Tag Archives: ergonomic

Kensington SlimBlade Pro is a stylish wireless trackball with HAL 9000 vibes

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Tech companies and visionaries would have us believe that the future of computer interaction will all be either touch screens or holograms floating in front of our faces. Our present, however, is still very much tied down to indirect pointing devices like mice and touchpads. These aren’t the only input methods for computers, though, and some prefer a type that traces its origins even farther back than the venerable mouse. There are some people who still swear by trackballs that may now look alien to our eyes because of the convenience and precision they offer. Kensington is definitely still heavily invested in this market, and it just launched a wireless version of its elegant trackball that eerily calls to mind one of pop culture’s less savory AIs.

Designer: Kensington

Although mice became the predominant computer pointing device, it was hardly the first one. To some extent, the older trackball had an advantage in precision and economy of movement since you won’t have to lift and move the base around. It may look and feel weird to the majority of people who have grown around the mouse, but there is no shortage of professionals that find it more ergonomic and more usable. Kensington was actually one of the first to make the trackball popular with its Expert Mouse, and the new SlimBlade Pro tries to keep it ahead of the game.

The SlimBlade is one of the company’s most recent trackballs, and this new “Pro” model cuts off the cord to help keep your work desk neat and tidy. You can still use it with a USB-C cable if that’s what floats your boat, but its selling point is the wireless and Bluetooth connectivity options. It uses a built-in rechargeable battery that’s advertised to last up to four months on a full charge, freeing your mind of worries as much as it frees your desk of an additional cable.

The Kensington SlimBlade Pro definitely looks classy and refined on your desk without the wire. The base’s black surface contrasts nicely with the shiny red ball that serves as the main control of the trackball, almost like a crystal ball or gem that gives you power over your computer. Seen from the top, though, the trackball is almost like a glowing red eye staring at you, reminiscent of HAL 9000’s iconic and notorious appearance.

A trackball may now be the distant minority compared to even touch screens, but its design offers ergonomic benefits over a conventional mouse. The Kensington SlimBlade Pro even takes that to the next level by providing a finger-operated design that can be used by either the left or the right hand. It will definitely require retraining muscle memory, but for the professionals who have gone through that process, it was well worth the growing pains.

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Top 10 office accessories gift guide that are the essential upgrade your work environment needs

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I remember when the lockdown was first announced and everyone began scrambling to figure out how they’d work from home. WFH as a product category absolutely spiked in the past two years, and even though people are returning to office, they’re carrying a part of their individual personality back to work… because that’s how they were productive at home. The boring standard white cubicle is dead, and we’re now in the era of individualized workspaces. This means having productivity tools that give YOU the right sense of focus and bring out the best in you. In our series of specialized gift guides this year, this gift guide focuses on your workspace, with tools that boost your productivity, help you stay organized, help you create content, and even a few nifty and fun toys to add a little frolic to your workspace! Consider this the best personal gifting and Secret Santa idea guide ever!

1. Moft Z Sit-stand Laptop Desk

Designed to be the world’s thinnest laptop stand, the MOFT Z is a 4-in-1 invisible sit-stand desk that can be propped up at 25°, 45°, and 60°, or elevated to a height of 10 inches. Winner of the Red Dot Award 2020, the MOFT Z is a lightweight and versatile solution, that allows everyday laptop users to maintain a flexible and comfortable posture throughout their workday. Just a little larger than a sheet of A4 paper, and almost half an inch thick, the compact laptop stand can accommodate 22 pounds of weight, which is pretty impressive, considering the 16-inch MacBook Pro weighs 4.7 pounds. Its origami-inspired Z-shaped structure ensures that it is super easy to open and close, and allows you to seamlessly transition between a sitting and standing desk while offering ergonomic angle adjustments. Affordably priced, the MOFT Z is the only portable desk that you can grab like a magazine, and create a flexible work setup with, wherever and whenever you feel like!

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $69.99 (Starting with $10 off with coupon code “BF10”)

2. Timekettle M3

The great thing about the pandemic ending is that we can now ditch those annoying zoom calls and meet and greet our clients again. The bad thing is that we didn’t use those two years to brush up on our French, German, or any other foreign languages. However, the folks at Timekettle have you covered. Meet the Timekettle M3, a pair of TWS earbuds that will actively translate up to 40 languages for you and as many as 93 accents! The M3 takes your average pair of TWS earbuds to the next level. It comes with ANC and dual-mic noise reduction for your voice, but the M3’s most impressive feature is its ability to translate languages in real-time. It relies on the world’s leading translation engines (DeepL, Google, Microsoft, iFlytek, AmiVoice, Hoya) and even on Timekettle’s own engine to quickly translate audio with 95% accuracy. The M3, which comes with a split-case design, can be used in 3 modes (Touch, Listen, and Speaker) to cover a wide range of uses, from having one-on-one conversations or just listening to lectures, podcasts, news coverage. The M3 are IPx4 water resistant and last for 7.5 hours on a full charge, with another 25 hours of battery when used with the charging case. There’s an app that helps with translations too, while also letting you control the M3’s EQ settings.

