Tag Archives: ces

Hisense 110UX at CES 2024: Redefining Display Precision and Performance

Posted on by

The 110UX, a flagship model in Hisense’s ULED X lineup, showcases the company’s advanced engineering capabilities. This 110-inch giant transforms the living room into a cinematic experience, transcending the traditional role of a TV. The 110UX features an impressive 40,000+ backlight zone, significantly reducing blooming and enhancing contrast to levels not seen before in the LED TV market. With its high-output Mini LED technology, the 110UX achieves an extraordinary brightness of up to 10,000 nits.

However, the 110UX’s appeal extends beyond brightness; its color accuracy is equally impressive. Covering 95% of the BT.2020 color palette, the 110UX surpasses competitors who only reach 80%. This superior color coverage ensures viewers experience the most realistic and vibrant visuals.

The Genius Behind the Screen: AI-Enhanced Viewing

Hisense goes beyond mere hardware prowess. The 110UX includes advanced AI-driven features such as AI contrast and AI depth. These intelligent systems dynamically adjust picture quality, clarity, and immersion based on the content, elevating the viewing experience to new heights. Furthermore, integrating cutting-edge, color-resistant panel materials and QLED-Quantum Dot technology, powered by the Hi-View Engine X chipset, takes color reproduction and image clarity to the next level.

Audio quality is also a major focus. Equipped with 4.2.2 channel audio and Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, the 110UX offers an auditory experience as immersive as its visual counterpart. This harmonious blend of sight and sound creates a captivating entertainment experience.

As a CES Innovation Award Honoree, the 110UX exemplifies Hisense’s dedication to excellence and innovation in display technology.

Comparing the 110UX to Previous Models and Competitors

When compared to previous ULED models, the 110UX represents a significant advancement. Its high-output Mini LED technology generates an extraordinary brightness level, greatly enhancing contrast and dynamic range. Coupled with its impressive 95% BT.2020 color palette coverage, the 110UX stands apart from both its predecessors and competitors, offering a viewing experience that is vibrant, lifelike, and deeply immersive.

What Sets the 110UX Apart in the Mini LED TV Market?

In the Mini LED TV market, the 110UX distinguishes itself through a combination of ultra-high brightness and extensive color palette coverage. These features work in tandem to produce images that are not only bright and clear but also rich and lifelike. This makes the 110UX an ideal choice for movie enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone seeking a premium TV viewing experience.

98UX: Bigger, Brighter, Faster

The 98UX and 110UX represent an evolution in Hisense’s innovative lineup. This 98-inch Mini LED TV matches its predecessors in quality and significantly enhances brightness, contrast, and motion handling.

The 98UX stands out with its extraordinary peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits, almost double that of last year’s models. This remarkable brightness level, combined with over 10,000 local dimming zones, brings unparalleled depth, detail, and contrast to the screen. The result is a picture quality that delivers realism and clarity on a grand scale, especially on its massive 98-inch display.

This TV offers more than just stunning visuals; it delivers a comprehensive sensory experience. The enhanced native refresh rate of 144Hz positions the 98UX as an ideal choice for movie buffs who value smooth motion and avid gamers who require high-performance displays. The increased refresh rate ensures that every frame is rendered with precision, making fast-paced scenes and gaming environments appear exceptionally fluid and lifelike.

A Sound Experience to Match

Complementing its visual clarity, the 98UX also features 4.2.2 channel audio, creating an immersive soundscape. This audio technology ensures that the sound quality matches the exceptional visuals, providing a complete and enveloping entertainment experience.

With these advancements, Hisense’s 98UX is set to be a standout product in the ULED X lineup. It displays Hisense’s commitment to innovation and its ability to deliver cutting-edge technology in its products. The 98UX is not just a television; it’s a gateway to an unprecedented viewing experience, setting new benchmarks in the industry and offering consumers a glimpse into the future of home entertainment.

