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Forget bulky Leathermans, this minimalist Pockitrod multitool pen is built for modern EDC

The Pockitrod multitool is a compelling take on this idea, using its pen-like form as the foundation for a deeply modular system. Its main body, machined from 6061-T4 aluminum, has a hex shape for better grip when used as a driver, a subtle but practical detail. The tool is organized around a central driver assembly housed within the handle, while additional modules such as , a box opener with interchangeable 20CV steel tips, an inkless writing implement and a magnetic-base LED flashlight can be threaded on as extensions. In doing so, it respects the classic pen form factor while fundamentally expanding its purpose. Subtle etched measurement markings along the body function as a built-in ruler, with a zero-reference aligned to the edge for more practical, real-world measuring.

What really makes this system work is the execution of the modular connections. Each component threads together, secured by precision-fitted O-rings that provide a smooth, friction-based fit. This is a critical detail because it prevents the tool from feeling like a wobbly collection of parts in use, maintaining a cohesive and solid feel in hand.. The anodized finish on the aluminum body adds wear and corrosion resistance, so it should hold up to being tossed in a pocket with keys. At 170mm long and weighing just 50 grams, it maintains that pen-like portability while feeling substantial enough for actual work.

Designer: Clinton Brassington (Converge Multi-Tools)

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $133 (26% off). Hurry, only 107/120 left!

What really makes this system work is the execution of the modular connections. Each component threads together, secured by precision-fitted O-rings that provide a smooth, friction-based fit. This is a critical detail because it prevents the tool from feeling like a wobbly collection of parts in use, maintaining a cohesive and solid feel in hand.. The anodized finish on the aluminum body adds wear and corrosion resistance, so it should hold up to being tossed in a pocket with keys. At 170mm long and weighing just 50 grams, it maintains that pen-like portability while feeling substantial enough for actual work.

At its core, the Pockitrod is built around a solid driver system, with an integrated stylus and a concealed precision screwdriver tip for working with small fasteners. The main 1/4″ hex driver features a spring-loaded locking mechanism to keep the bit holder firmly engaged with the handle, eliminating the play that plagues many compact multitools, and comes fitted with a 6150 CRV PH2 bit. The Pockitrod also includes a mini 1/4″ driver for reaching into tight spaces. Both drivers accept standard ¼” bits, with the mini driver housing an internal spare, a long-shank SL3 bit for accessing deep recessed or hard-to-reach fasteners. It’s a thoughtful detail for anyone who frequently switches between tasks without wanting to carry extra loose bits.

Beyond the drivers, the tool selection is pure EDC perfection. The inkless writing tip, made from a graphite compound, is a practical choice that will never dry out or leak, and it’s paired with a conductive fiber stylus tip for touchscreen use. For cutting tasks, the box opener module uses replaceable tips made from 20CV steel, a high-end choice known for excellent edge retention. Converge offers several tip styles, including a bladeless version for safety, a standard utility tip, and a scraper, which adds a layer of compliance for different workplace regulations.

The utility is further expanded by a detachable LED flashlight module. It’s a compact LED light intended for close-range task lighting, ideal for quick inspections or low-light work. The clever part is its magnetic base, which allows it to be used independently as a small work light. It can also be mounted to the main tool’s pocket clip for a 90-degree beam or attached to the magnetic tip and clipped to a hat brim for a makeshift headlamp. This kind of multi-use design shows a deep understanding of how people actually use their tools in the field.

Speaking of magnetism, the N52 grade magnetic tip is surprisingly strong, with a lift capacity of up to 1kg under ideal conditions. That’s more than enough to retrieve a dropped set of keys or hold a handful of screws at the ready while you work. The whole system is designed to be reconfigured on the fly. Modules can be rearranged, swapped, or left behind depending on the task or environment, with shared compatibility across the main tool and the included Keychain Companion. This companion is a compact, threaded extension of the system, featuring a quick-disconnect loop and allowing select components to be carried, combined, or repurposed independently for more minimalist setups.

