Even without a medical degree, the healthiest thing you can provide others has to be water. Forget all that chia seed and kale nonsense: you won’t survive a week without water. With this mindset, Kara Pure has got to be one of the healthiest things you can invest in. It’s a water harvester, purifier, and dehumidifier all…
There is a lot to love about swimming, but some people don’t want to do it. Some just hate getting wet, while it’s the fear of drowning for some folks. If you belong to the latter group, Wunap is your friend. Wunap won’t completely cure your aquaphobia, but it will make you safer in the water.…
Now that the world is slowly returning back to normal, more and more people are coming out of their holes and starting to travel. But even after a hiatus from trekking, carrying and storing your luggage is still as bulky and cumbersome as it once was. LITO suitcase will save you from that. The LITO…
As someone in my early thirties, my knowledge of the money-making process is as follows: you go to work, get paid, end of the story. I have yet to wade through the vast ocean that is the stock market. I heard it’s also a good way of making money, provided you know which companies to…
It’s amazing that even with so many multi-tools on the market, very few of them have the one thing most people need: a writing apparatus. I mean, what good is a mini-ruler/blade/tape measure when you don’t have any marking tool to use with them? With this, the folks at World’s Tiniest have decided to make…
When I was younger, I always wanted to label everything. My younger brother and I would constantly fight over things, and the only way I could stake my claim on something could only be possible if I put my name on it. Doing this was easy enough on books and toys (thanks for the tip,…
When you think of doctors, three things usually come to mind: white coats, stethoscopes, and the exorbitant fees you have to pay after visiting them. While we can’t do much about the first to third stuff mentioned (at least until fashion industry makes lab coats trendy and healthcare becomes more affordable), it is far easier…
I jump at any chance to save the environment with my actions but sometimes, these alternatives can be a tad inconvenient. Take reusable bottles, for instance. While you definitely cut down on plastic waste, hanging on to them can be a bear! Think about the moment after your last swig of your favorite beverage. What…
In my drummer days I could lay down a beat! I couldn’t wait until the next time I could sit in front of a drum set. In between times, I’d take to air drumming in my bedroom imagining banging out a perfect beat. Like most things, good drum skills take consistent practice. Sadly, for a…
I normally don’t use laptop sleeves because, apart from making me look like a snobby, over-age yuppie, they don’t do much else. But that may change with this particular sleeve. At first glance, the Silviano looks as hoity-toity as laptop sleeves get. It’s made from genuine vegan leather sourced from India, which is naturally tanned…
While most of the world’s technology has changed over the course of the century, the same can’t really be said about eyewear. Glasses and sunglasses haven’t changed much in the way of their base design – that is, they’re still a lens set suspended by frames that hang on your ears and nose. One company…
If you use an electric shaver, you know it’s usually the bulkiest thing you pack, and that’s not including the charging base and/or cord. You may have thought it was travel-friendly but you’ll think again after you see the Evo Shaver. For those on the road, it might just be in your top five must-have…
The world would be a much better place if, outside of everyone’s front door, there’s a scenic route, primed and ready for brisk walking, jogging, and – of course – cycling. You can avoid so many tricky logistics like fitting or strapping your mountain bike onto your tiny car. Or what to do with a…
If you’re a skateboarder like myself, you know how awesome it feels to fly down a hill. But you know what stinks? Going up that hill. With no momentum or pedal of any sort, skateboarders have little choice but to awkwardly push themselves up or (ugh) walk. In an attempt to remedy the propulsion problem…
Even though it’s just as important as eating three square meals a day, not everyone practices proper dental care. On a busy day, most folks would just quickly brush their teeth (or forget to altogether) before hopping in a car and driving to work—much to the bummer of their coworkers. Encompass was made to give…
