Tag Archives: Product Design

This Genius Modular Power Strip Lets You Swap Outlets, USB Ports, and Wireless Pads Like LEGO Bricks

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Every power strip you’ve ever bought was designed for someone else. Too many USB-A ports when you need USB-C. No wireless charging. Or it has wireless charging but not enough wired ports. You’re stuck buying what manufacturers think you need, not what you actually need. TobenOne flips that script entirely. It’s a modular magnetic charging hub you build yourself. Snap on the modules you want, skip the ones you don’t. Need more USB-C? Add a module. Upgrade your setup later? Swap it out. It’s your desk, your devices, your rules.

The concept sounds almost embarrassingly obvious once you see it. A sleek aluminum rail serves as your base, and four circular magnetic modules snap onto it in whatever configuration makes sense for your setup. One module handles Qi wireless charging for your phone. Another packs three USB-C ports. There’s a USB-A 2.0 module for legacy gear and a hybrid USB-A 3.0 plus USB-C module for high-speed data transfer (I’ll dive into this later). The whole thing connects to your laptop via a single cable, and from there you can rearrange the modules however you want. It’s like someone finally asked “what if power strips worked like LEGO?” and actually followed through.

Designer: Tobenone

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $179 (50% off). Hurry, only 262/500 left!



Most of us have been through this cycle multiple times. You buy a hub or power strip based on your current gear. Six months later you upgrade your phone or laptop or tablet, and suddenly the thing you bought has the wrong port mix. Maybe you needed more USB-C than you thought. Maybe that wireless charging pad you bought separately is now just another piece of desk clutter taking up space. The traditional solution is to buy another hub, add to your desk clutter like another Jenga block along with other power strips/bricks/dongles, and pretend your cable management isn’t spiraling into chaos.

TobenOne’s approach means you buy a system once and just shape-shift it based on your current or future needs. The modules are independent of the strip itself, so when USB-C becomes even more dominant than it already is, you don’t trash your entire hub. You just swap out one module for another. It’s a small shift in thinking that has surprisingly large implications for how we manage our tech ecosystems. And this doesn’t just mean convenience, it’s a much more sustainable approach too. E-waste from obsolete charging gear is a legitimate problem, and modular design that lets you replace components instead of entire devices is one of the few practical ways to address it without requiring everyone to become minimalist monks who own three possessions.

The execution is incredibly clean – the modules themselves are incredibly sleek, all brushed metal sides and matte black tops with minimal branding. When you snap them onto the base, they sit flush and lock in with what appears to be strong enough magnetic force to stay put during normal use. There’s even a volume control module that lets you adjust your computer’s audio directly from the hub, which feels like the kind of small quality-of-life feature that gives your power strip some power-user features. No more fumbling with software volume sliders or keyboard shortcuts. Just twist the module. Clever, no?

The modules attach to the front, but two USB-C ports on the side deliver power input and output. Plug the TobenOne into a power source and it’s good to go… plug the other USB-C end into your laptop and it becomes a passthrough charger while also giving those modules data connectivity to your laptop. That means you can use USB-A ports not just for charging devices, but also for connecting thumb drives, hard disks, etc. for high-speed data transfer. Suddenly your power strip is capable of so much more. And you could choose to keep the TobenOne on your table, or even wall-mount it so that you can attach your phone to its MagSafe module directly to the wall. That gives you full control without all the desk clutter. It’s a power strip, but it’s also a dongle, but it’s also a convenient companion that doesn’t get in the way of your minimalist desk setup.

And the LEGO meets IKEA meets MagSafe meets every tech user’s needs approach is just sheer genius (I honestly wonder why nobody built this before). You’re literally building your own charging solution the way you’d build with blocks, except these blocks and the arrangements you make have actual utility beyond satisfying your inner child. It’s personal, just the way your IKEA furniture feels personal because you made it ‘for yourself’. The magnetic attachment system borrows from Apple’s MagSafe philosophy. That satisfying click when things snap into place, the alignment guides that make sure everything sits correctly, the ease of detachment when you need to reconfigure. There’s no complex assembly. No configuration software. No firmware updates to manage. You literally just snap things together and they work. That balance is harder to strike than it sounds, and most modular tech products fail by skewing too far in one direction or the other.

