Categories
Music

Capsule-like gadget turns nearly anything into a speaker

If it’s hollow, it can become a speaker – or so goes the idea in connection with the X-Vibration Speaker capsule. There isn’t a great deal of information on how or why this product actually works. It would help this campaign immensely if the creator had collaborated with someone whose first language is English and had that person help them with the wording of their campaign and video. But based on the pictures and limited words that are there, some sort of vibration technology enables the user’s mobile device to play music through a myriad of interesting options ranging from a basketball to a milk jug to an acoustic guitar or even a bike helmet.

One might hope that the helmet offers a surround sound effect – though this is not specifically stated. Perhaps it is intended to be a knockoff of X-Vibe. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 by January 15, 2015. Backers who actually want to take a chance on this can do so for $89 with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects Pets

Mousr robotic mouse prepares cats to ignore robot apocalypse

The extent to which pet owners go out of their way to ensure their pet is comfortable and entertained in the face of eight or more hours of being alone at home is impressive. Every year, the industry innovates new toys and tech to keep tails wagging and paws pawing. Usually, though, dogs get all the fun stuff, like dispensers that challenge them with puzzles for treats. Cats haven’t had much luck, until now.

Mousr is exactly what a cat owner is looking for. The jury is still out on the cat itself, but from the videos posted on the campaign site, it looks like this miniature robotic mouse is nothing but a good time. Mousr has been engineered with the idea of reacting to a cat’s movements rather than forcing a cat to react, thereby engaging the feline’s predatory instincts. Most importantly, it constantly challenges the cat through its continuous learning, so no two hunting escapades are the same. Interchangeable tails give your feline friend different targets and keeps their interest piqued, and a Bluetooth LE compatible smartphone app will even let an owner get in on the furry fun, just make sure you don’t have a really thick carpet as Mousr probably won’t work too well when it’s stuck. The Mousr unit costs $140 with an estimated delivery date of October 2015. The campaign is looking for $100,000 to get this out to all those crazy cat owners everywhere.

Categories
Health and Wellness Home

Squair ditches filters for cold plasma to help you breathe easier

Polluted air affects everyone in many different harmful ways. From asthma to allergies, everyone feels the detrimental results of dirty air, but no one quite knows how to address it.

SQUAIR takes the mind off of bad breathing as an air filtration system. Using cold plasma, this devices catches harmful pollutants in the air and kills bacteria. This product is also discreet, resembling a hard drive. It gives users relief for up to 30sqm around them and can be used anywhere from the office, home or even hotel rooms when traveling.

SQUAIR joins scores of other air purifiers, but misses the mark on a couple of key conveniences. Products like the Table Air not only filter toxins, mold and dust, but also communicate with smartphones to deliver data about what’s in the air. Other air purifiers run on battery, making them portable to use during walks to protect oneself in bad areas, such as a city. While SQUAIR’s methods to clean pollutants may be cutting edge, the product itself could use some updating to make it more user-friendly. For their very own, backers must donate €165 (~$203) for delivery in April 2015, if SQUAIR is able to reach its €79,000 (~$97,000) goal on Kickstarter.

Categories
Furniture Organization

Flat-pack shelving structure organizes in a giant hexagon

Shelving units pretty much come in one shape consisting of horizontal parallel shelves that hold your stuff in a straight line. Ruche offers a different look. Shaped like a hexagon, this shelving unit has seven slots able to fit anything from shoes to pots and pans in the kitchen. According to the campaign, these shelves only take seven minutes to assemble. For moving or reorganizing, the shelves fold completely flat for ease of transport.

This Israeli product is not only practical, but also features a hidden Star of David in its center for more spiritual backers. Ruche comes in either cardboard or aluminum and each material boasts three different sizes: small, medium and large. The campaign does a great job of displaying all the different ways Ruche can be used and is convincing in showcasing the product’s usefulness and versatility. You’ll also get your choice of color with a $65 donation for a small aluminum Ruche with an estimated delivery date of February 2015. This product is looking to raise $15,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Organization

TekTuk keeps mobiles safe from sleepy feet

Finding a convenient place to charge mobile devices that keeps them off the floor and free from the risk of getting stepped on can be a challenge, especially when traveling. TekTuk offers a way to keep mobiles bedside while still getting charged and in a safe place. The top portion of the leather carrying case fits between the mattress and box spring to keep mobile devices off of the floor. It will hold most tablets (up to 11” wide and 1” thick) and mobile phones (up to 3 ¼” wide, 1” thick) in their cases.

