Tag Archives: Gadgets

Powerful Mini-PC Fits Inside a Foldable Keyboard with AMD Ryzen 7 and 1TB SSD

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Barely the size of a Mac mini, the Lunar is a 2-in-1 Foldable Keyboard that packs an entire PC into its compact design. Think of it as a laptop’s spiritual sibling – designed to fit anywhere and be carried wherever you go. All you really need is a display, be it a monitor, an iPad, or even those newfangled carry-anywhere AR glasses.

Sometimes, innovation surprises you not with flashy features, but with a simplicity that redefines an experience. The Lunar mini PC is exactly that—a folding keyboard that, when unfolded, reveals the heart of a powerful AMD Ryzen-powered computer. I’ve been following the trends in portable computing for years, and rarely does a device manage to balance performance, design, and practicality as seamlessly as this. It’s easy to overlook, especially if you’re used to thinking of PCs as large, cumbersome machines, but the Lunar mini PC changes that perception the moment you hold it.

Designer: ling long

Click Here to Buy Now: $579 $699 ($120 off) Hurry! Only 67 of 100 left. Raised over $110,000 USD.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor inside might sound like overkill for something this small, but it’s not just about raw power. Think about how we work today: jumping from a coffee shop to a co-working space, sometimes connecting to external monitors, sometimes working straight from a tablet or even AR glasses. Lunar’s decision to skip a built-in screen in favor of external display options is more of a design statement than a compromise. Why drain battery life on an extra screen when you can wirelessly stream to a device you already carry, or plug into a larger display for more serious tasks? It’s an approach that resonates with anyone tired of carrying excess tech that never quite fits their routine.

Sure, it’s portable, but how does it feel? The Lunar PC’s keyboard is surprisingly satisfying, especially given its folding nature. It’s designed to feel like a proper typing experience, not the cramped, flimsy experience you get from so many portable keyboards. Folded down, it weighs just 800 grams, and its slim profile (6.1 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches) means it can easily be slipped into a backpack or messenger bag. When unfolded, the keyboard stretches to nearly 30 cm, offering a comfortable layout even for extended typing sessions, with 1.2mm scissor switches that offer a fair amount of travel. With up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB SSD, and nearly 10 hours of battery life on a full charge, you could easily use the mini-PC for everything from gaming to editing photos and videos – something you wouldn’t be able to do on, say, an Android tablet that’s just as portable.

Surprisingly, the foldable keyboard packs more port variety than your average MacBook Air or Chromebook. It’s equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring you’re getting the latest in wireless technology. You’ve also got the flexibility of a USB 3.0 Type-A, a USB 3.2 Type-C, and a USB4 port, which means you can connect pretty much anything you need, whether it’s external storage, a monitor, or even a full docking station. With a 16,000mAh battery inside, it’s designed to get you through a full day of light work without being tethered to a wall. This kind of flexibility in a mini PC is rare, especially when most of us are constantly juggling devices and chargers.

The appeal of Lunar extends to its flexibility—if you need a screen, it’ll connect to virtually any display you already own, and for something more immersive, AR and VR headsets like the XReal Air 2 or Apple Vision Pro are compatible. This makes it particularly appealing for creatives or those who need to switch between work and entertainment modes seamlessly. It’s not limited to individual use either. The Lunar can create a hotspot to share its connectivity with other devices, making it a great solution for team projects or collaborative work away from the office.

As someone who’s always on the lookout for tech that balances design and functionality with a creative approach, the Lunar 2-in-1 is exciting. Currently, it’s live on Kickstarter with a starting price of $579 for the base model, which includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (that’s about as much as my gaming laptop for half the price and half the size). Shipping is expected to start in January 2025, with a GaN charger included with each Lunar mini-PC for easy charging. Whether you’re a designer, a writer, or just someone tired of carrying too many gadgets, the Lunar 2-in-1 feels like the kind of device that could simplify your setup without sacrificing performance. And honestly, isn’t that the dream? A full PC in your pocket, ready to work wherever you are.

Click Here to Buy Now: $579 $699 ($120 off) Hurry! Only 67 of 100 left. Raised over $110,000 USD.

