Tag Archives: Technology

Belkin’s Newest 15W 2-in-1 BoostCharge Pro MagSafe Stand Has a Contemporary Look

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The iPhone 15-era refresh of Belkin’s 2-in-1 BoostCharge Pro MagSafe charger stand is arriving next week, and (right off the bat) it’s a smooth, stylish mix of contemporary sand (or charcoal) elements complemented by a sort of organic minimalism. In a departure from previous Belkin MagSafe chargers, this compact silicone charging stand incorporates soft, round shapes on both the charger base as well as a new flip-up 15W MagSafe pad. That means it can fit in any modern space, like a living room or a bedroom with a lot of similar organic elements, like stone walls and wooden furniture.

Designer: Belkin (via Apple)

The flip-up design on the top pad allows the Belkin charger to show off the iPhone 15’s screen while StandBy mode is engaged, turning your new iPhone into a piece of room decor like a stationary clock. That same design even lets you adjust the angle of the top pad between 0 and 70 degrees, and of course, you can rotate your iPhone to lay vertically or horizontally on the pad itself while the phone charges.

You can stick your Apple Watch Series 9 (or any other fast-charging Apple Watch, like the Ultra 2) on the second fast-charging pad behind the base, and together the whole thing ends up looking like a really elegant piece of art, adding ambiance rather than sitting around like a high-tech paperweight. Its non-slip base can also help keep it rooted firmly in place during an event such as an earthquake — or an accidental collision between the BoostCharge Pro and a household pet.

Belkin’s new BoostCharge Pro MagSafe chargers for Apple’s newest lineup of iPhone 15s (though iPhone 14s also work with it!) are officially set to release on November 7, alongside the all-new Apple M3 computers announced on October 30. In the box, you’ll find an included 5 ft USB-C cable and 30W USB-C power supply to plug the charger into. You can currently view the new chargers on Apple’s web store, where their $129.95 MSRP is already displayed. It doesn’t seem like either the charcoal or sand colorways are pre-orderable at the moment, though more retail options will become available — including, presumably, from the Belkin store — once the charger officially releases on November 7.

The post Belkin’s Newest 15W 2-in-1 BoostCharge Pro MagSafe Stand Has a Contemporary Look first appeared on Yanko Design.

Logitech G Yeti Orb Is a Plug-and-Play LIGHTSYNC-Compatible Condenser Mic

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Adorning your home office/PC gaming setup with Logitech’s lineup of LIGHTSYNC RGB products is an honorable goal on its own. But if you already own a LIGHTSYNC keyboard, mouse, headphones, and computer speakers (to be fair, I really love those G560s!), you’re probably dedicated to the bit by this point. Good news: it’s time to expand your RGB setup yet again. Even if you already have those aforementioned accessories — which work remarkably well together, producing quite the lightshow when synced with in-game visuals via the Logitech G Hub software — you’re still going to need a microphone for your desk. And that’s where Logitech’s newest array of LIGHTSYNC-equipped Yeti microphones comes in.

The Logitech G Yeti Orb — and, separately, the Yeti GX — are Logitech’s newest desktop mics, ditching the old Blue brand in favor of Logitech G. Both use cardioid pickup patterns, which is optimal for recording a single speaker, but the Orb is a condenser mic whereas the GX is a fancier dynamic mic, and the latter is a bit more expensive as a result. That said, it sounds like no matter which of the two you get, Logitech’s newest microphones are gorgeous thanks to their LIGHTSYNC RGB integration, and both are easy to install and set up thanks to their reliance on a single USB-C cable.

Designer: Logitech

The Yeti Orb condenser mic is the lower-priced of the two new Logitech mics, and… it’s quite cute. The rather small, orb-shaped microphone stands upright on its packed-in mini tripod, making it perfect to stick on top of a desk alongside a laptop. The mic design itself is cut in two by a matte ring, which features the RGB-backlit “G” letter candidly positioned on top. According to Logitech, this is a carbon neutral design, made with “a minimum of 74% certified post-consumer recycled plastic by weight.” Moreover, Logitech claims the packaging itself is sustainably sourced from FSC-certified forests.