This entire package comes from Converge Multi-Tools, an outfit based in Australia.Launch pricing is expected to start around $99 USD for a complete system, which includes the main tool, the keychain companion, and a set of alternative tips. Worldwide shipping is included, starting around June 2026.

Click Here to Buy Now: $99 $133 (26% off). Hurry, only a few left!

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When Furniture Meets High Fidelity: The Ruark R810 MiE

There’s something beautifully nostalgic about the radiogram. You know, those elegant wooden cabinets from the mid-century that housed radio, turntable, and speakers all in one piece of furniture that looked good enough to anchor your living room. Ruark Audio clearly remembers, and they’re marking their 40th anniversary by bringing that concept into 2026 with the R810 MiE (Made in England edition), a stunning collaboration with Storm Furniture that proves technology can be just as much art as function.

This isn’t just a speaker in a nice box. The R810 MiE is part of Ruark’s Made in England project, which focuses on limited production, hand-built products using traditional craftsmanship. Only 100 units will ever exist, split evenly between two exquisite finishes: Penta-Chord Walnut with ebony detailing and Leaf-Line Oak with sycamore accents. Each piece is truly unique, bearing patterns that resemble fingerprints, no two exactly alike.

Designers: Ruark Audio and Storm Furniture

What makes these so special is the centuries-old art of marquetry that decorates the cabinet tops. If you’re not familiar, marquetry involves meticulously cutting selected veneers and arranging them into intricate patterns before bonding them to the cabinet. It demands precision and patience, the kind that only artisan makers possess. Storm Furniture, based in Norfolk and a proud member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, hand-builds each cabinet and grille component before carefully transporting them to Ruark’s headquarters in Southend, where each R810 MiE is individually assembled, tested, and signed off.

The patterns themselves are designed to reflect modern life while honoring traditional techniques. Multiple layers of lacquer are then applied to create that lustrous finish that makes you want to run your hand across the surface (though you’ll probably resist once you see the price tag). Combined with precision-formed trims and a polished chrome stand, the result radiates the kind of sophistication you’d expect from fine furniture.

But let’s talk about what this thing actually does, because looks alone don’t justify nearly $9,000. The R810 MiE packs the same technological prowess as its standard R810 sibling, which retails for around $5,000. You get a 4.1 speaker system powered by 180 watts of Class A/B amplification, with a frequency response that dips down to 30Hz. It supports hi-res music files up to 32-bit/192kHz, has built-in Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Qobuz Connect, works with Apple Music and BBC Sounds, and includes AirPlay and Google Cast.

There’s also HDMI ARC/eARC connection for your TV, plus Internet, DAB, DAB+, and FM tuners because sometimes you just want to flip through actual radio stations. It’s essentially a complete home audio hub disguised as an heirloom-quality piece of furniture. Like the iconic radiograms it takes inspiration from, the R810 is designed to be seen, to be a focal point rather than something you hide in a cabinet or tuck into a corner.

What strikes me most about this release is the timing. We’re living through an era where so much technology feels disposable, designed to be replaced in a few years when the next model drops. The R810 MiE pushes back against that entire philosophy. This is a piece you’re meant to keep, to pass down, to let age gracefully in your home. That marquetry top isn’t going out of style, and that hand-built cabinet isn’t falling apart after a couple of years.

Each unit comes with an engraved plaque as proof of authenticity, which feels appropriate for something this exclusive. At £6,495 (roughly $8,955), it’s absolutely a luxury item. But when you consider that only 50 of each finish will ever be produced, and that each one is genuinely handcrafted using techniques that have been around for centuries, that price starts to make sense for collectors and audiophiles who want something genuinely special.

The R810 MiE represents what happens when a 40-year-old British audio company decides to celebrate not by churning out another limited colorway, but by going all-in on craftsmanship and exclusivity. It’s a statement piece that happens to deliver exceptional sound, or maybe it’s an exceptional sound system that happens to be a statement piece. Either way, it’s proof that furniture really can sound this good.

