Technology - Yanko Design https://www.yankodesign.com Modern Industrial Design News Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:44:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 192362883 Bushnell’s new GPS speaker adds touchscreen smarts and real-time golf course insights https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/bushnells-new-gps-speaker-adds-touchscreen-smarts-and-real-time-golf-course-insights/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bushnells-new-gps-speaker-adds-touchscreen-smarts-and-real-time-golf-course-insights Wed, 08 Oct 2025 22:30:13 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583594

Bushnell’s new GPS speaker adds touchscreen smarts and real-time golf course insights

When on the course, you need to bring you’re A game forward, every little thing matters when you hit the golf ball with the club,...
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When on the course, you need to bring you’re A game forward, every little thing matters when you hit the golf ball with the club, as the devil lies in the details. An important part of the whole experience is being correctly aware of the course. This is where a GPS Golf speaker comes in handy, as many pro golfers and budding ones are investing in the idea.

The golfing accessory has many benefits, right from being on top of the opponent with real-time yardages, or listening to your favorite tunes to destress. Bushnell has long been providing golfers with smart accessories to improve their game, and now their new GPS Golf speaker promises more. The accessory is a Bluetooth speaker, GPS rangefinder, and a look into the future of golf electronics.

Designer: Bushnell

The new version of the Wingman Bluetooth speaker is an upgrade to the Wingman View, introduced in 2023. The new speaker comes with a 3.5-inch color touchscreen that provides detailed metrics of the course you are currently on. Dubbed Wingman HD, the Bluetooth speaker graduates from a monochromatic LCD display on the previous version. To give you accurate details about the current course, the speaker employs the built-in GPS for tracking your location. It has a pre-loaded database of over 38,000 courses around the world, which is great if you love to play at multiple locations. The accessory details about the front, middle and back yardages, as well as hazards and distances from the hole to keep you one step ahead of the opponents. You can either have the information displayed on the screen or listen to it via the speaker.

You can connect the device to the smartphone with their mobile app that adds more functionality like flyovers of the entire hole, or detailed scorekeeping. The new speaker has a semi-cylindrical design that’s flatter on the top section. On the inside, it has two 15-watt drivers and a passive radiator to give the low-end frequencies a thump. To make things easy, the IPX67-rated Wingman HD speaker has magnetic mounts to stick it to your golf cart. There’s a feature on this called Dynamic Audio Adjustment that auto-adjusts the volume to compensate for ambient noises.

Depending on your taste, the sound can be adjusted with the Indoor and Outdoor EQ. There’s an added feature that allows you to record custom messages like “well played,” or trigger pre-recorded custom sounds like crowd applause. The best bit about the Wingman HD is that up to 100 of them can be connected to play simultaneously, which creates an altogether different playing experience, something similar to a packed sports arena. Bushnell Wingman HD is available now for $200, which is the same price as its predecessor.

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Why Do Only Smartphones Come In Colors? Røde Announces Colored Wireless Mics https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/why-do-only-smartphones-come-in-colors-rode-announces-colored-wireless-mics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-do-only-smartphones-come-in-colors-rode-announces-colored-wireless-mics Wed, 08 Oct 2025 19:15:16 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583429

Why Do Only Smartphones Come In Colors? Røde Announces Colored Wireless Mics

It’s a shame that the AirPods only come in white. Or that drones only come in white or black. Or that the GoPro is only...
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It’s a shame that the AirPods only come in white. Or that drones only come in white or black. Or that the GoPro is only ever in black. We’re surrounded by color but somehow consumer tech giants only want to play it safe. Sure, releasing colored variants of GoPros means that people will select more of one color than another, causing logistical and supply issues that can only be solved by tonnes of market and trend research efforts… but hear me out. If we have colored smartphones, we can have colored gimbals, TWS earbuds, and mics. Røde is working on the latter, with its newly announced color-edition Wireless Micro professional-grade mic.

Røde’s color-edition mics mark a pretty unique shift in consumer tech, because these mics, worn by content creators, are truly a part of their outfit at this point. Having mics that are boring and black just doesn’t make emotional sense. It’s also why a lot of creators bejewel their mics, or attach them to random objects just to make them more unique and attention-grabbing.

Designer: Røde

“These vibrant new colors mark yet another milestone in the evolution of the world’s best-in-class microphone,” says Damien Wilson, CEO of Røde. “The Wireless Micro has always been about making professional audio accessible, and now creators can showcase both their signature sound and style with the same award-winning system. A wave of color is about to wash over the world of content creation – and Røde is at the crest.”

The Wireless Micro comes in 3 new colors, adding to the existing Black and White variants. This new announcement brings more vibrant colors like Red, Orange, and Blue to the mix, giving the mic a funky appeal, sort of the way KitchenAid and Vespa would bring character to their designs through splashes of colors. Feature for feature, however, these colored variants are absolutely identical to their achromatic counterparts. They come with USB-C connectivity for the receiver, an impressive 21 hour battery life, and built-in Røde features like the patent-pending acoustic chamber design and the GainAssist feature that helps capture clearly and at a consistent volume.

