05/22, 3:45am
Kickstarter runs through June 7
High-quality covers for the iPad are a prevalent accessory. Once relegated to boutique status, they can now be had for a variety of prices ranging from $40 to over $100. The official Apple case for the iPad 2 and current-generation iPad sits at the low end of the range financially. When a new product shows up that's competitively priced with Apple's offering, it's worth a look. An already fully-funded Kickstarter project by Washington DC metro-area Salman Sajid is still underway, and MacNN got an early look at the product that carries both any generation of iPad as well as an Apple Bluetooth keyboard.
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05/11, 1:35pm
Sprint outs Tri-Fi hotspot
Sprint and Sierra Wireless have announced the availability of the first mobile router to combine LTE and WiMAX 4G connections alongside 3G connectivity. The Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot will connect to Sprint's 4G network and will become available to customers starting May 18.
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05/08, 12:18pm
Allerta adding Bluetooth 4.0 to Pebble watch for no extra cost
The record-setting growth of the Pebble watch concept on Kickstarter is continuing, and the team behind the smartphone companion device is continuing to rack in the support dollars. When the project gathered $3 million, designers announced they will make the case waterproof, and now that the $9m mark was breached, they said they will add Bluetooth 4.0 functionality to it. This shouldn't affect the launch date, and the functionality will be enabled after launch thanks to a software update.
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05/01, 6:00pm
Reddit, Something Awful credited with exposing site
Celebrated crowdsourcing site Kickstarter has been touched by scandal, as a project on the site that amassed about $4,700 in funding has been revealed to be a fraud. As the BBC reports, the scam centered around an independent role-playing game that promised big achievements on a small budget.
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04/26, 2:45am
Kickstarter project can also include speakers
On the heels of a similar-looking Japanese keyboard case for the iPad 2, a new Kickstarter project aims to introduce a high-grade aluminum-based Bluetooth case called Brydge that when paired with an iPad closely resembles the body, thickness and weight of a MacBook Air. The main selling point of the Brydge is the unibody aluminum style (as opposed to the metal-painted plastic of the Japanese NotebookCase), along with a "click-in" hinge that allows both a wide range of positioning options and secure carrying.
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04/23, 11:50pm
Production ramps up May 6
With the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, Revolve is soon to ship an inexpensive camera dolly system. Compatible with nearly any camera, the system can be used to generate a wide variety of shots and angles and can be used either tracked or on any surface. The initial Kickstarter price for the basic system is $70, other accessories compatible with the Revolve camera dolly are available at additional charge.
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04/16, 4:35pm
Pebble to add waterproof design thanks to demand
The Pebble e-paper watch project covered last week and featured on crowd-sourcing website Kickstarter has now raised over 31 times more capital than it was originally intended. The initial pace was certainly impressive, as the project met its goal within just two hours of it being posted on the site. The device, once manufactured, promises to bring with it iOS and Android compatibility over a Bluetooth connection.
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04/11, 8:15pm
Pebble smartwatch gets huge boost on Kickstarter
The latest crowd-sourced funding phenomenon to come out of Kickstarter.com has raised $100 thousand in the first two hours after being listed on the crowd-sourcing website. The Pebble E-Paper smartwatch will offer users of both iPhones and Android devices smartwatch capabilities when paired over Bluetooth. Users will be able to receive incoming alerts that can be delivered audibly or through a silent vibration function.
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04/10, 6:50pm
Dock charges, holds and amplifies Apple handhelds
LIL KIKR is rolling out two compact docks for iPhones and iPods. The LIL KIKR and LIL KIKR+ serve as chargers, stands, and mini speakers. A built in amplifier boosts sound by up to 10db to make up for the size.
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03/13, 8:45pm
Double Fine sets record for Kickstarter projects
Psychonauts developer Double Fine ended its Kickstarter project Tuesday evening with the largest project in the site's history. The fundraising for an adventure game earned $3,335,325 since its early February start, or more than eight times the $400,000 the studio had set for its original budget. Its actual budget will be higher, as another $110,000 had been pledged by others in the game industry outside of Kickstarter proper.
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02/09, 8:15pm
Dev more than doubles original target
Double Fine Productions has surpassed its Kickstarter funding goal in just eight hours since the developer began accepting pledges to help create an adventure game and a documentary to chronicle the experience. The project has achieved over $1 million in investment pledges, more than doubling the original goal of $400,000.
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01/27, 10:45pm
First look at Kickstarter project
Several successful Kickstarter projects are currently on hand at the Macworld iWorld expo for potential customers to try out, including LandingZone's docking station for the MacBook Air. Electronista initially wrote about the device before it had gathered enough funding to pass through the Kickstarter program, so we were excited to get a chance to see it in person.
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12/24, 4:05pm
Cregle iPen project gives high-precision stylus
Cregle is hoping to make one if the few if not only high-precision styluses for the iPad through the iPen. The input has an active digitizer and fine tip like professional pens that lets it draw at a precision closer to a ballpoint but with optimizations for the iPad's screen, which isn't explicitly tailored to pens. It discards palm input and, with supporting apps, will show a cursor even when not quite in contact.
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12/16, 10:35am
Find My Car Smart project uses low-power Bluetooth
One of the first practical uses of the new low-power Bluetooth 4.0 spec on the iPhone 4S has emerged through a Kickstarter project. Find My Car Smart combines a mini USB Smart Device that broadcasts Bluetooth with an iOS app (99 cents, App Store) to help locate the car in a crowded city or large parking lot. Bluetooth 4.0's low draw lets it quietly update its location in the background without needing a strong or constant signal.
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12/14, 8:40am
Elevation Dock aims for ultimate iPhone home
An already successful Kickstarter project has promised to cure all the problems associated with iPhone docks. The Elevation Dock uses a deliberately heavy, milled aluminum base with a low-friction Dock Connector. The goal, founder Casey Hopkins says, is to let users easily slip the iPhone in or out where everyday docks either stick to the device or require too much work for the actual docking.
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11/28, 9:35pm
Multitouch system driven by open-source software
Product Design has introduced a glass keyboard and matching glass trackpad that are currently seeking development funding as a Kickstarter project. Both peripherals are built using tempered glass panes attached to solid metal bases, sensing touch input on the glass surface without the need for moving parts. Users can choose from tactile sounds and lights, while the companion software will be open source for custom configuration.
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11/28, 2:50pm
$140 device simplifies connecting peripherals
Startup InfiniWing is offering a simple but elegant docking solution for the MacBook Air. The LandingZone can connect one of these ultra-thins to power, a monitor, 100 Mbps Ethernet, and up to four USB devices. An owner simply drops the MacBook Air onto the dock and then locks it in place with a lever.
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