It’s quite surprising how many people don’t know the Heimlich maneuver. Rather than taking five minutes to look up a simple tutorial on YouTube, most folks would rather live in ignorance until one of their friends or family starts choking on a piece of food or worse… something which isn’t food. By then, it’s usually…
One of the hardest things to make when sketching a blueprint, model, or drawing is the circle. How is it possible after years of doodles in school, practice in college, and use in work that drawing a flawless circular is so difficult? Outside the few who may be able to nail all 360 degrees, the…
Yes, yes, you might’ve heard smartphone accessory companies brag about how their wireless chargers are the thinnest in all the land. But, if you find a wireless charger thinner than 0.11 inches, it’s either made from some undiscovered material or an entirely bogus claim. The environmentally-conscious Xpad universal charger from Australian company PlusUs, however, is…
If I’m to be truly honest, the infinite possibilities of LEGOs can be a bit daunting when it comes to building. When someone 10 years younger than myself can make a masterpiece out of the same 500 bricks I’m given, it can feel disheartening to even begin my own creation. Not as many adults have…
An interesting 3D camera has launched, the Wunder360 S1. This is a 360-degree camera, similar to one you may have or others you’ve likely seen: it captures visual activity happening all around you. It’s developed by Evomotion and a follow-up to their highly-rated Wunder360 C1 camera. But the S1 adds quite a bit more. It’s…
Though skateboarders have been blessed with a variety of upgrades to the traditional skateboard (such as a smart electric skateboard with a built-in A.I. and a one-wheeled, all-terrain variant), traditional boards are built of maple plys that’ll snap as soon as you land on it wrong. They just don’t last long before chipping or breaking…
Ever since I was a teenager, I always wanted to graduate my art style from stick figures to something a bit more refined. Not everyone has an instinct for drawing, but quite a few would love to draw better and many of us desire to sketch like a pro. ShadowDraw, a creative app for the upcoming Apple…
Robots. They’re set to (maybe) take over the world. But first, they’re going to take over our…desks? If the uArm Swift from uFactory is any indication of what the future of desktop peripherals might look like, robotic arms capable of 3D printing or pick & placing may ultimately be just as common as the desktop…
Human-driven battle robots are already under construction by MegaBots and an array of Japanese-based Kuratas. While those primarily focus on DESTRUCTION! …there are others focused on SPEED. Entering the race this year is Furrion and their human-piloted, all-electric Prosthesis racing mech. Designed by engineer Jonathan Tippett, the 7,700 lb. Prosthesis was recently unveiled at this year’s CES…
There are literally a ton of devices on the market aimed at recharging mobile devices with the most common being power banks or battery chargers. Others (and I’ve tried a few) rely on the elements such as solar chargers (Goal Zero), water-based chargers (Estream) and even open-flame cookware chargers (PowerPot). Most of those are great,…
Programmable robot toys tend to be on the cute side. Think of the popular BB-8 toy from last year or the popular pup Tekkno from the 90s. But when it comes to spiders, cute isn’t the first thing that pops into your head. Somehow Roboeve, a Beijing based team of engineers, made a robot spider…
It wasn’t too long ago when having maybe 3 or so colors in a single mechanical spring-loaded pen was a big deal – but what if you could carry nearly every shade (approximately 16 million colors) in your pocket wherever you go. That’s just crazy. As the latest high-tech art tool, the Cronzy pen is a…
If you’re thinking of launching a startup (or are already amidst the craziness), Indiegogo and Arrow can help. The companies recently announced a partnership that will give entrepreneurs access to discounted components and manufacturing services through a joint site made just for Indiegogo crowdfunders.
What do we want? Handheld computers! When do we want them? By October 2016 or thereabouts! That’s Wade Wang’s mantra. He is the mastermind behind the GPD WIN – a 5.5-inch handheld PC the Shenzhen-based team is pushing as a game console. However, we’re convinced it could be the first Ultra-mobile PC (UMPC) that could…
For bike lovers who can’t get enough of anything bicycle related, Industrial Kid has designed a unique lamp that is the perfect home/office/anywhere addition. In fact, if anyone doubts your passion for cycling, we’re pretty sure this desk lamp will drive the point home.
