Tag Archives: Product Design

SwitchLens Pro Camera System turns any Smartphone into a Photography Powerhouse

Posted on by

Smartphone cameras have come a long way and have become quite capable tools in preserving memorable moments for posterity. There is, however, still a very good reason why they haven’t completely overthrown pro cameras. You can only squeeze so much hardware into a slim smartphone, and you can’t really have large lenses or even a lens mount bulging out from the back of the phone. There are admittedly a few accessories that try to bring some of that interchangeable lens experience but usually limit themselves to small lenses made just for smartphones. Bringing a true “pro camera” experience to mobile requires taking a few cues from pro cameras themselves, and that is exactly what the SwitchLens does to level up your mobile photography game.

Designer: sneaki design

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $329 ($130 off). Hurry, 33/450 left! Raised over $490,000.

SwitchLens is a complete pro camera system that not only takes the lessons learned from digital cameras but even the technologies employed there. In particular, it embraces the popular micro four thirds or MFT system that leverages large sensors and interchangeable lenses to create highly detailed and breathtaking shots. The large 20.75MP 1.33-inch CMOS sensor that SwitchLens uses is unmatched by even flagship phones, which means it can take in more light and record more details just with the hardware alone, no post-processing or AI touch-up required.

And just like the MFT used in compact digital cameras, you can also swap out lenses to get the best shot out of a scene, whether that’s a 25mm f1.8 portrait lens for closeups or a 12mm f2.8 wide-angle lens for sweeping panoramic shots. What makes the SwitchLens system even more impressive is that it can actually support MFT lenses from Panasonic or Olympus that you might have lying around. You are no longer limited to what the manufacturer provides, and you are definitely not limited to tiny lenses that compromise on performance in return for their pretty sizes.

1

Unlike other such accessories, SwitchLens is a powerful device that can function even when detached from the back of your phone. Using a stable and fast Wi-Fi connection, you can control SwitchLens remotely for more difficult shots, or magnetically stick it to the back of your iPhone or Android phone to recreate the experience of using a digital camera but with a much larger and clearer viewfinder. From selfies at extremely low angles to macro photography, SwitchLens gives you the flexibility to take a shot in the most comfortable and most convenient way.

1

The pro camera experience doesn’t end there. SwitchLens’s Peaking Focus assistance feature easily marks out which objects are in focus with vibrant, eye-catching colors to ensure sharp and in-focus images every time. With support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB in capacity, you have nearly limitless room for taking thousands of RAW photos and recording 4K 30fps videos without filling up your phone storage. With the SwitchLens MFT modular camera system, your phone is no longer a stumbling block for a pro photography experience and becomes the launch pad for taking stunning photos and videos like a pro.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $329 ($130 off). Hurry, 33/450 left! Raised over $490,000.

The post SwitchLens Pro Camera System turns any Smartphone into a Photography Powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

Concrete iPhone MagSafe Stand adds a touch of Brutalism to your Desk Setup

Posted on by

I think it’s wonderful that we managed to create an entire art movement out of trauma and recovery. The Brutalist design period was mainly seen as a post-war period when buildings were being rebuilt to help cities restore themselves. With very little money to spend on opulence, architects often opted for more utilitarian styles, relying purely on concrete (sometimes without even so much as a coat of paint) to reconstruct societies and neighborhoods. This is a period that people associate with pure functionality to the point of emotional coldness, and somehow, it managed to turn into an architectural style even though the severe limitations on aesthetics. Today, brutalism is seen as a design style that reflects a clutter-free mind, or an almost industrial approach to life – brutalism is getting revived in homes, and even in home decor, with people making their own concrete side tables, using exposed concrete facades indoors, and opting for concrete stationery/decor too. To that end, the Monument brings a wonderful touch of brutalism to homes. Inspired by the cold architecture of brutalist Germany/UK and Soviet-era Russia (with a touch of Arrakis from Dune), the Monument is a monolithic stand that docks your iPhone’s MagSafe charger.

Designer: The Artifox

The stand comes cast in a single block, with no extra parts, glue, or fasteners. It’s as monolithic and brutalist as it gets. The relatively clean design emphasizes the brutalist approach further. Place the Monument anywhere on table and you can pass the Apple MagSafe Wireless Charger right through it, effectively concealing the wire within the Monument’s hollow body. A micro-suction pad holds the charger in place, and the MagSafe magnets allow your iPhone to securely attach to the Monument, allowing it to charge.

The Monument is position-agnostic. You can mount your iPhone either in portrait mode, allowing you to make video calls or watch TikTok videos. Flip it into horizontal mode and you can either watch YouTube/Netflix on it, or activate the iPhone’s Standby Mode which turns the screen into a functional display with clocks, calendars, widgets, and photos to choose from.

At a whopping 2lbs, the Monument is as stable as can be, so you can stop worrying about your phone ever getting knocked over. A felt base ensures that the stand doesn’t scratch your tables either. Each Monument is made in the USA, and comes in two colors – a lighter Natural color, and a darker Charcoal finish (shown here), and starts at $90.