Click Here to Buy Now: $108 $149.99 (25% off for Prime Members + Additional 5% discount with coupon code “YDESIGN22”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

3. Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector

The Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K is the most compact 4K laser theatre you’ve ever seen! The Nebula Cosmos will unleash a whole new level of brightness on your home entertainment – that is the power of 2400 Lumens. It has been equipped with the Laser Forge Image Engine which is powered by lasers, and features ALPD 3.0 software, which is quite interestingly used in professional theatres! It boasts a true color accuracy of 100% Rec. 709. The laser features a compact form and an ergonomically curved top handle that allows you to carry it wherever you go, and transform any space into a movie theatre. It also showcases a Seamless Autofocus, which produces instant image clarity, so you can spend more time engaging and enjoying your favorite content! You can link up the Nebula Cosmos with your portable power station. It is most compatible with the Anker 545 Portable Power Station (PowerHouse 778Wh).

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $1600 $2199.99 ($600 off with the up to 30% off Black Friday Sale)

4. SuperCalla Cable

The SuperCalla is a one-of-a-kind magnetic charging/ data cable! It looks similar to most cables, except for the fact, that at certain intervals, it has magnets around it. These magnets will organize your cables, and ensure they stay that way, with the help of magnetic attraction. The different cables can be coiled in a circular pattern, put together in a zigzag, or wound up the way you would typically organize cables. Just make sure the magnets align and the SuperCalla has the innate ability to stay organized whether in your pocket, backpack, drawer or even on your suitcase. The magnets allow you to easily open the cable out, using as much as necessary, therefore keeping your drawer, bag, and general workplace as neat as possible. SuperCalla comes in two sizes – 3 feet and 6 feet. It is available in two color options – black and white, and also looks really fun to fidget with!

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $14 $20 (30% off applied directly at checkout)

5. ASMR Zenball

In our offices, where we are surrounded by artificial materials, how do you connect to nature? While the most common answer is plants, having a plant can be a messy business. We bring to you the Zen Ball – made from genuine volcanic stone that has been shaped into a sphere, this desk device is an ASMR tool and a fidget toy, all in one. In a day filled with notifications that come at you from every side, pick up the Zen Ball to center yourself, give yourself a moment to breathe and refocus your energies, so you are acting rather than reacting. As an added value, you can drop some essential oil onto your ball and spin it for an added aromatic experience. Hold it, spin it, smell it or use it to calm yourself in stressful situations, this modern office must-have can be your reminder to stay in the moment.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $84 $99 (15% off applied directly at checkout). Hurry, storewide Black Friday sale ends in 48 hours.

6. Revopoint Mini 3D Scanner

The Revopoint MINI transforms objects into 3D models with a 0.02mm precision! The Revopoint MINI transforms 3D printing into an easy, accessible, and economical process, allowing you to bring your 3D model dreams to life. It works fast and accurately, with up to 0.02mm precision and a point distance of 0.05mm, which simply means it will be able to scan even the smallest and deepest parts of an object. It is primarily designed to be used in your hand, giving you the freedom to control the direction and speed of the scan, especially with a stabilizer that keeps the scan steady even if your hand isn’t. You can also just set it on a table with the built-in tripod. It has been amped with binocular blue light technology to project ultra-high resolution structured light, as well as a high-resolution dual-camera system, and an intelligent algorithm to ensure the scanned model is extremely detailed and precise.

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting from $703 $799 (12% off for Mini Standard Package, 20% off for Mini Dual-axis Turntable Combo Or Mini Premium Package)

7. Better Back

Its unconventional design aside, what BetterBack does goes far above and beyond what any ergonomic cushion or chair can do. By hooking to your knees, the BetterBack perpetually keeps your lower back in the right position, preventing you from hunching. It’s a simple device that can be worn pretty much whenever or wherever you find yourself sitting for long hours – whether you’re in front of a laptop, the TV, sitting in a flight for 3-4 hours, or even at a game. The harness looks sort of like a slingshot, attaching to your knees and pulling your torso forward so your spine is in the right position. It instantly causes your back muscles to relax, your spine to realign, and your internal organs to feel more free given that they aren’t getting cramped by you hunching over! The BetterBack comes in various sizes that can adjust to fit pretty much any adult.

