Model blending has emerged as a game-changing technique that levels the playing field in the world of AI language models. Traditionally, creating state-of-the-art models required extensive expertise, time, and financial resources. However, model blending has opened up new possibilities for non-experts to develop high-performing models without the need for massive investments or years of specialized […]
It doesn’t matter where you’re working, whether at home or in a commercial life, both these scenarios involve a desk! A desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in our modern lives, only because we spend the majority of our day on it. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and well-designed desk gear to help you achieve peak productivity. Happy working!
1. POD
This little minimalist timer is designed to help you enjoy the benefits of a Pomodoro timer, without having to depend on a clunky analog timer, especially one that will end up looking like an awkward little tomato on your desk. It has a simple and compact form that will occupy minimum space on your desk.
Why is it noteworthy?
Called POD, this innovative tool merges the feeling of an analog timer with the convenience and utility of an electronic device in a minimalist, simple, and appealing form. You can start the countdown by pushing the puck down like a button.
What we like
It is minimally distracting and uses only flashing lights rather than vibrations or sounds to get your attention
What we dislike
You need to replace the battery which can seem a bit annoying and tedious
Quite tiny, so you can easily misplace it
2. Pen Fan
Named the Pen Fan, this unique stationery design is a must-have for your desk. It is intended to be a cross between a Pantone shade card, and a stationery set. It holds 8 different flat-head sketch pens in a set that is compact, neat, and easy-to-carry along everywhere with you.
Why is it noteworthy?
The various pens of the Pen Fan are interconnected, which forms an adorable Japanese-fan-style layout that beautifully showcases all 8 colors, allowing you to pick and choose from them. The pens are detachable, so you can quite easily snap them on and off, building a palette that caters to you.
What we like
Easy-to-carry and portable set
Eliminates the risk of misplacing the pens
What we dislike
There are only 8 colors to pick from, which can be limiting. There could have been more color options
3. Serenity Pen Stand
Dubbed the Serenity Pen Stand, this minimalist design features a metallic hint that is designed to hold your pen upright, keeping it ready for you to use. And since pens are quite easy to use, this pen stand makes sure you never lose track of your prized pen, and that it is always in your sight.
The Serenity Pen Stand makes sure that you will always have easy access to your pen, protecting it, and ensuring you never lose it. It is made using aluminum and copper and makes for a well-balanced cylinder, that will add a burst of color and personality to your work desk.
What we like
Has a heavy copper bottom, that will lower the center of gravity, providing it with a stable form
Has a sleek minimal design that is easy to set up and carry
What we dislike
It is quite small in size and can be easily misplaced
Not a lot of color options to pick from
4. World Clock
If you often find yourself lagging, and unable to complete tasks in the required time, then you may want to consider this unique clock design to keep a check on the time. Called the World Clock, this isn’t your typical desk clock, and it features a dodecagonal shape, with only one hand and a minimalist face.
The World Clock has an innovative design and form, as it not only gives you the correct info about your country but also some fun extra details on the time in other parts of the world. With one glance, you can tell the hour, while a closer look will tell you which quarter of the hour it is.
What we like
Features 12 sides that have individual markings for a city that represent a particular timezone
What we dislike
The World Clock has only 12 set time zones, so you may miss out on some other time zones
5. Planet Pins
Called the Planet Pins, this colorful and quirky little creation is hand-painted planet pins that look like the solar system. It includes eight extraterrestrial shapes, each one hand-painted and stored in a compact polished acrylic display case. The pins were hand-painted in Tokyo.
Why is it noteworthy?
The pins include Mercury in metallic silver, Venus in metallic gold, Earth in painted blue and green, Jupiter in yellow, dark orange, and translucent orange, Mars in red, Saturn in yellow with a metallic silver ring, Uranus in a metallic blue with a metallic silver ring, and Neptune in blue and a lovely white.
What we like
Delivered in serial-numbered display cases, so when not in use, you can store them in the boxes and display them
What we dislike
The pins are quite tiny, so you can easily misplace them if they’re not handled with care
6. Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle
Named the Precision Metal Sakura Puzzle, this little puzzle will give your brain the satisfying yet challenging game it needs. It is shaped after Japan’s most iconic flowers, and the pieces look so similar, that you’ll be wondering where to put them and how to place them together!
As you assemble the metal puzzle, it will take on the shape of Japan’s iconic sakura flowers. The little puzzle is made from mirror-finish stainless steel with tiny pieces that seamlessly and perfectly fit together, challenging your mind, and putting your brain to the test.
What we like
Compact, no-frills design that you can carry anywhere with you
What we dislike
It can be challenging to put together, so it is not the best option for users who want a relaxing puzzle-making experience
7. Effortless Standing Letter Cutter
Called the Effortless Standing Letter Cutter, this little tool is one of the essentials you need on your work desk. It is a simple tool that can boost your daily productivity, and help you maintain an organized desk, as it doubles up as a paperweight as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Effortless Standing Letter Cutter reimagines a standard office cool, and cuts through your paper efficiently and effectively, while also doubling up as a chick paperweight, that ensures your desk is neat, clean, and tidy. It is the ultimate solution for boosting productivity!
Functions as a paperweight as well, ensuring less clutter on your desk
What we dislike
Not versatile enough to deal with bulkier packages or intricate mail
8. Blocco Calculator
The Blocco Calculator is a functional and aesthetic calculator, unlike other ordinary calculators on the market. The calculator perfectly merges precision and beauty in a sincere and minimalist form, functioning as a visually attractive addition to your desk. It occupies minimum space on your desk while doing its job.