Have you been there? A sharp *crack* sending you and your carry-on suitcase into that unforgiving airport terminal traffic? I’ve cracked a suitcase wheel on an uneven surface, giving my baggage a mind of it’s own. With no better option, I picked up the heavy bag and carried it, sometimes from the side, sometimes from…
There are times when one needs to wash a few items of clothing, but it’s nowhere near being a full washing machine load. What to do! For those who adhere to a ‘green standard’, those small loads prey on the mind as being a waste of water, electricity and knob turning. Those who have very…
Liberty Trike is killing its Indiegogo campaign with a stylish new spin on the conventional motorized scooter. The makers claim it offers more versatility, more power and easier transport than traditional mobility assistance devices, but the price may leave you limping. Mobility is something we all take for granted, until it’s gone. Liberty Trike wants…
Since Kickstarter first hit the scene in the Spring of 2009, the popular crowdfunding platform has still proven to be a tricky playground for both businesses and backers over a half-decade later – particularly with campaigns that are actively promising fulfilment in the form of a mass manufactured product. Although the company has since come…
With many large touchscreen displays – such as Microsoft’s 4K 55- & 84-inch Surface Hub Displays set to arrive next month – commanding up to $20,000, it comes with little surprise that some hardware developers have been dedicating their time to bringing similar user experiences to the masses for significantly less. Among others, Touchjet just…
For all of the noise that comes pummeling through the crowdfunding tunnel, every so often we hear a story that truly stands out amongst the latest 3D printers, minimal wallet designs and coffee makers. With over 100 years and four generations in the making, LunoWear just might be one of those stories. Founded by two…
As far as desk toys and “random stuff to keep around for inspiration” goes, everybody has their own tastes and preferences. While some may prefer bright and colorful vinyl toys such as those from Kidrobot on their tidy desktop, others may prefer to keep more DIY-inspired mini-projects strewn about their dusty workshop. For those looking…
Since finding crowdfunding success on Indiegogo in April of last year, the design team behind Amsterdam-based Dick Moby Sunglasses have showed no signs of slowing down. The team, which consists of designers Tim Holland and Robbert Bettink, met while studying together in Amsterdam and came up with the original idea of sustainable eyewear while on…
Your office microwave may soon no longer be reserved for just Prismacolor pencils, stale coffee or the occasional Ham and Cheese Hot Pocket anymore. The Rocketbook Cloud-Integrated Microwavable Notebook, which has currently raised over $260,000 on Indiegogo, just might be the zaniest and most impressive crowdfunded sketchbook concept we’ve seen yet. While the Rocketbook is…
A bee hive design just raised $2.2 Million in 24 hours. With 40 days to go, there is likely a few million to be added. The list of reasons why it has raised so much is lengthy, but the top reason is simple–people love them some fresh, hot bee-squeezed honey. The Flow Hive makes it…
If you know a cyclist, you’ve likely heard complaints about that persnickety front bicycle derailleur. Well, to take those derailleur woes away, a father and his three sons have come up with a simple device which could redefine cycling as we know it – a 3-speed front gearbox.
Today on Indiegogo 3DRacers launched their new RC racecar package. Using an online editor, you can create your own design and add features to make your racecar to crush all competition. Edit, download, print and assemble. Using a smartphone app, you can take your racecar round the track like the Stig that you are. Silent and unknown to the…
Dubai has it, Sydney has it and San Diego is getting it soon. What do these three very diverse cities in very different parts of the world have in common? A severe difficulty of freshwater supply while being right there next to billions of liters of ocean water. Desalination is the magic word that is…
Editor Note: August 7th, 2014 – It has been brought to our attention that Tim Callahan is not the originator of this product. On June 21, 2013, Industrial Designer Diane Bayard submitted the Beach Chess idea to Quirky. On July 19th, 2013 is was selected for development. Tim took the idea, 3D printed it and…
When the MakerBot Digitizer was announced a few weeks ago, it was considered a milestone for bringing 3D scanning to the masses. Could it be that a better and cheaper 3D scanner will be entering the market before Christmas as well? The Rubicon 3D Scanner is the Indiegogo project launched yesterday that aims to lop…
This week we’re talking shop with Jon Troutman and James Krause–AKA the guys behind the design of the Indiegogo sensation, Canary! The Canary is a multi-sensored home monitoring device that aims to replace existing home security systems. We’ll talk to Jon and James about the ins and outs of developing a smart home product, why…
Between smart locks and smart thermostats, the Smart Home Revolution just keeps getting better for those wanting total control of their home through their devices. The latest to enter the market comes in the form of Canary—a fitting name for an all-in-one home monitoring device that features an HD camera, a microphone, night vision, motion…
When I’m wrestling a ham and cheese sandwich in 3 inches of water, I’m not paying attention to anyone else around me. There are already devices to get people like me out of the pool (tazers hurt) but there are just not enough (read: any) device that take advantage of modern technology to save the…
This post is part of our series on cool crowd-funded projects that are pushing forward technology in product development and introducing innovative product design. They’re all projects we’re contributing to as well. If you would like to participate and share your project or another you find interesting, submit it to kickit@www.solidsmack.com or let us know…
This post is part of our series on cool crowd-funded projects that are pushing forward technology in product development and introducing innovative product design. They’re all projects we’re contributing to as well. If you would like to participate and share your project or another you find interesting, submit it to kickit@www.solidsmack.com or let us know…