Discover the versatile Acer TravelMate P4 Spin 14 with Intel Core Ultra processors, AI features, and a convertible design for modern professionals on the go.
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Acer TravelMate P6 14: a powerful business laptop with Intel Core Ultra processors, OLED display, top-notch security, and durable design.
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One of the world’s biggest computer-centric tech expos has just ended and, unsurprisingly, a lot of the rhetoric revolved around AI. But if you walk around the showroom floor, another theme quickly becomes evident in the midst of new products as well as some not-so-new wares. Consumer tastes have evolved once again, even among those who would embrace the label of being a gamer. Design is no longer just a feature for the few but an important part of a product’s DNA. We’ve seen quite a wide range of designs across an equally wide range of products, from the eccentric to the elegant. Here are some of the most notable designs to grace our paths at Computex 2024 in Taiwan, showcasing not just the trends but also the innovations in the computing industry.
Desktop computers have evolved from uninspiring towers to smoldering workstations with over-the-top lighting to a smorgasbord of designs that cater to a variety of tastes and interests. Computex 2024 is a glowing testament to not only the changes in design trends but also to the extent that some manufacturers will go to in order to appeal to their loyal fans.
Designer: ADATA
Winner of an iF Design Award, the ADATA XPG Invader X values transparency in more ways than one. Its clear front and side panels let you marvel at the neatly arranged components that power this gaming beast, including the tubes and RGB-lit fans that keep the box operating at maximum efficiency. Equally interesting, however, is the chassis’s ESG-compliant design, utilizing post-consumer recycled plastics and upgrade-friendly components. It’s a stylish, eco-friendly computer that tries to offset the carbon emissions of your gaming lifestyle.
Designer: Cooler Master
Who said computers needed to come in the form of boxes? Cooler Master definitely didn’t. With designs that come in the form of a robotic shark and a giant mechanical sneaker, these PC cases shatter expectations and misconceptions about how our computers should look like. And as hardware becomes smaller even as they become more powerful, it’s only a matter of time before these become the standard rather than the outlier.
Designer: PNY x AftershockPC
Electronics and liquids don’t mix but it becomes a mind-blowing mystery when you see the two together. And now, we don’t mean liquid cooling. From the makers of ramen-themed desktop towers, this Bubble Tea PC will have you not only scratching your head but also craving a cup of boba. Instead of a sugary and milky drink, however, it’s a luscious-colored coolant that has faux tapioca balls swirling around as it keeps your cool-looking PC thermally cool. This collab between PC maker PNY and case designer Aftershock isn’t a joke either but a fully functional gaming PC that’s ready to put a new spin on your cravings.
While there are plenty of AI-toting laptops scattered around Computex this year, they are hardly the only computers vying for attention. Gaming handheld PCs are pushing the envelope not only in performance in a small form factor but also in terms of design. There’s definitely plenty of room for experimentation, and there are a few that have caught our attention and fancy.
Designer: ADATA
An unexpected contender from a brand better known for its memory and data storage hardware, the XPG Nia focuses on the aspects often left out in the wake of specs and benchmarks. A tilting screen, for example, can drastically improve the comfort of staring at a handheld computer for long periods of time, while upgradable RAM in addition to upgradable storage gives the device a longer life than even some of the smartphones we have today.
Designer: ASUS ROG
The ASUS ROG Ally X is a fine example of refinement over sensational changes. The base design remains the same, but the subtle and sometimes invisible improvements deliver an almost totally different experience that’s a step above in terms of usability. Best of all, however, ASUS isn’t removing the OG ROG Ally from the market just yet, leaving consumers with the choice between affordability and power.
Designer: MSI
The MSI Claw A1M was an odd one when it came out, but the Claw 8 AI+ cements the manufacturer’s position in the young handheld gaming PC segment. With newer, AI-friendlier hardware comes significant improvements that are necessary for such a small gaming device. It’s still rather unique in its use of Intel silicon, and it will live or die by that commitment. Its design, however, is also enough to make it a noteworthy contender in this fast-growing arena.
Designer: ZOTAC
ZOTAC is another new contender, one that has its sights set on the name that started it all: the Steam Deck. While it resembles this progenitor in some aspects, the ZOTAC ZONE tries to take the design where Valve seems reluctant to go. Better hardware and configurable controls will sing to the hearts of many gamers, but the steep price tag could be a major deterrent as well.
Design innovation doesn’t just have to come from wild new forms or combinations of ideas. Even the materials used for products can have a notable positive effect on the user experience, especially when they delight not just the eyes but also other senses like touch. Bonus points if they also benefit the environment, ensuring there will still be a planet for consumers to live on.
Designer: ASUS
Laptop users are becoming more and more design-conscious. Even those who don’t tend to personalize the backs of their laptops want it to be something that will leave a lasting positive impression on bystanders, not to mention on themselves. Combining the durability of metal with the luxury of ceramic, ASUS’s new Ceraluminum material subtly elevates the laptop from a technological product to an art object. First used on the new ASUS Zenbook S 16, this material exudes beauty that you not only see but also feel every time you touch the laptop or lift its lid.
Designer: TECNO
Paying homage to both coffee lovers and environment-conscious consumers, TECNO and LOEWE designed a back cover material that gives waste coffee grounds new life. Using an equally eco-friendly process, this more sustainable material gives the TECNO CAMON 30 Series LOEWE Design Edition a distinctive appearance and texture that easily sets itself apart from the crowd. Plus, the use of color blocking also marks the phone with a modern style to fit the discerning tastes of modern consumers.
All these wonderful designs don’t just pop out from thin air. Someone has to make them, from initial ideation to prototyping to manufacturing. Designers and creators naturally need tools that can meet the growing complexities of their work, and Computex definitely has quite a few in store for them.
