Month: December 2014

Categories
Pets

Automatic cat groomer puts a toy mouse to good clean work

Just as exercise is good for people, it’s also good for cats. And what better way to get them exercising than to get them wrapped up in a toy? The Automatic Kitty Groomer helps keep kitty healthy and pretty.  Pet lovers can give their furry friend the thrill of the hunt with a mouse toy and track that functions using magnets and a low voltage transformer, similar to what would power a child’s toy. This item does double duty because it also offers an automatic rotating brush that is ‘purrrfectly’ delightful when it’s time for kitty to settle down for another cat nap. The freestanding brush switches directions at pre-set intervals, and also has an automatic shut-off.

Most cats are independent enough that they will find their own forms of entertainment and relaxation, but this product may be especially helpful to busier pet owners. This campaign seeks to raise $120,000 by January 15, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $99 with an expected delivery of June 2015.

Categories
Imaging

Panlight sets the plan right to remotely position cameras and flashes

Professional photographers use a beefed up flash system for extra light. They’ll set up these speedlight flashes and then move around to get the best shot. Unfortunately, to adjust the flash, they have to lower down the stand, angle the flash properly and hope it’s in the right position.

Panlight uses a remote control to adjust the speedlight for you. From up to 100 feet away, the photographer can move the flash up and down 180 degrees and 360 degrees around. In addition, Panlight offers the perk of being able to attach your camera to it in order to control that remotely as well. This will let your DLSR reach new heights of photography without having to climb a ladder. This product works with standard tripods and camera stands. It can support mirror-less cameras up to two pounds. To power, use four AA batteries.

This is certainly a nifty device that will help tons of photographers. Weddings in particular are difficult to photograph because there’s so much going on. A remote control will certainly make the entire process easier. It’s too bad, though, that Panlight is powered by batteries. A rechargeable battery would make more sense. However, there’s always the possibility of running out of juice in the middle of a wedding, in which case spare AA batteries would come more in handy than having to recharge. For £95 (~$149) backers will receive their very own by March 2015. The UK made Panlight is looking to raise £23,000 (~$36,000) on Kickstarter.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Imaging

MAGcro is another smartphone macro lens ready for extreme close-ups

It’s amazing how the world of photography has opened up to anyone who owns a smartphone or tablet these days. In fact, even macro photography is an option because of products such as MAGcro. This item was created by a couple of ophthalmologists and works with a smartphone or tablet, offering up to 10 times of magnification. The aspheric lens is fire-polished and made of high quality crown glass. The micro suction base makes it universal, compatible with most smartphones and tablets.

One of MAGcro’s best features is that it’s easy to transport since it is small enough to attach to a key ring. Though one might want to consider the possibility of a scratched lens before carrying it around that way. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000 NZD (~$4,000 USD) by December 13, 2014. For $25 NZD (~$20 USD), early bird backers get one lens with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Furniture

ReadyDesk stands up for large, two-level work surfaces

If it’s actually true that sitting is the new smoking, and that even an hour of exercise can’t burn off an entire day of sitting, one might consider cutting back on the chocolate and eating more fruits and veggies instead. But that hobby horse aside, ReadyDesk was designed as a part of the war on sitting that may have actually gotten its start in Corporate America right about the time the technological revolution began in the 20th century. Funny how no one is willing to study if it’s the computers that are the problem rather than remaining seated at them all day.

Anyway, for those who believe that standing will mean that they will get out of cutting back on all those candy bars at work, this desk is touted as being able to be ergonomically correct no matter what a person’s body build is because it is very adjustable. And since it’s made from recyclable Baltic birch, even those who are environmentally sensitive can feel good about standing at this particular desk. This campaign seeks to raise $18,900 by December 5, 2014. Backers get one desk for $189 with an expected delivery of January 2015.

Categories
Automotive Chargers/Batteries

Pocket Jump charges your smartphone, jump starts your car

Being suddenly stranded on the side of the road because of a dead car battery and a smartphone on its last legs can be a pretty terrible situation. With the unimpressive capacity of our smartphones, this is probably a situation that happens all too often and is dangerous because there just might not be anyone around to help. Viatek Consumer Products Group, Inc. is looking to kill two birds with one stone with their Pocket Jump, a product looking to restore motorists’ peace of mind while on the road.

Pocket Jump addresses our devices’ constant necessity for power as a portable 3000mAh or 4800mAh battery pack with the ability to recharge using a micro-USB connection or a vehicle’s own car battery through the cigarette lighter. In the unfortunate scenario that a car battery dies out, the Pocket Jump is equipped with the technology to jump start a car with that same cigarette lighter so a motorist can avoid the hassle of having to flag down another car, use dangerous jumper cables, and possibly face inclement weather while doing so.

Cars, vans, trucks with diesel or hybrid engines can all use the Pocket Jump, making the tiny device an extremely versatile tool to have handy especially because it will more or less always have some sort of charge within. The 3000mAh version goes for $40, while the Pocket Jump Plus goes for $80. The campaign is looking for $10,000 to get the product in backer’s vehicles by December 2014.

