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Updated Mistbox, Flic hub, Wetsleeve wearable water bottle, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns


Here’s a new list of Indiegogo and Kickstarter crowdfunding campaigns that you’ll want to check out and potentially back with your pledges. There’s a computer programming “game”, a hub for smart buttons, wireless earbuds, and more. Click through to see the full list.

Flic Hub: Simplify Home Control with Smart Buttons

What is it?
The Flic Hub is a controller for Flic buttons which are small clickable buttons that can be programmed to control a variety of IoT devices.

Why do I like it?
I reviewed the Flic buttons last year and have been using them ever since. The only downside to using them has been the fact that they are paired with a single phone. If you want to click a button to perform a task, you had to have your phone within range of the button. The Flic Hub fixes that problem. Now up to 64 buttons can be connected to the hub. That means anyone in your home can use Flic buttons without needing their phone.

Where can I find more info?
With 30 days left in the campaign, The Flic Hub campaign has already reached their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Flic Hub starting at $69. After the Flic Hub campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.

Mistbox: Energy-saving device proven to cut AC bills by 30%

What is it?
Mistbox is a device that connects to your outdoor AC condenser unit and sprays a fine water mist around it while it is running. The mist pre-cools the air around the AC, which helps it be more efficient and the air coming out of your registers will be a few degrees colder than without the Mistbox.

Why do I like it?
I reviewed the original Mistbox last year and found that it worked as advertised. Their new version is smaller and uses cellular instead of WiFi for setup and connection with the mobile app. Also, the system is now “free” because it’s been changed to a subscription service where you get the hardware in exchange for a monthly or yearly subscription fee which includes filters and a lifetime warranty.

Where can I find more info?
With 53 days left in the campaign, The Mistbox campaign has already reached their funding goal of $10,000. You can pre-order a Mistbox subscription starting at $10/mo. After the Mistbox campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Turing Tumble: Gaming on a Mechanical Computer

What is it?
The Turing Tumble is a mechanical computer that is powered by marbles and has been designed to help kids (and adults) learn how computers and programming works by solving logic puzzles.

Why do I like it?
I like the Turing Tumble because it turns the task of learning to program a computer into a game by building, touching, and seeing. The kit comes with a book of 51 puzzles that fit in with a full-color Anime style comic book.

Where can I find more info?
With only 7 days left in the campaign, The Turing Tumble campaign has already reached their funding goal of $48,000. You can pre-order a Turing Tumble subscription starting at $60. After the Turing Tumble campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in January 2018. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

The Anker Zolo Liberty wireless earphones

blurb by Bill Henderson

What is it?
The first wireless earphones weren’t at all wireless; they still had a length of cable connecting the left and right earpiece. Wireless should mean wireless – not almost wireless. The Zolo Liberty wireless earphones are two totally separate Bluetooth earpieces that lack any kind of physical connection.

Why do I like it?
Anker has a great reputation for both innovative and reliable products. I have a couple of their powered USB hubs that are lifesavers. Anker is now branching into the wireless personal audio market with a new division called Zolo. Anker vows that the Liberty earphones will be the world’s first zero-compromise wireless earphones. Anker wants people who already own wireless earbuds to let them know what they like and dislike. Anker states, “We’re convinced we’ve already created the world’s best total-wireless earphones, but we’re not finished yet. We really want to hear from the people who will actually do the listening. You can help make Liberty even better.”

Where can I find more info?
With 32 days left in the campaign, The Anker Zolo Liberty wireless earphones campaign has already leap-frogged past their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a pair of Anker Zolo Liberty wireless earphones starting at $99. After the Anker Zolo Liberty wireless earphones campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Wetsleeve: Wear Your Hydration

What is it?
Wetsleeve is a 12 ounce capacity sports bottle that you wear on your arm.

Why do I like it?
I like the Wetsleeve because it looks like a better alternative to other wearable hydration systems that you wear on your back. The Watersleeve is handsfree and has an insulation layer that reflects heat away from the body so the liquid in the sleeve stays cool longer. It also has a bite valve so there are no caps to unscrew or flip open when you want to take a drink.

Where can I find more info?
With 43 days left in the campaign, The Wetsleeve campaign has already reached their funding goal of $25,000. You can pre-order a Wetsleeve subscription starting at $39. After the Wetsleeve campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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Updated Mistbox, Flic hub, Wetsleeve wearable water bottle, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on on June 21, 2017 at 12:22 pm.

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It’s National Seflie Day, so go take another picture of yourself


Established in 2014, National Selfie Day is observed in the United States and abroad every June 21 as a celebration for people who likes to take pictures of themselves.

According to CyberLink, the makers of the photo editing app PhotoDirector, and third-party polling agency YouGov, they have released some interesting selfie findings:

62 percent of US adults and two-thirds of millennials claim to take at least three selfies, at times even more than 25, before deciding which one they want to share with others.

I guess I’m not typical because I’ve only taken one selfie (so far) today. But if I was addicted to taking pictures of myself, I’d definitely invest in some selfie gear to help you take the best shots you can.

Be sure to check out CyberLink’s PhotoDirector Mobile app which available on both iOS and Android.

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It’s National Seflie Day, so go take another picture of yourself originally appeared on on June 21, 2017 at 10:33 am.

