Tag Archives: Gadgets

Hybrid watch concept puts a giant hole in the middle of a circular screen

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Smartwatches are now a staple of the tech market14, but the departure of several high-profile brands and the arrival of smart rings are making some reevaluate the wearable device. Just like with paper notebooks, there is a strong and large culture around analog, mechanical watches that find smartwatches unappealing, except for some features that aren’t totally unique to smartwatches, namely, health sensors. Hybrid smartwatches exist for this reason, trying to have the best of both analog and digital worlds, but they are not exactly that common nor are their designs well-established. There’s still plenty of room for exploration and experimentation, like this rather peculiar concept that cuts out a whole in the middle of a circular screen to make room for an elegant analog watch.

Designer: Priyanshu Jaiswal

Inspired by the rather divisive notch or cutout on smartphone screens, the Lunar Eclipse hybrid smartwatch concept puts a mechanical watch in the middle of that hole instead of a camera. It might have been easier to have the display as an inset or restricted to a certain part of the watch face, but that presents some challenges as well, particularly when occluding the beauty of the analog timepiece itself. As weird as it may sound, this notch-based design actually has more benefits compared to a smartphone camera cutout.

Because it is technically still a complete screen, with just the middle part rendered practically unusable and invisible, it is theoretically easier to design the user interface of the “digital bezel” around the watch face. You can have icons and text that curve around the border, and you can even have them animated to add more natural-looking visual feedback, like how notification icons can appear like they’re flowing from the center of the watch rather than just appearing out of nowhere.

This gives Lunar Eclipse nearly the same benefits as having a smartwatch but with fewer opportunities for distractions. The bezel around the watch face is still just a small space that can only fit a few words and icons. You definitely won’t be using the watch to read those notifications or, worse, type out a response. You’ll be able to still see some of your health stats, presuming the watch has the sensors to track your steps, heart rate, and other biometrics.

One disadvantage that design has is that its battery life might not be that different from a regular smartwatch. The concept could use an E Ink screen, however, to help reduce that consumption, especially since the display won’t be changing as frequently as on a normal smartwatch. Another consideration is that with the electronics and battery inside, the room for the actual mechanical components would be very cramped, detracting from the inherent beauty of these timepieces that wristwatch fans are after in the first place.

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Leaked Images show Anker’s MagSafe SD Card Reader that lets you Locally Back Up your iPhone Gallery

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iCloud who??

With this one single device, Anker aims to upend cloud storage by allowing you to access and even back up your files on SD cards. Imagine not needing a laptop while shooting on a DSLR, or not needing to worry about all your iPhone photos clogging up your system. The MagGo Nano (whose alleged images were leaked on Reddit not too long ago) is Anker’s way of allowing your iPhone to interface with memory cards. A part of the MagGo series, the adapter looks sort of like the old Chromecast devices, and snaps to the back of your iPhone using MagSafe tech. A fold-out cable lets you connect the MagGo Nano to your phone (or you can even connect it to a tablet, laptop, etc.), and a flip-top presents the Nano’s card slot. Insert an SD card in and you’ve instantly got extra storage + file access.

Designer: Anker

Images of the MagGo Nano (we aren’t even sure if that’s the official name) were shared on Reddit by credible leaker ‘Joshuadwx’. The images show a pretty compact device that looks and feels just like (if not smaller than) a Chromecast device. Under the lid of the accessory, there appear to be both SD and TF card slots, offering data transfer speeds up to 312 Mbps… reportedly. The device seems to be powered by USB-C, which means it’ll be compatible with more than just iPhones (you can attach a MagSafe sticker to your Android device and use it with that too), and rumors suggest it’ll be available in three colors: white, gray and green, with a tentative price range of $30-$40.

The MagGo Nano is a boon for photographers who like the idea of being able to quickly transfer photos from cameras/drones to their phones for editing and uploading on social media. However, for the rest of us, it’s a great way to extend your phone’s storage by uploading things to an SD card. Sure, USB-C thumb drives do exist too, but there’s something much more elegant about using an SD card to take photo backups – be it from a smartphone, a professional camera, an action camera, or a drone.

