Computers are powerful tools that enable all kinds of workflows, including designing products, architectures, or artwork. As powerful as they may be, the devices that we currently have for creating these digital artifacts aren’t exactly conducive to the creative process. Keyboards are large and clunky, and while there are indeed styluses that act like electronic pens, they still require the use of keys at some point or another. Keyboard shortcuts are supposed to help manage those dozens if not hundreds of actions available, but the finger gymnastics and memorization required create more stress and break the creative workflow. That is why custom-made keyboards are becoming popular among creators and designers, and this newest addition offers plenty of power in a small and cute package.
Almost all software for designers and creatives makes use of keyboard shortcuts so that you don’t have to dig through countless menus every time you need to do something. Sadly, the way keyboards work means you have to string a series of keys that may or may not have anything related to the action like Ctrl and Z keys to undo and Ctrl and Y to redo. Not only does it make it harder to remember these shortcuts, they can also be painful for your fingers in the long run.
Enter the Figma Creator Micro Keyboard, a small square keyboard with only 12 mechanical keys arranged in a cross formation. The idea is that you can map each of the keys to a single function so you don’t have to press two or more keys to get the same outcome. Of course, 12 keys won’t be enough for many software (Figma itself has over 150 possible actions), but the Figma Creator has four “layers” so that each key can actually have four actions. That gives you a total of 48 keys in groups of 12, available by simply tapping a capacitive sensor in the corner.
In addition to these keys, there are two analog controls available as well, a dial and a wheel, both of which are also clickable. These can be mapped to changing brush sizes or going through a sequence of undos and redos in rapid succession, basically, anything that would involve a slider or list of some sort. These are must-haves for digital painting and design software, proving how this keyboard was made with this kind of work specifically in mind.
The design of the keyboard itself is quite captivating and fun, using a frosted polycarbonate case that lets the RGB lighting inside shine through. The low-profile concave keycaps are replaceable, so you can pick your theme or design to match your mood and workflow. The catch is that the keyboard costs $139 and is currently still on pre-order, though it does make for a worthwhile investment if you find your fingers always aching and sore after an intense work session.
Although there are definitely a number of naysayers, meditation practices have become quite popular these days in response to the deafening busyness of the world around us. There’s no shortage of services, strategies, and gizmos advertised to help get into that state of calm, but you don’t really need most of those just to meditate. At the very least, all you need is a timer which every smartphone today has. Unfortunately, those smartphones are just too tempting once you place them in your hand, and some opt to have a standalone timer instead. This gadget concept tries to offer such a simple functionality, though with some bells and whistles that, ironically, could prove to be a source of distraction themselves.
Truth be told, some people do need some prompts or guidance to get into that meditative state, which is what guided meditation apps and services try to offer. But once they get used to the process, those aids just become distracting and defeat the purpose. By that stage, all you really need is something that will cue you when it’s time to start and when you need to end the meditation. While any old timer, digital or otherwise, will suffice, why not design something that really takes that utility to the next level?
That might be the impetus behind Decima, a timer designed specifically just for meditation. Like any timer, you get to set the duration of the time and the interval of the reminders. Unlike analog timers, however, you have the ability to set the bell tones, volume, and brightness of the display. And yes, it even has a guided mode if that’s how you like to do things.
The Decima Timer concept offers these functions through easy-to-use buttons on the sides and top of the device. An LCD display on the front shows the time as well as other useful information, like the current mode or setting you’re in. LED lighting shining through the front grille adds a nice accent that makes the device look visually interesting or even mesmerizing.
Of course, your smartphone has the same features, but having a dedicated timing device saves you from the tempting distractions of your phone’s screen. That said, Decima itself might prove to be a distraction because of the multitude of buttons and settings you can play around with. The appearance of the device, while quite attractive, can also cause your eyes and mind to wander away from your meditation, defeating the purpose of what the timer is meant to accomplish.
The Live S arrives as Loupedeck’s first product since its acquisition by Logitech. Designed to be the smallest of the company’s streaming consoles, the Loupedeck Live S is an affordable gadget for the on-the-go livestreamer or someone looking to dip their toe into streaming, content creation, or design. With 15 haptic display buttons, 4 RGB buttons, 2 rotary knobs, and a rather affordable $149 price tag, the customizable control center is perfect for multitaskers looking to boost their productivity, or streamers/podcasters who want everything right at their fingertips.
