Categories
Health and Wellness

Diabeto makes diabetes easier to manage by syncing glucometer with smartphone

Diabetes affects many people, but the way to manage the disease is fairly basic. Those afflicted must constantly watch their glucometer to make sure they’re safe.

Now, like many other afflictions, diabetes can be monitored with a smartphone. Diabeto is a small device that transmits readings from a glucometer to a smartphone app, Web app, or Pebble smartwatch. That information is then stored in the cloud to make the data accessible from anywhere, which can be “useful for remotely monitoring children’s diabetes by parents or [a] healthcare practitioner,” as the Indiegogo page notes. The app allows one to track their mood, activity, carbohydrates, insulin levels and blood glucose. It was designed to be easy enough for children to use, and is small enough to look almost like a children’s toy.

Backerjack has seen many smart devices that focus on health, such as the Wishbone and Fever Smart. Diabeto joins a successful market and will certainly be useful to those with diabetes. Of course, as with all such devices, accuracy is super important, and if Diabeto errs, the result could be dangerous. Still, Diabeto’s compatibility with both Web apps, smartphone apps and the Pebble watch set it apart from similar products that only work with smartphones. For their own, backers must donate $59. Diabeto is hoping to raise $10,000 on Indiegogo.

Categories
Displays Music

Portable Flicks lets you watch flicks, listen to music anywhere

It would be convenient when having a party if the same portable electronic device could be used to show movies and other videos, as well as listen to music wirelessly.

Flicks does exactly that, combining a Bluetooth-enabled audio system with a 720p HD LED projector in one box. Music can be streamed from a smartphone or tablet, while movies can be watched via an HDMI connection from media devices including Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast and Roku streaming sticks. The projector’s lens displays a 100-inch image at just over eight feet away. The full-color RGB LEDs provide solid image quality with strong color saturation and 700-lume brightness using Texas Instruments DLP technology.

The creators are fielding two SKUs: Flicks at $599, offering up to four hours of movie-viewing or up to 28 hours of Bluetooth music, and Flicks Range at $699, offering up to eight hours of movie-viewing or up to 56 hours of music. Its makers are hoping to raise $50,000 in funding. They will ship the product in May-June 2015.

Flicks holds great promise, especially among home owners who frequently throw parties. The alternate target audience of consumers making business presentations seems a bit more of a stretch because they likely won’t be looking for a projector that offers Bluetooth music streaming as well.

Categories
Connected Objects Networking

Eero can be your hero in overcoming wireless dead zones

A frequent annoyance for Wi-Fi users is when a dead zone prevents them from accessing the Internet in certain locations of their homes. Another annoyance is having to reset a router when it mysteriously stops working.

Eero has been designed to blanket a user’s entire home with fast, reliable Wi-Fi in order to eliminate dead zones and all the other frequent wireless issues that Internet users typically experience. The device looks like a basic router and plugs into an existing cable or DSL modem. Users then just download an Android or iOS app and it will instantly recognize Eero and prompt users to create their own network name and password. Additional Eeros need power from a standard wall outlet and get placed around the home with the help of the app.

A typical apartment will need two Eeros, while an average house will need three and a larger house will require four to work at maximum effectiveness. The Eeros work together to form a mesh network. Unlike traditional routers and extenders that only allow for data to make a single hop, Eero allows for multiple hops with minimal signal loss. Consumers can connect up to 10 Eeros. One unit will cost $199 and its maker will bundle three at the discounted price of $499 when it ships this summer.

Eero holds a lot of promise, as long as it works as effectively as its maker claims. The Splitter is a rival device that attempts to resolve wireless dead zones, but Eero is a far more advanced system.

Categories
Cycling

Leafxpro shields cyclists from the rain, keeps commuters dry

Riding a bike to work—or anywhere, for that matter—is a great and environmentally-friendly way to get around and stay in shape. The only problem is that cycling can be near impossible when it’s raining.

patent-claimedTo protect from getting wet, the LEAFXPRO was created. This product attaches to all different kinds of bicycles. A clear flap acts as a windshield to protect the rider from rain, but still gives them a proper field of vision when riding. Similarly, another flap rests against the rider’s back to protect from the dirt and grime that the back tire usually kicks up. To make matters even better, the LEAFXPRO was designed in such a way that it won’t slow the rider down.

The LEAFXPRO looks a little bit ridiculous, however. There’s no type of windshield-wiper system in place to wipe water away from the front flap, either. It seems likely that in windy conditions the product might act as a sail. Still, it’s at least some protection against the elements for cyclists. Backers can donate £99 (~$151) for their own, with estimated delivery in September of this year. LEAFXPRO hopes to raise £20,000 (~$30,500) in funding.

Categories
Kids/Babies Luggage and Bags

Lugabug turns a rolling suitcase into a convenient seat for the little ones

Family vacations can be a lot of fun, and create some beautiful memories. But weary little legs can be taxing on the arms of mom or dad. Lugabug offers an innovative seating solution that fastens to a rolling suitcase with a couple of straps that clip together and slide over the suitcase handle. The child sits in the seat and can then be pulled along with the luggage through the airport, bus terminal, or train station.

There does not appear to be any type of seatbelt, but the seat seems to be fairly deep. Lugabug folds flat when not in use, and can double as an extra pocket that holds a couple magazines or a tablet. It’s recommended for children ages 2 or older, with a 70 pound weight limit.

