Teenage Engineering has become an inseparable part of the music community in the past decade. Ever since their OP-1 synth debuted on Swedish House Mafia’s music video for their song ‘One’, the company has been on a rise, launching Pocket Operators, recording/playback gear, turntables for children, and even venturing into phones for Nothing and the R1 AI device for Rabbit. Their position in the new-age music industry, however, remains cemented for the next few years to come – but if there’s one device missing from their music-making tech repertoire, it’s a great DJ console. While most people love making music, there’s a case to be made that if you want to connect with your listeners, you need to perform your music too – and deejay consoles help artists do just that. Designed to bridge this product gap, Chris Matthews designed the OP-J, a Teenage Engineering-inspired console for disc jockeys looking to play and remix tunes.

Designer: Chris Matthews

Deejay consoles don’t really need to be portable, but there’s an understated beauty to how sleek the OP-J is. It’s about as thick as its synthesizer sibling, with the same design language running through. You’ve got two rotating discs, knobs, keys, buttons, cross-faders, a speaker, and two screens that guide you through playback as well as effect settings.

Keeping in theme with the company’s focus on music creation, the OP-J allows you to do more than just play and merge tracks. Sure, it’s a pretty capable DJ console, with everything a disc jockey would need to get on stage and drop the bass… but you’ve got 8 keys and 8 more buttons to record/trigger loops, play melodies, or activate certain intros/outros to spice up your songs. Although it isn’t shown here, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could hook the OP-1 to the setup and take your performance to even higher levels.

Color-coded knobs let you control effects and envelopes, while a dedicated display just for the effects lets you monitor what you’re up to. It’s unusual for a DJ console to come with its own speaker, but just in case you want to practice in the privacy of your home or hotel room, the OP-J lets you nerd out without needing a separate speaker system. Yes, audio jacks on the bottom let you hook external speakers if you can, or headphones so you can preview tracks before cueing them.

The OP-J is just a fan-made concept for now, but if someone from Teenage Engineering reads this, we all could use an OP-style deejay console! Besides, let’s also take some time out to appreciate the Darth Vader-esque black and red version below?!

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Dual screen laptops are still in their infancy. Whether there are takers for such a technology, doesn’t matter; OEMs are constantly developing laptops with multiple screens. Chinese company Acemagic is the latest entrant in the category. After having surprised us with a gaming router-esque mini-PC previously, Acemagic has now announced the X1 laptop: considered the world’s only horizontally foldable 360-degree laptop.

It was back at the Computex 2024 in Taiwan when Acemagic first revealed its dual screen laptop. It was then called the Z1A, but eventually now, when it was launched, it was called the X1 and it is meant for consuming different content simultaneously, working on different screens, or multitasking work without switching between screens – as I end up doing all day, with a 27-inch monitor attached to my usual single screen laptop.

Designer: Acemagic

The Acemagic X1 is a usual laptop with another screen attached horizontally, which can swivel all the way back, flush against the primary display. Comprising two 14-inch 1080p displays, the laptop allows users to fold the screens down over the keyboard for use in tablet mode with one screen. Whatever the use case you choose, the 360-degree rotation and folding dual screen laptop is meant for business and productivity usage.

So, you can during work, swivel the second screen backward and present the slides to your team sitting across the table from you. Or maybe, when your little one is disturbing you while working; you can swing the additional screen all the way back to play their favorite cartoon while you continue working unhindered. There are a lot of use case possibilities, but it’s not the most powerful machine for your needs.

Under the hood, the Acemagic X1 dual screen laptop runs a two-year-old Intel Core i7 1255U processor. It’s paired with 1 TB 3.0 SSD for onboard storage and features 16GB DDR4 RAM.  For connectivity, the laptop supports up to 5Gbps of transfer speeds and has a USB-A, 2 USB-C (one only for charging), and an HDMI 2.0 ports. With its distinctive appeal, the laptop will make a buzz but for now, we don’t have a price or its release date to share.

