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This coin-sized titanium tape measure handles straight lines, curves, and looks like jet-engine stock
Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) is the alloy of jet engine compressor blades, surgical implants, and aerospace fasteners. It has a tensile strength of nearly 1000 MPa and weighs about half as much as stainless steel. COMANDI-Corres decided to use it for a tape measure. Bold move, honestly. But the logic tracks: if something is going to live permanently in your coin pocket, the material really can’t be the thing that fails first. And there’s something deeply satisfying about carrying a piece of aerospace hardware in your jeans while you’re measuring whether a new couch fits through your front door.
The RolTine 2.0 is that piece of hardware, coin-sized at 46mm wide and 18mm thick, machined from solid Grade 5 titanium by COMANDI-Corres out of Kowloon. Inside, a 150cm retractable flexible tape measure automatically retracts after use, offering convenient, hands-free measuring whenever you need it. On the surface, a precision rolling wheel with micro-ball bearings features a fixed 150mm circumference, allowing you to measure continuously along curves, irregular contours, and complex surfaces where rigid rulers fall short. That bearing assembly is also where the fidget magic lives; spin it between your fingers and it hums with a satisfying smoothness that’s genuinely hard to put down. CNC-engraved markings go straight into the metal, an N52 neodymium magnet docks it to steel surfaces, and optional tritium vials in six colors keep it glowing in the dark.
Designer: COMANDI-Corres
Click Here to Buy Now: $75 $130 (42% off). Hurry, only 25/300 left! Raised over $115,000.
COMANDI eliminated the manual retraction button for version 2.0, replacing it with an internal spring mechanism and tuned damping that snaps the tape back smooth and hands-free. In the original RolTine, retracting required a manual button press. Version 2.0 eliminates the button entirely, engineering an internal spring-loaded mechanism that snaps back smooth and hands-free. The spring is calibrated specifically to avoid the violent, finger-catching snapback of a standard steel contractor tape, which sounds minor until one of those things whips across your knuckle. The tape packs a full 150cm (60 inches) into an ultra-compact body, easily covering all your daily measurement needs. It’s laser-etched with metric on one side and imperial on the other, so you switch seamlessly between measurement systems with a simple flip. Zero math required.
Side A of the chassis is a precision rolling ruler with a fixed 150mm circumference wheel, upgraded from the spring-detent of V1.0 to high-precision miniature rolling bearings that eliminate friction and gritty drag, allowing the wheel to glide across any surface like ice. Roll it along a contour, count your full rotations, add the partial dial reading, and you have an exact measurement of a curved surface that would otherwise require a sewing tape and a lot of hopeful optimism. Woodworkers, architects, model makers, and fashion designers are the obvious audience, but anyone who has tried to measure a cylindrical object with a rigid ruler will get it immediately. The formula stays intuitive: total length equals full rotations multiplied by the base circumference, plus the partial dial reading. The rolling dial comes metric by default, with an imperial version available as a $1 add-on.
The micro-ball bearing assembly that enables smooth curve rolling also makes RolTine 2.0 one of the most satisfying objects to spin between your fingers. Tuned with high-precision miniature ball bearings, the core spins effortlessly with a faint, crisp mechanical hum. The outer edge is CNC-machined with deeply engraved aggressive micro-knurling that provides maximum mechanical traction, ensuring a rock-solid, zero-slip grip even when working with oily hands or wearing gloves. When COMANDI first put the original RolTine into people’s hands, something unexpected happened. They didn’t just use it to measure; they kept reaching for it. The smooth pull. The controlled retraction. The satisfying mechanical motion. People found themselves pulling it out, letting it retract, and doing it again simply because it felt good.
Precision 5-axis CNC cutouts shed unnecessary chassis weight while exposing the mechanical core beneath, and the open-frame architecture prevents debris buildup while catching ambient light as it spins, delivering raw, uncompromised industrial aesthetics. As you pull the tape, the inner liner spins in perfect sync with the internal spindle, and light refracts through the hollow frame, creating a mesmerizing fluid light effect. COMANDI built this skeleton architecture to be functional first, but the visual result reads more like a mechanical watch movement than a tape measure. The inner liner comes in Glacial Blue or Electric Yellow, anodized to perfection, adding a vivid contrast to the raw Grade 5 Titanium shell.
