Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Twist caps the MacBook wall adapter, offers USB charging

Keeping mobile devices charged while overseas can be a challenge when one doesn’t have the right adapter. Twist offers users the opportunity to keep everything juiced up in over 150 countries. The charger twists to offer the appropriate plug, and then the user has four USB charging ports available for use. Its unique design makes it a more stable option, especially in older, worn out outlets.

The product is specifically intended for MacBook only, and it appears as if there is only one spot on the adapter for non-mobile device power, a definite drawback. The folks at OneAdaptr would do well to consider adding other models of laptops into the mix to make their product more versatile. Twist is reminiscent of the PlugBug, but offers more options in its usage. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 CAD (~$26,300 USD) by December 19, 2014. For $22 CAD, (~$19 USD) backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Pets

All Ready Leash hides neatly in a collar, won’t walk dog for you

Does anyone know where the dog leash is? A leash can get misplaced almost as easily as car keys on those days when families are especially busy. But even on those days, Fido still needs to be able to get out of the house for a while. So in an effort to make life easier, All Ready Leash just combines a leash and collar into one item. All Ready Leash only weighs 1.75 ounces and expands up to five feet. It can be used as a regular non-choke collar or slip collar.

Though it only fits dogs that are 15 pounds and up right now, there is one in the works for smaller dogs. Backers interested in the newest inventions in leashes may also want to check out the LeashMate campaign and Watchdog light up leash campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $4,000 by December 2014. For $18, backers get one leash with an expected delivery of December 2014.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Input

TOHKB offers an attachable keyboard for Jolla phones

The Jolla is a small open-source smartphone that uses the Sailfish OS, capable of running Android apps from a variety of app stores. Jolla’s modularity, both hardware and software-wise, is its biggest selling point, similar to how Google’s Project Ara is tackling the idea of smartphones that evolve over time. The Other Half is Jolla’s proprietary platform that allows for this modularity, and will eventually work to add and customize its hardware functionality. For now, though, it exists to give users the choice of backplate colors. With the most ambitious Other Half so far being an Angry Birds-themed one that offers a paint job and some custom sounds, the fervent user base has clamoring for more utility. That’s where the the Other Half Keyboard comes into play.

The Other Half Keyboard, or TOHKB for short, is a durable Other Half attachment for the Jolla that allows you to attach a fully customizable, LED-backlit keyboard. Users have the choice to leave the keyboard on or attach it at their own convenience. Either way, the keyboard can slide out in either direction, so users won’t have to worry about the phone’s orientation during use. The keyboard is spacious and tactile, and claims to offer a superior typing experience without the crowdedness of other keyboards, and users have the option of ordering a blank versions of the keyboard to engrave with a laser printer. TOHKB gives a lot of limelight to hotkey support as well, offering fully customizable hotkeys to improve interaction speed with the smartphone.

As promising as TOHKB looks, battery life is a smartphone user’s ultimate concern, and an Other Half for battery life might have more legs than a keyboard that isn’t strictly necessary. In any case, the campaign is looking for €55,000 (~$68,100) and at this point, each keyboard is going for €130 (~$160). Backers can expect theirs in April of 2015.

Categories
Food and Beverage

Oxx Coffeeboxx takes on tough conditions to make smooth blends

Coffee. It is the black gold of the working world. It keeps professionals awake at their board meetings and computers, and helps blue collar workers overcome Monday morning headaches and winter weather storm warnings. Oxx Coffeeboxx was built for rugged environments where an extra lift may be needed when the tire jack just doesn’t get it; large, heavy metal objects have been known to plunge to the ground, and basically, a good coffee maker can take some abuse and still brew a decent cup of java. This product is able to keep any blue collar crew happily quaffing their coffee, even if, as the video suggests, Oxx ends up on the wrong end of a demolition team.

For those occasions when the environment is less extreme and a more delicate cup of coffee is preferred, backers might want to check out the Bruvelo and BrewOver campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $50,000 by December 29, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $225, with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Home Relaxation

Octaloofah turns home showers into spa time with massage and music

If he thinks she spends too much time soaking in the tub already, wait until she gets her hands on this emerging gadget. Octaloofah has the potential to take a simple shower and turn it into a spa –sort of. The octagon-shaped device is a hands-free, multifunctional unit that not only uses exfoliation to help promote healthier skin, but can also provide a pseudo back massage while playing one’s favorite tunes. Octaloofah has a wireless sound system that connects to any Bluetooth device. Talk about added ambiance! The product attaches to the shower wall via suction cups, and the exfoliating half-spheres are easily replaceable when necessary.

There isn’t presently any clear indication of how much these will cost to replace, which may affect backers’ opinion of this product. For the perfect item to round out this home spa mindset, backers might want to check out the Wave Hooks wine and cheese holder for bath-time enthusiasts. This campaign seeks to raise $65,000 by January 31, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $39 with an expected delivery of August 15.

Categories
Organization

Ready for winter? The New Hang Out extends for more coats

When living in a small space such as an apartment or dorm or traveling in an RV, where to hang clothes can be quite the conundrum. The New Hang Out offers a place to hang clothes when those dinky closets just aren’t big enough. This product can also fold up, so it’s rather versatile in that it can also be used as a coat hook in the winter, a summer solution for wet towels and swimwear, or in the laundry room as a temporary place to hang clothes that need to be line dried rather than put in the dryer.