Røde’s tiniest mic, this particular gadget also scored the “Best Microphone of 2025” recommendation from Rolling Stone magazine and is even available in the lightning-port variant for older iPhone users. The mics can further be controlled via Røde’s free iOS or Android app, and for people looking to hook this to their DSLRs or video cameras, Røde also makes a camera receiver that the Wireless Micro can be plugged into.

The Wireless Micro’s available on Amazon for a reduced price of $97, although listings for the colored variants haven’t hit the store yet. Given that Røde just announced these colorways yesterday, we can probably expect online retailers to carry the new colored versions shortly. That being said, this is also an invitation to other companies like DJI, Hollyland, Sennheiser, and the likes to consider turning their tech into true fashion wearables. Watches have dazzling, fashionable straps, Meta partners with fashion brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley for their smart eyewear. The least we can do is ask our action cams, wireless mics, and other vlogging equipment to not be ‘boring’.

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SuperNatural uses nature to inspire everyday design https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/supernatural-uses-nature-to-inspire-everyday-design/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supernatural-uses-nature-to-inspire-everyday-design Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:00:19 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583341

SuperNatural uses nature to inspire everyday design

The concept of SuperNatural comes from the combination of “super” and “nature,” describing phenomena that go beyond the limits of natural laws and scientific explanation....
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The concept of SuperNatural comes from the combination of “super” and “nature,” describing phenomena that go beyond the limits of natural laws and scientific explanation. These are events or experiences that exist outside the ordinary, often carrying a sense of wonder or even mystery. In different cultures and throughout history, supernatural occurrences have inspired awe, curiosity, and sometimes fear. Imagine if these rare and extraordinary natural phenomena could become part of our daily lives, reimagined through creative and thoughtful design.

Designer HG K explores this idea with the SuperNatural concept collection. This project takes inspiration from rare and powerful natural events, translating their visual forms and movements into everyday objects. Each piece in the SuperNatural collection is rooted in a specific phenomenon, reinterpreted as a functional device that brings a sense of the extraordinary into everyday routines.

Designer Name: HG K

The first device, called Extinction, is a lighting product inspired by the drama of meteoric collisions. Just as a meteor shines brighter as it races toward Earth, the LED in Extinction grows more intense as it slides down a metal track. The base of the lamp doubles as a tray for small items, shaped with gentle hills and curves to evoke natural landscapes. A dinosaur figure on the tray acts as a playful power switch, connecting the cosmic theme to a moment of extinction in Earth’s history.

Snowspot is the next device in the collection, a compact speaker designed to capture the sensation of heavy snowfall. It takes the form of snow being shoveled, and when pressed, the internal materials compress to mimic the feeling of stepping into freshly fallen snow. This tactile experience connects users directly to the rare and sometimes disruptive phenomenon of a heavy snowstorm, but in a way that feels cozy and inviting.

The third device, Voom, draws inspiration from volcanic eruptions, one of nature’s most powerful forces. Voom is a document shredder that uses the imagery of lava spewing from a volcano. As you feed paper into the shredder, it emerges in strips, just as lava flows from a volcanic vent. The device is practical for both home and office, with simple controls for shredding and reversing, and it securely destroys documents while adding a burst of visual excitement to an otherwise routine task.

SuperNatural is a conceptual project, but it sparks the imagination by blending the extraordinary forces of nature with everyday functionality. Each product is a reminder that even the most familiar moments, such as turning on a light, listening to music, or shredding documents, can be infused with a sense of wonder. These designs encourage us to see the world differently, finding inspiration in the rare and powerful events that shape our planet.

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picoRing Mouse Research Explores Ultra-Low-Power Wearable Input https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/picoring-mouse-research-explores-ultra-low-power-wearable-input/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=picoring-mouse-research-explores-ultra-low-power-wearable-input Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:20:51 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583597

picoRing Mouse Research Explores Ultra-Low-Power Wearable Input

The future of computing increasingly demands input devices that work seamlessly in mobile, public, and wearable contexts where traditional mice become impractical or socially awkward....
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The future of computing increasingly demands input devices that work seamlessly in mobile, public, and wearable contexts where traditional mice become impractical or socially awkward. As we move toward augmented reality, smart glasses, and always-connected devices, the need for subtle, continuous interaction grows more pressing. Current solutions often require bulky hardware, frequent charging, or obvious gestures that draw unwanted attention.

The picoRing mouse research project tackles these challenges by reimagining the computer mouse as a ring-based, ultra-low-power wearable device. This experimental system consists of a tiny ring housing a trackball and a companion wristband that receives input data, creating a setup that enables discreet computer control in situations where conventional input methods would be impossible or inappropriate.

