We all know that our furry-legged family members deserve only the best and yet, unsightly, uninspired pet beds are still a thing. Why should giving your pet a cozy spot to snooze mean compromising your aesthetic or their comfort? Thankfully, NomoHaus is here to put an end to clunky, boring designs with sleek, modern pet furniture that garners just as much attention as your designer sofa. The emerging pet brand founded by Taiwanese American designers Lydia Ho and Jacky Huang are proudly declaring No mo! to boring pet furniture, offering a better alternative.NomoHaus was born out of Ho and Huangs frustration with the lack of thoughtfully crafted pet furniture available today most cheaply made, disposable pieces that clashed with todays modern home styles. Driven to create better options for their own pets a husky named Nomo, a ginger cat named Leo, and Nami, a sweet terrier mix the designers set out to prove that pet furniture can look just as chic as the interiors theyre placed in. Their inaugural creation, The Leo Bed, is a minimalist, durable, and undeniably cool statement piece for pets and their humans alike.Crafted from premium multi-layer eucalyptus and poplar solid wood, The Leo Beds frame is inspired by Japanese joinery techniques, eliminating the need for screws or tools. Assembly is as simple as slotting the five wooden pieces together with a bit of hand pressure intuitive, effortless, and sturdy.A subtle painted edge adds a pop of color to the frame, while the vibrant, patterned cushion cover is removable and machine washable, keeping the bed looking fresh. The high-density memory foam cushion offers superior comfort for pets, while an anti-slip fabric on the underside keeps it securely in place.Available in two sizes (S/M and L/XL), The Leo Bed accommodates pets of various breeds and adds a splash of style to any modern home. With NomoHaus, you no longer have to choose between comfort for your pet and good design its a win-win for everyone.To give your pet the gift of comfort with a new Leo bed, visit nomohaus.com. (PS. The L/XL size will be back in stock soon!)

Weekly curated resources for designersthinkers andmakers.The news that Sidebar.io was taking a break felt a bit like a heartbreak. Sidebar has been one of my favorite sources to keep up with design, and with content that would make me a better, smarter, more informed designer.No noise, no endless scrolling, just the goodstuff.5 links a day. Thatsit.WellSidebar is back from its breakBecome an Expert with the Online Master in UI/UX Design at LABASAD [Sponsored] Learn advanced UI/UX design with a 100% online, practical methodology. In 12 months, master wireframing, user research, interface design, prototyping, design systems, typography, and colour theory using industry-standard tools like Figma. Limited places, start May2025!Editor picksThe fastest gun in UX Why your team is telling the wrong story.By PavelSamsonovDuolingos gamification strategy The good, the bad, and the ugly.By TiinaGolubWhy TikTok users are flocking to Xiaohongshu Part UX, part politics.By DaleyWilhelmMeta and Spotifys AI takeover Is this the end of human-created content?By Angele LenglemetzHuman flourishing in the Age of AI Challenges, strategies, and opportunities.By JoshLaMarThe UX Collective is an independent design publication that elevates unheard design voices and helps designers think more critically about theirwork.Subway Stories: an interactive visualization Make methinkA journey of craft built on trust, confidence, and focus Experiencing imposter syndrome has taught me to accept feedbackboth positive and constructivewith openness and to lean on my teammates for perspective and support. Its uncomfortable, but its also a reminder that the work youre doing matters.Consistency means nothing Modern software is a paradox. On one hand its more conformist than ever. On the other hand, most are hilariously inconsistent in execution. The majority of software from large orgs leans towards disorder. This is often due to how large orgs operate.Stop trying to schedule a call with me Chances are, I signed up to see if your tool can do one specific thing. If it doesnt, Ive already mentally moved on and forgotten about it. So, when you email me, Im either actively evaluating whether to buy your product, or I have no idea why youre reachingout.Little gems thisweekHow first impressions drive AI adoption By Tetiana SydorenkoDesigners: always read the comments By Euphrates DahoutThe future of design systems is decentralized By Oscar Gonzalez, WASTools and resourcesHuman-centered AI frameworks Adopting a structured approach to AI initiatives.By RobChappellDesign systems and accessibility What was top of mind for the international community in 2024?By MatheusCervoAccessible outcomes To create more accessible outcomes, we need better design tools.By Nik JeleniauskasSupport the newsletterIf you find our content helpful, heres how you can supportus:Check out this weeks sponsor to support their worktooForward this email to a friend and invite them to subscribeSponsor aneditionSidebar is back, Duolingos strategy, AIUX frameworks, accessible outcomes was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If youll permit me a rantI promise to make it fact-filled and interestingI am sick of the articles that seem to pop up every few months claiming that we are all eating too much protein. They convey an inaccurate picture of how the body uses protein, and they demonize perfectly healthy meals that happen to be high in protein. Its time to set the record straight.It is true that most of us eat more than the RDA (recommended daily allowance) of protein, but that's a good thingthe RDA is meant as a minimum. It's true that protein-boosted foods are trendy, and