Images via u/joshuadwx

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Bluetooth speaker concept moves a tiny gondola lift while your music plays

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Wireless speakers are a dime a dozen these days, and they come in a wide variety of forms, ranging from rugged tubes to glamorous art objects. The ones that are meant to stay indoors often hide their physical controls or do away with them completely in order to blend in with the rest of the room’s decor. Many don’t even have displays so you can’t view information at a glance without having to pick up your phone and unlock it. It doesn’t have to be an “either-or” situation, however, and you can maintain a speaker’s analog simplicity and beauty while still providing a useful visual, as this concept design for a travel-inspired Bluetooth speaker demonstrates.

Designer: Sungmin Hwang

Truth be told, a gondola lift is probably the last thing you’d associate with music. Also known as cable cars, these compact boxes carry a small group of passengers from one height to another, allowing them to see the journey from a completely different perspective. It adds a sense of wonder and awe, and maybe even a bit of thrill, as you slowly make your way to your destination, which is often on the top of a mountain or tower.

That’s the association that the Gondola Bluetooth speaker design concept makes between playing music and the journey, both of which take you into exciting new worlds that feel different from your current situation. The speaker’s design is specifically inspired by the cable car system that goes to and from Korea’s famous Namsan Tower, a magical journey even for frequent visitors. The two ends of the speaker house cones, one of which is significantly taller and represents Mount Namsan where the tower stands. This cone is actually the speaker, which diverges from the conventional cylindrical form of Bluetooth speakers

Connecting these two points are two fishing lines representing the cables of the gondola lift. Two tiny modules move back and forth between these lines, which represents the speaker’s main gimmick. The movement of these miniature gondolas syncs with the playback time of the current track playing on the speaker, giving a visual representation of the digital progress bar found in most music apps. This mechanism allows the user to see how far along the music is even without looking at their phones. Admittedly, not many people probably do that anyway, but the movement of gondolas still creates an almost magical atmosphere that could surface joyful memories of travels and adventures.

The Gondola speaker concept pays tribute to the Namsan Tower in another way. The small conical stub on top of the speaker has an LED light that changes color depending on the state of the speaker, signifying things like pairing, playing, battery level, and the like. It’s definitely an interesting idea that shows relevant information without relying on screens, integrating such controls into the theme of the design in a seamless and beautiful manner.

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ASUS ROG Ally X Gaming Handheld Review: What the OG Ally should have been

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PROS:


  • More RAM, Double Battery Capacity

  • Two USB-C Ports

  • More ergonomic design despite heavier and thicker chassis

  • Higher performance with lower thermals

CONS:


  • Windows 11 is still awkward to use on touch screens

  • Comes in black colorway only

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The ASUS ROG Ally X is a clear upgrade over the original, addressing complaints without losing what made the ROG Ally great.

They say hindsight is 20/20, but not everyone gets the opportunity to make a redo of their past actions. That’s especially true when it comes to consumer electronics, where every product involves no small amount of investment and risk. And yet ASUS surprised us at Computex 2024 last month when it revealed not a generational upgrade to its first-ever gaming handheld PC but what is, instead, a redo of the original. The ROG Ally X definitely brings a few much-needed upgrades, but it also feels like this is what should have been launched in the first place last year. That’s why we took this handsome black handheld for a spin to see if it’s really worth its weight in gold or if waiting for the real next-gen design is a better choice.

Designer: ASUS Republic of Gamers

Aesthetics

Simply looking at the ROG Ally X on its own, you might easily mistake it for a black version of the original ROG Ally. Of course, there are subtle yet significant changes here and there, but the fact that it’s able to keep its design identity is still a laudable achievement. On the flip side, there will be no mistaking it for a ROG Ally 2 that’s yet to come, as it shares that DNA so closely with the first model.

Whether the ROG Ally had a more angular and more aggressive appearance despite its white coating, the ROG Ally X is rounder, curvier, and a bit gentler. This has consequences for the device’s ergonomics, which we’ll get to later, but it also exudes a slightly different character compared to its progenitor. It manages to be a bit more welcoming, almost comfortable, without losing its cyberpunk aesthetic thanks to those RGB lighting accents.

