SanDisk Just Made USB Drives Look Like Whistles and Crayons

Posted on 08/01/2026 by Ida Torres

Remember when USB flash drives were just boring little rectangles you’d inevitably lose in your bag? The younger ones who have gotten used to cloud storage or just sending files on messaging services probably don’t even know what flash drives are. Over the last years, they haven’t really been relevant or needed or even interesting especially since they just practically look the same.

Well, SanDisk just tossed that playbook out the window. The storage giant is bringing some serious whimsy to the tech world with two collections that prove functional doesn’t have to mean forgettable. I haven’t used flash drives for some time now but seeing these new designs makes me want to get them and think about what I should actually store in them. Or maybe I can even just get them as a bag charm if I don’t really need them.

Designer: Sandisk

First up is something that’ll have soccer fans doing a double-take. SanDisk has launched an officially licensed FIFA World Cup 2026 collection, and the star of the lineup is a USB-C flash drive shaped like a referee’s whistle. Yes, you read that right. These aren’t just novelty items either. They pack up to 128GB of storage and boast speeds of up to 300MB/s, so you can actually use them to store all those nail-biting match moments and victory celebrations.

The FIFA collection comes in multiple editions celebrating the three host countries: USA, Canada, and Mexico, plus a Global Edition and a premium Gold Edition. Each design draws inspiration from the unique culture of its respective country, turning these drives into collectible pieces that go beyond basic storage. It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder why more tech companies aren’t having this much fun with their products.

But SanDisk didn’t stop at sports memorabilia. They’ve also teamed up with Crayola to create something that might just be even more delightful: crayon-shaped USB-C flash drives. And we’re not talking about generic crayon shapes here. These drives come in actual Crayola colors with real names like Mango Tango, Cerulean Blue, Electric Lime, and Vivid Violet.

The Crayola collaboration is particularly clever because it bridges the gap between nostalgia and practicality. These adorable drives offer up to 256GB of storage, making them perfect for students, creatives, or anyone who wants their tech to spark a little joy. The drives even come with a three-month subscription to the Crayola Create & Play app and access to Crayola Thinking Sheets, which adds an extra layer of value beyond the hardware itself.

What’s fascinating about both collections is how they challenge the notion that tech needs to look “professional” or minimalist to be taken seriously. There’s been this long-standing assumption in the tech industry that sleek, understated design is the only way forward. But SanDisk is betting that people actually want products that reflect their personalities and interests.

The whistle-shaped FIFA drives are particularly genius from a design standpoint. They come with a lanyard attachment, so you can literally wear them around your neck at matches or viewing parties. It’s functional (you won’t lose it), thematic (referees wear whistles), and conversation-starting all at once. That’s the kind of thoughtful design that makes products memorable.

Similarly, the Crayola drives tap into something deeper than just aesthetics. Crayons represent creativity, childhood wonder, and the freedom to express yourself. By transforming that iconic shape into a storage device, SanDisk is sending a message: your digital creations deserve the same colorful treatment as your physical ones.

Both collections also demonstrate smart licensing partnerships. FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, and Crayola is an instantly recognizable brand with nearly universal positive associations. These aren’t random collaborations. They’re strategic moves that connect technology with cultural moments and beloved brands. From a practical standpoint, these drives deliver the specs you’d expect from SanDisk. USB-C connectivity means they work seamlessly with modern devices, from smartphones to laptops. The SanDisk Memory Zone app makes organizing and backing up files straightforward. They’re real, functional products that just happen to look fantastic on your desk or in your pocket.

The post SanDisk Just Made USB Drives Look Like Whistles and Crayons first appeared on Yanko Design.

CES 2026: The Tone Outdoors T1 solved the biggest problem with leaf blowers

Posted on 07/01/2026 by Billy Steele

Every fall, dozens of maple and oak trees in my neighborhood shed their leaves. Thus begins the constant drone of gas-powered leaf blowers every day through early December. The noise is by far the most annoying thing about these yard tools, but I can appreciate it’s a necessary evil — unless you prefer to pick up a blister-inducing rake.

Whisper Aero argues there’s a better way. The company is using aerospace tech to quiet the noisy devices, introducing the T1 leaf blower at CES 2026 under its sub-brand Tone Outdoors. The company promises the T1 is 80 percent quieter and 60 percent more powerful than “leading” handheld gas leaf blowers. More specifically, the T1 has 880 CFM of air flow, which easily surpasses my battery-powered EGO. And at 52 decibels of average noise at peak volume, his model is drastically quieter than any leaf blower I’ve used. I was able to confirm its lower roar on the CES show floor.

