Tag Archives: metal

Awekeys Full Metal Keycaps Set Turns Any Mechanical Keyboard Into a Design Object

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If you’re the type of person who uses computers all day, then you’re likely to appreciate how the quality of a keyboard can make or break the experience. It isn’t just about key travel, switches, or responsiveness, though those are definitely critical elements of a good keyboard. The design of the keycaps themselves can affect the joy of typing, whether it’s through the texture your fingers feel or the aesthetics that delight your eyes. Off-the-shelf keyboards, including mechanical ones, tend to come with uninspiring keycaps that only jump to life when the RGB lighting kicks in. Thankfully, there are keyboards that let you switch out keycaps, and this full set of metal keycaps brings tactile and visual joy that raises your keyboard experience, whether you’re an avid gamer, a professional writer, or simply someone who loves a good-looking mechanical keyboard.

Designer: Awekeys

Click Here to Buy Now: $178.2 to $ 329.4 $198 to $366 (Use coupon code “YANKO” to get 10% off across all color and finish). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

The majority of keyboard keycaps are made of plastic for cost-effectiveness, including those on mechanical keyboards despite their metallic keypress sounds. Metal, after all, is harder to work with than plastic, a bit more expensive to produce, but also undeniably more premium in their appearance. A full set of metal keycaps has always been a keyboard enthusiast’s dream, and Awekeys is only too eager to finally make that dream come true in a very satisfying and sustainable way. Teaming up with world-renowned custom premium keyboard vendors, Awekeys is offering a luxurious way to turn your favorite mechanical keyboard into a work of art.

Each key in this set is made from recycled metal, giving discarded materials new life and minimizing the harmful impact of manufacturing processes on the environment. Products made from recycled materials may have some negative connotations when it comes to quality and durability, but Awekeys’ advanced full CNC machining system ensures that these metal keycaps can resist wear and tear and stand the test of time. This meticulous crafting process enables the creation of intricate designs and outstanding textures, demonstrating the attention lavished on keycaps that will always be under your fingers and within your sight.

The result is a set of metal keys that look exquisite and feel just as luxurious, delivering a typing experience unlike any other. There are various customization options available as well, from matte or glossy finishes to a variety of colors that match your style. Of course, if you’re getting metal keycaps, you might as well embrace a metallic aesthetic, and the Gold, Silver, Copper, and Titanium colorways showcase this property the best. The keycaps are given an extra splash of nano coating to prevent the development of a patina that, while aesthetic on other products, could look unappealing on a keyboard. Whether using a homogenous set or a combination of different colors, your keyboard transforms into a boast-worthy design object that adds value to your desk, even when not in use. To further drive home that image, Awekeys has even collaborated with independent designers to create accent keycaps featuring unique artworks.

The Awekeys metal keycaps set isn’t just about the looks either, as it also enhances the typing experience thanks to its very nature. The metal keycaps add some weight that increases stability and responsiveness, giving not just gamers but also writers and programmers an edge. Compatible with MX-style switches and stabilizers with adjustable stems, these metal keycaps are easy to pull out and plug in, making even the installation process enjoyable. Offered on a first-come, first-served basis, this premium keycap set adds a different kind of excitement to owning an exclusive designer item that truly sets your keyboard apart from the rest. Stylish and sustainable, these metal keycaps can change the way you look at and use your humble keyboard. So give your mechanical keyboard an upgrade with the Awekeys Full Metal Keycaps Set and enjoy a whole new level of typing.

Click Here to Buy Now: $178.2 to $ 329.4 $198 to $366 (Use coupon code “YANKO” to get 10% off across all color and finish). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!

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This innovative welder delivers a simple yet powerful tool for novices and experts alike

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Not all repairs can be handled by adhesives, and not all artistic creations can be made using a 3D printer. Whether you’re repairing a motorbike, designing a piece of furniture, or giving birth to your next metallic masterpiece, you will undoubtedly need a welder, a tool whose sheer power and complexity fazes even the most seasoned worker, let alone beginners and hobbyists. With today’s technologies and design expertise, that shouldn’t be the case anymore, and the YesWelder Firstess DP200 offers a multi-process MIG welder whose simple controls belie its superior capabilities. Mend those metal fences and assemble that metal sculpture with this simple yet ample welder that will satisfy both greenhorns and pros.

Designer: YesWelder

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $699 (42% off). Hurry, only 137/1480 left! Raised over $1.5 million.

Welding is one of those fascinating aspects of metalwork that feels like you’re playing with fire, and quite literally, too. Electric arc welding has made it easier and safer, but the process is still daunting and possibly frightening for a beginner. Add to that the fact that welders are literally complex machines, and you’ve got a situation that stumps not just novices but even experts.

