Tag Archives: accessories

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.

The post Top 10 Essential Apple Watch Accessories Every Smartwatch Owner Should Have first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ditch the Backpack: Alpargali’s All-Weather Jacket with 14 Pockets Has You Covered

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Jackets have had a reputation for being predominantly a winter/rain garment. However, the folks at Alpargali have designed a jacket that isn’t just made to be worn all around the year, but it also has enough storage to replace your backpack or sling bag. With an all-weather design that allows you to wear the jacket anywhere you go, and a whopping 14 pockets for everything from your keys to even a laptop, the Alpargali gives you the convenience of a waterproof/windproof jacket that looks slick, and distributes all your belongings so effectively, you can carry an entire backpack worth of stuff without the bulk or shoulder-strain of a backpack.

Designer: Alpargali Design Team

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $289 ($140 off). Hurry, only 11/335 left! Raised over $76,000.

There are two distinct parts to the Alpargali’s design – its build, and its functionality. On the build front, the Alpargali looks like your classic outdoor windbreaker-style jacket, with a nylon exterior that keeps wind and water out. It’s simultaneously built to be durable yet comfortable – with 70D nylon on the outside and the inside that offers protection from the elements as well as gives the jacket abrasion resistance. The Alpargali also has a zip that extends upwards to become a windguard for your mouth, and an adjustable hood with clear windows on the side that let you have 180° vision on the sides. When it’s cold, the jacket’s built-in fingerless gloves keep you toasty, and when it’s hot, underarm vents let your body breathe by boosting ventilation inside the jacket. A reflective graphic on the back keeps you visible at night – pretty helpful considering the jacket’s all-black design, and built-in shoulder straps let you carry the jacket like a backpack when you don’t want to wear it.

The second, and arguably the part worth highlighting the most, is the Alpargali’s functionality. Armed with more pockets than you could imagine, the jacket doubles as storage for every single one of your belonging, practically turning them into EDC or everyday carry. It comes with pockets strategically located on both the inside as well as the outside of the garmet, giving you a place to store every conceivable thing you own, from a dedicated slot for your phone, to separate pockets for your keys, an RFID-blocking pocket for your payment cards, a tappable pocket for subway cards or access cards at work, a separate pocket for a camera, as well as another for a camera lens, a waterproof pocket for bottles or cans, and even a large pocket at the back for a tablet or even a small 13″ laptop. Overshadowing most jacket pockets by 7x, the Alpargali is basically a backpack built into a jacket. Your belongings get spaced out across your body, keeping the jacket looking slim, and you don’t feel the weight on your shoulders either.

A jacket that doubles as a backpack comes with a heavy list of responsibilities, which means there’s a high emphasis on quality. The Alpargali is made from 70D nylon, which can resist 18,000 abrasion cycles, while still being waterproof and breathable. The jacket is made from 92 panels of fabric (it’s all those pockets), assembled together using 40,000 stitches. The nylon fabric as well as the jacket’s cut offer incredible freedom of movement, so you never feel restricted. 13 waterproof YKK zippers protect you as well as your belongings, and with a moisture vapor transmission rate of 15,000g/m²/24h, the jacket’s fabric does a remarkable job of keeping water out no matter how bad the weather. It may stop water, but it lets vapor pass through, so your body’s sweat makes it out of the jacket, keeping you dry and comfortable.

Given that backpacks really don’t have a season, the Alpargali was also made to be an all-weather jacket. Of course it works well in the rain and the cold, but the jacket’s just as well suited for spring too, with underarm flaps that boost breathability and ventilation. If you ever feel like taking your jacket off in the summers, the Alpargali comes with backpack-inspired straps that let you wear the jacket on your shoulders, so you can shed the jacket in the heat while still carrying it on you.

The Alpargali Jacket starts at a discounted $149, which is quite a steal considering you’re getting a jacket AND a backpack for that amount. It comes in 5 different sizes, ranging from S to 2XL, ships worldwide, and for just $30 more, you can upgrade to the Adventure combo that includes a functional 6-pocket sling bag along with the jacket.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $289 ($140 off). Hurry, only 11/335 left! Raised over $76,000.

The post Ditch the Backpack: Alpargali’s All-Weather Jacket with 14 Pockets Has You Covered first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cooler Master MasterHUB modular control system adjusts to creators’ workflows

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Content creation these days looks so simple the way influencers like to show off in behind-the-scenes videos, but the reality is that they can be overwhelmingly complex as the content they create, especially as they level up their craft. While it’s definitely possible to stick to the tried and true keyboard, mouse, or drawing tablet, the demands of today’s creators and their audiences call for better tools that help make their lives easier. That said, no two artists or designers are alike, and they work in different ways with different techniques, tools, and processes. Most gadgets and devices try to force users to a specific way of working, but this modular stream kit lets you decide not only the specific controls that you need but even the layout that you want.