The N52 neodymium magnet embedded on Side B is a detail I appreciate more the longer I think about it. Embedded with an industrial-grade N52 Neodymium Magnet, RolTine 2.0 delivers a crisp, tactile snap and powerful holding force, locking firmly onto any ferrous surface and staying rock-solid without sliding, even under heavy workshop vibrations. Toolboxes, machinery, cabinet walls, car chassis, PC cases: it holds across all of them. Unlike conventional tape measures with printed or painted scales that rub off over time, all skeletonized cutouts and measurement scales are CNC-machined directly into the titanium chassis, with markings integrated into the metal itself, guaranteeing lifetime readability. Optional tritium vials, self-powered by continuous tritium decay with zero batteries and 24/7 perpetual glow for 10-plus years, or luminous vials that absorb ambient light for a brilliant night glow, are both available in six colors.
RolTine 2.0 sits at approximately $69 for a single unit, discounted heavily from its $130 MSRP. The rolling dial comes metric by default, with an imperial upgrade available for a single dollar if you prefer inches throughout. Tritium and luminous vials are optional add-ons, self-installable into the pre-machined chassis slots. RolTine 2.0 ships globally starting February 2027, and once the campaign is over, the tape measure will be available on the comandi.us website for its $130 MSRP.
Click Here to Buy Now: $75 $130 (42% off). Hurry, only 25/300 left! Raised over $115,000.
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This compact phone accessory gives you a stand, tripod, and grip in one
Using a phone hands-free often means propping it against a stack of books, finding a suitable stand, or asking someone else to take a picture. A-Tech’s OmniGrip offers a simpler alternative, combining a kickstand, mini tripod, and handheld grip in a single foldable accessory. It is designed for people who regularly use their phones for watching videos, making calls, and capturing photos without wanting to carry several separate attachments.
OmniGrip features an aluminum alloy body with silicone and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) elements. Measuring 3.82 × 2.28 inches and weighing 68.5 grams, it has a compact form that can fit into a pocket or small bag. Its foldable construction allows the accessory to switch between different configurations as needed. For as low as $37, the accessory is a steal for content creators.
Designer: A-Tech
The attachment uses a magnetic connection compatible with MagSafe-style phone setups. It can attach directly to compatible phones and cases, while devices without magnetic compatibility may need a suitable magnetic ring or case. This makes it important to check the phone’s compatibility before purchasing.
In stand mode, the OmniGrip props up a phone at adjustable viewing angles. This is useful for keeping a screen visible during video calls, following a recipe while cooking, or watching content at a desk. The ability to reposition the stand also makes it easier to switch between portrait and landscape orientations, depending on the task.
For photography, the accessory unfolds into a mini tripod. Its adjustable legs are designed to support the phone on different surfaces, while silicone feet help keep the setup in place. This configuration is suited to group pictures, time-lapse recordings, and stationary video capture when holding the phone is impractical. It is intended for everyday use rather than replacing a full-size tripod for professional shoots or elevated camera angles.
The third configuration turns the OmniGrip into a handheld grip. The stand folds down by 180 degrees to create a handle, giving users another way to hold their phones while taking selfies or recording video. This can be particularly useful when travelling or filming short clips on the move.
The utilitarian accessory’s main idea is to make switching between these uses straightforward. Instead of carrying a separate stand for a desk and a tripod for occasional photography, users can keep one accessory attached to their phone or pack it away when it is not needed.
For people who rely on their smartphones throughout the day, the OmniGrip offers a practical way to adapt the device to different situations. Its compact, multi-position design prioritizes convenience over the height and specialized controls of dedicated camera equipment, making it a suitable option for everyday phone use.
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Bigme’s B13 Pro Gives Your Laptop a Color E-Paper Second Screen
Reading reports or writing all afternoon doesn’t necessarily call for the same kind of display you’d choose for a movie. E-paper offers a different surface, but sluggish updates can make computer work frustrating. Bigme’s B13 Pro tackles that compromise with a 13.3-inch color e-paper monitor and a claimed 60 FPS refresh capability, bringing a more paper-like screen alongside your laptop without abandoning everyday desktop tasks.
