Tag Archives: Product Design

Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights Review: It’s a Holiday Everyday of the Year

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PROS:


  • Relatively easy to install

  • Durable and weatherproof with IP67 rating

  • Bright and vibrant LEDs with 16 million colors

  • Powerful customization and control via app or smart assistants

CONS:


  • A bit expensive

  • Triangular light pattern might not appeal to some

  • Overwhelming mobile app

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Bright, colorful, durable, and versatile, the high-quality Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights make sure you never have to buy and put up Christmas lights over and over again.

Christmas in Summer? Sure, why not? Especially if you can beat the summer heat and hold a raving ‘outdoor party at night. You’ll need to set the right atmosphere, though, to help your guests forget about the sweltering temperatures. And what better way is there to set a festive mood than with brilliant lights that dance to the music? Of course, those same outdoor lights could provide not only decoration but also safety at night, any time of the year. That’s the proposition that the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights is making, replacing your Christmas lights and staying beyond the winter holidays to be used all year round. These aren’t the first outdoor fairy lights in the market, though, so we took these unique-looking LED lights outdoors, hooked them up, and lit up the house to see if it can rise to the challenge and stand proud apart from the crowd.

Designer: Govee

Click Here to Buy Now: $299.99.

Aesthetics

You’ve probably seen your fair share of outdoor lights, fairy or otherwise, but if you haven’t, suffice it to say that the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are nowhere near what you’d expect. Instead of bulbs sticking out of a strand of cable, you get LEDs enclosed in 3cm squares with a small clear dome covering the LED itself. Each square is set about a foot apart from each other on the flat cable, forming 6 segments that total a 100ft (50m) long string of light of lights that offers some flexibility in how you install them (more on that later). What all these mean is that the lights are designed to be minimalist and almost invisible, getting out of the way to let the lights take center stage.

Those lights definitely deserve all the attention because of their impressive output. Thanks to Govee’s RGBIC technology, each light is capable of showing any color within a range of 16 million. Of course, you won’t be looking at each LED on its own, and its real appeal comes through the combination of those lights, whether as a single stream of color or in a kaleidoscopic display. At 26 lumens per LED, the Outdoor Lights will definitely be an attention grabber, no matter what color you choose. That might also be a consideration you have to take in mind if there are related regulations about night lights in your area.

All-in-all, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights delivers a stunning visual, regardless of the holiday or occasion. They’re pretty much like super-powered Christmas lights you don’t have to take down and can use all throughout the year. You can even dim the lights a bit and use a solid swath of color to illuminate your house without making it look like you’re having a party every night. Thanks to its simple and minimalist design, there are no bulbs that stick out from roofs and eaves to steal the show. These outdoor lights are an effective and cost-effective way to make your house pop, any time of the year.

Ergonomics (Installation)

You won’t be handling these outdoor lights all the time, fortunately, but you will have to wrestle with them at least once when you install them on your house. Because they are meant to stay in their place, hence the “permanent” part of their name, you do have to take some time to properly plan out where you’ll be placing them. Fortunately, Govee is making it easy to install these strands of light, giving you plenty of flexibility to run the lights even along areas where you might not want to have any light at all.

That’s because the 100ft (30m) string of LEDs is actually divided into 6 strands, each with clearly-marked waterproof connectors so you can easily tell which end connects to which. There are also extension cables included in the box, in case you need to run the lights down from roof to wall but want to leave gaps in the lighting in those transitional areas. This also means you don’t have to force yourself to use all six segments if you don’t need to. Conversely, you can also extend the length with another 100ft set or the 3-segment 50ft (30m) set that Govee also sells.

Once all the planning is done, installing the lights is relatively painless, though still needs a bit of work to pull off. Each light square has a 3M adhesive that lets you easily stick them to any flat surface outside your house. There are also clips you can use to keep wayward clips in line. Once all the lights have been installed, the last bit is connecting the control box and the power box to finally light up your house. Connecting the lights to the Govee mobile app is just as painless and you’ll be off playing with the settings and features in no time.

Performance

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are definitely one of those things that you have to see to truly appreciate their value. The bright lights can effectively illuminate your house, adding not only flavor but also safety at night. The lights might actually be too bright, so you might want to put on covers or blinds on windows if the lights are anywhere near them.

These Outdoor Lights are also smart lights, which means they’re meant to be controlled through a connected smartphone or via some smart assistants, particularly Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This is where the lights really shine, pardon the pun, thanks to the countless ways you can change the way they look or behave. In fact, the sheer number of options available on the app might be overwhelming and confusing for new users. Fortunately, there are also plenty of presets available, including over 70 scenes that let you set the right mood for given occasions.

While there are plenty of ways to configure the Govee Outdoor Lights, one of the most interesting and most dramatic is the Music Mode, where the lights react to the music and sound it hears either through the phone or its control box, making them dance to the beat. Even better, you can harmonize multiple Govee products through DreamView mode to create a captivating synchronized Light Show. And when the party’s done, you can just ask Alexa or Google Assistant to turn the lights into a more peaceful hue to call it a night.

Due to its rather unique enclosure design, the light that the LEDs project has a rather distinctive triangular shape that’s even more visible if the lights are placed close to a wall. Unlike most fairy or string lights that wash the surroundings with a more or less even diffusion, the lights coming from the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights look more like mini spotlights with a wide-angle spread. It creates a rather unique visual effect, like sharp ridges or stairs, it’s an aesthetic that won’t appeal to everybody. That could be a deal-breaking design that potential buyers will have to consider before making this rather substantial purchase.