At its core, the Loupedeck Live S is a streamlined version of its predecessors, featuring two tactile analog knobs, four physical buttons, and 15 touch-sensitive LCD squares. These elements provide a tactile and responsive experience, allowing users to adjust settings like volume, switch scenes, and toggle functions with ease and precision. The touch-sensitive buttons, although lacking physical feedback, confirm every touch with haptic feedback, enhancing the user experience.
The device, slightly larger than a typical cellphone, is compact enough to fit comfortably on any desk. Its stand, snapping securely onto the back, props it up at a convenient angle for easy access. Buttons with individual displays dynamically light up to let you know which shortcut or application they’re assigned to. The display built into each button means easily being able to switch between applications, shortcuts, and environments and having the Loupedeck adapt to the moment.
Setting up the Live S is straightforward: plug in, install the software, and you’re ready to dive into its functionalities. The graphical user interface is simple yet powerful, allowing easy drag-and-drop customization. Users can set multiple profiles and workspaces, and the device seamlessly transitions between these based on the selected application. The Loupedeck Live S supports a plethora of native plugins for popular software like OBS, Twitch, Spotify, and a range of Adobe products. Beyond these, users can also create or import custom profiles and icons for virtually any application or game, making it a highly adaptable tool for a variety of tasks.
While its primary market is streamers and content creators, the Loupedeck Live S has proven its worth in other domains. It’s been lauded for its usefulness in enhancing productivity, especially in work-from-home setups, offering quick access to frequently used functions and applications. This versatility extends to gaming and other entertainment applications, with users able to tailor the device to their specific needs.
If you’re conscious about how we’ve been treating Mother Earth the past few years, decades, centuries, measuring carbon emissions is something that you’ve probably looked into. There are a lot of tips out there on how you can keep track of your own carbon footprint and how you can slowly lessen it. It may sometimes require a huge lifestyle change and we also need a visible tool to help us do this and see how we can help our environment recover.
Designer: YeEun Kim
The Toad House is a device that looks like a cross between an air purifier and a smart speaker but is actually something you can use to monitor how much carbon emission you’re using when you’re at home and make the necessary adjustments. It is inspired by a Korean children’s song that talks about building a new house from an old one which can be a metaphor in how we can repurpose wasted energy.
The product description can be a bit vague on how the device can actually measure your carbon emissions but it says the interface at the top of the house is where you can check how much you’re already using. This is probably connected to the app on your smartphone where you set targets and also see the values of the various appliances and gadgets in your house. It also says that the wasted power from your devices can be stored and then used for wireless charging later on.
This is still a concept for now but if it eventually becomes a product, it would be interesting to see if a gadget like this can really affect how you use energy. Eventually, there can also be studies if it indeed lessens carbon emissions when you have a visual reminder of how much you’re using and leaving in your environment. Probably what’s needed now though is more education on how people can measure their carbon footprints, at least in their personal use.
3D printing is something that is interesting and useful for a lot of industries although it’s still basically in the early stages. One thing that’s probably stopping people from embracing this technology is that it seems pretty complicated and not user-friendly. Most printers require a certain kind of technical knowledge so those who don’t have this are already ruled out. What if there was a printer that would do away with all that and let “ordinary” users enjoy the joys of 3D printing?
Designer: KOKONI
The KOKONI EC2 is one such printer which will let 3D printing enthusiasts use a plug-and-play kind of entry-level smart 3D printer. Despite its advanced features, it is still pretty accessible enough for children and newbies, not to mention pretty affordable. You don’t even need advanced software skills to be able to print the things you want to print. It has AI-generated design capabilities and there are also over 2000 designs to choose from (and they update it weekly so you’ll get more).
The portable 3D printer actually looks like a toy oven with its compact design and color options (apple green, orange, and white). It has a 720p camera so you will be able to see the printing process and even create time-lapse videos from there. You also get an upgraded printing speed so you’ll be able to print something in under 20 minutes if you’re using the simpler designs. You can connect the printer to the KOKONI 3D app so you don’t need a computer to be able to use it.
