Tag Archives: Technology

Samsung Color E-Paper display could open the doors to new product designs

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Samsung is a tech giant with its hands in many industries, but one of its biggest businesses is in making displays. These cover anything from TVs to laptops to smartphones to signage, supporting a variety of display technologies like LCD, LED, and everything in between. One kind of technology it has barely touched, however, is Electronic Paper Displays or EPDs, the same kind of eye-friendly, battery-efficient screens found on eBook readers. That is changing now, however, with Samsung dipping its toes into this market with a new Color E-Paper display that’s currently aimed at indoor signage and posters but could also be extended to new types of devices in the very new future.

Designer: Samsung

E Ink signage is becoming more common these days, especially as these electronic paper displays start to show improvements in color rendering. It’s not hard to see the benefits of the technology for this particular use case, since EPDs don’t use power to retain their image and use very little power when changing what’s on display. Although it is hardly the first of its kind, even for the tech giant, Samsung’s presence in this growing market is pretty much a stamp of approval from a brand that sells large TVs and screens for the same purpose of advertising in indoor signage.

Image courtesy of invidis

The new Samsung Color E-Paper display seems to be really pushing the boundaries of the technology. The 32-inch has a QHD resolution of 2560×1440, though its real boasting feature is the 60,000-color gamut (six per pixel) which is quite high for a color electronic paper. This is thanks to the new E Ink Spectra 6 panel, the very same that flaunted artistic designs and images on the ASUS ROG Project DALI at Computex 2024 last week. This laptop concept utilizes a smaller panel that acts as a canvas for owners to customize the design of the laptop cover as they desire.

ASUS ROG Project DALI laptop concept @ Computex 2024

While the gigantic size of the Samsung Color E-Paper limits it to applications like signs and posters, it does make one wonder if Samsung will stop there. Its collaboration with E Ink could, in fact, lead to more devices with smaller screens, particularly in the eReader market that Samsung has never ventured into before. And with its close ties with Wacom, it could even add stylus support for these devices, potentially putting the likes of the Amazon Kindle and Kobo on notice.

Image courtesy of SamMobile

The post Samsung Color E-Paper display could open the doors to new product designs first appeared on Yanko Design.

watchOS 11: Comprehensive Health Insights with Advanced Sleep Tracking and Training Load

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Apple previewed watchOS 11, showcasing enhancements that solidify its position as the world’s most advanced wearable operating system. The update focuses on advanced health and fitness insights, greater personalization, and enhanced connectivity features. This discussion delves into the key aspects of watchOS 11, validating the information with official statements and understanding its integration into Apple’s broader ecosystem.

Why watchOS Wasn’t Included in the Apple Intelligence Discussion

Despite Apple’s emphasis on AI for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, watchOS was notably absent. The reason is that Apple Watch has extensively leveraged AI and machine learning.

Apple Intelligence: iOS, iPadOS + macOS Sequoia

Apple Watch is designed as a personal health and fitness companion, with many features driven by AI and machine learning, providing personalized insights and recommendations. For instance, the automatic workout detection feature uses machine learning to identify when a user begins a workout and suggests the appropriate workout tracking by analyzing data points such as movement patterns, heart rate changes, and location data.

Additionally, the heart rate monitoring feature continuously tracks a user’s heart rate and provides notifications if it detects an irregular rhythm, potentially indicating atrial fibrillation. This capability applies AI, using historical data and real-time analysis to identify potential health issues.

The Breathe app prompts users to take regular breaks for mindfulness and relaxation. Its reminders are based on patterns in the user’s daily routine, reducing stress and improving well-being. The integration of AI ensures timely and relevant reminders.

The sleep tracking feature, introduced in watchOS 7, uses machine learning to analyze sleep patterns and provide insights into sleep quality by tracking metrics such as heart rate, movement, and ambient noise. This helps users understand their sleep habits and make informed decisions to improve their sleep.

In watchOS 11, the Vitals app and Training Load build on this foundation. The Vitals app consolidates various health metrics, providing a comprehensive view of a user’s health status. It uses AI to analyze these metrics and identify outliers, notifying users when two or more metrics are outside their typical range.

Training Load uses a new effort rating system combining data from various sources to measure workout intensity. By comparing the past seven days of activity with the last 28 days, users can understand how their workouts impact their fitness over time.

The exclusion from the Apple Intelligence segment suggests that watchOS 11’s AI capabilities are deeply embedded in its functionality. The emphasis on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS likely stems from introducing new system-wide AI features still being integrated into these platforms. In contrast, Apple Watch’s AI features are mature and have evolved over the years.

Health and Fitness Insights

Vitals App: A Dream Come True for Sleep Tracking and Health Insights

As someone who sleeps with an Apple Watch, the value of these health insights is undeniable. The ability to monitor sleep patterns and understand the quality of rest has been invaluable in making better lifestyle choices. Previously, reliance on third-party apps and devices was necessary to track sleep. However, with the Vitals app, Apple has built a comprehensive system that outputs detailed sleep tracking data, making it a powerful tool for health monitoring.

The Vitals app allows the Apple Watch to measure key health metrics during sleep, including heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, sleep duration, and blood oxygen levels. This array of data offers a holistic view of nightly rest. The heart rate monitor tracks beats per minute throughout the night, providing insights into cardiovascular health. The respiratory rate measures breathing patterns, helping to detect any irregularities.

Wrist temperature is another critical metric, offering insights into changes in body temperature, which can indicate various health conditions. Sleep duration records the total amount of time spent sleeping, allowing users to see if they are getting enough rest. Blood oxygen levels are also measured, which is essential for understanding how well the body circulates oxygen during sleep.

The Vitals app consolidates all these metrics into a single, comprehensive view, making it easy to identify outliers and receive notifications when two or more metrics fall outside their typical range. This integration uses data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, ensuring that the classifications and notifications are grounded in extensive research.

In terms of age restrictions, many of these metrics have minimum age requirements. Heart rate and respiratory rate tracking are available for users aged 13 and above, while wrist temperature tracking is available for users aged 14 and above. This ensures that the data collected is reliable and appropriate for the user’s age group.