The color choice might prove to be a bit controversial, though. Not because no one likes black but because there’s no other choice. Just like how the ROG Ally came only in white, the Ally X is a black-only design. In a way, it stands out less from the crowd, making it less distinctive. But it also invites less visible stains and dirt on a device that will most likely see a lot of action outdoors. Truth be told, gamers are more likely to slap some skins on these devices than stick with the original coating, but having some choice would definitely help improve its appeal.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics for computers often lags behind performance and aesthetics, but it is even more critical for one that you’ll hold in your hand rather than use on a table. More than just the aesthetics, it’s actually this aspect of the ROG Ally X that sees the most changes, at least externally. Suffice it to say, the handheld is finally designed to let you hold it in your hands for longer periods of time, which translates to more playtime overall.

Because of internal changes, the ROG Ally X is chunkier and heavier at 1.45 inches thick and 1.49 lbs compared to the OG Ally’s 1.28 inches and 1.34 lbs. Ironically, the handheld is actually more ergonomic now despite the added bulk and heft thanks to key changes in the grip design and button. The sides, for example, are now more rounded than angular so they don’t cut into your palm. The grips themselves have a more natural contour that’s easier to hold, though they’re still shallower compared to the Steam Deck’s design. Depending on your hand size, you might not have enough room for a good grip just like on the ROG Ally.

The buttons and sticks feel more solid, too, and give better resistance and stability than the rather loose and flimsy controls of the previous half-generation. The back buttons are smaller and placed higher to address complaints of frequent accidental presses that come too naturally when holding the device. Ironically, players with smaller hands might find it harder to reach them now. Thankfully, their function is usually optional in most games, which is why owners of the ROG Ally were fine with disabling those.

Performance

There are, of course, also upgrades internally, but not enough to call this the ROG Ally 2. It still uses the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, for example, which is capable but not exactly top-notch. What carries its performance forward is the new 24GB LPDDR5 RAM clocked at 7,500MHz, a rather big jump from the previous-gen 16GB 6,400MHz RAM. It’s almost unbelievable how much more RAM boosts overall performance, especially when neither the CPU nor the integrated GPU are starved for memory. More disappointing, however, is the fact that ASUS didn’t go all out to put a solid 32GB in there, but that would have probably raised the already higher price tag.

Another big upgrade is the 80Wh battery that’s double the capacity of the meager 40Wh of the OG Ally. This alone accounts for the increase in weight and thickness, and it’s a price many gamers are only too willing to pay. Of course, your mileage will vary, but this allows you to either tack on a few more hours to your game time or, alternatively, crank up the settings higher and still get the same uptime. You can also charge the battery at the maximum 100W that both USB-C ports support, but the included charger only goes as far as 65W.

And yes, you read that right, USB-C ports. Plural. ASUS has done away with the proprietary XG Mobile port for connecting an external GPU and replaced it with a USB-C port with support for USB4, Thunderbolt 4, and DisplayPort 1.4 with FreeSync. This means you can still connect an external graphics dock, but now you have more options if you don’t need to. Unfortunately, both ports are located at the top, so you have less wiggle room when connecting angled cables or thick adapters.

The ASUS ROG Ally X retains most of what its predecessor has, including the aforementioned processor. The 7-inch 120Hz IPS LCD is still the same, which means it’s still bright and vibrant, at least for an LCD panel. The speakers are supposedly upgraded a little, but you’ll hardly notice the difference. The microSD card slot is still located at the top, which might worry some who have experienced fried electronics on the first ROG Ally.

What all these changes and similarities boil down to is a more powerful computer that delivers a better gaming experience overall. Despite all that power, however, the ROG Ally X still runs cooler than its predecessor thanks to an improved cooling system that pulls heat away from the screen more effectively. This is actually important when you consider that this screen is the primary way you’ll be interacting with the Windows 11 operating system. Unfortunately, even with ASUS’ custom software, Windows is still largely a mouse and keyboard-driven platform, which means navigating through menus and windows is still a pain.

Sustainability

Unfortunately, this is one area left completely unchanged between generations. Like the majority of designs in this still nascent market, the ROG Ally X has that typical mixture of metal and plastic, both taken from new materials rather than recycled. It might take a few more generations before they start catching up to their larger gaming laptop cousins.

The same can be said for repairability and even upgradability. You can’t even upgrade the SSD storage, making that microSD card expansion slot even more critical, at least for non-game files. Again, the market is still in its infancy, so we’re holding out hope that the situation will improve over time. After all, some lesser-known brands are already providing easy access to SSD storage for upgrading, so there’s little reason why giants like ASUS can’t do likewise.