Designers: Yifan Li, Masaaki Fukumoto, Mohamed Kari, Shigemi Ishida, Akihito Noda, Tomoyuki Yokota, Takao Someya, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Ryo Takahashi (University of Tokyo)

The core technology relies on inductive coupling between coils embedded in both the ring and wristband. When you move the trackball with your finger, the input gets encoded as frequency-modulated signals and transmitted wirelessly to the wristband with minimal power consumption. The wristband then decodes these frequency peaks back into mouse movements and sends them to your connected device.

The user experience prioritizes subtlety and continuous availability. You can control a cursor, navigate interfaces, or interact with applications using tiny finger movements that are virtually invisible to others around you. The system is designed for environments like airplanes, trains, meetings, or crowded public spaces where pulling out a laptop mouse would be awkward or impossible.

Of course, the practical applications extend beyond just solving social awkwardness. The picoRing mouse could serve as an input device for presentations, allowing speakers to control slides while moving freely. It might also benefit users with mobility challenges who find traditional mice difficult to operate, or serve as a companion for future AR glasses and wearable computing devices.

The ultra-low power design enables all-day wearability without the charging anxiety that plagues most wearable devices. The research demonstrates that meaningful interaction doesn’t require high-power processors or large batteries when the communication method is optimized for efficiency rather than complexity.

That said, this remains a research prototype with significant limitations. The input precision and speed likely can’t match traditional mice for complex tasks, gaming, or detailed work. The learning curve for adapting to ring-based input could be substantial, and compatibility with existing devices and operating systems would require additional development before any commercial viability.

The research status means we’re looking at early-stage exploration rather than a polished product ready for everyday use. The focus is on proving concepts and testing boundaries rather than delivering a consumer-ready experience. Current limitations around input complexity, device integration, and user adaptation would need substantial refinement before practical deployment.

You’ll notice how research like this pushes the boundaries of what input devices can be, exploring possibilities that commercial products might never attempt. The picoRing mouse invites us to reconsider our assumptions about how we interact with technology, suggesting that the future of human-computer interfaces might be far more subtle and integrated than we currently imagine.

The post picoRing Mouse Research Explores Ultra-Low-Power Wearable Input first appeared on Yanko Design.

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5 Best Phone-Sized Devices for Digital Detox, Strain-Free Reading, and Focus https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/5-best-phone-sized-devices-for-digital-detox-strain-free-reading-and-focus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=5-best-phone-sized-devices-for-digital-detox-strain-free-reading-and-focus Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:40:10 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583533

5 Best Phone-Sized Devices for Digital Detox, Strain-Free Reading, and Focus

The relentless glow of modern smartphones has become both a blessing and a curse, turning our pockets into portals of endless distraction. With every ping,...
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The relentless glow of modern smartphones has become both a blessing and a curse, turning our pockets into portals of endless distraction. With every ping, pop-up, and notification, our eyes are glued to screens that leave us squinting, tired, and sometimes just plain overwhelmed. Blue light bombardment, endless scrolling sessions, and the constant pressure to stay connected have transformed what should be helpful tools into sources of digital fatigue and anxiety.

But what if your next phone or pocket device could help you break free from that exhausting cycle? A new wave of phone-sized gadgets is putting eye comfort, focus, and digital wellness front and center, challenging the idea that more features always mean better experiences. Here are five standout devices that completely rethink what it means to stay connected, productive, and truly present in our hyperconnected world.

TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra

The TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra looks like a modern Android phone from a distance, but its display is anything but ordinary once you pick it up. With a matte, paper-like finish and zero flicker technology, this phone is built specifically for people who want to read, write, and scroll without the usual eye strain that comes with traditional screens. A physical switch on the side lets you toggle between “paper” and “color” modes instantly, making it easy to dial down distractions when you need to focus.

Designer: TCL

Under the hood, the NXTPAPER 60 Ultra offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, stylus support, and a generous 5,200mAh battery that easily keeps up with your day. It’s a full-featured smartphone with all the Android apps you’d expect, but the display technology makes it feel more like carrying around a sophisticated digital notebook than a typical glowing slab. The experience is surprisingly comfortable, even during marathon reading sessions.

What We Like

  • Exceptionally comfortable for the eyes with zero flicker and ultra-low blue light
  • Full Android experience with stylus support for note-taking and sketching
  • Versatile display modes that adapt to your needs and environment

What We Dislike

  • Large size pushes the limits of what feels truly “phone-sized” for some users
  • Camera and AI features are underwhelming compared to flagship smartphones at similar prices

Mudita Kompakt

The Mudita Kompakt is a minimalist’s dream device, wrapped in a sturdy, pocketable shell that feels refreshingly different from today’s glass rectangles. Its monochrome E Ink display is incredibly gentle on the eyes, perfect for calls, texts, and the occasional note without any of the usual smartphone distractions that pull you into endless scrolling sessions. The phone is designed specifically for digital detox, with a strong focus on privacy, wellness, and intentional simplicity.

