Repetitive daily tasks at a desk can often feel monotonous and uninspiring. Whether it’s answering emails, crunching numbers, or attending meetings, the routine nature of these activities can drain one’s enthusiasm. However, what if there was a way to instill some excitement and freshness into these mundane tasks? This is where Plat comes into play.
Plat cleverly blends everyday tasks with the art of cooking. Imagine the joy of preparing a delicious meal in your kitchen – the aroma of spices, the sizzle of sauce, and the warmth of the oven. Plat seamlessly incorporates these elements into desk-mounted products, bringing a breath of fresh air to the daily grind. I personally don’t really cook, but anything related to food would definitely excite me.
At the core of Plat’s design philosophy lies the fusion of familiarity and novelty. By infusing elements from the kitchen, such as the interaction of the opening water in the sink and the scent and light of the oven, Plat reconstructs them into innovative products that redefine the desk experience. The name “plat,” meaning “cooking” in French, perfectly encapsulates the brand’s identity and mission.
One of Plat’s standout features is its custom typography logo, inspired by the diverse shapes of kitchen cutlery. The logo’s geometric sans design blends soft and sharp edges, creating a cohesive and organized visual identity. Additionally, Plat’s graphic elements draw inspiration from common cooking experiences, simplifying forms such as sprayed sauce, stacked plates, and water vapor into sleek and functional designs.
Plat offers 2 desk products designed to enhance productivity and comfort.
1. Wireless Charging Dock:
This multifunctional cradle serves not only as a wireless charging station for smartphones but also as a trigger for initiating work sessions.
The interaction begins with the lifting of the cradle, which activates an ambient light, signaling the start of focused work. As the user settles into their tasks, the identity timer embedded within the interface architecture comes into play. Drawing inspiration from the gradual heat buildup in cooking, this timer employs color interactions that intensify over time, subtly guiding users to recognize the passage of time. It also has additional wired charging ports at the back with a loop to keep the cables safe from damage.
Moreover, Plat’s Wireless Charging Dock goes beyond mere functionality, offering efficient task management tools through its intuitive dashboard interface on the smartphone. Users can effortlessly track urgent goals and sub-tasks, monitor weekly work time and concentration levels, and access detailed analysis reports for insightful self-assessments. The inclusion of a storage box at the bottom ensures organizational ease, accommodating essentials such as pens, chargers, and stationery, while a charging inlet and cable loop prevent clutter and damage.
2. Desk Lighting:
In a nod to the comforting ambiance of a kitchen after a satisfying meal, Plat’s Desk Lighting draws inspiration from familiar culinary motifs. This innovative light fixture features upper indirect lighting that illuminates workspaces during task-oriented sessions. However, its functionality transcends mere illumination.
Upon completion of work time, the indirect lighting gently fades, signaling a transition to rest and relaxation. Simultaneously, a diffuser at the bottom releases subtle scents, evoking a sense of calm and prompting users to take much-needed breaks. Operational usability is paramount, with a labeled button allowing for easy brightness adjustment and a base that accommodates smaller items like phones or stationery.
The lighting fixture boasts 60-70 mini LED lights strategically spread across the top pallet, ensuring uniform illumination. Additionally, a connection inlet at the bottom ensures seamless integration with power sources, offering convenience and flexibility.
Wireless charging is finally becoming more common but despite the freedom from tangling cables that the technology offers, wireless chargers still have a few inconveniences, especially when it comes to aesthetics. Only a few of these products can be considered pleasing to look at, especially when mixed with the rest of your room decor. And they still have at least one cable snaking out of their bodies, which might be difficult to hide depending on where you place the chargers. In an ideal future, almost any flat surface can become a wireless charger, immediately juicing up your phone or device the moment you put it down, anywhere you put it down. Part of that future seems to already be here, with a creative wireless technology that can hide that wireless charging space inside stone countertops, seamlessly blending with your choice of interior design.
