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Awesome tech you can’t buy yet, for the week of April 20, 2014

At any given moment there are approximately a zillion different crowdfunding campaigns happening on the Web. Take a stroll through Kickstarter or IndieGoGo and you’ll find there’s no shortage of weird, ambitious, and downright stupid projects out there – far too many for any reasonable person to keep up with. But here at DT we are not reasonable people. We spend an inordinate amount of time poring through crowdfunding sites and product blogs in search of the next Oculus Rift or Pebble Watch, so we’re here to bring you a quick roundup of the best projects that are currently up and running.

Greenplay — Putting Green Mapper

GreenplayYou know that “TigerVision” grid thing you can use on golf simulators and video games to help you better judge a putt? Greenplay is a clever little device that lets you do that in real life. It’s designed to be placed on the green, pointing toward the cup, to collect multi-dimensional slope information and beam it wirelessly back to your smartphone. Using an array of accelerometers and other sensors, it can generate a detailed map of the putting green — complete with those handy little grid lines, and even a spot where you should aim. We’re not sure if it can account for things like grass height, grain variation, or moisture; but even if all it does it measure slope, it’d still be a helpful tool to have at your disposal from time to time.

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BrewJacket — Homebrew Refrigeration Unit 

BrewJacketThe homebrewing scene in the US has absolutely exploded in the past few years, and now that there are millions of people across the country brewing beer on their own, innovators are beginning to develop high-tech tools aimed specifically at small, backyard brew operations. The latest one to hit Kickstarter is BrewJacket, and it’s designed to alleviate a problem that’s been plaguing home brewers since the beginning: the fact that you need refrigerated storage space in order to make lagers. Ales are one thing, but lagers require near sub-zero temperatures to slow down the metabolism of the yeast and change the way it digests sugars. BrewJacket lets you cool down a single carboy of beer to lagering temperatures without spending a fortune on a high-capacity fridge or freezer.

Prototypo — Intuitive Typeface Design Program

Fontmaking software has been around for decades at this point, and there are dozens of different programs out there these days –both free and paid– that allow you to design your own custom typefaces. The only problem is that, generally speaking, many of them are clunky, difficult to use, and expensive. Prototypo is the answer to this problem. The program’s creators designed it to be a super-intuitive, and enable both novice and expert users alike to create their own custom typefaces quickly and easily. You start by choosing a predesigned font, and then use an array of different sliders to tweak the attributes and make it different. Not only can you adjust parameters like height, width, and spacing, but also things like serif shape, optic thickness, and slant. And best of all, it’s open source! 

Gramofon — WiFi Router/Streaming Box

GramofonUndoubtedly realizing that there’s no shortage of set-top boxes and smart speakers capable of streaming music around your home, global WiFi provider Fon decided it wants to do things a bit differently. Earlier last week the company introduced a new “modern cloud jukebox” called Gramofon — a stylish little box that’s part music streamer and part WiFi router. You start by wiring up Gramofon to your stereo system or speaker system, and then connecting the box to the net via its built-in ethernet port or piggybacking on your existing WiFi connection. From there, simply connect your iOS or Android device to the Gramofon’s new WiFi network, and you’ll be able to stream Spotify or listen to Fon’s own free radio service. 

Dart — Super Compact Laptop Adapter

DartTired of lugging around the bulky adapter cable that came with your laptop when you bought it? Check out Dart. The device’s creators are billing it as “the world’s smallest, lightest laptop adapter,” and as far as we can tell, they’re right. This little bugger looks to be about the same size as two USB wall plug adapters stacked on top of each other, but is somehow still powerful enough charge up your laptop and cellphone at the same time. The project has already blasted past its initial 200K funding goal, and it’s still got the better part of a month remaining in the campaign. All the early bird spots have already been snatched up, but if you back the project now you can lock down a Dart of your own for about $90 bucks.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
Cadillac offers first glimpse of upcoming Optiq-V performance EV
cadillac optiq v teaser ev

