Categories
Tech Accessories

KaVii makes tablets and smartphones stick around

Ideas for smartphone and tablet mounts seem to be flooding the market like a garden at harvest time. The question is, which ones will weather the storm of consumer fickleness and stick around for a while?

One product that seems to have the stickiness factor going for it, quite literally, is KaVii. The adhesive gel tablet can secure a smartphone or tablet to nearly any flat surface. And if one happens to be in a warm environment, KaVii won’t melt or leave sticky residue. So those who like to karaoke with their smartphone in the shower or camp in the bathtub and watch a good movie can enjoy themselves at everyone else’s annoyance. The product can be cleaned easily with hot or cold water and left to air dry.

KaVii might not be the best option in the car during the winter months since it isn’t especially effective when the temperature gets below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. But the summer months likely won’t be a problem since it will function up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000. For $9, backers get four pieces of KaVii with an expected delivery of January 2015.

Categories
Health and Wellness Wearables

V1bes sensor ring diagnoses stress via heart rate, brainwaves

The monkey on our all our backs all the time is the one known as stress, but despite its ubiquity, most people don’t know much about what in their own lives causes it. Stress is a contributing factor in not only the sicknesses we contract but in our general psychological well being as well. Many would agree how incredibly important it is to be kept informed about the stress levels experienced day in and day out.

The V1bes sensor ring is another wearable piece of technology that also tracks heart rate, but for a good reason. Along with heart rate, it tracks brainwaves with its ability to perform an EEG, and the surrounding electro-magnetic pollution to produce personalized reports available through the companion iOS or Android app. These reports clue users in to what’s going on and offer suggestions as to how to reduce the stress currently being experienced.

One time tested approach to reducing stress is a bit of fun. To that effect, V1bes also offers enjoyable little distractions that can be facilitated with the ring. From analyzing electric activity in your muscles to “tell how strong someone is” to creating abstract looking bio-profiles from data gathered, the product can let its hair down as well. The campaign is looking for $25,000 to get the $199 product out to backers by September 2015.

The V1bes’ form factor hurts its versatility as it cannot be worn everywhere like the much more attractive Olive wristband. What it does is admirable, but there are too many moving parts and isn’t as polished something like an Olive. Look out for further iterations if you’re really interested.

Categories
Music

Badger Brown Tone Bar offers steel lap players multi-genre freedom

Getting just the right sound on a guitar when playing country music means having the right tone bar. And many country music lovers who play a lap steel string guitar have multiple tone bars so that they can get just the right sound for every song. But carrying around multiple tone bars is pretty inconvenient, and it’s a hassle when it’s time to jam or do a live concert.

The Badger Brown Tone Bar lets country musicians get the sound they need all in one tone bar. The gadget has a rounded tip on one end for those Hawaiian, and jazz numbers, as well as a fluted tip dobro on the other end for bluegrass, blues and edgier rock styles. The comfort fit is one-size-fits all, but those who have shorter fingers may want to ask a few questions to make certain it will be a good fit. Musician backers may also want to check out Kiln, bnd stand, and SoulPedal. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000. Backers get Badger Brown Tone Bar for $35 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Connected Objects

Duo Bluetooth speaker splits apart to produce true stereo output

This is truly the age of the Bluetooth speaker. They come in every shape, size, color, and price point, from the extremely small and portable to the huge formidable types intended to replace your actual stereo. One of their most glaring problems, though, especially in the larger ones, is their lack of true stereo sound. With the vast majority of Bluetooth speakers comprised of just a single speaker, the ability to create that room-filling sound is compromised for convenience.

The team behind the Duo Speakers gives you the best of both worlds. The product’s looks are deceiving: although it is packaged as a single Bluetooth speaker, its magnetic connection can be loosened to free both halves. This results in two Bluetooth speakers connected to a single device such as a smartphone that provide a more mature sound. Bluetooth 4.0 allows the speakers t0 be placed up to 32 feet apart and can work for up to seven hours on a single charge, making them mighty versatile. The campaign is looking for $17,500 to get the $75 speakers delivered by March 2015.

The Duo Speakers seem to be a well-crafted device, and pretty attractive to boot. Being that it boasts 3W Hi-Fi speakers, it should pump out some quality sound as well. It’s small form factor makes it multi-functional too, as opposed to other solutions that use existing speakers to spread sound around or a single speaker to omni-directionally fill the room and, as a result, are stuck in the home.

Categories
Home

ClickClix protects socks from those strange washing machine disappearances

The question of what happens to socks while they are in the washing machine so that pairs often come out single is one of the stranger phenomenon that came with that invention. It’s enough to leave a person wondering if there is some sort of mini Bermuda vortex, or maybe even microbial creatures that hide in the washer water supply and eat the socks.

The creator of ClickClix noticed this mysterious disappearance, too. The product consists of a total of four pieces: two rings and two buttons. To attach them to socks or other clothing items, the user lines up the ring and button on each side of the fabric and presses until they click together. No sewing or gluing is required. There is also an applicator that can be purchased separately if backers prefer.

ClickClix comes in regular and large so that it works with various thin and thick fabrics. Backers interested in keeping their socks together may also want to check out the Sock Slide. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000. For $5, backers get three sets of ClickClix with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Cycling

Suit up before you ride with the wearable Mighty Click bike lock

Securing a bike is a necessary evil, lest it is left prey to unscrupulous types who can and most likely will take it. Unfortunately, most common locking mechanisms, like U-locks, cable locks, or chains, can be heavy and as a result extremely unwieldy and impractical.

