Tag Archives: Technology

REDMAGIC 12 Pro Review: Gaming Hardware Without the Visual Overload

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PROS:


  • Distinctive, eye-catching visible liquid cooling design

  • Excellent cooling system for sustained peak performance

  • Large 8,400mAh battery with 80W wired and wireless fast charging

  • Gorgeous gaming-worthy 185Hz display

CONS:


  • No Telephoto Camera or Macro Mode

  • Only 2 generations of Android updates

  • Turbo Fan area is only IPX8 rated

  • A lot more expensive than previous gen

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The REDMAGIC 12 Pro continues to push the boundaries of what a gaming smartphone can accomplish without giving up its distinctive aesthetics.

Gaming phones tend to announce themselves before you even switch them on, and the REDMAGIC 12 Pro certainly doesn’t keep its intentions secret. Visible dual-loop liquid cooling, a completely flat back, and an uninterrupted display put its priorities within easy reach. What caught our attention, however, is how those familiar gaming ingredients come together without turning the phone into a pocket-sized light show.

There’s plenty of power behind that appearance, along with a large battery and a bright screen that makes games particularly inviting. REDMAGIC has made the body thinner and lighter, although it still feels substantial. The higher price also makes the usefulness of those specialized features a more important part of the conversation.

Designer: REDMAGIC

Aesthetics

The REDMAGIC 12 Pro doesn’t follow the softer curves that dominate contemporary smartphone design. Its rectangular silhouette and defined edges give it the character of dedicated equipment, something built with a particular job in mind. We like that confidence, especially since the detailing doesn’t overwhelm the shape. It’s unmistakably gaming-centric, but you don’t need a matching RGB keyboard to appreciate the design.

The cooling layout gives the rear its most distinctive feature. Channels extend around the large circular element and continue toward the camera area, making the thermal hardware part of the phone’s identity. The lighting adds theater, naturally, but the appeal isn’t limited to glowing colors. There’s something satisfying about a device that lets its engineering influence the way it looks.

An aluminum alloy frame and glass back provide the premium materials, while the transparent treatment gives them a technical personality. Nightfreeze, our review unit, takes the darker route, and Subzero offers a brighter silver alternative; the blue Skyfrost version is scheduled for later. Keeping the cameras flush helps the whole arrangement feel cohesive, rather than splitting the phone into a thin body and a bulky island.

Ergonomics

At about 7.9 ounces (223g) and 0.34 inches (8.55mm) thick, this is still a substantial phone, even with the weight reduction. The sharper edges give our fingers something definite to hold, which is welcome on a large glass device. They can also press into the palm, so there’s a balance between a reassuring grip and the softer feel some people might prefer during longer sessions.

That flat back has an unexpected trade-off. Set the phone on a desk, and there’s no camera bump to make it wobble as you tap the screen. Pick it up, though, and your index finger loses the ledge a camera island normally provides. We found ourselves paying more attention to our grip, since the uninterrupted rear offers less of an anchor against slipping.

Performance

Inside, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 joins up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, with RedCore R5 and G1 chips handling gaming and display duties. The shoulder controls are a more tangible distinction: mapping actions to them can free your thumbs for movement and aiming. Game Space brings performance settings and recording tools together, keeping gaming adjustments within reach.

The interesting hardware story is AquaCore Cooling System 3.0. Its dual-loop liquid channels now reach farther up the body, near the cameras, extending coverage across the chipset and battery regions. A tiny pump circulates the coolant through that expanded layout. Rather than treating heat as something confined to one small area, the design addresses more of the hardware working beneath your fingers.

The liquid loop has plenty of help. A vapor chamber spreads heat, Liquid Metal 4.0 provides a thermal interface, and a fan rated at 25,500 RPM moves air through the cooling duct. Importantly, the liquid metal isn’t the coolant flowing around the back. These are separate parts of a layered system, each intended to help move heat away from the components producing it.

This expanded system is designed to support steadier performance during extended play. After all, a demanding game needs consistency well beyond its opening minutes, and a frame drop could mean the difference between triumph and defeat. There will be some throttling eventually, and the phone does get a little warm over extended use, but those don’t happen as often or as quickly as your typical premium flagship.

The 6.85-inch OLED display is a pleasure to behold, with bright, vibrant colors and no punch hole interrupting the picture. Its 2688×1216 1.5K resolution gives games and video plenty of detail. Up to 185Hz refresh support adds appeal for compatible games, although support and settings matter. Frame interpolation can also contribute displayed frames, which shouldn’t be confused with every game rendering natively at 185 frames per second.