Click Here to Buy Now: $60 $99 (30% off applied directly at checkout)

8. Sisyphus Mini

A beautiful combination of art and algorithm, the Sisyphus Mini gives you the joy of owning your personal kinetic sculpture! Named after Sisyphus, a character from Greek Mythology condemned to roll a boulder up a mountain only to have it roll back down, the Sisyphus table turns that story into an artistic experience. The table comes with a sand chamber, and a steel ball that rolls around, creating valleys in the sand. A magnetic system under the sand chamber helps guide the steel ball, moving it in a series of hypnotic patterns that get increasingly complex with time as the ball moves across the sand, creating its elaborate design. The MINI comes with variations of a hardwood construction and a glass top, allowing you to place objects on it, although it’s best left undecorated, so you can admire the gorgeous designs that get created on it. There’s a ring of LEDs built into the Sisyphus’ rim too, which keeps the pattern illuminated even in the dark. Place Sisyphus MINI in your office where you can focus and work or add it as a table top decoration to your cabin – wherever you keep it, these mesmerising

Click Here to Buy Now: Starting at $573 $637 (10% off using coupon code “BF-2022”)

9. Eilik Companion Bot

Eilik has the personality of a Tamagotchi in the body of EVE from WALL•E. The tiny little robot stands on your tabletop, letting you interact with it through voice commands and touch, while it responds, reacts, and engages back with you to make your day a little more fun! Unlike most robots that have an air of emotionless superiority, Eilik actually does the opposite. It’s a robot with a personality and a heart. With its dynamic display for a face, Eilik actually responds and reacts to how you treat it. Ignore it long enough and it’ll sulk, pat it on the head or tickle it and it’ll smile. Lift Eilik off the ground and it gets scared of heights, give it food (a magnetic little food-shaped object) and it feels satiated and calm! The best part, however, is when two or more Eiliks come together! Place two Eiliks near each other and they play, tussle, and have adorable interactions with one another. Introduce more Eiliks and you can even get them to sing Christmas songs as they dance and wave their arms about! Talk about an emotionally advanced robot!

Click Here to Buy Now: $140 $149

10. DUEX Max Monitor

The DUET MAX is the must-have dual-screen laptop accessory that every heavy laptop user needs to boost their daily productivity! The large laptop monitor features a 14.1-inch 1080p display, high brightness of 300 nits, and small bezels, creating the ultimate immersive second-screen experience. It even boasts an ‘Eyecare Mode’, which minimizes blue light, and its impact on your eyes. What really makes the DUET MAX truly revolutionary, is the fact that it is not simply an ordinary extra screen for your laptop…it’s the kind of extra screen that’s always attached to it! You can swivel it out whenever you want. It can be mounted onto any laptop and oriented on either the left or right side, depending upon your comfort. Its auto-rotate feature enables you to intuitively adjust its orientation based on the placement of the screen. In a world where multi-tasking is the norm, and WFH culture means we need to work 10x more efficiently, the DUEX MAX is a boon because a single screen is simply not enough anymore!

Click Here to Buy Now: $264 $479.99 (45% off )

The post Top 10 office accessories gift guide that are the essential upgrade your work environment needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

This sleek mouse design was inspired by a graceful creature of the sea

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As computers become a more integral part of human life, we have finally become more acutely aware of the design flaws in the devices that we use to communicate with these machines. Keyboards and mice haven’t changed their designs significantly over the decades, but manufacturers, designers, and especially users are feeling the pain of using these peripherals, quite literally even. While it might be harder to change the design of keyboards drastically, mouse designs are quite ripe for the picking. There are a few ergonomic mice coming out of the market and even more concept designs that try to reinvent the venerable computer pointing device. This mouse design, however, doesn’t stray too far from the norm but still delivers a form that is regal yet almost alien, just like the sea critter it takes inspiration from.

Designer: Hrishab Prasad

Truth be told, there are quite a few mouse concept designs that seem to be based on aquatic animals, which isn’t that surprising if you think hard about it. Fish and aquatic mammals are known for their sleek forms and their ability to move smoothly, qualities that are highly desirable for an object that needs to also move smoothly on your desk. Some of these animals also look alien to our eyes, which is also a perfect way to insert a bit of a “wow” factor into the design that reimagines the mouse (which is named for a land-based mammal, ironically).

Mylio takes its name from the scientific name of the stingray fish, one of those alien-like critters that are still a bit more familiar given their larger numbers and more visible presence in sea waters. The stingray is characterized by a very fluid and dynamic form, which is why it also lends its name to an iconic speedster on wheels. It’s definitely a fitting design to use for a mouse, especially one that can also look elegant on your desk when you’re not using it.