The modular design gives you a whopping eleven total ports and charging options across all four modules when fully loaded. That’s wireless charging plus ten wired connections, which should be more than enough for most desk setups unless you’re running a home server farm. The base model at roughly $89 USD feels extremely value-forward for what’s being offered, but early bird Kickstarter pricing always provide discounts to attract early adopters. Expect the retail price to land somewhere around $179 once this actually ships. Even at that price point, the value proposition holds up when you consider you’re replacing multiple separate chargers, hubs, and wireless charging pads with a single integrated system.

I spent all of 2025 touting how GaN chargers were the future of tech (because of how tiny and powerful they are)… the TobenOne fleshes out an alternate reality in which the power strip isn’t ‘dead’, it’s replaced by something more shape-shifting, more modular, more ‘you’. Want to JUST have plug points? Go ahead. Maybe want to swap them ALL for USB ports? That’s allowed too. Can sacrifice one idle module? Take it out and add a MagSafe charger for your phone… or better still, the volume knob that lets you control your desktop/laptop’s system volume. The power strip suddenly becomes a hub… and stops being the archaic device that never really changed in all these decades. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $179 (50% off). Hurry, only 262/500 left!

The post This Genius Modular Power Strip Lets You Swap Outlets, USB Ports, and Wireless Pads Like LEGO Bricks first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dreamfarm’s Genius Measuring Cup Squeegees Itself Clean Every Time

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You know that moment when you’re trying to measure out peanut butter and half of it stays stubbornly stuck to the measuring cup? Or when you’re spooning honey and it seems like no matter how much you scrape, there’s always that last bit clinging to the sides, taunting you? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s one of those tiny kitchen frustrations that feels like it should have been solved decades ago.

Well, Australian design company Dreamfarm finally decided to do something about it. Their UpCup is a 4-in-1 adjustable measuring cup that scrapes itself clean for wet, dry, and sticky ingredients. And honestly, it’s one of those designs that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.

Designer: Dreamfarm

Click Here to Buy Now

Here’s how it works. The UpCup’s adjustable base raises to create 1 cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup measuring cups, all in a single cup. So instead of cluttering your kitchen drawer with four different measuring cups, you just need this one clever little device. You choose your measurement on the handle, fill it up, and then press the slider down to push everything out.

But here’s where it gets really clever. A watertight seal around the adjustable base squeegees the UpCup clean as it moves, making it perfect for peanut butter, mayonnaise, honey, and other sticky ingredients. As the base rises up through the cup, it acts like a built-in squeegee, pushing every last drop of whatever you’re measuring straight into your bowl. No waste, no scraping with a spatula, no wrestling with stubborn ingredients. Think about all those times you’ve measured sticky ingredients. Maple syrup that pools at the bottom. Tahini that refuses to let go. Coconut oil that somehow gets everywhere except where you want it. The UpCup handles all of it with the same simple push mechanism. The base extends fully to push out every last drop, and can be removed for thorough, dishwasher-safe cleaning.

The design is refreshingly straightforward. It’s made from clear, BPA-free Tritan plastic, so you can see exactly what you’re measuring. The measurements are both printed in red and embossed directly into the plastic, which means they’ll never wear off no matter how many times you run it through the dishwasher. And speaking of heat, it can handle temperatures up to 212°F, so you can use it for hot ingredients too.

What’s particularly smart about this design is how Dreamfarm thought about the entire user experience. Since it’s self-cleaning, you can use it for all your ingredients and then toss it in the dishwasher for an overall cleaning afterwards. Need to measure out flour, then peanut butter, then honey for the same recipe? Just push the slider between each ingredient and you’re good to go. No need to wash it three times in the middle of cooking. It’s also perfect for those recipes where precision matters. When you’re baking and need exactly a third of a cup of oil, you can actually get exactly that amount into your mixing bowl instead of losing some to the measuring cup. Those small losses add up, and they can actually affect your final results, especially in baking where ratios really matter.

The UpCup is one of those kitchen tools that feels obvious once you see it. It solves a problem we’ve all just accepted as part of cooking, and it does it in a way that’s simple, functional, and honestly pretty satisfying to use. There’s something deeply pleasing about watching that base rise up and push every single drop of sticky ingredient exactly where you want it. Dreamfarm has built a reputation for rethinking everyday kitchen tools, and the UpCup is a perfect example of their approach. They didn’t just make another measuring cup. They looked at how people actually use measuring cups, identified the frustrations, and designed a solution that makes the whole process better.