Designer: Mudita

With days-long battery life, IP54 dust and splash resistance, and thoughtful hardware touches like a real headphone jack and satisfyingly tactile buttons, the Kompakt feels like a modern classic. It’s not about cramming in apps or endless features that you’ll never use. Instead, it’s about reclaiming your attention and enjoying a quieter, more intentional relationship with technology that actually serves your needs rather than demanding constant engagement.

What We Like

  • True E Ink screen provides exceptional eye comfort with no blue light or flicker
  • Superb battery life measured in days, not hours
  • Minimalist, distraction-free design that encourages mindful usage

What We Dislike

  • No app store or third-party apps means limited functionality for some users
  • Relatively bulky design for such a small screen compared to modern smartphones

Bigme HiBreak Pro Color

The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color represents a rare breed in the smartphone world: a true E Ink device with a color display and full 5G connectivity that doesn’t compromise on essential phone features. It runs Android 14, supports calls and texts like any regular phone, and even includes a stylus for note-taking or sketching when inspiration strikes. The Kaleido 3 color E Ink screen is remarkably easy on the eyes, especially for reading articles or messaging outdoors, where regular phones become unreadable mirrors.

Designer: Bigme

With Google Play support, generous storage options, and a battery built specifically for endurance rather than just getting through the day, the HiBreak Pro Color is perfect for anyone who wants the eye-friendly benefits of E Ink technology without giving up smartphone essentials. It’s designed as a productivity tool that doesn’t constantly tempt you with flashy animations or attention-grabbing notifications, letting you focus on what actually matters.

What We Like

  • Full phone functionality combined with the comfort of color E Ink technology
  • Excellent legibility in bright sunlight where regular phones struggle
  • Stylus support and full app ecosystem for productivity and reading

What We Dislike

  • Color E Ink is still noticeably muted compared to vibrant LCD or OLED displays
  • Some ghosting and refresh lag, especially when navigating quickly through apps

reMarkable Paper Pro Move

The reMarkable Paper Pro Move takes the beloved reMarkable note-taking experience and shrinks it down into a genuinely pocket-sized package that goes anywhere you do. Its color E Ink display is specifically engineered for note-takers, readers, and anyone who craves a distraction-free digital space for capturing and developing ideas. Weighing just 235 grams and designed to slip effortlessly into your pocket, it’s built for people who think while they move.

Designer: reMarkable

With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and eSIM connectivity for messaging and seamless cloud sync, the Paper Pro Move transcends the traditional boundaries of what a digital notebook can be. Its premium build quality, impressive battery life, and remarkably accurate handwriting-to-text conversion make it a favorite tool for those who want to focus on thinking and creating rather than constantly tapping and swiping through endless interfaces.

What We Like

  • Outstanding writing and note-taking experience that feels remarkably close to real paper
  • Color E Ink display perfect for highlighting and organizing visual information
  • Extremely portable design that fits comfortably in most pockets

What We Dislike

  • Not a full phone replacement since it lacks voice calling capabilities
  • Limited app ecosystem compared to full Android or iOS devices

BOOX P6 Pro

The BOOX P6 Pro represents the next evolution of the phone-sized e-reader concept, offering both color and black-and-white E Ink display options in a form factor that truly feels pocketable. Running a full Android operating system, it supports messaging apps, reading platforms, and note-taking software, with stylus support for those moments when you need to jot down ideas or sketch out concepts on the fly.

Designer:
BOOX

With a hybrid SIM tray for connectivity, generous storage capacity, and a design that feels as comfortable and natural in your hand as holding a paperback book, the P6 Pro is built specifically for productivity on the go. It’s the ideal device for anyone who wants the flexibility and app ecosystem of Android without the constant glare, eye fatigue, and battery drain that come with regular smartphone screens.

What We Like

  • Choice between color or black-and-white E Ink displays depending on your needs
  • Full Android app support combined with stylus input for maximum versatility
  • Truly pocketable and lightweight design that doesn’t feel cumbersome

What We Dislike

  • Not a complete phone replacement since it lacks traditional voice calling features
  • Still in early release stages with limited global availability and uncertain pricing

These five devices prove that staying connected doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your eyesight, attention span, or peace of mind. Whether you’re drawn to the versatility of the TCL NXTPAPER 60 Ultra, the intentional simplicity of the Mudita Kompakt, or the focused productivity of the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, each offers a refreshing alternative to the endless scroll of mainstream smartphones. The future of mobile devices might just be about doing less, but doing it better.

The post 5 Best Phone-Sized Devices for Digital Detox, Strain-Free Reading, and Focus first appeared on Yanko Design.