Value

It’s clear as day that the ASUS ROG Ally X is a big step forward, fixing the flaws of the ROG Ally in a half-step upgrade. But are those enough to warrant its $800 price tag that makes it one of the more expensive options in the market? As always, the answer isn’t as clear-cut, but the scales might not be tipping in the Republic of Gamers’ favor.

The original ROG Ally was by no means a terrible device even considering the ergonomics, and its current $650 price tag (or even $550 on discount) makes it a more viable starting handheld for those who aren’t sold on the Steam Deck. There’s definitely no reason for ROG Ally owners to upgrade this early, either, so only those who have been on the fence until now might find the ROG Ally X more convincing. But there are also other options in the market, like the Steam Deck that started it all or the Lenovo Legion Go with its Switch-like removable controllers. Then again, you can’t go wrong with the ROG Ally X either, especially if you have the cash to spare.

Verdict

It’s rare for manufacturers to push out a version 1.5 product, especially one that almost makes the original feel inadequate. At the same time, such a strategy weakens the appeal of the “half-step” upgrade, particularly because of the price difference between the two generations. That’s the limbo that the ASUS ROG Ally X practically finds itself in. Taken on its own, it’s a fine gaming kit that offers commendable performance in a more ergonomic design, but it’s no ROG Ally 2. If you’ve been undecided about getting your first ROG Ally, now might be a good time to grab one, especially if a good deal comes up to sweeten that price a bit.

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Kodak digital film scanner lets you preserve your analog film negatives

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As someone who took a lot of pictures back in the good old days of film cameras and also took up photography classes in my film major university days, I used to have boxes of films in my room. Of course eventually they became useless and I had to throw them away since there was no easy way to scan and preserve them. Now I am regretting that decision since there are devices that can make it easy to digitize these rolls of films.

Designer: Kodak

One such easy-to-use and relatively affordable devices is the Kodak Slide N Scan Digital Film Scanner. Basically it’s almost the size of a regular camera and its main function is to view, edit, and convert your old negatives. It is able to do that for both color and b&w negatives with 135, 110, and 126mm sizes and it can also convert 50mm slides in those sizes as well. You can also adjust everything into a gallery, edit date and time stamps, and transfer them to your computer or hard drive.

You can get one that has a 5-inch or a 7-inch LCD, depending on how small or big you want that screen to view and edit your film strips. It uses a quick-feeding tray technology so you can have a continuous loading action and also comes with the adapter for the different sizes. It can also help you resize and convert the photos with an easy scan button. You can also do some basic editing things like adjust brightness, enhance, crop, and adjust the quality of the images as you digitize them.

I also discovered that a lot of Gen Z kids are going back to film cameras to preserve their memories. So this device will be useful for the older generation who experienced the heyday of film cameras and to the younger ones who are discovering their joys. Both would want to preserve these images and a portable film scanner is the best way to do so.

The post Kodak digital film scanner lets you preserve your analog film negatives first appeared on Yanko Design.

iPhone Standby Mode on Steroids: The Vobot gives you a Multi-Hub Display Dock for Widgets and Tools

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Sure, your iPhone can show you the time or the game score or even photos of your holiday when it’s docked horizontally during charging… but can it give your laptop HDMI and LAN connectivity? Can it track crypto prices? Does it let you code your own apps/widgets? And hey, can it play DOOM? Well, Vobot can. A compact desktop display that doubles as a multiport hub for enhanced productivity, the Vobot puts fun and function together. It has 7 ports for enhanced connectivity and charging (up to 90W), but its magnum opus is the display on front, which does everything from being a clock, weather forecast indicator, Pomodoro timer, Todoist task tracker, Crypto or stock ticker, or even a screen-mirroring display. The best part, you can code your own apps for it, so unlike the iPhone’s Standby Mode, the Vobot can be exactly what you need it to be.

Designer: Mocreo Pvt. Ltd.

As the folks behind the Vobot say, it’s first and foremost a mini dock. With 7 ports to supercharge your laptop/desktop, the Vobot offers connectivity and power to your device. It sports a 4K@60Hz HDMI port, a Gigabit LAN port, one USB-A 3.0 port, and two USB-C 3.0 ports. There’s one single USB-C input port that powers the Vobot (the Vobot comes with its own adapter, and doesn’t have a battery of its own)… so in essence, it’s every bit a multiport USB hub… but the screen on the front is what radically changes things.

