Month: March 2014

Categories
Tools

U-Hook provides simple, functional way to leave it hanging

U-hookHome improvement could use some improvement with more universal solutions to everyday problems. U-Hook offers backers the chance to hang up their clotheslines, suits, picture frames, and more with one simple product. With several different mounting options including a peg or hook option, this nifty, albeit slightly unattractive, product comes with dozens of hanging possibilities. One of these German-made household items goes for a steep £49 on Kickstarter with an estimated delivery date of June 2014. U-Hook’s creators hope to raise a very low £1,000 in their 31-day campaign.

 

Categories
Food and Beverage Sports

REALAJ enables full-tilt hydration without tilting your head

REALAJ ce77d093777e2e936aeb73f6498be39d_large[1]Whether it’s competitive cycling, marathon running, or power walking, staying hydrated is key to a top performance. When you have to tip your head back to drink some water, it can interfere with being able to see where you’re going. REALAJ has redesigned the sports water bottle so that you can keep watching where you’re going. The idea of an ergonomically designed bottle that lets you drink without tipping your head back will likely be valuable to pro cyclists and runners as well as those aspiring to go pro. But even at two for $25, it will be going up against some popular competition. Expected delivery for REALAJ is June 2014.

Categories
Connected Objects Imaging

Send real photos from anywhere in the world with LifePrint

The Premise. Photo sharing has never been easier with the growth and ease of using social networks like Facebook, Instagram, and even Snapchat. While it’s great to see photos of your family, friends, and favorite activities all around the world, almost all the photos we see are through a screen. Tangible photo albums and pictures are mostly things of the past because printing out high quality photos isn’t really convenient on a traditional home printer, and going to a convenience store just takes too much time.

The Product. The LifePrint is a compact wireless printer built for your smartphone that allows you to send and receive high-quality photo prints to anyone in the world instantly. Just like your typical social networks, you can connect to your family and friends who mean the most to you. But instead of posting it for them to “Like” on a computer screen, you can send them a picture they’ll love with the LifePrint. The sentiment of a hard copy photo is now much more accessible because the LifePrint only requires a cellular connection. A 3G connection is all that you need to open up the LifePrint app and print from anywhere in the world; it’s unclear what the monthly charge would be for the LifePrint’s connectivity.

The Pitch. LifePrint really pays close attention to the small details and the importance of visuals in its crowdfunding video. The video and the page show how the LifePrint is a portable and efficient way to make photos special again by making it clear how easy it is to share and receive photos with your network from anywhere in the world.

The Perks. There are two separate versions for Android and iPhone devices, but each costs the same at $99 for the early bird price. This is actually one of the better deals you can get on a portable photo printer, and especially one that has the capability to print anywhere like the LifePrint. That pledge comes with 10 photo prints, but if you want more, you can get the LifePrint with 100 photo prints for $145.

The Potential. LifePrint looks like a great bridge for sending photos to friends and family, particularly those who want something with a bit more permanence than a SnapChat product. The clunkier and more expensive LG PD233 Pocket Photo Printer and the Polaroid CZA-20011B PoGo Instant Mobile Printer both work over Bluetooth, which means your phone has to be in range in order to print a photo. However, other products that allow remote photo display and printing, such as the Presto printer and The LifePrint’s ability to connect people through photos means a lot more people will be hanging photos of their loved ones on their actual wall—not their Facebook wall.

Categories
Cycling

KoldRush douses cyclists so they keep a cool head

KoldRushCycling is a hot sport, made even more so by helmets. KoldRush is a cooling system that delivers water from a bottle directly to a cyclists head via their helmet at the touch of a button. It basically sweats more for you, so that you can ride to your heart’s content. Concerns that the extremely short-range rain could interfere with your vision are dismissed by noting a sweatband will keep the extra moisture form interfereing . This cool(ing) product goes for $200 with an estimated delivery date of July 2014. KoldRush is looking to raise $50,000 in a 45-day run on Kickstarter.

Categories
Aerobics Fitness

Virtual Knockout gamifies boxing mitt training fitness with tablet

The Premise. Video games have traditionally been controlled through small hand and finger movements, but lately, video game developers have created systems (such as the Wii, the Xbox Kinect, and Rockband) that allow players to use their whole body to immerse themselves in the game. Wii Sports doesn’t exactly offer the most technical training with its boxing game, and thus a quality interactive boxing videogame has yet to be developed—until now.

The Product. Virtual Knockout is the result of a combination between rhythmic gaming and focused mitt training. It’s a game that can be played on an iOS or Android device where a virtual trainer throws a variety of punches that require quick reflexes and timing to succeed. But if the user wants to turn the game into a workout, he or she can mount their device on to a unit that comes complete with spring loaded targets equipped with accelerometers. The result is an intensely fun workout that cuts out the need for a trip to the gym or payment for a trainer.

The Pitch. It’s much easier to see how the Virtual Knockout could be useful when it’s in action. The studio device that they use for the video seems sturdy enough, but it remains to be seen how a wall mount can withstand a bevy of punches. The app, however, looks like a game made for the 1990s. The gameplay seems too repetitive to retain any interest from a casual player, and the graphics are mediocre at best.