Designer: Acer
Spatial computing, mixed reality, and the metaverse require a special kind of content, one that breaks free from the confines of flat, 2D space. Even in video meetings and live selling streams, 3D objects are becoming more in demand, offering not just viewers but also presenters new ways to connect and communicate. Acer’s new SpatialLabs Eye 3D camera tries to democratize that process, effectively giving anyone the ability to capture, record, and stream any real-world 3D object as a digital copy.
Designer: ASUS
As computers become more powerful and geographical boundaries become shorter, content creation can no longer be confined to a desk in an office or room. The ASUS ProArt PZ13 gives designers, artists, engineers, and everyone in between that kind of flexibility with its portable and detachable design. What makes this 2-in-1 computer different is that it’s part of the new breed of Windows computers running on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X chip, promising improved performance and, of course, on-device AI capabilities.
One thing that gamers, creators, and power users have in common is their need for power, both literally and figuratively. The ability to customize not only their experience but also the appearance of their equipment goes a long way in giving them the confidence to get their job done, and these designs definitely deliver that with a touch of pizzazz!
Designer: ASUS
E Ink is no longer just for eBook readers. Now that it has color and is being used in signage, the eye-friendly and power-efficient display technology is finding its way to the most unexpected places, like the back of this laptop concept. Project DALI turns the laptop cover into a canvas for users of all walks of life to express themselves or simply have a different design every day if they want. All without draining the battery even when the laptop isn’t running.
Designer: ASUS ROG
Nothing scares a gamer or designer more than losing power in the middle of an intense playing or working session. Uninterruptible power supplies are a staple for these people, but if you’ll be getting one, why settle for a boring box when you can have one of the most powerful weapons in the universe? Shaped after the mythological hammer of Thor, the ROG Mjolnir is a power station with an attitude and, more importantly, the power and features to actually match.
Designer: Cooler Master
A typical computer keyboard has 87 to 101 keys or more, but sometimes even those aren’t enough for content creators, streamers, gamers, and advanced computer users. When you have to remember a bunch of keyboard shortcuts that differ from program to program, you’re putting a heavy burden on your mind that could be used for actual creative thinking instead. This modular MasterHUB stream kit and control center not only offers the power of programmable buttons but also lets you decide how you want those controls to be arranged and look.
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As our Internet needs grow, so do the power and complexity of the networking devices we have at home. Strangely, however, the more powerful routers become, the more intimidating they seem to be. Many seem to have fully embraced the tech and gamer culture that would put futuristic-looking designs on a pedestal, whether they look like spaceships or alien mechanical monstrosities. That, unfortunately, forces many homeowners to choose between these powerful yet menacing designs and minimalist yet outdated hardware. Fortunately, manufacturers are also beginning to take note of the gap between these two extremes and are producing designs like the Acer Wave 7 that blends the latest technologies with an almost Zen-like aesthetic.
Designer: Acer
The spec sheet of the Acer Wave 7 definitely looks formidable, employing the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard to support the demands of modern Internet-connected devices, be they Smart TVs for streaming, laptops for work, or smartphones for gaming. Those capabilities include support for super-fast and super-wide 6GHz bandwidth with support for older 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands for older devices. It also utilizes 320 MHz lanes for double the transmission rates, which, along with Multi-Link Operation (MLO), ensures all connected devices get the Internet data they need quickly and reliably.
It also has not just one or two Ethernet ports but four, giving the ability to support multiple high-speed wired connections to computers, TVs, and smart home appliances. Of course, not all devices are created equal and need the same amount of data at a rapid speed, so the Wave 7’s smart Hybrid QoS bandwidth management makes sure that data-hungry services like games and video conferencing are prioritized over social media scrolling.
These are features that many routers these days support, but what makes the Acer Wave 7 distinctive is its design. Instead of a black horizontal box with many sharp-looking antennas sticking up from it, this router is tall, slim, and white. And it isn’t a boring minimalist design either. The grilles on its side stay true to its name with their undulating lines, creating what looks like a rippling water not unlike what you’d see in Zen gardens.
It’s admittedly a simple and subtle design cue, but one that immediately changes the atmosphere in a given space. The imagery it triggers has a psychological calming effect, giving your eyes and brain a visual respite from all the cold and impersonal designs you might have in your home or office.
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Although the buzz around the Apple Vision Pro has died down, there’s little doubt that spatial computing, mixed reality, and the metaverse will be our unavoidable future. We still have ways to go, of course, but the industry is already trying to get us used to seeing digitally in 3D, whether we’re wearing glasses or just looking at specially-designed monitors. Those 3D objects, however, don’t just pop out of thin air and have to be created one way or another. Not a problem for fabricated 3D models, but it’s a big problem when you want to make real-world physical objects into believable digital 3D objects. As part of its own push for spatial computing, Acer is launching a consumer-friendly stereoscopic 3D camera that lets anyone capture the real world in a way that can be easily viewed in 3D glasses and on glasses-free 3D monitors.
Designer: Acer
Video conferencing and live streams have become quite common these days, the latter even turning into a lucrative business opportunity. But while these mediums are able to bridge distances, there are some things that are still difficult to convey in flat, 2D monitors, things such as miniature models of architectural designs or merchandise you’re trying to sell online. While some online stores now offer 3D views of products or spaces, it’s something that’s way out of reach of regular people because of the lack of accessible and affordable tools.
The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes puts one such tool in the hands of the masses. The rather unassuming compact box packs the hardware necessary for a computer to see in stereoscopic 3D, especially thanks to an 8MP sensor per eye and plenty of controls for both beginners and experts to tweak the video quality. The hardware is encased in a weather-proof shell that has a built-in selfie mirror for easier framing, as well as a touch-sensitive LCD screen on its back.
Although the SpatialLabs Eyes is quite capable of capturing still 3D images, it really shines in its capability to record and stream stereoscopic 3D video in real-time. This makes it a powerful tool for making presentations in video calls, showing off products during live selling streams, or simply committing special, once-in-a-lifetime moments to memory in an extra special way. Of course, you’ll need a way to actually view these videos in stereoscopic 3D, and, not by coincidence, Acer’s SpatialLabs brand has a line of monitors and laptops that won’t require you to wear headsets or even glasses just to do that. The Acer SpatialLabs Eyes stereoscopic 3D camera launches in Q3 of this year for $549 in the US.