A stingray, however, is quite notable for the wing-like fins on each side, which is translated directly to this Mylio concept design. Some ergonomic mice already have something almost similar to these “fins,” but they’re often only applied on one side of the mouse. This limits the design to be favorable to right-handed users only or, on rare occasions, right-handed users only. In contrast, this concept design’s symmetrical fins make it possible to use the same mouse in either hand. These fins serve as resting spots for thumbs and palms.

Mylio uses other concepts, like a fingerprint sensor in the middle that can be used to unlock computers in a secure manner. Its core design, however, is really its novel shape, which is both attractive and more open to be used in either hand. Whether it is actually more ergonomic, however, is a slightly different question, especially considering how it doesn’t deviate too much from the typical shape of a mouse that is considered to be non-ergonomic by nature.

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Nebula is a transforming chair concept that looks a tad uncomfortable at first glance

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Furniture like chairs and beds are made for human comfort. After all, we place our bodies on them to achieve some physical rest, so it would make sense that these should not produce more discomfort in the body instead of reducing it. Not all chairs, however, have to be super comfortable, lest you regularly get tempted to sink into your office chair in the middle of the day. Some chairs specialize in one purpose or another, and few try to meet the wide range of needs that we have for these seats. This rather unorthodox design, however, tries to do exactly that, and it does so in a way that makes efficient use of space but also looks pretty non-ergonomic despite its stated design goals.

Designer: Lorenzo Spanu

Conventional chair designs have relatively flat seats and flat or slightly curved backs, sometimes cushioned with some soft materials. While this design is intended to help support the body in a seating position, it might not actually match the natural contours of the body. Our backs and posteriors, after all, aren’t flat, and our seats need to take that into account as well. The Nebula chair design concept, for example, tries to offer more ergonomic support for the body by using cylindrical pillows rather than rectangular ones with flatter surfaces.

Granted, it definitely doesn’t look comfortable, and some might question how ergonomic sitting on a round surface really is, but there is plenty of therapy and massage equipment that are designed in a similar fashion. More than just the shape of the pillows themselves, however, Nebula’s unique design is actually the way three of these pillows revolve around a central axis, almost like how planets revolve around a sun. This, in turn, allows the chair to take on slightly different arrangements that can support different seating forms for different occasions.

One such form, for example, is a kneeling chair where the person is half seated and half kneeling, a position that is seemingly becoming a fad. There’s a more traditional seat that has frontal support that may or may not get in the way of your typing. And, finally, there is the “comfort mode” that lets you lie on all three pillow cylinders, presumably for a more relaxing yet ergonomic posture. At the end of the day, you can also just “fold up” the chair and stow it away without taking up much space.

Admittedly, there might be some doubts on whether such a design is really ergonomic, not to mention comfortable. The Nebula design, however, does push the envelope and challenge traditional chair designs to accommodate changing work conditions. At the very least, this chair could force you to stand up and walk around every once in a while, which is always a good idea to prevent living a sedentary lifestyle.

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Orbit PC mouse gives your upper body an exercise to avoid strain injuries

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The computer mouse today may look a bit different compared to its first incarnation, but the fundamental design of this important input device hasn’t exactly changed over the decades. That, unfortunately, also means that the problems associated with this old design haven’t really disappeared either, especially those that cause physical injury over time. There has been a great deal of interest lately in redesigning the mouse to be more ergonomic, but not everyone agrees that changing the shape is enough. This design concept, for example, takes a very different approach to resolving the problem of repetitive strain injury or RSI, mostly by shifting the movement away from the arm and wrists and giving your upper body a workout instead.

Designer: Simon Hochleitner

The computer mouse and even the computer keyboard are very unnatural interfaces as far as our bodies are concerned. Especially with the mouse, the hand and the arm it’s attached to are forced into an unnatural position, whether it is in motion or at rest. The movements associated with prolonged and repeated use of the mouse eventually lead to what is sometimes called “mouse arm,” as well as the injuries that come with it. You might think that your arm is getting some exercise, but it’s really the wrong kind of movement and resting position that actually causes those injuries.

Ergonomic mice can only do so much since it simply shifts the tension and strain to other parts of the hand and arm. Orthopedists and physiotherapists might have a different idea on how to solve this problem, and it unsurprisingly involves using correct movements and posture. What may come as a surprise, however, is how this can be done by simply changing the way we use the mouse.

James Dyson Award national winner Orbit redesigns the mouse not by changing its shape but by changing the way we move it across a flat surface. Instead of simply sliding over a mouse pad, Orbit has three resistance bands that hold the “mouse” in the center. To move the mouse, you have to exert a bit of effort to counter the resistance, which, in turn, shifts the force to other muscle groups, particularly the ones responsible for posture. With this system, the body is forced not to slouch and use those upper body muscles instead of relying on wrist and forearm muscles to move the mouse.

