We’ve got AI practically inserting itself in every aspect of our lives and we’re still using old-fashioned measuring tapes and metal/plastic/wooden rulers to measure distances? That, I can’t tolerate.
Meet the NeoRulerGO, a tinier version of Hozo Design’s NeoRuler smart measuring device from last year. Having practically pioneered the concept of a rolling ruler powered by a smart chipset, Hozo Design’s earlier devices could measure curved surfaces, linear distances, random undulating lines, and even scale up or down measurements, converting units on the go. The only problem, if there ever was one, was that the gadgets weren’t really as small as a bundle of measuring tape. The NeoRulerGO, on the other hand, is roughly the size of a car’s keyfob, but can measure everything from millimeters to miles with stunning accuracy. Just roll the NeoRulerGO from point A to B, and distances get captured on its tiny display. You can then convert them, scale them, or send them to the MEAZOR app, which then lets you turn measurements into technical drawings in seconds.
The NeoRulerGO is pocket-friendly in more ways than one. It costs a mere $49, weighs an ounce and a half, and is small enough to fit around a keychain, or even be attached to your belt loop to carry around. The compact size, however, doesn’t take away from how handy it is when it comes to measuring surfaces. Hold it the way you’d hold a keyfob, and roll it along straight or curved lines, or even between two corners. A laser guide helps you stay in line with 1mm accuracy, a screen helps you see how far you’ve come, and an app captures all your measurements for you to refer back to later.
Line
Curve
Irregular
The rolling ruler design makes the NeoRulerGO perfect for a whole variety of measurements. You can use it like a scale, measuring linear distances, or like a tape, measuring curved profiles. The roller allows you to keep going without running out of tape or exhausting the length of your scale, which means you could practically go on for yards and meters in one single movement. Meanwhile, a laser guide lets you know your start and end points, so you can measure even in tight spaces, from one corner to another, or even across complicated surfaces without losing your way or going off course. The laser line also improves your accuracy, allowing you to roll in a straight linear movement for perfect measuring. 93 built-in scales let you measure in both metric and imperial units, gathering distances and even calculating areas. Measuring a blueprint for a house? The NeoRulerGO can scale up your measurements, turning inches into feet, or giving you the ability to determine a scale of your choosing.
What makes the NeoRulerGO even more of a must-have for creatives is the fact that it comes with a snap-on stationery case. Given its compact form factor, the folks at Hozo Design decided to turn the device modular, allowing it to easily snap onto the NeoPencil Case. The long-ish case holds a NeoPencil Mini, but also serves as an ergonomic handle for the ruler, allowing you to roll/measure while holding comfortably. In between measurements, open the case and you’ll find a compact NeoPencil Mini inside. The pencil sports a classy aluminum alloy body, with an attachable graphite tip that can be replaced when dull or used up. The case’s lid holds 4 extra replaceable graphite tips, allowing you to sketch, edit, measure, and mark-up all in one device.
The NeoRulerGO is a tiny device that’s a mere 12mm (0.5 inches) thick and weighs just 45 grams or 1.5 ounces. A built-in battery gives it 90 days worth of use on a full charge, and for what it’s worth, the entire device is IP54 water and dust-resistant. The NeoRulerGO starts at a discounted $49, and for $109 you can upgrade to the premium bundle which includes the NeoPencil Case, a NeoPencil Mini, as well as other Hozo Design products like the NeoPencil Classic, and NeoStands with both color and black graphite nibs for the pencil.
Apple is set to revolutionize accessibility with a suite of new features coming later this year. These enhancements include Eye Tracking for iPad and iPhone, allowing users with physical disabilities to navigate their devices with just their eyes. Music Haptics will enable deaf or hard-of-hearing users to experience music through refined vibrations from the iPhone’s Taptic Engine. Vocal Shortcuts introduce custom sounds for task automation, while Listen for Atypical Speech enhances speech recognition for users with speech-related conditions. Vehicle Motion Cues aim to reduce motion sickness by using animated dots to minimize sensory conflicts for passengers in moving vehicles. CarPlay will see updates such as Voice Control, Color Filters, and Sound Recognition to improve accessibility. Additionally, visionOS will introduce systemwide Live Captions, support for hearing devices, and features for low vision users, furthering Apple’s commitment to inclusive design.
