More from It’s clearly time: all the news about the transparent tech renaissance
Everything we know:
- They’re “an exciting collaboration” that’s “straight from the runway” — so probably designer shades.
- They’re clearly transparent from the promo images we got in email.
- Limited to 3600 pairs, according to an image at the notify-me page. Meta’s last limited-edition (which I wound up returning to a Meta employee) was limited to 7,500.
- “Nothing more to share at the moment but will be touch,” says our Meta glasses contact.
The Walkman Blog has shared new details and leaked images of Sony’s upcoming WF-C710N earbuds — a follow-up to the budget-friendly Sony WF-C700N earbuds that added ANC when they debuted in 2023.
The leaks indicate the WF-C710N will arrive in late May with new features like Sony’s Quick Attention Mode, but more tempting are four color choices including a new glass blue option with the buds and charging case all sporting a transparent design.
Xbox has revealed a new controller that seems designed to revive the impossibly cool gadget trend from the late 90s and early aughts where everything was see-through. Called the Pulse Cipher Special Edition, the controller features a deep-red transparent casing that lets you see all its innards including the rumble motors. It’s $74.99 and goes on sale February 4th.
Called the Asus NUC 14 Pro AI Plus, it’s basically the NUC 14 Pro AI in a translucent case. That color E Ink display on top is customizable, as Good e-Reader calls out. Asus says users “can generate AI images” on the display using a built-in app.
We’ve asked Asus for more info on its availability.
The DuchesS, Hyperkin’s recreation of the smaller Xbox Controller S it upgraded with Hall effect joysticks, will soon be available in a new color option.
The $49.99 Special Edition Greenhaven DuchesS matches the Controller S that was included with the Halo-themed Xbox Microsoft introduced in 2004. Hyperkin hasn’t finalized a release date or when preorders will start.
The Icemag (video below) is almost obsolete. Next month, Sharge will intro an Icemag 2 that doubles the MagSafe / Qi2 wireless charging speed to 15W, adds a folding kickstand, and reportedly improves the cooling!
Speaking of obsolete: In my tests, the recent Shargeek 140 is better than the old Shargeek 130 in my video. No more overheating, better display, same capacity.
I’m in a love-hate relationship with these smart shades. This’ll be the second time I’ve returned a pair! I gave them another chance because the see-through model looks fantastic... I’d use them almost every day if I could ditch these dealbreakers.
Wanting to put its internals on display, YouTube’s Phone Repair Guru stripped an iPhone 16 Pro’s back panel down to the glass using a surprisingly complicated process. Gallium was even used to remove a thin layer of aluminum as the two metals react to create a soft alloy. The results look great, but maybe don’t try this mod at home.
They’re on sale now for $429 — an extra $100 more than the other translucent models — and are only available in the “standard” size. The limited-edition frames do come with transition lenses and “an exclusive custom-designed black case.” Meta normally charges a $50 premium for Transitions.
Here’s our story about them and their new features.
Meta already let you see some of its smart glasses circuitry through its orange and blue frames, but now there’s an even clearer version. We already got a few photos of our own in our story about them today.
Is it... time for me to buy these things?
The clamshell RG35XXSP has become one of the most popular models in Anbernic’s extensive line of handheld emulators. Making it even more enticing are three new color options: transparent green, red and white.
Anbernic isn’t introducing performance improvements or new features with the additional colorways. They still feature a 3.5-inch, 640x480 screen and enough power to play N64 games.
The SN30 Pro was already one of the best pocketable Bluetooth gamepads you could buy, complete with Switch motion controls — 8BitDo recently added drift-resistant Hall Effect sticks, too.
Now, Genki is adding this gorgeous transparent white version with cool legends and a handy reference to swapping between its three modes. Note: It’s a crowdfunding campaign right now, but it’ll retail for $50, just $5 more than the opaque version.
Competition is a good thing, especially when it’s cute! We’re just not sure why CRKD would call the $20 Atom a “one-of-a-kind keychain controller” when the $25 8BitDo Micro and $20 Zero 2 have been around for years. The Micro even comes with a lanyard...
But I guess the CRKD does come in more colors, including transparent ones!