Think of that screen on the front of the Vobot as a dedicated secondary display. It’s split into two parts – the part on the left is a dot-matrix seven-segment LED display that’s dedicated to showing the time and day, while the right half is an LCD IPS screen that can be controlled using a knob and button interface on the right side of the device (reminiscent of a watch’s crown). When plugged in and running, the Vobot’s screen becomes your custom control center. The left half shows you the time, while the right half unlocks productivity in a variety of ways. The Mini Dock has its own built-in app gallery, including a weather widget, a Pomodoro timer, a Todoist task manager, calendar, stock/crypto tracker, PC monitor, indoor air detector, game emulator, WiFi status checker, screen-mirroring applet, and a lot more.

The vast app gallery means the right half of the Vobot mini dock’s display becomes your work and your life’s control panel. You can track productivity, review the stock market, watch YouTube videos on the side, check your PC’s performance or thermals, or even code your own IoT apps. With MicroPython programming, you can add new features to the dock that serve your needs, from doing things like monitoring cameras around your smart home, to checking your home’s power consumption. Create games that you can play using your laptop keyboard or a game controller (which comes along with the mini dock), or just build something as simple as a subscriber counter or notification center for your phone.

The Vobot Mini Dock boasts compatibility across Windows, Linux, and MacOS machines, but there’s also support for Android and iOS devices. Each Mini Dock ships with a 100W power adapter, and a tiny gaming controller that lets you play games on the dock’s built-in emulator. A quick-start guide briefs you through the dock’s features, and an online app store lets you access apps by other creators, or make your own to boost productivity… or should I say, pro-dock-tivity!

The post iPhone Standby Mode on Steroids: The Vobot gives you a Multi-Hub Display Dock for Widgets and Tools first appeared on Yanko Design.

AYANEO Retro Power Bank is a cute homage to the Nintendo Super Famicom

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Retro gaming consoles kicked off a trend in the computing and gaming industries that saw the revival of many old-school designs. While the majority of these try to recreate decades-old experiences in a functional manner, some simply go for the aesthetics. After all, the designs can be eye-catching in their own right, regardless if they’re working like the original. Some put modern computing hardware inside shells from a time when monitors didn’t even have color, while others repurpose the design into some desktop or fidget toy only. This tiny retro console, for example, looks like a Super Famicom that’s no larger than your smartphone, but it isn’t actually a device that you can play but is simply AYANEO’s newest throwback: a 12,000mAh power bank in disguise.

Designer: AYANEO

The Nintendo Super Family Computer, a.k.a. “Super Famicom,” might be familiar to gamers in name, but those who live outside Japan might be more familiar with its other moniker and design. The Super NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) wasn’t as divergent as the NES from the Famicom, but there were subtle design differences, like the color scheme and placement of buttons. For whatever reason, AYANEO opted to pattern its tiny device on the Japanese Super Famicom, though that actually works in its favor in one specific detail.

The Retro Power Bank, which avoids any legal landmine by using as generic a name as possible, adopts the dual-tone gray color scheme of the famed console as well as the raised section in the middle that delineates the main point of interest in the device. It even has the same sliding switch and button duo, but their locations have been moved around to avoid an exact copy of a copyrighted design. There’s also a small display strip that’s unsurprisingly absent from consoles of that bygone era, but is now almost a staple in high-capacity power banks.

Unlike the SNES, the Super Famicom used a sliding switch for its power button, a mechanism that the Retro Power Bank uses for navigating through menus and changing settings like units used, language, and screen off time, just to name a few. The reset button now becomes a function button that cycles through different display features. That 0.91-inch monochrome OLED screen is just small enough to show discharge and charging power, temperature, and other essential information at a glance.

Adorable as the design might be, some might be a little disappointed in its performance as an actual power bank. 12,000 mAh is admittedly plenty for most phones, but the 45W output will leave some waiting a bit to fully top up their phone. And when you use both USB-C ports at the same time, you’re down to 15W each. There’s also no wireless charging, which is probably for the best since you don’t want to cover that nice tribute to the Super Famicom, which is the entire point of the design in the first place.