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The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 offers a sleek, convertible design, AI-enhanced productivity, and robust connectivity, perfect for work, study, and play.
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The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE blends gaming features with AI tools, making it ideal for gamers and professionals alike. Starting at USD 699.99.
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The tech world has been a battleground for years, with Apple reigning supreme with its sleek MacBook Pros powered by M3 processors. These devices, marked by the iconic Apple logo, have long dominated with seamless design and easy-to-use interfaces. But now, a formidable coalition is ready to take the fight to Apple. Qualcomm, teaming up with Microsoft, has pulled together an impressive lineup of brands united by Snapdragon X Series processors and Windows 11. This diverse army is ready to challenge Apple’s top spot, featuring laptops and hybrid devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, and Samsung. Each device in this alliance is packed with advanced AI capabilities, long battery life, and efficient performance, aiming to set new standards in personal computing.
Microsoft Copilot+ PCs
On May 20 in Seattle, Microsoft made the first move in this ongoing tech battle by unveiling a new category of personal computers with AI features, aiming to weave this emerging technology into its products and compete with giants like Apple and Alphabet. At an event on its Redmond campus, CEO Satya Nadella introduced “Copilot+” PCs, which a range of manufacturers, including Acer and ASUS, will sell. These new AI-enhanced PCs, capable of handling more AI tasks without relying on cloud data centers, start at $1,000 and will begin shipping on June 18.
The ability to process AI data directly on the device allows for features like “Recall,” which tracks and stores all activities on the computer for easy recall months later. The Copilot voice assistant, showcased as a real-time virtual coach in “Minecraft,” highlights the innovative uses of on-device AI.
Acer’s Swift 14 AI, agile and versatile, leads the charge. Powered by Snapdragon X Elite and featuring a 2.5K touchscreen display, it’s designed for both work and creativity. The Swift 14 AI’s Activity Indicator pulses, signaling readiness for the battle ahead. With Acer PurifiedView 2.0 and Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0, this laptop ensures top-notch video and audio quality, making it an excellent choice for users who demand high performance and immersive experiences.
Swift 14 AI
ASUS Vivobook S 15
Next up is the ASUS Vivobook S 15, a seasoned fighter with Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors. Its 45 TOPS NPU and efficient cooling system ensure it can handle heavy tasks. The 15.6-inch 3K 120 Hz OLED display and 18-hour battery life make it a reliable companion for any user. The Vivobook S 15’s slim design and versatile connectivity options add to its appeal, offering a perfect balance between power and portability. With ASUS IceCool Thermal technology, this laptop stays cool even during the most demanding tasks.
The Dell Latitude 7455 with Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus.
Dell’s new lineup, including the XPS 13, Inspiron 14 Plus, Inspiron 14, Latitude 7455, and Latitude 5455, forms the backbone of the Qualcomm alliance. Known for their speed and AI performance, these laptops feature sleek designs and solid build quality. The XPS 13 leads with its high-resolution display, while the Inspiron and Latitude models offer strong support for consumers and professionals. These devices have NGAI-enabled transformative AI experiences, boosting productivity and simplifying complex tasks. The new Latitude models are designed with business users in mind, providing long battery life and high-speed processing for smooth performance in commercial settings.
OmniBook on the left and the EliteBook is on the right
HP’s OmniBook X AI PC and EliteBook Ultra AI PC bring intelligence and security to the forefront. Powered by Snapdragon X Elite, these models offer up to 26 hours of battery life. With its advanced security features, the EliteBook Ultra acts as a protector, safeguarding crucial data and strategies. HP’s next-gen AI PCs harness powerful AI technologies, ensuring greater productivity and improved user experiences. The HP EliteBook Ultra also offers extra features for business customers, including Wolf Pro Security Next Gen Antivirus and the Microsoft Secured-Core PC designation, providing secure identity and cryptographic services.
Lenovo Supercharges Copilot+ PCs with Latest Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s Gen 6
Lenovo’s Yoga Slim 7x and ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 add agility and resilience to the team. The Yoga Slim 7x enhances creativity and productivity, while the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 ensures reliability in rugged environments. These laptops offer top performance per watt and fast NPU-based AI processing, enhancing user experiences with advanced AI features. The Yoga Slim 7x is designed for consumers wanting a lightweight, powerful laptop, while the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 caters to business professionals needing top-level security and performance.
Surface Pro and Surface Laptop
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lead the front lines, featuring Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus. The Surface Laptop, with its modern design and sharp display, delivers impressive performance and long battery life. The Surface Pro, a flexible 2-in-1 device, adapts to any situation, providing the versatility of both a laptop and a tablet with its optional OLED display. These devices offer new AI experiences powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors, boosting productivity and creativity with smart computing features. The new Surface Pro Flex Keyboard lets users position their Surface Pro and keyboard as needed, ensuring a smooth transition between different modes.
Galaxy AI on Galaxy Book4 Edge
Samsung’s Galaxy Book4 Edge, equipped with Snapdragon X Elite, integrates hybrid AI features that enhance productivity. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, it combines clarity with powerful computing, acting as the communication hub for the coalition. This device brings popular Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search with Google, Live Translate, and Chat Assist to the PC’s bigger display, breaking down communication barriers and boosting creativity and productivity.
Apple MacBook Pro M3
As the two armies face off, the air is thick with anticipation. Apple’s M3 processors power the MacBook Pros, with the iPad Pro showcasing the power of the M4, which has been nothing short of amazing. There is high anticipation that the M4 will soon power the next generation of MacBooks, replacing the outgoing M3. The Qualcomm and Microsoft alliance, with its diverse and powerful devices, stands ready for the challenge. Each brand, each laptop, and hybrid device brings unique strengths, forming a united front against a common foe. The clash begins, and the battlefield hums with the buzz of technology. Qualcomm processors, with their AI capabilities and long battery life, push performance and efficiency to new heights. Windows 11’s Copilot+ features provide strategic advantages, helping the alliance adapt quickly. Apple’s devices fight back fiercely, showcasing the power of the M3 and the anticipation of the M4.