Enter the YesWelder Firstess DP200, a multi-process MIG welder that gets with the times to offer an unbeatable mix of easy-to-use controls and powerful features. Designed to make welding less daunting, simpler, and more fun, the DP200 puts the power you need behind a system that gets you up and running in no time flat, letting you start welding anytime and even anywhere.

Users will fall in love with the large 7-inch screen that can be easily seen from multiple angles. With a high level of brightness, it brings clear visibility even in dark environments. That means you’ll be able to see the welder’s important information even when sparks are flying all around. The Firstess DP200 offers intelligent settings recommendations and cautions, guiding welders through some of the more mundane aspects of the process. With a USB-C port, the machine’s software can be easily updated with bug fixes and features based on user feedback, keeping the smart welder alive and usable for a very long time.

The Firstess DP200 also has plenty of features to woo more seasoned craftsmen as well. The Pulse MIG and DualPulse™ MIG welding delivers low spatter and minimal heat buildup, making it easy to work with ultra-thin materials, including aluminum. At the same time, the Flux-cored welding also makes it suitable for thicker materials, while Lift TIG, which can also be controlled by a foot pedal, and Stick welding offer even more flexibility, allowing the DP200 to handle any welding material, need, or environment. And with dual-volt support, the Firstess DP200 is ready for use anywhere in the world and in any location, whether you’re at home or in a workshop.

With a welder, safety is just as critical as the output, and YesWelder doesn’t disappoint here either. Even before you begin welding, the machine does a 10-second self-check to make sure it’s in good working condition. Dual high-speed fans ensure it’s only the metal that melts under extreme heat, not the welder. Convenient and easy to use, powerful and adaptable to any welding use case, and, best of all, accessible to all kinds of users, the YesWelder Firstess DP200 lets you elevate your craft to the next level, making repairs and metalwork a cinch.

Click Here to Buy Now: $399 $699 (42% off). Hurry, only 137/1480 left! Raised over $1.5 million.

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OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Game-Changer with Metal Unibody Design

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PROS:


  • Stunning metal unibody design

  • Alert slider

  • Impressive battery performance

  • Long-term support package

  • Fast 100W wired fast charging capability

CONS:


  • No wireless charging

  • Modest 8MP ultrawide camera

  • Limited availability

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

Whether for its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, or rapid charging capabilities, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers great value for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience.

Positioning itself as OnePlus’s midrange smartphone, each iteration of the Nord series has delivered great value, balancing price and performance. However, design has often taken a back seat in OnePlus’s Nord lineup, where aesthetics have been serviceable but not standout. With the latest Nord series, this perception is set to change. The company took on a great design challenge in the era of 5G – OnePlus is bringing back metal and went with a metal unibody design with Nord 4.

In terms of specifications, the OnePlus Nord 4 features a 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with Ultra HDR support, a dual camera system, a 5,500 mAh battery with 100W wired charging capability, and is powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset. Is the Nord 4 merely a visually appealing device, or does it offer substance beneath its sleek exterior? We put the phone to the test to uncover the answer.

Designer: OnePlus

Aesthetics

Being the only metal unibody 5G smartphone, according to OnePlus, Nord 4 has a captivating aesthetics. Metal back panels have been more common in the past, but they have become increasingly rare due to the adoption of 5G technology, which requires materials that do not interfere with reception. This shift has led to the predominance of materials like glass, plastic, ceramic, and vegan leather for back panels. OnePlus, with its “Never Settle” spirit, has boldly challenged this norm and created a metal unibody 5G phone by introducing a unique antenna arrangement and U-shaped antenna positioned at the bottom of the device.

The phone is offered in three color options: Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, and Oasis Green. Each variant showcases a distinctive two-tone design on the back panel, with a glossy plastic covering the upper quarter and a metal lower three-quarters. The plastic section accommodates two horizontally arranged circular cameras and two vertically aligned LED flashlights.

We received the device in Mercurial Silver, and it is one of the most aesthetically pleasing smartphones I’ve ever held so far. The silver variant features beautiful diagonal patterns that create an illusion of depth on the metal section of the back panel, accentuated by a shiny OnePlus logo at the center. According to OnePlus, each Mercurial Silver rear casing goes through a meticulous process with over 28,000 nano-laser cuts, which takes about 12 minutes to finish. The resulting silky texture of the back panel not only delights the eyes but also offers a pleasing tactile experience. While the metal unibody made from aluminum remains largely free of fingerprints, the glossy plastic part is more prone to smudges.

