Tag Archives: Gadgets

World’s First Programmable Music Box can play anything from Christmas Carols to the Latest Pop Hits

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Nostalgia Upgraded – The Muro Box brings a fond childhood music instrument into the future with App Support and MIDI Connectivity

The second you hear a music box, your mind is taken to a fairytale land. Music box sounds have been used in cinemas to transition to dream sequences, showing exactly how rooted the sound of a music box is in childhood nostalgia. In the past, most of these mechanical musical instruments were found inside toys like snowglobes, jack-in-the-boxes, or other wind-up toys. You can still find music boxes today, although most of them just play fixed tunes like your odd nursery rhyme or Happy Birthday (some novelty stores even sell music boxes that play the Harry Potter or the Game of Thrones theme)… but the folks behind the Muro Box are doing something absolutely unusual. The Muro Box is the first customizable music box that can play pretty much any tune you want it to play, thanks to app connectivity and a MIDI interface. You can use Muro Box’s app to either compose your own tracks or browse through a library of pre-composed tracks… or better still, hook it to a MIDI synth and play music directly from your keyboard onto the Muro Box. The result is a charmingly nostalgic rendition of pretty much any song. Whether it’s a Christmas Carol or a Slipknot song, it’s sure to sound positively delightful and just incredibly dreamy!

Designer: Muro Box Global

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 (Ships Before Christmas) Hurry! Only 7 Days Left!

The way most music boxes worked was simple. Each box would come with a rotating cylinder that had studs on it, and a metal comb placed strategically near said cylinder. When the cylinder would rotate, the studs would ‘pluck’ against the comb, creating notes. Based on the cylinder’s pattern, you could play elements of any song. The problem with the music boxes of the past, however, was that A. You couldn’t change the song and B. The drum’s limited circumference meant you could only play a small portion of the song over and over again, which would become a little annoyingly repetitive after the first few times. The Muro Box solves both those problems thanks to a patented dynamic cylinder that can change while it rotates. This game-changing innovation allows the Muro Box to not just play different songs, but also play ENTIRE songs.

While the Muro Box is built to be a treat for one’s ears, its beauty starts with that gorgeously nostalgic design, echoing the steampunk aesthetic of the good old days. The mechanical parts of the box are surrounded by gorgeous brass detailing, sitting on top of a single-piece maple or acacia wood platform. Zinc-alloy components help create a warm, pleasant sound, while the acacia platform comes with an acoustic chamber that amplifies the music box’s sound. A glass enclosure seals the Muro Box’s internal components, preventing dust, dirt, or fidgety children from toying with the box’s delicate assemblies. Quite like the Muro Box’s sound transports you to a simpler time, its design is a hallmark of the simpler years before electronics, circuit boards, and internet connectivity.

That being said, the box itself has some seriously impressive tech underneath its hood. It’s designed to be entirely programmable, which means you can choose what to play, thanks to a variable cylinder design that can pluck on the resonating comb in a variety of ways. The box connects to an app that allows you to either choose from a library of songs, or design your own melodies using a MIDI-style interface (think Guitar Hero, but with more notes). A single-button interface lets you twist to toggle between songs in the app’s playlist (left for previous, right for next), and pressing the button toggles the play/pause feature. If you’re looking to push the Muro Box to its absolute limit, a MIDI port on the back lets you connect your Muro Box to a synth or a laptop running a DAW, so you can play more complex melodies directly off music production software.

Most users will be more than content with running the Muro Box off its app. The vast library contains user-submitted tunes from all around the world, featuring classics, latest hits, and even local/regional tunes. Pick a tune and the box begins emitting a gentle whirr that’s punctuated by the melodious clinks of the cylinder’s studs hitting the resonating comb. The Muro Box’s different variants come with single, double, and quadruple-comb arrangements, allowing you to play simple tunes or even incredibly layered musical compositions.

The Muro Box comes in three variants, ranging from simple to complex. The catalog starts with the N20 Lite, a redesign of the company’s first N20 music box from back in 2020. The N20 Lite comes outfitted with one 20-note music comb, limiting the number of notes you have to play with. Designed to be smaller than its siblings, it also ditches the MIDI feature for app-only control, and comes with a battery-powered design that lets you carry your music box with you, unlike the larger models that are wired.

The next step in the Muro Box journey is the N40 Standard, with two 20-note combs, giving it a total of 40 notes. This allows the N40 to cover more notes and more octaves, allowing you to play more complicated songs with a lower baseline and upper melody. The final music box in the series is the N40 Sublime, a more complex version of its standard sibling with four 20-note combs instead of two. However, instead of offering 80 different notes, it sticks to 40 notes, but has duplicates for each note. This makes each individual note sound richer as it’s played twice, creating more resonance. The phenomenon is called Sublime Harmonizing, and the best way to understand the difference is to think of a solo singer versus a choir.