The post Concrete iPhone MagSafe Stand adds a touch of Brutalism to your Desk Setup first appeared on Yanko Design.

SwitchBot Prime Day Sale lets you Upgrade your Home into a Smart Home on a 40% Discount

Posted on by

A lot of people think a smart home is all about being able to turn lights on with a voice command, or telling your smart speaker to let you know what the weather’s like – but the definition of a smart home has changed a lot since the earlier days. You can now have your home intuitively do things like maintain a consistent temperature/humidity in all rooms, unlock your door when you come home from work, lock all your doors before bedtime, alert you when intruders approach, or even do obscurely brilliant things like draw the curtains in the morning when you need to wake up, and draw them shut if the house gets too warm with all the sunlight. Your home has the ability to adjust itself in ways that benefit you and also help you be energy and money-efficient. That’s the kind of smart home that really makes life feel different, and we’re here for it. We’ve spoken at length about how SwitchBot’s IoT gadgets make your smart home more useful, with their curtain bot that can close-open curtains on command, WiFi door lock that can open/lock doors through your phone or Apple Watch, or even the all-famous Button Pusher, a bot that attaches to manual switches to turn them into smart ones – SwitchBot’s range of home gadgets really help upgrade your regular home into an internet-powered smart one. With Prime Day rolling up, SwitchBot’s products go on sale seeing discounts as high as 40%, so if you’re looking to automate your home in clever, meaningful ways, this might just be your day… Head down to SwitchBot’s Amazon store, or just scroll down to see our three favorite picks from their exhaustive IoT lineup.

SwitchBot S10 Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Matter Support

Launched in May 2024, the S10 has a few tricks up its sleeve like its ability to auto-drain and refill its water container for the mopping function. For starters, it looks and functions exactly like a top-notch robot vacuum. It uses LiDAR to scan your house, creating a map that allows it to navigate your space with ease and efficiency. It avoids obstacles, stays away from no-go zones, and can both suck and mop to keep your house clean. 6500Pa suction allows the S10 to effectively clean any dust and dirt lying around the house, while the self-cleaning RevoRoll™ Roller Mop head wet-wipes your floor while RinseSync™ tech automatically rinses the mop head with each spin. What’s more, the mop head actually retracts into the S10 when it climbs onto carpets, so that your rugs and floor linen don’t get wet – the S10 scrapes the water off the mop too, ensuring it’s dry at all times. Dust automatically gets dumped in a 4-liter dust tank which you can clean every week or so, and for the dirty water from the mop cleaning, the S10 comes with a water refill/drain station that attaches to your plumbing. Every time the S10 needs a water-change, it goes to the station, dumping the dirty water into the drainage and taking fresh water from your house’s water supply. Here’s the best part though – if you’ve got a SwitchBot Humidifier in your house, future updates will allow the S10 to travel to the humidifier, dock into it, and fill up its water supply so you don’t have to! It operates on voice commands, integrates into your smart home when paired with SwitchBot’s Matter-enabled Hub 2 or Mini Hub, and can even be controlled through the SwitchBot smartphone app. Now isn’t that a smart home worth living in?!

Click Here to Buy Now: $739.99 $1199.99 ($460 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

SwitchBot Universal Remote

Not everyone enjoys voice-operated smart homes, and that’s absolutely understandable. It’s much easier to press a button rather than tell Alexa to switch on the AC in the living room… but what do you do when you’ve got multiple devices in your house and multiple remotes to work with? Yep, that’s right – remote fatigue can be a thing. A separate remote for your TV, your streaming box, your soundbar, AC, and maybe even the slew of apps on your smartphone to control smart devices like lights, fans, thermostats, etc. It can get much, and SwitchBot’s Universal Remote hopes to change that. A single gadget for all your infrared-controlled devices and SwitchBot devices too, the Universal Remote lets you directly control practically every device around you, from TVs and Air Conditioners to every single SwitchBot IoT appliance. With support for more than 80,000 IR codes, the Universal Remote works with a whole host of existing devices from TVs to projectors, fans, and even your Apple TV and Fire TV box/dongle. A control panel and a color display dominate the Universal Remote’s design, giving you an interface is both traditional and intuitive. The device replaces the need for multiple remotes, and for fishing out your phone every time you want to open the SwitchBot app to control your curtains, vacuum cleaner, thermostat, or smart bulb. Moreover, when paired with the Matter-enabled SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, you can use the Universal Remote to control all the Matter-compatible smart devices in your home!