Sustainability

Like many outdoor lights, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights make use of plenty of plastic and some rubber, not exactly the most environment-friendly materials. Given design and production requirements, however, this is hardly surprising, but it’s definitely a big opportunity for Govee to further take the lead in the smart lighting market. Imagine a brand that not only delivers powerful smart lighting but sustainable products as well. That could be Govee a few years down the line!

The company does make up for it by making sure that its products don’t meet their untimely demise quickly. In other words, Govee lights are built to last, and these Outdoor Lights are no different. In fact, they’re even better, boasting an IP67 dust and water resistance rating that makes them ideal for use even in inclement weather. Even the control box and adapter are IP65 rated, truly marking them safe for outdoor use. As for the LEDs themselves, they’re advertised with a lifetime of up to 50,000 hours, around 5 years if you use them 24/7 (which you won’t anyway). Govee makes these affirmations regarding the durability of the RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights:

  • Successful operation test at 140 ℉
  • Successful operation test at -40 ℉
  • Passed operation test at a water depth of 49ft
  • Withstood a tensile force of 11.02lb
  • Endured manual pulling of over 10 pounds

Value

It’s easy to do a double-take when you see the $299.99 price tag attached to these lights, but it’s a first impression that won’t last long. Yes, it is a bit steep and pricier than other outdoor fairy lights, but few or none of those can even offer half of what Govee delivers. Some, for example, won’t even last more than two seasons of limited use during holidays only, let alone regular use both on or off-season. Few can also offer a quick and easy method of installing lights that you’ll leave in place until they die many years later. You don’t have to dread removing the lights after the festivities and can just leave them there for the next occasion or as regular night lights for the house.

The Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights also offer a level of control and customization you might only find in more expensive brands. There is, in fact, an overwhelming number of settings you can tweak to your heart’s content, making these outdoor lights not only beautiful but also versatile. Given all that, the $299.99 figure doesn’t look bad at all, especially when you consider that it’s a longer-term investment that will last you for years compared to cheaper lights where you truly get what you pay for.

Verdict

Summer isn’t just about beaches and camping (or glamping). Night pool parties and quiet times out on the porch are also common activities during this season, both of which require the right lights to set the right mood. You could get different lights for different occasions, or you could get the Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights and have a versatile outdoor lighting solution for any occasion.

With a modular design and easy installation process, these Govee outdoor lights offer more flexibility in where and how you want to put them up. The bright and vibrant colors of the LEDs help create the atmosphere that you want, while the powerful mobile app put an almost endless array of options at your fingertips. Whether it’s a holiday, a seasonal party, or just a dark night, the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights will make your house stand out and make you the talk of the town.

Click Here to Buy Now: $299.99.

The post Govee RGBIC Permanent Outdoor Lights Review: It’s a Holiday Everyday of the Year first appeared on Yanko Design.

How this modular desk lets you design your ideal workspace without breaking a sweat

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People have recently become more conscious of the tables they use for work, whether it’s for a work-from-home setup or with employer-provided furniture in the office. It’s clear that there is no one size that fits all, but even the plethora of options available doesn’t always work all the time. Circumstances can change, like moving to a new flat or rearranging the office space, that would make that carefully selected desk unusable. Rather than a perfectly designed piece of furniture, what we need is one that can change and grow to our needs and environment. That is exactly the kind of flexibility that this modular, customizable, and long-lasting desk is offering, and you won’t even need tools to make it happen!

Designer: Den

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,620 $1800 (10% off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 72 hours!

Ever since work-from-home setups became a thing, the number of customizable desks started to rise rapidly. But while these let you add or remove some compartments, they often retain their basic shape that was dictated by their design and production. A corner desk forever remains L-shaped, while a square or rectangular table will be that way until it’s broken. When your situation or location changes, you’re pretty much out of luck if your sophisticated desk won’t even fit your room.

What the Den Desk does differently is to offer you the building blocks to assemble your own desk just the way you like it, almost like playing LEGO. You can start with the most basic setup and then grow your desk by adding other parts or accessories, from monitor mounts to even a cabinet on the side. Want a corner desk? Simply slot it in another desktop at an angle and you’re good to go! Should space suddenly become a problem, you can easily separate the pieces to go back to a more space-efficient and minimalist workspace.

What’s even better is that you can assemble and disassemble these pieces with relative ease, almost like playing with those toy bricks. Thanks to the innovative Den Mounting System, you can slide parts into each other with specially-made metal connectors and then secure them with thumbscrews. Say goodbye to the days of hunting for screwdrivers and wrenches to set up or take down your desk with an almost effortless system that might even encourage you to change your desk every so often.

The wins don’t stop there, either. Each piece is an elegant work of craftsmanship and durability, made from furniture-grade Baltic Birch ply for the wooden desktop or black or white powder-coated 6061 aluminum for the legs and privacy panels. As a testament to its sustainability and durability, the Den Desk even comes with a lifetime warranty, relieving owners of the worry that comes whenever they have to move homes or offices. With the Den Desk, you can finally design a workspace that grows with your needs, allowing you to do your best work all the time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1,620 $1800 (10% off with coupon code “YANKO10”). Hurry, deal ends in 72 hours!

