What if the very salt you use to season your food is the same that powers your gadgets? Yes – it seems like Lithium’s time in the sun has ended as CATL – the behemoth that manufactures 40% of the world’s lithium batteries – plans on pivoting half its future business to sodium-ion technology. When the company that built an empire on lithium starts looking elsewhere, you know something big is happening.

Every person owns roughly a minimum of 5 objects that are powered by lithium-ion batteries. They’re in everything from your phone to your video doorbell to your earbuds to even your electric car. Lithium-based batteries literally power the world today, but there’s a fundamental problem with them – they’re unstable, fairly scarce, and difficult to acquire without completely ravaging the environment. That’s why the world’s largest battery maker is looking at the next best alternative – the same stuff you line your margarita glasses with. That’s right – salt, or as scientists call it, Sodium Chloride.

From Table Salt to Battery Powerhouse

Sodium sits one row below lithium on the periodic table – the overlooked middle child to lithium’s golden boy status. Both elements share a crucial trait: they readily surrender electrons, making them perfect battery materials. But sodium atoms are pudgier and heavier than their lithium counterparts, creating the technology’s Achilles’ heel: energy density.

Current sodium-ion batteries pack roughly 160-200 watt-hours per kilogram compared to lithium’s 300 Wh/kg. When it comes to building EVs, the disadvantages stack up pretty quickly, given how heavy existing EV batteries are. Swapping out Lithium for Sodium would make these batteries nearly twice as heavy, severely impacting the car’s overall weight and therefore, its range. Yet, despite this handicap, sodium is increasingly finding adoption in battery tech.

The reason becomes obvious when you look beyond the spec sheet. The Earth’s oceans hold approximately 180 billion tons of sodium – a supply so vast it makes “abundance” seem like an understatement. Lithium, meanwhile, exists primarily in remote salt flats and hard rock deposits, concentrated in geopolitically complex regions like the “Lithium Triangle” of South America and conflict-prone areas in Africa.

Extracting lithium demands intense water usage in often drought-stricken regions, creating environmental flashpoints and community tensions. Sodium, by contrast, can be sourced from seawater or common salt deposits through simpler, less resource-intensive processes. The environmental footprint difference is stark.

Cost also plays a significant role in this pivot. Salt is dirt cheap – actually, cheaper than dirt. While lithium prices have ridden a rollercoaster that threatened to derail EV adoption, sodium remains stable and abundant. BYD (Tesla’s most formidable global competitor) projects sodium batteries could eventually undercut lithium costs by 30-70%. For an industry where pennies per kilowatt-hour determine market winners, that’s not just an advantage – it’s potentially game-set-match.

The Great Salt Rush of 2025

CATL isn’t merely pontificating about sodium’s theoretical potential – they’ve already commercialized it. Their Freevoy battery pack combines lithium and sodium cells in a hybrid system for long-range EVs, threading the needle between sodium’s cost advantages and lithium’s energy density.

Their second-generation sodium battery, launching later this year, promises energy density exceeding 200 Wh/kg. While still trailing lithium, this represents a remarkable leap from the first generation’s 160 Wh/kg. The gap is closing faster than many expected.

BYD, meanwhile, is making an even bolder play. Their sodium-ion gigafactory under construction will churn out 30 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually when fully operational in 2027 – enough to power roughly 600,000 electric vehicles. For perspective, that’s more than the entire UK electric vehicle market in 2023.

The sodium rush extends beyond the Chinese giants. Zhejiang Hu Na Energy recently fired up a 4 GWh production line with plans to quintuple capacity. Across the Pacific, American startup Natron Energy is building a 24 GWh facility in North Carolina after establishing a beachhead factory in Michigan.

Sub-Zero Superstar: Why Winter Loves Sodium

Beyond cost and sustainability, sodium-ion batteries offer a performance advantage that anyone who’s driven an EV in Minnesota will appreciate: exceptional cold-weather resilience.

Lithium batteries and frigid temperatures mix about as well as cats and bathtubs. Below -20°C (-4°F), lithium ions struggle to intercalate properly into the anode, instead plating onto its surface. This “lithium plating” reduces capacity, damages the battery, and in extreme cases, creates safety hazards.

Sodium ions, with their larger size and different chemical properties, resist this plating effect. CATL claims its second-generation sodium batteries function reliably down to -40°C (-40°F) – the point where Fahrenheit and Celsius converge and conventional lithium batteries essentially give up.

For drivers in northern climates, this isn’t a minor technical distinction – it’s the difference between reaching your destination or calling a tow truck during winter months. For fleet operators, it means consistent range regardless of season.

Sodium batteries also demonstrate superior thermal stability at the other end of the thermometer. They’re less prone to thermal runaway – the battery equivalent of a chain reaction that can lead to fires. For grid storage installations in hot, fire-prone regions like Australia or California, this safety profile could prove decisive.

TAQ Team: The MIT Breakthrough Changing the Game

While commercial sodium batteries advance rapidly, researchers are attacking sodium’s energy density limitation from another angle. Scientists at MIT’s Dincă Lab have developed an organic cathode material called TAQ (bis-tetraaminobenzoquinone) that could fundamentally change the sodium battery equation.

Traditional cathodes rely on metals like cobalt and nickel that are scarce, expensive, and environmentally problematic to extract. TAQ replaces these with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen – elements so abundant they form the backbone of life itself. The researchers claim performance rivaling cobalt-based cathodes at one-third the cost.

What makes this development particularly intriguing is its industrial backing. The initial research was funded by Lamborghini – not exactly a company known for investing in technologies without performance potential. When a manufacturer of 200 mph supercars takes interest in sodium batteries, it suggests the technology’s limitations might be more temporary than fundamental.

When Salt Gets in the Wound: Challenges Ahead

Despite the momentum, sodium-ion technology faces significant headwinds. The dramatic collapse of lithium prices – down 70% over the past three years due to production increases – has temporarily weakened the economic case for alternatives. The battery industry is notoriously cyclical, and sodium’s cost advantage looks less compelling when lithium is cheap.

Sodium battery manufacturers also remain too small to benefit from economies of scale, creating a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma. They need volume to drive down costs, but struggle to achieve volume without competitive costs. This challenge claimed a victim in Swedish manufacturer Northvolt, which unveiled a promising sodium battery in 2023 before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The technology also faces entrenched interests. The lithium supply chain represents trillions in investments, from mines to processing facilities to battery factories. This industrial momentum creates resistance to change, even when the alternative offers compelling advantages.

The Sodium Stratification: Finding Each Chemistry’s Sweet Spot

The most likely future isn’t a wholesale replacement of lithium but strategic deployment of sodium in applications where its strengths matter most and its weaknesses least.

Grid-scale energy storage represents sodium’s most promising beachhead. When batteries are stationary, energy density becomes secondary to cost, safety, and longevity – all areas where sodium shines. As solar and wind deployment accelerates, the demand for affordable storage will explode, creating a natural market for sodium technology.

For electric vehicles, a segmented approach seems probable. Budget models and urban delivery vehicles could adopt sodium batteries first, leveraging their lower cost and excellent cold-weather performance without requiring the energy density of long-range vehicles. Premium cars might retain lithium for years longer, or adopt hybrid systems like CATL’s Freevoy that combine both chemistries.

This market segmentation parallels what we’ve seen with lithium batteries themselves. Different formulations – NMC, LFP, NCA – have found niches based on their particular strengths rather than a single chemistry dominating all applications.

Worth Its Salt: The Future of Sodium Power

Battery technology evolves through persistent iteration rather than dramatic breakthroughs. Sodium-ion batteries exemplify this pattern – they don’t render lithium obsolete but complement it by addressing specific weaknesses in our current energy storage ecosystem.

When the world’s largest battery manufacturers bet billions on a technology, I pay attention. CATL and BYD have built empires by recognizing inflection points before they become obvious. Their aggressive sodium expansion suggests they see a major shift coming – one that could reshape the energy storage landscape over the next decade.

For consumers, this transition promises more affordable electric vehicles that perform better in cold climates. For grid operators, it offers cheaper, safer energy storage solutions. For the planet, it represents a more sustainable path forward, reducing dependence on problematic mining operations and making clean energy more accessible globally.

The sodium revolution won’t happen overnight. Technological inertia, existing investments, and ongoing improvements to lithium batteries ensure a gradual transition. But the trajectory seems increasingly clear: that humble white crystal seasoning your food is poised to power our electrified future.

Next time you reach for the salt shaker, consider that you’re handling what might become the lifeblood of tomorrow’s energy systems. In a world obsessed with exotic materials and complex solutions, there’s something beautifully elegant about powering the future with one of Earth’s most common elements.

The post Your Next EV Could Be Powered By Salt – Why Sodium-Ion Batteries Are The ‘Next Big Thing’ first appeared on Yanko Design.

This is a story of betrayal, and how Japan ‘screwed over’ its most beloved artist in the name of AI supremacy/advocacy.

If you’ve been on the internet in the past week, you’ve clearly seen a flood of AI-generated photos in a certain Anime style. Referred colloquially to as the ‘Studio Ghibli’ aesthetic, it captures the artistic style of celebrated filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s body of work. The style went viral online after Sam Altman debuted GPT 4o’s ability to translate any photo into any style. However, for some reason, the Ghibli style went truly viral, with everyone (including even nation leaders) using it in ways that blurred the line between cute and potentially disturbing.

There’s a lot of opinion to be shared here, especially from Miyazaki himself, who absolutely hates the fact that his years of hard work have been distilled to something as abhorrently dull as a ‘Snapchat filter’. Miyazaki’s work has always been the antithesis of AI – it’s been rooted in empathy, humanity (the good kind), and a kindred spirit that prioritizes the living, the curious, and the underdogs. AI’s use of this style seems to be the absolute opposite of everything Miyazaki stood for. He’s always been a man who prioritized the artform, and famously even sent Harvey Weinstein a samurai sword with a stern warning when Weinstein asked one of his feature films be cut to a 90-minute format for easy consumption. But opinion aside, let’s talk about what’s transpired over the past week, and how Japan’s own government screwed over Miyazaki by handing Ghibli’s entire catalog to OpenAI on a silver platter.

The Digital Pickpocketing of Artistic Soul

Grant Slatton’s Ghibli-fied image is what arguably sparked the global trend

OpenAI’s latest party trick allows users to “Ghiblify” their selfies into dreamy anime-style portraits that unmistakably channel the aesthetic of Studio Ghibli. The feature has gone predictably viral, with social media awash in images that mimic the studio’s distinctive style—soft watercolor backgrounds, expressive eyes, and that ineffable sense of wonder that made films like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro” international treasures.

What makes this digital ventriloquism act particularly galling isn’t just that it’s happening, but that it’s happening to Miyazaki of all people. This is a man who famously handcrafts his animations, who once walked out of an AI demonstration in disgust, muttering that it was “an insult to life itself.” His revulsion wasn’t mere technophobia but a principled stand against the mechanization of an art form he believes should capture the messy, beautiful complexity of human experience.

The irony would be delicious if it weren’t so bitter: the artist who rejected computers is now being replicated by them, his distinctive visual language reduced to a prompt parameter.

Japan’s Legal Betrayal

Miyazaki himself refers to AI art as an insult to life itself.