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The Tiny DWARF 3 Smart Telescope Can Track Stars, Capture The Milky Way with Gigapixel Resolution

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For centuries, telescopes have been the gateway to the cosmos, allowing us to peer into the vast expanse of space and unravel its secrets. However, traditional telescopes often come with drawbacks – their bulky size and complex setups can be intimidating for beginners and hinder portability for outdoor adventures. Moreover, aside from their complicated nature, telescopes were just downright unaffordable to the masses… but technology always endeavors to make innovation accessible to everyone. Enter the DWARF 3, a revolutionary smart telescope that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, making astronomy and nature observation more accessible than ever before.

Designer: DwarfLab Team

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The name DWARF 3 isn’t without reason, as it breaks from the norm of what we expect from a telescope. The name comes from its dwarfed design, which condenses the massive linear telescopes into something the size of a dictionary or novel – and it does so by borrowing a trick from smartphone camera designs. The DWARF 3 boasts a unique periscopic design, a leap forward from its successful predecessor, DWARF II (which raised over $870,000 on Kickstarter). Unlike traditional telescopes with a straight light path, DWARF 3 utilizes a prism to fold the light path, resulting in a remarkably compact and portable form factor. This innovative design allows the telescope to fit comfortably in a backpack, making it the perfect companion for stargazing trips, camping adventures, or even spontaneous backyard astronomy sessions. Despite its compact size, DWARF 3 packs a powerful punch when it comes to optical capabilities, quite like a smartphone’s camera does. By bending light in a different way that doesn’t need a massively long tubular structure, the DWARF 3 achieves telescope-grade zooming but in a small package.

Portable Design

DWARF 3 brings you a state of the art upgrade: in optics, sensors, and more processing power.

That isn’t all the DWARF 3 borrows from smartphones – touted as a smart telescope, it’s designed to be entirely automatic and can remotely be controlled by a user. Whether for astronomy or nature photography, DWARF 3 is ready in minutes via a smartphone app, letting you capture the world around you in a bunch of ways. The DWARF 3 features a dual-camera system, catering to both wide-field observation and detailed target magnification. The wide-angle camera lets you preview shots before the telephoto camera allows you to zoom in on subjects, but also has the unique distinction of being wide enough to capture the entire Milky Way within one frame. An Astro Mosaic mode also lets the DWARF 3 capture and stitch together incredibly detailed panoramic views of the sky so you can zoom in on stars. The EQ mode, combined with the star-tracking feature, allows the camera to automatically correct for the Earth’s rotation and follow specific cosmic objects, eliminating the need to manually reset the camera’s aim. You can even set schedules, so the DWARF 3 kicks in at the right time to begin capturing the star you’ve set your eye on.

DWARF 3 also includes a better view and even better photos!

The true star of the DWARF 3’s optical system is the telephoto lens. A 150mm lens that actually has an equivalent focal length of 737mm, this lens brings distant celestial objects into sharp focus, inviting you to explore the cosmos with unprecedented detail, from the subtle textures of nebulae to the captivating lunar phases. But DWARF 3 isn’t just for astronomy enthusiasts. Nature photographers will find this telephoto lens invaluable. With its wireless control capabilities, DWARF 3 allows you to capture stunning wildlife images from a safe distance, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals in their natural habitat. Whether it’s a majestic hawk soaring high above or a shy deer peeking out from a thicket, DWARF 3 helps you capture those fleeting moments of nature’s beauty in exceptional detail.

DWARFLAB App leads you to stunning shots on a single click. Designed with beginners in mind, the one-click shooting feature streamlines the process, ensuring effortless photography. At the same time, for advanced users, manual adjustments are still open for your precise control over every aspect of the shot.

DWARF 3 goes beyond simply providing magnified views. To elevate the user experience, it boasts a suite of intelligent features powered by cutting-edge technology. The autofocusing functionality utilizes a built-in step motor, ensuring crisp and clear images at all magnifications. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments, allowing you to focus on enjoying the view. For deep sky objects (DSOs), DWARF 3 employs a sophisticated object tracking system that leverages the power of deep learning to automatically track your target object. Simply select your target on the intuitive DWARF App, and the telescope will keep it in focus, even as it moves across the sky. AI-powered post-processing also allows the DWARF 3 to automatically reduce or remove noise from pictures (often a problem with low-light photography) while preserving celestial details, ensuring clarity and texture even when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.