The post How this modular desk lets you design your ideal workspace without breaking a sweat first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Leather iPhone 15 Pro Case + Wallet is perfect for those who don’t want Apple’s FineWoven cases

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FineWoven is great for the environment, but the folks at The Verge have some pretty nasty stuff to say about its overall quality. It looks good for precisely a day, and then starts fraying, gathering scratches, getting dirty, and becoming quite the eyesore. FineWoven may have a lower impact on the environment on face value, but it doesn’t last as long or look as good as leather – so if you’re bummed out that Apple’s discontinued making leather cases for their iPhones, don’t worry… Mujjo hasn’t.

The Full Leather Wallet Case for the iPhone 15 Pro is everything your smartphone needs to look great while staying protected. The case comes clad in premium European leather tanned in the Netherlands, with remarkable grain and a choice between black, brown, and blue finishes. A machined metal rim around the camera protects your precious lenses, while a polycarbonate inner structure with a microfiber interior lining keeps your phone protected from bumps and scratches. Moreover, each Wallet Case comes with a slot stitched into the back that holds two cards that you can easily fish out whenever you need… and unlike MagSafe, the wallet doesn’t accidentally detach while you pull your phone out of your pocket.

Designer: Mujjo

Mujjo’s leather cases complement the iPhone beautifully. They use the highest-quality leather and are tanned using a special DriTan process that doesn’t use any water whatsoever, bringing down the leather’s carbon footprint drastically. Moreover, Mujjo’s cases are built to last, and patina beautifully over time, so you’re less likely to swap them out after a year or two.

The cases feature a 3D leather wrap around a polycarbonate inner frame. The camera bump as well as the buttons on the case are made from recycled metal, and the phone features a luxurious Japanese microfiber lining on the inside that ensures your iPhone 15 Pro’s glass back doesn’t get scratched. The cases are even MagSafe compatible, which means you can snap Apple’s MagSafe charger onto the back and have it juice your iPhone’s battery. You’ll have to remove the cards, though.

Full Leather Wallet Case on the iPhone 15 Pro

Mujjo’s cases don’t just protect your phone, they respect their aesthetic too. The cases come made from the highest-quality leather (Gold Rated by the Leather Working Group) while also ensuring the leather is processed adhering to strict environmental standards, sans the use of harsh chemicals. Moreover, unlike Apple’s FineWoven which shows signs of wear and tear within days of use, Mujjo backs its case with a 2-year warranty against craftsmanship/manufacturing defects. The leather case adorns the iPhone beautifully, and patinas with time, gathering even more character as the leather ages. Mujjo’s Full Leather Wallet Case is designed to be compatible with the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max with a price range of $54 to $64 depending on the model and size.

Full Leather Wallet Case on the iPhone 15 Pro

Full Leather Wallet Case on the iPhone 15 Pro

The post This Leather iPhone 15 Pro Case + Wallet is perfect for those who don’t want Apple’s FineWoven cases first appeared on Yanko Design.

DJI Mini 4 Pro drone packs Mavic-style flagship features into a mini-package with a $759 price tag

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Dubbed by DJI as the “ultimate mini drone”, the DJI Mini 4 Pro gives you the greatest specs in the smallest package yet, with a compact folding design that weighs under 250 grams, making it narrowly avoid FAA guidelines that require you to register drones above 250 grams in weight. That small size, however, doesn’t take away from this drone’s mammoth capabilities – it packs a main camera with a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of 4K/60fps HDR, a bunch of other cameras that give it situational awareness and advanced object avoidance, and the ability to record in both landscape as well as portrait modes. Borrowing from its flagship counterpart, the Mavic series, the Mini 4 Pro now also supports shooting in 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profiles, and lets you set waypoints and activate cruise control while flying. With a starting price of $759, the Mini 4 Pro gives you flagship-grade features for less than half of the price.

Designer: DJI

Even by today’s standards, the Mini 3 Pro is quite a banger of a drone, but with the Mini 4 Pro, DJI just checks all the boxes to make sure there’s really no more room for improvement. The Mini 4 Pro arrives with a slew of upgrades, with a particular focus on its camera and processing capabilities. Notably, it now supports slow-motion recording at up to 4K@100fps, a substantial leap from the previous generation’s 1080p@120fps. If you’re looking for a higher dynamic range, the camera outputs HDR videos at 4k/60fps, giving your footage stunning crisp details with balanced yet vibrant colors. Want to switch from cinematic to social content? The camera flips 90° to record in true portrait mode, utilizing every pixel on its 1/1.3″ sensor instead of cropping the sides like most drones would.

“The Mini 4 Pro perfectly marries professional-grade capabilities while keeping its hallmark lightweight design, offering unmatched freedom and adaptability,” says Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI. “This drone emerges as the ultimate all-rounder, designed to elevate your creative toolkit.”

Low-light performance takes a significant step forward thanks to a new sensor equipped with dual native ISO, permitting the use of a secondary (higher) ISO setting to minimize noise. DJI has also incorporated an upgraded noise reduction algorithm within a Night Shots video mode, further enhancing the quality of footage captured in low-light conditions. Additionally, DJI has even introduced a wide-angle accessory lens, offering an expansive 100° field of view, available for separate purchase. This lens seamlessly attaches to the camera, akin to how Moment lenses enhance smartphone photography.