Conclusion: Hisense’s Vision for the Future of Home Entertainment

Hisense’s 2024 ULED and ULED X lineups, particularly the 110UX, herald a transformative era in home entertainment. With these offerings, Hisense isn’t merely selling TVs; it provides a gateway to an unparalleled entertainment experience. The brand’s commitment to innovation, value, and understanding consumer needs is evident in these products, ensuring Hisense’s continued prominence in the global market.

The home entertainment landscape is constantly evolving, and Hisense’s latest offerings exemplify this progression, showcasing what is possible when technology and creativity converge. With its commitment to innovation, quality, and an unmatched viewing experience, Hisense is leading the way in shaping a bright future for home entertainment.

The post Hisense 110UX at CES 2024: Redefining Display Precision and Performance first appeared on Yanko Design.

ASUS at CES 2024 reveals 14-inch dual-screen laptop, sustainable solutions

Posted on by

Laptops are an integral part of modern-day computing, practically replacing laptops because of their increasing capabilities and versatility. For years, it almost seemed as if innovation in this space has mostly plateaued, simply getting more of the same things, such as more processing power, more heat, more weight, and more costs. That’s no longer the case, thankfully, as major PC brands start taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what laptops are capable of, like the world’s first 14-inch dual-screen laptop that ASUS is showing off at CES 2024. In its search for incredible, however, ASUS has also learned of the weight of its responsibility to help heal the planet and keep it alive far longer, and it is showing exactly how much it has progressed in its commitment to improving not only the quality of its products but also their sustainability.

Designer: ASUS

ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024)

There will come a time when the foldable craze in the smartphone industry will also grip PCs, but that time hasn’t come yet. Instead, there is a precursor to this fad, one that is both more usable but also admittedly a bit more novel. Taking a cue from the canceled Microsoft Surface Neo, ASUS revealed the first commercial dual-screen laptop back in 2019 and is now showing off the refinement it has accomplished that makes the new ZenBook DUO (2024) more than just a novelty.

The ZenBook DUO’s spiel is simple enough. Why settle for a single screen when you can have two wherever you go? And you don’t have to carry around a portable monitor along with your laptop just to accomplish that, because that second screen is your laptop. With a detachable full-sized Bluetooth keyboard that can instantly snap into place, you can have a traditional laptop experience when you want to and a portable two-monitor setup when you need to. This year’s model takes that design up a notch with the largest screens in this niche category, two 14-inch 3K 120Hz OLED screens, to be exact. When unfolded, you’re practically getting a 19.8-inch monitor, albeit one that has a rather wide split down the middle.

Of course, the ZenBook DUO (2024) also steps up the game with upgraded specs, starting with an all-new Intel Core Ultra 9 series processor and up to 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM. That means that the dual-screen laptop is well-equipped to handle AI-related tasks, like optimization, content creation, and more. Both of the screens support high-precision stylus input, making it a superb tool for digital design and collaboration. Thanks to its flexible and versatile design, the ZenBook DUO can offer value to any user, whether they’re a knowledge worker, a programmer, a creator, or anything in between. The ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024) UX8406 goes live in Q1 2024, with availability details to be announced closer to the launch date.

Computing for all

Of course, ASUS has more than a handful of new computers to show off at CES 2024, and, unsurprisingly, quite a number of them are carrying the AI flag. The business-minded ASUS ExpertBook B5, for example, has three AI engines courtesy of an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. With NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 laptop graphics, it can handle plenty of workloads, including creating graphics or maybe even a bit of gaming on the side. A magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis gives it a professional aesthetic, while the US MIL-STD certification guarantees its survival against accidents.

The ASUS ExpertBook CX54 Chromebook Plus brings that same business sense to Google’s fleet of Chrome OS notebooks. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors and enterprise-level management tools, this eco-conscious Chromebook is an ideal candidate for workplace deployment, whether it’ll be used in the office or out in the field.

