Author: Ross Rubin

Categories
Podcasts

The Backerjack Podcast, Episode 8: Special Pebble Time Edition

Pebble wristWhat time is it? It’s Pebble Time! In this special edition of The Backerjack Podcast, Steve and Ross discuss all facets of the Pebble Time watch. We start out talking about how it quickly smashed its its funding record for the original Pebble, and its inevitable march toward being the most funded Kickstarter project ever. We then move on to the mostly good but some bad of its hardware design, user interface, and how it is positioned against the forthcoming Apple Watch. Be sure to get the full picture before deciding if you want to pile on to the Pebble avalanche.

Subscribe via iTunes or RSS, download the podcast by saving this link, or listen to it with the embedded player below:

Want to keep hearing smart takes on the latest crowdfunded products? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Also, spread the word and review the podcast on iTunes.

Categories
Home

Solo Tester zaps potential electrical wiring problems

The hassle and expense that comes with calling an electrician to resolve home electrical problems can be enough to make a person want to go back to using old fashioned oil lamps.

The makers of Solo Tester tout their product as simple enough for the average homeowner, but quality enough for a professional electrician. They designed the testing device is to test low to medium-range voltage electrical wiring, and it can help resolve power function and circuitry problems. A long-range audible signal allows the user to remain at the problem area and test for the problem at the source at the same time.

It’s a useful product for those who are handy where home repairs are concerned. Backers with do-it-yourself skills might also like to check out CaulkKnocker, T-Rex and Gatr. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000 by March 26, 2015. For $75, backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Aquatics Winter Sports

Übertüb lets you ride the waves, doesn’t offer tub service on demand

Pool rafts, inflatable beach balls and inner tubes all make for added fun in the summer sun. But the air often escapes and they deflate within a few hours.

Übertüb stays inflated until the user deflates it, and it can be used for more than just water fun. Multiple features set this multifaceted outdoor toy apart from the others. The redesigned air intake system allows for nearly any inflation method, though it also comes with its own inflation tool. The updated valve means that it won’t scratch the user or rip their swimwear, and it deflates quickly when it’s time to pack up. These tubes have been designed for several types of recreation. So they also work well in the snow and on dry land. Several color options and three sizes are available: the small size is 28 – 30 inches, medium is 36 – 38 inches, and large is 42 – 44 inches.

The product updates and reinforces a simple and classic source of outdoor fun. Water-loving backers might also like to check out Hydropacer and Towel’On. This campaign seeks to raise $65,000 CAD (~51,900 USD) by March 31, 2015. For $79 CAD (~63 USD), backers get one small Übertüb with an expected delivery of August 2015.

Categories
Cooking

Carson Rodizio BBQ Kit will never meat with defeat

Those who have survived Brazilian barbecues tell tale of endless skewers of perfectly grilled meats that make for an experience nearly impossible to duplicate at home.

The Carson Rodizio BBQ Kit is aiming for the next level in one-of-a-kind culinary delights by converting a conventional BBQ grill into a skewer driven rotisserie machine. The pieces just snap and fit together without apparent need for tools.

The six adjustable stainless steel skewers with aluminum handles offer bi-level cooking with searing shelves, and a third tier for resting and roasting. The product has commercial-grade high heat insulated wiring for safety and a city bus windshield wiper motor driving the spindles that can easily whirl as much as 30 pounds of food at an adjustable speed.

The Rodizio kit is sure to create a differentiated experience for those used to the same old hot dogs, burgers and steaks. This campaign seeks to raise $200,000 by March 24, 2015. Early bird backers get one product for $250 with an expected delivery of May 2015.

Categories
Podcasts

The Backerjack Podcast, Episode 7, with Ross Rubin and Steve Sande

It’s time for Episode 7 of The Backerjack Podcast. This week, Ross and Steve take on three projects:

  • It’s an LED light bulb, it’s a pico projector, it’s Beam. Insert it into a standard light socket and then project your content just about anywhere. It’s cool enough to put goosebumps on your gooseneck. Find out why we think it’s a a particularly bright idea.
  • More impressive than The One discussed in Episode 6, the Neo Smart Jar tracks the nutritional value of its contents and even suggests recipes. Find out why it’s at the leading edge of  IoT.
  • Pigeon takes another stab at the connected picture frame. Will this grannytech fly or wind up as roadkill?
Continue reading “The Backerjack Podcast, Episode 7, with Ross Rubin and Steve Sande”
Categories
Health and Wellness Kids/Babies

BrushyBall stays a head by teaching kids how to brush teeth

Getting kids to brush their teeth is another one of those parental challenges, and it’s one that has the potential to make for some very long nights.

