The Raspberry Pi, lovingly called RPi by fans, did for electronics what 3D printing did for design. It allowed almost anyone to come up with interesting, innovative, and sometimes just amusing projects that need a very small and cheap computer to function. The size of a credit card and less than $100 (going as low as $35 even!), the Raspberry Pi is a barebones and naked single-board computer (SBC) that you can insert almost anywhere and add to any design. That said, there are some use cases for the RPi that require a proper enclosure and those are a dime a dozen these days. This one case, in particular, goes over the top and puts the small pocket-sized computer inside a box that, for all intents and purposes, looks like a miniaturized gaming desktop, complete with multiple fans and RGB lighting.
Truth be told, this Raspberry Pi 5 case really goes overboard considering the limitations of the computer in terms of performance. You’ll only ever be able to play very light computer games on it, so associating it with a gaming desktop seems out of character, but it definitely gives it some style. Then again, we did see an even more exaggerated liquid cooling system for the Raspberry Pi that makes this case actually look reasonable.
The Pironman 5, as the case is called, is also unlike the majority of Raspberry Pi cases in that it’s actually made of aluminum instead of plastic, just like a typical desktop tower. And like many gaming PCs these days, one side and a part of its back it made of transparent acrylic that lets you take a peek into the computer’s innards, not that there’s that much to see anyway. The RPi, after all, is just a single board that has everything soldered into it, but the case does have a few interesting bits that will make it worth looking into.
There are three fans, which is again overkill, and two of them have RGB lighting. Equally interesting is how the case exposes all the RPi’s ports on the case’s back, just like what you’d expect from a desktop computer, despite the board having those ports on different sides. There’s even a way to access the GPIO pins without opening up the case, making expansion and modification super easy. You can add an NVMe SSD or control the computer with an IR remote control, all of which are not available in the base Raspberry Pi.
The Pironman 5 is cute and eccentric, and few will probably be using the case aside from a few niche situations. It makes the single-board computer look more interesting and more usable as a desktop computer, but you pay the price in terms of space, power consumption, and the literal $80 cost. Then again, that’s the beauty of the culture that the RPi started, allowing anyone and everyone to come up with interesting designs, even if they turn out to be impractical in the end.
Introducing the HMD’s Phonecore range, which is a destined conversation starter no matter the gathering you are heading into. This range of smartphone-inspired accessories includes a pair of Pulse Pro-inspired sunglasses that look like an impressive pair of smart glasses, a smartphone backpack, and a belt that’s made to hold your phone like a policeman’s walkie-talkie in the belt.
The striking smart glasses and other accessories in glacier green color are made by HMD in partnership with fashion designer Sinead Gorey. Made during the London Fashion Week, the eyewear is a little like a functional pair of smart glasses we have seen over the years; it’s a statement-making device with elongated rectangular black lenses and an oversized frame that mimics the screen of the new phone.
Besides the glasses, the Phonecore range in itself is intended to accentuate the HMD Pulse Pro unlike anything gimmicky seen before. The range of accessories has the industry talking about its oversized design and bold outlook, which ‘won’t make you smart but would definitely make the HMD smartphone, smarter.’
Along with the oversized glasses, as mentioned above, the Phonecore range includes a mobile backpack. This is a 3D-printed backpack which is big enough to only carry a smartphone. It is complemented by a toolkit-style belt with a pouch, designed again to carry nothing but your phone. Interestingly, none of these accessories are usable in real-life scenarios, it’s only to satiate your style quotient.
HMD Pulse Pro is a discussion-worthy debut smartphone under their own brand. It comes with interesting new features, which are unique to the sub $200 range, like affordable spare parts for at-home reparability, over three years of updates, and fast storage. But the aspect that kills it really is its 50-megapixel front camera with gesture-activated selfie features. The phone bleeds tech and its supporting accessories catapult that richness to new style heights. The complementing Phonecore collection will be available in limited quantities for style seekers.
