Ignoring the terribly pretentious piano music that plays throughout, the odd use of child actors, and the lack of any real dialogue, the actual MUST product seems pretty decent. It’s a folding phone and tablet stand that snaps together easily and can be taken apart and stored credit-card style in your wallet. Nifty to have, for sure. The stand can also be used to set up your phone for taking photographs – just a quick adjust on the stand and the phone is good to go. Two of these stands make a holder for a tablet. There are certainly lots of phone stands on the market, but even ones that fit on your wallet can’t accommodate a tablet. Early birds can get the stand for $12.99 and expect delivery in May 2014.
Author: Ross Rubin
![SwitchWood fa60bbc5bb8261a01af011e10569c9a1_large[1]](http://www.backerjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SwitchWood-fa60bbc5bb8261a01af011e10569c9a1_large1-300x227.jpg)
For men who enjoy setting trends while at fancy events, SwitchWood offers a unique bow tie. The knot portion is covered with eye-catching fabric (10 options) centered on a black connector that goes around the neck. The wooden wing sections are made of natural wood selected from sustainable sources. Its unstained, treated with linseed oil and easily attaches to the knot. There are other wooden ties out there, but perhaps the feature making SwitchWood the most unique is that the wings are interchangeable with the knots. There are 120 bow tie possibilities available. For $60, backers get one knot and a set of wooden wings with an expected delivery of June 2014.
The latest Italian fashion trend might be water- and sand-proof Bluetooth phone handset. SQueo connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet, and then you can play tunes, make phone calls, and so forth. With such a crowded Bluetooth speaker market, including several that have launched via crowdfunding, the SQueo focuses on being tough as well as attractive. Backers could anticipate having this cool accessory by September 2014, for the early bird special of $79.
![StickQuick c05a6306620c40cdaa49ad55b540a3ec_large[1]](http://www.backerjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/StickQuick-c05a6306620c40cdaa49ad55b540a3ec_large1-300x200.jpg)
Having the stuff you need at arm’s reach just got simpler. StickQuick’s system of organization includes elastic silicone bands that are embedded with neodymium magnets, the strongest permanent magnets available. The bands stretch to fit any ferrous or non-ferrous tool or handle. Available sizes include ½” and 3/8”, which fits most tools and utensils. StickQuick also offers 1” metal disks and 12” metal strips with adhesive on the back to convert non-ferrous surfaces. A quick glimpse through Amazon shows that there are already magnetic tool organizers and other magnetic organizers available. For at least $10, backers get two StickQuick bands and two 1” magnetic disks for non-ferrous surfaces. Estimated delivery is July 2014.
For those who have decided that a tablet is much easier to tote around than their laptop, Léaf Mount makes a gadget stand that allows your device to function like a PC monitor. It’s primarily compatible with iPad (the mini, at least), Android phones, iPhones and smartphones with a flat back. The mount is made of aerospace-grade aluminum with micro suction pads at the base to keep the mount stable. It’s also collapsible and comes with its own case for easy transport. While there are a plethora of tablet stands available, Léaf Mount might have the classiest ring to it. Léaf also had a campaign last year that was a success. For at least $45, backers get a complete Léaf Mount product with an estimated delivery of July 2014.
The Premise. Let’s face it: no one likes to compromise. We make tradeoffs because we’re adults, and we have to. It’s the way it is. We love to take great pictures with our DSLRs but we want it to be as easy as snapping a photo and sharing with a smartphone.
The Product. Case is a generically named camera accessory and smartphone app that attempts to serve you the best of both worlds. While its name would imply a very different and common camera complement, it’s actually a small, lightweight receiver meant to attach to your interchangeable lens camera via USB or reusable tape. Using Case with an Android™ or iOS device, you can upload images wirelessly from your camera to your smart device, control camera functions from your smart device, and change camera settings remotely. With the use of smart sensors Case can turn your smartphone into a remote control for your camera, allowing you to trigger the shutter from up to 50 meters away: especially useful for people who like to capture wildlife.