Previously, gathering this kind of data required reliance on third-party apps and devices. However, Apple’s approach ensures that the Vitals app works exclusively with the Apple Watch, leveraging a vast amount of research data to provide accurate and reliable insights. This means that if you value sleep data and metrics but cannot wear an Apple Watch, you might find yourself out of luck. Apple has optimized the Vitals app to work seamlessly within its ecosystem, offering a indepth health monitoring experience compared to third-party alternatives.

Overall, the insights provided by the Vitals app have significantly improved the understanding of sleep quality and overall health. By integrating these detailed metrics, Apple has created a powerful tool that helps users make informed decisions about their lifestyle and health management. This personal connection underscores the transformative impact of watchOS 11’s features on everyday life.

Training Load

Training Load is another new feature I’m super excited about in watchOS 11, offering a new way to measure the intensity and duration of workouts. This feature provides insights into how the body’s response to workouts evolves over time, helping users optimize their training routines.

watchOS 11 Training Load

To establish a baseline, Training Load requires data from 28 days of workouts. Importantly, these 28 days do not need to be consecutive, allowing for flexibility in users’ training schedules. This means you can take rest days or adjust your routine without losing the ability to accurately track your training load.

Training Load compares the past seven days of activity with the previous 28 days, providing a comprehensive view of workout intensity and its impact. The effort rating, which ranges from 1 to 10, is calculated using various data points such as age, height, weight, GPS data, heart rate, and elevation changes. For example, running on a flat surface will yield a different effort rating compared to running uphill, even if the distance covered is the same.

For cardio workouts like running, cycling, and swimming, the effort rating is generated automatically using an innovative algorithm. This algorithm takes into account various factors including pace, heart rate, and elevation changes. For workouts that do not receive an automatic effort rating, such as strength training or yoga, users can manually enter an effort rating at the end of each session. This manual input allows users to consider additional factors like stress or soreness that might affect their perceived effort.

In the Activity app, users can view their training load classified as well below, below, steady, above, or well above their 28-day average. This classification helps users understand if they are ramping up their training, maintaining a steady pace, or easing off. For instance, maintaining a training load that is consistently well above the 28-day average might indicate progress in fitness but also a higher risk of injury. Conversely, a well-below training load might suggest the need to increase activity to prevent a decline in fitness.

The integration of Training Load with the Vitals app allows users to see how their daily health metrics correlate with their workout intensity. For example, users can observe how changes in heart rate or wrist temperature align with their training load, providing deeper insights into their overall health and fitness.

Training Load helps users make informed decisions about their training plans, ensuring a balanced approach that optimizes fitness gains while minimizing the risk of overtraining and injury. This personalized feedback is crucial for athletes preparing for events, such as marathons or triathlons, where managing training intensity and recovery is key to peak performance.

Personalization Features

Activity Rings Customization

With watchOS 11, Activity rings are more customizable. Users can tailor their goals by the day of the week, accommodating rest days or adjusting targets based on personal schedules. This flexibility ensures the Activity rings provide the right motivation at the right time, maintaining user engagement without compromising fitness streaks.

The ability to pause Activity rings allows users to take a break without losing progress, whether recovering from an injury or needing a day off.

Smart Stack and Photos Face

The Smart Stack in watchOS 11 offers new widgets like Shazam and Photos, suggesting widgets based on time, date, location, and daily routines. The Photos face uses machine learning to analyze thousands of images, recommending the best options based on aesthetics and composition. Users can personalize the Photos face, creating a dynamic and visually appealing watch experience.

The Smart Stack’s ability to adapt to a user’s schedule and preferences makes it a powerful tool for staying organized and informed.

Connectivity and Convenience

Check In

Check In, now available on Apple Watch, enhances user safety and connectivity. Users can use Check In to keep friends or family informed about their activities. This feature integrates with Messages, providing an added layer of security.

It allows users to set a timer for their activities, notifying a designated contact if they don’t check back in time.

Translate App

The Translate app on Apple Watch supports 20 languages, allowing users to access translations directly on their wrist. The Smart Stack intelligently suggests the Translate widget based on the user’s location, enhancing convenience while traveling. With offline functionality, users can rely on the Translate app even without an internet connection. However, it is important to note that offline mode requires users to manually download the desired language in advance. This ensures that translations are readily available regardless of internet availability, providing a seamless and dependable experience for language support on the go.

Additional Updates and Developer Tools

watchOS 11 introduces several updates to enhance user experience and provide developers with new tools. These include new workout types with enhanced GPS tracking, customizable Pool Swims, and the ability to save hiking routes for offline use. The Smart Stack and Double Tap gesture capabilities offer developers opportunities to create more interactive and relevant apps.

New workout types like soccer, American football, and downhill skiing expand the range of activities Apple Watch can track. Enhanced GPS tracking ensures accurate distance measurements for outdoor activities. Custom Workouts for Pool Swims allow users to tailor training sessions to meet specific goals.

Developers can use new APIs to create more personalized and interactive experiences for Apple Watch users. The Double Tap gesture can trigger specific actions within an app, providing a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Privacy and Availability

Privacy remains a cornerstone of Apple’s design philosophy. Health and fitness data are encrypted when the device is locked and during transmission to iCloud. watchOS 11 will be available as a free update this fall for Apple Watch Series 6 or later, paired with iPhone Xs or later running iOS 18. The developer beta is available now, with a public beta set to launch next month.

Conclusion

watchOS 11 sets a new standard for wearable technology by integrating advanced health monitoring, personalized fitness insights, and enhanced connectivity features. The Vitals app offers unprecedented visibility into health metrics, enabling proactive management of well-being. The new Training Load feature empowers users to optimize their fitness routines based on real-time data, reducing the risk of overtraining and injury.

The post watchOS 11: Comprehensive Health Insights with Advanced Sleep Tracking and Training Load first appeared on Yanko Design.

Why Every Professional Needs the NeoRulerGO: The Ultimate Digital Measuring Tool

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The NeoRulerGO combines cutting-edge technology with a sleek, minimalist design. Its ergonomic shape and smooth finish make it comfortable to hold and easy to use. The bright display ensures you can track measurements effortlessly, even in varying light conditions. Its compact size and lightweight build make it easy to carry in a pocket or on a keychain, ensuring you can take it anywhere you need precise measurements.