My MacBook is one of my most beloved belongings. I honestly cannot do without my MacBook, probably because it is one of my most prized possessions! It contains basically everything I hold important in my life – from work documents to memorable pictures from even ten years ago. And not to mention, I do end up spending most of my day, typing away and working on my MacBook. Since it is such an integral part of my daily and work routine, I’m always looking for ways to elevate my MacBook. I love innovative and nifty gadgets that function as the perfect sidekick to my MacBook, helping me boost my daily productivity and efficiency. Here, we’ve curated a few of our favorite MacBook accessories that’ll promise to level up your already awesome and beloved MacBook. From an ingenious wrap to handle your MacBook cables to a Satechi Triple 4K docking station – these are must-have accompaniments to your MacBook, and the best investments of 2024 for Apple lovers!
1. Magic Bar
Named the Magic Bar, this portable Touch Bar can be teamed up with, and used with essentially any Apple peripheral. It is a sleek, seamless, and portable toolbar that is quite similar to the Touch Bar in terms of features and functionality. It also has a pretty recognizable design that aligns horizontally with your keyboard. You can pair up the Magic Bar with your iPhone, to create and use multiple smart home shortcuts.
2. TAIM
Meet TAIM – a cable management solution that can be attached perfectly around a MacBook charger, offering a way to let you wrap the cable around the block, and secure the cable so that it doesn’t get loose, and you can access it whenever you need it. It saves time, ensuring you don’t waste unnecessary minutes managing the cable. You can focus on actually getting tasks at hand done. TAIM helps not only save time but also reduces the frustration experienced when untangling cables.
3. Woolnut’s Sleeves
Woolnut’s beautiful sleeves for the MacBook are made by combining fine vegetable-tanned full-grain Nappa leather with pure natural wool felt. The sleeves are beautiful and bespoke, and offer expansive protection to your expensive equipment, ensuring no irreversible physical damage is caused. The sleeves follow the highest Scandinavian design standards, and the intricately designed sleeves fit the MacBook like a glove.
4. Belkin’s Continuity Camera
Designed by Belkin, and called the Continuity Camera accessory, this all-white circular peripheral can be easily attached to the back of your iPhone using MagSafe. The accessory is made from soft silicone, and you can easily mount it onto your Mac, leaving behind no scratches. Once the accessory is attached to where the webcam is located, the Continuity Camera instantly activates, allowing the iPhone to be used as a webcam. How cool is that?
5. Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet is a leather housing for your MacBook! It provides protection against accidental bumps and scuffs, while also serving as a neat place to store your notebook, papers, and pen. The case frees your hands while holding everything you may need for a meeting or to work in a coffee shop. The svelte sleeve has a leather construction which provides your MacBook with an elegant and professional-looking upgrade. It is also available in multiple colors.
6. Triple 4K Docking Station
Dubbed the Triple 4K Docking Station, this innovative accessory smartly expands the limitations of your MacBook. The dock makes for an excellent fit for the M1 which has a single monitor, or even the M2 which can be extended to two screens. The docking station can extend to three extra displays, and it offers a 4K HDMI port at 60Hz, a pair of HDMI slots or even the DisplayPort outputs, creating a complete system.
7. FLIKK Laptop Stand & Sleeve
Meet the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve which is designed to overcome the drawbacks of traditional laptop stands. Typical laptop stands don’t offer the needed elevation and viewing angles, and this is where the FLIKK laptop stand and sleeve swoops in. It provides you with the desired viewing angle to create a comfortable and supportive working regime anytime and anywhere. It also transforms into a laptop sleeve to store your laptop as you move around.
8. HybridDrive
Say hello to the HybridDrive – which is the perfect combination of an external hard drive and a USB hub. It is designed to be an all-powerful accessory for your MacBook. It features a two-piece design that can be plugged into each other, and it is compatible with most USB-C devices. It features a multiport on one end, an SSD on another, and a USB-C interface connecting both ends. It seamlessly connects your portable devices and your desktop.