Cadillac has released the first official teaser images of the 2026 Optiq-V, offering a preview of the brand’s second all-electric model to join the performance-focused V-Series lineup. The images, which highlight subtle styling upgrades, mark the first confirmation of the new variant ahead of its full reveal later this year.
The Optiq-V builds on the foundation of the standard Optiq, Cadillac’s compact electric SUV introduced for the 2025 model year. According to the automaker, this V-Series version will feature a more dynamic driving experience, with enhancements to steering, suspension, and overall agility. While technical details remain limited, Cadillac’s press release emphasizes that the Optiq-V was engineered for “precision” and an “exhilarating” feel behind the wheel.
Reports from CarScoops suggest the Optiq-V could produce up to 515 horsepower through a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, significantly surpassing the 300 horsepower of the base model. Teaser images reveal a diamond-pattern mesh grille, V-Series badging, and a rear spoiler — all nods to its performance orientation. Photos also hint at additional visual updates, such as redesigned bumpers, 21-inch wheels, and larger brakes.
The base Optiq, reviewed recently by Digital Trends, is positioned as Cadillac’s entry-level EV and shares its underpinnings with the Chevrolet Equinox EV. Despite that connection, the Optiq features premium materials, a curved 33-inch display, Google built-in tech, and standard dual-motor all-wheel drive. While the review noted some drawbacks in steering feel and performance tuning, it praised the vehicle's cabin quality and overall comfort.
The Optiq-V is expected to retain the standard model’s 85-kWh battery and roughly 300-mile range, though final figures have yet to be announced. Cadillac says more details on specs and pricing will be available closer to the model’s official launch.
With the addition of the Optiq-V, Cadillac continues expanding its electric lineup while reinforcing its V-Series as a key part of its identity — now in the EV era.

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Nissan delays price increases until June amid U.S. tariffs
nissan rogue hybrid 2025 2024

Nissan buyers, take note: if you're eyeing a new ride, you might want to make your move before summer. The automaker has announced it won’t raise prices on imported vehicles until at least June 2, giving car shoppers a brief reprieve from the impact of the new 25% U.S. import tariffs.
According to a memo sent to U.S. dealers and reported by Automotive News, Nissan is able to hold prices steady thanks to a stockpile of tariff-free vehicles—enough to last nearly three months. But once that inventory runs dry? Prices are likely heading north. Nissan’s U.S. sales chief Vinay Shahani assured dealers that the company is working to "minimize the impact" of tariffs on customers, but he was also frank: “There will be an impact.”
To soften the blow, Nissan is ramping up production at its U.S. plants in Smyrna, Tennessee, and Canton, Mississippi. Those factories were only running at about half capacity last year, so there’s plenty of room to grow. The Rogue—Nissan’s best-seller—will get a second shift on its assembly line, increasing production by about 60,000 vehicles. Other models like the Pathfinder, Frontier, and Murano will also see higher domestic output.
The goal? Build more cars stateside and dodge the tariff altogether.
Nissan’s move puts it in line with other automakers holding the line on prices—at least for now. Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda have made similar pledges, while rivals like Ford and Stellantis are rolling out temporary discounts to ease the pain.
As Digital Trends noted, Nissan’s decision comes as it rethinks its production and pricing strategy in the face of shifting trade policies and a nervous market. With high-volume imports like the Sentra and Ariya still coming from Mexico and Japan, this pricing grace period might not last long.

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Buick, Audi, and Nissan score top marks in latest IIHS safety ratings
2025 Audi Q6 e-tron front quarter view.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has added four more vehicles to its coveted 2025 Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ lists. If you appreciate knowing your vehicle is built with safety in mind, this update is worth noting.

Among the standout performers: the Audi Q6 e-tron, Buick Enclave, and Nissan Armada—each earning the institute’s highest honor, the Top Safety Pick+ award. The GMC Acadia also made the grade, picking up a Top Safety Pick award. For Buick and GMC, these honors mark a significant return to form, as neither brand had received IIHS awards in several years. In fact, it’s the first time since 2013 that the Enclave has been recognized.
So, how does IIHS hand out these awards? Picture a battery of tests that simulate real-world crashes—everything from small overlap front impacts to updated side crashes. To make the list, vehicles must ace (i.e., earn a “good” rating in) key crashworthiness tests, show competence in pedestrian crash prevention, and offer headlights that don’t blind oncoming drivers. For the higher-tier Top Safety Pick+, there's an extra hurdle: a “good” rating in the updated moderate front overlap test, which now factors in rear-seat passenger protection.
Improvements to the Enclave and Acadia’s headlights, introduced after January 2025, helped push them over the finish line. Unfortunately, not all models in this testing round were so lucky. The Cadillac Lyriq, Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron, Kia K4, and several Nissan models—including the Kicks, Rogue, and Sentra—fell short. Common issues? Poor headlight performance or incomplete testing.
The IIHS notes that these evaluations are ongoing. Not every vehicle released for 2025 has been fully assessed, and late-year updates can still improve a model’s score. For the full list of safety awards, you can check out the IIHS website.

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