Monthly Archives: March 2024

Experience a combination of minimalism and productivity with an E-Ink QWERTY Minimal Phone

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Some people opt for a minimalist smartphone to reduce distractions and enhance productivity. These devices typically offer only essential features, such as phone calls, messaging, notes, calendars, internet browsing, and key Android apps. This setup allows users to focus on what’s crucial without interruptions from numerous app notifications. Furthermore, these simplified phones often have extended battery life due to their limited features. If you’re drawn to a minimalistic device, the Minimal Phone could be ideal for you. It’s the product of an experienced team with a combined 60 years in design, engineering, and technology entrepreneurship. Their vision is to deliver a product that eliminates all unnecessary features.

Designers: Andre Youkhna and Armen Youssefian

Click Here to Buy Now: $325 $450 ($125 off, exclusive perk for YD Readers only). Hurry, only a few left!

The Minimal Phone is equipped with a high-performance MTK 6769 CPU and 4GB RAM, ensuring a smooth user experience. It has 128GB of storage space for apps and data and operates on Android 13, which features the latest security and system updates. The display is a 3.5” E-Ink touch screen with a resolution of 300 PPI and a high refresh rate for clear images and smooth transitions. It has an 8MP front camera and a 16MP rear camera for photography. The phone supports 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz WiFi Direct and Bluetooth 4.1 and is compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks. It features a sizeable 4000mAh battery with QC 18W and wireless charging support less than 20W. The most appealing feature is the integrated tactile QWERTY keyboard.

The e-ink display of the Minimal phone offers users a comfortable, glare-free reading experience, significantly reducing eye strain even during prolonged use.

Incorporating a tactile, responsive QWERTY keyboard into a smartphone design can be complex. However, the team behind the Minimal Phone has tackled this challenge directly. The ergonomic design of the keyboard has been carefully considered to provide a comfortable user experience. The team has analyzed various factors such as keyboard layout, key size, and key travel distance to ensure they meet the expectations of a wide range of users. They understand that speed and accuracy are crucial for a satisfying typing experience, so they’ve strived to optimize these factors in the design.

The team has selected high-quality materials for the phone, considering durability and regular use over its lifespan. Recognizing the need for the keyboard to maintain its quality and responsiveness, they’ve carefully chosen the construction materials and methods. As a result, the keyboard must feel comfortable to the touch and built to last. Other standard features include NFC, GPS, A-GPS, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, a G sensor, a compass, a gyroscope, a proximity sensor, and a light sensor. Additionally, it also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack located on the top left-hand corner.

The Minimal Phone, thoughtfully designed for ease of use and comfort, measures 121 x 72 x 10mm (4.74″ x 2.83″ x 0.39″), akin to the ergonomic shape of a passport. Its well-proportioned layout makes it extremely comfortable to hold and type on the physical keyboard. The microphone at the bottom left of the device complements the central USB-C plug-in port flanked by speakers on its right. The phone’s left side hosts the volume control buttons—up and down—with an e-ink refresh button nestled between them. The power button is on the phone’s right side, just above the conveniently placed SIM card slot, contributing to a well-balanced and intuitive design. Plus, its slim profile allows it to disappear into a pair of jeans pocket or slip easily inside a suit coat.

The major advantage of the Minimal Phone is its e-ink display, which provides a reading experience that closely mimics reading from physical paper. The display uses ambient light to illuminate the text, reducing eye strain associated with backlit screens found in tablets and smartphones. Furthermore, e-ink displays are easier to read in bright sunlight, making the Minimal Phone perfect for outdoor reading. Additionally, e-ink displays consume significantly less power, leading to the Minimal Phone’s longer battery life, which is ideal for extended reading sessions.

Click Here to Buy Now: $325 $450 ($125 off, exclusive perk for YD Readers only). Hurry, only a few left!

The post Experience a combination of minimalism and productivity with an E-Ink QWERTY Minimal Phone first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Sangja House Perfectly Combines Portability & Comfort To Create The Ultimate Tiny Home

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In all honesty, tiny homes don’t seem to be oh-so-tiny lately. They’re getting to be bigger and bigger, as people want to downsize, but without having to cramp themselves up in completely uncomfortable homes. Modern Tiny Living is one of the tiny home builders on the market who manage to create homes that are a good mix of portability and comfort, and one such tiny home by them is Sangja. Measuring 28 feet, Sangja is a cozy home with a master bedroom with sufficient standing space, a well-designed living room, and a bathtub!