Designer: Tiancheng Liang

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $69 (30% off). Hurry, less than 72-hours left! Raised over $185,000.

Despite its compact size, the NeoRulerGO measures just 12mm (0.5 inches) in thickness and weighs a mere 45 grams (1.5 ounces). Its impressive built-in battery lasts up to 90 days on a single charge, ensuring long-lasting performance. Plus, with an IP54 rating, it’s both water and dust-resistant, ready to tackle any environment. You can grab the NeoRulerGO for a special price of $49. For those looking for even more, the $109 premium bundle offers the NeoPencil Case, a NeoPencil Mini, the NeoPencil Classic, and NeoStands with both color and black graphite nibs—delivering exceptional value with a range of versatile tools from Hozo Design.

Line

Curve

Irregular

One of the key features is its adaptability. The roller design allows smooth, continuous measurement over straight lines, curves, and irregular surfaces. The laser guide ensures accuracy, helping you stay on track. In the images, you can see how it glides over different materials, capturing precise measurements in real time. This makes it an excellent tool for architects, designers, and engineers who need exact project measurements.

Working seamlessly with the MEAZOR app, the device allows you to save, convert, and scale measurements. This feature is handy for professionals who need precise data for their projects. The app’s user-friendly interface makes all your data easily accessible and editable, enhancing your workflow. The NeoRulerGO is incredibly user-friendly. Its compact size and lightweight build don’t compromise its functionality, as the device can measure anything from millimeters to several meters with impressive accuracy. The screen displays measurements clearly, and the app organizes all your data.

The NeoRulerGO’s design combines functionality and aesthetics. Its ergonomic shape ensures it fits comfortably in the hand, reducing strain during extended use. The smooth finish adds a touch of elegance, while the bright display is designed for easy readability in various lighting conditions. The device’s intuitive interface allows users to quickly switch between different measurement modes, making it user-friendly even for those new to digital measuring tools. The laser guide is a crucial feature, providing a clear visual reference for starting and ending points. This ensures that measurements are straight and accurate, even over long distances or complex surfaces. The roller mechanism operates smoothly, allowing continuous measurement without resetting the device. This is a significant improvement over traditional tape measures that can be cumbersome and limited in length.

The flexibility of this device extends beyond just architects and engineers. Fashion designers and custom tailors can benefit from its precise measurements for fabrics, patterns, and garments, ensuring every piece fits perfectly. Its ability to measure curved and irregular surfaces means it can easily handle complex designs and unique cuts. Interior designers will find it invaluable for measuring spaces, determining dimensions for custom pieces, and creating floor plans. The laser guide helps maintain straight lines, even in tricky spaces, and the ability to convert measurements quickly makes it easier to switch between metric and imperial units.

DIY enthusiasts will appreciate how it simplifies the process of measuring materials for home improvement tasks, woodworking, or crafting. The ability to measure continuously without the limitations of a traditional tape measure means handling large projects more efficiently. Construction workers will find it indispensable on job sites, with its durability and water and dust resistance making it suitable for rough environments. Precise measurements ensure that all work meets exact specifications.

Artists and designers can use it to measure canvases, frames, and other materials accurately. The ability to measure curved and irregular shapes is beneficial for sculptors and those working with mixed media. The compact size makes it easy to use in the studio or on location, and the MEAZOR app provides a convenient way to keep track of all measurements for future reference. Teachers and students in technical fields such as engineering, architecture, and design can utilize the device to learn about measurements, scaling, and spatial relationships in educational settings. Its ease of use and accuracy make it valuable to any educational toolkit, helping students understand and apply measurement concepts in real-world scenarios.

The integration with the MEAZOR app enhances NeoRulerGO’s functionality, offering features such as unit conversion, scaling, and the ability to create technical drawings from measurements. The app’s user-friendly interface makes accessing and editing measurements easy, improving workflow efficiency for professionals and hobbyists. Hozo Design’s innovation is evident in its modular approach. The optional NeoPencil Case acts as an ergonomic handle and houses the NeoPencil Mini, creating a versatile tool for measurement, sketching, and marking. The case also provides storage for extra graphite tips, keeping everything you need at your fingertips. Additionally, the NeoPencil Stand comes with the NeoPencil and 12 replaceable nibs in various colors, enhancing its functionality. Crafted from durable 7075 aluminum alloy, the NeoPencil offers both reliability and elegance. The stand includes an eraser and a pen holder, making it a comprehensive accessory for designers and artists. With 12 tip refills, you are always prepared for detailed work.

The NeoRulerGO is a versatile and indispensable device for various applications. Its advanced technology, user-friendly design, and portability make it an ideal choice for anyone needing precise measurements. Whether you’re a professional in a technical field, a DIY enthusiast, or someone who values accuracy and efficiency, the NeoRulerGO is a worthwhile investment.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49 $69 (30% off). Hurry, less than 72-hours left! Raised over $185,000.

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iOS 18 Brings Enhanced Customization and Apple Intelligence to iPhone Users

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Apple’s iOS 18 is set to redefine how we interact with our iPhones, introducing features designed to make the device more personal, capable, and intelligent. This update emphasizes deeper customization, enhanced connectivity, and innovative intelligence features, aiming to offer a user experience that adapts to individual needs and preferences. From a redesigned Photos app to advanced privacy features and intelligent assistance, iOS 18 promises to transform how users engage with their devices.

Personalization Unleashed

iOS 18 gives users unparalleled freedom to customize their iPhones. Users can arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the home screen, perfectly framing their favorite wallpapers. This flexibility allows for a home screen that not only looks good but also functions in a way that fits your lifestyle. Dark mode introduces a sleek, sophisticated look, while new tint options let you add a personal touch by color-coordinating your home screen. Larger app icons cater to those who prefer a bold, minimalist aesthetic, ensuring your home screen looks exactly how you want it.

The customization extends beyond the home screen. The Control Center has been completely redesigned to offer a more intuitive and flexible way to access the features you use most. Media playback, home controls, and connectivity settings are now grouped for quick access, making it easier than ever to manage your daily tasks. The new controls gallery lets you add and organize controls from third-party apps, enhancing your iPhone’s functionality. Whether you need to unlock your car or capture content for social media, everything is just a swipe away.

