Those who are always on the go love the compact holding capacity of a cardholder to stash their important stuff. Carrying credit cards, valuable IDs and cash in one small EDC has loads of advantages. So, why not level up from an ordinary cardholder that’ll in a few months seem boring?
That’s why the Clip Clop EDC Clip piqued my interest. The accessory designed for Gen-Z users comes with the flexibility of toggling the look, feel and utility. The cardholder flat packs into different modules including magnetic fasteners and five different face plates to make switching styles as easy as displaying your daily fashion statement.
The EDC accessory combines the strength of magnets, fasteners and clever design to make the switch from one style to another ultra-easy. This also facilitates the opening and closing mechanism to be quite an addictive affair. When the cardholder is open the elastic bands retract within the housing without compromising the sleek and compact design. Clip Clop EDC comes with a capacity to store up to 10 cards in one go but the designer suggests using only 6 cards to maintain the elasticity of the clips for a longer time. The cards within the holder can be arranged efficiently in optimal order and accessed both from the top and bottom.
Unlike conventional cardholders, this one has a cutout secured by magnetic elastic bands, so that you can retrieve any card without opening the complete housing. If you are one of those who like to keep cash in the cardholder as well, the clip-on can be screwed to the back of the accessory. Given the level of freedom this cardholder EDC brings, you can match it to your daily style and mood to complete the look. As per Rice, Instead of simply combining traditional EDC toy elements with a cardholder, we have cleverly optimized and innovated on the original functions of the cardholder, creating a user experience that is both convenient, practical, and filled with joy.”
It’s almost comical how we’ve become so attached to our electronic devices that we start to panic whenever our batteries go red. That’s why there’s a large and thriving market for all kinds of portable battery solutions, ranging from pocket-sized blocks just for your smartphone to hulking boxes for a few night’s stay outdoors. The latter, while portable, aren’t exactly space-efficient, especially when it comes to the horizontal space you need to use them. This concept for a portable power station literally turns the design on its head by letting you use the large battery standing up, except for one or two cases where you’ll need it to lie down anyway.
The design convention for large power stations is horizontal boxes as these are definitely the most space-efficient shapes. You can easily stow them in cabinets, trunks, and other storage solutions while allowing you to pack other objects beside or even on top of them. When in use, however, that horizontal orientation can actually be wasteful, especially if you don’t have much space on the ground or on the table in the first place.
The SJPB-400 Mobile Power Bank is designed with a dual orientation in mind, allowing you to stand it up and put it down on the ground beside your table. You can still have easy access to its most important ports since they’re located not in the “front” of the box but off to one side, which becomes the “top” of the power bank in that position. Other boxy power stations can probably be put up like that as well, but not only are their vents blocked, the ports become harder to use as well.
Admittedly, this flexible design does have its disadvantages, even in the case of the SJPB-400 concept. This mobile power bank has a wireless charger on its longer side, so you can’t use it while it’s standing up and vertical, not unless it uses MagSafe or similar technologies that will keep the phone from falling. Regardless, the lone AC outlet on the opposite side of the USB ports will remain inaccessible, so it’s something the user will have to consider on a case-to-case basis.
One design feature of this concept that goes against its space efficiency is the handles on each side. They do improve the power bank’s portability and ergonomics when carrying it, but it comes at the expense of compactness and simplicity. You won’t be able to put anything on top that doesn’t fit between those handles, so packing will become a puzzle game of trying to fit pieces together.
If you are a lover of pop culture, and your personal space is adorned with Pokémon, Star Wars, Marvel, or Mario-themed products and devices, then, well you’re at the right spot. Because we’re gonna take it up a notch for you and introduce you to some pop-culture-based LEGO builds. We’ve curated some of our favorite pop culture LEGO builds for you to try building by yourself! From a LEGO version of the Brooklyn 99 show to a LEGO variant of Harry Potter’s Sorting Hat – these LEGO builds are complete collector’s items for pop culture lovers.