Wireless chargers remove the messy cables from the charging equation, but the current state of technology requires you to still make physical contact between the device and the surface of the charger. Add to that the hard requirements on materials for the surfaces of wireless chargers and you will find yourself with a few of these products scattered around your house, often sticking out like a sore thumb. Some designs are admittedly more elegant and stylish, but they still add to the visual baggage on what would be an otherwise pristine table or countertop.
FreePower is a technology that tries to offer the best of both worlds, combining the liberating convenience of wireless charging with a clean and unblemished tabletop surface. In a nutshell, it embeds the wireless charger inside the countertop, and not just any countertop, mind you. It is compatible with different stone materials, including quartz, granite, or even marble, materials you’d never think could be used for wireless chargers. Thanks to this innovative design, you don’t need to actually put a charging mat or stand on your kitchen countertop, side table, or bedside table, because the countertop itself is the wireless charger.
Of course, only a portion of the countertop actually functions as the wireless charging zone, but you don’t have to worry about ugly and conspicuous markings that ruin the aesthetic of your beautiful stone top. A customizable LED halo glows around the area where you can place your devices, and you can even turn this light off when it’s not in use. FreePower does even better than most wireless chargers because you can place your phone or earbuds anywhere within that zone, no need to perfectly align with markers.
FreePower is the latest in a growing number of designs that aim to integrate wireless charging technology into every surface inside your home, completely freeing you from unsightly cables. Of course, such a design is also less flexible in that you have very little choice when you want to change furniture or designs. You’ll have to hope there’s also an invisible wireless charger version available for that or else you’ll have to go back to old-school wireless charging mats.
Getting an iPhone 15 series smartphone brings with it the need to get those new-age accessories that make life a tad easier. A good example is the wireless charger that gets rid of any wire clutter and the freedom to charge multiple Apple devices at once. You have the option to choose from Apple’s inventory or go for the more modesty-priced, yet time-tested options from Belkin or Anker.
Also, you have the lure to choose from not-so-popular third-party Apple accessories makers who bring the latest in technology but are not 100 percent foolproof in their implementation of multi-device charging capabilities. This holds true, especially when you go beyond anything capable of charging two devices at once. 3-in-1 Magsafe wireless chargers to be precise.
Add to the mix of options the ability to completely fold down your Magsafe wireless charger and you’ve got yourself a utilitarian accessory that’s going to take care of juicing up every Apple gadget you own without having to worry about carrying it around. Sticking to the safer and more accepted tech trend of dual gadget wireless chargers is this Qi2 certified 2-in-1 wireless charger that folds down to a very compact size. I would even go to the extent of calling it a pocketable accessory.
This 15W Magsafe compatible concept iPhone 15 charger can orient in a laid down position or an alternate orientation where the phone can be set up in a portrait mode for productivity. Of course, the alternate pad can be used to charge your earbuds or Apple Watch in the laid-down position. While the 3-in-1 chargers give you the extra option of hanging the Watch in the third vertical slot, I would refrain from doing that, especially with kids around.
While still in the concept phase, the idea is interesting enough to be implemented by renowned accessories providers for the Apple ecosystem!
If anything, the AirPower Mat did manage to achieve one remarkable thing – it pushed the idea of having one wireless charging solution for all of Apple’s devices. The AirPower Mat may have failed in this particular venture, but it did lead to multiple third-party manufacturers making their own version of a 3-in-1 charger. Now, INVZI is showing that there’s a way to make them even better. With a shapeshifting design and a MagSafe feature to align your phone, the INVZI MagFree Transform is easily the most impressive 3-in-1 charger I’ve seen. Use it flat like a charging mat, or swivel its halves to turn it into a charging dock. The MagFree Transform also routes more power to your devices than traditional chargers, juicing their batteries faster… and the kicker, its $39 price tag makes it a whopping $110 cheaper than the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 3-in-1 charger that’s available on Apple’s own website.
The two simple ways to look at the MagFree Transform are as A. a flat charger that’s easy to carry, and B. a shapeshifting versatile charger that juices your iPhone, Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. Individually, those are great features. Together, however, they make a formidable combination that sets the MagFree Transform apart as a perfect pick for charging both at your table as well as on the go.