This seems like a great idea for parents who like to do a lot of traveling with their little ones. Backers who love family vacations might also want to check out RuitBag and Share Foil. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000 in funding. Early bird backers get one product for $60, with an expected delivery in June.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

Prynt will instantly print photos taken with your smartphone

As their cameras get ever better, smartphones have become the go-to device that many people use to take photos. But although they generate photos that can look amazing, there is no on-the-go way to get a physical photo to post on a refrigerator or a wall, or to give to grandparents who don’t use devices that would allow them to receive the image digitally.

Prynt is a camera case for iPhones and Android smartphones that enables the user to instantly print out any photo that is taken with the device. The San Francisco- and Paris-based team of developers is using the same ZINK Zero Ink printing technology that’s been used in products like Polaroid’s instant mobile printers. The special paper that’s used has ink embedded inside, eliminating the need for any ink cartridges that need to be replaced.

Prynt’s makers have also added a neat additional feature involving augmented reality. When a photo is being taken, the Android and iOS app records a short video and stores it in the cloud. Then, when a user holds the phone over the printed image, the app will automatically scan and recognize it, showing that video on screen in augmented reality.

Backers who pledge $99 will get a Prynt case when it ships in August. That’s less than the $130-$150 that its makers expect to charge at retail. Its makers have set a goal of raising $50,000 in funding.

Prynt holds great promise—adding instant printing capability to a smartphone is a great idea. Other devices have tried to do the same thing, such as Snapjet, which users dock their smartphones on to print an image using analog instant film. Designing Prynt as a lightweight case makes it more portable, and makes the process of taking a photo and printing it out instantly very much like using an old Polaroid instant camera. Using ZINK paper also seems to be a superior alternative to using analog film. Prynt’s augmented reality feature adds even more value to the product. One drawback is that it is only compatible with select iPhones and Android phones, but its makers are trying to add compatibility for more smartphone models, according to the Kickstarter campaign video.

Categories
Toys

Pinblock is a building toy that goes above and beyond, not meant for pinheads

Most building toys help kids learn about construction, engineering and spatial fundamentals. However, many of these toys are limited in the types of structures that can be made with them.

Pinblock promises to change all that. These small building blocks use a series of anchors and pins that fit together. On the campaign, the creators demonstrate just how many different things can be made using Pinblock. They’ve used their product to create planes, animals and even the Empire State Building. The shape of Pinblocks is what sets it apart from similar toys, allowing it to be melded into anything.

Backerjack has seen many building block toys over the past year, all promising versatility. And, for the most part, they all deliver. Pinblock is another example of this. It’s certainly a little bit more flexible than other toys, but doesn’t do much else to set itself apart. Still, for a donation of $40 backers can have a set of 500 pieces in random colors for delivery in May 2015. Pinblock is looking to raise $10,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Home

FanMaid keeps your ceiling fan from spreading its dust in the wind

Ceiling fans are one of the greatest ways to enhance the heating or cooling system in one’s home. Unfortunately, they are also dust magnets, and cleaning the blades is an absolute pain. FanMaid offers a tool for cleaning ceiling fans that clears the dust off of the top, bottom and even the edges, keeping it from falling all over.

The paint roller-looking gadget has a tensioning hinge that allows for an easy back and forth cleaning motion without having to get on a step ladder. The rollers are replaceable through FanMaid.

One thing that sets this product apart from something like Swiffer Dusters is the dual roller system. This feature seems like it would make FanMaid easier to use and possibly more effective for cleaning ceiling fans. Interested backers might also like to check out Multi-Surface Cleaning Robot and Power Tower. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 in funding. For $10, backers get one refill pack of FanMaid with an expected delivery in August.

Categories
Imaging

LensRacks holds camera, lens, flashes and more; makes life easier for photographers

Any photographer knows that changing lenses quickly can be an important part of getting the best shot. One can’t be fumbling around with camera bags and costly equipment, or else they’ll miss a great photograph. However, there isn’t a great way to keep the camera’s accessories organized.

patent-claimedFor lenses, flashes, monitors, cameras and more comes LensRacks. This product is modular and customizable, using rails to hold camera accessories in place. To use, place lens holders, flash holders, camera adapters and more in between the rails. The lenses and other accessories easily twist on and off. This way, all the accessories needed are quickly and easily accessible to the photographer. LensRacks is currently only compatible with Canon and Nikon products. Backers can pay $49 for the triple rail kit with estimated delivery in August of this year.

There are plenty of products out there aimed at keeping lens caps safe—like the Hack x Tack—but few that focus on larger accessories. While perhaps a little bulky to tote around, LensRacks is still great for any photographer who has a long day of picture-taking ahead of them. Its customizable and modular design make it especially appealing.

Categories
Camping

CaraClaw keeps campers, hikers sharp when it matters most

Hiking and camping excursions always seem to go better when one knows that the right tools are available. Whether it’s to make setting up camp easier, or make hiking safer and more enjoyable, there are certain tools that one should always have on hand.

A quality knife is one such item. CaraClaw is a knife option that shows some potential. The blade is made of stainless steel, locks out, and has a side release button. The handle is textured rubber for easy griping.

While this product has a very sleek look, nice design, and seems very ideal for camping and hiking enthusiasts, it will find some pretty heavy competition among the many Carabiner knives that are already out there. Interested backers might also like to check out Loopy, Redtail Slackline Set, and WakaWaka. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000 in funding. For $26, backers get one product with an expected delivery of March of this year.