Month: June 2014

Categories
Smart Home

Homey will get your back when it comes to controlling your home

The Premise. Since Star Trek, homeowners have always wanted to be able to control their home devices with simple spoken commands. Now that the smart home is quickly finding adoption around the world, a voice-controlled module will greatly propel that market into a must-have for anyone.

The Product. Homey is an attractive little orb that can control devices across seven of the most common wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, NFC,  Infrared, and more) with simple, spoken voice commands. The device is designed to be easy to use and adjust as more and more devices can become controlled by taking to one’s home.

The Pitch. Athom, developer of Homey, has put together an attractive video that shows users adjusting the thermostat, queuing up movies with subtitles, and even setting the mood in the bedroom. Athom is far along in the development process, but are raising money through crowdfunding to keep retail costs down and fund the manufacturing process, with a goal of €100,000. Stretch goals are available at €200,000 to create if-then flow commands that will automate things even more, and at €300,000, multiple colors will be available including a Pokémon-themed Poké Ball color scheme.

The Perks. Setting up a home with a Homey will take a pledge of €229, with an extra €20 for shipping in June 2015. For €239, the Geek Edition is available, giving developers two wireless transceivers, jumper cables, and access to the development kit to add more features to the device. Homey can be had a little sooner for €399, arriving in April instead of June.

The Potential. Home automation is an industry that everyone wants a piece of, and Homey looks like it might become the interface that people want to adopt. Bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Google Nexus Q and adopting a similar feature set to the EmoSPARK, the Homey already might look like a copycat device, but the sheer number of wireless connectivity options and flexibility of functions makes it an intriguing option. Another chief competitor for the Homey will be the Ubi, which right now might be a little less powerful in terms of precise control, but also offers users the ability to answer basic internet questions by asking them out loud. With so many choices, it’s the little differences that will separate the success stories from the footnotes, and it seems like Homey might be able to edge out most of the competition when it comes to features and design.

Categories
Organization

Hyve linked hexagonal cups make an organized honeycomb in your home

HyveClutter is one of the primary reasons for disorganization, a lack of productivity, and hindered creativity. So Hyve is prepared to offer a modular system of organization that works well in multiple environments. The hexagonal containers can be used independently or hook together for a collective reorganization effort that would make any queen bee proud. There are also magnetic connectors available for those occasions when little wall pockets seem to be the best solution. For $19, backers get three Hyves. Larger pledges mean more Hyves. Expected delivery is August 2014

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Tablet Accessories

Boldy holds gadgets so users don’t have to

BoldySometimes having only two arms and hands is just inconvenient. Especially when it comes to using wireless gadgets. But then that would be why there is a market for mounts. Boldy is a magnetic mount that consists of two pieces: one attaches to the gadget and the other to the wall. While the mount can be used pretty much anywhere that there’s a surface, the downside of sticking something to the back of a gadget can mean that it doesn’t fit as well in a pocket, purse or case. So it may be worthwhile to consider getting the Boldy case to simplify being on the go. For €47, backers get a mount plus iPhone 5 / 5s case, or €55 for a mount plus iPad case gen 2,3, or 4. Expected delivery is October 2014.

Categories
Fashion Luggage and Bags

FaceOff bag has replaceable flaps so it’s always your bag

FaceOffPeople function in many different roles throughout their day. Whether they’re doing sports, hanging with friends or going to a meeting, it’s essential to have the right accessories for each persona. The FaceOff messenger bag offers a way to carry the same bag around for different purposes and comes in several different colors. It has several flaps for varied occasions that can be changed out easily. All of your stuff remains in the bag, but the style of the bag changes either with a more formal business flap, a reflective flap for cycling or a utility flap with extra pockets. For $116, backers will receive one bag with two flaps of their choice by September 2014. FaceOff hopes to raise $36,000 in a 35-day Kickstarter campaign.

Categories
Music

Kiln keeps guitars dry when humidity is high

The Premise. Most musicians in high humidity areas know about the annoying impact that it has on their acoustic guitars. Oftentimes, central air and heat will be enough to combat this, but for those seasons when it’s not quite cool enough or hot enough to justify the increase that will be incurred when the next electric bill comes due, musicians don’t have many options available.