The Obsidian Midnight variant features a brushed gunmetal finish, while the Oasis Green variant pays homage to the OnePlus community’s favorite OnePlus Nord LE design. Whether you opt for Mercurial Silver, Obsidian Midnight, or Oasis Green, you are set to be impressed with Nord 4’s aesthetics.

Ergonomics

Thanks to the metal unibody design, the Nord 4 showcases excellent build quality and feels premium to hold. By seamlessly integrating the sides with the back, the design eliminates any awkward transitions combined with the curved back edge design, ensuring that the phone sits comfortably in the palm.

Being the thinnest Nord ever, the device measures 162.6mm x 75.0mm x 8.9mm. At 199.5g, it’s not the lightest phone, yet its balanced weight distribution ensures it feels comfortable to hold without being overly heavy. The slim profile and well-distributed weight, along with the textured back panel, offer a reassuring feel in hand.

However, the same cannot be said when it comes to unlocking the phone with the fingerprint. The placement of the under-display fingerprint reader is close to the bottom edge of the screen, meaning you need to extend your thumb and probably reposition your grip. Fortunately, the device also supports face recognition for unlocking the phone.

As for the placement of buttons and whatnot, the right side of the phone houses the power button along with the volume rockers on top of it. On the left side, you will find OnePlus’s familiar Alert Slider. The top of the phone houses the earpiece that doubles as a speaker and IR-blaster while the bottom houses the dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C port, and speaker.

Performance

Out of the box, the OnePlus Nord 4 runs on OxygenOS 14.1 based on Android 14. Powered by Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 paired with 8, 12, or 16GB of LPDDRX 5 RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, the phone can handle tasks smoothly even graphic intense mobile games as you’d expect from OnePlus phones.

Nord 4 packs a massive 5,500 mAh battery, and its performance is admirable. It can easily last a day even under heavy use. The charging speed is fast with 100W SuperVOOC charging support. According to OnePlus, with 100 W SuperVOOC the empty 5,500 mAh battery can be charged to full in 28 minutes. It’s worth noting that the SuperVOOC charger brick is not included with the phone, so to take advantage of this rapid charging capability, you’ll need to purchase a 100W SuperVOOC charger separately.

Nord 4 sports two cameras on its back and a front-facing camera on the top center of the screen. The main 50MP uses a 1/1.95-inch Sony LYT-600 sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS. The ultrawide is a modest 8MP camera using Sony IMX355 with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and an f/2.2 aperture. And, the front-facing camera is a 16MP camera using Sony IMX 471 with a 1/3.0-inch sensor, f/2.4 aperture, and autofocus capability.

The daylight shots captured with the main camera are pretty good, producing sharp and detailed images. The photos with 2x zoom are also good, sadly the photos beyond 2x zoom, the image quality diminishes, making them barely usable. In low-light conditions, the Night mode automatically kicks in which can be inconvenient, but it takes pretty nice images. The photos taken with the ultrawide camera are satisfactory, though they tend to lean towards warmer tones.

The main can take 4k 60fps videos while the ultrawide camera and front-facing camera are limited to 1080p at 30fps. The 4k videos taken with the main under poorly lit conditions came out surprisingly well.

The 6.74-inch AMOLED display with 450 PPI is bright and vibrant. With AquaTouch technology implemented, drops of water on the display won’t be an issue when using the phone.

Sustainability/Repairability

Known for its durability, the phone made out of metal should withstand long periods of usage and tough handling. Additionally, the phone is IP65 rated, so it is fully protected against dust and can survive water splashes. On the software front, OnePlus offers its longest-ever support with four years of Android updates and six years of security updates for the Nord 4. Complementing its durable build and IP rating, the Nord 4 is certified TUV SUD Fluency 72 Month A, promising sustained performance even after six years of heavy use. With rugged hardware, assured sustained performance, and long-term software support, OnePlus ensures that users can enjoy this gorgeous device for years to come.

However, the metal unibody design may pose challenges for repairability, particularly when it comes to replacing the battery, as it typically requires opening the back panel, which is integrated due to the unibody construction.

Value

The OnePlus Nord 4 is priced competitively starting at 499 Euros (approximately $545), making it a compelling choice in the fiercely competitive midrange smartphone market. While it may not boast the best camera capabilities within its segment, the Nord 4 excels in achieving a fine balance between price and performance. Its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, and rapid charging capabilities are standout features that add to its allure.

