Kickstarter creates a platform for anyone with an idea to seek funding. The idea is simple, you make a video and tell the world about your project. People then bid whatever they want to your cause.
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Here are my top 10 over-pledged — meaning they got way more than they initially asked for — gadgets on Kickstarter.
#1:
Prinrbot: your first 3D printer
Pledged: 3 323% of US$25 000 target
If you’re an inventive-type, you’ve probably considered purchasing a 3D printer, seen the pricetag, scoffed, and moved on. Well, scoff no more. Printrbot is an affordable 3D printer that you assemble yourself and lets you print smallscale 3D parts. You can even download the files to print parts for another printer!
#2:
Diaspora
Pledged: 2006% of US$10 000 target
If you were looking to watch four guys who are so introverted and smart that it hurts them, then watch this clip. I have no idea what they’re doing, but it seems important.
#3:
Remee: the REM enhancing lucid dreaming mask
Pledged: 1 636% of US$35 000 target
New Age meets techo-geek. Honestly, this idea freaks me out. These guys have made an existing idea accessible to the mass market, of being lucid while dreaming, allowing you to control your dreams. Woah.
#4:
Twine: Listen to your world, talk to your internet.
Pledged: 1 590% of US$35 000 target
I had to watch this twice to figure out what the heck it was for. This box essentially reads its environment and tells you about it via Wi-Fi and SMS. It’s totally space age, yet quite simple.
#5:
TJ the robothead
Pledged: 1573% of US$2 560
A simple idea that seems to just click. Here’s a mechanical robot head that’s remote controlled and can be customised with code, so coders can buy them and use them as a novelty in a store or for their kids.
#6:
Estylo: magnetic stylus for iPad
Pledged: 1 116% of US$3 500 target
There are no flashing lights or mind altering breakthroughs here, but some Mexicans caught the design flare of Apple and designed the perfect stylus out of wood (so it’s green… but it comes in other colours too). I use the Bamboo stylus (made of aluminium) for my iPad and the Estylo is some next level stuff.
#7:
Quneo: Multitouch MIDI & USB pad controller
Pledged: 1 106% of US$15 000 target
If you know anything about MIDI controllers in music production, this clip will make you fizz. For realtime controlling for DJ’s and the looper in a band, it’s incredible. I like this.
#8:
Plasma Speaker
Pledged: 928% of US$2 000 target
A simple video: two geeks talk and then play music through a spark of electricity. There are no frills here, just a jaw dropping clip of dance music playing through a purple arc of electricity. Check it out!
#9:
Trigger Happy Camera Remote
Pledged: 886% of US$25 000 goal
These guys aren’t showmen, they’re all brains. It’s an iPhone app on steroids. Buy they’re cable and have almost unlimited remote controlling of your DSLR.
#10:
GoPano 360 degree iPhone camera lense
Pledged: 846% of US$35 000
Film your entire 360 degree surroundings at once then view it in real-time while it plays back. Again, simple idea but amazing in execution.
What these video clips have in common is a clear sense that (a) people are amazing and (b) the world is a very small place indeed. If you can think it, you can do it.