The true villain in this artistic appropriation isn’t necessarily OpenAI (though they’re hardly innocent bystanders). It’s Japan’s bewilderingly creator-hostile copyright framework. In May 2023, the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs issued an interpretation of copyright law that effectively threw creative professionals under the technological bus, declaring that copyrighted works could be used without permission for AI training purposes. (The article specifies that the AI can train on copyright material if its purpose is ‘non-enjoyment’, which roughly translates to – artistic styles can be copied/replicated as long as the AI doesn’t replicate ideas/sentiments/scenes/characters from the training data)

The legal loophole hinges on a distinction that would make even the most pedantic lawyer blush: as long as the AI isn’t “enjoying” the works it’s ingesting (whatever that means for a neural network), it’s perfectly fine to feed it the entire corpus of an artist’s life work without consent or compensation. Article 30-4 of Japan’s Copyright Law provides this exception for “non-enjoyment purposes,” essentially declaring open season on creative content so you could ‘Ghiblify’ your selfie without infringing on Miyazaki’s nuanced material. As long as the AI doesn’t make photos of you standing beside Totoro, or recreating scenes from Spirited Away, it’s all kosher.

This isn’t just bad policy—it’s spectacular cognitive dissonance from a nation that has built significant cultural capital and soft power through its artistic exports. Japan, home to anime, manga, and some of the world’s most distinctive visual storytellers, has essentially told its creative class: “Your work is valuable enough to protect from human copycats, but feel free to let the machines have at it.”

The Existential Threat to Artistic Innovation

“But wait,” the techno-optimists cry, “isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Aren’t artists always influenced by those who came before?”

This argument fundamentally misunderstands both the nature of artistic influence and the economics of creative work. When a human artist studies Miyazaki’s techniques, they’re engaging in a centuries-old tradition of artistic apprenticeship. They digest, internalize, and transform influences through the prism of their own humanity, eventually developing something new. What emerges is evolution, not replication.

AI systems, by contrast, are designed specifically to replicate existing styles on demand. They don’t “learn” in the human sense—they statistically model patterns and reproduce them with variations. There’s no artistic journey, no struggle, no evolution of personal vision. The result is a flattening of artistic diversity, where new styles can be instantly mimicked and mass-produced the moment they emerge.

For emerging artists, this creates a perverse disincentive to innovation. Why spend years developing a distinctive style when an AI can copy it overnight? Why push creative boundaries when algorithms can immediately appropriate your breakthroughs? The result is a potential creative chill, where artistic innovation becomes economically irrational… because you don’t want to become a victim of your own success.

The Miyazaki Paradox

The situation creates what future generations will probably refer to as the Miyazaki Paradox: the more distinctive and influential your artistic voice becomes, the more vulnerable you are to algorithmic appropriation. Miyazaki’s style is being copied precisely because it’s so recognizable and beloved. His success has made him a target.

This paradox extends beyond animation. Authors with distinctive prose styles, musicians with unique sounds, and visual artists with particular techniques all face the same threat. Their creative fingerprints—developed through decades of practice and refinement—become training data for systems that can reproduce them without attribution or compensation.

What’s particularly galling is that this appropriation is happening to Miyazaki while he’s still actively working. At 83, he recently released what may be his final film, “The Boy and the Heron.” Rather than celebrating this capstone to an extraordinary career, we’re watching his artistic DNA being spliced into commercial AI systems without his consent.

Legal Whack-a-Mole in a Borderless Digital World

McDonalds came under fire for its use of GPT’s filter to plagiarize Miyazaki’s style to create marketing material

The global nature of AI development creates a jurisdictional nightmare for creators seeking to protect their work. While Japan has explicitly permitted the use of copyrighted works for AI training, content creators in other countries may have valid claims under their own copyright laws. This creates a complex legal patchwork that benefits primarily those with the deepest pockets—typically the tech companies, not individual artists.

Even when creators attempt to protect their work through legal means, they face an uphill battle. Copyright infringement claims require proving substantial similarity and actual copying—difficult standards to meet when dealing with AI systems that blend thousands of sources. The burden of proof often falls on creators who lack the resources to pursue complex litigation against tech giants.

The use of this filter to ‘animate’ powerful images feels like the most gross disrespect of history and its impact on life. Here, someone turned the JFK sh**ting into seemingly light-hearted artwork.

Digital Self-Defense: Protecting Your Creative Work

Despite these challenges, creators aren’t entirely powerless. Several strategies have emerged for protecting creative works in the age of AI:

1. Technological Countermeasures: Tools like the University of Chicago’s “Glaze” introduce subtle perturbations to images that are invisible to humans but confuse AI systems attempting to learn an artist’s style. Think of it as digital camouflage for your creative DNA.
2. Strategic Licensing: Creative Commons licenses with specific restrictions on AI training can establish clear boundaries for how your work can be used. While enforcement remains challenging, explicit prohibitions create legal leverage.
3. Embrace the Inimitable: Focus on aspects of creativity that AI struggles to replicate—conceptual depth, cultural context, personal narrative, and authentic emotional resonance. The most human elements of art remain the most difficult to algorithmically reproduce.
4. Collective Action: Individual creators have limited power, but collective movements can influence both policy and corporate behavior. Organizations like the Authors Guild and various visual artists’ associations are already pushing back against unauthorized use of creative works for AI training.
5. Blockchain Verification: While not a panacea, blockchain technology can create verifiable provenance for original works, helping audiences distinguish between human-created content and AI imitations.

To add insult to injury, the official White House Twitter Account shared this dehumanizing Ghibli-fied image of an immigrant being arrested for deportation

The Bitter Irony: AI’s Dependence on Human Creativity

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of this situation is that AI systems fundamentally depend on human creativity to function. Without Miyazaki’s decades of artistic innovation, there would be no “Ghibli style” for ChatGPT to mimic. These systems are parasitic on the very creative ecosystem they threaten to undermine.

This creates an unsustainable dynamic: if AI systems discourage artistic innovation by making it instantly replicable, they will eventually exhaust the supply of novel human creativity they require as training data. It’s the technological equivalent of killing the golden goose—extracting short-term value at the expense of long-term cultural vitality.

The post How Japan’s Copyright Laws Allowed ChatGPT to Blatantly ‘Steal’ Studio Ghibli’s Work first appeared on Yanko Design.

Backyard hobbyists, travel vloggers, indie filmmakers, and even search-and-rescue teams—these days, everyone wants a drone. And for good reason. A decent quadcopter can shoot stabilized 4K video from 400 feet up, map a crop field with centimeter-level accuracy, or follow a mountain biker down a trail with eerie precision. But for all the innovation in this space, there’s one name stamped on nearly every controller: DJI. The Chinese giant has become the default, dominating more than 70% of the consumer drone market globally. Its products are everywhere—from tech reviews to government agencies—thanks to a head start in R&D, aggressive pricing, and polished design that somehow never feels cheap. But that ubiquity is now coming at a cost.

The U.S. Department of Justice has already slapped tariffs on Chinese imports and is now eyeing an outright ban on market-leaders like DJI, citing concerns over data security and links to the Chinese Communist Party. Sound familiar? That’s because it echoes the same playbook used against Huawei. It’s a geopolitical knife fight dressed in legalese, but the ripple effects hit consumers first. With DJI’s future allegedly in limbo stateside, the timing couldn’t be better for rivals to step up. A few already have—offering sleek airframes, competitive sensors, and AI-powered autonomy that could give even a Mavic a midair identity crisis. Here are 5 alternative drone companies if you’re looking to take to the skies without worrying about which company the US government will crack down on next.

Autel Robotics (EVO Lite/Pro & EVO II Series)

Autel Robotics has quietly carved out its own lane in the drone world, often flying under the radar but steadily winning over professionals and hobbyists who value performance without compromise. Based in the U.S. with manufacturing in China, Autel walks a careful geopolitical tightrope, but its hardware speaks louder than any press release. The company made a splash with its EVO series, building a reputation for rugged designs, high-end specs, and fewer restrictions compared to DJI’s more tightly controlled ecosystems. Autel drones often ship with fewer no-fly zone limitations, swappable batteries, and a more open-ended user experience, which has won them a loyal following among professionals and independent creators alike, as well as notable design awards like the Red Dot Award.

The EVO Lite+ and EVO II series are the standout offerings for camera-focused users. The EVO Lite+ comes equipped with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that shoots 5K video at 30fps and 20MP stills, matching the Mavic Air 2S spec-for-spec while offering better low-light performance thanks to an adjustable aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11. It clocks in around $899 on Amazon, undercutting some DJI models while still offering 40 minutes of flight time per charge. For creators needing more horsepower, the EVO II Pro 6K and 8K variants are where things get serious. The 8K model boasts a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor for ultra-high-res video, while the EVO II Pro steps up to a 1-inch sensor with 10-bit color and HDR support. With up to 40 minutes of flight time, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, and a top speed of 45mph, the EVO II Pro punches directly in the same weight class as the Mavic 3 series—and it holds its own.

HOVERAir (X1 PRO & PROMAX)

HOVERAir isn’t trying to play the same game as the legacy drone makers. Instead of chasing altitude or brute specs, the brand has doubled down on portability, automation, and being a hands-free hovering camera. Developed by Zero Zero Robotics, HOVERAir’s roots go back to 2016, when the original Hover Camera Passport made waves with its book-sized footprint and fold-out carbon fiber cage. Fast forward to today, and HOVERAir’s lineup feels like a deliberate counter to the controller-heavy, app-driven drone world. Designed to be foldable so the drones can flip shut like a book and fit in your pocket; they’re made for creators who want to toss a drone into the air and have it just work—no setup, no sticks, no fiddling with ISO.

The HOVERAir X1 PRO takes that philosophy and runs with it. Weighing just 191.5 grams, it dodges FAA registration entirely and still manages to shoot stabilized 8K@30fps video using a 2-axis gimbal system powered by software-based image stabilization. With pre-programmed flight modes like “Orbit,” “Follow,” and “Bird’s Eye,” it leans heavily into AI, using subject tracking and gesture controls to anticipate user intent. Battery life hovers around 16 minutes, but charging is fast, and spare batteries are lightweight enough to carry in multiples. The PROMAX variant adds improved subject tracking and an upgraded camera system with better low-light performance and faster frame rates. Pricing sits around $499 for the X1 PRO and edges closer to $699 for the PROMAX, making them ideal for travel content creators, social media filmmakers, or anyone who wants cinematic drone footage without learning to be a pilot.

V-Copter (Falcon Mini)

V-Coptr is a name that sounds like it was ripped from a forgotten Sega Genesis title, but the engineering behind it is far from retro. Developed by Zero Zero Robotics—the same folks behind the HoverAir X1 PRO and PROMAX—V-Coptr takes an unconventional approach to drone design. Instead of the familiar quadcopter layout, it opts for a bicopter V-wing configuration, which looks more like a mini stealth aircraft than a consumer drone. This zany design drastically reduces energy consumption during hover and forward flight, giving it one major advantage over traditional four-rotor setups: endurance.

The Falcon Mini, V-Coptr’s latest consumer offering, pushes this advantage further. Clocking in at just 249 grams, it skirts under most drone registration limits while still offering a stabilized 4K camera thanks to a 3-axis mechanical gimbal. The unique dual-rotor design contributes to a 34-minute maximum flight time—more than what most tiny quadcopters can manage in real-world conditions, while still being fairly quiet thanks to having half as many rotors. While exact pricing hasn’t been announced, the Falcon Mini competes directly with DJI’s Mini 3 lineup. But the V-tail silhouette isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out—its power efficiency and compact form give it real-world usability that goes beyond the spec sheet.