1. LEGO Downton Abbey Set
LEGO builder BRO3 created a dedicated LEGO set for the historical drama series Downton Abbey to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set is extremely detailed, featuring the old Highclere Castle, as well as the expansive Crawley family including the butlers and the castle caretakers who make up the main cast of the show. The built has been designed with incredible attention to detail, and it includes multiple rooms, and at least 15 minifigures – 16 if you count the dog Pharaoh. It even includes Lady Mary’s bench!
2. LEGO Godzilla
Created by the LEGO builder Matthew Esposito, the LEGO version of Godzilla is the first LEGO Godzilla, despite almost ten or more movies coming out. The LEGO build is a small-scale variant of the city-destroying reptile, and it is inspired by the ‘King of Monsters’ Godzilla’ (from the 2019 movie). The Godzilla is only a few inches tall, featuring a hefty body and long tail. It can even blow blue flames in all directions.
3. LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
LEGO builder Teljesnegyzet created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in a LEGO-based action figure set. The LEGO Ideas TMNT kit accurately represents the four turtles in their superhero garb. The set includes turtles in their four colored bandanas and bands, with their own weapons of choice. The turtles have a belt with their initials labeled on the buckle, and they have been color-matched to their originals, and display four shades of green.
4. Sorting Hat
The LEGO Group has launched another cool Harry Potter-based build – meet the LEGO version of the Sorting Hat! It is a dedicated LEGO variant that includes a hidden sound box that emits loud and randomized phrases in English, which we’ve all surely heard before. The hat is 9.5 inches tall, and 7.5 diameters in length, and you can showcase it proudly on a stand with Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw house symbols on it.
5. LEGO Barad-dûr
The new LEGO set- themed on Barad-dûr, Sauron’s iconic stronghold is a must-have for the Lord of the Rings fans. It is a build consisting of 5471 pieces and is topped with the Eye of Sauron, which is the disembodied eye that overlooks his evil domain. It includes four main sections – a prison, an armory, a throne room, and a kitchen. Users can also get a complementary 269-piece Fell beast set, with wings for the flying creature and the Nazul Minifigure.
6. LEGO Portal 2 Gun
The gun from Portal 2 doesn’t exist in real life, but Hooded-Blaze built this gun to be a perfect replica of the cyberpunk quantum gadget from the game. The Portal 2 Quantum Tunneling Device is built entirely from LEGO bricks and includes its own stand. It also has the ability to alternate between shooting orange or blue tunnels, much like the game. How cool is this build?!
7. LEGO Kung Fu Panda
A LEGO Kung Fu Panda from the first movie in the franchise was submitted to the LEGO Ideas Forum. The super cute Po is equipped with a dragon scroll and a bowl of noodles, and he performs the epic Wixu Finger Hold as well! The brick panda is equipped with a completely positionable body with movable hands, legs, head, fingers, and even eyebrows! Po also has a jiggling belly that bounces if you touch it.
8. The LEGO® Ideas 21348 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Red Dragon’s Tale
LEGO has finally combined with DUNGEONS & DRAGONS to mark DND’s 50th anniversary, creating The LEGO® Ideas 21348 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Red Dragon’s Tale. It is a 3745-piece playable box set designed by LEGO-builder Lucas Bolt and was initially submitted to LEGO’s Ideas forum, where LEGO’s internal team selected it and converted it into this stunning set, featuring a tavern, mysterious dungeon, and a tall wizard’s tower. It also includes a massive Cinderhowl, a menacing red dragon as well.
9. LEGO Brooklyn 99
Brooklyn 99 will always be hands down my favorite TV show ever, so when LEGO builder Ben Fakhauser created an adorable build for it, I was super excited. The LEGO creation includes the entire 99th precinct – all the rooms and characters as well! The precise and intricate build contains everything – from the bullpen to the captain’s office, even the printer room! Important aspects of the precinct floors were incorporated, and even secret details like Holt’s pet corgi Cheddar were recreated too!