The ASUS Vivobook S laptops, on the other hand, offer thin and lightweight options for more budget-conscious consumers. Bearing a choice of Intel Core Ultra or AMD Ryzen processors, these ultra-portable computers are more than capable of supporting AI-enabled applications and services, as proven by the dedicated Windows Copilot key that is trending on this season’s laptops. Designed with collaboration and entertainment in mind, the Vivobook S14 and S16 laptops can lay flat at 180 degrees, have an IR camera with a physical shutter button, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio firing off Harman Kardon-certified speakers for an unbeatable user experience.

In addition to its Republic of Gamers brand, ASUS is also growing its own TUF line of gaming laptops. Putting durability and military-grade toughness as a top priority, these powerful machines make no apologies for their rugged looks. Thankfully, those rugged looks have their own charm, and ASUS didn’t go overboard with RGB styling other than on the keyboard. The latest Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen 9 processors not only give it the silicon muscles every gamer needs but also enable AI-assisted capabilities for better performance, whether for play or for work.

Sustainability for a Greener Tomorrow

With this many laptops every year, it’s only natural for a giant like ASUS to ask itself how much its products and their production are affecting the environment. The answer, of course, isn’t that encouraging, but thankfully ASUS is committed to changing that for the better. It has been pushing forward multiple initiatives across its businesses to reduce its negative impact or at least offset them by doing good work to heal the environment.

Focusing on the products themselves, ASUS is ensuring that many of its laptops meet the MIL-STD 810H durability standard so they don’t end up in landfills sooner than they should. It has also been increasing the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics and other recycled materials in these devices. The ASUS ZenBook DUO (2024), for example, is made from 90% post-industrial-recycled (PIR) magnesium-aluminum alloy. Similarly, the ASUS Expertbook CX54 Chromebook Plus uses 30% PIR eco-friendly material and is crafted using renewable energy. And, of course, it has been using recycled materials in its packaging to further reduce the impact of even the smallest accessory.

Whether it’s in the products themselves, the way they are produced, or its day-to-day operations, ASUS is loudly displaying its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices as it continues to search for the incredible. After all, innovation (and profits) will definitely take a backseat when humanity struggles to survive in a damaged world.

The post ASUS at CES 2024 reveals 14-inch dual-screen laptop, sustainable solutions first appeared on Yanko Design.

HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printers carry bold designs to match your style

Posted on by

There was a time when Polaroid-style instant cameras made a comeback, riding on the retro and nostalgia wave that was gripping many markets. There are still some of these around that bring joy to the simple act of taking photos and seeing them instantly printed, but some people found the limitations and total cost of ownership a bit too much to ask. At the very least, it required them to carry a camera with them, often bulky and too attention-grabbing, when they already have a perfect camera in the form of their smartphones. That problem led to the birth of instant photo printers, and this fresh batch from the HP Sprocket line put a rather unique twist to that product design by making the printer itself look as stylish and as lively as the photos it prints.

Designer: C+A (HP Licensee)

There are many portable instant photo printers in the market today, but many of them seem to emphasize the “printer” part a bit too much. More often than not, they look like miniature versions of desktop printers, which aren’t exactly the most inspiring designs around. Considering how they’re often used in fun, playful, and whimsical situations, their appearance doesn’t exactly convey the spirit and purpose of the product.

That’s how the HP Sprocket printers differentiate themselves, even if the difference isn’t that earth-shattering. The portable printers sport a textured design that looks almost like terrazzo, giving a bit of a visual flair to the printers. Throw in a splash of pastel color options and you have an accessory that clearly speaks the language of fun.

They’re not all looks, of course, as these are capable ZINK printers. That means you don’t have to worry about messy inks because all the colors are on the special photo paper. Different printer types use different kinds of paper, such as the Sprocket 2×3 printing the smallest photo sizes, while the newer Sprocket Panorama Printer uses a photo paper roll to be able print out panoramic photos, banners, and more. In both cases, HP Sprocket ZINK paper photos have backs you can peel off to reveal a sticky surface for putting on walls, notebooks, boards, and other objects in a more or less permanent manner.