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Fourth of July can be a really fun time for the entire country, but a very stressful time for pet parents who have to deal with the extreme anxiety that dogs feel around those loud bangs and other noises. Dogs are highly sensitive to sound, so any loud noises, be it the pop of a firework or even the bang of a thunderstorm, can cause them high amounts of stress. Kirsten Brand nearly lost her dog Emma when a firework show on the 4th of July caused the pet to get so scared that she ran away from home. “After what seemed like hours, we found my furbaby, Emma, down the street. Thankfully, she had been taken into a garage by a neighbor, to ride out the rest of the firework show,” Kirsten mentioned.

That prompted her to design the Pawnix, a pet ‘helmet’ that covers their ears to dampen loud noises, while also playing calming and soothing sounds via Bluetooth. Sort of like ANC Headphones but for dogs, the Pawnix keeps your pets calm with relaxing audio, while also wrapping around their head to make them feel a sense of physical security and comfort.

Designer: Pawnix

Improved over various iterations, the Pawnix now comes with a foam-padded neoprene design, similar to the laptop sleeves you usually see people carry their MacBooks in. The helmet, shaped to look almost like a bonnet for your pet, wraps around the dog’s head, with pockets for the ears to fit in. The design works equally well for dogs with all kinds of ears, whether they’re erect, semi-erect, or hanging down. 4-way stretch Anti-microbial fabric with durable stitching means the Pawnix can go without being washed, and can definitely endure your dog trying to scratch at it or take it off.

On the inside, a set of audio drivers with active noise canceling and Bluetooth 5.0 let your dog listen to calming soundscapes instead of loud noises. Pop the headphones on, and you can connect your phone to the Pawnix via Bluetooth, choosing from a variety of calming sounds (you can actually find dog-calming tracks on YouTube). Alternatively, just the Pawnix itself should be able to drown out less intense noises like a dinner party with loud music. The Pawnix comes in 4 colors, and 4 sizes too, although there’s also an option to custom-make a Pawnix for even larger dogs.

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Smartphone cameras have gotten quite powerful, that they might have hit a wall when it comes to hardware. Although they have reached mind-blowing 100 megapixels, sensors have also gotten a little too large for the ever-thinning smartphones. To make up for that slump in optical solutions, manufacturers are turning to software, specifically everyone’s favorite AI special sauce, to produce astounding images and experiences that wouldn’t have been possible with hardware alone. That said, AI alone won’t be enough either, so at its AI Imaging Media Preview Event in Bangkok, realme unveiled a new AI photography architecture that harnesses both powerful optics and powerful algorithms to bring mobile photography to the next level.

Designer: realme

realme’s new HYPERIMAGE+ AI photography architecture, which it claims is a first for the industry, leverages three layers to create its seemingly magical imaging feats. It stands on a solid foundation of powerful hardware, delivered by a new Sony LYT-701, a 50MP sensor with OIS, and a 50MP Sony LYT-600 paired with a periscope-style telephoto lens that lets it zoom in up to 3x without any loss in detail. The hardware alone would have been enough to handle any photography task even in challenging lighting situations, so you can imagine how much more impressive the results would be with help from AI.

HYPERIMAGE+ also utilizes both on-device AI imaging algorithms as well as cloud-based AI image editing to go beyond what the hardware is capable of. HyperRAW, for example, brings image processing capabilities to the high-quality RAW domain, boosting image quality and dynamic range to faithfully recreate light and shadows. AI Pure Bokeh helps in the separation of foreground, midground, and background elements, applying pixel-level segmentation and targeted optimization to create realistic portrait photos, all within seconds. An in the event that the cameras weren’t able to capture enough resolution for rich details, AI Ultra Clarity enhances the image to still produce crystal clear and stunning images.

