Month: May 2015

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

EVOL sees no evil in creating a modular phone case

They may be called smartphones, but — unlike we humans — they can’t really improve based on what they’ve learned. The capabilities they’re born with are the capabilities with which they’re discarded, at least when it comes to their hardware.

That said, the iPhone may soon be able to tap into a range of performance-enhancing modules thanks to the design of EVOL, a case that can accommodate up to four rectangular add-ons. This resulting design looks somewhat like a metallic Hershey bar. EVOL modules include the expected battery and flash memory as well as a more powerful camera flash and some specialty lens modules such as fisheye and wide-angle. EVOL touts its slim form factor and integrated charging with the iPhone. As such, it’s come out with a dock that can charge both the modules an phones as well as the Apple Watch. Money is the root of all EVOL. The company seeks $50,000 by June 23rd,  A standard bundle available in black or white is $69 with an expected delivery of July.

As the world waits for the likes of Project Ara, crowdfunding campaigns are attempting to bring the benefits of the modular phone to existing popular models. EVOL is notable for its relatively slim profile that attempts to preserve the iPhone’s form factor even with modules attached. However, as with Nexpaq, it faces many obstacles in trying to build out a third-party selection of modules.

 

Categories
Imaging Smart Home

Remocam looks over a human family, controls its own device family

Once upon a time, the idea of a camera ready to capture anything in a home would have sounded like something out of 1984, But the past few years have seen no shortage of connected indoor security cameras that allow for surveillance of those unwelcome in a home or ways to check up on those who are welcome.

Remocam looks a bit like a levitating black golf ball. It includes night vision capabilities, takes a unique approach to the security cam market, going beyond watching to doing. Some of this is handled by the camera itself, which includes a speaker for, say, singing your baby to sleep remotely  But to take full advantage of the system, users will need to buy in to the company’s eclectic collection of smart home gadgets that include mainstream outlet adapters and bulbs, but also an automatic pet feeder called RemoPet. The latter is at least aggressively priced. The company seeks $50,000 in its Indiegogo Flexible Funding campaign. The basic Remocam is $199, a $50 discount off the expected retail price.

Remocam represents a middle ground between simple cameras and cameras loaded with home security sensors such as the Oomi Hub. That system also works with its own family of devices, but can also tap in to any Z-Wave device. Both systems have a great opportunity to take advantage of a larger family of devices in the connected home.

Categories
Food and Beverage

Nano Heated Wireless Mug keeps it hotter for longer

No morning is complete without a cup of hot coffee. The big challenge is always figuring out how to keep that coffee hot all throughout the morning.

patent-claimedThe Nano Heated Wireless Mug provides just such a service. Using a charge, it keeps coffee hot for 45 minutes. The technology Nano uses allows for the coffee (or tea) to be heated evenly. In addition, the battery remains good for seven refills. To charge, one can use any standard USB cord. This thermos also features a handle, snap lid, light weight, and food grade plastic so it’s safe for consumption.

There are many wireless heating mugs around, but most focus on actually brewing coffee on the go, like the Hey Joe Coffee Mug. Nano is more versatile in a way because it works with whatever beverage the user craves at the time, including tea. One will cost backers a donation of $39 for delivery in August 2015. Nano is looking for a funding goal of $40,000 with the help of Kickstarter.

Categories
Connected Objects Pets

Take your dog on a walk with the CARLOS smart leash to see how the other side lives

Nothing escapes the inevitable fusion of the mundane with Bluetooth technology. It’s in everything from wallets to car diagnostic boards, giving smartphone owners far greater control over things that previously were beyond their wireless reach.

CARLOS tends this trend in a much furrier direction, combining smart design with wireless capabilities to transform the dog walk into a truly 21st century activity. The sleekly designed smart leash with a host of built in characteristics setting it apart from the norm.

Physically, the handle of the leash houses various implements that make any walk easier and safer, things like a night light, bag holder, treat compartment, and an ultrasound insect repellent. Users can even charge their phone with the USB port present at its base, so dog lovers can give their phones one last bit of energy before the day starts.

Continue reading “Take your dog on a walk with the CARLOS smart leash to see how the other side lives”
Categories
Arts Tablet Accessories

Sketchmi lets younguns sketch whatever on their tablets

Many artists have switched over to the tech side of things to become graphic designers. They use software and computers to make art. Still, many would prefer to have the convenience of technology, while still using good old fashioned pen and paper.

Sketchmi brings these two worlds together. This product is essentially a tablet case that’s most compatible with the iPad mini, iPad 2 and iPad 3, though it may still work with other models. To use, simply place on the tablet like a case. Add a sheet of paper over the screen to use for tracing a cool picture found on the Internet or from a personal photo library.

Continue reading “Sketchmi lets younguns sketch whatever on their tablets”

Categories
Connected Objects Cycling

SmartPedal adds smartphone-controlled turn signals, GPS tracking to your bike

One of the most hazardous parts of riding a bicycle on the same roads as car traffic is that vehicles can’t usually tell when the cyclist is planning to make a turn.