Why is it noteworthy?
The calculator features an ergonomic and universal design which is great for both left-handed and right-handed users. It has an angular chamfered surface that ensures effortless and quick typing while elevating the calculator’s visual appeal.
What we like
The calculator projects calculations onto the paper
Aesthetic and good-looking design
What we dislike
The usage is limited, as the calculator needs a flat surface to project the equations out clearly
9. Everlasting All Metal Pencil
The Everlasting All-Metal Pencil is a much-needed addition to your desk! It lets you bid farewell to the eternal cycle of pencil sharpening and dealing with mechanical leads. It allows you to harness your creative ideas, and let them flow freely without any hindrance.
The special pencil has been crafted with a special alloy core and features an aluminum body that doesn’t need any sharpening. It leaves marks without wearing down the core, making it quite a practical and durable writing instrument.
What we like
Easily erased by regular erasers
Provides a smooth and seamless writing experience
What we dislike
The pencil doesn’t provide the same grip and comfort as traditional wooden pencils
10. ForeverPen
Named the ForeverPen, this unique pen is made from Ti + Ag, and it sits neatly on your desk! It is said to be the world’s smallest inkless pen and doesn’t need refilling ever. You can even write underwater with it, or open boxes – it isn’t an ordinary everyday pen.
Why is it noteworthy?
The ForeverPen is made from a specialist Silver composite, and you can combine it with the material of your choice. It measures only one inch in length and can jot down all your notes, while also letting you slide open packages and boxes.
What we like
Easy-to-carry and portable design
Functions as much more than just a simple pen
What we dislike
It is not the best option for users with big hands, as they may find it tough to hold
Yeah, it’s not just Nintendo prepping new console hardware for 2024. Insider Gaming reports details for the PS5 Pro come from documentation Sony recently sent to third-party developers.
Hold onto your skepticism. Based on the reports, the PS5 Pro will offer a more consistent frame rate (fps) at 4K and a performance mode for 8K resolution. It’s also expected to render games up to 45 percent quicker and have ray tracing capabilities two to three times faster than current PS5 consoles.
The report says Sony may target a holiday release for the PS5 Pro, to target those heightened sales. Can it make Baldur’s Gate 3 look pretty like it does on PC? Please?
ISPs must now offer 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up to slap the coveted label on their services.
At the end of last week, the FCC raised the speeds required to describe internet service as “broadband” for the first time since 2015. The agency’s annual high-speed internet assessment concluded that 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads will be the new standard. The FCC’s report also broke down several areas where the country’s online infrastructure falls short, with broadband not being deployed quickly enough, especially to those in rural areas and those living on Tribal lands.
The FCC can’t force ISPs to boost their speeds, but it can prevent them from marketing their services as “broadband” internet if they don’t meet these new thresholds.
LinkedIn may soon offer puzzle-based games to give its users something to do besides networking. App researcher Nima Owji posted a series of screenshots on X this weekend showing some games. Employees’ scores will reportedly affect how the companies they work for rank in the games, which suddenly sounds stressful.
Starbucks is pulling the plug on Odyssey, its Web3 rewards program that gives members access to collectible NFTs. The company updated its FAQ on Friday to let members know the beta program is closing on March 31 and they have a little over a week to complete any remaining activities (called journeys). Those will shut down March 25.
Don’t worry, Nifty Gateway will continue to host the priceless Stamps (Starbucks’ NFTs). And they will remain priceless. I mean… worthless.
Google’s Workspace suite is evolving, and if you’re striving to keep your productivity and creativity at the peak, embracing its latest integrations is key. Enter Google Gemini for Workspace, a groundbreaking addition that’s reshaping how we manage our digital workspace in 2024. The video below from AI Andy will walk you through everything you need […]
AutoGen, a groundbreaking multi-agent framework developed by Microsoft Research AI Frontiers, has been making significant strides in the AI community since its release in October 2022. Driven by the vision of empowering developers to create cutting-edge AI applications, AutoGen has quickly gained recognition for its flexibility, modularity, and simplicity. Despite its relatively short existence, the […]
The world of artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, and NVIDIA’s GTC 2024 conference is set to be a pivotal event in shaping its future. As AI continues to transform industries and revolutionize the way we live and work, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest advancements and trends in this field. GTC 2024 […]
In the rapidly evolving world of AI, two new devices have been generating buzz: the Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin. These AI assistant devices are set to ship soon, and their creators have made some impressive claims about their capabilities. However, upon closer inspection, there are reasons to be skeptical about whether these […]
Apple’s foray into wearable technology is taking a fascinating turn with the exploration of a smart ring, a device that is generating both excitement and intrigue within the tech community. If you are curious about what this innovation might bring to your daily life, you will be pleased to know that various sources, including insights […]
QNAP, a leading provider of network-attached storage (NAS) solutions, has announced the release of the TS-216G, a powerful and versatile 2-bay NAS designed to cater to the needs of individuals, families, and workgroups. This cutting-edge device boasts an ARM quad-core processor, a 2.5GbE port, 4 GB RAM, and an integrated NPU (Neural network Processing Unit), […]
Skoda has added a new electric vehicle to its range with the launch of the Skoda Epiq SUV. As one of six new electric vehicles that Škoda plans to launch in the near future, the Epiq is not just an addition to the portfolio but a statement of intent, highlighting Škoda’s commitment to sustainable mobility. […]