Range enthusiasts will appreciate the enhanced capabilities of the Mini 4 Pro, courtesy of the new O4 video transmission system, which now supports up to 1080p/60fps FHD at distances of a whopping 20 km. While keeping the drone within visual range remains essential, this upgrade fortifies signal strength against radio interference and unforeseen obstacles. On the software front, DJI has also introduced the Waypoints and Cruise Control features to the Mini 4 Pro, a welcome addition previously exclusive to the professional-grade Mavic line. This empowers users to program their drones to follow predefined paths or maintain a direct flight trajectory without constant manual input. You can save camera paths for later, or even draw camera paths with your finger directly on the app or the controller display, guiding the camera in the most intuitive way possible – with your fingertips.

The one area where the Mini 4 Pro somehow holds back is in the battery department. The drone ships with a standard battery that delivers 34 minutes of flight time, which can be upgraded to 45 minutes with the Intelligent Flight Battery Plus. This new battery, unfortunately, pushes the drone above the 250g mark, forcing you to register the drone with the FAA if you want to operate it legally. The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus also delivers 2 less minutes of flying on the Mini 4 Pro than the Mini 3 Pro, which could output 47 minutes.

For those considering the Mini 4 Pro, the base package retails at $759, which includes the DJI RC-N2 Remote Controller (requiring a smartphone), Intelligent Flight Battery, a pair of propellers, and the usual assortment of cables and accessories. An alternative package with the RC 2 controller is available for $959, offering the same contents. For the ultimate flight experience, the Fly More Combo (featuring the RC 2 controller) is priced at $1,099 and encompasses three batteries, three pairs of propellers, a DJI Mini Shoulder Bag, and a Two-Way Charging Hub. Enthusiasts seeking extended flight times can opt for the Fly More Combo Plus, which includes the upgraded batteries, priced at $1,159.

The post DJI Mini 4 Pro drone packs Mavic-style flagship features into a mini-package with a $759 price tag first appeared on Yanko Design.

Crafting The Enigmatic Ambience Of John Wick’s Continental – Chapter 4

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No Wife, No Dog, No Home. You Have Nothing, John. Vengeance Is All You Have Left!

Image Credits: Lionsgate

The highly anticipated “John Wick 4,” starring Keanu Reeves, made its much-anticipated debut this year, featuring Reeves’ return as the renowned hitman set on avenging the wrongs of the High Table. In the world of the John Wick series, a retired assassin is reignited into a world of violence after his car is stolen and a puppy gifted to him by his late wife is killed. Constantly on the move to survive and eliminate his targets, Wick is determined to seek revenge against the powerful High Table.

“When Helen died, I lost everything. Until that dog arrived on my doorstep. A final gift from my wife. In that moment I received some semblance of hope. An opportunity to grieve unalone. And your son took that from me…stole that from me…killed that from me! People keep asking if I’m back. And I haven’t really had an answer. But now, yeah, I’m thinking’ I’m back!”

With the John Wick series staged in the 1970s, we have carefully selected design elements and products that seamlessly blend with movie series and can craft a modern narrative.

Image credits: Koimoi.com

1. Continental’s Location

A suit doesn’t make a man; it’s what’s inside the suit that counts – resourcefulness and perhaps an open heart,” Winston continues, adding, “This is more than vengeance; this is justice,” as he assumes control of the notorious ‘The Continental’ hotel, renowned as a sanctuary for assassins.

Image Credits: Legendary Trips

Image Credit: johnwickmovie

The outer facade of the Continental was captured on film at the distinctive flatiron-shaped Beaver Building located at 1 Wall Street Court in Manhattan’s Financial District.

Image Credits: Lionsgate

Apart from the facade, the entrance hall of the Continental is the sole setting featured in every John Wick film to date. Situated approximately half a mile from the Beaver Building, these scenes were shot in the lobby of the Cunard Building at 25 Broadway.

2. John Wick’s Ride

I become dangerous when focused!

Image Credits: Carscoop

In Chapter 4 of John Wick, the car he drives is a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, a part of the Barracuda’s third generation, manufactured by Chrysler from 1964 to 1974. The 1971 model is renowned for its distinctive front grille divided into six sections resembling barracuda fish teeth. Alongside its updated aesthetics, the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda offered an impressive eight engine options, spanning from the 125 bhp six-cylinder to the remarkable 425 bhp 426 Hemi V8.

Imagine Keanu seeking vengeance while driving these sleek vehicles.

Audi introduces the “activesphere,” a unique crossover merging Audi Sportback’s elegance, SUV practicality, and off-road capability, driven by the PPE modular system. With an electric drive, quick-charging tech, 600+ km range, and zero local emissions, it embodies sustainability, dynamics, and long-distance capabilities of modern EVs.

Would you like to witness your favorite hitman behind the wheel of a futuristic sedan capable of shifting through 32 colors, akin to a chameleon?

Unveiled at CES 2023, the futuristic concept car aims to transform the driving experience and creates a stronger bond between people and cars. The sedan stands out as it can switch between colors and change its looks by using color-changing E-ink technology. Also, while welcoming the driver into the vehicle, an image of the driver’s avatar can be projected onto the side windows!

3. His Two-Wheeled Avenger

Don’t confuse my personality with my attitude….My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are…

Image Credits: webbikeworld

Image Credits: webbikeworld

The “John Wick: Chapter 4” movie showcases Aprilia Tuono.