The white frame keeps the appearance closer to an e-reader than a typical gaming monitor, with a broader lower bezel and controls along the edge. Its 4:3 proportions also give documents more vertical room than an equally wide widescreen panel. At roughly 11.3 by 9.1 inches and 1.46 pounds, it’s another object for your bag, though not a full-size desktop monitor.
Designer: Bigme
Rather than shining a backlight through the panel, Kaleido 3 e-paper uses reflected light, with an adjustable frontlight for dimmer surroundings. The listed 3200×2400 resolution delivers 300 pixels per inch for black-and-white content. That gives text-heavy work a more natural role here than cinematic entertainment. Keeping a reference document beside your draft makes sense when the information matters more than constant on-screen motion.
Getting that extra workspace doesn’t have to mean spreading adapters across the desk. A compatible USB-C connection carries both video and power through one cable, although the source device must support both functions. Two USB-C ports and Mini HDMI provide wired options, while wireless casting offers another route.
Of course, Bigme’s claimed jump from 30 to 60 FPS is the attention-grabber. If that translates into cleaner scrolling and cursor movement, it could make the display less awkward for everyday computer use. That doesn’t make it a gaming monitor, however. Without independent response-time or ghosting measurements, treating it like a conventional 60Hz monitor would be getting ahead of the evidence.
Color also comes with qualifications. Kaleido 3 supports 4,096 colors, with color density dropping to 150 pixels per inch. That’s useful for distinguishing lines on a chart or highlighting passages without reducing everything to gray, but don’t expect the richness of an LCD or OLED. Color-critical editing belongs on your regular screen; the e-paper panel makes more sense for keeping supporting material visible.
You can take that division further by putting a B13 Pro on either side of a laptop, leaving the central screen for work that needs conventional display behavior. That arrangement requires two monitors plus mounting hardware purchased separately, not a three-screen device unfolding from one box. It also doubles the added display weight, so the hardware holding everything together deserves some attention.
Bigme lists a $569 preorder price against a $749 regular price, but the product page doesn’t specify a firm shipping date. That’s a substantial investment for a 13.3-inch companion screen, especially if you’re planning a pair. The one-cable arrangement keeps the desk simpler, but the real decision is which tasks you want to move onto e-paper and which should stay on the laptop.
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9 Smartphone Accessories That Solve the Annoying Problems Your Phone Still Has
Your phone can shoot video, run a demanding game, and carry an entire music library. It can also leave you holding a warm slab of glass, untangling a charging cable, or trying to photograph someone under terrible lighting. Those are the gaps worth designing for. A useful accessory should fix a specific irritation without creating three more, preferably through a mechanism you can understand before opening a thick instruction manual.
These nine selections tackle cooling, listening, cable clutter, misplaced cards, awkward camera controls, and backup power. Some attach to the phone; others give it a useful companion on your desk or in your bag. Start with the problem that actually bothers you most each day.
1. OnePlus Ice Card Mini
OnePlus has squeezed a phone cooler into a small card footprint rather than a bulky gaming attachment. The Ice Card Mini is listed in OPPO’s China store and described as a 50-gram body measuring 70mm by 53.4mm. Its thermoelectric chip works with an air-cooling system, while magnets hold the accessory against the phone. That compact packaging is the appeal: cooling becomes something you might carry alongside a cable, rather than reserve for a dedicated desktop gaming setup.
The practical tradeoff is power. The Mini draws up to 3.5W through USB-C and can run from a phone, power bank, or wall adapter. An included magnetic plate lets you attach it to phones without built-in magnets. It gives heat-conscious gamers a relatively discreet option, but drawing power from the phone adds another demand on its battery.
What we like
- Compact, 50-gram magnetic format.
- USB-C power accepts several sources.
What we dislike
- Consumes power rather than supplying it.
2. StillFrame Headphones
If earbuds bother your ears, a phone’s music library deserves another way out. StillFrame Headphones, designed by Tatsufumi Funayama, use an on-ear format with a stainless steel headband and magnetically attached fabric cushions. Circular and square geometry share the housings, with circuitry deliberately exposed. The retro reference has a practical point: you can choose headphones that sit against your ears without choosing the bulk of a conventional over-ear design for everyday listening.
