Author Archives: Gaurav Sood

Microsoft 365 Link mini PC streams Windows 11 from the cloud in a secure ecosystem

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Let’s be honest Windows 11 is not perfect, evolving at an agonizingly slow pace. This has pushed many power users down the Apple alley. The recently launched Mac Mini has a lot going in its favor, further creating a deep divide between the Microsoft and Apple options.

As a last-ditch effort to save the glitchy Windows 11 OS and very less options to choose from that bind the hardware and software for a seamless experience, Microsoft has introduced the Windows 365 Link mini PC strictly limited to cloud usage in a walled environment. The portable CPU is targeted towards big organizations and businesses who give a lot of weightage to security and keeping the working environment productive.

Designer: Microsoft

Targeted towards enterprise users

This is the world’s first dedicated “boot to cloud” device that runs Windows 11 OS via the Windows 365 link on the Windows 365 servers. Priced at $349 it is specifically designed to run Windows 365 Cloud PCs, and you need a Windows 365 subscription to get started. That adds another $28 to $315 per month. It’s still not clear whether the mini PC will get the extra perk of a subscription discount as a bundle, but we hope so.

The most popular option for employees is a $66 per month per user with applications including Microsoft Teams and browsers. Include the $349 hardware cost of the Windows mini PC and you’ve got a fat bill of $2,000 for a closed ecosystem with limited applications. Compare that to the $1,300 price tag for the 15-inch touchscreen Microsoft Surface Laptop powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip and having 256GB storage. Clearly, Microsoft’s compact PC is not targeted towards individual users, and in no way competes with Apple’s powerhouse mini PC.

Security takes center stage

This 120 x 120 x 30 mm desktop PC has a fanless design, and comes with a 3.5mm audio jack, three USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a single DisplayPort output. There’s one Ethernet port, WiFi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless connectivity. The mini PC is designed for specific requirements where workers need to be quickly rotated between workstations and securely access their files. This eliminates the hassle of configuring the user settings and saving time. Also, the PC is ideal for setups where cloud-based software and hardware integration takes precedence.

Windows 365 Link will be available for purchase in April 2025 – that’s a long way off. However, one can enroll for the preview program in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand. Interested users can join the program before December 15 with permission from the Microsoft account team.

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Pizza Hut’s 3D printed pizza warmer uses PS5 to keep slices warm while you play

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Pizza and gaming go together very well. But many of us often get lost in the game only to find the pizza slices hard and cold. The walk to the microwave in the kitchen can be a long one when you’re locked in the virtual tussle. This is when we want someone to go heat and give us a nice steaming pizza slice!

If you’re someone who owns a Play Station 5, your wish may just have been granted. Pizza Hut Canada has designed – at least given us the design – a PIZZAWRMR, that rests under a horizontally placed console and keeps the pizza inside of it warm by using the heat dissipated from the PS5. A nice warm pizza between games is not a dream anymore!

Designer: Pizza Hut

Gadgets – especially game consoles – can get really warm during long uninterrupted sessions. Loosely saying then, the PS5 could have enough heat emitted through its vents to keep a pizza hot. How hygienic is this option of heating the pizza, with the hot air released out of a device whose innards have not been cleaned for months, may be questionable; but between intense gaming sessions, who cares?

Pizza Hut Canada revealed the idea of the PIZZAWRMR on YouTube last month. At first sight of the promotional video, you can be led into believing that the pizza warmer can be brought off the shelf. However, that’s not how it is. The laptop-style warmer, with a flipping lid that reveals the pizza inside, has to be 3D printed. It’s not for sale, you get 3D printing files on the Hut website to download and then print the warmer yourself.

If you intend to give your 3D pizza warmer a try, Pizza Hut suggests you use food-safe PLA to print the parts. Since the pizza is going to rest inside this contraption you must avoid any plastic-related health concerns by not printing it from unsafe material. Be reminded that the PIZZAWRMR is only a promotional idea and not an officially licensed Sony product; printing it or using it close to the PS5’s exhaust should all be done with caution.

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DBrand Circuit Board Skins make your Gadgets Glow in the Dark when exposed to UV light

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Nothing has made see-through aesthetics for gadgets mainstream, and they are inspiring other bold brands to create transparent product lines that expose the internal components like complex circuitry. Another design variation that people swear by is glow-in-the-dark.

DBrand has brought its unique take on spicing up things for geeks obsessed with their gadgets. Using a unique process to 3D print skins that have a tactile feel and accurate representation of the internal components, they’ve released a series in collaboration with famous YouTuber LinusTechTips. These cool skins are available for devices like the iPhone 16 series, 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, flagship Galaxy devices, Pixel 9 series, Xbox Series X, and more.

