Tag: phone

Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Hydra phone charger increases talk time, stores files too

The fast and furious plethora of phone charges hitting the market doesn’t look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. So it’s more important than ever for consumers to consider what is going to work best for their lifestyle.

The Hydra phone charger has features that will be appreciated by busy professionals and students alike. Some of these include a lithium battery that offers over two hours of talk time, and a flash drive and USB charging cable that can connect to any Android or iPhone 4, 5 or 6. Hydra also features an LED flashlight and emergency hammer. This is another charger that easily attaches to a key ring. So unless one leaves their car keys at home, it’s going to actually be there when it is needed.

For those who often take their laptop or tablet with them, a flash drive backs up computer files and pictures, and holds up to 64GB of Micro SD memory. While Hydra is a good product, there’s not much that sets it apart from similar products. And the emergency hammer feature is a little random.

This campaign seeks to raise $1,800 on Indiegogo. Early bird backers get one product for $20 with an expected delivery of March 2015.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Flat Attack charger lets waning phones assault its battery

It’s amazing how fast the charge on a phone can become depleted. And it’s not always easy to find a safe charging port when on the go. That’s why Flat Attack was created. This battery-operated charger only takes one AA battery, but provides 40-60 minutes of talk time, or four-six hours on standby. It charges smartphones, portable music players, and many other mobile gadgets. Since it’s roughly the size of a standard car key, it’s small enough to fit on car key ring or in a pocket or purse.

Having a personal charger at one’s fingertips seems like a great idea. But since batteries don’t last forever and this product may not get used on a regular basis, it might be nice if there were some sort of indicator to let users know when the battery is low so that it can be replaced before discovering that the battery in the personal charger is dead, too. Interested backers might also want to check out the Kodiak campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 AUD (~$25,300 USD) by December 23, 2014. For $23 AUD (~$19 USD), backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015.

Categories
Chargers/Batteries Organization

TekTuk keeps mobiles safe from sleepy feet

Finding a convenient place to charge mobile devices that keeps them off the floor and free from the risk of getting stepped on can be a challenge, especially when traveling. TekTuk offers a way to keep mobiles bedside while still getting charged and in a safe place. The top portion of the leather carrying case fits between the mattress and box spring to keep mobile devices off of the floor. It will hold most tablets (up to 11” wide and 1” thick) and mobile phones (up to 3 ¼” wide, 1” thick) in their cases.

If backers can avoid knocking into the TekTuk during the night, this may be a good solution for mobile protection. The elastic cord management loops seem like a nice touch for keeping wires tangle-free and easily accessible as well. Backers might also want to check out the Z-charge, and ReelJuice  campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise $3,000 by December 8, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $35, with an expected delivery of December 2014.

Categories
Tech Accessories Technology

Dragonfly Futurefon blends Android, Windows, tablets, folding keyboards, insanity

We live in an amazing age where communication, information, productivity, and entertainment are never far away thanks to laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Yet, for reasons beyond explanation, we somehow have a need for all three, each offering a slight edge over the other two but feeling incomplete all the same.

The Dragonfly Futurefon by Idealfuture is a product that is attempting to merge these similar tech niches into one single device. Folding, twisting, and transforming, the Dragonfly can function as a standalone phone, fold out into a tablet display, or flip again to provide a full keyboard and a dual screen display in a single portable device. The Dragonfly comes in two versions: one that runs entirely on Android and one that splits the Slingshot (the detachable phone) onto Android and the base on Windows, creating a dual OS device that can sync up to a single OS when connected together.

The Dragonfly offers all of this without missing key elements as well, with an illuminated keyboard, slide out touch pad beneath that, smart pen that nests perfectly in the device’s side, and all manner of charging ports. Even with those ports, it only takes one cord to charge the Dragonfly when the Slingshot is connected. Idealfuture is asking for $10,000 to show interest in their design and make a statement to existing mobile manufacturers. Models start at $300.

Taking just a short look at the Dragonfly makes it hard not to see the future in this all-in-one approach, much like Microsoft’s Surface managed to blend two products together. At the same time, having to fold the device this way and that, connect or disconnect the Slingshot, and keep track of all the different options make the Dragonfly somewhat daunting. It would be a little easier to believe in the Dragonfly if they were closer to actual production. Purely on speculation however, there’s a lot here to be excited for.

Categories
Aquatics Cell Phone Accessories

TOUCHBAG offers play-through water protection

Water is the natural enemy of the smartphone. Underwater phones do exist, but leave something to be desired. TOUCHBAG protects your phone in water, but still allows you to use the touchscreen. This product resembles a Ziploc bag. The air in the bag is what makes the touchscreen usable. As the campaign says, this is great to use in the shower, pool, or while snorkeling.

If we need to use our phones in the shower, it’s clear that we’re doomed as a society. Perhaps the only reason one would need a phone in the shower is for an emergency call, but it looks like the phone doesn’t work for calls in the TOUCHBAG, only the touchscreen works. Also, the video doesn’t do a good job of convincing us that alternative options are lacking. Still for the almost inapporpriately named product, backers can shell out a $30 CAD (~$27 USD) donation for estimated delivery in March 2015, if the creator can raise $12,000 CAD (~$10,600 USD).

Categories
Chargers/Batteries

Kodiak waterproof charger brings juice, fights water

Many solutions to dying smartphones have been flooding the market in recent months. Some include portable USB cables while others opt for smaller microUSB/wall outlet types of products.

Kodiak is a product with charging smartphones in mind, but is a portable battery pack with USB ports for ease of charging. Coming in several different sizes and subsequent charging strengths, the Kodiak is completely waterproof, so it really can go anywhere that you do. Kodiak also has several color options including black, red, green, blue and camo. There’s an indicator light so that you know exactly how long it’s going to last for

Kodiak joins scores of similar products, as stated above, but ups the ante on portable chargers such as Pronto with its waterproof shell and durability. It’s also nice that Kodiak offers three different sizes, the smallest working in a pinch and the largest able to charge multiple devices several times over. The small version will cost backers $25 with estimated delivery in March 2015. The campaign is looking to raise $30,000 on Indiegogo.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

Smartphone Projector Case lets older iPhones show off their new image

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.

Categories
Tech Accessories

inCharge loops you in to tiny, flexible charging cable

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.

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
Cell Phone Accessories Fitness

FitHolster phone armband alternative targets weightlifters

Exercising and finding a convenient way to carry an iPhone might be the biggest oxymoron concepts of the 21st century. Which is why FitHolster was created. Whether its cracked screens, profuse sweating during workouts that eventually destroys a phone’s audio mechanism, or just a more convenient way to carry a phone while enjoying hiking and other great outdoor excursions, this product lets users keep their phone protected in a case and easily carried for better mobility during those extreme activities. Magnets attached to the material strap on the case help to hold the phone in place at the user’s waistband. It appears this product will be most effective for those who just like to have their phone to listen to music during workouts and don’t need to see the display. In addition, the positioning of the holder on the waist seems like it would be a little obtrusive to an intense workout.

For those who wouldn’t mind armbands if they offered better phone screen visibility and phone protection, consider the Recoil Armband. As for Sports enthusiasts who like using their GoPhone to try to improve their game, consider checking out the GoPhone iPhone Case. The FitHolster campaign seeks to raise $3,300 by November 6. For $25, early bird backers get one product with an expected delivery of December 2014.