Author: Ross Rubin

Categories
Luggage and Bags

GoBag gives clothes a squeeze to dodge luggage fees

Check or carry-on? With added charges and overages, more passengers are squeezing everything they can into those overhead bins.

The GoBag is a versatile bag designed with the journey in mind. The “Works” package includes the Max Pack Bag to pack clothes and other soft items. Then, by hand or vacuum, the bag compresses down for more carry-on space. There’s also an adaptable harness for a laptop, so it’s protected and easy to grab at security. The GoBag also features a clear “washbag” that detaches and slides right into the airport bins. The creators of the product ask $180 for “The Works”, and they are hoping to raise $70,392 by June 24th, 2015, with expected delivery in Oct 2015.

The GoBag brings the concept behind the long-available Space Bag to luggage. This rugged carry-on features zippers all around, so everything is easy to access on the go. Of course, if you need to pack things other than clothes that are easily compressible, it may have limited value.

Categories
Podcasts

Backerjack Podcast #19: Peers for your Ears and Cooking with Brains

In Episode 19 of the Backerjack Podcast, Steve and Ross check out some of the latest products seeking funds and preorders:’

  • June, a smart oven that can recognize food and cook it for you.
  • Aumeo, an adapter for headphones that checks how you optimally hear audio and tunes music for each ear.

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
Organization

EazyPac helps pills and other small necessities come along for the ride.

Ever tossed a container into a backpack or diaper bag and had the contents spill on everything?  Or had to carry multiple containers for liquids or pastes, and another type for solids, just to avoid leaks?

The Eazy Pac is an all-in-one container that collapses to take up almost no room. The Eazy Pac is great for baby food, small snacks like nuts, and even shampoos and conditioners when traveling. Versatility is the name of the game, and it’s easy to use one container for multiple purposes. Due to the wide-mouth design, the washes easily so users get that peace of mind between uses. The containers also come in various colors, so they’re easy to identify without having to open them. For $17, backers get a pack of two in August 2015, and the creators hope to raise $30,000 by June 12, 2015.

A walk through any Container Store will yield no shortage of small containers that compete with the EasyPac. However, the product’s collapsible nature sets it apart somewhat.

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
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
Aquatics

The Waterblade lets you walk on water with a workout

The world has no shortage of water recreational activities, but an architect has designed yet another option that stands to get the blood pumping as well as the water..

patent-claimedThe Waterblade is designed to simulate the feeling of walking on water, providing a workout for the leg and core muscles. The Waterblade has a motor to help assist the rider, but it’s not clear if it provides power or stability. The product also has a surfboard-style leash that will disengage the motor if the rider falls. The designer aims to raise $90,000 by July 4th, 2015, which delivery expected late July 2015.

The videos show the rider using a lot of effort for not a lot of gain, and with a hefty $1,650 price tag, they’re not accessible for the average family. The Waterblade may be better marketed as strictly a water workout, or it may have applications as a rehabilitation tool for physical or occupational therapies.

Categories
Sleep Travel

Sleeploop keeps your head up while napping, may not do same for dignity

Sleeping on the go is rarely comfortable in part because seats tend to make it difficult to keep one’s head from dipping forward. Many travel pillows have sought to make things better, but they;re often bulky and ineffective.

The SleepLoop uses a simple design to help sleepers who are sitting down and avoid that uncomfortable head roll – a literal pain the neck. The product features a padded section that serves as a pillow, and a long section to create tension. The padded loop cradles the chin and one ear. Then, the tail section threads [iunder the legs and pulled until comfortable. This allows the head to relax without rolling forward. At $28, the Sleeploop is fairly affordable. The campaign’s seeks $16,738 by June 23, 2015, with delivery expected September 2015.

The fairly compact Sleeploop could work well for travel but looks as silly as other options for travel. Aside from travelers, the Sleeploop could provide comfort for people required to sleep upright for various medical reasons.

Categories
Podcasts

Backerjack Podcast #17: Going Kleer, Frankencases, and Android boomboxes

In sweet Episode 17 of the Backerjack Podcast, Steven Sande and Ross Rubin check out some of the latest products seeking funds and preorders:

  • HearNotes, an alternative to Bluetooth headsets that offer higher audio quality and a more reliable connection.
  • Nexpaq, a case for the iPhone and Galaxy S6 that can accommodate up to six modules ranging from flash memory to an alcohol breathalyzer
  • Zwing, a boombox with punch that incorporates an Android-based touchscreen for streaming or playing back local music and movies.

Notes: We discussed Zwing in advance of seeing its Indiegogo project page. The link above points to more details about prcing and expected availability. Also, a similar product, the Zettaly Avy, has contacted its original Kickstarter backers to note that it is ready to ship its devices.

Many thanks to HearNotes for sponsoring this episode! Please support its campaign.

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
Announcements

But enough about us: The first Backerjack reader poll

Hey, Backerjack readers! We’ve been covering the best — and some of the less-than-best — in crowdfunded and preorder gadgets since the beginning of last year. Now, we’d like to ask for a bit of feedback to understand you a bit better. We’ve got four quick questions following the break. We’re not asking for a dime, but the only reward tier we’re offering is a better experience, so please help build a better Backerjack by clicking through to the post. Thanks!

Continue reading “But enough about us: The first Backerjack reader poll”
Categories
Podcasts

Backerjack Podcast #16: Cyclops Cameras, Talking Trash, and Smart Homes vs. Smartphones

In sweet Episode 16 of the Backerjack Podcast, Steven Sande and Ross Rubin check out some of the latest products seeking funds and preorders:

  • Flex Cam PIC, a whimsical and inexpensive still and video camera that wraps around objects and comes in a range of colors and silly characters. It has some similarities to Podo.
  • GeniCan, a clip-on to your garbage can or recycle bin that builds your shopping list by scanning the barcodes of products you’ve consumed. As we note, it has the same goals as SmartQsine.
  • Oomi, a comprehensive and tightly integrated Z-Wave-based home control system that features easy setup. It rivals another recent ambitious smart home project, Paigo.
Continue reading “Backerjack Podcast #16: Cyclops Cameras, Talking Trash, and Smart Homes vs. Smartphones”