The 8,400mAh battery is welcome given the slimmer body. Charging supports up to 80W through either a cable or compatible wireless equipment, providing flexibility without chasing the highest wattage. With 30 minutes and a compatible wired charger, you can juice the battery up to 50%. A full charge takes longer than an hour, though, with charging safety measures kicking in to prolong battery life.

For a gaming smartphone, photography unsurprisingly stays in a supporting role. The 50MP main camera and 50MP ultrawide cover everyday shooting, but our impression is competent rather than remarkable. There’s no telephoto camera for dedicated optical zoom, while the 16MP under-display selfie camera makes a similar compromise. It’s acceptable, but its biggest contribution is disappearing beneath the screen, leaving the front clear for the entertainment this phone is built around.

Sustainability

Durability is the strongest part of the sustainability conversation here. Gorilla Glass GG7i covers the front and rear, while REDMAGIC lists IP68/IP69 protection for the phone and IPX8 for the fan. That distinction matters: the fan’s rating doesn’t certify dust resistance. The construction and water-resistance ratings are welcome, but they don’t establish repairability, and we don’t have verified recycled-material or battery-replacement information to go further.

Software support puts a boundary on long-term ownership. REDMAGIC’s published policy promises two generations of Android upgrades and three years of security updates from launch. With REDMAGIC OS 12 based on Android 17, that’s a defined path forward, although we’d welcome a longer commitment for hardware this capable and expensive. Keeping a powerful phone useful should involve maintaining its software as carefully as managing its heat.

Value

The announced US prices make the buying decision more deliberate: $949 for 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, $1,049 for 16GB and 512GB, and $1,199 for 16GB and 1TB. This is a more expensive proposition than before. The argument now rests on how much you value the integrated cooling, gaming controls, and uninterrupted display, rather than getting impressive specifications for less money.

For someone who settles into demanding games, that combination has a clear purpose. Lengthy video editing could also make thermal management relevant, although we haven’t established a render-speed advantage. If your routine revolves around messaging, social feeds, and watching videos, a more general-purpose flagship may put your money toward features you’ll appreciate more often. Here, the premium makes most sense when gaming is a priority.

Verdict

The REDMAGIC 12 Pro gives us plenty to like, especially where its appearance and purpose overlap. Visible cooling feels appropriate on a phone that devotes so much space to thermal hardware, and the uninterrupted screen makes an impression. The lighter body and larger battery are welcome refinements, too. The angular grip deserves some consideration, as do the cameras and relatively modest software update commitment.

At this price, its appeal depends on knowing what you want from a phone. We find the gaming-first design compelling, even if we wouldn’t recommend paying for all that specialized hardware just to scroll through lunch breaks. For players who want the controls, display, and thermal engineering together in one device, the REDMAGIC 12 Pro offers a distinctive package, with its priorities easy to understand.

The post REDMAGIC 12 Pro Review: Gaming Hardware Without the Visual Overload first appeared on Yanko Design.

MIXO AI Companion Concept Gives an AI a Detachable Face

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An AI companion might be helpful beside your laptop, but meetings and errands don’t always happen at your desk. MIXO proposes a detachable screen that moves between a desktop body, a wrist strap, and a smartphone, keeping its interface within reach. Despite its branding, MIXO is an independent concept with no official association with OPPO, not a device you’ll find in the company’s product lineup.

The little module has a rounded-square outline and a dark front, with two white bars supplying its most recognizable expression. A soft patch of color behind those eyes adds personality without requiring a detailed digital character. The same shape carries through the phone’s camera surround and desktop mount, giving the proposed family a resemblance that doesn’t depend entirely on an OPPO logo.

Designer: Jimmy Zhang

At home, the screen would settle onto an egg-shaped desktop body, which sits on a separate charging base. Its face angles upward, a sensible orientation for something meant to sit below your line of sight beside a laptop. Taking the display away leaves the larger body behind, so the companion’s tabletop presence doesn’t have to dictate the size of what you carry.

Meeting recording gives that desk arrangement a purpose beyond keeping a pair of glowing eyes company. MIXO proposes displaying a waveform, elapsed time, and a stop control on its face, keeping recording status separate from whatever occupies your laptop screen. Real-time translation and visual recognition also belong to the brief, although the concept doesn’t identify the AI models or demonstrate their accuracy.

Move the module onto the back of the proposed smartphone, and its display becomes a rear-camera viewfinder. You could frame a selfie while looking toward the same side as the lenses, rather than guessing where your head lands in the shot. The screen sits below the camera housing, keeping both visible, though the proposal doesn’t establish compatibility with any phone you can buy.

