Categories
Health and Wellness

SaniTimer times your hand washing sessions to improve hygiene

Proper hand hygiene is an issue that seems small, but accounts for at least 20,000 cases of hospital acquired infections (HAI). This number is ridiculous compared to what little needs to be done in order to cut it down. The Center for Disease Control and other health agencies across the country mandate at least 20 seconds of vigorous hand washing in order to kill the bacteria and germs on your hands.

However, as is usually the case, people don’t do that. This led inventor Charles Phillip Abraham to create his Sanitimer, a timer that fits on the faucet of any sink and counts down from 30 seconds when water is opened. Since the mandate is 20 seconds, he made it so that users can have enough time to lather up and warm the water before getting down to actually washing their hands for the full 20 seconds, resetting so that the next user can have the time necessary. While 20 seconds is all well and good for the CDC’s standards, though, places like restaurants and hospitals have stricter requirements which the product can’t reflect since it isn’t programmable — a huge design flaw. Add to the the incredibly wasteful nature of having to keep the faucet running for the timer to run, and what began as a good idea suddenly doesn’t seem well thought out. One Sanitimer can be had for a $100 contribution with an expected delivery of November 2014. The campaign is aiming for an influx of $100,000.

Categories
Safety

ST Impact Ball checks playing surfaces for head injury potential

Risk of injury from sports or play is a part of being a child. That’s way protective gear is required for many popular sports. But what if there were a way for the owners of sports facilities and playgrounds and even parents to measure the risk of head injury in the event of a fall? ST Impact Ball is a unique gadget that measures a combination of factors, including location, surface type, surface depth, fall height, drop angle, and maximum g-forces at impact. This allows facility owners to make certain that they are offering a safe environment and can give parents peace of mind. ST Impact Ball is much like the Jolt Sensor we’ve recently seen on Backerjack. Jolt Sensor sits on a players head and measure impact as it comes, unlike ST which measures possible impact dangers. Presently, it appears that the lower levels of this campaign provide a product that only works for a limited time (1-3 weeks, depending on selected level). Lifetime updates and software are apparently their own separate level. This campaign seeks to raise $45,000 by November 20, 2014.  For $200, backers get access to the ball for a week. Expected delivery is February 2015.

Categories
Music

A Little Thunder sneaks an electric bass into your guitar

There’s nothing like being able to feel the bass in a song rattle your bones and the drums vibrate your entire being when in a concert setting. Not only does it stir up the audience, but an enthusiastic audience enjoys the benefits of the band responding to that, which energizes the band’s performance.

For those who are all about that bass, A Little Thunder boosts the bass on an electric guitar and seems to offer a euphoric buzz to musicians and audience members alike. It is easy to install because no modifications are necessary to the instrument. Guitarists just replace their existing humbucker with A Little Thunder for bass sounds that roll like a loaded freight train surging through a dark and stormy night. Not having to use a foot pedal will make for less clutter on stage and the auto detect frequency technology means that musicians can focus on the simplicity of enjoying their music. While guitars come in many different shapes and sizes, which can mean some compatibility issues, it appears that this has been taken into consideration given the fact that the engineering team is in the process of working on anticipated modifications.

This product seems like it’s really aimed at a niche market of heavy metal musicians, although rock and modern jazz players and their audiences may also appreciate this new level of bass boost. This campaign seeks to raise $35,000 by November 8, 2014, and if $60,000 is reached, backers who contribute at least $25 will have their names entered into a product giveaway drawing. For $199, backers get one product with an expected delivery of November 2014.

Categories
Health and Wellness

AnkleMax sets out to avoid the same-ol’ sprain old

Sprained ankles can be a bear. Not only are they painful, but also take an extremely long time to heal. Some ankle sprain pain can last for years. AnkleMax hopes to prevent sprains before they happen. Using stabilizer technology, this product attaches to your shoes and helps absorb awkward angle impact so you remain safe. AnkleMax comes in many different colors and is compatible with all shoes, or so the campaign says. This product does not impede the natural motion of your foot and remains unobtrusive as it sits on the outside of the shoe. One pair can be had for $75 with estimated delivery in December 2014. AnkleMax hopes to raise an ambitious $100,000 on Kickstarter.

AnkleMax is an interesting addition to the ankle sprain prevention market. Shoes like those from Ektio are designed with extra support to make sure sprains don’t happen. Ringing in at about $140 per pair, these sneakers claim to keep your ankles straight. AnkleMax, while pricey, are compatible with all shoes, making them much more versatile. The attachment process is vague, however. If they can easily be transferred from shoe to shoe, then they’re well worth the price. If one must purchase a pair for all of their shoes, the price may get a little high.

Categories
Maker/Development Technology

Pi Top is a chunky open source laptop to teach you about coding

The increasing proliferation of technology in every part of our lives has led to a similar increase in demand for those who understand it all. With hardware, electronics, and code all at the heart of today’s most used technology, it’s an incredible challenge for those interested to even start. Outside of teaching yourself or attending costly college-level courses, there aren’t too many resources for those starting from scratch.

The mission behind Pi-Top is simple: focus on teaching people how to create and code great hardware. Initially, the open source laptop is shipped in pieces: a 13.3″ HD LCD monitor, various PCBs, keyboard, trackpad, Wi-Fi adapter, wiring, battery, and a Raspberry Pi to control it all. Instructions are included to lead users in the Pi-Top’s construction, and serve as an introductory lesson to everything the Pi-Top does. Afterwards, it functions as a laptop dedicated to teaching the skills necessary to transform a pure novice into someone who can design printed circuit boards, 3D print, and code anything they’d want using free online lessons direct from the company. In addition, the Raspberry Pi’s HAT specification allows small add-on boards to add functionality, a consideration Pi-Top was built with. This allows users to program robots or have access to a variety of sensors for home automation, and with more HATs being released, there are a wealth of options for the curious tinkerer. All in all, the Pi-Top is truly an accessible product priced at $285 and many agree: the company’s $80,000 has been funded.