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Designers reimagine iPod Touch in iPhone 16 design language

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What if iPod Touch survived till today? Perhaps, it would have had evolved into a niche entertainment device–it was a niche product when it existed. Anyway, the music player is in the grave without a chance for resurrection, but that’s a little impediment for creators. No wonder, two designers believe the iPod Touch can be redesigned in the iPhone 16 design language, and this is what it would be. Read on!

Easily saying, if the iPod Touch continued to date, it would have been an iPhone-styled entertainment device with a focus on high-quality entertainment. It would have played games, streamed media in all forms, and would have been thriving on the integrated Apple ecosystem syncing seamlessly across smart home devices, Apple Watch and yeah, the AirPods.

Designer: ID JUAN and sy wong

This is far from how JUAN and wong have envisioned the iPod Touch (7th generation), which has been off the shelves and discontinued for the better part of three years now. The idea of their iPod Touch is pretty much the same device with slight hints of the latest iPhones, the iPhone 16 lineup. So, the overall dimensions of the 7th generation iPhone Touch remain unchanged.

The reworked iPod Touch retains the 4-unch Redina display on the front. But in the back, the iPhone look is pretty evident with the single Apple logo in the center. No iPod branding or any additional text information toward the bottom. The designers note that “the pop-out loop hanger button” has been revived to make that evident distinction of the iPod Touch from iPhones and iPads.

Taking a slight dig at Apple’s complacency or rigidness, if you may, to shift to the universal USB-C type charging slot, the designers have stuck with a Lightning connector for charging. Assuming if it were made, the iPod Touch would feature a Lightning connector because Apple “probably has plenty of stock still available.”

Despite AirPods being the most obvious choice to be used with the iPod Touch, JUAN and wong have not parted with the good old 3.5 headphone jack. Continuing on the back, the plastic antenna cap is visible. iPhones and iPod now have it in their frame, but the iPod is happy with it in the back. This would, the designers suggest, add to the iPod Touch’s identity and also be cost-effective to pull off!

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Top Essential Home & Kitchen Gadgets For A Smooth & Cozy Autumn

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I love the fall season because it means a time for cozy gatherings, pumpkin-spiced lattes, warm meals, and a certain crispness in the air. To make the most of this season, it is important to curate the right home and kitchen gadgets to ensure you can organize your home, and create an inviting atmosphere. From watching Halloween-themed movies in advance to mowing your lawn and getting rid of those fallen leaves – the right assortment of gadgets can ensure that your Autumn season will pass smoothly and seamlessly. We have curated a collection of functional and fall-appropriate appliances for you! From a smart tea maker to help you prepare your steaming pumpkin chai latte to an intelligent lawn blower with Vision AI – these innovative and well-designed gadgets are what you need this fall season.

1. Google TV Streamer

The Google TV Streamer is designed to be the Chromecast’s successor. It is deemed a natural rival to the Apple TV, and it features a slanted top, supported by a firm block base. It has a clean and minimal white color theme, and it is quite different from the compact dongle Chromecast while maintaining the Google TV branding. It is the latest 4K streaming device from Google. It seems like the ideal gadget to support your movie-watching marathons this fall season if you’re in the mood for some Halloween-themed media!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Google TV Streamer’s new and improved design is paired up with a remote control, which is longer than the previous remote of the Chromecast. The remote features some improvements in the design and feel as well. The streaming box is connected to two cables at the back, which may be for power and HDMI.

What we like

  • Features a new flat tabletop design
  • Upgraded smart home controls

What we dislike

  • Uses Wi-Fi 5 instead of a more modern standard like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7
  • It is pricier than the Chromecast with Google TV

2. The COit

Designed by LG, the COit is intended to be a robot that functions as a hub in your kitchen ecosystem. The robot is designed to be utilized by novices and professional chefs. It is an autonomous device that moves the focus from videography back to cooking, which is the primary focus of entering a kitchen.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is equipped with a mountable rail with a circular display that is surrounded by a projector, camera, light, and a smart grip. The different modules are designed to be moved around in the small area, ensuring they are kept away from fires and vapors.

What we like

  • These modules – that clip onto the rail with built-in magnets – can be customized in orientation, depending on user requirements

What we dislike

  • Food over the globe has such diversity, that trying to standardize the recipe as per one instruction set would impact the diversity of that dish

3. Shell Intelligent Speaker

Dubbed the Shell Intelligent Speaker, this conceptual design offers a twist on the shape of a smart speaker. It draws inspiration from shells, merging the round and squarish shapes, and then utilizing a dot matric outline. The hole-inspired form and the addictive character will elevate the acoustic sound of the speaker. The speaker is a visually pleasing device, to help you play your autumn-themed playlist at full volume!