With the built-in Sky Atlas and top pick target suggestions, you can quickly identify worthy objects for observation and effortlessly begin your night sky imaging journey without any hesitation.

The DWARFLAB App serves as the central hub for controlling your DWARF 3 telescope. This user-friendly app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices, connects seamlessly to your telescope via Wi-Fi. Through the app, you can access a range of features, from basic camera control settings, image/video settings, and even time-lapse photography options. You can browse a virtual map of the sky and tell the DWARF 3 what to point at, and just in case you’re a noob like me, the app has its own recommended tab that tells you what cosmic bodies to watch out for, from nebulae to galaxies, stars, and even the Moon or Milky Way. The intuitive interface makes DWARF 3 accessible to users of all experience levels, allowing beginners to dive headfirst into the wonders of astronomy and experienced observers to unlock new levels of exploration. The app also lets you download images from the DWARF 3 onto your device, be it a phone or a tablet. There’s support for popular formats like JPEG and PNG, but the DWARF 3 can also capture FITS and TIFF formats (essential for preserving detail in those massive panorama photos).

Milky Way

On just a hardware and software level, the DWARF 3 packs quite a lot for a $469 telescope. Although catered towards both serious stargazers and hobbyists, the DWARF 3’s specs are solid. A 150mm telephoto lens (equivalent of 737mm) and a 6.7mm wide angle lens (equivalent of 45mm) offer the DWARF 3 a massive FOV range. A Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor captures precise imagery across a variety of shooting modes including regular photo, astro, burst, and time-lapse, along with videos at 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps. For the image processing functions, the telescope has an NPU capable of 5 TOPS of processing power (an upgrade from the 2 TOPS on the DWARF II model). A 128GB eMMC comes included with the DWARF 3 for storing photos, and a whopping 10,000mAh built-in battery lets the telescope work for long hours, capturing massive panoramas or long-duration star trails. All this fits into a device that weighs 1.3 kilograms, works automatically, and outperforms most pro-grade camera setups that are 10 times the cost.

Click Here to Buy Now: $469 $499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

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This Steampunk Perpetual Marble Machine feels like the Ultimate Desk Accessory for LEGO Enthusiasts

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Building it is just half the experience… Once it’s assembled, JMBricklayer’s Steampunk Marble Run works as a perpetual machine of sorts, creating a dynamic mechanical toy that’s always running on your desk. A rollercoaster for marbles, this over-5300-piece marvel offers a closed-loop design featuring interweaving paths, flamethrowers, dinosaurs, and nuclear reactors… all made from bricks of course. The entire structure measures a whopping 24.8 inches tall, and runs on two motors powered by a battery module. A perfect desktop toy for LEGO and other brick enthusiasts, puzzle geeks, pinball nerds, gamers, steampunk-lovers, and just fun YouTubers who like to have an interesting toy in the background of their vlogs, the Steampunk Marble Run’s $158 price tag makes it a no-brainer for people looking for a challenge.

Designer: JMBricklayer

Click Here to Buy Now: $158 $189.99 (18% off) Hurry! Only 26 hours left! Raised over $116,000.

This isn’t your dad’s LEGO set. It’s rated extremely difficult, with over 5,391 pieces that come together over days of painstaking work. The result, however, is beyond glorious. The entire set looks like something out of a mad scientist’s playroom. The GBC(Great Ball Contraption) features multiple paths and a randomizer that sends marbles on unique journeys. The balls roll down these dizzying routes, overshadowing any Hot Wheels track you could have ever built in your life, and make their way to the bottom of the contraption. A lift then carries them back up to the top, where the entire process repeats itself… with different results every time.

The entire Steampunk Marble Run set is the visual representation of a sensory overload. It’s so incredibly detailed you end up discovering new things every time you observe it from a different angle. The 2-foot-tall structure has industrial equipment, prehistoric monsters, chemical tanks and nuclear reactors, flamethrowers, two different kinds of lifts, and just random rails/paths connecting them all together into a symphony of sheer chaos.

