Tag

Modular Design

All articles tagged with #modular design

technology17 days ago•12 min saved

Beats 360: Modular, high-performance over-ear headphones with strong ANC

Beats 360 are $350 over-ear headphones with swappable cushions, IPX4 rating, and a Beats-designed chip that preserves iPhone features like always-on Siri and head-tracking spatial audio while also working well with Android; they deliver top-tier noise cancellation and excellent voice-calling, solid battery life (up to 32 hours), and premium build, but lack wired audio support and wear-detection sensors, with pricing likely to drop in promotions.

via CNET|

#active-noise-cancellation #android-compatibility #beats-360

technology1 month ago•17 min saved

Repairable by design: Fairphone Gen 6+ champions longevity through modularity

Fairphone’s Gen 6+ is a $650 Android phone built for long life and easy self-repair, featuring around 12 user-replaceable parts, a fully replaceable 6.31-inch OLED display, and a removable battery that staff say should be swapped around year three. The design trades some solidity (it’s thicker and lacks IP6X water resistance and a headphone jack) for maintainability, retaining a microSD slot and physical SIM. RAM is boosted to 12GB, software updates are planned through 2033, and Fairphone emphasizes keeping parts in stock and reducing e-waste over a glamorous but less repairable build. Aimed at DIY users and sustainability-minded buyers, the Gen 6+ is available direct and on Amazon.

via Ars Technica|

#diy #modular-design #repairability

technology1 month ago•6 min saved

HoverAir Versa Secures FCC Certification via Modular Flight Kit, Launches on Indiegogo

HoverAir’s Versa is a camera-first handheld device that can become a small drone with an optional Flight Kit. The kit uses no RF transmitters, allowing HoverAir to claim FCC certification for sale in the USA and potentially sidestep the foreign-drone ban; the Indiegogo campaign starts with a camera-only price of $449 and Flight Kit options later. When assembled, the Versa weighs 230 g, avoiding FAA registration for recreational use, while commercial pilots would need a Remote ID transmitter. Specs include 4K60 video, a 1/1.3-inch sensor, OLED touchscreen, and a 3-axis stabilized camera. The situation marks a notable FCC shift, but crowdfunding outcomes and regulatory scrutiny remain uncertain.

via PCMag|

#drones #fcc #hoverair

technology1 month ago•4 min saved

Fairphone Gen 6+ Debuts in the US as a Fully Repairable, Modularity-First Phone

Fairphone’s Gen 6+ launches in the US at $650, offering a fully repairable, modular smartphone with 12 replaceable components, a removable battery, and a single torx driver for upgrades, plus seven years of updates and a focus on ethical sourcing over top-tier specs.

via arstechnica.com|

#fairphone #modular-design #repairable

technology1 month ago•8 min saved

Fairphone Debuts Repairable Gen 6+ in the US for $650

Fairphone is finally selling its repairable, modular Android phone Gen 6+ in the US for $650 (via Amazon and Fairphone.com), backed by a 10/10 iFixit repairability score, a 5-year warranty and software updates through 2033. The device emphasizes sustainability (more than 50% fair-trade or recycled materials, e-waste neutral) with affordable DIY parts (screen $90, USB‑C port $20, battery $40) and 12 swappable modules; it’s certified for T-Mobile and AT&T, with carrier/MVNO partnerships pursued, and offers an optional Murena OS version for $699. Brand expansion includes US market growth and ongoing two‑year device cadences.

via WIRED|

#fairphone #modular-design #repairable-smartphone

technology1 month ago•3 min saved

Fairphone 6 Plus Debuts in the US with Direct Sale, Repairability at the Core

Fairphone has started selling its repairable 6 Plus directly in the US for $649.99 (unlocked, compatible with T-Mobile/AT&T) via Fairphone and Amazon, marking the first direct US sale; it mirrors the 6 but adds a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 and 12GB RAM, while retaining a repairable, modular design with affordable replacement parts and new cobalt blue color, with Europe pricing at €649 and upcoming Fairbuds 2 slated for Q4 2026.

via The Verge|

#fairphone #fairphone-6-plus #modular-design

technology2 months ago•12 min saved

Framework Laptop 13 Pro: A Repairable Gem Hobbled by RAM Prices

Framework’s Laptop 13 Pro is the best Windows laptop thanks to its repairable, modular design, refined build, near-silent cooling, and long battery life, but RAM shortages push its price into the stratosphere (around $3,100 in the tested config), making it hard to recommend today; webcam and speakers are mediocre and there are some upgrade caveats between Intel/AMD boards, yet the ability to swap parts over years remains its biggest strength.

via Engadget|

#framework-laptop-13-pro #modular-design #panther-lake

technology2 months ago•5 min saved

Framework Laptop 13 Pro redefines upgradeable Linux laptops with a bigger battery and premium chassis

