2018’s most funded Kickstarter project is an Arthurian-themed board game
The biggest Kickstarter project of this year is surprisingly old school: a board game themed around a dark version of Arthurian legend. The Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon Kickstarter raised a massive $6.2 million from over 40,000 backers, and the final game should be delivered in August 2019.
This device backs up DSLR photos using 4G and works as a wireless tether
What if you could back up your photos as you shoot, instead of at home? The Cambuddy Plus is an accessory that uses 4G and high-speed Wi-Fi to automatically backup photos to a cloud service. The device, now on Kickstarter, also works as a wireless teether and can geotag photos, too.
This cryptocurrency wallet for kids isn’t nearly as stupid as it sounds
So you’ve taught your 6-year-old child to read, write, and play nice with others. What’s next? Give them a basic understanding of how cryptocurrencies function, of course. Called Pigzbe, this Kickstarter smart wallet for youngsters aims to help. Here's how it all works.
The SmartCup lets you make the perfect cup of coffee or baby formula
Have you ever struggled to find the perfect temperature for your drink, and then struggled to keep it at that temperature while you're drinking it? If you have, the SmartCup might be the solution you're looking for. Whether it's coffee, tea, or baby formula, it always knows the perfect temperature.
Take your vinyl on a high-tech spin with this 3D-printable record player
Want to really prove your hipster credentials? Check out the Lenco-MD, the world’s first 3D-printed record player. Boasting a module design, users can upgrade their turntables by adding features like speakers and Bluetooth wireless streaming. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
If Tony Stark designed motorcycle helmets, they’d probably look like this
Are you a motorbike rider in want of a bit of added Iron Man tech? If so, check out the pair of new smart helmets created by Jarvish. Offering everything from an AR head-up display to an in-built A.I. assistant, this is closest you'll get to being Tony Stark while riding to work.
‘Shenmue III’ ends Kickstarter campaign with over $7 million raised
The official Kickstarter campaign for the long-awaited Shenmue III has officially ended, raising more than $7 million from over 80,000 backers. The follow-up to 1999's Shenmue and 2001's Shenmue II is on track for a delayed release date of August 27, 2019 for the PlayStation 4 and PC.
Glass orb packs all the constellations in the night sky into fancy desk ornament
Have you ever wanted to know more about the star constellations we can see from Earth? A stunning new Kickstarter campaign, taking the form of a fancy desk ornament that re-creates the night's sky in a glass orb, aims to help. Here's how you can get your hands on one as soon as possible.
This alarm clock uses targeted light and sound to wake you, but not your partner
The Wake v2 isn't like your typical bedside alarm. It specializes in consideration for others. It does this by waking you by shining a soft light directly into your face, thereby not disturbing the person sharing a bed with you. Pretty smart, huh?
Wynd’s new air-purifying bundle lets smart home owners breathe easier
Wynd is launching a new combo package on Kickstarter that includes a brand new version of its popular air purifier as well as a new air quality monitor that can identify a variety of substances including allergens, odors, chemicals, mold, pollution and more.
Bright idea: this motorcycle jacket has built-in lights that sync with your bike
Motorbike leathers are there to protect riders from injury, but they can make bikers difficult to see in the dark. A new Kickstarter campaign hopes to help change that -- thanks to a stylish leather jacket that features some smart LED lighting technology. Here's what it does.
Rushing out the door just got faster — CrunchCup lets you eat cereal on the go
Eating cereal on the go isn't easy. Bowls and spoons don't travel well, especially if you're a big fan of milk with your cereal of choice—and who isn't? There's a Kickstarter that could solve all of your problems. CrunchCup makes it possible to take your cereal with you without any mess.
The sleek, wooden body of the Ondu III pinhole is as inspiring as the photos
We're not sure what looks better, the sample photos or the camera itself. The Ondu III is a new series of pinhole cameras covering sizes from 135mm to large format. Constructed largely from wood, the cameras incorporate several new features. The latest generation is the company's third Kickstarter.
This vintage-inspired instant camera only requires film and creativity
With a manual film dial, the Escura Instant 60s just needs Instax Mini film, no batteries required. The 60s vintage-inspired camera can also be paired with a matching flash. The camera comes from a Hong Kong-based company, with a Kickstarter campaign to get the camera from prototype to fully fledged instant camera.
TourBox is a one-handed Photoshop console designed to swiftly edit photos
Among a growing number of photo editing "keyboards," the TourBox is designed to use just one hand to leave the other on a mouse -- or graphics tablet. Designed to work with Lightroom, Photoshop and several others, the TourBox is a smaller take on physical controls for photo editing and graphic design.
The Fidget Cube creators return with ‘Minecraft’-style building blocks
Two years ago, Antsy Labs’ Fidget Cube hit Kickstarter, ultimately raking in a massive $6.4 million from 154,926 backers. Now its creators are back with their crowdfunding follow-up: A set of magnetic building blocks which look a bit like a mashup of Lego bricks and Minecraft.
5 crazy successful Kickstarters that didn’t live up to the hype
Just because a Kickstarter project secures millions in funding, doesn't necessarily mean it will produce a product that's actually worthwhile. To prove our point, we've put together a list of products that blew past their funding goals only to be met with less-than-stellar reception.
