Sanpei Optics combines sunglasses and earbuds into one

Sunglasses with built-in earphones, now where have we heard that one before? This is most definitely not a new concept and has been seen before in the Oakleys Thump pair of sunglasses, probably one of the more odd-looking sunglasses we’ve seen to date. Now if you aren’t a fan of the Thumps and wanted something a bit more sleek and subtle, then this Indiegogo project for Sanpei Optics might be something worth taking a look at. As you can see in the photo above, Sanpei Optics combines a pair of sunglasses with integrated earbuds into a simpler and cleaner look, and the good news is that the earbuds can actually be detached, allowing the sunglasses to be worn normally.

There are two models the project is trying to create – the I.M.I.O (Inspire Me, Inspire Others) and the G.I.Y.A (Give It Your All). The difference between the two is that the I.M.I.O has been designed for prescription lenses in mind, while the G.I.Y.A isn’t. If you’re interested in getting your hands on either sunglass when the project is successfully funded, an early-bird special will let you buy it at $90, with its normal price set at $150. More info on the sunglasses can be found on its Indiegogo page where you will also be able to pledge a donation.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The Coyote Case will protect you and your iPhone, The KOLOS is a gaming wheel designed for the iPad,

The Coyote Case will protect you and your iPhone

When it comes to protecting ourselves on the streets, there are a variety of options available, such as whistles aimed to draw attention to ourselves, pepper spray, tasers and etc. However if you don’t want to carry an additional item with you while on the go, perhaps due to the lack of space in your pocket or handbag, then this Coyote case for your iPhone might be of interest to you, as not only will it protect your phone from drops and scratches, but it could also protect you by emitting a 100dB siren that will hopefully freak the other person out, and draw attention to you which could help scare away the attacker.

At the same time the case can be customized to send out a text message along with your location which we guess will come in handy in dire situations. Both the alarm and the text messages are activated by pressing buttons on the case, but this can be customized further as the case will allow the user to define whether pressing the button will emit the siren and/or send a text, or if it will require the pressing of both buttons which we’re guess will help to prevent accidental use. It is expected to be priced at $60 and it is currently an Indiegogo project, so if you’d like to help make the Coyote Case a reality, head on over to its Indiegogo page for the details.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The ReadyCase for the iPhone does more than just protect your device, iPhone owners less loyal than before?,

The KOLOS is a gaming wheel designed for the iPad

I’m not sure about you guys, but playing racing games like Asphalt and Real Racing on the iPad is a lot more fun compared to playing it on the iPhone, probably due to the size of the iPad which is almost the size of a steering wheel, giving it a more “realistic” feel to it and providing better control. However that’s just my opinion, but if you think that racing games are indeed more fun with a larger device, you might be interested to learn that an Indiegogo project has recently been launched for an iPad accessory called the KOLOS, an accessory which its inventors are calling the first iPad gaming wheel.

As you might have surmised, the KOLOS is an accessory that you can use with your iPad. It comes with clamps in the middle that you can hook your iPad to, and clamps at the bottom that allows you to attach it to a table’s edge. This will basically transform your iPad into a steering wheel of sorts in which you can use to play racing games, or basically any game that requires you to tilt your tablet to the left or right. It sounds like a pretty awesome idea and if you’d like to learn more, check it out in the video above or head on over to its website for the details.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple to exchange 4th gen iPads for the iPad 3?, iPad mini revealed,

The ReadyCase for the iPhone does more than just protect your device

Our smartphones are like the digital Swiss army knives of today – not only can we make phone calls and send text messages, but we can surf the web, send emails, take photos and videos and edit them directly on the phone, do our shopping online and etc. That being said, this Ready Case is looking to take your iPhone and give it multi-functionality as well, although in an external kind of way. As you can see in the image above, the ReadyCase packs quite a few features that will make your iPhone the go-to device not just for your smartphone needs, but for your computing and everyday needs as well. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: This iPhone 4/4S mod will make the Apple logo glow, The HiLo Lens lets you take photos with interesting angles on your iPhone,

PBS mini-documentary explores indie game creation, shows what they do that majors can’t (video)

PBS minidocumentary explores indie game creation, shows what they do that majors can't video

The indie game world has undergone a metamorphosis over the past few years, transforming from an often overlooked niche into as much a staple of the game industry as once-every-year blockbusters like the Call of Duty series. It’s that fast-rising side of gaming that PBS’ Off Book has explored in a succinct documentary. As both developers and game journalists explain, the small and more flexible nature of indie teams lets them delve into game concepts, art and sound that major developers typically avoid — you probably wouldn’t get Bastion, Fez or Super Meat Boy out of a company focused mostly on hitting its quarterly revenue targets. Crowdfunding and internet distribution methods like Steam and Xbox Live Arcade have similarly removed many of the barriers that either kept these games from commercial success or forced uncomfortable deals with large publishers in the past. Accordingly, the indie sphere that PBS sees in 2012 is less about trying to become the next Activision or EA and more about experimentation and personal expression. If you’ve ever wanted an elegant summary of what makes Spelunky feel so special, the whole Off Book episode awaits after the break.