Hugo Eccles, known for collaborations with Nike, TAG Heuer, Ford, and LG, unveils the UMC-063 XP Zero by Untitled Motorcycles, after seven years of development. This custom electric bike, derived from the Zero SR/F, melds retro-futuristic style with aviation nuances. Its 82 kW motor, powered by a 15.2 kWh battery pack, delivers 110 hp and 146 ft-lbs of torque, reaching 124 mph and 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The UMC-063 XP Zero’s design, performance, and customization options are now available for orders.

Designer: Jez Williman

Hyperscooters, akin to hypercars in the e-scooter world, exude performance. Dragonfly electric scooters feature four wheels, offering stability on rugged terrain. The patented Full-Tilt Steering System makes control intuitive. With dual 550W motors, speeds of 25 mph (40 km/h), and a 49.7-mile (80 km) range, safety is upheld via dual wishbone suspension and hydraulic damped spring suspensions. Dragonfly Hydroscooter offers two variants: urban-friendly standard and adventure-focused Dragonfly X. Both combine style and power.

4. Let me Finish My Drink!

Designer: Waterford

Also known as a brandy snifter, brandy glass, brandy bowl, or a cognac glass, snifter is a short-stemmed glass with a wide bottom and a relatively narrow top. It is primarily used for serving aged brown liquors such as bourbon, brandy, and whisky.

5. Embracing the Night Mood

In Chapter 4, the majority of its intricate sequences unfold against the nighttime backdrop, with these illuminations capturing the enchantment of the John Wick series.

Designer: Northern Lights

“Solti” by Northern Lights is crafted from Georgian brass and paired with meticulously crafted clear fluted glass, resulting in a compelling and impactful design.

In harmony with its source of inspiration, the lamp ignites through candlelight, initiating a luminous flow resembling currents that cascade towards illuminating the lamp’s cube-shaped ends. Captivating and deeply connected to its origins, this lamp promises to evoke a sense of awe in all who encounter its mesmerizing presence.

Designer: Vinterior

Made in Czechoslovakia, this chandelier features glass, lacquered metal, and brass components with an aged patina that has been re-polished.

6. Vintage Glamour

Image Credits: Batter Bee Decor

The iconic Chesterfield sofa is characterized by equally high, rolled arms mirroring the back’s height. Typically draped in rich leather or velvet, its notable charm emanates from deep button tufting.

7. Weaving Elegance into John Wick’s World

Introduce vintage elegance using this exquisite Green Gold Wallpaper, featuring details for a luxurious touch.

8. A Slice of Lethal Style

You stabbed the devil in the back and forced him back into the life he had just left.

Designer: Tekto

Weighing just 4.5 oz (127g), Tekto F3 Charlie boasts a 3.8-inch drop-point blade, inspired by hunting knives, for precision piercing, scraping, and slicing. G10 fiberglass handle strikes a balance between size and control. Deploy swiftly with button lock and finger flipper—perfect for tactical use. Resilient D2 steel blade features a titanium finish for enduring strength.

Designer: Tekto

Experience swift precision with the Tekto F2 Bravo tactical knife. Its D2 steel drop point blade, propelled by durable ceramic ball bearings, ensures efficient cutting. The minimalist Forged Carbon and G10 handle, featuring titanium accents, offers lightweight durability without compromising comfort. Weighing 68g, this knife empowers you to tackle tasks confidently and swiftly. The F2 Bravo seamlessly combines power and aesthetics for a high-end tool.

9. Capturing John Wick’s Universe through the Lens

Image Credits: Lionsgate

Designer: Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12S Ultra Concept flaunts an audacious camera bump with dual 1-inch sensors. Resembling its predecessor, this conceptual smartphone notably accommodates a sizable Leica lens, blurring the smartphone and professional camera distinction. Despite omitting one camera, the centrally located periscope lens, the phone’s innovation lies in the two 1-inch CMOS sensors within the bump.

10. How It All Began with A Puppy!

Image Credits: Lionsgate

All of this for what, because of a puppy? John Wick : It wasn’t just a puppy.

Designer: Dave Lim

Wicked Egg is a dual-purpose pet toy and reward system. It holds treats in its upper cavity, promoting obedience training by dispensing treats for pet actions. Designed for use when the pet parent is away, it provides stimulation and engagement, enhancing your pet’s development and fun.

John, I’m sorry I can’t be there for you. But you still need something, someone to love, so start with this. Because the car doesn’t count. I love you, John. This illness has loomed over us for a long time and now that I have found my peace, find yours. Until that day, your best friend, Helen.” – Helen

The post Crafting The Enigmatic Ambience Of John Wick’s Continental – Chapter 4 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Keyboard with UST projector projects any language onto bottom of the keys to transform it into a bilingual powerhouse

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Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to type in a different language from a keyboard but had no clue where specific letters or accents were located? Perhaps it was a requirement for your job, or maybe you were just passionate and wanted to extend your bilingual skills. Well, it’s not just you! Jorge Paez found himself in a similar predicament upon starting a new job in a foreign location.

Most of us face this challenge yet not many think about a solution. We look for alternatives on the market or hold up with DIY solutions like sticking letters onto the keyboard or downloading language-specific keyboard apps. But Paez wanted a comprehensive and innovative solution to bridge the language gap.

Designer: Jorge Paez

To break down language barriers and foster smoother typing in any language you like, Paez has conceptualized the ADAPT keyboard: a true marvel that can make life specifically easy for multilingual typing. How, you ask? By integrating an Ultra Short Throw projector right at its core, this keyboard takes your typing game to a whole new level.

