Retro gaming consoles kicked off a trend in the computing and gaming industries that saw the revival of many old-school designs. While the majority of these try to recreate decades-old experiences in a functional manner, some simply go for the aesthetics. After all, the designs can be eye-catching in their own right, regardless if they’re working like the original. Some put modern computing hardware inside shells from a time when monitors didn’t even have color, while others repurpose the design into some desktop or fidget toy only. This tiny retro console, for example, looks like a Super Famicom that’s no larger than your smartphone, but it isn’t actually a device that you can play but is simply AYANEO’s newest throwback: a 12,000mAh power bank in disguise.
The Nintendo Super Family Computer, a.k.a. “Super Famicom,” might be familiar to gamers in name, but those who live outside Japan might be more familiar with its other moniker and design. The Super NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) wasn’t as divergent as the NES from the Famicom, but there were subtle design differences, like the color scheme and placement of buttons. For whatever reason, AYANEO opted to pattern its tiny device on the Japanese Super Famicom, though that actually works in its favor in one specific detail.
The Retro Power Bank, which avoids any legal landmine by using as generic a name as possible, adopts the dual-tone gray color scheme of the famed console as well as the raised section in the middle that delineates the main point of interest in the device. It even has the same sliding switch and button duo, but their locations have been moved around to avoid an exact copy of a copyrighted design. There’s also a small display strip that’s unsurprisingly absent from consoles of that bygone era, but is now almost a staple in high-capacity power banks.
Unlike the SNES, the Super Famicom used a sliding switch for its power button, a mechanism that the Retro Power Bank uses for navigating through menus and changing settings like units used, language, and screen off time, just to name a few. The reset button now becomes a function button that cycles through different display features. That 0.91-inch monochrome OLED screen is just small enough to show discharge and charging power, temperature, and other essential information at a glance.
Adorable as the design might be, some might be a little disappointed in its performance as an actual power bank. 12,000 mAh is admittedly plenty for most phones, but the 45W output will leave some waiting a bit to fully top up their phone. And when you use both USB-C ports at the same time, you’re down to 15W each. There’s also no wireless charging, which is probably for the best since you don’t want to cover that nice tribute to the Super Famicom, which is the entire point of the design in the first place.
For centuries, telescopes have been the gateway to the cosmos, allowing us to peer into the vast expanse of space and unravel its secrets. However, traditional telescopes often come with drawbacks – their bulky size and complex setups can be intimidating for beginners and hinder portability for outdoor adventures. Moreover, aside from their complicated nature, telescopes were just downright unaffordable to the masses… but technology always endeavors to make innovation accessible to everyone. Enter the DWARF 3, a revolutionary smart telescope that bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, making astronomy and nature observation more accessible than ever before.
Designer: DwarfLab Team
Click Here to Buy Now: $469$499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!
The name DWARF 3 isn’t without reason, as it breaks from the norm of what we expect from a telescope. The name comes from its dwarfed design, which condenses the massive linear telescopes into something the size of a dictionary or novel – and it does so by borrowing a trick from smartphone camera designs. The DWARF 3 boasts a unique periscopic design, a leap forward from its successful predecessor, DWARF II (which raised over $870,000 on Kickstarter). Unlike traditional telescopes with a straight light path, DWARF 3 utilizes a prism to fold the light path, resulting in a remarkably compact and portable form factor. This innovative design allows the telescope to fit comfortably in a backpack, making it the perfect companion for stargazing trips, camping adventures, or even spontaneous backyard astronomy sessions. Despite its compact size, DWARF 3 packs a powerful punch when it comes to optical capabilities, quite like a smartphone’s camera does. By bending light in a different way that doesn’t need a massively long tubular structure, the DWARF 3 achieves telescope-grade zooming but in a small package.
Portable Design
DWARF 3 brings you a state of the art upgrade: in optics, sensors, and more processing power.
That isn’t all the DWARF 3 borrows from smartphones – touted as a smart telescope, it’s designed to be entirely automatic and can remotely be controlled by a user. Whether for astronomy or nature photography, DWARF 3 is ready in minutes via a smartphone app, letting you capture the world around you in a bunch of ways. The DWARF 3 features a dual-camera system, catering to both wide-field observation and detailed target magnification. The wide-angle camera lets you preview shots before the telephoto camera allows you to zoom in on subjects, but also has the unique distinction of being wide enough to capture the entire Milky Way within one frame. An Astro Mosaic mode also lets the DWARF 3 capture and stitch together incredibly detailed panoramic views of the sky so you can zoom in on stars. The EQ mode, combined with the star-tracking feature, allows the camera to automatically correct for the Earth’s rotation and follow specific cosmic objects, eliminating the need to manually reset the camera’s aim. You can even set schedules, so the DWARF 3 kicks in at the right time to begin capturing the star you’ve set your eye on.
DWARF 3 also includes a better view and even better photos!