Revolutionized Photos App

The Photos app has undergone its biggest redesign ever. A unified view makes it easy to browse your library, with new collections organizing your photos by themes like recent days, people, and trips. Customizable carousels highlight your best memories daily, ensuring you spend less time searching and more time reminiscing. Autoplaying content and pinned collections keep your favorite moments at your fingertips.

Photos have never been more organized or accessible. The new collections feature groups your photos by theme, making it simple to find specific memories. Daily highlights in the carousel bring your best moments front and center, allowing you to relive your adventures effortlessly.

Staying Connected in New Ways

Messages get a significant upgrade with new text effects, expanded Tapbacks, and the ability to schedule messages. Whether you’re sending a birthday reminder or expressing excitement with animated text, communication feels more dynamic. Plus, Messages via satellite ensures you stay connected even without cellular or Wi-Fi, using the same technology behind Apple’s Emergency SOS.

Expressing yourself in Messages is now more fun and versatile. The new text effects and Tapback options allow for greater creativity, while scheduled messages ensure your important notes are sent on time. The addition of satellite messaging keeps you connected in remote areas, making sure you’re never out of touch.

Enhanced Email Management

Mail has received significant enhancements with on-device intelligence that categorizes your inbox into primary, transactions, updates, and promotions. This makes managing your emails more efficient, helping you stay on top of what matters most. The new digest view consolidates relevant emails from businesses, making it easier to interact with important messages.

Email management is more intuitive with iOS 18’s on-device categorization, helping you prioritize important messages. Safari’s new features enhance your web browsing experience by providing quick summaries and a more focused reading environment.

Introducing Apple Intelligence

Deeply integrated into iOS 18 and built with privacy from the ground up, Apple Intelligence unlocks new ways for users to enhance their writing and communicate more effectively. With brand-new systemwide writing tools built into iOS 18, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps. New image capabilities make communication and self-expression even more fun. With Image Playground, users can create playful images in seconds, choosing from three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. Image Playground is easy to use, built right into apps like Messages, and also available in a dedicated app.

Memories in Photos lets users create the stories they want to see just by typing a description. Apple Intelligence will pick out the best photos and videos based on the description, craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos, and arrange them into a movie with its own narrative arc. In addition, a new Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo — without accidentally altering the subject.

With the power of Apple Intelligence, Siri takes a major step forward, becoming even more natural, contextually relevant, and personal. Users can type to Siri and switch between text and voice to communicate with Siri in whatever way feels right for the moment. With Private Cloud Compute, Apple sets a new standard for privacy in AI, with the ability to flex and scale computational capacity between on-device processing and larger, server-based models that run on dedicated Apple silicon servers. When requests are routed to Private Cloud Compute, data is not stored or made accessible to Apple and is only used to fulfill the user’s requests, and independent experts can verify this privacy.

Additionally, access to ChatGPT is integrated into Siri and systemwide writing tools across Apple’s platforms, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

iOS 18 introduces several additional features that enhance user experience and functionality across various apps. In Apple Maps, users can explore thousands of hikes across national parks in the United States and easily create custom walking routes, which are accessible offline. Maps users can also save their favorite national park hikes, custom routes, and locations to an all-new Places Library, adding personal notes about each spot.

Game Mode significantly enhances the gaming experience by providing more consistent frame rates, especially during long play sessions, and making wireless accessories like AirPods and game controllers incredibly responsive.

Apple Pay now offers new ways to pay, including redeeming rewards and accessing installments from eligible credit or debit cards. With Tap to Cash, users can send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhone devices together. Tickets in Apple Wallet offer a richer experience for fans, providing key event information such as stadium details and recommended Apple Music playlists.

SharePlay with Apple Music allows more users to share control of music playing from HomePod, Apple TV, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker, making group listening sessions more fun and engaging.

The AirPods experience becomes even more personal and convenient with Siri Interactions, allowing AirPods Pro (2nd generation) users to simply nod their head yes or shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements. Voice Isolation ensures clearer call quality in noisy environments, and updates provide the best wireless audio latency for mobile gaming, along with Personalized Spatial Audio for more immersive gameplay.

In the Notes app, formulas and equations entered while typing are solved instantly with Math Notes. New collapsible sections and highlighting make it easier to emphasize important information.

The Journal app features an all-new insights view to help users track their journaling goals. Users can search and sort entries easily, save time spent journaling as mindful minutes in the Health app, and log their state of mind directly in Journal. A Journal widget is available for quick entry from the home screen or lock screen, and audio recordings are automatically transcribed. Users can also export and print journal entries.

Calendar becomes even more useful by showing both events and tasks from Reminders. Users can create, edit, and complete reminders directly from Calendar, and the updated month view provides a comprehensive overview of events and tasks.

The Health app has a redesigned Medical ID feature, making it easier for first responders to find crucial information in an emergency. The app also helps users better understand their data during pregnancy by making adjustments and recommendations to reflect changes in their physical and mental health.

Emergency SOS Live Video allows users to share context through streaming video and recorded media. During an emergency call, dispatchers can request live video or media from the user’s camera roll over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get help.

The post iOS 18 Brings Enhanced Customization and Apple Intelligence to iPhone Users first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024: The Future of Personalized and Secure AI

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Apple Intelligence is a revolutionary step in making your devices smarter and more in tune with your daily life. Imagine having an assistant that not only responds to your commands but also understands your needs and habits. Unlike traditional AI, which relies on generic data, Apple Intelligence integrates deeply with your personal context. It knows your routine, preferences, and relationships, making interactions more meaningful and tailored specifically to you.

What is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence redefines how you interact with technology, making it feel like a natural extension of yourself. Whether managing your schedule, writing emails, or capturing moments, the intelligence within your devices anticipates your needs and offers solutions proactively. Moreover, it’s built with privacy at its core, ensuring your personal data remains secure and confidential. In an era where privacy concerns are paramount, Apple Intelligence sets a new standard by processing most tasks directly on your device and using private cloud computing only when necessary.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is designed to simplify tasks, anticipate your needs, and provide relevant suggestions, all while keeping your data secure. This transformation goes beyond adding new features; it’s about enhancing your user experience. For busy professionals, students, and families, having a device that understands and adapts to your unique context can streamline daily tasks, reduce stress, and enhance productivity. By prioritizing user privacy, Apple Intelligence also addresses growing concerns about data security, making it a trustworthy assistant in the digital age.