The post When Furniture Meets High Fidelity: The Ruark R810 MiE first appeared on Yanko Design.

This $61K Tiny Home Finally Gives Remote Workers Room to Breathe

Dragon Tiny Homes has unveiled the Sora 20′, an expanded version of their popular compact dwelling that responds directly to customer feedback. This spacious tiny home marks a significant evolution from the original 16-foot Sora model, offering more room while maintaining the bright, practical design philosophy that made its predecessor a success. The Sora 20′ represents a thoughtful approach to full-time tiny living, balancing increased square footage with the efficiency that defines the tiny house movement.

The design prioritizes natural light and openness, featuring large windows that flood the interior with brightness throughout the day. The layout flows seamlessly from one area to the next, creating a sense of spaciousness that belies the home’s compact footprint. Dragon Tiny Homes has crafted a well-balanced interior where every element serves a purpose, from the strategically placed windows to the carefully considered traffic patterns that make daily routines feel effortless and intuitive.

Designer: Dragon Tiny Homes

At 20 feet in length, the Sora 20′ offers significantly more living space than the original 16-foot model. This extra footage translates into practical improvements throughout the home, allowing for more comfortable accommodations without sacrificing the cozy feel that draws people to tiny living. The additional space has been thoughtfully distributed to enhance functionality in key areas, making the home suitable for extended stays or permanent residence rather than just weekend getaways.

The Sora 20′ includes purpose-built features that acknowledge modern living realities. A built-in floating desk provides a dedicated workspace for remote workers, reflecting the growing need for home offices in compact spaces. The design incorporates a sleeping loft that maximizes vertical space while keeping the main floor open for living and working. Each feature demonstrates a function-forward approach, where comfort meets practicality in ways that support contemporary lifestyles.

The base price for the Sora 20′ is typically set at $61,030, positioning it as an accessible entry point into quality tiny home living. Dragon Tiny Homes occasionally offers inventory homes at discounted rates, with some units available for $52,950, representing savings of $8,070. These move-in-ready options provide an opportunity for buyers to skip the wait time associated with custom builds and transition into tiny living more quickly.

The Sora 20′ suits solo dwellers seeking a minimalist lifestyle or couples ready to embrace downsizing without compromising on comfort. Its design accommodates full-time living with amenities that support daily routines, from cooking to working to relaxing. Dragon Tiny Homes has created a model that proves tiny living can be spacious, practical, and genuinely livable for the long term, making it a compelling option for anyone reconsidering traditional housing.

The post This $61K Tiny Home Finally Gives Remote Workers Room to Breathe first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Dutch Barnhouse Breaks Every Suburban Design Rule on Purpose

The Netherlands has mastered the art of the catalogue home, a residential model where architectural types are as standardized as automobile makes. Buyers browse familiar options, and the barnhouse, with its sweeping gable roof and prominent timber structure, consistently tops the list. It promises the romance of rural living packaged for suburban plots. But what happens when site conditions refuse to cooperate with this template?

In Werkhoven, RV Architecture proved that starting with a recognizable type need not end with a predictable house. The architects faced a triangular plot that defied conventional positioning, so they embraced the irregularity. The barnhouse angles across its lot, turning its glazed facades toward an expansive backyard rather than the street. Inside, the soaring gable height floods the open plan with daylight, while three sculptural wooden columns support the roof and frame carefully composed views. A curved wall conceals service spaces and guides movement from entry to kitchen. Standard catalogue, custom execution.

Designers: Ruud Visser and Fumi Hoshino

Most architects would look at that triangular plot and either complain about constraints or try to force a rectangular box onto it anyway. Ruud Visser and Fumi Hoshino did the opposite. They rotated the entire house to prioritize the view, which sounds simple until you realize how rare that move actually is in suburban contexts. The front of most houses faces the street because that’s what we do. Convention masquerading as inevitability. This project says forget the street, the good stuff is in the back, and commits fully to that logic with floor-to-ceiling glazing on three sides.