Continue reading PBS mini-documentary explores indie game creation, shows what they do that majors can’t (video)

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PBS mini-documentary explores indie game creation, shows what they do that majors can’t (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Oct 2012 03:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ioSafe takes to Indiegogo to raise funds for the N2, its new disaster-proof NAS

DNP EMBARGO September 18th 1200pm ET  ioSafe takes to Kickstarter to raise funds for its new disasterproof NAS

ioSafe makes hard-drives so sturdy that it can reduce fire, electricity and Terrence O’Brien to tears at the mere thought of them. Now, it’s producing a new disaster-proof NAS, but as a small business, needs a cash injection from consumers to make it happen. As such, it’s taking to Indiegogo to raise funds for the ioSafe N2, a private cloud Synology-powered NAS that’ll keep up to 8TB of data protected from the elements. On the outside, a steel body that’ll take a building collapsing onto it protects a chemically bound fireproof insulation and water / heat barrier will stop your discs flooding or melting, depending on the catastrophe. The company’s planning to have the units shipping by January next year, when the 23lb box will set you back $600 without discs — and if you’re hard enough, you can find PR after the break.

Continue reading ioSafe takes to Indiegogo to raise funds for the N2, its new disaster-proof NAS

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ioSafe takes to Indiegogo to raise funds for the N2, its new disaster-proof NAS originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MorphCase gives your iPod touch phone-like functionality

In some ways the iPod touch could be thought of as a lower-end version of the iPhone, just minus the voice calling capabilities (unless via VoIP programs like Skype) and less powerful specs. However if you’d rather not own an iPod touch and an iPhone at the same time, but would like to turn your iPod touch into a more dedicated VoIP device, this Indiegogo project might be worth taking a look at. Dubbed the MorphCase, this is basically an accessory for your iPod touch that will give it a speaker and microphone placed in positions where one might expect on the phone. While you won’t be able to make regular calls via mobile networks, it will let you use your iPod touch like you would a phone. It straps on to your iPod touch and plugs into its 3.5mm audio jack. Of course this is only useful if you find yourself making a lot of VoIP calls and have access to WiFi hotspots – either that or you can tether your phone and use the iPod touch to make calls, especially if you know that you’re reaching your credit limit. If you’re interested in helping the MorphCase Indiegogo project succeed, head on over to its page to donate.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Additional iPod touch features revealed [Rumor], Alleged 5th gen iPod touch casings surface, points towards a new design,

Enterprise-D restoration fundraiser goes live: your chance to revive a slice of Star Trek is here

Star Trek Enterprise D bridge

For sci-fi lovers, it’s on. A fan-devised project to restore the Enterprise-D bridge from Star Trek: The Experience is now actively raising cash on Indiegogo with a newly estimated $240,000 target needed to make the dream real. Crowdfunding brings the obligatory perks for larger donations, although they take on a progressively nerdy bent once you get past the t-shirts. It peaks at getting replicas of Captain Kirk’s original chair or an LCARS terminal, and you can even get a romantic evening on the deck with “complete privacy until the next morning” — wink, wink. Outlandish? Maybe, but the project is getting official sponsors and has a shorter-term plan to get Captain Picard’s chair ready for display by October. The whole bridge should be ready by late 2013. If you’d wished Paramount had preserved this piece of The Next Generation history for the ages, you now have your solution.

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Enterprise-D restoration fundraiser goes live: your chance to revive a slice of Star Trek is here originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Sep 2012 04:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ADAPPT XT iPhone Case: The Multi-Tool Case

For some reason, at least in my mind, iPhones and knives shouldn’t really mix together, but that didn’t stop Jeff Glazer and Joe Goetz from combining an iPhone case with a multi-tool – complete with a functional blade.

adapptxt multitool iphone case

The ADAPPT XT iPhone case combines a card-based multi-tool with an iPhone case. The case is made out of polycarbonate to protect your iPhone from drops and scratches. The customizable multi-tool includes a bottle opener, flat-head screwdriver, 10 piece wrench set and a ruler. A 1.5″ utility blade is smartly hidden inside the case as well. We’re not sure what the TSA will say if you try traveling with your iPhone in this case, however.

The designers state that the ADAPPT XT will be available for the iPhone 4, 4S and 5 when it’s released. The project was launched on the crowfunding site IndieGogo, and currently hasn’t amassed much but there are still 25 days left for funding. You’ll have to pledge $40(USD) to get your hands on this multi-tool case.

adapptxt multitool iphone case diagram

adapptxt multitool iphone case card

[Thanks for the tip, Joe!]


Yellow Jacket iPhone Case Doubles as Stun Gun

Do you live somewhere dangerous? Then this case might solve all of your problems, because as the smartphone mantra goes, “there’s an app for that“. Though in this particular case, it’s not an app but a case. Yep, the Yellow Jacket slides smartly over your iPhone and turns it into a stun gun, to effectively diffuse dangerous situations.

yellow jacket iphone case indiegogo

The Yellow Jacket was created by Louisiana resident Seth Froom. It’s supposed to deliver a shock and at the same time, double as an external battery for your iPhone.

yellow jacket iphone case indiegogo front

If it tickles your fancy, you can head over to the Indiegogo crowdfunding site. A $100 pledge will get you your Yellow Jacket – assuming the project gets funded. Just keep in mind that stun guns aren’t legal in all states and countries, so check with your local laws before ordering one.

yellow jacket iphone case indiegogo side

[via DVice]