Orbit actually does change the design of the mouse by turning it into a joystick. Unlike a typical joystick, however, you still have to move it across the surface, much like a mouse. The only difference is that the joystick shape keeps the arm in a more natural position to reduce stress. The touch-sensitive ring on top acts as a mouse wheel so that you don’t have to change your hand’s position or stop the movement just to use it. There is also a “flat” version that more closely resembles a traditional mouse that’s designed for gamers.

Whether it’s changing the shape of the mouse or adding some resistance, it’s encouraging to see designers challenging the status quo when it comes to this input device. It might still take some time before the industry embraces these ideas, but increasing awareness about the problems with computer mice is an important first step in changing people’s perceptions.

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This ergonomic mouse concept tries to break free of traditional designs

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Sticking to a familiar product design carries some benefits, such as inspiring confidence that you don’t have to retrain your brain on how to use the product. At the same time, though, it also carries a risk of making a product stagnate and refusing to fix flaws in the design for fear of the unknown. The tech industry has many examples of these, particularly with things like keyboards and mice that are critical to using computers. The mouse, in particular, hasn’t seen a major redesign every since its conception, even if its core form has been known to lead to wrist injury over time. It’s probably time to rethink ye olde mouse design into something that takes into account today’s needs, just like this take on an ergonomic mouse that looks nothing like your typical mouse.

Designer: Dongjun Choi

Ever since it was first unveiled in 1964, the fundamental design of the computer mouse hasn’t changed significantly. You still have a block-like shape with buttons on top and a mechanism underneath for moving the screen cursor. A few more buttons have been added on top or on the sides, but the core design has remained the same. Unfortunately, the same ergonomic problems that lead to repetitive strain injuries have also become a constant for all but the most unorthodox mouse designs.

Although almost everyone knows there are problems and limitations to this design, the industry still sticks to it because it is so familiar to people today. There are, fortunately, a few creative minds that dare to imagine something better that takes into account the lessons of the past decades. This concept, for example, takes into account the hand’s natural position, which is more vertical than the horizontal position that common mice force our hands into.

Given how we’ve been conditioned to use such mice for years, the design of this input device is admittedly alien and might even look awkward. You grip the elevated part of the device like a joystick, nestling the curve between your thumb and index finger. This idea is similar to a few other concept designs, suggesting there could really be something to this ergonomic form. What makes this design rather unique is the placement of buttons on the mouse, which is to say, there are no visible buttons at all.

There are no distinct mouse buttons, but there are three pressure-sensitive areas where the thumb, index finger, and middle finger would normally rest. Rather than being mapped to the typical left, right, or middle buttons, the mouse relies on gestures instead. A pinch would correspond to a left click while pressing the thumb and middle finger could be a right click. There’s also the option to press all three areas, which could be configured to act as the middle button.

The concept design still relies on the same optical technology used by today’s mice, so you’ll still have to move your hand around the desk to move the cursor. That, unfortunately, could still lead to injury and also needs to be addressed as well. In the ideal future, we probably wouldn’t need mice or even keyboards anymore, but that would be an even bigger leap compared to simply changing the mouse’s design today.

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The world’s first Yoga-friendly cushion ensures you have perfect form while meditating

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The Float Meditation Cushion’s unique design bases itself on human ergonomics, with a form that’s purpose-driven to help you sit comfortably in popular yoga positions like the easier version of the lotus pose (padma asana) and the kneeling asana (vajra asana). The cushion’s molded design and foam construction provide just the right blend between rigidity and comfort, allowing you to meditate for longer without those aching ankles and knees.

Designer: Zmind Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $142 $198 (25% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

Designed to be the ‘ergonomic office chair’ equivalent of meditating, Float guides your body into the right position, ensuring your limbs and hips are postured the way they need to be, and your spine is perfectly straight – unlike with yoga mats where your spine ends up slouching most of the time.

Seiza Position – While sitting in Seiza, with the legs tucked underneath the body, the downward sloping design provides relief from back pain. With the posture aligned, the body tall, and the joints decompressed, the abdominal core is strengthened.

The benefits of cross-legged sitting and seiza kneeling go back centuries to Indian and Japanese times. It’s well known that both these postures do wonders for digestion, while also boosting body/joint flexibility and blood flow. They both help develop good posture, boost focus, relieve anxiety, and restore energy levels. While for first-timers, sitting in those postures for longer hours can result in aching joints, the Float Meditation Cushion eases you into them, allowing you to sit on any surface, no matter how hard, in complete comfort.

Seated Position – Float supports legs, hips, and thighs to help create proper body alignment when meditating in a seated position. Float raises the hips slightly, preventing the compression of nerves and blood vessels in the legs.