Designer: Cooler Master

As the name implies, stream kits were originally designed for live streamers as they usually need to access some functions quickly without having to perform finger calisthenics over their keyboard. Over time, however, the flexibility of these programmable buttons with tiny LCD displays has become a favored tool by many content creators, from designers to artists to video editors to general enthusiasts. The MasterHUB comes from this lineage but has one special power that very few have: it can change its shape to adapt to your needs, workflow, or even your whim!

The MasterHUB’s foundation is a base where you can mix and match modules that each deliver a different kind of control. The most common of these is the App Control with 15 programmable keys, each with a customizable display, that can be used to trigger an action or launch an app. Another module is the Encoder which is a large dial with an integrated circular LCD display that can be used for something like scrubbing through audio and video timelines. A Knob Module has three knobs that can be mapped to changing brush sizes, undoing and redoing steps, and similar actions. Completing the set is a Fader Precision module with five sliders and a Roller Scroll Module with two rolling bars.

This modular system allows creators to define the layout out of their control center. They can even set it up vertically instead of the conventional horizontal layout, and you can pretty much change the combination on a whim, presuming you’re prepared to do the work of setting up the configuration again. Such a flexible control hub will also benefit even computer users who don’t create content, like gamers and power users that need more knobs and buttons than their keyboard can provide. Availability details for this powerful creativity tool, unfortunately, are still unavailable at the moment.

The post Cooler Master MasterHUB modular control system adjusts to creators’ workflows first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Japanese-Inspired Cooking Accessories To Bring Minimalist Functionality To Your Kitchen

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Japanese design has a soft place in my heart, and for good reason. It is quintessentially functional, thoughtful, and pretty-looking too! I have a soft spot for Japanese product designs as they always manage to be – simple, sophisticated, and high-value. I love incorporating Japanese products in my home space, they have such a soothing effect and can add an elegant touch to any home. I also enjoy using Japanese kitchen appliances and tools. Not only are they adorable to look at and gentle to use, but they’re also high on functionality and very rarely give you any trouble. They’re foolproof designs that you can depend on to tackle your cooking prep and other kitchen tasks, and we’ve curated some top-notch Japanese kitchen tools for you!

1. Precision Ceramic Sashimi Knife

Dubbed the Precision Ceramic Sashimi Knife, this kitchen tool is the epitome of Japanese craftsmanship and a revolutionary design. It is created with care, thoughtfulness, and advanced technology. This exceptional knife is designed to elevate the culinary art of sashimi, allowing it to serve as an important tool for professional chefs and culinary lovers.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The sleek ceramic knife lets you cut through delicate sashimi with ease, without damaging the soft pieces of fish. It functions with effortless ease and precision. It features a lightweight and sharp blade, and the use of ceramic requires minimal maintenance and doesn’t require constant sharpening.

What we like

  • Slices through sashimi with the finesse of an expert Japanese swordsman
  • Helps in preparing aesthetically appealing and delicious dishes

What we dislike

  • Fragile as compared to steel knives
  • It can be difficult to sharpen if the need arises

2. Mitsubishi Bread Oven

Named the Mitsubishi Bread Oven, this waffle maker-looking toaster will prepare the perfect toast for you. It has a classy veneer brown appearance, which seems to be right out of the ’80s. The toaster features a sealed thermal-insulated structure, letting you toast the perfect toast without releasing any moisture.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bread Oven features two plates that can handle temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The plates are quite handy, as they seal the bread slice and transfer the heat to it, preparing a soft and fluffy slice of toast for you, that isn’t dry at all.

What we like

  • Features four handy cooking settings – Toast, Frozen Toast, Topping, and French Toast
  • Elegant and good-looking appliance, which doesn’t look like an eye-sore on your dinner table or kitchen counter

What we dislike

  • It can only toast a single piece of bread, which isn’t very efficient
  • Bread with low sugar content takes longer to toast

3. PrecisionGrip Chopstick Tongs

Named the PrecisionGrip Chopstick Tongs, these unique little tongs are shaped like chopsticks. They’re great for picking up small pieces of food, supporting you with portion control, and preventing you from overeating. You can even turn the tongs over on the pan, letting you prepare meals like a pro chef.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Chopsticks Tongs are excellent for putting together bento boxes or eating sushi. The tongs are quite easy to use, and there is no wrong way to hold and use the tool.