Apple M4 and Snapdragon X Elite
The battle is about winning through innovation and unlocking new possibilities. As the dust settles, both sides realize that progress and competition go hand in hand. The Qualcomm and Microsoft alliance, with its Snapdragon X Series processors and diverse range of devices, has shown it can stand alongside Apple, heralding a new era of technological advancement and collaboration. Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs, with AI features like “Recall” and real-time virtual coaching, mark a bold step forward. While Apple prepares its counter at WWDC in June, the tech world watches eagerly to see how this clash of titans will shape the future of computing.
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The start of the year is always an auspicious time to put your best foot forward. It is perhaps because of that reason that the consumer electronics industry chose the days following the changing of the calendar year to present their best products, concepts, and designs that are meant to help improve human lives, pet well-being, and the planet’s health. Unsurprisingly, a good number of these new and upcoming designs boast the use of AI in one way or another, leveraging the latest technologies to offer features that almost look and feel like magic. Now that the world has more or less gone back to its usual flow, there is a dizzying number of products being shown off in Las Vegas. Some elicit applause and praise, while others leave you scratching your head. And some really take the cake, rising above the rest with their thoughtful design and exceptional value, and Yanko Design has picked out the top 25 award-winning designs that will help you live a smarter, healthier, and more enjoyable life.
With the rise in mixed reality platforms, the appreciation and need for 3D content is similarly on the uptick. Creating these three-dimensional digital assets isn’t a trivial task, especially since we’ve been restricted by two-dimensional tools like a flat 2D monitor. Viewing things in 3D is certainly possible, though most require wearing specialized glasses just to get the full effect. With the Acer Predator SpatialLabs View Pro monitor, however, you have an unencumbered view of 3D objects, allowing you to get fully immersed in the game or craft 3D designs with accuracy and comfort.
Designer: Acer
Thanks to the latest 3D Ultra Mode delivered by the monitor’s second virtual camera, you can enjoy true stereoscopic 3D without the need to wear glasses. A collection of 3D stereo configurations, including pre-configured 3D profiles for some AAA titles, lets you quickly switch to the best settings with a single click. And what’s good for gamers is also good for creators who work on these 3D assets, offering designers and artists an indispensable tool in a digital world that’s increasingly going 3D.
With the growing number of apps, references, and tools that we use for both work and play, sometimes even the biggest computer monitors are no longer enough. That’s not even considering how our flat displays start to lose their appeal and comfort the bigger they get. Taking lessons learned from decades of cinema technology, curved monitors have arrived to offer a more immersive viewing and gaming experience. And with a massive 57-inch screen, the new Acer Predator Z57 Curved Gaming Monitor takes that to the extreme, providing not just more space but also more tools to level up your productivity.
Designer: Acer
The Acer Predator Z57 packs some of the specs on any gaming monitor, like the equivalent of dual UHD screens with a pixel resolution of 7680×2160, a fast 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits of brightness, and DCI-P3 98% color gamut, all working to deliver realistic-looking visuals. The extra-wide 32:9 aspect ratio and 1000R curvature increase not only your field of vision but also your comfort as it conforms better to how our eyes naturally work. With enough screen real estate, you can run multiple applications side by side without losing time switching between windows, while picture-in-picture features allow you to view two different sources at the same time. Whether you’re trying to immerse yourself in a game or trying to maximize your productivity for work, the Acer Predator Z57’s large, curved screen puts you right in the center of the action and in full control of your space.
With multiple devices come multiple charging needs, not all of which can be provided by a single charger. That’s not even counting the times when you need to juice up more than one device at the same time, at which point it becomes a frantic search for the right chargers while you scramble to fight over a power outlet. As one of the foremost experts in charging solutions, Anker has come up with a product that provides all the outlets and power you need. Best of all, it’s barely larger or thicker than your smartphone.
Designer: Anker
With two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and two AC power outlets, the Anker Prime 6-in-1 Charging Station has everything you need to top up all your devices without hogging all the power outlets. One of those USB-C ports can even charge a power-hungry 16-inch MacBook Pro while having enough power for another USB device. Anker’s GaN Prime technology and 7-point safety system guarantee peace of mind even with those scary-fast figures. And unlike typical charging stations and power strips, the Anker Prime 6-in-1’s slim and compact design banishes tangled cables and lets you easily set up a workspace anywhere with a single outlet.
Laptops are no longer just portable computers for work. They’ve also become showcases of the latest technologies and designs, catering to a wider range of users that include gamers, programmers, designers, creatives, and more. As the needs of these people evolve, so do the designs of laptops as well. A single screen, for example, might no longer be enough to squeeze in all the windows you need, but carrying around and setting up even a portable monitor can be more trouble than it’s worth. Enter the new ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024), a dual-screen laptop that hits multiple birds with one design, now with a much larger display.
Designer: ASUS
As the world’s first 14-inch dual-screen laptop, the ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024) has plenty of real estate for your productivity and collaboration needs. Whether you lay it out completely flat, prop it up like a book, or use it like a regular laptop with the full-sized Bluetooth keyboard, it gives users the flexibility they need to stay on top of things without burdening them with unnecessary accessories. And with the latest hardware available for laptops, it has enough power to support any workflow, including those that utilize AI-powered software and features that are flooding the market today.
Indoor floors aren’t the only spaces that can benefit from a smart robot helper. In fact, compared to living room floors, cleaning a swimming pool is exponentially more difficult no matter the size, not just because it has to be done underwater but also because you have to clean the bottom, the sides, and even the surface of the water itself. It becomes pretty obvious that the standard features of smart robot vacuums aren’t enough to meet the needs of pool owners, which is why Beatbot is utilizing a wealth of revolutionary technologies to deliver the most advanced intelligent pool cleaning robot for your ultimate convenience and peace of mind.