10. LEGO Seven Dwarf’s Cottage
Say hello to this cute LEGO version of the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney movie – Snow White. The fascinating build is made using 2228 pieces, and 10 mini figurines. The build is created with a lot of attention to detail and reminds you of all the interesting and lovely bits of the table. The set also features Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, the Prince, and the Seven Dwarfs.
Imagine we’ve come so far that we can fit an entire movie theater into a device that’s essentially the same size as a brick. After launching the Screeneo U5 in the end of 2022, Philips is back with its smallest, most advanced UST projector yet. Dubbed the Screeneo UL5 Smart, it builds on the success of Philips’ past projectors, while focusing on being a budget-friendly gadget to help people convert from TVs to something a little more immersive. Measuring just over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 3.4 inches tall, the Screeneo UL5 Smart outputs an impressive 100-inch screen when kept just 20 inches away from a wall. The tiny device produces a display that’s rich in color, has a 550 ANSI lumen brightness, and has a Full HD resolution of 1080p. Sure, it’s no 4K projector… but at a sub-$1000 price tag, it’s probably the best ultra-short throw projector you can get your hands on. Oh, it also comes bundled with its own OS that let you run popular streaming services, pitching it well into smart projector territory.
While the UL5 Smart departs from the 4K resolution of its predecessor, the U5 model, it maintains a respectable Full HD 1080p resolution – ideal for enjoying movies, shows, and games in crisp detail. The projector utilizes a DLP chip alongside a triple-laser light source, separating red, blue, and green colors for an exceptionally rich and vibrant visual experience. The impressive 0:23:1 ultra-short throw ratio means you don’t need to keep the device multiple feet away from the projection surface, the way most traditional projectors need to be kept. A simple 20 inches away from a wall or screen gives you a staggering projection that measures 100 inches diagonally. Adjust the distance to adjust the size of the projection – the UL5 Smart can pull off 120 inches with absolutely no discernible drop in brightness or clarity. It also automatically keystones and focuses itself, so you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying content.
The compact form factor allows the Screeneo UL5 Smart to be used as more than just a movie-watching device. Sure, projectors and movies are practically synonymous – and the Screeneo UL5 Smart does come with Philips’ LuminOS, which lets you natively run Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, HBO Max, and a whole slew of other apps – but an abundance of ports lets you use your Screeneo UL5 Smart to do things like extend your laptop/desktop/tablet screen, or directly hook your gaming console to the projector for larger-than-life gameplay.
Rest the UL5 Smart on its back the way it’s designed to be placed and you’ve got a projected image on the wall. Flip the UL5 Smart over and stand it vertically, and it projects a bright 35-inch display onto the floor or a table, letting you watch content on the tabletop like recipe videos, the game, or even project drawings onto a piece of paper and allow you to sketch directly. AI-driven auto-focus and keystone kicks in immediately, fixing the image to make it perfectly focused and rectangular.
Spec-nerds will have little to complain about what the UL5 Smart offers. With a peak of 550 ANSI lumens, the projector is ideally suited for dimly lit or dark environments. However, this is balanced by exceptional color reproduction. The UL5 Smart boasts coverage exceeding 200% of the Rec.709 color gamut, 108% of Rec.2020, and a remarkable 150% of the DCI-P3 color space. Additionally, it supports HDR10, ensuring vibrant visuals with deeper blacks and brighter whites for compatible content.
Running on an Android-based operating system, the UL5 Smart comes pre-loaded with popular streaming apps like Netflix and Youtube, eliminating the need for external devices. Built-in dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity allow for seamless streaming and connection to external speakers for an even more powerful audio experience. For wired connections, the UL5 Smart offers an HDMI port, a USB Type-A power port, and two USB-C ports for data and video. The projector also features integrated 3-watt Dolby speakers, providing a decent audio solution for casual viewing.