Bluetooth 5.4 handles wireless listening, while the supplied USB-C cable supports wired playback. The headphones include 40mm drivers, noise cancellation, and a transparency mode; the maker claims up to 24 hours of playback. Those choices make StillFrame worth considering for desk listening or commuting when you prefer an alternative to in-ear buds. There’s one unusual operating detail: both sides need charging and separate button presses to power on. Light construction also doesn’t prove comfort or effective noise cancellation by itself.
Click Here to Buy Now: $245.00
What we like
- Low weight and removable magnetic cushions.
- Both wireless and wired playback.
What we dislike
- Both sides require charging and separate power-on presses.
- A full charge takes approximately three hours.
3. SuperCalla Magnetic Charging Cable
A charging cable shouldn’t need its own accessory just to stay organized. SuperCalla builds the organizer into the cable, placing magnets at intervals along its length. Line them up and the cable holds a coil or folded arrangement without a separate tie. The useful distinction is that these magnets manage the cable’s shape; they aren’t detachable charging connectors. For a bag that also carries keys, headphones, and adapters, keeping the loose length contained addresses a very ordinary frustration quite directly.
The manufacturer’s USB-C to USB-C listing separates a 60W, USB 2.0 version from a 100W, USB 3.1 Gen 2 option. That matters because neat storage says nothing about charging speed or file transfer performance. Choose the connector and electrical specification your phone actually needs, then treat the magnetic organization as the bonus.
What we like
- Magnetic organization without a separate cable tie.
- Multiple folding and coiling arrangements.
What we dislike
- Cable variants have different data capabilities.
- Dated shipping information needs clarification.
4. Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers
The Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers take a pleasingly literal approach to phone audio: put the phone in a shaped metal enclosure and let the geometry do the work. Designed by Ooi Masato and made in Japan, the accessory uses duralumin rather than a powered amplifier. There’s no Bluetooth pairing, battery gauge, or charging cable involved. For someone who wants to listen aloud at a desk, it offers a dedicated place for the phone without adding another electronic device to the routine.
The attraction is simplicity, not a promise of room-filling volume. The phone remains the sound source, so this makes more sense as a casual listening accessory than a replacement for powered speakers. Check your phone and case fit before buying, along with the position of the speaker opening. Optional +Bloom and +Jet modules redirect sound and are sold separately. It’s an appealing desk object for people who value avoiding chargers and want their phone to have a permanent desktop home.
Click Here to Buy Now: $179.00
What we like
- No battery, charging, or wireless pairing.
- Japanese-made duralumin construction.
What we dislike
- Phone and case fit need checking.
- Optional sound-directing modules cost extra.
5. MOFT Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet
A magnetic wallet makes leaving the house with less stuff appealing, right up until you detach it and forget where it went. MOFT’s Trackable Snap-on Phone Stand & Wallet builds Apple Find My support into a folding accessory that also serves as a grip and stand. The current product listing specifies two cards and a 6mm thickness. Its usefulness comes from keeping those functions together, rather than asking you to carry a wallet, separate tracker, and stand every single day.
Find My gives the wallet a way to report its location and sound an alert, making it easier to look for when separated from your phone. MOFT claims around six months between wireless charges, and the folding construction supports portrait, landscape, and floating viewing positions. The limitation is equally clear: this is an Apple-oriented solution with room for just two cards. Its tracking battery is built in and nonreplaceable, so rechargeability is welcome but doesn’t resolve eventual battery serviceability concerns.
What we like
- Find My tracking without a separate tag.
- Wallet, grip, and stand share one folding structure.
What we dislike
- Holds only two cards.
- The tracking battery is not replaceable.
6. WUBEN E1 Magnetic Phone Light
A good phone camera still depends on the light in front of it. WUBEN’s E1 gives you another source to position, combining an adjustable ring light with a magnetic phone mounting arrangement. Brightness is adjustable, and warm, neutral, and cool settings let you choose the color of the light rather than accept whatever the built-in flash provides. The hinged support lets you redirect the light and use the assembly as a stand for your phone too.
