Month: February 2015

Categories
Health and Wellness Wearables

Electrode-studded InBody Band quantifies the self

Every new fitness band released to the market tries to one up everything else by including something that would make it worthwhile for someone who is considering wearing one day in and day out. The InBody Band does just that by taking the familiar and adding four electrodes in order to measure the body’s composition. By doing so, a more complete picture of the body can be created to more accurately inform users of their needs.

The four electrodes work in tandem by measuring bioelectrical impedance, which is often used to measure the body’s water composition, from which fat and muscle content can be derived. Together with the ability to track heart rate, steps taken, and sleep, the InBody Band is able to create a very detailed picture of the body over a period of time. In addition, it can also create call and SMS notifications for added convenience.

The InBody Band is extremely versatile, and able to take cues from other products that measure body composition like the MyBiody Balance sensor in order to create a more powerful wearable system. Although the iOS/Android app is able to sync to a user’s contact list and compare stats with others, it unfortunately doesn’t interface with either of the platform’s health apps, leaving the wealth of information stuck within the app. The product’s lack of size options and interchangeable bands may turn others off, as well. The product does make an attempt at differentiation, but it may not be enough to make a splash.

The $159 InBody Band is estimated to ship in March of this year if the campaign reaches its goal of $50,000 by March 13.

Categories
Sensors/IoT

Gas-Sense monitors low gas levels, helps protect homes from the cold

Wintertime is tough for those who live in four-season climates. Trying to keep the house warm can mean constant attention to gas and oil levels. And when those run out, it’s up to the oil companies to get to the house ASAP during their busiest time of the year.

patent-claimed Gas-Sense is a solution to that problem. Oil companies use estimates for how much oil or gas a house has left in its supply. However, really cold days can throw that data off. Gas-Sense is a gas sensor for a home’s LPG (liquified petroleum gas). Using Bluetooth LE, the sensor tells the accompanying iOS/Android app how much gas is left. Not only that, but it gives a percentage of the gas left as well as a timeline for when it should be refilled. Gas-Sense runs on a battery that lasts up to two years.

While most oil companies do have a good grasp on gas levels, Gas-Sense is still a nifty product for homeowners who worry. The installation instructions are a little unclear, however. The campaign says to “just slap it on.” Still, backers who want to stay warm no matter what can donate £35 (~$54) for their own Gas-Sense for delivery in June of this year. This product is looking to raise £14,000 (~$21,500) on Kickstarter by March 12.

Categories
Personal Transportation

Reincarnate reimagines the skateboard as an asphalt snowboard

Born in the empty pools under the baking Californian sun, skateboards have taken up residence as one of the foremost symbols of American pop culture and can be seen everywhere. Things like this gain a hallowed status, and because of that, nothing about their design changes much, limiting other possibilities that involve a board and four wheels.

patent-claimedUnless, of course, you add two more wheels, which is exactly what the Reincarnate does. Two caster wheels underneath the board rotate 360º, allowing the board to act more like a snowboard on asphalt. Maneuvers like making full spins and laterally carving the streets give the act of skateboarding a completely new dimension. It achieves this by including a split truck design that lets riders lean both left and right while still having all six wheels on the ground, something a similar product, the Freebord, can’t do.

Reincarnate is a neat take on the timeless skateboard design, and one that should catch the attention skaters looking for a different experience. Those looking for something a bit more futuristic can look toward Marbel or OneWheel.

The $120,000 campaign is offering the split trucks for installation on an existing skateboard for $220, while a full Reincarnate board is available for $430. Backers can expect either in February of this year.

Categories
Music

Glow illuminates the beat of your favorite jams while you wear them

It’s amazing how easy it has become to have one’s favorite music available wherever one happens to be. Choice gadgets make it possible to have hundreds of songs available at the touch of a button, and Glow is offering an interesting way to add to one’s music experience.

The device’s laser light earbud wires can be synchronized to one’s favorite jams, or even one’s own heartbeat. It includes five buttons that allow the user to control their music through an Android or iOS app, as well as access apps such as Google Play, YouTube, and Spotify. The negative profile setting allows user to take a nap with their headphones on, and an in-ear design significantly reduces outside noise. The laser light earbud wires will certainly make for an interesting conversation starter when meeting new people. Music lovers might especially enjoy this product for its purportedly crisp sound.

This campaign seeks to raise $100,000 by March 13. For $149, backers get one set of earbuds with an expected delivery in July of this year.

Categories
Winter Sports

Scion sled brings childlike wonderment to adults

For kids, sledding is the ultimate winter activity. For adults, skiing and snowboarding rule, but no one ever forgets how fun sledding was.

Now, people can enjoy the speed and agility of snowboarding with the relaxation of sledding. Scion is a sled designed aerodynamically, making speed and steering possible. Coming in either white or black, the rider sides on the back and places their feet on the runner in the front. A cord attaches the rider to the sled so that it doesn’t skitter off down the hill in case of a crash. Scion is made with the luge style in mind. Hands are used on either side for balance, but steering is done by leaning the body either left or right.

Scion seems like lots of fun, but definitely a toy for adults rather than for kids. Safety is always a concern, but if riders stick to the bunny slopes they should be okay. One will cost backers a high donation of $449 for delivery in July of this year. Scion is looking to raise $40,000 in funding on Kickstarter by March 11.