The true star of the DWARF 3’s optical system is the telephoto lens. A 150mm lens that actually has an equivalent focal length of 737mm, this lens brings distant celestial objects into sharp focus, inviting you to explore the cosmos with unprecedented detail, from the subtle textures of nebulae to the captivating lunar phases. But DWARF 3 isn’t just for astronomy enthusiasts. Nature photographers will find this telephoto lens invaluable. With its wireless control capabilities, DWARF 3 allows you to capture stunning wildlife images from a safe distance, ensuring minimal disturbance to the animals in their natural habitat. Whether it’s a majestic hawk soaring high above or a shy deer peeking out from a thicket, DWARF 3 helps you capture those fleeting moments of nature’s beauty in exceptional detail.
DWARFLAB App leads you to stunning shots on a single click. Designed with beginners in mind, the one-click shooting feature streamlines the process, ensuring effortless photography. At the same time, for advanced users, manual adjustments are still open for your precise control over every aspect of the shot.
DWARF 3 goes beyond simply providing magnified views. To elevate the user experience, it boasts a suite of intelligent features powered by cutting-edge technology. The autofocusing functionality utilizes a built-in step motor, ensuring crisp and clear images at all magnifications. This eliminates the need for manual adjustments, allowing you to focus on enjoying the view. For deep sky objects (DSOs), DWARF 3 employs a sophisticated object tracking system that leverages the power of deep learning to automatically track your target object. Simply select your target on the intuitive DWARF App, and the telescope will keep it in focus, even as it moves across the sky. AI-powered post-processing also allows the DWARF 3 to automatically reduce or remove noise from pictures (often a problem with low-light photography) while preserving celestial details, ensuring clarity and texture even when shooting in less-than-ideal conditions.
With the built-in Sky Atlas and top pick target suggestions, you can quickly identify worthy objects for observation and effortlessly begin your night sky imaging journey without any hesitation.
The DWARFLAB App serves as the central hub for controlling your DWARF 3 telescope. This user-friendly app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices, connects seamlessly to your telescope via Wi-Fi. Through the app, you can access a range of features, from basic camera control settings, image/video settings, and even time-lapse photography options. You can browse a virtual map of the sky and tell the DWARF 3 what to point at, and just in case you’re a noob like me, the app has its own recommended tab that tells you what cosmic bodies to watch out for, from nebulae to galaxies, stars, and even the Moon or Milky Way. The intuitive interface makes DWARF 3 accessible to users of all experience levels, allowing beginners to dive headfirst into the wonders of astronomy and experienced observers to unlock new levels of exploration. The app also lets you download images from the DWARF 3 onto your device, be it a phone or a tablet. There’s support for popular formats like JPEG and PNG, but the DWARF 3 can also capture FITS and TIFF formats (essential for preserving detail in those massive panorama photos).
Milky Way
On just a hardware and software level, the DWARF 3 packs quite a lot for a $469 telescope. Although catered towards both serious stargazers and hobbyists, the DWARF 3’s specs are solid. A 150mm telephoto lens (equivalent of 737mm) and a 6.7mm wide angle lens (equivalent of 45mm) offer the DWARF 3 a massive FOV range. A Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor captures precise imagery across a variety of shooting modes including regular photo, astro, burst, and time-lapse, along with videos at 4K@30fps or 1080p@60fps. For the image processing functions, the telescope has an NPU capable of 5 TOPS of processing power (an upgrade from the 2 TOPS on the DWARF II model). A 128GB eMMC comes included with the DWARF 3 for storing photos, and a whopping 10,000mAh built-in battery lets the telescope work for long hours, capturing massive panoramas or long-duration star trails. All this fits into a device that weighs 1.3 kilograms, works automatically, and outperforms most pro-grade camera setups that are 10 times the cost.
Click Here to Buy Now: $469$499 ($20 off, use coupon code “YANKO” to get the additional $10 off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!
Building it is just half the experience… Once it’s assembled, JMBricklayer’s Steampunk Marble Run works as a perpetual machine of sorts, creating a dynamic mechanical toy that’s always running on your desk. A rollercoaster for marbles, this over-5300-piece marvel offers a closed-loop design featuring interweaving paths, flamethrowers, dinosaurs, and nuclear reactors… all made from bricks of course. The entire structure measures a whopping 24.8 inches tall, and runs on two motors powered by a battery module. A perfect desktop toy for LEGO and other brick enthusiasts, puzzle geeks, pinball nerds, gamers, steampunk-lovers, and just fun YouTubers who like to have an interesting toy in the background of their vlogs, the Steampunk Marble Run’s $158 price tag makes it a no-brainer for people looking for a challenge.
This isn’t your dad’s LEGO set. It’s rated extremely difficult, with over 5,391 pieces that come together over days of painstaking work. The result, however, is beyond glorious. The entire set looks like something out of a mad scientist’s playroom. The GBC(Great Ball Contraption) features multiple paths and a randomizer that sends marbles on unique journeys. The balls roll down these dizzying routes, overshadowing any Hot Wheels track you could have ever built in your life, and make their way to the bottom of the contraption. A lift then carries them back up to the top, where the entire process repeats itself… with different results every time.