9. iMac
Called the Slim Dock, this accessory by Satechi looks as if it would be released by Apple itself. The sleek design elevates your 24″ M1 iMac with extra ports and extended SSD storage. It features the same machine aluminum outer as the iMac and is also available to purchase in the default silver. You could also go for the anodized blue color to match your blue iMac, creating a complementary pair.
10. SuperTank
Dubbed the SuperTank, this 27,000 mAh portable charger can be powered in sixty minutes, and it is then ready for deployment. It features a dual USB-C PD (100W + 60W), and dual USB-A ports, which can quickly charge your MacBook pros and other devices as well. This is a boon to people who are always on the go since they don’t need to deal with excess wires, multiple power plugs, and compatible sockets – irrespective of where they are.
The iPhone might be Apple’s one and only portable music player today, but it’s far from being its most iconic. That prestige belongs to the original iPad (not the Nano nor the Touch) whose design, like any other Apple product, was hailed for its beautiful minimalism and unique interface, a design that many have dared to copy even today. Of course, the iPod is now just a footnote in history, but there are still a few who want to relive those glorious days of the past in a way that makes a bit of sense in the present. That might be the idea behind a mysterious new accessory that seemingly revives the iPod but, rather than create a completely new device, it reuses a strapless Apple Watch instead.
The OG iPod was genius in its simplicity. It provided quick and easy access to dozens of functions with an innovative “click wheel” physical control that avoided overloading the user with buttons and menus. Of course, these days it’s just as easy to peck at the iPhone screen with your finger, but a smartphone brings along other sorts of complications and distractions that go beyond the simple joys of listening to music. At the same time, a dedicated media player no longer makes sense these days since it would be yet another device to buy and maintain in addition to a phone, a tablet, and a smartwatch.
tinyPod seems to be trying to solve both problems by enclosing the Apple Watch in a case that is almost like a perfect replica of an iPod, except for the fact that it has a colored screen. What makes the case more interesting is that, at least based on a teaser video, you can actually control the Apple Watch using what looks like an authentic click wheel. It’s not yet known how it manages to do this, but this will be an important detail since the Apple Watch’s digital crown is inaccessible in this form, so you’ll need some other way to navigate through watchOS without always touching the screen.
The accessory is advertised to deliver an experience that’s like “your phone away from your phone,” which refers to the “watered-down” version of an iPhone that an Apple Watch offers. You can listen to and control your music without having to pull out your phone, but unlike the iPod, you can do so much more as well, like watching YouTube. In a way, it’s sort of like the middle ground between a “dumb” portable media player and a full-blown smartphone.
What little we know about tinyPod through a simple teaser still leaves many questions unanswered. You can probably keep this in your front pocket or even hang it around your neck, but it loses many of the health-related features that the Apple Watch is famous for in those situations. It’s also unknown how Apple will react to such an obvious copy of its iPod design, which could mean the device will be short-lived. Either way, we just have a month or so to wait for all the details to drop for this Apple Watch-powered iPod throwback.
The table near the door to my apartment is witness to the fact that I have a lot of stuff. Whenever I enter the house, I dump some of my stuff there for easy access to when I need to leave. But over the months, it has accumulated a lot of small things that I forget to put away or bring with me. As a hoarder and also a naturally messy and lazy person, it’s really hard to organize all these things. So I need all the help I can get, including organizing accessories and furniture.
This concept for a Spiral Storage Tray is a pretty simple and minimalist idea but one that can be helpful to people like me eventually. The basic idea is that it is just a simple, circular tray but you get a spiral storage. This way you can compartmentalize little things like coins, keys, eyeglasses, medicine, and other small items that you may need to have easy access to when entering or leaving the house. It’s meant to be placed in the tables located in the entryways of houses or apartments.