The wrist attachment gives the removable module another place to live. A dedicated holder on a buckled strap turns it into a watch-like device, with an analog-style clock for a familiar task between AI interactions. That keeps its face available when your phone is tucked away. There’s no specified fitness tracking or health sensing, however, and its physical dimensions and weight remain unspecified.

The appealing part is carrying one interface between those settings rather than learning three unrelated devices. The difficult part would be making every handoff dependable. MIXO’s connection method, battery life, and data handling aren’t explained, leaving practical questions about charging and the privacy of recorded conversations. A friendly face might make an assistant approachable, but it doesn’t tell you where your recordings go.

Despite its OPPO branding, MIXO remains an independent concept with no official association with the company, not a product waiting for a release date. Its strongest suggestion is physical: let the useful screen leave the larger body behind. A desk companion can have its little face back when you return, without asking you to take the rest of its body to a meeting.

The post MIXO AI Companion Concept Gives an AI a Detachable Face first appeared on Yanko Design.

Casio’s Keyboard Lets You Jam Without Knowing the Notes

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A favorite song can make you want to play piano long before you know where to put your fingers. That gap between musical taste and musical ability is where Casio’s new Casiotone CT-FS1 makes its pitch. Its Feel Sync feature adjusts the notes you play to fit a song’s harmony, letting beginners join in without first learning the chord changes. I like the premise: getting some enjoyment out of an instrument shouldn’t always require weeks of preparation.

According to Casio, the companion app analyzes a selected recording’s chord progression, melody, and rhythm, then the keyboard adapts the pitches it produces as you play along. You still decide when to press a key, how firmly to strike it, and how many notes to play together. Think of it as help with the harmonic decisions, leaving you to explore how a few gentle notes feel different from a busier, more emphatic accompaniment.

Designer: Casio

That distinction matters. Hitting notes that fit a recording isn’t the same as learning to play that song, and I wouldn’t buy this expecting corrected notes to teach my hands their way around a piano. But making music for pleasure is a reasonable goal on its own. How reliably Feel Sync handles different recordings still needs hands-on testing; the appealing idea is giving a beginner fewer things to worry about at once.

The physical design follows a similar logic. Available in Midnight Black or Alpine White, the CT-FS1 carries one color across its case and all 61 keys. Casio also leaves a screen off the top panel, keeping the instrument visually restrained. I appreciate a keyboard that doesn’t look like it needs its own dedicated studio corner. For an object that might live beside a couch, that restraint feels like a practical design decision.

I’m a little less sold on removing the familiar contrast between black and white keys. The monochrome treatment makes a strong visual statement, but it also removes a useful reference for finding your place. That seems worth considering if conventional piano lessons are the eventual plan. The appearance suits the product’s invitation to experiment, even if it introduces a tradeoff for learning.

Underneath that matching finish are full-size, touch-responsive keys and 61 built-in tones, covering piano, electric piano, organs, strings, and synths. Built-in stereo speakers let it function without an external speaker setup, while a headphone jack offers a less public option. It weighs about 9.9 pounds without batteries and can run from the included AC adapter or six AAs. Those are sensible provisions for moving it between a desk and the living room.

One limitation deserves attention before anyone buys it for their favorite playlist: Feel Sync doesn’t support streaming services. It accepts MP3, WAV, and AIFF files stored on your device, so choosing a song isn’t as simple as opening Spotify. The included WU-BT10 adapter handles the wireless connection to a compatible phone or tablet. I’d check which recordings I actually have as files before treating the play-along feature as an effortless route into my music library.

The split mode might be the most thoughtful feature here. One half can use Feel Sync while the other remains a conventional keyboard, allowing an experienced player and a beginner to share a song. That could make a family session feel less like one person demonstrating while the other watches. Feel Sync can also be switched off entirely when you want the keys to behave normally.

Announced November 3 and available now at roughly $400, the CT-FS1 asks buyers to value that easier entry into playing. I’d be more interested in it as a living-room instrument for casual accompaniment than as a shortcut through piano lessons. There’s room for both kinds of ambition. If someone wants to spend twenty minutes adding their own rhythm to a favorite track, I don’t think the instrument needs to demand a larger commitment before letting them have fun.

The post Casio’s Keyboard Lets You Jam Without Knowing the Notes first appeared on Yanko Design.

Insta360 Ace Pro 3 Leak Teases Vlogs Without a Screen Flip

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The leaked Insta360 Ace Pro 3 wears its most conspicuous change around the lens: a chunky, eight-sided housing with Leica branding and a red outline. I’d look just to its left, though. The alleged front display shows an actual scene instead of a settings readout. If that becomes a working preview screen, it could remove a small but persistent nuisance: having to flip up the rear screen to frame yourself.