Both the N40 variants come with a DIN 5 and USB-C MIDI input, and there’s even a 6.5mm (1/4 inch) audio output with a transducer pickup system. The N40 Standard comes with a Maple box, but you can upgrade to the high-quality Acacia for an extra $90. The N40 Sublime, on the other hand, is outfitted with the acacia-wood box and even has a laser-engraved metal plaque that you can customize with a message of your own.

The Muro Box starts at a commendable $299 for the N20 Lite, going up to $996 for the N40 Standard or a hefty $1,826 for the N40 Sublime. It’s difficult to put a price on nostalgia but the Muro Box definitely doesn’t make things cheap! The music boxes are all made in Taiwan, and ship globally as early as December 2023.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299 (Ships Before Christmas) Hurry! Only 7 Days Left!

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Magsafe charging valet tray helps your area look less cluttered

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If you have several devices that you want to charge at the same time, your desk can look like a tangle of wires and other charging paraphernalia. I am not the neatest person when it comes to my desk so that’s not such an uncommon or uncomfortable situation for me. But for those who are a bit concerned with how their work area will look, wireless charging is probably the best solution to avoid such clutter. If you have several devices though, you might also need several wireless charging pads, unless you get one that can charge multiple gadgets at once.

Designer: Courant

For Mac users, Courant is an accessory maker that they constantly look to (if they can afford premium devices though). The MAG:3 is their latest MagSafe wireless charging device and this time it looks like a minimalist valet tray for your iPhone, AirPods, and other small items that you can place there to make your side table or desk more organized. It is available in both leather and linen finishes and in several colors for each so you can choose which one best fits your current work or home aesthetic.

The tray is made up of a 7.5W output wireless charger pad for your iPhone, a 5W, non-magnetic Qi wireless charger pad for other compatible devices like Airpods, and a 10W USB-C output at the back part to power other devices like your Apple Watch or another USB-C compatible device. There is also space for things like your wallet, watch, keys, eyeglasses, and other small things that you may need to place beside your devices so you won’t forget any of them before you leave your house or your office.

The carbon-neutral Belgian Linen finish is available in camel, charcoal, and natural colors while the gold-rated Italian Leather finish has the saddle or black color options. It is now available to pre-order on the Courant website but since Black Friday deals are almost upon us, you get a discounted deal for a limited period in case you want to save a few dollars.

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OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon

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One of the better design trends that have made a comeback lately (and one that I wholeheartedly approve of) is the transparent device. We’re seeing things from phone cases to game controllers and devices to printers to keyboards to smart glasses sport that see-through design that we went crazy for back in the 90s. It’s pretty interesting to see the “inner workings” of these devices or at least pretending to see the insides of the gadgets. Now it looks like Chinese brand OnePlus may come out with their own transparent design device that is not a smartphone.

Designer: OnePlus

OnePlus India recently released a teaser ad that seems to hint at a new device that they will be announcing soon. With the tagline “The wonder of music meets the power of tech”, the teaser ad features what looks like a speaker system with an obviously transparent design. This is an expansion of their current product line which is mostly made up of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and wireless earbuds. While having speakers is not really that surprising, what caught people’s attention is the supposed design of the alleged device.

The teaser shows a transparent cube that shows off components that are most likely what you can find inside speakers. Since it’s still just an initial ad and not really the official one, we have no way of knowing what are the specifications of this upcoming product, whether it’s just a portable speaker or a whole speaker system. There is also some speculation that this may be a collaboration with another tech brand, Nothing, which has also been reported to be launching new audio hardware with a transparent design as well.

There is no specific date yet for an official announcement so all we have to go on, for now, is this teaser ad from OnePlus in The Times of India. But based on the image in this ad, it will be a pretty interesting piece of audio hardware if they indeed go with the transparent or see-through design. It will also be interesting to see how the brand (or brands, if the collaboration is true) will fit into the market and go against more established speaker brands.

The post OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon first appeared on Yanko Design.

OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon

Posted on by

One of the better design trends that have made a comeback lately (and one that I wholeheartedly approve of) is the transparent device. We’re seeing things from phone cases to game controllers and devices to printers to keyboards to smart glasses sport that see-through design that we went crazy for back in the 90s. It’s pretty interesting to see the “inner workings” of these devices or at least pretending to see the insides of the gadgets. Now it looks like Chinese brand OnePlus may come out with their own transparent design device that is not a smartphone.