I never thought I would consider getting a 3D printer given the complicated nature of most of the machines available in the market. But this one that weighs just 3.2 kg and is 189 x 302 x 231 mm small is something you can consider if you’re looking to complete DIY projects for your home or work. Well, that is, if you have $349 to spare.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – televisions are yesterday’s news. Projectors have been steadily gaining popularity over the years and sure, it’s easier to find an affordable 4K TV than it is to find a 4K projector… but weigh out the pros and cons. It’s easier to travel with a projector (especially given how many portable ones there are on the market), projectors can cast displays as massive as 200 inches, reflective screens are easier on the eyes than staring at OLED displays, and finally, once a projector is switched off, it doesn’t occupy any visual space on your wall the way the TV does with that unavoidable, absurdly large black rectangle. Projectors are the next big thing, and the folks at ViewSonic seem to be echoing pretty much the same sentiment with their latest projector, the M10 – an ultra-compact RGB Projector that you can travel with from room to room (or even to a friend’s place to watch movies, matches, or the upcoming streaming debut of the Eras Tour film), plugging and playing media of your choice. Despite its compact size, the M10 has a few impressive features, like instant auto-focus, wireless as well as USB-C streaming from any device, digital zooming, angle adjustment including ceiling-facing projection, and the cherry on this rather compact cake, a 7W speaker from Harman Kardon.
The M10 doesn’t look like your average projector, partly because projection technology has seen so much innovation in the past couple of years. You’d expect a compact, portable projector to be a more vertical-standing unit (sort of like the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro for example), but the M10 takes on a more horizontal approach, resembling more of a boombox with a lens on the front. This unique visual format is the result of the M10’s Harman Kardon audio unit on the inside, along with ample venting that allows air to pass through the sides, so you don’t hear any direct noise if you’re sitting in front of or behind the projector. As far as the projector itself goes, it’s a compact little beast, measuring just 7.9 x 6.5 x 3.6 inches in size and weighing a paltry 3 pounds. A stepless stand at the base lets you angle-adjust your projector to face it anywhere (even the ceiling), and the M10 boasts connectivity through both wired and wireless means, letting you watch content off the internet, through a smartphone/tablet, or even streamed directly from a gaming console.
Watch movies in bed directly on your ceiling
The ViewSonic M10 projector, while packed with advanced visual and audio features, does not come with a built-in smart TV platform, which means it lacks an operating system for directly installing popular streaming apps like Netflix or Hulu. However, this doesn’t limit your entertainment options. The M10 compensates for this with its extensive connectivity options, including HDMI 2.0, USB Type-C, and 5G Wi-Fi, which provide ample opportunity to connect to a variety of external devices. This flexibility allows users to easily connect streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or even a laptop or smartphone, to access their favorite streaming services. Furthermore, the M10’s Wi-Fi connectivity facilitates seamless content casting from smart devices, enabling users to wirelessly stream content directly to the projector. This approach to connectivity not only maintains the M10’s compact and portable design but also ensures that it remains adaptable and user-friendly for a wide range of multimedia applications, from binge-watching the latest series to presenting professional slideshows.
At the heart of the M10 lies its triple laser light source, a revolutionary step away from conventional single-laser projectors. This approach, encompassing individual red, green, and blue lasers, allows the M10 to cover an impressive 100% of the BT.2020 color gamut. This not only surpasses cinema-grade standards set by DCI-P3 but also ensures more vibrant and lifelike colors for a truly cinematic experience at home. Its native 1080p resolution, coupled with a high brightness of 2,200 lumens, ensures clear and vivid visuals even in well-lit rooms. Moreover, the projector boasts a contrast ratio of 3000000:1 (yes you read that right), enhancing depth and clarity in every scene, and supporting a color display of 1.07 billion colors for an immersive viewing experience.
With a throw ratio of 1.2 and a projection offset of 100% +/- 5%, the projector can display images ranging from 40″ to a massive 180″, adaptable to various room sizes and setups. Its digital zoom capability (ranging from 0.8x to 1.0x) lets you adjust your screen size without having to physically move the projector. The M10 is also equipped with time-of-flight (ToF) and keystone-correction sensors that enable instant auto-focus, so you spend less time adjusting your image and more time enjoying content.