The entire Steampunk Marble Run set is the visual representation of a sensory overload. It’s so incredibly detailed you end up discovering new things every time you observe it from a different angle. The 2-foot-tall structure has industrial equipment, prehistoric monsters, chemical tanks and nuclear reactors, flamethrowers, two different kinds of lifts, and just random rails/paths connecting them all together into a symphony of sheer chaos.
The way the Great Ball Contraption is visually complicated, but theoretically simple. A battery module powers the entire set, delivering juice to the two lifts that carry the marbles up, and the stairways that also help move the marbles around. However, once the marbles hit the tracks, gravity and randomness kick in. Multiple tracks allow your marble to take a unique path of its own, and objects and obstacles on the journey help the marbles change their paths midway. For example, the T-Rex model at the center plays a role in moving marbles around. Its spine has a two-way switch that allows marbles to go either left or right, and the flamethrower emerging from its mouth also nudges balls into different routes, pushing them down a funnel that diverts them thanks to the same two-way switch.
Although JMBricklayer’s set doesn’t use official bricks from ‘that one famous plastic brick company’, it’s designed to be compatible with them… so if the 5,391-brick megastructure doesn’t feel detailed enough, you can actually add more to it and customize it in different ways. With that many pieces and an ‘extreme’ difficulty rating, the entire set should take days or weeks to put together depending on how proficient you are. There’s a detailed guide that comes with your kit, which should definitely make things easier… but don’t expect it to be as simple as putting together an IKEA sofa set.
Other details add to the Steampunk Marble Run’s gloriously otherworldly design. The color palette is overwhelmingly grunge-inspired, evoking an almost Mad Max style. Meanwhile, you’ve got a combination of industrial machinery, pipes, girders, chains, flamethrowers, Gatling guns, chemical tanks, nuclear reactors, and two dinosaurs dominating the design. The kit comes with a battery pack that lets you input 6 AA batteries to run the entire experience. The battery pack powers two motors that control various aspects of the marble run, and the entire set includes 10 marbles as a part of the experience… although you can absolutely add a few more of your own.
One of the Motors
The Battery Module
The entire kit is an experience to be had. It measures 22×21 inches in length and width, with a 24.8-inch vertical that has allows the kit to look positively monstrous. The complete gizmo also weighs a staggering 15.4 lbs (or a whopping 7 kilos), so it’s best if you placed it away from overtly curious/enthusiastic pets and children. The set starts at $189.99, although JMBricklayer is offering early backers an 18% discount, bringing the full kit to $158 excluding shipping. Grab yours now and the Steampunk Marble Run ships starting August 2024.
Grab yours now$189.99 (18% off) Hurry! Only 26 hours left! Raised over $116,000.
EDC essentials are trending for the right reasons and they can range from pocket knives and multitools to pens and personal care items. USB cables have also become an important everyday carry item that needs to be handy all the time for power-hungry gadgets or transferring big files across multiple devices.
This cool EDC brings both worlds together into a form that’ll be pocketable, utilitarian and essential to have in your arsenal. The Pocket Cable by Native Union wins us over for its clever design that most of us needed but never knew could exist. There are many other charging cable management solutions but this one stands out for its compact design that keeps the function at the forefront.
The Pocket Cable is inspired by pocket knives, and the design proves it all right. The USB-C to USB-C charging cable works pretty similar to the popular EDC, keeping everything well disguised and managed. That’s something that inherently can be a problem with charging cables. At first glance you might mistake it for a Swiss Army Knife enclosure but on the inside resides a 7-inch-long cable for all your tech needs. The 60W power ensures you are covered for transferring big data in a jiffy and fast charging needs. You can juice up your fast-charging Android devices as well as MacBook and iPad without any problem.
Durability is also not ignored here as the highly-resistant cable is crafted from 100 percent recycled PET reinforced braiding, enclosed in a 100 percent TPU closure. There’s another layer of aramid fiber core that gives the Pocket Cable a whopping 30,000-plus bend lifespan. Most charging cables give away at the joints of the connectors, so Native Union has included an O-Flex strain relief layer that’s almost two times more robust than a normal strain relief design.
If you are wondering whether the cable is certified for compatibility with all USB-C devices, then the answer is a loud yes. It has a chip with an E-Marker to regulate power depending on the requirements and limitations of the connected device. For $30 the Pocket Cable is a useful EDC to have handy since it measures just 4 inches when winded up. The only thing that is a bit of a downer is the cable length which could have been longer, but we have to consider how compact this thing actually is.
Hands-free gesture and voice control offer unbeatable convenience
CONS:
Struggles a bit in low light
Voice control might be a concern for some users
A bit pricey (without Amazon Prime Day deal)
RATINGS:
AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
EDITOR'S QUOTE:
With a sleek, modern design, excellent performance, and helpful AI features, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K camera is one of the best webcams money can buy, especially if you get it at a bargain like on Prime Day.
