Month: January 2015

Categories
Health and Wellness

Cirkul Bottle filters water, mixes drinks to personalized taste

It’s true that variety is the spice of life. Especially where water bottles and beverages are concerned. Cirkul caters to both with its filter and flavor bottle system, as well as a water and filter reservoir for those times with just some fresh water is preferred. Flavor cartridges allow users to choose nearly any desired flavor and get the perfect mix according to personal taste each time. It’s also possible to start off with one flavor and finish with a completely different flavor.

There is not a clear indication as to how frequently the filter needs to be replaced in order for water to remain pure. It is hardly the first of its kind, though. Interested backers might want to check out the Square water bottle, which has a mechanism allowing for fresh fruit to be used for a natural fruit drink, in addition to filtering water. Other interesting water bottle campaigns include Aqualight and Trimr. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000. Early bird backers get one product for $23 with an expected delivery of May 2015.

Categories
Wearables

Fineck Bluetooth wearable strangles stubborn neck pain

One take away from the wearable craze is that people are willing to put some sort of sensor or module pretty much anywhere on their body, provided it relays important information. There’s a wearable for almost every part of the body: earrings, bracelets, ankle bracelets and rings are some of the most popular options that track a variety of vitals like heart rate and sleep. One part of the body hasn’t gotten any love, and that’s the neck: the source of some of the most common, persistent occupational pain most experience day in and day out.

In this modern age, the team behind the Fineck doesn’t believe anyone has to go through their day suffering at all. Their titanium wearable is one of the first neck-focused devices, and comes in the form of a sleek rubber band outfitted with a Bluetooth LE sensor that recognizes neck posture over time. The companion app then relays the analyzed data back to an iOS device to gently remind users of their posture, suggest mini-exercises, or prompt users to play interactive games with the neck as the controller, all in the name of alleviating stubborn neck pain. Early birds can grab a Fineck necklace for $69 before it shoots up to $89, with an expected ship date of April 2015. The campaign is looking for $20,000 in funding.

The Fineck’s choice of placement is certainly novel, but the rest of it isn’t. The neck doesn’t require as much special attention as the product will lead most to believe. Maintaining proper posture is key, and giving it a nice stretch or two over the span of the day will be more than enough. A completely separate device isn’t necessary, and replicates features the more subdued Lumo Lift already boast. Should the Fineck evolve in its capabilities, it may merit a second look.

Categories
Technology

Ubotia PiPanther moddable tank seeks and destroys

Nowadays, our fellow aerial-based drones are busy getting all the limelight. This leaves all the land-based devices like the Ubotia PiPanther out in the cold. Many aerial drones focus on videography and trying to look cool as possible, but after the video is done, where’s the fun?

The PiPanther is essentially a Raspberry Pi on tracks, and comes equipped with Wi-Fi functionality along with an HD camera to facilitate shooting games with its companion Ubotia app and other PiPanthers. The device is also moddable as well, so additions like LEDs can be added if a night game is preferred. Both iOS and Android users can both remotely control the PiPanther, and an open API will ensure users won’t get bored too easily. Pair it with something like Droidles to create interesting scenarios. The €99 (~$120) product and is expected to ship in April 2015 with a successful campaign of €5,000 (~$6,069).

Categories
Cycling

iPump Twist pumps up tires; keeps cyclists rolling

There’s little that’s more disappointing for cyclists than to arrive at their favorite spot for biking and then finding that their tires are low and really need more air.

iPump Twist is a portable carbon fiber air pump designed to keep cycling enthusiasts rolling. To use, start by pulling out the flexible hose, then grasp the handle, twist, and pump air into the tire using the palm of the hand. It can pump up to 120 psi and is durable and shock resistant. The product also offers a convenient storage case to add to the ease of having it available during riding.

While the iPump Twist seems very similar to other tire pumps, it weighs only 25 grams, making it highly portable and a good tool to have on long trips. Other useful tools that cyclists might appreciate knowing about include My Task, 8rlicht and Funnell. Those who’d like to try their hand at building their own bike might find the Bamboobee campaign interesting. This product seeks to raise $10,000. Early bird backers get one iPump Twist for $80 with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects

Give your plants a voice with the Daisy app and sensor

It’s said that talking to plants will help them grow both faster and stronger, but what most gardeners would actually enjoy more than talking to their plants is having their plants talk to them. Unless someone is an expert, the process of caring for all types of different plants would be made so much easier if each said exactly what they needed at all times.

Although the Daisy sensor and app doesn’t actually give your plants a voice per se, it does the next best thing. By sticking the sensor into the plant’s soil, the combination temperature, light, and water sensor uses Bluetooth LE to send pertinent alerts to a user’s smartphone whenever a plant needs water or is generally stressed.

The app also catalogs all of the greenery in a user’s collection, providing technical information through easily accessibly wiki pages and allowing personalization with customizable names and pictures. The Daisy PRO is available for those with larger plants and trees in their care, and retails for $69. For everyone else, two standard Daisy sensors goes for $34 with an expected delivery in June 2015. The campaign is looking for $50,000.

The Daisy is an engaging way to interact with the responsibilities placed on gardeners or just average people taking care of some green in their home or apartment. While other products like the Daisy.si actually waters the plants itself, the Daisy app actually provides users with valuable information which may prove to be more beneficial in the long run.

