The Adaptive Controller was just the beginning – Microsoft aims at developing an entire suite of accessible devices for its gamer market. Aside from working alongside other independent controller brands to reveal new devices, Microsoft’s also announced the Adaptive Joystick, a controller that can be hand-held, positioned against your body, or even tripod-mounted, giving all gamers the ability to interface with their games in a manner that’s comfortable, yet responsive enough to give them the edge while gaming.

Designed specifically for gamers with limited mobility, this joystick aims to enhance the already extensive Xbox accessibility ecosystem. Unlike many controllers that rely on a standard form factor, the Xbox Adaptive Joystick breaks away by offering a unique blend of adaptability and modularity. The joystick is a wired companion for the Xbox Adaptive Controller, but it can also function independently, directly connecting to both Xbox consoles and PCs. The design focuses on user flexibility, with customizable buttons and a thumbstick that can be easily adjusted to suit different needs.

Designer: Microsoft

The Xbox Adaptive Joystick includes four programmable buttons, a thumbstick, and two additional buttons for bumper and trigger controls. One of the standout features is the option for users to 3D print thumbstick toppers, allowing them to modify the height, width, and overall feel of the joystick. As highlighted by Kaitlyn Jones, Xbox’s senior accessibility product manager, the design process involved extensive collaboration with the disabled community. Early prototypes were shared with this group for feedback, resulting in a product that addresses specific challenges faced by players with limited mobility.

Incorporating community feedback has been central to the development of the Xbox Adaptive Joystick. During one session at a Seattle hospital, Microsoft engineers brought various prototypes, seeking input on aspects like grip size, button layout, and overall ergonomics. According to Chris Kujawski, a principal designer at Xbox, this iterative process ensured that the final product is not only functional but also intuitive for a wide range of users. The joystick’s versatility is further enhanced by its compatibility with the existing Xbox Adaptive Controller, allowing it to be part of a broader adaptive gaming setup.

Beyond just the joystick, Microsoft is working closely with other accessible hardware innovators. The Proteus controller, which has been refined and optimized for Xbox through this collaboration, showcases this commitment. Additionally, the 8BitDo Lite SE controller offers an alternative for those who require front-facing buttons in a familiar arcade-stick layout. This inclusive hardware ecosystem gives users options that go beyond the traditional controller experience, making gaming more accessible than ever before. As for Microsoft’s own Adaptive Joystick, it hits markets early next year, with a price tag of $29.99.

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We live in a three-dimensional world and see in three dimensions, and yet the computers and mobile devices we use every day are confined to flat, 2D space. Mixed reality and spatial computing are trying to bridge that gap, but they still project flat virtual objects in the real world and, more importantly, require wearing goggles or headsets. In fact, most stereoscopic 3D experiences require some sort of eyewear, at the very least glasses that guide images to the correct eye. That is until monitor makers have gotten smarter and have started to implement 3D displays that don’t need glasses to work, like the new Samsung Odyssey 3D shown off at Gamescom 2024 this week.

Designer: Samsung

Our eyes see in 3D because they can view objects at two different angles due to the space between them. Stereoscopic 3D tries to mimic our innate binocular vision by projecting two different images, shifted slightly at an angle, which are then sent to the right or left eye as necessary. This re-direction requires polarizing filters to work, which is why people have to wear glasses when watching 3D movies. Impressive as the experience might be, it’s definitely inconvenient, especially for those that wear prescription glasses, and can’t be used for general-purpose computing, until now.

Image courtesy of SamMobile

The Samsung Odyssey 3D is the latest in a new breed of computer monitors that promise this same stereoscopic 3D experience without having to put anything in front of your eyes. The monitor has built-in stereo cameras that track the movement and position of each eye. View mapping creates two sets of images which are then displayed separately to each eye thanks to a lenticular lens on the front panel. It creates the same effect of seeing floating 3D images but without the hassle of glasses or headsets.

The monitor is primarily targeted at gamers, which is why it boasts features like 4K resolution, a fast 1m gray-to-gray response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate. Of course, the need to see 3D images as they truly are isn’t just limited to entertainment, since those creating assets for these games will also want to check if they’re 3D models are displaying correctly. Monitors like the Samsung Odyssey 3D will eventually become an invaluable tool for designers, artists, and content creators who might want to work in 3D space right from the start.