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HMD Touch 4G Brings Retro Simplicity to the Digital Detox Era https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/hmd-touch-4g-brings-retro-simplicity-to-the-digital-detox-era/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hmd-touch-4g-brings-retro-simplicity-to-the-digital-detox-era Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:07:20 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583462

HMD Touch 4G Brings Retro Simplicity to the Digital Detox Era

The digital overwhelm of modern smartphones has sparked a growing movement toward intentional tech use, with many people seeking ways to reduce screen time and...
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The digital overwhelm of modern smartphones has sparked a growing movement toward intentional tech use, with many people seeking ways to reduce screen time and app addiction without completely disconnecting from essential communication. The challenge lies in finding devices that offer just enough connectivity for modern life while encouraging more mindful, distraction-free habits. Most solutions force you to choose between staying connected and staying sane.

The HMD Touch 4G offers a thoughtful middle ground by reimagining what a phone can be when stripped of unnecessary complexity. This compact, Nokia-inspired feature phone provides essential modern connectivity through 4G data, video calling, and cloud apps, while maintaining the focused simplicity that made classic phones so appealing for actual communication rather than endless scrolling.

Designer: HMD

The design immediately evokes nostalgia with its candybar form factor and minimalist curves that feel borrowed from Nokia’s golden era of feature phones. The 3.2-inch color touchscreen provides enough space for basic tasks without overwhelming your attention, while the physical home button and dedicated quick call button on the top edge offer tactile satisfaction that touchscreen-only devices simply can’t match.

The feature set strikes a careful balance between connectivity and simplicity. You get 4G data for essential apps like YouTube, WhatsApp, and Google Maps, plus a front-facing camera for video calls when you need face-to-face communication. However, the device keeps things focused by avoiding the app ecosystem bloat that turns phones into attention-stealing black holes.

The digital detox appeal becomes clear when you consider what the Touch 4G doesn’t do. No social media feeds to endlessly scroll, no notification badges demanding constant attention, no games or productivity apps that blur the line between useful and addictive. Instead, you get the tools for genuine communication and navigation while maintaining the mental space that smartphones often steal.

Of course, the practical features support this lifestyle approach beautifully. The 2000mAh battery delivers up to seven days of standby time, eliminating the daily charging anxiety that plagues smartphone users. FM radio and MP3 playback with expandable storage provide entertainment that doesn’t require data or internet connectivity, perfect for offline moments or travel.

That said, the Touch 4G works best as either a primary phone for people committed to digital minimalism or as a secondary device for specific situations. Weekend getaways, outdoor adventures, or simply times when you want to be reachable without being overwhelmed all become more enjoyable with a device that prioritizes communication over consumption.

The limited market availability, currently focused on India, reflects HMD’s careful approach to launching products that serve specific regional needs and preferences. You can see how this kind of thoughtful device might find broader appeal as more people recognize the value of intentional technology choices.

The HMD Touch 4G demonstrates that stepping back from smartphone complexity doesn’t mean stepping back from modern life. You can stay connected to what matters while reclaiming the mental clarity and focus that constant connectivity often compromises, proving that sometimes less really can be more.

The post HMD Touch 4G Brings Retro Simplicity to the Digital Detox Era first appeared on Yanko Design.

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BOOX P6 Pro Brings Color E Ink and 5G Data to Pocket-Sized Reading https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/08/boox-p6-pro-brings-color-e-ink-and-5g-data-to-pocket-sized-reading/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boox-p6-pro-brings-color-e-ink-and-5g-data-to-pocket-sized-reading Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:45:47 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583446

BOOX P6 Pro Brings Color E Ink and 5G Data to Pocket-Sized Reading

The e-reader world has been buzzing with speculation about a “BOOX Palma 3” for months, with leaks and teasers hinting at Onyx’s next move in...
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The e-reader world has been buzzing with speculation about a “BOOX Palma 3” for months, with leaks and teasers hinting at Onyx’s next move in the pocket-sized reading device market. The race to make e-readers more portable, colorful, and connected continues to heat up, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what these devices can do while maintaining the battery life and readability that make E Ink special.

The recently shown BOOX P6 Pro in China appears to be Onyx’s answer to this challenge, though the name is likely a placeholder for the Chinese market rather than its eventual international branding. This phone-sized e-reader combines color E Ink technology with 5G data connectivity, creating a device that feels more like a connected tablet than a traditional e-reader while maintaining the portability that makes pocket reading so appealing.

Designer: BOOX (Weibo)

The 6-inch E Ink Kaleido 3 display immediately sets the P6 Pro apart from its monochrome siblings. You get 300 PPI for crisp text and 150 PPI for color content, making it suitable for everything from novels to comics to digital magazines. The frontlight system with adjustable color temperature ensures comfortable reading in any lighting condition, day or night.

The hardware specs reflect serious ambitions for such a compact device. The quad-core processor and around 8GB RAM should handle multitasking and note-taking apps smoothly, while 128GB storage with microSD expansion provides plenty of space for a substantial library. Android OS opens up access to various reading and productivity apps beyond the standard e-reader experience.