The Product. Kiln is something of a mini dehumidifier that fills in the gap for those in between seasons with high humidity, or those times on the road when keeping an acoustic guitar out of high humidity can be even more complicated. The item fits snuggly at the bottom of the sound hole between the strings and body, but is lined with felt so that the guitar doesn’t get scratched. When the gadget is turned on, it gradually heats the soundbox so that the air will absorb the moisture. Through the principle of convection, the moist air gets replaced with dry air to reduce bowing and issues with strings going out of tune.

The Pitch. The video for the $155,000 campaign gives some great clarity to the problem that comes with owning an acoustic guitar and living in a high humidity area. The demonstration of how the product works makes it appear simple to use, and the detailed description of why it will be effective is presented in a way that is easy to understand.

The Perks. There are 11 tiers from which a backer may choose. Early bird backers can get one product for $182 if they respond by June 1, 2014. This is 33 percent off of retail.

The Potential. The idea seems great, but the process takes eight hours to complete. So a musician needs to be thinking ahead where their gigs are concerned. The built-in safety features of temperature sensors and operation timers should give acoustic guitar owners piece of mind about using the product overnight, or being able to run a few errands while the process of dehumidifying is taking place.

Categories
Smartwatches/Bands Sports

Smash serves up tennis advice to turn you into an ace

The Premise. Anyone who has ever tried to simply hit the ball both over the net and within bounds knows that tennis is a lot harder than it looks. Mastering the game can take years and the specialized advice of a professional coach that knows what needs fixing.

The Product. Smash is a wristband that circumvents the coach almost entirely by analyzing every detail of the hitting motion on each swing of the racket. From velocity of serves to follow-through form and even hitting strategies, the Smash records all data during a match silently and without breaking up the action. Afterwards, the Smash syncs easily to its proprietary app, crunching all of that data into something easier to understand, with precise metrics and analysis that provides simple tips on how to improve one’s game immediately. Smash also features social functions that allow players to challenge one another and determine who has the best skill in local or national areas.

The Pitch. Smash inventor Rob Crowder clearly has the tennis bug, which makes Smash all the better for its attention to detail and ability to improve one’s play. The presentation and the app user interface is clean, modern, and bright, motivating players to do better each and every time. Crowder and his team need $200,000 AUD to produce and test the device for durability, weather, and general quality.

The Perks. For $129 AUD, a Smash wristband will arrive at any tennis enthusiast’s doorstep in February 2015. Anyone that wants to help refine the device before it becomes available via retail can do so with the Alpha Testing Edition for $299 AUD, available in December 2014. Those who prefer the personal touch can get a Smash engraved with production number and backer’s name for $399 AUD.

The Potential. For people who want to learn the game of tennis, Smash could be a fantastic aid to everyone without the budget to hire a personal coach. Perhaps the last thing the world needs is another athletic tracker on everyone’s wrist before the gym starts looking like a group of people trying to sell watches in a back alley. Still, Smash belongs there to analyze every bit of movement from every hit of the ball and provide helpful tips to improve one’s game each and every time. Don’t expect to see these popping up at Wimbledon any time soon, but younger players who need to learn the tiny differences that separate the good from the best will be served well by using Smash.

Categories
Tech Accessories

CosmoKey keeps your data safe with two-factor authentication

The Premise. Security is a massive concern with cyber-attacks on the rise and more and more logins and passwords required by every application and site out there.

The Product. The CosmoKey provides safe, secure two-factor authorization through the CosmoKey app which allows users to login to any of their favorite sites and then press the button on the palm-sized hardware token to authenticate their credentials in a way that keyloggers or other malware can not penetrate.