Of course, this glasses-free 3D monitor also functions as a 2D monitor, and you can seamlessly switch from one mode to another, depending on your use case. It also features an ergonomic Height Adjustment Stand, tilt capabilities, as well as HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 connectivity. Samsung hasn’t disclosed when the Samsung Odyssey 3D will launch and at what cost, but considering this monitor was first teased back in January at CES 2024, it probably shouldn’t be long now.

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When people think of musical instruments, they most probably think first of traditional ones like guitars, pianos, and violins. These days, music can come from a wide variety of sources, sometimes generated by unexpected things, like the flow of fluids in plants. There is going to be some debate on whether these random arrangements of tones can qualify as “music,” but there will be little argument that the sequences they produce can be melodic and even pleasant. Plus, the way they’re generated can be just as interesting as the sounds they make, like this drum-like cylinder that produces a curious mix of synth tones by moving magnetic balls and objects around its surface, almost like playing with marbles and sticks.

Designers: Nicola Privato, Giacomo Lepri

Thanks to modern electronics, software, and a bit of AI, it’s nearly possible to use any phenomenon to generate different kinds of sounds and combine them in a harmonic way. This opens up a world of possibilities in how instruments can be designed, from passive sources like the biological processes of plants to more actively controlled machines with knobs and sliders. Stacco is an experimental instrument that mixes these two, using magnetic forces influenced by objects in your hands.

At the heart of Stacco, or rather beneath the surface, are four devices called magnetic attractors. These can detect the changes in the magnetic fields around them, which is then processed by artificial intelligence called Neural Audio Synthesis into sound or data that can further be manipulated into music, mostly of the synth type. What makes Stacco interesting is that you can use a variety of objects to affect these attractors as long as they generate some amount of magnetic field.

You can, for example, push or roll around four magnetic marbles to produce sound. Ferromagnetic objects like nails, rods, and rings can also be used to “push” the magnetic fields around. You’re not limited to just moving the balls on the surface of the drum-like instrument either. To some extent, you can also pick and drop objects to have the same effect, though probably on a smaller or weaker scale.

This odd musical instrument not only offers a more interactive experience, it also changes the way you can record or compose music. Since the tones are generated by moving objects across the surface, these can be noted down as lines, circles, and other figures that can result in beautiful geometric patterns. Musicians can then just simply trace those lines to recreate the same musical score or simply let it guide their hands to create variations and discover new melodies in the process.

fot. Marta Zając-Krysiak

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You would think that in this age when we mostly listen to music through streaming services, old school ways of listening to music would be all but extinct. While we probably won’t see cassette tapes make a comeback soon, we still see CDs and vinyls have a pretty niche but passionate market. So we’re seeing several music players that are able to still play these “relics”, mostly for the vinyls (sadly, I have yet to see excellently designed CD players with great sound quality).

Designer: Vadzim Sadouski

There is no lack of great-looking and great-sounding turntables out there if you’re in the market for one. And there is also no dearth of interesting concepts for vinyl players, ranging from retro to cutesy to premium to sci-fi/out there levels. This concept for a “record player transparent design” is one of those that catches the eye and would be interesting to see as an actual vinyl player (and hopefully it gets a specific name too). From the moniker itself, you probably have an idea of what it would look like even if you don’t see the renders.

There’s a certain fascination with transparent things now and seeing how the inside looks like as it does its thing. This one is inspired by the play of light inside ribbed glass as the light refracts and plays around. The designer says the starting point for the design are things like glass, lighthouse lenses, tableware, and even lamps. What you get is a vinyl player with its base showing off the light inside from the glass grills.

Now as to how the vinyl records would sound like from having a transparent design like this is a problem for another day. But the concept itself seems pretty interesting and is definitely eye-catching. But real music lovers would tell you that no matter how well designed something is, the important thing is the sound quality of course.

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Whether the mouse stops scrolling, the sensor begins to glitch, or the switch records twice when you just want a single click; it’s time for you to replace your mouse. You know why, because most mice we have connected to our PCs or laptops are unrepairable, and there’s a high chance, yours is a plasticky one you cannot mend.

Over prolonged usage or when a mouse accidentally drops, most of the time, it fails in ways you wish you could open it up and replace the faulty part, since it looks like new on the outside still. Unfortunately, only a handful (if I’m not wrong) of mice have the option to replace a part or two. In such a scenario, the waruru: easy-to-fix mouse is a class apart. It is the Framework of a mouse!