Why is it noteworthy?

The round speaker looks quite cute and appealing and reminds you not only of a seashell but also of an egg. The round screen offers more space to view your music, videos, weather, and date information. Since it is a smart speaker, you can simply listen to the shell to get the information you need.

What we like

  • Minimal aesthetic with pastel colors
  • Larger screen space

What we dislike

  • It is a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

4. Smart Tea Pot

Say hello to the Smart Tea Pot, an essential for all tea lovers. It is a unique connected teapot, which lets you brew your tea using technology. You can prepare a delicious brew based on the tea you like to drink, creating a specialized brew of your own choice. You could try preparing some delicious pumpkin-themed tea or chai to deal with the autumn air!

Click Here to Buy Now: $349

Why is it noteworthy?

The Smart Tea Pot features advanced brewing adjustments you can customize to prepare the kind of tea you want. Its “Golden Drop” rotating infuser is the perfect example of Japanese minimalism.

What we like

  • Equipped with compact size, and minimal design language
  • Perfect example of Japanese minimalism and design philosophy

What we dislike

  • Tech is used for brewing, which may require a learning curve for users

5. Kuku Maker

If you’re in the mood to up your coffee game this fall, and prepare some delicious pumpkin-spiced lattes, then you may want to consider purchasing the Kuku Maker. It helps you take control of your coffee, and prepare it exactly the way you like it. You have options for flavor, thick or light consistency, as well as hot or cold serving.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to be a revolutionary coffee machine, the KUKU Maker provides a consistent taste and allows you to customize extraction parameters according to your personal preferences during the brewing process. It has a whole bunch of adjustable options, such as extraction pressure, time, temperature, and grind fineness.

What we like

  • Provides exceptional control and flexibility
  • Easy-to-clean design

What we dislike

  • Will require a learning curve to fully understand and properly use the various settings effectively

6. Heisenberg H1 Pro All-in-One Robot Mower

Meet the Heisenberg H1 Pro All-in-One Robot Mower amped with Vision AI. It is a robotic lawn mower, perfect for cleaning up your yard this autumn season. It merges cameras with AI to plan routes, and also avoid obstacles pretty efficiently. This ensures that the traditional boundary wire isn’t required.

Why is it noteworthy?

The robotic lawn mower ensures your yard is clean and crisp. The H1 Pro is amped with the Heisenberg Pilot System (HPS), and it uses robotic vision, dual AI chips, and deep-learning algorithms to build the perfect 3D navigation for your entire lawn. It is great for perfect edges and an even cut.

What we like

  • Trims edges, blows leaves, and sprays fertilizers on its own

What we dislike

  • Looks a bit too industrial

7. ROTO-Q 360

Say hello to the ROTO-Q 360 – a non-electric rotisserie cooking machine. It is designed to be a durable and convenient option for rotisserie chicken. It occupies minimal space and automates the whole rotisserie process, so you just need to set it up and turn it on. The machine doesn’t need any fuel, gas, or power to run, so you don’t need to stress about keeping it charged and ready for use.

Why is it noteworthy?

It offers the ultimate convenience in rotisserie cooking and ensures some delicious and healthy chicken is always easily accessible for you. You can enjoy some fresh and delicious rotisserie chicken all day long, keeping your diet on track, and making for a perfect fall dinner!

What we like

  • Engineered to fit in any home and kitchen
  • Portable design

What we dislike

  • Some users said that it has sharp edges, so use it with care to ensure you don’t cut yourself

8. Abell

Dubbed Abell, this air purifier is both functional and aesthetic. It purifies the air in your room and home, while also serving as a decorative piece. It doesn’t simply stand in your room, cleaning the air, it also functions as a lighting design, making it a truly multifunctional product.

Why is it noteworthy?

The purifier can be hung wherever you like, and it won’t occupy any precious real estate in your home. It provides clean air, while also illuminating your room. If you’re someone who appreciates a minimal and monochromatic aesthetic, then this air purifier is the perfect choice for you.