In a landscape where midrange options abound, the Nord 4 stands out for its blend of affordability and functionality. Despite its competitive price point, it doesn’t compromise on key aspects such as design appeal, enduring battery performance, and swift charging speeds. These attributes make the Nord 4 a noteworthy contender for anyone seeking a stylish and efficient smartphone without breaking the bank.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 4 exemplifies OnePlus’s commitment to delivering exceptional value in the midrange smartphone market. With each iteration of the Nord series, OnePlus has consistently balanced price and performance, and the Nord 4 is no exception. Unlike its predecessors, the Nord 4 marks a significant shift by reintroducing a metal unibody design, setting it apart in the 5G era with a blend of durability and aesthetic appeal.

Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, a vibrant 6.74-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with Ultra HDR support, and a robust camera setup. While its main 50MP camera produces sharp daylight shots and capable low-light images with Night mode, there are limitations with zoom photography and ultrawide shots tend to lean towards warmer tones. Nevertheless, its performance is bolstered by a substantial 5,500 mAh battery and blazing-fast 100W SuperVOOC charging, ensuring long-lasting power and quick refueling.

Whether for its striking aesthetics, impressive battery life, or rapid charging capabilities, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers great value for users seeking a reliable and feature-rich smartphone experience.

The post OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Game-Changer with Metal Unibody Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

OnePlus Nord 4 Design Story: Metal Unibody for an Emotional, Burdenless Experience

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With the way how cameras on the back of the phones seem to be dancing around, or how every new model has some innovative glass-etching process, you’d think that the smartphone design field is bursting with activity and changing at every turn. You’d be partially correct, at least if only external appearances are concerned. In one important aspect, however, phone design has somewhat stayed still, held back by the demands of technology. Phones these days are either made up of glass and plastic covers on top of metal or plastic frames, with all-metal designs almost just a footnote in history. As one that never settles for anything less, OnePlus embarked on a bold and ambitious quest to design the first and so far only 5G phone with a metal unibody, a journey that took them back not only through the history of smartphone design but also through the history of human innovation.

Designer: OnePlus

Mobile Innovation, Material Stagnation

It wasn’t always the case that smartphones had a singular formula when it came to materials. It wasn’t too long ago that OnePlus itself launched a metal unibody design in the form of the 2017 OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T. Since then, however, smartphones have moved to those glass-metal or plastic sandwiches and there hasn’t been a full unibody design ever since. Ironically, the reason for that is one of the biggest innovations in the mobile industry: 5G networks.

OnePlus 5

OnePlus 5T

The speed and power of 5G placed heavier demands not just on hardware but also on design, specifically on how radio waves are transmitted through the phone’s body. Wireless signals already have a difficult time passing through metal, and even more so for 5G, forcing phone designers to either have plastic strips on the frame’s edges or simply ditch the all-metal design altogether. Unfortunately, it almost seems as if the industry as a whole is no longer interested in solving this puzzle, but OnePlus has risen to the challenge to provide its loyal users with a no-compromise option that will speak to their hearts through their fingers.

Metal Matters

Since the beginning of human history, especially when it came to trade, metal has played an important role not just in building up civilization but also as a symbol of prestige and luxury. Metal has always had this dual character of being a durable and malleable worker’s tool as well as a premium material for jewelry, decorations, and art. It is this long history that has endeared French designer Mathieu Lehanneur to metal. Famed for his nature-inspired metal-based works, Lehanneur was chosen to design the distinctive Paris 2024 Olympic Torch, perfectly symbolizing not only the aspirations of the Olympics itself but also the poetry in nature found in this year’s location for the event.

Mathieu Lehanneur, Designer of the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch

“I love materials that get their own history,” says Lehanneur as he explains his fascination with metal, “and metal’s history actually starts from the Earth, from the very planet itself. At the same time, it is also a part of human invention and skill, thanks to its ability to be transformed. I love the flexibility of the material, being able to create something that appears like a single piece of metal, a unibody design like the Olympic torch.”

It is that same trait that has allowed OnePlus to craft a seamless and unified metal shell for its latest design, the OnePlus Nord 4. The material delivers a lustrous look and a premium feel, something that users today are craving more than just features and specs. More importantly, however, this metal unibody design was made to address the flaws and concerns that smartphone makers have with mixing the material and current technologies, opening the door to fresh new designs that go beyond limitations imposed by hardware.

OnePlus Nord 4: Metal for the 5G Era

Choosing metal for the new Nord was both logical yet also difficult. It presented an opportunity to uplift the user experience but also put hurdles that needed to be sufficiently overcome lest it actually become a burden to that same user experience. Fortunately, the creative minds over at the OnePlus Industrial Design Studio got together to solve these issues to deliver a fashionable product without compromises.