Designer: OnePlus

OnePlus India recently released a teaser ad that seems to hint at a new device that they will be announcing soon. With the tagline “The wonder of music meets the power of tech”, the teaser ad features what looks like a speaker system with an obviously transparent design. This is an expansion of their current product line which is mostly made up of mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, and wireless earbuds. While having speakers is not really that surprising, what caught people’s attention is the supposed design of the alleged device.

The teaser shows a transparent cube that shows off components that are most likely what you can find inside speakers. Since it’s still just an initial ad and not really the official one, we have no way of knowing what are the specifications of this upcoming product, whether it’s just a portable speaker or a whole speaker system. There is also some speculation that this may be a collaboration with another tech brand, Nothing, which has also been reported to be launching new audio hardware with a transparent design as well.

There is no specific date yet for an official announcement so all we have to go on, for now, is this teaser ad from OnePlus in The Times of India. But based on the image in this ad, it will be a pretty interesting piece of audio hardware if they indeed go with the transparent or see-through design. It will also be interesting to see how the brand (or brands, if the collaboration is true) will fit into the market and go against more established speaker brands.

The post OnePlus may be hinting at a transparent speaker to be launched soon first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sticky note printer lets you print your daily reminders to improve productivity

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As much as most of my workflow is already digital, I still love integrating “old school” digital aspects every once in a while. One thing that I still do to this day is write important things on sticky notes and then putting them around my work area. I have to major problems about it though: they sometimes fall off and sometimes, I don’t understand my own handwriting. This new device from an offshoot company of Samsung Electronics might be the answer to my problem.

Designer: Mangoslab

The Nemonic Gen 2 inkless, thermal, and wireless printer lets you print your notes and even images on Ultra Sticky Notes that will not easily fall off. The small printer can be connected to desktops and mobile devices and lets you print notes that you drew, wrote, typed, captured on the connected app. It can even be integrated with Microsoft Office apps as wel as Slack and Zapier so if you use any of those in your regular workflow, then your productivity should run even more smoothly than usual.

There are different templates for each of the integrated apps so you can create either handwritten or typewritten notes. It is also able to remove shadows from photos or diagrams that you capture from a whiteboard or screen through the Nemonic Scanner app and then you can print it directly. It also has a de-curl feature so your sticky notes come out flat if needed. It also has auto-cut finishing so no need to stress about tearing or manually cutting off the note.

It is still currently on Kickstarter but they have already more than met their initial goal of $3,000. The Ultra Sticky Notes come with the package already but they will probably sell refills separately eventually as well. This will definitely be added to my dream devices to have at home in the hopes that my productivity will be further improved with this digital/analog hybrid.

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This Samsung portable printer is your gateway to instant creativity on the go

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Samsung is perhaps not the biggest game-changer when you talk about redefining the way in which we capture and share memories. That would be until the Korean tech company happens to chance upon the Image Box Portable Printer. This is a new-age device designed to bring your favorite moments to life with unparalleled convenience and style.

At the heart of this portable printer is a cutting-edge Zink-type tech that bids farewell to the hassles of traditional ink cartridges. Samsung’s Image Box allows you to print your photos directly from your mobile devices anytime, anywhere, without the need for ink, making this printer your gateway to instant creativity on the go.

Designer: Won Jang, Jinsu Du and Chaeyoung Yoon

The Image Box Portable Printer boasts a compact form factor, making it the perfect companion for those who are always on the move. Slip it into your bag or proudly display it on your desk – the choice is yours. This versatile printer effortlessly combines portability with functionality, seamlessly transitioning between being a pocket-sized option and an eye-catching desk accessory.

Designed for maximum convenience, the Image Box comes in two parts: the sleek base and the cartridge-carrying unit. The design ensures that replacing the cartridge is a breeze. Instead of a traditional hinge, the back of the body opens up, streamlining the process and maintaining the printer’s compact form. The designers understand that style is a crucial element of portable devices. That’s why the Image Box base comes in serrated and standard versions, each boasting a unique color, to let users mix and match for personalized color combinations that suit their taste.

As we eagerly await the arrival of the Image Box Portable Printer at the Samsung Store, it’s clear that designers have once again pushed the boundaries of innovation. This Image Box transcends the traditional limitations of photo printing, offering a seamless blend of functionality, portability, and style. Whether you’re a creative professional, a photography enthusiast, or someone who simply loves capturing life’s moments, the Image Box Portable Printer is poised to become your new must-have gadget.