At a price of $789, the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart is quite the bargain. It’s compact, smart, outputs screen sizes up to 120-inches, and builds on Philips Projection’s UST capabilities. You’ve got an abundance of ports, along with a built-in OS for a whole lot of variety – and the projector even ships with its own remote control, letting you easily browse through content and enjoy movies, sports, and games larger than life. The Screeneo UL5 Smart begins shipping September 2024 for backers on Indiegogo.
Earlier this year, LEGO revised their R2D2 model and honestly, my first reaction was to ask ‘why?’ The new R2D2 was smaller than the original, and it seems its reason was so that LEGO could debut a scale-matching C3PO to complete the set. Its 15-inch build matches the R2D2 perfectly, so you can pair them together on a mantelpiece and create the iconic duo. The LEGO C3PO build also marks 25 years since LEGO and the Star Wars franchise first collaborated together. The first-ever collab between the two behemoths was back in 1999, when LEGO released a X-wing fighter model alongside the launch of the Phantom Menace movie. Two and a half decades later, their partnership is still going strong, with multiple builds (and even LEGO movies) to mark the successful partnership.
Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.
The entire build comes with a C3PO minifigure, a plaque with C3PO’s stats, and a small poster commemorating 25 years of LEGO Start Wars
Standing at over 15 inches (38 centimeters) tall, the C-3PO droid is constructed from a staggering 1,138 LEGO pieces. The intricate design captures every iconic detail of the character, from his golden plating and expressive head to his posable arms that can be adjusted to recreate classic poses. Fans can relive their favorite Star Wars moments by turning C-3PO’s head or making him gesture with his arms.
This isn’t a completely static display model either. The C-3PO figure features a posable head and arms, allowing you to recreate classic poses from the Star Wars saga. There’s even a fun detail for die-hard fans – one of the arms can be repositioned to mimic C-3PO’s well-known gesture of patting R2-D2 on the head.
The set comes complete with a display stand featuring an information plaque about C-3PO and a spot for the included C-3PO minifigure. To top it all off, a special LEGO Star Wars 25th-anniversary brick is included, adding a touch of collectability.
The LEGO Star Wars C-3PO (75398) is priced at US$139.99, and is now available for pre-order, with deliveries commencing August 1st, 2024.
The vast majority of design concepts for future cars unsurprisingly revolve around the more exciting parts of the experience, from hands-free autonomous driving to hotel-like cabins to quiet, efficient, and eco-friendly engines. Of course, those aren’t the only parts of the driving experience, which starts and ends with drivers getting in and out of the car. Oftentimes, that part is presented as a keyless activity that either relies simply on the touch of a finger or the tap of a smartphone screen. It might be quick and efficient, but not exactly satisfying or meaningful. This concept tries to attack the problem from a different angle, retaining the tactile joy of a physical key fob while improving not only the features but even the comfort of using one.
Designer: Zander De Beer
A dedicated car key fob might sound unnecessary today in an age of smartphone apps, but having a distinct and direct device you can easily use is still far more convenient, not to mention faster, than fumbling around with a smartphone and its dozens of apps. It gets the job done without fuss, but it’s not exactly a memorable or even pleasant experience. Neither is its design the most inspiring accessory for a car, especially the sleek and sophisticated vehicles of the future.
This concept for a new kind of car key fob thinks outside the box and adopts a shape unlike any other fob. Instead of a small disc or teardrop-shaped piece of plastic, it looks to the aerodynamic form of an airplane wing or car spoiler for inspiration, promising a more ergonomic design that you can comfortably hold in your hand. It almost looks like a lighter, with one side tapering sharply to a single edge.
More than just a change in shape, however, this car key fob concept also offers a slight change in functionality. There are still buttons for typical actions like remotely locking and unlocking the car, starting or killing the engine, and even blowing the horn. What’s new is a large dial on top that you turn to set the temperature inside so that it will be as toasty or as cold as you want by the time you enter. This dial has a large display on its top surface to clearly show the current temperature so that you can adjust it accordingly.