that they're not necessarily great dietary choices in the big picture. It's also true that you can eat a healthy diet with little to no meat, but meat is not synonymous with protein. Let's look at what we actually know about the role of protein in a healthy diet, and how to tell if you're eating too much or too little.What foods contain protein?As a refresher, protein is one of the three calorie-containing macronutrients (fats, carbs, protein) that make up most of the food we eat. Proteins are made of amino acids, and these amino acids are required for the growth, repair, and functioning of our body.We can get protein from a variety of sources. Meats are particularly protein-dense; a chicken breast contains about 35 grams of protein. Other animal products, like milk and eggs, are also rich in protein. Plant-based foods tend to have less protein than animal products, but its not hard to meet or exceed protein requirements even on a vegan diet. Beans, grains, and soy products like tofu contain significant amounts of protein, for example.If youd like a cheat sheet on how much protein youre supposed to eat based on your activity level, you can find one here. And thats a good place to start dissecting this too much protein myth, because before we can declare an amount of protein to be too much, we need to understand how much is enough.The RDA is meant to be considered a minimumThe government communicates targets for different nutrients to encourage us all to eat a healthy, balanced diet. These targets are the basis for the % daily value labels on the back of packaged foods, and for the nutrient makeup of school lunches.The RDA, or recommended daily allowance, is defined as the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a group.In other words, if 100% of us were to eat the RDA of protein, at least 97% of us would be getting enough proteinwe'd be meeting the minimum to be healthy. That's right, this number is a minimum to avoid malnutrition, not a maximum, and not a recommendation for optimal health. By the way, if you're wondering how that number is determined? For protein, it is based on nitrogen balance. Humans break down proteins, excreting nitrogen, as part of the bodys daily function. If you eat enough protein (which contains nitrogen), the amount of nitrogen you excrete will be the same as, or more than, the amount you eat. In other words, if you arent breaking your own body proteins down (in excess of what you eat), then whatever youre eating must be, in some sense, enough.In this way of thinking, the RDA is the minimum to stay healthy. More is fine; less would mean that you may not be getting enough. For some nutrients, there is also an UL, or upper limit, telling you that more than a certain amount is too much. Upper limits are calculated for vitamins and minerals; there is no upper limit defined for protein.Therefore, there is no official definition for too much protein. If somebody eats more than the RDA, theyre not eating too much; theyre just eating more than the minimum. Youre supposed to eat more than the minimum.How much is the RDA for protein, and how much is the average American actually eating?The RDA for protein is set at 46 grams per day for a 125-pound woman, and at 56 grams per day for a 154-pound man. Thats based on an RDA of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram bodyweight, which works out to 0.36 grams per pound. So a 200-pound person would need 72 grams of protein per day.This USDA report found that most adult men average between roughly 90 to 100 grams of protein per day, although men aged 70 and up only get about 80 grams of protein per day. Women tend to average around 70 grams per day, with those aged 70 and up averaging 62 grams.Above the RDA? Yes. Too much? I dont see any way of arguing that. And before you say that were getting almost double the recommendation, let's check the math. Those RDA numbers are for 125- and 154-pound people. On the other hand, the averages for what we eat are based on actual people, not ideals. The average American man is 200 pounds, and the average American woman is 171 pounds. So, to compare the numbers: The average woman is 171 pounds, so her RDA would be 62 grams per day. (Women, on average, eat 70 grams of protein per day.)The average man is 200 pounds, so his RDA would be 72 grams per day. (Men, on average, eat 90 to 100 grams of protein per day.)Again, theres no need to stick to the minimum; going 8 grams over, or even 28 grams over, is fine. Its probably better to go over than to just scrape by, and many of us arguably dont get enough. Let me explain.Many older adults dont get enough proteinLets start with older adults. Not only does protein intake tend to decrease with age, older adults are vulnerable to issues that stem from a loss of muscle mass. People tend to lose 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade starting at age 30, but strength training and protein intake can support maintaining our muscle, and thus likely prevent or reduce that decline.The Dietary Guidelines include a note that About 50 percent of women and 30 percent of men 71 and older fall short of protein foods recommendations. Meanwhile, a study found that older adults who dont meet the recommendations are more likely to be limited when stooping, crouching, or kneeling, standing or sitting for long periods, walking up 10 steps, preparing meals, and walking for a quarter mile.So even if its true that the average adult gets more protein than recommended, there are clearly a lot of elderly folks who dont. These are the same people who have more issues functioning in everyday life. This may be a chicken-and-egg situationwas the functional decline a cause or an effect of the change in their diet?but