Designer: Apple
Eye Tracking uses the front-facing camera and on-device machine learning to enable users to control their devices with their eyes. It’s designed for people with physical disabilities, offering an easy and intuitive way to navigate without extra hardware. After a quick setup and calibration using the front-facing camera, users can move through apps by looking at elements. This interaction can trigger actions like pressing buttons, swiping, and performing other gestures. All data is processed and stored on the device, ensuring user privacy. This feature adapts to individual patterns through machine learning, providing a powerful tool for users with physical disabilities to navigate their devices easily.
Music Haptics provides a new way for deaf or hard-of-hearing users to experience music through vibrations. Using the Taptic Engine, the iPhone creates tactile feedback that syncs with the music’s rhythm, melody, and intensity. This tactile feedback allows users to feel the music, making it more accessible and enjoyable. Music Haptics works across millions of songs in the Apple Music catalog and is available as an API for developers to integrate into their apps, further expanding its accessibility. The feature is designed to be easy to use, with simple settings to turn it on and off.
Vehicle Motion Cues help reduce motion sickness by displaying animated dots at the screen’s edges, aligning visual input with the vehicle’s motion. This feature addresses the sensory conflict that often causes motion sickness, where what a person sees doesn’t match what they feel. Using built-in sensors, this feature detects when a user is in a moving vehicle and activates automatically or can be toggled in the Control Center. By providing a visual representation of vehicle motion, Vehicle Motion Cues make it easier for users to read, watch, or interact with content on their devices without experiencing discomfort.
CarPlay will also see significant improvements, enhancing accessibility for users with various needs. Voice Control will allow users to navigate and control CarPlay apps using their voice, providing a hands-free experience. Color Filters will make the interface more accessible for colorblind users by adjusting the display to distinguish between different colors. Sound Recognition will notify users of important sounds like car horns and sirens, ensuring that drivers and passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing remain aware of their surroundings.
visionOS will introduce systemwide Live Captions, further supporting users who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing real-time captions for spoken dialogue in live conversations and audio from apps. The update will also expand support for Made for iPhone hearing devices and cochlear hearing processors, ensuring seamless integration with Apple Vision Pro. For users with low vision, new features such as Reduce Transparency, Smart Invert, and Dim Flashing Lights will make the interface more comfortable and easier to navigate.
These advancements highlight Apple’s dedication to inclusive design, pushing technology’s boundaries to create the best experience for all users. To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple will host curated collections and sessions at select Apple Store locations, allowing users to explore and learn about these new accessibility features. By constantly innovating and improving accessibility, Apple ensures its devices remain accessible to everyone, empowering all users to enjoy and benefit from the latest technological advancements.
Since Apple came into existence in 1976, it has always been at the peak of modern innovation! And let’s take a moment to appreciate all the awesome products and inspiration Apple has provided us with. The groundbreaking tech giant never fails to surprise us, we always find ourselves biting our nails and squirming with curiosity, whenever Apple announces a new product launch. And, the launch of a new iPhone every year is also one of the things that gets us going! The launch of the iPhone 15 series this month had us completely swooning over it! With their sleek designs, advanced technology, and drool-worthy camera if you’re planning to buy any of the iPhones, then you’ve reached the right spot. We’ve curated a collection of unique, innovative, and super useful accessories for your new iPhone. Dive in!
1. UPRO Ostand Case
Dubbed the UPRO Ostand case, this unique design won the iF Design Award. It elevates your iPhone’s MagSafe to a whole new level, by amping it with a bunch of cool upgrades. This ensures that the iPhone stands, hangs, or stays firmly in your hands as you click a picture, or reply to an email. It may look like a boring old iPhone case, but it is equipped with the familiar magnetic ring, which offers it a cool upgrade.
2. (Re)Classic
Apple’s MagSafe Power Bank isn’t available anymore, but the (Re)Classic from Native Union does a terrific job as well! It measures .086cm thick, making it as thick as your iPhone. You can attach it to the back of your iPhone, or any smartphone with the MagSafe sticker. The power bank allows you to easily and wirelessly charge your iPhone wherever you please. It features a slim design, which effortlessly merges into your iPhone’s sleek profile, and you don’t need to deal with a heavy and bulky power bank.
