One of the main reasons people are so obsessed with checking their phones is because of the litany of notifications that one can receive through the course of a day. Noteu is a small desktop screen that can connect to devices on the same network and display email, weather, and other notifications on a simple LED display that can be dismissed with a tap of the device. Devices like LEDmeKnow are certainly more aesthetically pleasing than this simple box, but Noteu does offer readable text. Either way, most people would probably be content to keep glancing at their phones and responding just as fast. Noteu can be picked up for £25 and will be out in October.
Author: Michael Radon
Some people would rather go without food and water for a day than have their phone’s battery run empty. There are plenty of solutions to give devices a little extra juice, but they tend to be bulky or involve wires that can tangle or go bad. MyQI takes wireless charging and applies it to powering smartphones. MyQI can be charged through any USB power source, then tucked into any pocket to power a phone just be powering on the device and setting the phone on top. Unfortunately, iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones need an accessory to use MyQI. Because of that, other options like iDAPT Modulo still look to be a smarter choice. MyQI is available for $60 and will arrive in September.
Ever tried to play a game on a phone that wasn’t optimized for touch-pad controls? The experience can be compared to trying to eat soup with a fork. Game Pad is a simple silicone sleeve that slides over and iPhone 4s and up and sits on top of the on-screen controls for GBA4ios, an app that allows users to play Game Boy Advance games on their iPhone. The problem is, since this only works with one app for a few different models of phones, most customers won’t see a use here. Serious mobile gamers are better off with a dedicated controller, the likes of which are multiplying. If this is all one needs, Game Pad is at least an economical £8 and launches in October.
The Premise. The primary necessity for any home situation is adequate lighting. Plain light bulbs are so 20th century. Why not have customizable, smart light bulbs that can stream audio throughout the home?
The Product. Whome is a Wi-fi enabled system of LED light bulbs that can be controlled using a proprietary app. Designed for customization and sharing, each Whome supports 256 LED bulbs to fine-tune the color and intensity of the light to fit any room, mood, or social situation. Additionally, each bulb also comes with a built-in speaker, and audio can be streamed to the Whome to provide a whole-home output for party music or ambient backgrounds for relaxing in bed. The app allows users to set timers that will change the bulb’s settings for different times of day and allow easy management of all networked lights in the home, no matter which room.
The Pitch. Whome is a trendy idea, and so Whome developer WaveBomb has framed its product as young and fashionable in its campaign video. Viewers get a glimpse of the product in action from friends watching a soccer match in proper team lighting to a suggestive bedroom encounter complete with mood lighting and appropriate soundtrack. The Whome’s ease of use in on full display, with simple examples of controlling the light in real-time through the app and connected the bulbs to streaming audio featured. With a goal of £20,000 in place, WaveBomb is hoping to raise the funds necessary to begin mass production and get all the necessary certifications.
The Perks. A single Whome is available for £60, set to launch October 2014. Those who want more than just black or white can get a two-pack in any color for £155. Additional tiers offer quantities of five or seven bulbs.
The Potential. Similar products have been introduced already, either taking the smart light bulb route or the music-powered light approach. Whome feels less like a novelty because it tackles both of these concepts in one device. The design makes the bulbs look a bit like ultra-modern salt and pepper shakers, but being able to stream audio and control lighting color and intensity using a phone and being able to program it to act as a much more pleasant form of morning alarm make this a very appealing product for those that have an easier time rising and shining to their favorite music.
The Premise. It’s become almost nearly impossible to function without using the cloud to share files from device to device or to other users, or just to store things in a convenient location. But cloud-based options are far from secure, and in order to keep files both private and easily accessible, a more private solution is required.
The Product. WEDG is a stylish, desktop cloud server with an upgradeable hard drive of at least 1TB. WEDG is easy to set up anywhere and begin storing and sharing files through a completely secure network managed via a proprietary app designed to bring phones to the level of security that matches the WEDG cloud. With no monthly service fees and the ability to access files from any device quickly and securely, WEDG is a must for any collaborators working together on a project whether within the same office space or on the other side of the globe.
The Pitch. WEDG’s promotional materials are like the device itself: short, attractive, and capable. With the campaign video we get a look at how WEDG came to be and what it can offer in terms of privacy and access for all users. The campaign page itself is long and in-depth, featuring all the different kinds of features and failsafe options WEDG provides as well as a history of the device’s signature and quirky design. In order to protect users everywhere, WEDG is asking for £90,000 in pledges to design the product by its own specifications, without the interference of other companies.
The Perks. A WEDG server complete with a 1TB drive starts at £149 and will be shipped out to supporters in December 2014. A white version for £199 is available, as well as an aluminum model with a 2TB drive for £249. Developers that want to push WEDG farther can get access to the device’s API and SDK at the £300 level, and beta testers can get access to new hardware models and software patches before anyone else for a pledge of £500.
