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Apparel

BulletSafe Bulletproof Baseball Cap offers protection without provocation

Working in law enforcement or professions that require the transport of money or jewels can mean that one’s life is consistently on the line. While professions such as these often offer a bulletproof vest, protective head gear for daily, non-emergency activities often isn’t offered.

BulletSafe Bulletproof Baseball Cap offers people in dangerous vocations the benefit of protective headgear without the drawbacks of a ballistic helmet. The cap is made of the same material as the repurposed military helmets, but it is more lightweight and easier to wear. The six-panel twill product offers a flexible fit in small, medium and large. Though a ballistic helmet seems to offer better protection for the side and back of the head, the baseball cap looks less intimidating or hostile to the average person.

As a safety option for daily wear, this may be an ideal product, but a baseball cap hardly looks professional in a law enforcement setting. While protective headgear may be in demand, something styled like a deputy’s hat may have a more professional appearance. This campaign seeks to raise $3,500. Backers get one BulletSafe Bulletproof Baseball Cap for $99, with an expected delivery of December 2015.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

YankCharger prevents cellphone yanking, cord breakages

Just about anybody who regularly charges a cellphone in public places knows how annoying it can be to have their device knocked off of a table while waiting for it to finish charging. Especially when the phone winds up breaking.

The YankCharger, from a Bend, Oregon inventor solves that issue. The anti-yank charging cord has a plug built into it to limit the amount of force that can be applied to a phone charging port. The cord’s reliable connection ensures that the phone will not go flying, no matter how hard the cable is yanked on. Backers who pledge $20 will get a YankCharger with microUSB connection and those who pledge $24 will get a version with lightning connection for iPhones when the device ships in April. The expected retail price of the cord isn’t known. Its inventor is trying to raise $4,500 by Jan. 27 so that he can make a minimum order of product and get the YankCharger custom-tailored to his specifications.

The charging cord has a very narrow purpose, but one that many consumers may find appealing. It’s not clear, however, if consumers will be willing to spend more than $20 just for a cord.

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Home

Powerguard Greenhouse keeps rodents away so gardeners can play

During the warmer months, gardening can be a great form of relaxation and enjoying the sun and fresh air. It’s an added benefit that a vegetable garden not only offers fresh food, but allows the gardener complete control of how those veggies were grown and treated.

Powerguard Greenhouse offers a safe way to keep rodents, deer and other animals from damaging young plants. It’s not entirely clear what the containers are made of, but they are fairly see-through for allowing the user to track the growth of the plant. It is also touted as extending the growing season of plants, but does not detail in exactly what way. The size of the products makes them ideal for those living in urban areas, as well as apartments, condos and homes in suburban areas. They also stack easily for winter storage in a shed or garage.

Any way to keep animals away from plants without hurting them is certainly a welcome addition to the gardening market. Urban backers may also be interested in Garden@Home, and commuters may appreciate GroUrban. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000 CAD (~$21,600 USD). For $40 CAD (~$35 USD) backers get three products with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries

Air Dock 2.0 wirelessly charges your phone while driving

Charging a cellphone while driving can be a chore when wires are involved.  Not to mention how unsafe it can be fiddling around with cords and outlets. The Air Dock 2.0 is a wireless car charger and dock for smartphones and tablets that features Qi inductive charging technology, so there is no need for fumbling around while placing a device on the dock.

The face of the Air Dock is made of nanosuction foam, so mounting a phone or tablet is as simple as placing it on the dock. Suction cups secure a mobile device to the dock without leaving any residue. Phones or cases with non-glossy surfaces may slip on the nanosuction foam, so the Air Dock comes with a magnetic sticker that guarantees reliable attachment to those non-glossy surfaces. Backers who provide $79 for the device’s Indiegogo campaign will get an Air Dock 2.0 with the mount of the buyer’s choice from a selection of four. The dock’s makers are looking to raise $85,000  as part of what is their second Air Dock campaign.

Many consumers will likely find the device handy. The CD mount option, which repurposes a car’s CD player, slipping into the CD slot and then expanding to hold itself firmly in place, is an especially interesting concept. But the device is rather costly for a charging dock, which could turn off some consumers. Although the device is compatible with many smartphones, some will require additional hardware or a case to be compatible with the dock.

Categories
Connected Objects

Green Lantern got nothin’ on anyone with an IRring remote control infrared ring

Sometimes, even getting up to manually turn off the lights can be a hassle, especially after a long, tiresome day. It’s funny how that can happen, and as a result most can admit to that feeling of pure laziness. Smart devices have pretty much made this an option, though, provided enough of the home is connected.

This is why the IRring remote control ring is a bit of a puzzle. The product is an Arduino-based, infrared ring that can control all types of electronics, appliances, and lights. For those parts of the home without infrared capabilites, an appliance module can help bridge that gap. A point and a click will set anything programmed on and off without much effort.

The ring itself is a bit of a clunker, though, and its lack of Bluetooth LE (although it’s being worked on) along with being relegated to only the home seems limited in use when other smart devices can trigger parts of the home through cellular networks. But, at $20 a pop, the device is inexpensive. A successful $15,000 campaign will see the IRring shipped in June 2015.

Categories
Music

Ukelation adds a bit of built-in amplification, effects to traditional ukuleles

When most people think of a ukulele, they think of relaxing on a Hawaiian island with a tropical drink, sunshine, and maybe a cool ocean breeze. As for the instrument itself, it’s generally thought of as acoustic in nature–until now.

