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This $89,000 Tiny House Has A Motorized Bed That Disappears Into The Ceiling

The tiny house movement has found its latest champion in the Terra Urban, a 26-foot travel trailer that’s capturing attention across design circles for its clever approach to maximizing limited square footage. Built by Tru Form Tiny, this modern marvel tackles one of the biggest challenges in compact living: creating distinct living and sleeping areas without sacrificing comfort or functionality.

What makes the Terra Urban special is its groundbreaking elevating bed system. With the push of a button, the living room transforms into a bedroom as the bed glides down from the ceiling. This automated mechanism eliminates the need for a permanent bedroom, effectively doubling the usable floor space during the day. When raised, the bed completely disappears, creating an open, airy living environment that feels surprisingly spacious.

Designer: Tru Form Tiny

The design philosophy behind the Terra Urban shows a smart understanding of how we actually live. Instead of cramming traditional room layouts into a tiny space, Tru Form Tiny reimagined how spaces could work dynamically throughout the day. The result is a home that adapts to your schedule, providing generous living areas during the day and comfortable sleeping quarters at night.

Despite its compact footprint, the kitchen doesn’t compromise on functionality. It features a sink, small dishwasher, induction cooktop, fridge/freezer, microwave, and oven, plus a washer/dryer tucked neatly into the layout. A small rounded dining area built into the countertop provides eating space, while abundant cabinetry ensures plenty of storage. On the opposite side, the bathroom keeps things simple with a stone sink, flushing toilet, shower, and storage space.

For those seeking traditional sleeping quarters, a loft bedroom is situated above, accessible via a storage-integrated staircase. While the low ceiling is typical of loft designs, a lowered standing platform makes getting dressed easier, and additional storage maximizes every inch.

The trailer’s modern aesthetic sets it apart from traditional RVs and many tiny houses that lean heavily into rustic or cottage-style design. Clean lines, contemporary finishes, and thoughtful material choices create an environment that feels more like a boutique apartment than a mobile home. This design approach opens tiny living to people who might have dismissed it as too rustic or limiting.

The Terra Urban’s impact goes beyond its immediate occupants. As housing costs continue to rise and environmental awareness grows, solutions like this demonstrate how thoughtful design can make sustainable living both practical and desirable. The trailer’s mobility adds another appealing layer, offering freedom from traditional housing markets while maintaining comfort standards.

For those considering tiny living, the Terra Urban represents a significant step forward in what compact homes can offer. By solving the bedroom-living room challenge through innovative engineering rather than compromise, it opens new possibilities for how we think about space, function, and home itself.

FAQs

How much does the Terra Urban cost?

The Terra Urban starts at $89,000 as part of Tru Form Tiny’s M Series. However, fully customized Tru Form Tiny homes typically range between $100,000 and $200,000, depending on features and upgrades. The company offers flexible financing options for both the home and land. Additional costs include delivery, utilities setup, and any optional customizations.

How does the elevating bed system work, and is it reliable?

The Terra Urban features a motorized elevator bed that operates with the push of a button. The bed descends from the ceiling to transform the living room into a bedroom, then retracts completely when not needed, effectively doubling the usable floor space. Tru Form Tiny offers these motorized systems as one of its signature space-saving solutions. While specific maintenance details aren’t publicly available, the company’s focus on quality craftsmanship suggests they stand behind this key feature’s reliability.

What are the towing requirements and weight specifications?

Typical 26-foot tiny houses weigh between 13,000 and 18,000 pounds when fully loaded. You’ll need a heavy-duty pickup truck or SUV with a towing capacity that exceeds the house’s total weight. Most experts recommend the “80% rule” – only using 80% of your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity for safety. Essential requirements include trailer brake controls, extended mirrors, and a proper hitch system. The tongue weight should be 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight for safe handling and control.

The post This $89,000 Tiny House Has A Motorized Bed That Disappears Into The Ceiling first appeared on Yanko Design.

