Month: June 2015

Categories
Imaging

Lumigraphe introduces the camera obscura to the smartphone

The camera obscura was an optical device invented thousands of years ago that eventually led to the creation of the film camera. While many photographers still prefer film cameras to the digital cameras that have replaced them, there’s also a contingent of photography fans out there who like the distinctive look of images created by the camera obscura, including its unique color saturation and soft, dream-like focus.

patent-claimedThe Lumigraphe is an updated version of the camera obscura that was designed to be used with smartphones. The accordion-like device looks very much like early film cameras and creates images that look very much like those created by a camera obscura. The Lumigraphe was designed for outdoor use specifically. The user just has to open the device’s chamber and attach a smartphone to it to take photos. A pared-down, non-collapsible version will cost about $99, while the full-featured, collapsible version will cost about $219. Both will ship in December. The Lumigraphe’s maker is hoping to raise $49,276 through Kickstarter by July 6.

The device offers an imaginative way to use a smartphone’s camera that will likely appeal to a small segment of photography fans.

 

Categories
Tools

The SCURVO credit card tool packs an ax in your slacks

Sure, there are reality shows based on people prepping for the end of days, but most people just want to prep for every day.

The SURVCO credit card ax is forged from stainless steel and has 21 uses. It’s heftier than typical card-style multitools, but still fits easily into a wallet. As the name suggests, it transforms into an ax for tree hacking or door busting, although it does need to be secured to a handle. Campers or hikers are likely to have such items around, but things may be a bit less convenient for the typical urban serial killer. Options include a serrated blade, a seatbelt cutter, a bottle opener, and an arrowhead.  Each card costs $25, and the developer hopes to raise $6,500 by June 19, 2015, with delivery expected August 2015.

Thicker and sturdier than other similar models, this tool could definitely be great for outdoorsy types. It doesn’t seem as practical for city dwellers, and it’s absolutely not TSA approved.

Categories
Imaging

C-Box could be must-have device for indie filmmakers

There are several video cameras reaching the market now that independent filmmakers can use to make movies, including the URSA Ultra HD line from Blackmagic. But the cameras require the use of CompactFast (CFast) memory cards, a variation of CompactFlash cards, to achieve their maximum potential, and CFast cards are, for now, too expensive for at least some independent filmmakers to afford them.

patent-claimedThe C-Box is a plug-and-play device designed to solve that dilemma. It can be used with URSA cameras and other video cameras that use CFast cards to allow filmmakers to use whatever solid state drive (SSD) they want to instead of the CFast cards. C-Box will cost $500 when it ships in September. Its maker is hoping to raise $15,000 by June 10.

The C-Box system could be a must-have accessory for at least some independent filmmakers as long as it truly does exactly what its maker says it does. Most professional-grade external recorders will only handle up to 4K resolution footage, with a limited number of frame rate options. Some recorders even require the purchase of proprietary SSDs. But the C-Box system can record all of the frame rate and resolution options that the user’s camera offers for internal cards, directly to external, non-proprietary SSDs, its maker says.

Categories
Kids/Babies Maker/Development Toys

MakerBloks snaps a fun STEM introduction together for kids

In the United States, introducing STEM topics to kids has faced many challenges in part because the way its done isn’t engaging enough. No one ever said these topics have to be boring, though.

MakerBloks answers the call with electronic components wrapped in bright, colorful casing that easily snap together to make electronic circuits. With the help of a companion tablet app featuring teaching aids and games, children can create a variety of projects like keyboards, burglar alarms, and memory games. Real electronic symbols are used on each block to familiarize children early on so that electronic schematics won’t prove to be a challenge later on. A full kit of 36 MakerBloks and an iPad stand goes for $159, with a ship date slated for November 2015. The campaign is hoping to raise $20,652 by June 16th, 2015.

MakerBloks’ presentation and connection with gaming combine offline and online worlds in a meaningful way, no doubt drawing kids in and keeping them hooked while facilitating a great learning experience at the same time. Keen-eyed readers will see some similarities between MakerBloks and littleBits, another block-based electronics system that is a great step up for the children who master sets like MakerBloks and are seeking more challenging interactions.

Categories
Podcasts

Backerjack Podcast #18: Smarter Water and Hear Factors

We’re back! In Episode 18 of the Backerjack Podcast, Steve and Ross check out some of the latest products seeking funds and preorders:

  • HidrateMe and Trago, two smart water bottles that can personalize their hydration advice.
  • Here, an unprecedented wireless audio tuning device for the real world that allows you to adjust settings such as volume and tone — helpful for when you’re not all about the bass.