The Perks. The app isn’t quite ready yet, but it’s expected to be available in June for $5. But if you’re looking for the full-body experience, the price will be a lot higher. The Early Bird Wall Banger that mounts to a wooden or masonry wall costs $299 (app included), and it is expected to be delivered in October 2014. The Floor Model has an even steeper price of $649 for the Early Bird deal, but it does come with a floor stand. The two models are expected to be delivered in December if you aren’t able to claim the Early Bird deal.

The Potential. A manufacturer still hasn’t been chosen, so that’s not a good sign, but the preliminary designs themselves don’t look too sturdy either. Even the limited market of customers who are interested in boxing are unlikely to use Virtual Knockout as a substitute for traditional training techniques, but it does appear as if Virtual Knockout can deliver an invigorating, fun aerobic workout.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

Snap adapts to affix your smartphone to nearly anything

The Premise. Phones and other essential items take up valuable space in pockets and purses. They also cause for a messier lifestyle with everything floating around willy-nilly.

The Product. Snap offers a better way to keep your life organized. Snap is an accessory for your phone, tablet or any other portable device that attaches to other essential items such as money clips or earphones. This nifty product can even be used as a mount to put on bicycles or the backs of car seats. Using a male/female connector system, one side sticks to the device using a strong adhesive while the other side clicks into place.

The Pitch. Snap’s snappy video is silly and fresh, making fun of “too cool for school” campaigns. The creators are smart and use the rest of the campaign to articulate problems they’ve encountered with other mobile accessories and say how their product solves those problems. They really emphasize the fact that Snap isn’t the type of accessory that changes with each new device, but that it is universal and adaptable. Pictures towards the end of the campaign show different ways to use the product. These creators from Utah hope to raise $40,000 in a 45-day run on Kickstarter.

The Perks. Snap keeps it simple with only four reward tiers. Right now, Snap’s creators are only offering the wallet and earbud attachments separately. Both go for early-bird prices of $10 and later-bird prices of $12 with estimated delivery set at May 2014.

The Potential. Snap presents an efficient way to organize your life with tons of different possibilities. Lately, lots of other products have been trying to do just that. The Sinch is a small accessory that keeps your earbuds untangled, but can only be used with earbuds. The Nerd Herder gadget wallet is a more elaborate, feminine item that can hold a phone, earbuds, money, credit cards and other things all together. Snap seems to be the most compact of these attachment accessories, but one drawback may be that only one attachment can be used at a time. Still, its universality is welcome in the mobile accessory market where most items are expensive and can only be used with one type of device.

Categories
Luggage and Bags

Maître Limuzin carts groceries from market, cash from the bank

Maitre Limuzin 20140315092213-man[1]While city life can be exciting, it can also get complicated, especially when it’s time to go shopping. In highly urbanized areas, it’s often easier to bike or walk from place to place. Hence: the Maître Limuzin shopping tote on wheels. Touted as the next generation of personal trolleys, this pricey piece of glorified urban luggage and its accessory system is handmade in Germany. Priced at €1,650 for the carbon fiber version, it’s obviously aimed at those with some serious cash; this mini limo-bag ought to drive itself to the market and do your shopping, too! A similar item can be found on Amazon for a fraction of that and it still looks stylish. Nevertheless, expected delivery for the carbon fiber version is September 2014 with the stainless steel version going for a bit more.

Categories
Cycling

Lumen skips the add-ons, lights up the whole bike frame

lumenAs bike safety becomes more and more of a concern for car-haters, the market has become filled with safety lighting devices for riding at night like Revolights. Lumen puts a spin on safety lighting and offers a completely reflective bicycle that glows at night. This retro looking bike offers style, function and safety in one product. For a single-speed Lumen, backers must shell out $1,245 with an estimated delivery date of July 2014. These San Franciscan creators offer multi-speed bikes at higher reward tiers. Lumen hopes to raise $15,000 in its 30-day Kickstarter campaign.

Categories
Cycling

The A.B. Pack wedges into shared city bike bag clamps

TheabPackThough Bike Share programs are fairly new in the U.S., they are growing quickly. Riding a bike when you have stuff to tote to work or school can be cumbersome. The A.B. Pack is a canvas sack that holds your stuff securely, minimizing potential damage especially if you’re scooting long with a ShareRoller. It also literally takes a load off of your back — just secure A.B. Pack in the bike basket. It’s not quite clear why this particular item is any better than other totes that fit in the basket. For $39, though,  backers can bag their own pack.

Categories
Apparel

Lovemebloncho is an upscale Snuggie for the outdoors

Lovemeblancho 9b909f7aefffddff20f754097d01d8d3_large[1]On those frigid winter days when it seems that the best thing to do is to curl up with a cup of cocoa, Lovemebloncho adds additional warmth. The combination poncho/blanket includes a hood, arm holes, front pocket and foot pouch. Originally designed with wheelchair users in mind, the company decided that the product would also do well for babies, teens and adults. For $75, a backer gets the infant size and an expected delivery of May 2014. The cost increases with sizes. The product will appeal to those who found th basic premise eof the Snuggie appealing but want something designed for the outdoors.