Is Apple Intelligence the First True GenAI Ecosystem That’s Secure?

Absolutely. Apple has set the bar high with the first truly secure generative AI ecosystem. Apple Intelligence ensures that your data remains private by performing most of the processing on your device. For more complex tasks that require additional computing power, it uses Private Cloud Compute. This innovative approach allows Apple to harness the full potential of generative AI while ensuring that your personal data is never exposed or compromised.

Apple’s commitment to privacy extends to its server operations as well. All server-based models run on dedicated Apple silicon servers, and the code is open to independent inspection. This means you can trust that your information is handled with the utmost care and transparency. By combining cutting-edge AI capabilities with rigorous privacy standards, Apple Intelligence delivers powerful, personalized intelligence without sacrificing security.

The importance of this secure ecosystem cannot be overstated. In a time where data breaches and privacy concerns are rampant, Apple Intelligence offers peace of mind. Users can confidently rely on their devices to handle sensitive information and perform complex tasks without fear of data misuse. This makes Apple Intelligence a technological advancement playing a vital development role in fostering user trust and safety in digital environments.

Elements and Features of Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence is built into your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, bringing a suite of powerful features that make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. Let’s dive into what this means for you.

1. Writing Tools

Apple Intelligence includes systemwide writing tools that act like a personal editor wherever you write. Whether you’re drafting an email, jotting down notes, or crafting a blog post, these tools enhance your writing by providing real-time suggestions and corrections. Rewrite allows you to adjust the tone of your text to suit different audiences, whether you need to be more formal for a cover letter or add some humor to a party invitation. Proofread checks your grammar, word choice, and sentence structure, offering edits and explanations to help you improve.

Summarize is another fantastic feature, perfect for condensing long articles or documents into digestible key points or paragraphs. Imagine being able to take a lengthy research paper and quickly create a concise summary for easier review. These tools are integrated into apps like Mail, Notes, and Pages, as well as third-party apps, making them accessible whenever and wherever you need them. With Apple Intelligence, your writing becomes clearer, more precise, and tailored to any situation.

These tools are particularly useful because they enhance communication and productivity. For students, professionals, and casual users alike, having an intelligent assistant that helps refine and improve writing can save time and reduce errors. Whether you’re preparing a report, sending an important email, or simply jotting down ideas, these features ensure that your written communication is effective and polished.

2. Priority Messages and Notifications

Managing your communications has never been easier with Apple Intelligence’s Priority Messages and Notifications. This feature ensures that you see the most important emails and notifications first. For example, a same-day dinner invitation or a boarding pass for an upcoming flight will appear at the top of your inbox, so you never miss critical information. Instead of previewing the first few lines of each email, you can see summaries that highlight the key points, making it easier to manage your inbox efficiently.

The new Reduce Interruptions Focus mode is a game-changer for those who need to stay focused on important tasks. It filters notifications to show only the ones that require immediate attention, such as a text about an early pickup from daycare. This means fewer distractions and more time to concentrate on what matters most. By prioritizing urgent messages and minimizing unnecessary interruptions, Apple Intelligence helps you stay organized and in control of your communications.

These features are crucial for anyone who juggles multiple responsibilities. By keeping you informed of the most important messages and minimizing distractions, Apple Intelligence helps improve productivity and reduce stress. Whether you’re managing work emails, family schedules, or social invitations, having a streamlined communication system ensures that you stay on top of what truly matters without getting overwhelmed by the noise.

3. Audio Recording and Transcription

In the Notes and Phone apps, Apple Intelligence introduces advanced audio recording and transcription capabilities. This feature is incredibly useful for capturing detailed notes during calls and meetings. When you record a conversation, Apple Intelligence transcribes the audio in real-time, allowing you to read and review the content immediately. This makes it easy to keep track of important discussions and decisions without missing any details.

Once the recording is finished, Apple Intelligence generates a summary of the key points, making it simple to recall and share the most important information. For instance, after a brainstorming session, you can quickly review the main ideas and action items without having to listen to the entire recording. This feature saves time and enhances productivity by ensuring that you have accurate and organized notes at your fingertips.

The importance of these features lies in their ability to enhance efficiency and accuracy. For students, professionals, and anyone who attends meetings or interviews, having an automatic transcription and summary tool can significantly reduce the time spent on note-taking and ensure that no critical information is missed. This allows you to focus more on the conversation and less on capturing every detail manually.

4. Image Playground and Genmoji

Image Playground and Genmoji are two exciting features powered by Apple Intelligence that make communication and self-expression more fun and creative. Image Playground lets you create engaging images in seconds, choosing from styles like Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. It’s built right into apps like Messages, so you can easily spice up your conversations with personalized visuals. Whether you’re creating an image of your family hiking or a fun meme for a group chat, the possibilities are endless.

Genmoji takes emojis to the next level by allowing you to create unique, personalized emojis based on descriptions or photos. For example, typing “smiley relaxing wearing cucumbers” generates a Genmoji that you can use in your messages or as a sticker. You can even create Genmoji of friends and family members based on their photos, adding a personal touch to your digital interactions. These features make it easier and more enjoyable to express yourself visually, whether you’re chatting with friends or creating content for social media.

These features are especially significant in today’s online interactions. Visual elements, such as images and emojis, are essential for expressing ourselves. With tools to create personalized and unique visuals, Apple Intelligence enriches our connections with others. This approach makes conversations more engaging and allows for deeper, more personal expression, ultimately fostering stronger relationships and more enjoyable interactions.

5. Enhanced Photo and Video Search

Apple Intelligence makes finding and managing your photos and videos a breeze with enhanced search and editing capabilities. Using natural language processing, you can search for specific photos and videos with simple descriptions. For example, searching for “Maya skateboarding in a tie-dye shirt” quickly pulls up the exact photo from your library. This feature saves time and makes it easier to relive your favorite moments.

