Home 2017

Wallets with an eject lever, a fidget toy from the moon, a toolbox for your pocket and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

This week I’m bringing you info about five Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns that I think you might like to read about because they all look like products that I’d buy and use myself. Click through to see this week’s collection of notable crowdfunding campaigns.

Fantom Wallet – The Quick Access Slim Wallet

What is it?
The Fantom is a minimalist wallet that will be available in either aluminum or carbon fiber. It has been designed to hold standard sized plastic credit cards and will come in three versions that can hold up to 4-7, 6-10 or 8-13 cards each depending on if the cards are embossed or smooth.

The Fantom is RFID blocking and features an ultra cool eject lever on the side that lifts and fans the cards for easy viewing and retrieval.

There will even be versions with a built-in coin slot that can hold coins, keys, micro SD cards, etc.

Why do I like it?
I like the Fantom Wallet because it’s slim and it has that cool card eject feature. Some minimalist wallets that are on the market look very cool but end up being a pain in the you-know-what to use because it is too difficult to remove and reinsert cards. The Fantom does not have that problem and is very easy to use. I know because they sent me a pre-production version of the Fantom 10 to try out. It can hold 4 smooth cards and 4 embossed cards perfectly.

I’m not a huge fan of the attached money clip, but that’s because I rarely use cash these days and it adds some bulk to the wallet. It can be removed though if you have an Allen wrench.

This is one that I look forward to checking out when they have production versions of the wallet available this fall.

Where can I find more info?
With 31 days left in their campaign, The Fantom Wallet campaign has already met their funding goal of $4,504. You can pre-order a Fantom Wallet starting at $49. After the Fantom Wallet campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

FLATPAC: Just Pack & Unpack In A Second

What is it?
The FLATPAC is a lightweight bag that can be carried as a messenger bag, over the shoulder bag or a backpack. It features a unique zippered drawstring design with interior pockets that let you easily separate your gear.

Why do I like it?
I like the FLATPAC because you can just throw all your stuff in the center of the pad, zip it up, pull the drawstrings, and go. But if you like to be a little more organized, you can put items in the eight small pockets and very large items in the one full-sized pocket.

Where can I find more info?
With 24 days left in their campaign, The FLATPAC campaign has already met their funding goal of $4,500. You can pre-order a FLATPAC starting at $23. After the FLATPAC campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

MOONDROP- Fidget desk toy displaying gravity on the MOON

What is it?
The MOONDROP is a fidget toy that simulates gravity on the earth, Mars or the moon.

Why do I like it?
I like the MOONDROP because… well just look at it. Who wouldn’t like it? First of all, it looks cool, and secondly, magnets! If you are a fan of The Gadgeteer, you know that I love magnets. I also like that the MOONDROP is pocket sized, but you can add the desktop stand so you can easily display it. I would be careful leaving it on your desk at work though as someone is bound to “borrow” it forever.

The MOONDROP is made of Aerospace grade Aluminium and comes with a slider that is made of the same material or of copper depending on the model you choose. Inside the MOONDROP are neodymium magnets which interact with slider to create the gravity-defying effect.

Where can I find more info?
With 28 days left in their campaign, The MOONDROP campaign has already met their funding goal of $6,141. You can pre-order a MOONDROP starting at $24. After the MOONDROP campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Bit Bar : The Pocket Friendly EDC Screwdriver

What is it?
The Bit Bar is a small screwdriver and hex bit holder made of fiberglass reinforced nylon or Grade 5 Titanium that’s pocket-friendly and TSA compliant. The Bit Bar looks like a 1/4 hex bit holder that can hold up to 8 standard bits (8 black oxide bits are included), but it also turns into a full-length grip.

Why do I like it?
I like the Bit Bar because it has a clip and the perfect shape for easy pocket carry, gear bag carry or glove box storage. The Bit Bar also comes with a leather case and a 60mm extension that lets you get into tighter spaces.

Big Idea Design knows there stuff. I’ve reviewed two of their pens including my current daily favorite the Big Idea Design Ti Arto pen. I have no problem recommending their campaigns because I know they deliver exactly what they promise.

Where can I find more info?
With 47 days left in their campaign, The Bit Bar campaign has already met their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a Bit Bar starting at $55. After the Bit Bar campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Delphin: World’s Smallest Underwater Wearable

What is it?
The Delphin is a small waterproof Android device that has Bluetooth, WiFi, Spotify, Pandora, Audible, Netflix, Google Music and other apps. It also has external buttons for navigating playlists.

Why do I like it?
I like the Delphin because it reminds me of Apple’s iPod Nano – the gen 6 model. Of course, the Delphin is infinitely more powerful than the nano. It’s basically an Android smartwatch without the watch band. But the Delphin is waterproof (use up to 10 feet underwater) and has been designed for swimmers. It will even come with waterproof headphones.

