Latest news with #KenPillonel
Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
The Morning After: Apple's iOS 26 beta is ready for the public
A few months since WWDC 2025, and Apple is shifting its OS update from developers to brave members of the public. Yesterday, the company launched the public beta version of all its operating systems, now all under the umbrella of "26", making my job a little bit easier. I've been testing the iOS 26 beta, which (like the rest) centers on a major design shift to Liquid Glass, with transparent overlapping elements and fluid animations. While it looks different, Apple's focus seems to be familiarity and guiding the user in how to use its hardware, across mobile, PC and the rest. In iOS 26 specifically, key updates include a relocated search bar, improved Visual Intelligence for screenshots and boosted performance across many Apple Intelligence features, like voice note transcription, Genmoji and Image Playground (even if it thinks I'm entirely bald). The Camera app has been redesigned, Apple Music gains AutoMix and Messages offers more engaging options, with custom backgrounds and live translation. However, while the update focuses heavily on design and system consistency, new Siri enhancements aren't here yet. Check out the full previews on the beta builds of iOS 26 here, macOS 26 here and iPadOS here. — Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! Maingear's new PC is beige '90s desktop meets raytracing Maingear's Retro95 is a new custom desktop PC that blends the aesthetic of '90s beige desktops with modern, high-performance components. While its exterior evokes a 30-year-old machine that introduced many of us to dial-up internet, the Retro95 can be equipped with powerful internals, such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics and the latest processors from Intel and AMD. Continue reading. After creating the first ever (unofficial) USB-C iPhone back in 2021, Ken Pillonel has created an iPhone case that can give older device models a USB-C port, welcoming them to 2025. You can browse the options in his shop. The cases cover all 20 iPhones with Lightning ports and support data transfer. Continue reading. The Nebula X1 is an odd proposition. While Anker has produced multiple projectors in the past, it has never reached the $3,000 mark. For that money, though, it beams out a category-leading 3,500 ANSI lumens at 4K resolution. It also features never-before-seen innovations in home projectors, including liquid cooling to reduce fan noise and a motorized lens gimbal that automates setup. It's framed as a portable outdoor projector, but it's also just one of the best indoor projectors we've ever tested. With a sharp, high-contrast and color-accurate image, the video quality is stellar. It's also easy to set up and incredibly versatile. Continue reading.
Digital Trends
5 days ago
- Digital Trends
This impressive case adds USB-C to your old iPhone
What's happened? Swiss engineer Ken Pillonel has created an iPhone case which brings USB-C connectivity to older iPhones with Lightning ports. As well as providing fast charging (9V), data transfers and Apple CarPlay compatibility, the case also supports wireless and MagSafe charging. This is important because: Pillonel says 'the goal is to give some extra life to those older devices by making them feel less obsolete.' It means owners of older iPhones can potentially eke out a few more years of use with their current handset thanks to the convenience of the industry-standard USB-C port. There are cases for 20 models of Lightning port iPhone, from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS which launched back in 2018, right up to the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max from 2022. Wireless and MagSafe charging are supported for iPhones with those features. The case doesn't support every Lightning port feature though. You won't be able to power external devices (such as wired audio devices, external storage or displays) via the USB-C case. You'll need to remove your iPhone from the case and use the Lightning port for these functions. Recommended Videos Why should I care? If you're still rocking an iPhone from 2022 or earlier, you may have already faced some frustrations with the Lightning port residing on the base of your handset. The connection has lost out to USB-C, which is now the industry standard. Even Apple is using it on all of its new devices. With the USB-C port located in the bottom right corner of the case, it means the charging cable doesn't get in the way when holding the phone landscape – perfect for mobile gaming and movie marathons. More colors will be available in September, including pink, blue, green and white For an additional 1 CHF (Swiss Franc, ~$1.50) you can add a lanyard loop to the case. Perfect if you're one of those cool kids who likes to hang their iPhone round their neck. Okay, what's next? You can order the iPh0n3 USB-C case from the Obsoless store today for 49.90 CHF (~$63), with shipping to the US costing less than $10. At the time of writing, stock was very limited to just a few iPhone models (the iPhone 14 series and the 13 Mini). The first two batches sold out quickly, with the third batch expected mid-September. Signing up for stock alerts will ensure you don't miss restocking, plus models with the most sign ups will get priority.