In order to motivate kids to brush their teeth and take the mundane routine out of it, BrushyBall  was created. As noted in Episode 6 of the Backerjack podcast, the battery-operated personal tooth brushing coach for kids has teeth that light up in a specific sequence of six sections. The toothbrush training toy, designed by a dentist, teaches kids by having them follow along with the flashing lights. Music and verbal cues are a part of the thorough process that lasts for about two minutes.

The plastic Muppet-like head isn’t too intimidating, and the developer would ideally like to license well-known characters to keep kids more engaged, but it seems to take up a fair amount of countertop space. Backers looking for a way to encourage kids to floss might want to check out Gummy Floss. This campaign seeks to raise 50,000 by April 5, 2015. For $20, backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Watches and Jewelry

Feelings Bangle displays your relationship status without electronic gadgets

For those who have become weary of the guessing game where a person’s dating status is concerned, here is a product that will allow emotions to be worn on the wrist. Feelings Bangle is a bracelet that lets the wearer to communicate whether or not they want romantic attention.

The silicone-looking wrist bands come in nine different colors, with a corresponding word for publicly displaying one’s status. A few of the options include ‘party animal’, ‘friend zone’, ‘in love’, and others. Perhaps the most amusing is the ‘complicated’ status… whatever that means. Too bad there’s not a line of these for gag gifts that say things like ‘loser’, ‘out to lunch’, or ‘gold digger’.

The bracelets are touted as being easily seen within 10 meters, and they can be personalized with charms or a small pendant. But even if this product actually catches on, it will probably still be necessary to have a good pickup line prepared. Interested backers might also like to check out myOki.

This campaign seeks to raise $42,000 by March 23. For $5, backers get one product with an expected delivery in July of this year.

Categories
Kids/Babies Nutrition/Hydration

Jungle Bowl helps you tame picky eaters

Some kids can be really picky eaters. Some will eat anything they happen to find sitting around, whether it’s a food item or not. But for the parents of picky eaters, life can be a challenge, especially when it comes to trying to get kids to try new foods that are actually healthy. Jungle Bowl is offering a concept that seems to be borrowed from the “Happy Meal” idea.

If little Johnny or Suzie eats their food—as opposed to dumping it out, throwing it on the floor, or feeding it to Fido—then they get a toy. The toy shows up in a window at the bottom of the bowl. When enough food has been eaten so that the toy is visible, the parent can open the two part gadget and let the child have the toy. The product is touted as being designed in such a way that a child would not be able to open it without the help of a parent. It seems like an interesting idea worth checking into.

This campaign seeks to raise $40,000 by March 18. Early bird backers get one product for $23 with an expected delivery of September of this year.

Categories
Accents

Décor Flame might help you kindle the fires of romance

There are certain things that add just a touch of romance to getting together with that special someone. One thing in particular is a cozy spot in front of a flickering fireplace. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a fireplace, which is where Décor Flame steps in as a possible substitute.

The small fire containment unit includes fire-resistant glass that appears to encase a base of one’s choice of either stainless steel with a wood-looking surface, or plain stainless steel. The fire itself runs on bio-fuel. Whether or not the gadget actually produces any heat is questionable, but it may serve as an interesting conversation starter. Though the product is touted as being portable, it’s not clear what its measurements are. Backers might also like to check out the Lampp, the Playbulb, and the Prizim.

This campaign seeks to raise $20,000 by March 17. Early bird backers get one product for $150, with an expected delivery in June of this year.

Categories
Music

Glow illuminates the beat of your favorite jams while you wear them

It’s amazing how easy it has become to have one’s favorite music available wherever one happens to be. Choice gadgets make it possible to have hundreds of songs available at the touch of a button, and Glow is offering an interesting way to add to one’s music experience.

The device’s laser light earbud wires can be synchronized to one’s favorite jams, or even one’s own heartbeat. It includes five buttons that allow the user to control their music through an Android or iOS app, as well as access apps such as Google Play, YouTube, and Spotify. The negative profile setting allows user to take a nap with their headphones on, and an in-ear design significantly reduces outside noise. The laser light earbud wires will certainly make for an interesting conversation starter when meeting new people. Music lovers might especially enjoy this product for its purportedly crisp sound.

This campaign seeks to raise $100,000 by March 13. For $149, backers get one set of earbuds with an expected delivery in July of this year.