Ryan Ruan, Head of OnePlus Industrial Design Center, shares the many challenges the team had to face and eventually solved to create the OnePlus Nord 4. In the early stages of the design, it was already clear that the higher thermal conductivity of metal would be a concern. “That’s why we chose the power-efficient (Qualcomm) Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 and designed a heat dissipation system that uses 17,900 sq. mm. of high-density crystalline graphene and a steel vapor chamber to ensure that even in extreme temperatures, the phone can still operate normally,” the designer explains. This serves to minimize the impact of heat on the metal surface and keep the phone performing optimally.

Wireless charging is another feature that is absent on phones with metal covers, and, unfortunately, there is still no way around this limitation. That said, the desire for this feature is more of a symptom of a much deeper cause. “Ultimately, users are pursuing high charging efficiency and a better user experience overall. Wireless charging is just one of the solutions, but we provide another solution,” according to Ruan. That solution is the OnePlus Nord 4’s extra-large 5,500 mAh battery and super-fast 100W SuperVOOC charging, minimizing not only the charging time but also the number of times you even need to charge the phone.

As for that tricky 5G antenna problem? OnePlus re-designed the phone’s internals to not only maximize battery space but also improve the signal strength. More importantly, the new U-shaped antenna design at the bottom of the internal chassis ensures that there is no degradation of wireless signals when you hold the phone at the sides with the so-called “Death Grip.” In other words, there will never be a wrong way to hold the Nord 4.

The Future of Burdenless Design

“When you choose a device, a product, or an art piece, it’s not only a question of specs or functionality but also a question of emotion, what you can feel from an object,” says Lehanneur. This relationship between object and person is especially true with today’s smartphone users who no longer pick just from a list of features but based on, as the designer describes it, “a question of how you want to be part of this object and how you want it to be a part of your life.” In that regard, Lehanneur expressed his delight in the Nord 4’s metal unibody design, and not just because it was made of metal. The Mercurial Silver colorway, in particular, has this visual effect where you can feel a relief or embossed surface even when there’s none. Lehanneur compares it to the “guillochage” design of luxury watches that provide beautiful visual and tactile experiences in a simple yet striking manner.

It’s a kind of detail that isn’t lost on OnePlus users who Ruan describes as “very playful, very young, and very personalized, pursuing designs where they can express themselves.” That is why early on, OnePlus designers decided to have a very different metal unibody design for the Nord 4 that distinguishes it from the 4G era OnePlus 5 and 5T. The dual-tone design of this generation’s “Nordtones” expresses that spirit of dynamism and vibrancy, while still trying to appeal to a broad range of tastes. It allows the Nord 4 to establish an emotional connection with users and allow them to express themselves in more unique and personalized ways.

A metal unibody is definitely a bold design to use for a phone, but it’s one that looks to the past glories of smartphone history while also safeguarding its future. “Metal is probably one of the most sustainable materials because it can live endlessly,” says Lehanneur. Unlike plastic that loses a part of its substance every time it’s recycled, metal can be recycled again and again. The recycled metal used in the Paris Olympic Torch, for example, could have very well come from a car in the past. In a way, that is also one way that metal carries its history, creating an interesting narrative with each lifetime.

In the same vein, metal wasn’t just a material choice for OnePlus but a representation of the brand’s design philosophy and ideals. “OnePlus is founded on the belief that while form should always perform a function, good design is what ultimately defines the user experience,” says Ruan. Choosing a metal unibody design, despite its numerous challenges, demonstrates the battle cry that launched OnePlus into stardom: Never Settle. “Our aim is to always strike the ideal balance between modern, elegant design and fast, smooth performance while providing users with a burdenless experience.”

Be sure to look out for our review of the OnePlus Nord 4 that will cover not just the design but also the overall value of this bold metal unibody phone.

The post OnePlus Nord 4 Design Story: Metal Unibody for an Emotional, Burdenless Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

8BitDo SN30 Pro Gold and Silver controllers are as heavy as they look

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It seems that we’re seeing a rather curious design trend in the gaming market. Once filled with plastic-encrusted designs, there are a few coming out with more stylish cases, be it for the device itself or for its accessories. Analogue just recently launched its CNC aluminum limited edition Pocket, but 8BitDo was actually a few steps ahead of it. Although one’s eleventh anniversary isn’t actually associated with metal (it’s Turquoise, by the way), the famed maker of throwback controllers released metal versions of its widely popular SN30 Pro, giving fans of the brand a collectible they can actually use and, in case of an emergency, even throw like a deadly weapon.

Designer: 8BitDo

Game controllers are made to be light enough not to cause hand strain but still have enough weight to feel substantial and improve gameplay. Gamers have come to expect that bulkier controllers that follow the Xbox and PlayStation designs would be heavier than most, especially controllers that are patterned after the designs of yesteryears. Not so this variant of the SN30 Pro, itself designed after the super lightweight Super Nintendo gamepad, mostly because most of its body is made of metal.