Click Here to Buy Now: $44.99 $59.99 ($15 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

SwitchBot WiFi Smart Lock Pro Bundle

When you think of a smart home, you rarely think of smart locks, and it’s time that changed. Locks and keys have existed for centuries, and in a time of biometrics, passcodes, and authenticated devices, it makes sense that our locks upgrade too. The Lock Pro does just that by attaching to your existing deadbolt-style door-lock in just a matter of minutes, and giving you a staggering 15 ways to unlock your door while still being absolutely secure. Sure, the Lock Pro supports keys… but in the event you end up forgetting them, you’ve got a biometric scanner and numeric keypad included in the bundle that lets you use your fingerprint or a passcode to enter your home. The fingerprint is ideal for residents, while the passcode can be set up for guests or house help (with notifications of entry going to your app in real time). The Lock Pro interfaces with your smartphone or Apple Watch via Bluetooth, so you can open your door through your phone or watch just by being near the lock and hitting a button on the app. Better still, the bundle also includes SwitchBot’s Matter-supported Hub that gives your Lock Pro WiFi connectivity, allowing you to remotely lock your door (just in case you’re outside the house and you’re paranoid about whether you locked up properly before you left)… or perhaps the most impressive feature – voice control, so you can give Siri/Alexa/Google a command (through a secure device) to unlock the door when guests or the DoorDash guy shows up. The Lock Pro runs on 4 AA batteries, lasting 270 days on a full charge, with the ability to hot-swap battery packs while the lock’s still running. Plus, AES 128-bit encryption brings server-grade security to your home so nobody ever breaks through – physically OR digitally.

Click Here to Buy Now: $129.99 $199.99 ($70 off, use coupon code “5OFFYKDSSB” to get additional 5% discount). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!

The post SwitchBot Prime Day Sale lets you Upgrade your Home into a Smart Home on a 40% Discount first appeared on Yanko Design.

A Product Designer Is Revolutionizing Popping Pills Into Chewing Gums For Better Absorption Of Medication

Posted on by

Chiara Torterolo, a Master’s student in Product Design at ECAL, has developed an innovative concept called MedGum, which offers a revolutionary approach to medication delivery. Unlike typical student projects in the medical products subspecialty, Torterolo’s work targets the form of the medication itself, proposing a novel solution through chewing gum.

Designer: Chiara Torterolo

Scientists and medical researchers have long recognized chewing gums as a highly effective alternative to conventional drug administration methods like pills, tablets, and capsules. The MedGum project leverages this potential, integrating food production, medical research, and design to create a range of functional gums with additional health benefits. Chewing gum, as a medium for drug delivery, offers several advantages over traditional methods, including ease of use, improved patient compliance, and potentially faster absorption of active ingredients.

MedGum is meticulously designed to enhance the effectiveness of medication. The structure of the gum is tailored to improve the speed and dynamics of active ingredient absorption. By carefully designing the gum’s composition and structure, the MedGum project aims to optimize the release and absorption of medication, ensuring that it works more efficiently compared to traditional forms. This design innovation is particularly significant for medications that require rapid onset of action, as the chewing process can facilitate quicker absorption through the oral mucosa.

This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is specifically tailored to address various medical conditions such as stomach disorders, allergies, migraines, and oral injuries. Each type of MedGum is developed with a unique formulation to cater to these specific health needs. For instance, a MedGum designed for stomach disorders might contain active ingredients that soothe and heal the stomach lining, while a formulation for migraines could include rapid-acting pain relievers. This targeted approach ensures that patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their condition, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the medication.

One of the standout features of MedGum is its discreet and convenient nature. The new packaging design ensures that patients can take their medication without drawing attention. This aspect is particularly beneficial for individuals who may feel self-conscious about taking traditional medication in public settings. MedGum offers a level of privacy and convenience that is unmatched by conventional drug delivery methods, making it easier for patients to adhere to their medication regimen.

The post A Product Designer Is Revolutionizing Popping Pills Into Chewing Gums For Better Absorption Of Medication first appeared on Yanko Design.

Gundam x Crocs All-Terrain Clog is memorable tribute to the most iconic mobile suit

Posted on by

Have you been a huge fan of the RX-78-2, but had been missing out on the 45th Anniversary celebrations of the original “Mobile Suit Gundam?” The Japanese mecha anime franchise has collaborated with Crocs to give you another chance to rejoice in love. The duo has idealized a pair of adventure Clogs created in theme with the interesting designs of the old-generation mobile suits.

The collaborative Gundam x Crocs All-Terrain Clog is an instant reminder of the Japanese anime. It is tailored for the outdoor adventure and is dressed in the color and gimmicks of the famous RX-78-2 aka Gundam that’s piloted by the protagonist Amuro Ray.

Designer: Gundam X Crocs

Since adventurers and the outdoorsy are the prime targets for the partnership footwear, it is designed to be durable enough to last whatever you through at it. Walk over uneven trails, leave footprints on sand, or splash your way home through slush on the road, this pair of inspired clogs will not disappoint.

But an outdoor-first mindset is not the only distinguisher of the Gundam x Crocs All-Terrain Clogs. This is, as informed, a canvas of creative Gundam fusion. The iconic clogs dressed in a combination of red, white, yellow and blue hues is a memorable tribute to the most iconic mobile suit we have known, and you would agree!