What we like

  • Multifunctional and versatile product
  • Minimalist and visually pleasing design

What we dislike

  • It has a pretty minimal and simple controller, which doesn’t display how the air-purification function can be customized

9. ANAORI Kakugama

Say hello to the ANAORI kakugama – a sleek, all-black, and aesthetic appliance that merges traditional and modern design. The kitchen appliance prepares fresh delicious food, without causing much damage to the ingredients. It is a multifunctional gadget made from carbon graphite. It can steam, poach, simmer, grill, or even fry your food for you. You can do a lot with your autumnal vegetable this fall season!

Why is it noteworthy?

The versatile cooking device can prepare your food in different styles for you. It is equipped with great heat retention on account of the carbon graphite and a Japanese cypress lid which imparts the food with the lovely scent of the Japanese countryside.

What we like

  • Prepares food with care, while taking care of ingredients

What we dislike

  • Expensive price tag
  • Bulky appliance that will occupy substantial space

10. Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers

Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers

If you’re in the mood to play some spooky tunes this Halloween, then you may want to get your hands on the Battery-Free Amplifying Speakers. These unique speakers are battery-free and portable and designed to be an upgraded variant of the conventional no-power smartphone speaker. The speakers are built from metal, giving them a sleek and sturdy look.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179

Why is it noteworthy?

These speakers are made from a special aluminum alloy called Duralumin. This alloy is typically used in aviation and aerospace industries since it has vibration-resistant properties. You just need to place the smartphone into the speaker and prepare yourself for a high-quality audio experience.

What we like

  • It doesn’t need any power, so you can carry it wherever you like
  • Sleek and minimal aesthetics

What we dislike

  • Incompatible with bulky and big smartphone cases and covers

The post Top Essential Home & Kitchen Gadgets For A Smooth & Cozy Autumn first appeared on Yanko Design.

Teenage Engineering Mind Games Limited Edition OB-04 Speaker celebrates John Lennon’s 84th Birthday

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Teenage Engineering is long known for its musical design and they’ve got another head-scratcher for all the John Lennon fans. His son Sean Ono Lennon has collaborated with Teenage Engineering to create a custom-made Bluetooth speaker for the legendary singer’s birthday. Coincidently, Sean shares his birthday with his father, and this is the perfect gift for him turning 49 and also for diehard fans.

The focus of the minimalist wireless speaker-cum-radio christened Mind Games Limited Edition OB-04 is the 1973 album Mind Games. The audio accessory has a two-hour loop recording function for rewinding, time-stretching and looping the live radio.

Designer: Teenage Engineering

On the outside, the speaker is inspired by the album art of the fourth solo studio album by John. The graphic has the popular graphic where a mini Lennon is minusculed by the Yoko-mountain graphic. The legendary musician and singer was a proponent of peace and the Teenage Engineering’s white truly matches that vibe. Till date fans mourn his death after he got shot, and the speaker’s exclusive content is a homage to that. There are six sets of new mixes of the Mind Games album which include the raw studio mixes, the Evolution documentary, the Elements mixes and Elemental mixes. That’s not it as there is a new metronome, meditation mixes (nine re-edits of the album’s title track) and nine mantras to complete the set. Some of the aforementioned tracks have instrumentals and record engineering by Sean and Scott Holingsworth.

This limited edition version is based on the OB-04 BT speaker which in itself is an exclusive audio accessory. The hardware on the inside remains the same, so audio quality and soundstage are going to be similar. On a single charge, you can listen to the music albums for 40 hours uninterrupted and in the radio mode it goes up to 72 hours. Carrying the weighty legacy of John Lennon, the ‘Mind Games’ edition is understandably priced at $999, almost twice as the standard version which can be bought for $549 in 7 color options.

 

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This AI-equipped smart radio cooks up engaging conversations on trending topics, comes with TWS earbuds for listening freedom

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AI is gradually creeping up in our daily lives, giving us all better ways to be productive without exercising our neural network. If we weren’t already slaves to our phones and PCs, AI will ensure we stay hooked on to our gadgets more than ever. Many applications of AI are more than useful if used smartly.

Most AI models are slowly inching towards a machine learning level that’s useful for more complex day-to-day applications. A direct byproduct of that metamorphosis is this concept radio that is entertaining for good. Meet Symphony AI language module radio that won’t leave you bored sitting on your couch scrolling endlessly in your Instagram feed.