What we like

  • Made from sustainable SUS821L1 stainless steel which is derived from scraps and offcuts

What we dislike

  • Difficult to use for larger pieces and cuts, only ideal for smaller food items

4. Ishiyaki Set

Called the Ishiyaki Set, this kitchen appliance brings an authentic and fascinating Japanese dining experience to your home, letting you prepare food in true teppanyaki style. It functions as a tabletop stone grill, allowing you to cook your meat the way you like it, in a personalized grilling set.

Why is it noteworthy?

It brings the Benihana experience to your home, letting you dry-sear your food before you eat it. It features a board with an additional porcelain tray to hold your food, as well as two bowls to hold your soy sauce and wasabi, creating the ultimate modern teppanyaki experience for you.

What we like

  • It brings the Benihana-style teppanyaki experience to your home
  • Ideal for dry-searing sashimi-style seafood like Tuna, Salmon, or Scallops, or meats like beef

What we dislike

  • Bulky, space-consuming design

5. Playful Palm Grater

Named the Playful Palm Grater, this compact little grater will add some whimsical yet functional fun to your dining experience. The grater is designed to fit into the palm of your hand, and you can nicely grate fresh ingredients into your food, elevating your meal to a gourmet-level experience.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

The palm grater looks like a curled piece of paper, and it is made from a single aluminum alloy plate. You can make your pick, as the grater is available in a variety of cool colors. You can select the one that suits your kitchen and personal taste.

What we like

  • Provides a firm grip, and is pretty easy to use
  • It converts the tedious act of grating into something exciting and fun

What we dislike

  • The grater’s size is quite cute and handy, but it doesn’t have the best design to grate large amounts of food

6. Rassen Chopsticks

The Rassen (spiral chopsticks) are designed by Nendo for Hashikura Matsukan. They are the perfect combination of fun and functionality, forming a product that is truly Japanese. You can combine the chopsticks together creating one convenient single unit, and you can pull them apart when needed.

Why is it noteworthy?

Bringing the chopsticks together and then separating them feels like you’re playing with a jigsaw puzzle. Using the chopsticks becomes a fun and interactive experience, bringing joy to your daily meal. And since you can easily combine the pair, you never have to live in fear of losing one!

What we like

  • Merges fun and functionality to form an interesting product
  • It is handmade by artisans

What we dislike

  • The design is quite new and unlike traditional chopsticks, and it can take a while to get used to them

7. Plate Grater

Called the Plate Grater, this tiny product looks like a little plate and can be set on the table. Once put on the table, you can use it to grate fresh ingredients into your meal. It merges the functionality of a plate with a grater. You can add fresh garnishes to your meal, preparing gourmet-style dishes.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65

Why is it noteworthy?

The Plate Grater features dual functionality and is a visually pleasing design, which lets you elevate your basic meal with some fresh garnishes.

What we like

  • Excellent for grating fresh ingredients onto your meal, and adding a gourmet touch

What we dislike

  • It may take a while for users to adjust to it and use it

8. Slim Fold Dish Rack

Say hello to the Slim Fold Dish Rack! This unique dish rack is portable, and you can carry it everywhere with you. It has a patent-pending spring mechanism which can be easily adjusted and drunk. You can deploy the dish rack when needed, making it super easy to set up and utilize.

Click Here to Buy Now: $75.00

Why is it noteworthy?

It features a minimal and sturdy design, which offers adequate ventilation, and makes more than enough space to store utensils, plates, and different cookware. The dish rack is an excellent product for your kitchen or for camping outdoors.

What we like

  • Easy to clean, maintain, and set up
  • Has a flexible collapsible form that you can carry anywhere with you

What we dislike

  • The wires of the rack are thin, making it tough to hold utensils

9. Hinoki Essence Cutting Board

Meet the Hinoki Essence Cutting Board – a beautiful wooden cutting board that offers you a hassle-free food-cutting experience. It is made from majestic hinoki cypress, and it is amped with a medium hardness which provides resistance without damaging knives. The cutting board has a minimal and visually appealing appearance.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The Hinoki Essence Cutting Board has a simple yet stunning aesthetic, and the use of premium cypress wood makes it the perfect companion to the Precision Ceramic Sashimi Knife. Pair up the two to have a stunning and functional duo for all your cutting needs.

What we like

  • Built from Hinoki Cypress Wood which is not too harsh on knives
  • It has a water-resistant silicone coating which prevents damage

What we dislike

  • Requires special care to maintain it, which can be tedious

10. Thanko Electric Bento Rice Cooker

Dubbed the Thanko Electric Bento Rice Cooker, this portable cooker allows you to cook up a bowl of warm rice whenever needed. The cooker has a small portable size, and it is designed to cook single-serve rice in a short duration of time. The light glows once your bowl of rice is cooked.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cooker is excellent for those who like to travel often and need a fresh bowl of rice for dinner. You can prepare six ounces of rice in one go, and it has a measuring cup for convenience.

