When you’re away from home and working on an important business proposal, or thesis, that’s not the time to notice that your laptop battery is nearly dead. While battery life keeps getting better, AC adapters can still be a bulky mess to bring along. Dart scores a bullseye when it comes to this problem. The extraordinarily compact 65-watt near-universal adapter uses VHF technology developed at MIT to not only keeps your laptop powered, but can also charge USB devices. Alas, the MacBook requires Dart to take a novel and expensive approach that requires mating it with Apple’s MagSafe connector.. For others, $89 gets backers a Dart in their color choice with an expected delivery of November 2014.
Month: April 2014
Imagine being able to have a light source in any shape that your heart desires. Blinklums is a lighting system that uses a special chemical formulation to create a sheet of light that is bendable, resistant to water and shock, has a long life and gives off very little heat. A few creative ideas include illuminated mouse pad, posters, and sketch board, to name just a few. The main drawback is that it takes more than just an AC wall outlet for it to give off the equivalent of about 60 watts of light, but an inverter takes care of that, and a battery pack is in the works. For £23, a backer gets one product with an anticipated delivery of June 2014.
The Premise. The beauty of streaming music is that listeners can enjoy the music they love, no matter where they are. Transferring that access to an audio system worth listening to, on the other hand, often proves to be more difficult.
The Product. The Gramofon is designed to take all the accessibility of a Wi-Fi hotspot, and put that to use to stream music in the home or office. By using Facebook credentials instead of various wi-Fi passwords, it’s easy to use the Gramofon app to connect and start pumping music through any stereo equipment. Right now, the app supports Spotify natively, but there are many other streaming services expected to be added later. AllPlay technology, also supported by Musaic, provides compatibility with an emerging set of music sources.
The Pitch. With one of the more slickly-produced Kickstarter videos in recent memory, Fon CEO Martin Varsavsky and his team take viewers through Fon as a Wi-Fi hotspot company and how the idea of turning hotspots into music players led to the development of Gramofon. The entire campaign smacks of the same trendy, simple design that the device itself supports, and the confidence the developers have in the product will likely carry over to those supporting it. Gramofon needs $250,000 to start the party, increasing the number of support services, finalize the design, and go into production.
The Perks. Getting a Gramofon will take a pledge of $50 for black, or $60 for white. Both products are expected to arrive in July.
The Potential. Devices like these are starting to crop up, combining the ease of having thousands of songs streaming from any device with the enjoyment of sounds through proper audio output channels. The modern design is similar to the Aether Cone, but the Gramofon really only provides the phone connectivity – more pieces required, but a better sense of control. Also similar is Apple’s Airport Express, but this device only handles music instead of full network sharing like the Airport, although that device has become a bit more streaming-friendly with the launch of iTunes Radio. Fon is also promising backers will get full free access to their millions of hotspots by supporting the Gramofon, so that can be an added incentive to pledge. All in all, the Gramofon is an inexpensive option that offers the quirky benefit of joining into a Wi-Fi-sharing network further along in Europe, but those who want a device that does more won’t yet be satisfied with what this product has to offer.
Golfers constantly face new challenges as they travel to different courses. Putting in nature creates many variables that need to be taken into consideration. The GreenPlay training system allows golfers to collect data from a putting green in order to more accurately shoot the ball. This small device sits on the ground and calculates the slope as well as the hole’s position in relation to the ball in an iOS/Android app. It’s a perfect way to train golfers into the right putting techniques, much like the X Ball, because it suggests the best way to putt. Early golfers can enjoy this system for $79 or $99 with a regular price of $250 by July 2014. GreenPlay needs to raise $50,000 in a 45-day Kickstarter campaign.
One of the few inconveniences of using a laptop is overheating. Many laptop cooling devices are loud, clunky and look terrible while they keep those notebooks cool. Airbar offers the best of style, comfort and convenience while it cools your laptop down. The slim silver bar looks like an extension of the MacBook. It is designed to fit a minimum 13” system. One goes for $75 and includes a felt case with an estimated delivery of August 2014. Airbar needs to raise $50,000 in a 30-day Kickstarter campaign to keep things cool.
Cell phones have the tendency to get lost or broken… a lot. We know how valuable they are, but as humans we are flawed and don’t take care of our things. Pluggy Lock makes it easier to care for your device. It’s a simple product that plugs and locks into the headphone jack of any phone. With Pluggy, you can attach different kinds of lanyards and holders so that you won’t lose or drop your phone. This attachment system costs backers $19 with an estimated delivery date of September 2014. Pluggy needs to raise $35,000 on Kickstarter in its 53-day campaign.
Many gym rats use resistance bands to make their workout even more beneficial. The only problem is that some exercises are out the question with resistance bands because they’re too difficult to hold and can create a dangerous situation. Resistance solves this problem. This fitness accessory acts as a wrist or ankle cuff that fastens using Velcro. The pièce de résistance is a swiveling hook in the shape of a stylized “R” that attaches the band, making it possible to lift free weights with some extra resistance. This product costs backers $30 with an estimated delivery date of May 2014. Resistance hopes to raise $15,000 in a 40-day Kickstarter campaign.
No matter how well it brings the room together, the alarm clock tends to be one of the most unpopular devices in the home. Ranging from the simple and classic to more modern inventive takes, the alarm clock really only needs to be successful in one way. With wireless Bluetooth synchronization with phones and a Kindle-style e-ink display visible in all levels of light, the aclock is a technologically modern take on the alarm clock that works in conjunction with a phone. In the process it doesn’t really do anything a phone can’t already, but provides a nice, external display. The aclock is currently available for pre-order.
Whether one wants to run like the wind, ride the waves like a fish or just play in the sand with the kids, Zem Shoes has your feet covered for these and other feats. The Zone of Endless Motion athletic shoes include multiple options to suit ll kinds of moods — fitness, wellness, water sports, fashion or just an active lifestyle are all complimented by comfort and flexibility. For $39, backers get one pair of ZEM Shoes with an expected delivery of July 2014.
Water sports have grown past water skiing, wakeboarding and surfing. Now, people are exploring even more new ways, like paddleboarding, to get exercising while in a lake or ocean. The Aqua Elliptica offers one such way to enjoy cardio while out on the water. This product is basically a water-friendly elliptical machine, similar to one you’d find in the gym. One Aqua Elliptica costs backers $2,500 with an estimated delivery date of September 2014. This new water device hopes to raise $50,000 in a 33-day Kickstarter campaign.