The ADAPT cutting-edge keyboard is designed with tech-savvy multilingual individuals in mind. It uses the integrated Ultra Short Throw projector to project any language onto the bottom of the keys to instantly transform the keyboard into a bilingual powerhouse.

For instance, you’re sitting at your desk, and want to switch between typing in English and Spanish. With the ADAPT keyboard, you simply select your desired language on your computer, and the projector beams the corresponding keyboard layout onto the keys, illuminating them with the necessary characters and accents.

So, with the ADAPT keyboard typing or switching between languages is a breeze, enabling you to communicate fluidly and effectively regardless of the language. No more fumbling around with sticky notes or navigating through language-specific keyboard apps, with the ADAPT concept, the experience of typing is going to become elegant and classy. In addition to being an effective tool for pros, the keyboard can also serve as an interactive exercise, helping the novice to familiarize themselves with different keyboard layouts and characters.

 

The post Keyboard with UST projector projects any language onto bottom of the keys to transform it into a bilingual powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate iPhone 15 Case Review: Versatility and Protection in One

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PROS:


  • Air-filled Bumpers offer almost total protection from bumps and falls

  • MagSafe-compatible O-Ring provides a versatile kickstand and holder

  • Slim and lightweight design maintains the iPhone 15's elegance

CONS:


  • O-Ring doesn't rotate to support arbitrary positions or angles

  • Only available for the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The TORRAS UPRO Ostand's air-filled bumpers protect your iPhone from every angle, and a MagSafe-compatible O-ring works as both a holder as well as a kickstand. Apple invented MagSafe. TORRAS perfected it.

Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to connect with each other, retrieve information, and even create and record memories. We bring our phones with us everywhere, even in some places or circumstances that would be precarious for the electronic device. Apple’s latest event played up that “wonderlust” and presented the iPhone 15 series as the perfect companion for your life’s journeys, especially when it comes time to snap up photos or record videos for posterity. Bringing along a naked iPhone to your many adventures, however, might not be the smartest and most efficient move, especially when not if accidents happen. Just in time for the release of the iPhone 15, TORRAS launched new cases designed to be just as adventurous as the new iPhones, so we take it for a bumpy ride to see if the new UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate can truly turn the iPhone 15 into your faithful companion through life’s up and, most especially, downs.

Designer: TORRAS

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Aesthetics

With so many cases for smartphones littering the market today, you might almost be tempted to give the UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate a pass. Your opinion will quickly change, however, the moment you behold the case, and especially after you’ve put it on your iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. Depending on the color variant, the case is mostly clear or has a frosted surface that still lets the iPhone’s elegant colors shine through. The Gray case’s clear surface is perfect for the iPhone 15’s Natural or White Titanium colorways, but there are also Black and Blue options to cover the entire iPhone 15 lineup. Either way, your iPhone 15 doesn’t need to sacrifice its elegant colors just so that it can be protected.

You might, however, notice that the edges of the case have a different color and are slightly raised as if bulging a bit. This isn’t just some pointless embellishment and actually serves one of the UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate’s most important functions, which we’ll get to later. Unfortunately, its color, which is mostly light gray, easily stands out from the rest of the case’s edges because of the color contrast. Some might find it visually disconcerting while others might not mind it so much. It could become a problem, however, with other iPhone 15 color options, like RED or future variants. It would have been nice if you could swap out these bumpers for different colors, but that could also reduce the case’s durability in the process.

The other visual detail that stands out is the ring on the back of the case. Thanks to many MagSafe-compatible accessories, the presence of this ring is no longer alien, even though Apple itself doesn’t mark the area on its iPhones. Thankfully, the ring, which is formally called the O-Ring, sits flush on the surface of the case, so it doesn’t cause the phone to wobble when placed on a table, nor will it snag in your pants pocket or other things in your bag. All in all, the TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS has a rather minimalist design, both visually and physically, except for those bumpers and that ring that serve important purposes that give the case its selling points.

Ergonomics

Despite knowing the risks of dropping an expensive iPhone, many people are reluctant to put them in protective cases. These iPhones are, after all, beautiful unclothed and are meant to be slim and comfortable to hold. Most of the fears stem from making the iPhone look like it’s going to war, which is fortunately not the case with this UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate.

In addition to being visually simple and minimalist, the case is also space-efficient and lightweight. It delivers 92% protection against disastrous falls, but instead of simply wrapping the phone in thick layers of material, TORRAS employs innovative technologies that keep the case as slim as possible. The result is that it doesn’t add too much bulk to an already large iPhone 15 Pro or even bigger iPhone 15 Pro Max, nor does it add more burden to your hand when holding it.

In fact, the UPRO Ostand SS improves the iPhone 15’s ergonomics by giving your hand a non-slipper surface to grip. There’s also that O-Ring that folds out of the case, transforming into a holder for your finger to keep the phone steady, whether you’re simply watching videos or taking photos and selfies. The latter is a very important use case for both the new iPhone 15 and this UPRO Ostand SS, giving you the freedom and the confidence to shoot anywhere, knowing that the phone is secure in your hand. And unlike the typical rings that you stick to the back of your phone, the O-Ring folds flat when not in use, hiding in plain sight until it’s needed once more.