Categories
Tech Accessories

KaVii makes tablets and smartphones stick around

Ideas for smartphone and tablet mounts seem to be flooding the market like a garden at harvest time. The question is, which ones will weather the storm of consumer fickleness and stick around for a while?

One product that seems to have the stickiness factor going for it, quite literally, is KaVii. The adhesive gel tablet can secure a smartphone or tablet to nearly any flat surface. And if one happens to be in a warm environment, KaVii won’t melt or leave sticky residue. So those who like to karaoke with their smartphone in the shower or camp in the bathtub and watch a good movie can enjoy themselves at everyone else’s annoyance. The product can be cleaned easily with hot or cold water and left to air dry.

KaVii might not be the best option in the car during the winter months since it isn’t especially effective when the temperature gets below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. But the summer months likely won’t be a problem since it will function up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000. For $9, backers get four pieces of KaVii with an expected delivery of January 2015.

Categories
Health and Wellness Wearables

V1bes sensor ring diagnoses stress via heart rate, brainwaves

The monkey on our all our backs all the time is the one known as stress, but despite its ubiquity, most people don’t know much about what in their own lives causes it. Stress is a contributing factor in not only the sicknesses we contract but in our general psychological well being as well. Many would agree how incredibly important it is to be kept informed about the stress levels experienced day in and day out.

The V1bes sensor ring is another wearable piece of technology that also tracks heart rate, but for a good reason. Along with heart rate, it tracks brainwaves with its ability to perform an EEG, and the surrounding electro-magnetic pollution to produce personalized reports available through the companion iOS or Android app. These reports clue users in to what’s going on and offer suggestions as to how to reduce the stress currently being experienced.

One time tested approach to reducing stress is a bit of fun. To that effect, V1bes also offers enjoyable little distractions that can be facilitated with the ring. From analyzing electric activity in your muscles to “tell how strong someone is” to creating abstract looking bio-profiles from data gathered, the product can let its hair down as well. The campaign is looking for $25,000 to get the $199 product out to backers by September 2015.

The V1bes’ form factor hurts its versatility as it cannot be worn everywhere like the much more attractive Olive wristband. What it does is admirable, but there are too many moving parts and isn’t as polished something like an Olive. Look out for further iterations if you’re really interested.

Categories
Music

Badger Brown Tone Bar offers steel lap players multi-genre freedom

Getting just the right sound on a guitar when playing country music means having the right tone bar. And many country music lovers who play a lap steel string guitar have multiple tone bars so that they can get just the right sound for every song. But carrying around multiple tone bars is pretty inconvenient, and it’s a hassle when it’s time to jam or do a live concert.

The Badger Brown Tone Bar lets country musicians get the sound they need all in one tone bar. The gadget has a rounded tip on one end for those Hawaiian, and jazz numbers, as well as a fluted tip dobro on the other end for bluegrass, blues and edgier rock styles. The comfort fit is one-size-fits all, but those who have shorter fingers may want to ask a few questions to make certain it will be a good fit. Musician backers may also want to check out Kiln, bnd stand, and SoulPedal. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000. Backers get Badger Brown Tone Bar for $35 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects

Duo Bluetooth speaker splits apart to produce true stereo output

This is truly the age of the Bluetooth speaker. They come in every shape, size, color, and price point, from the extremely small and portable to the huge formidable types intended to replace your actual stereo. One of their most glaring problems, though, especially in the larger ones, is their lack of true stereo sound. With the vast majority of Bluetooth speakers comprised of just a single speaker, the ability to create that room-filling sound is compromised for convenience.

The team behind the Duo Speakers gives you the best of both worlds. The product’s looks are deceiving: although it is packaged as a single Bluetooth speaker, its magnetic connection can be loosened to free both halves. This results in two Bluetooth speakers connected to a single device such as a smartphone that provide a more mature sound. Bluetooth 4.0 allows the speakers t0 be placed up to 32 feet apart and can work for up to seven hours on a single charge, making them mighty versatile. The campaign is looking for $17,500 to get the $75 speakers delivered by March 2015.

The Duo Speakers seem to be a well-crafted device, and pretty attractive to boot. Being that it boasts 3W Hi-Fi speakers, it should pump out some quality sound as well. It’s small form factor makes it multi-functional too, as opposed to other solutions that use existing speakers to spread sound around or a single speaker to omni-directionally fill the room and, as a result, are stuck in the home.

Categories
Home

ClickClix protects socks from those strange washing machine disappearances

The question of what happens to socks while they are in the washing machine so that pairs often come out single is one of the stranger phenomenon that came with that invention. It’s enough to leave a person wondering if there is some sort of mini Bermuda vortex, or maybe even microbial creatures that hide in the washer water supply and eat the socks.

The creator of ClickClix noticed this mysterious disappearance, too. The product consists of a total of four pieces: two rings and two buttons. To attach them to socks or other clothing items, the user lines up the ring and button on each side of the fabric and presses until they click together. No sewing or gluing is required. There is also an applicator that can be purchased separately if backers prefer.

ClickClix comes in regular and large so that it works with various thin and thick fabrics. Backers interested in keeping their socks together may also want to check out the Sock Slide. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000. For $5, backers get three sets of ClickClix with an expected delivery of February 2015.