The Pi-Top does a great job in streamlining the process of learning a topic that has incredible depth. The free online courses demonstrate immediate, physical results and will be great at drawing users in and keeping them there, a leg up on what the Novena does. Even if it may contain beefier internals (and a similarly beefy price), the makers behind the Novena do nothing to at least expand your knowledge. The Pi-Top is very user friendly, and will prove to be a hit with those who take the plunge.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

SlimJig is a two-piece phone stand that slips into your wallet

Handheld devices have become so numerous in our lives that it’s hard to hold them in our hands anymore. Tablets and smartphones help us work and communicate with our friends, but can clutter our desks, making it hard to work with them. SlimJig is a versatile stand that holds up your devices. It folds and unfolds, using simple design for maximum utility. Able to hold up different kinds of smartphones and tablets, SlimJig can be used anywhere easily. Made out of light aluminum, this stand comes in many different colors and is the exact same size as a credit card, so it fits in your wallet easily, an added bonus.

While there are many different kinds of stands out there, SlimJig seems to be a sturdier version of typical stands. One will cost backers $15 or $10 for early birds for expected delivery in December 2014. SlimJig hopes to raise $1,500 on Kickstarter.

Categories
Displays Tech Accessories

Minimax packs in the pixels in an add-on USB display

Anyone who has spent too many late hours leaned over a laptop screen knows the toll that the quality of the display can have on the eyes. Sencha Electronics have created the MiniMax to combat this very problem. The MiniMax is a portable, flat, lightweight 13” external display that is powered by USB and can plug into any device to offer higher quality visuals. With a 2560×1700 resolution and 239 PPI, the MiniMax is brighter and clearer than most standard laptop screens, meaning happier eyes for all. The Plug and Play feature isn’t device specific either, as the MiniMax functions with all Mac, Windows, and Linux platforms with a free USB slot.

The LCD screen is easy to pack up in a laptop bag or backpack and comes in a stylish clear housing to protect the display from scuffs and scratches. Sencha Electronics need $30,000 for assembly, quality assurance, and fulfillment costs. Interested consumers can get their MiniMax fully assembled for $329, delivered in February 2015. There are a lot of great options for additional portable displays, but MiniMax offers quality to put it above the competition. The only knock against it is that it may be a little late now that Apple’s Retina displays and the Microsoft Pro 3 offer built-in high DPI displays.

Categories
Cooking

EZ Scramble has eggs skip the skillet, lets you nuke it

Eggs and toast can be one of the most satisfying breakfasts. But the amount of time it takes to cook scrambled eggs combined with all the preparation means that most people can only enjoy them on the weekends. EZ Scramble aims to change that. Made of flexible, FDA grade silicone, the microwavable gadget holds up to four eggs. One beaten egg fits in each pocket, and it takes one minute for each egg to cook. Eggs are actually healthier when cooked in this way because it’s not necessary to use any oil or butter, and they still turn out light and fluffy.

While it is possible to cook eggs in a microwave using a glass bowl, the cooked on mess is a real pain to deal with when it’s time to clean up. The silicone holder apparently prevents that, and it’s dishwasher safe too. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 by November 20, 2014. Backers can get their very own EZ Scrambler for $15, with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Pets

Back to the Backers: Avo self-cleaning tropical fish tank

After reaching half of their goal in September of this year, the British-made Avo canceled its funding on Kickstarter. But why?! Now they’re back on Kickstarter (and Backerjack) with a smaller goal, but still tons of supporters.

Avo is a self-cleaning fish tank. The fish’s waste along with uneaten food feed the plants, keeping the tank and water fresh. In addition, Avo comes equipped with an LED programmed light that not only gives the plants enough light, but also keeps the water warm enough for tropical fish. A donation of £200 (~$320) will get backers the Avo kit which includes the tank, food, lights and plant pods for estimated delivery in July 2015. This time around, Avo is looking for £60,000 (~$96,000), cutting down on their original goal due to the discovery of better-value tools.

Not much has changed about Avo since the original campaign. The idea of a self-cleaning tank is certainly tantalizing to most fish-enthusiasts. Imagine a self-cleaning cat! Wait, well, still Avo is a very cool way to provide a stylish, easy home for beta fish.

Categories
Food and Beverage

PopcornBall s a sphere of cheer to season salty snacks

Popcorn comes in many different flavors. With the help of seasonings, spicing up popcorn is simple. Mixing the seasonings in, however, can be a bit more difficult. As a lightweight food, popcorn doesn’t ever want to stay in the bowl when being tossed. The PopcornBall is designed specifically for mixing popcorn and other foods as well. Simply put the popcorn and seasoning in the ball, close the lid and spin it around. The popcorn can be eaten directly out of the ball. One will cost backers $15 which includes seasonings for estimated delivery in May 2015. PopcornBall hopes to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter.

PopcornBall is one of those products that may make food preparation easier, but clutters up the kitchen. While it may make popcorn up-spicing easier, the space it takes up may not be worth it. However, PopcornBall would make a great gift for anyone who consumes large amounts of popcorn.