The design isn’t that complicated. The base is a small round disk and then you have two semicircular pieces of wood placed on top to create the “compartments” to separate your small items. There is even a hidden spiral compartment if you need to place small items that you want to conceal for some reason. Knowing me though, I’ll probably forget that I placed something there which means I may get a surprise or two when I decide to clean the tray by lifting up the top pieces.
The “seamless, continuous spiral surface” that we see in the rdners actually looks pretty satisfying. The renders show different wooden textures and colors for the Spiral Storage Tray so we may get different options if it gets turned into an actual product. Who knows, because of this I might actually start organizing my table in my entryway?
Although handheld gaming PCs are trending these days, the majority of computers are still used for work. That’s especially true for desktop computers whose table-bound forms really emphasize the serious nature of their purpose. Unless you have a gaming desktop decked with RGB lighting and futuristic aesthetics, chances are your computer and its accessories lean more toward utilitarian aesthetics or minimalist styles at least. Some might even go so far as to call them clinical and boring, though there are definitely fans of these designs. Of course, that doesn’t mean things have to be this way all the time, and these wireless numeric keypads chuck convention out the window and embrace a more playful appearance that tries to add a bit of joy to every use.
Many desktop keyboards today, both wired and wireless, ditch the numeric keypad or numpad in the name of the economy of space. The logic behind this design is that not all computer users these days need a dedicated set of keys for speedy numeric input and those that do can simply by a separate numpad. Unfortunately, the selection of numpad designs available is mostly uninspiring, which makes the ZoomPad easily stand out from the crowd.
The ZoomPad is technically a selection of different chromatic themes that make the numpad pop through its color and accents. There’s a base color for the shell of the numeric keypad, which comes in color options with names like Strawberry Ice Cream, Milk Tea, Milky Green, Sky Blue, and more. The backplate also matches the theme but with a shiny metal finish that complements the aluminum top’s hue. In addition to the standard number and math keys, there are also three special keys and a programmable knob that expands the keypad’s functions just a little bit.
The colorful numpad actually comes as a kit that you have to assemble, and it includes even the RGB board that adds some flourish to the keypad in the dark. What it doesn’t come with, unfortunately, are the switches and keypads that actually make it into a usable keypad. You have to buy them separately, and, of course, the brand sells all types of mechanical switches and keycaps to suit anyone’s tastes. It does involve a bit of work, but it also offers more flexibility in mixing and matching colors. Keyboard enthusiasts might even appreciate that freedom.
It’s easy to take for granted what a change in style can do to lift one’s mood. Simply making the numpad look more appealing doesn’t change its functionality, aside from that additional knob, but it does help unburden the mind, which is something that’s actually common if you spend most of your computing time typing in numbers at a rapid rate.
The lives of influencers and content creators can be extremely chaotic and busy. Content creation, capturing engaging moments, creating proposals, attending meetings, and making themselves and their lives seem interesting and entertaining at all times seem like a handful. The pros have got these tasks underway, whereas the newbies are still stumbling through. But it doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the social media game for long or you’re a novice, everyone needs a couple of handy and trusty product designs to help them through their influencer life. So we’ve curated a collection of designs that influencers would swear by! From a battery-free amplifying iSpeaker to DJI’s latest pocketable microphone system – these products will upgrade your content creation routine and even the quality of your content! Because when your process is smooth and hurdle-free, it reflects in your work.
1. The Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Called the Huawei Mate 50 Pro, this smartphone design adopts bold aesthetics, while being quite powerful. It functions as a content creation powerhouse allowing influencers to shoot the content of their dreams. The hardware and looks perfectly complement one another, creating a smartphone that is quite aesthetic to carry around.
Why is it noteworthy?
It adopts a symmetrical design throughout the phone, with a large camera placed in the middle. Four circles are placed in a uniform 2.2 grid, with the cameras enclosed in a Space Ring with an embossed Clous de Paris pattern, which is what we find on luxury watches quite often.
