In case you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know that CDs have made a comeback the past years, thanks in part to the Japanese and Korean music industry. A lot of fans have been buying CDs (sometimes multiple copies) of their favorite artists and Gen Z in particular has a particular fondness for something they actually weren’t alive yet when it was popular. The older generations buy it for the nostalgia. Both are benefitting from the audio quality of uncompressed music. However, the quality of CD players are not on par with what we were used to back in the day.
Designer: Anthony Chupp
Most of the big name audio brands have not been producing CD players but what if someone like Bang & Olufsen comes up with one? A designer came up with a concept for the Beosound Compact after studying the design and quality principles of the brand. What he came up with is a sleek and minimalist portable CD player that seems worthy of the brand that he created this concept for. It also brings back nostalgia feels for those who brought their Sony Walkman CD player around, although this is much more classy and shiny.
To reduce the need for an LED display, the player uses turntable styles for its volume controls and actual touchable buttons for its play controls. It is also textured to highlight the touchpoints that you need to access various controls. But the player can also be connected to the Bang & Olufsen app on your smart device in case you’re away from the CD player. There is Bluetooth connection as well to your headphones or wireless earbuds of choice as well as analog and optical output.
As someone who owns several CDs but still don’t have a CD player, I wouldn’t mind having something like this if Bang & Olufsen eventually decides to produce one. Having a quality CD player is just as important as having quality music from these CDs. Hopefully brands will catch on to this “trend” as it may be here to stay, for at least a few more years.
Moonside’s new MagLight battery pack won’t just supercharge your smartphone… it’ll supercharge your photography game too.
I’ve honestly always wondered why nobody designed a smartphone case or a MagSafe accessory that had a built-in ring light for elevated selfies and smartphone photos. The flash on your phone is the worst possible light-source for great, natural-looking, well-lit photographs, and the idea of separately carrying a light around hasn’t particularly made sense to me either. It seems like the folks at Moonside were pretty much on the same page, leading to the genesis of the MagLight – arguably the world’s first MagSafe power bank with a built-in RGB light strip that you can remotely customize. A 4000mAh battery powers the lights as well as charges your phone, and the dynamic LED strips can be used with both your primary or front-facing camera, giving you dramatically better photos in low-light conditions. Moreover, for Android users, the MagLight comes with its own magnetic stickers that attach to any smartphone, making them MagSafe compatible.
Designer: ZK Wong
Click Here to Buy Now: $75$119 (37% off). Hurry, only 9/50 left!
Lighting seems to be the one thing Moonside does incredibly well, although with the MagLight, they’re firmly placing themselves in the tech accessory domain too. The MagLight isn’t like any of the other lights they’ve made. The company’s had a strong focus on indoor ambient lights up until now, and as a Moonside Lighthouse owner myself (bought it two years ago), it’s easily my favorite bedside accessory ever… but with the MagLight, Moonside wants to make their vivid lighting solutions more portable.
The MagLight looks just like Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack, but houses 67 LEDs split into front and back areas for all-around lighting. Snap the battery pack on and your iPhone’s camera gets a stellar companion in the form of bright custom lighting (680 lumens) that you can use in a variety of creative ways. A primary ring light faces outwards, upgrading photos taken from your phone’s main camera, but rotate the MagLight 90° and a small LED strip on the inside faces you, letting you click well-lit selfies too. Moreover, you could just pop the MagLight off and use it as a standalone lighting unit that works remarkably better than your phone’s godawful flash.
Snaps to Any Metal Surfaces – Armed with strong N52 neodymium magnets.
Dynamic Color Zone & Effect – The 67 LEDs can be controlled in a variety of ways.
High Brightness & Color Accuracy – With customizable color temperature and brightness settings, this device puts the power of lighting control in your hands.
Front & Back Lighting – The World’s first camera light that features dual-sided lighting.
Animated Lighting Effects – Customize your own lighting effects to suit your specific needs.
Group Lighting Effects – Synchronize multiple MagLights to create captivating group lighting effects.
