Ever notice how so many iPad cases aren’t nearly as functional and cool as the iPad itself? Presenting the DuCase, an iPad case with a hinge providing 270 degrees of rotation so that a perfect angle is possible for every activity. Most iPad cases only provide two or three angling options, so the This allows it to be used in a range of pictured scenarios such as hanging off the foot of a bed.. The DuCase works with iPad versions 2, 3, 4, Air, and Mini. Pricing is a bit higher than other premium cases at $50 and a DuCase with genuine leather costs $65. Upon reaching a funding goal of $50,000, the DuCase will be available to backers in June 2014.
Author: Julia Herrick
The Premise. People use their smart phones all day and everyday because they’re convenient. They become inconvenient when the battery dies or when the memory becomes full. Because of this, it is necessary to keep USB cables and even memory cards close at hand to avoid losing important information.
The Product. ComboZip is a bracelet with a built-in USB charger cable and microUSB cable for Android phones. The USB cable has a microSD card inside of it that allows for OTG file transfers on the Android. The bracelet looks like a giant zipper and comes in five vibrant colors: black, blue, pink, yellow and white. But the benefits of the zipper literally extends beyond aesthetics or wearable utility, enabling the cable to join source and target up 40 cm apart. The exterior of the bracelet is made with plastic silicone for a durable, splash-proof product.
The Pitch. ComboZip’s campaign kicks off with a straightforward video of the creator, Gary Lap Kei Tao, talking about what ComboZip is and how to use it. He states several times how fun and fashionable his product is,. but that probably applies only to pre-teens. The rest of the campaign shows the prototyping process, the several different ways to wear ComboZip and the materials used to create the battery-bridging bangle. Gary and his two partners (pictured in unenthusiastic photos) seek a relatively low £2,000 after canceling a first campaign attempt seeking thrice that amount.
The Perks. For £8, early-bird backers will receive a ComboZip that has only charge/sync functions. For £10, early-bird backers get the ComboZip that has OTG file transfer capabilities. Later backers pay a little more for each version; £10 for the charge/sync ComboZip and £12 for the OTG ComboZip. Estimated delivery is currently set at April 2014.
The Potential. ComboZip makes sense for students and businesspeople who run around all the time with their phones and laptops. Sometimes, it is entirely necessary to recharge or back up important files throughout the day. ComboZip provides a way to carry around a charging/memory cable without it getting all tangled up. As a fashion statement, it’s doubtful that many will want to actually wear ComboZip because it’s a bit clunky and gaudy, though the campaign states it can easily be kept in a bag or clipped onto a backpack. Indeed, it faces plenty of competition from other compact cables such as the most stylish popcord, versatile Torso or jigsaw puzzle piece-like LifeLink as well as many commodity retractables. Younger users into colorful plastic bing may not appreciate ComboZip’s OTG file transfer feature and card reading capability, but its place on a wrist should make it worthy of a Snapchat photo from the mall food court.
The Premise. Family outings into the great wilderness always require a few items. Food, drinks, towels for the beach, camping gear for the woods and chairs are all essential for a trip into the great outdoors. All of this gear can be tedious for the lazy everyday average Joe to carry back and forth from the car.
The Product. The Gypsy Mule Wagon consists of one or two folding chairs that transform into a heavy-duty wagon. The chairs that recline and have adjustable heights look like something perfect for the beach. The striped fabric comes in different colors as does the metal frame. The wheels and handle attachments must be assembled to the chair in order to transform it into a wagon. Additional accessories include backpack straps to carry the chairs with and cargo netting to make transferring items easier.
The Pitch. The Gypsy Mule Wagon’s Kickstarter campaign begins with a rambling video of company president Robert Tyson putting the wagon together and showing how it’s just as easy as 1-2-3… 4-5-6-7-8 and all the way to 20 because that’s how many steps it takes to put the thing together. The campaign also shows how the Gypsy Mule Wagon is made, what it is made out of and the difference between the Single- and Dual-Chair wagons. Rob and the folks at Gypsy Ventures Inc. hope to raise $130,000 in order to shlep their wagons into the production process. More instructions for assembly, different fabric choices and other information can be found at the company’s Web site.
