GigaOM » Apple

LunaTik Antik review: An accessory for your iPod nano accessory

Darrell Etherington — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:44:41 +0000

iPod nano watch bands are pretty common now, with multiple companies introducing more and more models for Apple’s tiny touchscreen media player. But Scott Wilson’s Minimal design studio is trying something a little different. It’s taking the iPod nano out of the equation completely with its new line of Antik watch modules.

The Antik is a nano-shaped quartz time-keeper that comes in one of five distinct flavors. The idea is that you can use your nano-compatible watch bands without the iPod, should you like the design of the wrist-mounts but not the downsides of limited battery life and screens that require a button-press to read. The Antik is cheaper than a nano, too, at $69.95.

I was initially hoping the Antik would work in all my iPod nano watch band accessories, especially the Deckster, but alas. the protective glass covering the watch face protrudes a bit farther on the Antik than it does on the iPod. Likely that won’t be a problem for a lot of accessories, but the only bands it’s guaranteed to work with are the TikTok, LunaTik and LYNK models made by Minimal. Since those are some of the best nano watch bands available, that’s really only a small flaw.

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Antik-wrist

The Antik has no date; features a simple, two-hand design, with a nice cut-out effect for the numbering; and is water-resistant to 30 meters, which is definitely not true of your nano. The designs for the shipping product were chosen by Minimal shoppers, and come in both black and silver finishes to match your band of choice. The black is real black, too, unlike the finish on Apple’s graphite nano, so it’ll better match black wristbands.

All the face designs are better looking than the virtual ones provided by Apple on the nano, in my opinion. And while the idea of wearing an iPod as a watch is still likely to be the primary factor driving nano watch band accessory sales, the idea of a relatively cheap, modular watch face and case system definitely means Minimal’s LunaTik brand has legs to outlast Apple’s notoriously mercurial design tastes when it comes to its iPods.

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When 3D printing meets iPod nano

Om Malik — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:27:42 +0000

Let’s just face it: From Darrell to me, we are just watch nerds here. We love to dress up our wrists with cool watches, smart watches and of course, the best of them all, iPod nano watches. And that is why we are constantly writing about iPod nano straps — you know, Tik Tok and iWatchz Q. Anyway here is another one from Ireland-based Curve Creative. It is called Nanolet.

So what’s cool about this? For starters, it is minimalist, and if you know me, I am all about minimalism. (Don’t believe me? Check out my personal blog.) It is a 3D printed product, and we are all big fans of 3D printing around here. As a result, the $22 strap wraps around the wrist. They warn that is good for medium wrists — well, that rules it out for me. For now.

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Recalled iPod nanos getting current generation replacements

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:55:44 +0000

Apple issued a recall for its first-generation iPod nano devices back in November. At first, it looked like Apple intended to replace all the recalled units with refurbished equivalent models, but reports from MacRumors users now indicate that some users will be getting current, sixth-generation iPod nanos to replace their old hardware.

The original recall of the iPod nano occurred because of overheating issues related to the nano’s battery. It only affected first-generation devices, which have a long rectangular white or black body, with an aluminum back and a clickwheel for navigation. The first-generation devices originally launched back in 2005 in 2 GB and 4 GB sizes, with a 1 GB model introduced a little later on.

So far, now that the new nanos are being used as replacements, it looks like users will get a bump in storage capacity, too, since 8 GB is the smallest shipping current-generation model. A report from one person who received a 6G replacement device says that they aren’t covered under warranty when checked via their serial code, which is likely due to Apple deactivating the warranty of any models sent out as part of the program. Apple’s replacement program still says that a 90-day warranty applies for replacement units, however.

This is good news for folks who haven’t yet received their replacements as part of the program, or for those who haven’t yet signed up to take part in the recall. Those who haven’t yet begun the replacement process but have an eligible first-generation iPod nano can still do so at Apple’s website.

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What the future of Apple’s wearable devices could look like

Darrell Etherington — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:57:44 +0000

The next iPod you buy could wrap around your wrist and be Siri-controlled through speech commands, according to a New York Times report on Sunday. That’s because Apple is actively prototyping wearable computing devices, sources told the newspaper, in an effort to stay on top of this emerging tech trend.

Besides the description of a “curved-glass,” wrist-top iPod with Siri controls, the NYT‘s report is light on specifics, saying mostly a “small” team within Apple is tasked with dreaming up and prototyping wearable computing devices. But forming a picture of what Apple could do with wearable tech, based on the examples of other early pioneers in the space, Apple’s own patent applications, and recent changes in the tech it uses in its mobile devices.

