Free guide · Product design
7 technologies to think twice about before you design them in
Every product idea has a moment where the shiny option looks like the obvious choice: a custom-shaped battery to fill the enclosure, an AMOLED screen like the one in your phone, USB Power Delivery "because it's USB-C", or wireless charging because it feels premium. None of these technologies is bad, but each one carries a hidden bundle of cost, certification, safety risk and design time that catches hobbyists and early-stage makers out, usually well before the product actually needs it. This free guide walks through seven of them: custom battery packs, fancy displays, advanced USB features, wireless charging, proprietary connectors, high-end application processors and high-end analog audio. For each, it helps you confirm whether the need is real, explains what the technology actually demands beyond the headline part, weighs up the risks, suggests a safer alternative and gives a clear decision checklist, so you commit your budget and your PCB to the things your product genuinely needs.