Designer: Modern Tiny Living

Based on a triple-axle trailer, the Sangja’s exterior is finished in engineered wood with a smooth cedar accenting. The Sangja also features massive windows and a skylight which maximize daylight within the home, creating a well-lit and free-flowing living space. Although Sangja has a modest length, it is not the smallest tiny home on the market, but it is tinier than the North American towable homes we usually see.

As visitors enter the home, they are welcomed by a living room equipped with a large sofa and some functional integrated storage, as well as a custom maple vertical slat wall. Besides the maple slat wall, the rest of the interior is finished in some soothing plywood. Next to the living room is a kitchen, which features a breakfast bar with stool seating, a fridge/freezer, a propane-powered stove, and an oven, as well as some shelving and butcher block countertops. As you walk further into the home, there is a bathroom opposite the living room. You can access this space via a sliding door, and it includes a washer/dryer, composting toilet, bathtub, and a built-in shower.

The Sangja includes two bedrooms – a master bedroom downstairs, and a second bedroom placed directly above the master bedroom. The master bedroom is placed on the side of the home that is opposite the bathroom. It includes a double bed with built-in storage and has plenty of headroom allowing visitors to stand upright. This space also contains shelving and a bedside cabinet. The second bedroom above the master bedroom can be accessed via a ladder.

The post The Sangja House Perfectly Combines Portability & Comfort To Create The Ultimate Tiny Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

The FTC might sue TikTok over its handling of users’ privacy and security

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TikTok, already fighting a proposed law that could lead to a ban of the app in the United States, may soon also find itself in the crosshairs of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is close to wrapping up a multiyear investigation into the company, which could result in a lawsuit or major fine, Politico reports.

The investigation is reportedly centered around the app’s privacy and security practices, including its handling of children’s user data. According to Politico, the FTC is looking into potential violations of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), as well as “allegations that the company misled its users by stating falsely that individuals in China do not have access to U.S. user data.” TikTok could also be penalized for violating the terms of its 2019 settlement with regulators over data privacy.

While it’s not clear if the FTC’s investigation will result in a lawsuit or other action, the investigation is yet another source of pressure for the company as it tries to secure its future in its largest market.. After a quick passage in the House, the Senate is considering a bill that would force TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or face an outright ban in the US. The Biden Administration, which has also tried to pressure ByteDance to divest TikTok, is backing the measure and US intelligence officials have briefed lawmakers on the alleged national security risks posed by the app.

TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-ftc-might-sue-tiktok-over-its-handling-of-users-privacy-and-security-224911806.html?src=rss

Keychron’s Redesigned NumPad Doubles Your Productivity With Additional Gaming and Macro Keys

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For designers and data enthusiasts, the number pad is a productivity powerhouse. It streamlines repetitive tasks, frees up valuable desk space, and keeps your workflow flowing. But what if your number pad could be more than just a utilitarian tool? Enter the Keychron Q0 Max, a fully customizable number pad that blends cutting-edge features with a familiar design. It might outwardly look like a numpad, but it’s a meticulously designed tool built to streamline workflows for both casual users and productivity powerhouses. Designed for content creators, programmers, or simply anyone who values efficiency, the Keychron Q0 Max wireless keypad offers a compelling combination of features and customization. Its compact size makes it a perfect space-saving solution for desks of all sizes, while its powerful functionality caters to users who demand more from their peripherals. With its attractive price tag and feature-rich design, the Q0 Max is a strong contender for the title of best productivity keypad in the market.

Designer: Keychron

The Q0 Max builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Q0 Plus, by offering a more versatile layout. It retains the familiar numeric keypad but adds five dedicated macro keys on the left-hand side and a convenient rotary knob. These additional controls unlock a treasure trove of customization possibilities. Imagine assigning complex macros to single keypresses, streamlining repetitive tasks, playing games, or using the knob for media control or application switching. The Q0 Max empowers you to tailor your workflow for maximum efficiency.

Hot-swappable switches allow you to personalize the typing experience to your exact preferences. Do you crave the satisfying tactility of the Jupiter Tea switches? Or perhaps the smooth glide of the Jupiter Red is more your style? Keychron offers a variety of options to suit every taste. Additionally, south-facing RGB lights enhance the visual appeal, bathing your workspace in a vibrant glow that complements your setup.

For users who crave even deeper control, the Q0 Max boasts compatibility with QMK/VIA software. You can remap any key and program those valuable macro keys to perform actions you use frequently. Imagine launching specific applications, inserting frequently used text snippets, or controlling multimedia playback – all with a single tap. Keychron has also made significant upgrades to the Q0 Max’s core components. Pre-installed switches now hail from the Gateron Jupiter series, renowned for their impressive durability. With a staggering 80 million keypress lifespan, these switches can handle even the most demanding typing marathons.