Perhaps the most noteworthy part of the MagFree Transform’s design is the swiveling detail that allows it to go from mat to stand in under a second. Relying on an angular cut and a swivel joint, the MagFree Transform gets its name from its ability to literally shapeshift between one of two formats. In the mat-shaped format, the charger lets you easily rest all your gadgets down on its horizontal surface, but swivel it into a dock and it puts your smartphone on display, allowing it to snap into place thanks to a MagSafe detail in the charging ring. Meanwhile, the AirPods and Watch charge at the back, away from your view. The MagSafe ring supports both vertical and horizontal docking methods (with the latter activating the iPhone’s StandBy always-on screen.
Convenience aside, the MagFree Transform also outputs a total of 23W across all its charging zones, helping ‘rapidly’ juice all your devices. The primary charging coil outputs 15W to charge your iPhone faster than traditional 7.5W or 10W wireless chargers, while the coil for the Apple Watch maxes out at 5W, and the AirPods coil at 3W. Sure, this doesn’t compare to the kind of fast-charging speeds offered by wired chargers, but for a sleek wireless charger, the MagFree Transform sits at the top of its ladder.
It can simultaneously charge three devices at the same time, whether in mat or standing mode. A USB-C port on the back lets you hook your MagFree Transform to any power source (like an outlet or a power bank) so you can charge anywhere, whether it’s on your workspace or at your bedside. Heck, at that $39 price point, I’d probably buy multiple units just to keep in different parts of my house. The only thing missing is a USB-C out that would allow you to connect your charger to an iPad or any other device for wired charging too. However, the MagFree Transform focuses strictly on wireless charging, which is a kind of commitment that I can respect.
The MagFree Transform supports Apple’s StandBy feature during charging.
Measuring 8 inches in length, 3.2 inches wide, and 0.59 inches thick, the MagFree Transform is just marginally bigger than a Plus/Max iPhone. It weighs a paltry 100 grams, making it incredibly easy to slip right into your bag or backpack to carry around with you, and comes in two color choices – white or black, with the ability to attach (and even swap) vegan leather veneers on top to cushion your gadgets and give the MagFree Transform a classy and distinct look.
Each MagFree Transform charger starts at a discounted $39, and also includes a 30W GaN charging brick along with a 3.3ft USB-C cable in the box. An additional $10 will either get you a soft-shell case to carry your charger and its accessories, or a set of those aforementioned vegan leather covers to customize your gadget. The MagFree Transform ships globally starting April 2024.
Wireless chargers are all the rage these days, taking on different shapes, sizes, and functions. Some are simple flat beds for your phone and accessories to lie on, while others raise the design a bit higher, literally, with stands that magnetically hold your devices up. The one common trait that these products have is that they mostly lean towards minimalist design trends, which is good for keeping a clean and tidy look but bad for missed opportunities. Minimalist or not, that wireless charger will still take up some space on your desk or shelf, so why not let it serve another purpose, like this rather simple yet elegant desk clock that does more than just charge your phone; it also tells you to take a break and charge yourself as well.
Although they still need to make contact with a flat surface, wireless chargers, especially the magnetic variety, opened up new possibilities for designs. No longer tied down by charging cables, the only limits are creativity, imagination, and, of course, the laws of physics and electronics. Transforming a charging pad into something that has use even when it’s not charging a phone is a smart way of making use of space, which is what Zenith tries to offer with a subtle spiritual purpose behind its design as well.
Even without a phone, Zenith already looks like a decorative piece that calls your attention not just to the actual clock but also to its design. The gentle curves of its body convey a more organic and less daunting image compared to something that looks completely angular and mechanical, like what many desk clocks look like. The translucent material makes the entire structure look ephemeral and almost mystical, adding to the spiritual character of the design.
The arch-shaped void at the bottom is where you will let your phone lie while it charges. The empty space is a perfect contrast to the roundness and whiteness of the clock above it. It’s a small version of a Yin Yang composition that further enhances the design’s otherworldly appeal. Zenith’s deeper message, however, goes beyond its aesthetic.
