Accessories

One month with Xiaomi’s Yuemi mechanical keyboard

Published

April 14, 2017

Michael Sy

Xiaomi is more popularly known as a Chinese smartphone maker that delivers great hardware for good value, but in recent years, Xiaomi has embraced several sub-brands to help expand its vision of a Mi ecosystem. Recently, I was able to get hold of Xiaomi’s first keyboard — a mechanical TKL keyboard by a company called Yuemi.

MATERIALS

The keyboard (model name MK01) comes in only one variant; the entire upper half is made out of white plastic, while the entire bottom half is made of aluminum alloy with a silver finish that’s a tad bit glossier than Apple’s Macs. The keycaps have a matte texture and are made from PC/ABS material, which basically means plastic, but a separate piece of plastic is used for the letters to make sure they never fade. The plate on the top half has a glossy finish; while it looks great, expect fingerprints to become more prominent as you use the keyboard.

DESIGN

Design-wise, it reminds me of Apple, but one thing that strays from that is the choice of fonts. While I do like the overall aesthetic of the keyboard (clean and minimalist), I don’t agree with the choice of fonts. It’s a font I’ve never seen used elsewhere and definitely feels off at first glance. However, I’ve gotten used to it over time and hardly ever think about it when using the keyboard.

Something I did like was the raised set of keys, so your fingers can easily jump from one row to another and be able to distinguish one row from the next. If the inclined keys still aren’t enough for you, the rubber feet at the bottom give them just the right amount of height for me. They feel sturdy and have a very assuring snap to them when flipping them up or pushing them back down.

KEYS

Unlike the majority of mechanical keyboards from US brands, the key switches aren’t the ever-popular Cherry MX, but rather TTC switches. In this case, the keyboard comes in only one variant, and that’s with TTC red switches with white backlight. Typing with the keyboard feels satisfactory. Every click is audible and only requires a reasonable amount of actuation force, which means how hard you’d have to press the keys for them to be recognized.

EXPERIENCE

Mechanical keyboards are known to be great at two things, and that’s typing and gaming, both of which I do a lot of. So, how’s my experience? Pretty good actually. Typing on the keyboard feels great; tactile feedback is very noticeable when pressing the keys, as you’d expect from a mechanical keyboard. A few skipped letters every now and then do happen, but that might just be because I’m not that used to mechanical keyboards in the first place.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

At around PhP 3,500 or roughly $70 on Banggood, is this keyboard for you? Well, these days there are a lot of options for mechanical keyboards — even ones at lower price points — but no two keyboards are exactly the same, and if the aesthetics and typing experience of the Xiaomi keyboard wins you over, then I say go for it. It might not be as cheap as I would’ve liked from a Xiaomi product, but it isn’t too expensive either when compared to more popular offerings from Razer or Corsair.

Overall, the keyboard does the job and it does it well. It doesn’t have features like RGB lighting or mappable keys, but if you’re like me and prefer a minimalist setup, this just might be your GadgetMatch.

[irp posts=”9288″ name=”Razer’s latest gaming laptop has three monitors — three!”]

Accessories

Hermès launches a $5,000 MagSafe charger

The charging brick is sold separately.

Published

March 20, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Paddock Yoyo + Grand Paddock case

How extra are you as an Apple fan? No matter what you say, you’ll probably never be as extra as someone who buys a US$ 5,000 MagSafe charging case for their iPhone and Apple Watch. Hermès has just launched a series of leather chargers and cases specifically made for Apple fans.

Available now, Hermès has three types of MagSafe chargers for iPhone users. The cheapest one, the Paddock Solo, is a simple leather-bound puck that can charge a single device. The charger also has a braided 3.3ft USB cable. It costs an eye-watering US$ 1,250.

Paddock Solo charger

On the other hand, the Paddock Yoyo charger offers two charging zones for two devices simultaneously. Shaped like a yoyo (hence, the name), it allows users to roll the cable into a convenient stack. It costs US$ 1,750.

Finally, the Paddock Duo is a charging pad that allows for two devices simultaneously. It just doesn’t have a pocket for the cable. It likewise costs US$ 1,750.

Paddock Duo charger

Now, if you want to upgrade your pricey charging kit even further, Hermès has two cases for them: the Petit Paddock case and the Grand Paddock case.

The Petit Paddock case, as the name suggest, is a snug leather case that fits only the charger (and a brick, if bundled with the Yoyo). The charger and case combo will set you back by US$ 3,725 for the Solo, and US$ 4,225 for either the Duo or the Yoyo.

Paddock Yoyo + Petit Paddock

Alternatively, the Grand Paddock can fit much more but also costs a lot more. It costs US$ 4,650 for the Solo, and US$ 5,150 for the Duo or the Yoyo.

Of note, none of these come with a charging brick, so you’ll have to shell out a bit more to maximize the kit.

SEE ALSO: Apple unveils the iPhone 17e

Accessories

Bringing Care-a-Lot to my daily carry

This is why my gizmos and workspace finally feel like a warm hug!

Published

March 13, 2026

MJ Jucutan

Growing up, the Care Bears taught us that sharing was a superpower and that every emotion had a color.

For many of us, the Care Bears weren’t just characters on a screen; they represented a language of kindness and colorful dreams.

Bringing the CASETiFY x Care Bears collection into my daily rotation feels like carrying a small piece of that “Care-a-Lot” magic wherever I go.

My iPhone 16 Pro now lives in the Care Bears Shake Shake Case (PhP 3,990). It’s a tactile reminder of playfulness in the middle of a busy workday.

When I’m heading out, the Share Bear Earbuds Pouch (PhP 2,990) clips onto my bag. It keeps my music close while reminding me of the value of sharing. It’s surprisingly versatile, too, fitting my Shokz OpenFit 2+ or even the bulkier case of the JBL Sense Pro.

When I switch to a different MagSafe case, the Starry Night Snappy Cardholder Stand (PhP 2,490) magnetically attaches to the back of my phone, adding a bit of celestial whimsy to my day

Even my workspace has a new glow. The Twilight Dreams Laptop Sleeve (PhP 3,090) fits my 13-inch MacBook perfectly, wrapping my most important work tool in nostalgic, soft-toned illustrations.

We often look for tech that performs, but we rarely look for accessories that hugs back. This collection does both.

It turns my everyday essentials into a canvas for positivity, proving that even in a digital world, there’s always room for a little more care.

Get the CASETiFY x Care Bears collection.

Accessories

CASETiFY relaunches Evangelion collab for 30th anniversary

Fans can now customize their own NERV-ready cases

Published

March 3, 2026

GadgetMatch

The A.T. Field is activated. To mark 30 years of Neon Genesis Evangelion, CASETiFY has relaunched its highly popular Evangelion collaboration. This time, fans control the sync rate.

For the first time, buyers can fully customize their Evangelion cases. The drop lets fans mix and match NERV logos, the 4th Angel, character art featuring Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami, and bold background graphics. The result is a case that feels like a personal unit build, straight out of the series’ control room.

The lineup pulls directly from Evangelion iconography. Designs include classic NERV insignias, holographic “A.T. Field” defense graphics, “Active Time Limit” warnings, and the official 30th Anniversary emblem. Each case uses CASETiFY’s signature impact protection, turning your device into a pocket-sized defensive barrier.

The collection goes beyond phone cases. Fans can also pick up matching AirPods cases, MagSafe wallets, watch bands, and laptop and tablet sleeves to complete their everyday tech setup.

Android users are included in the rollout. The collection supports devices like the newly released Samsung Galaxy S26 series, making it a timely drop for those looking to suit up their latest flagship.

The Evangelion collection is now available via the official CASETiFY website.