With streaming steadily becoming a popular and even lucrative career, the webcams built into laptops and monitors are not enough to give you an edge over the competition. Sure, they might be serviceable or even decent for meetings, but holding a captive audience requires more than just showing your static, pixelated face all the time. Whether you’re streaming a game, making presentations, selling products, or creating content in general, you will want a webcam that can keep up with you, figuratively and literally. That is exactly what the OBSBOT Tiny 2 AI-powered webcam promises, so we take it out of its premium carrying case, mount it on our monitor, and take it for a spin to see if there’s more to it than an impressive list of smart features.
Most webcams, at least those not embedded in monitors, usually come in boxy shapes that try to blend with the edge of the monitor or circles and spheres that look like a creepy eye staring back at you. Very few of their kind pay attention to the subconscious effect their designs have on the people who will be looking at the camera for long periods of time. That makes the OBSBOT Tiny 2 immediately different from its peers the moment you take it out of its carrying case because it immediately cuts a striking figure that makes its presence known without being distracting all the time.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a rounded rectangle camera connected to a 2-axis gimbal that’s mounted on a smooth, squarish base. It has a sleek and modern aesthetic that embraces minimalism to its core. There are very few deviations from its predominantly black body, like the red accent around the camera lens and the LED light strip that indicates the camera’s modes. There are no buttons anywhere, and the only break on its surface is the USB-C port. It’s a breath of fresh air from webcams that try to look either too pretentious or too uninspiring.
The camera’s build quality is also commendable, utilizing a metal alloy rather than the common plastic. Its compact size and simple operations make it quite handy as a portable webcam, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a solid carrying case that has room for everything you need to use it on the go, namely, its USB-C cable and included mount. Suffice it to say, the webcam’s simple yet stylish design won’t distract you from creating your finest content but will still please your eyes and your subconscious mind every time you do look at it.
Ergonomics
Unlike an action camera, whether in your hand or a gimbal, a webcam is mostly meant to sit on top of your screen or somewhere stationary. And with its minimalist design, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is definitely not something you’ll be touching a lot to use and control. That’s definitely a good thing since you don’t want to always reach out in front of you to even just adjust the camera’s direction. What you want is to be able to record yourself or take pictures without breaking your flow, and the Tiny 2 handles that quite gracefully.
What all this means is that you’ll be controlling the camera directly, either with gestures, voice, or the optional remote control. Yes, you’ll also use the OBSBOT Center software (formerly known as the OBSBOT WebCam), which has all the sliders and buttons you’ll need to fine-tune the camera’s performance. It can admittedly be overwhelming, but it’s something that professionals will want to have access to. And if you really need to control the camera without being near the computer, the $49 OBSBOT Tiny Smart Remote 2 has a few shortcuts handy. Plus it also functions as a presenter for those meetings that will impress your boss and even your colleagues.
Various Placement Methods
As for placing the webcam itself on a monitor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 comes with a foldable magnetic clamp made with the same premium metal as the camera. The mount uses physics and gravity to stay on top of the monitor, while a strong magnet keeps the OBSBOT Tiny 2 attached to it, even when you tilt the mount down. Given the foldable design of the clamp, it might have some problems with very thin laptop lids or very thick monitors. Fortunately, you can also screw the Tiny 2 on almost any mount, which opens up more possibilities on where you can use the webcam. The only requirement is that you can still connect it to a computer or even a smartphone with a lengthy USB-C cable.
Performance
4K Video Quality
Before the pandemic, webcams that can go beyond 1080p resolution sounded excessive, but that’s now the bare minimum for these accessories. 4K is becoming more common, and the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is right up there with a 1/1.5-inch CMOS sensor that has an effective 50MP resolution. It’s capable of recording 4K video at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps and lower frame rates. Unfortunately, there is no “in-between” resolution like 2K of 1440p, which is also a common video quality in streaming these days.
In Dim Lighting Conditions
Whichever resolution you go with, the Tiny 2 performs admirably in capturing both still and moving content with plenty of detail and wide dynamic range. It boasts a Dual ISO system that can automatically switch or combine the two depending on the lighting condition. Unfortunately, it does struggle a bit in poorly lit environments, though not terribly. If you’ll be streaming in the dark, like what many gamers do, you might still want a bit of lighting to ensure a balanced image. The camera features two built-in omnidirectional mics with noise reduction, and while it does produce decent audio, it’s not exactly something to write home about. It can also sound a little tinny, so you might want to augment your setup with a dedicated microphone if you can afford it.
Auto Tracking with Auto Zoom
Magical Gesture Control 2.0
4x Zoom In/Out
Select/Cancel Target
While the OBSBOT Tiny 2 already delivers commendable imaging performance, it really goes to town with its long list of features to make creators’ lives easier and even more fun. And, unsurprisingly, many of these harness the power of AI with very impressive results. Tracking the subject is at the very top of the list, and it is fast and smooth, thanks both to the algorithms as well as the 2-axis gimbal. Depending on your settings, the camera can even automatically zoom in and out to make sure your head or upper body is always visible, no matter how far you are from the camera. And if more people join in on the shot, it will automatically adjust the field of view to frame everyone properly.