The Clean Up tool is another handy feature that helps you enhance your photos by removing distracting objects from the background without altering the main subject. This is perfect for tidying up those almost-perfect shots. Additionally, the new Memories feature allows you to create movies from your photos and videos by simply typing a description. Apple Intelligence selects the best images, crafts a narrative, and even suggests music from Apple Music to match the mood. This makes it effortless to create beautiful, shareable memories from your digital collection.

These features are invaluable for everyone who captures and stores digital memories. With the sheer volume of photos and videos we accumulate, having tools that simplify searching and editing can save significant time and effort. Whether you’re organizing a photo album, creating a digital scrapbook, or just looking for that perfect picture from last summer, Apple Intelligence makes it easier to manage and enjoy your visual content.

6. Siri Enhancements

Powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri is now more capable and contextually aware than ever before. This transformation means your assistant can understand and act on a wider range of requests, making it even more useful in your daily life. Whether you need to schedule an email, switch from Light to Dark Mode, or add a new address to a contact card, Siri can handle these tasks with ease. It can follow along if you stumble over words and maintain context from one request to the next, providing a more seamless interaction.

One of the most exciting improvements is Siri’s ability to perform hundreds of new actions across Apple and third-party apps. For instance, you can ask Siri to bring up an article from your Reading List, send photos from a recent event to a friend, or play a podcast recommended by a contact. The new design includes an elegant glowing light around the edge of the screen when Siri is active, making it visually engaging and easier to know when Siri is listening.

Siri now pulls from your messages, emails, and other apps to provide more personalized assistance. If a friend texts you their new address, you can simply say, “Add this address to his contact card,” and Siri will update the contact information without needing additional input. Additionally, Siri can understand and follow up on previous requests, making it easier to carry on more natural, conversational interactions. Imagine planning a day trip; you could ask about the weather at your destination, book a reservation at a local restaurant, and get directions—all in a seamless flow of conversation.

Another significant enhancement is Siri’s deep integration with personal context. For example, you can ask, “What’s the weather like near Muir Woods?” and then follow up with, “Create an event for a hike there tomorrow at 9 a.m.” Siri maintains the context of “there” to schedule the hike without needing you to repeat the location. The assistant also supports switching between text and voice input seamlessly, which is perfect for situations where speaking aloud isn’t convenient.

These improvements are crucial for making technology more accessible and user-friendly. By expanding its capabilities and making it more contextually aware, Apple Intelligence ensures that users can rely on Siri for a wider range of tasks. This can significantly enhance productivity and convenience, making it easier to manage daily activities and access information quickly. For anyone looking to streamline their workflow or simplify their interaction with technology, these enhancements make Siri an even more integral part of everyday life. Whether you’re coordinating a busy schedule, managing home automation, or simply trying to stay organized, the new capabilities make your digital assistant more indispensable than ever.

Conclusion

Integrating deeply with personal context, Apple Intelligence redefines how we interact with our devices. It understands your routines, preferences, and relationships, offering solutions that feel tailor-made just for you. With most tasks processed on your device, it keeps your data secure while boosting productivity through advanced writing tools, priority notifications, and real-time transcription. Fun features like Image Playground and Genmoji bring a personal touch to visual communication, while enhanced photo and video search make managing digital memories a breeze. Siri’s enhanced abilities enable smooth, conversational interactions, making everyday tech use more intuitive and efficient, all while upholding strong privacy standards. I hope this helps answer and explain what Apple Intelligence is, what the features are, and how you can benefit from them.

The post Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024: The Future of Personalized and Secure AI first appeared on Yanko Design.

Camera concept has touchscreen manual controls for panoramic photography

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When I was traveling around New Zealand last year, I was treated to a daily visual feast. Everywhere I looked, I felt like I was in a scene from Lord of the Rings. Capturing images and videos on my smartphone camera didn’t do it justice. I was wishing I invested in a good DSLR camera, although taking photos and videos on my mobile device was pretty convenient already. But a higher quality camera would probably have captured these panoramic views better than my “measly” phone camera.

Designers: Álvaro Arregui Falcón, Mireia Gordi i Vila, Lucas Seidenfaden

Having something like the Keirin concept camera would also have captured the scenery beter since its focus is panorama photography. The name itself actually comes from the Japanese motor-paced cycle racing which happens in an oval track. The prototype shows that it has a curved OLED touchscreen where all the controls are located and actually wraps around the back panel. The touchscreen idea for the controls should make it easier to learn how to use than the usual manual controls on cameras. It is also pretty compact and almost the same size as a mobile phone.

The prototype tries to show that the design can actually work with the UI that they’re looking to create for the camera. It has a wide rear-mounted screen that you can use as a panoramic viewfinder and swiping through it will bring you the different manual exposure controls. It assumes of course that those who want to use this kind of camera are not the point and shoot kind of photographers but those that want to control things like aspect ratios and exposure in order to better capture panoramic photos.

The plan is for the Keirin to have a 60MP full-frame sensor with a 35mm lens and it needs to have SSD storage and mobile connectivity so your images can be backed up to the cloud automatically. It can also attach other peripherals like a panoramic optical viewfinder and a wireless flash unit. It’s highly unlikely this camera will be a commercially viable product though but it’s a nice idea to have.

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This LEGO Apple Store turns the company’s retail space into an adorably detailed brick diorama

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Complete with a massive white Apple logo on the front, glass facades, minimal interiors, a Genius Bar, and even tiny Apple products arranged across the display counters, this LEGO version of the Apple Store captures the minimal grandeur of the Cupertino tech company’s retail spaces. The brand may be well known for their cutting-edge products, but are masters of crafting awe-striking experience centers too. Built by seasoned brick expert ‘legotruman’ in collaboration with 2A2A, the LEGO Apple Store is a 1539-brick marvel that does true justice to its original. It comes with white interiors, glass facades, landscaping, eye-catching details, and enough easter eggs and products to keep a fan-boy entertained (from the iconic iMac G3 of the Steve Jobs era, to even the Vision Pro, which completes its 1st anniversary today!)