The Gold and Silver editions of the SN30 Pro aren’t just cheap paint jobs, though you might be forgiven for making that presumption given the resemblance to powder-coated metallic paint. It’s true metal, or as 8BitDo calls it, metal zinc alloy, and it’s used not just for the main body but for almost every part visible to the eyes. That includes buttons, triggers, and, yes, even the joysticks. The gold edition gets a matte paint finish while the silver version undergoes electroplating. The cables aren’t metal, though, which is probably for the best.

More than just visual oddities, the SN30 Pro Gold/Silver Edition controllers also have one other advantage over their plasticky older siblings. They’re built to last, at least more than the common controller, as metal will not warp or deform over time. It’s also less likely to crack when accidentally dropped, though you might dent this here and there. And drop it you might indeed, given how heavy it is 381g. For comparison, the normal SN30 Pro weighs a mere 114g and even the Xbox Wireless Controller is just around 287g.

Not all that glitters is gold, as they say, and despite the luster and heft of these limited edition controllers, their feature set might leave gamers sorely disappointed. They’re definitely more like functional collectors’ editions rather than serious gaming weapons (unless you throw it like one), and the $99.99 price tag definitely cements, or rather forges, that image.

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Ultra-minimalist clipboard made from a sheet of metal has a built-in light

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You’ve probably had your share of seeing articles, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts about beautifully crafted notebooks and journals. Despite the prevalence of smartphones, computers, and digital devices, there is still a very strong culture around paper notebooks and the tools that support their use. That said, notebooks aren’t the only medium for this kind of creative activity, and loose-leaf paper has some benefits as well, at least as long as you have a way of keeping them together or writing on them on a flat surface. This extremely simple clipboard offers that kind of experience for artists, architects, and engineers, and it even adds a feature you’ve probably never seen on any clipboard before.

Designer: Studio SHFT

Clipboards have been around for decades, maybe even centuries, but very few people actually give them a second thought. You’d usually see them in offices, store rooms, or even on the field to hold a few sheets of paper together, mostly checklists or forms to be filled while standing up. Unfortunately, that underestimates the utility of this tool, and this all-metal clipboard demonstrates how you can take advantage of its features with a few ingenious design details.

The most striking thing about the FOLD B is that it’s made from a single sheet of stainless steel. Although most clipboards are often made with plastic, cardboard, or even cork, a steel one isn’t at all unheard of yet extremely rare. Even rarer is the fact that it’s really just one flat sheet of metal, without even a clip to keep paper in place.

That function is instead delegated to two small cylindrical magnets that are strong enough to hold the paper down, though probably only a single sheet as well. The idea is to use the clipboard not as an organizer for loose-leaf paper but as a drawing board or canvas. You place a sheet of paper, “pin” it down with those two magnets, and start drawing, drafting, or writing to your heart’s content. The clipboard’s elevated rear drives home the fact that it’s really made for this kind of use case.

While it doesn’t have a paper clip, The one thing that does protrude from the top of the clipboard is a small rechargeable lamp. This assists the user to keep on working even in darker spaces, though it’s still better to have a properly lit environment anyway. This lamp is connected to the clipboard with screws, so it’s completely possible to remove it if you feel that it hinders rather than helps. Curiously, this built-in lighting also opens the design to more uses, like a guest book or a menu holder for restaurants.

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Wedged-shaped full metal keyboard is inspired by the Flatiron NYC landmark

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Computer keyboards are designed for utility primarily, with aesthetics often coming in second place if at all. Considering its purpose, that’s not exactly puzzling, but there are thankfully fresh new designs that are giving keyboards more refreshing visuals without changing the standard formula in any way. There are, however, also bolder attempts at carving a completely different character for the humble keyboard, without losing any of its functionality, of course, creating a product that is as much a work of art as it is a piece of engineering. One such piece is this all-metal “Icebreaker” keyboard, presenting a rather radical approach that aims for maximum impact by distilling the design down to its bare essentials, resulting in an almost brutalist form that takes its cues from that iconic steel-framed building in New York City.

Designer: Denis Agarkov (Serene.Industries)

The earliest computer keyboards came with a chunky wedge shape, not for the sake of appearances but almost out of necessity. It offered a naturally inclined plane that was more ergonomic than typing on a flat surface, although the designers of that period may have not been completely cognizant of that. It’s a design convention that today’s keyboards implement using foldable stands in order to accommodate varying user preferences as well as sleeker styles and thinner profiles.