To keep up with the adventure theme, these clogs come with some interesting upgrades. The details you’ll see throw give this pair a mechanical vibe with its rugged outsole, protruding yellow TPU addition at the forefoot, molded Croslite foam uppers, and “RX-78-2“branded turbo heel straps for a snug fit. Gundam-themed Jibbitz charms are also included for more glam and style. The distinctly styled Gundam x Crocs All-Terrain Clog is slated to ship starting 23 July through the Crocs website. The adult sizing starts at $75, while the kid’s pairs will cost $60.

The post Gundam x Crocs All-Terrain Clog is memorable tribute to the most iconic mobile suit first appeared on Yanko Design.

Twisting Camping Lantern brings both light and fun to outdoor activities

Posted on by

Outdoor lamps are a dime a dozen, but the vast majority of them come in rather serious and rugged designs. That’s unsurprising considering how most people will probably want a reliable light source that doesn’t require much fuss or fiddling to set up. That, however, doesn’t mean there’s no more room for a pinch of frivolity and whimsy, especially if you’re more interested in adding some luminous accents over actually illuminating your campsite or backyard. That’s the kind of experience that this toy-like lantern is offering, adding an element of fun to outdoor nighttime activities with a simple twist.

Designer: iu Llong (for Havnby)

Camping lanterns, or any lamp designed for outdoor use for that matter, are often rugged and simple to operate. The last thing you want to bother with in the dark of night is fighting with your advanced but complicated lighting solution. Sometimes what you need, however, isn’t just light but entertainment and enjoyment, which the Twist Camping Lantern delivers by turning its function into a more engaging physical activity, almost like a game or a toy.

1

Inspired by the “gashapon” Japanese vending machines that dispense random capsule-encased toys, this lantern employs a twisting mechanism to not only turn on its light but also change the mood. It’s made of two truncated cones joined at their bases, and each half controls a different aspect of the lighting. Turning one side controls the brightness of the light while the opposite side affects the temperature of the light, from cool white to warm red. Since there are no distinct levels or markers, changing these settings involves a bit of discovery and uncertainty, adding to the excitement that the experience provides.

The capsule-shaped lamp also has another unique element: its hanging clip. The clip can not only hang from hooks or cables but even from poles, as a self-locking mechanism makes it stay in place. This clip is actually also made of two halves magnetically joined at the end, providing an easy way to attach those poles without having to slide the lantern from the top or bottom.

The Twist Camping Lantern’s light might admittedly be too low to illuminate the whole campsite at night, so it’s more of a mood setter than an all-in-one light source. In some cases, however, it might just be enough for the activity, like reading inside a tent or having a backyard party. Its design and mechanism, simple as they might sound, significantly change the image of the lantern from one of utility to one of enjoyment, inviting users to have a little fun underneath the starry skies.

The post Twisting Camping Lantern brings both light and fun to outdoor activities first appeared on Yanko Design.

OBSBOT Defies Expectations With The ‘Tiny 2’ AI-Powered 4K Webcam

Posted on by

We’re in a unique period of innovation where we’ve discovered AI, but we’re seeing how good it is at some things, and how bad it is at others. For starters, AI is great at proofreading – it’s terrible at coming up with life advice. It’s great at understanding objects and subjects in a video – it’s terrible at making videos of its own. It makes sense to leverage the good parts of AI, rather than fumble with the bad ones – and that’s something the folks at OBSBOT have capitalized on. Their latest Tiny 2 4K webcam uses AI in all sorts of ways to enhance what a webcam does. It understands voice commands and will capture video accordingly. It can automatically follow a subject, zooming in on them when necessary, and zoom out when multiple subjects enter the frame. When you can’t give voice commands (maybe you’re in the middle of a presentation), hand gestures help the Tiny 2 understand how to compose a shot. You can use it to track subjects, or even focus on body parts like hands while writing or making art, or feet during dance practices. A dedicated whiteboard mode lets the Tiny 2 hone in on a board during presentations, and if you want to broadcast your workspace while on call, Desk Mode lets you get a perfect top view of your work. If all that wasn’t enough, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 also packs a massive 1/1.5″ CMOS sensor capable of delivering 4K, with ISO switching for day and night settings, HDR for great contrast, and all-pixel auto-focus for accurate focusing and blurring even in low light settings. It might look like a webcam, but it’s a 4K action camera mounted on a gimbal with AI chops.

Designer: OBSBOT

Limited Time Prime Day Offer: $296 (10% Off)! Regularly $329. Starts July 16th. Click Here to Buy Now.

