Who knew that eating clams for dinner could inspire an ergonomic kitchen cleaning item, but that’s exactly how KlampShell had its beginnings. Scrubbing pots, pans, countertops and kitchen floors can take its toll on fingers, especially when there aren’t any kids available to whom such tasks can be delegated. So the kitchen cleaning and scrubbing tool grips dish cloths, steel wool, scouring pads and other cleaning items, and can even be used to scoop up the uneatable scraps from food prep. For $25, backers get one medium-sized product and an expected delivery of October 2014.
Author: Ross Rubin
Nevermore will pedestrians and cyclists who must venture out into the dark have to be concerned about being visible to drivers. Beacon offers a Bluetooth-controlled, wearable, LED safety light that is Android and i)S compatible, and can be worn around the waist or like a sash. Beacon wearers can choose a color or even pattern of colors to increase visibility when walking or biking at night. For those who are more concerned about visibility than fashion, we’ve seen other, less-configurable options to help with night apparel. Beacon is available to backers for at least $69, with an expected delivery of October 2014.
The Premise. The world of entertainment is an ever-changing industry, always looking for ways to make the audience feel that they’ve gotten the best show possible. One of the most popular ways that 21st century performers do that is by breaking that “fourth wall” and interacting with the audience. While much of this has relied on the front person (or lead singer), guitar players are now getting a shot at this. Why is this important? Because more interaction usually means an invite to return to a venue. And if the band has merchandise, it can also mean more sales.
The Product. SoulPedal lets guitar players have the technology of their wah wah pedal in wireless form. To make it even more convenient, it gets worn like an in soul inside the right shoe, with a “dummy” left one included for balance. Built in arch support and a total weight of three ounces help ensure comfort. A tap of the foot turns the pedal on, and when it’s time to change the sound, a bend of the knee, slight lean forward, or stop of the foot makes it happen.
The Pitch. The video for the $35,000 campaign gives just enough detail on how the product works to satisfy the curious, and plenty of clarity on how to use it. Seeing it in action among other users is a nice touch, and it appears very user friendly.
The Perks. There are nine tiers from which backers may choose. The $279 early bird special offers the complete product with an expected delivery of September 2014. There is a chance for a full refund on the price for the backer who wins the contest announced at the indiegogo campaign site.
The Potential. The wireless technology aspect for this product makes it an especially exciting development for guitar players. Lead singers who play the guitar will likely be especially appreciative of this particular item. If there is an interest in the upgrade kit, a Windows system will be required. It’s noteworthy that there is also a development in the works for keyboard players in connection to note/velocity parameters that would eventually be available through the upgrade kit.
Waiting for gadgets to charge can be inconvenient and time consuming. But there’s little in life that’s more frustrating than a smart phone or tablet that dies when most needed. Energi 2K offers a solution to those days when getting to an outlet or computer to charge a gadget is impossible, but critical. When the charger needs to be recharged, it plugs into any wall outlet, and then the prongs fold down for easy toting. The brightly colored travel charger is battery operated and has both a USB port and plug for on-the-go charging and is that rare crowdfunding product that beats a lot of competitors on price, in no part due to Tylt — which previously funded a power backpack — being a more established company than many first-time funding seekers. Early bird backers can get one product for $20 with an expected delivery of July 2014. Expected retail is $39.99.
The Premise. A trip to the local superstore will confirm that we have too many options when it comes to selecting a toothbrush. While most of us prefer the traditional “manual” implement which also offers more superhero themed designs, some of us have gone electric (boogey woogey woogey) to satisfy our brushing needs.
The Product. Issa is a toothbrush created by the Foreo Institute in Sweden. Throwing traditional concepts out the window and focusing strictly on performance, it was designed to revolutionize the electric toothbrush with new material, function and form.