The way the Great Ball Contraption is visually complicated, but theoretically simple. A battery module powers the entire set, delivering juice to the two lifts that carry the marbles up, and the stairways that also help move the marbles around. However, once the marbles hit the tracks, gravity and randomness kick in. Multiple tracks allow your marble to take a unique path of its own, and objects and obstacles on the journey help the marbles change their paths midway. For example, the T-Rex model at the center plays a role in moving marbles around. Its spine has a two-way switch that allows marbles to go either left or right, and the flamethrower emerging from its mouth also nudges balls into different routes, pushing them down a funnel that diverts them thanks to the same two-way switch.

Although JMBricklayer’s set doesn’t use official bricks from ‘that one famous plastic brick company’, it’s designed to be compatible with them… so if the 5,391-brick megastructure doesn’t feel detailed enough, you can actually add more to it and customize it in different ways. With that many pieces and an ‘extreme’ difficulty rating, the entire set should take days or weeks to put together depending on how proficient you are. There’s a detailed guide that comes with your kit, which should definitely make things easier… but don’t expect it to be as simple as putting together an IKEA sofa set.

Other details add to the Steampunk Marble Run’s gloriously otherworldly design. The color palette is overwhelmingly grunge-inspired, evoking an almost Mad Max style. Meanwhile, you’ve got a combination of industrial machinery, pipes, girders, chains, flamethrowers, Gatling guns, chemical tanks, nuclear reactors, and two dinosaurs dominating the design. The kit comes with a battery pack that lets you input 6 AA batteries to run the entire experience. The battery pack powers two motors that control various aspects of the marble run, and the entire set includes 10 marbles as a part of the experience… although you can absolutely add a few more of your own.

One of the Motors

The Battery Module

The entire kit is an experience to be had. It measures 22×21 inches in length and width, with a 24.8-inch vertical that has allows the kit to look positively monstrous. The complete gizmo also weighs a staggering 15.4 lbs (or a whopping 7 kilos), so it’s best if you placed it away from overtly curious/enthusiastic pets and children. The set starts at $189.99, although JMBricklayer is offering early backers an 18% discount, bringing the full kit to $158 excluding shipping. Grab yours now and the Steampunk Marble Run ships starting August 2024.

Grab yours now $189.99 (18% off) Hurry! Only 26 hours left! Raised over $116,000.

The post This Steampunk Perpetual Marble Machine feels like the Ultimate Desk Accessory for LEGO Enthusiasts first appeared on Yanko Design.

Pocket Cable EDC is a compact tangle-free charging cable disguised as a Swiss Army Knife

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EDC essentials are trending for the right reasons and they can range from pocket knives and multitools to pens and personal care items. USB cables have also become an important everyday carry item that needs to be handy all the time for power-hungry gadgets or transferring big files across multiple devices.

This cool EDC brings both worlds together into a form that’ll be pocketable, utilitarian and essential to have in your arsenal. The Pocket Cable by Native Union wins us over for its clever design that most of us needed but never knew could exist. There are many other charging cable management solutions but this one stands out for its compact design that keeps the function at the forefront.

Designer: Native Union

The Pocket Cable is inspired by pocket knives, and the design proves it all right. The USB-C to USB-C charging cable works pretty similar to the popular EDC, keeping everything well disguised and managed. That’s something that inherently can be a problem with charging cables. At first glance you might mistake it for a Swiss Army Knife enclosure but on the inside resides a 7-inch-long cable for all your tech needs. The 60W power ensures you are covered for transferring big data in a jiffy and fast charging needs. You can juice up your fast-charging Android devices as well as MacBook and iPad without any problem.

Durability is also not ignored here as the highly-resistant cable is crafted from 100 percent recycled PET reinforced braiding, enclosed in a 100 percent TPU closure. There’s another layer of aramid fiber core that gives the Pocket Cable a whopping 30,000-plus bend lifespan. Most charging cables give away at the joints of the connectors, so Native Union has included an O-Flex strain relief layer that’s almost two times more robust than a normal strain relief design.

If you are wondering whether the cable is certified for compatibility with all USB-C devices, then the answer is a loud yes. It has a chip with an E-Marker to regulate power depending on the requirements and limitations of the connected device. For $30 the Pocket Cable is a useful EDC to have handy since it measures just 4 inches when winded up. The only thing that is a bit of a downer is the cable length which could have been longer, but we have to consider how compact this thing actually is.

The post Pocket Cable EDC is a compact tangle-free charging cable disguised as a Swiss Army Knife first appeared on Yanko Design.