The Tiny 2 builds on the success of the OBSBOT Tiny, which launched in 2019. Visually, it retains the same gimbal-mounted template that was such a smash hit 5 years ago… but on the hardware and software front, the Tiny 2 comes with some impressive upgrades, making it perfect for office presentations, streaming, podcasting, vlogging, gaming, basic content creation or just being able to livestream – something that’s been gaining popularity over the years. It becomes tricky (and sometimes expensive) to splurge on an entire professional recording setup, with multiple devices, wires, etc… but that’s where the Tiny 2 is such a powerhouse. Although it parades around as a webcam, the 1/1.5″ CMOS sensor inside the Tiny 2 measures roughly 5x larger than the sensors found on most webcams. A bigger sensor means more light, better clarity, clearer videos in low-light, and the ability to shoot higher definition. The Tiny 2 outputs 4K video, which on its own is impressive for a webcam, but also has a few extra tricks up its sleeve.

AI Tracking with Auto Zoom

Unparalleled 4K Video: Combining the 1/1.5’’ CMOS and OBSBOT camera calibration technology, OBSBOT Tiny 2 brings sharper detail, a higher dynamic range, and more natural color, as they are seen in the natural world.

The webcam comes with two native ISOs, allowing it to quickly switch between different lighting conditions. While almost every other webcam adjusts its image by manipulating exposure, the Tiny 2 relies on dual native ISOs to help it adjust in day and night settings. This effectively means much more accurate color capture without overexposed burn spots in bright scenarios and noisy images in low-light settings. The two ISO settings effectively mean the webcam can capture two photos together at the same time – a feature that allows the Tiny 2 to produce sharp HDR video that’s comparable to the kind seen on flagship smartphones… but in real-time, and without any motion blur. Speaking of blur, the Tiny 2 also gets OBSBOT’s All-Pixel Auto Focus feature, which works most faster than cameras that use phase detection to hone in on subjects. It relies on every single pixel on its 50MP sensor to focus on subjects, working 4x faster even in low-light settings.

Control the OBSBOT Tiny 2 with just your voice, even if your hand is full.

That, however, is just half of what the Tiny 2 can boast of. While the original OBSBOT Tiny did come with AI tracking and gesture control, the new webcam on the block adds voice commands to the mix too. All AI features get major enhancements thanks to OBSBOT’s proprietary deep neural learning network algorithm. This means better subject recognition (with the ability to track you as you move around and even zoom in on you to compose a better frame), and advanced gesture recognition. You can now zoom in 4X with a simple hand gesture, or move your hands closer or further to have the camera zoom in or out, sort of like a movie director. If your hands are occupied, voice commands let you tell the Tiny 2 to track or untrack you, zoom in or out, or go to predetermined positions. You can now even tell the Tiny 2 to go to sleep or wake up through a simple voice command. Dual omnidirectional microphones allow the Tiny 2 to capture clear audio from anywhere, whether you’re sitting in front of it while streaming, or presenting to it from a few feet away.

Desk Mode

The Tiny 2’s neural learning allows it to track hands too, or even track body parts for unique choreographic styles. A Desk Mode lets you point your camera down at your desk and automatically have it keystone the video for a top-view shot. A companion remote controller lets you micro-adjust the Tiny 2, and even has a Whiteboard Mode, allowing the webcam to focus on a whiteboard in the room, cropping everything out for perfect presentations. Without the remote control, the webcam does have the ability to move around on its own, thanks to a 2-axis gimbal system. You can even manually adjust the Tiny 2’s frame with your hands, or face it downwards when you want it to go to sleep for your own privacy.

A lot of other power features remain the same (because why fix something that isn’t broken), like the presence of various mounts that let you attach your webcam to a monitor, a tripod, or even a ceiling mount. The Tiny 2’s angle can easily be adjusted, and for social content creators, you can record in 4K in portrait mode too – something that other webcams could only dream of. A companion desktop application known as the OBSBOT Center lets you adjust a myriad of settings like focus and AFK or Away From Keyboard protocols. There’s a ‘Beauty Mode’ too, just in case you’re having a bad skin day, and virtual backgrounds you can choose from. The app even lets you set hot keys and shortcuts that you can either map onto your keyboard, or onto an Elgato Stream Deck for that professional-grade setup.

All this advancement puts the OBSBOT Tiny 2 in a category of its own. The $329 price tag may seem high for the webcam category, but then again, it’s vastly better than your average $50 webcam, and it’s also fairly cheaper than most 4K action cameras that professionals tend to use for recording/live-streaming… plus where else could you get advanced AI-powered tracking, gesture-recognition, and voice command control? Besides, grab the Tiny 2 on Prime Day and you’ll get yourself a 10% discount – $296. Deal activates on July 16th! No matter your requirements or your budget, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 ticks all the right boxes.

Limited Time Prime Day Offer: $296 (10% Off)! Regularly $329. Starts July 16th. Click Here to Buy Now.

The post OBSBOT Defies Expectations With The ‘Tiny 2’ AI-Powered 4K Webcam first appeared on Yanko Design.

Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great

Posted on by

People are much more productive on coffee, they say. A single cup can get you working with more energy and focus, but one company is making your cup of coffee a little more productive than you think. While the coffee you drink enriches your mind, the coffee grounds you throw away after the brewing process can apparently be bound into pencil leads, letting you literally write/sketch/doodle WITH coffee! Meet GRIND Z – a pencil lead that ditches graphite for coffee, giving you an all-natural zero-waste alternative to regular pencils. The 5.6mm lead fits into any clutch pencil that accepts leads that size, allowing you to scribble, write, take notes, doodle, and sketch with coffee. Each lead is made up of recycled coffee grounds along with a combination of binding agents – and the result is an earthy brown lead that writes on paper and actually has a coffee aroma too!

Designer: Zirobio

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

Coffee grounds are a major contributor to landfill waste, with millions of tons ending up in dumps each year. GRIND Z effectively diverts these grounds from an unwanted fate, giving them a new life as a creative tool. The company behind this project, Zirobio, is a biotechnology firm dedicated to developing sustainable solutions through bio-based materials. Initiated by Hailey and Miles, avid coffee drinkers, the GRIND Z was their way of seeing if this humble cup of coffee – a symbol of work, happiness, and hustle – could be channeled into something else. Something that transforms coffee waste into even more productivity.

This is a 5.6mm pencil lead containing 20% recycled coffee grounds and other components like wax and adhesives.

Coffee has been embraced by the art community already, with people using espresso and black coffee to make stained art. The liquid imparts a brown or ochre tint on paper, depending on how diluted it is – Zirobio’s idea builds on this already existing trend, transforming it from liquid to lead. One cup of coffee can generate enough grounds for up to 6 leads, Zirobio says. Each GRIND Z lead boasts a unique blend of 20% recycled coffee grounds and 80% essential binding agents like waxes and adhesives. This carefully formulated combination ensures a smooth writing experience you expect from high-quality pencil lead. But the real magic lies in the subtle, natural coffee aroma (with a hint of bitterness) that lingers with each stroke, adding a delightful sensory element to the drawing/writing process.

The lead comes in a standard 5.6mm size, ensuring compatibility with most clutch pencils – the refillable mechanical pencils commonly used by artists and designers. Zirobio even offers a sleek aluminum clutch pencil as part of their Kickstarter rewards, creating a perfect match for the eco-friendly lead. The natural brown hue of the coffee grounds eliminates the need for artificial coloring, resulting in a unique aesthetic that complements the sustainable philosophy behind the product.

Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, GRIND Z offers a captivating visual appeal. The subtle variations in the brown tones add a touch of organic charm to your artwork or sketches. This earthy aesthetic sets it apart from traditional graphite leads, allowing artists to explore a new visual language in their work. The lead can be used with a clutch pencil or even as a crayon. It supports being sharpened by a knife or a sharpener, with zero wastage (because there’s no wood being used), and if all that wasn’t impressive, the GRIND Z is naturally skin-friendly, allowing people with sensitive skin to handle it with ease.

You can grab yourself a 2-pack of GRIND Z leads (each pack contains 6 leads) for $26 and YD readers get a free custom-made coffee bean ring too. Alternatively, a $29 pledge gets you a GRIND Z 2-pack along with a compatible 5.6mm aluminum clutch pencil. If you own a coffee shop or a small studio, YD readers can also enjoy a 34% discount, getting a 10-pack of GRIND Z and 10 clutch pencils for $109, adding a sustainable highlight to your brand. Additionally, stretch goals have unlocked more free rewards with free shipping, such as art posters, coffee ground soap, and coffee ground mugs, included along with your order.

Click Here to Buy Now: $26 $34 (24% off). Hurry only a few left!

The post Move over Graphite… This Company is making Recycled Coffee Pencil Leads that write and smell great first appeared on Yanko Design.

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro: Your New Everyday Earbuds

Posted on by

Samsung has introduced its latest audio devices, the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro. These new earbuds are designed to enhance your daily listening experience, whether at home, on the go, or working out. They come with handy features and a refined design, offering something for everyone.

Designer: Samsung

Galaxy Buds3: Versatile and Reliable

The Galaxy Buds3 are open-ear earbuds, perfect for those who need a dependable set for everyday use. They have a comfortable, ergonomic design that fits snugly in your ears, ensuring they stay put even during intense activities. Available in black, white, and navy, the Buds3 has a simple and clean look that works with any style.

The Buds3 delivers clear sound across all frequencies, with improved drivers that enhance bass response for a rich audio experience. Whether listening to music, taking calls, or watching videos, the Buds3 provides quality sound without fuss.

A standout feature of the Galaxy Buds3 is their active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. This feature helps block out background noise, allowing you to focus on your music or conversation. The transparency mode lets you stay aware of your surroundings when needed, making it easy to switch between focused listening and situational awareness.

The Buds3’s battery life is solid. It offers up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge and an additional 20 hours with the charging case. The case is compact and easy to carry, ensuring your Buds3 are always ready to go. Fast charging means you can get an hour of playback from just a 10-minute charge.