Potensic (ATOM 2)

Potensic isn’t a name that usually headlines drone expos or gets front-page love in tech media, but that’s part of its charm. It’s the kind of brand you stumble onto while scrolling through mid-range drones and suddenly realize—wait, this thing checks a lot of boxes. Based in China, Potensic has been building a reputation in the budget-to-mid-tier space by focusing on functional design, accessible pricing, and solid user experience. While many of its earlier offerings skewed toward beginner drones with lightweight specs, the company’s more recent push into serious consumer hardware shows it’s ready to challenge the segment dominated by names with bigger marketing budgets.

The ATOM 2 is Potensic’s sleeper hit, especially for budget-conscious creators who still care about camera quality and flight precision. At just 249 grams, it skims under the FAA’s registration limit in the U.S. but still packs a 4K camera with a 3-axis gimbal—features that used to be reserved for drones costing twice as much. It offers 31 minutes of flight time per battery, a respectable 10 km transmission range, and advanced subject tracking powered by Potensic’s algorithm. Video maxes out at 4K/30fps (and photos at 8K) with surprisingly crisp color reproduction and decent low-light handling for its size. What makes the ATOM 2 even more impressive is its foldable design and sub-$400 price tag, which positions it as one of the most capable ultralight drones in its class. It’s the kind of gear that punches above its weight, especially for solo travelers, new pilots, or anyone who wants stabilized aerial footage without clearing out their savings account.

Skydio (Skydio 2+ Series)

Skydio stands out by doing what almost no other drone company dares: betting the house on AI. Based in California and staffed by veterans from MIT and Google Project Wing, Skydio doesn’t try to out-spec DJI in raw camera performance. Instead, it leans hard into autonomy—building drones that think for themselves, navigate with uncanny awareness, and follow subjects with a level of confidence that feels borderline science fiction. While their marketing sometimes gestures toward consumer use, Skydio’s DNA is undeniably enterprise-grade. Whether it’s bridge inspections, military scouting, or police reconnaissance, these drones are engineered for mission-critical tasks where GPS isn’t enough and pilot error isn’t an option.

The Skydio 2+ might look like a compact, GoPro-sized quadcopter, but it’s hiding a staggering amount of tech under its matte blue frame. It uses six 4K navigation cameras to build a real-time 3D map of its surroundings, letting it dodge trees, wires, and sudden obstacles at full speed—autonomously. The main camera captures 4K60 HDR video with an f/2.8 lens and a Sony 1/2.3″ CMOS sensor, which isn’t mind-blowing on paper, but Skydio’s real magic lies in how effortlessly it can track a subject through a dense forest or urban maze. Flight time hovers around 27 minutes, and the max range extends to 6 km with the upgraded Beacon or controller. While the Skydio 2+ starts at $1,099, it’s best experienced with the accessories that push it into $1,500–$2,000 territory. This series doesn’t chase cinematic aesthetics—it chases reliability, precision, and trust in AI. It’s the Phantom’s spiritual successor for pilots who don’t want to micromanage every joystick twitch.

The post Looking to Ditch DJI? These 5 Alternative Camera Drones Are Worth Exploring first appeared on Yanko Design.

The concept of “everyday carry” or EDC has long been dominated by images of tactical gear spread across Reddit threads by enthusiastic men showcasing their latest pocket knife acquisition. But the truth is, women have been carrying essential items in their bags since, well, bags were invented. We just haven’t been calling it EDC or posting flat-lays of our purse contents with the same fervor. The reality is that thoughtfully curated everyday items aren’t gendered—they’re practical solutions to life’s unpredictable moments, from loose screws on your glasses to that package that needs opening when you’re nowhere near the kitchen drawer.

What makes a great women’s EDC isn’t about shrinking tools and making them pink (though if that’s your aesthetic, no judgment here). It’s about recognizing that preparedness looks different for everyone based on their daily challenges, environments, and personal comfort levels. As someone who’s gone from carrying nothing but lip balm and keys to assembling a carefully considered collection of practical items, I’ve learned that the right EDC setup can transform how you navigate your day—making you more self-sufficient, confident, and ready for whatever comes your way. Whether you’re a college student, a working professional, a parent, or all of the above, having these essentials within reach isn’t about paranoia; it’s about practical empowerment in a world that doesn’t always cater to our needs.

01. Pocket Knife

A quality pocket knife remains one of the most versatile tools you can carry, serving as everything from a package opener to a personal safety device. For women looking to add this essential to their EDC, I recommend focusing on three key factors: compactness, reliability, and ergonomics. The knife should feel like a natural extension of your hand while remaining discreet enough to slip into a pocket or small purse compartment. Brands like The James Brand and WESN have revolutionized the pocket knife market with their minimalist designs that combine functionality with aesthetics—proving that practical tools can also be beautiful objects you’re proud to carry and use. Their slim profiles and thoughtful details make them particularly suitable for those who want utility without the tactical appearance that many traditional pocket knives embrace.

For those concerned about navigating various security restrictions, consider exploring knives with detachable or replaceable blades. Models that accommodate standard scalpel blades offer a brilliant solution to the modern urban dweller’s dilemma—when approaching security checkpoints at malls, subways, or airports, you can simply remove and properly dispose of the blade, keeping the handle to reattach a new blade later. While traditional folding knives from brands like WESN offer elegant simplicity, those preferring quicker deployment might appreciate Tekto’s OTF (out-the-front) designs, which provide rapid one-handed access when needed. Whatever style you choose, remember that the best knife is one you’re comfortable using and carrying consistently—because a tool left at home can’t help you when you need it most.

02. Emergency Flashlight

In an age where we rely on our smartphones for everything, a dedicated flashlight might seem redundant—until you find yourself with a dead phone battery in a dark parking garage or navigating a power outage at home. A quality compact flashlight delivers significantly more lumens than your phone’s flash, with focused beams that can cut through darkness at greater distances and specialized modes your phone simply can’t match. The tactical advantage of having a separate light source becomes immediately apparent when you need to preserve your phone battery during emergencies or, in worst-case scenarios, when your phone is lost or stolen. Modern EDC flashlights have evolved far beyond the bulky plastic models of yesteryear, with some premium options packing 1000+ lumens into a package smaller than your lipstick tube—powerful enough to temporarily disorient a potential threat while you create distance and seek safety.

Brands like Olight, Streamlight, and Fenix have mastered the art of creating compact, virtually indestructible flashlights that withstand everything from rainstorms to accidental drops. Look for models featuring multiple brightness settings, SOS emergency strobe functions, and IPX8 water resistance ratings that ensure functionality even in the most challenging conditions. The StreamLight Pocket Mate offers impressive performance-to-size ratios, with a clip that attaches to hat brims for hands-free use, a carabiner for easy strapping to keychains, and USB charging. Whether you’re walking to your car after a late shift, searching for dropped items in dimly lit spaces, or facing more serious emergency scenarios, a dedicated flashlight represents one of the most practical additions to any woman’s everyday carry.

03. EDC Multitool

Picture this: you’re halfway through assembling that “simple” IKEA shelf when you realize the included Allen wrench is missing. Or perhaps you’re at a rooftop gathering when someone hands you a bottle without an opener, looking at you expectantly. Maybe you’re in a public restroom stall when the door lock suddenly falls apart. These seemingly minor inconveniences can quickly escalate from annoying to genuinely problematic—unless you’re carrying a multitool. I still remember the mixture of gratitude and admiration on my colleague’s face when her glasses screw came loose during an important presentation, and I quietly produced a multitool from my bag, fixing the issue in seconds while she continued speaking. These small moments of preparedness aren’t just convenient; they transform you into the capable person others turn to when things go sideways.

The beauty of today’s multitools lies in their thoughtful engineering—manufacturers have mastered the art of packing maximum functionality into minimal space. For those who prefer a comprehensive solution, brands like Leatherman and Victorinox offer premium options with full-sized implements including precision screwdrivers, sturdy pliers, wire cutters, and bottle openers, all folding into a package smaller than a smartphone. If ultra-portability is your priority, the Gerber Shard represents the pinnacle of minimalist design, incorporating seven essential functions—including pry bar, wire stripper, small and large screwdriver tips, and bottle opener—into an airline-friendly, TSA-compliant tool no larger than your thumb. The Shard’s keychain-compatible design means it’s always with you, without adding noticeable weight or bulk to your everyday carry. Whether you opt for a full-sized multitool tucked in your bag or a micro-option attached to your keys, having these capabilities on hand transforms minor setbacks from day-ruining annoyances into quickly resolved footnotes in your day.

04. Personal Safety Tools (Alarms, Pepper Spray, Whistles)

Imagine walking back to your car after a late movie, or taking a shortcut through a less-traveled path in your neighborhood park. These everyday scenarios shouldn’t induce anxiety, but having a personal safety tool within reach provides that quiet reassurance that can make all the difference in your peace of mind. The goal isn’t to move through the world expecting danger at every turn—it’s simply acknowledging that preparedness creates confidence. A personal safety device is much like having health insurance: you hope never to need it, but you’ll be immensely grateful for its presence if a situation arises. The most effective safety tools strike that delicate balance between being accessible enough to deploy quickly and discreet enough to carry consistently, becoming such a natural part of your everyday carry that you barely notice its presence until needed.

While pepper spray remains popular for its effectiveness, its legal status varies dramatically across locations—many government buildings, schools, airports, and even some shopping centers prohibit it entirely, creating a complicated patchwork of regulations for carriers to navigate. For a universally acceptable alternative, consider the Hyperwhistle (measuring at an ear-splitting 142dB) or the SABRE Personal Alarm, which emits a 120dB siren—about as loud as an ambulance siren—when activated. These compact devices attach easily to keychains or bag straps, require no special training to use effectively, and work by both startling a potential threat and drawing immediate attention to your location. The She’s Birdie personal alarm has gained particular popularity for its stylish, unassuming design that disguises serious functionality behind an aesthetic that doesn’t scream “safety device.” Whatever option you choose, the key is consistency—the most powerful safety tool is ultimately the one you actually have with you when needed, not the one sitting in a drawer at home because it was too bulky or inconvenient to carry.

05. Car Safety Tools (Seatbelt Cutter + Glass Breaker)

Personal safety doesn’t end when you step into your vehicle—in fact, the confined space of an automobile presents its own unique set of potential emergencies that require specialized tools. While we don’t often contemplate scenarios like being trapped by a jammed seatbelt or needing to escape through a window after an accident, these situations occur with surprising frequency. According to safety experts, the average person has only seconds to exit a submerged or burning vehicle, yet most of us have never considered how we’d manage if standard exits became unusable. A dedicated car safety tool addresses these rare but critical scenarios with two essential functions: a recessed blade that can slice through stubborn seatbelts without risk of accidental cuts, and a spring-loaded glass breaker designed to shatter tempered side windows with minimal effort. These tools aren’t just for your own escape—they empower you to assist others in emergencies, potentially making you the difference between a close call and a tragedy when seconds count.