3. The Elago WS M5 Charging Stand
The Elago WS M5 Charging Stand functions as a fun and whimsical MagSafe charger in the form of the Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP. It serves as a stable stand to charge your phone. It features a fixed 30-degree angle which is great for watching videos or to use the IOS Standby Mode at night. The stand also has a helpful support on the back, to ensure that the charger doesn’t fall back, due to the phone’s weight.
4. Icemag
Called the Icemag – this is the world’s first power bank with an innovative turbo-cooling feature. Designed by the Sharge, the power bank remains cool, and keeps your phone cool as well during charging. It has an ultra-silent fan that moves at the speed of 8000 RPM, and it cools the battery pack inside. At the same time, the power bank charges your phone, and nothing gets heated up during charging.
5. Electric Trout Charging Docks
Designed by David Stychno, the Electric Trout charging docks are built from acrylic. They feature productive and sleek silhouettes and are a fun upgrade from the old-school docks. The docks cater to a large range of users, and they have MagSafe-compatible charging solutions for one, two, or even a whole bunch of Apple’s handheld and wearables!
6. iPod Wallpapers Pack
Meet the iPod Wallpapers Pack which transforms your iPhone lock screen into a makeshift iPod! It displays the popular music player’s display which showcases the date and time, as well as your iPhone lock screen widgets. It doesn’t control music playback, although we wish it would! How cool is this one?
7. The MAG:3
Called the MAG:3, this MagSafe wireless charging device by Courant resembles a minimalist valet tray for your iPhone, and AirPods, as well as other objects you need to place on your side table and desk. This tray ensures your belongings are organized in a neat manner. The device is available in leather and linen options, as well as in multiple colors. You can select the one that complements your home and work aesthetics.
8. Belkin iPhone Mount
The Belkin iPhone Mount is a nifty design with MagSafe which converts your iPhone into a webcam for the Apple 4K TV. It is a versatile mount that you can directly attack on your TV. You don’t need wires or tools to attach it. You can utilize your iPhone’s rear camera for FaceTime or Zoom calls with it. You could also fold the stand in landscape or portrait mode on a wall or table through magnetic attachment.
9. Side Note
Named the Side Note, this little leather-bound notebook has an integrated pen and a MagSafe-compatible design which you can snap onto your iPhone or any magnetic surface. It functions as an analog notepad by your side, and you can swiftly take down notes and journal. You don’t need a different physical notebook, as there is already one attached to your phone.
10. The MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank
Named the MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank, this design has a 10000mAH capacity which elevates the wireless charging and power bank experience. It was designed by Neo Bie and Leigui Lui for Stylepiece, and it includes four operation buttons – SELECT, START, A, B, and a d-pad (directional pad). The lower section works as the stand of the power bank.
Let’s face it. Water is good, but single-use plastic isn’t. The folks at LARQ want to bridge that gap by making hydration easy for you and the planet. After working on a “self-cleaning” pitcher and bottle in the past, the company is back with the LARQ Bottle PureVis 2, or what just happens to be the most cutting-edge bottle we’ve seen. LARQ calls it the “ultimate hydration companion — which by all accounts appears to be true, with UV purification, filtration, hydration reminders, and app connectivity all rolled up in a neat well-designed package. The larger of the two sizes of bottles holds 1 liter of water, and periodically sanitizes using a UV light built into the bottle’s cap. Dubbed the “PureVis technology”, this system eliminates up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants. Then, proprietary Nano Zero filters remove chlorine and PFOA/PFOS from your drinking water with each sip, ensuring your water is pure and tastes great. Each bottle is also accompanied by a hydration tracking system via the LARQ app which sets reminders to help you achieve your hydration goals. It’s a complex system that’s all designed with a singular goal — to help you drink more water without any of those single-use plastics making their way into our landfills and our Earth.
The LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 is an elegant upgrade to the company’s Bottle PureVis from 2017. The bottle keeps its flagship technology, PureVis to clean drinking water by killing bacteria and microorganisms like E.coli and Salmonella in seconds. In this second iteration, LARQ has added several nifty upgrades that we’ve all been waiting for. For the first time ever, LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 now has purification and filtration in one.
The two stages include a UV-purification stage that carries over from the PureVis Pitcher, a fan favorite for the home. The UV light kicks in automatically every two hours, or can be activated simply by pressing the button on top of the bottle’s lid, giving your water (as well as the bottle itself) a round of disinfection to obliterate 99.9999% of bio-contaminants. Sure, that’s a whole lot of 9s, but any math or science buff can tell you that it’s impossible to achieve 100% certainty. While the PureVis system works periodically, the bottle’s sipper comes outfitted with LARQ’s Nano Zero filters which remove harmful contaminants like Chlorine, Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), chemicals that are often found in drinking water that are known to be bad for you. The Nano Zero filters trap these contaminants, ensuring your drinking water is pure beyond EPA standards for consumption.
Track: Set your goals to improve hydration. Remind: Customize reminders to elevate your hydration game. Insights: Turn insights into action and stay on top of your goals.
Clean water, however, as LARQ founder Justin Wang will tell you, isn’t the biggest problem when it comes to drinking adequate amounts of water — it’s that people simply forget to drink water. You can lead a horse to the river, as they say… but it takes that extra push to motivate you to drink enough water. That’s why LARQ is building a companion app that will integrate seamlessly with Bottle PureVis 2, which includes hydration tracking and reminders which connect to sensors in the Bottle PureVis 2 cap to light up when it’s time to take another sip. The app tracks your hydration, measures it against your goals, sends push notifications, and even ties in with your fitness app for an overall health analysis. If that somehow seems like technological overkill to you, the bottle even has a reminder LED ring around the lid that will tell you when it’s time to drink more water – a simpler way to get you hydrated more often.
Download the LARQ App: Track, monitor, and manage your LARQ Bottle PureVis 2
The entire purification system and hydration tracking tech fits perfectly into the LARQ Bottle PureVis 2’s elegant design. A double-wall insulated outer shell ensures your water stays at the temperature you want, a removable handle makes it easy to carry your bottle around with you, and the bottle’s lid encourages both sipping and swigging, catering to both kinds of drinking styles. A USB-C port on the lid helps charge your LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 with ease, one charge lasts 2-3 weeks of use. The bottle will come in 4 colors and two sizes – 680ml (23 oz) and 1 liter (34 oz), both of which are perfect for taking on the go. Pre-order now for up to $40 off the retail price.
Among all the senses, smell is probably the one that I don’t really pay attention to (or may be the least popular for ordinary folks). But it is actually the one that is most associated with memory. We associate specific smells with memories of our childhood or with certain episodes in our lives. It is also something that can help you manage your emotions as evidenced by the popularity of aromatherapy. This concept for one such product is pretty interesting especially if your nose is sensitive to smells and moods.
Designer Name: Kanglee Lee, Jiwon Lee, Jeongmin Ham
Memoraphy, a combination of the words memory and therapy, is a concept for a device that can “prescribe” a scent for you depending on your mood and need. It looks like one of those laboratory devices with different pods or a coffee machine but instead of dispensing liquids or caffeine, you get different fragrances that can help you uplift your mood, relax, or whatever your emotional need is that can be helped by smelling something. You can choose to use it as a diffuser or to produce a perfume or a plaster air freshener.
There are six types of main fragrances available: bergamot (for depression, anxiety, and apparently, UTI), rose (to give a positive mood), orange (to relieve stress and enhance taste bud), sandalwood (relieves nervous tension and anxiety), chamomile (helps relax the mind, counter insomnia), claysage (mood stabilisation). You start off the process by inputting into the machine your current mood and drawing or writing to get a “diagnosis” for the right scent. Then you choose the output type and the machine will then create the product for you.
This is a pretty interesting product to have, at least on paper. There may be some feasibility questions if it gets turned into an actual product since there are different outputs for it but that’s a problem for another day. If you’re a believer in aromatherapy, you’d probably want something like this in your home to help lighten your mood, help you fall asleep, and even combat other mental health issues.
