Categories
Apparel Travel

Nubrella keeps you dry and in the hood at all times

We’ve all been there. Stuck outside walking on a windy rainy night with a flimsy Dollar Store umbrella. Then, a gust of wind surges through, soaking us to the bone and annihilating that cheap umbrella. After that, only a soggy newspaper can provide relief.

Introducing Nubrella. A wearable inversion proof, hands-free umbrella designed to never fail. Worn like a backpack, the umbrella goes up and down much like a hood would. The back part is black, while the front is clear. The front part comes down to cover the face for full protection against the rain, or any other liquid for that matter. Reinforced to withstand strong winds, the canopy is also designed in such a way that wind can’t get underneath it to invert.

While this product looks absolutely ridiculous, it is still a great idea. The typical umbrella model is definitely flawed and it’s about time someone tried to improve it. Complete with a Steve Jobs quote, the Indiegogo campaign is seeking to raise $10,000. Backers can have their very own Nubrella for $49 with estimated delivery just in time for April showers.

Categories
Lighting

Waterproof Helioslight conveniently hangs around with your car keys

There’s nothing like the convenience of having a key ring light that actually gives off enough light to be effective when it’s needed. And if it’s shockproof and water resistant, so much the better! Helioslight offers that plus a light has the brightness of between 700 – 1,100 lumen, depending on whether one chooses the Sun, Quasar or Pulsar model. This means its compact size still allows it to offer plenty of light.  It lasts up to eight hours, again, depending on the model. Its unique shape allows for lighting that is simultaneously useful for distance as well as at one’s feet. The Sun and Quasar are made of aluminum, while the Pulsar is made of Titanium. The neodymium magnet at the base of each light allows it to be attached to any metal surface.

This particular light will be a strong competitor with the MagLite, but Helioslight’s convenience of attaching to a key ring may give it an edge. This campaign seeks to raise $8,000. Early bird backers get one Helioslight for $84 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Wearables

CHEMION smart glasses make your face the LED billboard you never wanted it to be

The world is always fast trying to figure out what the next ridiculous trend will be because these ridiculous trends are guaranteed to bring in heaps of money. Technology is especially guilty of this as these trends are the veritable ebb and flow of the industry and as such, seldom do we see real and significant innovation.

CHEMION is a pair of LED glasses that can display text, images, and animations similar to how a scoreboard at a stadium and its large bulbs constantly change color to show pictures or scores. The product uses Bluetooth LE to interface with your iOS or Android smartphone so that you can customize what people around you see, and lasts about five hours on a pair of AA batteries. It looks a bit clunky, but that never stopped crazier products from seeing the day of light. One pair of Chemion glasses goes for $100 with an estimated ship date of February 2015. The campaign is looking for $10,000 to become the next big annoying thing you see everywhere.

The company behind the CHEMION, KSEED, swear they have a game changer on their hands. The more you look, though, the less of that you see. It could be due to the fact that you only have tiny slits with which to see the world, or it could be due to the grand claims of aiming to help people with speech problems with a product that amounts to a novelty handed out at a club. The company claims to be selling a quasi-medical solution, but their advertising is pretty much devoid of that noble notion. There are much better ways to address problems like this (MotionSavvy comes to mind) but this just isn’t one of them.

Categories
Fitness

BodyFly will tone your body, won’t provide flight

Fitness buffs get a little crazed about their all-in-one products. Here’s another one to go wild for: BodyFly. This hexagonal platform uses cables and handles to make your body fly (as in toned, not airborne). It offers a multitude of workouts upright or lying down to tone abs, pecs, arms, legs and core. With a slider, those working out can adjust the weight they want to lift from 10 to 20 or 30 pounds. The side has a handle for easy carrying and the creators claim that their product is quite lightweight. In addition, the campaign boasts that BodyFly can be used anywhere, humorously showing a hunk using the product in a supermarket.

It’s difficult to get excited about fitness devices in the crowdfunding world because there are simply so many out there. Some sacrifice function for versatility, wanting their product to be used in so many different ways that they forget the entire purpose. Others sacrifice portability for functionality forgetting that people need to tote it around, like the recent STABALLIZER. All in all, BodyFly seems to be the full package, offering a range of workouts, not the biggest range ever, but a range nonetheless with portability for convenience. Backers can have their own for $699 and if they don’t die from heart attack at the sticker shock first, they’ll get it by July 2015. BodyFly hopes to raise $150,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Imaging

SunnyBAG action case stores GoPro and charges it with solar energy

Any extreme daredevil knows that the best way to capture cool stunts is to use a GoPro camera. These cameras’ durability and versatility make them perfect to take to rivers, mountains, cliffs, jungles or any other daredevil-y place.

Up until now, GoPro cases have been rather lame compared to the cameras themselves. Introducing SunnyBAG: a GoPro case that not only protects these cameras wherever they may go, but also charges them. The case is covered with solar panels that soak up rays, turning them into battery life for the GoPro. In addition, the case can also charge smartphones, tablets, Google Glass, smartwatches and any other USB compatible device.

