Backpackers who survive, well, out of their backpacks live their lives portably, so any convenience offered to them is quite welcome. Cover-U offers one such convenience as a backpack with sun protection. A large, adjustable canopy hangs over the heads of these dual-pack wearers, cutting out the need for hats or umbrellas. This high-quality bag features many pockets, back support, and different designs for kids and adults. While slightly funny looking, this pack is perfect for young students or backpackers who roam the countryside of cute European towns. For $250, backers and backpackers can be covered by May 2015. Cover-U needs to raise $85,000 on Kickstarter in a 31-day campaign in order to cover you.
Month: March 2014
The Premise. Sometimes we fantasize about the scenes that go on around us, which we know we can never be a part of. We’ve all said things like “I wish I could have been there to see that!” or “I would have paid to see the expression on his face when… ” and the ever popular and overused phrase “to be a fly on the wall…” And sometimes, it’s not fantasy, but a comfort to be able to peer in to a place without physically being there– think baby monitors and nanny cams.
The Product. CamNGo enables you to record videos with sound from almost anywhere. Its coaster-like compact and smart design makes it easy to mount to most surfaces, and incorporates a SIM card so you can stream live footage straight to your smartphone – even if the camera is not connected to Wi-Fi. You can also use the app to take still images from the video with the press of a button. Battery life is about 10 hours, but video storage capacity is about 3 hours. It’s unknown if footage can be automatically backed-up to your smartphone for continuous use over the life of the battery.
The Pitch. The campaign video, while energetic, takes us into territory that vaguely borders on creepy. Watching it, you may wonder if the product was innocently inspired by a father who wanted to record a perfect day spent with his daughter, or by a boyfriend who wanted to record a perfect all-nighter with some guy’s daughter. There’s also a shady scene showing two men exchanging money while another man looks on, obviously pleased. And let’s not forget the assumed husband peering on his wife who is enjoying a private moment while cleaning the house. One that is not only being watched, but also being shared to an assumed mutual friend: creeptacular. Pair that with these words from the campaign website, “This camera … allows you the control and the knowledge of the special times, the expected and unexpected times, the magical times, and all the little surprises on the way which make life so meaningful.” and you have stumbled upon the stalker’s mantra.
The Perks. Backer perks range from $5 to $100,000 with the highest levels intended for prospective distributors. If you’d like to secure yourself a CamNGo in either bright white or metallic pink (odd choices for something that may be want to be used discreetly), you can take advantage of an early bird special for $169. For Black or Metallic Silver CamNGos you’ll need to shell out an additional $10.
The Potential. If you can look past the product campaign, you will see that there are many practical and justifiable applications for a product of this nature. There are many other remote-controlled Internet cams out there, but few of the popular ones have cellular capability. If funded, it could have the potential to challenge the video-dedicated giant that GoPro has become. The campaign goal is hefty at $100,000, however it’s a flexible funding campaign so founders will receive all funds raised over the campaign’s 40 days, even if it does not make goal. If CamNGo goes into production, we can only hope that it does not turn into a “CamNCreep”.
Wireless just doesn’t seem to be enough anymore, people also want their phones and other devices operate handsfree. Introducing HeadWatch, a self-not-so-very smartwatch that lives on your wrist and communicates with your smartphone. This clip-to-be-square device features a touchscreen and is detachable from its wrist strap so as to to enable its awkward form to clip to your ear for easier phone calls. One HeadWatch goes for $169 at an early price on Indiegogo and $199 at a regular price. The product’s Portuguese creator hopes to raise a staggering $300,000 in a 60-day campaign.
![Side Scoop 20140307063317-Scoop_Model[1]](http://rossrubin.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Side-Scoop-20140307063317-Scoop_Model1-300x222.jpg)
Perhaps the one household chore that stinks the most is cleaning the cat litter box (pun intended). But many endure the task because the furry friends of cat owners bring them such joy and comfort. Side Scoop boasts of making the dreaded time of cleaning more sanitary, less offensive to the nose, and easier on backs, shoulders and wrists. The longer handle and walls, which allow for a sweeping side motion, makes cleaning easier for pet owners. Side Scoop also comes in a right and left-handed version. For $9 (includes shipping), a backer gets one Side Scoop with an expected delivery of July 2014.
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Whether you are a triathlon addict or just someone who loves cycling for exercise, there are some days when sunglasses are beyond necessary, they are mandatory! There’s little that’s more challenging than trying to make your way through a competition, or even down the street when the sun is blazing right into your eyes. Bike Sunglass Holding Device gives you an easy and convenient place to dock your sunglasses until you need them. The easy to install item is also designed to be positioned for the least amount of aerodynamic drag. For $50, a backer gets a complete product with an expected delivery of August 2014. If this seems interesting, you may also want to check out the Trigger Bell Campaign.
