Manchi, a company unknown to most hardware enthusiasts, just launched a Kickstarter for something called the UltraBar X. At first glance it looks like a skinny touchscreen someone stretched out and placed in front of a keyboard. Measure it though and the core piece is 199mm long, 50.4mm wide and 59.6mm tall – narrow enough to sit on any desk without taking up real estate from your mouse pad.
That core module hides a 7 inch 1424 x 280 pixel display. The resolution looks odd until you hold it horizontally; the panel becomes a long ribbon perfect for timelines, chat windows, system monitors or media controls. Plug it into a PC with the included USB-C cable and software turns the screen into whatever you need. Streamers already use secondary displays but Manchi built this one to grow.
- 15 Customizable LCD Keys: instantly control your apps, tools and platforms.
- One-Touch Operation: trigger single or multiple actions, launch social posts, adjust audio, mute mic, turn on lights, and much more.
- Visual Feedback: know that your command has been executed.
Magnets line both ends of the core bar. Additional cubes snap on with a satisfying click, held by pogo pins that carry power and data. No cables dangle between sections. Add one module and the bar extends a few cm. Add four or five and you have a custom command strip tailored exactly to your daily tasks.
VivoCube includes a 2 inch AMOLED touchscreen that glows brighter and deeper than the main display, making it ideal for quick access to information such as weather, calendar events, and incoming messages. Snap it anywhere along the chain, and the system recognizes it right away, increasing the overall interface without requiring you to change windows on your main monitor.
SenseCube boasts more sensors than conventional smart speakers, including a mmWave radar that detects hand waves from across the room, allowing you to ignore messages and pause music without touching anything. Automations are triggered by temperature, humidity, and ambient light sensors, which dim desk lighting as the space darkens or inform you if the office becomes stuffy during extended work sessions. These readings appear on any attached screen, transforming the bar into a little environmental dashboard.
DotKey resembles a mechanical keyboard key blown up to macro-pad size. Each switch clicks crisply, and the software assigns it to shortcuts, macros, or even strings of text. Set up three or four for Photoshop layer toggles, video editing cuts, or gaming features. KnobKey spins constantly with delicate detents, making it ideal for volume, timeline scrubbing, and zooming canvases. Turn carefully for fine adjustments; spin quickly and the acceleration kicks in, allowing you to scroll over long pages in seconds.
When it comes to typical USB gadgets, the UltraBar X stands out due to its wireless connectivity. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the device keeps linked even after you’ve turned off your computer for the night. You can integrate it with Home Assistant, Apple Home, or Google Home, for example, and it becomes a smart-home interface – simply tap on a DotKey to turn on and off your kitchen lights, or wave the SenseCube to arm the security system. Speaking of which, they vow to offer an SDK so that coders can create their own integrations, such as controls we haven’t even considered yet.
Manchi is asking $269 for the main module on Kickstarter, and an additional cube of your choice, depending on your preferences. If you want to get your hands on a few more pieces, there are additional pledge levels available – for $400, you can receive four modules, and for $600, the entire set is yours. Don’t forget that delivery is scheduled for April 2026 – and, let’s be honest, crowdfunding usually involves some degree of uncertainty.
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