Crowdfunding website Indiegogo has instituted new campaign rules that make backers feel more comfortable. As with other similar platforms, backing crowdfunding projects on Indiegogo is risky and the possibility exists that backers won't see anything for their money. Though many projects go on to be a success, many others don't, and some have even come to light as being shady.
A new Internet of Things device has surfaced on crowdfunding website Indiegogo, and it's one of the odder gadgets we've seen. Called Smalt, this smart salt dispenser doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, making it easy to add some tunes (and salt) to your romantic dinner. The unit could also double as a centerpiece of sorts, but its massive price tag means many people will probably just stick to shaking salt onto their food the traditional way.
One of the major advantages of the Nintendo Switch is the fact that it's portable. Unfortunately, that portability factor only really applies when you're using the console in tablet - playing it in TV mode requires that you use its somewhat bulky dock. Up until now, there wasn't a very good way to play the Switch on a TV without using the dock, but SFANS is looking to change that with its new portable dock for the Switch.
Do you have master fidget spinner skills but no solid way to prove it? A soon-to-launch fidget spinner with built-in Bluetooth has the solution, using the wireless technology to connect the spinner to a smartphone running a companion app. Things like speed, combos, and more are tracked in the app, which then allows the user to share their results, brag about their score, and see how fast they were spinning.
Following its original offering back in 2014, Bluesmart has launched its latest product, the Series 2. The luggage is designed for frequent travelers and anyone who is security-minded, offering features like auto-lock that keeps the bag secured, GPS + 3G luggage tracking, and even a built-in 'supercharger' for powering a phone or laptop. The Series 2 is being crowdfunded on Indiegogo.
Flic buttons were already kind of an IoT lover's dream, but now the company behind them wants to try making them better. When Flic buttons first launched two years ago, they needed to be paired with a smartphone app. Obviously, needing to own a smartphone isn't much of a barrier to entry these days, but the new Flic Hub wants to free you from the app requirement all the same.
A new type of consumer-tier robot has launched, and it is called Q.bo One. This model, unlike ones before it, is open source and designed for anyone to build. The robot utilizes a simple programming language called Scratch, while the hardware itself is based around Raspberry Pi and Arduino. Multiple cameras, microphones, lights and speakers, among other things, makes Q.bo One suitable for a variety of tasks.
The LumiCharge LED Desk Lamp with Universal Phone Charger is an interesting proposition for desk-sitting gadget lovers. On one hand, it's a lamp - it's able to shine in several different hues, which is great - and it has the time, date, and temperature on it. It also has a multi-tipped phone dock on it for the charging of the user's phone. There's a motion sensor light on this device too - and a couple of USB ports on its back.
A new smart lock called 'Friday' has successfully finished a crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $175k to arrive on the market. The lock, like competing models, is designed to work with modern technology to take the hassle out of home security. The lock itself is minimalist and attractive, not readily standing out as a smart product. Despite its looks, though, Friday is capable of working with a home owner's smartphone for hands-free control.
PureCarbon has launched a crowdfunding campaign for its new Delta Gloves, a pair of gloves that feature integrated smart technology to help wearers monitor their activities. The gloves include SoftSense technology with pressure sensors in the gloves' palms and fingertips. With these and the related ‘Delta Puck,’ the gloves are able to monitor power output and more to track one’s activities.
Back in 2012, the original Qbo robot caught quite a bit of attention. Today, we're being introduced Thecorpora's next generation Qbo robot, appropriately named the Qbo One. Unlike its predecessor, Qbo One won't be zipping around on its own - instead, it's meant to sit atop your desk and interact with you from there.
It isn’t exactly rare for crowdfunded projects, be it on Indiegogo or Kickstarter, to fall through. Some of those happen quietly, with some amount of dignity and recompense. Other just fail spectacularly. The Sinclair ZX Vega+, which was supposed to be another homage to the old days of gaming, is definitely the latter. Indiegogo has just stopped the project from asking for more funds through the crowdfunding platform, long after the project was successfully funded. As it turns out, there is more to the story behind this rather controversial gaming handheld.