The 5G connectivity deserves special attention as a genuine differentiator. Unlike Wi-Fi-only devices, the P6 Pro can download books, sync notes, or access cloud libraries anywhere with cellular coverage. However, this isn’t a phone replacement, since the SIM support is data-only, like a tablet, so you can’t make calls or send SMS messages despite the phone-like form factor.

Of course, understanding where the P6 Pro fits among its competitors helps clarify its appeal. The BOOX Palma 2 offers the same RAM and storage plus waterproofing, but sticks to black-and-white E Ink and 4G connectivity. The Bigme HiBreak Pro Color matches the P6 Pro’s color capabilities and stylus support, plus voice features, but lacks 5G and feels less pocketable.

That said, the BOOX P6 Pro’s combination of color, compactness, and 5G creates a unique position in the market. You get the only pocket-sized color e-reader with next-generation cellular connectivity, making it ideal for commuters, travelers, or anyone who wants their reading device to stay connected without hunting for Wi-Fi networks.

The physical page-turn buttons and slim profile suggest this device is designed for one-handed reading, whether you’re standing on a train or lounging in a coffee shop. The color support makes it particularly appealing for comic readers, students with textbooks, or anyone who wants magazines and newspapers to look more like their print counterparts.

The BOOX P6 Pro represents what happens when e-reader makers stop treating connectivity as an afterthought. You can see how 5G might transform the reading experience, enabling instant access to new releases, real-time news, or cloud-based libraries that make your device feel limitless rather than constrained by local storage.

The post BOOX P6 Pro Brings Color E Ink and 5G Data to Pocket-Sized Reading first appeared on Yanko Design.

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World’s First AI Sports Headband Nuromova N1 Makes Mental Fitness Part of Your Game https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/07/worlds-first-ai-sports-headband-nuromova-n1-makes-mental-fitness-part-of-your-game/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=worlds-first-ai-sports-headband-nuromova-n1-makes-mental-fitness-part-of-your-game Wed, 08 Oct 2025 01:45:18 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=582028

World’s First AI Sports Headband Nuromova N1 Makes Mental Fitness Part of Your Game

Athletes know that performance isn’t just about physical strength or stamina. Mental focus, resilience, and emotional control are just as critical when the pressure is...
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Athletes know that performance isn’t just about physical strength or stamina. Mental focus, resilience, and emotional control are just as critical when the pressure is on. Yet most wearables on the market still focus on heart rate, steps, or calories, leaving the brain’s role in training largely invisible. For anyone who’s ever lost focus at a crucial moment or wondered why a session just didn’t click, there’s finally a new tool that brings mental fitness into the spotlight.

What makes the Nuromova N1 AI Sports Headband so compelling is how it turns the abstract world of mental state into real-time, actionable data. Forget about your run-of-the-mill wrist-worn fitness tracker. This is a sleek, lightweight headband packed with pro-level EEG sensors and AI-powered analytics, designed to help athletes of all levels train smarter, recover faster, and understand themselves better.

Designer: Nuromova Technology Co., Limited

Click Here to Buy Now: $329 $599 (45% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The design is clearly built for movement. The N1 features a soft, adaptive fit that hugs your head without squeezing, thanks to a multi-layer construction. A breathable, sweat-wicking outer surface, a cushioned mid-layer, and a cool, non-slip skin layer keep everything in place even during intense workouts. The headband is lightweight and minimalist, so it feels like any other high-performance sports accessory, just smarter.

Comfort isn’t just a side note here. The headband’s modular quick-release design makes it easy to put on or take off, while the gel electrodes ensure high-quality signal capture without irritation. The magnetic charging dock and extended battery life mean you can train day after day without worrying about running out of juice mid-session.

Of course, the real magic happens once you start moving. The N1’s EEG sensors capture brain signals from the frontal cortex, analyzing focus, stress, fatigue, and emotional shifts in real time. The AI model, running on both the headband and in the cloud, delivers instant feedback. If your focus dips or stress spikes, you’ll feel a gentle vibration cue, letting you adjust before your performance suffers.

The companion app is as thoughtfully designed as the hardware. Syncing is instant and calibration-free, so you can get started right away. During training, you see live readouts of your mental state. After each session, you get a detailed breakdown of focus curves, fatigue spikes, and emotional trends. The app even lets you align video highlights with your brain data, making it easy to spot what triggered a lapse or a breakthrough.

What’s especially interesting is how the N1 adapts to different sports and routines. Whether you’re a tennis player, runner, archer, or team athlete, the headband tracks your mental performance across disciplines. Early users describe it as a thinking partner that helps them understand when to push, when to reset, and how to optimize every session, not just physically but mentally.

The technology under the hood is impressive, but it never feels intimidating. Deep learning models analyze your data and generate personalized suggestions, all while protecting your privacy through federated learning. The feedback is fast, under 200 milliseconds, so you’re always in sync with your own brain. The AI coach feature provides insights that feel genuinely helpful rather than overwhelming.