The Potential. WEDG certainly isn’t the first device to offer a stable, personal cloud solution. Indeed its campaign is running concurrently with that of the Sherlybox, but the futuristic design, strong security protocols, and usage flexibility through the removable hard drive and companion app make it a stand-out among other competitors. It might not replace Dropbox or Google Drive as a simple, basic go-to option, but for those that put a premium on security and don’t want to sacrifice their web usage, WEDG looks like a great option.
The Premise. The smartwatch arms race is on, with developers all over the world scrambling to one-up their competitors and come out with the first must-own wrist wearable.
The Product. Moment is a new kind of smartwatch, with full wrist wrap-around display and a battery life that lasts a whole month. The entirety of the Moment’s exterior is a touch-sensitive input device, allowing for a full keyboard to be displayed or data on any side of the surface. Incoming messages are displayed privately on the interior of the wrist to maximize comfort while minimizing any chances a snooper might have of being nosy. Moment is also modular, allowing new hardware to be installed into the device to offer features like GPS, inductive charging, and activity tracking.
The Pitch. Momentum Labs, creators of the Moment, offer a rather subdued and low-key introductory video to their product. Giving a close look at how the super-thin device came to be, viewers see a few simple examples of how the Moment is used to send and receive messages, keep updated on game scores, and like any good watch, keep track of the time. The campaign also shows some basic screenshots of the device controlling cameras and PowerPoint presentations as well. Momentum Labs wants to raise $100,000 to complete prototyping and enter full production.
The Perks. The Moment Smartwatch will be available December 2014 in white on gold or black on silver for $174, with free charging cradle to all backers. For $188 there is an exclusive black-on-black color scheme, and at $189, developers can get their hands on the last batch of prototypes in order to begin developing apps for the Moment.
The Potential. As far as futuristic smartwatch design goes, Moment is at the top of its class. The nearly seamless wrap-around display with complete interaction looks stylish and sleek while also not sacrificing the economy of space on such a small device. The e-paper display looks bright and easy to read, but may limit some of the device’s functions on the application side. Those looking for a wide array of functions on the watch itself will probably want to look elsewhere, while those who want something that stands out more stylishly will take what the Moment has to offer.
The Premise. In order to really kill the desktop computer off once and for all, mobile devices need to be able to do everything their lumbering, clunky big brothers can handle. In recent years that’s come to include lightweight solutions for full keyboards and even printing. The next hurdle to overcome is scanning.
The Product. PocketScan is a handheld device no bigger than a computer mouse that can be used to skim across any surface and immediately have it display on a tablet or computer. What’s better is that these scans can be instantly edited if text is detected in any language, and translation options are available for foreign documents as well. Because the device is hand-sized and requires movement, the PocketScan can even be used to scan very large items that would not normally fit inside of a scanner.
The Pitch. Dacuda, creator of the PocketScan, show off the versatility and simplicity of the device by showing consumers using it to scan menus, photos, business reports, and everything else including a set of lips! While the video glosses over a lot of the technical details in order to offer up a short and sweet video that captures the device’s wow factor, plenty of space is given in the campaign page to answer questions about connectivity, battery life, and more. Dacuda needs $50,000 to send PocketScan out into the market. Additionally, stretch goals are available making the device compatible with Android devices at $150,000, iPhones at $250,000, and adding a text to speech mode at $500,000.
The Perks. The PocketScan can be picked up for those that pledge at least $99, with scanning software included for Windows, Mac, and iPad. Developers can get a trio of scanners and access to both the SDK and API for $1,250. All rewards are due to ship out in December 2014.
The Potential. Crowdfunding has hosted a few innovative mobile scanners lately, including the robotic page-traversing Pocket Printer and PPrintee. Putting scanning literally into the hands of users to do as they wish is a great idea, especially as a new way of sharing content while on the go. The light weight, compact design, and long battery life are great ways of making this device as convenient as possible, making PocketScan a great choice for business pros on the go or young artists who need to strike when inspiration hits them. This is a neat device just as a scanner, but the ability to get instant feedback while scanning and edit scans quickly make this a must-have.
The Premise. Once upon a time, people relied on local news reports or weather sections of newspapers. Now, every smartphone is well equipped to give local weather and temperature data, but so often it tends to be incorrect or inaccurate due to weather monitoring stations that are several miles away.
The Product. BloomSky is a weather sensor that can be installed outdoors using a spike and can be augmented with a solar panel for continuous charge. Its design is more than just for looks, as it provides accurate detection of temperature, precipitation, humidity, and more while protecting the internals from sunlight, dust, and water. BloomSky also comes with a wide-lens HD camera that takes pictures of the sky and sends them straight to smartphones for a real look at the conditions outside. These pictures can then be combined to create time-lapse movies of the day’s weather.
The Pitch. BloomSky’s pitch is pretty straightforward: those looking for accurate weather conditions and want to contribute to a larger network that provides that data to others will want a BloomSky as soon as possible. The flexibility of the device to come with solar options as well as an indoor sensor also make it a great way to replace a home’s thermometers with something more modern. BloomSky is looking to raise $75,000 to finish development of the app and handle tooling and production of the device itself.