By combining a wireless charger with a timekeeping piece, people will be forced to look at the clock every time they lay down the phone to recharge. It visually nudges their mind to take stock of their own internal battery levels, giving them pause and practicing a little bit of mindfulness. With the clock positioned above the smartphone rather than the other way around, it gives a subtle reminder that time should have a higher importance in our lives than tools. It is the zenith, so to speak, that guides our lives, not the phones that, more often than not, send us on a downward spiral of distractions.
Wireless chargers are all the rage these days, taking on different shapes, sizes, and functions. Some are simple flat beds for your phone and accessories to lie on, while others raise the design a bit higher, literally, with stands that magnetically hold your devices up. The one common trait that these products have is that they mostly lean towards minimalist design trends, which is good for keeping a clean and tidy look but bad for missed opportunities. Minimalist or not, that wireless charger will still take up some space on your desk or shelf, so why not let it serve another purpose, like this rather simple yet elegant desk clock that does more than just charge your phone; it also tells you to take a break and charge yourself as well.
Although they still need to make contact with a flat surface, wireless chargers, especially the magnetic variety, opened up new possibilities for designs. No longer tied down by charging cables, the only limits are creativity, imagination, and, of course, the laws of physics and electronics. Transforming a charging pad into something that has use even when it’s not charging a phone is a smart way of making use of space, which is what Zenith tries to offer with a subtle spiritual purpose behind its design as well.
Even without a phone, Zenith already looks like a decorative piece that calls your attention not just to the actual clock but also to its design. The gentle curves of its body convey a more organic and less daunting image compared to something that looks completely angular and mechanical, like what many desk clocks look like. The translucent material makes the entire structure look ephemeral and almost mystical, adding to the spiritual character of the design.
The arch-shaped void at the bottom is where you will let your phone lie while it charges. The empty space is a perfect contrast to the roundness and whiteness of the clock above it. It’s a small version of a Yin Yang composition that further enhances the design’s otherworldly appeal. Zenith’s deeper message, however, goes beyond its aesthetic.
By combining a wireless charger with a timekeeping piece, people will be forced to look at the clock every time they lay down the phone to recharge. It visually nudges their mind to take stock of their own internal battery levels, giving them pause and practicing a little bit of mindfulness. With the clock positioned above the smartphone rather than the other way around, it gives a subtle reminder that time should have a higher importance in our lives than tools. It is the zenith, so to speak, that guides our lives, not the phones that, more often than not, send us on a downward spiral of distractions.
Apple’s MagSafe magnetic wireless charging technology has literally changed the face of charging accessories. Freed from the shackles of multiple cables, manufacturers have come up with creative designs that marry aesthetics and functionality in ways not possible before. And yes, there are even portable MagSafe chargers that let you bring that convenience anywhere you go. This category is still a bit young, and there haven’t been that many designs apart from foldable squares or small cubes. The latest entry from Twelve South, however, pushes the envelope of portable wireless chargers with a rather cute design that adds some unexpected functionality that you’ll come to appreciate, even if you can’t charge three devices all at once.
The Twelve South Butterfly is hardly what you’d expect to be a charger of any sort with its elegant circular design. Made from durable anodized aluminum on the outside, the Butterfly looks more like an accessory designed for MacBooks rather than a charger. Open up the two halves of the circle and you’re greeted with vegan leather material that’s meant to both add class to the product but also protect the devices you’ll be placing on top of them. These two halves are joined by a stylish leather strap to complete the rather posh picture that it paints.
Each half, of course, hides a wireless charger inside. One side can charge compatible iPhones with 15W power as well as AirPods with wireless charging cases. The other half holds a 5W Apple Watch Charger that can be flipped up to let you see the watch even while it’s charging. This Watch charger can also juice up the AirPods Pro 2nd gen so that you can charge it and an iPhone at the same time. Yes, this design’s biggest flaw is that it can only charge two devices simultaneously, though that might not be such a problem for most people.
The Twelve South Butterfly, however, has another secret feature. If you fold the halves in the opposite direction and make the outer covers touch, you can use the charger as a makeshift stand as well. This lets you activate the iPhone’s Standby mode or the Apple Watch’s Nightstand Mode without having to use a different accessory. Of course, you can also use this method to prop up the iPhone for watching videos and whatnot even if you won’t be charging it.