Designer: Beatbot
Boasting 20 sensors, 9 motors, 4 brushes, and 2 filters, the Beatbot AquaSense Pro exudes not only immense power but also incredible smarts. It doesn’t just see its surroundings but also understands them, deftly avoiding obstacles and making split-second decisions based on changing conditions. Its sophisticated Beatbot OS brain allows it to optimize its route to avoid overlapping paths and missed spots, saving you time and power without sacrificing its performance. Once the work is done or before its large 10,000 mAh internal battery runs out, it will return to its starting position, rise to the surface with a submarine-inspired automatic water release, and let you easily retrieve it to dock it for charging.
This impressive cleaning robot actually boasts the industry’s first 5-in-1 cleaning solution for floor, walls, waterline, water surface, and water clarification. Whether it’s rolling on the floor, sticking to curved walls, or gliding across the water surface, the Beatbot AquaSense Pro offers 100% pool cleaning coverage, giving you peace of mind that comes from knowing that your swimming pool will always be clean and safe to use anytime you need it.
With our heavy dependence on electronic devices both at home and outdoors, it’s only natural that we’ve also become quite conscious of how much power we’re using, especially when we’re about to run out. Power banks are fine for smaller devices, but living off the grid for one reason or another requires a smarter solution. BLUETTI has been churning out solar-charged portable power stations for years, but its latest AC180T takes things up a notch with one super handy feature: the ability to swap batteries on the fly.
Designer: BLUETTI
The BLUETTI AC180T is basically an inverter that can hold two removable batteries that you can hot-swap at any time, delivering 1800W of power all the time. You can swap out the battery packs as needed without having to power the AC180T down, providing uninterrupted power to your appliances. It’s the perfect partner for BLUETTI’s new MultiCooler that’s powered by the same removable battery, keeping your food and drinks chilled while you enjoy the great outdoors.
Despite the prevalence of photo-based media and social networks, it’s a bit ironic that we’re typing on our phones more than ever before. From churning out one hashtag after another to rapidly typing out a response to someone to even composing a verbose email, we rely heavily on the only input method available on our smartphones: the on-screen keyboard. Bringing the physical keyboard back isn’t an option, not unless you have this fun-looking iPhone case that does exactly that.
Designer: Clicks
Designed for creators and anyone who feels offended by the unforgiving flatness of these virtual keyboards, Clicks revives the painless joys of pecking at actual keys as you compose your novella (or your snark comment). Easy to put on and easy to remove, the accessory adds a playful character to the iPhone 14 and 15, definitely an attention-grabber that influencers will want to soak up. It’s a simple yet effective solution to a problem almost a decade in existence, one that might actually encourage you to type in proper sentences with proper spelling.
Cooking your own food at home provides plenty of benefits, allowing you to fully control what goes inside the dish as well as its flavor. There are, however, also hard limitations, especially if all you have is an indoor kitchen. Smoking food indoors is a big no-no, whether because of the smell the smoke makes in your house or the insufficient taste it produces in the end. If you’re a fan of the unique smokey flavors that this outdoor cooking process delivers, then you’ll probably raise your hands in thanks for GE’s latest innovation, the Profile Smart Indoor Pellet Smoker.
Designer: GE
Looking just a little larger than a big air fryer, the GE Indoor Smoker makes the seemingly impossible now possible. Using the same regular wood pellets you would use outdoors, you can safely smoke meats, seafood, vegetables, and more indoors, all year round. Its Active Smoke Filtration converts wood smoke into plain warm air so you won’t have to worry about your kitchen stinking after hours of smoking. With precision control, you can bring out the best flavors for the kind of food you’re cooking while also using fewer pellets than a regular outdoor smoker. It’s a simple but life-changing innovation that food lovers and home chefs will adore.
Graphene is a revolutionary material that’s often associated with batteries recently, but that’s hardly the only application for it. It’s exactly because of its super ability to conduct heat and electricity that it has become an ideal material for use in electronics. Graphene Square, however, has put it to use in a pretty unbelievable way, creating a portable wireless cooker that defies convention and expectations, letting you clearly see the food as it cooks as if through a looking glass.
Designer: Graphene Square
The top and bottom “glass” of this transparent box are actually the almost invisible graphene modules that generate mid-IR (infrared) radiation to cook the food inside. Because of graphene’s energy-efficient properties, you can even power this transparent cooker with a briefcase-sized battery that connects to the bottom of the box. It’s definitely an unconventional approach to cooking and an even more out-of-this-world design, but it’s one that easily grabs attention and sparks the imagination of what the future of cooking could become.
Hisense is an old name in the consumer electronics market, and at CES 2024, it is putting its best foot forward when it comes to its display innovation. Its crowning glory is the massive 110UX TV flagship of its premium ULED X series, offering not only its largest panel but also its best technologies in this space. Unsurprisingly, there’s also a pinch of that AI special sauce that everyone’s going crazy over these days.
Designer: Hisense
With such a large area, it’s both no surprise yet also incredible that Hisense managed to cram 40,000 backlight zones, ensuring even and consistent brightness and contrast across the board. An impressive 95% BT.2020 color palette makes images really pop, while the 10,000 nits of brightness leaves no detail hidden in the shadows. With a new Hi-View Engine X chipset, the Hisense 110UX offers enhanced image reproduction powered by artificial intelligence, leaving nothing left to chance and freeing you from the worries of having to manually tweak half a dozen settings just to get the perfect image.
Our world is littered with displays, and not just the obvious ones like TVs, computers, and phones. From points-of-sales to even cars, we rely on dynamic screens to bring us the right information when we need it. For vehicles, however, having a screen on the dashboard might no longer be enough, so Hisense developed an innovative Automobile Laser Display projection system that provides navigation and entertainment all throughout, without sacrificing safety.