The design tries to comply with Deiter Ram’s famous principles of design, though there are still some details that it leaves out in this current iteration. Knowing which buttons map to which actions, for example, could be a matter of guesswork and muscle memory as there are no clear indicators on them, not even embossed symbols that let you blindly press them. There’s also the question of whether the design, ergonomic as it might claim to be, is actually convenient to carry around due to its size and unique shape. Either way, it’s an interesting thought experiment that challenges the presumption that car owners of the future won’t even want physical key fobs like this.
The month of June has been pretty interesting as it’s brought with it a storm of mind-boggling and innovative tech designs! At Yanko Design, it’s surely been an exciting time for us, as we came across an influx of intriguing designs that left a lasting impression on our minds. Each design broke through some barrier or convention in the tech world, bringing us unique solutions, improved functionality, and immense value. From the downpour of tech designs that June 2024 introduced to us, we’ve curated some of the very best. Not only do these designs address tangible problems, but they also make our lives better, easier, and more efficient in their way. We hope these inventive tech gadgets impress you, as much as they impressed us!
1. Minisforum S100
Dubbed the Minisforum S100, this small and sleek box may look like a power bank, but it is, in fact, a mini PC that you can carry with you almost anywhere, or even install in narrow little spaces. The PC has a small form but is equipped with many standard connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 6.2, 2.5 Gbps Ethernet, USB-A ports, HDMI, and 65W USB-C. The HDMI and the USB-C make the product pretty portable and flexible.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can connect another monitor through the HDMI to create a high-value dual-screen setup which increases productivity. The palm-sized mini PC is pretty easy to pick up and take anywhere with you, so you can work in a cafe by simply connecting an external display and a power bank.
What we like
Supports Power-over-Ethernet or PoE, so you can use the S100 to operate a camera security system without plugging it in
What we dislike
It doesn’t have its own battery
2. Nothing Power Bank
Named the Nothing power bank, this nifty little gadget is the ideal device for your jet-setting adventures. The gadget has a transparent aesthetic that boasts its innards in all their glory. The interior is illuminated with tiny warm-toned LEDs, which impart the power bank with a futuristic and Cyberpunkish look inside and out.
Why is it noteworthy?
This conceptual power bank design is a great fit for Nothing, as it is pretty functional, and has a simple no-frills design. There are quite a lot of options in the market, but this transparent design would make for a valuable and unique addition to Nothing’s ever-growing line of products.
What we like
The power bank complements the Nothing Phone (2)
Features sleek transparent aesthetics
What we dislike
It’s a concept, so we’re not sure how well it would translate into a tangible product
3. Samsung Odyssey OLED G9
The new Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 is a 49-inch monitor with a resolution of 5120×1440 and an aspect ratio of 32:9. It isn’t an ordinary curved screen, and offers a really wide field of view that perfectly conforms to the way your eyes work, owing to its 1800R curvature. You can enjoy a more immersive and fascinating visual experience, irrespective if you’re playing a game or just watching videos.
Why is it noteworthy?
Using the Odyssey OLED G9 is like having two QHD or 2K monitors side-by-side but with the elimination of the distracting borders that break the seamlessness and harmony of the entire experience. There is also enough space for multiple application windows, helping you get your work done.
What we like
It features a Multi-View option that allows you to place two screens from two different sources, letting them play at the same time
What we dislike
It doesn’t have the best sound
Quite a hefty price tag
4. JBL Live 3 Series
At CES 2024, JBL released three distinct models – the Live Buds 3, Live Beam 3, and the Live Flex 3. These wireless earbuds make up the Live 3 series, and they were made to meet the requirements and preferences of different users, offering them a smooth and personalized audio listening experience. They are stored in a sleek touchscreen charging case.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Live 3 Series includes a 1.45-inch LED touch display on the charging case. It was first integrated in JBL’s Tour Pro 2, and now it has made a comeback. This unique touchscreen allows users to handle calls, view texts, and control music playback. It even lets you check social media alerts on the charging case.