Present Properly with Desk Mode
The Tiny 2 also has a unit Desk Mode that makes the camera perfect for meetings and video instructions. In this mode, you tilt the mount forward and the camera will then adjust its angle so that it’s directly pointing down on the desk. It will then flip the video stream so that viewers can see what you’re writing or doing with your hands in the correct direction. And for those streams that require you to act like a teacher, whiteboard mode will focus, zoom in, and straighten the whiteboard for more effective delivery.
All-Pixel Auto Focus
The list of convenient and impressive features goes on and on. Now four times faster than its predecessor, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s autofocus is fast and impressive, making sure that the product you’re showing off in front of you is clearly seen before it switches back to showing your face. For brief and quick camera changes, you can use hand gestures to zoom in and out, but the real headlining feature for this new model is voice control. From waking up the camera to having it follow you around, you can just ask “Tiny” rather than reach out for your mouse or keyboard. Some people might feel a bit uneasy with having a camera that’s listening and waiting for your commands, but you can always turn the camera down to turn it off and protect your privacy or disable the feature entirely.
Beauty Mode – Smooth your skin and brighten your eyes in just one second.
Sustainability
With webcams a dime a dozen in the market these days, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the vast majority of them use plastic shells to cover their bodies. What’s more surprising are the outliers like the OBSBOT Tiny 2 which opt for more premium and more sustainable materials like metal. It not only adds character to the design, it also makes it look more forgiving and gentler on the planet. You will want to take better care of the camera when using it outdoors, of course, protecting it from scuffs and dents. Thankfully, that hard shell case is there for that very purpose.
It’s not a complete win, of course, as there are still plenty of plastics in the product as well as the packaging. The camera’s seamless design also makes self-repair nearly impossible, not that you’ll want to do it yourself anyway. OBSBOT does have a strong warranty and repair policy, so you’re better off letting the experts do the hard and precise work.
Value
User Scenarios
If it wasn’t clear yet, the OBSBOT Tiny 2 is chock-full of features, all of which are designed to make a content creator’s life easier and less stressful. It leverages AI so that they don’t have to make minute-by-minute decisions and adjustments to the camera, freeing them to focus on the most important part of the process: actually creating the content and engaging with a captive audience. It’s like having a small cameraman on your desk, following your body’s or hands’ cues to create those smooth transitions and to focus on important parts, whether it’s a product or your face.
That said, the OBSBOT Tiny 2’s SRP of $329 can still be a bit difficult to swallow. Make no mistake, you’re really getting your money’s worth, but not everyone will have that much in reserve for a new tool. Fortunately, Amazon’s Prime Day is just around the corner, and you can get this AI-powered camera at a steep 10% discount that brings the price down to a juicy $296. With that price cut, there’s very little to keep you from upgrading your toolset to become the content creator you’ve always aspired to be. Prime Day also opens the door to other sweet deals, like the Remote Combo with the Tiny Remote 2 getting a 16% discount, or the PowerUp Combo with a remote, a tripod, and an HQ mic going for 15% less. Streaming veterans might want to grab the Streaming Combo (remote, tripod, UVC to HDMI adapter) or the MultiCam Combo (three OBSBOT Tiny 2 Cameras, remote, 3-in-1 USB Hub) with 15% and 14% savings, respectively.
Verdict
We’re way past the time when streamers and video content creators could simply sit in front of their cameras and expect the likes (and money) to start piling in. Viewers have become more discerning, perhaps even more demanding, and streamers now need to take their content to the next level. Of course, the actual content is king, but the presentation can make or break your career as well. More than just a good camera, you need a camera that understands where you’re going and can follow your cues without you even saying a word.
The OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K PTZ Webcam delivers on both fronts, providing excellent video quality with the brains to know how you want a shot to be taken or what to focus on. And it looks great to boot, putting other webcams to shame for their lack of elegance despite all the opportunities and materials available to them. Admittedly, it’s not an inexpensive product, but with a juicy Prime Day deal, there’s no better time to upgrade your streaming equipment and upgrade your channel than with this AI-powered 4K webcam.
Fine-turning display settings per app can be overwhelming
RATINGS:
AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
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VALUE FOR MONEY
EDITOR'S QUOTE:
Wrapped in a highly portable and stylish design, the BOOX Go Color 7 delivers a joyful reading experience without the distracting and sometimes confusing extra features.
Onyx BOOX is one of the more prolific E-book Reader manufacturers in the market today, always pushing the envelope of what these devices can do. It has almost a dozen models under its name, not counting discontinued ones, and every new release adds a few more features on top of the pile. While it’s good to advance the state of E-readers, sometimes one can mistake the forest for the trees and lose sight of what’s important. With the new BOOX Go line, the company is stepping back and focusing on the essentials, and while the BOOX Go 10.3 is presenting itself as a replacement for paper notebooks, the BOOX Go Color 7 is promising a return to what E-readers are meant to do: make reading pleasurable anytime, anywhere. So we pull off the shrink wrap and press the power button to see where the BOOX Go Color 7 stands in this growing sea of similar E Ink devices.
The Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is at once both minimalist and stylish, depending on which side you’re looking at. The front has your typical asymmetrical design where one side extends beyond the screen bezel, creating not only a convenient place to hold but also a home for the physical page-turn buttons. It’s extremely bare, without even the BOOX name, making the 7-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 the sole focus of your attention. The glass protecting the screen sits flush with the bezels, creating a seamless and clean appearance that speaks to the maturity of this design.
Flip the device over and you have something more interesting, both for your eyes and your fingers. Eschewing the typical matte plastic cover on these devices, BOOX uses a paper-like material that adds not just texture but also improves your grip. In a way, it tries to bring back the tactile experience of holding a paper book in your hands, a small pleasure that is lost with these devices.
The BOOX Go Color 7 is hardly the thinnest nor the lightest, even among 7-inch E-readers, but it is definitely in that group. Its compact and portable design makes it a familiar face, one that makes it clear that this is a device for reading books. It just so happens to run Android, just like a tablet.
Ergonomics
While the BOOX Go 10.3 aimed for maximum thinness and minimum weight, its smaller but more colorful sibling is admittedly a bit all over the place. Compared to BOOX’s other 7-inch devices, it’s only slightly lighter but a bit thicker than the monochrome BOOX Page, but it definitely trumps the BOOX Tab Mini C in every dimension. Suffice it to say, it’s not going to break records, but it won’t break your wrist either.
The BOOX Go Color 7 is designed with ergonomics at its core, and not just because it’s small and light. That textured back cover does more than just make the E-reader look good, it also adds to its grippiness. You definitely won’t have to worry too much about the device slipping off your hand, nor do you even have to fret about leaving greasy fingerprints on the paper-like material.
The small E-reader is also designed for one-handed use, even for turning pages. The physical buttons, or button rather, are positioned precisely where you’d rest your thumb, so you easily press down either end to move forward or backward. It doesn’t even care if you’re right-handed or left-handed, because thanks to its support for auto-rotation, the buttons know which way is up all the time. The one design gripe we have is that the page-turn button is just a single, indistinguishable bar with no gap to separate the two functions. You’ll find yourself losing a few precious seconds either trying to feel for which end is which or, more likely, looking at the button to make sure you’re hitting the right half.
Performance
Anyone familiar with the BOOX family of devices pretty much knows its DNA. Every single one at this point is practically an Android device decked with an E Ink panel, not the custom operating systems used by Kindles and Kobos. Even better, it actually has Google Play support already built-in, which means you have access to almost all Android apps available, including those that you can sideload on your own.
Of course, you’ll have to set your expectations correctly, despite all the potential that the platform has. This is not a powerful Android device, not with an aging Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 processor and just 4GB of RAM. It’s enough to run a few apps, especially those related to reading or even browsing the Web, but it won’t be as fluid an experience, especially with the E Ink display, which we’ll get to later. There’s 64GB of onboard storage that you can expand up to 1TB with a microSD card. Definitely plenty of room for books and even audio files or recordings.
The killer feature is, of course, the E Ink Kaleido 3 screen, which also separates the BOOX Go Color 7 from the almost identical BOOX Page. This former supports 4,096 colors while the latter is just different shades of black and white. On top of this, BOOX adds its own technologies to tweak the performance of the E Ink panel, like introducing different refresh modes to make you choose between quality and speed, among other things. Suffice it to say, Onyx’s expertise in this area clearly shows how clear, crisp, and colorful the screen can be. Plain black and white text renders at 300ppi and is a joy to read, while colored content is halved at 150ppi, which is typical for this display. Nonetheless, reading comics and magazines is still comfortable and meaningful, even with muted tones.
The BOOX Go Color 7 brings back a bit of sanity by having front lighting and configurable light temperature, something that the BOOX Go 10.3 removed for the sake of thinness. This means you can easily read with the device at night, in the dark, or in any low-light situation, whenever and wherever you feel the urge to knock a few pages off your reading list. Onyx, however, did exclude a few features to keep the product light not only in weight but also in cost. There is no Wacom digitizer for scribbling notes, for example. It also doesn’t feature the company’s famed BOOX Super Refresh or BSR, a technology that significantly reduces ghosting at the expense of battery life. Otherwise, the E-reader’s 2,300mAh battery wouldn’t last the days that it did.
At the end of the day, the Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is hyper-focused on doing only one thing and one thing well: be an enjoyable E-book Reader, whether that’s a plain-text book or a colorful magazine. It doesn’t distract you with features only tangential to that activity, like taking notes, making sketches, or even watching videos. While you can install almost any Android app under the sun, the hardware limitations actually serve to dissuade you from subverting the product’s spirit and purpose. And when it comes to that, the BOOX Go Color 7 is definitely one of the best choices in the market today.