That said, the N1 isn’t just about numbers and graphs. It’s about changing the way athletes approach training and recovery. Instead of guessing at what’s happening inside your head, you get clear, science-backed insights that help you build mental toughness and resilience over time. The design is subtle enough for everyday wear but smart enough to make a real difference when it counts.

The multi-sport versatility makes this headband particularly appealing for athletes who cross-train or compete in multiple disciplines. The same device that helps a tennis player maintain focus during long rallies can help a runner push through mental barriers or assist an archer in achieving perfect concentration. This adaptability means your investment grows with your athletic interests.

The Nuromova N1 AI Sports Headband represents a new frontier in sports technology, where mental fitness becomes as measurable and trainable as physical performance. For athletes who understand that the mind runs the game, this headband offers a way to finally see, understand, and optimize the psychological side of peak performance. It’s the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how you ever trained without knowing what your brain was actually doing.

Click Here to Buy Now: $329 $599 (45% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The post World’s First AI Sports Headband Nuromova N1 Makes Mental Fitness Part of Your Game first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Xiaomi Channels Dieter Rams, Proves They’re Still the Apple of the East https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/07/xiaomi-channels-dieter-rams-proves-theyre-still-the-apple-of-the-east/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=xiaomi-channels-dieter-rams-proves-theyre-still-the-apple-of-the-east Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:30:04 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583410

Xiaomi Channels Dieter Rams, Proves They’re Still the Apple of the East

Xiaomi keeps lifting pages from the Apple playbook, and frankly, I’m here for it. Their latest Sound 2 Max speaker dropped last week, and it’s...
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Xiaomi keeps lifting pages from the Apple playbook, and frankly, I’m here for it. Their latest Sound 2 Max speaker dropped last week, and it’s perhaps the clearest distillation yet of the company’s design philosophy, channeling that peak Jony Ive era when Apple was still making products that looked like they belonged in MoMA. Remember when Ive was literally mirroring Dieter Rams’ work for Braun and nobody cared because the results were so damn good? Xiaomi’s doing the same thing here, and while western companies have mostly abandoned this aesthetic for fabric-wrapped nonsense and rounded plastic blobs, Xiaomi’s carrying the minimalist torch with zero apologies.

This thing is a statement piece in an era of forgettable speakers. The die-cast aluminum unibody, the perfect symmetry of those three circular drivers, the complete lack of unnecessary bullshit – it’s all there. Put it next to Rams’ Braun LE1 from 1960 and you’d swear they were related. Even the buttons on top are practically invisible. This is what happens when you follow Rams’ “less, but better” philosophy to its logical conclusion. No stupid fabric, no quirky colors, no meaningless design flourishes. Just pure function made beautiful.

Designer: Xiaomi

Inside that gorgeous shell sits actual serious hardware. Xiaomi packed in two 4-inch 30W woofers, a 4-inch 30W midrange driver, and a 1.5-inch 10W tweeter in an MTM layout. That’s 100 watts total with a frequency response from 47Hz to 22kHz and 101dB SPL. Translation? This thing will fill your living room with sound without breaking a sweat. I’d bet good money it sounds better at 60% volume than maxed out, like most well-engineered speakers.

On the connectivity front, you get Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi 6, analog RCA, and USB-C. The big miss? No AirPlay or Google Cast. What the hell, Xiaomi? It’s 2025. But I’ll forgive that sin because this speaker costs $280 while looking better than B&O gear at three times the price. You can pair two for stereo or four for surround, though that gets expensive fast.

I love that they made the front panels swappable with magnetic wood, fabric, and metal options. Smart move. These speakers live in our homes, they’re furniture as much as tech, and Xiaomi gets that. The included metal stand and ambient light bar just seal the deal.

The voice assistant and smart home stuff is there if you want it. Super XiaoAi leverages AI for natural conversations, but unless you speak Mandarin, who cares? The Xiaomi Mesh 2.0 compatibility is more useful if you’ve bought into their ecosystem.

Will this make Apple fanboys switch teams? Absolutely not. But for design nerds who miss when tech products were allowed to look like actual designed objects instead of kindergarten crafts, the Sound 2 Max is the real deal. It’s a modern speaker that respects its design heritage while delivering killer specs. Minimalism isn’t dead after all. It just moved to Shenzhen.

The post Xiaomi Channels Dieter Rams, Proves They’re Still the Apple of the East first appeared on Yanko Design.