Designer: Junha Kahm

The device comes with an in-built AI language module that creates engaging debates and conversations on a variety of topics. They can range from online news, podcasts, or trends that can be on any platform via YouTube, audio files or PDFs. The gadget is more than just summarizing information that doesn’t require debate. It captures the gist of the reasoning process and discusses information to further provide an opportunity for objective thinking that’s free from any biases. This is done based on all the latest world’s information.

These two functions of the Symphony radio are kept separate via two modes. One of them is the Summary Mode which is more of a knowledge-condensing function for extracting the summary of elaborate topics that can get boring at times. The other is the Debate Mode which is more engaging and dynamic since it gathers and presents contentious information available online in a narrative format. In the second mode, the AI-driven approach presents individual perspectives and understands the issues more openly. This expands the user’s thoughts in a very entertaining way.

Symphony is like a small radio playing local channels in the afternoon, letting you engage with the latest news and information while sipping coffee. The gadget also comes with a monochrome screen to prompt all the spoken content in a textual format. Carrying a very future-forward design language, the Symphony radio has two wireless earbuds attached magnetically to the sides, hidden from plain sight. They let you enjoy all the AI-generated conversations without disturbing others in the room. Other than that, the radio has all those normal buttons to change channels, toggle volume levels and play/pause the broadcast.

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Roborock’s S8 MaxV Ultra goes to space and cleans 110,000 feet above ground

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If you’re a child of the 80s and the 90s, you probably remember this weird but cute little movie and book, The Brave Little Toaster. He eventually went to Mars for some reason on one of his adventures and some fun was had. Well now, we apparently have a Brave Little Vacuum as Roborock’s S8 MaxV Ultra became the first robot vacuum cleaner to go into space and perform some cleaning duties in extreme environments.

Designer: Roborock

The S8 MaxV Ultra is the brand’s most technologically advanced unit and it has proved itself by going into space and still perform as it should be, even within the harsh environment. It experienced temperatures below -60°C and both its battery and motor were still able to function well. It was even able to be integrated with the flight computer by modifying the control system, allowing it to connect with the ship’s computer and they were able to activate it during the flight.

As seen in the video they uploaded, the vacuum was still able to have all the parts, including the Flexi-Arm Design brushes moving even while in the aforementioned -60°C temperature and while suspended in the air, 110,000 feet above ground. But other than the control system, most of the overall mechanical systems were left unmodified, showing off the robo vacuum’s capabilities, including its ultra-reactive AI 2.0 obstacle recognition, built-in voice assistant, and Flexi-Arm Design.

But since not all of us will be going to space anyways, the S8 MaxV Ultra is still very useful for earth-bound people. It has features like the FlexiArm Design™ Side Brush and the Extra Edge Spinning Mop System that lets it have 100% corner coverage as it’s able to reach tight corners and crevices. It also has the VibraRise® 3.0 Mopping System that lets it do high-speed sonic mopping and the 20mm mop module lift that lets it automatically rise when cleaning carpets. So in the future, if you do go to space, you can take it along with you.

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Nintendo’s attractive little smart alarm clock gamifies your waking up routine

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Nintendo has just dropped a surprise product for fans and it has nothing to do with the anticipated Switch successor. Meet the Alarmo desk clock which is initially going to be available to Switch Online customers in the US and Canada later this week, and from Nintendo Store, you can buy it right now for $100. If you ever imagined what an alarm clock from Mario’s nightstand would look like, this would be it.

The in-house project is a result of collaborative work between hardware developer Tetsuya Akama and games developer Yosuke Tamori. This special alarm clock is not a result of random design iteration, but rather a product of numerous trials and errors after building many prototypes.

Designer: Nintendo

Dubbed Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, the desk alarm clock is built with a major focus on motion sensor technology courtesy of a camera. Keeping privacy at the forefront, the sensor tracks user movement during sleep to wake them up smoothly out of the slumber in the morning. The clock will not simply beep or ring bells like a regular alarm clock, as it’ll smartly wake you up (with adaptable snoozes) depending on whether you have been turning and tossing in bed or slept like a dog. If you do sleep with a partner or a pet, the thing won’t work, so the accessory is intended mainly for loners.