What we like

  • It has a portable and easy-to-carry design
  • You can eat rice right from the corner

What we dislike

  • There doesn’t seem to be a variety of choices in sizes and colors

The post Top 10 Japanese-Inspired Cooking Accessories To Bring Minimalist Functionality To Your Kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.

10 Must-Have Note-Taking Accessories for Creative Professionals in 2024

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Have you ever thought of an incredible idea, only to not find a pen and paper around to jot it down, so you lose your amazing idea to oblivion? Well, if that’s the case then this collection of note-taking accessories is for you. If you’re someone who works better with taking notes and jotting down your plans and ideas, then this collection of note-taking accessories and designs is exactly what you need! From a personal whiteboard that lets you take notes anytime anywhere to a levitating pen – these accessories are a must-have for your desk. Happy writing!

1. Wipe

If you’re looking for an efficient and yet super unique note-taking accessory then you need to consider this little design! Called Wipe – this whiteboard notebook is truly innovative and one-of-a-kind. It features an eraser, making it a pretty easy design to write on, erase, and write again!

Click Here to Buy Now: $49.00

Why is it noteworthy?

Wipe’s size is quite compact and personal, making it a bit smaller than A4 paper. It is portable, allowing you to take it wherever you like. You can easily write on it, take a photo to save, and even send it to the cloud. It is the kind of fast, efficient, and simple device that doesn’t require much preparation to use.

What we like

  • Equipped with a Mag Force system, which merges rubber bands and magnets to build a handle that doubles up as a pen holder
  • Portable and easy-to-carry design

What we dislike

  • You can only use a dry-erase or whiteboard pen on it, not a permanent marker

2. Note

If we’re discussing efficient note-taking accessories, then how can we miss out on Note?! This compact desk whiteboard is the perfect note-taking accessory – it lets you take down notes with ease and efficiency. This isn’t your everyday note-taker, in fact, it has a few tricks up its sleeve to elevate your boring workday.

Why is it noteworthy?

Note is an innovative whiteboard that can be twisted or flipped over, giving you sufficient space to write your notes. One side of the whiteboard has a dotted grid surface, while the other side is plain, or you could even have the same design on both sides.

What we like

  • Equipped with a multi-purpose vertical screen which can be used to view time, calendar, and appointments

What we dislike

  • The screen doesn’t show videos, a function that may be important in some people’s fields of work

3. MagBoard Clipboard

Dubbed the MagBoard Clipboard, this thoughtfully designed solution lets you easily attach any paper onto it – whether blank, dotted, or grid. It lets you have the fresh paper smell always. You simply need to lift the magnetic panel, and leave your pen inside – your tools are ready for when the next big idea strikes.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45

Why is it noteworthy?

The clipboard is super easy to use and organize. It has a Magnet x Lever mechanism which stores your paper through a busy day, letting you easily shuffle your notes around as you go.

What we like

  • You can easily attach the clipboard to any metal surface
  • There is no ring to hold the paper, so the paper doesn’t tear as you remove it

What we dislike

  • The MagBoard Clipboard only holds a maximum of 30 sheets at a time

4. Portrait Paper Holder

These minimalist paper holders are designed to hold 500 sheets of paper while leaving sufficient space to hold a pen or pencil on its foot. The holder has a perfect L shape which is designed to hold that many sheets, while also making it easy to pull out a single piece from the bundle.

Click Here to Buy Now: $55.00

Why is it noteworthy?

Called the Portrait Paper Holder, the paper holder is really quite minimalist. It features a single sheet of stainless steel which is bent to a calculated shape, and then powder-coated in black, adding a lovely matte texture, which is also quite interesting to touch. A tiny iron rod holds the piece straight and upright.

What we like

  • It is quite easy to assemble and disassemble
  • You can easily stow it away for transportation

What we dislike

  • It has no mechanism to keep the papers from scattering or being blown away

5. Grovemade’s Note-Taking Kit

Say hello to this smart and efficient note-taking kit by Grovemade! Grovemade’s latest note-taking kit is the ideal product to capture, process, and store your notes in an efficient and organized manner. It is a thoughtfully-designed and aesthetic note-taking kit that will look pretty great on your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Note-Taking Kit by Grovemade comprises a refillable notepad with a dot grid paper and a solid metal base. It also includes a neat display rail to hold and store your notes and devices. The kit also contains a vertical organizer that will keep your notes aside until you’re completely ready to utilize them. The kit helps maintain a neat workdesk.