Several reviews of the Yeti Orb condenser mic indicate the audio quality on it is notably clear for the price, with Tom’s Hardware calling out its budget-friendliness at an MSRP of $59.99. The software itself sounds easy to use, especially if you’re already familiar with Logitech G Hub. All you need to do is plug it in, and then you can get started customizing your lighting and audio preferences. It even comes with several voice presets through the integrated BLUE VO!CE mode, which gives you control over the Yeti Orb’s acoustic calibration — even allowing you to do silly things, like apply special effects to make your voice sound extra deep or ethereal.

The post Logitech G Yeti Orb Is a Plug-and-Play LIGHTSYNC-Compatible Condenser Mic first appeared on Yanko Design.

The limited-edition Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is inspired by the classic SGH-E700 flip phone

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The clamshell-like Galaxy Z Flip5 is an interesting device, combining modern smartphone specs and features with a holistic design approach that heavily borrows elements of flip phones from the early 2000s. It’s also the best of its class, thanks in part to very little competition from Apple — but also because of its robust internals, like a primary 1080×2640 AMOLED display (collapsing into a 720×748 front display when closed), a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and a 3700 mAh battery.

As of October 30, Samsung announced a limited-edition version of the Galaxy Z Flip5, called the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro, and it looks peculiarly like 20-year-old SGH-E700, which launched around the same time as (and was ultimately overshadowed by) the behemoth Nokia 1100. Still, as Samsung’s first mobile phone containing an antenna, the SGH-E700 was a triumph in cellphone design for its time, and it’s celebrated in the stylized Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro, which sports the original SGH-E700’s indigo blue and silver color scheme.

Designer: Samsung

The tributary Flip5 Retro also comes with an interface makeover which itself is a throwback to the SGH-E700’s stock interface, complete with the blue lettering on the Flex Window that you can even show off alongside a pixel-art animation of a city skyline punctuated by shooting stars streaming across the night sky. It’s awfully pretty looking, and it’s certainly reminiscent of 16-bit screen savers and mobile games that were playable on cell phones in the early 2000s.

It sounds like the Flip5 Retro is shipped in a package containing several extra goodies, including: “three Flipsuit cards featuring logos from different eras of Samsung’s history, a Flipsuit case and a collector card engraved with a unique serial number that will add to the product’s collectible value for purchasing customers.”

Unfortunately for those of us in the United States, there is no planned launch window for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro over here. It’s also not exactly clear how “limited” the limited edition release will be, as Samsung has yet to disclose how many will be produced. You may still be lucky enough to nab one for yourself from the Samsung online store at the Flip5 Retro’s MSRP (roughly $1,240) if you’re in the UK or Australia, where shipments are set to go out on November 1 — or, if you’re in Spain, Germany, or Korea, where shipments are set to go out on November 2.

The post The limited-edition Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is inspired by the classic SGH-E700 flip phone first appeared on Yanko Design.

The New Apple M3 Chip Enables Workflows Previously Unavailable on a Laptop

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The next generation of silicon is coming to Apple computers. Announced in an uncharacteristically late-afternoon Apple Event on October 30, the three newest Apple chips (M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max) are packed with the tiniest transistors Apple has ever stuck into its laptop and desktop computers. The newest chips, which use Apple’s groundbreaking 3nm process, are first launching with the new M3 iMac and M3 MacBook Pro, and, boy howdy, Apple is certainly giving other laptop manufacturers a run for their money in the final quarter of 2023.