Is it revolutionary? Maybe not. But it’s the kind of thoughtful, problem-solving design that makes everyday tasks just a little bit easier. And in the kitchen, where we’re constantly juggling multiple ingredients and timing everything perfectly, those little improvements really do matter. No more scraping, no more waste, and no more measuring cup drawer overflowing with nested cups. Just one smart tool that actually works the way you wish all measuring cups did.

Click Here to Buy Now

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Waveshare MK20 Macro Keyboard Turns LCD Keys Into Creative Tools

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For anyone who juggles creative projects, streaming, or multitasking throughout the day, a regular keyboard just doesn’t cut it anymore for complex workflows. Shortcuts, macros, and visual feedback can make or break your workflow, but most macro pads feel either too basic for serious work or too locked down to customize the way you actually need them to function properly for your specific use case.

The Waveshare MK20 macro keyboard changes the game with 20 mechanical keys, each topped with a full-color LCD display, a 2.8-inch secondary screen, and dual programmable knobs for precise control. It’s a control deck that’s as expressive as it is powerful, designed for users who want complete creative freedom over their workspace and workflow without compromising on build quality or functionality.

Designer: Waveshare

The MK20’s compact, square form is crafted from aluminum alloy with a 2.5D high-transparency acrylic lens, giving it a premium, sturdy feel that matches high-end keyboards and professional gear. Available in black or white finishes, it looks right at home next to professional monitors and mechanical keyboards on any creative desk. The build quality is immediately apparent, with satisfying tactile feedback and durable materials throughout.

Each 0.85-inch LCD keycap can display static images, animated GIFs, or even video snippets, letting you theme your deck for different apps, games, or moods throughout your day and workflow changes. The secondary 2.8-inch display up top shows system stats, weather widgets, or custom information at a glance. The 20-screen splicing feature lets you create panoramic backgrounds across all keys for stunning visual effects.

Two high-precision, anti-slip aluminum knobs can be programmed for volume, timeline scrubbing, zoom, or any function you need during work or play sessions. Both rotation and press actions are supported, making them perfect for creative software like Premiere Pro or Photoshop, where precision control matters most. The tactile feel and smooth operation make adjustments satisfying and accurate every time you use them.

The MK20 runs a dual-system architecture with a T113-S3 processor running Linux for complex display logic and a GD32 MCU running QMK firmware for zero-latency mechanical input. Macros, key combinations, and mouse control are natively supported in QMK, and the drag-and-drop theme editor means you don’t need coding skills to make it your own or share configurations with the community.

The keyboard supports dynamic theme editing, real-time data widgets like CPU temperature and network stats through LibreHardwareMonitor integration, and even AI voice interaction for hands-free control during busy sessions. Home Assistant integration lets you control smart lights, devices, or automation with a single tap. The feature set goes far beyond basic macro functionality into true workspace automation territory.

With a detachable 24-degree stand, USB-C connectivity, Kailh Box Silent switches for quiet operation, and hot-swappable keys, the MK20 adapts to any workspace setup seamlessly. Whether you’re editing video timelines, streaming gameplay, or automating repetitive office tasks, it brings both power and personality to your desktop without taking up excessive space or requiring complicated software installation procedures.

The Waveshare MK20 is a macro keyboard built for users who want complete creative control over their workflow and visual environment. With its LCD keys, dual knobs, and open-source foundation, it offers the kind of flexibility and personality that typical macro pads simply cannot match, making it a compelling upgrade for anyone serious about their desktop productivity and creative expression.

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AI Lantern Speaker Designed to Reduce Anxiety With Light and Sound

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Most home gadgets are designed for function, not feeling or emotional connection. Lamps and speakers fill their roles effectively enough, but rarely do they offer comfort or companionship during quiet nights or moments when you need a little extra calm to soothe anxiety. Finding a device that addresses both practical needs and emotional well-being remains surprisingly difficult in modern home technology.

Calmtern reimagines what a home object can be by blending a portable lantern with an AI speaker in one thoughtful package. It turns light and sound into a source of emotional support, making every room feel a little more welcoming and a lot more personal. The concept is simple yet powerful: bring comfort wherever you go in your home, whenever you need it most.

Designer: Hyun Jin Oh

Calmtern’s silhouette is inspired by classic lanterns, with a translucent upper body for soft, diffused light and a ribbed base that houses the speaker and controls. The integrated handle makes it easy to carry from room to room, hang on a minimalist stand, or set on a bedside table wherever comfort is needed. The portable form invites movement and flexibility throughout your daily routine.