In the ever-evolving landscape of product design, from ideation to realization, 3D printing technology is revolutionizing contemporary design practices. 3D printing technology employs computer-aided design (CAD) and fabricates objects layer by layer. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive industries, and industrial product design for creating tools, parts, and prototypes, this process, also known as additive manufacturing, layers materials like plastics, composites, or bio-materials to produce objects of varying shapes, sizes, rigidity, and color.
The commonly selected 3D printing technologies include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), PolyJet, and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). XiP is an advanced resin 3D printer by Nexa3D, offering professional-grade printing at speeds 6 times faster than SLA printers and over 10 times faster than filament 3D printers. With a 4.8L build volume and a 9.3″ 4K Monochrome LCD, it delivers crisp details. Its compact desktop design houses industrial LSPc technology, ensuring stability with a billet aluminum enclosure and precision ball screw Z-axis platform. The printer supports a wide range of resins, including proprietary formulations for diverse applications, all dispensed through smart recyclable cartridges.
What are the benefits of 3D Printing?
• Reduces Costs:
3D printing offers significant cost advantages over traditional manufacturing methods due to its automation, resulting in reduced labor expenses. Moreover, its minimal waste production leads to lower material costs.
• Produces Complex Designs
3D printing exceeds the design constraints of traditional manufacturing, enabling the creation of intricate designs, including square or circular punctures or abstract designs with fewer restrictions.
• Promotes Internal Manufacturing
3D printers enable rapid prototyping, eliminating the need for outsourcing. This accelerates the design and production of new products, enhancing overall efficiency.
• Rapid Prototyping
3D printing enables the production of designs that were previously impossible with conventional manufacturing methods. By transforming digital files into physical parts within hours, this technology allows companies to adopt an on-demand manufacturing model for parts. 3D printing offers a comprehensive solution, facilitating prototyping, and short-run production, thereby transforming every aspect of businesses.
• Minimizes Waste
Traditional manufacturing generates substantial material waste due to inefficiencies while additive manufacturing minimizes waste by precisely utilizing materials, only using what’s necessary for each product or part. This is a great way to reduce material costs and improve environmental sustainability for companies.
• Manufactures Diverse Products
Industries across the board are leveraging 3D printing for a diverse range of products. From consumer goods like eyewear and furniture to industrial tools and automotive parts, technology is reshaping manufacturing. It’s also vital in healthcare for prosthetics and orthotics alongside architectural models. Additionally, the film industry benefits from 3D printing for creating intricate props.
Top 10 Examples of 3D Printing in Product Design
Here are Top Ten examples of how 3D printing is used in product design across various product types:
Acclaimed Australian designer Julia Koerner merges nature and computer algorithms with 3D printing and innovative resin-based techniques to create her award-winning handbag collection, resulting in visually lightweight yet rigid designs with a distinctive skeletal aesthetic. Inspired by the organic shapes of dried kelp found along the Pacific coastline, Koerner’s KELP MINI handbag seamlessly blends artistry with functionality. Each meticulously crafted handbag is created with sustainable plant-based materials and solar-powered manufacturing, offering clever design elements like hinged bases and snap closures, making them ideal for storing essentials with style and efficiency.
MYCO-ALGA presents a groundbreaking interior tiling solution that transforms bathroom aesthetics. These 3D-printed tiles are crafted from repurposed natural waste and living organisms, featuring captivating designs inspired by organic forms. Sustainable at every stage, MYCO-ALGA tiles undergo a precise process encompassing digital design, 3D printing, organism cultivation, and bio-pigment enrichment. As a result, the outcome is eye-catching tiles with unique, non-repeating patterns resembling crawling organisms, that offer both lightweight durability and visual allure that effortlessly merge style with sustainability.
Barcelona-based company introduces Pure Plants, 3D-printed sculptures doubling as air purifiers. Utilizing Pure.Tech technology efficiently absorbs and neutralizes indoor pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Mimicking plant structures with geometric patterns, these sculptures enhance decor while promoting healthier indoor air quality. Crafted from sustainable Pure.Tech biomaterial and PLA bioplastic derived from corn dextrose integrate aesthetics with eco-consciousness.
