We spend a lot of time in cars, but they’re not really designed for comfort. ArmRestor tries to change that by providing utility and comfort. The product fixes itself to an attachment that slides in between the window and weather stripping on the door. Coming in both beige and black, ArmRestor features a coin slot, space for general car accoutrements, a tissue dispenser and cup holder. For ease of use, the cup holder moves around and is even detachable so it’s not in the way. The top is lined with foam-filled leather for maximum comfort for your arm. In the campaign, the creators even claim that the rest is out of your line of sight so it won’t distract your from driving. Provided that the ArmRestor fits into your car, it doesn’t really seem to follow that someone would want to rest their left arm while driving. Usually, the right arm is reaching for stuff and adjusting the music so the left is always on the wheel. Still, interested backers can donate $36 for one by April 2015. This product is looking to raise $20,000 on Kickstarter.
Those old iPhones still need some love too, you know. It can’t be right to throw them off to the side after they’ve faithfully served us for so long, can it? Instead of chucking it to the side, reconsider its value while attached to the Iron Man of phone cases: the Smartphone Case Projector.
Although the product might be a little too simplistically titled, it gets a little tricky depending on which iPhone model you have. The iPhone 4/4S version of the case comes equipped with a built-in .5W speaker, a modest 15 lumen lamp, and projects images or video on up to 50″ surface. The iPhone 5/5S version of the case is a lot more versatile, equipped with a brighter 50 lumen lamp that can wirelessly project images, videos, and even Internet pages for up to two hours while simultaneously being able to dock and charge it. The case is in good company as many other products are exploring the hybrid projector model, like the Yoga Tablet 2 Pro.
Unfortunately, the creator didn’t have Tony Stark’s sense of design and, as a result, the Smartphone Projector Case is a behemoth that wouldn’t realistically pass most people’s limits of bulk, especially for just a single feature like projection. If the case still intrigues, the iPhone 4/4S version goes for $200, while the iPhone 5/5S version goes for $300. The campaign is seeking $100,000 to make this longshot a reality.
USB charging cables determine the stress levels involved in our daily lives. As we’ve become more dependent on our phones, technology has not followed, resulting in battery lives that are far too short to meet the demands of a technology-focused day. inCharge is a portable USB cable on one side and a microUSB or lightning cable on the other that folds onto your keyring. This way, you’ll always have power available to you. inCharge comes in many different fun colors, is flexible, and short enough so that it won’t get all tangled up in your keys. The one downside of this product is that it doesn’t have a wall outlet port, so you must be able to attach it to a computer or laptop for power, unlike the similar Tiny TravelBuddy wall charger. Even so, this product will soon become a must for all smartphone users who depend on their phones. The most basic form of this Italian-made product goes for a $9 donation with estimated delivery set for December 2014. inCharge hopes to raise $20,000 on Indiegogo.
Usually to get a well-rounded workout, you’ll need to visit lots of different machines at the gym. These machines promote strength, good form and have adjustable weights and grips. Now, you don’t need a machine. The Cradle Coach is a relatively small device that lets you workout in a number of different ways. Shaped, well, like a cradle, one can use it for body weight, core, strength and functional training. The core of Cradle Coach is hollow and allows for different sized weights to be inserted. However, the opening isn’t huge, so there’s a limit to how much weight you can add. Cradle Coach joins scores of other fitness devices claiming to let you have it all like the Battle Flex, but it lacks the portability that others offer because it’s bulky and doesn’t fold up. Backers can enjoy one Cradle Coach for a high donation of $300 for estimated delivery in February 2015. This product hopes to raise $25,000 on Kickstarter.
How to get just the right amount of plastic wrap off of the box without it ripping or clinging to itself is a challenge that we’ve all faced. For those who have better things to do with their time than attempt to unravel that, there is Kronholm. This particular dispenser is made of ABS plastic and actually has some sharp teeth for cutting through plastic wrap. In addition, it’s easy to clean and assemble. Kronholm also ups the ante on aesthetic, looking sleeker than most other plastic dispensers. This is hardly the first company to try to make a better plastic wrap dispenser. Jimbox is one case in point. For those who would like to get away from the plastic wrap scene and go for lids instead, check out the Silicon Lid campaign. This campaign seeks to raise kr60,000 (~$10,300) by December 3, 2014. For kr 250 DDK (~$42) backers get one product with an expected delivery of March 2015.