Sustainability
Onyx is a company that has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. The number of devices it has launched is quite significant, but that also means the amount of material waste that comes from these devices is substantial as well. Fortunately, these devices are made for long-term use, unlike phones and tablets which still have a very high turnover. That only delays the inevitable, however, so we’re still looking forward to the day that the company starts switching to more sustainable materials or recycled plastics for its products.
Although Onyx does make devices with longevity in mind, the same can’t be said for the version of Android they use. The BOOX Go duo, for example, uses a nearly three-year-old Android 12, and most of its products were using Android 11 before that. Granted, E-readers aren’t exactly known for keeping up with the latest software fads, but those don’t run Android either. What this means is that not only are BOOX devices behind in terms of potentially useful features and optimizations, they’re also lagging in security patches and bug fixes that would protect users from digital harm.
Value
The Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 is a delightful little device designed to make reading enjoyable anywhere you are. It has a solid set of capabilities that focus on this core use case and isn’t encumbered by extraneous features, though it still leaves the door wide open for other experiences. On its own, it is quite a competitive product, especially with a $249.99 tag, but it doesn’t exist in a vacuum and, in a way, even competes with BOOX’s other 7-inch readers. Fortunately, the distinction between them is quite clear, especially when it comes to their price tag.
Closest to it is the BOOX Page, to the point that it could have very well been called the BOOX Page Color. They share many things in common but are ultimately separated by color or the lack of it. If all you need is a plain E-book reader and don’t mind reading colored content in shades of gray, the BOOX Page actually offers a sharper screen and a slightly more affordable $219.99 price tag. On the opposite side stands the BOOX Tab Mini C, which is the portable productivity partner. It has all the bells and whistles, including a stylus, but also a heavier figure and a heavier cost at $399.99. If all you really want to do is read and enjoy it in color, then you can’t go wrong with the BOOX Go Color 7.
Verdict
BOOX’s new Go devices are quite bold, but not because they’re debuting something new and exciting. On the contrary, their audacity comes from going in the completely opposite direction, shedding off the baggage that they’ve accumulated over the years. It’s not like all those powerful features are bad, just that they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. And for those who truly love sneaking in a page or two during unexpected moments of freedom, the portability and clarity that the Onyx BOOX Go Color 7 brings could very well be what they need.
When I want to shut out the outside world and just focus, I put on a pair of noise-cancelling earphones. Sometimes I also want to meditate and since I live in an area where outside noise is constant, earphones and headphones are pretty helpful. What if you actually have a device that is primarily meant to help you meditate, relax, and get in touch with your inner self, with listening to music just being a secondary function?
Designer: Suosi Design
Medispace is a concept for a meditation device inspired by the singing bowls from the Himalayas. Just like the Tibetan bowls that are meant to help you relieve stress and get into your inner self by tapping and touching it, this device is meant to do that but with an urbanite twist. The device is small enough to fit into your palm so it’s easy to make it “sing” as you try to meditate. And what makes it more modern is that there are noise-canceling earbuds that you can use to fully immerse yourself in your meditation.
The device is able to simulate more than ten kinds of singing bowl sound changes. This makes you feel like you are actually using one of those Tibetan bowls as you touch and tap the metal disc on top of the Medispace. Inside, it functions more like a charging case for your earbuds which are part of your meditative experience. Medispace itself looks like a night cream moisturizer container which makes sense since that can also be part of your self-care routine. The earbuds look like your typical listening device but a bit bigger and with a seemingly textured/pebbled surface.
It’s an interesting concept to combine a meditative device with earbuds. But since we live in a world that offers up a lot of distractions, we need all the help we can get to shut off the outside world every once in a while and focus on things like deep breathing, meditation, and our inner lives.
When I want to shut out the outside world and just focus, I put on a pair of noise-cancelling earphones. Sometimes I also want to meditate and since I live in an area where outside noise is constant, earphones and headphones are pretty helpful. What if you actually have a device that is primarily meant to help you meditate, relax, and get in touch with your inner self, with listening to music just being a secondary function?
Designer: Suosi Design
Medispace is a concept for a meditation device inspired by the singing bowls from the Himalayas. Just like the Tibetan bowls that are meant to help you relieve stress and get into your inner self by tapping and touching it, this device is meant to do that but with an urbanite twist. The device is small enough to fit into your palm so it’s easy to make it “sing” as you try to meditate. And what makes it more modern is that there are noise-canceling earbuds that you can use to fully immerse yourself in your meditation.
The device is able to simulate more than ten kinds of singing bowl sound changes. This makes you feel like you are actually using one of those Tibetan bowls as you touch and tap the metal disc on top of the Medispace. Inside, it functions more like a charging case for your earbuds which are part of your meditative experience. Medispace itself looks like a night cream moisturizer container which makes sense since that can also be part of your self-care routine. The earbuds look like your typical listening device but a bit bigger and with a seemingly textured/pebbled surface.