The Float Meditation Cushion comes with an intuitive form that’s easy to use and equally easy to carry, thanks to the strategically-placed cutout on it that doubles as a handle. About as portable as your average yoga mat, the Float Meditation Cushion focuses its entire efforts on good posture while meditating (or even sometimes when you’re not). The cushion supports seating and seiza (kneeling) positions, and also comes with a magnetic attachment that snaps to the back of the cushion, extending its backrest for even more lumbar support.

Available in 2 different sizes, each cushion comes formed from 100% polyurethane foam tested at a rating of 85 for ‘medium softness’ on the Foam Shore Durometer, with the ability to easily take up to 300lbs in weight. Each cushion is then clad with a 400g polyester fabric that’s given a micro-suede texture that feels good against the skin. Made to be thicker than your average cushion cover, the fabric is abrasion-resistant for durability and is even water-repellent, so you can just wipe the sweat off once you’re done… although given how refreshingly comfortable this cushion is designed to be, we won’t fault you for not wanting to get up!

Click Here to Buy Now: $142 $198 (25% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

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Float ergonomic cushion makes meditation a more uplifting experience

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There are many touted benefits to meditation, both psychological and even physiological, but very few people actually adopt the practice, let alone stick to it. Similar to the advice about eating vegetables, it’s easier said than done, and many people find it difficult to maintain focus for even a few minutes. Locking yourself up in a room might be relatively easy, but finding a comfortable position and a comfortable seat is actually harder than it sounds. And just like with eating vegetables, what you need is some special ingredient that will make the experience more enjoyable. This meditation cushion is that special sauce that will make you feel like you’re peacefully floating among the clouds.

Designer: Zmind Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $138 $198 (30% off). Hurry, only 5/80 left!

Most advice for those just starting out with meditation involves simply using what’s already there, like a comfortable chair or even a floor cushion. The suggestion is meant to assure beginners that you don’t need any special or expensive equipment to get started, removing part of their hesitation to even try meditating. That said, the common advice also takes for granted that not all seats are properly designed to induce a relaxed state needed for meditation, and if you’re not careful, you could even cause some injury to your body in the process.

But if you think that the solution involves some hi-tech chair with fancy and confusing features, you might be shocked at how unassuming and nondescript the Float cushion actually looks. Its simplicity not only belies the intelligence of its design but also matches the spirit of the activity itself. It doesn’t look visually overwhelming and doesn’t get in your way, allowing you to focus on finding inner peace while your body remains comfortable and protected.

Seated Position – Float supports legs, hips, and thighs to help create proper body alignment when meditating in a seated position. Float raises the hips slightly, preventing the compression of nerves and blood vessels in the legs.

Part of Float’s magic is its rather irregular form, specially designed to support the lower back and keep the shoulders upright while sitting on the ground during meditation. It might also not look like it, but the cushion supports the two most common seating positions during meditation, sitting crossed-leg or kneeling in Seiza form. In both cases, the form of the cushion guides the proper position of the legs so that no nerves, blood vessels, or joints are compressed, which could lead to discomfort and injury.

Seiza Position – While sitting in Seiza, with the legs tucked underneath the body, the downward sloping design provides relief from back pain. With the posture aligned, the body tall, and the joints decompressed, the abdominal core is strengthened.

It might also not look like it, but the cushion is actually made from high-quality molded viscoelastic memory foam that is comfortable to sit on but still manages to keep its shape for a very long time. This is no trivial feature because it means that the Float won’t be finding its way into landfills far longer than typical cushions. You can have peace of mind knowing that you aren’t contributing to the world’s trash problem while you try to achieve inner peace.

Its surface is covered with a furniture-grade 100% polyester fabric that uses a micro-suede texture to give it a premium feel. It isn’t all just looks, though, as the material is durable as well as stain and water-resistant. That means it should survive an accident outdoors, but if you really need to pick it up to transfer locations quickly, the hallow cutout makes it a breeze to carry the cushion.

You might not need specialized equipment to get started on meditation, but even experts know what a big difference a comfortable and ergonomic seat could make. With its simple yet ingenious design, high-quality materials, and stylish looks, the Float Meditation Cushion will make you look forward to every meditation session. Who knows? You might not even want to get up anymore because of how much it makes you feel like you’re floating on cloud nine.

Click Here to Buy Now: $138 $198 (30% off). Hurry, only 5/80 left!

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This ergonomic chaise longue chair is a piece of sustainable, slow furniture

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The 4PM is a wooden chaise longue chair from Massproductions built to be ergonomic using a sustainable production process.