Oplus_131072

Of course, all these benefits of AI would be meaningless if it doesn’t get into the hands of those who need it the most. Young users, in particular, are always craving stunning photos, striking videos, and unforgettable memories, pushing the boundaries of what their smartphones are capable of. They are, therefore, the perfect audience for this ultra clear camera with AI, and are exactly who the upcoming realme 13 Pro+ will be aiming for. realme’s AI-empowered flagship is set to launch soon, though details are still scant and will be provided closer to the launch date.

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When I first encountered a self-checkout system in IKEA a few years ago, I sort of panicked because I didn’t know what to do. But after experiencing it and eventually figuring things out, I thought this was such a convenient way to do your shopping, especially if you want to keep social interactions at a minimum. Now if only there was a also a self-packing system since the packing up groceries stuff is the most difficult.

Designer: MIT CSAIL

Eventually, this can of course come true and one step towards a system like this is the RoboGrocery. This was developed by MIT’s CSAIL department and uses a soft robotic gripper together with computer vision to help you bag groceries and other small items. It’s still in its early stages of course but seeing how it’s working at this time seems pretty promising.

They tested it out by placing 10 objects on a grocery conveyer belt, ranging from soft items like grapes, crackers, muffins, bread to the more solid ones like cans, meal boxes, and ice cream containers. The vision detects the size of the item to determine the order of placing it in a box. The grasper, with the pressure sensors in its fingers, then determines whether the item is delicate and should not be placed at the bottom of the bag.

While we’re still a few steps away from actually having a robot to bag your groceries, it’s an interesting first step towards that. Eventually, after it becomes available for commercial use, they might also be able to develop this for industrial spaces like recycling plants and factories.

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The world’s favorite merc got himself some merch!

A perfect accessory to have around you to celebrate the release of what could be the most highly anticipated Marvel movie since Endgame, these TWS earbuds come literally shaped to look like Deadpool’s mask. Designed by the folks at boAt Lifestyle, the Immortal 121 earbuds (that’s a fun name) have cutting-edge features bundled in a package that just costs Rs. 1699 INR ($20.35 USD). You’re looking at 40 hours of playback (with the charging case), 40 milliseconds of latency, Bluetooth 5.3, adjustable EQ, IPx4 water resistance, and a game-changing 10-minute charging time so you’re never out of energy… just like the overtly verbose hitman in red.

Designer: boAt Lifestyle

Click Here to Buy Now

The Immortal 121 launched back in December 2023, but only recently saw a Deadpool-specific edition. The design for the most part remains unchanged, but call it a coincidence that the earbuds case lends itself perfectly to the shape of the Deadpool mask. In fact, the two black eye patches are actually transparent tinted too, letting you somewhat peek into the case to see the earbuds.

The TWS earbuds themselves are exceptional for their price point, especially coming from India’s largest audio hardware company. 10mm drivers deliver a frequency range of 20Hz-20,000Hz, while touch-sensitive sides let you control music playback, volume, and answer/reject calls. The earphones themselves deliver 180 minutes of listening time, while the case brings that up to 40 hours. boAt’s ASAP Charge feature lets you enable 10-minute fast-charging when you’re in a rush. With the ASAP Charge disabled, the case will take 1.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100, helping conserve battery health in the process.

Other features on the Immortal 121 include boAt’s Beast Mode, which gives the earbuds 40ms of latency for wireless audio while gaming. The earbuds come with adjustable EQ, quad mics for clear voice calls, ENx or environmental noise cancellation, and a feature every gamer will love, LEDs that glow to make the case come to life!

All that in a $20 pair of TWS earbuds is highly impressive… and that ISN’T including the fact that the case literally looks like Deadpool’s mask. The boAt Immortal 121 Deadpool Edition rings in the upcoming Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie that launches on the 26th of this month. boAt sells a Hulk edition of the Immortal 121 too, but that honestly doesn’t feel as perfect as this match made in heaven!

Click Here to Buy Now

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Nocs Design is known for its intricately crafted audio accessories that hone minimalism. Purely focused on the acoustic signature and the build quality, the Sweden-based studio has revealed its new wireless speaker as a follow-up to the popular hand-crafted Monolith speaker.

