Here’s a real version of that endlessly spinning top from ‘Inception’
Remember how Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Inception uses a spinning top to work out whether he’s awake or dreaming? Some people just created a similar top for real -- and it's won a Guinness World Record for spinning more than 27 hours. Here's how you can get one of your one.
Quickstarter inspires creators to dream up small but fun Kickstarter projects
If you're itching to launch a Kickstarter project but your ideas are on the ambitious side, then how about gaining some experience with a small, manageable project? The crowdfunding site has launched Quickstarter to inspire fun, low-budget ideas that can be completed in a short time frame.
Meet the Italian composer who conducts the world’s biggest all-robot orchestra
For his next album, Italian electronic music producer Leonardo Barbadoro is skipping synthesizers for robots capable of playing real instruments, ranging from piano to percussion. Here's why he's decided to shake up electronic music production in favor of a new approach.
This diving system lets you stay submerged for 2 hours, no tank needed
Do you want a diving system that bridges the gap between scuba diving and snorkeling, minus the limitations of both? If so, a new Kickstarter product -- letting you stay underwater for up to two hours -- could be for you. Here's what you need to know about the Supa Huka.
A.I.-powered 3D 360 Detu Max camera reads like a list of photo buzzwords
3D, 360, AI, HDR, RAW -- the Detu Max appears to cram quite a few features inside an eight-lens 360 camera. The pro-focused camera uses artificial intelligence to allow for object tracking and high-resolution stitches. The Detu Max is funding on Kickstarter, and reached the campaign goal in ten minutes.
Smart door attachment slows house fires with devilishly simple technique
Question: What smart home gadget do you hope you'll never have to use? Answer: The one which only works in the event that a fire is detected in your house. Co-created by a professional firefighter, LifeDoor is just such a device. Here's how it works, and why you may need one.
This odd-looking accessory converts traditional film cameras to instant film
Think instant film cameras have to be basic fixed lens cameras? The Instant Magny 35 converts a 135 SLR or rangefinder camera to Fujifilm Instax Film. Using a trick of mirrors, the back captures the image on instant film instead of a roll -- but there's a catch. The Instant Magny 35 is now funding on Kickstarter.
The Titan underwater drone promises to go deeper than its rivals
Think that all drones are destined to be in the sky? Titan is a new underwater drone which can dive to depths of up to 150 meters below the waves. It can document this stunning deep underwater world courtesy of a 4K camera, while maneuvering about with six thrusters. Here's how you can get one.
Seaside or pine forest? This alarm clock wakes you to the scent of your choice
Imagine waking up in the morning to the smell of fresh coffee or a pine forest. That is something that French startup Bescent has created with a new alarm clock which utilizes scents for an altogether more pleasant wake-up experience. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
Sensory deprivation float tanks can cost a fortune, but this one is different
Want a bit of sensory deprivation, but deprived of tons of cash? No problem. This Kickstarter inflatable flotation tank will not only fit in the average apartment, it also won't cost you your life savings to buy. After all, average Joes and Janes need a bit of zen relaxation, too!
The Mito drone captures underwater action without the nausea-inducing footage
Currents create a shaky video for underwater drones, but start-up Navatics is proposing something a bit different -- and underwater ROV with stabilization. The Navatics Mito is an underwater drone with stabilization, a 4K camera, and up to a four-hour battery life using a solar panel built into the tether.
Looking for a drummer that won’t argue with you? Spider-like robot fits the bill
This oddball robotic creation is designed to play the cajón, the box-shaped drum that hails from Peru. Play, sing, or rap and Cabot will accompany you in the background by tapping out a handy rhythm to augment your jam session. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
This portable grill transforms your bike into a rolling BBQ
Created by German entrepreneur Carolin Kunert, the Knister Grill is a handlebar-mounted barbecue that lets you transport grill, charcoal, food, and utensils by pedal power. Simply hook it to the handlebars of your bike, then remove it when you arrive, and extend it to twice its traveling size.
If ‘Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots’ debuted today, they’d probably look like this
Looking for a 21st-century update on the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots? Super Anthony is a smartphone-controlled “beetleweight fighting robot” which stands at 15-inches high, weighs 4.6 pounds, and boasts an assortment of martial arts moves. Here's how you can get your hands on one.
Ossic X 3D headphones won’t ship, as company shuts its doors
The Ossic X were touted as the world’s first 3D headphones, and its crowdfunding campaigns raised more than $5 million. Unfortunately, this proved to be entirely insufficient, as Ossic has now shuttered, and will be unable to deliver tens of thousands of headphones it promised to early backers.
‘Shenmue III’ delayed, Shen-moves to a 2019 release window
The long-awaited sequel Shenmue III was scheduled to arrive later this year, but publisher Deep Silver has decided to delay it until 2019. The game was partially funded through a Kickstarter campaign, which kicked off back in 2015. It will release on the PlayStation 4 and PC.
Syphon is an argon-injecting device to make your open bottles of wine last longer
Have you ever gone to pour yourself a glass of wine from a bottle that tasted perfectly good a few days ago, only to find the taste is now completely different? Or perhaps you've experienced the feeling of wanting to open up a bottle of wine, but hesitate because you'll be racing to finish the bottle.
