Tech
Hardware Startup Electronic Materials Office Shows Off Debut Product, an Industrial Low-Profile Keyboard
London-based electronics startup Electronic Materials Office has unveiled its debut product, a sustainability-minded computer keyboard. The Altar I is a minimalist, industrial-inspired keyboards constructed out of post-consumer waste-derived plastic.The slim, low-profile keyboard features a rotary encoder knob, USB-C port and an aluminum monobody. It’s available in both U.S. and U.K. layouts and offers Bluetooth connectivity with the power to remember two devices at a time. According to Electronic Materials Office, a novel key type that was designed specifically for the Altar I enables easier touch typing.For those unfamiliar with the buzzy startup, Electronic Materials Office describes itself as a “future oriented consumer hardware corporation” focused on designing and selling long-lastin...
The Home Assistant SkyConnect is a great excuse to demolish your smart home and start from scratch
Smart Home For years, I have been waiting for an excuse to make the transition to Home Assistant. With the Home Assistant’s Zigbee and Thread dongle, I had that excuse. My smart home has been a mess for a while. Before writing this, it was a combination of a Hue hub and HomeKit, the former of which I was not terribly fond of having, and the latter I tolerate. But for a few years now, I have wanted to go convert my whole house to Home Assistant: the self-hosted home automation software. And now, with the SkyConnect Connect, a combination Zigbee and Matter / Thread dongle from Home Assistant, that transition is complete. In the process, however, I broke half of the stuff in my home. Nothing works, and I could not be happier. Home Assistant, for those of you who do not follow the Smart Home n...
Cheaper Xbox expandable storage cards are on the way
/ A new Western Digital Xbox expandable storage card has been spotted at Best Buy, and it’s cheaper than the current Seagate option. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Best Buy Microsoft appears to be readying new Xbox expandable storage options from other manufacturers. A new Western Digital 1TB expansion card for Xbox Series S / X consoles has been spotted early on Best Buy, priced at $179.99. It’s the first time we’ve seen Xbox expandable storage that’s not manufactured by Seagate. Microsoft originally launched Xbox expandable storage cards nearly three years ago with its X...
Framework’s computers aren’t perfect, but they are exciting
Laptops/ Tech / Framework’s approach to laptops has me nostalgic for the first laptop I ever owned — one you’ve likely never heard of. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Framework It’s not often that I get too excited about new laptops these days. Modern laptops are extremely capable devices, with few glaring flaws. They are thin, light, and finely tuned to get the job done. Exciting, they are not. But Framework’s laptops are exciting. Under the banner of repairability and sustainability, Framework is making computers that seem to be exactly what enthusiasts have been asking f...
Super73 launches Adventure Series and first e-bike for danger babies
/ The all-new K1D puts a throttle on a 16mph balance bike for little kids, while Super73’s Z, S, and R e-bikes get a ruggedized makeover. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Super73 California’s Super73 now offers more ruggedized models of its Super73 Z, S, and R series of e-bikes and a new K1D electric balance bike for kids — and parents stoked at the thought of putting their four- to eight-year-old on a vehicle that can go over 16mph. The so-called Adventure Series of e-bikes brings a refreshed design, suspension, gear box, seats, tires, and lights across Super73’s existing Z...
Elon Musk Valued Twitter at $20B USD and Signed a Letter Demanding a Pause on Advanced AI Development in This Week’s Tech Roundup
This week, Elon Musk once again made waves throughout the industry. Over at Twitter, a leaked email reportedly sent from Musk to a company employee assessed the platform’s value at $20 billion USD, less than half of what he paid for it. And in the AI sphere, the CEO was among several high-profile signees asking for a pause on the development of advanced AI, warning the public of the risks AI can pose if ungoverned.On the product side, Leica celebrated 100 years of Disney with a limited-edition version of its Leica Q2 camera, while at Apple, rumors suggest that the AirPods Pro 2 will include a USB-C port.Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.Leica Celebrated Disney's 100th Anniversary With a Limited-Edition Came...