While the charging time for devices supported by SunnyBAG may be on the longer side, this case is still very interesting. It’s ideal for thrill seekers who spend the whole day on the move looking for the next piece of action. Backers can have their very own by April 2015 for $89, if SunnyBAG can meet its $30,000 goal on Indiegogo.

Categories
Sports

N 1 Putter Caddy keeps golfers focused on their game

There are few things in life that are a better distraction from stress and the daily grind of work than a good round of golf – until one can’t find their putter. So in an effort to restore golf to the relaxing activity that it should be, N 1 Putter Caddy was created. The aluminum, lightweight caddy attaches to the outside of most golf bags, keeping the putter safe from potentially getting damaged by other clubs in the bag. The easy access to one’s putter means more focus can be put on the game, where it belongs.

The putter holder is durable and requires only minimal installation, though it’s not indicated if any special tools are necessary for that installation. This product, while convenient, may only prove attractive to caddies who don’t choose what their golfer’s buy. Golf loving backers might also like to check out Range to Go and GreenPlay campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000. Backers get one N 1 Putter Caddy for $200 with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

iPin laser pointer fits into iPhone; points at presentations for you

Giving informative presentations is an important skill to have. Many offices and school environments require presentation skills in order to succeed. However, crouching over laptops in order to control the slides isn’t always ideal.

IPin fits directly into your iPhone’s headphone jack. When switched on, it emits a laser pointer to use for presentations. With an accompanying app, iPin lets you control any presentation from your own phone. Swipe left to continue to the next slide, right to go back, and up to produce a cursor to play videos or interact with the presentation. The pin is tiny and discreet as it sits in the phone.

All in all, the iPin is a nifty little product for iPhone users who give public talks a lot. It’s a bit small, meaning that there’s risk of it getting lost, but most know how to keep track of their various iPhone accoutrement. The one drawback is that the iPin is not compatible with the new iPhone 6 Plus, a pretty big oversight. Still, for those interested, their own can be had for $49 with an estimated delivery date of December 2014. IPin is looking to raise $10,000 on Indiegogo.

Categories
Tablet Accessories

IStandUp props up tablets, lets them hang around

Finding a way to prop up a tablet for easier usage can be a real challenge. IStandUp is one of the newest inventions out there to help resolve this growing issue. This particular stand is made of metal, which will make it more durable for any room in the house. IStandUp is also useful for musicians who like to use their tablet for propping up their music.

It is unclear how this stand is any better than the myriad of other tablet stands flooding the market right now. IStandUp lacks the simple additional function of covering and protecting the tablet when not in use, a huge drawback for those who like an all-in-one type of purchase. Other tablet stand campaigns that backers might want to check out include F2, Plinth, Must and  Léaf Mount to name just a few. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000. For $10, backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Fitness

STABALLIZER exercise sphere helps with lifting, balancing and gaming

Everyone’s still talking about the core. A’core’ding to fitness professionals, a strong core helps the rest of your muscles perform at an optimal level as well as improves your posture. There are lots of workouts that target the core and most involve balance.

The STABALLIZER is a eight-in-one fitness device. All clammed up, it looks like a simple medicine ball. However, it breaks apart and can be used for destabilized push ups, as free weights, a balance device, footweights, a kettle ball, plank handles and an AB roller handle. With the STABALLIZER, fitness buffs can engage in planks, squats, lifting, pushups, crunches and more. Additional handles and straps secure the ball to your hands for added comfort.

Interestingly enough, STABALLIZER is meant to be used with your smartphone or tablet. The campaign shows a woman planking with her hands on the half ball. On the flat surface rests her tablet showing a tilting game. Using her strength and precision, she can play the game and have fun while planking at the same time, challenging herself to last the length of the game.

At a first glance this seems like just any other fitness product. However, its compatibility with tablets and smartphones make it a little bit more interesting. While the name is still in typical all caps, yelling at us to buy the product, it offers more than just beefier muscles. This is an entirely new way to integrate technology into our workouts. One goes for $220 for delivery in September 2015 with higher tiers offering more accoutrement. STABALLIZER is hoping to raise an ambitious $200,000 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Food and Beverage

Das Kühling makes your beer cold as ice without much sacrifice

If there is anything that the Germans can do right, it’s beer. In fact, if there’s a way to arrange it so that the beer comes out of the kitchen faucet, they will find it.

Das Kühling makes beer lovers’ dreams come true. This portable music amp turned beer amp can easily go from the kitchen sink to road trip to rock concert since it only takes 12V DC to make it function. So it can be hooked up to a car or truck battery. The user connects a beer keg directly to the amp, set it to the desired temperature and in minutes the beer is cold and ready for drinking. An indicator light lets the user know how much has been poured. Once the beer is gone, the amp self-cleans when hooked up to a line of fresh water. It’s not entirely clear how much the product weighs overall, and it is presently compatible with G-type coupler kegs, though broadening the compatibility is in the works.

This product will likely have wide appeal from the young adult to the baby boomer who appreciates rock-n-roll classics and memorabilia. And of course, anyone who feels that it’s the beer that makes the party. Backers who like to add some games to their beer and fun might want to check out the Allin and Shot Timer campaigns.  This campaign seeks to raise $150,000. For $499, backers get one Das Kühling with an expected delivery of August 2015.