A long time ago in a world not so distant from this one, they used clotheslines to dry wet clothes. Why? Dryers didn’t exist yet. Nevertheless, some people like the smell and feel of sundried clothes, and for them, a Mobile Clothesline that holds an entire load of laundry might be just the thing. But for those of us who don’t have the time, we’ll stick with our dryer – low heat for delicates and minimal shrinkage. There are multiple options out there for mobile drying racks and mobile clothes racks which can be just as easily placed outside and moved around with the sunlight. It doesn’t appear that any of the tiers in this campaign offer The Mobile Clothesline product, but for at least $20 a backer gets a tee-shirt with an estimated delivery of June 2014.
Author: Ross Rubin
It’s alive, master! For those of you who have become bored with your phone in its present state, Nubo has created something of a lively, pocket-sized companion. Three specialized apps and a silicon case named Nubot that looks a bit like a little green pet an alien might find in a Mars gift shop (if there were such thing) all give your phone the personality you’ve probably been longing for it to have. It waves, dances, and can even become moody – just in case you don’t already have enough moody people in your life. For $150 a backer gets a Nubot and estimated delivery of April 2014.
Whether it’s home, garage, auto, or camper, hands-free lighting just got a bit simpler. The Mount Anywhere LED takes the frustration out of what you’ll find in a normal mounting system because it’s bracketless. The aluminum extrusion allows you to choose the mounting option of your pleasure: drilling holes, glue, caulk, foam tape, screw and nut magnets, redneck twine, heavy-duty fishing line…well, you get the idea. For $15, backers get a complete product with an anticipated delivery of May 2014.
Tablets, iPhones, pens, pencils, paper, and other important things always seem like they’ve sprouted legs and have run off somewhere when you want them. With spring right around the corner, Bench aims to cater to the ambitious souls out there who are thinking thoughts like, How can I organize the mess that I can still find? The glorified desk organizer is ten inches long and made of acrylic plastic. It’s lined with acrylic foam so as not to scratch or damage tablets, iPhones or other gadgets. While there are many gadget docks and desk organizers out there, Bench seems to be the first to combine the two concepts. For $20 backers get one Bench and an estimated delivery of May 2014.
No, it’s not a throwback to one of those old westerns. The Hangman is a tool caddy that attaches to a ladder. And there is more than a noose that holds it in place. The aluminum tool holder locks to the inside of any commercial size ladder rung, holds any standard size paint can, has an arm that pivots for easy access, a rubber coated hook that protect tools from scratches, and holds up to 35 pounds of equipment. For $109 a backer gets a complete product with an expected delivery of May 2014.
Aaah, the things that inspire. Nothing like a first child to make parents spazz out about dirty shoelaces and other assorted germy items. But a first child is indeed the inspiration for GeniusStrap according to the video. Then the second one comes along and is lucky if the pacifier even gets washed off after hitting the floor and laying there for a week. Nevertheless, GeniusStrap has multiple uses beyond just locking up shoelaces. The rubber strip with its holes and balled ends stretches and locks into place for use with bundling items, condensing, toting, securing, ponytail holder, even finger exercises. While there are shoelace locks out there, including some crowdfunded ones , GeniusStrap seems to have far more versatility. For $16, a backer gets a set of GeniusStraps (8 pieces) and an expected delivery of Aug 2014.
Ode to StaX: I think that I shall never see, a storage thingy diverse as thee. Well, maybe that was a bit over-the-top, but StaX is truly capable of providing a home for all your small clutter. The multi-optional-colored cylinders are made of aircraft grade aluminum, so you can choose to use them in the garage to store hardware, living room as drink coaster and nut holder, kitchen, bathroom, kids’ rooms, or wherever. It might be interesting to see how the dog would respond to it…or might make an interesting wind chime. StaX seems unique in diversity and adjustability. Plus it looks really cool. For $49, backers get a five piece set with an expected delivery of June 2014.
If you could design your own watch, what would you put on it? That’s the preface for Mod-to-Order watches. The modular time pieces are designed with interchangeable straps and faces. But Mod-to-Order’s aim is to take that one step further and allow their customers to put anything on the face that they want and combine it with the strap of their choice. While there are multiple options out there for interchangeable watch sets, something that’s custom-designed and also inexpensive is not presently available to the public. For $25, backers get one tan Mod-to-Order watch face along with two straps, a green and a black. Expected delivery is June 2014.
Here’s a tool to help mini-lumberjacks looking to tap their inner Paul Bunyan, or at least ease th task of building up the firewood reserve. Sure, getting kindling is a pain, but you certainly don’t need to carry around a big piece equipment for it. Especially when the guy who designed the so-called “Kindling Maker” struggled to make it work right on his own Kickstarter video. It seems clunky and not at all easy to use. Honestly, it’s probably easier to just whack it with the axe. Gizmodo features the Mr. Quicksplit, which is a similar device, but neither one seems to be overly efficient. However, those who do choose to invest in the Kindling Maker can back $99 and expect shipment in May 2014.
The Premise. It never fails. You’re in a hurry: your car keys mysteriously disappear. Or it could be that you’re out shopping, your purse is in the cart, you turn your back for a moment and then can’t find your purse. These and other activities can be monitored by an app that not only acts as your personal lost and found, but is capable of some other interesting activities.
The Product. Lupo aims to be your best electronic buddy and ultimate administrative pal all rolled into one. The app’s ability to track your stuff through interconnected technology may very well mean that mom no longer needs to tell little Johnny where he had his shoes last, where Dad laid down his wallet, or where Susie left her phone. Those who are tech-savvy can even use Lupo to control some soothing music from their favorite mobile device while putting together that high-power presentation for work. And if it just so happens that the cat ran off with the mouse, no worries. Lupo even has the potential to function like a wireless mouse.
The Pitch. The video for the £20,000 campaign actually does a great job of succinctly explaining what Lupo does and how it works. It seems worth noting that Lupo technology works via “state of the art algorithm,” which should mean that battery life is extended, Lupo’s range and other settings can be varied, and that new, unique apps are possible with API support.
The Perks. There are seven tiers from which backers may choose. For £24 (or about $39 USD), a backer gets one Lupo in their choice of white, black or blue. The mini tracking device is expected to retail for £40, and the estimated delivery is August 2014.
The Potential. Lupo will likely have a wide demographic from teens to young adults to parents and possibly young-at-heart grandparents. While Lupo’s software component is available in the app store, it’s not yet available for Android, but that’s temporary. Lupo competing against a host of Bluetooth finding campaigns, including XY, Chipolo and Hone as well as products such as the Kensington Proximo, and Wallet TrackR. However, unlike many of those, the product’s remote activation capabilities and platform capabilities could help set it apart.