What we like

  • Helps maintain a neat and organized desk, helping you focus on the important tasks at hand

What we dislike

  • Will occupy a lot of precious real estate on your desk

6. XNote Smart Notebook

Called the XNote smart notebook, this innovative little smart notebook is intended to upgrade the experience of harnessing the power of AI to help you utilize your scribbles and sketches. You can easily transform them into summaries, tasks, and appointments, taking your work to the next level.

Why is it noteworthy?

The smart notebook utilizes ChatGPT while combining it with the absolute delight of writing on paper. It also uses digital technology to help you work in an intuitive, easy, and seamless manner.

What we like

  • The notebook detects invisible patterns so each stroke can be mirrored to the app via Bluetooth

What we dislike

  • It isn’t a great note-taking accessory for those who aren’t comfortable with using AI

7. Everlasting All-Metal Pencil

Dubbed the Everlasting All-Metal Pencil, this innovative pencil is designed to ensure you don’t deal with frail mechanical leads. You can bid adieu to these disruptions, and experience a seamless writing experience. You shouldn’t let your creativity get halted due to fragile leads or dull edges.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is crafted meticulously using a special alloy core in a sleek aluminum body. It offers a writing experience that is smooth and also quite virtually everlasting. The pencil ensures that you deliver top-quality content, without the issue of constant sharpening.

What we like

  • You can easily erase using regular erasers

What we dislike

  • There is no replacement tip

8. Levitating Pen

Dubbed the Levitating Pen, this grand writing instrument is designed to be a Schmidt ballpoint cartridge, which makes the pen quite efficient and easy to use. It gives you a smooth writing experience and makes note-taking a super easy and efficient task.

Why is it noteworthy?

You can close the pen’s magnetic cap with a satisfying click and place the pen in its holder. It has been magnetized to keep the pen floating in a certain position, which lets you interact with the pen.

What we like

  • Easy and smooth pen to write with
  • You can spin the pen in certain intervals making it a stress buster

What we dislike

  • The pen has smooth edges that may cause it to roll off when kept on a curved surface, so you could lose it

9. Japanese Memo Block

Called the Japanese paper Memo Block, this little design will capture your exciting and delightful thoughts, ensuring none of them escape you. It has a compact design which makes it easy to carry everywhere with you, ensuring you don’t have to miss out on any of the brilliant ideas that come in your head.

Click Here to Buy Now: $20.00

Why is it noteworthy?

With the Japanese paper Memo Block, you can note down your priceless thoughts the minute they get into your head. You can jot them down before you get distracted all over again. It has quite a small footprint, so you can easily carry it with you wherever you go.

What we like

  • Has a pure black/white surface which pulls out the intriguing thoughts from your head
  • Utilizes high-quality Japanese paper which is loved by stationery connoisseurs

What we dislike

  • It may seem like an ordinary notepad with no USP at first glance

10. Mover Erase Uni-size

Meet the Mover Erase Uni-size is what you would get if a whiteboard and a sticky note had a baby. It features a whiteboard-like glossy silicon surface which is excellent to write on using whiteboard markers. It also has a magnetic design onto which you can easily snap notes for future usage.

Why is it noteworthy?

It has a patented release technique that allows you to easily dislodge notes, much like pulling a stick note off a wall. The MEUs are color-coded, and they’re great for organizing your notes on the basis of category or urgency. It is available in two standard sizes, and it is similar to the popular Stick Note formats.

What we like

  • The paper looks as good as new, it doesn’t curl up or become frail

What we dislike

  • If the product falls too often, the magnets can drop out from the mover erase universal size

The post 10 Must-Have Note-Taking Accessories for Creative Professionals in 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Want to read in the dark? This ‘Illuminating Bookmark’ makes your pages light up at the right brightness

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There are two types of book readers – ones who read during the day and those who snuggle up in bed at night with a book. While the day readers get plenty of natural light, night readers sometimes struggle to find the right lumens that won’t strain their eyes and disturb the light sleeper sharing the bed while they lose themselves in the power of the written words. Numerous companies have come up with creative solutions to both these problems with night lights.

A good reading light defines your reading time; either you can enjoy a physical book or have to open up a Kindle, which will strain the eyes. There are plenty of night lights such as the Glocusent LED neck reading light or Vekkia Dual Heads Rechargeable book light that come with high recommendations, but they fall short when compared to the AwesomePre book light, which has an innovative design allowing a window into your book after dark.