What we like
Features an orange vegan leather which adds a unique touch to the smartphone
It features Kunlun Glass materials which provide 10x better protection to the phone’s screen
What we dislike
The screen brightness isn’t too great in outdoor conditions
There is a shutter lag in challenging conditions, so you may miss the perfect picture-worthy moment
2. Exocope DT1
Called the Excope DT1, this camera system offers photography lovers the ability to take super-telephoto images effortlessly and without any hassle. The Excope DT1 weighs 1.32 pounds, and it is portable and quite easy to use. It is amped with one-touch shooting and recording. The power and shutter buttons are placed on the right side of the grip, ensuring convenient and quick access.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is powered by a pretty big, non-removable 3,000 mAh battery which offers fast charging using a Type-C connection, and it functions for 2.5 hours on a full charge. You can connect a power bank for longer shoots, which facilitates extended use without any hassle. The camera also includes a nifty phone holder and a grip to adjust the camera angle and height according to your requirements.
What we like
Equipped with two interchangeable lenses—40mm and 400mm
Quite lightweight for its capabilities
What we dislike
It has a limited focal length range
3. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap
If you’re out and about creating content, then you will need your AirPods by your side- whether to receive work calls, to match the content visuals with the audio, or to listen to some calming music to relax those creative nerves. And if you’re someone who loses their earbuds while working, then this AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap is the design for you! They keep your precious AirPods close to your heart.
The neck strap includes a cute woven necklace, which you wear around your neck, holding your AirPods close to you. The neck strap is a fine mix of fashion, functionality, and clean aesthetics, resulting in a unique Apple accessory. The accessory features the One-Click Magnetic Lock, keeping your AirPods pretty safe.
What we like
Keeps your AirPods safe and secure, so you never lose them
Doubles up as a simple yet stylish fashion accessory around your neck
What we dislike
The AirPods are attached to a strap, making them exposed to dirt, damage, and weather factors
4. MagSafe Origami Grip Stand
Meet the MagSafe Origami Grip Stand – a sleek and nifty stand inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding. This iPhone accessory can be folded flat and vice versa, completely eliminating the hassle of assembly and disassembly. The stand provides optimum support to your phone, without causing any harm to it. It is great to hold your phone, while you shoot content, and prance about!
The MagSafe Origami Grip Stand is a card-size, lightweight, and thin design. You can quickly attach it to your phone, or slip it into your pocket, without fear of it looking weird or awkward in your pocket. The stand is securely attached to your phone, ensuring it won’t dislocate, even if you move around a lot.
What we like
Inspired by the Japanese art of Origami
It doesn’t separate from your phone at all, it stays securely attached
What we dislike
It only works with iPhone 12 and later models, excluding the iPhone SE, making it a limited product
5. DJI Mic
Dubbed the DJI Mic, this unique design is intended for vlogging, podcasting, and other content creation activities. The microphone system is placed in a wireless charging case, which is in fact quite similar to AirPods or other wireless earbuds available today. This similarity creates a subtle Apple association in our minds.
Why is it noteworthy?
The DJI Mic is compatible with USB-C, Lighting, and even the 3.5mm jack. The mic weighs 30 grams and features a battery life of 5.5 hours. The battery life can be extended to 25 hours, which is truly impressive, so you can use it for long shoots without the constant worry of it dying down.
What we like
It features 8GB of built-in storage, which leads to 14 hours of recording
Has a range of 250 meters in direct line of sight
What we dislike
There is no low-latency monitoring mode
6. Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers
These are the Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers, and they’re essentially portable battery-free iPhone speakers. The speakers are a unique and refreshing version of the conventional no-power smartphone speakers. Crafted from metal, the speakers feature heightened functionality and value. Since they’re battery-free, you can easily carry them around with you, and use them for your shoots.
The iSpeakers are built using duralumin, which is a special kind of aluminum alloy used in aviation and aerospace industries. The alloy has vibration-resistant properties, making it a great choice of material for speakers. You simply need to place your smartphone into the speaker and let the amazing sound flow through.