These are leaked images, not an Insta360 announcement. Shared by Igor Bogdanov, who posts as @Quadro_News, and covered by The Gadgeteer on November 4, they suggest a camera with a more convenient approach to self-recording. The existing Ace Pro 2 has a 2.5-inch flip touchscreen, while its front display handles status information. Checking your composition without repositioning that larger screen would be a welcome improvement, particularly for quick clips between everything else you’re doing.

Designer: Insta360

Visually, the alleged redesign gives the lens considerable authority. Its octagonal surround dominates the face, with the screen tucked alongside it and the Ace Pro 3 badge underneath. Black and white versions appear in the leaked image set. I prefer how the white body separates those components, making the camera’s layout easier to read. The black version looks more unified, although that red outline still insists you notice the lens first.

The front screen interests me more than the styling because it suggests a useful division of labor. A rear display could remain the place for reviewing footage and adjusting settings, with the front handling composition when you’re in the shot. The images show a rear screen and what appears to be its hinge, but they don’t establish whether both displays can show a live preview simultaneously.

Battery capacity is the other tangible clue. A leaked regulatory-screen image lists a 2,250mAh battery, compared with the 1,800mAh battery Insta360 specifies for the Ace Pro 2. That would represent a 25 percent capacity increase if the label reflects the eventual retail camera. It’s an encouraging number for anyone tired of budgeting recording time around spare batteries. It is not, however, evidence of 25 percent longer recording, and the leak supplies no verified endurance result to make that connection.

A larger battery would matter most if it reduced the number of interruptions during an ordinary outing. That’s the upgrade I’d want measured: how much useful footage you can capture between charges, with the settings you actually use. A capacity figure alone can’t answer that, especially when the same leak raises the possibility of an additional preview display drawing power.

The more ambitious rumor concerns a 1-inch, 50-megapixel sensor, potentially replacing the Ace Pro 2’s 1/1.3-inch sensor. That remains unconfirmed, and a prominent lens surround doesn’t tell us what sits behind it. The existing camera already records 8K video at 30 frames per second and shoots 50-megapixel photos. Personally, I’d be more interested in convincing improvements to evening footage and difficult lighting than another resolution headline. Those are results we’ll need actual footage to judge.

There is a reason to keep the enthusiasm measured. Some lettering in the leaked render looks uneven, a detail that RedShark also flagged when discussing its uncertain authenticity. Separately, an FCC authorization dated September 29, 2026, names the Insta360 Ace Pro 3. That gives the product name a documented regulatory trail, but it doesn’t authenticate this particular image or confirm the rumored imaging specifications.

For now, there’s no announced price or release date to build a buying decision around. I wouldn’t postpone a camera purchase solely because this render exists. Still, its most appealing suggestion is refreshingly modest. A front preview could make the camera less fussy when you turn it toward yourself, while a larger battery might mean fewer interruptions. Neither needs a dramatic sales pitch. If Insta360 delivers those changes, the benefit would be less time preparing to record and more time getting on with the shot.

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Aurzen ZIP Pro Puts a Foldable Projector and Basquiat Art on Your Holiday Gift List

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A projector that packs its own stand already makes a thoughtful gift for someone who’s always rearranging movie night. Aurzen’s ZIP Pro folds into a compact block, then opens into an adjustable, self-supporting setup. The standard version leans into its technical character, while the Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle adds artwork and coordinated accessories for someone with a more expressive streak.

The clever bit is that the stand doesn’t become another accessory to forget. Three connected sections fold into a Z-shaped support, letting you change the projection angle on a tabletop or nightstand. Folded, the projector is 1.73 inches thick and weighs about 1.29 pounds. That’s a manageable addition to a travel bag, especially when you aren’t also finding room for a separate stand.

Designer: Aurzen

Click Here to Buy Aurzen ZIP Pro: $629.99 | Click Here to Buy ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle: $679.99.

After a day of sightseeing, that could mean watching a movie without hunching over a phone. The Aurzen ZIP Pro uses native 1080p Full HD projection, with autofocus and four-point keystone correction to help sharpen and align the picture. Aurzen recommends a 60- to 80-inch image in dark surroundings. With a rated 200 ANSI lumens, drawing the curtains is very much part of the plan.

Gaming has a place here, too, especially when a handheld’s screen starts feeling a little cramped. USB-C video input connects compatible devices directly, provided both the device and cable support video transmission. Supported Nintendo Switch setups don’t need the usual dock, although you’ll still need a power adapter rated at 65W or higher through the projector’s USB-C PD charging input. That still leaves fewer pieces to arrange before the first round.