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xTool Screen Printer reinvents screen printing with laser engraving to bring designs to life

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There has been a massive flood of new designs from makers, creators, and even hobbyists, all thanks to new tools that have made production processes simpler, easier, and more affordable. There are, however, some designs that are still difficult to pull off, like those that need to be painted on flat surfaces or clothing. The screen printing process for these kinds of designs has traditionally been tedious, expensive, and error-prone, making the activity less enjoyable and less approachable for beginners and hobbyists. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case anymore. Thanks to a combination of creative design and expertise in laser engraving technologies, this revolutionary screen printing system lets you cut down the time and steps needed to make your wildest print dreams come true.

Designer: xTool Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 ($200 off). Hurry, 103/400 left! Raised over $450,000.

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Screen printing can be quite frustrating, even if you exclude the variability that might result when you don’t spread the inks properly near the end of the process. Just the preparation itself can take hours or even days, involving emulsions and exposures that could go awry at any step, forcing you to go through the grueling process again, wasting not just time but also money. If only there was a way to make screen printing easier and more beginner-friendly, just like how 3D printing opened the creative floodgates, especially for budding designers. Fortunately, that’s exactly what the new xTool Screen Printer is bringing to the table, combining an easy-to-use screen printer with laser engraving to deliver the speed and precision creators have always wished for.

While the traditional screen printing process would usually take days just to prepare the screen and make plates, the xTool Screen Printer requires 1-3 hours only on average to create the screen. With its two-sided coated screen using customized professional-grade spray net technology and industrial-level spraying equipment, you practically skip the lengthy emulsion preparation time. Reducing the waiting time is already a huge boost in productivity, but that’s just the beginning. You’ll still need to actually actually put your design on the screen, which is where xTool’s expertise with laser technologies comes in.

When paired with the xTool S1 diode laser cutter or the xTool D1 Pro 5W laser engraver, you can rapidly create stencils at a mind-blowing speed. No longer do you have to worry about printing on transparencies or hoping that the designs are properly imprinted on the screen, both of which could also fail at any time. And thanks to the xTool Creative Space software, you have even more freedom to transfer complex digital designs to your stencils, ensuring that the final print will be just as stunning as your original idea. So while you can use other laser engravers as well, you’re definitely in the best hands with xTool’s industry-tested products.

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Stencil creation is reduced from approx. 24 hours to about an hour – at laser speed!

There’s no escaping the act of applying ink to the pattern in order to print it on paper or textiles, but the xTool Screen Printer makes this process easier and worry-free. The EasyStretch Frame ensures a uniform stretch, while an intuitive press design makes short work of swapping screens, minimizing ink spillage, and supporting different materials, including metals and wood. And it doesn’t cost much to get started, with a $199 Early Bird Basic Kit that includes the printing press, one 11.5×16-inch frame, three 11.5×16-inch screens, and other essentials. The $369 Early Bird Multi-Color Kit includes 4 frames and 12 screens to enable you to work with more colors and layers. And if you want to get the laser engravers in one go, you can opt for the $499 or the $1,968 Early Bird bundles for the xTool D1 Pro 5W or the xTool S1 20W, respectively.

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Groundbreaking EasyStretch designs simplifies the screen stretching process to an amazing 30 seconds!

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The quick-release frame clamp structure facilitates swift stencil switching for seamless creation multi-color masterpieces

Whether you’re a seasoned designer establishing your own brand, a budding creator who wants to spread your ideas to the masses, or a hobbyist who crafts personalized gifts for family and friends, the xTool Screen Printer reinvents and revolutionizes the screen printing process, removing the tedious and bothersome tasks so you can focus instead on letting your creativity shine.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $399 ($200 off). Hurry, 103/400 left! Raised over $450,000.

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Retro-inspired LOFREE TOUCH PBT wireless mouse comes with swappable keycaps for matching workspace theme

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The good old mouse has evolved into an accessory that can improve your productivity exponentially, that’s if you get the hang of using all the buttons and set the customization options in line with hand ergonomics and muscle memory. Take for example Logitech MX Master 3S, Corsair SCIMITAR RGB ELITE or Logitech G305. In an editor’s hand, any one of these mouse can be a potent tool.

The shape of these high-end mouse has also evolved into a much more modern aesthetic, considering the position of the hand and the multiple buttons. But there’s always a time when you want to experience the retro charm of the good old PC accessory without giving up on the modern functions.

