At Apelabs, we're always exploring small changes that can make a big impact. One such change to our flagship product, AirSpin, was the addition of a tiny but powerful element: a metal ring.
At first glance, it might just look like a cool design touch but this small tweak is doing a lot more than you might think.
A Greener Spin: How the Ring Helps Reduce Carbon Footprint
Let’s talk about sustainability first.
The AirSpin was originally designed with multiple plastic components, including parts that were purely decorative or needed extra material to provide grip. By replacing those elements with a single precision-machined metal ring, we reduced our reliance on plastic by 12% per unit.
That may not sound like much, but over tens of thousands of units, that’s hundreds of kilograms of plastic avoided.
Even better? Metal is far easier to recycle at end-of-life than mixed plastic parts, and our new production line for the ring uses 80% recycled aluminum, further reducing emissions.
The result: A sleeker design that’s more sustainable, with less waste, and lower energy consumption during manufacturing.
More Than Looks: The Ring That Rotates
But sustainability isn’t the only win here.
We didn’t just add the ring, we made it rotate.
Yes, that’s right. The AirSpin’s ring spins, giving it a built-in fidget function that users are absolutely loving.
In a world full of distractions and stress, having a subtle, tactile way to stay focused is surprisingly powerful. Whether you’re on a call, waiting for a bus, or just zoning out, that smooth spin gives your fingers something to do, without picking up your phone.
We’ve had users say it helps with:
Reducing screen time
Staying calm during meetings
Curbing nail-biting or pen-clicking habits
And because it’s integrated directly into the design, there’s no added bulk or separate accessory to carry.
A Small Change With a Big Impact
What started as a design experiment turned into something much bigger: a way to blend form, function, and sustainability in one clean motion.
The AirSpin’s rotating metal ring isn’t just a detail, it’s a statement:
We care about our planet.
We care about mindful design.
And we care about making products that people actually enjoy using.
Try it once, and you’ll get it.
Spin it. Feel it. Own it.