Kickstarter just rolled out a new feature that makes crowdfunding less sketchy
Pledging your support to a crowdfunding project has always been a somewhat risky endeavor, but Kickstarter has just rolled out a new feature that will hopefully make backing projects less sketchy. At the same time, it will give creators help with the manufacturing process.
Disposable plastic straws are a huge polluter. This keychain could change that
Every single day, Americans throw away an estimated 500 million single-use plastic straws. A new handy portable implement aims to do something about that, and in a way that’s as stylish as it is eco-friendly. Step forward and take a bow, FinalStraw. Now available on Kickstarter.
The Fitrus Plus wants to give you a holistic view of your health using BIA
Meet the Fitrus Plus, a hand-held gadget that leverages Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) in order to provide its user with a number of body metrics. It's currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, where it has already surpassed its fundraising goal and is looking to deliver units in September of this year.
Put down the smartwatch! Xenxo S-Ring packs 12 features into a tiny wearable
Many of us have a smartwatch these days, so if you really want to stay ahead of the tech crowd, you’ll need a new and impressive wearable device. A new smart ring promises to replace your bulky wristband wearable with a device that has much of the same functionality, but fits on just one single digit of your hand.
The Hiuni smart telescope lets you stargaze from your Apple or Android device
It may be awhile yet before ordinary people like us can journey to the stars, but until then, we can bring the stars a lot closer. Here to help is a smart interactive telescope that promises to satisfy the needs of both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers. Meet the Hiuni, an app-connected smart telescope.
Beer kegs latest to join the smart device party with the Kegtron
It's the 21st century, which means there is now officially nothing in your life that you can't make smart. And that includes things that often lead you to make choices that are not so smart, like your keg of beer. Meet the Kegtron, a new device promising to bring "intelligence to your kegerator."
Funding Nemo: Kickstarter underwater drone streams 4K footage from the deep
Looking for a way to make your summer trips to the beach a bit more memorable? Newly launched on Kickstarter, Nemo is an underwater drone that offers 4K streaming from up to 100 meters beneath the waves. From VR to high-res stills snaps, here's why this one sounds great.
QooCam twists to swap between 4K 360 and 3D 180 with Lytro-like refocusing
Can't decide between 360 shots or the pricier but more immersive 3D? The Kandao QooCam is a $399 camera that twists to swap between 4K 360 and 3D 180. Using depth mapping, that 180 view can also shoot first and focus later while both modes can capture stabilized video stitched in real time.
Want to learn to play bass guitar? Fret Zealot teaches rhythm section wannabes
Remember how the Guitar Hero game made us all feel like we were one wrecked hotel room and a pair of uncomfortably tight leather pants away from being rock gods? Fret Zealot uses a similar idea (the Guitar Hero bit, not the hotel room-trashing and tight pants) to help you master the guitar for real.
RocketBody tracks your metabolism to tell you when to eat and work out
Let’s face it: Sometimes you get to the gym and your body tells you it would really rather be doing anything else instead! A newly launched Kickstarter project for the RocketBody wearable promises to help, courtesy of a device which tells you when your body is primed and ready to train.
With 64 microphones and one lens, this camera lets you film sound
Ever wanted an easy way to identify exactly where in a frame sound is coming from? “Soundcam is the first handheld camera that images sound and is affordable for everyone,” creator Maik Kuklinski told Digital Trends. Here's how it works, and how you can get your hands on one.
The Rolleiflex returns with a twin-lens instant film camera with modern flair
Mixing vintage inspiration with modern features, the Rolleiflex Instant Kamera is a twin lens camera (complete with the waist viewfinder) that uses instant film. Despite looking like the classic, the camera has a built-in flash and light meter. The camera's Kickstarter campaign was fully funded in only 22 minutes.
Ingenious digital swear jar uses voice recognition to penalize you for bad words
Want to stop *@$%ing swearing so much? Then get yourself a swear jar. Want to stop *@$%ing swearing so much, while also getting a unique new gadget for the home? Then get yourself a smart swear jar. At least, that’s the premise behind a somewhat unusual new gadget called JarGone.
Could this easy-to-learn tactile typeface replace braille?
Braille, which has been around for nearly 200 years, promises to make life easier for millions of people with visual impairments. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to learn, taking months to master. Now, a new tactile font called ELIA Frames can reportedly be learned in just a few hours.
Use this Rubik’s Cube-style device to create ultra-secure computer passwords
Even with all the high-profile hacks that have been in the news, lots of people continue to fail to keep themselves protected online by using passwords that are not secure. Fortunately, a new Kickstarter campaign is here to help -- courtesy of a Rubik's Cube-style device for generating secure passwords.
Neova MIDI ring lets musicians control their musical creations through gestures
Like a smart whammy bar for a guitar, Neova is a brand new MIDI controller ring which musicians can wear on the index finger of their right hand to trigger different effects while they’re playing -- ranging from pitch bend to vibrato. It's currently seeking backers on Kickstarter.
You can help a cyborg drummer get a new, improved robot arm so he can tour
Thanks to researchers at Georgia Tech, amputee Jason Barnes received a robot arm prototype that lets him play the drums again. Now he's hoping to get a new, improved robot prosthesis to go on tour with. And through a new Kickstarter campaign, you can do your bit to help.