This is the Nocs Monolith Aluminium speaker designed for audiophiles who give high weightage to minimalism in their lifestyle. The material choice for this wireless speaker is a deep research exercise for eliminating recycled plastics. According to Founder Daniel Alms, the result is a single block of aluminum CNC machined to achieve a classy look. Most of all the speaker is fully recyclable, making it the ideal choice when it comes to sustainability that the brand is highly conscious of.

Designer: Nocs Design

According to Daniel, a lot of time and effort was put into crafting the perfect symmetry for driver positioning inside the anodized aluminum housing. Unlike any other product design, minimalism isn’t just a fancy word here. Nocs refrains from using any logos, highlighting the sleek appearance of the solid aluminum form. This speaker is well positioned in the lineup, right between the Mini and the Monolith. To top it all, the ‘cradle-to-cradle consumer product’ is fully repairable and boasts easily replaceable parts.

Those grilles lie just above the five drivers are precisely positioned to deliver a rich and wide sound in any room. Alm has tuned the sound signature in collaboration with musicians and DJs which speaks highly about the speaker’s capability when it comes to satisfying audiophiles. The idea behind this distinction is to foster a “deep connection between the artist and the audience.”

Nocs Monolith Aluminium speaker is all set to be delivered to interested buyers in November 2024. Along with the classic aluminum option, you can also choose the more muted yet classy matte black finish. The price tag of $1,000 is on the steeper side but it’s all worth for purists who known what Nocs stands for.

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We’ve become more aware of the quality of the air we breathe indoors, which has led to an uptick in air purifier products and purchases. While that mostly works for the general population, the appliance isn’t always a good fit for all kinds of people, especially the most sensitive and at-risk members of our families: babies and toddlers. They also need to breathe clean air, perhaps even more than adults do, but most air purifier designs are clearly made for grownups. This product concept envisions one that is intended for the little ones, not only in the way it looks but in how it can keep watch over them when parents aren’t in the room or at home.

Designer: Swarali Satpute

Until recently, the majority of air purifying machines looked simply like large cans or boxes that shouted their presence to everyone in the room, both visually and sometimes even audibly. The growing demand for these appliances, however, also meant that they needed to start catering to the aesthetic needs of customers. Fortunately, this has given rise to better-designed air purifiers that blend well with the rest of your home decor or, at the very least, look like a design object rather than an out-of-place appliance.

Airo is a concept air purifier that takes that trend in a slightly different direction, designing for the youngest members of the family rather than a general audience. It has a fun appearance, with a dome-like body and head topped by two ears, clad in soft pastel colors that are easier on the eyes, especially for babies whose eyes can easily latch onto bright colors and sharp shapes. But despite appearances, Airo is still meant to function as a proper air purifier, albeit one that is specifically tuned for the needs of babes and tots.

That isn’t the only function it serves, however. Since the appliance will be staying in the child’s room 24/7, it is also in the perfect position to monitor the baby remotely. To that end, it has a built-in camera, exactly where the face is, and comes with an app that has the expected bells and whistles for remote camera control. Thus, Airo offers a multifunctional package that offers parents some assurance that their babies are breathing clean air and are safe from harm.

The concept design admittedly focuses on the form of the device as well as the user experience, so it leaves plenty of room for the actual implementation of the features. An air purifier for kids, for example, will need to be extra quiet, especially at night, and should be childproof from accidents. The latter might be a bit more difficult to ensure given how the toy-like design of the product could make kids actually want to play with it.

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Laptops have come a long way from the earliest days when they were pretty much the size of attache cases, trying to cram hardware meant for desktops inside a more portable form. Even gaming laptops have started to become less burdensome, thanks to advancements in technology, and more notebooks are embracing increasingly thin designs for the sake of convenience and portability. Long ago, LG launched a line of laptops that boasted weights of less than a kilogram, hence the “Gram” branding, but it sort of lost that meaning in later models. It seems, however, that LG is back in business with its latest Gram SuperSlim design which finally hits that sub-kilogram mark yet again.