Designer: Apple

Apple makes a big deal over the fact its base 10-core M3 GPU can render graphics up to 2.5x faster than a comparable M1 GPU, while the base 8-core M3 CPU gets a 50% relative boost in performance to its M1 counterpart. In terms of raw performance alone, those two figures represent a massive upgrade over a chip that released alongside new Apple computers only three years ago. That’s just the tip of the iceberg; thanks to a bevy of new capabilities unlocked by M3’s ultra-compact transistor size, the upper performance limits of the M3 family are higher than ever — meaning, if you’re an AI developer, a game designer, or a visual designer of some sort, your next primary workstation may be a new Mac running on a hyper-powerful M3 Max, armed to the teeth with a 40-core GPU, 16-core CPU, 128 gigs of high-speed RAM, and a 8 TB SSD.

On a basic level, the standard 10-core M3 GPU is an impressive component, fitted with all-new features like hardware-accelerated ray-tracing, mesh shading, and Dynamic Caching to deliver, at a minimum, “65 percent more performance” over M1-based Macs when performing rendering-heavy tasks such as gaming and 3D imaging. It’s facilitated by the M3 chip’s new unified memory architecture (which is supposed to vastly speed up RAM while boosting power efficiency) and support for up to 24 gigs of RAM by default (or up to 36 gigs for the M3 Pro, or up to 128 for the M3 Max), which all make use of the aforementioned new unified architecture. Apple says this “unlocks workflows previously not possible on a laptop, such as AI developers working with even larger transformer models with billions of parameters.”

For the average user, that’s not a huge deal on its own. Sure, games are capable of running smoother and looking prettier as a result of the new hardware, and it sounds like macOS 14 is equipped to make use of the M3 chip design to enable things like Game Mode, which deprioritizes background tasks while a game window is active. But, another big draw of the new M3 architecture is the addition of integrated AV1 decoding. Built-in AV1 support means a new M3-powered iMac or MacBook Pro can smoothly stream 4k60 video from digital streaming services without a noticeable drop in quality if the connection starts to waver.

This also has work applications. For instance, two or more M3-powered Macs communicating with one another via Screen Share should have a buttery-smooth experience, even when both Macs are working on resource-heavy tasks.

The post The New Apple M3 Chip Enables Workflows Previously Unavailable on a Laptop first appeared on Yanko Design.

M3 MacBook Pro Boasts 11x Better Performance Than an Actual Intel Desktop

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The October 30 Apple Event was exactly as “scary fast” as it was deemed to be, clocking in at no more than 30 minutes in total. That was more than enough time for Apple to show up and hammer out the most important details about its M3-powered next-gen upgrades for the MacBook Pro and the iMac, and admittedly there’s a lot to love. It’s worth noting the 2020-era M1 chip was the sole point of reflection for the company; Apple specifically noted a 60% upgrade in performance between the 14-inch M3 Pro-powered MacBook Pro and the 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pros featuring the M2 Pro and M2 Max launched in January, and so it’s probably too soon for an upgrade from those. But Apple’s point is clear: if you own anything earlier than an M1-powered MacBook Pro, or if you own even the most powerful Intel-based Mac on the market, you’re tailing behind the pack.

Designer: Apple

It’s hard to argue against the swath of powerful new features included in the late-2023 MacBook Pro lineup — equipped with the full array of hyper-powerful Apple M3 chips, which use a 3-nanometer process much like the A17 Pro chip included in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. These new M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max-powered MacBook Pros are the current flagship of the macOS fleet, and all models benefit from the vastly increased base performance, which Apple claims is “11x faster than the most powerful Intel-based MacBook Pro”.

If you’re a designer or a creator who needs all the horsepower you can get, the MacBook Pro M3 Max model is probably your best bet thanks to its 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU with Dynamic Caching, a feature that can evidently boost performance by dynamically allocating memory in real time. For even just the base M3 model, however, macOS Sonoma’s new features (like Screen Sharing between M3-powered Macs and Game Mode, which prioritizes framerates in games like Baldur’s Gate 3) make great use of all that computing power.

The new MacBook Pro color scheme, Space Black, is a gorgeous, metallic black chassis that marks a MacBook first since 2006. Apple considers it a “Pro” color, so it’s less likely we’ll see a similarly-colored M3-powered MacBook Air any time soon, and that’s a real shame because it does look quite sleek.