The Galaxy Buds3 also works seamlessly with other Galaxy devices. You can easily switch between your phone, tablet, and watch without missing a beat. Touch controls on the earbuds let you manage your music, answer calls, and activate your voice assistant with a simple tap.

Galaxy Buds3 Pro: Premium Audio Performance

For those looking for a bit more from their earbuds, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers advanced features and high-quality sound. These in-ear earbuds are designed with audiophiles in mind, delivering great sound in a compact, wireless form. Available in black, white, navy, and burgundy, the Buds3 Pro adds a touch of sophistication to your audio gear. 

The Buds3 Pro features Samsung’s advanced dual-driver technology, combining a woofer and tweeter in each earbud to provide detailed sound across all frequencies. The enhanced ANC technology in the Buds3 Pro is more effective, reducing ambient noise significantly. This creates an immersive listening experience in a noisy office or on a busy street.

The Buds3 Pro also includes a new 3D audio feature. This feature creates a surround sound experience that adapts to your head movements, making it feel like you’re in the center of the action. This feature is great for watching movies or playing games, providing a more dynamic and engaging audio experience.

Comfort is critical with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. They come with multiple ear tip sizes and wing tips, ensuring a secure fit for all-day wear. The buds are also sweat—and water-resistant, making them ideal for workouts and outdoor activities.

The Buds3 Pro’s battery life is excellent. With ANC on, it offers up to 7 hours of playback on a single charge and an additional 21 hours with the charging case. The case supports wireless and fast charging, so you can quickly boost your battery.

The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also features intelligent active noise control, which automatically adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your environment. This makes it easy to enjoy your music without constantly fiddling with settings.

Complementary Features with Galaxy Ring and Watch

The Buds3 and Buds3 Pro provide a complete health and connectivity experience when paired with the Galaxy Ring or Galaxy Watch. The seamless integration allows for effortless switching between devices, ensuring you stay connected and informed throughout the day. Whether you’re tracking your health metrics with the Ring, managing your fitness with the Watch, or enjoying high-quality audio with the Buds, Samsung’s ecosystem works together to make your day smoother.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro offer a range of features to fit different needs. The Buds3 provides reliable performance and essential features, making them perfect for everyday use. Meanwhile, the Buds3 Pro delivers a premium audio experience with advanced noise cancellation and immersive sound. Both models integrate seamlessly with Samsung’s other wearables, creating a connected experience that fits your lifestyle. We’re excited to try these earbuds out in different scenarios and share our thoughts. For more information and to pre-order these devices, visit Samsung’s official website.

 

The post Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro: Your New Everyday Earbuds first appeared on Yanko Design.

Samsung Galaxy Ring and Watch hands on: A Perfect Pair for Day and Night Health Tracking

Posted on by

Samsung has unveiled its latest wearables, offering plenty to be excited about. The Galaxy Ring and the new Galaxy Watch lineup, including the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 7, are packed with features designed to keep you healthy and connected, whether you’re an extreme sports enthusiast or simply looking to improve your daily wellness.

Designer: Samsung

Galaxy Ring: A New Standard in Health Wearables

Samsung’s Galaxy Ring marks a significant advancement in wearable technology. With its unique concave design, this ring ensures comfortable and consistent 24/7 monitoring, even while you sleep. It weighs only 3 grams and’s incredibly lightweight and perfect for all-day wear. Available in nine sizes and three finishes—titanium black, titanium silver, and glossy titanium gold—the Galaxy Ring combines style with functionality.

The ring’s sensors track vital metrics, including sleep analysis, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, and snoring. All this information syncs with Samsung’s Health app, available on any Android phone, making it easy to view your progress.

One standout feature is the Energy Score, which measures seven health metrics related to sleep, activity, and heart rate daily. Wellness Tips offers personalized advice based on your health data, acting like a personal coach for exercise, sleep, stress, and hydration. This level of detail helps you make informed decisions about your health.

Designed for durability and style, the Galaxy Ring is scratch-resistant thanks to its aerospace-grade titanium-grade 5 finish. It’s also water-resistant up to 330 feet, making it versatile for swimming, diving, or everyday wear. The multifunction case, featuring LED scenario lighting, adds to the ring’s appeal and functionality. When opened, it provides a welcome light and a battery indicator and starts pairing mode with a long press.

Connectivity is a big part of the Galaxy Ring’s appeal. It integrates seamlessly with other Galaxy devices, ensuring a connected ecosystem. With Samsung Find, you can quickly locate the ring if misplaced, as it lights up in red and green. The ring also allows gesture-based smartphone control, such as double pinching to snap a picture or snooze an alarm.

Battery life is optimized by turning off some sensors alongside other Galaxy devices, extending the ring’s operational time. Real-time alerts for high or low heart rates, auto workout detection, cycle tracking based on skin temperature, and inactive alerts are practical features designed to enhance the user experience and health management.