The minimalist design, matte white finish, and lack of visible branding let Calmtern blend into any space seamlessly, from modern apartments to cozy bedrooms and hallways. The ribbed texture provides visual interest and tactile grip, while the clean silhouette feels timeless rather than trendy. It’s a device that looks as good on display as it does tucked away when not in use.

The lantern emits a gentle, warm glow that reduces anxiety and creates a cozy atmosphere perfect for late-night reading, winding down before bed, or simply making a dark room feel safe and inviting. Touch controls on the top panel make it easy to adjust brightness or volume without fumbling for switches or apps in the dark when you’re half asleep.

Calmtern is designed to move with you throughout your daily life and routines. Use it as a reading lamp beside your favorite chair, a bedside companion that plays calming sounds for sleep, or a portable speaker for music and podcasts in any room. The rechargeable design means it’s just as useful on a patio as in a hallway, and the gentle light is ideal for nighttime trips.

Beyond practical functionality, Calmtern is a calming presence that helps reduce feelings of loneliness or anxiety when living alone, making the home feel warmer and more inviting during difficult moments. The combination of soft light, smart sound, and intuitive controls creates a daily ritual of comfort and relaxation that goes beyond what typical smart home devices offer users.

The sculptural form and ambient glow turn Calmtern into a visual anchor for any room, sparking conversation and encouraging moments of pause in otherwise hectic days. For anyone who wants their home to feel as good as it looks while maintaining simplicity and emotional comfort, this concept offers a compelling vision of design where technology and well-being move together naturally.

The post AI Lantern Speaker Designed to Reduce Anxiety With Light and Sound first appeared on Yanko Design.

$500 Laptop Clones Microsoft’s $2,000 Surface Laptop Studio

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Convertible laptops with creative, flexible hinges are usually reserved for the premium end of the market, where prices climb well beyond what most people can comfortably afford. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is a dream machine for designers and students. Still, its price tag puts it completely out of reach for anyone working with a tight budget or limited funds for technology investments that exceed a thousand dollars.

The NWNLAP H140S brings that unique pull-forward, 4-in-1 design to a much lower price point, around $500, depending on promotions and configurations you choose. It’s a laptop that looks the part and offers surprising versatility for everyday tasks, but also comes with a few trade-offs you’ll want to consider carefully before making a purchase. The design inspiration is clear, but so are the practical compromises.

Designer: NWNLAP

The H140S stands out with its 14-inch touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge that lets you use it as a traditional laptop, tablet, tent, or presentation stand during meetings and classes. The 16:10 aspect ratio at 1920×1200 resolution and slim aluminum profile give it a modern, premium vibe that’s genuinely hard to find in this price range for convertible designs.

The minimalist lines and overall aesthetic echo the Surface Studio’s distinctive appearance, making it a statement piece for classrooms, coffee shops, or home offices where visual presentation matters to you. For students or remote workers who want their tech to look professional without spending professional-level money on flagship devices, the visual appeal alone makes it worth considering despite its performance limitations.

Under the hood, the H140S runs on an Intel 12th Gen N95 processor with up to 32GB DDR4 RAM and SSD storage options reaching up to 2TB for extensive file storage needs. It’s more than enough for web browsing, note-taking, video calls, and office work throughout the day, but don’t expect smooth gaming, video editing, or heavy creative workloads that demand dedicated graphics processing power.

The 1920×1200 IPS LCD touchscreen is bright and responsive enough for reading, sketching with a stylus, or streaming video content during breaks, but it can’t match the color accuracy, contrast, or peak brightness of true premium panels found in laptops costing three times as much or more. The difference becomes noticeable when working with photos or design files that require precise color representation.

With two USB 3.0 ports, USB-C, mini HDMI, microSD card slot, and a 7-color RGB backlit keyboard, the H140S covers the basics for students and remote workers without requiring dongles for everything you need. Dual-band Wi-Fi and a 4500mAh battery promise several hours of use, though battery life will depend heavily on your workload and brightness settings throughout the day.

The H140S is fundamentally about trade-offs and knowing what you’re getting for your money before committing. You get a flexible, Surface Studio-inspired design and impressive specs for around $500, but you’ll notice compromises in display quality, trackpad precision, build refinement, and overall performance under demanding tasks. For those who want the look and versatility of a premium convertible without the premium price, it’s a smart option.

