Tag Archives: cyberpunk

Cyberpunk-themed power socket box concept removes a reason to hide your cables

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Cable management and hiding is not only a trend; it has even become an art form. Messy cables don’t just get in the way but are also an eyesore. But what if the cables become part of the desk’s aesthetic? What if the power strip or socket box actually gave you a reason to have those charging wires out in the open? That’s the idea behind this socket box design that appeals to gamers, geeks, and gadget lovers by giving their desks a cyberpunk aesthetic. At the same time, it also makes cable management simpler by not having to hide wires and cables in the first place.

Designer: PTPC

It has become en vogue to hide power sockets and charging ports from view, whether disguising themselves as part of the desk or simply placing them behind tables. While that may be an effective way to reduce the visual mess, it also means most of these outlets are harder to reach. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice convenience for aesthetics, especially if the aesthetic you’re aiming for isn’t the kind that adheres to clean and tidy arrangements.

Trozk is a “hardcore” socket box that makes you want to actually have your wires in plain sight by embracing the popular cyberpunk theme. As the name itself implies, this genre’s design language is sometimes messy, unrefined, and even garish. You have tangled cables, neon lights, and geometric shapes in abundance, though still executed in a stylistic and intentional manner.

The socket box concept is aptly big, boxy, and flashy. On the top, you have six universal power outlets arranged in a 2×3 grid that can accommodate almost any plug type. Beside them is a square with small LED indicators and a square LCD display for information such as power input, output, and the like. Off to the side are USB ports for charging mobile devices. The concept incorporates GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology to handle the load of having 10 ports putting out power.

Like any cyberpunk-themed gadget, Trozk has RGB lighting that highlights the top surface of the box as well as the branding in front. Because of its interesting visual, the socket box is clearly designed to be shown off, even when there are cables coming out of it. That makes it easier to plug and remove chargers at will, while also giving your desk or shelf a sci-fi vibe. Of course, you’ll still have to make sure your cables don’t get tangled up, but at least now you’ll have a cyberpunk excuse for the mess.

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DIY modular cyberdeck could be the futuristic computer you can get soon

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The popularity of sci-fi and cyberpunk games and films has sparked interest in products with futuristic designs and, unlike movie props, contemporary functionality. From music players to power banks, the cyberpunk theme covers a wide variety of designs, but nowhere is it more evident than in the so-called cyberdecks, basically portable computers that allow users to connect to The Network and do their work from any location. Technically, our smartphones and tablets would qualify as such devices, if not for their sleek, modern, and elegant designs. There’s no shortage of cyberdeck projects today, many of them of the DIY kind, but this upcoming design proves to be quite intriguing thanks to its potential usability and, more importantly, flexibility.

Designer: souscircuit

Cyberdecks come in all shapes and sizes, with some small enough to wear on your wrist like an extra large smartwatch and others no different from electric typewriters of yesteryears. Their unifying characteristic is the fusion of grungy metalwork and futuristic technology, something that’s harder to pull off in reality than in fiction. Of course, no major brand will invest in such a niche product category, which leaves plenty of room for modders, makers, and creatives to do what larger corporations won’t.

Pilet, a.k.a. Project Consolo, is one such attempt that actually emphasizes usable functionality more than just fancy visuals. It is technically a regular 7-inch tablet enclosed in a cyberpunk-themed chassis, powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 and running a touch-friendly flavor of Linux. It even has two 8,000mAh battery packs, which explains the size of the “tablet” and gives it a 7-hour uptime. Pretty low compared to a smartphone but not for what is practically a miniature computer.

What really makes Pilet interesting, however, is its modular design. While it is already usable using touch gestures, you can also connect a keyboard using the slot at the bottom of the box, which holds the keyboard module in place. In theory, you could also attach a camera, a gamepad, or other peripherals via USB or Bluetooth, very much the same technologies supported by the Raspberry Pi.

Pilet is still a work in progress, so its external design could still change before its official release. Its final form, however, could come as a DIY kit that others can assemble on their own, probably with a bit of effort to make them get a feel of that cyberpunk hacker spirit.