Notes: In the podcast, Ross tried to remember the name of the Backerjack feature that pitted similar campaigns head-to-head. It was The Back-Off.

Download  the episode or listen below, subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and follow Backerjack on Twitter and Facebook. Also check out Steve’s great work on Apple World Today!

Categories
Connected Objects Nutrition/Hydration

Trago tops off your water bottle with ultrasound smarts

Water water everywhere nor but a drop to drink is an unenviable situation as the ancient mariner learned. Fortunately, many of us have much easier access to hydration, often in a vessel toted around to enable adequate hydration. Bot it can be tricky to know what makes for adequate water intake.

Trago claims to kn0w. Billed as the world’s first smart water bottle (bottle lid really), it screws on to wide-mouth containers from the likes of Nalgene and Camelbak. Once so positioned, it uses ultrasound to gauge how much water is left in the bottle and communicates with an app to urge you to give your body that which plants crave.

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Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Technology

Light Phone sees the light of a voice-centric credit card-thin cell phone

Many people have become overly reliant on their cell phones, but when they need to make an urgent phone call the device’s battery is often too weak to do that. This is especially the case with smartphones, which quickly eat up battery life.

The Light Phone is a simple, inexpensive credit card-sized cellphone that is lightweight and was designed just to make phone calls. The pre-paid GSM phone works independent of the carrier that the user has a service plan with. That makes it a good device to use as a backup cellphone. Light Phone costs $100 and will ship in May 2016. Its maker is fielding white and black versions of the phone and set a Kickstarter goal of raising $200,000 by June 27.

Light Phone isn’t exactly original. There have been easy-to-use, credit card-sized backup cellphones before that were just designed for making phone calls, including the Talkase. Light Phone’s stripped-down look and features may still be appealing for many customers. Other benefits include its SIM card and an app that can be used in conjunction with the user’s primary cellphone. It also comes with 500 prepaid minutes.

Categories
Smart Home

Keep your eyes on incoming peeps with the Peeple connected peephole

There was actually a time when the common peephole didn’t exist, forcing people to have to open their doors to see who was there. Thankfully, this isn’t the case anymore. However, in the age of the Internet of Things, its due for an obvious upgrade.

The ubiquity of the smartphone has made products like Peeple possible, a rechargeable attachment that connects to a peephole to provide caller ID for a home. It does this by sending notifications to an iOS or Android device whenever someone knocks or opens the door. At that point, a user can open the companion Peeple app to virtually look through the peephole to verify the arrival of a friend, mailman, or that cable guy that’s always late. $149 gets those intrigued a Peeple of their own by May 2016. The campaign is looking to raise $50,000 by June 26th, 2015.

While Peeple is a low-key, easy-to-install version of what could be confused with a connected doorbell, it lacks all of the features that make a connected door device worthwhile. Not being able to open the door remotely nor use video chatting capabilities to speak with those at the door are clear misses, even if there are a range of accessories in the pipeline to expand its functionality. Similar products that hit the mark are those like Chui as well as a a number of doorbells with integrated cameras.

Categories
Wearables

Here earbuds let you tune how you hear the world

In the beginning there was the volume control, and it was good — so good in fact that it launched an infinite number of ways to tune and distort audio. But there was always a catch. The audio had to be playing through some kind of device, whether it be a transistor radio, CD player or iPhone.

But now, for the first time, people will be able to apply some of the same adjustments they’ve made to recorded audio to real-life audio via Here Active Listening earbuds. Somewhat of an equalizer for the real world, the Heres use a digital signal processor to allow you to not only tune people out, but change their bass and treble settings as well as a host of other options. The app comes equipped with a number of settings to take into account prolonged aural unpleasantness such as a baby crying or a being in a plane.

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Categories
Connected Objects Nutrition/Hydration

HidrateMe smart water bottle glows when you need more hydration

Water is essential to life, but it can sometimes be difficult to keep track of how much you’ve had, how much you need, and when to drink more.

The HidrateMe bottle uses a sensor and Bluetooth to communicate with a smartphone app about how much water to drink and when to drink it. The company’s CEO, identified as Nadya, explains that the team put together the initial Arduino prototype in less than three days. The product has come a long way since then, though, and now includes a refined sculptured look as well as a ripple near the spout.

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