Grovemade started out with bamboo and wood iPhone cases about seven years ago but since then, they have expanded their offerings to include new products like this new key ring made from a solid block of anodized aluminium.
Unlike some carabiners that can pinch your fingers, the Grovemade key ring features a unique loop design that allows you to easily hang it from a belt loop.
This US made lightweight but strong key ring also has a built-in bottle cap lifter so you can pop the top on a cold one.
The Grovemade aluminum key ring is priced at $29 and if aluminum isn’t your thing, you can also buy the key ring in steel, brass or titanium for $39, $59, and $79. The price for all of these key rings is pretty spendy, but if you like the design and style, head over to grovemade.com for more info.
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Most home security systems involve setting up cameras and a variety of sensors like motion detectors, door and window opening/closing sensors, temperature sensors and more. The Xandem system is more like something straight from a Mission Impossible style movie. Xandem uses a gateway and a set of modules to create a mesh network that puts a security blanket over your home that can detect when people are moving around inside it.
Xandem offers Home and Pro systems. The Pro systems are more for commercial installations while the Home system has been designed for… homes. Both systems can be purchased with modules that plug into standard wall outlets or are hardwired.
You can buy systems with 6, 10 or 15 modules. Of course, the more modules you need, the more the system will cost. Luckily, the mesh created by the modules can go through walls and furniture.
After you set up the gateway device and plug in all the modules you can then use the web client to draw the floor plan of your home. The client will also let you create alarms that will fire based on certain criteria and can notify you or others via email. The system can also be programmed to sound a siren or activate lights to scare away an intruder.
According to the FAQ on Xandem’s site, tracking is accurate to within 5-10 feet for most installations and can be adjusted to disregard small pets.
The 6 module system runs $430, and the 10 and 15 module systems are priced at $495 and $595 respectively. The systems come with one free year of Xandem’s cloud service. After the year is up, you don’t have to renew if you don’t want to as the system will work without the cloud service. You’ll just lose certain remote functionality.
DIY geeks will be happy to learn that Xandem provides API info so you can program your own apps to interact with the system.
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We’ve been covering Misfit fitness tracking wearable devices since the original Misfit Shine that I reviewed back in 2013. Misfit trackers have evolved since the Shine and in the next few months, we’ll be seeing a brand new device from Misfit that looks like their most ambitious activity tracking wearable so far. The Misfit Vapor is a true touchscreen smartwatch powered by the Android Wear 2.0 operating system.
First announced at CES 2017 in January, the Vapor was called the best smartwatch and best fitness gadget of 2017.
The Vapor smartwatch has a lot going for it. It has a 1.39” full round 326 PPI AMOLED display, is water resistant up to 50 meters, so you can swim and shower with it. It has a built-in optical heart rate monitor, and GPS so you won’t need to carry your phone with you when you’re out on a run or walk.
Don’t think that the Vapor is all workout and no play. because it also can be used as a stand-alone music player and you can install hundreds of Android Wear apps on the watch to really make it your own.
Priced at $199, the Misfit Vapor will be compatible with phones running Android 4.3 or iOS 9 or higher. For more details visit Misfit’s Vapor page and be sure to sign up to get notified as soon as they become available this summer.
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Have fun channeling your inner Darth Vader the next time you’re cooking in the kitchen or at the backyard grill with these officially licensed Star Wars kitchen accessories.
Start a pair of Darth Vader oven mitts that are made of heat-resistant silicone that will protect your hands from temperatures up to 445 degrees F.
The gloves provide an anti-slip grip and they are embossed with the Empire insignia.
You can buy a Star Wars Darth Vader Oven Glove Set for $19.95 from Amazon.
Another must have kitchen tool for the ultimate Sith Lord BBQ enthusiast are the Star Wars Lightsaber BBQ Tongs.
These tongs will let you flip burgers like an evil galactic chef. They are 22 inches long, have a heatproof handle, a plastic cover, and run on 2 AA batteries. Batteries for a pair of BBQ tongs you ask quizzically? Ummmm, yeah, Darth Vaders lightsaber BBQ tongs would be mega lame if they didn’t have the iconic lightsaber sound effects!
You can pinch a pair (see what I did there?) Star Wars Lightsaber BBQ Tongs for $23.99 from Amazon.
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Today I have three Kickstarter and three Indiegogo projects for you to check out. I want one of each, especially one in particular. Can you guess which one? Click through to see this week’s list of notable crowdfunding campaigns.