Four primary wooden beams sit on top of the side walls and the internal walls between bedrooms. Smaller purlins span between these beams to stiffen the roof plane. Standard timber frame logic so far. Then in the open living area, where you can’t have walls interrupting the space, three angled wooden columns rise up to support the roof structure. These aren’t decorative. They’re load-bearing elements positioned specifically to frame views while maintaining structural integrity. The angle aligns with the roof pitch and creates a visual rhythm that reinforces the gable geometry. You can see exactly how the building stands up, which is increasingly rare in residential work where structure usually hides behind drywall.

That curved wooden wall running from entrance to kitchen conceals the laundry room, toilet, cloakroom, and storage. All the unglamorous necessities that usually get shoved into awkward corners or announced with clunky door frames. Instead, this single sculptural gesture handles circulation and service spaces while adding warmth to what could otherwise read as a cold modernist box. Vertical wood cladding wrapping around itself, creating both physical separation and spatial continuity. You move through the house following this element, which is exactly what good circulation design should do without announcing itself. It’s the kind of detail that separates competent projects from memorable ones.

Dark roof tiles, white horizontal wood siding, natural timber for structural elements, polished concrete floors, and glass. That’s essentially the entire material vocabulary. This kind of limitation forces clarity because every element has to justify its presence. There’s nowhere to hide behind decorative excess. The concrete floors make practical sense for Dutch climate conditions too. Thermal mass for passive heating, durability for high-traffic areas, and a neutral base that lets the wood structure read clearly against it. Material choices that work on multiple levels simultaneously, which is always a sign that someone actually thought through the consequences of their decisions.

Catalogue barnhouses typically give you a recognizable formal language that buyers and builders understand, which has real value when you’re trying to get something built and financed. Visser and Hoshino used that familiarity as permission to experiment with everything else: siting, structure, circulation, materiality. The result reads as both familiar and unexpected, which is a difficult balance to strike. You recognize it as a barnhouse immediately, but the spatial experience inside bears little resemblance to the typical catalogue version with its subdivided rooms and predictable layouts. Standardized building types can serve as starting points rather than endpoints, and this project proves it without being precious about the concept.

The post This Dutch Barnhouse Breaks Every Suburban Design Rule on Purpose first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Stealth Fighter-Inspired Buggy Makes Modern Supercars Look Too Polite

Someone decided the Lamborghini Countach needed to mate with a dune buggy and maybe a stealth fighter. Looking at Alex Casabo’s buggy concept, that’s not hyperbole or some lazy automotive journalism comparison. This thing genuinely looks like it crawled out of the wedge-era supercar playbook, did some thinking about what parts of “street legal” actually mattered, and concluded the answer was “none of them.”

Most supercars maintain this pretense that yes, technically, you could drive this to the grocery store. Casabo’s design skips that entire conversation. The suspension geometry isn’t hidden behind sexy bodywork, it’s showcased like mechanical jewelry. Those bronze-finish wheels and exposed A-arms aren’t apologizing for being visible. This is a track toy that knows exactly what it is, and there’s something refreshing about a design that doesn’t hedge its bets.

Designer: Alex Casabo

The design language pulls directly from that late ’70s and early ’80s moment when Marcello Gandini was drawing supercars with a protractor and an apparent vendetta against curved lines. Every surface on this buggy looks like it was folded from sheet metal by someone who studied origami and decided subtlety was optional. The wedge profile, the angular body panels, the way the whole thing seems to be made of intersecting planes rather than flowing shapes. These are all callbacks to an era when automotive design was less about wind tunnel optimization and more about making something that looked impossibly fast while sitting still.

The AC Buggy, as Casabo calls it, combines the supercar aesthetic with the mechanical transparency of something like an Ariel Atom or a radical Group B rally car. Those exposed A-arms and coilovers aren’t there because the budget ran out before they could design proper body panels – they’re deliberate, turning functional components into visual elements. The bronze-finished wheels and visible hardware give the whole thing a motorsport-meets-military-prototype vibe that somehow works with the stealth fighter angles of the body. You can see the engineering, and that visibility becomes part of the appeal rather than something to hide.