One of the advantages of using portable photo printers over instant cameras is that you can first compose and edit the photos you take with your phone. With the HP Sprocket app, you can easily pick out frames, apply filters, add stickers and icons, and do so much more before finally printing out your masterpiece. And you can print the same photo over and over again, letting you share those fun, once-in-a-lifetime moments with more friends than you could with a single photo.

The post HP Sprocket Portable Photo Printers carry bold designs to match your style first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport earbuds with temperature and heart rate sensor for active individuals debut at CES 2024

Posted on by

Audiophiles who swear by Sennheiser’s unique audio quality and design have eagerly awaited the next version of the acclaimed earbuds. The waiting is over as the German audio specialist brought the new lineup of headphones and earbuds to CES 2024. These include the upgraded ACCENTUM headphones, MOMENTUM Ture Wireless 4 earbuds and MOMENTUM Sport earbuds.

Each of these newly revealed audio accessories comes with upgrades to the previous versions. Our focus however is centered on the MOMENTUM Sport earbuds. Loaded with their own set of nice features the lifestyle buds are a great option for audio lovers for whom the Beats Fit Pro, Shokz OpenFit, or Jabra Elite 8 Active don’t make the cut.

Designer: Sennheiser

The new pair of IP55-rated earbuds for active individuals refresh Sennheiser’s line-up with a fitness-focused build. The standout feature of the buds is the heart rate monitor and body temperature sensing capabilities. Sennheiser has managed to fit a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that seamlessly syncs real-time data with apps including Apple Health, Garmin Connect, Strava or Polar Flow. Including the body sensors in a pair of earbuds makes complete sense as the inner ear is the most stable area of the body during physical activity. This ensures consistent biometrics with a temperature accuracy of +/- 0.3 degrees Celsius and heart rate measurements ranging from 30 bpm to 220 bpm.

For sound quality, the MOMENTUM Sport comes with a 10mm transducer to deliver a punchy bass and vivid soundstage. To prevent occlusion effect or pressure in the ears, the earbuds boast an acoustic relief channel. One gripe that runners or active individuals always complain about the sports earbuds is the footstep thunder, body sounds or heavy breathing noises. The earbuds come with ear tips and fins for a secure fit and flaunt a semi-open design for passive transparent mode. There’s also the ANC mode for focus periods and the anti-wind mode for windy outdoor conditions.

The IP54 rated wireless case provides 18 hours of playback on a single full charge and with the 6 hours on the buds themselves, users can expect a full day of listening without a hitch. We believe these could be the values with ANC on and for listening without ANC enabled this can be stretched further. For 10 minutes of charging time, the buds can play for 45 minutes on the fly. Users can tweak the sound profile and toggle other settings via the Smart Control app.

For those who believe in the quality of Sennheiser audio, the Sport earbuds will be available on April 9 for a price tag of $330 in black, green and graphite color options.

The post Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport earbuds with temperature and heart rate sensor for active individuals debut at CES 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Shiftcam Workflow Sling finally gives smartphone photographers their own bag

Posted on by

You might chuckle or even roll your eyes at the so-called social media “influencers,” but it’s actually a lucrative (not to mention addictive) industry. That’s not even considering the new breed of photographers that rely only on their smartphones, plus some specialized lenses, to jump immediately into the middle of an action and not miss a beat by having to take out a bulky DSLR. But despite the popularity of smartphone photography, this market also feels a little underserved judging by the lack of basic accessories like something as simple yet as important as a camera bag. Now the wait is finally over and mobile shutterbugs can now enjoy the freedom and versatility that a dedicated smartphone camera bag offers thanks to Shiftcam’s new Workflow Sling, the first hyperfocused camera bag designed just for smartphone photography.