Superscreen – Supercharge your phone with a 10.1” HD display
What is it? Superscreen is a $99 10.1″ tablet that duplicates what’s on your Android or iPhone’s display with virtually no latency, no wires, WiFi, and no carrier contracts.
Why do I like it? You might think why do I need ANOTHER tablet? Well, the Superscreen isn’t really a tablet at all. It’s like an extension or mirror of your phone. You don’t install apps on the Superscreen. All your apps are on your phone, but you can interact with any app that is on your phone through the larger Superscreen. Anything and everything you can do on your phone, you can do on the Superscreen.
Is it sinking in yet why you would want this? Basically, it’s a tablet that you never have to update because it just mirrors your phone. You won’t have to deal with updating operating systems or apps or buying a new tablet every year or two.
The only question I still have about this product is if you can make and receive calls through the Superscreen. When I find out, I’ll make an update.
Where can I find more info? With 29 days left in their campaign, The Superscreen campaign has already wildly surpassed their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a Superscreen starting at $99. After the Superscreen campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
UrbanX | Convert Any Bike to an Electric Bike in 60 Seconds
What is it? The UrbanX is a plug and play front wheel for your bicycle that turns the bike into an electric bike that can travel 30 miles on a charge at a top speed of 20mph.
Why do I like it? I like the UrbanX because it turns existing bicycles into electric bicycles without a lot of work. You just replace the front wheel and you’re done. It will be available in six sizes that are compatible with 99% of the bicycles on the market.
You can enjoy three different modes. Full electric, pedal assist, and traditional bike mode. You can also switch back to your original wheel. It can also interface with an app on your phone to track your trips.
Where can I find more info? With 33 days left in their campaign, The UrbanX campaign has already passed their funding goal of $50,000. You can pre-order a UrbanX starting at $299. After the UrbanX campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Heatbuff | No more cold hands – The future of gaming and workstations
What is it? The Heatbuff is an infrared heater for your hands.
Why do I like it? I like the Heatbuff because even though I’m not a gamer, my hands are cold all the time. I have an infrared heater at home for our basement living room, so I already know that these types of heaters work great. I could use a Heatbuff heater at my day job to keep my hands warm while I’m helping people with their software application issues.
Where can I find more info? With 16 days left in their campaign, The Heatbuff campaign has already passed their funding goal of $10,849. You can pre-order a Heatbuff starting at $64. After the Heatbuff campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in December 2017. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Gladius Ultra HD 4K Underwater Drone
What is it? The Gladius is an underwater drone that can go down to a depth of 100 meters (328ft) and capture video with its 1080P 4K camera.
Why do I like it? I think the Gladius is cool because it’s like a drone but instead of flying in the sky, it’s for underwater exploration. It uses a WiFi buoy that floats on top of the water and provides the Gladius with a 500-meter range. The drone can travel up to 2m/s and can last up to 3 per charge.
The only problem that I see is that the Gladius is tethered to the WiFi buoy with a 100 foot cord. Knowing my luck, I’d get the tether cord wrapped around a shark or something.
Where can I find more info? With a month left in their campaign, The Gladius campaign is almost halfway to reaching their funding goal of $30,000. You can pre-order a Gladius starting at $599. After the Gladius campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in June 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.
Populele – The Smart Musical Gift for Everyone
What is it? The Populele is a Bluetooth ukulele made of Maple with good quality Aquila strings that pairs with a mobile app on your phone or tablet and uses 72 built-in LEDs that help you learn to play music without needing song books.
Why do I like it? I like the Populele because it looks like a fun new way for ukulele noobies to learn to play without getting too frustrated. The LEDs for each fret light up to show you exactly which strings and frets you need to press to make a chord. This can be easier than trying to mimic another player or figure out diagrams in books and sheet music.
Where can I find more info? With 22 days left in their campaign, the Populele campaign has already reached their funding goal of $25,000. You can pre-order a Populele starting at $149. After the Populele campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in July 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.
Nimuno Loops – The Toy Block Tape
What is it? Nimuno Loops is reusable, cuttable, and flexible tape that is compatible with LEGO and Mega Blox bricks.
Why do I like it? I like the Nimuno Loops because LEGO! I am a LEGO geek, so anything that will let me stick my LEGO creations to a wall gets a thumbs up from me.
Where can I find more info? With 21 days left in their campaign, the Nimuno Loops campaign has crushed their funding goal of $8,000 by over 1.3 million dollars! You can pre-order a roll Nimuno Loops tape starting at $13 for a 6.5ft long roll of tape. After the Nimuno Loops campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in August 2017. Visit their Indiegogo page for all the details.
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