Connectivity options on the M10 are abundant. It includes HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 support, USB Type C, USB Type A (USB2.0 Reader), and 5G Wi-Fi, providing seamless connections to a variety of devices. The projector also supports resolutions from VGA (640 x 480) to 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), ensuring compatibility with a wide range of media sources. Meanwhile, each M10 comes with a remote control, while also letting you operate the projector with your smartphone using the vCastSender app.
On the audio front, the integrated 7-Watt Harman Kardon Cube speaker delivers a crisp, well-balanced sound, creating an all-encompassing audiovisual experience. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, allowing for wireless headphone pairing or use as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.
While the M10 lacks a built-in battery, necessitating proximity to a power source, this slight limitation is overshadowed by its impressive array of features and performance capabilities. As of now, ViewSonic has not disclosed pricing or availability details for the M10 projector. However, the current details suggest that it is shaping up to be a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance, versatile projection solution in a compact, user-friendly package.
If you ever wondered what the next big leap in technology could be, it surely is artificial intelligence. Set to take the world we live in by storm in the coming decade, the future is exciting as we all witness the metamorphosis in our daily routine thanks to this promising evolution.
As a coder or content creator, if you always wanted AI to be by your side to streamline processes, now is a good time to be alive. So, why not a mechanical keyboard that employs AI to your advantage to stay ahead of the curve?
Designer: Junha Kahm
While most of us prefer the Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard, Corsair K70 RGB Pro, 8Bitdo Retro Mechanical Keyboard or Keychron Q Series – the Sparrow AI keyboard wants to dethrone them all with functionality so unique, that you’ll want to grab it right away. As the name suggests, the keyboard is tailored for productive workflow out of the box with its advanced AI-assisted features.
The smart keyboard has a semi-transparent display on the front that constantly keeps giving useful inputs and insight about the things you are typing on it. For example, if you are a coder and typing down lines of code and by mistake inputting a wrong code, Sparrow is mindful enough to suggest a rectification. The same is true for content creators who can benefit from the keyboard’s constant learning ability to weed any errors out of the workflow.
If you want to interact with the peripheral, there’s a switch button on the left that allows you to have a conversation right on the keyboard interface rather than going to your preferred AI program for help. When you want to use the traditional keyboard function and turn off any AI assists, it is as simple as toggling off the switch button.
This idea of an AI-assisted keyboard has every reason to make it past the concept and prototype stage. What do you think?
For those of us who were already alive and aware when the original Macintosh made its bow on January 1984, seeing any vintage design that is inspired by this classic is always nostalgic. We’ve been seeing a resurgence of all kinds of vintage-inspired designs on more modern gadgets and devices to blend the old and the new. elago is one such brand that has been coming up with more nostalgic magsafe and old-school Mac inspired accessories to go together with your iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch, etc. This latest one is sure to appeal to the classic Mac lovers.
The MagSafe MS M4 Charging Stand is a charging stand for your iPhone that brings back the classic retro design of the Macintosh. It also helps reduce clutter on your table when you need to juice up your smartphone and of course do it in nostalgic style. It is made from premium silicone so it should be able to protect your device from scratches and even the spot on the desk where you will be placing the charger. It also adds a grip to to the surface that it’s resting on and has ventilation holes so your device won’t overheat.
You will need to have your own MagSafe charger which will be attached to the charging stand which then allows you to attach your iPhone in place. As it’s charging, you will also be able to use it to take phone calls and do video calls as well. It is also compatible with the StandBy mode that turns your device into an ambient smart display if you’re already sporting iOS 17. It is compatible with the iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 series. If you’re not using the charging stand, it still looks cute sitting there on your table with the mini Macintosh design complete with the classic cursive “hello.” greeting.
The charging stand doesn’t have any other new additional feature aside from being a stand that charges your iPhone or a stand to hold your device if you’re using it for calls or video conferences. But if you’re looking for something cute and nostalgic, then it’s something that you’d want to add to your collection. And at just $28.99, it’s not that of an expensive addition.