Performance

Right out of the packaging, you can already tell that the TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate is not your average case. The contrasting color of the embossed edges immediately call your attention, but these aren’t just for show. Their unique form is actually the case’s main selling point, being air-filled bumpers that protect your phone from drops and shocks, especially when it drops on one of its corners or edges, which is the most common place for this kind of accident.

For this innovation, TORRAS took inspiration from car airbags that protect you from accidents. When the iPhone accidentally drops on its corner or side, the air-filled thermoplastic polyurethane not only absorbs the force of the impact but actually bounces it off, preventing the shock from being transferred to the rest of your phone, which is the most common cause of cracked screens. These bumpers give the phone 360-degree military-grade impact protection that can absorb up to 98% of the shock.

But while protection is its main purpose, that isn’t the only talent that the UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate has, which you can probably discern from its name. It features TORRAS’s unique O-Ring, a ring grip and stand combination that’s built right into the case and, more importantly, doesn’t stick out of it. You simply fold it out and you’re ready to go, standing the iPhone 15 on any flat surface or holding the phone in your hand with support for your finger. You can stand the iPhone vertically or horizontally depending on your use case, and the O-Ring will be able to support it. Unfortunately, the position of the ring itself is fixed in its position, unlike the Ostand R cases where the O-Ring can rotate 360 degrees. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it would have been nice to have to increase the case’s versatility.

That O-Ring has a third function in addition to grip and stand thanks to its use of a Halbach array of magnets. These strong magnets let you stick the phone to any MagSafe stand or holder, like those for cars or bedside tables. Alternatively, you can also stick the iPhone 15 to any metallic surface, from refrigerator or car doors to metal poles and walls. You no longer need to worry about not having a selfie stick or tripod when you can set up the iPhone at a distance anywhere. And, of course, the case lets you charge with MagSafe without having to remove the case. Apple may have introduced the universal USB-C connector for the iPhone 15 series, but those who have tasted MagSafe will probably never go back to cables if they can help it.

Sustainability

The UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate for the iPhone 15 Pro is stylish, durable, and versatile, but the list of its strengths doesn’t end there. When it comes to sustainability, it also has an edge over other smartphone cases. Sure, it has its fair share of plastics, rubber, and other environment-unfriendly materials, but its use of thermoplastic polyurethane for its headlining feature scores in its favor. It has also committed to nurturing one tree in the Brazil Atlantic Forest for every three cases sold. If TORRAS could start using recycled plastics or lay out a more definite sustainability strategy, it would definitely take the lead in this market.

Where the case does shine is in its durability, which is to say that it’s made to last a really long time. It is, after all, designed to protect the iPhone 15 it holds, so it is also quite resilient itself. It won’t last forever, of course, and the case’s surface might tarnish and show discoloration over time. It would have been nice if the bumpers could be replaced independently of the rest of the case or vice versa, but TORRAS probably had to prioritize the product’s structural integrity over that kind of modularity.

Value

There are countless smartphone cases in the market today, especially for something as popular as Apple iPhones. With the launch of the iPhone 15 series, there’s bound to be even more, as proven by the flood of announcements following Apple’s event last week. It’s easy to get lost in a sea of cases that promise the same things but deliver in different ways, sometimes not at all. The TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate for the iPhone 15 Pro sets itself apart from the crowd by delivering not only protection for your precious new iPhone but also confidence and peace of mind.

The Ostand SS ShieldMate frees you from worries about accidents when bringing your iPhone 15 along for the ride in your outdoor adventures, globe-trotting, and other activities. It also allows you to hold the phone securely in your hand, whether for enjoying content or creating it, even letting you stick it to walls, poles, and surfaces to make it easier to take group selfies or do hands-free live streaming. The UPRO Ostand SS is definitely a great deal, but that only applies if you own an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max. Unfortunately, the cases aren’t available for the non-Pro models, but TORRAS has a plethora of other options that offer protection as well as the versatility of the O-Ring for a wide range of iPhones.

Verdict

Smartphones have reached a point where they’ve become more than just gadgets but also important companions in our lives. The iPhone 15, with its enhanced photography prowess and upgraded hardware, offers one of if not the best tools for making life more enjoyable and more memorable. Its stylish designs, now in titanium, give it the expected Apple elegance that you wouldn’t want to cover up with a tank-like case, regardless of how much protection it offers.

Fortunately, the TORRAS UPRO Ostand SS ShieldMate is here to check all the right boxes and then some. While Apple’s absolutely dropped the ball on MagSafe, the folks at TORRAS thankfully are taking the magnetic ring to new heights. The UPRO Ostand is a unique iPhone case that doesn’t just protect your phone, it gives it superpowers. The Ostand’s air-filled bumpers protect your iPhone from every angle, and a MagSafe-compatible O-ring works as both a holder as well as a kickstand. Apple invented MagSafe. TORRAS perfected it.

Sarang Sheth contributed to this review.

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Meet the minimalist world clock that lets you check the time around the world by rolling it

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We live in a world that gets a little bit smaller each day as advancements in transportation and communication connect us with anyone anywhere anytime. It isn’t unusual anymore to have family members living half a world from each other, or friends scattered across different countries. Unfortunately, that also means having to keep tabs on different timezones, lest you land in the awkward and embarrassing situation of calling someone at the wrong time. World clock apps have become a necessity for such people, but the information that they offer comes with complexity and inconvenience, especially when you have to dig through a handful of screens just to get the time you needed. You can have one clock for each timezone you’re interested in, but that can get messy really quickly. This minimalist one-handed analog clock, in contrast, offers a solution that is simple yet so clever that checking the time in other countries feels almost like a game instead of a chore.