This iPod Mod Kit gives it a USB-C Port, a Taptic Engine and Wireless Charging superpowers

Here’s the thing about the iPod Classic: Apple killed it off 11 years ago, but the modding community refuses to let it die. And honestly, good for them. While Spotify is busy bricking their Car Thing devices like some kind of digital vandal (seriously, letting people mod obsolete hardware would cost Spotify exactly zero dollars, but here we are), companies like Boxy Pixel are showing us what good faith actually looks like… and that legends like the iPod may become obsolete, but they never truly die.

Exactly a week ago Apple launched some impressive new devices, and sure, it’s easy to get whipped up in a frenzy when new iPhones and Watches drop, but allow me to divert your attention for one second to the iPod… or specifically, this one mod kit from Boxy Pixel for the iPod that gives it a USB-C charging port, a wireless charging coil, a Taptic engine, and up to 2 terabytes of storage. All this requires just some patience, hardly any soldering, and the will to turn your classic iPod into quite literally a superpowered cyborg version of its past self.

Designer: Boxy Pixel

The YouTuber Tito from Macho Nacho Productions recently put one of these kits together, and watching his journey unfold was genuinely eye-opening, while pretty much also functioning as a DIY guide for anyone who wishes to mod their iPod too. The iFlash Solo storage upgrade he installed can handle up to 20,000 songs on what was originally a 30GB model, completely eliminating the reliability issues of those old spinning hard drives. But here’s where it gets interesting: with Rockbox firmware, you can push storage capacity to nearly 2TB. That’s more music than most people could listen to in several lifetimes, all stored on solid-state memory that won’t skip when you bump the device.

The kit features a clever workaround for USB-C too, without disturbing the motherboard itself.. The original 30-pin connector stays functional for syncing music and charging, but now you can also juice up the massive 3,800 mAh battery using any USB-C cable you have lying around. The catch is that USB-C charging doesn’t trigger the usual battery indicator on screen, so Boxy Pixel added a dedicated charging light on the back that glows red while charging and green when full. It’s a small compromise that makes perfect sense once you understand the technical constraints.

However, the real game-changer is the Bluetooth connectivity. Tito’s experience pairing his Sony WH-1000 headphones was seamless, with over 20 feet of range and audio quality that rivals modern wireless implementations. Apparently, some AirPods models don’t play nice with the Bluetooth module (which is weird for an Apple device), but that’s a minor hiccup for wireless freedom on a gadget that predates widespread Bluetooth audio by years. The fact that this works at all on hardware from 2005 is genuinely impressive engineering… and the 3.5mm jack’s always there just in case you want to remain old school.

Speaking of thickness, yes, this modded iPod is chunkier than its predecessor. But here’s the brilliant part: that thickness serves a purpose. The precision-machined aluminum construction and glass panels create a premium feel that honestly looks like an alternate-universe iPod where Jony Ive decided to mash the transparency from the iMac G3 era along with the aluminum obsession of the post-iPod word. The build quality is legitimately satisfying, with that heft that modern devices have completely abandoned in favor of being impossibly thin. The glass showcases the internals in a way that’s both functional and beautiful, reminiscent of the iPhone 4’s design language.

What really impressed me about Tito’s build process was how accessible the whole thing is. The installation requires practically zero soldering for the core functionality, which means anyone with basic mechanical skills can pull this off. The most challenging part, as he demonstrated, is removing the original rear shell with some thin metal prying tools. After that, it’s mostly connecting ribbon cables and dropping components into place. Even the optional Taptic Engine from an iPhone 8, which provides genuine haptic feedback when scrolling through menus, only requires a couple of simple solder joints.

The pricing becomes more reasonable when you see what you’re actually getting. The machined aluminum shell with glass panels runs $155 for the main kit, plus $13 for required buttons and switches. Add the 3,800 mAh battery for $19, iFlash Solo for $37, and optional Taptic Engine for $8, and you’re looking at roughly $230 total. That might seem steep for modifying old hardware, but consider this: you’re getting precision-machined construction, modern connectivity features, and storage capacity that exceeds most current Apple devices.