The beauty of modern car safety tools lies in their remarkable compactness—the resqme keychain tool, for instance, measures roughly the size of a lip balm tube yet packs potentially life-saving functionality. Its spring-loaded design requires minimal physical strength to activate, making it effective regardless of your size or strength in high-stress situations. Similarly, the CRKT K.E.R.T. offers a sleek profile that easily attaches to keychains, bags, or sun visors for immediate accessibility. The OWL Escape Card went viral online, with its compact design slim enough to fit into a slot in your car’s sun visor. When selecting your car safety tool, prioritize models with keychain compatibility or visor clips to ensure the tool remains within reach during emergencies—a safety device buried in your glove compartment or center console may prove inaccessible precisely when you need it most. Whether you’re a daily commuter, frequent road-tripper, or occasional driver, this small addition to your everyday carry represents one of those preparations you hope never to use but would never want to be without in a critical moment.

06. Compact First Aid Kit

In the hierarchy of everyday carry items, a compact first aid kit occupies a unique position—it’s not something you’ll use daily like your phone or keys, but when needed, nothing else can substitute for it. The beauty of modern micro first aid kits is their remarkable efficiency in utilizing space, packing dozens of potentially crucial supplies into packages smaller than a deck of cards. These palm-sized marvels aren’t meant to replace comprehensive home or vehicle kits, but rather to address those unexpected moments that occur between leaving your front door and returning home: the child’s scraped knee at the playground, the paper cut that won’t stop bleeding during an important meeting, or the blister forming halfway through a day of sightseeing. Having these basics on hand transforms minor injuries from day-disrupting inconveniences into quickly resolved incidents, allowing you to continue your activities without unnecessary pain or worry about infection.

The MyMedic MyFAK Mini represents the gold standard in compact preparedness, measuring roughly 3.5 x 5 inches yet containing an impressive array of bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and basic medications. For those seeking even more portability, the VSSL First Aid Mini packs essential supplies into a waterproof aluminum cylinder small enough to slip into a coat pocket or purse compartment. The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight series offers another excellent option, with their smallest model weighing just 1.8 ounces while providing treatments for common injuries and ailments. When selecting your compact kit, look for one containing not just bandages but also antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, and blister treatment—these additions dramatically expand the kit’s usefulness without significantly increasing its size. Consider this tiny addition to your everyday carry as an investment in both practical preparedness and peace of mind, knowing you’ve taken a simple step toward being ready for life’s minor emergencies wherever they might find you.

07. Reusable Water Bottle + Filter

Let’s be honest—hydration isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a human necessity that many of us consistently neglect. The average adult body is roughly 60% water, yet studies show that approximately 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, contributing to everything from fatigue and headaches to impaired cognitive function. While any water bottle helps address this fundamental need, a filtered option elevates this everyday item from simple convenience to genuine health tool. The brilliance of integrated filter bottles is their ability to transform questionable water sources into safe drinking water, whether you’re refilling from a public bathroom sink of dubious cleanliness, an outdoor spigot during a hike, or even a stream during more adventurous outings. This isn’t paranoia—it’s practical recognition that water quality varies dramatically, and having the ability to filter out bacteria, parasites, and chemical contaminants provides both immediate health protection and remarkable peace of mind.

LifeStraw has indeed revolutionized this category with their Go series, featuring bottles that remove 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites, and 99.999% of microplastics through their hollow fiber membrane technology. For those concerned about both biological contaminants and chemical pollutants, the GRAYL GeoPress offers impressive capabilities, purifying 24 ounces of water in just 8 seconds while removing viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and many chemicals and heavy metals. The LARQ bottle takes a different approach, using UV-C LED technology to neutralize up to 99.9999% of harmful bacteria and viruses without requiring filter replacement. When selecting your filtered bottle, consider your typical usage scenarios—will you be primarily filtering tap water, or do you need wilderness-level protection? Do you prefer straw-style filters or squeeze/press systems? Whatever your choice, this addition to your everyday carry represents one of the most practical investments you can make—simultaneously addressing daily hydration needs while providing a critical emergency resource should you ever find yourself in a situation where clean water access becomes uncertain or compromised.

08. Power Bank

Your smartphone is everything when it’s powered on—navigator, emergency contact system, payment method, ticket holder, identification, and communication hub. But the moment that battery dies, this miracle of modern technology transforms into nothing more than an expensive, useless brick in your pocket. Worse still, in emergency situations, a dead phone becomes not just inconvenient but potentially dangerous, leaving you without access to maps, ride services, or the ability to call for help. This stark reality makes a power bank perhaps the most universally essential item in any modern everyday carry setup. It’s the difference between confidently navigating your day and finding yourself stranded—literally or figuratively—when your digital lifeline fails at the most inopportune moment. The best power banks balance capacity with portability—powerful enough to deliver multiple full charges while remaining small enough that you’ll actually carry it consistently rather than leaving it at home because it’s “too bulky today.”

The sweet spot in this balance typically lands around 10,000mAh capacity—enough to fully recharge most smartphones 2-3 times while maintaining a footprint roughly the size of a deck of cards. Brands like Anker, Belkin, Xiaomi, and Torras are familiar players in the power bank space. For iPhone users, the Anker MagGo series adds the convenience of magnetic alignment and wireless charging capability, eliminating the cable-fumbling dance we’ve all performed while trying to use a device that’s simultaneously charging. Those seeking the absolute pinnacle of compactness might appreciate the Anker Nano or the Sharge Flow Mini, which sacrifice some capacity for a truly pocket-sized form factor. Whatever model you choose, look for devices featuring Power Delivery technology for faster charging, multiple ports to support various devices simultaneously, and pass-through capability that allows charging your devices while the power bank itself recharges. In a world where battery anxiety has become a recognized psychological phenomenon, this small addition to your everyday carry provides both practical power and genuine peace of mind.

09. Tracking Device

In a perfect world, we’d never misplace our keys, leave our bags in rideshare vehicles, or have our belongings walk away in the hands of opportunistic thieves. But we live in reality—where the average person spends approximately 2.5 days per year searching for lost items, and where a moment of distraction can lead to the disappearance of essential possessions. Enter the humble tracking device: a technological marvel that transforms the frantic, stress-inducing search for missing items into a methodical, often quick recovery process. These coin-sized wonders operate as silent sentinels for your most important belongings, ready to broadcast their location precisely when you need them most. The applications extend far beyond simply finding misplaced keys—parents attach them to children’s backpacks for school trips, travelers secure them to luggage to prevent airline mishaps, and urban commuters tuck them into bike bags as theft deterrents. In a world where replacing lost items often means hours of inconvenience and hundreds of dollars, these tiny trackers represent one of the most cost-effective insurance policies you can buy.

The tracking device ecosystem has evolved dramatically in recent years, with several major players offering distinct advantages. Apple’s AirTag leverages the vast network of iOS devices worldwide, creating an impressively comprehensive tracking system that can locate items even in crowded urban environments or remote locations. Samsung’s SmartTag offers similar functionality for Android users within the Galaxy ecosystem, while Tile—the original pioneer in this space—provides cross-platform compatibility that works regardless of your smartphone preference. For those prioritizing battery accessibility, Chipolo‘s trackers feature user-replaceable batteries, eliminating the need to replace the entire device when power runs low. When selecting your tracker, consider the ecosystem you already use (Apple vs. Android), the tracking network size (larger networks mean better chances of locating lost items), and specific features like water resistance or separation alerts that notify you before you’ve left something behind. Whether attached to your keys, slipped into your wallet, or hidden in your vehicle, these unobtrusive devices provide remarkable peace of mind for minimal investment—transforming potential disasters into minor inconveniences with the tap of an app.

10. Notebook & Pen

In our rush to embrace the latest digital tools, we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that typing notes on a phone—hunting and pecking at tiny glass keys while autocorrect mangles our thoughts—is more efficient than simply writing things down. The humble notepad and pen combination remains one of the most underrated productivity tools in existence, offering instant-on functionality with zero boot time, no password required, and an interface so intuitive a toddler can master it. There’s something beautifully frictionless about jotting down a phone number, brilliant idea, or shopping list without the multi-step dance of unlocking your phone, finding the right app, waiting for it to load, and then fighting with a touchscreen keyboard. Beyond mere convenience, research consistently shows that handwriting engages different cognitive pathways than typing, enhancing both memory retention and creative thinking. In meetings, a physical notepad signals attentiveness and respect in a way that typing on a phone (which could just as easily be texting or scrolling social media) simply cannot match.

For those seeking the perfect balance of analog utility and modern design, the Moft Snap Flow offers an ingenious MagSafe-compatible solution that attaches directly to your iPhone, ensuring your note-taking capability is always within reach without adding bulk to your everyday carry. The clever magnetic attachment means you can quickly separate it when needed while maintaining the sleek aesthetic that modern tech enthusiasts appreciate. For a more traditional approach with innovative design, the Inseparable Notebook Pen from Yanko Design’s Shop represents a brilliant solution to the eternal “where’s my pen?” problem. Its integrated clip design ensures your writing instrument remains perfectly attached to your notebook like a stylus on an iPad, eliminating the frustration of digging through your bag for a pen when inspiration strikes. This analog duo of notepad and pen provides a refreshingly reliable method of capturing information that never crashes, never needs charging, and works just as well today as it did decades ago—sometimes the best technology isn’t technology at all.

The post 10 Everyday Carry Essentials for Women Who Want to Be Ready for Anything first appeared on Yanko Design.

I’m a little late to the club, considering we’re two days into March… but better late than never, I always say. Every few years, we reach a time when a certain category of devices/services becomes a tech essential. Mobile phones became essentials in the 2000s, a social media presence became essential in the 2010s, we ditched CDs for hard disks, hard disks for SSDs, and somewhere in the middle, we even dabbled with cloud storage. It’s 2025, and I’ve come up with my list of 7 gadgets you should absolutely own by now.

I wouldn’t call myself a prepper or doomer by any stretch of the imagination, but I trust myself more than the crumbling institutions and power-hungry corporations around me. These 6 products are common-sense purchases, to be honest, but they’re all rooted in a sense of independence and preparedness. In relying on yourself rather than everything around you. The original list had 5 products, but I added a 6th one in – even though the last item is a no-brainer, more than 90% of the world still doesn’t own one, so it definitely seemed like the right thing to do to add it to this list. Here are my 6 absolute essential tech gadgets to have in 2025 and beyond.

1. Network Attached Storage (NAS)

You’re probably reading this on a phone, and if I’m not wrong, your phone is probably filled with photos and videos that periodically get backed up to the cloud – a cloud that you pay for. There was a time when phones just came with their own memory cards, and you could pop one in, fill it up, and then replace it. Of course, cloud drives became a lot more convenient, allowing you to back photos up from 10 years ago and access them whenever – but two things happened. One, these subscriptions became an add-on expense that you ended up paying hundreds a year for, but also, two, you relinquished control over your personal memories, relying instead on Google, Apple, or Microsoft. The “Fappening” iCloud breach of 2014 starkly illustrated the vulnerability of cloud-stored media to hacks, while recent controversies surrounding AI training have raised concerns about how our data might be used without our full understanding or consent.

Enter the Network Attached Storage (NAS) solution – your personal cloud that puts you back in control of your data. A NAS device is essentially a mini-server for your home network, allowing you to store, access, and share your files securely from any device. Setting up a NAS is simpler than ever, typically involving connecting the device to your router, installing hard drives, and following a user-friendly setup wizard. Once configured, you can access your files remotely, stream media to your devices, and even run your own cloud services.

When shopping for a NAS, consider factors like the number of drive bays (which determines total storage capacity), processor power (important for running multiple services or transcoding media), and RAM (crucial for smooth performance with multiple users). Look for features like easy drive replacement, robust backup options, and app ecosystems that extend the NAS’s functionality. Some NAS devices even offer built-in protection against ransomware and other cyber threats, providing peace of mind for your digital life.