The Perks. You’ll have to pay a significant duty to have your beach chairs do double-duty. Contributions of $325 or more earn a Single-Chair Gypsy Mule Wagon with limited choices of color and fabric choices. Backers willing to fork over $650 or more get a Dual-Chair Gypsy Mule Wagon. Higher donations earn more freedom with design and fabric choices for the wagons. Estimated availability is currently set at August 2014, giving the creators plenty of time to deliver after the campaign ends in March.
The Potential. Any product that means having to lug things around less is always welcome on the market. People love the idea of saving time and making their lives easier. In that sense, Gypsy Mule Wagons are on the right track. The beach may be difficult for the wagon’s wheels to plod through, but the Gypsy Mule Wagons are perfect for camping trips or picnics at the park. The clunky detachable wheels and other accessories make the wagons not as portable and compact as promised, however. A host of beach carts can help carry gear even when you’re sitting in other chairs. And while it holds only a fraction of the Gypsy Mule Wagon, the Beach Chair Portable Folding Cart presents an alternative featuring wheels that don’t detach, which might make assembly and storage easier. All in all, the Gypsy Mule Wagons are a convenient, albeit expensive, option for the lazy and burdened lover of the outdoors.
The Premise. As technology becomes more and more advanced, it is apparent that kids can still have fun with simple toys. Using their active imaginations, children don’t need fancy gadgets to play with. Construction toys remain popular because they present endless possibilities for fun and enjoyment to children.
The Product. Strawbees is a vaguely key-like small connector that acts as a joint between two plastic straws. The connectors can be purchased in several different kits that have numerous pieces in them. Because the straws are so inexpensive and easy to cut, one can create structures with many varied lengths and colors. Also, there’s not much concern about losing the connecting straws since one can pick them up in any supermarket or drug store.
The Pitch. Strawbees’ Kickstarter campaign features a video of the connectors and their attendant drinking conveyances in action, showing the hundreds of ways that it can be used, include attaching Strawbees to large pieces of cardboard or electronics. It’s interesting to see how versatile the system is and that it isn’t only fun for kids, but also useful for adults. The video even features the product being played with by a scholar from MIT. Strawbees’ creators, a.k.a. the Creatables, are hoping to raise $20,000 during their campaign.
The Perks. Strawbees is offering a Try Before You Buy Kit which includes over 40 pieces for only $15. From there, the Maker Kit (100+ pieces) is $25, the Inventor Kit (300+ pieces) is $50 and the Crazy Scientist Kit (800+ pieces and available to sane scientists as well) is $100. A pledge of $600 or more qualifies the backer for the less-than-literally-named Infinite Kit which includes plenty of Strawbees along with the machine and materials needed to make a near limitless number of Strabees structures. The highest reward tier includes the Infinite Kit and a day and a half workshop with one of Strawbees’ creators where he demonstrates the vast array of shapes that Strawbees can produce. Each reward tier, except for the workshop, has an estimated delivery date of April 2014.
The Potential. Crowdfunding has recently facilitated the launch of other recently crowdfunded building systems such as Snaak and CubeCraft. An upcycled variation of the classic Tinkertoy, Strawbees is one of those incredibly simple concepts with a million possibilities. The drinking conveyance-based system may have the edge in terms of versatility, however, and the straws needed to use Strawbees lets creations over a lot of ground without having to use a lot of pieces. One of the few drawbacks of Strawbees is that the straws needed to use it actually aren’t included in any of the kits; this takes a bit away from the out-of-box experience, but this enhances their portability.
The Premise. For the fancy chef, self-proclaimed foodie or anyone with taste buds, fresh herbs are a must. Chopping herbs can be difficult and doesn’t always produce even, reliable results. Finely chopped herbs can also make a mess, spreading out and sticking to the cutting board, knife and countertop.