The post $500 Laptop Clones Microsoft’s $2,000 Surface Laptop Studio first appeared on Yanko Design.

Keycaps Shaped Like Tiny Retro TVs Take 47 Hours to Handcraft

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For anyone who spends hours at a keyboard, the desk becomes more than just a workspace. It’s a personal canvas for self-expression and creativity. Keyboards are no longer just tools for typing, but a way to express personality, nostalgia, and a love for design in the smallest details. Every keycap, color, and texture tells a story about who you are and what you value in your daily environment.

Jelly Key’s Retro TV Series – First Frame artisan keycaps are a tribute to that spirit of personal expression and craft. Inspired by the golden age of home computing and the original Macintosh 128K from 1984, these miniature TVs bring a playful, handcrafted touch to any keyboard setup. They’re tiny works of art that celebrate the intersection of technology and nostalgia.

Designer: Jelly Key

Each keycap is shaped like a retro television, with a 65-degree angled front screen for perfect viewing when mounted on a keyboard. Details like floppy disk drives, power switches, and transparent or frosted back panels reveal intricate miniature “circuitry” inside, echoing the design language of vintage computers that defined an era. The angular, squared-off profile feels both classic and contemporary.

Every keycap is meticulously handmade using resin casting and multilayer coloring, not 3D printing or mass production. The process involves up to 47 hours of work from start to finish, with every component polished, assembled, and quality-checked by hand. Circuit traces measure just 0.3mm wide, requiring razor-sharp precision. Any flaw means starting over from scratch.

The TV screens feature pixel art, pop culture nods, greetings like “hello,” and sci-fi themes, all layered in resin for dimensional depth and vibrancy. With over 200 quirky variations and 12 case designs ranging from crystal clear to vintage frosted, no two keycaps are exactly alike. Themes include “HAL Eye,” “Comic Burst,” “Space Odyssey,” and “Galactic Intro,” among many others.

Transparent and frosted panels allow keyboard backlighting to shine through, illuminating the miniature “circuit boards” and components inside the keycap. This adds a new dimension to your typing experience, especially at night when the glow highlights every intricate detail. The effect is both functional and mesmerizing, turning your keyboard into a light-up showcase.

Each keycap is individually numbered and comes in a wooden box with a medal dog tag and a collectible sticker for authenticity. Orders of 12 or more unlock limited-edition designs and the full sticker set, making these keycaps as much about collecting as about customization. The MX stem ensures compatibility with most mechanical keyboards, while the hand-finished resin offers a unique tactile feel that’s satisfying to touch.

Swapping in a Retro TV keycap turns a routine typing session into a moment of nostalgia and delight, sparking conversation and adding personality to your desk instantly. For designers, writers, and anyone who loves a bit of retro flair mixed with modern craftsmanship, these keycaps are a daily reminder that art and technology can coexist beautifully in the smallest spaces we interact with every day.

The post Keycaps Shaped Like Tiny Retro TVs Take 47 Hours to Handcraft first appeared on Yanko Design.

Your Floor Cleaner Is Just Spreading Dirty Water. BSTY’s Dual-Tank System Fixes It.

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The lines between form and function have never been blurrier, or more beautiful, than they are in today’s best home tech. The BSTY Dual-Action Cordless Floor Washer is a testament to this evolution, offering a singular device that manages to look as sharp as it performs. Its seamless integration of vacuuming, steam mopping, and self-cleaning mechanisms is tailored for those who want their spaces immaculate, but never at the expense of visual serenity. This is not merely another entry in the crowded floor-care market; it’s a thoughtfully considered piece of hardware that addresses the entire life cycle of a chore, from start to finish.

Let’s be honest, the way we clean floors is broken. It’s a clumsy, multi-stage process that often feels like you’re just moving dirt around. You start with the vacuum, wrestling with a cord or racing against a dying battery to suck up the crumbs, the pet hair, and the dust. Then comes the second act: the mop. You’re either sloshing a dirty string-mop around in a bucket of increasingly murky water, or you’re using a fancy hybrid cleaner that often just turns dry debris into a wet, gritty paste. It solves one problem by creating another. The BSTY project seems to have started with a deep, almost obsessive, understanding of this frustration.

Designer: BSTY

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $599 ($200 off). Hurry, only 15/50 left. Raised over $61,000.