The interior follows the same path of aggressive minimalism wrapped in carbon fiber. Red accent lighting traces the cabin architecture, highlighting the angular dashboard and center console. There’s a center-mounted touchscreen flanked by what looks like a traditional instrument cluster on the driver’s side, creating this hybrid of digital and analog that mirrors the exterior’s blend of supercar drama and track-focused functionality. Toggle switches populate the lower console, the kind of tactile controls that suggest actual mechanical connections rather than electronic intermediaries. The seats are heavily bolstered with quilted inserts, held in place by a competition-style harness setup. Even the steering wheel gets the carbon treatment, with a squared-off bottom and integrated controls that keep your hands on the wheel rather than reaching for stalks or buttons.

The rear suspension setup shows off machined aluminum control arms and what look like properly specced coilovers with remote reservoirs. The drilled brake rotors are substantial, and the whole assembly sits exposed behind those distinctive geometric body panels with their triangular lighting elements. The taillights themselves use a honeycomb mesh pattern behind red-tinted lenses, continuing that angular aesthetic even in the smallest details. There’s an air intake vent on each rear quarter panel with horizontal slats, feeding what we can assume is some kind of powertrain tucked into that compact rear section.

The car was crafted entirely using a combination of design and AI tools as a part of Casabo’s explorations of integrating AI into the design workflow. Casabo lists his tools as Midjourney and Vizcom for the AI-enhanced ideation and CAD, along with Photoshop as a finisher to create the set of images. Whether this car is practical or not becomes irrelevant at this point, because Casabo’s vision is just to see how effectively AI can help enhance the creative process. Visually, it looks great on paper, although just seeing the output, I don’t think we’re too far from having an actual AI-generated concept car prototyped to life.

The post This Stealth Fighter-Inspired Buggy Makes Modern Supercars Look Too Polite first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Unimog-based wooden cabin with pop-up roof tent is built for the wilderness

Mercedes-Benz Unimog has served as the base for many rugged expedition motorhomes in the past, and this is yet another instance where the multi-purpose, all-wheel-drive truck is part of an extreme off-roading RV called The Pucchino. Based on a Unimog U418, it is a compact, custom-built wooden cabin that features a steel frame and an electronically operated pop-up roof.

Choosing the ideal expedition RV for your requirements is a personal decision, generally made out of passion, consideration, and understanding. While there are many robust 4×4 trucks suitable for this purpose, the Unimog is by far a league apart. Sitting atop the Unimog U418, therefore, the Pucchino flaunts a robust wooden body and makes a bold statement. It is the brainchild of 4Wheel24 and arrives on a modest green colored truck, the color which extends down to the green wheel caps and matches with the pop-up roof shell and the interesting natural wooden body of the cabin.

Designer: 4Wheel24

The truck-bed-sized cabin is an interesting creation, not just for its unique beer barrel-like form factor, but because of the various components it manages to stuff inside the very petite body. The roof-top tent definitely pops up to open the living space inside, but even without that, 4Wheel24 has pulled off a decent job with the Pucchino, designed to wade through Mother Earth’s most demanding roads.

The custom-built motorhome module for the 315-hp 4.2-liter turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz Unimog U418 comes with a fully-integrated electric pop-up roof and a compact but fully functional living space inside. The roof opens up to a full conversion length of 2.7 m, and it comprises materials that make it a capable expedition companion with comfort and protection in all-weather conditions.

To ensure a low drive height for stability and minimize drag, the cabin’s interior height is kept to 1.20 meters.  The entry into the rooftop tent is managed via a pull-out staircase. The chief living area in the cabin, measuring 2.6 x 2m, features a cooking area complete with a Wallas diesel hob, countertop, 60-L fridge, and sink, a double bed, and a washroom area furnished with a LooSeal Evo Sealed Toilet and shower.