Massproductions is a slow furniture company, don’t let the name fool you. Since the furniture company only develops a few pieces every year, the ones that go into production guarantee a top-quality build and durable life span. Boasting an efficient, sustainable, and high-quality industrial production process, the company’s designers ensure the integrity of Massproductions’s vision. The company’s founder, Chris Martin, developed the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair to reinforce the company’s commitment to quality and produce an ergonomic, long-lasting chair for much-needed R&R.

Designer: Massproductions

From the design process to the production process and even shipping, Massproductions aims to maintain as small a carbon footprint as possible. To achieve this, Massproductions worked with KTH Royal Institute of Technology to identify the aspect of their production process that generated the most greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, Massproductions partnered with the Danish company MALBAR the entirely “green-ify” their product line.

Throughout its production process, the designers kept the materials needed to build the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair to a minimum. Comprised of flat and curved features, the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is designed to create comfort out of hard material.

Constructed in either Douglas fir or cherry wood, the only upholstered component of the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is the leather headrest. Balanced on top of the backrest, Massproductions held the headrest in place with a steel weight.

Martin initially felt inspired to design the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair in response to the past two years that had us all holed up in our homes, at times without fully functional and comfortable furniture pieces of our own. Speaking to this, Martin notes,

“A chaise longue is not really a piece of furniture you will ever need, but if you can afford it, it can gild everyday life…because a chaise longue takes up a lot of space in relation to its function. That’s probably why you do not see them so often in our homes. But now that we’ve been through two tough years, it’s time to sit back for some well-deserved rest. That is why we are launching 4PM”

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Touchscreens drive our world, but they still suck in 2022

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Companies would have us dreaming of a future filled with displays we can see through and screens we touch to use, but the current state of the technology makes that future vision a little less convincing.

Our world today revolves around computers in all shapes, sizes, and power. A good number of them have screens, and a growing number of these even have touch screens. What was once limited to phones and kiosks is now becoming mainstream, even on laptops that can’t bend backward completely to become a tablet. In the near future, almost every foreseeable physical interface to a computer could be through these touchscreens. But if the current condition of the technology is to be considered, they have a long way to go before becoming the ideal way we interact with the computers around us.

State of the Art

That’s not to say that touch screens haven’t evolved significantly over the past years. The world graduated from the resistive touch screens of old, like those used by Palm, to the capacitive technology heralded by the very first iPhone. Screens have become more pixel-dense, resulting in higher quality images and also more responsive, especially for gaming purposes.

Designer: BOE

Let’s not forget the latest trends in mobile either, like foldable and rollable displays for phones and even TVs. But while these seemingly futuristic developments indeed impress in their visual appearance and design, they all still feel unnatural and artificial to us humans. And yet most of the products and experiences that visionaries and futurists talk about depend on these touch screens becoming second nature.

Designer: LG

Designer: Samsung

Future Vision

Before the metaverse, many companies fed people a vision of the future where you’d not only see a screen everywhere; you’d also be able to interact with them. In addition to almost paper-thin screens that fold like a newspaper, we’re also shown bus stations with interactive walls, windows that display information and can be tinted with a swipe of a finger, and store displays that let you try out clothes without even putting them on.

Designer: Microsoft

Even with the buzz around VR, AR, MR, XR, and the metaverse, some people will prefer to use screens rather than put on glasses and gloves to navigate the digital realm. Until the day we can project holograms anywhere and interact with them without any special device, touch screens will still be the most immediate way we can interact with devices and the digital realm. Videos and images depicting these feature visions make them look so fluid and so natural. But as anyone who has used phones and tablets, touch screens are anything but.

Designer: Corning

Human Factor

There is no perfect input method for computers, at least nothing that has been developed yet. Keyboard and mice carry with them the risk of repetitive strain injury, while styluses are an imperfect approximation of pencils and pens, especially when you consider that they’re sliding on glass. And while touch screens can practically turn any surface into an input device, they seem to almost go against aspects of human nature itself.

Feedback

Humans have five basic senses, but most of us tend to take the other three or four for granted until we lose them. Despite their name, touch screens actually feel unnatural precisely because they don’t complete the whole tactile picture that our minds need to process when interacting with physical objects. Pushing a button looks like pushing a button but also requires our brains to make something like a leap of faith that it really does what it’s supposed to do.

Tactile response and haptic feedback for touch screens have long been on the plate of engineers and designers, but we’re no closer to cracking the code. There have been numerous patents filed to solve that puzzle, from deformable screens to extremely localized vibrations, but those have mostly remained in the realm of ideas. We still have ways to go, and our brains haven’t yet evolved to the point that we can just ignore the human need for touch.