this sure does not seem to be a group of people who should be eating less protein.You need more than the default RDA if youre pregnant or lactatingTheres another large group of people who benefit from more, not less, protein: people who are pregnant or lactating. Instead of 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight (62 grams for a 171-pound person), the RDA for people who are pregnant or lactating is 0.5 grams/pound (so, 86 grams of protein per day).When youre pregnant, you also have higher caloric needs, so the increased total amount of food makes it easier to get the higher protein amount. Still, it makes more sense to spend your energy on making sure youre getting enough protein, rather than worrying about getting too much.Higher-protein diets support healthy exercise and muscle massYou knew we heading in this direction (I say between reps of barbell squats, wiping protein shake off my lips): People who exercise should get more protein than just the RDA.While the fear-mongering too much protein articles sometimes mention that bodybuilders or elite athletes need their protein, they tend to hand-wave this away as a special concern that doesnt apply to normal people. But I think its worth a closer lookand honestly, this situation applies to a lot more people than just a few athletes.Officially, there isnt an RDA for athletes; people who exercise can stave off malnutrition with the same 0.36 grams per pound as everyone else. But that doesnt mean that the RDA is the best target to aim for.The International Association of Athletics Federations, which governs track and field competitions, recommends that most athletes who are maintaining or gaining weight eat 0.59 to 0.77 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight per day. Thats 101 to 131 grams for the average 171-pound woman, and 118 to 154 grams for a 200-pound man.A group of organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine largely agrees, recommending a range from 0.54 to 0.9 grams per pound for all athletes whose weight is stable or gaining. That includes people who do endurance training like distance running, as well as strength athletes whose exercise involves mainly lifting weights. Those ranges would go as high as 153 grams for our 171-pound woman, and 180 grams for our 200-pound man.You dont need to be an Olympian to consider yourself an athlete in this sense. If youre training for a half marathon, youre doing plenty of distance running, and should fuel accordingly. And if youre just lifting weights in the gym, but taking it seriously enough that youre training regularly and working hard, you should consider eating in these ranges as well.Higher-protein diets support healthy weight lossDieting to lose weight is not only a popular American pastime, its also arguably good for at least some of your health. If youve been on a diet recently, or if youre planning to go on one, you arent a person who should settle for the RDA either.Research shows that protein intake (and strength trainingthey go together!) is important to maintain muscle mass when were losing weight. After all, youre aiming for fat loss, not trying to get your muscles to waste away.For example, this study found that diets ranging from 0.48 to 0.72 grams of protein per kg of body weight (thats 82 to 123 grams for our 171-pound woman, 96 to 144 for our 200-pound man) resulted in less weight regain after the diet, and helped people to maintain muscle mass and feel more full while they were dieting.And if youre losing weight and exercising? The IAAF recommends that athletes who are undertaking high-quality weight loss need at least 0.72 grams per pound of bodyweight, and possibly as much as 1.09 grams per pound. That would be 186 grams for a 171-pound athlete, or 218 grams for a 200-pound athlete. Most people wont need to go that high, and its unclear whether athletes need to go that high. But Im including these numbers so you see how high the ranges actually go.Ultimately, weight loss is widely understood to be more effective and have healthier results with higher protein intakes rather than lower ones. When people focus on just eating less, without thinking about what their diet actually consists of, its easy to forget about protein. But the evidence suggests that you should increase protein when youre decreasing overall calories.Does too much protein turn into fat?This is a common talking point in those articles about too much protein, and its sort of truebut it also doesnt mean what you think it means.When you eat more food than your body needs, your body can store it as fat. Thats true no matter what the excess is made ofprotein, carbs, fat, or even alcohol. The protein you eat gets used for many different things in your body. You can build it into muscle tissue, use it for growth and repair of different kinds of cells, and so on. You can also use it for energybasically, burning it for the calories.So if you were eating a perfectly balanced diet, and then decided to add an extra 100 grams of protein per day, then sure, a lot of that protein would be used for energy, and since wed have excess energy, it would get stored as fat.But if you ate more protein, and that protein replaced other foods in your diet, then there would be no excess calories to store. Nobody is saying you should chug a couple of protein shakes on top of your regular diet. Theyre saying (Im saying) that you should plan your meals and snacks to include more protein.For example, if your regular lunch is a turkey-and-cheese sandwich with a side of chips, you could improve the protein content of your diet by adding more turkey to the sandwich and replacing the chips with an apple. Same total calories, but more protein. As long as your total calories