Twelve South packs a 30W power adapter in the box for good measure, but you can also use power banks for the ultimate portable charging experience. There’s a braided 1-meter USB-C cable that matches the charger’s elegant looks while also providing durability. The Twelve South Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger sells for $129.99 and definitely carries a design that matches that price tag.
For those of us who were already alive and aware when the original Macintosh made its bow on January 1984, seeing any vintage design that is inspired by this classic is always nostalgic. We’ve been seeing a resurgence of all kinds of vintage-inspired designs on more modern gadgets and devices to blend the old and the new. elago is one such brand that has been coming up with more nostalgic magsafe and old-school Mac inspired accessories to go together with your iPhones, AirPods, Apple Watch, etc. This latest one is sure to appeal to the classic Mac lovers.
The MagSafe MS M4 Charging Stand is a charging stand for your iPhone that brings back the classic retro design of the Macintosh. It also helps reduce clutter on your table when you need to juice up your smartphone and of course do it in nostalgic style. It is made from premium silicone so it should be able to protect your device from scratches and even the spot on the desk where you will be placing the charger. It also adds a grip to to the surface that it’s resting on and has ventilation holes so your device won’t overheat.
You will need to have your own MagSafe charger which will be attached to the charging stand which then allows you to attach your iPhone in place. As it’s charging, you will also be able to use it to take phone calls and do video calls as well. It is also compatible with the StandBy mode that turns your device into an ambient smart display if you’re already sporting iOS 17. It is compatible with the iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 series. If you’re not using the charging stand, it still looks cute sitting there on your table with the mini Macintosh design complete with the classic cursive “hello.” greeting.
The charging stand doesn’t have any other new additional feature aside from being a stand that charges your iPhone or a stand to hold your device if you’re using it for calls or video conferences. But if you’re looking for something cute and nostalgic, then it’s something that you’d want to add to your collection. And at just $28.99, it’s not that of an expensive addition.
Ever wanted to connect half a dozen things to your 2-port laptop? Or how about charging multiple devices at the same time without getting trapped in a tangle of cables? Do your neck and wrists ache whenever you use your laptop for hours on end? As powerful as our computers and smartphones might be, they don’t always have all the features you might want, at least not out of the box. Fortunately, there is a very large market for accessories and gadgets that provide these missing pieces, offering so many options that it can get overwhelming and confusing at times. To help you make better and smarter choices, we’ve gathered 10 of the best gadgets available that provide not only added value but clean and attractive designs that are sure to upgrade your Apple devices.
1. CASA Hub Stand Pro USB-C 6-in-1 Laptop Stand Hub
Laptops trade comfort for portability and are probably one of the biggest causes of computer-related injuries. Even disregarding the position of the keyboard, the laptop screen is never at a proper ergonomic height. The CASA Hub Stand Pro helps you keep a good posture without sacrificing your productivity, raising the laptop to a comfortable eye level. The adjustable height and 360-degree rotating base make it easy to switch viewing angles or share your screen, while a detachable 6-in-1 hub handles cable management whether you’re on your desk or on the go.
The CASA Hub Stand Pro adjustable laptop stand and its detachable multi-functional hub provide comfort, convenience, and flexibility in a sleek and space-efficient design.
What we like
Ergonomic adjustable height with a 360-degree rotating base
Detachable 6-in-1 USB-C hub includes 1000Mbps Ethernet and 4K HDMI ports
Sleek, durable, and thoughtful design
What we dislike
Portable but large size
2. Mag 3 Magnetic 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station
It’s not uncommon for people these days to own a smartphone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds, especially when they’re from Apple. That, unfortunately, means having to juggle at least three chargers, especially when you want to charge them at the same time. With the Mag 3 Foldable Charging Station, however, you really need only one, whether you’re charging just a single device or all three. Best of all, it folds up quite nicely so it doesn’t take up a lot of space, especially when you’re not using it.
The Mag 3 can charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, and then fold into a compact form to save space or carry with you anywhere.
