PITAKA modular wallet, Touch wireless earbuds, FODI device stand, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns


Today I have a selection of five Kickstarter and Indiegogo projects for you to read about. Click through to see my list of this week’s notable crowdfunding campaigns.

PITAKA – Redefine Carbon Fiber Wallet

What is it?
The PITAKA is a modular, magnetic RFID-Blocking wallet made of lightweight carbon fiber.

Why do I like it?
I reviewed the original PITAKA wallet earlier this year and found it to be an interesting design for a minimalist wallet. My main negative feedback was that credit cards with magnetic strips could not be used in the wallet for fear of the magnets damaging them. This new version of the PITAKA wallet solves that problem by adding an anti-degaussing module that can hold up to 3 cards. There are also other new layers that can hold keys, coins and more.

Where can I find more info?
With 31 days left in the campaign, The PITAKA campaign has already reached their funding goal of $15,000. You can pre-order a PITAKA wallet starting at $69. After the PITAKA campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

EverSleep – Wake Up Refreshed 5-In-1 Sleep Tracker

What is it?
EverSleep is a sleep tracking device.

Why do I like it?
I like EverSleep because it doesn’t just track the different sleep levels like light, REM, and deep, but it also tracks your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, movement and your respiratory function. It looks like a more comprehensive sleep tracker than the ones we see on the market today that are built into our wearable fitness trackers. The EverSleep’s main function is tracking sleep, so it focuses all its effort on that task.

Where can I find more info?
With 17 days left in the campaign, The EverSleep campaign has already reached their funding goal of $40,000. You can pre-order an EverSleep tracker starting at $169. After the EverSleep campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

FODI – The flat multi-purpose origami stand

What is it?
The FODI is a thin Origami stand that folds into different sizes to support phones, tablets, laptops more.

Why do I like it?
I like the FODI because it’s thin, easy to store, and can be used with a variety of devices instead of just phones or tablets. It’s made of a thin polypropylene fibre but is strong enough to hold up to 44 lbs.

Where can I find more info?
With 39 days left in the campaign, The FODI campaign has already reached their funding goal of $7,607. You can pre-order a FODI starting at $14. After the FODI campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Touch – Affordable, Ultra Small, Wireless Earbuds

What is it?
Touch wireless Bluetooth earbuds are that are very small and store in their own recharging case that easily fits in your pocket.

Why do I like it?
I like the Touch wireless earbuds because they look almost identical to the Rowkin earbuds that I reviewed last year. I loved the size and fit of those earbuds, but they had a lot of problems with connectivity. Touch earbuds are the next generation of that design. I asked the people behind the Touch campaign how their earbuds different from the Rowkin buds and this is what they had to say:

the differences between the Rowkin Bit. Touch is the second generation product where we’ve replaced the single multi-function button with a touch sensor. Now you don’t have to fiddle around to make sure you are pressing the button all the way. In addition, now the earbuds feature a brand new chipset and redesigned RF module with Bluetooth 5.0.

In your review, you mentioned the minor disconnects when you move around. With Bluetooth 5.0, the range is increased 4X and the new chipset has double the processing power for better DSP (better audio).

Otherwise, the same size and bullet styling is nearly identical with a slight angle where the ear-tip attaches for better fit!

I’m anxious to give them a try!

Where can I find more info?
With 16 days left in the campaign, The Touch campaign has already reached their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a pair of Touch earbuds starting at $89. After the Touch campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

eWheels: Turn Any Pushcart to an Electric Remote Golf Caddie

What is it?
eWheels turns any pushcart to a remote-controlled motorized electric golf caddie.

Why do I like it?
I don’t play golf, but I just think that eWheels is a cool idea that could be applied to other uses like a motorized garden cart. We spent last weekend moving rocks using a pull cart and it was a lot of work. Turning our existing cart into a rechargeable motorized cart that we can remote control sounds great! Although I can’t find any info on how much weight the eWheels can handle.

Where can I find more info?
With 8 days left in the campaign, The eWheels campaign has already reached their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order an eWheels starting at $429. After the eWheels campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in November 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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PITAKA modular wallet, Touch wireless earbuds, FODI device stand, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on on June 28, 2017 at 9:35 am.

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This MacBook stand gives new meaning to luxury (and insanity)


I’ll be honest, I like nice things. I have a brand new LG G6 smartphone on the table next to me, a 12″ MacBook at home, and a MINI Cooper in the parking lot. I save my money and I buy above average quality products with a hope that they will last longer than cheaper products and that I’ll enjoy using them. That said, I don’t blow my money on stuff just because it is perceived as being the best by its price tag. That’s why this MacBook stand from de Domomieu has flipped my WTH trigger.

Why does this laptop stand made me grumpy? Because the de Domomieu BLOCK MacBook stand is priced between €3,200 and €3,600. That’s $3634 – $4092 in US dollars, and why I’m putting it firmly in the WTH category.

