.

Striking a balance between form and function in smartphones is definitely easy, but the OPPO Find X8 proves that it’s not impossible. After a few iterations, OPPO has managed to shrink not just the phone’s buddy but also that tricky camera bump down to something more aesthetic yet still very powerful. As a brand very conscious of product design, we’re hoping OPPO continues on this path, blazing a trail for others to envy and then follow.

The post OPPO Find X8 Review: Slim, Sleek, and Subtle first appeared on Yanko Design.

Robotic Open-source Scale Dress Printed by ELEGOO Neptune 4 Series: 3D Printing in Fashion

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3D printing has revolutionized the design industry by making it easier to prototype ideas quickly and efficiently. This technology allows designers to experiment with new concepts without the high costs traditionally associated with prototyping. As a result, executing designs has become more affordable and accessible, opening up new avenues for creativity. Beyond design, 3D printing is now breaking into other industries, including fashion, with trailblazers like ELEGOO leading the charge.

ELEGOO is not just a pioneer in 3D printing but also in empowering women to use technology to turn their ideas into reality. One prime example is an innovative robotic and modular dress system that will showcase the potential of 3D printing in fashion, inspiring a new wave of creators. This initiative highlights how 3D printing is transforming the fashion industry, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and expression.

Designer: Anouk Wipprecht

Click Here to Buy Now: $209.99 $275 (23% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

Anouk Wipprecht and the Scale Dress: Futuristic Fashion

Anouk Wipprecht, a visionary Dutch FashionTech Designer and Engineer, has partnered with ELEGOO to push the boundaries of fashion technology. She has developed a new modular system for integrating motors into fabrics, revolutionizing how garments can interact with the wearer and environment. This collaboration marks a significant leap in the fusion of fashion and technology, showcasing the endless possibilities of innovative design.

The “Scale Dress” is a groundbreaking creation from this collaboration, representing a futuristic approach to fashion. This robotic, open-source dress comprises multiple 3D-printed mechanical parts, each equipped with tiny servo motors. These motors animate the dress, creating dynamic movements around the body. Ingeniously, the mechanism is sandwiched between fabric layers, with its round shape evenly distributing weight to prevent sagging or imbalance.

The Scale Dress not only captivates with its moving elements but also serves as a modular, open-source template for aspiring designers. Anouk Wipprecht has ensured that the design is accessible to those interested in robotic fashion. The servo-arms can be interchanged to hold various elements, addressing the challenge of integrating electronics with fabric and creating lifelike movements.

To empower others to explore this innovative realm, Anouk has open-sourced the Scale Dress design on her Instructables page. In collaboration with ELEGOO, she provides a detailed step-by-step guide on creating your own robotic dress with moving parts. The guide focuses on utilizing 9g servo arms, enabling creators to experiment and personalize their designs with ease.

This initiative not only highlights the potential of 3D printing and robotics in fashion but also encourages a new generation of designers to embrace technology. By sharing her knowledge and tools, Anouk Wipprecht is paving the way for more innovative and interactive fashion creations, inspiring others to explore the intersection of technology and design.

ELEGOO With Her: Empowering the Next Generation of Women Creators

The “ELEGOO With Her” program is a remarkable initiative aimed at equipping more women and girls with 3D printing skills. And the debut of the Scale Dress marks the official launch of the program, followed by a roundtable featuring prominent female designers at Formnext 2024 in Frankfurt, the largest 3D Printing Fair in Europe. This will kick off the initiative that aims not just to revolutionize the 3D printing industry but also fashion tech.

From November 19, 2024, to February 5, 2025, ELEGOO will recruit 30 women and girls for its empowerment program, providing them with 3D printers, software support, and mentorship. Participants will benefit from two months of online courses and workshops, culminating in a showcase of their work in April. This program is a testament to ELEGOO’s commitment to fostering diversity and innovation in the tech industry, empowering women to become leaders in 3D printing.

ELEGOO Neptune 4 Series: Unleashing Creativity in Fashion Design

The Scale Dress, designed for the FashionTech field, utilizes 3D-printed mechanical parts created with the ELEGOO Neptune 4 series 3D printers. The Neptune 4 series’ intelligent printing capabilities make it an ideal tool for blending technology and fashion. By enabling intricate designs and seamless integration of mechanical parts, this printer is a catalyst for innovation in FashionTech, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry.

This fusion of 3D printing technology and fashion is opening up new horizons for creativity and innovation. With pioneers like ELEGOO leading the way, the potential for groundbreaking designs and empowering diverse creators is limitless. As 3D printing continues to evolve, its impact on fashion and beyond will undoubtedly shape the future of design.

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Gorgeous titanium-coated drinking glass makes every drink a visual and gustatory treat

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It’s almost too easy to take for granted the vessel we’re drinking from. After all, we’re definitely more interested in the taste of our drink, unaware that the material our glass or cup is made of can actually have an adverse effect on the very taste we’re so fixated on.

And that glass you’re drinking from? It might not even be pure glass but mixed with some metals to reinforce the material, metals that also affect the taste or, worse, affect our bodies.

If you’re searching for the perfect glassware, you don’t have to look far because we have just the perfect design for this very purpose. Stunningly beautiful and faithful to your flavors, this small piece of glassware is able to recreate the magnificent Aurora lights right in your hand, turning every sip into a memorable experience.

Designer: Progress Design

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Drinking glasses are a common sight in many households, whether they’re for “regular” beverages or alcoholic drinks. Clear as they might appear, some of these are mixed with some metals to produce certain colors or effects.