Designer: Hisense
The triple-laser projection might be 80% smaller than typical optical products, but it boasts 48% higher color performance and 200% luminous efficiency, delivering clear images that can be critical to ensuring safe driving. Its Laser Holographic AR HUD blends virtual and physical objects, turning the windshield into a captivating, information-reach holographic screen. That same optical technology also transforms the side and rear windows into screens, immersing passengers in a new world of in-vehicle entertainment.
Some people prefer to keep their laptops clean and professional, while others personalize the back of their laptops until there’s no space left unturned. It’s difficult to find a middle ground between these two extremes since opting for one naturally excludes the other. But that’s exactly the kind of miracle that Lenovo is trying to pull off, thanks to the magic of colored E Ink panels.
Designer: Lenovo
Building on its experience with using an E Ink screen on the lid of a laptop, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 4 SPE proof-of-concept creates an opportunity for meaningful customization and personalized designs. Owners can select from a variety of colorful patterns and have them change in a sequence, or they can opt for a more practical display that shows the time all the time. Best of all, this E-Ink Prism color display uses very little power and continues to change the design even when the system is powered down.
Windows tablets let you use your finger or stylus but don’t exactly offer an enjoyable experience. Android laptops are similar, though they come from the opposite end of the spectrum, revealing how ill-equipped the mobile platform is for desktop use. Unfortunately, there are people who need to use both operating systems and are, therefore, forced to juggle two separate devices. It is for these people that Lenovo has designed the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid in an attempt to bridge the two worlds in a rather innovative way.
Designer: Lenovo
This isn’t just a tablet with a keyboard that dual-boots Windows and Android and wastes your time switching between the two. Neither is it a Windows 2-in-1 laptop that runs Android in a virtualized environment. It’s actually two devices, a laptop base and tablet screen, running Windows and Android, respectively, each with its own hardware and batteries. This means they can run separately, though you’ll need to hook up the laptop base to an external monitor, of course, but you can also use it as a normal Windows laptop as well. When the two are joined, you can also access the Android side easily in a window of its own, allowing you to use the right tool for the right job with a single product.
There is a growing number of smart home projectors popping up in the market, but very few are able to escape the dull rectangular shape that their ancestors came in. At the same time, however, there are practical benefits to a boxy shape, so there isn’t much reason to throw it all out the window either. What we need is an out-of-the-box (pardon the pun) thinking that makes what a normal form suddenly look like a piece of art. Enter the new LG CineBeam Qube, a compact laser projector that masquerades as an art object that gives life to your living space even when you’re not using it.
Designer: LG
It stands upright rather than lying down flat like typical projectors. Its silver chassis shines with an elegant luster that gently calls attention to itself without being loud. Its 360-degree rotatable handle provides more than just function but also a visual accent. Everything bout the LG CineBeam Qube shouts retro art object, but its modern projector capabilities make it more than just a pretty face. Whether it’s showing your favorite films, displaying beloved memories captured in photos, or simply standing there on your shelf or table, this beautiful design fulfills a role in bringing your indoor space to life.
TVs have long stopped being just screens for watching videos. In many households, they have become centerpieces and focal points for interactions with family and friends. Today, they are also transforming into decorative objects that add not just functionality but also aesthetic value to living spaces. LG has been pushing the boundaries of TV design, as demonstrated by its Object collection, and now it is unveiling the next big step in that direction with a 4K TV that liberates owners from the stifling constraints of having a big black rectangle that clashes with the rest of your decor.
Designer: LG
With the transparent beauty of the LG SIGNATURE OLED T, the TV itself visually disappears when turned off, seamlessly blending with the rest of the room when not in use. Or you can use the Always-on Display capability for showing art, videos, or photos when you’re not watching anything. Thanks to LG’s cutting-edge wireless transmission technology, you can place it anywhere in the room and not worry about having a black wart marring your otherwise pristine interior. And because it utilizes the best of LG’s industry expertise, it isn’t just a pretty face but a solid 4K TV for an immersive entertainment experience. Whether it stands invisibly in the middle of the room or hangs silently on a wall, the LG SIGNATURE OLED T wireless transparent 4K TV gives you the freedom to enjoy life’s pleasures while keeping your beautiful space clean and free of big black screens.
Thanks to work-from-home arrangements in the past years, webcams have become popular again. It also showed, however, the limitations of these accessories. The modest VGA and HD cameras of old were no longer enough for professional quality video meetings, and the rise of live streaming as a potentially lucrative profession meant that these cameras could no longer just sit on top of computer monitors. It is for this new breed of users and new kinds of online content that the Logitech Reach was designed, enabling people to more easily share non-digital content on their videos, whether live or pre-recorded.
Designer: Logitech
In a nutshell, the Logitech Reach “show-and-tell” camera is a webcam on an articulate arm, providing the flexibility to point the camera anywhere at different angles. This allows for easy “flat lay” shots, moving or zooming the camera for more expressive videos, or a simple video meeting setup, all with a single device. And with 1080p/60fps video quality, it isn’t even sacrificing performance for that unique design, empowering a new generation of creators, students, and workers to rise to the new demands of their fields.
We’ve become acutely more aware of the rather worrying quality of the air we breathe even inside our homes. Appliances and gadgets that purify indoor air have risen in demand because of this, but the solutions they offer also come with their own drawbacks, especially in how they aim to keep us healthy while slowly killing the planet in exchange. Mosslab is offering an alternative, one that is not only more sustainable but also more aesthetic, and it utilizes an unexpected life form that’s regarded as nature’s understated miracle worker: moss.
Designer: Mosslab
Basically a terrarium in a sleek futuristic design, Moss Air functions as an air purifier and humidifier in one, utilizing the natural capabilities of moss to filter air and produce clean oxygen. Easy to maintain with just some water in an invisible tank, Moss Air offers a convenient yet eye-catching way to keep your room’s air fresh and clean, without doing much harm to the environment in the process.