Designer: DBrand

To maintain the authenticity of replicating complex innards on the surface of your gadgets, they hired PCB engineers to scrutinize every component. Pretty detailed this Circuit Board skin collection is, has to be said. The three-dimensional design gives each of these skins a slight texture, making this accessory hard to resist even though you might have used innumerable other options.

The patterns have been created prioritizing aesthetics over functionality, hence, they are accurate representations of printed circuit boards and not actual PCB mirrored from the device in question. It is a mosaic of elements like capacitors, resistors and traces. The brand does offer a more authentic PCB appearance with the X-Ray skins line, but we are already drooling over the glow-in-the-dark feature. This version is manufactured with high-performance phosphorescent vinyl which appears glowing green when exposed to UV light. In normal lighting, it appears in an off-white yellowish tint. DBrand is including a UV flashlight in the package for the first batch of orders.

If you are not a fan of the glow-in-the-dark feature, the Circuit Board skins can also be had in a triple black finish or orange-and-white design. In total this new line covers 741 different products, and the prices start from $40. For the initial period, a discount is also available, so you better buy it right away, if you’re totally into the idea.

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Fully-electric CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL makes pilotless take-off debut in Germany

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On the road to a future of aircrafts that consume lesser fuel, are low maintenance, and have no carbon emissions; electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles will play a significant role. Such aircrafts are in their infancy as of now, so the news of an eVTOL making its take-off debut in Germany is a big milestone.

The CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL which has begun its official flight test campaign in Donauwörth, Germany, made the first remarkable unmanned lift-off around November 6, 2024, at the said Airbus facility. Unveiled in March 2024, this fully-electric eVTOL is part of Airbus Helicopters Advanced Air Mobility mission to produce eVTOL personal air vehicles alongside, UTM services, and vertiports.

Desginer: Airbus CityAirbus

The news about the flight test and the debut take-off of the NextGen eVTOL was announced via X by Airbus Helicopters’ Bruno Even. In his post, the CEO wrote, “I’m happy to share that the #CityAirbus NextGen flight test campaign in Donauwörth, Germany has started with a first lift-off. A big thank you to all our teams who have contributed to this important step in the marathon that is Advanced Air Mobility.”

The eVTOL features a large 12-meter wingspan, the wings are fixed and its tail has a distinct V shape. The four-seater electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle prototype – with the seating capacity of one pilot and three passengers with their luggage – can cruise 80 km on a single charge at the speed of 120 kmph.

The aircraft is made from carbon fiber composite material that makes it robust and lightweight. It is propelled by eight electric-powered propellers as part of its distributed propulsion system, which along with other features would ensure it is not only used for private and commercial flying (as a heli taxi) but would also assist in medical use cases and the promotion of eco-tourism. Airbus suggests this is the first eVTOL in a series of prototype aircrafts the company intends to produce. With the advancement of battery density, such aircrafts would surely have a longer range and become a common sight over sprawling cities.

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This solar powered electric scooter is a cooler sibling of the Motocompo moped

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We’ve seen Motocompo knock-offs, personal electric commuters and cargo bikes that would put a four-wheeler to shame. This one by San Francisco-based company Otherlab is radically different though. Dubbed Lightfoot, the electric cargo scooter has built-in solar panels to employ limitless solar power to charge the in-built battery.

The electric scooter’s 120W solar panels sandwich the considerably large 45.2 L storage compartment which is big enough to store essentials like a backpack, grocery bags, books, or any other essentials. One of these panels is hinged to allow access to the inside compartment. This space is also used to conceal the UL-certified 1.1 kWh battery and the 600W on-board charger.

Designer: Otherlab

The padded seat on the bike is comfortable enough for a single rider, however, if a pillion needs to take the ride home that option is also open as the bike has footplates too. Lightfoot is powered by a couple of 750W brushless DC motors that generate 90Nm peak torque and hurl it to a top speed of 20 miles per hour. Whether it can scoot around medium-grade hilly terrain is still not clear, but based on specifications alone it should be able to do that. The motors are plugged into the 1.1kWh battery capable of having a 37-mile range on a single charge.

The solar panels charge up in broad sunlight to add around 3 miles with an hour of charge, and 18 miles on a full sunny day.  People who are heavy users will mostly rely on the wall plug charging option and the solar charge will be a bonus. The bike will be a good option for users who will use it for short trips to the supermarket or local metro station.

Otherlab has kept in mind the maintenance and repairability of the scooter at any service center or local garage since it comes with off-the-shelf components making up the functional parts of the ride. Another set of deal-making features are the one-year complete bike guarantee and two-year mechanical guarantee. To top it off you’ll also get the “ironclad buy-back guarantee” as the company is promising a buy-back option if the user is not satisfied with LIghtfoot. Interestingly the goofy little scooter will be available to buy in the US from January for a price of $4,995. We can expect it to make an appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

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Inspired by desert race, ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper is off-roading genius

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Most advancements happening in the camper industry, of late – directly or indirectly – hint at pushing the boundaries of off-road and off-grid camping. If it were true for the manufacturers in the US, the idea has touched an Australian builder most fiercely. Perhaps so much so that the Queensland-based Patriot Campers (a recognizable name I’m sure) has designed and developed the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition pop-up camper that blows the boundaries of off-road camping in desert dust.