The Pitch. The campaign video explains that in 60 years electric toothbrushes have not drastically improved and have failed to convert most “manual” toothbrush users. Seeing an opportunity to create a better electric toothbrush, Foreo developed Issa and Issa Mini to overcome problems like abrasive bristles, non-ergonomic brush heads, short battery life, and more. The campaign page explains why its silicone material, unique design and new functionality make Issa superior to both manual toothbrushes and today’s electric brushes. We also learn that Issa Mini is intended for kids use or as a travel brush – it features parental controls which ensure kids brush every 12 hours and shows a happy face once its user has successfully brushed for two minutes. While we learn that Issa was unveiled at CES 2014 and has been featured in a number of publications, the campaign page lacks endorsements from dental authorities.
The Perks. Many levels of support for backers include both a beta tester and first edition level. For $199 you can become either a Beta tester or a first edition recipient with Beta testers receiving the product a month in advance of the others with a commitment to provide feedback to help refine the design in time for first edition users to benefit. For those with serious green to drop on their pearly whites, you can order a Gold or Platinum personalized edition Issa for $2,000 or $3,000 respectively.
The Potential. With the interest garnered so far by major publications, it’s no doubt that Issa has potential in the market and that the toothbrush paradigm could use a little shaking up. It would be ideal if Issa partnered with a known dental organization to bring a little more credibility from dental authorities vs. scientists who have determined reasons this brush is better. While Issa is no doubt unique, Kolibree also seeks to improve on today’s electric toothbrush by making it connected. Issa faces a looming battle of form versus feedback.
It’s amazing what idle minds can dream up. And the creators of The Shot Timer aren’t wasting any time capitalizing on a new way to encourage party memories that might be warm if they weren’t so fuzzy. The hourglass shaped imbibing tool can be used with any drinking game and beverage of attendees’ delight, whether alcoholic or not. A participant’s game activity must be completed before the “libation” drains from the top shot glass to the bottom one. Once it hits bottom, so does the player, who must then gulp one down and pass it around to the next player. For $5, backers receive the glass festoon with an expected delivery of July 2014.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a newly improved upon item to go along with the rest of their adventures in the wilderness. The Redtail Slackline Set makes it easy to tote those important survival items and still bring along some campsite fun. This particular slackline has a wooden handle with a line that’s smoother to the touch and allows for easier balance because of technical polymers and special weaving unique to the product, so it accommodates both beginners and experienced trick liners. The kit also provides tree saving pads, and when it’s time to move along, the three pocket organic blanket holds gear and rolls up to eliminate the need for a backpack. For the $99 early bird special backers get the set and an expected delivery of August 2014.
Don’t like how it looks right now? Just wait a minute. It’ll change. That’s the premise of The 720 Watch. The face of the watch changes every minute…literally! Why 720? Because there are 720 minutes in a 12 hour day, and 720 photographed watch faces that rotate through the 1” x 1” illuminated color screen. The watch is battery operated and can be recharged via the included USB cord. Though it’s not a smart watch, it should keep you amused for a couple of days at least. For $45, backers get one product and an expected delivery of September 2014.
Selective hearing is about to go from being a figure of speech to a new reality. Smart Earplug offers the option of controlling sound that’s being blocked. Through the use of a built-in sliding window, users can gradually decrease or increase the sound that is impacting their eardrums. Whether it’s a noisy work environment, a rock concert, air travel or parents seeking peace and quiet from noisy kids, volume controlled earplugs let users decide how loud is too loud. For $18, backers can get the early bird special of one pair with an expected delivery of August 2014.
For those who enjoy the great outdoors, or who just find peace of mind in emergency preparedness, the Survivor Signal Rescue Panel (SSR) will make a nice addition to their supplies. The 26” x 26” square is high-visibility orange on one side, and water resistant mylar on the other. It can be used to help prevent hypothermia or sun poisoning, and also functions as a signaling panel during the day, as well as at night when a flashlight shines through it to name just a few features. For $40, backers get one product with an expected delivery of August 2014.