What we like
It is a great option for those who don’t like using their phones much
What we dislike
The touch control system isn’t very customizable
5. Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers
Named the Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers – these innovative speakers are both portable and battery-free. The speakers are a fresh new version of a typical no-power smartphone speaker. It is made from metal, making the product quite functional, unlike conventional speaker designs.
The amplifying speakers are built from Duralumin, which is an aluminum alloy used in aviation and aerospace industries, as it is equipped with vibration-resistant properties. All you need to do is place the smartphone into the speaker and let the sound envelop the room and you.
What we like
Electricity-free and doesn’t require any power
Quite intriguing to look at, with a minimal appeal
What we dislike
Won’t work well with bulky smartphone covers and cases
6. TCL 50 XE 5G
Meet the TCL 50 XE 5G, a nifty smartphone that helps you not only keep up, and stay way ahead of your crazy and fast-paced life. It is equipped with advanced technology and a triple camera system, both teaming up to provide you with accurate color, deep contrasts, and fluid animations at a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone captures every detail owing to its fifty-megapixel main camera, which preserves your priceless moments.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is equipped with the MediaTek Octa-core fifth-generation processor which supports smooth and seamless operations, irrespective if you’re streaming, gaming, or multitasking. It has a battery of 5010 mAh which easily gets you through your day, without the need to constantly recharge it.
What we like
Biometric solutions like face unlock and side-mounted fingerprint protect your precious information
What we dislike
No 4K video recording support
No reverse charging support
7. ASUS ROG ALLY
The ASUS ROG ALLY may look similar to the OG ROG Ally, but it does have a new all-black motif. ASUS also chose white for its first iteration, although it does help it stand out from its rivals. The handles are rounder which ensures a better grip, which is pretty critical to a handheld device. The back triggers are also positioned at a better angle, offering improved ergonomics, while the joystick and D-pad are more durable and precise.
Why is it noteworthy?
It features the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme as the original ROG ALLY, but the mobile gaming processor is now teamed up with 24GB of DDR-7500 RAM. The storage capacity has also been increased to 1TB, and the battery has also been improved to 80Wh, which ensures more playing time.
What we like
Amped with improved thermal cooling solutions so it won’t burn your hand
What we dislike
Doesnt feature ASUS’ proprietary XG external graphics port
8. Moto Tag
Motorola recently announced an Android-based device tracker, which in all honesty looks pretty familiar. Called the Moto Tag, it is based on Apple’s AirTag and is designed to be a compact little tracking device that pairs up and works perfectly with the Android OS. It allows you to accurately and efficiently track your precious belongings.
Why is it noteworthy?
Much like the AirTag, the Moto Tag is a tiny circular disc that is just a little bigger than a quarter. The Moto Tag features a user-replaceable CR2032 battery which can last a full year on a single charge. The Moto Tag integrates perfectly with the new Google Find My Device Network, facilitating easy and smooth pairing with multiple Android smartphones.
What we like
It plays a sound for easier retrieval
What we dislike
Doesnt feature a built-in keyring loop
9. Pony Project
Meet the Pony Project – a portable CD player concept with a built-in speaker that is inspired by Sony and Teenage Engineering. It is a conceptual design with the design DNA and color theme of Teenage Engineering and features a digital display that shows the music being currently played.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Pony Project features volume rockers, bass, and treble, as well as power and stop buttons. The player is equipped with the ‘Pony’ branding and makes for an interesting dupe of Sony. Teenage Engineering’s signature color theme was also incorporated in the design.
