Broom and dustpan concept utilizes your space’s corners

Inventive product design isn’t always about the biggest, flashiest, and most complicated. It can be about a simple problem or issue that someone though long and hard about and came up with a possible solution. For example, if you live in a small space, each inch of your house is important and if you can place something in areas that normally don’t have anything there, then it’s a win.

Designer: Kim Jaeyoung

The corners in your house are often left unused because it’s a bit hard to place furniture or items there. But if you need to utilize that, this concept for a simple cleaning accessory might do the trick. The 90 Broom & Dustpan is just as its name says it is: it’s a broom and a dustpan that can be stored in the corner because the brush can be folded at 90 degrees.

When it’s folded, it solves another annoying issue we get with brooms and mops. When you have to stop in the middle of cleaning, you place it against the wall but they often fall down. But with this design, it can stand on its own. This cleaning accessory is in simple black (the broom) and white (the dustpan) colors, adding to its simple and minimalist look.

Efficiency and functionality are essential in product design, even with just a simple thing like cleaning materials. This doesn’t use technology or any bells and whistles that we expect from gadgets but the simplicity of the design while solving some cleaning and storage problems is appealing in itself.

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Apple MacBook SE Rumors: Could Apple Release a $699 Laptop?

MacBook SE

Apple is generating buzz in the tech world with rumors of a potential budget-friendly MacBook SE, which could be priced under $700. As consumers and industry experts alike ponder this possibility, it’s crucial to analyze Apple’s current MacBook lineup and consider the market trends that may influence such a release. The video below gives us […]

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The Beatles are nominated for two Grammys thanks to AI

While reading through the list of Grammy nominees earlier I came across quite a surprise. There, competing for record of the year alongside the likes of Beyoncé's Texas Hold 'Em and Chappell Roan's Good Luck Babe, was Now and Then by The Beatles. No, to my dismay, this isn't a time travel situation, but the result of AI. 

So, here's the story of how The Beatles got nominated for two Grammys — they also snagged a best rock performance nod — 50 years after formally breaking up. It starts with a demo John Lennon recorded in the 1970s that was given to Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison for inclusion on the The Beatles Anthology, released in 1995. While other tracks like Free as a Bird and Real Love made it on, technology wasn't advanced enough to separate Lennon's vocals and piano without reducing the recording's quality. 

But, last year McCartney and Starr used modern machine learning technology to pull Lennon's vocals for a new track. Now and Then, released in November 2023, includes McCartney on bass, Starr on the drums, Lennon's vocals and a guitar in Harrison's style (a 1995 recording of him makes up some of the background rhythm guitar. You can watch a documentary about making the track here

Unsurprisingly, the song is said to be the last from the Beatles. We'll have to wait until the awards show in February to see whether or not AI will help them win another Grammy. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-beatles-are-nominated-for-two-grammys-thanks-to-ai-150004467.html?src=rss

xAI’s Grok-2 might be available for free on X soon

Elon Musk's xAI launched its AI chatbot, Grok, at the end of 2023 and it has remained exclusively available to X (formerly Twitter) premium users since. Now, one year later, Grok is seemingly coming to free X users in select areas, TechCrunch reports

The news comes from multiple reports on X by researchers and users who spotted updates to Grok. According to X user Swak, there are stipulations to who can access Grok for free and how much they can use it. For starters, accounts need to be at least seven days old and have a phone number attached to them. Free users are also reportedly limited by how many things they can do in two hours. They can ask the Grok-2 model 10 questions and the Grok-2 mini model 20 questions within that time frame. Furthermore, free users only get three image analyses each day. 

The Grok-2 and the Grok-2 mini models are relatively new, releasing late summer of this year. Grok-2 is xAI's most advanced AI chatbot to date and pulls real-time information right from X, while the company claims the mini version "offers a balance between speed and answer quality." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-grok-2-might-be-available-for-free-on-x-soon-150004395.html?src=rss

Apple now has replacement parts for the iPhone 16 series

It's no secret that most technology nowadays isn't exactly built to last forever, with new product models regularly on sale on replace malfunctioning items. However, Apple, which famously announces new products each September, is taking new steps to let people repair their own devices. Apple has launched parts and tools for the iPhone 16, including the Plus, Pro and Pro Max. 