for the day arent in excess of your needs, the extra protein wont get stored as fat.Is it bad to get too much protein?In general, high protein diets dont have any serious health consequences. Theres a major exception, though: in some medical conditions, you may be told to limit your protein intake to protect your health.For example, people with chronic kidney disease are often advised to use the RDA (0.36 grams per pound of body weight) as a maximum rather than a minimum. Your kidneys play a role in processing protein for excretion, so a lowered protein intake reduces the amount of work that a damaged kidney has to do. That said, once a person with chronic kidney disease begins dialysis, they may be advised to increase their protein intake for better health now that their body has help to handle the higher levels.People with certain other disorders, like phenylketonuria and homocystinuria, may also be advised to eat a low protein diet. Obviously, if you have one of these conditions, you should be getting your dietary advice from your medical team (ask for a referral to a dietitian!) rather than from general articles on the internet.Wasnt there a study that said too much protein is bad?Besides those known medical issues, the occasional findings about eating too much protein tend to fit into the X is good for you/X is bad for you ricochet news cycle. Theyre not holistic assessments of protein in general on health in general, but rather specific research questions that are still being figured out.For example, this study found that a high protein (and high fiber) diet seemed to slightly worsen one measure of insulin resistance; but it also improved metabolic health and body composition. The researchers concluded that the subjects body chemistry was probably just responding appropriately to the changed nutrient content of their diet. A few years later, a study of high-BMI women with insulin resistance saw improvements to their insulin resistance on a high protein diet.Or to take another example, a study earlier this year found a link between high protein diets and atherosclerosis. But if you look at what the researchers were actually studying, they were looking at how leucine (one amino acid found in protein) affects the mTOR biochemical pathway in certain types of white blood cells. By the way, that mTOR pathway is involved in a lot more body processes than atherosclerosis, and does a lot of good things too.So are these results interesting, and worth further study? Definitely. Worth changing protein recommendations? Only if this effect turns out (1) to actually lead to worse health outcomes, and (2) to outweigh the known benefits of higher protein. The body of evidence doesnt support lowering protein recommendations, nor adding an upper limit.Theres no urgent health problem that lowering our protein intake will solveSo if protein is good for us, and most of us cant really get too much, why are so many people arguing that were overdoing it?I think part of the reason is just misunderstanding (the writers dont tend to have a background in nutrition and especially not in sports nutrition), but more often, I think theyre talking about a different issue entirely.Often the too much protein stuff is just a way of talking about the environmental effects of meat consumption or dairy farming. People making this argument are trying to pry the double cheeseburgers out of our hands and reassuring us that well be okay. I dont think an attack on protein is an appropriate way to make that point, since plant-based proteins exist and are a fine alternative. But I understand where theyre coming from.Ultimately, if youre trying to make the argument that were eating too much protein for our health, you really cant do that without some evidence that were eating so much protein that its harming our health on a widespread level. And that evidence just doesnt exist.To understand that point, just look at the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This is the master document that tells us what we should be eating and what government programs should be funding. The goals include reducing rates of heart disease and diabetes, and making sure people get enough vitamins. There are Key Recommendations to limit certain nutrientsspecifically sugars, saturated fats, sodium, and alcohol. There is no recommendation to reduce your intake of protein.Corrected 1/15/2025 to note that we lose 3-5% of our muscle mass per decade, not per year, without training.

January is bleak, to say the least, and sometimes getting through it requires buying a treat. Fortunately, the month is also big on sales, including 20 percent off the Google Pixel 8a. Currently, Amazon has the Google Pixel 8a available for $399, down from $499, the same deal it had on Black Friday. The Google Pixel 8a debuted in May last year and garnered a 90 in our review. We thought it was an excellent value for the phone, even at its sticker price, and named it the best midrange smartphone. Part of that is thanks to the 6.1-inch device's vibrant OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate (an upgrade from 90Hz on the Pixel 7a). Other perks of the Google Pixel 8a include its excellent 4,492 mAh battery. In our test, the battery ran for 20 hours and 29 minutes with one charge. Plus, it offers excellent cameras. The Pixel 8a offers the same 64MP main and 13MP ultra-wide sensors as its predecessor, but they really stack up when compared against the Samsung 24 Ultra. Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-8a-is-back-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-140055731.html?src=rss

Bewildered by all the RX 9070 GPU price rumors? I know I am, and AMD needs to cut through the confusion sooner rather than later.