The Mighty Click combines the positive aspects of these common locks into a wearable construction that sits comfortably on a rider’s waist. A thick, metal chain is sheathed by a reflector-laden cover to protect your bike from scuffs while it is locked, and can be adjusted with a adjustable belt and clip while worn. In addition, a small zippered pouch can tuck away a few dollars, a set of keys, or whatever else a rider may need for the trip.

Other attempts at bike lock convenience have focused on other parts of the bike for security, but wearing around the waist echoes what riders basically already do which lowers the the bar for comfort. The two versions, with or without a padlock, weigh in at 3.25 pounds, and go for $29 and $25, respectively. The $1,200 campaign is looking to ship the product by February 2015.

Categories
Home Pets

Termitat keeps termites in your home, doesn’t let them damage anything though

For many, termites are little creatures that slowly and silently eat houses until they crumble to the ground. Most, however, have no idea what termites look like and don’t really care because they’re associated with costly home repairs.

For the insect enthusiast who hasn’t had a bad experience with termites comes the Termitat. This small glass exhibit can be displayed at home, in the office or at school and features, you guessed it, termites. More specifically, in case anyone cares, the forest-dwelling Dampwood termite. The campaign calls this a museum-quality habitat, meaning that, hopefully, the little wood-eaters can’t get out. To feed the bugs, just drop a thimbleful of water in twice a month. Doing so will help to grow and develop the colony. An optional add-on includes a magnifier to view the bugs up close, bleh.

From the point of view of someone who doesn’t want termites anywhere near their home, this product seems a little nutty. However, insect enthusiasts may rejoice at the opportunity to keep these little foundation-miners as pets. In addition, if a visitor doesn’t know what lurks beneath, the habitats themselves are quite handsome. Either way, backers will have to donate $125 for their very own for delivery in May. Termitat is hoping to raise $5,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Tech Accessories

Blooky promises to end password hassle with a key fob device

One password for all the sites we frequented used to be the norm. More importantly, it used to be easy. Nowadays, though, having one password for every Web site is akin to a digital death sentence. With more and more attempts at your digital life by hackers targeting large companies with troves of our data and being successful at it, it’s up to us to make sure our data is protected and secure. Password managers claim to be a good solution, but they rely on exactly one password to protect you, which has proven to be a bad idea.

Blooky is a wireless Bluetooth password key that can work with laptops, desktops, phones, and tablets to relieve you of password worry. All you have to do is pair Blooky with your device and login to your desired site. After your first time, the product will save your credentials. Every login after that will see Blooky authenticate itself to decrypt the passwords it has stored, making every login effortless. It’s easy to deactivate should it fall into the wrong hands, offering several ways to remotely disable it. The company is also offering a Bluetooth LE dongle for your device should it lack the capability. The campaign is looking for $250,000, and backers can expect their $100 Blooky on their doorsteps by August 2015.

The inventors behind Blooky claim their encryption is unbroken thus far, but no encryption is perfect. Someone who wants your data badly enough will eventually succeed. Blooky will no doubt be an asset to the casual user, but runs the risk of being more of a convenience than actual protection in the long run. Backers interested in security may also want to check out the EveryKey.

Categories
Tech Accessories

PowerTower organizational stand stacks devices, cleans up cords

An excess of cords anywhere in the household can be an incredible eyesore, and one that isn’t very easy to fix without some sort of creative solution that hides the wires in some way. It’s difficult sometimes to do so with the sheer number of cords that sprout from the growing number communication peripherals, like routers, people own.

The PowerTower organizes all of these peripherals by offering a four level stand that accommodates a decent number of devices. The product was designed with spaces in its semi-circular base and spine to tuck away the many wires that need to be connected in a clean fashion, reducing the amount of snake-pit like corners in the home.

Six AC and four USB outlets ensure everything needing power gets enough of it. Since it doesn’t itself get out of the way like the WrapAround, as a consequence the stand itself can end up being the eyesore instead as it isn’t the sleekest of designs. The $100,000 campaign is looking to get the $99 PowerTower in homes by May 2015.

Categories
Sports

TorrX pumps up your sports balls, won’t burst them

Balls used in sports need constant pumping to keep them firm enough to play with. They’re constantly losing air and, if too soft, can ruin any football, basketball or soccer game. The only problem is that traditional air pumps leave you guessing. Either the ball isn’t as firm as it should be or too much air is pumped in causing the ball to burst.

TorrX is a digital air pump that takes the guesswork out of breathing new life into sports balls. To use, just turn on and select whether the ball should be pumped manually or automatically. For the manual mode, it’ll display the ball’s psi. For the automatic range, input the optimum psi and it’ll fill it to that level. TorrX is long and skinny, perfect for throwing into any sports bag.

This is a great product for any sports enthusiast, athlete or coach who constantly find themselves with weak footballs, basketballs, soccer balls or any other kinds of ball. The battery lasts long too, boasting the ability to fill up 50 soccer balls on a full charge. For their own, backers can donate $45 to receive by June 2015. TorrX is looking to raise a whopping $100,000 on Kickstarter.