We wonder if the Apple Watch will be the first mainstream product accessorized mostly through crowdfunding efforts. Probably not, but this week’s roundup shows why we’re asking the question.
The $40 Bolt is billed as “the world’s smallest portable iPhone USB wall charger,” one that includes a built-in 3000-mAh battery that’s good for two full charges of most smartphones.
We wonder if the Apple Watch will be the first mainstream product accessorized mostly through crowdfunding efforts. The $60 WAVE Apple Watch Charging Stand is still attracting funding; it’s a compact wooden stand (three different types of wood are available) with a groove cut through the middle to hold the cable unobtrusively.
Also in the crowdfunding stage: The $59 Night Stand, which is a stand and charging dock for both the Apple Watch and the iPhone. “They are inseparable and require each other,” the developers say of the two devices. “They’re paired together all day. They should stay together at night.”
The $140 Amigo 2.0 is a fold-up Bluetooth keyboard designed to accompany your iPhone or iPad. Folded up, you can carry it around in your pocket.
To be honest, we don’t love the name, but we can see how the $25 Man Sling might be useful. It’s kind of a fanny pack for your big iPhone 6 or 6 Plus, only you carry it in a side sling. Think it doesn’t look cool enough? It comes in patterns like “Camo Skulls,” “Freaky Skulls,” and “King of Skeletons.” So, you know: Manly.
Developers say of the $150 SuperStar Backfloat Speaker: “There’s a party in your pool, and SuperStar BackFloat is throwing it. Sing along in the shower or tub or float this powerful speaker in the Jacuzzi. Bring it to the campsite or to the beach. BackFloat is engineered to keep pumping out high-performance Pure Monster Sound® no matter how wet things get.”
The $15 Apple Watch Case “is made of a flexible yet durable clear TPU for a secure fit that exhibits the watch’s true colors.” It adds almost no weight at all, and easily accommodates changes to the watch’s wristband.
The $70 Bluetooth Splash Speaker is another “rugged and portable” device designed for by-the-pool summer listening. A rechargeable battery lets you play music for up to four hours before a recharge is needed.
Author: Joel Mathis
Joel Mathis is a regular contributor to Macworld and TechHive. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife and young son.