The Icebreaker, in contrast, is unapologetic in embracing that wedge shape and does so in an almost extreme way. It’s actually more of a triangle than a wedge, with the angle facing the user presenting an edge that looks sharp enough to chop wood or even break ice, hence the name. The inclined plane naturally forces your hands to type at a fixed angle, but unlike the first keyboards of old, the design comes with built-in wrist support. When viewed from certain angles, like when the keyboard stands upright on one of its sides, it resembles the Fuller “Flatiron” Building in New York, a piece of architecture that is famed for its unusual shape that represents a cast-iron clothes iron.

Just like that building, or perhaps even more so, the entire keyboard is machined from aluminum, including the keycaps. Unlike your typical keycaps, these are completely concave circles. Even more interesting, the marks on the keys aren’t in the middle but are off to the corners, created using 300-micron micro-perforations. There are no other markings on the keyboard, no color or even backlighting, giving it an industrial aesthetic that borders on brutalism because of its raw, full metal appearance.

Of course, The Icebreaker isn’t just for show and it actually has one feature not found on most keyboards. There’s a programmable dial off the left of the keyboard, a useful tool for creators who constantly scroll through menus and options. It’s definitely an interesting piece of computer equipment, at least visually. Its actual usability and ergonomics, however, are still to be judged when the product actually becomes available for purchase.

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Discover Your Poetic Journey Through Time With Calen-bar

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In a world characterized by the ceaseless march of technology, the Calen-Bar emerges as a distinctive and poetic tribute to time, seamlessly blending aesthetics, mindfulness, and sustainability. This perpetual calendar transcends the conventional, inviting users into a realm where the manual meets the meaningful, where every little act becomes a marker of eternal days.

Designer: Yukimasa Hirota

Crafted with precision and an eye for detail, the Calen-Bar is more than a tool; it is an experience. The inclusion of a metal weight introduces a tactile elegance, grounding the calendar in substance and texture. As fingers delicately adjust the rubber band to align with the current date, a connection is forged with the tangible passage of time. This manual engagement elevates the daily routine of checking dates into a ritual of reflection, ensuring that each day is not just observed but remembered, retrospectively embraced, and seized.

Positioned thoughtfully at the right end of the material rotation, the day of the week becomes a subtle but integral part of Calen-Bar’s design. As the material gracefully turns, it serves as a visual reminder that time, like the calendar itself, is in perpetual motion. This dynamic element adds a layer of continuity, urging users to appreciate the cyclical nature of days and the interconnected dance of weeks and months.

In a society racing against the clock, the Calen-Bar offers a respite from the relentless pace of technology. It is not a mere tool for making remarks or planning; rather, it is a sanctuary of poetic and aesthetic value. By embracing the manual nature of this calendar, users are prompted to engage in the deliberate act of adjusting dates, fostering a connection with time that transcends the digital coldness of screens and alarms.

Beyond its aesthetic charm, the Calen-Bar boasts a commendable sustainable aspect in its design. In a world inundated with disposable calendars, this perpetual masterpiece breaks the cycle. By omitting the mention of the year, it becomes a timeless companion, allowing users to reuse it year after year. The absence of a predefined year, while potentially leaving room for miscalculations, is a deliberate compromise in the pursuit of sustainability. In an age where ecological considerations are paramount, the Calen-Bar offers a meaningful alternative, prompting users to embrace the beauty of imperfection and intentional living.

While the manual adjustment may invite occasional errors, the Calen-Bar gracefully acknowledges the digital age, leaving room for users to cross-verify dates with their devices. This harmonious integration of analog charm and digital precision ensures that the Calen-Bar is not just a relic of the past but a versatile companion for the present and future.

In essence, the Calen-Bar is a testament to the enduring allure of simplicity, mindfulness, and sustainability. As we navigate the fast-paced currents of modern life, this perpetual calendar stands as a reminder to savor the little moments, to mark the eternal days not just in our lives but in the products that accompany us on this journey. It is a celebration of time, a fusion of elegance and purpose that invites us to comprehend the lost moments, appreciate the present, and embrace the time that is yet to come.

The post Discover Your Poetic Journey Through Time With Calen-bar first appeared on Yanko Design.

Portable Battery-free iPhone Speaker for Immersive Music Anywhere

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The ubiquity of smartphones has made these communication tools the perfect portable media players as well, allowing owners to enjoy their tunes, podcasts, and even videos at any given time or place. But while smartphones are great for private listening, even the most powerful smartphone speakers have limits, especially once the sound starts to distort at maximum volumes. Speakers can help spread the sound, but only as much and as far as their batteries or power cords take them. This distinctive smartphone speaker, in contrast, harnesses the laws of physics to take your tunes farther and immerse you and your friends in moving sounds, all without using any power and looking quite handsome to boot!