Sharing the screen doesn’t have to mean sharing the soundtrack with everyone nearby. The Aurzen ZIP Pro can send audio to two compatible Bluetooth headphones simultaneously, so a couple can watch together while someone else sleeps. That said, built-in stereo speakers handle the evenings when keeping the volume private isn’t necessary.

There’s also something reassuringly direct about having controls on the object itself. A built-in touchscreen displays battery and connection information, keeping basic adjustments close at hand. The 38Wh battery is advertised to last up to 150 minutes in ECO mode, with runtime varying by settings and connected devices.

Aurzen ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle

Of course, practical gifts can still have a personality. The Aurzen ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle keeps the same projection capabilities, battery, and folding structure as the standard version. Its distinction is the artwork and additional accessories, including two custom shells for one projector. Someone choosing the bundle is choosing a different visual identity.

Basquiat’s Pez Dispenser brings a crowned dinosaur into the mix, while the other design draws on Untitled (1985). Their restless lines and layered colors interrupt the projector’s orderly geometry, giving the familiar shape a different character. For someone whose shelves already hold art books and expressive objects, that connection might feel more personal than another gadget trying very hard to look invisible.

The artwork follows the projector into the rest of the bundle. A custom GoPlay carrying case and lens-cleaning cloth carry the theme, while the MagPlay Pro and Z-Stand mounting suite adds placement options. Everything comes together in a special-edition gift box. It’s a coordinated set with jobs to do after the wrapping comes off, from carrying the projector to caring for it.

The standard Aurzen ZIP Pro has its own appeal, especially for someone who enjoys technology looking like technology. Its dark finish, vents, and small orange accents give the folding body a deliberate technical character. The foldable mechanism provides plenty of visual interest on a desk. That makes it an appealing fit for someone who prefers their gadgets a little more understated.

Once a movie ends, the projector can fold away again without leaving a permanent screen or stand to accommodate. That suits a bedroom that doubles as a workspace, or a traveler who doesn’t want entertainment tied to one room. The artwork can stay part of someone’s surroundings, while the next movie night can start with a suitable surface and a little rearranging.

Click Here to Buy Aurzen ZIP Pro: $629.99 | Click Here to Buy ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle: $679.99.

The post Aurzen ZIP Pro Puts a Foldable Projector and Basquiat Art on Your Holiday Gift List first appeared on Yanko Design.

Aurzen ZIP Pro Puts a Foldable Projector and Basquiat Art on Your Holiday Gift List

Posted on by

A projector that packs its own stand already makes a thoughtful gift for someone who’s always rearranging movie night. Aurzen’s ZIP Pro folds into a compact block, then opens into an adjustable, self-supporting setup. The standard version leans into its technical character, while the Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle adds artwork and coordinated accessories for someone with a more expressive streak.

The clever bit is that the stand doesn’t become another accessory to forget. Three connected sections fold into a Z-shaped support, letting you change the projection angle on a tabletop or nightstand. Folded, the projector is 1.73 inches thick and weighs about 1.29 pounds. That’s a manageable addition to a travel bag, especially when you aren’t also finding room for a separate stand.

Designer: Aurzen

Click Here to Buy Aurzen ZIP Pro: $629.99 | Click Here to Buy ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle: $679.99.

After a day of sightseeing, that could mean watching a movie without hunching over a phone. The Aurzen ZIP Pro uses native 1080p Full HD projection, with autofocus and four-point keystone correction to help sharpen and align the picture. Aurzen recommends a 60- to 80-inch image in dark surroundings. With a rated 200 ANSI lumens, drawing the curtains is very much part of the plan.

Gaming has a place here, too, especially when a handheld’s screen starts feeling a little cramped. USB-C video input connects compatible devices directly, provided both the device and cable support video transmission. Supported Nintendo Switch setups don’t need the usual dock, although you’ll still need a power adapter rated at 65W or higher through the projector’s USB-C PD charging input. That still leaves fewer pieces to arrange before the first round.

Sharing the screen doesn’t have to mean sharing the soundtrack with everyone nearby. The Aurzen ZIP Pro can send audio to two compatible Bluetooth headphones simultaneously, so a couple can watch together while someone else sleeps. That said, built-in stereo speakers handle the evenings when keeping the volume private isn’t necessary.

There’s also something reassuringly direct about having controls on the object itself. A built-in touchscreen displays battery and connection information, keeping basic adjustments close at hand. The 38Wh battery is advertised to last up to 150 minutes in ECO mode, with runtime varying by settings and connected devices.