The Q0 Max comes dressed in two sleek color options: classic carbon black and crisp shell white. This allows you to seamlessly integrate the keypad into your existing setup, ensuring it complements your aesthetic preferences. The barebone kit, ideal for enthusiasts who already have their preferred switches and keycaps, starts at a budget-friendly $109. For those who prefer a complete package, the finished version with pre-installed Gateron Jupiter switches and high-quality PBT keycaps comes in at $119.

The post Keychron’s Redesigned NumPad Doubles Your Productivity With Additional Gaming and Macro Keys first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Teenage Engineering handled gaming console derives inspiration from Sony PSP

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Teenage Engineering as a niche electronics brand has always offered something new and exciting to the audio-loving community. We certainly love all their creations and are always looking forward to the next creation from the Swedish wiz. It’s been just a few weeks since we saw the refreshing TE concept handheld gaming console designed by an independent creator, and now another one with an eerily similar vibe has landed on Behance.

On first look both these handheld gaming consoles seemed similar but on closer inspection they are indeed different. No surprise, this concept is fan-made, and in no way does Teenage Engineering endorse the concept. That said, the handheld is impressive enough to someday become the inspiration for a real gaming console by TE.

Designer: Vishesh Jaiswal

The curves normally identified with the Apple smartphone become an inspiration on the Gaming Console XP-I and the curvature follows down to the bottom surface. The portable gaming machine designed for casual gamers emerges from the teardown of the nostalgic 2006 Sony PSP, and finally evolves to take the form of a handheld that is an amalgam of inspiration from the Nintendo Switch. The prototype dummy model is created by intricately shaping the styrofoam that still looks roughened up and unconvincing.

On the other hand, digital renders look more refined and TE-worthy with an extended rear section that acts as a sidekick to place it on the surface. These also act as the trigger buttons for massive tactile input as they move a full 90 degrees. This should be engaging and fun while playing the newly released COD Warzone Mobile or CarX Street. The joystick buttons are more prominent for gamers who like the more retro-styled console with big chunky input buttons.

The rear bottom of the handheld has leather padding for comfortable holding during long gaming sessions. The body shell is done in a titanium grey finish contrasted with the signature Teenage Engineering color scheme in orange, black and white. I personally like this one better compared to the earlier concept. Which one do you fancy more to one day join the TE line-up?

The post This Teenage Engineering handled gaming console derives inspiration from Sony PSP first appeared on Yanko Design.

Microsoft is finally bringing keyboard and mouse support to Xbox Cloud Gaming titles

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It's taken much longer than expected but Microsoft is finally bringing keyboard and mouse (KBM) support to certain Xbox Cloud Gaming titles. We first heard that the company planned to do so in March 2022 and it was suggested that the option might be available by that June, but evidently that did not happen. It's only now that Microsoft is starting to let testers on the Alpha Skip-Ahead ring check out KBM functions on web browsers (Edge and Chrome) and the Xbox PC app. The feature should be available more broadly soon.

To try out the KBM support, you'll need to be a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber (unless you want to check it out on Fortnite, which is totally free to play via Xbox Cloud Gaming). You'll also need to enroll in the PC Gaming Preview program. If you're testing out KBM support on a web browser, there's one more step — you'll have to switch on Preview features on your browser. To do that, click on your profile picture at xbox.com/play, select Settings and then turn on “Preview features.”

Some supported games might still show controller elements on screen at first. You might be prompted to press A to start the game or some such. However, the game should switch to the KBM user interface as soon as you move the cursor or press a button. On browsers, KBM will only work when you're playing in full screen mode and you've clicked on the game stream for it to recognize your mouse input. You can exit KBM use by pressing F9 or hold the ESC button to leave full-screen mode.

The first Xbox Cloud Gaming titles to gain KBM support are Fortnite (browsers only), Ark Survival Evolved, Sea of Thieves, Grounded, Halo Infinite, Atomic Heart, Sniper Elite 5, Deep Rock Galactic, High on Life, Zombie Army 4 Dead War, Gears Tactics, Pentiment, Doom 64 and Age of Empires 2. There is a known issue for Atomic Heart at the minute. Microsoft notes that there's some difficulty switching between a controller and KBM while streaming that game.