Designer: Jiu Lee

Today, if you want a laptop that you can upgrade and repair effortlessly, it’s the Framework laptop. These repair-friendly laptops have become an exciting option on the market with more people preferring them for their repairability and eco-consciousness. Replaceable parts can save a lot of hardware from reaching landfills and leading to toxic electronic and plastic waste.

Built for high performance, the easy-to-upgrade and customize, waruru comes with replaceable key components. The scroll wheel, the wheel encoder, the click switch are all replaceable and repairable. This is facilitated with a single screw on the top. Unscrew it and you and access the faulty part and instantly repair, upgrade, or replace.

Now with the waruru, Framework laptops have a partner that is repairable and eco-friendly like them. These mice are easy to open, have replaceable parts, and disassemble – at the end of life – so that recyclable parts can be separated from the electronics, making the recycling process easier.

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The new era of video meetings has put webcams in the spotlight. At the same time, it has also become more quickly apparent that webcam technologies and designs didn’t really grow alongside the rest of the computing industry, seemingly stuck in the requirements and conventions of the early 2000s. But while their capabilities have indeed caught up to modern needs, their designs remain eyesores sitting on top of many monitors and laptop screens. This design concept tries to buck the trend by presenting a webcam that isn’t just useful or privacy-respecting but also carries a character of its own.

Designer: André Terchanian

There’s a principle in psychology that says that something that’s always in our vision can affect our minds in sometimes subconscious ways. That’s why sticky notes surrounding your computer monitor can be good at nagging us long after we’ve clocked out of the office, which can be a good or bad thing for your productivity. We also put things that delight and inspire us always within our field of vision, but things that irk or discomfort us can bring our mood down if we have them in our faces long enough.

Webcams are meant to be discreet and almost invisible, but except for built-in cameras in laptop monitors, the vast majority of them are perched on top of our screens, often at eye level, so there’s absolutely no way to ignore their presence. It’s not that these devices are unappealing, though some might indeed fall under that category, but many of them are plain, uninspiring, and sometimes at odds with our carefully designed desk or computer motif.

MILO is a design concept that tries to make the webcam look a little more alive and distinctive, and it does so by simply putting a ball on a stick. A spherical webcam isn’t new, but most of the existing designs often use tripods, wide mounts, or clips to stay upright. In contrast, MILO has a stem with a spherical base that can stick to the back of any monitor using an adhesive surface and suction force to stay in place. This makes MILO look almost like a robot ball or a robotic eye that’s peeking from the top of your screen.

This small design change also brings some important benefits to its functionality. For one, you only need a single USB-C cable coming out of its base, away from sight and tangles. Another is that the magnetic base can rotate in a 360-degree direction, letting the webcam swivel downward if you want to block its view and prevent accidental recording. MILO’s design is also compact and convenient to carry around, allowing you to set up your mobile office anywhere and take up video calls with a quirky-looking webcam sticking out of your laptop lid.

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The way we capture videos and view them has constantly been changing and along with that, mobile devices have also been evolving. With the introduction of spatial videos, we see brands like Apple trying to become the pioneer in this new form. Basically, this is a video that lets you view photos and videos as if you were there instead of looking at them with just a single fixed view. It’s a more immersive form of 3D since you’re able to turn your head and see different perspectives.

Designer: Suosi Design

As more people get into spatial videos, we’ll see all kinds of tools that will be able to capture and view videos like these. One concept tool is called VISOO, a spatial video camera that you can to take videos that can later be viewed using devices like Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro. It is not a bulky camera at all as probably one of the things that will be taken into consideration when developing tools for this kind of video is that it’s easy to carry around.

Based on the product renders, VISOO is a pretty light device that you can either carry around or attach to the accompanying glasses. For the handheld option, the cameras will be stored onto the battery case as you shoot your photos and videos. It seems there’s also a tripod where you can attach the case to for times when you need to have it placed on something a little more stable. For the glasses option, the cameras are attached to the hinges so you can move around easily while capturing moments.

Since this is still in the conceptual stage, there’s no information about the quality of photos and videos that it will capture. And with spatial videos still in early days, there’s still a lot to be discovered and explored for brands that are developing tools that can be used to enjoy capturing and viewing them.