The Product. Bearing no resemblance to the Volkswagen Beetle that co-starred with Lindsay Lohan, Herbie is an electronic herb grinder that is rechargeable and plugs into the wall or laptop using a USB cord. It can run for up to two hours (good for at least one Phish jam) on a full charge. Herbie is made out of aluminum and stainless steel and comes with a wall charger, USB cable and spout. Herbie has a cheaper little brother, Herbie Lite, that’s made out of plastic and polycarbonate and comes with a wall charger and USB cable.
The Pitch. Herbie’s Indiegogo campaign shows that its creators, Conlin Monaco and Will Lawler, really wanted to craft a well-made product. In the video, they talk about how they designed Herbie to avoid the problems that other dry herb grinders face, such as clogging up and metal shavings that come off of the mechanism. Their campaign explicitly shows the difference between the Herbie and Herbie Lite, which was extremely helpful. Monaco and Lawler are trying to raise the unrounded sum of $76,875. They have three stretch goals: $120,000 for a spout attachment, $160,000 for a storage compartment that attaches directly to Herbie and $200,000 to manufacture Herbie with Teflon to avoid gunk build-up. They’ve been confident enough to launch a Herbie Web site though it doesn’t contain much information yet.
The Perks. There are two early bird specials, one for an Herbie Lite at $39 and one for a regular Herbie at $69. A regular Herbie for the not-so-early bird requires a contribution of $79. The reward tiers climb all the way up to $2,250, each including generous discounts for the grinder and its accessories. More than 30 Herbies might sound like a minyan, but the option is there if desired. Estimated delivery is May 2014.
The Potential. Overengineered aluminum USB grinders seem to be a crowdfunding thing; the iDraw pencil sharpener failed to meet its funding goal on Kickstarter. The idea of being able to sprinkle some reasonably fresh rosemary onto one’s meal instead of salt could have great health benefits for many. Herbie, while a convenient solution for the kitchen, though, is incredibly expensive at a retail price of $90 for the Lite version and $100 for the not-so-Lite. Mechanical grinders are much cheaper and can chop up herbs just as well as Herbie seems to be able to. There are also electronic grinders already on the market such as the Compact Electric Herb Grinder at about a tenth of the price and choppers that can get the job done as well. Ultimately, most foodies may opt out of purchasing this expensive luxury item. However, Herbie may find success with other demographics, such as certain residents of Washington and Colorado.
The Premise. Home burglaries are a real concern in the U.S. Safes are used to hide valuables, but aren’t always easily accessible. Everyday items like smartphones, tablets and other valuables don’t get stored in safes because it isn’t realistic or convenient to keep them there.
The Product. King Concealment is a box that mounts into the wall and is concealed with a framed photograph. There are two kinds of boxes, both 15”x18”. The starter-box ($39) doesn’t come with a frame to conceal the box, but one can easily use her own photo to do so. The king-box ($79) includes a frame and slider tracks so that the photo can be moved easily. The frame comes either in mahogany or black.
The Pitch. The Kickstarter campaign’s video features a dramatization of a slow-moving burglar in a gray leather jacket and wool gloves snatching various items around the house. His slinky demeanor and 1940’s burglar-like mannerisms make the video hilarious in an unexpected way. Braeden Cuff, King Concealment’s creator, spends the remainder of the video talking about his passion to help minimize the destruction a burglary can cause. The rest of the campaign gives clear prices for his product and tips for installation, which is definitely handy for the not-so-handyman. Cuff hopes to raise $15,000 for the product, for which a Web site is already up and running.
The Perks. An early bird special pledge of $39 includes a start-up box and shipping costs. From there, a higher tier is $99 and includes a king-box, choice of frame color and $20 for shipping. Cuff has an estimated availability of March to April 2014.
The Potential. There are already diversion safes out there that resemble household items such as shaving cream cans and bibles that hide things in plain sight. The King Concealment box has more room than these, but is clearly less convenient to install. On the other hand, home safes are expensive and can even attract burglars to some extent. Cuff says that his wall boxes are perfect for storing handguns. The case for access might be strong, but guns should really be locked up. However, the boxes are perfect for other valuables one wants accessible — that is, unless a potential perpetrator happens to catch you accessing it.