Categories
Tablet Accessories

iTray lets you tap on your tablet while it stands by your side

If there are carrying cases for laptops, there ought to be some for tablets too. Oh, wait, maybe they call those netbook bags. Nevertheless, iTray has a unique identity. The tablet shoulder bag has an adjustment system and magnetic closures that fold back into a tray-like position so that it can be used while standing and walking. There is also a large pocket that stows your power cord, earbuds, mobile phone and other important lifestyle trinkets. The tablet stand feature allows it to rotate 360 degrees, and the bag has easy access to a tablet camera and controls.

The tablets with which this case are compatible are not clearly stated, but the case seems durable since it is made of leather and has metal clasps. Even though backers may look a little bit like they’re selling popcorn at a stadium, this is still a useful product for tablet enthusiasts. This campaign seeks to raise $5,500 by December 5, 2014. Backers get one product for $29 with an expected delivery of December 2014.

Categories
Technology Wearables

Timer Smart Ring unlocks doors, phones and hearts

Fitness tends to be the main application featured in smart wearable devices. But the maker of the Timer Smart Ring is focusing on other uses for its device, including the ability to use the ring to open intelligent door locks, unlock mobile phone screens, or pass along digital business cards to other mobile phones using NFC technology.

The ring supports most intelligent door locks on the market that use 13.56 MHz, including locks made by Samsung. Users can set the ring to unlock the screen of select mobile phones, whether or not the phone already uses other unlocking systems, such as a gesture code or password. The ring is compatible with Android and Windows smartphones, but not iOS. As shown in the campaign’s somewhat corny video, the ring can also be used to make romantic connections in public places by taking advantage of the device’s NFC. The ring designed for male customers is made with titanium, while the female version is made of 18K rose gold. Its maker is looking to raise €39,000 (~$48,600). Backers who pledge €39 (~$49) will get a ring in a choice of black or white.

Unlike similar products such as the Arcus fitness ring, the Timer Smart Ring actually looks similar to a fairly standard metal ring.  That, and its reasonable price, will make it especially appealing to some male consumers who wouldn’t be caught dead wearing some of the other smart rings on the market that seem to be designed only for female users. But the device’s unmemorable, and even downright strange, name stands to make it a tough sell. An even bigger challenge, however, is its lack of iOS support.

 

 

 

Categories
Automotive

Visor Twin flips out to turn drivers, passengers into shady characters

There are days when the angle of the sun is just perfect for causing drivers the visual obstruction that can cause accidents. That’s when having a front and side visor such as Visor Twin can be a great travel benefit. Visor Twin clips to the car’s existing visor and can be positioned to swing to the front while the existing visor swings to the side. That particular feature really sets it apart from other products that just extend horizontally or vertically. It can be an extra sun visor for front and side coverage.

This is a nice idea as long as the concern is just diminishing the visual strain from the angle of the sun. Existing car visors are going to cause a partial visual blockage whether they are used with the windshield or to the side, because side usage blocks periphery and a portion of the side visual field. However, the product seems like it could be worth looking into further if designed well. This campaign seeks to raise $58,000 by January 10, 2015. Early bird backers get one product for $29, with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects Fitness

Loop is a pelvic exerciser that connects to your smartphone

Many women experience feeling flat out ugly when they are pregnant. It’s a relief in more than one way when that little one finally makes his or her way into the world. But what to do to get the body back in shape after all the stress that comes with pregnancy?

Not only are pelvic floor exercises beneficial before pregnancy, but also after the baby is born. But just like any other exercise, it can be hard to get moving. That’s where Loop comes in. Loop works using Bluetooth technology and an accompanying app. Using this app, exercise routines can be pre-programmed. In addition, you’ll receive visual feedback to ensure that you’re performing the exercise correctly as well as gaining the maximum benefit. Users can choose from personal training programs to more interactive routines that allow for competing with one’s own best score. The device reads muscle movements through pressure sensors, and translates those movements into helpful graphics and weekly progress reports. Loop is powered by a battery that lasts for up to a year, and the app indicates when it needs to be replaced. But alas, this product was really created for women only, functioning with her unique anatomy. Sorry guys.

This product will likely have the most appeal to exercise enthusiasts, and perhaps those who travel a lot and have to do their workouts on the road. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 by January 8, 2015. Early bird backers get one product for $99 with an expected delivery of June 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects Fashion

Dazln illuminating interactive fingernails nail a not-so-bright idea

Holiday attire can go one of two ways: either those dressing up do so elegantly, or they miss the mark completely. DazIn falls firmly in the latter category by being a chip containing cover for your nails that lights up when close to a device with NFC (near field communication). An embedded light blinks when close to your Android phone in an effort to add some holiday cheer to any situation, but all it will end up doing is provoke weird stares and questions for all the wrong reasons.

Although DazIn is waterproof, that does little to add to its desirability. The creators behind DazIn have priced a single nail at $10, but just don’t expect it to work with any model of the iPhone at all. Android phones with NFC are fair game, but it seems like an interesting design choice to not have it work with one of the most popular phones in the world. In any case, DazIn is looking for $10,000 to make this bizarre nail light show a reality. Backers can celebrate in time for Christmas with an estimated delivery date of December 2014.