Aurzen ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle

Of course, practical gifts can still have a personality. The Aurzen ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle keeps the same projection capabilities, battery, and folding structure as the standard version. Its distinction is the artwork and additional accessories, including two custom shells for one projector. Someone choosing the bundle is choosing a different visual identity.

Basquiat’s Pez Dispenser brings a crowned dinosaur into the mix, while the other design draws on Untitled (1985). Their restless lines and layered colors interrupt the projector’s orderly geometry, giving the familiar shape a different character. For someone whose shelves already hold art books and expressive objects, that connection might feel more personal than another gadget trying very hard to look invisible.

The artwork follows the projector into the rest of the bundle. A custom GoPlay carrying case and lens-cleaning cloth carry the theme, while the MagPlay Pro and Z-Stand mounting suite adds placement options. Everything comes together in a special-edition gift box. It’s a coordinated set with jobs to do after the wrapping comes off, from carrying the projector to caring for it.

The standard Aurzen ZIP Pro has its own appeal, especially for someone who enjoys technology looking like technology. Its dark finish, vents, and small orange accents give the folding body a deliberate technical character. The foldable mechanism provides plenty of visual interest on a desk. That makes it an appealing fit for someone who prefers their gadgets a little more understated.

Once a movie ends, the projector can fold away again without leaving a permanent screen or stand to accommodate. That suits a bedroom that doubles as a workspace, or a traveler who doesn’t want entertainment tied to one room. The artwork can stay part of someone’s surroundings, while the next movie night can start with a suitable surface and a little rearranging.

Click Here to Buy Aurzen ZIP Pro: $629.99 | Click Here to Buy ZIP Pro x Jean-Michel Basquiat Special Edition Bundle: $679.99.

The post Aurzen ZIP Pro Puts a Foldable Projector and Basquiat Art on Your Holiday Gift List first appeared on Yanko Design.

DA1 Camera Prints Photos to Give Away Without a Screen or App

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I take a lot of pictures wherever I go or even when I just stay at home and find something interesting I want to capture. While I do post a photo a day on social media and occasionally print photos for my journal, a lot of them don’t really make it out of the camera roll. Sometimes, having them just stay there in my phone’s storage defeats the purpose of capturing a moment. There are also moments when you want a tangible memory or something you can share with other people.

The DA1 Camera is an electronic instant-print camera that lets you take a picture, print out the photo on thermal paper from a roll, and keep it for your collection or hand it over to someone. It leaves out the screen, image gallery, and app-centered workflow to make taking and sharing photos a more immediate activity.

Designer: Twogather™

Analog instant cameras and hybrid digital cameras with printers already offer ways to enjoy printed photos. But the DA1 Camera skips the added steps of inspecting the photo on a screen after you take it and sometimes even editing it before you get a printout. Twogather’s idea is to turn the camera and the printing process into a tool for connecting people while giving you something tangible to keep.

This device could provide ready-made souvenirs during parties, family gatherings, journaling hangouts, or even just casual meetups with friends and strangers. There is even a Clear version that makes the mechanism part of the camera’s aesthetic, letting you see the internal components, circuitry, and printing assembly. The Neon version, meanwhile, offers a bolder look with its colorful exterior. Both have a rounded-square body and a prominent circular lens, so you don’t have to choose transparency to get that distinctive shape.

There are also accessories that give you different ways of using the camera. There’s a screw-on viewfinder in case you want help framing your photo, along with wrist and neck straps for additional carrying options. These aren’t all separate purchases: the advertised bundle includes a wrist strap, belt clip, viewfinder, and five color markers. The neck strap is sold separately. The markers let you draw and write on the black-and-white prints, giving you something else to do with the photos before keeping or sharing them.

The thermal printing process means there are no ink cartridges to replace, although you will still need paper refills. Twogather describes its paper as BPA-free and says each roll produces approximately 50 or more photos. That’s the manufacturer’s estimate, but it gives you a starting point when deciding how many extra rolls to bring to a gathering.

That simplicity does come with a trade-off. The brand describes DA1 as having “no memory,” so you shouldn’t approach it as a way to build a digital photo archive. Without a screen, you also lose the chance to check the shot before printing. Some people might find that frustrating, while others may appreciate having one less reason to keep retaking the same picture until everyone looks perfect. The official website lists the Neon version at $98 and the Clear version at $110, before applicable shipping and taxes. Both are offered for US preorder, with shipping promised for November 2026.

