From the unbelievable to the bizarre and from the cool to the crazy-You can find new ideas and concepts that we’ve only just imagined and familiar products or services that have been redesigned and upgraded on Kickstarter; a brilliant website, which (if you don’t know) allows inventors and entrepreneurs to promote their greatest ideas in the hopes of obtaining funding to start their project.
I really enjoy browsing Kickstarter for a few reasons: it can be a great way to find and learn about new technology not yet available on the market and you can support impressive entrepreneurs by backing their project just out of admiration or by pre-ordering the product at a discounted “early bird” price.
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Kickstarter ranges in a wide variety of categories, from Dance to Technology. I’ve managed to skim the latter, through hundreds of projects, in order to present the most interesting of which can be used with cell phones.
The Unbelievable
I’m not sure if anyone thought this was possible, but I guess we also didn’t think that airplanes or cell phones were either. However, this is real and the coolest thing I’ve seen on Kickstarter, so far— Sgnl: a Bluetooth call transmitter that you wear on your wrist and use by putting your finger to your ear! You read that correctly. Placing your finger on your ear will emulate a speaker and allow you to hear calls from your phone while the microphone on the wristband allows your calls to be heard (like you’re a special agent except, even cooler because you don’t actually wear an earpiece or anything on your ear).
Related: 4 Technologies That Never Took Off Like They Were Supposed To.
I was very skeptical at first, but then I saw all of the reviews by trustworthy critics and reviewers and thought, maybe it is possible. The makers also provide a video for people like me, demonstrating how it works by using a touch-activated stethoscope speaker, which is supposed to explain the mechanisms behind the magic. I’m not a sound engineer nor do I know what exactly this means, but it looks legitimate and I still want one.
The Essential
Wearable health tracking technology; we’ve seen them recently grow in popularity over the past few years. However, this one seems to be the most practical and comprehensive. It’s called LVL and is the first wearable hydration monitor device. I was personally very interested, because I know I’m terrible about hydrating adequately and I’m probably always dehydrated. But what’s more, statistics show that an appalling 75% of Americans are functioning in a chronic state of dehydration. Furthermore, I know that not drinking enough water is unhealthy, but it’s more than that; it’s debilitating. You think and move slower, your metabolism and endurance weakens, you can get moody and emotional, and other negative consequences take effect when you’re not properly hydrated. This is the first device of its kind and it not only measures your hydration level, but it also reports your heart rate, mood, activity, sleep and (of course) your calories, which you can preview on the device or view in full detail on your phone. What’s next, an energy level indicator? (If so, I need one). Technology for the win!
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The Impressive
I’ve actually seen this product in person! A friend of mine somehow got his hands on one of these early and I have to say, it’s really cool! It’s a panoramic camera called Camorama. It’s not just a 360-degree camera lens that allows you to capture panoramic 4K pictures or HD video that you can easily share instantly, but also access into the world of virtual reality (VR). I guess VR glasses don’t have to be exclusively for gamers after all! Live-streaming to current popular apps in 360-degree view is also possible, which means more than a step inside the gaming world. Imagine what it could do for other industries like Real Estate, for example. I think one of the coolest aspects about the device is, whether you capture a panoramic image or video, when you view it on your phone you can explore the scene with different views. One of them is called little planet view where you can view the entire scene as if you were suspended just above the atmosphere like the center of the picture is a planet and everything on its surface is projected outward. All of these features are so new and unfamiliar, but impressive nonetheless and I feel like it’s just the beginning for panoramic media and live-streaming virtual reality.
The Unique
Did you ever have a Firby or Tamagotchi growing up? Do you wish you had someone or something constantly reminding you to do things? Well, apparently this is the best of both. This new product called MOTI is a wireless device that you place wherever you want and it’ll help you build habits by simulating emotions, sending friendly alerts and notifications, and also by just physically being there. The minds behind this project argue that building habits is different for everyone, and sometimes just having a typical phone or watch notification-mixed in with all our other notifications from social media and and apps-can be ineffective and maybe even irritating. This product is supposed to be more successful in helping form habits because it’s interactive and reacts to your achievements with emotion-like responses. For example, if you put-off the task that you’re trying to form into a habit, MOTI will convey sadness by making a sad “awe” sound and flashing blue light. Adversely, when you complete the task you can touch it or give it a “high-five” and it’ll buzz with excitement and light up with green or multiple colors. Your progress can be monitored and updated through an app on your phone, so it’s more than just a phone app. It’s unique, that’s for sure.
With all this new technology comes more batteries to charge, so make sure you stock up on a power bank and wall charger in order to be fully prepared for your new high-tech lifestyle.