Where can I find more info?
With 28 days left in their campaign, The Delphin campaign still has a climb to make before reaching their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Delphin starting at $180. After the Delphin campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged:

Wallets with an eject lever, a fidget toy from the moon, a toolbox for your pocket and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on on March 2, 2017 at 7:20 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

PITAKA carbon fiber magnetic wallet review

Have you been shopping for a new minimalistic wallet but don’t want one with the same old tired style as everyone else’s minimal wallet? Then look no further my friends because I have a wallet that you’ll want to check out. It’s the PITAKA carbon fiber magnetic wallet and it’s definitely unique. But is it the perfect minimalist wallet? Let’s find out.

What is it?

The PITAKA carbon fiber magnetic wallet is a minimal wallet that’s made of carbon fiber, which is RFID blocking. It also features a modular layered design that allows you to customize what it can hold.

Design and features

The PITAKA wallet resembles a deck of playing cards in shape, size and even with the layered “card” design.

Made of carbon fiber, the wallet is lightweight but tough.

The main wallet ships with four layers that include the top and bottom layer end pieces that can hold one card each and two internal layers that each hold two cards. That means that the wallet can hold a maximum of six cards.

PITAKA also sells additional layers that can hold coins, a key, SIM card, micro SD cards, and cash.

There are three magnets embedded in each layer. The larger magnet in the center bottom edge and two smaller magnets on the side edges. The location of the magnets allows for the card fanning effect that you can do with one hand (see video demonstration below).


Each internal PITAKA layer can hold two standard-sized embossed or non-embossed plastic credit cards.

The cards are held in place with very small tabs that you can barely make out in the image above. Look on the straight rails across from the nose in the face cutouts and you will notice that the plastic has a slightly wider section.

See it in action

As you can see in the video above, you just hold the wallet in your hand and fan the “deck” with your thumb which is also used to raise the card. Although I didn’t do a very good job in the video, with a little practice, you can use this wallet with just one hand.

There are two issues/problems with this wallet that that should be discussed.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the orientation of the wallet, If you hold it in your hand so that the larger center magnet is on top, spreading open the wallet will either cause the wallet to fan open upside down or even worse, will cause the magnetic layers to disconnect. I show this towards the end of the video at the 36 second mark. I really think there some be a visual or tactile indicator of how to hold the wallet.

The bigger issue with the PITAKA wallet is not how to hold it, but what types of cards it can hold. The box that the PITAKA is packaged in has a warning (click the image for larger view). Basically, it says that you should not use cards with magnetic strips in this wallet. Why? Because the PITAKA wallet uses magnets to hold the wallet’s layers together and those magnets can demagnetize the cards. I contacted PITAKA to get some clarification on this issue and this is their reply:

Great to receive your email and reply you on demagnetize issue.

Since there are magnets on our carbon fiber wallet, they are enabled with one-hand cool operation, meanwhile bringing another issue of demagnetizing
card with a magnetic strip. But that could be fewer and fewer situations as the RFID chip cards (credit cards, metro cards…) are reported to be the trend.
Most European countries have been used RFID credit cards everywhere and Americans have been on the way. Below are a tech news FYI.
https://www.nfcworld.com/2016/06/23/345759/emv-claims-third-global-card-present-payments/

Also we surely understand it’s still a great trouble if demagnetizes. We tried so much find magnets won’t demagnetize and checked with many material experts, all told us no such magnets exist. If you know some please do inform us for research and resolution. But kindly noted Chip technology is an advanced, and it is more safe than stripe.
As an innovation company, it’s impossible to develop a product that will be conflicted with the trend and technology.

The problem is that my main CitiBank Visa credit card has both a magnetic strip and a chip. I still find stores where I have to swipe instead of use the chip. So that’s a big problem for me and I’m guessing will be an issue for others as well.

Final thoughts

The PITAKA carbon fiber magnetic wallet is a wallet that has a lot going for it. It’s lightweight, has RFID protection, can be customized to add or remove layers and is fun to use. But the main problem with it is the potential to demagnetize cards with magnetic strips. If you don’t use those types of cards anymore, then yay for you! I think you’ll enjoy this unique wallet. But if you use cards with magnetic strips, I don’t think this is the wallet for you.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Pitaka. Please visit their site for more info and to order one.