The power needs onboard are handled by a 480-watt solar panel backing up energy in a 6.3 kWh lithium battery from Bluetti, and it also comes with an inverter. The cabin is provided with a 250L water tank, and in addition to the customization of the interior here, 4Wheel24 has also given the Unimog cab area an upgrade. The cab’s provided with heated seats and upgraded upholstery to match the wooden cabin. The ultra-compact, lightweight, and stable Pucchino is priced roughly around €189,000 (approx. $223,000).

The post This Unimog-based wooden cabin with pop-up roof tent is built for the wilderness first appeared on Yanko Design.

Donkervoort P24 RS is a counterpunch build for drivers who crave raw speed

Dutch manufacturer Donkervoort has been handcrafting lightweight performance cars for purists since 1978, and their creations do stand out. The Lelystad-based automaker has all eyes rolling with yet another limited-edition sports car that looks inspired by the clown shoe design that BMW perfected in the 90s.

The newly unveiled car is ultra-agile thanks to the weight reduction achieved by shaving off components like the skid-control, torque-vectoring, or automatic brake-assist. It doesn’t even have power steering, and gives buyers the option to skip the air conditioning unit for weight reduction, making it the ideal fit for raw purists who want to feel every little change happening in the driving dynamics. According to company CEO Denis Donkervoort, “The key to everything we do is about eliminating weight, minimizing inertia, and delivering unforgettable driving experiences.”

Designer: Donkervoort

The Donkervoort P24 RS two-seater analogue supercar that looks like an Aston Martin DB12 with a long hood up front and exposed wheels. Straight out of the Hot Wheels world, the performance car packs a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivering 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet torque. The power-to-weight ratio is high, given the car weighs 2,204 pounds, literally making it a road-legal race car on the streets. The driver can toggle the horsepower via the Power to Choose technology with three different outputs: 00, 500, or 600hp. That means 770hp per ton power-to-weight ratio at the highest settings, something similar to the mighty Bugatti Chiron.

Body components of the P24 RS are made out of carbon fiber and the in-house developed Ex-Core material, which is a combination of foam and carbon fiber. That explains the uniquely shaped body panels that are more flexible yet highly durable to take on the stresses at high speeds. Purists can attach two wings at the rear and a deep front spoiler to enable 198 pounds of downforce at speeds of 155 mph to keep the car glued to the tarmac and maneuver the track with maximum stability. Those cheeky Aero Blade headlights also fold away behind the grille when not in use to maximize airflow, assisting in peak performance at high speeds during daylight. The optional aero package can be easily removed and stored inside the 290 liters boot when not needed.

The interiors are as good as the exterior with matching colored leather trims for the steering wheels, doors, and the gear shifter. Carbon fiber inserts flow down to the inside of the dashboard as well as the side panels to keep the weight down while not compromising on the theme. The racing DNA is apparent in the bucket seat design that only misses one thing: a secure roll cage. The roof can be removed in no time to feel the thrill of speed. Not much has been detailed by the maker about the specific material choices, but it is for everyone to see.

Only 150 examples of the Donkervoort P24 RS will be made, out of which 50 have already been booked by customers in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East. Deliveries are slated for the April timeline, with the starting price tag set at 298,000 Euros (approximately $354,000). The lightweight driver-focused supercar is a clear manifestation of Denis’ belief that “no supercar is worth the weight.”

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IKEA Just Made a Mouse-Shaped Speaker That Kids Can Actually Carry

IKEA’s GREJSIMOJS collection started with a dog-shaped lamp that dims when you hold its head for bedtime, turning a light switch into something closer to petting a sleepy puppy. The limited collection is more than just about cute animals, but also about playful behavior baked into everyday objects. That same thinking now shows up in a tiny Bluetooth speaker shaped like a mouse, with four stubby legs and a braided tail that doubles as a carry loop.

The GREJSIMOJS portable Bluetooth speaker is a small, mouse-shaped character IKEA calls a “cute little music friend” for playful people of all ages. It is meant to follow kids from room to room, turning background sound into something they can carry and interact with, while still being a straightforward wireless speaker for parents who just want podcasts in the kitchen or bedtime audiobooks without fumbling with phone speakers.