Designer: LOFREE

The old-school LOFREE TOUCH PBT wireless mouse comes with swappable buttons to change the look if you get bored with the existing one. Non-glossy, non-sticky and skin-friendly texture of the mouse keys – MB1, MB2 and the upper case – is soft to the touch of hand and fingers. This ensures you can match it to the setup of your desk or room. The mouse is loaded with the 3805 sensor and PAW3805 outputting 4000 DPI for use on glass or any other surface where an ordinary mouse simply doesn’t work. This also holds merit for high-end gaming for times you are not working.

The rechargeable mouse works for 75 hours before requiring another recharge. Everything set aside, the 80s-inspired look of this mouse is what grabs the attention more than anything else. Add to that the ability to replace the PBT keycaps on top of the Cherry MX-style stems, and you’ve got an accessory that’ll draw you to the desk without fail. The beige-colored mouse weighing 106 grams is a tag on the heavier side, and can be a deal breaker for finicky users. Priced at $69, the retro-inspired mouse is a unique one to add to the collection.

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This curved vertical ergonomic mouse helps lessen fatigue on your hand

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As someone who has not used a mouse since I switched to Mac years ago, the idea of mouse fatigue is foreign to me. But I do know a lot of people who spend more than half of their day in front of the screen and with a mouse to guide them most of the time and they testify that it can take a toll on your hand and fingers. There are several ergonomic options out there but this one from Protoarc seems to be unique and even more ergonomic than the usual ones out there.

Designer: Protoarc

The EM11 RGB Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse lets you have a more relaxed position when using the device, especially if you’ll be using it for long periods. The ergonomics vertical grip gives you a more natural position for your hand and will also supposedly give you fatigue resistance because of the way you use it and the way it’s designed. It should be able to reduce the strain on your arm, wrist, and hand and also is more convenient with its back and forward thumb buttons.

If you’re using multiple devices, the mouse is able to switch connection mode through low bluetooth with up to 3 devices and with three different available DPI for high precision control. And if you prefer something a bit more stable, you can also connect it to your computer through a USB receiver. It also has four different RGB light modes to match your mood while working or playing: neon, monochromatic, streamer, breathing. The battery life is also pretty impressive as it can last up to 90 days on a single charge.

With a lot of people staying in front of screens more hours every day, whether for work or for play, it’s really important to have ergonomic devices like these so we lessen the fatigue on our body. If I was still using a mouse, I would probably use something like this as the design seems more natural than your usual mouse devices.

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Gorgeous ‘Japandi’ MagSafe Charger blends into your Table Decor with a Rustic Wood Build

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With its simple form factor and dual-shade wood construction, Oakywood’s MagSafe iPhone Stand/Charger has an aesthetic quality similar to the kinds found in Japanese and Scandinavian homes. Fondly known as ‘Japandi’ (an obvious portmanteau of the two words), the design style is characterized by cleanliness and minimalism that eschews materialism and clutter. With its Japandi-inspired style, Oakywood’s MagSafe iPhone Stand adds a touch of rustic beauty to your table, with a design that looks sophisticated but feels familiar thanks to the use of natural materials like Oak and Walnut wood.

Designer: Oakywood

The stand’s two-part design features a powder-coated aluminum base with a wooden ‘tray’ on top. The hefty aluminum base gives the stand its stable design (while also allowing it to function as a paperweight of sorts) while customers have a choice between a light oakwood or dark walnut wood upper, complementing their table setup.

The stand comes with an empty slot that lets you weave your MagSafe charger in. Once put in place, it becomes a nifty magnetic charging dock for your iPhone that you can either use as-is, or detach the MagSafe charger to use as a horizontal charging mat (shown above).

When used in the ‘stand’ mode, it angles your phone at a precise 25°, making it easy to view while also triggering the iPhone’s new Standby Mode – a feature unveiled in the latest iOS 17 update.

If you don’t want to use your Oakywood MagSafe iPhone Stand as a charger, the company sells a magnetic puck that you can slide into the stand, allowing it to work as merely a docking station without the charging facility.

The folks at Oakywood pride themselves in embracing nature as a material and a source for their designs. The use of wood feels antithetical to the metal and glass build of your iPhone, but it brings about a certain warmth to your tabletop, allowing it to become a standard fixture in your workplace. Besides, the entire thing weighs roughly 700 grams (1.5 pounds), making it a rather heavy accessory that doesn’t feel cheap in the slightest.

Oakywood sustainably sources its wood from America and Poland, also pledging to plant one tree for each product sold, thus ensuring a circular economy of sorts that helps reduce the effects of deforestation while turning wood into a renewable resource. You can grab your MagSafe iPhone Stand in three color options – a Light Oak, Dark American Walnut, or a Black Solid Oak that’s the darkest of the lot, matching the powder-coated Aluminum base.

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