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Cyberpunk device is actually a functional 4-in-1 charger for Apple devices

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There are plenty of wireless chargers now in the market, many of which are designed for iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. And just like the Apple devices they support, the majority of these have designs that try to match the minimalist aesthetics of Apple’s products. There’s no argument that they’re appealing and even beautiful, but sometimes the uniformity of design can be a bit boring and unsatisfying. There’s always room for variety, and thankfully, some accessory makers are indeed taking up the challenge without going overboard. This design, for example, still manages to adopt a clean look even while adopting a more cyberpunk or sci-fi style that puts a new flavor to the typical charging pad.

Designer: Aulumu

It’s common for Apple-compatible wireless chargers these days to support all three devices. After all, it’s highly likely that an iPhone owner would have the other two accessories and would want to charge all three at the same time. The conventional design is to either have a flat surface for these devices or to have one raised and angled platform to have the iPhone charge at a more usable angle. The Aulumu M01 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station’s foldable design supports both modes, but that’s not exactly the most interesting thing about it.

What makes it special is its style, particularly the cyberpunk-like aesthetic it adopts. Rather than a straightforward row of circles for the wireless charging contacts, it alternates their arrangement to have a more visually interesting composition. The colors also alternate, with the white Apple Watch pad flanked by the black circles for the iPhone and AirPods case. It has the typical lines, text, and visible screws you’d find in this technology-centric design language, clearly separating it from the crop of wireless chargers.

Another interesting and uncommon detail is an LED light encased in what looks like a miniature vacuum tube bulb. It functions as a desk night light with three different levels of brightness, though not bright enough to be your only source of light. It gives the charging station a retro-futuristic image that you’d often find in cyberpunk designs.

In terms of functionality, Aulumu M01 even goes beyond your typical 3-in-1 charger by supporting the iPad as well, though you’ll have to connect that using a USB-C cable. The cyberpunk design definitely won’t sit well with everyone, but it offers a breath of fresh air for those who’re already tired of looking at minimalist designs everywhere they turn.

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REDMAGIC DAO 150W GaN Charger looks straight out of a cyberpunk game

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If there was a design style that fits the gamer aesthetic almost perfectly, it would probably be cyberpunk. Bright RGB lighting, geometric patterns, and panel-like decals give a somewhat futuristic tech vibe to many gaming products, be they devices or even just accessories. That’s true not just for PCs and consoles but, lately, also for smartphones. Gaming smartphones have been trying to grab the attention of mobile gamers with their sometimes over-the-top designs. That, however, mostly applies to the phone itself but rarely to the accessories you use with it. As one of the big mobile gaming brands, REDMAGIC is trying to fill in that gap with a charger that doesn’t just look hi-tech but also promises advanced features as well.

Designer: REDMAGIC (nubia)

Phone chargers are often minimalist yet uninspiring blocks of plastic that get the job done and nothing more. Thanks to advancements in charging technologies, specifically GaN or Gallium Nitride, it has been possible to shrink charger sizes or, more importantly, implement less conventional designs and features. This charger, for example, still comes in a traditional rectangular shape, but its visual and technical features are almost out of this world.

For one, it has those RGB lighting effects that gamers just love, shining in different hues in the dark. This goes perfectly with the transparent design of the charger’s metal chassis, making the REDMAGIC DAO look almost like a miniature desktop PC. Its fanciest feature, however, is the LCD screen that is used to display details like current or charging status as well as dynamic wallpapers to truly bring out a sci-fi feel.

That’s not to say the charger is just all looks, at least not on paper. Its 150W output can charge many devices, including laptops, sometimes even simultaneously. It even has a rare DC out port that can be used for devices or laptops that use connectors other than USB. GaN technology promises that all that power won’t turn the charger into a fire hazard, at least with proper use and care.

As eye-catching as the REDMAGIC DAO 150W GaN charger may look, it also raises concerns about reliability, especially with so many extraneous features. The charger will still continue to work even if the RGB lights or screen doesn’t, but it also means paying for features you may end up never using. Still, the accessory is a nice break from the usual black and white affair that chargers seem to be locked into, and hopefully, other brands will start getting similar ideas in the near future.

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This Apocalyptic Cyberpunk Cafe Racer has a humble BMW R Nine T underneath it

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The R nine T is perhaps BMW, nay, the world’s most customized bike. Ognjen Docic remixed this versatile classic into something virtually unrecognizable but vastly more eye-catching. Dubbed the Rat Race, this cafe racer isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s skeletal yet meaty, and explores unique design directions like using transparent plastic as a part of its overall fairing. This post-apocalyptic beauty also seats just one, because if Hollywood’s taught us anything, the apocalypse always creates lone wolves!