When selecting a NAS for your home, three excellent options cover the spectrum of needs and budgets. For beginners or those prioritizing simplicity, Synology’s DiskStation DS220+ ($300 plus drives) offers an intuitive interface and straightforward setup process, perfect for basic file storage, photo management, and light media streaming. Users with more demanding requirements should consider QNAP’s TS-253D ($400 plus drives), which excels at multimedia tasks like 4K video transcoding and hosting multiple simultaneous streams to different devices. Budget-conscious shoppers will appreciate TerraMaster’s F2-210 ($180 plus drives), which handles essential backup and file-sharing functions admirably despite its lower price point. All three systems can be set up in under an hour using their guided installation wizards, require minimal maintenance once configured, and ultimately pay for themselves by eliminating monthly cloud storage fees while keeping your data firmly under your control.

2. Power Station

Energy independence has shifted from a luxury to a necessity in 2025, as aging power grids struggle against increasingly extreme challenges. Recent events like the devastating Los Angeles fires, the Midwest polar vortex that left millions without heat, and the Pacific Northwest earthquake that crippled power infrastructure for weeks have highlighted the vulnerability of our electrical systems. Power stations – essentially portable, rechargeable batteries with built-in inverters – have emerged as the modern solution to an increasingly unreliable electrical infrastructure. These versatile energy hubs provide peace of mind during emergencies while offering practical utility for everything from weekend camping trips to powering essential home appliances during extended blackouts.

Power stations come in various capacities to suit different needs. Compact models weighing under 10 pounds deliver 200-300 watt-hours – perfect for charging devices, running small appliances, or powering lighting during short camping trips. Mid-range units offering 500-1000 watt-hours can handle more demanding applications like CPAP machines, mini-refrigerators, and power tools. The high-capacity segment, featuring 1500+ watt-hour capacities and dual-phase outputs, can power entire home circuits, including refrigerators, medical equipment, and heating systems during extended outages. Many premium models now feature modular battery systems, allowing you to expand capacity as needed without replacing the entire unit.

The technology powering these stations has advanced dramatically, with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offering longer lifespans, improved safety, and better performance in extreme temperatures compared to older lithium-ion chemistries. Solar charging capabilities have become standard, with efficient MPPT controllers maximizing energy harvest from portable panels. This solar integration creates truly sustainable power systems, allowing users to generate electricity indefinitely in remote locations or during prolonged grid failures. Advanced features like app connectivity, programmable power management, and UPS (uninterruptible power supply) functionality provide unprecedented control over your energy usage.

Anker’s PowerHouse series leads the market with exceptional build quality and intuitive interfaces that make complex power management accessible to everyone. BLUETTI has established itself as the innovation leader, pioneering features like dual voltage outputs and expandable battery systems in their AC200 and EP500 models. Jackery, once considered an underdog, has rapidly gained market share with their Explorer series, offering excellent value and reliability for outdoor enthusiasts. VTOMAN has made waves with their rugged, military-inspired designs and impressive power-to-weight ratios. Investment in these systems ranges from $500-800 for entry-level models suitable for device charging and small appliances, to $1,500-3,000 for mid-range units that can power essential home circuits or even your EV, all the way up to $3,000-7,000 for comprehensive home backup systems with expandable capacity.

3. Vehicle Dash Cam

Most smart homes are equipped with video doorbells or at the least, buildings have CCTVs installed in them so that there’s evidence of everyone who’s entered or left. If your homes can have advanced surveillance systems, why can’t your car? Whether it’s recording something as absurd as a meteor crash (remember that dashcam footage from Russia 10 years ago?) or recording footage to avoid liability in the case of an accident, a dash cam is an absolute tech essential that I can’t recommend enough to people. With insurance fraud schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated and hit-and-run incidents on the rise, having video evidence of your driving can save you thousands in disputed claims. A quality dash cam serves as your silent, impartial witness on the road, documenting everything from fender benders to attempted insurance scams. In an age where video evidence often makes the difference between being found at fault or exonerated, this small device delivers peace of mind that far outweighs its cost.

Modern dashcams have transcended their simple recording origins to become smart devices packed with features that enhance both safety and convenience. Look for models with high-resolution recording (at least 1440p) for capturing license plate details, wide dynamic range (WDR) for balanced exposure in challenging lighting conditions, and GPS for tracking location and speed data. Advanced features worth considering include parking mode (which activates when it detects motion while your car is parked), lane departure warnings, and collision detection. Some premium models even offer cloud connectivity, automatically uploading footage when incidents occur, ensuring your evidence is preserved even if your camera is damaged or stolen.

Installation has become remarkably straightforward, with most models either attaching to your windshield via suction cups or adhesive mounts, or discreetly integrating with your rearview mirror. Power typically comes from your vehicle’s 12V outlet or can be hardwired to your car’s electrical system for a cleaner look and to enable parking mode. When selecting a dash cam, consider whether you want front-only recording or a dual-camera system that captures both front and rear views. For those living in extreme climates, look for models with good operating temperature ranges and capacitor-based power systems rather than batteries, which can fail in high heat.

Brands like Nextbase have established themselves as leaders in the consumer dash cam market, with their Series 2 models offering excellent value and user-friendly interfaces. Blackvue’s DR900X series represents the premium end of the spectrum, with 4K recording and robust cloud connectivity features. Garmin’s Dash Cam series brings the company’s navigation expertise to the dash cam world, with models featuring voice control and driver assistance warnings. For budget-conscious shoppers, 70Mai’s 4K Omni delivers impressive clarity and intelligent features in a compact design. VAVA’s Dual Dash Cam stands out for its innovative 360-degree swivel design and excellent night vision capabilities, making it ideal for rideshare drivers and those who frequently drive after dark. Whichever model you choose, a dash cam has become as essential to responsible vehicle ownership as insurance itself – a small investment that could potentially save you from major headaches and financial losses down the road.

4. Tracking Device

The airline industry’s meltdown in recent years has turned what used to be a minor inconvenience into a full-blown crisis for travelers. In 2022, Heathrow Airport made headlines when a baggage system malfunction created mountains of abandoned luggage in Terminal 2, leaving thousands of passengers separated from their belongings. Just this past August, torrential rain and lightning strikes caused another luggage disaster at Britain’s busiest airport, with irate passengers reporting their bags never made it to their destinations. These aren’t isolated incidents – they’re symptoms of an overwhelmed system that’s becoming increasingly unreliable.

Enter the smart tracking device – your personal insurance policy against the chaos of modern travel. These compact beacons have evolved far beyond simple Bluetooth tags, now offering precise location tracking across global networks, extended battery life, and sophisticated alert systems. Whether attached to your luggage, slipped into a wallet, or clipped to a pet’s collar, these devices provide real-time location data directly to your smartphone, giving you peace of mind and a fighting chance to recover your belongings when systems fail.

The latest generation of trackers offers features that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. Take the innovative PhotoTag that we featured earlier this year. Unlike conventional trackers, the PhotoTag incorporates an E-ink display that can display a photo, contact information, or custom message – making it instantly recognizable and increasing the chances of recovery. Priced at just $29, it combines the location precision of premium trackers with a customizable display that serves as a visual identifier, perfect for luggage, pets, or even keeping tabs on young children in crowded spaces.

When shopping for a tracker, consider network compatibility (Apple’s Find My network or Android’s Find My Device), battery life (replaceable batteries typically last longer), range, water resistance, and alert options. Reliable options include Apple’s AirTag for iPhone users, Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag for Android enthusiasts, and offerings from Chipolo and Tile for cross-platform compatibility. Some models even include additional features like separation alerts that notify you when you’ve left something behind or crowd-finding capabilities that anonymously enlist other users’ devices to help locate your missing items.

5. GaN Charger

The days of carrying multiple chargers, each with their own bulky power brick and tangled cable, are officially behind us. GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology has revolutionized the charging landscape, replacing the traditional silicon components with a material that conducts electricity more efficiently, generates less heat, and allows for dramatically smaller form factors. What once required a charger the size of a deck of cards can now fit in your palm, all while delivering more power than ever before. It’s the kind of technological leap that makes you wonder how we ever tolerated the alternatives.

Modern GaN chargers pack an astonishing amount of power into incredibly compact designs. A single brick the size of a credit card (just slightly thicker) can simultaneously charge your laptop, phone, tablet, and earbuds – effectively replacing four separate chargers with one elegant solution. With power outputs ranging from 65W to over 200W, these chargers can handle everything from power-hungry gaming laptops to the most demanding creative workstations. The days of lugging around that massive proprietary laptop power brick are over; most GaN chargers now support universal USB-C Power Delivery, compatible with virtually any modern device.

The efficiency gains extend beyond size and convenience – GaN chargers are significantly more energy-efficient. They waste less electricity as heat, which means faster charging times, lower electricity bills, and less environmental impact. Many models feature intelligent power distribution, automatically adjusting the output to each connected device based on its specific needs. This smart power management ensures your laptop gets the high wattage it requires while simultaneously providing the optimal charging rate for more sensitive devices like smartphones.

Industry leader Anker has been at the forefront of this revolution with their Nano and Prime series, offering exceptional reliability and safety features. Satechi’s GaN charger line combines cutting-edge technology with sleek design aesthetics that complement premium devices. For those seeking alternatives, other players like UGREEN have begun entering the market with their Nexode chargers, though they still have a long way to go to match established brands like Anker, Belkin, and Satechi. Meanwhile, innovative startups like ChargeAsap have pushed boundaries with ultra-compact designs that somehow manage to pack in even more ports and power. Whichever brand you choose, a quality GaN charger simplifies your tech life while future-proofing your charging needs for years to come.

6. Crypto Hardware Wallet

Remember when we used to keep our spare change in a piggy bank? Those ceramic pigs felt like impenetrable fortresses, guarding our precious coins from sticky-fingered siblings. Fast forward to 2025, and we’re dealing with digital assets worth thousands, sometimes millions. Yet, many of us still treat our crypto like loose change in our pockets. The crypto world has seen its fair share of disasters, from the FTX collapse in 2022 to Binance’s legal troubles in 2023. These weren’t isolated incidents – they were wake-up calls. Our digital piggy banks aren’t as secure as we thought.

Enter the crypto hardware wallet – the modern-day equivalent of burying your treasure in the backyard, but infinitely more sophisticated. These pocket-sized devices are like miniature vaults, keeping your private keys locked away from prying eyes and malicious code. They’re not connected to the internet, making them immune to online attacks that have plagued hot wallets and exchanges. When choosing a hardware wallet, look for military-grade encryption, support for multiple cryptocurrencies, and ease of use. The device should feel solid, with a clear display for verifying transactions.

Reputable brands have stood the test of time and scrutiny. Ledger and Trezor are the veterans in this space, offering a range of options from beginner-friendly to advanced models. The Ledger Nano X, with its Bluetooth capability, strikes a balance between security and convenience. Trezor’s Model T, with its touchscreen interface, makes managing your crypto feel less like rocket science. Newer players like Ngrave and Coldcard cater to the paranoid among us, with features like air-gapped operations and open-source firmware. These might be overkill for casual investors, but for those holding significant assets, they offer peace of mind that’s hard to put a price on.