Is this mod kit perfect? Not quite. The glass panels are fingerprint magnets, some wired headphones with microphone functionality won’t work properly, and the USB-C charging status doesn’t display on the main screen. But these are minor quibbles with what’s essentially a passion project that gives new life to abandoned hardware.

The broader implications here are worth considering. While major tech companies are pushing planned obsolescence and unrepairable devices, communities like this are proving that good hardware can last decades with the right support. Companies like Boxy Pixel are keeping the spirit of hackable, upgradeable tech alive in ways that feel increasingly important.

The post This iPod Mod Kit gives it a USB-C Port, a Taptic Engine and Wireless Charging superpowers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple Says the iPhone 17 is Tough. This $27 Case is Tougher.

The dust has barely settled on the iPhone 17 series launch, and the hype is palpable. Apple’s keynote was a masterclass in engineering poetry, touting a forged reinforced chassis (made from specialized Aluminum alloy or Titanium depending on the Pro or Air models) and a next-generation Ceramic Shield display that supposedly laughs in the face of danger. In fact, Apple’s presentation even showed the phones being swung through a barrage of keys, coins, debris, even glass, highlighting just how robust the devices are. The phone feels dense, premium, and impossibly solid in your hand, a tiny technological monolith that whispers promises of invincibility. It’s a beautiful piece of industrial design, and a small part of you wants to trust Apple’s claims and go completely caseless.

That feeling, however, usually lasts until the first time it slips from your grasp. The heart-stopping clatter on concrete, the agonizing slow-motion flip, and the moment of truth as you pick it up to inspect the damage. No matter how tough the glass or how reinforced the frame, physics remains undefeated. A chipped corner or a spiderweb crack spreading across that gorgeous display is a uniquely modern kind of pain. This is why, despite the siren song of naked-phone purism, the accessory market continues to thrive. A good case and screen protector are not just add-ons; they are essential investments in preserving both your device and your sanity.

Designer: ESR

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Accessory maker ESR seems to understand this dynamic perfectly, rolling out a lineup for the iPhone 17 that leans heavily into serious, quantifiable protection. Their hero product is clearly the Cyber Tough Magnetic Case, and the specifications are frankly absurd in the best way possible. It claims to exceed military-grade standards by a factor of seven, certified for drop protection from up to 23 feet. This level of durability is achieved through a meticulous three-layer construction, featuring a rigid polycarbonate back, a flexible and shock-absorbing TPE soft shell, and an inner lining made of PORON, an advanced foam used in industrial and aerospace applications for impact absorption. This isn’t just a piece of plastic; it’s a purpose-built shock-dampening system for your phone.

That extreme protection extends right over the iPhone 17’s new camera plateau, an area notoriously vulnerable to damage. ESR has implemented a dual-layer defense here, combining a full-coverage bar with a zinc-alloy camera guard. The most interesting part is the built-in Camera Control cover, a physical shield that adds another layer of defense against direct impacts, saving you from what is often one of the most expensive repairs. The case also features raised edges, a 1.2 mm lip around the screen and a 2.4 mm ridge around the camera, which keeps the glass surfaces from making contact when the phone is laid flat. It’s a comprehensive approach that addresses nearly every common point of failure.

Beyond its fortress-like build, the case incorporates a clever piece of functional design called the Stash Stand. When closed, it sits flush and serves as that protective barrier over the camera lenses. When opened, it transforms into a fully adjustable kickstand. The hinge allows for a wide range of viewing angles, from a shallow 15 degrees to a steep 69 degrees, supporting the phone securely in both landscape and portrait orientations. This is perfect for hands-free video calls, watching content, or using the new StandBy mode in iOS. It’s a practical utility that adds genuine value without compromising the case’s primary protective function.