Designer: Masafumi Ishikawa

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Even at first glance, you can already tell that the World Clock is not your typical desk or shelf clock. Never mind its unusual but not unheard of dodecagonal shape, the clock only has one hand on its minimalist face. The design is intentional, of course, because it gives you just the right information you need when you want to know what time it is in another part of the world. With a quick look, you’ll be able to immediately tell the hour, and a closer inspection could even tell you which quarter of the hour it is.

Of course, this isn’t an ordinary clock that just tells your time, as its name plainly indicates. Without complicated screens or complex mechanisms, the World Clock can easily clue you in on another timezone with a single and simple action. Simply roll the clock on its side until the city of the timezone you want is pointing straight up (a.k.a. the 12 o’clock position) and watch the single hand stay in place, “converting” the current time to the correct timezone. Actually, you don’t have to literally roll the clock on a surface for it to work. The internal bearings ensure that the hand remains in the right position, no matter which side is pointing up. It’s a simple yet ingenious way of converting time without actually doing the math for it.

Each of the 12 sides of the clock has markings for a city that represents a particular timezone, starting with London at UTC+0. Admittedly, you’ll have to remember places with their respective time zones, but putting a name to that time zone is a lot more familiar than memorizing numbers. Unfortunately, if the place you’re interested in falls outside of these 12, you might find yourself still doing some mental math in the end.

The World Clock’s simplicity applies to both its function as well as its design. It uses a simple movement mechanism no different from wall clocks, except for the addition of that bearing that keeps the hand in place when rotating the clock. The clock also has a certain charm familiar to lovers of minimalist designs, allowing it to blend in with its surroundings in a subtle yet pleasant way. More importantly, the manual method of turning the clock to check different timezones gives it a more intentional and personal aspect, creating a stronger connection between the act of checking the time and thinking about the loved one living in that timezone.

Click Here to Buy Now: $44 $49 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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These Acoustic Cabins Are Designed To Be ‘Islands of Privacy’ In Modern Offices

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Honestly, in time I’ve really come to love office pods or work booths. Office pods have gotten supremely popular ever since COVID-19 hit, not only do they create little isolated spaces to work in, but they also provide a whole other level of privacy, that would have been otherwise unimaginable and completely unattainable in a commercial office. There are quite a few versatile options on the market when it comes to office pods, and a pretty neat one I recently came across is the Qyos acoustic cabin by Actiu.

Designer: Actiu

Spanish office furniture brand Acitu recently designed its first acoustic meeting pod called Qyos. Qyos was launched to create “islands of privacy”. Qyos is a range of modular and sound-insulated cabins that were created by Actiu’s research and development team. The cabins are ideal for calls or tasks that need your complete focus and attention. The acoustic pods are an excellent option to escape when you need to get some work done on priority without the entire office bothering you.

“The booth can be a counterpoint solution to the overuse of meeting rooms and a strategic tool to organize space and encourage the optimal movement of people,” said Actiu. “Like the Greek island of Chios, Actiu’s booth is presented as a place of calm and refuge for a few minutes of the intensive and collaborative day-to-day.”

The Qyos cabins have been designed to be easily and effortlessly assembled. The cladding can be swiftly clipped on or off without the need for tools. The door of the acoustic pod can be oriented to either side, which allows it to adapt to any space it is placed into. The size of the cabin is compact, optimizing it for efficient and easy transportation. The Qyos cabin is built using recycled PET plastic, acoustic glass, steel, and extruded aluminum.

The cabins are available in varied finishes such as epoxy, textile, and melamine finishes in myriad combinations. Qyos also utilizes low-consumption LED lighting, and an air renewal system to offer maximum comfort to the user. Optional accessories such as high or low tables, screen hangings, stools, and soft seating are available as well.

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This durable bike storage cover is easy to deploy, even easier to pack-up after use

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Worried about your bike getting scuffed, scratched and dirty out there in the open, or even indoors? Then you desperately need a storage cover to prevent any more accidental damage. A practical accessory that is easy to store and elegantly protects your two-wheeler without any hassle.

What makes this bike storage cover dubbed Envelope Midi different from other normal bike covers on the market is the ease of folding after use and popping the cover back into the case. In fact, it is very easy to take out and then fold away.

Designer: Envelope

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The lightweight yet durable accessory can protect your ride indoors and outdoors without much fuzz, unlike other covers that you simply use a couple of times and give up on due to the associated annoyance. Midi comes in very handy in the city and on the trails given its durable build crafted from 100 percent recycled material. In the outdoors, it can be used with any lock for security or you can wheel it even when it’s covered. For those who like to stow their bikes in the MUV bed or sedan’s boot, the cover provides maximum protection in transit.

Talking of the indoors, the waterproof accessory is compatible with several bike racks, thereby making it very easy to store in your home interiors without collecting dust. Other than the standard Midi variant, Envelope has another bigger version called Maxi that can accommodate two bicycles at a time. The pop-up cover is well suited for bad weather conditions where you want to have a safe cocoon for your bike.

With the Maxi version, you can simply expand the storage cover to make space for two bikes and tether the cover to a wall or fence. According to the makers, both these variants should fit many different types, shapes and sizes of bikes. Although, if you have made aftermarket modifications like large custom parts or extra wide handlebars they might not fit in.

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