Categories
Fitness

Monkii Bars pack in suspension line, hangs with you during workouts

The Premise. Working out in a gym can be really boring, especially if there isn’t enough good people-watching. Most would rather be outdoors when they’re feeling active, but working out outside can be limiting.

The Product. Monkii Bars are a new portable workout tool that allows the user to workout anywhere at anytime. The bars look like two wooden handles with green caps on the ends. Each handle holds 18 feet of suspension line with adjusters that allow for flexibility in length. The line is rated at 400 lbs and the bars are lightweight enough to be carried around all day. The maple exterior and green caps make Monkii Bars look more friendly than most workout tools that are aggressively red or black.

The Pitch. Monkii Bars’ Kickstarter campaign features one of those rare high-quality videos that aren’t quite as awkward as most seen in the crowdfunding world. The short film features different settings and how this dynamic fitness device can be used for a variety of workouts that target different parts of the body head to toe. A scene featuring the workout tool being used while hanging off of a hot air balloon basket was particularly eye-catching. Monkii Bars hopes to raise $25,000 in its 38 day campaign. More information can be found on the product’s Web site.

The Perks. Early backers can enjoy Monkii Bars for the discounted price of $74. Regularly priced, Monkii Bars are slated to go for $98 (leaving you enough left over of your $100 bill for a few bananas), which is 20% off of the retail price. Reward tiers go all the way up to $5,000 with an estimated delivery date of August 2014.

The Potential. The lightweight, portable Monkii Bars is the latest in a number of attractive exercise aids to hit Kickstarter. Recently profiled X-Bar also boasts portability for those looking to get out of the gym. Reebok Gravity Trainer is another example of an out-of-the-gym fitness alternative that offers a simple full body workout, but for only $30. Monkii Bars’ creators will need to lower the price in order to compete with so many other products. While the desire to workout away from the gym is salient, most fitness buffs may save $98 by sticking to jogging or cycling.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories Toys

Nubo turns your iPhone into a little animatronic toy

Nubo 0fdfe40a11e00aec27ec850e5147e06d_large[1]It’s alive, master! For those of you who have become bored with your phone in its present state, Nubo has created something of a lively, pocket-sized companion. Three specialized apps and a silicon case named Nubot that looks a bit like a little green pet an alien might find in a Mars gift shop (if there were such thing) all give your phone the personality you’ve probably been longing for it to have. It waves, dances, and can even become moody – just in case you don’t already have enough moody people in your life. For $150 a backer gets a Nubot and estimated delivery of April 2014.

Categories
Lighting

Mount Anywhere LED brings a glow to any strip

Mount Anywhere LED 9df63bb5edcaedadc248bd8b6cb253b6_large[1]Whether it’s home, garage, auto, or camper, hands-free lighting just got a bit simpler. The Mount Anywhere LED takes the frustration out of what you’ll find in a normal mounting system because it’s bracketless. The aluminum extrusion allows you to choose the mounting option of your pleasure: drilling holes, glue, caulk, foam tape, screw and nut magnets, redneck twine, heavy-duty fishing line…well, you get the idea. For $15, backers get a complete product with an anticipated delivery of May 2014.

Categories
Accents Cell Phone Accessories Organization Tablet Accessories

Bench brings organization, docking station

Bench b23d0a3ec86f8b94fb29abca099c9173_large[1]Tablets, iPhones, pens, pencils, paper, and other important things always seem like they’ve sprouted legs and have run off somewhere when you want them. With spring right around the corner, Bench aims to cater to the ambitious souls out there who are thinking thoughts like, How can I organize the mess that I can still find? The glorified desk organizer is ten inches long and made of acrylic plastic. It’s lined with acrylic foam so as not to scratch or damage tablets, iPhones or other gadgets. While there are many gadget docks and desk organizers out there, Bench seems to be the first to combine the two concepts. For $20 backers get one Bench and an estimated delivery of May 2014.

