7 Best Docking Stations for Your MacBook Pro

Laptops are great for taking desktop-class computing power on the go. They make life easier, as you get to take what you need, wherever you go, but when you’re back at home, the lack of legacy ports on 2016 and later MacBook Pros is an issue. Apple removed all legacy ports from these MacBook Pros. Connecting ANY device to any MacBook Pro with Touch Bar now requires a properly-equipped peripheral or a dongle. USB-C-based peripherals aren’t very common yet, and dongles make computing messy and complicated. Displays – actually multiple displays – are a particularly large problem. The best way to solve this is with… Read more

Fed Up with Facebook? Here are 6 Alternatives

So, you’ve finally had enough of Facebook – privacy issues, time drains, relationship-straining political debates, and all the rest. Still, social media is a valuable tool, so what are your other options? There are always Twitter and Google+, but if either of those appealed to you, you’d already be there. There are a few other options, though: social media sites that haven’t gotten much traction yet but that offer better privacy and more control and just might help you to partially fill that Facebook-shaped void in your life. Related: How to Delete Your Facebook Account (Or at Least Protect Your Data) 1. Sociall.io Sociall… Read more

How to Add a Customized Vibration Pattern to Contacts in Android

Have you ever answered your phone thinking it was someone else? That can quickly happen if you have the same ringtone or vibration pattern for everyone. To see who is calling you, you have to look at your phone. By giving a specific vibration to a contact, you can know who is calling you without having to take out your phone. Setting this up is easier than you may think, so even if you’re not very tech-savvy, you’ll be able to set this up. How to Give a Contact a Specific Vibration Pattern (Possible Stock Option) To know that it’s your mom calling without having to… Read more

How to Sign Up for an Apple News+ Subscription on Your iOS Device

Apple introduced its News app with the release of iOS 9, which featured a coverage of current events curated by editors and specifically personalized for users. The app and its features were well-received by users who liked the layout and news coverage offered by the app. We reported late last year that Apple was possibly gearing up to launch paid subscriptions for Apple News. This was finally released at a recent launch event in late March. Named “Apple News +,” this paid subscription service allows both newspapers and magazines to be offered, to be read on any Apple device. The subscription costs $9.99 and is currently… Read more

Party Blinks LED lights, Portal Cord, Orb Drop, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

NEWS – This week I’m bringing you 5 Kickstarter projects that I think are worthy of your consideration. I’ve got two EDC products, a home product, and two other products that are just for fun. Check them out.

Party Blinks

What is it?

Party Blinks are LED multi-colored water-resistant string lights for indoor and outdoor use.

Why do I like it?

I like the Party Blinks because they can either run on 3 AA batteries or micro USB and they have 9 different blink modes including a mode that uses a built-in microphone or sensor that flashes the LEDs in time with the music. They are a fun and easy way to add some extra pizazz to a party, decorate for holidays, or just brighten up your home.

Where can I find more info?

The Party Blinks campaign ends on 6/22/19 they are working towards their funding goal of $25,000. You can pre-order a set of Party Blinks starting at $35. After the Party Blinks campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Narwal: World’s First Self-Cleaning Robot Mop & Vacuum

What is it?

Narwal is a self-cleaning robot vacuum and mop.

Why do I like it?

I’ve been using robot vacuums in my home for several years now and can’t imagine going back to pushing an upright vacuum myself. Yes, I’m totally spoiled. We’re in the process of replacing all of our carpeted floors and I’ve yet to find a robot vac that can vacuum carpets, hard surfaces AND is also good at mopping floors. Narwal is a robot vac AND a mop that, can refill its water reservoir and clean its microfiber mopping pads when it returns to its charging base.

Something to consider before pledging

Although the Narwal can vacuum AND mop, it doesn’t do it at the same time. When you want to vacuum, you have to change out a module on the bottom that has a brush. When you want to mop, you replace the module with one that has the mopping pads. Also, Narwal does not automatically clean the dirt bin after a vacuuming session.

Where can I find more info?

The Narwal campaign ends on 5/31/19 they have already surpassed their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a Narwal starting at $549. After the Narwal campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in September 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

TRONEX – A New Generation Of Flashlights

What is it?

Tronex is a wearable flashlight that offers several lighting modes.

Why do I like it?

I like the Tronex flashlight because it’s been designed to be handsfree. It is worn around your back and has two flexible arms with a powerful flashlight head on the end of each arm. The flashlights go from 700 to up to 4900 lumens so you’ll definitely be able to see everything in front of you while keeping your hands free to do other things like walking your dog, jogging, etc. Even the back of the Tronex lights up to make it a great flashlight for bikers and runners.

Where can I find more info?

The Tronex campaign ends on 5/29/19 they have already met their funding goal of $15,000. You can pre-order a Tronex starting at $98. After the Tronex campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Orb Drop

What is it?

orb drop is a marble run track that you build yourself that is made of laser cut wood pieces, stainless steel marbles, magnets, and plastic track.

Why do I like it?

I’ve always had a fondness for marbles and magnets, so the orb drop kits automatically piqued my interest. The fact that you can build the kits yourself and they help with STEM skills, I think it’s a winner.

Where can I find more info?

The orb drop campaign ends on 6/15/19 they have already passed their funding goal of $5,000. You can pre-order a orb drop starting at $49. After the orb drop campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

Portal Cord

What is it?

Portal Cord is a phone cable that you can use to sync and charge your phone that also has a built-in backup battery.

Why do I like it?

I like the Portal Cord because it combines two important accessories. It’s a phone charging cable AND it’s an 1800 mAh backup battery. It’s available for iPhone, and phones with micro USB, or USB-C connectors and provides pass-through charging so your phone gets charged first and then the built-in modular batteries. And it’s designed to be tangle free.

Where can I find more info?

The Portal Cord campaign ends on 5/31/19 they have already met their funding goal of $20,000. You can pre-order a Portal Cord starting at $55. After the Portal Cord campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in October 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.

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Party Blinks LED lights, Portal Cord, Orb Drop, and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 19, 2019 at 10:30 am.

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