NEWS – The Gadgeteer has reviewed a fair number of Mission Workshop items including the original Rhake backpack which Bob reviewed last April. Well, Mission Workshop just announced the new Rhake VX which uses VX-21 diamond ripstop fabric to increase weatherproofing as well as abrasion and tear resistance while reducing weight. They’ve also spec’ed Fidlock® magnetic buckles to entice all of us that notice those things. Plenty of pocketry and organization to round out what looks to be an amazing update. Looking forward to seeing this one in person soon. Here’s some more pics.
The new Mission Workshop Rhake VX backpack will be priced at $455 and starts shipping today. Visit Mission Workshop for all the details and to order.
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NEWS – National Geographic is back with another limited series in the same style as the Mars series I told you about last fall. This time the show isn’t about outer space, it’s about the internet in the 90s when regular people like you and I first started learning about the World Wide Web, @ symbols, and more. The show is called Valley of the Boom and it is a “mostly” true account of the days before there was a Google, Facebook, or YouTube and when a little web browser called Netscape that started the browser wars.
Just like MARS, Valley of the Boom mixes a scripted storyline with actors like Bradley Whitford, Steve Zahn, and Lamorne Morris, with short documentary segments with the actual people that these actors are portraying. The series shares behind the scenes stories that happened during the dot-com tech gold rush and for nerds like me, this series is an entertaining trip down memory lane not long before The Gadgeteer was just starting getting started.
Valley of the Boom is a six-episode series that started last Sunday. Two episodes are available to stream right now and two more will be released each Sunday for the next two weeks. Head over to nationalgeographic.com to watch now.
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NEWS – This week I have four crowdfunding campaigns for you to check out that are currently running on Kickstarter or Indiegogo.
AirPodPal– Makes Your AirPods Easier to Carry, Charge & Find
What is it?
The AirPodPal is a multi-functional case for the Apple AirPods.
Why do I like it?
It’s a clip-on case for your AirPods that has a built-in battery that extends the AirPods battery life or can be used to charge other gadgets and the case itself recharges wirelessly on a Qi charging pad.
Where can I find more info?
The AirPodPal campaign ends on 3/2/19 they have already met their funding goal of $15,057. You can pre-order an AirPodPal starting at $29. After the AirPodPal campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in April 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
Air Deck 2.0 – The ultimate travel playing cards
What is it?
Air Deck is a pack of playing cards that have been specially designed for travel becuase they are tiny!
Why do I like it?
I just think they are cool because they are so compact that you can put a pack in your gear bag for an impromptu game no matter where you go. And since the cards are made of PVC, they are both tearproof and waterproof. Even the storage box is waterproof.
Where can I find more info?
The Air Deck campaign ends on 2/21/19 they have already passed their funding goal of $5,099. You can pre-order an Air Deck starting at $10. After the Air Deck campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
EyeQue VisionCheck, World’s 1st Automated Eye Test
What is it?
The EyeQue VisionCheck is a vision checker that works with an app on your phone and can fit in your pocket.
Why do I like it?
It’s exciting to see gadgets like this one that can help us detect health issues without having to go to the doctor. Of course, a gadget like the EyeQue will not detect serious eye problems as a real eye doctor can and I personally would not trade the EyeQue for my yearly eye appt. But for people with otherwise healthy eyes who might want to check their prescription every so often to see if it’s changed, this gadget looks pretty interesting.
What to consider before pledging
It appears that there are fees associated with using this device. The info is kind of vague about a $4.99 yearly fee and then other fees to use the service.
Where can I find more info?
The EyeQue VisionCheck campaign ends on 1/19/19 they more than met their funding goal of $25,000. You can pre-order an EyeQue VisionCheck starting at $40. After the EyeQue VisionCheck campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in March 2019. Visit their IndieGoGo page for all the details.
The Life Cup: Double Walled Titanium Cup
What is it?
Life Cup is a beverage cup that is made of titanium with a cool crystal finish.
Why do I like it?
Besides the fact that they look cool, these cups feature a double wall design so that they keep cold liquids cold and warm liquids warm without any condensation on the outside of the cup because no one likes a sweaty cup. They even give you a matching straw with each cup.
What to consider before pledging
The cup doesn’t come with a lid – unless they decide to offer one as an add-on later.
Where can I find more info?
The Life Cup campaign ends on 2/13/19 they are working towards their funding goal of $6,435. You can pre-order a Life Cup starting at $97. After the Life Cup campaign ends, rewards are estimated to start shipping in May 2019. Visit their Kickstarter page for all the details.
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NEWS – Here’s an unusual product that I’ve not seen before and I hope you haven’t either. They are called step in socks and they are a hands free shoe cover that will allow you to wear your dirty shoes into a house without tracking the dirt on the floor. They are made of polyester and are reusable.
But the magic happens when you just toss them on the floor and step on them. True to their name, they are hands-free shoes because when you apply pressure to them, they wrap around your foot like some kind of futuristic shoe from a sci-fi movie. Just take a look at the video below to see them in action.
I can imagine how these step in socks would be handy for service people who go into people’s homes to fix appliances. They are one size fits all and you can find several different styles and brands on Amazon where the prices range from $10 – $13.
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NEWS – On Tuesday Nike officially introduced the world to the future of basketball shoes when it rolled out its first self-lacing shoes, the Adapt BB.
These new age kicks were designed to give you a customized, consistent fit. When you step into the Nike Adapt BB, a custom motor and gear train senses the tension needed by the foot and adjusts accordingly to keep the foot snug.
The Adapt BB’s where built for basketball. Nikes FitAdapt tech allows players to adjust the fit of the shoes depending on different moments of a game. For example, during a timeout, a player can loosen the shoe before tightening it up as they re-enter the game. This can be done manually with the touch of a button on the shoe or by using the Nike Adapt app.
With the Nike Adapt app, you can fine-tune your fit, switch between presets, customize the LED lights, and check the shoes battery levels.
The Adapt BB’s are powered by a rechargeable battery. Charging the shoes is as easy as placing them the Qi wireless charging mat that comes with every pair. According to Nike, the shoes will last up to 14 days on a single full charge. Fully charging the shoes takes about three hours.
If you want to see the shoes in action, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will be the first NBA player to wear the Adapt BB’s in an NBA game Wednesday night in Boston’s home game against the Toronto Raptors. Nike’s Adapt BB basketball shoe ($350) will be available at 10:00 AM EST on February 17th which coincidentally is the same day as this year’s NBA All-Star game.
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