Designer: Marta Krupińska (IKEA)

Picture a child drawing at a desk, the purple mouse sitting nearby quietly playing an audiobook or favorite songs. Pairing is as simple as connecting a phone over Bluetooth, and the sound is tuned for everyday listening rather than shaking walls. The built-in volume limit protects sensitive ears, so kids can turn it up without parents needing to hover over the controls constantly or worry about hearing damage.

The braided tail makes it easy for small hands to grab and move the speaker from bedroom to living room. Charging happens over USB-C, though the cable and adapter are sold separately, and IKEA says adults should handle that part. The speaker cannot play while charging, which creates a split that lets kids control what they listen to while adults manage batteries and power.

The multi-speaker mode lets the mouse pair with other IKEA Bluetooth speakers supporting the same feature. That means the same music can play from multiple spots, turning a hallway and playroom into one sound zone without complicated app setups. It is an easy way to make dance parties or tidy-up time feel coordinated, even if the tech behind it stays invisible to everyone involved.

The collection’s goal is to inspire play and togetherness across the home, and the mouse fits that mission well. IKEA notes that £1 from every GREJSIMOJS product sold during a set period goes to the Baby Bank Alliance, adding a layer of purposeful giving. More than just decor, the speaker is a small facilitator for shared stories, music, and movement in family spaces without needing complicated setup rituals.

The GREJSIMOJS mouse speaker, like the dog lamp, treats technology as something that should feel approachable and a bit silly rather than cold. Rather than competing with serious audio gear, it is trying to make rooms feel more alive without asking kids to sit still or parents to manage another app. In homes where screens already demand enough attention, a small purple mouse that quietly pipes in sound might be exactly the kind of tech everyone can agree on.

The post IKEA Just Made a Mouse-Shaped Speaker That Kids Can Actually Carry first appeared on Yanko Design.

Maingear Retro98 Is the 90s Dream PC Finally Built with 2026 Hardware

Late-’90s desktops hummed under desks in beige towers that always felt heavier than they should. CRTs flickered, CD drives whirred, and somewhere in every PC gamer’s mind lived a fantasy build they only saw in shop windows or magazine ads. The gap between the family PC that struggled with Quake and the dream rig you sketched in notebooks, complete with turbo buttons and drive bays, felt impossibly wide.

Maingear’s Retro98 is that fantasy finally built. The limited-run sleeper PC uses a retro beige SilverStone tower with a working turbo button and keyed power lockout, but hides 2026 hardware inside. The pitch is simple: 1998 on the outside, 2026 inside. It is the machine your younger self would have lost their mind over if they could see past the beige and understood what an RTX 5070 even meant.

Designer: Maingear

Retro98 feels more like a drop than a product line. Maingear limited it to 38 units: 32 standard builds and six water-cooled Retro98α rigs with braided ketchup-and-mustard cables. The brand positions it as something you will not find at a big-box store, and points out that you will not even find a Radio Shack next week. Each system is hand-built by a single technician, making it feel closer to a limited sneaker release than a typical prebuilt.

Even the lowest spec overshoots anything you could have imagined in 1998. The Retro98 5070 pairs an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, 32 GB of DDR5 at 6000 MT/s, and a 2 TB NVMe SSD. This is the kind of machine that runs Cyberpunk smoothly while looking like it should be loading StarCraft from a stack of jewel cases on the desk.

Of course, the front-panel rituals matter as much as the internals. The keyed power lock feels like something your parents would have used to keep you off the PC, and the fully functional turbo button now toggles performance profiles instead of pretending to overclock a 486. These physical interactions turn booting up into a tiny ceremony, a reminder of when pressing power felt like entering a different world rather than unlocking another screen.