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Focal ignites a Spark with a line of earphones and a wireless Listen headphone


Focal is a premium French speaker company who’s products are sometimes priced into the stratosphere. Their Utopia headphones are a cool $4,000 and many audio experts have said they are the best headphones available today. But let’s face it, you probably can’t drop that kind of money on headphones. No problem, because Focal is now offering (much) more affordable earphones and a new wireless headphone as well. The new Focal Spark earphones and Listen headphone are now available in both wired and wireless options.

Spark and Spark Wireless

As a follow-up to the Sphear earphones, Focal has created the new Spark line to provide the mobile—and connected—consumer access to Focal’s signature sound and performance. Designed in France, Spark is a lightweight and comfortable earphone with a three-button remote control and omnidirectional microphone for phone calls. Both the Spark and Spark Wireless come with the same hard case and three sizes of silicone ear tips. The Spark Wireless comes with a charging cord and battery clip for exercising. Both have identical specs, so whether you prefer being tethered to a smartphone/digital audio player/laptop or prefer the freedom of Bluetooth wireless, Focal’s Spark earphones have you covered.

The Spark and Spark Wireless look like they cost more than they do, with an aluminum finish, flat tangle-free cable and large 9.5 mm Mylar speaker driver with wide frequency response (a fancy way of saying you can hear the lowest lows to the highest highs).

Both the Spark and Spark Wireless will come in Black and Silver. The Spark will also come in Blue Cobalt, and Spark Wireless in Rose Gold later in July. The Spark will sell for $69 US and the Spark Wireless for $99 US. Both are available now from Amazon.

Listen Wireless

The new Listen Wireless headphone is based on the popular (wired) Focal Listen introduced in 2015. Even in noisy environments, isolation is available thanks to its closed-back design and large ear cushions. Its wireless technology offers long-range reception free from the constraints of traditional headphones, for even more freedom listening to high-definition sound.

With the Listen Wireless, Focal wanted the technology to be of sufficient quality and not just something associated with compressed music. As a result, Listen Wireless is equipped with Bluetooth version 4.1, and compatible with aptX. Bluetooth has finally reached a level where it is nearly as good as CD quality.

In addition to wireless audio, Listen Wireless headphones are comfortable and stylish with a flexible headband and memory foam ear cushions. Focal kept the folding design from the original Listen, making them easy to use and carry around. They have a scratch-resistant lacquered Black High Gloss finish.

Listen Wireless offers 20 hours of listening time, with a charging time of less than three hours. Bluetooth reception is up to 60 feet. It comes with a built-in dual omnidirectional microphone system running software for improved voice clarity while talking. Included is a soft carrying case, mini plug wires and a USB charging cable. The Focal Listen Wireless headphone is available now for $299 US from Amazon.

Visit Focal for more information.

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Focal ignites a Spark with a line of earphones and a wireless Listen headphone originally appeared on on June 21, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Can this cardboard box grill your next steak?


Have you ever purchased a grill only to use it the one time you had a craving for chargrilled hot dogs and hamburgers? I’ll admit that we did that. We bought a small Webber grill, grilled with it one time and then it sat in the garage for years until we gave it away. Maybe a better alternative would be the disposable CasusGrill.

The CasusGrill is a biodegradable grill that is made of 100% natural components like a cardboard box lined with lava stone, a bamboo rack, and special charcoal briquettes that are also made of bamboo.

This 12.2″ x 9.25″ won’t cook enough food for a huge party, but it is ready to use in about 5 minutes and has a 1-hour cooking time.

After you’re finished grilling your favorite foods, you can chuck the CasusGrill in a bonfire. That means no cleanup!

With a price tag of only $8.00, the CasusGrill biodegradable instant BBQ is the perfect little cooker for the next time you get a craving for charred meats.

Head over to TheFowndry for more info and to pre-order one for your next cookout.

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Can this cardboard box grill your next steak? originally appeared on on June 20, 2017 at 5:00 pm.

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Delkin’s Black USB 3.0 rugged card reader is built to survive the apocalypse


I don’t use Compact Flash, SD and micro SD cards all that often these days, except for the SD card in my Canon 70D DSLR which I use for Gadgeteer product photography. I mainly use my smartphone as my primary camera, but photographers still use flash cards and flash card readers. But I bet they haven’t seen a bomb proof card reader like the Black USB 3.0 card reader from Delkin.

The Black USB 3.0 Rugged Memory Card Reader features three cards slots that include a UHS-II SD, microSD UHS-II, and a CF
UDMA 7 card slot, all capable of simultaneous data transfer.

The Delkin Black USB 3.0 card reader has built-in cable storage and a rubberized protective cover.

Delkin stands by their products with a 5 Year warranty, but they also offer a free 48-hour replacement if this reader stops working. Now that’s service.

Now the bad news, Delkin BLACK products are not sold online through normal retailers. They are sold exclusively through authorized camera stores in the US and Europe. I can’t even find pricing…

For a list of authorized dealers near you, head over to delkindevices.com and if you don’t need something quite this rugged, check out Delkin’s other card readers that are available on Amazon.

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Delkin’s Black USB 3.0 rugged card reader is built to survive the apocalypse originally appeared on on June 20, 2017 at 11:41 am.

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