This makes the E1 interesting for video calls, close-up filming, and selfies where a small adjustable source is more useful than simply pushing exposure higher. WUBEN rates output at up to 300 lumens, but that specification alone doesn’t establish how flattering the light will look. It recharges through USB-C and needs magnetic phone compatibility or an adapter ring. Check the selected retail bundle carefully: the product page lists the bracket separately among its variants; don’t assume the mount is included.
What we like
- Adjustable brightness and three color-temperature settings.
- Hinged mounting adds control over light direction.
What we dislike
- Adds another battery to recharge.
- Bracket inclusion requires careful checking.
7. Leica LUX Grip
Touchscreens are wonderfully adaptable until you want a control you can find without looking. Leica’s LUX Grip attaches magnetically to a compatible iPhone and adds a two-stage shutter button, two customizable buttons, and a control dial. Half-press the shutter to focus, then press fully to take the photograph. That physical sequence is the point: it brings a recognizable camera action to a device otherwise dominated by glass, giving regular phone photographers a different way to hold and operate their camera.
The aluminum housing weighs approximately 130 grams, and Leica specifies roughly 1,000 exposures per charge. There’s an important software boundary, though: the grip works with the Leica LUX app, not Apple’s built-in Camera app. Registration includes twelve months of LUX Pro, with paid access afterward if you retain the subscription. It’s a specialized choice for someone happy to adopt Leica’s workflow. It does not change the iPhone’s sensor or optics, and it cannot double as a phone-charging power bank either.
What we like
- Physical shutter and configurable controls.
- Supports portrait and landscape attachment.
What we dislike
- Limited to the Leica LUX app.
- Pro access becomes paid after the included year.
8. KUXIU D5 Charging Station
The annoyance here lives around the phone: an Apple Watch charger, an earbud cable, and adapters competing for desk space. KUXIU’s D5 gathers three compatible devices into one wireless charging station, with an adjustable phone platform and a motorized Apple Watch module that retracts into the body. The hidden watch charger is an unusually specific design decision. You only need that protrusion when a watch is charging, so the dock needn’t keep it permanently extended across your desk between sessions.
The display shows input voltage, current, and power, plus individual charging status, giving the dock more feedback than a single indicator light. KUXIU also includes an active cooling fan that can be switched off. Phone charging is advertised at up to 25W, but actual speed depends on the handset’s support. The watch module is specifically for Apple Watch, and earbuds need a wireless-charging case. For a compatible trio, the benefit is consolidation, not a guarantee that everything suddenly charges faster.
What we like
- Three charging positions in one station.
- Retractable watch module and informative display.
What we dislike
- Watch charging is Apple Watch-specific.
- Maximum phone charging speed depends on compatibility.
9. RetroWave 7-in-1 Radio
A smartphone becomes a much less useful companion when the battery runs down, and there’s no outlet nearby. The RetroWave 7-in-1 Radio brings a modest backup battery together with things a phone shouldn’t have to supply indefinitely: a flashlight, an SOS siren, and radio reception. Its 2,000mAh battery can provide a phone top-up, while AM, FM, and shortwave listening work without an internet connection. The tuning dial also provides a direct physical control instead of another screen to navigate.
Bluetooth playback gives RetroWave an everyday role as a phone speaker, while USB and microSD playback let it handle music independently. That matters for an emergency companion: it has reasons to stay accessible rather than disappear into a drawer. Be realistic about its charging options. USB is the primary method, the hand crank is intended for emergencies, and solar charging is supplementary. The small battery won’t replace a substantial power bank, but it offers a useful reserve alongside standalone functions.
What we like
- Phone charging alongside independent radio and lighting.
- Bluetooth and offline music playback.
What we dislike
- Limited 2,000mAh backup capacity.
- Solar and crank charging are secondary options.
Buy for the Problem You Actually Have
The sensible way to choose from this collection is to start with the irritation, not the accessory. If cables are your daily nuisance, a more elaborate charging station may be unnecessary. If touch controls interrupt your photography, a grip deserves more attention than another camera specification. Match the mechanism to the task, then check the phone, case, app, and charging requirements that determine whether it will actually work for you.
