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Topic #1

Drunkdeer (trends)

Drunkdeer specializes in creating advanced keyboards for gamers.

The company launched in 2018 and has developed several new keyboard features since then.

The most popular feature is the adjustable actuation distance. This allows gamers to set the sensitivity of their keypresses between 0.2 mm and 3.8 mm with 0.1mm precision. These customizations are made via web-based software.

The keyboards also feature release dual-trigger mode, which means gamers can assign two different functions to a single key. When the gamer releases the key, it automatically triggers the second function.

Drunkdeer’s keyboards are known for their magnetic Hall-effect switches. Instead of a physical mechanism inside each key, there’s a magnet and a sensor. This allows for precise key-level adjustments and makes the keys more durable.
 

The startup offers five keyboard models.

Their latest release, the G75 model, was originally released on Kickstarter in June.

What's Next

Drunkdeer is part of the Customizable Keyboards meta trend.

There are 3.09 billion active gamers across the globe.

And the gaming equipment market is set to reach $35.3B this year.

The mechanical keyboard portion of the market could grow to $2.6B by 2033.

Gamers are drawn to these new types of keyboards because they enable customization of keycaps, switches, lighting, and more.

And, even office workers are drawn to these types of keyboards for their aesthetics and ergonomics.

Here are a few trending companies that offer customizable keyboards:

Meletrix offers premium gaming keyboards with a range of styles and customization options including colored keycaps, adjustable actuation, and modular components.

Epomaker is a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard brand. The keyboards feature hot-swappable switches and programmable RGB effects.

Nuphy is known for their low-profile stylish keyboards. They offer several illumination styles plus QMK/VIA firmware for customized key mapping.

Yunzii offers mechanical keyboards with more than two dozen colorful keycap sets. They also offer silicone and transparent keyboards.

Topic #2

Three Ships Beauty (trends)

Three Ships Beauty is a plant-based skincare startup with a focus on sustainability and transparency.

The Canadian brand launched in 2020 with the aim of making natural skincare affordable. Their products contain ingredients like red algae, squalane, and bakuchiol.

In January 2023, Three Ships Beauty became a Certified B-Corp. The company is also Leaping Bunny certified and their products are EWG certified.  

Three Ships has more than 25 SKUs. This includes their newly released vitamin C eye cream—one unit sold every 30 seconds on launch day.

In 2023, the brand grew revenue by 65%.

In addition, they raised $2.5M in funding in May 2024.

What's Next

Three Ships Beauty is part of the Bakuchiol Skincare meta trend.
 
Bakuchiol, which is derived from the babchi plant, is considered a bio-retinol. It’s been shown to boost collagen production and reduce wrinkles without causing the irritation that’s often associated with retinols.
 
There are more than 42K TikTok posts tagged with #bakuchiol.

Here are a few trending bakuchiol formulations:

Bakuchiol moisturizers combine the anti-wrinkle benefits of bakuchiol with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol.

Bakuchiol eye cream provides a gentle way to address the fine lines and crow’s feet around the eyes.

Bakuchiol serum is a concentrated form of bakuchiol—only two or three drops are applied at a time.

Topic #3

LFP Battery (trends)

LFP Batteries are rechargeable lithium iron phosphate batteries that are made for electric vehicles and other energy storage systems.

Although these batteries are part of the lithium-ion category, they do not contain nickel, cobalt, or magnesium like the NCA and NMC batteries most often seen in EVs.

This means LFP batteries have a lower energy density (shorter driving range) but a longer lifespan. NMC batteries will last through 1,000 to 2,000 full recharge cycles while LFP batteries can go beyond 3,000 cycles.

The chemical components in LFP batteries also make them less likely to catch on fire.

In addition, LFP batteries, which cost about $98 per kWh, are cheaper than NCA ($120 per kWh) and NMC ($112 per kWh) batteries.

More than a dozen EV models are now being made with LFP batteries including Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y.

Ford, GM, and BMW have said they’ll begin using LFP batteries in certain models this year.

What's Next

LFP Batteries are part of the Alternative EV Batteries meta trend.

As EV adoption grows, consumers want low-cost batteries that will go the distance.

Nearly half of consumers who are looking for EVs have a budget below $40K and nearly one quarter would like the price to be under $30K.

This is leading manufacturers to develop battery technologies beyond the traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Here are two alternative EV batteries that are trending right now:

Sodium-ion batteries are very similar to lithium-ion batteries but use sodium instead of lithium. Sodium is widely available, non-flammable, and resistant to temperature restrictions.

Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquid or gel. These batteries charge faster and increase range by about 50% compared to lithium-ion batteries.

Topic #4

Bag Charms (trends)

Bag Charms are large keychains added to the zippers or handles of handbags.

These large accessories are meant to show off the owner’s personality.

For some, this trend is a tribute to Jane Birkin, a fashion icon who often got creative with her handbags and charms.

This trend also plays off the nostalgic feel of Y2K accessories.

Luxury bag charms, like the cherry bag charm made famous by Coach, sell for upwards of $100.  

But there’s also growing interest in kitschy and DIY bag charms.

Elle named bag charms one of the hottest bag trends of 2024.

In addition, Pinterest searches for bag charms have grown 240% in the past year.

What's Next

Bag Charms are part of the Charm Jewelry meta trend.

This maximalist style is especially trending on social media. For example, there are over 50M posts about charm bracelets on TikTok.

Search volume for “charm necklace” has more than doubled in the past two years.

Search volume for “clover bracelets,” which show off a colorful style that’s similar to charm necklaces, has nearly tripled in the past two years.

Some individuals make their own charm necklaces at home, but charm bars are also emerging. These are jewelry stores that invite customers to pick out their own charms to add to a bracelet or other piece of jewelry.

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