Using a hardware wallet isn’t just about protecting your assets; it’s about embracing the core philosophy of cryptocurrency – decentralization and personal responsibility. When you use a hardware wallet, you’re not trusting an exchange or a company with your funds. You become your own bank, with all the power and responsibility that entails. The learning curve might seem steep at first. Setting up a hardware wallet feels a bit like preparing for a space mission – there are seed phrases to write down, firmware to update, and addresses to verify. But once you get past the initial setup, using your hardware wallet becomes second nature. The extra steps feel less like inconveniences and more like necessary precautions, like checking the locks before bed. In a world where digital assets are becoming increasingly mainstream, hardware wallets aren’t just for crypto enthusiasts anymore. They’re essential tools for anyone serious about protecting their digital wealth.

7. Hydroponic Planter

I never considered myself someone with a major green thumb until I set up my first hydroponic planter last year. Within just four weeks, I was harvesting fresh basil for my pasta and plucking cherry tomatoes straight from my kitchen counter garden. The transformation was remarkable – from seeds to thriving plants with minimal effort on my part. The system handled all the complex variables like watering schedules, nutrient delivery, and light cycles, allowing me to enjoy the rewards of gardening without the traditional learning curve or maintenance headaches. Moreover, it makes eating healthy simpler, and CHEAPER, allowing you to get fresh farm-to-table produce simply by growing things yourself.

Hydroponic systems have democratized gardening by removing the guesswork and physical labor that often discourages beginners. These water-based growing systems deliver nutrients directly to plant roots in precisely calibrated amounts, eliminating the need to master soil composition or watering frequencies. Their vertical design maximizes growing space – a unit with the footprint of a standard doormat can support 20-30 plants simultaneously, creating a lush garden in even the smallest apartments. Many modern systems include integrated LED lighting that mimics optimal sunlight conditions, allowing you to grow year-round regardless of your climate or available natural light.

One significant advantage of hydroponics is the absence of soil, which eliminates the vast majority of pest problems that plague traditional gardens. Without soil, common garden pests like aphids, fungus gnats, and root-eating larvae simply can’t establish themselves. This soil-free approach also means no weeding, no muddy mess, and significantly less water consumption – most hydroponic systems use up to 95% less water than conventional gardening methods. The controlled environment creates ideal growing conditions that accelerate plant development while producing higher yields and more nutrient-dense produce.

Entry-level hydroponic systems like AeroGarden and Click & Grow handle the basics of automated watering and lighting for around $100-200, making them perfect for herbs and small vegetables. Mid-range options from brands like Tower Garden and iDOO ($300-500) offer expanded capacity and more sophisticated nutrient delivery systems. At the cutting edge, the Gardyn system I saw at CES 2025 represents the future of home agriculture. Its AI-powered growing assistant uses cameras to monitor plant health, automatically adjusts growing conditions, and even sends notifications when plants need attention or are ready to harvest. At $700-900, these advanced systems represent a significant investment, but for households spending $200+ monthly on produce, they can pay for themselves within a year while providing fresher, more nutritious food than anything available at supermarkets.

The post 7 Must-Have Tech Gadgets That Everyone Needs To Own In 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Even though the Phone (3a) doesn’t officially launch until the 4th of March, Nothing pre-emptively released the phone’s design through a YouTube video following some online leaks. As is with any new tech, the internet is thoroughly divided – some people are praising Nothing for creating a phone that breaks tradition, experimenting with a layout that’s edgy and nonconventional. However, there are others who find the camera bump weird, unplanned, and displeasing. If you’re a part of the latter, I’m here to explain to you exactly why the Phone (3a)’s camera bump is making you feel those feelings.

The Phone (3a)’s camera bump embraces industrial rawness – but not in a way that everyone likes. Sure, exposed screws look great. Ribbon cables add a lot of dynamism. A bare-bones aesthetic can be wonderful. But as a designer with 15 years of experience, the one glaring thing that stands out is just a sheer lack of visual symmetry. On a geometric level, the Phone (3a)’s camera layout makes some questionable choices. There are small lapses in symmetry that just feel wrong – and objectively the phone might look good, but the camera bump sits out like a sore thumb. I took the liberty to load images into a CAD software so that I could make some rough measurements. A lot of the details are off to a point of pure frustration. The cameras are in a weird polygonal shape, they’re all different sizes, they don’t line up even though they should, and hell, even the entire camera bump isn’t aligned with the phone’s body.

Designer: Nothing

I’m not hating on the Phone (3a), I love what Nothing’s done to shake up the tech industry, and more power to them – but the camera bump on the (3a) feels like a great movie with just a few plotholes that were difficult to look past. It’s difficult to say whether this camera bump was designed as a sort of compromise because they could only fit the camera modules in a certain layout without clashing with other parts, or whether they came up with that layout and then put the blocks in place. Either way, the hardware is (at least on paper) pretty impressive, but it gets a few points deducted on the visual level.

Human eyes crave patterns, symmetry, and meaning. It’s something we’re taught in design school when we learn the laws of visual Gestalt. The six laws of Gestalt go as follows – Proximity (closely placed objects are grouped visually), Good Figure (these proximal groups are then perceived as single units), Similarity (objects that look similar are perceived as a group), Continuation (the eyes tend to follow a path even if it isn’t a direct one), Closure (the eyes complete objects that are obviously incomplete), and finally Symmetry (symmetric objects are perceived as a group).

These laws govern every aspect of how our eyes ‘digest’ the world, and when you break such patterns, the best way to do it is break them with careful consideration. What the Phone (3a)’s camera layout does is defy a few simple gestalt laws in a way that feels slightly annoying – like gravel in your shoe – small enough on its own to really not be a problem, but in this context, be quite discomforting.

The layout itself breaks the laws of Symmetry, with a weirdly polygonal shape that has no equal sides or geometric order. Nothing’s centrally aligned, there’s a camera ring on the outside but they aren’t radially aligned either. It’s an odd polygon placed seemingly randomly inside a perfect circle inside a rounded rectangle that is the phone. This weird hierarchy is probably the first thing the eye tends to notice. The cameras are all different sizes, and in some cases even different shapes, violating the Gestalt law of similarity. However, the lenses range from most powerful to least depending on their size, which is reassuring.

Human eyes crave some form of symmetry – it’s why the iPhone lenses are an equilateral triangle aligned perfectly inside a square which sits equidistant from the top left corner. The (3a) lacks that symmetry in ways that would otherwise make the camera layout perfect. The main lens sits right off the center of the overall camera bump. It wouldn’t be that much of a problem had the camera bump not been made of concentric circles that actually guide the eye to this observation. There’s visual continuity there in the concentric texture, but the main camera’s off-center placement breaks things. It also sits inside a capsule-shaped cutout, which sits inside a rounded rectangle – which wouldn’t be a problem, except their radii don’t match.

Go into the granular details (and I’m being excessively pedantic here) but the two most prominent cameras aren’t horizontally aligned too. Now the alignment changes between renders – Nothing released a photo a fortnight ago that showed a massive misalignment (that’s the one I’m sharing below). The images from the video today look mildly better, but even in my CAD software, it’s off by half a millimeter, which at that scale, feels excessive. Just take a look at the alignment issue below.

If you zoom out, the entire camera bump itself isn’t aligned with the phone! The distance between the silk screen (the paint on the glass to hid the glue lines) and the camera bump shows up to a 2mm difference, with irregularity on the top, left, and right sides. In short, unless I hold the phone and take the measurements myself, these images do show some discrepancies. Discrepancies that might be really small on paper, but they’re enough for your mind to know that something’s off. A piece of spinach stuck in your teeth could be a VERY tiny problem if you measure the spinach fragment compared to your body, but it’s enough for your brain to notice and fixate on.

This kind of obsessive measurement-hounding is something Steve Jobs was notorious for. He famously demanded that circuitry in his machines looked ‘aesthetic’. Circuit boards, that nobody would ever look at, were made to look visually pleasing because the devil lay in the details – the same approach is what Nothing banks on, with its transparent designs that let you view the circuitry underneath. Heck, Jobs once complained to executives that the yellow color on the O in the Google logo looked off on iPhone screens. He had the color balance adjusted for a logo that wasn’t even his.

The Phone (3a) series is set to launch exactly a week from now, and I won’t lie, I’ll be one of the first to tune in and see what Nothing has in store for us. The company’s on a warpath to change the perception of tech being serious by making things more unconventional and fun, through their casual, engaging YouTube videos, and even through their products and experiences. The Phone (2) still remains by my side as my secondary device, and the Phone (3a) will undoubtedly make a major impact on the Android market. I just wish that camera bump didn’t stand out like such a sore thumb.

The post Hate The Nothing Phone (3a) Camera Layout? Here’s A Designer’s Detailed Breakdown Of Why first appeared on Yanko Design.

For a phone that’s supposed to be the ‘cheapest’ iPhone in Apple’s catalog, the company sure used some clever tricks to make the device feel larger than life.

Take a minute to watch the iPhone 16E launch and you’ll notice something – you really can’t get your eyes off it. Even for a budget phone with one camera lens, the 16E looks dynamic and gorgeous in the video. No, it isn’t the colors that make the video pop, it’s the camera angles. Apple deliberately used exaggerated perspectives and highly zoomed-in shots of the iPhone to make it look more ‘outstanding’ than usual. And no, it isn’t a new camera trick – car companies have been using it for decades, giving their automobiles more 3-dimensional ‘depth’.

Designer: Apple

The use of close-up camera angles creates a dynamism that makes ordinary objects look extraordinary.

The iPhone 16E debuted today (ditching the ‘SE’ moniker) with a design that seems to have lined up perfectly with all the rumors and speculations (but without the Camera Control button we were expecting). Apple announced a $599 price tag for the phone, which comes with a notch, a single camera lens (although Apple calls it a 2-in-1 camera), an aluminum frame, and wireless charging (without MagSafe) – all in all, it’s a decent entry-level iPhone with nothing remarkably different – so to make the phone look out of the ordinary, Apple relied on a clever optical technique called exaggerated perspective or hyper-perspective.

Here’s an example of regular vs. hyper perspective when compared side by side. I made the render below to perfectly demonstrate how changing your perspective literally changes the product’s appeal. The first shot adopts Apple’s exaggerated perspective technique, creating a phone that feels like it’s jumping out of the screen. Meanwhile, the photo on the right appears nice, but doesn’t ‘stand out’.

Image Credits: Sarang Sheth

The reason the phone on the left looks more appealing lies in how we perceive objects. Stand at the bottom of a skyscraper and look up and it really feels grand. The same skyscraper when viewed from any normal angle a hundred yards away looks like any other building. It’s because our eyes are guided by lines. The phone on the left has lines that converge at a point, while the phone on the right has parallel lines. There’s dynamism, motion, and drama in the first photo – but not so much in the second one. Even though it’s literally the same product.

Apple combined this visual trick with some brilliant cinematography. The camera movement is almost continuous with barely any breaks. Scenes are connected by the camera seemingly zooming in, hovering around, or panning across different scenarios. It feels like you’re floating through Apple’s keynote like a hummingbird or a bee, observing the phone from an angle that makes it look much more grand than it is. The USB-C port looks massive, the braided charging cable feels thick enough to grip with your entire palm. At 5.78 inches, it’s literally the smallest iPhone in this entire 16 series, but the clever used of hyper perspective with those gorgeous close-up shots makes it look like the opposite.