Designer: Tactus Technology

Touchscreens aren’t great at accessibility either, and their use often requires fine motor control. There are settings to increase the sensitivity of the touch sensor, but these are mostly band-aid solutions to an inherent problem. Of course, some devices do allow for alternate input methods like voice control, but these often come up short and don’t provide all the features and conveniences of a touch-centric user experience.

Familiarity

Humans are also creatures of habit, which is how many of us have been able to survive through the millennia. We are able to memorize some activities and have them run on autopilot while our minds are more actively engaged in other aspects. Imagine how the world would have been like if we had to put intense focus on writing a simple letter because we have to remember how to do each stroke.

Designers: Stephen Cheng & Chris Andreae

Part of that is thanks to muscle memory, which, in turn, depends on things being where they are almost 100% of the time. You don’t have to look at the keyboard each time to check if the letter “q” hasn’t moved around, and neither do you need to double-check that the left mouse button hasn’t switched sides. Some people in the past have grown the ability to type quickly and accurately on the T9 keypad of old phones because their fingers knew exactly where each button was and how many times to press it for specific letters. In contrast, it’s nearly impossible to use a touch screen without looking at it, especially when software updates change how big buttons are or where they’re located.

Designer: Apple

That’s not to say that humans will remain this way forever. In the past decades alone, we have formed habits and developed gestures that already look alien to older generations. Conversely, younger people have a hard time believing that anyone could type out messages using a keypad with rapid speed and deadly accuracy. Evolution, however, doesn’t happen in just a span of decades or even centuries, and humans will continue to remain beholden to their senses and the physicality of their bodies.

Flexibility

Touch screens, being based on digital user interfaces, have the advantage of not being locked to a single implementation. It’s definitely much easier to change the layout of a screen than to change the knobs on a physical panel. The arrival of foldable and rollable panels also means that screens have become literally more flexible, but these are not the kinds of flexibility that today’s touch screens lack.

Touch screens actually put limits on how you can use them or the devices they’re attached to. The number of gloves advertised to work with touch screens is a testament to how these screens aren’t usable under conditions where their analog counterparts have no problem. You can’t confidently take out your phone under a heavy downpour, but you’ll have no problems using a payphone with your soaking hands.

Designer: Adrien Beyk of Quanta Vici

Devices that rely on touch screens also become nearly useless when those screens break. Sometimes, it’s not even possible to back up or reset a phone so that you can safely send it for repairs without worrying about your private data. They need to be repaired or replaced first before the device can even be wiped, which defeats the purpose of securing the phone first. Until then, the device is as good as dead, no matter how advanced or how powerful it might be.

Endgame: Sustainability

Touch screens are the most common ways we interact with devices today, be it phones, computers, interactive displays, or smart home hubs. They might become the main points of interaction for everything in the world in the near future, short of being able to manipulate holograms and virtual objects floating in thin air. It is somewhat ironic, then, that they are the least sustainable among the different input methods we have today.

Displays themselves already consume power, and the materials used to make them aren’t the most environment-friendly options. Companies like Samsung are developing more power-efficient panels to reduce electricity consumption, and some are looking into alternative materials for components. Unfortunately, that’s just part of the problem.

Designer: Fairphone

The entire industry and its ecosystem seemed to be designed to be unsustainable by default. Only one phone manufacturer, for example, has made repairability and sustainability its main selling point, and it’s just a small drop in the ocean. Screens, in general, feel like throwaway components that add to the growing e-waste of the planet. Device manufacturers generally frown upon self-repairs and third-party replacements, making the process costly as well. In a future where there will be screens left and right as the primary way we interact with things in our world, that vision becomes a bit of a nightmare, especially for our planet.

A New Hope

Things don’t have to end on a depressing note, of course. Humans are pretty creative and ingenious in finding solutions to their problems, even if it takes a long time to develop the correct one. The current state of technology, particularly with touch screens, just represents a milestone in history, not its final state. Fortunately, there are clear signs of things turning for the better.

As mentioned, there are efforts to make screens themselves be more power-efficiency and consume less electricity. These might sound like small wins, but they do all add up. When all our screens use only a fraction of the power they do today, the overall carbon footprint these devices incur can significantly be reduced.

Designer: Samsung

Additionally, big companies today are now more aware of the environmental impacts of their products and processes, as well as their responsibilities in making sure that future generations still have a world to live in. Some are trying to switch to more sustainable packaging solutions, while many are trying to reduce their carbon emissions during production. We still have a lot of work to do, however, in making products more sustainable and repairable, prolonging their life even beyond legally required warranties.

The other technical problems, unfortunately, might be harder to solve with the current state of our technologies. Screens that can deform to give a better tactile response when pressing a button are very much the dream of many display makers, engineers, and designers. It’s not something we might be able to achieve this year, but it is definitely something to look forward to in our future visions.

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