Of course, no modern case is complete without robust MagSafe integration. The Cyber Tough boasts magnets with a holding force of 1,500 grams, which is more than double the 700 gram strength found in many competing MagSafe cases. This ensures a rock-solid connection to chargers, wallets, and mounts, so you never have to worry about your accessories accidentally detaching. Despite the heavy-duty protection and the integrated stand, the back of the case remains thin and flat, ensuring that wireless charging efficiency isn’t sacrificed for the sake of security. It’s a well-executed balance of toughness and technology.

For those who might find the Cyber Tough a bit overkill, ESR also offers a couple of sleeker alternatives. The Classic Hybrid Magnetic Case provides a clear back to show off the iPhone’s design, while still delivering a solid 3x military-grade protection for drops up to 11 feet and the same 1,500 gram magnetic strength. Then there’s the Cloud Soft Magnetic Case, which uses a smooth silicone exterior for enhanced grip and a premium feel. It matches the Classic Hybrid’s 11-foot drop protection but has a slightly lower magnetic force of 1,400 grams. Both of these cases also include the zinc-alloy camera guard and the Camera Control cover, making them formidable options in their own right.

Protecting the body of the phone is only half the battle; that expansive new screen needs its own armor. The flagship of ESR’s screen protector lineup is the UltraFit Armorite Pro, and its key selling point is the material itself: Accessory Glass by Corning. This is the same company that supplies the glass for Apple’s and Samsung’s displays, lending it an immediate air of legitimacy. It’s certified by SGS to absorb ten times the impact of generic protectors, surviving a drop test with a 64 gram steel ball from a height of 8.2 feet. The protector is also engineered for enhanced scratch resistance, promising up to twice the performance and a 25 percent reduction in scratch visibility compared to standard tempered glass.

A major focus for the Armorite Pro is visual clarity. It features a next-generation anti-reflective coating that reduces light reflection from a typical 4 percent down to just 2 percent, which makes a noticeable difference when using the phone in bright sunlight. This coating also boosts light transmission to 94 percent, up from the standard 92 percent, ensuring the display’s colors remain vibrant and accurate. ESR pairs this premium glass with its UltraFit tray, an application system designed to be foolproof. The two-step process automatically removes dust and helps eliminate air bubbles, addressing the two biggest frustrations of installing a screen protector.

Just like with their cases, ESR provides a tiered offering for screen protection. The standard UltraFit Armorite Screen Protector is made from a double ion-exchanged aluminosilicate glass, offering 7x impact absorption from a height of 5.7 feet and includes the same anti-reflective coating and easy application tray as the Pro model. For a more basic level of defense, the UltraFit Classic Screen Protector provides 2x impact absorption from 1.6 feet. It still offers full-screen, edge-to-edge coverage and the hassle-free UltraFit tray, making it a solid entry-level choice. Together, this thoughtful ecosystem of cases and protectors delivers specialized, reliable defense for Apple’s latest creation.

ESR has positioned its lineup to cater to different levels of caution and budget, wrapping cutting-edge protection in a surprisingly accessible price structure. The flagship Cyber Tough case, with its formidable 23-foot drop rating and integrated Stash Stand, starts from $26.99. Its perfect counterpart, the UltraFit Armorite Pro screen protector featuring premium Corning glass, also starts at $26.99, making the top-tier combination a roughly fifty-dollar investment. For those seeking slightly less extreme but still robust options, the Classic Hybrid case starts from $24.99, while the Cloud Soft version is priced at $26.99. The screen protector line follows suit, with the standard Armorite starting from $17.99 and the budget-friendly Classic coming in at just $9.99. And unlike the iPhone 17 series which actually doesn’t go on sale up until the 19th, these cases and protectors are available now!

Click Here to Buy Now

The post Apple Says the iPhone 17 is Tough. This $27 Case is Tougher. first appeared on Yanko Design.