The less obvious question is where the accessory belongs when you’re finished using it. Something that folds, coils, docks, or stays useful independently has a better chance of fitting into a routine than something you must keep rearranging. There’s no need to buy all nine. A phone already does enough jobs; the right companion should remove one small source of friction without giving you another object to manage every day.
The post 9 Smartphone Accessories That Solve the Annoying Problems Your Phone Still Has first appeared on Yanko Design.
HP EliteBoard G2a Hides a Windows PC in an Ordinary-Looking Keyboard
Desktop computers have become smaller, but even a little box needs somewhere to sit and cables to connect it. HP’s EliteBoard G2a removes that separate enclosure by putting the computer inside a full-size keyboard. This Windows PC keeps the surface you already type on and gives it another job, making a compact workstation easier to carry between home and office.
The gray body measures 14.1 by 4.7 by 0.7 inches and weighs about 1.49 pounds, depending on configuration. Low-profile keys, a numeric keypad, and backlighting preserve the familiar business-keyboard layout rather than shrinking everything into a travel accessory. That makes the design’s restraint rather convincing: there’s no separate machine competing for attention, although you’re still setting aside space for a full keyboard.
Designer: HP
Of course, the missing piece is a screen. Connect the G2a to a compatible USB-C monitor and you can bring your computer to a desk where the display already lives. A single cable can carry video, data, and power, provided the monitor supplies the required 65W. Otherwise, the included power adapter is still needed. A USB-C socket alone doesn’t guarantee that tidy arrangement.
The cable itself comes in attached and detachable versions, a small choice with consequences when packing up. An attached lead stays with the machine, so there’s one less item to leave behind. A detachable cable separates from the keyboard for storage or replacement. The second USB-C connection handles accessories, but USB-A devices and wired Ethernet require adapters, adding clutter to the setup.
Underneath, AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 or Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 processors distinguish this G2a from the older G1a. Both include a 50-TOPS neural processing unit for compatible local AI software. The listed configurations pair 16GB or 32GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD. These prove the existence of a powerful computer beneath the keys, not a keyboard controlling something hidden behind your monitor.
An optional 32Wh battery gives the arrangement another advantage when you’re changing desks: the computer can stay running while disconnected. That doesn’t turn it into a laptop, since you’ll still need a display when you arrive. Integrated speakers and microphones reduce the peripherals needed for audio calls, and a prepaired wireless mouse completes the controls. Video calls still need a separate camera, of course.
Putting everything beneath the keys could make a damaged keyboard an expensive problem, which is why serviceability matters here. HP makes the top-mounted keyboard replaceable, alongside the RAM, SSD, and optional battery. Two accessible memory slots support upgrades to 64GB. You don’t have to treat the computer as disposable because its most frequently touched part wears out, although repairs still require appropriate skills.
That said, the price is harder to hide than the computer. Listed US configurations start at $3,028, while the attached-cable version with 32GB of RAM is priced at $3,846. A compatible monitor remains a separate purchase. For someone moving between equipped workspaces, carrying a keyboard instead of a desktop makes sense. Paying that much to avoid a separate box, however, is a considerably bigger decision.
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Tilta’s modular iPhone case lets you swap a card holder for a kickstand
Phone cases have become accessories with accessories, from folding stands to little wallets stuck on the back. Useful as those extras can be, you might not want the same arrangement every day. To address that need, Tilta’s Khronos Core Limited Edition Kit offers four interchangeable backplates for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, changing its everyday functions without replacing the metal frame itself.
The case starts with a single block of aluminum, shaped through CNC machining rather than molded into a soft cover. Recessed panel outlines and an angular camera surround give it a distinctly mechanical appearance. Burgundy makes that character particularly noticeable, while Glacier, Lunar Silver, and Titanium Gray offer alternatives. That last name describes a color, of course, not a different metal hiding underneath.
Designer: Tilta
The Kickstand Backplate combines a folding support with a silicone finger ring, keeping two familiar additions in one panel. Prop the phone up for a video call, then use the ring when you’re holding it again. This plate also comes with the standard case. The kit’s other three backplates are what make the tool-free swapping system worth exploring beyond that initial setup.
The Ring Backplate replaces that setup with a metal finger ring that rotates through 360 degrees. You can change its angle as you reposition the phone, rather than having your grip follow a fixed loop. Interchangeable number tags give the panel a more personal touch. They look a little like an equipment label, except you’re choosing the numbers rather than reading specifications.