Claimed to be the most advanced camper trailer in the world, the special edition ST5 Supertourer Finke is a premium (and feature-rich) variant of the standard version by the manufacturer. Its name is derived from Australia’s iconic Finke Desert Race and the construction is apt to overcome the most challenging terrains.

Designer: Patriot Campers

The special Finke edition doesn’t borrow the name for the heck of it. In fact, the brains behind Patriot Campers have been involved in the namesake off-road racing for over a decade. The new camper is therefore a consortium of their learning from the extensive involvement in off-roading competition and touring expertise. The wholesome rig with all its merits was launched by Patriot Campers at the 2024 SEMA automotive show in Las Vegas.

The ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition camper is a versatile living quarter on the road with robust riding antics and lightweight body parts. The camper is built with a combination of composite and structural aluminum and has a black canvas pop-out roof. The exterior pops with the green and white color scheme, carbon fiber decals, bronze-colored wheels and 35-in mud tires. The sports car-esque interior equipped with black Alcantara and green upholstery strikes plush at first sight. Carbon fiber table and benchtops in the living area, and bronze basin tap in the bathroom complete the look.

With what you get, the ST5 Supertourer Finke Edition is not any ordinary camping trailer. Hybrid by virtue, it complements performance and comfort and is designed thoroughly for off-road adventures with a Trinamic suspension system and 17-in rims featuring Method Wheels’s beadgrip technology for lowering tire pressures while negotiating rough terrains. The exterior of the camper makes more living space with an awning on either side, while a pull-out kitchen facilitates cooking savory meals where your journey takes you.

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Satechi Mini NVMe SSD Enclosure is a pocket-friendly storage solution for power users

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Tech and lifestyle brand Satechi has just announced new gadgets for content creators and power users who need something more than a USB drive. These include the Mini NVMe SSD and a couple of Mobile XR Hubs to solve your portable storage and power requirements.

The Mobile XR Hub with Audio and the Mobile XR Hub with microSD are compatible with iPhone, laptop and Switch. This saves the user from straining about battery drain. These gadgets come with the option of choosing between 3.5mm audio support or a microSD port for importing files.

Designer: Satechi

Our main focus is the Mini NVMe SSD which is no bigger than a matchbox. The compact little gadget makes use of Gen 2 USB-C technology for a seamless data transfer speed compared to a SATA SSD. There’s an option to choose your preferred storage with the swappable SSD design that accepts 2TB of storage capacity. The enclosure comes with a write lock to prevent any accidental deletion of data. This maintains the data integrity during transfers and also protects against malware. For iPhone users, it has an interesting feature of capturing Apple ProRes Log files straight onto your iPhone 15 or higher version.

The essential accessory for content creators and geeky nerds comes in an aluminum frame which is lightweight, scratch-resistant courtesy tempered glass plus protection and has chamfered edges. It has a braided USB-C lanyard cable to hook onto your backpack or keychain. Another added feature important for power users is the built-in cooling fan.

This utilitarian pocket-friendly storage tool has excellent build quality and is very convenient to use. Perhaps a very nice gift for your geeky pal this holiday season coming in at $60.  The Mobile XR Hub with Audio and the Mobile XR Hub with microSD priced at $50 each are also good options if your budget is a little strained.

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Nike Unveils 3D printed Air Max 1000 that reimagines Air Max 1 in red laceless silhouette

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Nike seems to be on a roll, innovating beyond the obvious territories. After its collaborative Monopoly Game Set with Hasbro, the Swoosh brand is now teaming up with German shoe company, Zellerfeld, to give its original Air Max a 3D printed makeover in a vibrant red laceless design.

Nike Air Max 1 originally designed by Tinker Hatfield has always had a special place in our hearts for the incredible future-forward design. Easily the greatest sneaker, the Air Max is now a revolution, which has come a long way since its inception with continuous air technology innovations with every new release. This time it’s not the sole or regular manufacturing, in fact, it’s the entire thought of the shoe that will rock the show at ComplexCon 2024.

Designer: Nike

Zellerfeld founded in 2015, is a shoe company that specializes in 3D-printing thoughtful designs. Nike collaborated with the German outfit to delve into Air Max legacy and bring out a 3D-printed re-imagination that would launch at the ComlexCon on November 16 and 17, 2024. The groundbreaking rendition of the iconic Air Max 1, the Nike Air Max 1000, showcases the evolution of air technology along with new manufacturing techniques.