The most remarkable thing is that Apple claims its entire presentation was shot on the iPhone too, which is pretty interesting because current iPhones don’t have the ability to shoot such exaggerated perspectives or such fancy close-ups. Sure, the 0.5x camera does a fairly good job of making things look more dramatic, but what Apple doesn’t tell you is that there’s also a lot of other equipment involved. External lenses, dramatic lighting, professional rigs, all these contribute to the incredible cinematography that we’ve come to expect from Apple.

However, this use of unusual perspective instantly stood out (no pun intended!) as I watched the keynote. The iPhone 16E is by no means a flagship or flagship killer – but everything Apple does (and says) is superlative, so the best way to demonstrate that is to make the phone look vastly more interesting than it actually is. This is also a visual trick we can use too, relying on the 0.5x camera to do more than just take ultrawide landscape shots. Know that you can use the same lense for product or even human photography too, just to make things look extra awesome!

The post You Probably Didn’t Notice This Clever Camera Trick In Apple’s iPhone 16E Video first appeared on Yanko Design.

The journey of industrial design is often a race against time, where creativity meets the constraints of deadlines. In this fast-moving landscape, the ability to render high-quality visuals quickly is a game-changer. KeyShot has emerged as an industry leader by revolutionizing how designers visualize their ideas. From its origins as a simple real-time rendering tool to becoming a cornerstone of the Product Design-to-Market ecosystem, KeyShot has continuously evolved to meet the demands of modern design workflows.

Designers don’t just need a tool—they need a system that accelerates their process without sacrificing quality. KeyShot has become that system by offering intuitive, real-time ray tracing, seamless integration with 3D modeling software, and a streamlined pipeline that connects the creative and commercial aspects of product development. With its latest positioning as the ultimate Product Design-to-Market Suite, KeyShot is shaping the future of industrial design by closing the gap between concept and consumer-ready visuals.

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A Legacy of Innovation: KeyShot’s Evolution

Image Credits: Hossein Alfidehfard

KeyShot Studio was created with a clear mission: to make photorealistic rendering accessible, intuitive, and fast. Traditional rendering tools often required extensive setup and long rendering times, but KeyShot Studio disrupted that model with its real-time ray tracing engine. Designers could now see the impact of material, lighting, and camera adjustments instantly—a crucial advantage in industries where iteration speed is key.

Over the years, the company has expanded its capabilities by embracing GPU acceleration, denoising, and cloud rendering, ensuring that designers always have cutting-edge tools at their disposal. A major milestone in its journey has been its repositioning within the broader Product Design-to-Market strategy, a vision that emphasizes not just rendering, but the entire lifecycle of a product’s visual development. This shift aligns with KeyShot’s mission to eliminate inefficiencies, bridge the gap between design and marketing, and deliver high-impact visuals effortlessly.

Photorealism and Ease of Use: The Two Pillars of KeyShot

Image Credits: Ben Robson

One of the standout reasons for KeyShot’s dominance is its ability to deliver stunning photorealistic results with minimal effort. Whether it’s the soft glow of ambient lighting on a luxury watch or the intricate texture of a high-performance sneaker, KeyShot renders materials with unparalleled accuracy. Its scientifically accurate material library ensures that reflections, refractions, and light interactions behave exactly as they would in the real world.

Ease of use is another defining factor. Many professional rendering tools demand extensive technical knowledge, but KeyShot’s drag-and-drop simplicity makes it accessible to both seasoned professionals and newcomers. Designers can import models from virtually any 3D CAD software, apply materials instantly, and see the results in real-time—without the steep learning curve often associated with high-end rendering tools.

Speed Meets Precision: The Competitive Edge

Image Credits: Lee Cant

In an industry where time is often the most valuable resource, KeyShot Studio’s ability to produce high-quality renders quickly is a defining advantage. Traditional rendering engines require hours—sometimes days—to generate complex visuals, but KeyShot Studio’s real-time rendering engine accelerates this process without compromising detail.

A study on rendering speed found that 88% of designers prefer KeyShot over competitors due to its ability to deliver top-tier results faster than traditional rendering workflows. This speed advantage isn’t just about cutting down on waiting time—it transforms the creative process by allowing designers to iterate more freely and explore multiple design variations without the frustration of long render times.

Expanding the Ecosystem: KeyShot as a Product Design-to-Market Powerhouse

KeyShot’s role in the design process has grown significantly, and its recent shift into the Product Design-to-Market space is a strategic move to streamline workflows beyond just rendering. The inefficiencies in product visualization—often caused by fragmented processes, data silos, and disconnected teams—cost businesses both time and money. KeyShot is addressing this challenge by integrating into broader digital asset pipelines, ensuring that design, marketing, and manufacturing teams stay aligned from concept to final product.

Through cloud-powered rendering solutions like AWS Deadline Cloud, designers can now scale their workflows effortlessly, handling complex scenes without being limited by local hardware. This means even large enterprises with extensive product lines can accelerate their go-to-market strategies without bottlenecks.

Real-World Impact: KeyShot Studio in Action

Image Credits: Jenga Design

The industrial design community has embraced KeyShot Studio not just as a rendering tool but as an integral part of their design-to-market strategy. Companies like Kumatech and Jenga Design have leveraged KeyShot’s capabilities to enhance their workflow efficiency and product visualization.

Kumatech, a leader in AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) development, credits KeyShot Studiofor transforming their design process, enabling them to visualize complex engineering designs with photorealistic clarity. With KeyShot, they can communicate intricate technical details effectively to stakeholders, reducing design misinterpretations and speeding up approvals.

Similarly, Jenga Design, a UK-based design consultancy, has used KeyShot Studio to bring its creative concepts to life with remarkable realism. By integrating KeyShot into their workflow, the team has enhanced their ability to present design concepts to clients, leading to faster decision-making and improved project outcomes.

The Competitive Landscape: Where KeyShot Stands

Image Credits: Luke Seaman

https://www.instagram.com/luke_seaman_designs/While KeyShot continues to lead in rendering speed and quality, it operates in a competitive space alongside tools like Blender, V-Ray, and Unreal Engine. Each tool has its strengths—Blender offers open-source flexibility, V-Ray excels in architectural visualization, and Unreal Engine provides real-time interactivity. However, KeyShot’s focus on industrial and product design gives it a unique edge.

Its ability to integrate seamlessly with CAD software, deliver unparalleled material accuracy, and streamline the rendering workflow without requiring deep technical expertise positions it as the preferred choice for designers looking for efficiency without compromise.

The Road Ahead: KeyShot’s Vision for the Future

KeyShot’s trajectory suggests an exciting future as it continues to evolve with emerging technologies. With an eye on automation, AR/VR integration, and expanded cloud capabilities, the platform is set to further pioneer the rendering landscape.

One of the upcoming priorities is to leverage AI to automate material application and lighting setups, reducing manual effort and making the rendering process even more intuitive. Additionally, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) capabilities will enable designers to interact with their models in immersive environments, opening new possibilities for product visualization and client collaboration.

As the demand for high-quality, rapid rendering grows, KeyShot Studio remains at the forefront, adapting to industry needs while maintaining its core principles of speed, quality, and ease of use.

A Future-Proof Rendering Solution

Image Credits: Oliver Yu

KeyShot’s impact on the design industry is undeniable. From its early days as a disruptive rendering tool to its current position as a Product Design-to-Market leader, it has consistently provided designers with the tools they need to bring ideas to life with efficiency and precision.

For those navigating the high-stakes world of industrial design, KeyShot is more than software—it’s an essential creative partner. As design workflows continue to evolve, KeyShot is poised to lead the next wave of innovation, ensuring that designers can create, iterate, and deliver with unmatched speed and realism.

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The post How KeyShot Redefined Quality and Speed in Industrial Design Rendering first appeared on Yanko Design.

Choosing a strap for your watch is like choosing a paint-job for your car. Or the furniture for your house. It adds an aesthetic, sometimes functional layer to the watch, just like choosing yellow paint is an aesthetic + functional choice for a cab, or choosing bunk-beds is an aesthetic + functional choice for a home with a single bedroom for two siblings, or a dorm. Watches come in hundreds (if not thousands) of varieties, and so do watch straps… but you can boil these straps down to 5 broad materials – Metal, Leather, Rubber (or Silicon), NATO (Nylon), or Canvas. So, does it make sense to spend time deliberating on what material works with your watch? Absolutely!

Each material offers its own balance of comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal, making it crucial to consider how it fits into your daily routine and personal style. Whether you’re a suit-and-tie kind of person, a weekend explorer, or someone who just wants a reliable everyday watch, there’s a strap that perfectly suits your needs. Let’s break down each option to help you decide.

Metal Straps – Classic, Durable, and Timeless

Metal straps, often made from stainless steel or titanium, are the definition of versatility. They pair effortlessly with both formal and casual watches, making them a staple for anyone who values longevity and a refined aesthetic. A well-crafted metal bracelet adds heft and presence to a watch, making it feel more substantial on the wrist. Whether it’s the sleek polish of a Rolex Jubilee bracelet or the rugged appeal of an Omega Seamaster’s chunky links, or even the Milanese-style mesh on your Tissot Seastar, metal straps exude confidence and durability.

They work best with dive watches, dress watches, and chronographs, complementing cases that range from slim and elegant to bold and industrial. Metal straps fit seamlessly into business attire, evening wear, and even smart-casual outfits. However, they might not be the best choice for extreme outdoor activities, as they can feel heavy and less comfortable in hot weather.

Pros:

• Exceptional durability
• Waterproof and sweatproof
• Timeless aesthetic
• Excellent resale value
• Low maintenance
• Perfect for professional settings

Cons:

• Generally heavier than other options
• Can be expensive
• May pull arm hair
• Limited flexibility in formal situations
• Can be challenging to size properly

Leather Straps – Sophisticated, Versatile, and Full of Character

Leather straps remain the quintessential choice for dress watches and classic timepieces, offering an unmatched level of sophistication and elegance. Available in countless varieties – from classic calfskin to exotic alligator and ostrich – leather straps can transform the character of a watch while providing excellent comfort. They’re particularly suited to dress watches, vintage timepieces, and chronographs.

The versatility of leather is remarkable, with different treatments and finishes allowing for both formal and casual applications. A black alligator strap can elevate a watch to black-tie status, while a distressed brown leather strap can create a perfect casual vintage look. They work exceptionally well with business attire and formal wear, though certain casual leather varieties can complement everyday casual wear as well.

Pros:

• Develops unique patina over time
• Excellent comfort
• Wide range of styles and colors
• Perfect for formal occasions
• Ages beautifully
• Easy to change

Cons:

• Requires maintenance
• Not water-resistant
• Can deteriorate in hot climates
• May show wear quickly
• More expensive for quality options

Rubber Straps – Sporty, Waterproof, and Built for Action

Rubber straps have come a long way from their humble beginnings as purely utilitarian options for dive watches. Today’s rubber straps are available in various grades and compositions, from natural rubber to sophisticated synthetic compounds, offering supreme comfort and durability. They’re ideal for sports watches, dive watches, and any timepiece that might be exposed to water or physical activity.