What we like
Charge iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods at the same time with MagSafe tech
Compact, pocket-sized form when folded
What we dislike
Doesn’t open completely flat
3. iKlips C Lightning/USB-C Flash Drive
Even with Apple now fully embracing the USB-C standard, there are still plenty of devices out there using the company’s Lightning technology. With the iKlips C Flash Drive, you don’t have to sweat the details of what storage solution to use for which device and effortless switch between all of them using the same flash drive. And with the free iKlips mobile app, you can enjoy convenient features like automatic backups while charging or recording 4K videos directly onto the flash drive to save space on your iPhone.
The ultra-slim iKlips flash drive lets you easily share files between all kinds of devices, whether using Lightning or USB-C, and offers added features through the free iKlips app for iPhones and iPads.
What we like
Supports both Apple Lightning and USB-C devices
Auto-backup and direct video recording via iKlips app
What we dislike
Silicone cover is awkward and easy to lose
4. CASA Hub Pro Max 13-in-1 USB-C Hub
Super-slim laptops might look great, but their thin profiles come at the expense of some functionality. A very limited number of ports, most of them USB-C, cover just the basics but leave you hanging when you need more options. The CASA Hub Pro Max pulls out all the stops when it comes to connectivity, offering even a VGA port! Best of all, you only need a single USB-C Gen2 connection to your laptop for both data and power, simplifying cable management even further.
CASA Hub Pro Max offers all the connectivity options you’ll ever need in a single hub that requires a single USB-C cable to use.
What we like
13 connectivity ports including VGA, Ethernet, and data card readers
Supports up to 3 external displays
Sleek design, can be used as a laptop stand
What we dislike
Only works with USB-C Gen2 and requires 100W PD3.0 power input
5. Mag 4 GaN 30W 4-in-1 Power Charging Station
3-in-1 wireless chargers have now become more common, but many of these tend to sacrifice power output for the sake of convenience. The Mag 4 GaN charging station, in contrast, uses the latest charging technologies to deliver 30W of total power while still supporting simultaneous charging. In fact, it offers more ways to charge devices with its 20W USB-C and 18W USB-A outputs.
The Mag 4 offers the ultimate multi-device charging solution in a compact package and a distinctive adjustable angle design.
What we like
Supports wired and wireless charging, including 20W USB-C and 18W USB-A
Magnetic snap-on with adjustable angles lets you view your phone while charging
Utilizes GaN technology for fast and safe charging
What we dislike
Requires custom charging cable
6. EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter & Receiver
Headphone jacks might be gone from smartphones, but that doesn’t mean they’re gone forever. Unfortunately, it does mean that your only pair of wireless earbuds is pretty much useless for devices and sources that don’t support Bluetooth, like airline entertainment systems or older media players. With the ADAM elements EVE II, you don’t have to worry about your privacy, allowing you to connect wireless earphones and speakers to just about anything that has a headphone jack. Never miss out on in-flight entertainment ever again with the EVE II Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver.
EVE II is an ultra-compact, pocket-sized gadget that lets you connect various devices with a headphone jack to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
What we like
Dual foldable 3.5mm AUX plugs compatible with a variety of sources, including airline entertainment systems
Can pair with up to 2 Bluetooth earbuds at the same time
Easily switch between transmitter and receiver modes with a single button
What we dislike
Boxy shape might block nearby ports (ships with a 3.5mm adapter cable to address this problem)
7. OMNIA CX2 Magnetic Charging Car Mount
The majority of wireless chargers in the market presume that you’re either at home, in the office, or sitting down somewhere. The need to charge, however, can strike anywhere, even while you’re in a car. Of course, car chargers have existed for decades, but MagSafe car chargers still seem to be in their growing days. The OMNIA CX2 tries to prove that this design has finally matured, offering a simple yet elegant way to keep your phone topped up while navigating roads or listening to relaxing tunes.
The OMNIA CX2 Magnetic Car Mount offers a simple, safe, and stylish way to charge your phone on the go.