Bitcoin jumped above $109,000 as traders eagerly awaited the inauguration of incoming President Donald Trump and cheered his weekend meme coin launch.

Up-rezing, ML for transitions, and ageing and de-ageing were all part of the mix.Today on the befores & afters podcast were chatting to VFX supervisor Kevin Baillie about the Robert Zemeckis film, Here. You may have already seen I did an entire issue of the print magazine on Here which you can grab now. There we covered the machine learning de-ageing work in this film for actors like Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, plus the virtual production and visual effects work, which also included some ML approaches.Well, I was so taken really with the art and tech in Here that I wanted to share with everyone my original chat with Kevin where he breaks all of that down in detail. I really think Here is a great example of what new tech exists out there and how it can be used in storytelling. I mean, even since they made this film, things have advanced so much in the area. But, listening to Kevin talk about how to solve particular issues is always a good way to hear about how VFX supes tackle big ticket items on films.This episode is sponsored by Suite Studios. Ready to accelerate your creative workflow? Suites cloud storage is designed for teams to store, share, and edit media in real-time from anywhere. The best part? With Suite, you can stream your full-resolution files directly from the cloud without the need to download or sync media locally before working. Learn more about why the best creative teams are switching to Suite at suitestudios.ioThe post The wide use of machine learning VFX techniques on Here appeared first on befores & afters.

Today, January 20, 2025, is a day that features two significant national events.The first is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which takes place every year on the third Monday of January (as that day is usually closest to MLKs birthday on January 15) and celebrates the legacy of the slain civil rights leader. The second event is one that takes place every four yearsInauguration Day. Todays Inauguration Day will see Donald Trump sworn in for his second, non-consecutive term as the 47th president of the United States.What is interesting about this pair of days is that Inauguration Day isnt a federally recognized holiday (only government employees in Washington, D.C., usually get off work for Inauguration Day), but MLK Jr Day is one of the 13 recognized federal holidays. So, since both fall on the same day this year, Inauguration Day will see some institutions closed that would normally remain open.NPR notes that its rare for MLK Jr. Day and Inauguration Day to fall on the same day. Since MLK Jr. Day became a Federal holiday in 1980, it has only coincided with Inauguration Day twice, in 1997 and 2013. The two days will not coincide again until 2053.Heres whats open and closed on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025.Are banks open?Most banks will be closed on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. 2025, including major ones like Citi, Chase Bank, and Bank of America. These banks would normally be open on Inauguration Day, but because it coincides with MLK Jr. Day, they will be closed.However, though most physical branches will be closed, online banking should be operating as normal.Are ATMs open?Yes. Though most banks will be closed, ATMs should be operating as normal as long as they are physically accessible, no matter if they are connected to a physical bank branch or outside other locations.Is the post office open?No. Most services will not be operating. MLK Jr. 2025 is a federal holiday, so the United States Post Service (USPS) says it will suspend regular services today, and USPS stores will be closed.The USPS says retail, delivery, and mail collection services will resume again on Tuesday. But its 365-day-a-year service called Priority Mail Express will be operating as usual today.Is mail delivered?No. The USPS will not be making deliveries on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025, with the exception of Priority Mail Express.National Park ServiceAre FedEx and UPS operating?According to FedExs holiday schedule, most FedEx delivery services will be operating in some capacity on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025. FedEx says it will have a modified service today, but its Freight, Office, Critical, and Logistics services will be open as usual.UPS says it will have no pickup or delivery service on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025. It also says its store locations may be closed. However, its UPS Express Critical service is available.Is the stock market open?No. Major U.S. stock markets will be closed on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025. This includes the Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).Are schools open?No. Public schools and nearly all private schools will be closed on Inauguration Day and MLK Jr. Day 2025 due to MLK Jr. Day being a federal holiday.Are restaurants open?Many restaurants should be open, including fast food chains like McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, and Taco Bell. However, note that some franchise locations could be closed. Some locations may also have modified hours, so its best to call ahead.Are retail chain stores open?Most retail chains should be open today. This includes major chains like Target, Costco, and Walmart. Some retail chains will also be offering MLK Jr. Day sales. However, store hours could vary from normal ones today.Are pharmacies open?Pharmacy chains, including Rite Aid, CVS, and Walgreens, should be open as normal, though they may have altered hours. Its a good idea to check your local pharmacy for its hours if you need a specific medication.Are grocery stores open?Most grocery stores should be open, though they, too, may have reduced hours.