Both the 14-inch and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro are now available to pre-order from Apple’s online store. The base M3-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro will begin at $1,599 while the M3-powered 16-inch is set to start at $2,499. Of course, you’ll need to shell out a bit more for the M3 Pro and M3 Max versions. Orders will begin shipping out on November 7.

The post M3 MacBook Pro Boasts 11x Better Performance Than an Actual Intel Desktop first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Innovative & Unique Accessories For Your Apple Devices

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Since its foundation in 1976, Apple has always been at the peak of modern innovation! And let’s take a moment to appreciate all the awesome products and inspiration Apple has provided us with. The groundbreaking tech giant never fails to surprise us, we always find ourselves biting our nails and squirming with curiosity, whenever Apple announces a new product launch! Needless to say, we all have our favorite Apple products, and although they are pretty amazing as is, it’s always fun to amp them up further with some cool and innovative accessories. And, we’ve curated a collection of unique and super functional accessories for your valuable devices – from a slim AirTag alternative to a new and improved iPhone 15 cases!

1. Apple MagSafe Grip Stand

Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, the Apple MagSafe Grip Stand can fold flat without the trouble of assembly and disassembly.

Why is it noteworthy?

The stand is pretty thin and sized like a card, so it swiftly attaches to your phone, allowing you to slip your phone into your pocket without the stress of snagging it.

What we like

  • Can handle a load of 500g
  • Allows you to hold the phone securely with comfort and confidence

What we dislike

  • Colors options are a bit limited, could do with more variety

2. Mujjo’s Full Leather Wallet Case

Mujjo designed the Full Leather Wallet Case for the iPhone 15 Pro, and it is clad in premium European leather that is tanned in the Netherlands and made using a remarkable grain, with choices between black, brown, and blue finishes.

Why is it noteworthy?

The camera and lenses are protected via a machined metal rim, while the polycarbonate inner structure with microfiber interior linings protects your phone.

What we like

  • Features a slot stitched into the back that holds two cards

What we dislike

  • You’ll need to remove the cards if you want to attach Apple’s MagSafe charger to the back

3. CASA Hub Stand Pro

The CASA Hub Stand Pro was designed with the MacBook in mind, and it can raise any laptop up to 29cm in height, offering you a super ergonomic position that wont really strain your neck. You can also set it lower, in case you don’t have an external keyboard. Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $129 (23% off with Coupon Code “23OFFYANKO”).

Why is it noteworthy?

The stand is equipped with a high-precision load-bearing mechanism that can accommodate weights of up to 3.5kg, and can handle heavier gaming laptops as well, and not just a MacBook Pro.

What we like

  • Fits personal view angles perfectly
  • The base can rotate at 360 degrees

What we dislike

  • Offers only one aluminum finish and no aesthetic customisation to match other laptop styles.

4. Slimca HERE

The Slimca HERE is designed to be the same size as a credit card. It functions as an excellent alternative to Apple’s own tracking device.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Slimca HERE features a razor-thin form that slides easily into wallets and is equipped with global tracking, a built-in speaker, and a left-behind reminder. The Slimca HERE works over Apple’s Find My network.

What we like

  • Super thin, making it easy to slip into wallets

What we dislike

  • It isn’t being sold yet, so we’re not sure how the final product will turn out to be

5. TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate

The TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate, short for “Super Shockproof” is a protective case that was created to let your iPhone’s design completely shine through while protecting it.

Why is it noteworthy?

The TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate offers seamless protection when you drop your phone from any height or angle. The case is built from a high-durability TPU material that absorbs 98% of the shock.

What we like

  • Provides aesthetic value and protective functionality as well

What we dislike

  • With a very minimal line of products, there is no option for anyone who wants a more vibrant design.

6. The PodChain

The PodChain functions as a strap to which you can attach your AirPods or AirPods Pro so you can hang them around your neck or a hook until it’s time to utilize or charge them.

Why is it noteworthy?