Designer: Shiftcam

The reason why some people prefer to capture photos and record videos using a smartphone is the near-instant action and versatility. You almost always have your smartphone with you, whether in your hand or in your pocket, and you can immediately edit and share those photos on social media. In fact, you can livestream directly from your phone, something that’s not easily done with a digital camera. But as your smartphone photography skills get better, you start to need and use more advanced accessories that you can’t easily fit in your pocket. That’s what a camera bag is for, and the Workflow Sling brings that same convenience to smartphones at long last.

It’s more than just a regular sling bag, mind you, because every corner and every feature was designed for people who use their smartphones as cameras. There’s a dedicated “Action Pocket” in the central compartment that makes sure your smartphone is in your hand in a split second. There are also dedicated pockets to keep your smartphone lenses safe and within reach, like the ones you might be purchasing from Shiftcam itself. There’s also plenty of room for all sorts of smartphone photography tools, from a tripod to a drone to even a water bottle to keep you hydrated during your adventures.

The Workflow Sling, however, does more than just hold your phone and its accessories. There’s an innovative MagSafe clip that lets you attach your phone to the strap and on your chest for a dramatic first-person view or in front of the bag, turning it into a makeshift stand. These features clearly mark this accessory as a product that was designed from the ground up to cater to smartphone shutterbugs, delivering the functionality and features that finally put them on the same playing field as the pros with their bulkier, heavier, and more expensive equipment.

The post Shiftcam Workflow Sling finally gives smartphone photographers their own bag first appeared on Yanko Design.

Moft Invisible Phone Tripod hands-on at CES 2024: A phone tripod as thin as two credit cards

Posted on by

If there’s anything we’ve come to expect from Moft, it’s the ability to combine design and origami together to make some of the slimmest-yet-most-enduring stands for phones, tablets, and even laptops. Moft’s stands are so thin that they’re practically invisible… but fold them open and you’ve got something that’s so robust and functional it’s honestly surprising.

We came down to Moft’s stand at CES to check out their latest product – the Invisible Phone Stand. As ardent fans of the Moft Z (the world’s thinnest laptop stand) and the Moft X (a shape-shifting slim phone stand with a built-in wallet), we wanted to check out what else they were building, only to set eyes on the ‘Invisible Phone Tripod’ – a highly versatile and adjustable tripod that sits at a mere 0.27 inches thick when folded back into your phone.

Designer: Moft

Designed to be no thicker than two credit cards sandwiched together, the stand sits flat against the back of your phone. Open it up, however, and you’ve got yourself a perfectly stable tripod that can be angle-adjusted and even switched between landscape or portrait modes thanks to the inclusion of MagSafe. The secret lies entirely in a blend of origami-inspired design and some clever material choices and engineering to create a stand so seamless and so slim, it’s there when you need it, and invisible when you don’t.

One of the standout features of the MOFT tripod stand is its versatility, offering three distinct modes with adjustable angles. These include Floating Mode, which raises your phone to a height of 8 inches and offers various angles such as Video Call Angle, Showcase Angle, Theatre Angle, Browsing Angle, and Macro Photography Angle. Then there’s Stand Mode and Vlogging Mode, catering to different content creation and viewing needs.

The folding procedure takes just a few seconds

Despite its multifunctionality, the tripod stand boasts a compact design, measuring 3.82.50.27 inches and weighing just 2.9 oz. It’s crafted from MOVAS™ Vegan Leather, magnets, metal sheets, fiberglass, and PC, ensuring both durability and a premium feel​. The MOVAS™-E vegan leather used in the stand is designed to resist yellowing, boasting impressive UV and dirt resistance compared to regular leather. The material retains its vibrant color over time through a unique dyeing process, although it’s advised to avoid strong chemicals and to clean any stains immediately for optimal maintenance.

Its origami-inspired structure provides a stable triangular base, and it has been tested to support a weight of up to 17.6 oz, which is more than twice the weight of an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The hinge is made from manganese steel, which remains solid even after 5,000 open-close cycles, ensuring longevity. Paired with the MOVAS leather, the entire product is durable inside and out, and won’t show signs of ageing even with constant everyday use.