The solution begins with a simple, elegant workflow that is physically built into the machine. As you push the BSTY forward, it’s a dedicated dry vacuum. The front of the cleaning head houses a system that delivers a full 20,000Pa of suction, a figure that puts it in the upper echelon of cordless stick vacuums. That’s enough power to lift embedded dirt from grout lines and grab pet hair without just rolling over it. All that dry debris is whisked away into its own separate container. Then, on the pull-back motion, the mopping system engages. A fresh stream of water, which can be heated up to a steamy 100°C in the tank, wets a microfiber roller that scrubs the floor. The dirty water is immediately lifted off the roller and funneled into a second, completely separate dirty water tank. This clever little feature is a fundamental re-engineering of the hybrid cleaner, ensuring that dirty water never gets a second chance to touch your clean floor.

Beyond just using hot water for mopping, the BSTY integrates a true 180°C steam function. This is a significant leap beyond the boiling point, generating a dry, high-temperature steam that can sanitize surfaces and break down greasy, stuck-on messes without a drop of chemical cleaner. It’s a feature that will appeal to anyone with kids, pets, or just a healthy aversion to chemical residues. This focus on thermal cleaning creates a more effective, hygienic result. And it manages to pack this technology into a cordless body that delivers a solid 40 minutes of runtime, all while operating at a reported 50 decibels in its quiet mode, which is about the level of a calm conversation. The physical design is just as considered. The entire unit can pivot to lay completely flat, a 180-degree articulation that finally allows a machine this powerful to slide all the way under a low-profile sofa or media console.

But the most insightful piece of design might be what happens after the cleaning is done. Anyone who owns a current-generation floor washer knows the secret shame of the post-clean cleanup: rinsing a filthy roller, scrubbing a grimy water tank, and leaving the parts to air-dry, hoping they don’t develop a funky, mildewed smell. The BSTY’s docking station is designed to eliminate this final, frustrating step. When you dock the machine, it automatically begins a self-cleaning cycle, flushing the roller and internal tubing with clean water. But then it initiates the real game-changer: a high-temperature drying cycle. It circulates hot air through the brush head, leaving the roller completely dry, clean, and free of the moisture that breeds bacteria and odor. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about making the entire ownership experience better. It ensures the machine is genuinely ready for its next use, not waiting for you to reassemble its damp components.

The early-bird pricing is set at $399, which is a considerable discount from the planned $599 retail price, positioning it as an aggressive play for early adopters who are tired of the status quo. For that price, the package appears to be comprehensive. The box includes the main BSTY unit, the crucial self-cleaning and charging dock that completes the automated experience, a power adapter, a spare roller brush for good measure, a small cleaning tool for any manual maintenance, and a 1-year warranty. The campaign is targeting a global shipping window around March of next year, aiming to bring this thoughtful approach to floor care into homes just in time for spring cleaning!

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $599 ($200 off). Hurry, only 15/50 left. Raised over $61,000.

The post Your Floor Cleaner Is Just Spreading Dirty Water. BSTY’s Dual-Tank System Fixes It. first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Massive Robot Wants To Replace An Entire Restaurant

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Inside a seven-square-meter glass enclosure, two robotic arms move with startling precision. One retrieves ingredients from climate-controlled silos, another works over a heating element, and within minutes, a perfectly assembled, hot meal is delivered to a collection window. There are no chefs, no line cooks, and no human intervention whatsoever. This is the Circus Autonomy One, a robot designed with a single, ambitious goal: to automate every step of the food production process, from inventory management to cooking and even cleaning. It’s not a kitchen assistant; it is a full-stack replacement, and it represents one of the boldest attempts yet to redefine what a restaurant can be.

The company behind this, Munich-based Circus SE, is pushing the narrative that this solves labor shortages and boosts efficiency. They are not wrong, but that is an incredibly sanitized way of looking at what is essentially a job-elimination machine. The CA-1 is a marvel of industrial design, a self-contained unit powered by a proprietary AI called CircusOS that makes adaptive decisions in real time. With its pilot program already running in German REWE supermarkets, this isn’t some vaporware concept sitting in a lab. It is a commercially deployed system that is actively taking orders and feeding people, and that means we need to talk about what it is actually doing.