Now, if you have an iPhone 16 model that's acting up, you can go to Apple's self service repair store and — possibly — get what you need to fix it. Choose the product type and model then pick from the iPhone 16's choices of back glass, battery, camera, top speaker, TrueDepth camera, SIM tray and more. Apple's iPhone 16 should be easier to fix than its predecessor, receiving a 7/10 on the iFixit repairability scale, compared to a 4/10 for the iPhone 15. 

You can either get kits or just the necessary part with prices varying based on your phone model. For example, a battery and screw kit for the iPhone 16 Pro Max is $119, but its $99 for the regular iPhone 16. You can get quite a lot of money back on the kit prices if you return the replaced piece afterward. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, for instance, goes down to $61.88 after you send back the old battery. 

Apple created its self-service program in 2022, giving its customers access to actual Apple parts when something in their device failed. However, Apple states that the service "is intended for individuals with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices. If you are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices." So, repairs might not be as accessible if you or someone you know isn't savvy in making the swaps. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-now-has-replacement-parts-for-the-iphone-16-series-143100070.html?src=rss

2-in-1 retro device concept brings an AI speaker and record runner together

The recent retro craze when it comes to devices and even just designs of devices isn’t limited to just the people who actually experienced these things. The younger generation has a fascination with everything “old”, which can sometimes make older people really feel old. We’re seeing all kinds of product designs and concepts that play on this pseudo nostalgia (because it shouldn’t be called nostalgic if you didn’t actually experience it right?) and this trend will probably last for a long time. The best ones are those that are able to bridge nostalgia with modern sensibilities to get something that doesn’t just repeat what was done before.

Designer: Seunghyeon Kim (Focus Studio)

This concept for an AI speaker and record runner plays on the nostalgic feel that people are looking for. This is a 2-in-1 device for those who want to experience the convenience of a regular Bluetooth/AI speaker with the added different old school way of playing a vinyl record. The full device is a minimalist gadget that doesn’t give you a lot of features to maintain the external retro feel that you may be looking for.

The main part is a rectangular box shaped speaker complete with grills, a slider control for the volume, and the simple play/pause, rewind, and fast forward buttons. The power button and the slider control are the only colored spots in a silver monochrome device. There is a round thing on the left that at first looks like a detachable speaker but is in fact a record runner. This is a small record player that you place on top of an LP. It plays the record by pushing and pulling on the grooves, thereby earning the nickname of the vinyl killer (since some records get broken because of this).

The idea of a retro-looking speaker will most likely interest both those who want to get back to the good ole days and those that wanted to experience it in one form or another. The record runner feature may not be appealing though to those who prefer their vinyls to be played the regular way.

The post 2-in-1 retro device concept brings an AI speaker and record runner together first appeared on Yanko Design.

DIY NAS Software Compared: TrueNAS vs OpenMediaVault vs Unraid

TrueNAS vs OpenMediaVault vs Unraid

Managing large volumes of data efficiently is crucial in today’s digital age. Whether you’re dealing with high-resolution videos, extensive game libraries, or critical business documents, a reliable storage solution is essential. While expanding your desktop storage or using external drives are options, setting up a DIY network-attached storage (NAS) system offers unmatched benefits in terms […]

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Master Your M4 MacBook Pro: Essential Tips & Tricks for Maximum Productivity

M4 MacBook Pro

The M4 MacBook Pro is a powerful tool designed to streamline your workflow and boost productivity. With its sleek design and advanced features, this laptop is well-equipped to handle a wide range of tasks, from professional projects to personal entertainment. To fully leverage the capabilities of your M4 MacBook Pro, it’s essential to understand its […]

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Retroid Pocket 5 Handheld Console: The Future of Portable Gaming?

Snapdragon 865 gaming device

The Retroid Pocket 5 is a new handheld gaming device featuring a Snapdragon 865 chipset and a 5.5-inch AMOLED display. It offers a design reminiscent of the PS Vita, with various features aimed at enhancing gaming and emulation experiences. Together with comfortable grip, front-firing stereo speakers, and Hall-based analog sticks for precise control. It’s like […]

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