What we like
Electricity-free design which doesn’t require any power
Has a unique and minimalist aesthetic which is quite soothing to look at
What we dislike
Will not fit with bulky smartphone cases
7. ISHO-X5
Called the ISHO-X5, this all-purpose sling bag can be adapted to meet your demands. The bag is designed to store and organize your work gear – cameras, lenses, drones, gaming tech, and even EDC. Besides providing versatile storage, it also provides versatile access in the form of a clamshell ingress, side access, and an X-Wing divider.
Why is it noteworthy?
The bag has a sling form, which is pretty unique, allowing it to be carried in various ways. You can wear the bag across the front, allowing you to quickly pull out your photography gear. It has a rectangular design which can easily be fit into larger backpacks or travel bags.
What we like
Compact design with a spacious 5.5L interior
Space-efficient, and ensures your belongings don’t bump with each other
What we dislike
There seem to be no options for color
8. Earbugs
Dubbed the Earbugs, this unique audio design provides a one-of-a-kind audio experience. The brilliantness of in-ear sound isolation of wireless earbuds is combined with the abilities of bone conduction technology to build a listening experience that is comfortable and premium.
Why is it noteworthy?
The earbuds have pretty dynamic drivers that pair up with bone conduction to create a 3D soundscape that provides a never-before audio delivery. The earbuds are quite ergonomically shaped, and they’re a great option for fitness and outdoor enthusiasts. They also have a decent water-resistant rating.
What we like
Features bone conducting technology, which delivers superior transparency mode
What we dislike
They don’t make a good option for bedtime listening, as they will be uncomfortable to use while sleeping or lying on your side
9. MagStick
Called the MagStick, this unique selfie stick doubles up as a tripod too. It has an innovative feature, which sets it apart from other designs on the market. The MagStick has a MagSafe mount which lets you instantly snap your iPhone in place, helping you get shooting quickly and instantly.
Why is it noteworthy?
The MagStick extends 63.5 inches when it is used as a selfie stick, and in tripod mode, it lets you utilize your iPhone like a professional camera. You simply need to snap your iPhone into place, and snap the shutter button – it just takes two snaps!
What we like
The stick stretches five feet over in length
It has a 3-axis adjustment system that allows you to rotate, swivel, and tilt your phone
What we dislike
Looks a bit flimsy and easily breakable
10. The Chargepuck
The Chargepuck is a unique innovation that serves as a replacement for your wireless charging dock or mat. The little puck can be attached to your iPhone, and it has its own retractable cable which lets you plug it wherever you like. However, the Chargepuck isn’t a battery pack, and it doesn’t have its own battery inside it. It is a charging apparatus that is attached to your iPhone, letting you charge three devices in one go.
Why is it noteworthy?
It functions as a replacement for a wireless charging dock or mat. The little puck is connected to your iPhone and has its own retractable cable. It is easy to use, and also quite easy to carry, so you can take it on all your shoots.
Think about it, what’s more effective, gargling or a water-flosser? One just casually has water swirling in your mouth, another targets food and plaque, actually cleaning your teeth. The Razor Rinser applies the same principle to your shaving razor. Unlike running your razor under a tap to clean the hair out, the Razor Rinser fires tiny jets of water between your razor blades, pushing the hair out and cleaning your razor without wasting water. It’s simple, runs without electricity, and uses an ingenious water-saving design that lets you effectively clean hair off your razor… with just 4 ounces of water.
Designed by two US Navy veterans, the Razor Rinser is just one of those designs that makes you go “Why didn’t anyone think of that before?” Most people who shave do one of two things – they either periodically rinse their razor under running tap water, getting their sink dirty while just superficially cleaning the razor, or they dip their razor in a cup of water, using less water in the process, but making a mess. Both methods have their flaws, the biggest being that they don’t do a good job of actually cleaning your razor efficiently.