Designers: Gustavo Kemmerich and Circus SE Team

Seven square meters is the entire footprint. You could barely fit a decent-sized walk-in closet in that space, yet the CA-1 can pump out 120 dishes an hour from it. That breaks down to a meal every 30 seconds, a rate of production that most human-staffed kitchens would struggle to match without breaking a sweat. The whole operation is a sterile, closed loop of logic. Ingredients are tracked and stored in smart silos, the robotic arms handle the assembly and cooking, and an integrated Winterhalter commercial dishwasher cleans up after. From an engineering perspective, it is a cold, hard box of ruthless efficiency designed to extract maximum value from minimum space.

You do not achieve that level of optimization without a body count, metaphorically speaking. Forget the sanitized PR about “solving labor shortages.” The CA-1 is designed to eliminate labor, period. It replaces the prep cook, the line cook, the expeditor, and the dishwasher in one fell swoop. This is not a collaborative robot, or “cobot,” built to assist a human worker. It is a fully autonomous system engineered from the ground up to make a whole class of kitchen staff obsolete. For every one of these units installed in a supermarket, hospital, or university, a handful of jobs simply evaporate. The efficiency it provides comes at a direct and obvious cost.

So what we are really looking at here is a ghost kitchen in a box, a blueprint for the future of automated food service. Its successful deployment in a major European supermarket chain is a powerful proof of concept, and you can bet that fast-food executives and large-scale catering operators are paying very close attention. Circus SE even lists the defense sector as a potential market, which is its own can of worms. This machine is a stark reminder that automation doesn’t ask for permission. The CA-1 is a brilliantly engineered answer to a question that maybe we shouldn’t be so eager to ask.

The post This Massive Robot Wants To Replace An Entire Restaurant first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nothing Phone 3a Lite or CMF Phone 2 Pro? The Choice Is Just Glyph vs. Zoom

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Glyph Light, more like Glyph Gaslight… Nothing just dropped its fifth phone this year, the 3a Lite, and the instant I looked at it, I was first shocked… then confused. Shocked because the phone looks exactly like Nothing’s CMF Phone 2 Pro. No seriously, the camera placement is EXACTLY the same, the chipset is the same, the battery, screen, most of its internals are the same. It took me a full minute for my shock to subside before it was replaced by confusion. Why? Why would Nothing introduce a ‘new’ phone into its lineup when it’s selling the exact same phone (for the exact same price) under its sub-brand?

I have no definite answers (we’re waiting for Carl Pei to reveal his underlying strategy), which is why it honestly feels so confusing. Two phones, practically twins (with probably just 2 small differences), and arguably running the same software on the same hardware for the same price. It goes against Nothing’s entire vision of disrupting the tech space by producing game-changing tech that injects fun into itself. Tech that builds a design-centric audience. Tech that prides itself on transparency. The fact that the Nothing Phone 3a Lite is just a ‘rebadged’ (and I use that term in the most calculated capacity) version of the CMF Phone 2 Pro feels like the opposite of transparent.

Designer: Nothing

Nothing Phone 3a Lite (Left) vs CMF Phone 2 Pro (Right)

Here’s where the phones are identical. They both have the same screen – a FHD+ 6.77″ AMOLED running 120Hz at 300 nits max brightness. They both have the same chip too, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro with 8 cores. Both phones run 8GB of RAM and max out at 256GB of storage. The OS is the same too, Nothing OS 3.5 (with a 6-year software update promise)… and even the battery is exactly the same, a 5,000mAh cell with 33W fast charging and 5W reverse wired charging. No wireless charging on either of the models. As far as the cameras go, the placement (if you look below) is the same too. Two of the three lenses in the camera array are the same, a 50MP main and 8MP ultrawide. The front has a 16MP shooter on both. And both phones pack that Essential button on the side that Nothing began rolling out this year. On paper, it’s as if you were looking at a Xiaomi vs Redmi phone, or a Huawei vs Honor phone. The same build, barring a few minor cosmetic changes.

Nothing Phone 3a Lite (Left) vs CMF Phone 2 Pro (Right)

The changes aren’t drastic, but they’re worth noting. For starters, the third camera on both the CMF Phone 2 Pro and the Nothing Phone 3a Lite are different. While the CMF gizmo packs a nifty 50MP telephoto lens, the 3a Lite swaps that out for a 2MP macro lens. That’s while keeping the price exactly the same, so make of that what you will. Meanwhile, look above and you’ll notice that the flashlight gets moved just a couple of notches downwards on the 3a Lite, so I’d assume most cases for the Phone 2 Pro will work seamlessly on the 3a Lite if they have a running cutout for the camera and the flashlight. Barring these two features, the design (obviously) is the most noticeable difference. The CMF phone sports a plastic back, with the customizable modular design, while the Nothing phone resorts to its thematic transparent rear, with a glass back. The 3a Lite also has the Glyph, although instead of an interface it’s just a tiny little dot on the bottom right corner. The final difference lies in the offerings – the CMF Phone 2 Pro comes in 4 colors and one single spec variant – a 256GB model. The Nothing 3a Lite comes in just Black or White options, although you can choose between a 256GB model, or a lower 128GB model that’s just €30 cheaper.