For someone like me, who already takes plenty of photos but doesn’t always do anything with them, the appeal is having a print before I can put off making one. I can imagine adding a handwritten note, slipping it into my journal, or giving it to the person beside me. Instead of promising to send a photo later, I could hand it over while we’re still together.

The post DA1 Camera Prints Photos to Give Away Without a Screen or App first appeared on Yanko Design.

Peak Design’s Charging Station Folds Flat to Charge Two Phones

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Charging a phone and a pair of earbuds is easy enough, but sharing that same stand with another phone is a different matter. Peak Design’s new Charging Station addresses that problem with two equally capable magnetic pads and a hinged arm. Stand it up beside your laptop, or lay it flat so two phones can recharge without competing for the better spot.

The shape is straightforward, with a narrow metal arm linking two rounded-square charging surfaces. Die-cast aluminum and zinc form the chassis, while the machined aluminum stem provides the moving structure. Laminated Clarino covers the pads, and a non-slip TPU foot sits underneath. Black and Moon finishes keep the color choices restrained, rather than turning your nightstand into a brightly branded electronics display.

Designer: Peak Design

Two hinges let you adjust the arm and upper pad separately, positioning a phone for a video call or a glance at your calendar. Magnetic attachment supports portrait and landscape orientations, so changing what you’re doing doesn’t require another stand. An earbud case can sit on the lower pad while the phone stays raised, keeping both devices within the same small desktop footprint.

The lower pad gets more interesting when you fold the station flat. Peak Design rates both Qi2.2 pads for up to 25W simultaneously, allowing two compatible phones to recharge at once without assigning one a slower accessory spot. That doesn’t mean every magnetically attached phone will receive 25W, though. The device’s own charging support still determines how much power it can accept.

That folding movement also changes how the charger travels. Packed flat, it measures 6.3 by 2.7 by 0.6 inches, with the arm tucked alongside the body instead of projecting into your bag. At 9.7 ounces, it still adds weight to a travel kit, but you aren’t packing a rigid desktop stand just to keep a phone propped up in a hotel room.

A separate USB-C output makes room for a third device, although this connection is wired. Its 7.5W output is suited to smaller accessories rather than replacing a laptop charger. A watch still needs its own charging cable or puck, so this isn’t a dedicated three-device wireless dock. It simply gives that extra cable somewhere to connect without occupying another outlet on the wall.

The $99.95 price also leaves out the wall adapter. Peak Design includes a fabric-wrapped USB-C cable rated for 100W, but specifies at least a 45W power supply to operate the station and 75W or more for maximum dual charging speed. That makes the adapter part of the buying decision, particularly if your existing charger is already committed to powering something else at home.

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Xbox Put a Working Series X Inside a Giant Fake Alligator

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Finding a place for a game console usually means clearing a shelf, not making room for a reptile. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X-BITE puts a working Series X inside an artificial alligator measuring more than five feet long. The one-off creation trades a discreet electronics box for something closer to a wildlife exhibit, complete with a controller between its teeth.

The alligator rests on slim posts above a rectangular, wood-grain base, with its legs hanging below and its tail curling toward the floor. Dark, ridged scales and a lighter belly give it the appearance of a mounted specimen. That familiar display format does much of the work, making the oversized enclosure feel deliberately theatrical rather than like an ordinary console wearing a novelty cover.

Designer: Microsoft (Xbox)

A raised section on its back interrupts those scales, with an illuminated Xbox Nexus symbol worked into the surface. It’s the clearest clue that the animal has supposedly swallowed something it shouldn’t. The branding stays small against the length of the body, allowing the fabrication to carry the joke before the glowing logo explains why there’s an alligator underneath your television in the first place.

The head gets a less subtle treatment. Xbox-green irises surround pupils shaped around the Nexus symbol, turning the creature’s stare into another brand reference. Between the open jaws sits a custom Xbox Wireless Controller with artificial bite marks. It gives the sculpture a little unfinished business, as though the console wasn’t quite enough of a meal and the accessories were next on the menu.

The commission went to creature-effects specialists, who used 3D modeling, sculpting, and fabrication to build the animal around the hardware. That process gives a promotional console the attention normally associated with a film prop. Florida supplied the inspiration, according to Xbox, although the animal itself is entirely artificial. No actual alligators were used or harmed in creating this unusually elaborate console enclosure.

For the person who eventually owns it, the obvious challenge is finding a suitable place to put it. More than five feet of reptile won’t disappear into the usual gap beside a television. Its long base asks for a substantial display surface, and the raised mounting makes the whole assembly something to plan a room around rather than tuck away.