It’s human against earbud wires in the ongoing epic battle of the tangled earbud wars. Many a determined human wrestles against a tight knots strategy only to wind up frustrated and have a lot of time wasted in the end. Then came Jedi Inventor Ray Walker. His proposed plan? Spoolee.
The fabric finger wrap stores earbud wires in a way that tames those surly tangles and allows humans to effectively put those wild wires in their proper place. The way this weapon of cord control works is that the headphone jack gets inserted into a plastic holder on top of the Spoolee, the wires get wrapped around a finger at the ready, and the strap (which appears to be Velcro in nature) closes around it all to seal the fate of those now subdued earbuds. When it’s time to use the earbuds, just slip the product on a finger and pull for quick unraveling and fast access to those favorite tunes.
Seems like an interesting product worth looking into further. Backers might also like to check out MagClip, Mous Musicase, and D-Tangle. This campaign seeks to raise $8,000. Backers get one product for $9 with an expected delivery of February 2015.
Feeling safe while at home and traveling are important for experiencing an enjoyable quality of life. For those times when there is doubt about whether one’s present deadbolt is enough for keeping out intruders, there is McChi. No tools are needed to install it, and it takes about five seconds to attach it to the door. So not only can it be easily used at home, but it can also be used when traveling and staying in a hotel. There are apparently very few compatibility issues here given the fact that it is supposed to fit 90-95% of most household deadbolt locks. While this may not scare off an intruder attempting to come through the door, it at least gives enough time to safely make a 911 call and find a place to hide if necessary. This campaign seeks to raise $7,500 by December 2, 2014. For $35, backers get one product with an expected delivery of December 2014.
Living in a city has many advantages. Museums, theaters and concert halls are only steps away and everything is open late. While cultural events are ubiquitous in a city, nature is much harder to come by. Garden@Home is a small garden system for those who only have a little space in which to grow plants. Featuring poles, shelves and a support dripping system, you can have several boxes of different kinds of plants and flowers. Some boxes sit above others and their water drips into the lower plants. The basic set holds four planters, but there is also an extension set of two planters available. Garden@Home comes in a variety of color palettes.
The biggest complaint among city dwellers is the lack of nature. Many flee to parks in the spring, summer and fall, but stay in for the winter. Garden@Home is a great system for those who like lots of plants in their apartments, but lack space to house them all. If installation is as easy as the campaign claims, this would make a great addition to any tiny studio. For the smallest set coming complete with two planters, backers must donate $55 CAD (~$48 USD) for estimated delivery in May 2015. Garden@Home is hoping to raise an ambitious $115,000 (~$101,200 USD) on Kickstarter.
There are mornings when a good cup of coffee will satisfy and get you going, and then there are mornings when nothing but Nespresso will do. On mornings like that, the more convenient it is to get at, the better. That’s why there’s Capsule Slide. This idea gives a whole new twist to the functionality of a magnet. Why? Because it’s home to one of the best friends a working person or even a college student can have: Nespresso pods. The surface is made of moulded ABS, and part of the fun is watching the Nespresso pods run down the zig-zag design when being loaded. For those who prefer to keep their Nespresso organized in the cupboard or under a cabinet, check out the Abacus Pod Rack campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $5,500 AUD (~$4,700 USD) by December 4, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $17 AUD (~$14 USD) with an expected delivery of December 2014.
With all the devices out there to make your home smarter, it’s about time that these special tools begin to pull more weight. If not, the alternative is a device full of independent devices that all need to be switched on in order to function.
The Moderno HCS1 Home Control System is a simple interface designed to combine three key aspects of the smart home: climate control, irrigation, and home security. With a single touch screen panel that can be mounted inside and access through any smartphone or tablet, the HCS1 is easy to use, adjust, and set up.
These three systems also work in cooperation with each other: for example, the HCS1 uses its security cameras to know when nobody is home and turn off the climate control system to cut down on energy. Moderno Technologies is raising $150,000 to develop, test, and manufacture the product. No reward tiers offer the actual product at this time.
One has to applaud the combination of multiple smart home functions into one device, but the lack of a physical product reaching backers and the lack of further expansion options make this kind of product one that’s better to wait until the market matures.