Dezeen Showroom: German brand Cybex has created a a wooden high chair for design-conscious parents that is foldable, easy to store and can be adapted for all ages.The Click and Fold high chair is made of solid beechwood and features a mechanism that allows it to be folded and unfolded with one smooth movement.The Click and Fold high chair prioritises elegant designThe materiality and silhouette are designed to blend in with the adult furnishings of a modern household, drawing attention for its clean design and nothing else."The elegant and iconic design of Click and Fold makes this chair a true piece of art, defining outstanding quality and timeless aesthetic for any modern family," said Cybex.It can be easily folded and storedThe Click and Fold chair can be completed with accessories that extend its usability to the earliest months of a child's life, with the bouncer nest and baby seat set.As the child grows, the chair's step can be removed and placed in the position of the seat to adapt the piece for continued use.Product details:Product: Click and Fold high chairBrand: CybexMaterial: beechwoodColours/finishes: All Natural, Stone Blue, Stunning Black, All WhiteDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Click and Fold high chair by Cybex appeared first on Dezeen.

In todays world, plastic often dominates product design, making all-metal creations a thing of beauty. They are durable, elegant, and timeless, making them valuable and functional. We have curated a collection of the 10 best all-metal designs, which perfectly showcase form and functionality. These all-metal designs demonstrate the beauty and functionality that metal can bring to everyday products.If youre looking for durability, elegance, or innovation, these designs will offer something for everyone who appreciates the timeless appeal of metal craftsmanship. Dive into this collection of sleek, remarkable, and solid metallic designs. They will add metallic excellence to your life, uplifting your everyday routines and living environment.1. Shift Folder KnifeThe Shift Folder Knife by Koss is a brilliant specimen of craftsmanship. It combines a retractable blade with an all-metal design. This knife features a unique mechanism where the blade moves along a rail built into the handle, snapping securely into open or closed positions. It is made in-house from a blend of titanium and brass, while the blade uses W1-7 high-carbon steel.The materials selected enhance and elevate the knifes aesthetic appeal, functionality, and durability. The knife showcases Koss commitment to quality and innovation, providing a seamless single-handed experience that is stylish and practical.Why is it noteworthy?The Shift Folder Knife showcases a meticulous design and high-quality materials. The use of titanium and brass in the handle provides a perfect balance of stiffness and aesthetic appeal. The brass patinas beautifully with time offering a unique color.The knifes innovative snapping mechanism allows for easy, one-handed operation, offering convenience without compromising safety.What we likeMade from titanium, brass, and high carbon steel for long-lasting performance.The retractable blade offers a secure and convenient single-handed operation.What we dislikeBrass requires regular maintenance to maintain its appearance and prevent tarnishing.2. TWYST Ballpoint PenThe TWYST Ballpoint Pen is a masterpiece of design and functionality, crafted from a single block of copper with zero plastic parts. This all-metal pen is designed to complement modern technology by providing a tangible and satisfying writing experience. It features an octagonal body that fits comfortably in the hand, and your pocket.It also showcases a smooth twist mechanism that ensures seamless operation. The pens copper and brass construction adds a touch of elegance but also enhances durability, making it a timeless writing instrument that will stand the test of time. It makes for a wonderful addition to your workdesk, adding some luxury to your work routine.Click Here to Buy Now: $67$103 (35% off). Hurry, only 2/103 left!Why is it noteworthy?The utilization of copper and brass gives the pen a unique bronze-rose color, which adds a touch of sophistication to your work desk. These materials also showcase antibacterial properties, which provide a practical edge for daily use. The pens weight is perfectly balanced, reminding users of the significance of simplicity and craftsmanship. The pen avoids plastic elements, thereby adopting eco-friendly values, and making it a responsible pick.What we likeMade from copper and brass, ensuring long-lasting durability and elegance.The materials offer a hygienic advantage for everyday use.What we dislikeThe pens heavier weight may not be suitable for prolonged writing sessions.3. Dango M1 Maverick Rail WalletCalled the Dango M1 Maverick Rail Wallet, this EDC is a prime specimen of innovation in the world of everyday carry accessories. It is an all-metal wallet equipped with a precision-machined 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum frame, showcasing a slim and robust design. It is equipped with an RFID-protected side for payment cards.It also includes an RFID-exposed side for