This is a welcome update, especially for those who want to play first-person shooters with a KBM setup but don't have a PC with enough oomph to run current games natively. It's a good step forward for accessibility too. Xbox's cloud gaming tech is pretty solid, but here's hoping it can keep up with Fortnite players who can build elaborate structures in nanoseconds.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-finally-bringing-keyboard-and-mouse-support-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-titles-200148150.html?src=rss

This Transparent Stationery Kit Tells Stories Through Its Unconventional Design

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The stationery from Royi looks nothing like the kind you’re used to – They make office supplies that have stories to tell. These stories teach us important lessons, like being honest and true to ourselves. Royi’s staplers and hard disks aren’t just regular—they’re see-through, showing us what’s inside. This makes us think about what’s really important. In this article, we’ll explore how Royi Stationery makes our daily tasks more meaningful. Join us as we discover the stories behind their creations and how they can change the way we see our workspace.

Designers: YoonJeong Lee, Hyobin Jeon, and yerin An

The tale of the naked king is a timeless fable that transcends generations. It speaks of a monarch consumed by vanity, whose obsession with outward appearances leads to his ultimate folly. This narrative, originating centuries ago, finds new life in Royi’s modern interpretation.

The story of the naked king serves as a poignant reminder of the risks of superficiality, urging individuals to look beyond the façade and introspect. Royi Stationery, through its thoughtful design choices, aims to evoke this reflection in everyday moments.

Imagine your everyday stapler but with a twist! A stapler that doesn’t hide what’s inside. It’s see-through, like a window into its inner workings. When you press it down, you can actually see the staple punching through the papers. It’s not just a regular stapler; it’s like a symbol of honesty and openness, reminding us of an old story about a king who learned the hard way about the importance of being true to oneself.

Now, think about your external hard disk. Normally, it’s just a box that holds your files. But what if you could see through it? You’d notice all the tiny parts inside, working hard to keep your data safe. That transparent casing isn’t just for show; it’s a reminder of how precious our information is and how much we rely on technology to protect it.

Even something as simple as a coin bank can tell a story. Imagine watching your coins pile up through a clear container. It’s like seeing your savings grow right before your eyes. Each coin becomes a tiny piece of freedom, echoing the dreams of a king who longed to break free from the constraints of his kingdom.

What makes Royi Stationery special is that they aren’t just products; they are stories. Each item is designed with a purpose, to remind us of important lessons and spark our imagination. In a world where looks often overshadow meaning, Royi Stationery stands out by putting the message front and center.

So, next time you reach for a stapler or plug in your hard disk, take a moment to think about the story behind it. A lot of times the story is lost behind the superficial aesthetic of products and the reason for their creation does not hold the value that it actually should. Objects can hold a lot of value if they come with a lesson just like this one. So that’s why this stationery set invites us to look beyond the surface and engage with our everyday objects in a meaningful way. It’s a gentle nudge to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wisdom hidden in the things we use every day.

The post This Transparent Stationery Kit Tells Stories Through Its Unconventional Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

This camera captures 156.3 trillion frames per second

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Scientists have created a blazing-fast scientific camera that shoots images at an encoding rate of 156.3 terahertz (THz) to individual pixels — equivalent to 156.3 trillion frames per second. Dubbed SCARF (swept-coded aperture real-time femtophotography), the research-grade camera could lead to breakthroughs in fields studying micro-events that come and go too quickly for today’s most expensive scientific sensors.

SCARF has successfully captured ultrafast events like absorption in a semiconductor and the demagnetization of a metal alloy. The research could open new frontiers in areas as diverse as shock wave mechanics or developing more effective medicine.

Leading the research team was Professor Jinyang Liang of Canada’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS). He’s a globally recognized pioneer in ultrafast photography who built on his breakthroughs from a separate study six years ago. The current research was published in Nature, summarized in a press release from INRS and first reported on by Science Daily.

Professor Liang and company tailored their research as a fresh take on ultrafast cameras. Typically, these systems use a sequential approach: capture frames one at a time and piece them together to observe the objects in motion. But that approach has limitations. “For example, phenomena such as femtosecond laser ablation, shock-wave interaction with living cells, and optical chaos cannot be studied this way,” Liang said.

Components of a research-grade camera spread in a row on a scientific table.
SCARF
Institut national de la recherche scientifique

The new camera builds on Liang’s previous research to upend traditional ultrafast camera logic. “SCARF overcomes these challenges,” INRS communication officer Julie Robert wrote in a statement. “Its imaging modality enables ultrafast sweeping of a static coded aperture while not shearing the ultrafast phenomenon. This provides full-sequence encoding rates of up to 156.3 THz to individual pixels on a camera with a charge-coupled device (CCD). These results can be obtained in a single shot at tunable frame rates and spatial scales in both reflection and transmission modes.”