What is super interesting about the PodChain is that these buds don’t just dangle off your shoulders – it has a One-Click Patented Lock, that you can use to secure your AirPods in place.

What we like

  • An excellent option for those who continuously lose their AirPods

What we like

  • Not the most aesthetically pleasing design to have around your neck

7. C1 MagFit Case

Created the Spigen, the C1 MagFit case for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are inspired by the iMac G3’s vibrant translucent colors series.

Why is it noteworthy?

It provides your iPhone with a retro makeover, while also providing protection from cracks, scratches, and bumps. It also continues to enable your phone’s MagSafe features.

What we like

  • Comes in three super fun colors
  • Features clicky tactile buttons on the sides that are super fun and interactive to use

What we dislike

  • It is a retro design, so it won’t appeal to everyone, only those who prefer old-school styles

8. Hermès Apple Watch Bands

Hermès has launched a variety of roughly 20 leather band variants for the newly released Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2.

Why is it noteworthy?

The brand also released a variety of other designs, colors, and materials, which provide a quick and cool update for your wrist. This collection includes four new styles that have been inspired by luxurious textiles.

What we like

  • Includes four new styles inspired by luxurious textiles

What we like

  • Has a steep price tag as expected, so not a viable option for everyone

9. HiRise 3 Deluxe

Designed by Twelve South, the HiRise 3 Deluxe is MagSafe certified, and it can charge your iPhone up to 15W. The accessory features a unique and adjustable MagSafe pad, which allows for a 35-degree angle shift to support optimal viewing.

Why is it noteworthy?

The charger favors a front-to-back arrangement, unlike the typical side-by-side layout, which doesn’t occupy too much space on your workdesk and nightstand.

What we like

  • Occupies three of your Apple devices without occupying too much space

What we dislike

  • Only available in back, would be better to have more color options to choose from

10. Belkin BoostCharge Accessories

The BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand and the other dubbed BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 are Belkin’s latest accessories for the iPhone 15.

Why is it noteworthy?

The BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand is for people who want a wireless charging pad that can flip upwards so that they can easily watch content. The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 is for gadget lovers who frequently charge their array of devices in tandem.

What we like

  • A dual thermal protection system prevents any chance of overheating
  • Features a non-slip material to keep the device in place

What we dislike

  • The Apple Watch attachment costs extra

The post Top 10 Innovative & Unique Accessories For Your Apple Devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

This exoskeleton-like back support lets you lift heavy objects while keeping your back safe

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If your work involves regularly carrying heavy things around, then your back is most likely one of your body parts that suffers. I don’t have a job that does that (does carrying a heavy bag every day count?) and yet I constantly feel all sorts of back aches. Well, maybe I’m just old. In any case, those who work in construction, warehouse production, and other industries where they have to carry heavy objects need to have literal support to help them manage their bones and joints.

Designer: Bebop Design

A Korean studio designed one such product for their client WIRobotics. WIBS is a wearable back support that’s created specifically for those who are involved in labor intensive industries which workers can wear while they’re doing their task or when they’re on a break. The brace was designed to not look so much like a brace but more to look like it’s part of your outfit and will not get in the way of doing your usual tasks. It also looks comfortable enough to regularly wear or at least when you need to have better support for your body.

WIBS is able to provide mechanical support to the user’s posterior, including the back and waist, two of the parts that are affected when you regularly lift heavy objects. While the materials are durable and designed to withstand pressure, they were able to use a soft design to it for the user’s comfort. There is also no need for electricity to use it so you can go around without needing to charge or change any battery. It uses tensioned flexible rubber composite as well as mechanical gears. You can adjust the strength level through an analog controller in the chest area.

This back support device can be adjusted to various sizes depending on the wearer as it has adjustable straps for the perfect fit. Think of it as a posterior brace that will not hinder movements but provide much needed support as you go about your regular tasks that involve lifting and moving heavy objects for a long period of time.

The post This exoskeleton-like back support lets you lift heavy objects while keeping your back safe first appeared on Yanko Design.