EXPLR 02 is a futuristic 3D-printed shoe blending wireframe-inspired aesthetics with organic elements. Crafted with advanced techniques, it epitomizes modern manufacturing’s versatility. While challenging footwear norms, questions linger about real-world durability. Yet, EXPLR 02 signifies a leap in innovative, personalized shoe designs, shaping the evolution of 3D-printed footwear.
The 3D-printed Hula table lamp, envisioned by Felix Pöttinger, ingeniously merges direct and indirect lighting to efficiently illuminate spaces, tackling urban living challenges by minimizing glare. Its ring-shaped shade, reminiscent of a hula hoop, is available in Snow, Forest, and Blossom Pink, adding a distinct flair to any setting.
The University of Virginia research team has developed an innovative 3D printing method using soil infused with seeds to create plant-covered structures like walls and roofs. The team’s eco-friendly approach integrates greenery into architecture, providing natural insulation, flood prevention, and green spaces. By minimizing materials and utilizing locally sourced resources, their process reduces emissions and waste. With plans to expand their prototypes and improve their soil ink formula, the team aims to contribute to carbon-neutral construction.
Architecture is no exception in the age of ubiquitous 3D printing, with many firms favoring this method for building structures. Cement company Progreso recently collaborated with COBOD to construct Guatemala’s first 3D-printed building to withstand seismic activity. This compact home, completed in just over 24 hours, merges modern construction techniques with traditional craftsmanship, featuring organic-shaped walls and a traditional palm leaf roof. With a footprint of 527 square feet, the structure operates as a fully functional living space capable of withstanding extreme seismic events.
Oeschler’s new manufacturing technique, demonstrated in Johannes Steinbauer’s Office for Design’s 3D-printed seats, eliminates traditional materials while maintaining comfort and functionality. 3D printing is reshaping furniture design and manufacturing, introducing innovation in sustainability and functionality. With a simple yet versatile design, these chairs offer easy assembly and recyclability, signaling a promising future for 3D-printed furniture in the industry.
Wood is a preferred choice for its eco-friendliness, yet shaping and recycling pose challenges. Enter 3D-printed wooden partition screens and window coverings, offering a breakthrough solution. While 3D printing democratizes design, it also increases material waste, prompting a search for sustainable options. Crafted from wood waste and fortified with natural elements, this innovative material resembles wood in appearance, texture, and scent. Moreover, its circular lifecycle allows for recycling into new forms, minimizing waste. Despite potential production cost concerns, its promise for intricate designs and sustainability makes it attractive for environmentally conscious designers.
10. Homeware
Crafted by Vienna-based designer Nicolas Gold, renowned for his expertise in “Tiny Furniture,” this collection employs 3D printing. The range comprises vases, bowls, planters, and lighting, all crafted from lightweight, recyclable bioplastic sourced from corn. This blend of architectural precision and modern technology results in sophisticated homeware where design, architecture, and 3D printing harmonize seamlessly. The Tiny Architecture collection showcases intricate patterns such as the asymmetrical Bloz and fabric-like Fald, crafted from partially recycled materials to enhance their individuality.
Smartphones and smart speakers are pretty useful devices for times when emergencies and disasters are upon us and you need to be alerted to the dangers. But for those who are hearing-impaired, they may not be able to get fast access to information, especially if they’re not looking at their screens. Light flashes and vibrations are the fastest way to catch the attention of these individuals so devices that utilize these features can be helpful to both the hearing-impaired and regular hearing people.
Designers: Kim Myeonjin, Noh Gaeun
Lamptok is a concept for a lighting solution that can be attached to a smartphone or any surface in order to give information to the hearing impaired about a dangerous or important happening. It’s basically a notification medium that uses lighting and vibrations to alert the user to any disaster or emergency. Think of it as a griptok for your phone except its main purpose is not for you to hold your phone properly but to give lighting and vibrating cues for times when it is needed.
The round device can also be adjusted from something that can fit onto your finger to something that can be securely attached to any surface. It can be charged wirelessly, is MagSafe compatible, and has a USB-C port for wired charging. During times of disaster, it can be integrated with alert systems and also has built-in pictograms to help the user quickly understand what’s going on. It also has stronger vibrations than the smartphone so it can also be used as a sort of alarm clock. It is able to detect abnormal sounds as well and will alert the user to it. And it can also alert you to notifications on your phone.
