This week I bring you five crowdfunding campaigns that include two quirky products that will make you smile and three products that look useful. Let me know if you end up supporting any of them.

TAYBLES: The Original Cassette Tape Coffee Table

What is it?
TAYBLES are coffee tables made of wood that are replicas of cassette tapes.

Why do I like it?
I like TAYBLES because they have a fun retro vibe while still being able to perform as a coffee table. TAYBLES have a stainless steel cup holder in the center of each spindle and have a storage area that can hold remotes and other small items. The top of the TAYBLE has a label that doubles as a whiteboard that you can write on with dry erase markers that let you name your “mix tape”.

Where can I find more info?
With 6 days left in their campaign, The TAYBLES campaign has already passed their funding goal of $35,000. You can pre-order a TAYBLE starting at $220. After the TAYBLES campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Tubey – The Mini Wacky Wavy Inflatable Flailing Tube Man

What is it?
Tubey is a miniature flailing tube man. You’ve probably seen the full sized tube men in front of car dealerships or other stores. They are set up to get the attention of people passing by.

Why do I like it?
I like Tubey because I love the full sized flailing tube guys. They always make me smile when I see them so having a miniature one on my desk would be super fun. The only down side is that they don’t expect to ship until December. Ouch!

Where can I find more info?
With 24 days left in their campaign, The Tubey campaign has quite a bit of work to do to reach their funding goal of $60,000. You can pre-order a Tubey starting at $15. After the Tubey campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

lofree: typewriter inspired mechanical keyboard

What is it?
lofree is a Bluetooth keyboard with a retro look and unique round keycaps.

Why do I like it?
I like lofree because it has a cool looking design that features backlit round key caps and clicky-clacky action that makes it sound like a mechanical typewriter. lofree has the same layout as Apple’s wireless keyboard and can pair with up to 3 devices. The keyboards will be available in different colors and the battery life will be up to 15 months on a charge.

Where can I find more info?
With a month left in their campaign, The lofree campaign has already blown past their funding goal of $10,000 by more than $300,000! You can pre-order a lofree starting at $79. After the lofree campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

HEXAGON – Camera, Signals, & Sensors for Cyclists

What is it?
HEXAGON is a wireless full HD (1080p/720p) rear-view camera for your bicycle that links to your smartphone.

Why do I like it?
I like HEXAGON because it will let cyclists see traffic behind them and offers extra features like directional blinkers, power bank, activity tracker, odometer, live streaming of your ride and more.

Where can I find more info?
With a month left in their campaign, The HEXAGON campaign still has work to do to reach their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a HEXAGON starting at $99. After the HEXAGON campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Iconiq Qore – The Stackable Insulated Food Container

What is it?
The Iconiq Qore is a double walled vacuum insulated modular food storage container that can keep cold foods cold for up to 12hrs and hot foods hot for up to 6hrs.

Why do I like it?
I like the Iconiq Qore because it looks like a handy way to keep your foods at the right temps without needing a refrigerator or microwave. You can stack a cold food item like a salad next to a hot food item like soup and both items will be at the right temp when it comes time for lunch. I also like that it’s BPA free and it even includes a folding spork.

Where can I find more info?
With 25 days left in their campaign, The Iconiq Qore campaign still has some work to do before they will reacy their funding goal of $20,000. You can pre-order an Iconiq Qore starting at $13. After the Iconiq Qore campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Filed in categories: News

Tagged: Crowdfunded

Coffee tables shaped like mix tapes, retro keyboards, rearview camera for bikes and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on on March 15, 2017 at 7:28 am.

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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: Crowdfunded

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.

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