The post Spatial video camera concept lets you capture photos and videos hands-free first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple appears to be making significant progress in its development of home robotics, according to a report from *Bloomberg’s* Mark Gurman. New details suggest that Apple is working on a tabletop device that sounds like it could change how we manage our homes. This upcoming product, reportedly featuring an iPad-like screen on a robotic arm, seems designed to serve multiple functions—a hub for smart home controls, a video call tool, and a home security monitor. What makes it particularly intriguing is how it seems to balance practical use with thoughtful design, potentially positioning it as a standout in Apple’s lineup.

Designer: Apple

The centerpiece of this new product is its screen, which can tilt and rotate 360 degrees on a slim, robotic arm. This design enhances user interaction significantly. Imagine a FaceTime call where the screen automatically pivots to face you or adjust the screen angle during a meeting with a simple voice command. Such flexibility transforms this device from mere technology into an adaptive companion for your daily life.

Apple appears to focus on creating a home assistant that fits naturally into the living space, both in appearance and function. Running a modified version of iPadOS, this device will be familiar to iPad users but with added features tailored for home use. Voice commands, like “look at me,” could make Siri even more useful, allowing for hands-free control over smart home devices, video calls, and security monitoring with ease.

Pray that Siri Home Assistant isn’t bad or creepy like this Wehead ChatGPT-powered AI Assistant.

Design-wise, this home assistant aligns with Apple’s approach of combining simplicity with functionality. The robotic arm, while a key feature, is expected to be sleek and discreet, ensuring it fits seamlessly into any room. It’s easy to imagine this product becoming as central to the home as other Apple products like the HomePod but with a broader range of uses.

In terms of functionality, the device is remarkably versatile. It could be the main control center for smart home devices like lights and thermostats, providing an easy-to-use visual interface. Its ability to rotate and adjust makes it just as valuable in the kitchen for recipes as it would be in the living room for managing your entertainment system. The added security features, such as remote monitoring through the camera, add further practical value, making it a versatile tool for everyday living.

Siri

Apple plans to release this home assistant between 2026 and 2027, with a price tag of about $1,000. This pricing strategy suggests Apple is targeting a premium yet broadly accessible market. By blending familiar technology with new, practical features, Apple appears to be crafting a device that enhances daily living and sets a new standard for home robotics.

This new addition raises an interesting question: is Apple creating a must-have device for our homes, or is it simply a product searching for a place on our countertops? While it’s designed to blend into daily life and make our spaces more connected, one has to wonder if this is the kind of innovation we truly need—or if it’s just another gadget vying for a spot in an already crowded smart home landscape. For Apple, it might be the next step in its push into home robotics, but only time will tell if consumers feel the same way.

The post Is Apple Manifesting Siri into Physical Form with Its New Robotic Home Assistant? first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most people assume that it is easy for visually impaired people to learn Braille. But according to those who are learning this system, the learning tools available are not always that intuitive and easy to use. In fact, the more cluttered a device or tool is, the harder it is as it can be overwhelming for those who are trying to learn and navigate it. Fortunately, there are product designers that want to create concepts for better designed tools that will hopefully be turned into actual products.

Designer: SAQ Design

SMARTIO EDU is a concept for a Braille Education Device that uses minimal tactile noise for both teachers and students that are trying to learn Braille. It is designed to optimize the organization of the information that is at the user’s fingertips. They used soft contours for the surfaces of the device and at the same time used tactile hints to help the user read the information through their fingertips.

The device looks like an instrument and in fact, it is, just not one that produces music. There are buttons on top for the various functions and that can serve as navigational aids. The “subtle cues” is able to tell the user the front and back of the device and also where the key interfaces are located. The device is also designed to work with a companion app that the teacher and student can easily follow and engage with.

The designers would of course have consulted with actual Braille learners to determine if this is something that could work even as it is still a concept. But we don’t see a lot of Braille learning devices in the market so if this does become an actual product, it would be a big help to the community.

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Did you ever think a clipper could become a part of your EDC? Well, this one can.