Lamptok can be connected to your smartphone through Bluetooth so you are able to better control and customize it. The renders show the device in different colors like olive green, black, white, and orange. It is probably also designed to be water proof since there’s a render of it attached to the bathroom tiles for when you’re taking a bath and still need to be aware of what’s happening. This should be useful for hearing impaired people so hopefully this gets turned into an actual product.
If I could review a tablet with one word, I’d pick the iPad Pro, and the word I’d use is perfect. You’d probably demand an explanation, right? Apple has achieved design perfection with the iPad Pro, both inside and out, as well as with the redesigned Magic Keyboard. Now, before you start asking, “What about iPadOS? It’s nowhere near perfect,” let me clarify: I’m specifically talking about the hardware here. We’ll have to wait until WWDC 2024 in June to see what Apple has in store for the operating system.
Over thirty-odd years ago, I enjoyed reading philosophy in my spare time, and one of my favorite philosophers is Plato. Okay, you caught me—rarely does anyone read Plato just for fun. But it’s true that Plato’s “perfect object theory” inspired me in my quest as a tech and automotive journalist to find the perfect [fill in the blank]. My search didn’t initially start with the iPad; I was hoping for a “MacBook touch.” I even bought the domain name MacBooktouch.com back in 2007 as proof that I foresaw Apple making a touch-screen MacBook.
macbooktouch.com domain name
Fast-forward to 2015, when we got the iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display and the first Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. That hardware wasn’t close to a MacBook Touch. Nine years later, or 17 years since I registered macbooktouch.com, we finally have the closest thing to a MacBook touch.
The MacBook touch—er, 2024 iPad Pro—is powered by the M4 chip. In case you don’t know, it’s the only device with this new processor. The only things keeping this device from being a MacBook touch are 1) the iPad branding and 2) it’s not running macOS. Is it capable of running macOS? Absolutely. So, why isn’t it? I’ll leave that for you to ponder.
Before I move on, I won’t be revisiting whether you should upgrade to this year’s iPad Pro. If you’re asking if you should, read my analysis here. Okay, let’s dig in, and if anything I say in this article sounds familiar, you’re right—you’ve probably heard it from tech YouTubers or read it in reviews over the past week. Just think of what I’m sharing as confirmation.
The iPad Pro is lightweight, thin, and sexy as hell. It exudes minimalist charm, practically begging, “Pick me up and use me right now!” The Magic Keyboard is what makes this iPad Pro a true MacBook replacement. It’s the key to unlocking the full potential of the iPad Pro, providing a MacBook Pro-like experience with a responsive trackpad, comfortable keys with the right amount of travel, and premium build quality.
Comically, early reviewers seemed genuinely surprised that Apple managed to thin out the iPad Pro even more. One famous YouTuber even asked, “Who was asking for it?” Well, my friends, that “who” was yours truly. Apple delivered on almost everything I asked for, except for titanium—and yes, that was wishful thinking. I’m happily settling for aluminum for both the iPad and Magic Keyboard. I’m also thrilled that both devices have shed some weight, making the iPad, especially the 13-inch model, much more manageable to hold and use over longer periods. The 11-inch model is now just 5.3mm thick and weighs 444 grams, while the 13-inch model is 5.1mm thick and weighs 580 grams.
Briefly touching on the Magic Keyboard, I’ll save the full details for the review, but Apple addressed my issue where the lower portion of the iPad Pro would constantly get in the way of my typing. Thanks to a whole new redesigned hinge system, it’s possible to have a full-size keyboard with an entire row of function keys. For those developers out there yearning for an ESC key, you have it now. The way Apple designed the placement of the iPad, which is now pushed further back yet still articulates at the same or greater angles than the outgoing model, reminds me of how car designers suddenly got so much more room to play with when designing electric vehicles sans the motor. The wheels are pushed further to the edges, creating more internal room for leg space and whatever else they can dream up. I’m sure the new hinges were no small task, but wow—a full keyboard with a function row and a larger trackpad, a proper MacBook Pro-style trackpad with a haptic engine built in.