Categories
Fitness Smartwatches/Bands

Moov wearable adapts to your workouts, offers coaching to improve them

editors-choiceThe Premise. All those New Year’s resolutions to lose weight are already two months old. A small percentage of them are probably still in progress, most have already been given up on, and some never even got started. Of course, it’s harder to turn down a workout with a trainer that can motivate, push, and correct issues with form or impact.

The Product. The Moov is designed to be the personal trainer that it doesn’t feel awkward working out in front of. Pairing with a mobile device (only iPhone 4s or above supported currently), the Moov can be attached or worn anywhere to monitor movement and track stats. More than just a simple pedometer, the Moov can have apps created for virtually any kind of workout, with built-in support for running, body weight workouts, cycling, boxing, and swimming (it’s waterproof). Most of these workouts only require the base Moov, but boxing works best with a second unit, one on each wrist, and up to five can be used in conjunction with each other. This way, not only will distance or reps be tracked, but the device can even provide suggestions to help exercise more safely and effectively.

The Pitch. The Web site for the Moov is pretty underwhelming and just sort of generic 2014 startup with plenty of big pictures and lots and lots of scrolling. The video ads are slick though, and show off the flexibility and possible applications the device could have beyond workouts, though hearing Apple’s Siri as a fitness coach feels less encouraging and more like an Orwellian state-sponsored physical fitness mandate. Moov needs $40,000 to hit the ground running.

The Perks. The Moov can be pre-ordered for $59.95 (half the retail cost), but the product’s creators also offer backers a nifty referral link that others can click through to pre-order as well, earning the original backer a $5 credit for each pre-order. The first batch is expected to ship in the summer of this year.

The Potential.  Moov is a lot more versatile than the average fitness band, and the coaching and multi-device usage really help it stand out; of course, the quality of that coaching remains to be seen. It’s adaptability to different exercises remind one of the Atlas, byt Moov’s approach is quite different. Many people with Fitbit friends know that it becomes all they talk about or post on social media. The Moov looks like the next evolutionary step in personal fitness devices, and will certainly command the same kind of enthusiasm from anyone trying to get or stay in shape.

Categories
Health and Wellness Wearables

SunSprite fights SAD, offers feedback to keep you grazin’ in the sun

The Premise. For years, doctors have suggested that a major factor in the rise of depression, energy loss, and insomnia is a result of the increase in time most people spend in doors, bathed in the glow of computers and televisions. The remedy to this concern is simply exposure to the sun, but concerns about complications from ultraviolet rays keep people unsure about just what to do.

The Product. With a clip onto any article of clothing or accessory, the SunSprite is available to tell consumers how much bright light exposure they need in a day for optimum health benefits.  The SunSprite itself is solar-powered, meaning that charging it is as easy as using it. A line of lights on the product’s surface measure how much light its owner has basked in that day, and a companion app helps people plan for harsh UV exposure, advising them to use sunscreen or other protection. The SunSprite comes with no extra cables or attachments and is roughly the dimensions of a house key.

The Pitch. SunSprite is the brainchild of the Harvard-educated doctors and engineers at GoodLux. The message in their introductory video is simple – the human body was designed to be out in the sun, and their device will help make sure its owners are getting enough exposure. Additional videos include a product unboxing and the medical background behind the product’s inception. The graphics help explain the different reward tiers, how the SunSprite works, and how bright light affects the human body. GoodLux needs $50,000 to finish tooling, production, and certification for their creation.

The Perks. The Sunsprite and its companion app are available for contributions of at least $99, and is expected to be arriving in June in time to get plenty of sun. Pledges of $399 also include a SunBox SunRay II (or different model for European backers) that will allow backers to get light exposure even on the cloudiest of days.

The Potential. This simple device is sure to help people make sense of an easy holistic solution to their ailments. Outdoor enthusiasts will surely be adding these to their list of essential gadgets. While it may not become a common accessory based on the price and limited functionality, the self-powering, non-invasive SunSprite will become a fast favorite to those who are serious about lighting up their lives.