Designer: Ooi Masato of Pit-A-Pat for Shimawa

Click Here to Buy Now: $152 $179 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Holiday Sale ends in 24 hours!

At one point in time, there was a breed of speakers that boasted requiring no electricity, no batteries, and absolutely no power at all to operate. These accessories acted as echo chambers to naturally amplify sounds, offering a simple and sustainable option to common speakers. Most of these, however, used plastic or at most wood to avoid the effects of vibrations, leaving their aesthetics and textures much to be desired.

The speaker is an innovative and unique take on this kind of no-power smartphone speaker that, unlike the rest of its kin, uses metal to offer a product whose value goes beyond its function. It uses Duralumin, a type of aluminum alloy that’s used in the aviation and aerospace industries because of its vibration-resistant properties and durability. Thanks to this, all you need to do is insert your smartphone into the speaker and feel the sound envelope you from all sides.

The choice of metal for this speaker’s material also gives the battery-free speaker a unique aesthetic you’d be hard-pressed to find in similar products. With a minimalist and retro industrial style, the speaker adds some character to any surface or space it is placed on. This elegant design is achieved through the use of the famed golden ratio to create a more natural proportion of the form’s shapes, particularly the different sizes of the speaker holes. Whether standing on its own or holding your smartphone, the speaker easily grabs your attention without being dominating or distracting.

And if you want to give the speaker a little more oomph, figuratively and literally, there are custom accessories you can screw into the holes to tweak the experience a bit. Reminiscent of airplane engines, Jet focuses and delivers sound in the direction the attachments are facing. Bloom, on the other hand, diffuses sound along the curves that try to resemble a blooming flower. Enjoy an immersive audio experience with this electricity-free smartphone speaker that requires no power to use and looks captivating anywhere you place it.

Click Here to Buy Now: $152 $179 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, Holiday Sale ends in 24 hours!

The post Portable Battery-free iPhone Speaker for Immersive Music Anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

0.25 oz Spork Perfect for Outdoor Enthusiasts Seeking Lightweight Gear

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It has become trendier these days to pack your meals when you’re going out, whether to eat lunch in the office or to enjoy a brief excursion. It’s not always a positive experience, though, and not just because of the food preparation but also because of the tableware you have to bring. There’s a specific class of utensils designed to be carried around, but many of them are either too heavy or even too flimsy. And then there’s the fact that most of these come as a set that you bring with you all the time, and if you lose one, the rest become almost unusable. The 0.25 oz Aero Spork was designed precisely to address those concerns, combining an innovative design and expert craftsmanship to deliver the one cutlery to rule them all.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $20 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 24 hours!

Although most indoor cutlery is made from metal, there is a wider variety of those that are designed to travel with you, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Plastic utensils are lightweight but easy to break, while metal is durable but heavy. Some try to have very thin bodies to offset that weight, but they end up making your hands feel cramped after a while. They also mostly come as a set, at most a pair of a spoon and a fork, but you’ll be left at a disadvantage when you lose one or the other. Of course, sporks exist to combine those two into one, but the vast majority of them are more cumbersome to use than they’re worth.

This lightweight metal spork, in contrast, was meticulously designed to give your hands a break while you’re taking your lunch break. At only 0.25oz (7g), you can hardly feel its weight so your hand won’t feel strained the more you enjoy your meal. Being lightweight, however, doesn’t mean it’s fragile. With a special anodized aluminum exoskeleton, it remains tough as nails and ready to scoop up or pierce through food.

The spork’s design might strike one as odd, but it wasn’t made on a whim nor is it purely aesthetic. Inspired by the curved plate structure used in architecture like the Sydney Opera House, the spork gains a body that is both lightweight and surprisingly strong. The wide and curved handle is also designed for ergonomics, allowing your finger to rest more comfortably inside the curve. Even the shape of the head itself is different from the norm. Instead of trying to copy the rounded shape of spoons, it tapers a bit towards the tip to make it easier to twirl noodles like pasta around it.

Sporks were invented to have both a spoon and a fork in one for practical convenience, but their designs haven’t exactly been comfortable to use, long-lasting, and visually appealing. In other words, they’re not considered the best cutlery to use. Made by expert metalworkers from Tsubame City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, this innovative metal spork shatters those misconceptions with a lightweight yet durable body, a unique yet practical design, and a beautiful minimalist aesthetic that makes each bite a joy.

Click Here to Buy Now: $17 $20 (15% off at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 24 hours!

The post 0.25 oz Spork Perfect for Outdoor Enthusiasts Seeking Lightweight Gear first appeared on Yanko Design.