transit and ID cards. The wallet features an open-back design, that offers easy access to cards, while a silicone band secures them in place. It is blessed with water and weather-proof construction and is built to withstand the elements. If youre someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, this is a must-have.Why is it noteworthy?The Dango M1 Maverick Rail Wallet is a fine blend of style, security, and functionality. It has an aerospace-grade aluminum frame which ensures durability, while the RFID protection provides peace of mind for cardholders. The wallets innovative design allows for easy organization and access to cards, making it a practical choice for everyday use.What we likeMade from aerospace-grade aluminum with RFID protection for card security.The silicone band allows for carrying multiple cards and banknotes.What we dislikeMay not accommodate as many cards as traditional wallets.4. AirTag CarabinerSay hello to the AirTag Carabiner a compact accessory designed to provide ultimate peace of mind by keeping your belongings secure and easily traceable. It is crafted from Duralumin composite alloy, which is renowned for its lightweight yet sturdy characteristics. This material is commonly used in aircraft, spacecraft, and marine applications.You can effortlessly attach the carabiner to bags, bicycles, or umbrellas, and pair it with an Apple AirTag to ensure you never lose sight of your important possessions. This product seamlessly combines strength, a lightweight design, and the innovative technology of Apples AirTag.Click Here to Buy Now: $119.00Why is it noteworthy?The carabiner is made from high-quality materials, and it offers durability and reliability in various environments. The ability to keep track of your belongings effortlessly makes it an ideal choice for busy individuals. It is a versatile and strong design, making it suitable for both everyday use and more demanding conditions like the great outdoors.What we likeMade from strong, lightweight Duralumin alloy.Compatible with Apple AirTag for easy tracking.What we dislikeRequires an Apple AirTag for full functionality.This may not suit all style preferences.5. Everlasting All-Metal PencilCalled the Everlasting All-Metal Pencil this is a revolutionary writing tool thatthat eliminates the need for sharpening. It is crafted from a special alloy core and an aluminum body, and it mimics the feel of traditional graphite without wearing down quickly. It leaves marks like a regular pencil but offers the durability and convenience of a non-sharpening design.It is for artists, writers, and students, and even serves as a pocket-sized everyday essential for the urban gentleman. The pencil functions as an easily accessible writing tool, ensuring youll run out of ideas before you run out of lead. Whenever an idea strikes you, you can fish out the pencil, and bring your ideas to life.Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95Why is it noteworthy?The Everlasting All-Metal Pencil is a game-changer for those who appreciate efficiency and sustainability. It is equipped with a unique alloy core that leaves marks without the need for sharpening, reducing waste and eliminating the hassle of broken leads. The pencils aluminum body is lightweight and durable, making it perfect for everyday use.What we likeThe alloy core provides a continuous writing experience without the need for sharpening.Made from aluminum, ensuring long-lasting use and easy portability.What we dislikeAvailable in a single metallic finish, which may not suit everyones aesthetic preferences.The innovative design may come at a higher price point compared to traditional pencils.6. FOLD BThe FOLD B Clipboard redefines simplicity with its all-metal design. It is made from a single sheet of stainless steel, and it eliminates the need for traditional clips. It uses two small cylindrical magnets to hold paper in place and is blessed with an elevated rear design that offers enhanced usability.The clipboard is great for those who love to dabble in drawing, writing, or drafting. The FOLD B is a perfect example of how minimalism can meet functionality, offering a unique solution for those who appreciate streamlined design. It has a compact size, which makes it a great everyday essential for the urban gentleman.Why is it noteworthy?The FOLD B Ultra-Minimalist Clipboard adopts an innovative approach to a common office tool. It uses magnets instead of clips, providing a sleek and modern alternative to traditional clipboards. The stainless steel construction ensures durability, while the minimalist design adds a touch of sophistication to any workspace.What we likeUses magnets instead of clips for a sleek and modern look.Made from stainless steel for long-lasting use.What we dislikeDesigned for single sheets, not suitable for thick stacks of paper.7. Precision Sakura Metal PuzzleNamed the Precision Sakura Metal Puzzle, this exquisite all-metal puzzle captures the essence of Japans iconic cherry blossoms. Crafted from mirror-finish stainless steel, it is designed to challenge your mind with its intricate assembly. The puzzle pieces fit together with a precision of 0.004mm, making the seams nearly invisible.This