Tone says the T1 also offers extended run time of up to 50 minutes on a charge in Eco mode. That too is greater than what I get on my mid-grade EGO. What’s more, the company plans to sell a battery backpack that will extend any clean-up sessions for several hours. The T1 also has a built-in LED “nightlight” so you can still use it after dark. And since it’s quieter than what you have now, you can do so without annoying your neighbors.

So, how does Whisper Aero achieve this? The company originally set out to devise a quieter solution for electric aerospace motors. Its engineers discovered that they could dramatically reduce noise and increase overall efficiency by redesigning the fan and motor. They're still pursuing that, but the company discovered its technology had other uses too.

The T1 is already available for preorder for $599 and it’s scheduled to ship in September. If you don’t care for the standard green color, you can spend another $100 for limited edition “Silence Is Golden” version. The battery backpack won’t arrive until Q1 2027 though (price TBD). Tone also says it has additional models in the works and it has a partnership with Stanley Black and Decker that will likely produce additional products with this tech on board.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/ces-2026-the-tone-outdoors-t1-solved-the-biggest-problem-with-leaf-blowers-234309500.html?src=rss

Dreame Kosmera Nebula 1 electric supercar concept has serious ambitions

Posted on 07/01/2026 by Gaurav Sood

Dreame is better known for its vacuum cleaners, but the Chinese company surprised everyone at CES 2026 with an electric car. Created under the new sub brand, Kosmera, the EV had a good first impression at the mega event. Called the Kosmera Nebula 1, the four-door electric supercar concept produces 1,876 hp courtesy of the quad-motor electric drivetrain rated at a combined 1,399 kilowatts. The company says the performance car goes from zero to 62 mph in just 1.8 seconds, which is better than the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. That signifies a serious horizon for the brand’s automotive future.

Aerodynamics and active airflow are the talking points as Nebula 1 boasts large dual-layer cooling vents on both sides. The front bumper also gets the flow channels to redirect the air flow to the sides for reduced drag and improved performance. The car has hidden door handles, a full-width taillight design, an oversized diffuser, and a rear spoiler to explain the buzz around it.

Designer: Dreame

The hypercar-level performance stats of the EV signal serious ambitions for the company, as they look beyond just household tech. Success in high-end mobility demands a cohesion of design, performance, and appeal. Nebula 1 seems to have it all, with founder Yu Hao confident of competing with the big names like Bugatti and Rolls-Royce. Earlier in August, the brand hinted at their automotive ambitions with hints pointing to a Bugatti-inspired design. The final concept revealed at CES 2026 confirms otherwise with a more streamlined shape.

Kosmera Nebula 1 turned eyeballs at the event in green skin complemented by the extensive carbon fiber trim all across the body. The front section resembles Italian supercars as the low-scooping hood cements the powerful character. Pillars are also made out of carbon fiber to reiterate the performance-centered approach in the build. The rear balances the look with the flowing roofline, full-width taillights, and dual-layer diffuser.

Not much was revealed about the interiors, and we’ll have more in the coming months. The company is targeting a global market release in 2027 as they’ve plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Berlin. So far, they are intent on partnering with French banking giant BNP Paribas to build the factory, which will apparently not be far from Tesla’s Gigafactory.

The post Dreame Kosmera Nebula 1 electric supercar concept has serious ambitions first appeared on Yanko Design.

JPMorgan Chase is taking over the Apple Card

Posted on 07/01/2026 by Anna Washenko

Apple announced today JPMorgan Chase will be the new issuer for the Apple Card. The official news arrived shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that the two businesses had reached a deal regarding Apple's credit card service. According to the tech company, the transition to the new provider should take about two years to complete, but customers can continue to use their Apple Cards as usual during the interim. Apple has already published an FAQ about the change, but the main takeaway is that the status quo is currently continuing and customers will receive information at a later date if any action is required. Mastercard will remain the Apple Card payment network under the new partnership.

Goldman Sachs was Apple's collaborator when it launched the Apple Card in 2019. We've seen signs for a few years, though, that Goldman Sachs had been looking for a way out of its arrangement. Apple didn't disclose many details around either the current or future deals for its credit card, however the WSJ report claims the negotiations with JPMorgan Chase have been underway for more than a year. Sources told the publication that Goldman Sachs is offloading about $20 billion in outstanding customer balances at a discount of more than $1 billion.