The Galaxy Ring is $399.99, and pre-orders start on July 10. This price includes access to all the advanced health and wellness data discussed, with no additional subscription required.

Galaxy Watch Ultra: For the Adventurous

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is built for those who push their limits. Whether diving deep underwater or hiking rugged trails, this watch is designed to withstand the most challenging conditions. It’s water-resistant up to 330 feet and meets U.S. military standards for durability. Crafted from aerospace-grade titanium, it’s both rugged and lightweight.

Jeffrey Kim, senior product manager at Samsung, introduced the watch, highlighting its first-ever 3-nanometer processor. This means smoother performance and longer battery life. It also has a dual GPS that ensures accuracy even in the city’s densest areas. The watch’s enhanced bioactive sensors deliver precise heart rate measurements during your most intense workouts.

Battery life is impressive, and there are options to extend it even further. Turn on exercise power-saving mode, and you can track your heart rate and use low-power GPS for up to 48 hours. Need more? The standard power-saving mode can keep the watch running for up to 100 hours.

Health and fitness tracking is where the Galaxy Watch Ultra shines. It features an Energy Score to give you a daily snapshot of your health based on sleep, activity, and heart rate metrics. Plus, it offers personalized wellness tips. The watch even tracks your sleep and can alert you if it detects signs of sleep apnea.

The design isn’t just about durability. It’s stylish, too. The Galaxy Watch Ultra comes in three colors: titanium gray, titanium white, and titanium silver. You can choose from various bands, like the quick-dry Marine band, the breathable Trail band, and the stylish Peak band, perfect for workouts or a night out. The watch feels sleek, and despite its size, it’s surprisingly lightweight. This makes wearing it comfortable throughout the day, whether hitting the gym or attending a meeting.

One cool feature is the quick button. Just tap it to start or pause your workout, complete a lap, or begin a new interval. Hold it for five seconds, emitting an 85-decibel sound for emergencies. The watch also helps with notifications, offering context-aware replies for quick responses in messaging apps like Google Messenger and WhatsApp.

Changing the straps is a breeze. The Galaxy Watch Ultra’s strap can be removed by clicking two buttons, making it easy to switch between styles depending on your activity or mood.

Galaxy Watch 7: Versatile and Stylish

The Galaxy Watch 7 is designed for everyone. It combines the familiar Galaxy Watch design with new AI enhancements to provide detailed health insights. Available in two sizes, large and small, it offers a range of stylish colors: green and silver for the large and green and cream for the small.

The watch bands are also versatile. You’ve got the sporty, quick-dry material for active days, a comfortable fabric band for everyday wear, and a leather band that looks great in any setting. The storage capacity has doubled from the previous model, giving you up to 32 gigabytes of space.

The Galaxy Watch 7 includes many of the same health features as the Ultra, like the Energy Score and Wellness Tips, helping you stay on top of your health and fitness goals. The watch feels sleek, and its lightweight design makes it easy to wear all day. The buttons are intuitive and easy to use, enhancing the overall user experience.

Both watches will be available for pre-order starting July 10. The Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at $649.99, while the Galaxy Watch 7 starts at $299.99. Each watch offers something unique, whether you need a rugged companion for extreme adventures or a stylish partner for everyday wellness.

Complementary Health Tracking Throughout the Day and Night

Combining the Galaxy Ring with the Galaxy Watch Ultra or Galaxy Watch 7 provides a comprehensive health tracking experience. The ring excels in continuous 24/7 monitoring, especially during sleep, giving vital metrics like sleep analysis, heart rate, and skin temperature. It’s lightweight and unobtrusive, making it perfect for all-day wear.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watches bring more interactive features and on-the-go usability. During the day, the watches can track your workouts with precise bioactive sensors and offer real-time insights and notifications. With its rugged design and extended battery life, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is ideal for outdoor activities and extreme sports. The Galaxy Watch 7, with its stylish and versatile design, fits seamlessly into everyday life, whether you’re working out or attending a meeting.

Together, these wearables create a connected ecosystem that enhances your overall wellness. For instance, you can always wear the ring, ensuring continuous health monitoring while using the watch for more detailed interactions and tracking during your active hours. Samsung recommends wearing the ring on your index or middle finger for optimal readings, making it easy to integrate into your routine.

Final Thoughts

Samsung’s latest wearables offer a new standard in health tracking. The Galaxy Ring, with its advanced AI and comprehensive monitoring, and the Galaxy Watch lineup, with its versatile features and durable designs, provide a holistic approach to wellness. We look forward to testing out these devices. While I don’t typically wear a ring, I’ll do my best to get used to it. Stay tuned for more hands-on insights as we explore their capabilities in detail. For now, mark your calendars and get ready to experience the future of health tracking. For more information and to pre-order these devices, visit Samsung’s official website.

The post Samsung Galaxy Ring and Watch hands on: A Perfect Pair for Day and Night Health Tracking first appeared on Yanko Design.