April Fools’ Day 2023: the best and cringiest pranks
As Chaim Gartenberg explained in 2021, there are only really four options for brands on April Fools’ Day: Don’t do an April Fools’ joke. Put the time and energy into doing something productive that will materially benefit the world (or, less idealistically, your business) instead. Or just don’t do anything. Abstaining entirely would still be a net positive over the drain of resources and mental energy. Do an April Fools’ “joke” but actually follow through on your stunt. This is arguably not a prank, since you’ve actually created a video game skin or a real product that people can buy — but it doesn’t really hurt anyone. Do an April Fools’ joke but be extremely clear from the start that this is a dumb joke and you have no intention of doing the thing that you are “humorously” pretending to ...
It’s April Fools’ Day, but this Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming PC might not be a joke
/ This portable PC gaming machine from Asus would be serious competition for the Steam Deck if the company actually puts it on sale. Considering the date on the calendar and the lack of a price or other details, the first — and probably correct — response to Asus surprise-announcing a handheld gaming machine is that this must be an April Fools’ Day prank. Still, this Asus ROG Ally launch video is just a little too good to simply shake off. According to Asus, the Windows 11-powered ROG Ally has a customized Ryzen APU from AMD inside, like the Aerith SOC inside Valve’s Steam Deck, and Asus claims it is the fastest one from AMD yet. The screen will provide “full HD gaming,” and it promises a quiet dual-fan design along with the visible standard setup of dual analog sticks, left-mounted D-pad,...
The newest iPad Mini and Google’s Pixel 6A top our favorite deals of the week
/ Plus, you can save on Amazon’s latest Echo speaker, controllers, and our favorite pair of wireless earbuds: Sony’s WF-1000XM4. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge Ah. April Fools’ Day. The dreaded day when publishers like The Verge have to second guess every news story or potential tip that lands in our Gmail inbox. Thankfully, when it comes to deals, things are often exactly what they appear to be. Take today’s discount on Apple’s sixth-gen iPad Mini, which is currently matching its all-time low of $399.99 ($100 off) at Amazon in the 64GB configura...
Riot made its esports arena transform for new Valorant league
/ With the launch of the VCT Americas league, Riot has redesigned its LA studio into something that can support multiple games. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Riot Games This weekend is an important one for Valorant esports, with the launch of a new professional league for teams across North America, Latin America, and Brazil. The debut of the VCT Americas league, as it’s known, will also mark the first time Valorant games have taken place live and in person in North America. That meant that Riot had to redesign its Los Angeles studio to be much more high tech and flexible...
How to change the region on an HP OfficeJet printer in 57 easy steps (printer companies hate this!)
/ I moved across the ocean and took my printer with me. Then I discovered it was region-locked. A wiser man would have bought a new one. a:hover]:text-gray-63 [&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-black dark:[&>a:hover]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a:hover]:shadow-underline-gray [&>a]:shadow-underline-gray-63 dark:[&>a]:text-gray-bd dark:[&>a]:shadow-underline-gray”>Image: Hugo Herrera / The Verge A couple of weeks ago, Nilay wrote about the Brother laser printer everyone else has. It’s cheap, reliable, and the toner lasts a long time. Get a Brother laser printer, he said, and basically never think about your printer again. You know what part of Nilay’s post sounded really nice? This part right here: It has been connected to our Wi-Fi for like six years straight, and I have ne...
Bugatti and Master & Dynamic Unveil New Luxury Headphones Collection
Bugatti has come together with Master & Dynamic for a new high-tech, luxury-focused collection of headphones. Audiophiles and car enthusiasts will find that the new collection is hypercar-inspired, paying tribute to the Chiron. The ultimate combination between French luxury and high-definition sound tools, the limited edition collection features earbuds and over-ear headphones. This particular collaboration utilizes Master & Dynamic's most sophisticated models, including the top-of-the-line MW75 active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless headphones, the MW08 ANC wireless earbuds and the ever-stylish MG20 wireless gaming headphones. Each pair of headphones feature a subtle Bugatti branding to pay tribute to the record-setting Chiron. The colors available for each headphone also give a no...
