Tech giant Apple has been granted a patent for a keyboard that abandons traditional keys in favour of a "force-sensitive" sheet that could function like an oversized trackpad. More about Apple files patent for customisable keyless keyboard
Milan 2016: products made from a new material that uses recycled poo are presented in darkened rooms with crap-covered floors at The Shit Evolution exhibition curated by the Museo Della Merda (+ slideshow). More about The Shit Evolution in Milan presents dung as a "beautiful" material
Milan 2016: lamps shaped like cherries and chairs modelled on rabbits are among the products that Italian designer Stefano Giovannoni is launching under his new online brand Qeeboo. More about Stefano Giovannoni reveals first product line for new Qeeboo brand
Australian cycling accessories manufacturer Knog has designed an alternative to the traditional domed bike bell – a donut-shaped device that wraps around the handlebars (+ slideshow). More about Knog creates Oi bicycle bell to replace "ugly" alternatives
Milan 2016: Japanese studio Nendo has designed a transparent plastic rocking horse based on I-beams used in building construction. More about Nendo designs transparent plastic rocking horse for Kartell
San Francisco start-up The Flex Company has designed a tampon that allows women to experience "mess-free" sex during their periods. More about Flex tampon is designed to be worn during sex
London's Aram Gallery is hosting an exhibition of conceptual products that highlight visitors' dependance on digital communication, including a selfie-taking robot and a plugin that reports on internet usage patterns (+ slideshow). More about Aram Gallery's Unread Messages exhibition questions our digital addictions
London product design firm Seymourpowell has revealed a concept for a commercial first-class aircraft cabin with private rooms that feature full-size beds (+ slideshow). More about Seymourpowell unveils first-class cabin concept to turn aeroplane into "boutique hotel of the skies"
New York designer Karim Rashid has unveiled a smartphone charging device that neatly stores a metre-long cable in a loop around its outside (+ slideshow). More about Karim Rashid's Bump smartphone charger "eliminates the knotty tangle of power cords"
Milan 2016: rounded trays extend from the sides of these bathroom fixtures by German designer Sebastian Herkner for Italian brand Ex.t. More about Sebastian Herkner designs Plateau range of oval-shaped bathroom products
Most Loved: in the next movie in our exclusive video series, London designer Tord Boontje explains how the decorative paper lampshade he designed in 2004 challenged the dominance of Minimalist design. More about Tord Boontje wanted to make the home "softer and more humane" with 2004 Midsummer Light
Pressed plants and colourful petals are frozen within these glass plates by German designer Meike Harde. More about Meike Harde's Evergreen Platters contain pressed flowers
Belarussian designer Constantin Bolimond has created a modular sex gadget made up of elements that differ in shape, texture and colour, and provide a variety of vibration, rotation and temperature settings (+ slideshow). More about Inme stackable sex toy offers customisable sensations
Adult sex toys are in the midst of a design revolution, says Rita Catinella Orrell, who has written a book on the subject called Objects of Desire. More about Erotic toys are "an incredible opportunity for new designers"
These lamps by London design studio Industrial Facility feature rounded shades modelled on the shape of street lights, designed to cast pools of light. More about Industrial Facility designs mushroom-shaped Ode lamps for Herman Miller
British product designer Simon Kinneir has created a prototype jug that tilts as it fills up, as part of a series of kitchen products designed for users with sight loss (+ movie). More about Simon Kinneir creates tilting Leaven jug for visually impaired users
Apple has designed a smaller version of its current iPhone, which is almost identical in shape and size to its older 5s model but with the same capabilities as the newer iPhone 6s (+ slideshow). More about Apple downsizes its smartphone with launch of iPhone SE
German product designer Simon Frambach has designed a table light is dimmed by lowering the shade like a switch (+ movie). More about Simon Frambach's Nod lamp is based on pop-up car headlights
DesignMarch 2016: product design student Ari Jónsson has combined red algae powder with water to create a biodegradable bottle. More about Ari Jónsson uses algae to create biodegradable water bottles
A mechanical babyfeeding arm and a soft dragon costume are among this collection of products, designed by a trio of students to help the next generation adapt to the presence of robots (+ slideshow). More about German students design accessories to help children relate to robots