The 67 LEDs can be controlled in a variety of ways. Moonside’s app allows you to individually address each LED, adjusting the overall brightness and choosing from 16 million colors, or from the different themes and patterns available on the app. Traditionally, the lights can be used in warm and cool white settings for better selfies (i.e. like a flash, but more natural and soft), or in vibrant colors for more artistic vivid photos. You can use the lights for long-exposure light painting if you’re a more advanced photographer, or even have the lights blinking/changing to music for a concert-like feeling wherever you are. And you can still charge your phone on the side. Moreover, the MagLight has an identity beyond being a phone accessory too. It can be used as a torch or ambient light at home, and Moonside even offers smart-home integrations that let you use your MagLight as a smart lamp whenever you need.
Wireless Charger Power Bank – This wireless charger of MagLight is compatible with both MagSafe and Qi2 and can output a reliable 15W of power.
Ultimately, the MagLight is also a really good power bank. Measuring just 14mm (0.5 inches) and armed with strong N52 neodymium magnets, the MagLight snaps onto the back of your MagSafe iPhone (or any other phone with a magnetic ring attachment) and instantly begins wirelessly charging it. The Qi2-compatible charger outputs a solid 15W of power, while a 4000mAh Li-ion battery gives your smartphone battery a full charge… or gives the LED lamps a stunning 6 hours of use even at 80% LED brightness.
MagFlip – Not only does it serve as a phone stand, but it also transforms your MagLight into a smart lamp.
As a bedside smart lamp.
MagPod – A sleek aluminum MagSafe-compatible adapter that comes with an adjustable tripod designed for your MagLight and MagSafe phone.
The idea of a MagLight is just a winner by virtue of the fact that it’s a product with a very strong need that nobody really fulfilled. The power bank is great, but adding a light to it is just *chef’s kiss*. Moonside also sells a bunch of accessories for the MagLight, like the MagFlip, a fold-out stand that you can sandwich between your phone and the MagLight and use as a kickstand for your device (or even use with just the MagLight as a stand for the light). For the more creatively inclined, the MagPod is a tripod that attaches between the MagLight and your iPhone, giving you the perfect stable setup for photos, videos, and livestreams. The MagLight starts at a sizeably discounted HK$610 ($78 USD) for limited early bird buyers, or you could grab the creative bundle for HK$810 ($103 USD) which also includes the MagPod and MagFlip accessories. The MagLight ships globally starting in October, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Click Here to Buy Now: $75$119 (37% off). Hurry, only 9/50 left!
Canine-inspired quadrupeds, spearheaded by Boston Dynamics back in 2005, have not really reached homes to be petted but that isn’t stopping manufacturers from spending billions in developing robo-dogs more capable and intelligent.
Latest such creation, boldly stepping into the limelight, wagging its mechanical tail with conviction, is the CyberDog 2. This quadruped wonder is the brainchild of Xiaomi, and it’s not your average robo-pooch now; it has undergone a transformative makeover since the first iteration of the CyberDog.
Designer: Xiaomi
The original Xiaomi CyberDog was inspired by Boston Dynamics’ Spot, but Xiaomi doesn’t want to stand content with mere imitation. The CyberDog 2 emerges with a distinct identity, shedding its initial homage to embrace a more lifelike, canine charm. For this, the robotic stiffness of the CyberDog is replaced with a redesigned body, reminiscent of a Doberman dog, complete with adorable ears framing its head to create the CyberDog 2.
At just 8.9 kg and 36.7 cm tall, the CyberDog 2 packs a woof in a size smaller than that of a grown-up golden retriever. Besides the compact size, what truly sets the CyberDog 2 apart, however, is its newfound agility. Thanks to Xiaomi’s ingenious micro-actuators, the CyberDog 2 gets the ability to perform complex feats like confidently balancing on one leg, giving a handshake, or executing a series of dynamic backflips with grace.
The CyberDog 2 isn’t just about physical prowess. Its intelligence is where it truly shines. Powered by NX processor and two co-processors bolstered by 8 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, the CyberDog 2 has 19 sensors that grant it the power of vision, touch, and hearing coupled with Xiaomi’s AI voice algorithm.
Powered by a built-in battery that boasts 90 minutes of activity before a quick recharge via USB-C, the CyberDog 2 is embedded with decision-making ability and AI simulation to design its behavior for a natural and lifelike persona echoing our beloved furry friends. With Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi for connectivity, the CyberDog 2 can be seamlessly controlled with a remote or a smartphone. While it is time for us to pet this guy in the West, the CyberDog 2 is going to be available soon in China starting at 12,999 yuan (approximately $1,800).