High-end rubber straps, like those from Oysterflex by Rolex or Vulcanized rubber by Richard Mille, have elevated this material to luxury status. They’re also a standard fixture for most smartwatches, making them uniquely dichotomic, so don’t let people look down on you for wearing rubber straps. Rubber, or sometimes even silicone, can be hypoallergenic too, making them perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Waterproof
• Easy to clean
• Comfortable in all weather
• Perfect for active lifestyles
• Anti-allergenic

Cons:

• Can attract dust
• May not age as gracefully as leather
• Limited formal applications
• Quality varies significantly
• Can trap moisture against skin

NATO Straps – Military Roots with Modern Versatility

Born from military specifications in the 1970s, NATO straps have evolved from purely functional items to fashion statements in their own right. Made from woven nylon, these straps are lightweight, breathable, and incredibly secure, as they loop under the watch case to prevent the watch from falling off if a spring bar fails. Their affordability and wide range of colors make them a go-to option for those who like to switch up their watch’s look frequently.

NATO straps are perfect for field watches, tool watches, and casual dive watches, giving them a rugged yet approachable vibe. They pair well with relaxed, everyday outfits—think jeans, a T-shirt, and a vintage-style watch. While they’re not ideal for formal occasions, they excel in outdoor adventures and summer wear, offering unmatched comfort in hot and humid conditions.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable
• Easy to change
• Highly secure
• Wide variety of colors and patterns
• Comfortable in hot weather
• Water-resistant

Cons:

• Can look too casual for formal occasions
• May add thickness to the watch
• Can wear out relatively quickly
• Some designs may appear too busy
• Not suitable for dress watches

Canvas Straps – Rugged, Lightweight, and Understated

Canvas straps represent a perfect middle ground between the casualness of NATO straps and the sophistication of leather. These fabric straps, often made from cotton or linen, offer a unique texture and visual interest that can complement both vintage and modern timepieces. They work particularly well with field watches, pilot watches, and casual everyday timepieces.

The informal nature of canvas makes these straps perfect for weekend wear and casual settings, while still maintaining a more refined appearance than their NATO cousins. They’re especially suitable for summer months and tropical climates, offering excellent breathability while adding a touch of adventure to any watch they’re paired with.

Pros:

• Excellent breathability
• Casual yet refined appearance
• Generally affordable
• Comfortable in hot weather
• Easy to clean
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Limited formal applications
• Can absorb moisture and odors
• May fray over time
• Less durable than other options
• Can be difficult to find in high quality

The post Metal, Leather, Rubber, NATO, or Canvas – Which is the Right Watch Strap Material for You? first appeared on Yanko Design.

The creative process is a multi-faceted journey, one that involves different stages that sometimes require tools different from our normal ones. Authors, for example, often find themselves doodling mind maps or sketching figures, while designers will type out notes and tasks every so often. When it comes to tools like notebooks and paper, there is no one solution that rules them all, but apps offer a kind of synergy that isn’t possible with analog tools.

At the same time, there are in fact too many apps nowadays thriving on buzzwords like GTD, PKM, and AI, and a whole lot of them seem to be targeted at a more tech-savvy audience. Their power often comes with complexity and carries an aesthetic that will spreadsheet-lovers more than stationery collectors. Worry not, because there are indeed note-taking and productivity apps designed with creatives and creators in mind, and these are five of the most powerful and beautiful note-taking apps to help designers, artists, and writers collect inspiration and organize their ideas.

Milanote

Even before the whole tribe of powerful note-taking apps descended on the digital landscape, Milanote was already carving out a niche for itself. Designed specifically with designers in mind, the app offers just enough tools to help users gather as many bits and pieces of inspiration as they can and then organize their thoughts, references, and inspirations for use later.

Designer: Milanote

Milanote basically gives users an infinite canvas to pin card-like objects that can contain text, images, YouTube links, and checklists. These can be arranged in a column or float on their own, drawn over with scribbles, and connected with lines, giving them the freedom to create mood boards, palettes, charts, and other visually interesting compositions to help their creative process. At the same time, it also helps them keep tabs on their tasks with checklists and kanban boards.

Milanote has been around for almost a decade now and, unfortunately, its age is starting to show. Unlike other apps in this space, the selection of objects that you can embed in that canvas is quite limited. While it does keep things simple, it might also fail to give the tools designers need to go beyond these basic building blocks. Milanote’s pricing system hasn’t changed that much either and it is one of the more restrictive and expensive ones out there.

What We Like

• Clean and beautiful interface.
• Simple and easy to use.
• Available on Desktops and Mobile devices.

What We Don’t Like

• Very restrictive free tier, expensive pricing.
• Limited types of objects.

Scrintal

Although it started as something like yet another Notion alternative (more on that later), Scrintal recently launched a new version and a new image, billing itself as a “Playground for the Mind.” Instead of the more document-centric platform it once used, it now embraces a more visual approach to shaping your ideas and documenting your creative process.

Designer: Scrintal

Like with Milanote and other apps like it, Scrintal uses different kinds of blocks to represent objects, but this time with more variety and power. Not only are the more types of blocks, you can also do more with them, like structurally linking them instead of just drawing lines between them. And when you’re done with the free-form brainstorming process, you can actually convert your boards into more traditional structured documents.

If Milanote only had a very limited free tier, Scrintal doesn’t have one at all. You can have a free trial, but that’s pretty much it. And because its “2.0” version is quite new, there isn’t even any mobile app available yet. Of course, you’re unlikely to move blocks around on your phone or tablet, but just being able to view your notes anywhere can be quite convenient.

What We Like

• Powerful free-form canvas for doing anything you want.
• Link blocks not only visually but also logically.
• Switch between visual board and standard documents seamlessly.

What We Don’t Like

• New version doesn’t have mobile apps yet.
• No limited free tier.

AFFiNE

As powerful as many of these note-taking tools might be, very few of us really know what happens behind the scenes. It’s not just because they’re complicated pieces of software but also because we have no access to their code in the first place. Some people are more conscious about their privacy and data security, and AFFinNE tries to serve this user base by offering an open source platform where you can be in total control of your data.

Designer: AFFiNE

AFFiNE’s experience operates on two different levels. On the one hand, you have what looks like a traditional linear document, except that paragraphs are actually blocks that can be almost anything, from images to tables with sliders and controls. Literally flip the switch and you’re taken to an infinite whiteboard where you can arrange these elements in a more visual way.

AFFiNE is one of the very few open source apps in this space, and some might see its fast-paced development and changes as a sign of instability and unreliability. That said, its free tier is quite generous and its lowest paid tier is also affordable, though you will have to for a different subscription to have access to much-hyped AI features.

What We Like

• Generous free tier.
• Seamlessly blends linear documents and visual blocks.
• Open source software with self-hosting options coming soon.

What We Don’t Like

• Still new and undergoing many changes.
• AI features is a separate subscription.

Miro

Generating and organizing your own thoughts is one thing, but working with others can be quite a different beast. Different designers might have different requirements when it comes to their tools, and keeping everyone on the same page can sometimes feel like herding cats. Miro is built specifically to address the needs of collaboration, but rather than using a boring document or spreadsheet, it offers a lot of flexibility in how you express ideas and tasks.

Designer:

Miro makes working in teams not only more efficient but also a bit more fun. Visualization tools can speak louder than words, especially when they’re interactive and pleasing to look at. It also supports a wide variety of templates so you don’t always have to start a mind map or kanban board from scratch, further reducing time and friction.

This is one of the more mature products on this list and, unfortunately, it is also one of the more complicated and expensive ones. Targeted at creative professionals who mostly work with others, Miro has more disadvantages than advantages for the solo designer. It does have AI features to help condense the complexity, but, again, the pricing could be a little too much for individuals.

What We Like

• Plenty of tools for brainstorming, planning, and documentation.
• Expansive library of templates for different use cases.
• Mature and stable platform with large industry backing.

What We Don’t Like

• More oriented towards visual collaboration than individual ideation.
• Expensive pricing plans

Walling

If you’re looking for a more organized visual representation of your content without becoming a full-blown structured document, then Walling might suit your needs and aesthetic tastes. Using the metaphor of blocks, which it calls “bricks” here, you basically create walls of different types of bricks that include images, videos, text, tables, calendars, and more. And, of course, it also has AI to help you generate ideas and organize them.

Designer:

Unlike a more free-form infinite canvas, these bricks follow a grid-like pattern that makes them look more like neatly laid-out magazines than messy whiteboards. Indeed, Walling actually lets you publish your wall or even just a section of it, practically turning it into a webpage. It’s almost like a website builder, but with a lot more freedom in how you want to lay out your cards.

Although Walling has been around for half a decade now, it has only been recently making waves with its simpler and more straightforward interface compared to bloated visual note-taking apps. In that course of time, it has also adjusted its free tier to be a bit more useful, while its paid offerings are also priced competitively.

What We Like

• Clean user interface and magazine-like document layout
• Publishing walls or sections is a simple click.

What We Don’t Like

• No free-form canvas option.
• Heavy focus on AI features.

Honorable Mentions (or Why Your Favorite App Didn’t Make The Cut)

This list is almost literally just the tip of the iceberg. The so-called PKM space is overflowing with apps with a wide range of designs, capabilities, and target audiences. These might not even be the most popular in the market, but power and popularity don’t always translate to satisfying user experiences.

There are definitely more options available, though not all of them might appeal to designers, artists, and creatives. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention them, however, because people have different needs and tastes as well. If the previous five didn’t meet your requirements, the following apps could be more to your liking instead.

Notion and xTiles: Superpowered Databases

Databases and spreadsheets were traditionally seen as the purview of executives and IT, but the likes of Notion and xTiles have made them trendy among the productivity-loving crowd as well. In a nutshell, these platforms offer the ability to display the same piece of data in different ways, turning a line in a spreadsheet into a to-do list or a list of links into a grid of images.

Notion

Both these apps work on the level of “blocks,” which can almost be anything. Like Walling, they only allow a limited way of arranging these blocks, often in grids or columns. They are extremely powerful, appealing not just to advanced users but also to more creative people who want to bring their analog Bullet Journals to the digital world. All that power and flexibility, however, translates to complexity and, in many ways, visual chaos. It takes a lot of work to actually make good-looking pages, and you might find yourself losing time to that instead of actually doing creative work.

xTiles

Obsidian and Logseq: Privacy-First, Visuals Second

When people think of note-taking with computers and mobile devices, they most likely think of typed notes first. In this area, Obsidian and its open source rival Logseq are at the top of the food chain, offering the simplicity of text-based documents but with add-ons that go beyond just words. Both, for example, feature whiteboards and canvases where you can arrange and link your notes visually, mixing in some images and files as well.

Obsidian

Logseq

These apps value the privacy and longevity of the notes above all, which is why they adopted plain text as their primary document format and stored files locally on the device, with options to sync to the cloud at additional cost. These apps have a large treasury of plugins that add dashboards, spreadsheets, interactive elements, and whatnot to the experience, but at the end of the day, they’re still text-based, and that might be a bit limiting to visual note-takers.

MyMind and Google Keep: Pining for Pinterest

Pinterest is quite a popular resource for designers and artists, making its staggered grid (a.k.a. masonry) layout a favorite among those creating mood boards. It’s a simple design that adds visual interest without going overboard, and it’s the kind of layout that some note-taking apps are trying to adopt as well. It removes unnecessary features and distracting designs so you can simply focus on collecting references, jotting down inspiration, and scrolling through your gallery.

MyMind is a particular example of this design. With its simple and clean interface, it feels almost like Milanote but confined to this dynamic grid layout. It doesn’t come cheap, though, and has no free tier, but Google Keep comes close as a poor man’s moodboard option. That said, it really eschews the freedom of expression in exchange for a tidier space, something that could feel a bit suffocating for some users.

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