At the end of the day, I really don’t care what the iPad’s called; what matters most to me is what I’m able to do with it in real life. Whether consuming content or playing games (which I rarely do, but hey, I might start) without a bulky keyboard, or getting down to business and writing, like I am doing right now with this article and many others to come, I know this is the ultimate, ultra-portable device that ticks all my needs now and possibly over the next decade.
I’ve left out a lot in this initial impressions article, such as display quality, performance, battery life, the Apple Pencil Pro, and other features. I also haven’t compared it to my existing 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the M1 chip. But rest assured, I’ll cover all these aspects in my full review. I just need more time to test everything thoroughly.
One of my family’s favorite things to see at places like malls and airports are the drug sniffing dogs. We always joke about wanting to pet them, although of course we’re not supposed to. But there are times when I pity them since they have to work hard and it can even be dangerous for them. There are of course other technologies and devices that can be developed so the load of detecting contraband does not fall solely on them or on the staff that are monitoring the security check machines in the terminals.
Designer: Junwoo Lim
This concept for a robot that can serve as a contraband detection tool can serve both cargo terminals and passenger terminals. Narc will be able to help machines, dogs, and humans detect contraband like explosives, drugs, and other dangerous materials that are not supposed to be in public places like airports and terminals. You probably didn’t like being called a narc (if ever you were called one) during your school days but this device, which looks like a robot with four legs, gets the job done.
For the cargo terminals, Narc can serve as the detector for small packages in the conveyer belt so the first pass will not need human intervention. It has a small x-ray button at the bottom and 90 degree rotatable legs and a movable body that can go up to 500m up and down. It can scan the small cargo by moving around the cargo rails so humans can just focus on monitoring larger cargo. For passenger terminals, the Narc can move around, like those robots going around malls asking if you need help. But this time, they really act as a “narc”, scanning random people and if they detect contraband, they will alert security staff.
Once they spot someone “suspicious”, the staff can use the portable ion scanner to detect if the person really is carrying contraband. A sample can even be placed in the middle of the suction port if it needs further checking. There may be some privacy issues involved here but that’s probably a problem that can be resolved or fixed by the airport or terminal if ever this concept gets made into an actual product.
For better or for worse, depending on where you stand on the debate, artificial intelligence has changed and will continue changing how we create and communicate. Services like ChatGPT, Midjourney, Gemini, and Copilot are pretty popular with those who are adventurous enough to experiment with AI. We can expect that over the next few years, we’ll see more services, gadgets, and devices that can help us use the technology and integrate it into our workflow and every day lives.
Designers: Mingwan Bae, Sohyun An, Junyoung Min, Youngsuh Yoo
Lay is a concept for a portable AI device that is equipped with a wide-angle camera, a projector, and a sensing module. The 48MP wide-angle camera has a 13mm focal length and is able to recognize objects and space as well as have text recognition and upscale objects it can scan. The 4K UHD projector can project up to 30 inches screen with auto keystone and has under 10cm ultra-short throw distance and high brightness and contrast. The sensing module, which includes LiDAR, ambient light, and proximity sensors, is able to sense its surroundings in real time.
The device basically scans your surroundings and then leverage AI to make suggestions and give assistance on tasks that you can do to as you’re working, drawing, reading, scribbling, building, creating, or just leisurely browsing. It looks like a small spherical robot with a round head that moves around and that you can carry around and place on your desk or space as it helps you make your workflow smoother. It projects onto a surface which will serve as your screen as you do your different tasks. It can recognize and select text, drawings, photos, sketches and then all the content and information are updated in your real-time cloud.
The device still seems to be mostly theoretical and specific tasks you can do or that it can suggest are still a bit vague. But it’s an interesting concept for an AI-powered device that you can carry around with you especially if you’re a digital nomad. And with the speed at which some digital natives and early adapters are using and exploring AI, this can actually be a real device soon.
to clean drinking water by killing bacteria and microorganisms like E.coli and Salmonella in seconds. In this second iteration, LARQ has added several nifty upgrades that we’ve all been waiting for. For the first time ever, LARQ Bottle PureVis 2 now has purification and filtration in one.