Categories
Tools

Hangman helps tools climb the ladder of success

Hangman c52d0b36029c579a635c5efd66656289_large[1]No, it’s not a throwback to one of those old westerns. The Hangman is a tool caddy that attaches to a ladder. And there is more than a noose that holds it in place. The aluminum tool holder locks to the inside of any commercial size ladder rung, holds any standard size paint can, has an arm that pivots for easy access, a rubber coated hook that protect tools from scratches, and holds up to 35 pounds of equipment. For $109 a backer gets a complete product with an expected delivery of May 2014.

Categories
Apparel Organization

GeniusStrap helps you keep it all together

GeniusStrap 2048b5781918508aa766c6b7e926efbf_large[1]Aaah, the things that inspire. Nothing like a first child to make parents spazz out about dirty shoelaces and other assorted germy items. But a first child is indeed the inspiration for GeniusStrap according to the video. Then the second one comes along and is lucky if the pacifier even gets washed off after hitting the floor and laying there for a week. Nevertheless, GeniusStrap has multiple uses beyond just locking up shoelaces. The rubber strip with its holes and balled ends stretches and locks into place for use with bundling items, condensing, toting, securing, ponytail holder, even finger exercises. While there are shoelace locks out there, including some crowdfunded ones , GeniusStrap seems to have far more versatility. For $16, a backer gets a set of GeniusStraps (8 pieces) and an expected delivery of Aug 2014.

Categories
Home Organization

StaX packs the max where organization lacks

StaX e7f31d4cdf74c5cc8c888b45d9cc8315_large[1]Ode to StaX: I think that I shall never see, a storage thingy diverse as thee. Well, maybe that was a bit over-the-top, but StaX is truly capable of providing a home for all your small clutter. The multi-optional-colored cylinders are made of aircraft grade aluminum, so you can choose to use them in the garage to store hardware, living room as drink coaster and nut holder, kitchen, bathroom, kids’ rooms, or wherever. It might be interesting to see how the dog would respond to it…or might make an interesting wind chime.  StaX seems unique in diversity and adjustability. Plus it looks really cool. For $49, backers get a five piece set with an expected delivery of June 2014.

Categories
Technology Toys

Skirmos makes futuristic laser tag more like modern warfare

The Premise. In the ’80s, children everywhere were promised that laser tag was the sport of the future. In a sense, that prediction proved true by the number of bachelor parties that involve the game, but aside from a few dedicated arenas and the occasional attempted revival of the home version, it remains criminally uncovered by ESPN.

The Product. In its current state, the Skirmos laser tag rifle looks kind of like an airsoft gun found in Tron. With clear plastic and smart-looking colored LEDs inside, it’s what faces the gun’s user that makes the Skirmos more than just a toy gun. Using Arduino, Skirmos is fully open-source and can be programmed to track any number of stats, create any amount of game modes, and customize the laser tag experience for all players. Inspired by first-prerson shooters like Halo and Call of Duty, the built-in LCD screen can display kills, health points, ammo, and even be used to mark capture points. Players can even design killstreaks that will incentivize tagging multiple opponents without being shot.

The Pitch.  The Skirmos team shows off the gun’s capability in both indoor and outdoor environments, and also shares some visions for what the platform could support after release.  Photos show off different LED colors, and even a sample of what programming for the Skirmos will be like. The project needs $60,000 for manufacturing and design. Additionally, multiple stretch goals are in place starting at muzzle flash LEDs and more game types at the $100,000 level. Later add-ons include force feedback, RGB LEDs, accelerometers, and smartphone integration.

The Perks. Pledging $99 will result in a single Skirmos rifle arriving around the same time as the holiday season, setting the stage for an arctic battle. Higher tiers are available mostly for ordering the guns in sets of two or four.

The Potential. Skirmos offers an alternative to other combat sports that has a comparatively low entry cost considering what it can do. The only cheaper alternative might be NERF, and while they have a similarly shaped model in the upcoming N-Strike Elite NERF Cam ECS-12 Blaster, the only feature that gun offers is a camera with superimposed cross-hairs and the option to record battles. Skirmos could be the thing that revives laser tag yet again and creates memorable get-togethers with friends, assuming they can be convinced to buy their own.