puzzle offers a satisfying mental challenge and doubles as a stunning decorative piece for your desk or shelf. It is a unique tool that sharpens your mind while adding a textured, artistic element to your space. Its intricate design presents an engaging mental challenge. It is pocket-sized, so you can carry it with you for a quick mental challenge whenever you need it.Click Here to Buy Now: $299.00Why is it noteworthy?The high-quality construction ensures durability, and the nearly invisible lines between pieces enhance its visual appeal. As you complete the puzzle, you feel a sense of accomplishment and the finished piece serves as a beautiful decoration. This puzzle is ideal for those who appreciate both mental stimulation and artistic expression, offering a rewarding experience beyond traditional puzzles.What we likeMade from durable stainless steel with a mirror finish.Serves as a stunning decorative piece once completed.What we dislikeMay be challenging for those new to puzzles.Primarily functions as a mental challenge and decoration.8. WOWSTICKIt is quite popularly said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and the WOWSTICK hand drill surely proves this saying. The miniature pen-shaped hand drill is intended to be a designers best friend. It is an innovative tool that is designed to be the worlds first one-piece miniature electric hand drill. It is produced for creative DIY projects.The hand drill showcases a compact and lightweight construction. It supports an ultra-quiet operation and is blessed with exceptional portability, so you can carry it with you wherever you please. These features make the WOWSTICK an indispensable and essential addition to your toolkit, ensuring it provides value wherever take it.Why is it noteworthy?The WOWSTICK hand drill is perfect for drilling small holes in a variety of materials, including resin, plastic, wood, cardboard, crafts, model making, and even aluminum or copper sheets. It is practical and simple, making it ideal for both DIY enthusiasts and general users. It is powered by a cordless lithium-ion battery and is crafted like a pen, offering ultimate control and precision.What we likeWeighs only 1.6oz and is easy to carry anywhere.Suitable for drilling into various materials, making it ideal for DIY projects.What we dislikeBest suited for small-scale tasks rather than heavy-duty drilling.Being battery-powered, it needs regular charging to maintain functionality.9. ImezingDubbed Imezing, this compact cordless hot glue pen replaces the traditional hot glue gen. It is blessed with a pocked-sized and cordless design that makes it portable and easy to use. The innovative tool is equipped with a lithium battery and can be charged via a USB-C port, making it quite convenient, and of course, portable.The glue pen heats up in fifteen seconds and can tackle a bunch of different materials easily and effortlessly. It is a game-changer, since it frees you from the confines of a power outlet, letting you use the pen whenever and wherever you please. You can carry your creative and DIY projects with you, using the portable gun when needed.Why is it noteworthy?It is blessed with a user-friendly design which makes it one of the most easy-to-use, trouble-free, and versatile glue pens available. Whether youre working on crafts, repairs, or artistic projects, this cordless glue pen helps bring endless creative possibilities to life. It helps with repair work around the house as well, making it essential.What we likeAllows for creative freedom without the need for a nearby power source.Ready to use in just 15 seconds, saving time and enhancing efficiency.What we dislikeRequires regular charging to maintain functionality.May not be suitable for heavy-duty gluing tasks.10. F.100Say hello to the F.100 flashlight another pocked-sized essential you need! It is designed to be the ultimate companion for any outdoor adventure if youre someone who loves spending time out in nature. It features a high-powered 1000-lumen CREED LED, fast charging capabilities, a magnetic lanyard, and an adaptable mounting system.The flashlight is built to go anywhere you go, so it will be by your side always. It is blessed with robust features which make it an excellent and essential tool for camping, hiking, driving, or even everyday use. It offers powerful illumination while also doubling up as a power bank, capable of charging your phone and other devices via its USB-C port, which delivers a 5V 1A supply.Why is it noteworthy?The F.100 flashlight is equipped with a 2600mAh rechargeable battery that can be easily swapped out for additional capacity, offering flexibility for extended use. The latest in fast-charging technology, Power Delivery, allows you to charge the flashlights battery to 50% in just 30 minutes, ensuring youre never left in the dark for long.What we likeCan charge your phone and other devices on the go.Reaches 50% battery in just 30 minutes with Power Delivery technology.What we dislikeSwapping batteries is needed for longer trips without charging access.Regular charging and maintenance is required for optimal performance.The post 10 Best Pocket-Sized Essentials Every Urban Man Needs first appeared on Yanko Design.