Crowdfunded gadgets backed on Kickstarter, from smart switches and chargers to quirky tools.
I backed the MOGICS Power Donut/Bagel on Kickstarter in February 2016, a project that raised US$437,738 from 9,882 backers. Both are circular travel power strips designed to save space, each packing five power sockets. This covers the Power Bagel.
The Lomography Lomo'Instant grew from a Kickstarter two years ago, raising US$1,118,333 from 8,448 backers. Several designs are available, priced from S$168 to S$258 on Lomography's store. It uses Fuji Instax Mini film, at S$13.90 for a ten-shot pack.
I backed the Flip British Plug on Kickstarter in November 2015, a project that raised £28,115 from 1,140 backers. I chose the £14 reward, paying about £19 with shipping for one Flip Quad, a thin, foldable British plug.
I backed the PINE A64 on Kickstarter in January 2016, a project that raised US$1,731,466 from 36,781 backers. I chose the US$29 reward, paying about US$41 with shipping for the PINE A64+ with 2GB RAM, a cheap single-board computer.
I backed the Dash microSD and SD Card Reader on Kickstarter in November 2015, a project that raised US$11,492 from 717 backers. I chose the US$22 reward, paying about US$25 with shipping, for a compact build-your-own card reader.
I was seeded the tado Smart AC Control for review, which I'm splitting into two posts: this unboxing and setup, and a follow-up on the experience. In Singapore, tado Smart AC Control is distributed by Aerahaus Smart.
My Gunmetal Black Steel Band for the Pebble Time Steel finally arrived on 11th November 2015, three months after the watch itself. It's heavy and well-built, though a little large, so I'll need precision screwdrivers to remove a few links.
LaMetric Time launched on Kickstarter in June 2014, raising US$370,001 from 2,215 backers. As a super early bird, I pledged US$119 plus shipping for this customisable smart ticker, which displays time, weather, notifications, and metrics at a glance.
After being impressed by the Tool Pen I backed last year, I backed mininch's Tool Pen mini when it launched on Kickstarter in April 2015 without hesitation. The mini is aimed at smaller gear, electronics, game consoles, phones, and toys.
The OctoFire 96W/19.2A 8-Port USB 3.0 Hub/Charger launched on Kickstarter in January 2015, raising US$115,414 from 1,270 backers. As a Super Early Bird backer, I paid US$59 plus shipping for this combined eight-port hub and high-power charger.
Ambi Climate is a small, sleek IoT device that makes your existing infrared remote-controlled air conditioner smart. Using predictive climate control, it monitors temperatures inside and out to run your aircon more efficiently and lower your energy bill.
The Pebble Time Steel is the second Pebble Kickstarter I've backed, after the original Pebble Watch two years earlier. The Pebble Time campaign broke Kickstarter's record as the most-funded project, raising US$20,338,986 from 78,471 backers.
Foldio 2 is a portable lightbox for product shots that folds and assembles via magnets. It was funded on Kickstarter on 17th January 2015, raising US$541,991 from 6,729 backers, and as an early backer I paid US$55.
SHAPL designs and makes Smart Shower Containers, handy for travel, the gym, or home. BPA-free and recyclable, they come in two sizes, 65ml and 35ml, and are sold as standalone units, packs of three, or packs of six.
Oneadaptr began with a Kickstarter project for Twist, raising US$36,226 against a US$30,000 goal from 552 backers. Twist is an ultra-portable universal adapter for the MacBook charger, offering far more than Apple's World Travel Adapter Kit.
The ARQ Dock 2.0 by 2040 Design Studio is an aluminium modular nesting dock for smartphones and tablets, with or without cases. Its docks group together for a tidier look, though the bundled cables stay rather messy.
The iblazr is a compact LED flash that plugs into the 3.5mm audio jack of almost any device, not just smartphones. Measuring 27x32x9mm and weighing 10g, I bought mine in Hong Kong from Life Digital at ifc mall for HK$388.
The Legion Meter is a USB multimeter with an integrated OLED display, designed to accelerate your smartphone or tablet's charging by up to 92%. A multimeter combines several measurement functions in one unit, typically measuring voltage, current, and resistance.
Tool Pen is a smart, versatile multi-tool that feels like holding a sleek pen, with a unique Pop-A-Point design for swapping bits. I backed it on Kickstarter in July 2014, and it funded, raising US$274,794 against a US$7,000 goal.
Juicies+ makes anodised aluminium, tangle-free woven cables with either a Lightning, MFi-certified, or Micro USB connector. I backed it on Kickstarter in September 2013, and it funded that November, raising US$275,621 against a US$40,000 goal, delivering January 2014.
The Magnetic Organization System (MOS) began as a Kickstarter project two years ago, raising US$29,376 against a US$6,850 goal. It's an elegant solution for organising and keeping track of your cables, simply rest a cable end on the MOS.
Blockey is a key management system that simplifies your pockets without sacrificing design or practicality. It's made of Aluminum 7075, prized for its strength and scratch resistance, the same material used in bike shafts, rock climbing gear, and aerospace.