The Pitch. The introductory video for the CosmoKey doesn’t do the best job of explaining exactly how the hardware side of the CosmoKey works or how one sets up the device. The campaign page does a little better explaining the process with which one uses a CosmoKey and where it might come in handy, but still leaves some details cloudy. CosmoKey Ltd. has set £25,000 as their fundraising goal to complete testing of the hardware token and make the device even more secure. Stretch goals are in place to make the API completely open once funding is reached and another unlocking the CosmoKey Vault which will provide correct logins for any stored site at £100,000.

The Perks. A £50 pledge gives users access to the CosmoKey app for either iOS or Android with 2 years of paid service starting in September. The authenticator token hardware is available at the £150 level, and will be sent out to backers in November of this year. The Maker’s Edition comes out early (in August) with the most recently available version and grants access to the API to enhance the functionality of the device, with 1 year of service included. For those that want to make CosmoKey a part of their business server security, the VPN server with one hardware token is available with a year of remote service for £1,000.

The Potential. Two-factor authentication is a great way to be more safe, but a device like this just complicates matters further. Picture a situation in which the CosmoKey is lost or left at home: now the user is locked out from accessing any site they need to get into that they’ve set up through the device. With other forms of biometric scanners becoming more readily available, having a portable device that needs to be brought along with any computer, tablet, or phone just makes the whole process much more cumbersome than it needs to be, even in matters of protecting and securing data. It’s a good idea, just poorly executed.

Categories
Tablet Accessories

TabletTail offers a wide range of ways to keep your pad properly propped

TabletTailAs more amazing apps come rolling in, tablets have become increasingly useful. Whether you’re navigating, watching a show, leveling a picture, etc. it’s necessary to have your hands free, but simple stands don’t always do the trick. TabletTail attaches to the back of your tablet and suctions or clips to whichever surface you need. It uses different tail styles for if you need the tablet upright, angled to the side or even wrapped around a pole. For $90, backers can enjoy the complete TabletTail package which includes the attachment needed to secure the tablet, the tail to angle it and the clamp to attach it to the appropriate surface with estimated delivery in September 2014. TabletTail hopes to raise $20,000 in a 30-day Kickstarter campaign.

Categories
Cycling

Hench will clench your bike, protect it from thieves

The Premise. Cycling is a popular and healthy way to get around, especially in the summertime. The only problem is that bikes get stolen all the time. Many locks are quite heavy and cumbersome to carry around when biking. And most thieves find their way around even the heftiest of locks anyway.

The Product. The HENCH bicycle lock claims resistance to all tampering techniques. It’s comprised of a chain wrapped with Kevlar, fabric and Velcro. Due to its materials, the lock is flexible and lightweight. For storage, it wraps around the bar of the bicycle or folds up making it convenient to tote around.

The Pitch. The campaign video shows the lock being hacked away at by several different tools. While the fabric will rip, the lock remains intact. The UK creator outlines his future plans for Hench in the rest of the campaign. He’s looking to produce the lock in different sizes and colors for different kinds of bicycles. Hench has a £25,000 in a 30-day Kickstarter campaign.

The Perks. HENCH only offers one reward tier. For £100, backers will receive one of the first Hench locks from its initial production run. Estimated delivery date is currently set at August 2014. 

The Potential. Most riders go for a U-lock like those from Kryptonite. Others choose the heavy chain, but neither of these options uses Kevlar which renders the Hench resistant to bolt cutters. Alternative locks are also difficult to transport. One must either place them in a backpack or basket or use a bracket that attaches to the bike bar. These are typically difficult to install and not that reliable. The Velcro makes for a simple way to secure the lock. All in all, the Hench bike lock, while a little on the pricey side, looks like a great new way to secure your bike while remaining unencumbered by extra weight. 

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

i-Ox suction loop helps smartphone users take a stand, get a grip

i_OxFor those who were never quite comfortable holding their smartphone in the palm of their hand, it can now be worn on a finger. The i-Ox Smartphone Grip attaches to the back of the phone and can also serve as a stand for one-handed functionality when texting, gaming, surfing the net and more. It will adhere to the back of any smartphone or mini tablet with a smooth surface, and it easily detaches. Early bird backers get one product for $25, with an expected delivery of October 2014.