Designers: legotruman & 2A2A

The LEGO Apple Store is a two-storey marvel featuring all of the company’s greatest product launches under one single roof. “Both the Apple brand and LEGO celebrates beauty and creativity, the principles and image of the two brands are a great match,” designer legotruman rightfully says. The final model isn’t based on any specific retail outlet, but rather is an amalgamation of multiple outlets’ core design philosophies. The result is something that seems familiar, with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that let you see inside the store, a white Apple logo on the front that lets people know it’s an Apple Store, and minimal interiors that let the products, posters, and display units stand out and grab eyeballs.

The design features a removable top as well as a removable front facade, letting you access the minifigures and pieces inside to arrange them how you see fit. The LEGO Apple Store comes with Geniuses in blue shirts as well as customers, creating a vibrant atmosphere inside the outlet. Multiple counters have all of Apple’s products from iMacs and MacBooks to iPhones. Look to the wall and you’ll see boxes of Apple products waiting to be sold, and AirPods Max headphones arranged decoratively to attract people.

Every part of the store’s design has something to show. The front offers a glimpse into the store, while the top features a massive black Apple Logo. On the left, a staircase guides minifigures to the upper level (where the Genius Bar is usually located), while the right has ficus trees as seen in many Apple stores. Flip over to the back and you’ve got a hidden hatch where legotruman put a few other Apple products on display, capturing the company’s history over the past twenty-five years. You’ve got an iMac G3, and iPod Classic, AirPods, an Apple Watch, and a Vision Pro, all designed out of LEGO bricks and arranged on a horizontal platform at the back of the LEGO build.

The inside of the store feels unmistakably Apple-like. Every detail brings back memories of actual stores, from the long tables with products on them, to the colorful posters and wall-art that are a signature element of Apple’s retail spaces. You’ll see all sorts of easter eggs around the build, keeping you entertained and constantly engrossed. Like every LEGO build, you do have the ability to customize the space too, moving stuff around and even adding new elements to the store.

legotruman and 2A2A’s MOC (My Own Creation) maxes out at an impressive 1539 bricks, making it a relatively complex build. The entire kit, when complete, measures 16.1-inches wide, 10.1 inches deep, and 6 inches tall. legotruman mentions that you can add this build to your LEGO city, bringing an iconic landmark to your brick-based neighborhood.

The LEGO Apple Store is currently a submission on the LEGO Ideas forum, an open space for creators to submit their own brick-builds. The community then votes for their favorite creations, following which the LEGO internal team reviews the submission before turning it into a buyable box-set. This particular fan-made creation currently stands at an impressive 4,730 votes, and if you want to vote for it too, just head down to the LEGO Ideas website and cast your vote!

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Olive Union’s AI-Powered Hearing Aids: Affordable, Stylish, and Feature-Rich

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The average price of a hearing aid in the US is upwards of $2,000. The average price of a pair of TWS Earbuds, on the other hand, is $150. Doesn’t that sound a little wrong to you? It would be like pricing prescription spectacles at thousands of dollars but selling sunglasses for a mere hundred bucks. There’s a pretty sizeable gap in price between hearing aids and TWS earbuds, but functionally, the two of them share a major overlap… so the folks at Olive Union just decided to bridge the massive price gap by designing the Olive Air, a set of AI-powered OTC (over the counter) hearing aids that look fashionable, bring ANC to the hearing-disabled community, and are priced in the sub-$250 category so that you don’t go bankrupt just to be able to regain the power of hearing.

Designer: Owen Song

Click Here to Buy Now: $229 $399 (42% off). Hurry, only 6/100 left! Raised over $100,000.

Styled to look exactly like a pair of TWS earbuds, the Olive Air shatters the notion that hearing aids need to look like medical devices. Instead of a design that often is associated with awkwardness and stigma, the Olive Air comes with a stylish aesthetic that makes them look like your average pair of earbuds. They’re designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss and are classified as FDA Class II aids that can be sold over the counter. Wear them and select one of the AI-powered preset hearing modes to start using them for everything from hearing the world around you to having conversations, listening to music, or even taking calls from your smartphone.

Built-in microphones pick up the soundscape of your environment, and Olive Air processes the signal to create “anti noise” — an opposite soundwave that effectively cancels out the noise of your surroundings.

This design bridge between the hearing aid and the TWS Earbud isn’t just a visual one, it manifests in the Olive Air’s features too. The earbuds come with active noise cancelation that helps tune outside noise out so you can focus on your music and media. ANC is a staple feature in earbuds but is unheard of in hearing aids. The Olive Air’s ANC feature puts it in lock-step with current technologies and then goes beyond with the inclusion of AI presets. Olive Union’s custom My Olive app lets you access the hearing presets as well as tinker with your earpiece’s performance. Aside from simply adjusting the volume and EQ in each earpiece, the app’s AI-powered hearing modes allow the hearing aids to intuitively focus on certain sounds. A preset for Television focuses on directional audio coming from a TV or playback device, a Restaurant preset cuts out the chatter of everyone around you, and a Meeting Room preset accentuates the voices of active speakers.

AI supported hearing presets let you swap between different hearing settings to best match your environment. Plus, customize volume and specific frequency bands with Hearing EQ and Music EQ for a personalized listening journey.

This isn’t Olive Union’s first rodeo, the Olive Air is their third iteration of affordable, attractive, and accessible hearing aids. Founded in 2016, the company has focused on eliminating hearing aid stigma by designing hearing aids that are at par with consumer-grade earphones. To that end, the Olive Air comes with a slick design and an all-day battery life. Buttons on each earpiece help you manually adjust volume/gain, while the smartphone app gives you access to the ANC and AI presets, along with EQ adjustment. Setting up the hearing aids is a breeze too, and doesn’t require you to go to a hospital or medical professional. Once you’ve set the Olive Air up, it serves its triple purpose well, as aids to boost hearing, as hands-free earbuds for music/calls/videos, and as stylish earbuds that empower you rather than perpetuating the stigma around disability-friendly medical devices.

The Olive Air starts at a discounted $229, which includes the earbuds and charging case, 8 pairs of replaceable ear-tips (of different sizes, materials, and colors), a user manual, and a USB charging cable.

