Mobile games have become an unignorable aspect of the gaming landscape. Players have access to thousands of games wherever they are, but the one complaint most people will always have is control. Game Cover is a thin Android gamepad that slides out from the side the way keyboards slide out on certain phones. Only 8mm thick, Game Cover fits any phone and provides plenty of buttons for precision control. Game Cover also works as a remote for media or camera controls. The thinness is great for compatibility, but long-term use may cause hand strain without something larger to grip onto while playing. Gamers can power up their phones with a Game Cover for €25.
Month: September 2014
This product seems to have more of a commercial focus than a residential one, but it does have some potential for both markets. No More Umbrella Stand can be anchored directly to the ground, which may actually make for a safer umbrella product. It’s not clear if the mounts are removable and can then be remounted in another location, but it does appear to offer a good source of shade in settings such as patios, outdoor retail events, some spectator sporting events, and camping to name a few. For $100 CAD backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.
The Premise. One of the iPad’s weaknesses, and perhaps its Achille’s heel, is typing. No matter how Apple tries to frame it, it isn’t fun. Unwieldy and generally imprecise, it isn’t a reliable solution if you actually want to type something of substance. Since its introduction, companies have created a sea of Bluetooth keyboards to address the issue but the vast majority are bulky and drain battery, giving you more problems than you began with.
The Product. SleeKeys wants to convince you its case/keyboard combination is the only one you’ll ever need, and the product’s features make a strong case. Their keyboard is a Bluetooth-free, variant that utilizes patent-pending technology to interact with the iPad. Since it has no battery, the tactile keyboard never needs to be paired or charged, placing no additional drain on the tablet itself. Weighing only 3.5 ounces and measuring in at a svelte 1/4″ , SleeKeys stows directly behind the iPad when not in use, retaining accessibility for short status updates or long reports.
The Pitch. SleekTech has spent two years honing the nuances of their flagship product with over 20 prototypes, and their video showcases the results of that work. The remainder of the campaign expands on SleeKeys as a product, its development process, and expected manufacturing schedule. SleekTech is looking for $20,000 to kick production into high-gear for all those interested.
The Perks. Enterprising individuals can obtain their very own SleeKeys case for just $45 with an early bird special, with the price shooting up to $55 if you miss out. If you like a little more luxury with your innovative keyboards, you can shell out $70 or more to receive a SleeKeys iPad Air case made with real leather. Backers will receive their SleeKeys on doorsteps in December 2014.
The Potential. SleeKeys isn’t the first battey-free typing aid for iPad. Another crowdfunded product, Touchfire’s iPad Keyboard Case, is SleeKey’s most direct competition. These product’s most obvious similarities lie in the versatility they offer users in being able to comfortably type anywhere. Their differences lie in their designs: the SleeKeys keyboard and case combo is a bit heavier than the Touchfire’s version by a few ounces. Although that may not sound like much, every bit of weight alters the iPad’s usability and that matters to the many wanting to keep it as light and thin as possible. Touchfire’s design is also much thinner, making it less intrusive than SleeKeys. But the SkeeKeys seems to offer better key travel and should appeal to those for whom the Touchfire isn’t enough and Bluetooth keyboards are too much.
Here’s an interesting expansion on the cooking mitt idea: water and heat resistance with a non-slip grip. Ulta-Mitt includes these and a few other nice extras for a new and improved oven mitt that looks like it would work well not only at home and at the grill, but even when cooking over a campfire. The added index finger section seems like it would add some dexterity, but why not go all the way and just make this into a glove so that the ultimate in dexterity can be offered? Even so, still some great ideas here, and $14 gets backers a mitt and hot pad with an expected delivery of November 2014.
If grandma and weak women are the demographic for this item, then the subtly obnoxious focus in the video for this product certainly captures that message effectively. As for the rest of the population, Sodavalve is an item that is supposed to, apparently, make it easier to open a 2 liter of soda, and also helps to keep it carbonated for a longer period of time. It also appears that there may be two different products, a soda tab for carbonated water products in addition to the soda valve. For the family struggling with bedeviling bottles, $32 will get backers two of each, with an expected delivery of January 2015.
NFC bracelets are a quick and easy way to interact with smartphones and other devices to share information or interact with a specific feature, but they can be flimsy and don’t always look stylish. The NFC Leather Bracelet does exactly what it says on the tin: it’s a leather bracelet with a button snap that contains three different NFC chips for multiple functions. The simple brown leather is more stylish than a neon silicone band, and the snap makes it easy to put on or remove, not to mention how much harder it is to break.