One drawback of the Hang Out is that it only holds about 10 pounds using a command strip unless it is secured into a stud or wall anchor, though it isn’t noted how much extra the product can hold in that instance. This campaign seeks to raise $25,000 by December 14, 2014. For $39, backers get one product with an expected deliver of May 2015.

Categories
Technology

HomeHalo router clips kids’ wings with parental controls

For pretty much everyone with access, the Internet is an indispensable part of our daily lives and facilitates more and more of it every single day. The second you become a parent, however, that same marvel immediately becomes a minefield for the little ones. It’s been a struggle for parents to figure out how best to filter the content available and limit the time kids spend on the Internet to protect their growing loved ones. Inventor Chris Gray went through this same dilemma, was ultimately dissatisfied with the options on the market, and created the HomeHalo to truly empower parents.

The combination router, cloud service, and iOS/Android app come together to create a simple system in which any parent, not only the technologically savvy ones, can have total control over their children’s Internet habits across all devices. HomeHalo separates from other products because it allows for different profiles for each child.  This way, younger tykes can have stricter filters and limits than, say, a 15-year-old.

The app will let parents approve or deny additional time requests, and review, approve, block, and whitelist Web sites in real time using push notifications. HomeHalo will also alert you if its hardware is being tampered with or turned off as well, letting you take action immediately. The HomeHalo campaign is pushing for a £30,000 (~$47,000) infusion. Those who are interested can grab a beta version with no fees ever for £75 (~$117), while a regular version goes for £140 (~$220). The device is estimated to be delivered by February 2015.

The HomeHalo is a promising little product built atop a categorization system that doesn’t strictly rely on DNS addresses, which greatly reduces the chances something like this will be bypassed. Even still, systems that try to limit and filter Internet time like the HomeHalo and box&rox are based on the assumption that kids will never figure out ways around them, underestimating the incredible tech savvy of young ones.

Categories
Kids/Babies Toys

Edwin the Duck smart toy teaches the old duck new tricks

No item is safe from becoming smart and connected. From lights and appliances to cameras and scales, everything is becoming connected.

For proof of this, look no further than Edwin the Duck, a smart rubber duck that offers companionship to children and peace of mind to parents. During bath time, Edwin the Duck goes right in the tub and can report when the water is too hot or when it’s just right, and can stream sing-along songs for cleaning. Once in bed, Edwin pairs up with a tablet or phone to read stories aloud complete with sound effects. Edwin also streams lullabies and functions as a night light.

This collection of features makes the part of the day parents and kids both dread a fun and easy experience. Inventor pi lab is raising $85,000 for safety certification, app development, and manufacturing. Parents can grab Edwin the Duck for their children at the $59 tier level, ready to hatch in March 2015.

Edwin the Duck is designed to give kids something positive to relate to bath and bed time, and the online features and interactivity should do just that. It may be strange shopping for a smart rubber duck, but that’s just a sign of the times.

Categories
Travel

Road Warrior protects your Flintstones vitamins through the toughest conditions

Traveling often means getting exposed to new bacteria, viruses and other environmental issues for which one may not have that built in immunity because one is not normally exposed to them. So Road Warrior PharmaArmor is offering a pill case able to withstand the extremes that come with travel. It’s made of military-grade plastic, and features eight compartments for storing either vitamins or prescriptions meds. The product is impact-resistant, moisture resistant, dishwasher safe, and offers visual confirmation that meds have been taken to name just a few product features. Road Warrior is also spill-resistant, protecting your meds from harmful moisture.

Road Warrior takes meds seriously and has thought of every kind of protection for one’s pills. It comes with the added bonus of eight compartments, seven for each day of the week and a spare for small items like jewelry or cufflinks, a great idea. This campaign seeks to raise $54,719 by January 8, 2015. For $35, backers get one product with an expected delivery of April 2015.

Categories
Home Pets

Ecofarm puts your lazy fish to work creating aquaponic herbs

Fresh herbs make for some of the tastiest home cooked meals. There’s just a more robust flavor that comes from something that is home grown rather than something store bought.

While most herb gardens can seem like a lot of work, Ecofarm is introducing one that requires minimal work, as long as one doesn’t mind that fish excrement is the fertilizer keeping the herbs healthy and growing. Perhaps the concept isn’t much different than fertilizing a vegetable garden with manure. Just as the cows have to be fed, this herb garden requires the user to keep the fish fed. The tank is self-cleaning because the plants work as a natural filter and clean the water.

Besides herbs, Ecofarm is also able to grow mini tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries. The dimensions of the tank are not stated, but it is touted as being “minimalist” in its size; something that could easily fit on a kitchen counter. It doesn’t clearly indicate how many fish are ideal in the tank, and whether or not more fish are required for herb gardens with small veggies or not.

This product certainly has appeal to those who are concerned about GMO foods, and also those who see cooking as a hobby and enjoy gardening. While a great concept, Ecofarm joins scores of other similar mini eco-system fish tanks like the Avo. This campaign seeks to raise €30,000 (~$37,200) by December 25, 2014. For €60 (~$75), backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.