Technology is supposed to help everyone live better lives, but the way the market works, some people always get left behind. With many technologies moving over to touch-based controls like on-screen keyboards, people who can’t see the screen, let alone type on it, are left at the mercy of screen readers and speech recognition services, many of which are still unable to provide the accuracy needed for communication. Nothing beats a keyboard when it comes to text input, so ONECOM developed a handheld QWERTY keyboard designed specifically for the needs of visually impaired people.
Designer: ONECOM
Braille keyboards do exist, but their traditional designs make it impossible to use them with smartphones and mobile devices, especially on the go. The FINTIN V1, in contrast, fits nicely in your hand and can easily be used like thumb-typing on a mini Bluetooth keyboard. Despite that size, it actually supports the full QWERTY keyboard through special tactile keys, enabling users to express themselves fully on their phones, tablets, or any other device that requires text input.
Gaming laptops are becoming more popular as powerful portable machines that can be used for more than just gaming, but their typical designs intimidate buyers from making an investment. Gaming products have a rather unique aesthetic that won’t appeal to everyone, even among some gamers, and they definitely look out of place in some settings. With the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2024), however, the gaming laptop looks a bit more “grown-up,” but it isn’t just its appearance that has changed.
Designer: ASUS ROG
Sporting an all-aluminum CNC-machined chassis, the new ROG Zephyrus G16 boasts a body that is lighter and more durable than most gaming laptops. The switch from plastic to metal also frees up more space, so the Republic of Gamers is able to squeeze in more hardware for the same size. The result is what is probably the MacBook Pro of gaming laptops, lightweight, slim, sleek, and professional, while still flaunting top-of-the-line gaming hardware and a subtle yet distinctive accent that still identifies the product as fit for gamers.
While most appliance manufacturers focus on the living room as the center of family interaction, Samsung introduced a rather interesting spin that put the kitchen at the hub. That’s why it called its line of smart refrigerators the Family Hub, and this year it is upgrading its Bespoke 4-Door fridge with more smarts and features that promise you’ll spend less time worrying about food and more time to enjoy preparing them, preferably together with the rest of the family.
Designer: Samsung
Besides being a mouthful, the 2024 Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerator with AI Family Hub+ takes advantage of the smart internal camera that it has been installing in its fridges since last year to power its Vision AI technology that can identify up to 33 fresh food items inside. The idea is that the fridge will be able to warn you when food is about to go bad (based on AI or manually inputting expiration dates), suggest dishes you can make based on ingredients you have at hand and your preferences, and remind you to stock up on supplies or replace the water filter. And being part of Samsung’s Bespoke line of smart home appliances, you can also pick the designs that will better match the rest of your kitchen, presenting a modern fridge that’s not only very intelligent but also quite stunning as well.
Some people fear that robots and, now, AI will take away their jobs, but that hasn’t exactly happened nor will it in the foreseeable future. Robots, in particular, can be used to augment rather than replace human abilities, especially when they come in a form you would have never expected for a robot. Shift Robotics’ Moonwalker X, for example, hardly looks anything like one, but these redesigned robotic shoes with small wheels will give people more mobility and safety in their line of work.
Designer: Shift Robotics
Made for workers in industries that require a lot of going around places, sometimes while carrying heavy loads, the Moonwalker X aims to enhance walking by turning it into a safe glide. Designed to strap over your own shoes like sandals, the 10 small wheels underneath carry your weight without weighing you down. The new design is lighter, more comfortable to wear, and easier to maneuver, so workers spend less time worrying about how to use the robotic shoes and more time getting things done.
The world might seem like a smaller place thanks to the Internet, but language barriers still keep us apart. Human language can be complicated and nuanced, making it difficult for conventional computer software to translate one language to another, much less in real-time. Timekettle, however, has been making strides in developing technologies that break down these barriers, and its new X1 AI Interpreter Hub further enhances the experience, delivering a single compact package for all your translation needs, wherever you go and without missing a single word.
Designer: Timekettle
Artificial intelligence today has proven to be quite adept at handling the intricacies of human languages, both written and spoken. Harnessing this powerful tool, the Timekettle X1 Interpreter Hub offers the equivalent of having a professional UN interpreter at your beck and call. The standalone device doesn’t need to be paired with a smartphone or have an app installed, so you can get up and running, or rather talking, immediately. Providing both online and offline translations, a recording mode, and, more importantly, simultaneous multi-way translation between as many as 20 people, this AI-powered translation tool is all that you need to make those important connections that transcend geographic and linguistic borders.
It almost feels like scrambling for a wall socket or power outlet is now an inescapable part of modern life. Juggling multiple devices at the same time is already a hassle, but having to charge them all at the same time can be a hellish experience. Different devices come with different charging needs and different chargers, and you can never be sure if one will work for the others, forcing you to bring as many chargers as you have devices. Thankfully, that’s not the case, especially with UGREEN’s new Nexode Pro 160W GaN Charger, the one charger to rule them all, including your MacBook.
Designer: UGREEN
It’s almost amusing how the 16-inch MacBook Pro has become the measuring rod by which chargers are judged, but that’s because of how power-hungry it can be. With a maximum output of 160W, the UGREEN Nexode Pro doesn’t even break a sweat, quite literally too. GaN technology allows the charger to have a small and compact shape while still maintaining maximum power efficiency, heat management, and safety. Plus, you won’t be hogging the socket just to charge the four devices you can plug into it, perhaps even earning you some friends in the process.
Our smartphones are already impressive on their own, but they open the doors to even more mind-blowing possibilities with the right accessory or device. Their cameras, for example, can already take breathtaking photos and videos, but imagine what they can do when you connect them with something that can actually see farther, even to the depths of space. That’s the premise behind Vaonis’ latest masterpiece, the Hestia, which turns your smartphone into a smart telescope just by placing it on top of a portable box.