The red-themed clock uses classic game sound to wake you up with the option to set the display theme to one of the 35 options including scenes from popular titles like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 3, Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure. Linking your existing Nintendo account expands that library to scenes from the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons games. The $100 is justifiable with other features including hourly chimes during the day for focus sessions, playing chill music to doze off during nighttime, and recorded data of your sleep patterns over time.

According to Nintendo, the smart clock rewards you for getting up with a “victory fanfare” for your efforts. This is more like gamifying your getting up routine to feel a sense of achievement first thing in the morning. They are going to add more titles to the library in the coming days with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons already in the works. Nintendo has promised availability to a greater audience in the future, so gamers can look forward to adding another gaming-themed accessory to their den.

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Retro-style handheld computer flaunts QWERTY keyboard and a Raspberry Pi

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It’s pretty amazing how much computing power can be crammed into a small space these days. After all, our smartphones are very capable computers themselves, but we also have handheld gaming PCs and single-board computers or SBCs that are no larger than (very thick) credit cards. The latter, popularized by the super-affordable Raspberry Pi, blasted wide open the doors to creative projects and gadgets, from mirrors that act as your smart home console to fictional cyberdeck computers brought to life. This latest design is one of the latter, offering a handheld computer with modern features and an aesthetic that seems to come from an alternate 80s timeline.

Designer: soulscircuit

Despite its size, the Raspberry Pi is a complete computer, one that can run desktop operating systems, including a trimmed-down version of Windows. With just the right peripherals, it can be used as a normal computer, and some have even turned the SBC into a laptop or even a desktop, complete with liquid cooling. These, however, don’t take full advantage of the Raspberry Pi’s small and portable size, a form that’s perfect for a handheld computer.

The Pilet 5 handheld console adds those essential missing parts to the barebones computer, turning it into a finished product that is usable the moment you turn it on. This form takes the shape of a rather chunky box with a 5-inch screen at the top and a QWERTY keyboard on the bottom half. This isn’t the first BlackBerry-like design powered by a Raspberry Pi and it definitely won’t be the last, but there are a few details that makes this project a bit interesting.

In addition to the keyboard, Pilet 5 has a four-direction D-pad as well as a tiny trackball on the right side of the device, while the opposite side has a joystick and a scroll wheel. These would definitely be more than enough to move the mouse, if the touchscreen still wasn’t enough, and they open up more use cases, like gaming for example. The aesthetic of the design is also less grungy and raw, unlike typical cyberpunk-inspired “cyberdecks.” The beige motif, gray buttons, and minimal colors give it a vibe similar to the consoles and computers from the late 80s and early 90s.

Just like the Pilet 7, formerly known as Consolo, the more compact Pilet 5 still promises a 7-hour battery life thanks to dual 8,000mAh batteries, just in a smaller and more complete form. That said, it does lose out on the appeal of a modular design that can adapt to almost any use case, which is what the Pilet 7 will bring to the table once it’s actually out.

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Stream Deck Studio goes overboard with 32 customizable LCD keys for broadcasters

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The very first Stream Decks were, as the name implied, made for streamers, content creators who thrived on live Internet video platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Over time, the device spread to more creative professionals who use the programmable buttons to make their workflows less cumbersome. That said, these tools benefited people working in mostly digital environments, such as those using computers. Realizing that even traditional broadcasting workflows could use an upgrade, a new kind of Stream Deck was made, one that had a ridiculous number of LCD buttons to customize, not to mention a stackable design to double or triple that number if it weren’t enough.

Designer: Elgato

The idea behind the Stream Deck and its kind is pretty simple. Rather than a sequence of keystrokes that are hard to remember across different apps and services, it offered buttons that could be mapped to almost any function. Even better, those buttons are actually LCD keys, so they can have dynamic icons that identify their purpose and change depending on the app in use.

That kind of flexibility is critical in a smooth and fast digital workflow, whether it’s changing settings on a live stream, stitching up videos, or changing digital brushes. Traditional broadcasting also has use for so many controls, but those buttons and dials are often fixed and permanent. The Stream Deck Studio brings the flexibility of Elgato’s mainstream devices to this professional setting where speed is of the essence.

Unlike the boxy Stream Decks, the Studio is a long 19-inch bar with two rows of 16 keys flanked by a dial on each end. This is the largest Stream Deck product to date and is obviously not meant for regular desktop use. The shape of the device, however, fits perfectly with broadcast studio racks. In fact, you can also stack and connect two or three of them, for a whopping 96 buttons and six dials.