Realizing that water wastage and dirty razors were a significant problem (after all, the average male shaves at least once every 2-3 days resulting in a lot of running tap water getting wasted), Navy vets Matt and Andy decided to develop the Razor Rinser, a device no larger than a soap tray, but with a big impact. The Razor Rinser keeps your sink mess-free, uses a fraction of the water you’d otherwise use, and does a much better job of cleaning your razor by actually forcing water through the blades to push the hair out.
The way the Razor Rinser works is exceptionally clever. Fill the Rinser’s container with water before you begin to shave. Once you need to clean your razor, simply press the razor head into the Rinser’s ‘island’. The island presses downwards, pumping water through it like a bellow. The water passes through a stainless steel spray manifold, turning into high-pressure jets that shoot through the razor’s blades. The dirty water flows outwards into the Razor Rinser’s moat, and 150-micron stainless steel filters trap the hair outside, allowing fresh water to get recycled back into the bellow island – ensuring your razor gets cleaned with clean water. The entire thing works without cords, batteries, or electricity – just good old physics.
All you effectively need is 4 ounces of water, as compared to the 1 gallon you’d otherwise waste running your razor under a tap every other minute. The water (with the hair and shaving cream) stays collected in the Rinser’s outer channel or moat, allowing you to simply dump it out (in the toilet) once you’re done. No dirty sinks, no dirty razors, and no wasted water. The rinser works with any brand or kind of cartridge razor, whether you’re using it to shave your jaw stubble, body, head, or legs.
Andy and Matt developed the Razor Rinser soon after being deployed to the Red Sea on a Guided Missile Destroyer in 2022. As a part of their uniform, Navy personnel are required to shave every day – multiply that by the 100’s of sailors on the destroyer, and the fact that there were just a handful of bathrooms. These bathrooms got very crowded and dirty very fast, and Andy and Matt also realized exactly how much water they were wasting. A year and a few prototypes later, the Razor Rinser was born. The rinser starts at a discounted $29 and ships internationally… but more importantly, Andy and Matt are also committed to donating Razor Rinsers to homeless veterans, allowing them the dignity of a clean shave without needing a bathroom sink.
Most smartphone cases just act as a protective cover for your device, or an intermediary hub for attaching accessories. PITAKA’s new PinButton Case actually gives your smartphone new features. With three extra buttons on the left edge, the PinButton Case for the Galaxy S24 Ultra gives you three ‘Action Buttons’ that open apps or trigger features, allowing you to press buttons instead of scroll, minimize, swipe, and open apps from an app tray. Better still, the PinButton Case also comes with MagSafe compatibility, turning your Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra into a better version of itself with features that would make Apple fanboys rather jealous!
Designer: PITAKA
Click Here to Buy Now: $63$69.99 (Use Coupon Code “YD10%OFF” to get 10% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!
A protective Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra MagSafe case with PinButtons
The PinButton Case is the logical next step for Pitaka’s case-making efforts. While the company has perfected the art of building some spectacularly beautiful MagEZ cases for both iOS and Android devices (with a glue-free Amber Magnet Film on the inside and patented woven Aramid fibers on the outside), the PinButton Case comes as the evolutionary upgrade to those cases. The PinButton sports a TPU bumper that cushions your phone from accidental drops, but upgrades the back with a woven Aramid fiber plate that’s 5X stronger than steel and can withstand impact and scratches without letting your phone face the brunt of the damage. A luxurious Nappa leather interior cushions the S24 Ultra’s glass back, keeping it scratch or crack-free. In between the two sits an array of magnets that gives your S24 Ultra MagSafe compatibility, allowing you to use a slew of third-party accessories or even PITAKA’s own MagEZ accessories with your phone.
Customized PinButtons for quick access to preset apps.
