Month: February 2014

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Smartwatches/Bands

Carbon stores solar energy on your wrist, makes a fashion statement

The Premise. Having a cell phone or tablet run out of battery is pretty much the modern-day indication that it’s time to get back home ASAP. Many people feel naked without their devices, so why not wear something that can keep them running without tethering users to their homes?

The Product.  The team at EnergyBionics has a solution – the Carbon Precision Solar Charger. This small device is worn like and even resembles a modern, designer watch. Instead of a clock face, the Carbon houses a solar panel that can store energy equivalent to roughly 3 hours of additional phone life. By pressing a button and unscrewing a cap, the Carbon can connect to most major mobile computing devices and keep them going for a while longer. If Carbon needs to be charged in a flash (and not one of sunlight), it can connect via USB to any traditionally powered device to charge up without the assistance of the sun.

The Pitch. Like the product itself, EnergyBionics puts forth a simple, no-frills presentation video that explains the Carbon and how to use it, including a demo with an iPhone 4s. The other campaign materials show off the optional crush proof case, currently available cable adapters, and go over the technical details. At this point the Carbon is compatible with most phones and tablets, personal music players, and even the PlayStation Vita. EnergyBionics needs $48,000 to get three major certifications, manufacture the small, initial run, and create the molds for the internal parts.

The Perks.  A minimum pledge of $95 is required to get a hold of the Carbon Precision Solar Charger with a black silicone strap, available in August 2014. Getting one with all the bells and whistles (leather strap and black crush proof case) is possible with a $130 pledge.

The Potential. Portable chargers, and indeed solar chargers for mobile devices are already plentiful on the market. Some DIY-ers have even made similar devices to the Carbon, but what makes this particular item so marketable is the sleek design and the sturdy components. The Carbon is perhaps even fashionable, which means a lot for a device that someone has to wear, regardless of how well it functions. Obviously, it would be even greater if the designers could figure out some way to get an actual watch face overlay on there. Nonetheless, gadget stores and even cell phone mall kiosks will want to upsell this kind of item to people in the process of upgrading their phones.

Categories
Imaging Video

Cinetics strikes again with Axis360 modular motion control camera mount

editors-choiceThe Premise. With the right equipment and a combination of talent and practice, taking a beautiful photograph can become a true passion. Doing more with a camera however requires access to the kinds of utilities and professional-grade equipment that is uncommon and expensive. Even those who have truly great vision and artistic sensibilities can find it difficult to make their ideas into reality without the right tools.

The Product. Cinetics, makers of the previously Kickstartered CineMoco and CineSkates, has another unique tool for photographers everywhere: The Axis360. Designed to help automate panning, tilting, and sliding for photographers and keep shots steady even over long periods of time, the Axis360 acts almost like a construction set toy for a camera. The base tripod is designed to shoot panoramic scenes with variable speeds, but with more Axis360s and modular components, the same camera/product combo can also tilt vertically or even slide along a 32-inch track over time. These pieces can be combined in nearly any sensible fashion to capture the perfect video or series of photos.

The Pitch. With a series of technical and inspiring shots, Cinetics shows off the kind of product that a camera equipped with the Axis360 can provide. Showing off their experience in successful Kickstarter campaigns, the materials for the Axis360 are comprehensive, visually explaining how the different parts interact, and what illustrating just what each tier provides. A how-to video is also provided that shows how the control is used to set up the product to move in just the right way. Cinetics needs $75,000 to bring the Axis360 to market, complete with all of its specialized components.

The Perks. The basic, panning tripod Axis360 model will launch in May 2014 and is available to those who contribute $395 or more. Being able to use the tilting or sliding functions requires additional modular components, which are gradually offered at higher tiers. The $1,495 tier comes with enough Axis360 modules and all of the available add-ons to allow photographers to make full use of the equipment.