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
This USB-C iPhone case will let you finally ditch Lightning without buying a new phone
TL;DR Apple finally moved to USB-C for its smartphones in 2023, with the iPhone 15 series. While earlier models use Apple's own Lightning port for charging and data transfers, USB adapters exist. Engineer Ken Pillonel has now built a low-profile USB-C adapter right into an iPhone case. Apple has been successful enough to get away with doing things its own way for years, and for the longest time, that meant that using its mobile hardware meant interfacing through some proprietary connectors. From the days of the awkward 30-pin dock, we progressed to the reversible Lighting era, but government pressure would eventually convince Apple to start making the shift over to USB-C, leading with iPads before shipping the iPhone 15 as its first USB-C smartphone. That change had been a long time coming, but we could not be happier to finally live in a world where the same cable charges all of our gear — at least, our newer gear. What do you do if you've still got an older Apple handset that's still kicking, but you'd like to fully move on from Lightning? Enter: Ken Pillonel. The engineer's been somewhat obsessed with the idea of custom-fit cases for Apple's old iPhone lineup that modernize the hardware through the addition of a USB-C port (via Engadget). After first tackling some USB-C solutions for AirPods, he set out to upgrade his one-off iPhone USB-C design to something that could be mass produced. Some simple circuitry helped Pillonel overcome challenges getting the USB cable to charge at maximum speed even when reversed. With that PCB designed, he could turn his attention to crafting a minimalistic case to house it. That said, he does manage to squeeze in a few small quality-of-life enhancements, like an indentation to store a backup SIM card and the option to connect a lanyard. The end result supports fast charging, data transfers, and even works with MagSafe. Really the only big limitation is that you can't use the USB-C port to power accessories using the phone as your battery. If you're looking to add a little more life to your iPhone 14 (or 13, or 12…), check out Pillonel's store where he's got options available for Apple's past few generations. Some of those are sold out, and others communicate specific shipping ETAs, so make sure you double-check at the details specific to your particular iPhone. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
An engineer's new smartphone cases can give any iPhone a USB-C port
Ken Pillonel has a history of developing clever projects that add USB-C support to gadgets that have less common, outdated port types. After creating the first ever USB-C iPhone back in 2021, the engineer has returned his attention to that concept. He's created an iPhone case that can provide older device models with a USB-C port, and you can browse the available options on his shop. He also detailed the design process in a fascinating video. For several generations, Apple equipped its smartphones with proprietary Lighting ports. That connection tech required a frankly obnoxious number of adapters and dongles to use. A solution like Pillonel's can help keep those older devices functional in the present day, where USB-C has become the standard for most gadgets, including Apple's. "The goal is to give some extra life to those older devices by making them feel less obsolete," he explains in the video announcement. Pillonel has designed cases for all 20 phone models from the Lightning era that can run the current iOS. The design promises fast charging as well as full data transfers to both computers and CarPlay. He's also adding more color options to be released in September. The video is a worthy watch for anyone interested in product design and engineering. And you can also read the backstory on other products Pillonel has tackled, including Apple's AirPods and AirPods Max.
Engadget
6 days ago
- Engadget
An engineer's new smartphone cases can give any iPhone a USB-C port
Ken Pillonel has a history of developing clever projects that add USB-C support to gadgets that have less common, outdated port types. After creating the first ever USB-C iPhone back in 2021, the engineer has returned his attention to that concept. He's created an iPhone case that can provide older device models with a USB-C port, and you can browse the available options on his shop. He also detailed the design process in a fascinating video. For several generations, Apple equipped its smartphones with proprietary Lighting ports. That connection tech required a frankly obnoxious number of adapters and dongles to use. A solution like Pillonel's can help keep those older devices functional in the present day, where USB-C has become the standard for most gadgets, including Apple's. "The goal is to give some extra life to those older devices by making them feel less obsolete," he explains in the video announcement. Pillonel has designed cases for all 20 phone models from the Lightning era that can run the current iOS. The design promises fast charging as well as full data transfers to both computers and CarPlay. He's also adding more color options to be released in September. The video is a worthy watch for anyone interested in product design and engineering. And you can also read the backstory on other products Pillonel has tackled, including Apple's AirPods and AirPods Max.