Designer: Vaonis
Looking almost like a mini projector, the Vaonis Hestia utilizes the imaging sensors and computing power of your smartphone and combines it with sophisticated optics to view the night sky in all its grandeur or, with the proper filter, even the sun during a momentous solar eclipse. The easy-to-use Gravity app not only becomes your guide to the night sky, but it also lets you take expansive and incredible shots by stitching multiple short exposures and utilizing image-enhancing algorithms. The Vaonis Hestia makes it easy to expand your world and your mind with the wonders of the universe, a skill that will be quite in demand as we move closer to space tourism and colonization.
While it’s undeniable that the announcement of the Apple Vision Pro had a big impact on the mixed reality market, it’s also too easy to forget that there have been people playing in that field for years already. Xreal, formerly called Nreal, has been making AR glasses since 2019, and now it’s jumping into the spatial computing arena with the Xreal Air 2 Ultra with a more open ecosystem and actual glasses rather than a headset.
Designer: Xreal
Like its previous Air glasses, the Xreal Air 2 Ultra takes the form of large black sunglasses, something easier to put on and take off compared to even a comfy headset like the Vision Pro. That bulk is necessary to cram important sensors for features like full positional or six degrees of freedom (6DoF) tracking, hand tracking, and more. More importantly, Xreal’s device is compatible with more devices, ironically including the iPhone, which can’t be said of Apple’s ecosystem. Lightweight, stylish, and significantly more versatile, the Xreal Air 2 Ultra offers a promising design that will make spatial computing more available to everyone.
The post Best of CES 2024: Tech Designs for Smarter, More Comfortable Living first appeared on Yanko Design.
Once upon a time, laptops were simply seen as a way for people to bring their work home or anywhere they might be. These portable computers were made to prioritize productivity and their designs reflected their serious purpose. It was mostly a matter of necessity since laptops of the past could barely hold a candle against their mightier desktop cousins. These days, however, some laptops and notebooks are already being called “desktop replacements” and many models are fulfilling the gamer dream of being able to play and chill anywhere they may be. At CES 2024, Acer is presenting the latest iteration of its gaming laptops under the Predator and Nitro brands, offering upgraded hardware to take mobile PC gaming to the next level, with some help from AI, of course.
Designer: Acer
Now that technology has finally caught up to user demands, the latest generation of the Acer Predator Helios gaming laptops can finally offer performance without compromises. Powered by the up to an Intel Core i9-14900HX and paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 laptop graphics, these gaming machines promise to give you an edge over the competition, even if you’re just playing by yourself. Advanced thermal solutions, which include 5th-gen AeroBlade fans and liquid thermal grease on the CPU and heat pipes ensure that the system is always running at its best.
A true gaming experience, however, isn’t just limited to raw performance, so Acer has equipped these two new Predator Helios laptops with features that push the envelope of what you can accomplish. Acer’s patented MagKey 3.0 keyboard makes it easy to swap out and customize those essential WASD keys, and MagClick offers swappable mechanical switches to let gamers and users enjoy the satisfying sounds of mechanical keys at every press. RGB lighting effects on the Predator logos, a customizable mini LED backlit keyboard, and the backside Infinity Mirror lighting bar also contribute to setting the right mood for gaming.
The Predator Helios 18 and 16, however, are more than just powerful gaming laptops. They’re also home to the latest AI technologies that optimize performance and take PCs beyond just gaming. Acer’s AI-powered PurifiedVoice and PurifiedView technologies, for example, ensure clear audio and video for meetings as well as streaming. And, of course, there’s also Windows Copilot and the fancy new dedicated Copilot key that gives access to AI assistance in a single press. Whether you’re conquering dungeons or conquering work, the latest Acer Predator Helios 18 and 16 laptops have got all your bases covered.
Even if you’re an avid PC gamer, sometimes you still prefer to be a little bit more discreet. Flashy gaming gear is great for showing off at home but could be a bit too distracting and obnoxious in some spaces like offices. The Acer Predator Helios Neo family offers more or less the same gaming prowess as the rest of the Predator Helios line but wraps it in a more subtle design and, best of all, a more accessible package, making it like a secret agent that’s ready to jump into the arena at the push of a button.
The all-new Predator Helios Neo 18 and 16 laptops are no slouches, powered by up to a newly-optimized Intel Core i9 14900HX processor that’s paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs, much like any new gaming laptop this season. That’s enough muscle to satisfy plenty of gamers, including casual and entry-level e-sports players, while leaving enough room for uses outside of play. Acer’s twin AI-powered PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice 2.0, for example, make short work of video meetings, whether it’s for business or for coordinating your team’s attack plan.
It might not have all the fancy RGBs of the pricier Predator Helios models, but it has lighting where it counts the most, thanks to the customizable 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard. Best of all, the Predator Helios Neo’s striking design hides encrypted codes laser-etched on the deep-black anodized covers. This secret message, however, is only available on the non-US models of the Predator Helios Neo 16 but can be found on all Predator Helios Neo 18 laptops.
Some people might not want a dedicated gaming laptop but might still want a mobile computer that can easily switch between work and play without breaking a sweat. Acer’s Nitro laptops have always offered a sensible balance of computing power, gaming capability, and affordable price, and the new Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-72) this year is no different. Bearing a 14th-gen Intel Core i7 processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 laptop graphics gives it the silicon muscles it needs to breeze through demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, much less word processing, Web browsing, and other functions you might need day to day.
Of course, the Nitro 17 is also equipped with the latest AI technologies, like Acer’s PurifiedVoice 2.0, which filters out unwanted ambient noise so only your voice is heard during meetings, or PurifiedView, which automatically frames your face during a video call. Windows Copilot is also present to instantly help you with your work and optimize the system, thanks to a handy Copilot key that’s coming to Windows laptops this year. The Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-72) offers an accessible and reliable PC that you can take anywhere, whether for work, for fun, or for anything in between.
The post Acer Predator and Nitro laptops at CES 2024 level up gaming for everyone first appeared on Yanko Design.