It’s an interesting concept to combine a meditative device with earbuds. But since we live in a world that offers up a lot of distractions, we need all the help we can get to shut off the outside world every once in a while and focus on things like deep breathing, meditation, and our inner lives.
It’s been nearly 10 years since Apple launched the infamous Magic Mouse 2 and its absurd charging port placement. While the 2-trillion-dollar company hasn’t done much to improve its flagship mouse’s design, AJAZZ launched a clever little gaming mouse with a much better charging solution. The AJAZZ AJ159 Apex mouse comes with a wireless design that’s both ergonomic and functional, but its most impressive feature is its charging dock/cradle. Designed to hold your mouse when not in use, this cradle keeps your gizmo rested at an accessible angle while it charges, but more importantly, it comes with a screen on the front that works as a tiny widget for displaying the time, date, battery level, or mouse connection status. It’s a clever solution that works elegantly and impresses too, with just a $79.99 price tag… I guess Apple could use some design inspiration.
One of the highlights of the AJ159 Apex is its PixArt PAW3950 optical sensor. This sensor is known for its incredible tracking accuracy, with a maximum DPI (dots per inch) of 30,000 and a blazing-fast IPS (inches per second) tracking speed of 750. This translates to ultra-smooth cursor movements, no matter how quickly you flick your wrist across the mousepad. Additionally, the 8,000Hz polling rate ensures minimal latency between your actions and what appears on the screen. In layman’s terms, your clicks and movements will be registered almost instantaneously, giving you a crucial edge over your opponents.
Beyond raw performance, the AJ159 Apex is lightweight and durable, making it a perfect candidate for a gaming mouse. The mouse itself is incredibly lightweight, clocking in at just 56 grams. This featherweight design minimizes fatigue during extended gaming sessions and allows for effortless movements. Durability is also a focus, with Huanuo switches rated for a lifespan of 100 million clicks. These switches provide a satisfying and crisp click feel, ensuring your commands are registered accurately.
For added customization, the AJ159 Apex is QMK programmable. This open-source software allows you to tailor the mouse buttons’ functions to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you prefer complex macros or simple remappings, the AJ159 Apex can adapt to your playstyle. The AJ159 Apex offers three modes: wired USB-C, 2.4 GHz wireless, and Bluetooth. This versatility allows you to choose the connection method that best suits your setup, whether you prioritize low latency or a clutter-free desk.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the AJ159 Apex is its magnetic charging dock. This innovative design not only keeps your mouse juiced up but also doubles as a storage solution. The dock even features a small display that can show relevant information or even custom GIFs. It’s a small touch, but it adds a bit of flair and functionality to the overall package.
The AJAZZ AJ159 Apex is available in four colors (black, blue, orange, and white) to suit your aesthetic preferences. With its impressive specs, user-friendly features, and innovative design, the AJ159 Apex is a strong contender for gamers seeking a high-performance and feature-rich mouse.
With plenty of phones and tablets around, kids are becoming more and more tech-savvy every generation. That, however, doesn’t always mean they are getting smarter or more skilled in other aspects of learning as well, particularly sciences and math that are more closely related to tech. There are plenty of apps that try to teach the basics, including reading and writing, but younger kids also need to develop their sense of touch, which requires more tactile experiences while learning. This calculator tries to pique children’s curiosity and engage not just their minds but also their senses, and it takes inspiration from one of nature’s hardest workers: bees and their geometric honeycombs.
Calculator designs are not uncommon, but the vast majority of them utilize simple shapes like squares, circles, or even rounded squares, sometimes known as “squircles.” Not surprising, as these tools are designed for adults who value efficiency and performance primarily with aesthetics coming second only. The opposite is true for kids, however, whose short attention spans require designs that are captivating and intriguing, and keeping the design still functional is the challenge.
Some consider the hexagon to be the perfect shape because it isn’t flat like a square, can fit together better than circles, and is more space-efficient than triangles. Nature has a perfect example of this geometric shape in action as can be seen in beehives, particularly the honeycomb structures they form. While the real thing can be dangerous to children, bees are sometimes portrayed in fun and funny ways, especially given how hard they work and how well they guard their honey.
Hive Hex combines this shape and inspiration into a device that should be more interesting to use than even the sleekest and most minimalist calculator. The yellow color alone is eye-catching enough, but the puzzle-like hexagonal keys give a sense of whimsy and playfulness with their unbalanced composition, unlike the symmetrical arrangement of calculator buttons. That said, the non-standard layout of keys could prove to be confusing when the child “graduates” to grownup tools.
This toy-like yet functional calculator is a great example of how a bit of creative design can significantly change how a product appeals to different groups of people. Of course, some adults might criticize the use of calculators in the early stages of math education, but the calculator does more than just help kids solve number problems. The Hive Hex Toy Calculator could help give children a more lasting impression of how math doesn’t have to be boring or even scary, a positive attitude that they could carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.