This combination of Air and 3D printing creates an engaging underfoot experience that according to the design team produces “the same comfort and responsiveness” of the original silhouette. At the foundation of this new creation of course is Nike’s obsession with cushioning besides that Air band and the mudguard wave make apparent nuances that tag the 3D printed version to the original.

The wavy lines forming the mudguard and the air unit in the heel do not make the Air Max 1000 much different, but the sneaker’s laceless design truly propels it into a new fan category – delightfully pleasing in a bright red colorway. The blend of smooth and textured print in the upper half of the AM 1000, goes well with the single Swoosh banding and the carved outsole. There is no word on the price, but I believe, the sneaker is worth whatever it comes for!

 

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America’s best-selling cargo e-bike arrives with advanced features at same affordable price

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Cargo e-bikes are built for convenience and functionality. Whether it’s carrying your child back from school; taking pet to the vet; picking groceries from the store; or hauling hard coolers to the camp; cargo e-bike will help you with all of that effortlessly. And who knows it better than Lectric? After the successful run of their XPedition, dubbed the most popular cargo eBike in America, Lectric eBikes has unveiled the XPedition 2.0, which it hails as the most advanced cargo bike yet!

Arriving with advanced features and an all-new design, the XPedition 2.0 by the Phoenix-based electric bike company is priced the same as the original XPedition at $1,399 and is now available for pre-order. When the prices of electric bikes are shooting through the roof and every new addition arrives with a steeper price tag, staying true to the cost and stuffing the bike with better looks and features, Lectric has pulled off a remarkable customer-winning move.

Designer: Lectric

Undeniably, the price is the most interesting aspect of this new release, but its reworked versatility to benefit a larger span of riders is more inspiring. “The XPedition has been the best-selling and most successful cargo eBike in the industry since its debut, and that’s due to its unmatched combination of performance and value,” CEO Levi Conlow informed. “With the XPedition 2.0, we’re doubling down on that commitment. Even in a year when many eBike prices have gone up, we’re delivering significant upgrades without increasing the price—something we believe will only amplify the continued success of this eBike.”

The XPedition 2.0 with its new aluminum frame and an extended wheelbase for carrying cargo more safely, arrives with the same 750W M24 hub motor in the rear which peaks at over 1,310 watts with a payload capacity of up to 450 lb as in the original. It now is upgraded with a torque sensor to deliver an all-new pedal assist experience: it produces 85 Nm torque and pedal assist of up to 28mph.

Featuring a rear rack in the redesigned frame with updated tubing, the XPedition 2.0 can carry just about any cargo or an extra passenger. The 35Ah battery – compatible with a 5-amp fast charger – ensures over 170 miles of range and the adjustable dual-spring 50mm front suspension fork makes travel smooth over street bumps. Interestingly, Lectric provides the new XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes in three options and two colorways: Single 13Ah battery model for $1,399, dual 13Ah battery model for $1,699, and the dual 17.5Ah battery model for $1,999. All three come in Raindrop Blue and Stratus White colors with integrated hydraulic disc brakes, color LCD display, turn signal lights, and an extra-wide dual-leg kickstand for safer parking.

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Move over Dyson Supersonic, a transparent Nothing hair dryer is here to steal the closet space

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Carl Pei is making strong inroads into the consumer electronics and gadgets space with the smartphone and earbuds that have improved a lot from the inaugural versions when the company was launched. The Nothing Ear (a) has been topping the charts of budget earbuds that punch way above their weight, competing with the more premium options.

While the brand is keeping its portfolio strongly knitted in the gadget ecosystem (and I presume it’ll stay that way for a long time) a designer has envisioned a Nothing hair dryer that’ll have you looking your best with that luscious mane. Since this is one personal care accessory that you keep always handy, it better be stylish. So, what better than the Nothing’s see-through persona?

Designer: Will Parsons

Nothing is all about monochrome colors in a transparent aesthetic with a dash of signature red. Will has emulated those elements with perfection in this concept design that might not be an official product in the brand’s line-up, still, it could inspire a knock-off version in the big marketplace. The tasteful housing showing off the internal components is complemented by the glyph interface around the power and speed buttons. This glyph interface also indicates the charge levels of the hairdryer. The curvaceous design of the motor housing with the stainless steel inlets adds an industrial design element to the mix.

As per Will the Nothing hair dryer is fully ambidextrous and makes use of a centrifugal fan setup to suck air through the rear intake. This cools down the battery before flowing through the front heating element. The placement of the fan allows for a more slimmer look that other dryers which is a huge advantage.

While Dyson currently owns the closet space with options like Supersonic, this hair dryer is nothing less than impressive. It gives off the vibe of a classic muscle car modded to add more firepower under the hood and visual beef with the curves at the right places.

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