Looking at your phone to read incoming notifications is already an outdated concept. MyHue, like many other one-pixel displays, uses different colors or flashing patterns to turn a piece of modern art into an informative light fixture. The colors and shades can be customized, as can the materials that the light travels through to let you know when your phone is a-buzz. Additionally, the MyHue uses induction charging to keep devices powered. It’s not the first time a device like this has been crowdfunded, and it’s not even the most fully-featured of its kind. The fact that the product grew dull before its 2-minute pitch video was done speaks volumes. MyHue goes out to backers that pledge $60 in October 2014 and will be successful upon reaching its $45,000 goal on Kickstarter.
Author: Michael Radon
Tablets are super popular and make one’s life easier in many ways. One drawback is that they take up extra space and you have to carry them around. ExxtremeKinnexx is hoping to cut down on that clutter by creating a smartphone case that can be stretched and expanded while connected to the phone’s Micro USB port to allow a phone to become a tablet and then go back to being pocket-sized when done. All they have to show at this time is a pretty standard PowerPoint presentation and none of the reward tiers include the actual device, but what ExxtremeKinnexx lacks in concrete details they certainly make up for in superfluous x’s and an exorbitant $433,000 campaign goal.
Roombas are great, but what if they could climb walls and ceilings, leading to unexpected and horrifying jump scares like those found in any good horror movie? The Multi-Surface Cleaning Robot is a robotic cleaner that can cling to any window or mirror and clean thanks to a vacuum motor that keeps the device from falling, even if it runs out of battery life. A safety rope also assures owners they won’t have to risk their necks trying to attach and detach it. While Multi-Surface Cleaning Robot sounds useful, the amount of time saved compared to manual washing probably isn’t enough to say “Multi-Surface Cleaning Robot.” Die-hard robot enthusiasts can clean one less thing by hand by picking one up for $199 in August 2015.
Missing people are no joke, whether very young or very old, and the ability to find those who are lost is invaluable. A wearable tracking device that can be attached to clothingcan help address the problem. TrackForce is the idea in question, using multi-colored, water-resistant tracking “chips” to allow caretakers and parents to locate a missing person using GPS. A security layer will allow only those with the password to access the GPS data. While this project’s heart is in the right place, this has been done before, and it’s certainly been done better already. Backers can track down a TrackForce for $150 in December.
All of the portable devices in the world could all use a little boost when it comes to battery life. The NomadPlus is a convenient housing for any Apple USB wall plug with its own USB port on the front that can plug devices in and charge them but also charges itself to act as a portable battery charge. A stylish battery indicator on the device’s front displays the NomadPlus’s status and level of battery charge. Because it utilizes USB, this is a great tool to take the proprietary headache of many Apple devices and make them utilitarian to any USB-powered device. NomadPlus is available for pre-order for $39 and ships out November 30th.
Taking a concept as simple as preventing people from dropping their phones and turning it into a versatile smartphone accessory is no easy feat. The Linkmount is such a device, offering a reusable, sturdy system to keep phones from being damaged. The phone accessory offers a detachable leash that can be tied to any belt loop or worn around the neck in addition to a ring that slides out and can be worn around a finger or used as a stand. A phone stand is one thing, but a device like this that has so many great features is a simple must-own for anyone dedicated to getting the most from their smartphone. Backers who pledge $20 can get their Linkmount in December.
Controlling lights with a smartphone or tablet is a great entry point into creating an energy-saving smart home. Unfortunately, the setups can be complicated to install or have a high price barrier. Emberlight is designed to be a simple, intuitive access point for creating a smart lighting system, simply by screwing the device into any light fixture and installing a dimmable bulb. Immediately, multiple presets can be used and the Bluetooth Low Energy features allow lights to turn on upon entering a room, and off while leaving. Outfitting a whole home with Emberlights may be a little expensive, but the energy saving costs and simplicity will make up for that initial hit. Emberlight can brighten any home for $49 in February 2015.
Even though most people are often mere inches or even millimeters away from their phones at all times, it would be nice to be able to control said phones without having to fish them out all the time. Qblinks is a little remote that can alert owners to notifications or be used to find phones, play files, or control the camera. The simple one-button interface is friendly and easy to learn, making it a snap to get used to quickly. Ultimately, the problem with devices like Qblinks is this: If the phone is close enough to use, why bother adding an extra device just to control it? For those less skeptical, Qblinks is available for $29 to ship out in October.
With all the accessories that drain a phone’s battery life, it’s always nice to see one that actually prolongs it. Cabin is a slim, ergonomic attachment for the iPhone that uses the magnetic connection to lock into place and charge without obstructing any of the pivotal iPhone features or even the handheld size of the phone. While this makes for great on-the-go charging, it also works with a custom dock that allows data synchronization and charges both iPhone and Cabin simultaneously. This looks like a convenient way to add more battery life without making the iPhone clunky, but the requirement of a whole new dock just to charge both at once seems a bit much. Cabin will be out in November for $99.
The Premise. Break-ins and burglaries happen at a rate that’s sure to make anybody feel unsafe. However, complex home security systems are bulky, inconvenient, and require monthly subscriptions to use.
The Product. Blink is a truly wireless home security system, not even requiring a cable for power. Blink starts with the Sync Module, which all of the Blink units report to and transmit to the cloud for phone access, alerts, and streaming video. Each of the Blink units offers a discreet, wireless camera with a full year of battery life. Each camera also includes a motion sensor, heat sensor, night vision, and an audio microphone. Because of the lack of power cables or ethernet cables, Blink can be moved, adjusted and repositioned to suit any possible needs.
The Pitch. Blink’s pitch video comes off a little strong and very commercial like, but the device speaks for itself. Seeing the alerts, streaming video, and how simple it is to customize a Blink system for any need is enough to put home security system complaints to bed for good. Blink is out to secure $200,000 for its project to complete fabrication, develop the beta version of the app, and conduct in-home trials.
The Perks. One Blink unit with a Sync Module can be picked up for $69 and will be ready for delivery in May 2015. To monitor more than one room, a 2 Blink system with Sync Module is available for $119. Anyone who wants to set up their home security system sooner can get the same package as part of the beta program for $149, shipping in March 2015. Packages for larger homes and resellers are also available at higher tiers.
The Potential. In terms of a home security system, Blink is sort of a “do-it-yourselfer.” Being able to access instant alerts and streaming HD video on the go is an awesome way to determine if there is really a break-in happening versus something routine tripping the motion sensor, but without an instant response system to notify law enforcement, that falls onto the owner’s responsibility to review the tape and then take it a step further and call the police. The wireless system is great both for convenience and flexibility, but also to disguise the security system and keep potential threats on their toes. All in all, as long as homeowners can remember to keep the batteries fresh and don’t mind having the cops on speed dial, Blink is an extremely attractive home security option.