Priced at $39.99, this tripod stand is not only compatible with MagSafe for iPhone 12 and newer models but also offers universal compatibility for various phone models, including Android, through the inclusion of a MOFT Metal Ring. This ring is suitable for non-silicone cases made from PC, TPU, or aluminum, ensuring a wide range of devices can benefit from this accessory.

The post Moft Invisible Phone Tripod hands-on at CES 2024: A phone tripod as thin as two credit cards first appeared on Yanko Design.

JBL Launches The Live 3 Series Of Touchscreen Earbuds For Personalized Audio Experience

Posted on by

JBL, a renowned name in audio technology, has made a splash at CES 2024 with the introduction of its latest generation of wireless earbuds, the Live 3 series. Comprising three distinct models – Live Buds 3, Live Beam 3, and Live Flex 3 – this lineup is designed to cater to diverse user preferences while offering a seamless and personalized audio experience. Let’s delve into the key features of these earbuds, showcased in a sleek touchscreen charging case.

Designer: JBL

One of the standout features of the Live 3 series is the inclusion of a 1.45-inch LED touch display on the charging case, a technology first introduced in JBL’s Tour Pro 2. This touchscreen functionality allows users to manage calls, view texts, control music playback, and even receive social media alerts directly from the case. Ideal for situations where users prefer not to handle their phones with sweaty hands like in the gym or when you’re out for a run, this innovative addition brings a new level of convenience to the earbud experience.

The Live 3 series introduces three unique models, each finely tuned to suit different preferences and situations. Let’s dive into what each has to offer:

First, the Live Buds 3:
Its sporting a classic bud-style design with a comfy fit. You get a solid 10 hours of playtime outside the case with ANC (active noise cancellation) off, plus an extra 30 hours of juice from the case. Perfect for those who want a laid-back, immersive audio experience.

Then, we have the Live Beam 3:
It’s JBL’s answer to AirPods Pro 2. These closed-type stick earbuds feature a noise-isolating design, giving you 12 hours of playtime with ANC off and an additional 36 hours of charge from the case. It’s all about that premium audio experience.

Lastly, the Live Flex 3:
It’s the open-type stick headphones for the AirPods 3 enthusiasts. Offering 10 hours of playtime with ANC off and an extra 40 hours from the case, these are designed for those who appreciate an open design and longer battery life.

Here’s the cool part; all of them share some awesome features. Think IP55 (for Buds and Beam) and IP54 (for Flex) dust and water resistance, Smart Charging Case tech with a 1.45-inch LED touch display, Hi-Res Audio, JBL Signature Sound, Bluetooth 5.3 support with LE Audio (via OTA update) for multipoint connectivity, and compatibility with top-notch Android phones like Google Pixel 7/8 and Samsung Galaxy S23.

This lineup isn’t just about earbuds; it’s about tailoring your audio experience to fit your style. So, whether you’re into classic buds, Pro-level sound, or an AirPods vibe, the Live 3 series has you covered.

All three models of the JBL Live 3 series are priced at $199.95 and are expected to hit stores later this summer. They will be available in black and silver, these earbuds aim to deliver a premium audio experience for users with diverse preferences and lifestyles. As the market eagerly awaits their arrival, JBL’s Live 3 series promises to redefine the standards of wireless earbuds in 2024.

The post JBL Launches The Live 3 Series Of Touchscreen Earbuds For Personalized Audio Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

Speck Tagimals hands-on at CES 2024: Adorable AirTag holders that attach to kids’ shoes!

Posted on by

Part cute character, part serious parenting tool, Speck’s latest AirTag case may be a literal lifesaver.

Dubbed the Tagimals, these AirTag covers come with slots that let you strap them to kids’ shoes, letting parents keep tabs on the whereabouts of their young ones. Each Tagimal sports a unique character (with its own name), and houses a single AirTag within. It works with kids’ shoes as well as pet collars, going above and beyond what Apple envisioned for its mere ‘keys and wallet tracking device’.