There’s also a qualification behind the playable-console claim. Xbox says the Series X inside works, but its fine print recommends the finished creation for display. The announcement doesn’t explain ventilation, access to ports, or servicing inside the sculpted body. That leaves a distinction between functioning hardware and a practical replacement for the console you switch on every evening after work.

Only one Series X-BITE exists, and it’s being offered through a sweepstakes rather than a retail release. There isn’t a shelf price to weigh against a standard console or a choice of less toothy finishes. The appeal is owning the fabrication itself, with a working Xbox as its unlikely inhabitant. The controller has a home, provided you don’t mind the teeth.

The post Xbox Put a Working Series X Inside a Giant Fake Alligator first appeared on Yanko Design.

Buy the printer, make the presents: Snapmaker’s U1 drops to $699 for Black Friday

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The Snapmaker U1 drops to $699 this Black Friday, down 30% from its $999 list price, and it might be the smartest buy on your holiday list, mostly because it can make plenty of the gifts on it. The U1 is a four-toolhead 3D printer that prints in up to four colors or materials in a single go. That covers personalized ornaments, figurines, and fidget toys, all printed in multicolor on your desk. It ships with four spools of PLA and 30 ready-to-print models, so after unboxing and automatic calibration, you can print your first model on day one. A good chunk of your Christmas list, sorted.

Four-head printers are rare at this price. Tool changers like the Prusa XL have historically cost well north of $2,000. Snapmaker’s SnapSwap system keeps four print heads loaded and swaps between them in about five seconds, while single-nozzle setups like Bambu’s AMS flush filament at every color change. Fewer purges mean faster prints and, by Snapmaker’s count, up to 85% less wasted plastic. More than 20,000 Kickstarter backers already bought in, making the U1 the most-funded 3D printer campaign in the platform’s history, with now more than 150,000 users worldwide.

Designer: Snapmaker

Click Here to Buy Now: Black Friday Sale. Hurry, deal ends soon!

Five-Second Swaps and a Lot Less Printer Poop

Each of the U1’s four print heads sits docked and preheated with its own filament. When a print calls for a new color, the printer parks the active head and grabs the next one. A steel-ball coupling and a mechanical lock seat each head in the exact same spot every time, and Snapmaker says the mechanism survived over a million continuous swaps with zero mechanical failures. The printer then auto-calibrates all four heads to within 0.04mm (about 0.0016 inches) of each other. That keeps the white trim on a Santa hat right where it belongs.

Single-nozzle printers handle color changes by shoving the old filament out until the new one runs clean. Snapmaker pegs that process at roughly two minutes per swap, and on a busy multicolor model the purged plastic can outweigh the model itself. The U1 only purges small amounts at the start of a job and during calibration. Print a tray of four-color ornaments and those savings stack up fast, in both hours and filament. Your filament budget ends up on the tree instead of in the trash.

A Personalized Ornament, From Download to Gift Box

Four heads can hold four different materials as easily as four colors, so flexible TPU or dissolvable supports can share a print with rigid plastic. For most holiday gifts, though, four colors of PLA do the heavy lifting. Snapmaker’s Full Spectrum feature stretches that palette by stacking thin alternating layers of your four filaments, which your eye reads as new in-between shades. Results depend on the filament, the model’s shape, and your settings, so a quick test print helps. Load red, green, white, and gold, and you’ve basically got Christmas in a box.

Personalizing a gift takes about as much skill as sending a text. Open an ornament model in Snapmaker Orca, add a name with the slicer’s text tool, and assign one of your four colors to each part. A palm-sized ornament uses only a few grams of filament, so each one costs pocket change in plastic. Hit print, and the U1 handles every color swap on its own while you get on with your evening. Repeat for each name on your list, and nobody else at the party will show up with those.

Smart Enough for First-Timers, Cheap Enough for Black Friday

Snapmaker Space, the company’s model library (currently in open beta), offers ready-to-print multicolor models, so beginners can skip 3D modeling entirely. Auto bed leveling helps your first layer stick, and input shaping reduces vibration for smoother walls, with speeds topping out at 500mm/s (about 20 inches per second). Filament loads itself, RFID tags on Snapmaker spools fill in settings for you, and Backup Mode switches to a matching spool when one runs dry. A built-in camera with AI monitoring can flag spaghetti failures and ping your phone. Tinkerers get Klipper firmware and OrcaSlicer support.

Click Here to Buy Now: Black Friday Sale. Hurry, deal ends soon!

The post Buy the printer, make the presents: Snapmaker’s U1 drops to $699 for Black Friday first appeared on Yanko Design.