What we like
Offers a new and fun makeover to DAPs
Combines Sony & TE design language
What we dislike
It is a conceptual design, so not sure how well it will translate into a real product
Dubbed the Marshall Celestion 100 limited edition collectible amp, this limited edition design is the perfect combination of timeless design and the brand’s historic sound. Only 100 units have been made, and each amplifier is equipped with a unique numbered plaque. It has versatile power controls, and you can switch between 20W and 5W settings to perfectly match your playing environment.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can play tunes in different settings to complement different vibes – ranging from house parties, and quaint me-time sessions. They are handmade in the UK, and they carry the legacy of legendary build quality and are crafted with immense attention to detail.
What we like
Limited-edition, special pieces that are must-haves for collectors
What we dislike
Premium materials need extra special care especially when transporting and using outdoors
The earbuds’ answer to open-ear headphones is the clip-on style that doesn’t sit deep in the ear canal, therefore less chance of permanent hearing damage if you listen to music at high levels. Bose Ultra Open earbuds created quite the buzz at CES 2024 for this new earbuds design but a price tag of $300 only attracted enthusiasts.
Now JLab has come up with a similar open clip style design called Flex Open earbuds. The pair offers most of what the high-end earbuds offer and that too at a fraction of a price. Being only $50 makes this open-ear accessory worth the try if you are eager to try out new audio accessories.
For those who want to be aware of the ambient sounds around them, the open-ear design is perfect. That’s where the Flex Open excels for a sixth of the price offered by the best in the industry. They even manage to beat the Bose’s earbuds with an IP55 rating and multipoint connectivity right out of the box. Battery life is also impressive at seven hours on a single charge and 21 more hours on the charging case. Compare that to the Ultra Open which lasts a couple of hours less in real-life testing. While you cannot expect the audio quality to be anywhere close to Bose, still the 12mm drivers deliver a thumping sound.
The only thing you can complain about is the lack of spatial audio with head tracking, but most people like me don’t bother much. Call quality in noisy environments can be a bit of a hit-and-miss with these, but if you’re using them majorly for music listening, they are a bang for the buck. After all for that price, how much wrong can these go? One thing that’ll make you ditch these earbuds is the lack of the latest lossless Bluetooth codec from Qualcomm if you care about those things.
The companion app for the Flex Open lets you toggle the sound signature to stay close to the preferred curve. In a way, these earbuds tick all the right boxes if you are on a budget and want to try out this new open-ear earbuds trend for once without breaking the bank.
Good things come in small packages – this one measures just over 3 inches and packs a powerful blade deployed using one of the most satisfying mechanisms ever. Meet the Tekto A5 Spry Mini, a compact pocket blade with the company’s signature OTF mechanism that lets you deploy your cutting edge with a simple push of a button.
Named after its elder brother the A5 Spry, this mini marvel compresses everything that was great about its predecessor into a more compact, pocket-friendly package. While the original A5 Spry measured a nifty 4.9 inches when closed (and 8.6 inches when open), the A5 Spry Mini condenses it all into a 3.2-inch package that opens up to 5.3 inches, giving you a knife that’s smaller, lighter, more maneuverable, just as strong, and with the same satisfying OTF mechanism that deploys a titanium-coated S35VN steel blade, along with a tungsten steel glass-breaker on the rear to get you out of any sort of emergency.
Designer: Tekto
Click Here to Buy Now: $153$179.99 (Use coupon code “Yanko15” to get $26.99 off). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!
Tekto A5 Spry vs. A5 Spry Mini
The A5 Spry Mini’s all-metal design is a pleasure for the eyes and the hands. You’ve got a handle machined out of 6061-T6 Aluminum, offering a cool, confident grip thanks to its ergonomic, ambidextrous design. Weighing a little more than knives with G10 or carbon fiber handles, the A5 Spry Mini gives you the confidence of a slightly larger knife while still being deviously compact. A single contoured switch helps deploy its blade, while pushing the switch back retracts the blade back into the handle. The process feels so incredibly tactile and satisfying I wouldn’t be surprised if you never wanted to buy a different flipper knife ever again.