SmartPedal is a pedal featuring smartphone-controlled turn signaling that can be added to most bicycles. The pedals are connected to Android and iOS phones via Bluetooth. Once installed, users can inform surrounding traffic of their intent to make a turn via voice command or touch gesture that activates a blinking light sequence. A pair of SmartPedals cost 178 euros (~$200) and will ship in March-June 2016, with retail distribution expected to follow in July. Its maker is hoping to raise 260,000 euros (~$291,800) by July 4.

There are other smart pedals for bikes, including Connected Cycle Pedals. But SmartPedals’ safety focus sets it apart. Despite the focus on safety while riding in urban traffic, it has GPS tracking inside the application, which will allow users to track their positions/routes via smartphones. Its maker is also expecting to add a GPS sensor inside the SmartPedal itself to allow the user to track the position of the bike while the SmartPedals are on it, which would enable it to also function as an anti-theft device.

 

Categories
Sleep

Sleep Sensei lulls you to sleep with fun lights, calm breathing patterns

Many people have trouble sleeping. There are few natural options out there that can help. Lack of sleep can disrupt daytime life immensely and is extremely unhealthy.

Using lights, Sleep Sensei can help restless people fall asleep. This small device about the size of two alarm clocks sits on the bedside table. It uses soft, red lights to mimic breathing patterns. When you first crawl into bed, the lights are fast, getting brighter when you inhale and dimmer when you exhale. As you doze off, the lights become slower to slow down breath, which is what causes sleep to happen. The device pivots to different angles and features a knob that lets the user adjust brightness and speed of the lights.

While this product has a sensible purpose behind it, it seems like a lot of clutter compared to taking a couple of Unisom tablets. And the design leaves some room for improvement, slightly resembling some kind of mini Medieval catapult. Backers will need to donate $40 for an assembled Sleep Sensei with estimated delivery in September 2015. This product is hoping to raise $2,500 with the help of Kickstarter.

Categories
Food and Beverage

Fizzics makes beers fizzier, can go anywhere beer can

Store-bought beer is just fine, most of the time. But sometimes one just craves the delicious tap taste of beer at a bar.

Fizzics allows beer drinkers to take any store bought beer can, bottle or growler and run it through a tap. It’s lightweight and portable, resembling a Keurig machine. To use, stick the bottle or can into the holder. Insert a tube inside and close the lid. Then place a glass below the spigot and pull the tap handle for enhanced beer. Fizzics is designed to create the perfect foam head. It runs on standard AA batteries so it can be used anywhere including the beach or on a boat.

This may be just the thing for beer connoisseurs. Many other beer makers at home, like the Synek, need to be filled at the local pub. It’s definitely appealing that Fizzics works with any beer. One will cost backers a donation of $119. Fizzics is looking for $50,000 of funding on Indiegogo.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

CoBattery iPhone case replaces conventional charging with swappable batteries

The main problem with iPhones and other smartphones continues to be how quickly their battery power gets drained after each full charge.

CoBattery is an iPhone case that addresses the problem by replacing conventional charging with swappable batteries. The light case comes with two batteries and a charging dock. One battery stays in the case, keeping the iPhone charged, while the other battery stays in the charging dock. When users come home after several hours away, they just need to swap the used battery with the one in the dock, providing them with a fully charged smartphone in seconds. Each CoBattery will ship in December with a case, two batteries and a charging dock at $75. Its maker is hoping to raise $60,000 by June 4.

The benefits of swappable batteries continue to be debated. Samsung left them behind in its latest phones while LG embraced them. There are already many iPhone charging cases, including the Charge Case. But CoBattery should be competitive thanks to its swappable battery concept. Each of its batteries offers 2.5 times more battery life than a regular iPhone, according to its Kickstarter campaign. Negatives include the lack of iPhone 5c and 6+ support, but CoBattery’s maker intends to support more iPhone models in the future, in addition to Android and possibly other operating systems.

 

Categories
Connected Objects Smart Home

GATE connected mailbox makes postal mail notifications just as annoying as e-mail notifications

Even though mailboxes have been around for at least a century, they haven’t changed all that much. They’re still physical boxes, they hold mail, and they don’t do much else. In a world where everything is digital and integrated with the Internet of Things, that simply isn’t enough when such important information is routinely mailed everyday.

GATE smartens up the humble mailbox by adding a Wi-Fi or zWave connected home unit and solar-powered mailbox sensor to the mix. With this done, a sensor-equipped mailbox can send an alert to the home unit whenever it is opened, notifying home owners with a blinking light at a range of 500ft. SMS, email, and Twitter notifications can also be sent out as well so that no matter where someone is, they can stay informed through their iOS or Android device. If mail theft is a big problem in the neighborhood, multiple GATEs can connect to share information about the occurrences. Each GATE goes for $249, with an expected ship date of December 2015. Its campaign is looking for $10,000, and ends June 20th, 2015.

GATE sits opposite the bare-bones Postifier, an Arduino-based mailbox solution that sports a low price but a lack of functionality. As such, there is no contest: GATE pushes the bar up on what a connected mailbox should be, truly bringing it into the 21st century — for a premium.