The Premise. The wok is a versatile kitchen staple that has been around for thousands of years. Whether frying, steaming, boiling, or sautéing, the wok can do it all. But when it comes to outdoor cooking, most people turn to their grill or maybe a smoker. Traditional electric or gas stove tops just can’t get hot enough to set the wok a-rockin’.
The Product. The WonderWok is an outdoor grill that unleashes unbridled heat directly to a wok. The wok rests on top, allowing the chef to move it at will. It also comes with a grill and griddle attachment. The WonderWok’s base is silver while the wok and attachments are black. Installation involves simply hooking it up to a propane tank, much like a conventional grill.
The Pitch. The Indiegogo campaign chronicles how Gregory Wong dreamed the WonderWok into existence. AnAsian cuisine chef with his own YouTube channel, Wong understood the need for something like the WonderWok on the mass market. Where his campaign lacks is in explaining the product itself. There are no pictures of the WonderWok in the campaign itself and only fleeting glimpses of its commercial kitchen-like design in the video. The same aversion to stills shows on the WonderWok’s Web site. Wong hopes to raise $100,000.
The Perks. Reward tier pricing may prevent the WonderWok from winning out versus conventional propane grills that can cost a few hundred dollars. Wong offers seven reward tiers that include variations of perks such as bamboo chopsticks, bumper stickers, recipes from his YouTube channel, baseball caps and the like. Only a contribution of $5,000 or more will earn a WonderWok with an estimated delivery date of April 2014.
The Potential. The WonderWok could represent a slice of stir-fried heaven for Asian cuisine chefs who want to expand into more outdoor events; it will be a harder sell for the average weekend backyard burger flipper. Beyond the huge price displarity, there are already several other less expensive alternatives such as Mr. B-B-Q Cast-Iron Wok is a heavy wok designed to sit directly on the grill. Eastman Outdoors sells a similar Outdoors Steel Wok Kit, that is essentially an outdoors grill with a wok on top, much like the WonderWok, just not quite as hot. With these alternatives, it may be difficult for Wong’s creation to find a steady role in the world of outdoor cooking, but professionals should be able to offer at least a wok-on role.
The Premise. Touch screens devices are all the rage these days. The only problem? You have to touch them, leaving behind messy fingerprints on every phone and tablet. Also, as smartphones and tablets become capable of more and more, it’s become increasingly necessary to prop them up. It’s much easier to Skype, play games, send e-mails and many other things if both hands are free and the tablet or phone is upright.
The Product. Bpen really is much more than a pen as its slogan claims. It’s a multi-use tool that works for almost every smart phone and tablet out there. Bpen is a regular pen, a stylus that can be used on touch screens, and a stand for tablets and smart phones. It may just julienne potatoes as well. It’s made out of aluminum and comes in six different colors. The pen comes with the option of buying a base to help it function better as a stand (though the base isn’t entirely necessary outside of the car). Part of the pen folds out and plugs into the headphone jack to provide stability as a stand. In addition, Bpen’s creators have come up with a mini Bpen, lightweight enough to attach to a keychain.
The Pitch. Bpen’s Kickstarter campaign shows a video of the Bpen in action, displaying its wide range of uses. The rest of the campaign details how the idea for Bpen was conceived, as well as how the idea was developed. Lior Avrahami, Bpen’s creator, is looking to raise a modest $5,000 on Kickstarter for his product in a 40-day stretch.
The Perks. A minimum of $15 will get the backer two of the mini keychain Bpens. From there, an early bird special of a $25 donation is rewarded with two Bpens. Going up to $50, the backer will receive a set of Bpens and two bases as well. With each tier, the backer can choose which color their Bpens will come in. In addition, some tiers have the added perk of getting ink refills for their pens. Avrahami predicts that pens will be received by backers in April, which, given his experience with the factory he uses, is realistic.