Designer: Speck

The Tagimals (a portmanteau of Tag and Animal) come in four styles, each with their own animal character. Children can choose the animal they love the best and strap/secure them to their shoes, sort of like Crocs Charms. A wide slot allows parents to string the Tagimals onto laced shoes, slide them into velcro shoes, or even secure them around pet collars.

You’ve got four adorable creatures to choose from – ‘Milo’ the dog and ‘Mittens’ the cat make for the most obvious Tagimals, but you’ve even got whimsical creatures like ‘Blaze’ the dragon and, ‘Tink’ the unicorn for kids with a sense of wonder and curiosity.

Attaching an AirTag to a Tagimal is as easy as pushing it in as the tag then secures within with a satisfying click. To remove the AirTag, simply press down on the silicone animal face and it forces the AirTag out, allowing you to replace it, or put the AirTag in a new character because maybe your kid feels like a dragon on some days and a cat on others!

The Tagimals come in a set of four, featuring the motley crew of animal characters. The kit starts at $34.95, which works out to be vastly cheaper than Apple’s own AirTag holder… while offering features that most parents and pet-owners will absolutely love!

The post Speck Tagimals hands-on at CES 2024: Adorable AirTag holders that attach to kids’ shoes! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Shiftcam Probe Lens hands-on at CES 2024: the WILDEST iPhone camera accessory ever, just $299

Posted on by

Remember the $1,599 probe lens Laowa made for DSLRs? Well, Shiftcam built one for 1/5th the price… and it mounts onto your iPhone for the most surreal macro videos ever.

A probe lens for smartphones was definitely not on my 2024 bingo card, but it seems like Shiftcam had other plans. When Laowa launched the first probe lens in 2019, it instantly became the talk of the photography community. The lens had a distinct design, shaped less like a cylinder and more like a projectile. Its design was the perfect example of form following function, because the probe lens could shoot macro unlike any other lens on the market. The only problem, it cost an eye-watering $1,599.

At CES, Shiftcam’s broadly achieved two incredible feats. Not only has it debuted its own probe lens for an ultra-affordable $299, it’s also redesigned it to work with iPhones, bringing the incredible experience to pretty much any smartphone photography enthusiast.

Designer: Shiftcam

Shiftcam’s Probe Lens has that same unmistakable design, with its long, tubular form factor. This pretty much lets you sneak your way into places where most smartphone camera lenses wouldn’t, allowing you to get what’s called a ‘bug’s perspective’ on things. Aside from being able to prod your way into tree trunks, aquariums, and other tight nooks, the distinct benefit of a Probe Lens is the fact that it doesn’t have an extreme DoF. This keeps things in your frame relatively clear, unlike most macro lens that aggressively blur foregrounds and backgrounds out to focus on a singular subject.

The Probe Lens boasts a wide-angle 25mm focal length, quite similar to Laowa’s 24mm lens. The results are incredibly similar too, but it’s a constant endeavor to remind yourself that while Laowa’s $1500 lens fits on expensive high-end cameras, Shiftcam achieves the exact same thing with a $299 price tag and the ability to mount onto any iPhone.

The lens builds on your smartphone’s camera specs, basically leveraging the iPhone’s wild 4K@60fps shooting ability. It relies on Shiftcam’s existing mounting cover cases, which means the lens can attach onto older versions of the iPhone too.

Shiftcam’s announced two versions of the Probe Lens at CES 2024. The regular variant sports a $299 price tag, while the $399 Pro variant boasts extra features like a built-in LED ring, variable DoF adjustment, and a waterproof front tube that lets you point the tip of your lens into water.

The post Shiftcam Probe Lens hands-on at CES 2024: the WILDEST iPhone camera accessory ever, just $299 first appeared on Yanko Design.