Designer: Ognjen Docic

The Rat Race’s aesthetic explores the addition, removal, and reinforcement of its overall structure. Certain parts of the fairing are removed because they add no value. Others are given further reinforcement like the fuel tank (perhaps to deter theft), and the overall chassis gets a secondary frame to make it stronger for more aggressive riding.

“I transformed the iconic BMW R9T model into dream vision, seamlessly blending vintage aesthetics for a retro old-school vibe with futuristic elements. By merging the past and future in design, I believe it transcends a specific era, becoming timeless,” says Serbia-based designer, Ognjen Docic. “In my rendition, the bike retains its original structure with subtle modifications to the frame. Introducing “Rat Race,” this concept embodies the timeless struggle, capturing the essence of life’s rat race.”

When asked about the Rat Race’s specs, Docic mentions – “Specifications of the motorcycle are unknown! Crafted within the confines of my mind, it borrows foundational elements from the R9T model. My imagination took residence in an underground motorcycle tuning garage in the outskirts of Belgrade.”

An interesting touch is Docic’s use of transparent materials in the motorcycle’s body design. A panel around the headlight almost looks like a transparent skull for the bike, enveloping its headlight and a portion of its handlebars. The base of the automobile has it too, as does the end, where Docic cleverly implemented edge-lighting to create a rather unique-looking taillight. This use of transparent plastic adds to the structure without adding to the bulk or volume.

The result of the entire endeavor is a bike that’s practically unrecognizable, but somehow still manages to have its own distinct character (and possibly a very interesting backstory). It looks like it’s been through hell and back, and still has the willpower for handling some more. Those ridiculously chunky tires are proof that the Rat Race was built to get you anywhere you want to go – no questions asked… and the lack of rear-view mirrors is proof that where you’re going, there’s no looking back!

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This cyberpunk mini PC adds a little RGB flavor to your workspace

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Mini PCs are becoming quite popular these days, especially with improvements in the processors that drive them. They’ve become dependable desktop PC options, especially for those with space constraints or who detest bulky towers. Some are even capable of gaming, at least within certain limitations. Despite all the internal upgrades, the majority of mini PCs retain their stereotypical box shapes with rather uninspiring designs. And unlike their towering cousins, customization options are pretty limited unless you buy one that was designed with a specific motif from the get-go. That’s the kind of visual experience that this unusual mini PC is trying to offer, carrying a cyberpunk-inspired design and RGB lighting to light up your desk a bit, quite literally even.

Designer: AOOSTAR

The cyberpunk genre gave birth to a design theme that involves bright neon colors set against dark backdrops and a somewhat disorganized composition of lines and polygons that suggest the presence of panels that hide some jungle of wires and circuits underneath. The fictional settings might be gloomy or even disheartening (it’s “punk,” after all), but the designs ironically bring life to products and spaces, at least when done tastefully and with a reasonable balance of elements. The AOOSTAR GOD7 mini PC definitely has that effect without going overboard and turning your desk into a blinding light show.

The design is available in white and black colorways, but it’s definitely the black model that captures the cyberpunk vibe best. The RGB lighting inside shines through polygonal cutouts and vents, giving the semblance of glowing lines and markings prevalent in cyberpunk design. There’s some level of customization when it comes to the colors and “rhythm” of the lights, but don’t expect as much as pro gaming desktops or laptops from bigger brands.

The mini PC is advertised as a gaming computer, but take that label with a grain of salt. It definitely has enough muscle to run a good number of games, but gamers will have to set their expectations properly. Given its more compact size, there is no room for a desktop-grade graphics card, but you can theoretically connect an external GPU enclosure to really take things to the next level. Other than consideration, it’s actually a rather capable computer that would be able to handle most gaming and multimedia tasks you throw at it.

With the rise in both interest and production of mini PCs, it’s only a matter of time before designs become more diversified and, hopefully, more interesting. The AOOSTAR GOD7 packs a decent set of hardware in a design that adds a little pizzazz to your desk without going overboard or becoming too distracting. It has just the right balance of interesting details that will make you want to place it somewhere everyone can see while still having enough room for the more important tools of your trade.

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