Click Here to Buy Now: $229 $399 (42% off). Hurry, only 6/100 left! Raised over $100,000.

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Mapu Speakers bring technology and craftsmanship together

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There are people that love to pit technology against art or craftsmanship but those of us who know better know that the two can actually complement each other. There are products and designers out there who seek to fuse the two together and even bring innovation and improvements to the two worlds. One such product is a speaker that uses natural materials and is created by traditional craftspeople.

Designer: Mapu

The Mapu Speakers is a line of speakers that are made from natural materials like clay, wood, cork, and wool and handcrafted by traditional craftsmen in Chile and Portugal The goal is to create a new generation of craftspeople, “building a bridge between ancestral knowledge and technology”. Aside from having quality speakers so you can listen to your music, audiobooks, and podcasts, you also get a piece of art that you can display in your space.

The wooden cones and caps that are in the center of the driveractually optimize the high frequencies so you get a “vivid, spatial, and engaging sound”. The wool is used for the internal acoustic insulation while the leather and cork are also ideal for insulation due to their high tensile strength and heat resistance. The spherical shape of the vessel also adds to the sound quality that you get so you know that it’s not just beautiful but you get a pretty good speaker.

The Mapu Speakers are also 80% biodegradable so that’s another bonus for those who are looking for something pretty different for their speakers. The Mapuguaquén is already sold out on their website but the Mapu Preto and the Mapu Soenga, available in mono and stereo versions. The vessel-like shapes of the speaker line make it pretty attractive even if you don’t know yet the handicraft story behind it.

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Top 10 Essential Apple Watch Accessories Every Smartwatch Owner Should Have

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Do you own an Apple Watch? Cause I do, and it is honestly one of the handiest devices I own. Today, the Apple Watch is considered one of the most popular smartwatches globally, and it’s not a surprising fact when you consider the number of people you see walking or jogging on the street with their Apple Watch smartly strapped around their wrists. And, if you’re someone who absolutely cannot do without their Apple Watch, then this collection of innovative and nifty accessories is for you. From an iPod-shaped cover to bands made from plant-based leather – these super cool accessories are a must-have for Apple Watch lovers.

1. RSTR Case

Called the RSTR Case, this beautiful transparent crystalline case for your Apple Watch is designed to be shown off. Created by Golden Concept, the case converts your Apple Watch into a lovely shimmering jewel that you can wear on your wrist. It is available in four pretty colors and is made using 50 meticulously engineered parts. Crafted from stainless steel, the home and action buttons are bigger than usual and more accessible.

2. tinyPod

Dubbed the tinyPod, this little design wraps up your Apple Watch in a case, and it looks exactly like the iPod! the tinyPod is a perfect replica of an iPod, except that it also has a colored screen. You can control the Apple Watch via an authentic click wheel, however we’re unsure how it manages to do this. But, this is quite an important little detail, as Apple Watch’s digital crown cannot be accessed in this new and innovative form.

3. ErgonBand

This ergonomic Apple Watch accessory may look a little ridiculous and funny, but it is quite functional. The band is designed to be more of a strap, and it resembles those thumb or hand braces used by athletes for protection. The Apple Watch is strapped into place utilizing clips that feature standard lugs, and placed below the joint of your thumb. The location was chosen as this allows the screen to be visible without the need to twist your wrist.

4. Pod Case

Designed by Joyce Kang and C.O Design Lab, this is the Pod Case that gives your Apple Watch a nostalgic touch. It introduces the watch to its ancestor which kickstarted the apple craze. The watch’s screen almost matches the screen size of the classic iPod Nanos, while its body is just a little thicker. The Pod Case is built from silicone, and it smoothly slides over the Apple Watch’s body, providing it with a refreshing yet nostalgic throwback.

5. Y24 Apple Watch Cases

This collection of luxurious and aesthetic Apple watch cases is actually quite price-friendly. They draw inspiration from the lifestyle of Tokyo and are designed by Y24. Each watch design captures the cool and charming vibes of Tokyo and converts that fascinating culture into interesting accessories. The cases have been designed to elevate and upgrade the young generation’s style, providing them with a unique and one-of-a-kind identity, without altering Apple’s originality or personality.

6. NightWatch

Named the NightWatch, this Apple Watch dock features a massive curved glass element on the front, which interestingly magnifies the screen. You can place your watch behind the massive lens, and it seems to enlarge the watch screen, increasing the visibility. It can transform your charging smartwatch into an innovative bedside click. It can even enhance your watch’s audio, which makes your alarm more audible.

7. Wristcam

Dubbed the Wristcam, this little device gives your Apple Watch the ability to click pictures all by itself! It features a front-mounted 8MP camera which can shoot images in 4K resolution, while also recording videos in Full HD. It has a selfie camera which can be used for video calling, or for live streaming. It is amped with 8GB of storage, as well as a long-lasting battery that can support a day’s worth of shooting and fun. It is water-resistant up to 1 meter as well.

8.(Re)Classic Band

Designed by Native Union, the (Re)Classic Band for Apple Watch is a cruelty-free Italian leather-inspired band. The unique band is built from repurposed mycelium, which is basically fungal threads that cover long distances underground. Mushrooms grow and bloom from these fungal threads. It forms a plant-based leather which is also one of the many all-natural resources used in the synthesis of Yatay by Coronet.

9. hardgraft Collector’s Watch Case

This artisanal leather product is called the hardgraft Collectors Watch case. It is designed to store your smartwatch in style and elegance. It has a soft Alcantara lining on the inside and is pretty padded. The exterior is made of vegetable-tanned Italian leather and a scratch-free zipper. It has a round compact form, which makes it portable and pretty easy to carry around. You can pick from three elegant color options – Classic, Coal, and Off Grey.

10. 2-in-1 Apple Devices Charging Stand

Designed by Taesung Yoon, and inspired by the daily sunrise, this is the 2-in-1 Apple Devices Charging Stand. The design does exactly what its name implies. It is created using feedback from data-driven research, and what people truly want from their unified Apple charging stand. It is the perfect integration of form and functionality and features a vertical stance with a slightly arched top which holds your iPhone comfortably without letting it topple over.

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