The Pitch. In the campaign video, members of Cheering Technology explain they created Case to make photography easier. They demonstrate how to switch shooting modes and change settings for shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and white balance directly from a smart device. They also explain how to easily focus the image and trigger the shutter button in addition to wirelessly sending photos to a smart device. Two versions of the app will be available, however iOS users may need to wait a little longer – timing is tentatively August but TBD. Android users should be happy to know that the app is expected to be available on Google Play by the time units ship. The project goal is to raise $15,000 to fund initial production and units are estimated to ship in July 2014.
The Perks. If the campaign is successful, Case will be distributed to backers for $79 in a choice of white or black. Larger backer commitments afford members the equivalent of a group discount. Up to five backers will have the opportunity to become Development Partners by donating $9,999 to the campaign. Development Partner status affords you 150 Cases, and a trip to China (flight and hotel included) to meet the minds behind Case. Free tour guide also included for the duration of your trip.
The Potential. Nikon, Canon and other camera manufacturers offer Wi-Fi functionality in their interchangeable lens cameras that covers almost all of what Case claims it can do. However, MaxStone is a similar product on Kickstarter which was recently funded at three times its goal amount, so that can help make the case for Case even if it lacks MaxStone’s charming design.
If rainy days and Mondays get you down because it complicates bringing your java on the road, Morella has a solution that will likely make you chuckle with delight: cup holders for your umbrella. Each cup holder has a custom designed clamp that fits any umbrella, high-griped material for increased stability, and a specialized pivot system to keep drinks upright. By the way, when it stops raining, your folded umbrella can still multitask, functioning as a drink stand. Morella appears to be a one-of-a-kind creation for drinkin’ in the rain. For £10 backers can get their very own Morella umbrella transforming cup holder, with an estimated delivery of June 2014.
The Organi system of organization is completely made of recyclable materials such as boxes, wine bottle corks and more. Organi components are cut into sets using a laser cutter and then assembled by hand. One of the goals of the founders is that all parts would be manufactured and assembled in the USA. Perhaps one of the bigger challenges for this campaign is the very basic college dormish appearance of the components – especially when Amazon can offer items such as wall pockets, mountable shelving units and other options for becoming more organized. There are also a couple of similar campaigns focusing on organization. For a contribution of $15, a backer gets the basic Minimalist SE set, which consists of an acrylic link and two pivots. Larger donations include more components. Expected delivery is July 2014.
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Screw Grabber makes tricky projects behave
![Screw Grabber d94bc2cfe931ca94706b9e8cedca61e7_large[1]](http://www.backerjack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Screw-Grabber-d94bc2cfe931ca94706b9e8cedca61e7_large1-300x186.jpg)
One little, two little, three little screws dropped! Nothing more aggravating than trying to get a screw balanced on the head of a screwdriver because of a project that calls for it in one or two awkward spots. Screw Grabber aims to solve that problem. The transparent, tapered, rubber sleeve slides onto the screwdriver and holds screws of any size in place, giving you the needed stability for getting screws properly placed within tricky angles. Its ability to work with plastic screws provides a bit of an edge over magnetized screwdrivers. And for $7, backers can be the judge by receiving a set of four Screw Grabbers with an expected delivery date of June 2014.
It’s quite possible that every kindergarten teacher and mom of multiple toddlers might stand up and applaud the Wudz’s shoelace locks. It claims to make tying shoelaces a thing of the past with an easy-to-use device the flyaway critters in place. And it still gives moms, teachers and others who might be involved in caring for kids control of shoelace tightness. That way, shoes that get placed on busy little feet stay there — unless mischievous little hands remove them personally. Wudz’s can also be used as a training tool to help kids learn to tie their shoes. The product comes in black or white, and charms can be added for attitude and style. Shoelace locks and shoelace charms are available on Amazon, but it doesn’t appear that they offer the option of being used as a tool to teach kids to tie their shoes. For a pledge of at least $12, backers get a complete Wudz set plus two extra charms. Estimated delivery is April 2014.