Personalization takes a rather different turn with the Transparent Backplate, which has a windowed compartment for photographs and small keepsakes. Your phone might already contain thousands of pictures, but this gives one of them a place outside the screen. A printed family photo can stay visible without waking the display, bringing something sentimental to an exterior that otherwise resembles professional camera equipment.
The Card Holder Backplate is less about decoration and more about leaving something at home. A latched cover encloses space for up to three cards, enough for an ID, bank card, and transit pass. That could spare you a separate wallet on a short outing. Losing the phone would also mean losing those cards, so keeping everything together has its own compromise.
The kit also includes short and long straps, with magnetic quick-release connections and multiple mounting points on the frame. Use the shorter option for everyday carrying, or wear the phone across your body with the longer one. That’s handy when you’re carrying bags and have nowhere convenient to put the phone, although turning it into a dangling accessory won’t suit every outfit or activity.
Of course, buying the complete kit means paying for choices you might not use. The US list price is $249, with a current $224.10 sale price. Leave three backplates in a drawer, and most of that flexibility stays there too. If all you want is a folding stand, the standard case already includes it, without three spare backplates taking up room at home.
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This 9-in-1 folding titanium ruler can draw circles, slice paper, and eject your SIM card
Measure twice, cut once is solid advice that skips a few steps. Somewhere between the measuring and the cutting you also need a pencil, a square, a knife, and usually a level, and they are never in the same place. Every maker knows the shuffle of patting down pockets for a stub of graphite. It is the least glamorous part of any project, and nobody has bothered to design around it. MakerPi did.
The Tiruler 2.0 is a folding ruler from MakerPi in Hong Kong, built from Grade 5 titanium and brass. Its two 3.94-inch (10 cm) arms carry a magnetic pencil, a magnetic knife, a pocket caliper, a curve-measuring wheel, and a bubble level. A row of holes along one arm turns it into a compass, which is a party trick I did not expect from a ruler. The hinge also stops at 45, 90, and 180 degrees. All of it comes to 2.2 ounces (63.3 g), a little more than a large egg.
Designer: MakerPi
Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $148 (33% off). Hurry, only 215/500 left! Raised over $140,000.
A titanium body with scales you can actually read
Most of the Tiruler 2.0 is Grade 5 titanium, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy aerospace engineers rely on, shaped into two folding arms. Brass scale plates add the warm gold you see against the gray metal. One arm reads metric and the other reads imperial by default, which ends the mental conversion game. All-metric and all-imperial versions are offered for people who live in one system. Titanium also resists corrosion, so a tool that rides in a pocket or a bag should wear well.
The scale markings are now chemically etched and filled with black ink. The original Tiruler laser-engraved its brass scales, and users found some marks hard to read once grime built up. MakerPi made the change after feedback on that first version. The result is crisp, high-contrast numbers that read well from different angles. It is a technique familiar from instrument dials, and I like seeing it on a pocket tool. A ruler you cannot read is a stick.
Angle stops, a curve wheel, and a caliper that reads to 0.1 mm
The pivot end of the Tiruler 2.0 handles angles and curves. A brass dial measures an angle and lets you draw it directly, with stops at 45, 90, and 180 degrees so common corners click into place. The same end works as a measuring wheel, where one full rotation equals 3.94 inches (100 mm). A click sounds each time the wheel passes zero. For anything longer, you count the clicks and add the current reading, which is old-school arithmetic that works fine on a bottle or a bike frame.
The pocket caliper slides out of an arm and reads down to 0.1 mm using a vernier-style scale. Pierre Vernier published that clever scale back in 1631, and it still works the same way. Outside measurements cover cylinders, bottle caps, rings, and model parts. New this generation are inside measurements, taken with two 1.5 mm pins across a range of 0.12 to 2.17 inches (3 to 55 mm). You add 3 mm to the brass scale reading, so 11 mm becomes 14 mm, a small tax that still beats a trip to the toolbox.