Though there are still some who have a negative or incorrect opinion of it, meditation has become a much-recommended tool to fight off stress, anxiety, depression, and other negative mental states that, in turn, affect our health or productivity. There is even a growing business of meditation assistance services that help guide people toward a calmer state, often daily or maybe even more times in a day. Given the way these tidbits of meditation aids come in digital format, they’re often delivered through smartphones, which is a bit ironic considering these devices are often the cause of stress and distractions. Having a dedicated meditation device might sound overkill, but this rather interesting companion makes that a bit more worthwhile by showing you an adorable face to go along with your mood or the mood that you’re aiming for.
Meditation services like Headspace and Calm are able to reach a large number of subscribers by offering their content through smartphones. It’s a very practical and convenient strategy that lets you get into a calmer head space anytime, anywhere. The drawback is that you might be tempted or distracted by the very smartphone you’re using to meditate, defeating the purpose of the exercise entirely.
The Headspace Companion is a design concept for a device that leads you into that same state in a more detached yet also more visually appealing way. It’s basically a toy-like device that stands on small feet, almost like a clock. But instead of a clock face, you get an actual digital face themed like clouds, the sun, veggies or fruits, and other objects you might not immediately associate with meditation. The style of both the device and the faces are cartoonish and almost comical, enough to bring a smile to your face every time you look at it.
The idea is for these faces to reflect your mental state, either based on your mood (probably taken from health sensors or services connected to the device) or just how much time has elapsed since your last meditation. The faces can be gloomy or even angry, while clouds can become darker as time passes. Once you start meditation, however, the character’s face, mood, and colors lighten up as well, reflecting what should be your mental state after the process. Just like on the app, you can set how much time you want to devote to meditation using a wooden wheel timer on its side.
Admittedly, the concept leaves a lot of the technical implementation up to the imagination, since it seems to focus mostly on the visual experience more than anything else. It’s still a rather interesting meditation device that almost literally gives a face to your emotions, a visualization that might even help some people face their problems and watch the same calm reflected on their own faces.
NaNoWriMo, short for National Novel Writing Month, has come and gone, but the joy and chore of churning out words never ends. Most people use a computer these days for writing any sort of content with words. Some might even use a smartphone to give their thoughts some form when a computer isn’t available. These devices are, of course, sufficient and practical, but that doesn’t mean they offer the best typing experience. They can become sources of distraction as well as cause of eye strain, both fatal for serious writers. Fortunately, there is now a class of devices that promise distraction-free typing, and this latest addition to that roster takes it up a notch with a design that will spark curiosity and flights of the imagination, hopefully, to better cajole those words out of your brain and onto a digital sheet.
The Freewrite Traveler is hardly a new gadget. In a nutshell, it is a portable digital typewriter that uses an eye-friendly E Ink screen for displaying the words you type. Unlike a laptop or phone, it doesn’t have any other function, which means there are no notifications or inessential features to distract you from the task of writing. It’s meant to deliver the joy of uninterrupted writing while still offering conveniences like a comfortable mechanical keyboard, saving files on the cloud, and a portable design.
The “Ghost” builds on this solid foundation and adds a design twist that, while not exactly necessary, could help lead your mind to new ideas. It takes inspiration from products that flaunted transparent or translucent shells, including old Game Boy models, the candy-like iMacs, or even Crystal Pepsi. As its name implies, the Freewrite Traveler Ghost sports a transparent shell that lets you take a peek at the electronics that make the device tick.
It’s admittedly gimmicky, but one shouldn’t underestimate the subconscious effects of such gimmicks on our creativity. Humans have always been interested in discovering what lies within, even if it consists of a jumble of wires. The play of light on the translucent white case also gives our eyes plenty of interesting visual points that, in turn, could help trigger the brain and spark new ideas. At the very least, it could offer a nice visual break while you stretch your fingers and arms after a long period of typing.
Granted, not everyone will be keen on spending a solid $600 on a device that does one thing and one thing only, but that limitation is also the very same appeal of the Freewrite Traveler. And when you’re a writer stuck in a rut or are easily thrown off your groove by distractions, every little bit counts to get you focused and inspired, even if it means staring at the indecipherable mess of modern electronics.