Designer: BEBOP Design

Created for the LED technology development startup MemsLux, the AwesomePre is made to create an emotional connection between the reader and the story after the sun goes down. Shaped as a large window that can be placed on the page you are reading, the device uses MemsLux’s LED technology to emit comfortable light wavelength to give a private reading experience. It would be like gazing into your favorite escape world through a portal. Alas! You cannot magically cross it.

The main body has a ‘magic lighting plate’ made with a semiconductor process and contains barely visible micro-sized light emission patterns. The sophisticated design of the night light eliminates unnecessary clutter such as cords which works best for people who often toss and turn while reading. It also helps minimize clutter and distractions while you are immersed in a book. The slender frame of the device allows easy portability so you can stash the light in your bag and take it on your sleepovers or vacations.

It features control panels on the main body attached to the frame where the reader can adjust the light to their liking. The chargeable device can be used as a handheld light or placed atop the book. It can serve as a mood light when connected to the charging dock.

This reading light is particularly beneficial for people who like to read late into the night and do not want to disturb anyone in the room. Unlike its counterparts on the market, the accessory allows uniform light distribution on the page being read, so you don’t have to adjust it as you near the bottom or squint. The only downside we can think of is the lack of ergonomic comfort for readers who fancy reading in a laid-back position. Other than this, the accessory is a must-have for bookworms.

The post Want to read in the dark? This ‘Illuminating Bookmark’ makes your pages light up at the right brightness first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 MagSafe-Compatible Accessories to Upgrade Your iPhone Experience

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There’s just something about a MagSafe-compatible product that hits the mark for me! There is a great sense of satisfaction, in my opinion, to have things just stick to your phone. Be it a pair of earphones (maybe that’ll be the next generation of AirPods) or have your phone just conveniently stick to a charging pad – it’s almost like magic. The reintroduction of the MagSafe led to a whole new world of accessories being unleashed. Designers and creatives were racing to create a whole range of products for the repurposed MagSafe. And we’ve been loving every bit of it! From a MagSafe power bank that cools your phone to a Cyberpunk-themed charging station – there’s a MagSafe accessory out there for your every need. And, we’ve curated many products that we truly believe are worth buying and investing in. This army of accessories will truly amp up your Apple experience!

1.The Aulumu M01 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

 The Aulumu M01 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station has a unique cyberpunk-like aesthetic which truly sets this charger aside. It doesn’t feature a straightforward row of circles, instead it alternates their arrangement to create a visually appealing composition that instantly grabs attention. The colors alternate as well, as the white Apple Watch pad is surrounded by black circles for the iPhone and AirPods case. The charging station features the conventional text, lines, and visible screws you’d find in such a tech-centric design language.

2. UPRO Ostand Case

Dubbed the UPRO Ostand case, this innovative device is a winner of the iF Design Award. It upgrades your iPhone’s MagSafe by offering it a whole new bunch of awesome upgrades. You can make your phone stand, hang, or stay safely in your hands as you click pictures, or scroll through Instagram during your work break. At first glance, the Ostand case may not look too impressive, it looks like an ordinary iPhone case, but it features the all too familiar magnetic ring, giving it a noteworthy upgrade.

3. (Re)Classic

If you’re missing Apple’s MagSafe Power Bank, then you may want to get your hands on the (Re)Classic from Native Union. The little device measures .086cm thick, essentially as thick as your iPhone. You can swiftly attach it to your iPhone or any smartphone with the MagSafe sticker. This super cool power bank lets you easily and wirelessly charge your iPhone on the go! It has a slim and compact design, allowing to to seamlessly merge with your iPhone sleek’s profile. You don’t need to waste time handling heavy and uncomfortable power banks.

4. TORRAS MiniMag

Meet the TORRAS MiniMag – a compact MagSafe power bank that you can snap onto the back of your phone, giving it an instant and much-needed battery boost. The power bank is the size of a credit card, and it features a thickness of 0.3 inches. The MiniMag’s compact size and MagSafe compatibility allow it to seamlessly attach to your iPhone, powering it with an extra 5000mAh battery, allowing you to go about your day without the stress of your phone dying down any second.

5. The Elago WS M5 Charging Stand

Say hello to Elago’s WS M5 Charging Stand! This little design serves as a fun and whimsical MagSafe charger, and it resembles the Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP. This charger functions as a stable stand to charge and hold your iPhone. It has a fixed 30-degree angle which is excellent for watching videos or movies, or to utilize the IOS Standby Mode at night. The charging stand also includes a helpful support on the back, so that the charger doesn’t fall down, because of the phone’s weight.