So why exactly did Nothing go down this road? All I can do is speculate, but the more I do, the more I’m inclined to believe that this is a diversity play rather than an innovation play. The company wants to corner the market with as many phones across a price range. Currently, the 3a and 3a Pro represent a budget range, but not the sub $300 category. People who are fans of the transparent phone design wouldn’t want to splurge on a CMF phone, even though it’s objectively better out of the two we’re comparing here today. If you told me I had to choose between a glass back and a small blinking LED, versus a plastic-back phone that packs a 50MP telephoto camera, the choice wouldn’t be a tough one at all.

The post Nothing Phone 3a Lite or CMF Phone 2 Pro? The Choice Is Just Glyph vs. Zoom first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Thunderbolt 5 Dock Finally Gives Apple Silicon Macs 3 Displays

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Most docking stations are either a tangle of cables or a bland box you hide behind your monitor out of shame and embarrassment. For creative pros and MacBook power users, finding a dock that keeps up with demanding workflows while actually looking good on your desk is a rare win that deserves celebrating. Most people settle for function over form, accepting ugly tech as the unavoidable price of modern productivity.

The iVANKY FusionDock Max 2 changes the game with a design that’s as visually striking as it is functionally capable. With Thunderbolt 5, native triple-display support for Apple Silicon Macs, and a chassis built for both performance and aesthetics, it’s a dock you’ll want to show off front and center on your desk, not hide away beneath it in shame.

Designer: iVANKY

The FusionDock Max 2 is machined from a single block of aluminum using a 2,000-ton extrusion press, giving it a dense, premium feel that most plastic or stamped-metal docks simply can’t match. The matte dark finish, copper-alloy midframe for efficient heat dissipation, and bold orange accent lines create a modern, professional look that stands out in any workspace without screaming for attention.

The floating chassis design and visible fan vents aren’t just practical engineering choices—they’re deliberate aesthetic statements that celebrate the dock’s industrial elegance and functional beauty. The elevated base allows air to flow naturally underneath, while the integrated fan remains whisper-quiet during operation. The orange accents frame the port array, turning functional connectivity into visual interest that enhances rather than detracts.

With Thunderbolt 5 and a dedicated DisplayPort-Alt chip working together seamlessly, the FusionDock Max 2 is the first dock to offer native triple-display support for Apple Silicon MacBooks without adapters, dongles, or driver headaches. Video editors, developers, and designers can finally spread their work across three external monitors while keeping their MacBook lid closed for a cleaner, more organized setup.

The dock packs 23 thoughtfully chosen ports selected specifically for professional workflows rather than just chasing numbers. Five 10Gbps USB-C ports, four 10Gbps USB-A ports, dual HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4, 2.5G Ethernet, SD 4.0 and microSD 4.0 card readers with 312MB per second transfer speeds, optical audio, and a security lock slot cover virtually every professional need imaginable.

Thunderbolt 5 delivers up to 120Gbps bandwidth—triple that of Thunderbolt 4—enabling smooth 6K displays, lightning-fast file transfers, and zero-compromise workflows for creative professionals. The dock powers your MacBook Pro at a steady 140W even with every single port busy and drawing power, while a separate 30W USB-C port handles phones and tablets without stealing power from the host machine.

Active cooling with a copper midframe and floating chassis keeps the dock up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler than typical Thunderbolt 5 docks during sustained full-load operation. This thermal management prevents flickering displays, dropped connections, and performance throttling that plague lesser docks when you push them hard during intensive video rendering, large file transfers, or multi-monitor coding sessions.

The FusionDock Max 2 is designed to be seen, appreciated, and admired rather than hidden from view. Its industrial elegance, compact footprint, and thoughtful cable management make it a natural centerpiece for creative studios and home offices that value both performance and presentation equally in their workspace design.

The post This Thunderbolt 5 Dock Finally Gives Apple Silicon Macs 3 Displays first appeared on Yanko Design.