What is it? The BLOCK is a German made wedge-shaped MacBook stand that’s made from one piece of Statuario Marble from Carrara, Italy and weighs between 6-10kg (13.25 lb – 22.0 lb).

Does the de Domomieu BLOCK MacBook stand look like something you wish you had on your desk? If so, let me save you several thousand dollars. Buy yourself a marble leather tooling slab. Just prop up the back of the slab with a rolled up towel and bingo! You have yourself a luxury MacBook stand for $69. And FYI, shipping on the leather tooling slab is free if you order it through Amazon. You’re welcome.

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This MacBook stand gives new meaning to luxury (and insanity) originally appeared on on June 28, 2017 at 7:30 am.

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Your greatest dream of drinking coffee from a horn has come true


No, Gadgeteers, I am not kidding. Apparently, travel mugs in the shape of a horn are the next big thing. Or that’s what the fine coffee loving folks at Goat Story hope will be true with their GOAT MUG.

What the heck is a GOAT MUG Julie? Well, my friends, it’s a 12 or 16-ounce BPA-free mug that’s shaped like a horn. A goat’s horn to be exact.

Featuring attachment points at the top and bottom for the included strap, the leakproof GOAT MUG has been designed to be worn over your shoulder while you’re on the go.

When you get to your destination, you can remove the cuff, flip it around, and it becomes a stand for the horn/mug. Kooky or cool? I’ll let you be the judge if this is a useful beverage container or a hipster coffee chalice.

The crazy thing is that the GOAT MUG was a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign that brought in more than $450,000 of pledges, so go figure.

Want one a GOAT MUG? It’s is now available for $28.50 and up depending on the size and strap material. Visit Goat Story and Amazon for more info.

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Your greatest dream of drinking coffee from a horn has come true originally appeared on on June 27, 2017 at 12:36 pm.

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Nintendo announces Super NES Classic Edition


Following up the massive success and sellouts of the NES Classic Edition, Nintendo is hoping that lightning will strike twice as it announced today the release of a Super NES Classic Edition.

Like the NES Classic, the Super NES Classic will be a mini system and will ship with 21 preinstalled classic games. It comes with an included HDMI cable for hooking up to a high-definition TV along with two wired Super NES Classic Controllers. 

A bonus game included with the Super NES Classic will be Star Fox 2, an unreleased sequel to the popular Star Fox, which debuted in 1993.

Here’s a list of the preinstalled games:

  • Contra III: The Alien Wars™
  • Donkey Kong Country™
  • EarthBound™
  • Final Fantasy III
  • F-ZERO™
  • Kirby™ Super Star
  • Kirby’s Dream Course™
  • The Legend of Zelda™: A Link to the Past™
  • Mega Man® X
  • Secret of Mana
  • Star Fox™
  • Star Fox™ 2
  • Street Fighter® II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
  • Super Castlevania IV™
  • Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts®
  • Super Mario Kart™
  • Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars™
  • Super Mario World™Super Metroid™
  • Super Punch-Out!! ™
  • Yoshi’s Island™

The Nintendo Super NES Classic Edition launches on Sept. 29 for $79.99. Visit Amazon’s pre-order page for more info.

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Nintendo announces Super NES Classic Edition originally appeared on on June 27, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Play the drums anywhere, anytime with Freedrum


Have you always wanted to learn to play the drums but never had the money or space? Now you can and you don’t even need to own a set of drums. I know you’re asking yourself “Did he just say I could play the drums without actually owning a set?” Yes, I did. With Freedrum all you need is a pair of drumsticks and the desire to become a Rockstar. 

Freedrum is a virtual drum machine that fits in your pocket. Simply slide Freedrum’s small sensors onto your drumsticks, pair them with your smartphone and you’re ready to rock. Freedrum is compatible with IOS, Android, Windows 10, and macOS. And they work with any MIDI-compatible music software. You can get a list of tested applications that work with Freedrum here. Freedrum’s six hit areas give you the experience of playing behind a full drum kit. And if you want the experience of playing a full 7-piece drum kit you can attach two more sensors to your feet.

Imagine playing the drums at the park, beach, or in the comfort of your bedroom. Slip on a pair of headphones and you won’t have to worry about annoying those around you. Freedrum is also rechargeable and will last you two weeks if you practice one hour a day. Recharge time is one hour.

Designed and assembled in Sweden, Freedrum’s Kickstarter campaign ended in December of 2016 and it was over 450% funded. Now Freedrum is available for pre-order. There are two different sets available. Freedrum Sticks, which comes with two sensors for your drumsticks, and the Freedrum Sticks & Feet, which comes with four sensors for your drumsticks and feet. Each kit also comes with straps for your drumsticks and feet, 2 drumsticks, and a charging cable. The cost of each set is $99 and $189 respectively.

To learn more, or to pre-order visit the Freedrum website. If you plan on pre-ordering do it soon, the first round of pre-orders ends on June 30th.

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Play the drums anywhere, anytime with Freedrum originally appeared on on June 27, 2017 at 7:00 am.

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