go pro – Backerjack

Gerp Mount alleviates tablet shoulders, has many more tricks up its sleeves

As comfortable as smartphones are to hold, tablets unfortunately don’t enjoy the same reputation. With the increased size comes an increased strain on the arms, shoulder, and neck of the user holding it up, causing a sense of discomfort that can’t easily be addressed.

The Gerp Mount is looking to relieve the issue with its ergonomically-constructed, rugged utility mount. Although it’s primarily advertised as a tablet grip and hands-free stand, the Gerp’s versatility truly shines in the variety of ways a user can use it outside of a tablet. To be frank, using it as a tablet grip is pretty redundant in most cases, but using it as a makeshift clothes rack or attaching a GoPro or a GPS to the grip makes so much more useful in places like the home and the car. The downside to all the different attachments necessary to do so is the loss of overall focus, simplicity, and aesthetic appeal as a result.

Those who are attached to their tablet with welcome the $80 Gerp Mount and set of accessories with open palms. The $15,000 campaign is looking to ship the product by April 2015.

Ghost Drone disappears, returns with a tap

More and more, drones are starting to be seen in everyday life, but the process continues to be slow. One of the main obstacles in adoption is how unfriendly most drones are to users, usually requiring assembly and presenting users with bulky RC controllers with a million and one buttons that have to be learned for proper control.

The team behind the Ghost Drone has focused primarily on usability instead, ditching the big RC remote for an Android app that allows for easier control. A single tap will launch the Ghost into the air, tapping locations on a map of an area will prompt it to travel to that point, and another button will command it to return and land. A micro-control mode will offer users more nuanced control when needed, but they’ll have to be careful as the drone offers no obstacle avoidance technology just yet.

The Ghost Drone is Go Pro compatible with the addition of an optional gymbal, or attachment on which to connect cameras and other peripherals. Its SDK, or software development kit, makes it extremely customizable as well. The product is another worthy attempt to bring drones to the forefront similar to what the Anura is doing, and does so while being extremely sleek. The $375 Ghost Drone is expected to ship in January 2015 provided its campaign reaches the $100,000 goal.