The Potential. Based on Cinetics’s past history with crowdfunding, it’s a safe bet that photographers and videographers will be eager to get their hands on the Axis360. It may be a little much to expect to see it on the average store shelf with standard equipment, but the modular features make it essential for those that are truly passionate about professional quality time-lapse photography or video to order these once they become available.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Tablet Accessories

Credit card-sized MUST stand pairs up to take on tablets

MUSTIgnoring the terribly pretentious piano music that plays throughout, the odd use of child actors, and the lack of any real dialogue, the actual MUST product  seems pretty decent. It’s a folding phone and tablet stand that snaps together easily and can be taken apart and stored credit-card style in your wallet. Nifty to have, for sure. The stand can also be used to set up your phone for taking photographs – just a quick adjust on the stand and the phone is good to go. Two of these stands make a holder for a tablet. There are certainly lots of phone stands on the market, but even ones that fit on your wallet can’t accommodate a tablet. Early birds can get the stand for $12.99 and expect delivery in May 2014.

Categories
Furniture Organization

Stax uses X-Space makes the diagonal shelves of your criss-crossing dreams

xspaceX-Space, a library built and designed by its students features Stax, a building unit used to create the library. The X-shaped unit made out of wood that can be connected to create a large bookcase or even used as a structural unit to make chairs or benches. The campaign is really raising money to build their library X-Space, but backers are able to buy Stax units for themselves. Early backers can receive one Stax unit for $149 or at the regular price of $199. X-Space is hoping to raise $75,000 in its 30-day campaign on Kickstarter.

Categories
Apparel

Wooden bow tie allows wearer to SwitchWood at a whim

SwitchWood fa60bbc5bb8261a01af011e10569c9a1_large[1]For men who enjoy setting trends while at fancy events, SwitchWood offers a unique bow tie. The knot portion is covered with eye-catching fabric (10 options) centered on a black connector that goes around the neck. The wooden wing sections are made of natural wood selected from sustainable sources. Its unstained, treated with linseed oil and easily attaches to the knot. There are other wooden ties out there, but perhaps the feature making SwitchWood the most unique is that the wings are interchangeable with the knots. There are 120 bow tie possibilities available. For $60, backers get one knot and a set of wooden wings with an expected delivery of June 2014.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Music

SQueo is a Bluetooth brick that takes your tunes through the tough

squeoThe latest Italian fashion trend might be water- and sand-proof Bluetooth phone handset. SQueo connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet, and then you can play tunes, make phone calls, and so forth. With such a crowded Bluetooth speaker market, including several that have launched via crowdfunding, the SQueo focuses on being tough as well as attractive. Backers could anticipate having this cool accessory by September 2014, for the early bird special of $79.

Categories
Tech Accessories Wearables

ThumbTrack creates a wearable mouse for mobile computing

ThumbTrackOne of the continued limitations of laptop computing is the lack of a functional mouse substitute. Far from the first ring-slinger, The ThumbTrack takes the hand motions of the standard mouse and shrinks them down to a wearable thumb ring that is light, small, and easy to use at any location. The design is also designed to be ergonomic and reduce hand strain. Simple touch features are also available to allow users to easily scroll or drag icons. Backers interested in giving this project a thumbs-up will be able to get this product on their hands in December of this year for a $119 pledge.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Wearables

Wristker lets you take that call, hear that jam on your wrist

wristkerWristker makes looking like a secret agent talking espionage into your wrist possible!  Wristker is a large white, blue, pink or yellow device that lives on your wrist. With Bluetooth capabilities, a speaker and microphone, Wristker allows the user to listen to music on an SD card, listen to the radio and even speak on the phone. While not the most sophisticated wearable speaker out there, Wristker is good for simple consumers, who only want the bare minimum of techy flash. On Indiegogo, one Wristker goes for $20 with an estimated delivery date of April 2014. Wristker hopes to raise $4,000 in their 46 day campaign. More information can be found on their Web site.