Ukelation is a modernized ukulele that adds some amplification and effects without the amps or even an external effects processor. It’s all built in to the instrument, which runs on two AA batteries. The user just switches on the built-in speaker and  chooses the desired effects to enhance the mood of whatever song is being played. There are five effect choices available. The body is still made of natural wood, and there is an automatic shutoff that kicks in if the instrument has not been played for at least three minutes.

There is no clear indication as to whether or not that time can be adjusted so that it wouldn’t interfere with a live concert situation. Still, this a fun product great for the growing number of hipster ukelele players. This campaign seeks to raise $85,000 on Kickstarter. For $1,999 backers get one product with an expected delivery of August 2015.

Categories
Technology Writing

Say a farewell to distractions with the Hemingwrite e-paper, cloud-syncing writing tool

Today’s completely connected world makes the focused act of writing much harder than it needs to be. With our smartphones, tablets, and laptops set-up as versatile, multi-functional devices, it makes the singular task of writing a difficult one.

For some, this is a huge problem to the point that even a good, old-fashioned typewriter can seem like a good idea. Disconnected from the world, it just works without manuals or special applications needed. That’s what the inventors of the Hemingwrite had in mind in creating their single-purpose, typewriter-shaped writing tool. The product combines the comfort of a full-size mechanical keyboard with more advanced tech like e-paper and automatic cloud syncing in order to help users focus on the end result, rather than constantly be led astray by Facebook posts and random tweets.

Its slim-profile is made of aluminum and features a built-in handle to ensure it’s easy to carry. The Hemingwrite’s instant on feature lets users immediately get back to writing on up to three active documents at a time, and that, along with the option to display timers and word counters, is reflective of its only purpose: to get users to write. With the product being as sparse as it is, it boasts a four week battery so that a dead battery can never be a reason not to write. The Hemingwrite is currently going for $399, and is expected to ship in September 2015. The campaign’s goal is $250,000.

The Hemingwrite is a capable tool for a pretty serious problem that affects many writers, but having to spend upwards of $399 or more is an unnecessary expenditure that doesn’t technically guarantee anything. Utilizing free or low-cost applications along with developing a strong writing routine is so much more beneficial in the long run as a writer. The Hemingwrite is a novel, pretty fun idea with an awesome name, but it’s a gimmick unless its price comes down.

Categories
Health and Wellness

Tissue Tablet offers germaphobes more sanitized bathroom experience

Germaphobes, take heart! There is a new product attempting to make its way into the marketplace that may be just the thing to make for a bathroom experience that seems more sanitized and safe.

Tissue Tablet protects toilet paper from those nasty airborne germs that can float up the commode. And for those concerned about the conservation of toilet paper, the motorized dispenser works via the wave of a hand. It’s not entirely clear what the product will be made of, but a protective casing over the toilet paper is touted as being the mechanism that will keep germs away.

For those really concerned about this, Tissue Tablet may be just the thing for them. How dirty the product itself will get, however, is another matter entirely. Backers that are this concerned about germs and air quality might also like to check out the uHoo, Loodini, and Fresh Air Plus campaigns.  This product seeks to raise $5,500 CAD (~$4,800 USD). For $150 CAD (~$131 USD) backers get one product with an expected delivery of January 2016.

Categories
Tech Accessories

Expand your MacBook’s memory with the HyperDrive microSD adapater

For the most part, MacBooks have pretty stellar reputations. That is, of course, until users start to bump up against the storage limits of most of them. With eager consumers being charged crazy prices for more storage at the point of purchase, most opt for the least amount and face headaches down the road when needing more. Cloud storage is an answer, but lots of users like hard data easily accessible without the limits of internet connectivity.

The HyperDrive microSD adapter for the MacBook Pro and Air allow users to easily expand their storage by with any microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card. With these cards costing considerably less than brand new hard drives, a product like this is an easy decision. It’s attractive, too, fully blending in with the help of an aluminum cap that sits flush with the laptop. No tools are required to install or take it out, either, so having a collection of cards won’t be an issue.

For the most part, though, similar products exist, so it may be tough for the HyperDrive to gain notice. The Pro and Air versions of the HyperDrive are either $25 or $29, with both expected to be delivered in December 2014. The campaign is looking for $10,000 in funding.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Chargers/Batteries Connected Objects

PERI Duo case is a combination battery case, wireless speaker, style statement

Bluetooth speakers have exploded on the scene and readjusted just what consumers expect from their audio companions. Although features like weight and long-lasting battery for maximum portability are on the top of the list, a dead iPhone battery will render any speaker completely useless. Luckily, the PERI Duo case solves both problems with a single, compact solution.

The case is a combination battery charger and wireless speaker that works over both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. When attached, its 2500mAh battery ensures the iPod Touch or iPhone 5, 5C, or 6 is always full of juice and that the three and four watt speakers amplify any tunes a user might want to hear. When not attached, a user can stream music from the iPhone to the PERI Duo using Bluetooth, or multi-cast their audio to multiple, other speakers using the case from up to 100 feet away.

It’s slim profile is pretty attractive even if there is no iPhone 6+ nor any Android compatibility at the moment. Backers can take advantage of an early bird special of $79, a price that will rise to $99 after initial supply is sold. A successful $100,000 campaign will see the case expected to shipped in April 2015.