Phoronix’s review of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro highlights a redesigned, upgradeable chassis (6063 aluminum, 1.4 kg), larger 74Wh battery, LPCAMM2 memory up to 64GB, and cross-generation component compatibility. Paired with the Panther Lake platform, Linux out-of-the-box support is strong across Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora, and Arch, with promising runtime improvements and a claimed up-to-20-hour battery life; a quirk with non-official 150W USB-C chargers can throttle performance until using the official Framework charger. Overall, the 13 Pro stands as a top modular Linux laptop option.

via Phoronix|

#framework-laptop-13-pro #linux-compatibility #modular-design

technology2 months ago•5 min saved

Field Bracket Reimagines the Classic L-Bracket for Modern Shooters

Peak Design debuts Field Bracket, a modular, tool-free L-bracket system featuring a camera-specific baseplate, a repositionable upright, and optional accessories (Cheese Plate, Hand Strap, Beacon Finder Tag); designed to be more adaptable than traditional L-brackets and compatible with tethering and Arca-style setups. Available via Kickstarter starting at $125 (MSRP $149.95) for select Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, and Sony bodies.

via PetaPixel|

#field-bracket #kickstarter #l-bracket

automotive3 months ago•5 min saved

Slate's Budget EV Truck Lets You Pay for What You Want

Slate’s $25k base EV pickup follows a modular, pay-as-you-go approach, letting buyers choose from a long list of accessories—everything from small cosmetic upgrades to a full SUV kit. While the pricing transparency and customization are appealing, adding options can push the final cost well beyond the base, with an example build nearing $41k. It asks whether buyers value a DIY, configurable truck over a preassembled package and whether the model’s flexibility will pay off in the market.

via InsideEVs|

#accessories #automotive #customization

technology3 months ago•5 min saved

Pocket 4P vs Luna Ultra: A Clash of Reliability and Creative Freedom

The DJI Pocket 4P focuses on professional reliability with a 1-inch sensor, 17-stop dynamic range, 4K/240fps, 60mm tele, 103 GB internal storage, and seamless DJI ecosystem integration. The Insta360 Luna Ultra emphasizes creativity through a modular design, detachable screen, wireless microphone, head tracking, and Leica optics. Overall, the Pocket 4P suits creators who prioritize consistency and workflows, while the Luna Ultra appeals to those who want adaptability and experimentation, highlighting a broader market divide between reliability and innovation in pocket cameras.

via Geeky Gadgets|

#dji-pocket-4p #dual-camera-system #insta360-luna-ultra

technology5 months ago•17 min saved

Apple's Foldable iPhone Ultra leaks hint at modular, repair-friendly internals

A fresh leak claims Apple’s first foldable iPhone Ultra will emphasize repairability with a modular internal layout and streamlined cable routing, featuring a 7.8-inch inner display, a 5.5-inch cover screen, the A20 Pro chip, and a large 5,400 mAh battery, with a September 2026 launch and a starting price around $2,000.

via Notebookcheck|

#apple #foldable #iphone-ultra

technology5 months ago•4 min saved

Ukraine’s Frontline Robots Get Rapid, Phone-Like Upgrades

Ukraine’s DevDroid is rapidly upgrading battlefield robots—remotely patching software within minutes and rolling out hardware upgrades every six months, often with frontline teams to fix and install improvements; soldier feedback drives modular, software-driven designs, a pace Western militaries are urged to emulate.

via Business Insider|

#military-tech #modular-design #robotics

technology5 months ago•98 min saved

Framework Laptop Pro 13 hands-on: a modular upgrade that finally feels premium

Hands-on coverage highlights Framework’s complete redesign in the Laptop Pro 13: it keeps the modular, repairable chassis but adds a 13.5-inch touch display (2880x1920) with a 30-120 Hz refresh range, and easier replaceable parts for RAM, storage, and more. The result is a premium-feeling laptop aimed at power users and developers, with upgradeability and repairability as its core selling points, while keeping a similar look to the original, but with a noticeably improved display and build.

via Tom's Guide|

#display #framework #laptop

technology5 months ago•5 min saved

Framework Laptop 16 Upgrades Finish the Look, Trim Price, and Unleash OCuLink PCIe

Framework’s Laptop 16 gets cosmetic refinements (a translucent bezel option and a new one-piece keyboard plus haptic trackpad) to look more finished, plus a cheaper CPU option (Ryzen AI 5 340) that drops starting prices to $1,599 for pre-built or $1,249 for a DIY kit. The big new feature is the OCuLink Dev Kit, which exposes up to eight PCIe 4.0 lanes for external GPUs and other accessories via dedicated adapters, replacing the laptop’s current GPU/Expansion Bay shell. Pricing for the Dev Kit components isn’t announced yet, and shipping is planned for later this year.

via Ars Technica|

#external-gpu #framework-laptop-16 #modular-design