The Potential. There are a lot of styli and stands out there for smartphones and tablets. Other dual stylus/pens exist, such as the lovely Wacom Bamboo Stylus Duo found here, but none quite so Batman that they also act as stands. One drawback of Bpen is that when the stand is in use, it renders the headphone jack unusable. Other than that, Bpen should be a handy accessory to draw upon.
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Cartesian scarf stays rigid in the frigid
The Premise. Classic neck scarves are versatile and attractive fashion accessories that help keep us warm in the chill. There are a few classic ways to wear them, but they can have a tendency to loosen up.
The Product. The Cartesian Scarf serves as a neck scarf and/or head wrap that can bend and hold its shape. It uses various knit tensions instead of wires in order to be malleable. The scarf is made of 100% Italian merino wool and currently comes in charcoal gray and classic red. Optimally wearing the accessory is facilitated by propping it up vertically against the back of the neck and then guiding it into the desired contortion. The project creators assure that, while the scarf may retain its shape, it’s soft.
The Pitch. Cartesian’s Indiegogo campaign opens with a woman named Marja introducing the scarf and transitions to a number of scenes showing us the various ways it can be worn. Some may wrap their heads around the idea that a shape-retaining scarf that looks a bit futuristic yet otherworldly resting around the neck and chest might be a good idea to copy. But the campaign page isn’t shy about reminding that the product is covered by two U.S. patents and is unusual in that it was an article of clothing designed by an architect. This is the second crowdfunding go-round for Cartesian, which already had a successful 40-day campaign that ran on Kickstarter where the creators beat their $6,500 goal. For all the creators’ talk of the scarf staying put, there’s no video or other evidence of it doing so outside where it would be subject to the same wind and jostling as other scarves.
The Perks. Cartesian’s reward tiers feature a $65 early bird special that will ship by Valentine’s Day (assuming that people would want to give this as a Valentine’s gift). In addition, a donation of $78 will get you a scarf and a donation of $125 or more will get you two scarves, but currently you can only choose from charcoal gray or classic red.
The Potential. The Cartesian scarf is certainly cleverly designed, although may not revolutionize the scarf market as is promised by its creators. The real question becomes how well the scarf’s tenacity holds up to others in the real world; the fold-and-through-the-loop method works pretty well. For nearly $80, it will be tough for the Cartesian to beat more malleable apparel from better-known designers.
The Premise. Contractors or home improvement specialists typically own a combination of smaller A-frame ladders as well as a few extension ladders. However, certain situations crop up where it is necessary to rent an a-frame ladder that can reach 16ft or higher. To purchase such a ladder costs about $650 and to rent it can cost $65 per day. Most contractors don’t bother buying these ladders because they are expensive as well as heavy and difficult to move around. In addition, the situations in which they are needed are too few and far between to justify the cost.
The Product. Ladder Morph consists of two metal brackets that attach two extension ladders at their peaks to create one high-reaching A-frame ladder.
The Pitch. Ladder Morph’s creator, Dino Vassilakos, works in the home improvement business and his Kickstarter campaign largely consists of how he came up with the idea for Ladder Morph and the different phases of production Ladder Morph has gone through so far. The video is as straightforward as the product itself and features Vassilakos showing the audience the different types of ladders out there and how Ladder Morph works, skipping over the actual assembly involved in attaching two ladders together using Ladder Morph. As an added bonus, he only goes into the ancient Egyptian history of ladders for the exact number of seconds (four) that most people would be able to tolerate.
The Perks. You’d think a ladder campaign would grasp a bit about proper escalation, but it is in the reward tiers that campaign flounders a bit. Supporters giving $250 or more will receive a Ladder Morph whereas supporters giving $500 or more will also receive only one. The campaign pegs February 2014 as the estimated delivery date.
The Potential. Ladder Morph does seem to have a place in construction and home improvement markets. It is a simple, but clever product that works with the materials people already have in order to create something new. There really isn’t anything else out there quite like it. It’s probably a bit pricey for most consumers, but should provide a cost-effective alternative to construction pros who need to reach new heights.