Categories
Automotive Chargers/Batteries

ReVolt3000 breathes new life into dead car batteries

The Premise. The average lifespan of a car battery is under three years. Most people deal with a battery that won’t hold a charge at some point and for many, the solution is to simply go out and buy a new battery, then throw the old one away.

The Product. The ReVolt 3000 gives consumers another choice. This device allows consumers or businesses to recharge dead or dying batteries and give them at least triple their original life span. Working with multiple battery types (NiCad, NiMH, and Gel-cell, aside from the standard fare), the ReVolt3000 reduces the amount of built up lead sulfate, eliminates short circuits, and gets batteries working like new again. Even some batteries that have been laying around for years in disrepair are able to become marginally useful. Users will only need to give each battery in their home no more than 8 hours of use with the ReVolt3000 every year to stay in top shape.

The Pitch. Inventor Tom Hoops outlines what the ReVolt3000 is, and what its impact can be. He starts by explaining the economic angle of saving a family money in the long-term instead of buying new batteries, but then takes the more philanthropic route of outlining just what kind of waste a discarded battery creates,  and how using the ReVolt3000 as an alternative is a smart decision for the planet. There are plenty of pictures of prototype kits to help explain the hard science behind the device. The campaign is looking to raise just $16,000 to begin production and distribution.

The Perks. Backers can start recharging their batters at the $250 tier, promising to arrive by July.  A 12-month warranty is also included. For $30 more, the limited second batch of ReVolt3000s are being sent out to arrive in June, while the highest tier at $300 gives backers a complete, tested pre-production model sent out by April.

The Potential. Most people think of a battery with no charge that needs a jump-start as a dead battery, but the ReVolt3000 can truly take all manner of non-functioning batteries and bring them back to life, at a method that is accessible to the general public in terms of ease of use and price point. Based on Tom’s own math presented in the video, the ReVolt3000 may not be the best solution for an individual with a single vehicle, but at the very least it is certainly a step towards eco-friendliness.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

Ember takes low-light iPhone photos beyond the flash

The Premise. According to a 2013 study, 23% of all smartphone users take at least one photo a day with their phone’s camera. While the result is more visual media than ever and the meteoric rise of the “selfie,” the ever-popular camera doesn’t always provide best results. Every new generation of phone promises more and more megapixels, but what about lighting? What will it take to get more than a basic flash?

The Product. Enter the Ember, an iPhone accessory that naturally attaches to the contours of the iPhone 5 and 5s, providing warm light that makes photos pop and stand out. The Ember makes the phone’s back panel a 56 LED light source with an independent power source that lasts for up to 4 hours of continuous light. Because it’s independently powered, the Ember can even be removed and held in a different position to provide my dynamic staging to any otherwise low-light photography. Color and diffusion filters are available that can be slid in and out of the housing without any fuss. Additionally, the top of the device can be removed to support any peripheral lenses.

The Pitch. With a video that calls out to the heart of every Instagram addict and selfie genius, the Ember introduces itself as a fully capable addition to any 5-series iPhone. What really makes the strongest point however, are side-by-side comparisons of night photos taken with the built-in iPhone flash versus the Ember. The colors are warmer, the details more natural, and the overall aesthetic is much more pleasing. Naturally, Instagram is among the social networks that Ember is present on. Creator Jedd Goble needs $30,000 to make his dream of well-lit mobile photography a reality. At this time the only stretch goal available is that at $50,000, Ember will be fully funded for large-scale production.

The Perks. Getting an Ember in choice of white or black, with tripod adapter and warming filter, takes a pledge of $59. The Pro Package at $99 will include additional colored filters.

The Potential. While a bit big and ungainly, the accessory perfectly complements the modern Bohemian market that Apple has worked so hard to cultivate. Attaching an Ember makes any iPhone scream business in the front, fashion shoot in the back. The features of the Ember stand out against its competitors and are well-designed to appeal to the finicky perfectionism of professional photographers while being simple enough for the late-night party crowd. The Ember might not be for everyone, but people who always have their phone out taking pictures for social media will definitely want to pick one up.