Struggling to start a good habit? Simone Giertz’s Every Day Calendar can help
Simone Giertz is best known as the maker of crappy robots on YouTube, but her first Kickstarter campaign is no failure. In fact, her LED-studded Every Day calendar has already racked up more than $250,000 of pledges on the crowdfunding platform. And there's still time to get involved!
A Fitbit for your cat shit: Automatic litter box tracks your kitty’s health
It may look like a sci-fi teleportation chamber, but Footloose is a high-tech potty that promises to be the most cutting-edge way imaginable for your kitty to take a dump. Who knows? With its smart A.I. technology, it might even save your beloved cat's life one day.
Ekster 3.0 lets you ask, ‘Alexa, where did I leave my wallet?’
Ekster's newest smart wallet is its best yet. It's slimmer than ever, available in new colors, boasts a neat card-dispensing mechanism, and will even let you know where it is, thanks to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
This gadget lets you sleep on airplanes without snuggling a stranger
Odd gadget, or a hug for your face? The Napup Fly+ is a travel pillow, sleep mask, and personal speaker system all rolled into one. The ergonomic support attaches to the back of the headrest and holds your head up, so you don't wind up sleeping on the shoulder of the passenger next to you.
This DIY kit teaches more than coding; it teaches you how to build a smartphone
Want a crash course in coding and electronics, with something to show for it at the end? The MAKERphone is a DIY mobile phone that you can build for yourself. And, yes, it can actually make phone calls, send text messages, and even play games. Here's how you can get your hands on it.
This battery-free ‘printer’ turns your smartphone pics into film
A mobile printer that doesn't require batteries? The Hola Printer is an oddly cool "printer" that snaps an instant film photo of your smartphone screen to convert your favorite shots into prints to hold. With a mechanical design, the Holga Printer doesn't require batteries either. The project launched on Kickstarter today.
Like a Bat-Signal for cyclists, this laser light makes bikes visible to drivers
The Laserlight Core is a smart projection system for bicycles that's designed for safer cycling. It works by projecting an image of a cyclist 20 feet in front of you as you ride. Think of it as your own attention-grabbing, cycling-themed Bat-Signal, and you won’t be too far wrong!
Worried about your screen use? These glasses block them out wherever you go
Are you worried about your screen use? Inspired by the superpowered, ad-blocking sunglasses from John Carpenter’s 1988 cult movie 'They Live', IRL Glasses counter your screen addiction by turning LCD and LED digital screens black. Here's how you can get your hands on a pair.
Can’t spare time to brush your teeth? EZ Teethbrush promises to do it 4x faster
Looking after your teeth used to be hella time-consuming. A new toothbrush called the EZ Teethbrush promises to help -- by brushing all our teeth at the same time. By doing so, its creators that it can reduce a thorough tooth clean from two minutes down to just 30 seconds.
Magic of physics makes this fridge chill food without fans or electricity
Looking for your next cooler? The Fenik Yuma cooler is a portable food preserver that never needs ice, fans, or electricity. It comes totally flat, and pops up like a tent in under 20 seconds. Here is how you can get your hands on this wondrous next-gen refrigeration device.
This app-controlled prosthetic tail may be the weirdest wearable device yet
San Diego Comic-Con may be almost a year away, but it’s never too early to start preparing your cosplay costume. This wearable animatronic tail, controlled via your smartphone, should help -- regardless of whether you want to be Nightcrawler from 'X-Men' or a Xenomorph from 'Aliens.'
‘The Bard’s Tale 4: Barrows Deep’ is available now on Steam
From the same developers behind Torment: Tides of Numenera and Wasteland 2, comes a sequel to the classic RPG/dungeon crawler series, The Bard's Tale. With true tactical, phase-based combat, and tough-as-nails dungeon crawling, fans of this niche genre can get the title for PC on Steam now.
Cheesy Kickstarter campaign wants to bring solar energy to students in East Africa
A playful new Kickstarter campaign aims to supply remote communities with a steady source of renewable electricity while giving backers a handful of dairy-inspired tech devices. The campaign, SunMade Cheese, is the newest venture from Yolk.
Sick of black? Ethnotek’s Raja camera bag lets you customize designs on a whim
Like to change your bag as often as you change your socks? The Ethnotek Raja is a camera backpack that has interchangeable "Threads," or front panels to change up the look while still stashing two DSLR bodies and multiple lenses. The company is also launching a smaller sling bag and a camera strap.
Mezmoglobe spinning desk toy will keep you focused (or totally distracted)
Newly launched on Kickstarter, Mezmoglobe is an incredibly cool spinning desk toy, which is milled with a symmetrical helix pattern designed to produce a mind-bending "flowing" optical illusion as it rotates on its base. Check it out in all its attention-grabbing awesomeness.
Yi-One smart mug will cool your coffee just enough for you to drink it
Updating the thermos for the new millennium, the innovative Yi-One mug promises to keep your freshly brewed hot coffee at a scalding 200-degree temperature until you want to take a sip, at which point it will cool it to a drinkable 150 degrees in just three seconds flat. Count us in!
Lex is a wearable exoskeleton that lets you take a comfortable seat anywhere
How awesome would it be if, any time you started to feel tired, you could just kick back on a chair that appears seemingly out of nowhere? That is the goal of Lex, a pair of wearable, folding exoskeleton legs that transform into an ultra-versatile portable seat.