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HMD’s $48 Smartphone with 4G Is Disrupting India’s Budget Phone Market https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/10/07/hmds-48-smartphone-with-4g-is-disrupting-indias-budget-phone-market/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hmds-48-smartphone-with-4g-is-disrupting-indias-budget-phone-market Tue, 07 Oct 2025 23:30:37 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=583417

HMD’s $48 Smartphone with 4G Is Disrupting India’s Budget Phone Market

HMD just dropped a device that feels like a glitch in the matrix of modern smartphone pricing. The Touch 4G, priced at 3,999 INR (roughly...
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HMD just dropped a device that feels like a glitch in the matrix of modern smartphone pricing. The Touch 4G, priced at 3,999 INR (roughly $48) and launched for the Indian audience, is what happens when someone actually listens to the massive chunk of the global population that doesn’t need or want a 6.7-inch AMOLED slab with a camera system that costs more than their monthly rent. To be fair, the Indian market is flooded with cheap smartphones from Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, and local brands like Micromax and Karbonn. A lot of these phones inevitably cross the $70 mark, which means budget-constrained users still flock to ‘dumb phones’ or feature phones. HMD’s $48 audacious bid hopes to upend that.

What HMD is calling a “hybrid phone” is basically a feature phone that got into a transporter accident with a smartphone, and somehow it actually works. The result is weird in the best possible way. You get a proper touchscreen experience crammed into a 3.2-inch display, which sounds laughably small until you remember that the original iPhone rocked a 3.5-inch screen and people lost their minds over it.

Designer: HMD Global

The spec sheet reads like someone played a game of “what’s the absolute minimum we can put in here and still call it useful in 2025?” The UNISOC T127 processor paired with 64MB RAM (yes, Megabytes) won’t win any benchmark wars, but here’s the thing: it doesn’t need to. This device runs a stripped-down OS that’s optimized for exactly what it does, which is make calls, send texts, handle video calls, and provide WiFi hotspot functionality. That last feature alone makes this compelling because you’re essentially getting a mobile hotspot for $48 that happens to also be a phone. The phone also packs a measly 128MB of internal storage (about 15 iPhone selfies worth), but can be upgraded to 32GB via the card slot on the side.

Here’s the kicker that separates this from actual smartphones: the Touch 4G runs on RTOS Touch, a custom lightweight real-time operating system, not Android. Everything “smart” about this phone happens through HMD’s Cloud Phone service, which hosts browser-based apps that run remotely rather than on the device itself. That explains the shockingly low 64MB of RAM and 128MB of internal storage. The Express Chat app that comes pre-installed is cross-platform compatible with Android and iOS users, meaning you’re not locked into a proprietary messaging ecosystem that only works with other Touch 4G users. This cloud-based approach is simultaneously brilliant and concerning. Brilliant because it keeps the hardware dirt cheap and the device responsive despite minimal specs. Concerning because your phone’s functionality is entirely dependent on HMD maintaining these cloud services, which means the device could become significantly less useful if the company decides to sunset the platform in three or four years.

The camera situation is predictably grim with a 0.3MP selfie camera and a 2MP rear shooter, but let’s be real about what this is for. These aren’t cameras in the Instagram sense. They’re video call enablers and emergency document scanners. The 0.3MP front camera is basically VGA quality, which is fine for WhatsApp video calls where everything’s compressed to hell anyway. The 2MP rear camera with flash at least lets you capture something when you need proof of that parking spot damage or want to snap a picture of a document. Nobody’s expecting Night Mode or computational photography here.

Battery life claims of 30 hours from a 1,950mAh cell sound ambitious until you factor in the tiny screen, low-power processor, and the fact that this thing isn’t constantly syncing seventeen different social media apps in the background. Feature phones have always dominated on battery life because they’re not doing the thousand tiny tasks that drain modern smartphones. Add in Bluetooth 5.0, GPS with Beidou support, a headphone jack (remember those?), and an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance, and you’ve got something that actually makes sense for its target market. That IP rating matters more than people think because phones at this price point usually skip any kind of protection, meaning a single monsoon downpour can brick your device.

The real genius here is recognizing that there’s a massive market gap between dumb feature phones and entry-level Android smartphones that typically start around 7,000-8,000 INR. HMD is betting that people who need connectivity but don’t need the full smartphone experience will pay 4,000 rupees for something that bridges that divide. The WiFi hotspot feature alone could make this a second device purchase for people who want to keep their main phone’s data separate or need a backup connectivity option. The cloud phone services integration gives you access to news, weather, and an Express Chat app without needing the full Google Play Store ecosystem, which keeps things simple and arguably more secure.

What makes this launch genuinely interesting is the timing. We’re seeing a global pushback against smartphone complexity, with dumbphone sales actually ticking up in developed markets as people try to disconnect from the attention economy. But in markets like India, it’s not about digital detox aesthetics. There are still hundreds of millions of people who either can’t afford or don’t need flagship features but do need reliable connectivity in the 4G era. HMD isn’t trying to be Apple or Samsung here. They’re carving out territory that those companies abandoned years ago, and there’s something refreshing about a product that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t apologize for it. The Touch 4G won’t change the tech landscape, but it might actually change some lives, which is ultimately more important than another iterative flagship that costs twenty times as much.

The post HMD’s $48 Smartphone with 4G Is Disrupting India’s Budget Phone Market first appeared on Yanko Design.

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