What we like
Built-in LED light increases visibility in the dark
360-degree head and metal telescopic hook offers stable, one-hand use
What we dislike
A bit bulky yet offers stable installation
8. OMNIA Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
Wireless charging stations are quite useful, but they only cover a small subset of things that you might need to charge. If you’re a lover of Apple’s gadgets, you’re likely to have more than just three types of devices. With the OMNIA Q5, you can expand that set to include an iPad and an Apple Pencil to cover all your bases. What’s even more interesting is that you can even remove the wireless charging pad and use it independently or put it to the side for a more spacious arrangement.
The OMNIA Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station welcomes iPad and Apple pencils to the fray, letting you charge all your Apple devices at the same time.
What we like
Modular phone charging pad can be used separately
Single power cable to charge 5 devices simultaneously, including an iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods, iPad up to 12.9 inches, and Apple Watch
What we dislike
Apple Watch charging pad can’t be folded down when not in use
9. OMNIA M3+ Magnetic 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station
Who says that wireless chargers all need to be rectangular or circular? The OMNIA M3+ definitely says it doesn’t have to be the case, especially with the likes of Apple MagSafe technology. Adopting a design similar to a tree branch or jewelry holder, this distinctive wireless charger holds your iPhone and Apple Watch up in the air, almost like magic.
The OMNIA M3+ eschews conventional wireless charger designs to deliver a product that is as beautiful as it is functional.
What we like
Unique stylish design
Qi Wireless Charging Base supports different wireless earbuds brands
What we dislike
Charging base doesn’t match the overall chrome-plated aesthetic
10. CASA Hub S USB-C 5-in-1 SSD Hub
USB-C hubs have become more common these days, but that doesn’t mean we’ve run out of ways to innovate on their designs and features. These gadgets are great for connecting laptops and phones to external devices, but they can also carry other functions to maximize the space they occupy. The CASA Hub S is an innovative twist on that design, integrating SSD storage so that it can function not just as a hub but as an external drive as well, which can be especially useful for Time Machine and iPhone 15 backups.
Working from home might no longer be a buzzword these days, but sitting down anywhere with your laptop has always been a thing even before 2020. That is also why there will always be a thriving market for accessories that help make working anywhere more pleasant, even if you don’t have all the comforts and conveniences that your office or home desk may offer. But if you can’t be at your desk, why not bring your desk with you? That’s the proposition that this slim and minimalist laptop sleeve tries to make, allowing you to set up your personal working zone anywhere while also letting your phone and earbuds charge as you type your way to productivity.
No matter how durable laptops may be, you are undoubtedly tempting fate if you don’t put some protection around it before you stash it in your bag or carry it in your hand. That’s especially true for laptops with elegant covers and finishes that will undoubtedly get scratched one way or another. A laptop sleeve is a simple yet effective solution to that problem, but it serves no function other than to take up space once you’ve started using the laptop.
NEXA is a laptop sleeve that offers value beyond just protecting your laptop, although it also does that well with multiple layers of protection for those heart-stopping accidental drops and bumps. Even with that kind of durability, however, the sleeve remains slim and sleek, sporting a vegan leather outer skin that gives it a stylish character even when it’s doing nothing. You might even be tempted to just carry your laptop by hand instead of putting it inside your bag, just to flaunt the beautiful sleeve that holds it.
NEXA’s function, however, doesn’t stop there. Once the laptop is out of the sleeve, you can rest it on the table and put your laptop on it, transforming it into a stylish desk mat not unlike what you might have on your desk. Not only does it give added protection to your laptop’s bottom, it also helps demarcate your working area, which is especially useful in public spaces. And whether you’re at your desk or outside, you can still use the sleeve in some manner, functioning as a large mouse pad for buttery smooth movement.
That’s not the end of its bag of tricks, though. The flap discreetly hides two wireless chargers, a 15W MagSafe-compatible one for phones and a 5W charger for earbuds like the Apple AirPods. All of these features come at no expense to the product’s simple and lightweight design, making the NEXA laptop sleeve a dream for laptop users who always find themselves settling down in coffee shops and public places to get work done.
PRO 3-in-1 charger that’s available on Apple’s own website.