In extremely simplified terms, that means the camera uses a computational imaging modality to capture spatial information by letting light enter its sensor at slightly different times. Not having to process the spatial data at the moment is part of what frees the camera to capture those extremely quick “chirped” laser pulses at up to 156.3 trillion times per second. The images’ raw data can then be processed by a computer algorithm that decodes the time-staggered inputs, transforming each of the trillions of frames into a complete picture.

Remarkably, it did so “using off-the-shelf and passive optical components,” as the paper describes. The team describes SCARF as low-cost with low power consumption and high measurement quality compared to existing techniques.

Although SCARF is focused more on research than consumers, the team is already working with two companies, Axis Photonique and Few-Cycle, to develop commercial versions, presumably for peers at other higher learning or scientific institutions.

For a more technical explanation of the camera and its potential applications, you can view the full paper in Nature.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/this-camera-captures-1563-trillion-frames-per-second-184651322.html?src=rss

Apple’s WWDC 2024 keynote is scheduled for June 10 at 1PM ET

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Apple has just announced that its WWDC 2024 keynote is scheduled for 10AM PT/1PM ET on June 10 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The remaining festivities for the 35th edition of WWDC will run through to June 14, online and free for developers to attend.

What should we expect at this year’s keynote? WWDC is typically a software-centric event, so we might hear some details on the work Apple has been doing around AI over the last year or so. Other reports indicate that Apple will show off a suite of upcoming updates, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, macOS 15 and watchOS 11, according to MacRumors. It’s also likely the company will reveal the next operating system for the recently-released Apple Vision Pro headset, visionOS 2.

It’s even possible we’ll get some new hardware announcements. Though typically software-adjacent, last year’s WWDC was chock full of product announcements, from the aforementioned Vision Pro to the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air. The Mac Mini has been missing from recent product refreshes, so maybe the company will announce an M3-based update.

As for the new software, there have been plenty of rumors regarding iOS 18. It has been reported that Apple might integrate Google’s Gemini AI with Siri and various iPhone apps. Check the suspicious capitalization of "Absolutely Incredible" in the above post from Apple's VP of worldwide marketing Brad Joswiak for a winking acknowledgement of the move. It’s also been suggested that the smartphone software will allow users to place apps anywhere on the home screen grid and will offer RCS support in the Messages app, along with the usual array of design changes.

The keynote event will be available on the Apple Developer app, the Apple website and YouTube. The company is also inviting 50 winners of its annual Swift Student Challenge to attend WWDC in person.

Update, May 28, 1:15PM: This story was updated after its original March 26 publishing to include the time of Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-wwdc-2024-keynote-is-scheduled-for-june-10-at-1pm-et-180558382.html?src=rss

This off-road caravan pops, slides and swings out in all direction to accommodate six on an off-grid expedition

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Off-roading caravans to negotiate rugged terrains and setting up camp under the starry sky have become a common sight these days. This is the finest way for families, travelers, and overlanders to create lasting memories on the road. When there is demand, the suppliers are available in plenty. Amid the range of all-terrain camping trailers then, Berg Off-Road has been designing options that are “crafted to exceed expectation.”

To that accord, the Berg Off-Road has an exciting range of off-road caravans for groups of friends or family members to enjoy the thrill of adventures while keeping things simple and straightforward. For the latest offering called CX6 the builder has gone a little overboard and designed a camper solution that pops, slides, swings out to create space for up to six people to sleep and live in harmony.

Designer: Berg Off-Road

Achieving all the antics, the CX6 is constructed from honeycomb fiberglass built over a ladder frame chassis. It weighs about a ton and measures approximately 2m wide, 5.3m long, and 2.2mm high. What’s a pleasure with this off-road caravan is the space for a full-size king pull-out bed with a reading light and bedside USB ports. The space still has room for four more single beds that slide out from underneath.

If that’s not enough for space utilization, the caravan has a full bathroom with a toilet, washbasin, and shower hiding behind the pull-out kitchen packed within its lightweight, compact body. The fully-equipped pull-out kitchen has a fridge, freezer, two-burner gas stove, storage, and prep space. Berg Off-Road has annex tents connected to the caravan through awnings extended with 4 detachable sides that create room to sleep more people.

Making things interesting for adventure off the road and possibly off the grid is the 1000W inverter, 150-L fresh water tank with pump, and 14-L gas/electric water heater onboard the CX6. Alongside, the builder provides solar panels to keep the battery charged and consequently the air conditioning and LED interior lighting powered up after the sun goes down. If you love spending time outdoors and require a ride that can cater to all the needs of your family or group of friends, spending upward of approximately $28,000 for the CX6 should not be a bad deal.

  

The post This off-road caravan pops, slides and swings out in all direction to accommodate six on an off-grid expedition first appeared on Yanko Design.