And while these metals aren’t so dangerous to our health, they do have negative effects on the taste of the drink.

It is almost as if you can’t combine beauty and taste in a glass, but that theory has been proven false with PROGRESS’ Rex Rock glassware.

Skilled craftsmen from Shizuoka, Japan harness the same technologies and processes used in making space-grade equipment like satellites to process titanium of the highest purity to reinforce the glass and coat its inner surface.

This rare form of pure titanium doesn’t release metal ions that mess with the flavor of the drink inside. In fact, it actually works to enhance the taste by breaking down unpleasant flavors.

Pure titanium is also regarded to be the most human-friendly and safest kind of metal because it rarely changes over time. That means no staining, no odors, and completely hygienic.

Pure titanium alone, as impressive as it already might be, isn’t enough to create an unforgettable drinking experience. This drinking glass takes the design even further by reproducing the mesmerizing colors of the rainbow and of the majestic Aurora lights.

This feat is made possible by making extremely precise cuts and changes to the glass’ thickness down to nano levels. Pouring drink into the glass results in a shimmering effect that’s comparable to the soothing glow of the aurora, a bonfire, or a murmuring stream, imagery that calms the heart and soothes the soul.

Stop worrying about the safety and taste of your drink and start enjoying the flavors and the dazzling visuals offered by this pure titanium-reinforced glassware. Whether it’s liquor, soda, or even just ice-cold water, this stunning drinking glass will turn the activity into a joyful and reinvigorating experience, rich in flavor and color.

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Odd backpack is designed for carrying spare bicycle tires and large objects

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It’s pretty amazing how much stuff we can cram into our backpacks, from laptops to 2-liter water bottles to a bundle of chargers and cables. Of course, these are objects that were designed to be small enough to fit in bags in the first place, so that’s not exactly out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, we sometimes need to carry things larger than the largest backpacks in the market.

This bag might be designed for bicycle racing, but it can definitely do more than just carry spare wheels for an emergency. Its literally open design actually offers a bit more wiggle room that will let you carry large or odd-shaped items without breaking a sweat. Unless, of course, they’re actually too heavy to carry on your back.

Designer: Fernando A. Robert

We often think of bags as enclosed containers with a single opening, but there really isn’t a formal definition of a bag’s design. This “Bike Backpack” might look like a regular backpack from the front, but its open sides definitely break the stereotype. Then again, the idea of carrying a bicycle wheel or a large box is itself already unconventional.

The Sherman Bike Backpack has a tri-fold design that opens vertically like a flap. The idea is that you stuff things that are too large or too wide for regular bags in between the flaps, letting the sides extend beyond the bag’s confines. Alternatively, you can also hang something outside and secure it with straps.

This is how you can carry one or two bicycle wheels that are thin and light enough to put on your back while cycling or racing. Of course, boxes, drawing boards, blueprint tubes, and other large objects are also fair game, as long as you secure them properly with straps. It definitely makes for an odd sight, but your comfort and convenience definitely outweigh any awkwardness.

The backpack also has compartments for carrying regular stuff, and you might be able to use it for carrying laptops, tools, or even clothes. That said, it isn’t the ideal backpack for all weather conditions, since the open sides make it very vulnerable to water, snow, and even dust.

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Tricorder-like device concept envisions a futuristic portable health scanner

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Smartphones and smartwatches today have a variety of sensors and apps that give us a glimpse of our health. We can track heart rates, blood oxygen levels, and even temperatures, and combine that data to create a more holistic picture and actionable steps. Of course, nothing beats professional medical equipment, but we can’t carry those around with us.

Phones and wearables might be convenient, but they don’t always offer the best user experience for specific needs. This concept device, for example, tries to imagine a dedicated health scanner that is able to cram more features while still retaining its portable size. And it even looks and feels quite advanced to boot!

Designer: Vadim Trofimenko

When talking about handheld scanning devices, many sci-fi and pop culture buffs will probably think of Star Trek tricorders. These fictional devices can detect and analyze almost anything, from materials to creatures to people. Of course, we haven’t yet reached that level of technology, but we’re getting pretty close thanks to computer vision and AI.

The MediScan Pro concept design tries to deliver some of that futuristic experience to the realm of personal health. It’s a pocket-sized metal box that offers more specialized functionality than generic smartphones and smartwatches, at least in theory. Based on the concept, it still scans your finger to get data, similar to how IR and laser scanners work today.

In terms of design, the MediScan Pro has a bit of a retro-futuristic aesthetic. It’s quite box and angular, not hiding the fact that it’s a technological product. There’s a sizeable fingerprint scanner near the top, a small display in the middle, and buttons and wheels at the bottom for controlling the devices. It has an aluminum body but, curiously, the textured surface on its back is supposed to be made from recycled plastic.

Much of the functionality it tries to offer is, to be honest, already available today, especially with the limited data you can glean from a fingerprint. It also uses AI to evaluate the data, give you recommendations, or contact your health provider. The difference from smartphones and smartwatches that already exist today is that MediScan Pro offers a distraction-free experience so you don’t suddenly forget what you’re doing because of the flood of notifications and alerts that greet you.

One unrealistic feature, however, is the use of holograms to display your health status. We’re not yet at that point where small devices can display detailed holograms, let alone ones that contain enough information at a glance. That’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility, but by then we might also have less bulky and more elegant designs by then.

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