 

Product Information

Price: $80
Manufacturer: Pitaka
Pros:
  • RFID blocking
  • Modular
  • Lightweight
  • One handed access to cards
Cons:
  • If you don't pay attention to the orientation of the wallet, you might disconnect the layers when fanning the "deck"
  • Can't use with cards that have a magnetic strip

Filed in categories: Reviews, Wallets

Tagged:

PITAKA carbon fiber magnetic wallet review originally appeared on on March 1, 2017 at 1:22 pm.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Reverb lets Amazon’s Alexa live inside your Mac, iOS and Android devices

Now you can use Amazon’s Alexa virtually anywhere you want using Reverb, the new free app from Rain Labs. The app connects to Amazon Echo services and allows you to use Alexa through your Mac, desktop, IOS and Android phones or tablets. And you don’t need to be connected to wifi to use it.

When you open the app on your chosen device you’re prompted to sign into your Amazon account. Now you’re ready to use Alexa. The familiar blue Alexa ring appears on the screen, you activate Alexa by clicking the ring with your mouse or holding your finger on it and giving a command. It’s that easy. You can also access Reverb directly from your favorite browser. 

The new version of the Reverb app uses Alexa v2, which gives you access to news flashes, timers, weather, alarms and more. It also enables Smart Home Skills so you can control your Alexa compatible smart devices. Unfortunately, the one key feature you can’t access is playing music, due to Amazon’s restrictions placed on using their music service on apps.

Reverb even allows you to use your installed Alexa skills. So you can say “Alexa play ocean sounds”, “Alexa play Jeopardy ” or my personal favorite “Alexa order a pizza from Dominos”.

Possibly the best thing about having the app on your phone, tablet or computer is you won’t have to buy multiple Echo devices for each room in your home or office – And it’s FREE.

Reverb, from Rain Labs is available for download now for Mac at the Mac App Store, for iPhone and iPad at the iOS App Store, and for Android at the Google Play Store.

Filed in categories: Android, iOS, News

Tagged:

Reverb lets Amazon’s Alexa live inside your Mac, iOS and Android devices originally appeared on on March 1, 2017 at 11:37 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

Dress your Apple Pencil in leather

Brian Holmes over at Pad&Quill says that their all-new Leather Apple Pencil Grip solves every problem you never knew you had with your Apple Pencil. Made from the same full-grain American leather that P&Q uses in their other bags, the two piece Leather Apple Pencil grip is hand-sewn using a baseball-style stitching technique and has an attached lightning charger cap holder and a stainless steel pocket clip. The leather grip is available in three colors, is priced at $49.95, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. It starts shipping in April and you can check it out now at padandquill.com.

Filed in categories: Cases and Covers, iOS, News

Tagged:

Dress your Apple Pencil in leather originally appeared on on March 1, 2017 at 7:30 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.

TEC Accessories Orbiter fidget toy review

Fidget toys are the latest gadget craze for geeks. Stop chewing your pen cap or twirling your pencil and grab the Orbiter fidget toy from TEC Accessories. It’s a fun and unique stress reliever. Let’s take it for a spin – literally.

What is it?

The Orbiter is a two-piece fidget toy made of grade 5 Titanium, Neodymium magnets, and a 5/8″ steel ball bearing.

Design and features

The Orbiter is comprised of two parts. There’s the Titanium and steel sandwiched base with embeddedNeodymium magnets, and the steel ball bearing.

Ways to fidget

The magnets in the base hold the steel ball in the depression in the base. The easiest way to fidget with the Orbiter is to just roll the ball around in the depression like a trackball for your computer.

The base also has a groove around the depression. Another way to fidget with the Orbiter is to spin the ball around in the groove. For me, this was the hardest to do. It’s not impossible, just tough, which is actually a good thing as it gives you something to practice.

The easiest way to fidget with the Orbiter is to spin the ball around the outside of the base. Once I got it going, I could keep it spinning for a long time.

Flipping the Orbiter over on the ball bearing and spinning it like a top is pretty easy too once you figure out how to do it.

See it in action

There might be other ways to fidget with the TEC Orbiter, but so far those are the ways I’ve figured out.

Final thoughts

I love little fidget toys and right now, the TEC Accessories Orbiter is one of my all-time favorites because it’s unique, well made and just plain fun to play with. It may be a little pricey, but there are no moving parts, so there’s nothing to break. This toy will last forever. The only issue you might have is losing the ball bearing, but you can order replacements from TEC.

Happy fidgeting!

Source: The sample for this review was provided by TEC Accessories. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $64.95
Manufacturer: TEC Accessories
Pros:
  • Multiple ways to fidget
  • Fun
  • Easy and hard
  • Titanium
Cons:
  • Pricey

Filed in categories: Geek Toys, Reviews

Tagged:

TEC Accessories Orbiter fidget toy review originally appeared on on March 1, 2017 at 6:21 am.

Note: If you are subscribed to this feed through FeedBurner, please switch to our native feed URL http://the-gadgeteer.com/feed/ in order to ensure continuous delivery.