Behind the retro faceplate, you still get modern conveniences. USB-C on the front, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a clean Windows 11 install without bloatware. The machine is not trying to recreate the pain of driver floppies or IRQ conflicts. It is just borrowing the shell and the attitude. You get the look and the jokes, but you also get quiet fans, instant game launches, and none of the frustration.

Retro98 is not about value per frame but about finally owning the mythical beige tower you stared at in catalogs. It is for people who remember sharing a/s/l in chat rooms and slapping CRTs after another buffer underrun, and who now have the budget to indulge that memory. A beige box with a turbo button probably should not feel fresh in 2026, but somehow it does, which says more about how boring glass-and-RGB towers have gotten than it does about nostalgia.

The post Maingear Retro98 Is the 90s Dream PC Finally Built with 2026 Hardware first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Award-Winning Pen Floats Like a Cloud on Your Desk

Remember the last time you picked up a pen and actually stopped to look at it? Most of us don’t. We grab whatever’s lying around, scribble a note, and move on with our day. But designer Leila Ensaniat is challenging that autopilot relationship we have with one of our most familiar tools. Her creation, Pulse, recently snagged the Golden A’ Design Award for 3D Printed Forms and Products, and it’s easy to see why this isn’t your average ballpoint.

Pulse is what Ensaniat calls a “floating pen,” and that description actually makes sense once you see it. Drawing inspiration from the quiet, effortless drift of clouds, the pen feels less like a writing instrument and more like a small sculptural moment on your desk. It’s the kind of object that makes you pause, which is pretty rare when we’re talking about something as mundane as a pen.

Designer: Leila Ensaniat

What makes this design really interesting is how it blends old-school craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The pen features biomorphic patterns that look like they grew organically rather than being designed, and they’re created using lost wax casting in aluminum, silver, bronze, and gold. That’s a centuries-old metalworking technique typically reserved for jewelry and art pieces, not everyday writing tools. But that collision of traditional craft and contemporary design thinking is exactly what gives Pulse its unique character.

Ensaniat, who has a background as an industrial designer at Cisco specializing in consumer electronics, brings a tech-world sensibility to object design. Her approach centers on human-centered design, which basically means she’s thinking hard about how we actually interact with objects rather than just how they look on a shelf. With Pulse, that philosophy translates into something that feels natural in your hand while also making you reconsider what a pen can be.

The surface treatments are particularly thoughtful. Those nature-inspired patterns aren’t just decorative, they enhance both the visual appeal and the tactile experience of holding the pen. It’s a detail that matters more than you’d think. When an object feels good to touch, when it has texture and weight that seems intentional, it changes your relationship with it. You’re more likely to keep it on your desk, to reach for it specifically, to actually care about this tool that usually gets treated as disposable.

What’s fascinating about Pulse is how it sits at the intersection of sculpture and utility. The design explores that balance between being something you want to look at and something you actually need to use. Plenty of designer pens lean too hard into the luxury angle and end up feeling precious and impractical. Others focus purely on function and look forgettable. Pulse seems to nail that middle ground where form and function aren’t competing, they’re collaborating.

The project also gave Ensaniat deeper insight into the metal finishing and plating industry, which might sound technical but is actually important. Understanding how materials behave, how different metals can be worked and finished, how surface treatments hold up to actual use, that knowledge separates decorative design from functional design. A beautiful pen that tarnishes after a week or feels unbalanced when you write isn’t really good design, it’s just good marketing.

Created for her brand N I L A, which focuses on integrating technology seamlessly into everyday life, Pulse represents a broader design philosophy about making thoughtful, human-centered objects that solve real problems while also being distinct and meaningful. It’s an approach that feels increasingly relevant as we’re surrounded by more and more identical mass-produced stuff. Pulse won’t revolutionize how we write, and it’s not trying to. But it does suggest that even the most familiar, seemingly finished objects in our lives still have room for fresh thinking. Sometimes all it takes is a designer willing to ask why something has to be the way it’s always been, then having the skill to actually answer that question with something better.

The post This Award-Winning Pen Floats Like a Cloud on Your Desk first appeared on Yanko Design.