Too much sun on the beach can have some seriously harmful consequences and beach umbrellas aren’t always the best option for avoiding burns. Neso Tents offer an easy solution to this problem. These portable shelters are stakeless and lightweight making assembly quick and easy. They use sandbags for weight and come in a ton of different hues. Early-birds can avoid over-sunning themselves for $49 with an estimated delivery date of June 2014. These tents, while well designed, still run very high in terms of pricing compared to similar products on the market. Neso hopes to raise $12,000 in its 45-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Premise. Composting has become more and more popular as people realize how much food they waste. Many opt for traditional composting, taking all of their food and storing it in a container and then bringing it out to the garden to decompose naturally albeit very slowly. Others live in cities or towns where a green bin is provided to pick composting up, but there are few places that offer this service.
The Product. The compact Food Cycler offers the chance to compost food responsibly without having to wait for the results. This home composting tool is about the size of a wastebasket and is green and white. You simply put the food into the basket inside, close the lid and hit start. The food heats up and decomposes in three hours. At the end, the composted material comes out crispy and dry, perfect for using in the garden.
The Pitch. Food Cycler’s Indiegogo campaign features an all-too-cheery woman scraping would-be leftovers into the product’s pail. At the end, the composted food comes out, showing backers how well the product works. The rest of the campaign details tons of pictures of the Food Cycler as well as scads of environmental facts. The goal is set for $40,000 in the 31-day run on Indiegogo.
The Perks. In order to enjoy this home composting device, backers will have to donate $399 on Indiegogo. The only other reward tiers that Food Cycler offers are below $399 and don’t get backers the product. Current estimated availability is set for May 2014.
The Potential. Composting is definitely becoming a common trend among homeowners. The question is, are people willing to pay up to $400 to compost their food when they could potentially be doing it for free? While odors can be odious and composting the old-fashioned way takes a while, many are willing to spend their time instead of their money. If not, there are cheaper options on the market similar to the Food Cycler such as NatureMill products. These products are still expensive, but not quite as expensive as the Food Cycler, though they do take longer to break food down. All in all, the Food Cycler will ultimately need to figure out a way to lower its cost before having a chance on the market.
The Premise. Whether you’re a professional athlete or going for some recreational exercise, you always want to get the most out of your workout. Push your body too hard, and your muscles risk extreme injury or damage. Go to lightly with your workout, and you’re left with much to be desired from your regimen. There are certainly devices that are able to monitor your activity, but it’s still difficult to know just how much you get the most results out of your workout.
The Product. The BSX Insight is looking to change the way athletes monitor their workouts. Packed in a low profile design is a device thats able to monitor heart rate, cadence, pace and calories burned. But the BSX also brings something new to the table: lactate threshold monitoring. Previously, lactate threshold could only be monitored through a finger prick that drew blood, but BSX has developed a system that accurately measures what goes on inside your muscles. It then pairs with your smartphone or other wearable technology to give you live feedback on your athletic performance.
The Pitch. Co-Founders Dustin and Nithin take turns explaining the benefits of lactate threshold technology. This is the first time that that the technology is being made available to the average consumer, so it’s understandable that they take quite a bit of time in the video to explain just how the BSX Insight maximizes your workout and gives a more complete view of your fitness profile. From live action shots, the BSX Insight doesn’t seem to interfere at all with range of motion and activity, and it sleekly fits within the specially designed compression sleeve. The video ends with the two founders asking for donators to fund their final push toward production of their prototype before they run off to the horizon.
The Perks. A normal lactate threshold test can cost up to $200 per test, and in order to stay accurate, those tests need to happen every few months. The BSX Insight on the other hand is only $179 for runner’s edition. The multi-sport edition costs a few more dollars at $219. If you’re not sure whether or not the BSX Insight is for you, you can still support the campaign for $25 to receive a pair of compression sleeves and three months of free trainBSX premium access. The product is expected to be delivered in December 2014.
The Potential. The BSX Insight represents a step beyond the run-of-the-mill pedometers, but the obscurity of what it measures likely won’t resonate with people who aren’t ultra-competitive athletes. It may represent an extravagance for the casual runner, but its simplicity may make it an appealing addition to people’s everyday workout gear.
It’s warm outside, not a cloud in the sky, and an occasional light breeze makes its way through the trees. It’s too gorgeous of a day to be stuck inside, but there’s work to be done. Time to break out your laptop and DigiShade Laptop Sun Shade. The 6061 aircraft aluminum shade keeps the glare off your screen, and the magnetic mount allows it to easily attach to any MacBook Pro or MacBook Air; alas, users of other laptops are out of luck. And shade. When you’re ready to go, it folds flat enough to fit in your laptop sleeve for easy transport. For $65, a backer gets one DigiShade with an expected delivery of June 2014.
![MOVE 20140306071445-Serie_Schreibtisch[1]](http://rossrubin.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MOVE-20140306071445-Serie_Schreibtisch11-300x169.jpg)
Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of college dorm life is the limited space. Once you put a bed and desk in there, there doesn’t seem to be much room left. MOVE offers a way to combine a bed and desk into one unit. With the bed on one side, and desk on the other, each piece can be folded up into the unit when not in use. It’s made of wood and multiple units can be hooked together to increase desk space or create a double bed. It does appear, though, that one side needs to be folded into the unit in order to make use of the other side. For €1000, a backer gets a complete unit minus a port for a multimedia and power connection, which can be added for another €100.