The three chips are located at different parts of the bracelet, so as to avoid accidental tripping of unwanted activity. Compatible with NFC software available on most major app stores, the Leather NFC Bracelet is easy to set up and easy to customize as needs change. The bracelet requires no batteries, and so it doesn’t ever need a charge. All orders are being custom-sized to fit any backer’s wrist. The NFC Leather Bracelet needs €1,600 (~$2,000) for supplies and packaging. A bracelet will be sent out in October 2014 for just €10 (~$12). It’s simple, but it gives owners function without sacrificing style.
Tablets are a much larger and thus much easier to use as an alternative to getting things done on a small smartphone screen. Note that it was stated that they are easier to use, not to hold. Ending the problem of the rotating, uncomfortable, fumbling tablet is SpinPadGrip. SpinPadGrip is a universal gadget that clips onto the back of any tablet and provides multiple ways to keep a tablet comfortably upright. It can function as an adjustable stand not unlike Microsoft’s kickstand, or it can be worn around the wrist and supporting with the fingers to be safe in hand, but not sliding out.
SpinPadGrip is fully rotational for any orientation and also lays flat when it needs to. The device is attached simply by pressing it against the back and then sliding the switch at the top. This same switch is used to disengage the SpinPadGrip, making it easy to use with multiple devices, or remove when trading in or selling a tablet to upgrade to a new one. XPAL Power and Smart Design need $35,000 to begin selling SpinPadGrip, and weary tablet users can hold onto one with a $25 pledge, delivered in November 2014. SpinPadGrip looks great now, but may be obsolete once more Surface copycats arrive.
The Premise. Even if electric bicycles offer an ecologically friendly alternative to other means of transportation, inherent battery limitations and companies instituting closed systems have driven prices up. This relegates even the most forward thinking e-bike into ultimately being an expensive curiosity.
The Product. Falco seeks to rattle the electric bicycle market with its Fusion Sports Drive. The company has created a gearless electric drive capable of being installed on pretty much any vehicle with pedals, complimented by a fully open system that allows the user to replace the 50 lithium ion battery with any available on the market. The Fusion Sports Drive boasts an impressive array of features over competing products, with standouts including regenerative braking, smart phone integration, and cardio-controlled biometric training.
The Pitch. Falco’s Kickstarter campaign is detailed, containing a five-minute video showing the drive and its companion app in rugged action. Diagrams illustrating the product’s features and high quality photos round out the rest, giving you a clear idea of everything the Fusion Sport Drive can do. Falco is looking for a hefty $100,000 infusion to ramp up production and stay ahead of competition.
The Perks. There are many choices for backers considering their very own Fusion Sports Drive. Those interested can fork over $495 for just the 250W drive and control unit, $695 for the entire 250W road legal system, or up to $1,095 for the “limited edition” 350W model. These are all subject to specific country requirements and are slated for delivery in April 2015.
The Potential. Compared to much of the competition, the Fusion Sports Drive is light-years ahead. Their feature set is very advanced for this type of product, with the cardio-controlled biometric interaction being the runaway star. Falco has created a product which has a very competitive price point, successfully utilizes our smartphones in an intelligent way, and pushes e-bike technology forward by being as open as it is. Still, the conversion price may not court many casual riders. Falco’s main challenge will be expanding the market for those wanting an easy, connected e-bike experience.
Here’s an interesting idea: a rectangular water bottle. Yes, Memobottle allows those who like to carry their water with them an opportunity for potentially easier toting of their water for the conservation-conscious briefcase-toting rowd, Available in the the length and width of different standard paper sizes, Memobottle may be a fun design, but it seems like this could really weigh down a briefcase at the larger sizes and be awkward to drink from the front. Nevertheless, backers can hydrate with this flat flask for $22 AUD with an expected delivery of December 2014.
Many parents compare mealtimes with their small children to feeding time at the zoo. Bowls plates and cups get knocked off the table and food ends up on the floor, much to the delight of the family dog. But mom and dad aren’t so thrilled. Ezpz placemats are made of silicone and have a special suction feature that keeps them stuck to the table so food stays put. There are lot of plusses with this product. It’s dishwasher safe, microwaveable, and stackable to name just a few. Expected delivery for those who want to splurge on this item is December 2014.