Categories
Cycling

Night Shift bike lights are simplicity wrapped in attitude

No matter the terrain, a well-lit bike ride is a safe one. But with a plethora of options that are functionally suitable for the job, picking one is less about what it can do and more about how it looks.

As such, the rally-styled Night Shift bike light by GRIT makes the choice easy. The product is a combination of a high-powered tactical flashlight wrapped in a bomber-style silicone holder, making it both rugged enough to withstand all sorts of abuse, while being modular enough to always have choice in what lights to use. Because of this, riders can switch out batteries or entire lights on the fly, and aren’t limited to one charge as with other products like Double O. The 200 lumen Fire Road model goes for $28, and the 700 lumen model goes for $58, although it’s possible to only buy the silicone housing for $14.

The product’s modularity, simple styling, and color selection instantly make this something to look out for, and marks a break from increasingly smart bike lights like the Augur Wolf. It’s simplicity affords it a lot of versatility, something that will appeal to many.

The $8,000 campaign is ready for mass production, with an expected delivery date of April of this year, but only if it raises the money by the time the campaign ends on March 8.

Categories
Health and Wellness

Headoc offers alternative treatment for headaches, migraines, mood

The pain from a headache, and especially a migraine, can make it impossible to function. The frustration of having one’s day interrupted brings additional stress and sometimes anxiety. Headoc was created to bring some relief during these times.

The gadget includes three types of therapy, one of which is Red Light Phototherapy. This option is touted as being able to heal wounds faster and accelerate skin regeneration. The second is negative ions, which purportedly improve physical and mental health by relieving headaches, as well as influencing mood and improving memory. Thirdly, vibration-massage therapy brings pain relief and reduces muscle contraction, reducing stress, fatigue and anxiety.

Headoc works on an internal battery and can be charged with a USB charger or external charger. It seems like a potentially effective alternative way to deal with headaches, migraines and mood issues. Other interesting options that backers might like to check out are the Sleep Sensei and the Body Echo.  Where fevers come in, IDo and iTherm might also help.

This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 by March 10. Early bird backers get 100 Headocs for $50, with an expected delivery in July of this year.

Categories
Organization Travel

McChi Luggage offers convenience for those on the go, makes airports more bearable

It’s been said that it’s not about the journey, but the destination. Well, most seasoned travelers would have to disagree. Actually trying to get somewhere, especially when air travel is involved, can be a huge pain.

McChi Luggage is a way for travelers to experience a bit more convenience than the airport has to offer. These bags not only hold stuff, but also convert into tabletops. This is especially useful, since airports always seem to lack flat surfaces to put stuff down on. McChi also features its very own USB charging station, perfect for phones and tablets. The luggage is made from either black or silver aluminum, and features two different table heights.

The creators of this luggage line, also the makers of the McChi Lock, have thought of two very important conveniences for travelers: tabletops and chargers. Both will surely make long trips much easier. This product is especially useful for sales or businesspeople who must remain organized in order to appear professional. Hopefully, the bags aren’t too heavy for travelers.

One will cost backers $240 for the carry-on model, and $260 for the mid-size model, with an expected delivery in July of this year. McChi hopes to raise $15,000 on Kickstarter by March 9.

Categories
Connected Objects Food and Beverage

Tlinkle connected tumblers keep couples connected

Technology has the bad reputation of being anti-social, and it isn’t hard to see why. With the way the devices available on the marketplace dominate the attention span, most agree on the negative effects it can have on relationships and behavior. In response the growing trend of humanizing technology is springing up, offering products that aim to connect, rather than disconnect, those who choose to use it.

The Tlinkle is a prime example of this sort of technology. The product is a Bluetooth-enabled tumbler that lights up when another designated Tlinkle is used. By leveraging a touch sensor below the tumbler’s frame, the embedded LED lights up with the corresponding color of who’s drinking from it. The Tlinkle is ideal for couples, but also shines between friends or within a family, all in the name of letting loved ones know you’re thinking about them.

Although the product is well intentioned, the amount of sips taken throughout the day will quickly make each moment of lit-up refreshment lose their importance. The companion app aims to alleviate that with community features, but even those seem half baked. Something like Smartstones is a bit more ambitious, and because of that ultimately more exciting.

A Tlinkle is awarded for $70, and is expected to ship in October of this year, given a successful $40,000 campaign.

Categories
Cooking

Bakebare lets you handle what’s hot as though it’s not

It seems like the oven mitt always finds a place to hide when it comes time to pull that delectable dish or desert out of the oven. Bakebare offers a whole new line of baking dishes and pans that can be handled without an oven mitt—straight out of the oven.

Cookies, cakes and other delights get placed on the cookie sheet or in the baking pan as usual, and then when they are finished baking, there is a designated area that remains cool to touch. The reason the designated area is touted as being able to stay cool, in a nutshell, is due to the use of a natural honeycomb porous geometry feature and thermal protective coating that work together to dissipate the heat. This keeps the designated area at roughly 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Seems like an interesting product worth checking into further.

This campaign seeks to raise $60,000 by March 10. Early bird backers get one product for $29 with an expected delivery in July of this year.