The crown jewel, however, has to be the actual buttons on the PinButton Case. Most phones come with 3 buttons – 2 for volume control, and 1 for standby mode… but the PinButton Case gives your phone a total of 6 buttons. These three extra buttons sit on the left edge of the phone, relying on NFC technology to function. Working just like the Action Button does on the latest iPhones, these three buttons are programmed to trigger any app, tool, or routine you choose, giving you a whole host of possibilities. You can use the buttons to work smart home features, open the music app or your favorite playlist, activate Silent or Do Not Disturb, work as a camera shutter button, or even serve as a shortcut to your favorite app like Maps, TikTok, or WhatsApp.
These ‘PinButtons’ can be customized right in the S24 Ultra’s Settings app. Set up an NFC shortcut or routine, and then press any of the PinButtons to assign the shortcut to that button. Setting up all the buttons takes under a minute, but saves so much time by eliminating the need to minimize apps, scroll through app trays, or switch between two active apps. In fact, the PinButtons even work faster than the iPhone’s own Action Button, which needs to be long-pressed to work.
Most people slap a case on their phone just as a protective measure… but the concept of adding a case that brings extra features to your phone just feels low-key incredible. More so, PITAKA’s had a long history building cutting-edge cases, so the PinButton Case is no different, providing stellar physical protection to your smartphone from drops, bumps, scratches, or any impact-based damage. Subtle lips on your screen as well as camera lenses give them a layer of added protection, and that gorgeous woven Aramid fiber back looks positively luxurious, while bringing space-grade durability to your device. An inclusion of a super-slim magnet array within the case means your Galaxy S24 Ultra can be used in tandem with all of Pitaka’s MagEZ accessories (as well as other MagSafe-compatible products), whether it’s a power bank, a wallet, or a car mount. If you do attach your phone to a car mount frequently, we recommend assigning one of the PinButtons to either Maps or Waze for quick access, with the other linked to Spotify for your favorite car playlist. The third one’s up to you, although if you really want to piss off Apple-lovers, turn it into a camera shutter so when the iPhone 16 with the Capture Button drops, you can say – Android (or PITAKA) did it first!
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Gaming on the go is quite popular these days, whether it’s on a mobile phone, a handheld device, or even a laptop temporarily parked at a cafe. While video games have traditionally been divided into PC and console camps, this latest trend has made many gamers reach for controllers or devices with built-in controllers, regardless of their platform of choice. Wireless game controllers have become quite numerous because of this, ranging from typical designs to telescopic mechanisms that stretch to grip smartphones or even tablets. Of course, these two aren’t the only designs possible for portable gamepads, and this concept tries to approach the problem from a different angle, one that takes a page out of one of the trendiest smartphone designs of late: foldable phones.
Designer: Przemysław Wolnicki
The basic problem with game controllers is their innate bulk. You can’t really shrink them without sacrificing comfort and ergonomics. This makes them less appealing to quickly stow in bags, much less pockets, as you dash out the door in the hopes of being able to play later on. Even those who prefer to game at home might find the permanent presence of a large chunk of plastic to be visually distracting and might look for ways to minimize their footprint when not in use.
Swift is a game controller design concept that adopts a folding mechanism to make the device more compact in transit. Despite the fact that foldables aren’t new, it’s curious that this design hasn’t been adapted for game controllers at all. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to such a design, but those can hardly be verified unless tested in the real world.
This controller concept adopts the more symmetrical button arrangement of a PlayStation controller, which would make the folded form also more balanced when folded. One curious detail about the design is the ribbed surface covering the middle and back of the controller. It’s not clear whether the choice of material is simply aesthetic, but it will definitely have an effect on the texture of the controller, which in turn affects comfort and ergonomics.
While a foldable controller design is definitely interesting and curious, it also raises a few questions as well. While the design does halve the width of the device, it doubles its thickness in turn. There might also be some concerns about the wear and tear this mechanism will incur over time, especially given the wires that have to run through the middle to connect the two halves. Perhaps that is the reason why a foldable design hasn’t been adopted for controllers, but this concept at least tries to encourage pushing the boundaries instead of just adopting the status quo.