Designer: LG

To be fair, it’s not that hard to design a lightweight laptop, but making one that is both lightweight and powerful requires some juggling and compromises. Battery life is one of the first to suffer if you need to squeeze out both weight and thickness, with cooling solutions next in line due to the size of decent fans. But with components now getting thinner and smaller even as they get more powerful, manufacturers need to make fewer sacrifices for the sake of a sleek and slim design that still delivers the power that users need from a portable computer.

The newest LG Gram SuperSlim is a testament to that achievement, weighing only 2.18 lbs, barely hitting the kilogram mark, and is less than half an inch thick. That makes it thinner than an AA battery, not that such batteries are used as a standard for thinness. When opened, the 15.6-inch FHD screen looks incredibly and precariously thin, almost as if it could easily snap in half at the slightest force. Fortunately, the laptop does pass the MIL-STD-810H test for durability despite its fragile-looking body.

The laptop also packs quite the hardware, starting with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor and 16GB of RAM. It also has a 60Wh battery rated for around 20 hours of video playback, though mileage will definitely vary. Sadly, it does rely solely on Intel’s integrated GPU, so graphics capabilities won’t be as expansive as having an NVIDIA or AMD chip. Of course, there is plenty of AI to go around, even if Windows Copilot wasn’t explicitly named.

The 2024 LG Gram SuperSlim does make one compromise that Apple also made back in 2016, which earned it a lot of flak. The laptop only has three USB-C type ports and a headphone jack, ditching the full-sized USB and HDMI ports you’d typically find on most laptops. This is a necessary design decision to keep the laptop’s extra slim profile, but it won’t sit well with everyone. Another pain point might be the $1,399.99 price tag, though it’s currently on a $600 discount at the moment.

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As powerful and as useful as our smartphones might be, they can also be stumbling blocks not only for productivity but also for mental health. Incessant notifications and the fear of missing out (FOMO) add to the stress and anxiety of the modern world. Of course, ditching your smartphone is no longer an option these days, which is why several designs try to meet the problem halfway, many utilizing minimalist interfaces or drab gray screens to limit our smartphone interaction. Those, however, only solve one part of the problem, leaving many people still unused to taking breaks or relaxing. This concept design for a smartphone accessory tries to do exactly that, keeping your phone safely away from your reach while also helping you get into the habit of taking good breaks from time to time.

Designer: Jeongmin Ham

The most basic strategy people use to avoid distractions from their phones is to put it away, either at a distance or inside a drawer, creating some friction or obstacle to getting the phone instantly. While it can be an effective strategy for some, it’s also a missed opportunity for the smartphone to do something, well, smart. Short of using it as a timer, which can also lead to temptations, it can perhaps be utilized for some other function while keeping its normal distracting features at bay.

FIKA is a concept design for an accessory that does exactly that, keeping your smartphone from distracting you but also putting it to good use in training you to take breaks and use those breaks wisely. It is pretty much a cage or enclosure where you put the phone in, blocking complete use of the device except for a small circular window to a part of the screen. This is the only place where you’ll be able to see the phone’s guidance on how to take a break properly, somewhat like guided meditation apps that have become quite popular these days.

The idea for FIKA is to not just simply put your phone away to avoid distractions but also to develop good habits of taking breaks. And while different people take breaks differently, not everyone has an idea of how to do so properly, so FIKA can suggest certain actions like breathing exercises. Over time, the reminders and the case might not even be needed anymore, as you would have developed the habit and willpower to do it on your own.

The concept design sadly leaves a lot of questions unanswered, like how one will be prevented from just fishing out the phone without some locking mechanism. It also doesn’t mention how the circular window actually works, whether it is just a hole that leaves a part of the phone’s screen exposed or if it’s a touch-sensitive surface that “passes” touches through to the phone inside. Still, the core idea is interesting enough to warrant further thought, especially in an age where people’s mental and physical health has been in decline due to smartphones and overworking.

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