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Coffee tables shaped like mix tapes, retro keyboards, rearview camera for bikes and more – Notable crowdfunding campaigns

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.

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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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Got a New MacBook Pro? Incase has you covered with new sleeves and cases.

Longtime Apple partner Incase just released a new set of sleeves and cases designed for the new MacBook Pro & MacBook Retina in 13″ and 15″ sizes. 

Incase offers 4 models in the lineup, with a whole slew of materials options:

  • The Classic Sleeves offer basic protection from scratches and bumps and are available in a range of fabrics from neoprene to limited edition leather.
  • The streamlined Slim Sleeves offer Incase’s Ecoya environmentally friendly material as well as rugged diamond ripstop fabric options.
  • The ICON Sleeves add impact absorption through the inclusion of Incase’s Tensarlite technology, integrated bumper frames, and diamond ripstop fabrics.
  • Finally, there’s a hard shell option for MacBook Pro 13″ with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) that utilizes injection-molded construction and rubberized feet for maximum protection.

Once you have picked your case, you’ll find a whole range of color & pattern options to fit your personal style. I counted about 30 in all on the Incase site, including patterns and pastel color palettes.

Incase gets consistently high marks for high-quality cases that work seamlessly with your Apple products, with styles and colors to match virtually every style. Check out the new MacBook Pro case lineup at Incase’s web site for more information and also check them out on Amazon!

Filed in categories: Cases and Covers, News

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Got a New MacBook Pro? Incase has you covered with new sleeves and cases. originally appeared on on March 14, 2017 at 7:21 am.

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Got a New MacBook Pro? Incase has you covered with new sleeves and cases.

Longtime Apple partner Incase just released a new set of sleeves and cases designed for the new MacBook Pro & MacBook Retina in 13″ and 15″ sizes. 

Incase offers 4 models in the lineup, with a whole slew of materials options:

  • The Classic Sleeves offer basic protection from scratches and bumps and are available in a range of fabrics from neoprene to limited edition leather.
  • The streamlined Slim Sleeves offer Incase’s Ecoya environmentally friendly material as well as rugged diamond ripstop fabric options.
  • The ICON Sleeves add impact absorption through the inclusion of Incase’s Tensarlite technology, integrated bumper frames, and diamond ripstop fabrics.
  • Finally, there’s a hard shell option for MacBook Pro 13″ with Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) that utilizes injection-molded construction and rubberized feet for maximum protection.

Once you have picked your case, you’ll find a whole range of color & pattern options to fit your personal style. I counted about 30 in all on the Incase site, including patterns and pastel color palettes.

Incase gets consistently high marks for high-quality cases that work seamlessly with your Apple products, with styles and colors to match virtually every style. Check out the new MacBook Pro case lineup at Incase’s web site for more information and also check them out on Amazon!

Filed in categories: Cases and Covers, News

Tagged:

Got a New MacBook Pro? Incase has you covered with new sleeves and cases. originally appeared on on March 14, 2017 at 7:21 am.

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The 94 yr old physicist who invented the lithium-ion battery just invented something even better

Most people may think that a 94 yr old can’t possibly have new ideas, especially when it comes to technology. But John Bannister Goodenough is poised to change the world – again. Goodenough who is a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Texas at Austin invented the lithium-ion battery with his team back in the 1980’s. Without him, the device that you’re probably using to read this article would be a lot bigger and clunkier.

Now he and his team at the University of Texas at Austin are set to shake up the tech industry with a breakthrough battery that is made of glass, has three times the power capacity of a similarly sized lithium-ion battery, charges in minutes and won’t go up in flames.

This can mean that a future of phones that last days instead of hours and all electric vehicles that drive further and charge faster could come much sooner than we hoped.

If you’d like more technical info about this Goodenough’s new battery tech, check out this article a ExtremeTech.com

Filed in categories: Cables, Batteries and Chargers, News

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The 94 yr old physicist who invented the lithium-ion battery just invented something even better originally appeared on on March 13, 2017 at 11:01 am.

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Journey far and wide with the new Stack Pack from Topo Design’s Spring Collection

“Classic Modern Mountain” is how Topo Designs describes their distinctive style. This Colorado-based maker of outdoor gear & apparel is known for products that feature simple functional design, exceptional craftsmanship, and distinctive color schemes. The new Stack Pack offers flexible organization for work, travel, and hiking expeditions. 

The two-chamber design of the Stack Pack offers plenty of options to sort out your gear. At 11″ by 17″, the generous main compartment includes a built-in laptop sleeve. The front compartment panel unzips on three sides, allowing full access to multiple mesh organizer pockets for your quick-access items. Compression straps, two water bottle side pockets, a pair of gear loops, and an external bungee rig provide plenty of options for mission-specific extras. As with all Topo products, you also have an assortment of funky color schemes to choose from that will stand out in a crowd. The overall size of the bag checks in at about 17 liters, which seems just about right for a day trips, travel carry-on, or the work commute.

All of Topo Designs products are handmade in an environmentally-friendly facility in Colorado. I can attest to the quality and durability of their gear from personal experience (I own a Rover Pack). Check out the $98 Stack Pack and the whole Spring Collection at Topo Designs web site.

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Journey far and wide with the new Stack Pack from Topo Design’s Spring Collection originally appeared on on March 13, 2017 at 7:07 am.

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