Drop Point Blade
Dagger Blade
Tanto Blade
With the A5 Spry Mini, you have 3 blade styles to choose from – a Dagger-style blade with dual edges, a conventional Drop-point blade that’s an industry standard, and a Tanto-style blade with a faceted edge. You can choose the blade type depending on what you predominantly use your EDC knives for. The dagger style is a great tactical option, the drop-point is arguably the most classic of the lot, and the tanto blade is conventional with a twist. The blade itself is crafted from premium S35VN steel, known for its robustness and edge-retention, and further coated with a titanium layer to make the blades even stronger than before.
Equipped with a tungsten steel ball glass breaker for maximum effectiveness in emergencies. The new design ensures quick, efficient glass shattering, providing reliable safety and accessibility when every second counts.
Forged with a premium S35VN steel and coated in titanium, the A5 Spry Mini blade offers unparalleled durability and edge retention, ensuring reliability and peak performance in any situation.
Move your eyes away from the blade and you see that the A5 Spry Mini’s body comes with a few more surprises, from an ambidextrous pocket clip that can attach itself to either the left or right side of the blade depending on your dominant hand. The rear has one last flourish in the form of a tungsten steel glass breaker that lets you strike at even reinforced or laminated glass (like the ones on cars), causing it to shatter at the point of impact. Absolutely ideal to have in the glove box of your car or even on your person, the A5 Spry Mini is one of those miniature miracles that can be quite a life-saver whether it’s escaping emergencies, surviving tactical or self-defense situations, or just using a folding knife for mundane activities like opening parcels, cutting fruits/veggies, or scraping flint to start a fire. Don’t worry, the mundane won’t feel that way for long given how much hands-on fun Tekto’s OTF mechanism is!
Click Here to Buy Now: $153$179.99 (Use coupon code “Yanko15” to get $26.99 off). Hurry, deal end in 48-hours!
Teenage Engineering has become an inseparable part of the music community in the past decade. Ever since their OP-1 synth debuted on Swedish House Mafia’s music video for their song ‘One’, the company has been on a rise, launching Pocket Operators, recording/playback gear, turntables for children, and even venturing into phones for Nothing and the R1 AI device for Rabbit. Their position in the new-age music industry, however, remains cemented for the next few years to come – but if there’s one device missing from their music-making tech repertoire, it’s a great DJ console. While most people love making music, there’s a case to be made that if you want to connect with your listeners, you need to perform your music too – and deejay consoles help artists do just that. Designed to bridge this product gap, Chris Matthews designed the OP-J, a Teenage Engineering-inspired console for disc jockeys looking to play and remix tunes.
Designer: Chris Matthews
Deejay consoles don’t really need to be portable, but there’s an understated beauty to how sleek the OP-J is. It’s about as thick as its synthesizer sibling, with the same design language running through. You’ve got two rotating discs, knobs, keys, buttons, cross-faders, a speaker, and two screens that guide you through playback as well as effect settings.
Keeping in theme with the company’s focus on music creation, the OP-J allows you to do more than just play and merge tracks. Sure, it’s a pretty capable DJ console, with everything a disc jockey would need to get on stage and drop the bass… but you’ve got 8 keys and 8 more buttons to record/trigger loops, play melodies, or activate certain intros/outros to spice up your songs. Although it isn’t shown here, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could hook the OP-1 to the setup and take your performance to even higher levels.
Color-coded knobs let you control effects and envelopes, while a dedicated display just for the effects lets you monitor what you’re up to. It’s unusual for a DJ console to come with its own speaker, but just in case you want to practice in the privacy of your home or hotel room, the OP-J lets you nerd out without needing a separate speaker system. Yes, audio jacks on the bottom let you hook external speakers if you can, or headphones so you can preview tracks before cueing them.
The OP-J is just a fan-made concept for now, but if someone from Teenage Engineering reads this, we all could use an OP-style deejay console! Besides, let’s also take some time out to appreciate the Darth Vader-esque black and red version below?!