6. Oakywood’s MagSafe iPhone Stand/Charger

Oakywood’s MagSafe iPhone Stand/Charger is truly a thing of beauty. It features a simple form factor, and a dual-shade wood construction, making it an aesthetic product with a design language similar to that found in Japanese and Scandinavian homes. Oakywood’s MagSafe Charger has a Japandi-like aesthetic, featuring an ethos focused on cleanliness and minimalism, without any clutter and materialism. This classy product adds a sense of rustic beauty to your workdesk, using natural materials like Oak and Walnut wood.

7. Ice Speed Freezemat Magsafe Wireless Charger

Dubbed the “Ice Speed Freezemat MagSafe Wireless Charger”, this little Apple accessory utilizes an intriguing method to dissipate heat, keeping the insides of your smartphone cool and at an optimum temperature during gaming or fast charging rituals. The charger is made from an aviation-grade cooling material, and it has a rather interesting cooling mechanism that draws inspiration from the way the human body sweats to dissipate heat.

8. Apple MagSafe Origami Grip Stand

If you’re looking for a unique MagSafe stand, then you need to get your hands on the Apple MagSafe Grip Stand! Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, you can fold this stand flat, and vice versa, without the hassle of assembling and disassembling it. This one-of-a-kind accessory is thin and lightweight, and sized like a credit card, making it easy to attach to your phone, and store it in your pocket, without it looking super weird or awkward!

Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00

9. Snapods

Designed by Scendo, the Snapods are an innovative pair of TWS Earbuds that come in a flat case that you can snap onto the back of your iPhone! The earbuds play on the MagSafe feature, letting you carry your earphones wherever you go. You simply need to snap them to the back of your phone, and you have a pair of easy-to-carry and easy-to-store earbuds that you surely won’t lose again. The case has a slim and flat wedge-shaped profile which makes it easy to place in your pocket, it doesn’t look bumpy or awkward. The case doesn’t simply store your earphones, it also charges them!

10. Shin & Han’s MagSafe Accessory

Are you someone who’s constantly on their phone, your face glued to the screen, and you have a hard time pulling away from it? Well, then you may want to get your hands on this unique MagSafe-compatible accessory. This innovative accessory is created to get over your digital addiction, ensuring you spend less time on your phone. You can easily attach the accessory to the back of your phone, and it features a real clock with a single-hour hand to ensure you are aware of the passing time. This little feature prevents you from spending too much time on your phone. You can also use it to hold your cards and quick cash!

The post Top 10 MagSafe-Compatible Accessories to Upgrade Your iPhone Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cyberpunk device is actually a functional 4-in-1 charger for Apple devices

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There are plenty of wireless chargers now in the market, many of which are designed for iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. And just like the Apple devices they support, the majority of these have designs that try to match the minimalist aesthetics of Apple’s products. There’s no argument that they’re appealing and even beautiful, but sometimes the uniformity of design can be a bit boring and unsatisfying. There’s always room for variety, and thankfully, some accessory makers are indeed taking up the challenge without going overboard. This design, for example, still manages to adopt a clean look even while adopting a more cyberpunk or sci-fi style that puts a new flavor to the typical charging pad.

Designer: Aulumu

It’s common for Apple-compatible wireless chargers these days to support all three devices. After all, it’s highly likely that an iPhone owner would have the other two accessories and would want to charge all three at the same time. The conventional design is to either have a flat surface for these devices or to have one raised and angled platform to have the iPhone charge at a more usable angle. The Aulumu M01 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station’s foldable design supports both modes, but that’s not exactly the most interesting thing about it.

What makes it special is its style, particularly the cyberpunk-like aesthetic it adopts. Rather than a straightforward row of circles for the wireless charging contacts, it alternates their arrangement to have a more visually interesting composition. The colors also alternate, with the white Apple Watch pad flanked by the black circles for the iPhone and AirPods case. It has the typical lines, text, and visible screws you’d find in this technology-centric design language, clearly separating it from the crop of wireless chargers.

Another interesting and uncommon detail is an LED light encased in what looks like a miniature vacuum tube bulb. It functions as a desk night light with three different levels of brightness, though not bright enough to be your only source of light. It gives the charging station a retro-futuristic image that you’d often find in cyberpunk designs.

In terms of functionality, Aulumu M01 even goes beyond your typical 3-in-1 charger by supporting the iPad as well, though you’ll have to connect that using a USB-C cable. The cyberpunk design definitely won’t sit well with everyone, but it offers a breath of fresh air for those who’re already tired of looking at minimalist designs everywhere they turn.