Like any other Stream Deck product, the keys and dials are programmable, but there’s a slight catch this time. The Studio was developed together with Bitfocus, whose Companion software is already a popular alternative to Stream Deck’s own app, with tweaks for broadcast media. The new Buttons software was made specifically for the Stream Deck studio, though it requires a recurring subscription. Then again, the $900 price tag makes the Stream Deck Studio a no-go for individual creators anyway, but offers studios and other companies the same kind of flexibility and power that the Stream Deck offers, except on a larger scale.

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ROLI Airwave Uses AI and Gesture Control to Transform Music Learning and Production

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Think of if a Piano, a Theremin, and ChatGPT had a baby.

I distinctly remember seeing the music video for Greyhound by the Swedish House Mafia (and if you haven’t seen it I recommend you do). The video has the three members of the EDM group standing in an empty space, wearing headsets and controlling virtual objects that help them play music while also racing robotic greyhounds on salt flats. The music video released 12 years ago, but painted a very different picture of how people would make music in the future – not with instruments, but rather with gestures. Today, the folks at ROLI unveiled the first step to that future in the form of Airwave – an AI-powered device that uses advanced image recognition to not only help you learn to play music, but perform music intuitively using unique gestures.

Known for its revolutionary Seaboard, ROLI broke away from traditional keyboards by enabling musicians to explore the microtonal spaces between notes, opening up a vast universe of expressive possibilities. Now, with the Airwave, ROLI is set to disrupt the industry again—this time, by using AI to transform how people learn to play music.

For decades, aspiring musicians have been limited to traditional learning methods like in-person lessons, online courses, or YouTube tutorials. While each of these has its strengths, they often lack real-time, personalized feedback that adapts to the learner’s unique progress. ROLI’s Airwave, powered by its Music Intelligence (MI) platform, changes this dynamic by acting as a bridge between instrument and instructor. It introduces a new era of “intelligent pianos” that use cutting-edge AI, vision, and voice technologies to offer a truly immersive learning experience.

Designer: ROLI

“Music learning and playing have been far too difficult for too long: intimidating, expensive, and one-size-fits-all,” said Roland Lamb, CEO of ROLI. “With recent advances in computer vision and AI, we are finally able to innovate beyond the keys and bring this human-centric technology to music learners and creators alike.”

The Airwave works by utilizing 3D infrared cameras that, together with ROLI’s new Vision technology, can “see” your hands as they move across the keyboard, capturing intricate finger movements and gestures. This allows the system to offer highly personalized feedback based on precise tracking of your playing technique. Whether you’re a beginner struggling with finger positioning or an advanced player fine-tuning your dynamics, Airwave adjusts its guidance to match your skill level.

At the heart of this breakthrough is ROLI’s MI platform, which incorporates five key sensory technologies—sound, sight, touch, vision, and voice. These allow Airwave to not only track your hand movements but also respond to voice commands. Ask it to show you a chord, suggest a new piece to learn, or even guide you through tricky sections of a song. This transforms the learning process into an interactive, conversational experience that feels less like traditional lessons and more like having a personal music coach at your side.

The magic really comes alive when Airwave is paired with ROLI’s Piano M (formerly known as LUMI Keys). The Piano M’s light-up keys combined with Airwave’s real-time feedback make for a compelling, intuitive learning environment. Players can practice essential elements of piano technique such as posture, hand positioning, rhythm, and harmony, all while getting immediate, adaptive feedback. This system effectively builds better habits and speeds up the learning curve without the need for constant human instruction.

On the creative front, Airwave doesn’t stop at teaching—it’s also a powerful tool for composers and performers. Its gesture-based controls allow musicians to manipulate sound in novel ways. With a simple hand raise or wrist tilt, you can shift from a piano to a symphonic ensemble, blending different tones and effects in real-time. Marco Parisi, a renowned musician and producer, emphasized the revolutionary potential of Airwave: “Every movement and gesture creates a new sound unique to the musician. It will make music much more expressive and could even lead to new genres of music”.

Airwave is now available for pre-order, setting the stage for a new AI-powered era in human-led music technology. Whether you’re a budding musician looking for a smarter way to learn or a seasoned creator in search of fresh expressive possibilities, ROLI’s latest innovation promises to redefine what’s possible with music.

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