I’m sure this sounds relatable. You wake up to notice you’re running late for work. You have time to brush your teeth, you’re possibly skipping your bath, and breakfast is just going to be an apple you quickly munch as you drive to work. You reach the workplace with minutes to spare, remembering you’ve also got a meeting today. Your hand runs across your jaw and you realize you didn’t get time to shave today. Even if it isn’t the kind of incident that happens on a daily basis, forgetting to shave is a quintessential problem. Either you don’t have the time, you forgot to charge your trimmer, or you’re traveling and conveniently ditched the razor/clipper thinking you wouldn’t need it.

That’s where a product like the ZERA M proves to be pretty handy. A beard trimmer small enough to fit into your pocket, the ZERA M is roughly the size of a wireless earbuds case. It measures 2.67 inches long, 1.27 inches wide, and weighs a paltry 3.4 ounces… but it’s a full-fledged stubble and nose-hair trimmer you can use on the go. Designed to fit right in your pocket, the trimmer/shaver is the ultimate on-the-go grooming accessory. You can use it directly on your skin, or pair it with a shaving cream of your choice. Either way, the ZERA M is designed to be used anywhere, whether it’s in a hotel washroom while on a business trip, at home before work, or even just minutes before you enter an important meeting where you need to look your professional best.

Designer: Zera M

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 (34% off) Hurry! Only 4 Days Left.

Technology has a way of shrinking things. Phones today are slimmer than they were 10 years back. Cameras are measurably smaller than they were decades ago. Televisions today measure about as thick as a few credit cards stacked together. There’s no reason the beard shaver should still remain a bulky device, right? After all, the shaver is merely a blade powered by a motor and battery. Eschewing the bulky, ergonomic designs of most beard shavers you see today, the ZERA M simplifies things down for the sake of compactness. The tiny device, no longer than your thumb, gives you a comprehensive shaving experience on the go.

Essentially, the device can be split into two broad parts, the base, which contains the motor and battery, and a snap-on magnetic blade module that attaches to the base. When powered, the blade rotates at a stunning 8000RPM, operating at a volume of under 30dB (that’s quieter than the hum of your refrigerator). The blades sit within a safe enclosure, trimming your beard without causing razor burn or pinching your skin. All you do is run the ZERA M around your jawline to clear out any stubble… and if you want to groom your nostrils, just snap off the blade module and replace it with the nose-trimmer module that lets you quickly trim your nose hairs.

The technology that runs the ZERA M isn’t new – shavers/clippers have existed for decades. It’s just how the ZERA M packages things that makes it so effective. Everything sits within a hyper-portable design that literally fits in your pocket. Perfect for carrying around with you (or just stashing in your suitcase or travel case during business trips), the ZERA M is there when you need it, and invisible when you don’t. The battery and motor sit enclosed within a water-tight body, making the ZERA M perfect to use even in the shower. The entire device is IPx7 water-resistant, and you can either use it dry against your skin (like any conventional shaver), or combine it with shaving cream if you want to leave your skin feeling soft and supple after a shave.

The motor operates at 8000RPM, giving you a quick, clean shave

Swap between beard-trimming and nose-trimming modules in a second

Apart from being compact enough to travel with, the ZERA M saves you big bucks in the long run. It replaces the need to buy razor blades (if you’re the kind that uses razors), saving you nearly $500 in blade refills over a span of just 1 year if you’re a regular shaver. Maintaining your ZERA M is fairly simple too – just run it under a tap to clean out any stubble that may linger around in its crevasses. The shaver also comes with a tiny brush to help you clean the blade without using water, should you choose.

The magnetic module-swapping detail is sheer genius, allowing you to go from beard trimming to nose-hair trimming without changing devices. The process of swapping modules takes barely a few seconds (as is visible below), giving you the ability to quickly and effectively groom yourself without busting out the entire shaving kit. A grooming ritual that can take nearly half an hour gets done in minutes.

The ZERA M starts at $59, which includes the base, the two upper modules (beard + nose trimmer), and a USB-C charging cable. The cable juices the ZERA M’s built-in 800mAh battery, which runs the shaver for roughly 60 days on a full charge. Meanwhile, an LED indicator on the side lets you know how much power the shaver holds, and a single-button interface lets you easily operate the shaver without needing to bust open a user manual. While traveling, long-pressing the power button puts it in ‘travel-lock’ mode, so it doesn’t accidentally switch on while inside your luggage. The ZERA M ships globally, with a 1-year warranty that’s extendable to 2 years for an extra $15.

Click Here to Buy Now: $59 $89 (34% off) Hurry! Only 4 Days Left.

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