If backers can avoid knocking into the TekTuk during the night, this may be a good solution for mobile protection. The elastic cord management loops seem like a nice touch for keeping wires tangle-free and easily accessible as well. Backers might also want to check out the Z-charge, and ReelJuice  campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $3,000 by December 8, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $35, with an expected delivery of December 2014.

Categories
Cooking

Gneiss Spice tidies up culinary toys for creating tasteful delights

Some people say that spices are toys for those who love to cook. They’re essential to creating a great meal, but all of those little bottles have a tendency to clog up kitchen cupboards. Gneiss Spice can make organizing them and actually using them much easier. Lids are magnetic so that spices can be stored on the refrigerator or some other convenient metal surface near the stove. It’s also possible to get a plate to go with these – assumedly metal, though that is not clearly stated.

One of the especially interesting goals of this campaign is to allow those who are interested to create their own custom spice rack for manufacturing. Interested backers might also want to check out the Mobin,  campaign, and those who love their fresh herbs may want to check out the Ecofarm and Herb Grower campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 by December 8, 2014. Backers get three jars for $25 with an expected delivery of December 2014.

Categories
Fitness

BIAbox exercise device flips around as it works you out all over

Time and time again, people like a full body workout that can be had with the help of one device. Moving back and forth between machines takes up too much time and requires a costly gym membership.

BIAbox is looking to provide an all over workout. With two two-sided faces and two railings, the box stands on its own and is about the size of a walker. By turning it around, BIAbox has four sides. Each side tells the user how they can workout and which exercises that particular orientation supports. For instance, when it’s turned into a platform, step ups, push ups and squats are all made possible. BIAbox offers 40 different exercises to its users.

While not the most sleek or portable all-in-one fitness device out there, BIAbox does have an edge over similar products. It actually lists the exercises you can do using it. Others come with inconvenient manuals or nothing at all. Fitness buffs have useful instructions on how to maximize their workout right in front of them. For their very own, backers must donate £209 (~$330) for ambitious delivery in December 2014, if BIAbox reaches its £12,000 (~$18,700) goal on Kickstarter.

Categories
Home Pets

Feed-n-See Holder invites hummingbirds to stay, keeps ants away

Watching hummingbirds enjoy nectar from a feeder can be a great way to wake up if one is an early riser, or a wonderful way to relax as the day comes to a close. Though they usually prefer natural nectar, they can be drawn by a feeder such as the Feed-n-See Holder. Moats around the nectar keep ants away, and a plant below the feeder can catch any nectar that falls and also get the benefit of bird droppings to keep the plant fertilized. The feeder is made of UV resistant nylon plastic and can be attached to a post or tree using zip ties, or screwed to a house outside of the kitchen window for easy refilling and enjoyment of watching the hummingbirds come to visit.

Though this product offers the option of a single or double feeder, hummingbirds are usually territorial. So if the idea is to attract more than one bird, it’s best to have the feeders out of sight of one another. This campaign seeks to raise $125,000 by December 19, 2014. For $25, backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Home

Toilit lights up the tank for less dripping in the dark

There is a fine line between information and what one could say is TMI. Nevertheless, those who find toilet humor and really bad puns to be funny, especially when blended, should probably avoid the video associated with this campaign and go get a life. As for everyone else who just wants to know how to make it to the bathroom at night without getting injured or waking everyone up, Toilit is a motion-sensing light specifically designed for those night trips to the bathroom. It hangs on the tank of the toilet and lights the way with soft light (as opposed to an overbearing overhead light) as the bathroom is entered.

For those who are too incapacitated to get everything into the toilet, this light may not be solution. Other nightlight type campaigns that backers might want to check out include Illumibowl and LureViewer. This product seeks to raise $35,000 by December 12, 2014. Early bird backers can get one product for $15, with an expected delivery of May 2015.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

iPhone 6 charging case integrates stand, USB cable

As battery life still hasn’t caught up with the amount we use our phones, we need to be constantly prepared to charge our phones, even when we’re not at home. The Charge Case was designed to serve several important functions for iPhone 6 users. It’s a lightweight black case that will protect your phone. Charge is also a stand that lets you prop up your phone horizontally or vertically. Lastly, it comes with an attached lightning cable so you can charge or sync your phone anywhere. The cable fits discreetly inside the case.

We’ve seen a ton of portable chargers recently, including inCharge, a lightning cable keychain. Charge Case serves several functions, setting it apart from similar products. As with other portable cables, it’s too bad that it can’t also come with some kind of wall outlet. Still, if you have your laptop with you, this case makes charging, protecting and propping up easy. One will cost backers $35 for estimated delivery in March 2015. Charge Case is looking to raise a modest $5,000 on Kickstarter.