The Perks. A BloomSky outdoor sensor with ground stake is available for $99 and will ship out in December. The indoor/outdoor kit can be had for $129, while the outdoor model with solar-powered charger base is $139 and won’t be out until March 2015. One of everything runs for $199, and developers can get in on the beta for $1,299 starting in August.
The Potential. Like so many other products that opt for a crowdsourced approach, BloomSky’s greatest strength could also be its greatest weakness. The idea behind a completely local weather network that people individually add to in order to complete a picture is a fantastic idea that is solely dependent upon there being enough local users in order to flesh out. Thankfully, BloomSky works well enough as a sort of at-home workaround for the inaccuracies of distant weather stations, so the individual can still have some valuable use out of this product even if none of their neighbors purchase it. Aesthetically pleasing and fully functional, those who never step outside without checking the forecast will appreciate the pinpoint accuracy that BloomSky provides.
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Videogame racing meets real life in Real FX
The Premise. For many, no childhood was complete without either a quality remote-controlled car or a bulky, customizable slot car track. The thrill of speed and navigating twists and turns was irresistible to so many children, but the technology has done little to advance into the 21st century.
The Product. Real FX racing marries the competitive, constructed nature of slot car tracks with the freedom of motion and skill that remote control cars offer. With a pack of different track pieces, any number of courses can be created for the cars to drive along. Once ready, any number of racers can hit the track and compete using the special controllers. These controllers and the cars themselves are designed to simulate a more virtual racing experience in the real world, with cars that can drive themselves, programmable track hazards, and assisted steering. Using an optical sensor beneath the cars, each car tends to gravitate toward the center of the track to keep races competitive, but also allows the drive the freedom to steer as they like and attempt to pass cars or go for the best time.
The Pitch. The toy car enthusiasts over at Wow! Labs are happy to show off Real FX and what the different cars can do. Seeing real-life R/C cars driving themselves competitively around a customizable, unique track is enough to really capture that childlike magic of play, and all the other features that Real FX have to offer are all thick frosting on this exciting cake. Wow! Labs needs £50,000 in order for Real FX to qualify for its big race.
The Perks. A set with two cars and controllers with starter track pieces will ship out in October 2014 for £100. A third car can be added at the £130 level, while a more complex pro-racing track set starts at £150. The production pilot model will be ready in August for those willing to shell out £1,000 to hit the track a little faster.
The Potential. The execution for Real FX seems pot on, perfectly marrying the racing aspects of slot car with the freedom of movement provided by R/C. The controls seem comfortable and easy to use, and this could be fun for people of any age to get together and play. Though the computerized features of the cars are robust, the “video game” angle that Wow! Labs promotes is overshadowed by other similar items like Anki, which offers upgradeable performance and even weapons for the cars. Real FX offers a more pure race however, and the potential for new sets of track pieces or other upgrades in the future is promising for this racing system.
The Premise. Ask any college student or bachelor and most of them will agree: cooking is nowhere as easy as mom made it out to be. Whether there isn’t room in the budget to botch a meal or if anything more advanced than sandwiches and microwave pizza is too difficult, making delicious, fresh meals requires help.
The Product. In terms of actual physical product, Drop is merely a kitchen scale that connects to the iPad in order to display its results. However, the iPad app is more than a glorified scale readout. Drop can walk users through recipes, make suggestions for successful improvisation, and send alerts when it’s time to get back into the kitchen for the next step. Drop functions essentially as a powerful digital kitchen instructor that just so happens to also be a scale, supporting iPad Air, Mini, 3rd gen, and 4th gen.
The Pitch. The promotional video for Drop really captures the essence of how exhilarating it can be to correctly prepare a complex meal, whether sharing it or not. In a brief 90-second presentation, viewers get a full clear picture of almost everything Drop can do, meaning there’s no lull or dragging in the clip. The website for Drop is bright, engaging, and features a strong balance of information with images. It’s similar in many ways to other pre-order websites, but the Drop color scheme and product identity make it stand out a bit.
The Perks. Drop is expected to drop this fall, and can be pre-ordered for $80. The first 2,000 orders also don’t pay any shipping costs.
The Potential. Frankly as far as Drop is concerned, the product itself is fairly underwhelming. Smart kitchen scales have been done before, and any serious kitchen maestro probably already has one in their arsenal. Where Drop really separates itself from the competition, and does so by a very wide margin, is in the iPad app that Drop works with. Covering everything from substitute ingredients to recipe scaling based on number of diners or amount of ingredients remaining, Drop makes sure that nothing in the kitchen comes as a surprise. The presentation is great, the device looks friendly and easy to use, and the end results promise to be both attractive and tasty. Seasoned experts may not find much use for Drop, but for the less confident cooks or those just starting out, this tool promises to do more than its weight in the kitchen.