The post Cyberpunk device is actually a functional 4-in-1 charger for Apple devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Paper clip-shaped device concept helps develop habits by tracking activities

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We have all these fancy hi-tech trackers today that monitor our health and our activities, ranging from simple fitness trackers to complex smartwatches. While these activities might be important on their own, they’re often made in some context like forming good habits. Unfortunately, these devices and their connected apps often simply log physical activities and states and file them under the category of healthy living. Trackers don’t take into account activities like reading a book, drinking water regularly, and things that a smartwatch can’t really monitor. That’s what this tracker design concept is trying to address, and it takes its inspiration from one of the most common things we attach to other objects: the classic paper clip.

Designer: Andrea Mangone

Although it does have “paper” on its name, we often see a paper clip attached to other objects, even those thick enough to bend the metal clip. The tool serves not only to put two things together but, more often than not, as a reminder to do something at a later time. Likewise, this activity tracker that takes the form of a large paper clip serves as a reminder to do the activity related to the object they’re attached to, and it actually tracks whether you did that or not automatically.

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Named after a popular daily journaling app, the DAY ONE tracker combines the functionality of physical activity trackers with the behavior-forming features of habit-tracking apps in a simple yet pleasing design. In essence, you set one such clip-like tracker on a base accessory that’s connected to a smartphone, assign that tracker to a particular habit you want to build, and then attach it to the physical object associated with the habit, like running shoes, a book, or a water bottle. Whenever you pick up and use one of these items, their activity will be detected and registered on the app, sort of like checking a box to indicate that you’ve done that habit for the day.

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The trick to ONE DAY is to clip it to objects that you use for that habit. This is where the paper clip design comes in handy as it allows the tracker to be attached to almost anything, regardless of the thickness. If it’s thin like a paper or a page of a book, you can simply slip it in like a regular paper clip. For something thicker like a tablet or a yoga mat, you use its longer side to attach to the object’s edge. Or you can simply hook it to a carabiner or loop, though that seems to also risk having it move around and drop accidentally.

DAY ONE is an interesting idea for giving more relevant contexts to activity trackers, making them relevant beyond exercise and physical activities. It still requires the person to exercise some willpower to actually put those into action, but the clips at least serve as a very visible reminder of what they need to pick up to develop the habit. That said, the paper clip design is a bit too bulky for something that might need to squeeze into tight spaces, and it could end up getting dislodged and lost somewhere along the way.

The post Paper clip-shaped device concept helps develop habits by tracking activities first appeared on Yanko Design.

Paper clip-shaped device concept helps develop habits by tracking activities

Posted on by

We have all these fancy hi-tech trackers today that monitor our health and our activities, ranging from simple fitness trackers to complex smartwatches. While these activities might be important on their own, they’re often made in some context like forming good habits. Unfortunately, these devices and their connected apps often simply log physical activities and states and file them under the category of healthy living. Trackers don’t take into account activities like reading a book, drinking water regularly, and things that a smartwatch can’t really monitor. That’s what this tracker design concept is trying to address, and it takes its inspiration from one of the most common things we attach to other objects: the classic paper clip.

Designer: Andrea Mangone

Although it does have “paper” on its name, we often see a paper clip attached to other objects, even those thick enough to bend the metal clip. The tool serves not only to put two things together but, more often than not, as a reminder to do something at a later time. Likewise, this activity tracker that takes the form of a large paper clip serves as a reminder to do the activity related to the object they’re attached to, and it actually tracks whether you did that or not automatically.

1

Named after a popular daily journaling app, the DAY ONE tracker combines the functionality of physical activity trackers with the behavior-forming features of habit-tracking apps in a simple yet pleasing design. In essence, you set one such clip-like tracker on a base accessory that’s connected to a smartphone, assign that tracker to a particular habit you want to build, and then attach it to the physical object associated with the habit, like running shoes, a book, or a water bottle. Whenever you pick up and use one of these items, their activity will be detected and registered on the app, sort of like checking a box to indicate that you’ve done that habit for the day.

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The trick to ONE DAY is to clip it to objects that you use for that habit. This is where the paper clip design comes in handy as it allows the tracker to be attached to almost anything, regardless of the thickness. If it’s thin like a paper or a page of a book, you can simply slip it in like a regular paper clip. For something thicker like a tablet or a yoga mat, you use its longer side to attach to the object’s edge. Or you can simply hook it to a carabiner or loop, though that seems to also risk having it move around and drop accidentally.

DAY ONE is an interesting idea for giving more relevant contexts to activity trackers, making them relevant beyond exercise and physical activities. It still requires the person to exercise some willpower to actually put those into action, but the clips at least serve as a very visible reminder of what they need to pick up to develop the habit. That said, the paper clip design is a bit too bulky for something that might need to squeeze into tight spaces, and it could end up getting dislodged and lost somewhere along the way.

The post Paper clip-shaped device concept helps develop habits by tracking activities first appeared on Yanko Design.