A magnetic pencil that doubles as a compass, plus a blade
The pencil sits in a magnetic slot and pulls out with no latch to fight. Its replaceable everlasting tip is water-resistant and needs no sharpening. Unscrew the top and a fine pin appears, which works as a SIM ejector, a toothpick, a tiny hole punch, or a pick for small parts. That same pin is the pivot for the compass function. Plant it, drop the pencil into one of the holes along the arm, and rotate the ruler around it, with the scale telling you the circle size. I love it when one small part gets two jobs.
The knife lives in its own magnetic slot, backed by an extra retention feature so it stays put when the tool gets shaken or carried around. It accepts standard #11 scalpel blades, so replacements are cheap and easy to find. Paper, cardstock, and tape are the intended targets. MakerPi says plainly that it does not replace a dedicated cutting tool, which I appreciate. Measuring, marking, and slicing along the same edge without setting anything down is the point.
Glow tubes, engraving, and what it costs
A bubble level is built in, handy for installation, positioning, and model making. Two mounting holes take tritium tubes or glass glow tubes, which makes the tool easy to spot in dim light. Tritium glows continuously without charging, while glass tubes charge under UV light and slowly fade. There is also an optional engraving area that takes up to 20 characters, ideal for a name or a mark. A genuine leather case is available as an add-on for protection and storage.
Early pricing for the Tiruler 2.0 starts at $99, against a planned retail price of $148. The default build pairs a metric arm with an imperial arm, and all-metric or all-imperial versions are available. Each unit includes the magnetic pencil and knife, while the leather case, glow tubes, and custom engraving are optional add-ons. MakerPi ships worldwide and import and export taxes are already baked into the price, so US buyers should not face a customs bill. Shipping is expected to begin in March 2027.
Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $148 (33% off). Hurry, only 215/500 left! Raised over $140,000.
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Orbit Clock Concept Lets You Pick Up Its Hour and Minute Markers
Clocks have become so familiar that we barely think about what their hands are doing. They point to positions around a circle, a habit that Orbit keeps while removing the hands themselves. This ultra-minimalist clock concept replaces them with two magnetically held metal spheres, giving time a physical presence you can reach and remove, instead of leaving it behind protective glass.
The face is a dark circular disk with two concentric recessed tracks, each carrying a polished sphere. There’s no cluster of numerals or central pin to interrupt the surface. Instead, the grooves give the small bearings separate paths, while their reflective finish contrasts with the darker background. The clock’s relief supplies the detail that printed markings would normally provide on a conventional dial.
Designer: Liam de la Bedoyere (boredeye.design)
One sphere represents the hours and the other the minutes, preserving the basic logic of an analog clock. You still look for positions around the face, only without a pair of hands connecting those positions to the center. That makes the idea less unfamiliar than it initially sounds. Reading it doesn’t call for learning an entirely new code, although some adjustment seems inevitable.
Of course, removing all those markings comes with a compromise. Estimating the hour should be simpler than judging an exact minute on an unmarked circle. Orbit could suit a living room where a glance is enough to keep track of the afternoon. Checking how many minutes remain before catching a train might make you rather grateful for the numbers on your phone.
The more unusual part is that the spheres aren’t permanently trapped in their tracks. Magnetic attachment is intended to let you lift each one away and put it back, adding a tactile interaction to an object usually left alone. That’s a surprisingly playful detail for such a restrained design, especially when removing both markers would leave the clock with nothing to tell you.
There’s a sculptural quality to the body itself, with a rounded outer edge and circular channels that give the black surface depth. A rear keyhole slot provides for wall mounting, keeping that face upright without a separate stand. The name Orbit feels appropriate here, with two small spheres occupying rings around an empty center, rather than hands meeting at a shared pivot point.
Orbit remains a concept, so there’s no established price or availability to weigh against those compromises. Its detachable markers do suggest a rather different relationship with a wall clock, though. Reach for the face and you’re handling the things that tell the time. Just make sure those little spheres don’t end up somewhere less useful, such as behind the living room sofa.
The post Orbit Clock Concept Lets You Pick Up Its Hour and Minute Markers first appeared on Yanko Design.
Why you shouldn’t leave an extension cord plugged in all the time
An extension cord may seem like a permanent solution to a problem, but they aren't designed for long-term use, so leaving them plugged in can have consequences.