Plan for the PAN

Apple will almost certainly try to exploit the onboard connectivity technology of its mobile devices to make users and their gear walking personal area networks of real-time feedback and communication. It took another definite step in that direction with the addition of Bluetooth 4.0 to the iPhone 4S, MacBook Air and Mac mini, and its recent efforts to promote the low-power, low-latency Bluetooth tech among iPhone, iPad and iPod accessory makers.

Bluetooth 4.0 is key to Apple’s wearable device strategy, because it could potentially allow wearable devices to talk to a central command device, in all likelihood an iPhone or iPad, without taxing battery life to the point where using it entails more pain than gain. If it’s promoting the tech heavily to outside developers, you can bet it’s betting on it internally, too.

Keep your smartphone close, but your data closer

Existing wearable computing devices hint at what could be on the horizon from Apple, albeit probably in a much more roughshod form than Apple would ever ship. Devices like the Meta Watch and inPulse smartwatch already deliver wrist-based notifications of messages, calls, emails and more from your smartphone. People already keep their smartphones no further than three feet away in most situations, on average, says the NYT, but smart watches bring the information and communication they provide closer still.

If Apple is indeed working on a curved-glass, wrist-wearable iPod, it’s also likely testing ways in which this device can talk to your iPhone to provide a steady stream of meaningful information. The iPod nano, with its countless watch-band accessories, is basically already crying out for this kind of functionality.

Patents and prototypes pave the way

Apple rarely takes breaks from filing new patents and working with supply chain partners on mysterious products, and some of those designs paint a picture of a wearable device future. The NYT‘s description of a curved glass iPod, for instance, resonates with a report from September that claimed Apple was getting ready to release products with curved touchscreens early in 2012.

Apple also has some general patents in play that could come in handy for small, wearable devices, like one for making portable devices out of lighter-weight materials with new, advanced construction methods, and descriptions of methods for using non-physical, non-visual control schemes (of which Siri is just one example) for future devices. That last patent talks about providing tactile feedback, which could be very useful for a computing device strapped to one’s person.

Mobile gets personal

Wearable computing is definitely a trend, and though right now it’s in its infancy and running into early-stage problems (the Jawbone UP recall, for example), it’s quickly accumulating momentum (the UP’s success despite its shortcomings, for example). Apple may not be on the cutting edge of this trend right now, as the relatively non-communicative iPod nano hardly counts, but it has the ingredients to take wearable devices mainstream: a massive existing iOS user base, and the right tech, both currently shipping and in active development.

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LunaTik Lynk review: The zenith of iPod nano watchbands?

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:02:58 +0000

There are now plenty of iPod nano wristband accessories out there to choose from. But a new one from Kickstarter record-breaker Scott Wilson’s Mnml design studio does a remarkable job of standing out from the crowd, thanks to attention to detail you won’t find in the competition.

The LunaTik Lynk is a new take on Wilson’s excellent LunaTik, which along with the TikTok, were funded via Kickstarter last year and began being sold via the Apple Store earlier in 2011. The Lynk uses the same semi-permanent watch conversion approach as the LunaTik (hence its first name), but introduces a bracelet consisting of aluminum links for that full-metal experience.

The Lynk comes in either anodized aluminum for a matte silver finish, or, like my review unit, in a PVD-plated all-black version that’s coated down to the screws, and even the interior of the clasp, which for sure won’t be seen by anyone but you. That’s the kind of attention to detail I’m talking about, as is the silicone coating on the underside of the band’s links, which make the band comfortable on the wrist and also ensures it won’t go slip-sliding around too much even if you wear it a little loose.

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If you aren’t familiar with the original LunaTik’s design, it features a two-part case for the nano that you use an included set of allen keys to separate and put back together once you’ve slid in your nano. It’s a little fiddly, which may be the one downside of this nano strap, but the idea is that once its in, it’s in, so you shouldn’t have to repeat the process very often. That’s a caveat for any LunaTik product from Mnml: It’s designed as a nano “conversion kit,” so if you’d rather have quick access to your device, the Deckster may be a better option in the same price range.

You can still use the nano on your wrist with headphones and access all the controls with the Lynk, however, since open sides provide access to those parts of the device. But the locked-in construction helps the nano sit lower to your wrist than with some competing models, which is welcome when using the nano as a watch, since it’s oversized to begin with. And if you like the band but not the nano, Mnml will soon be offering its own, perfectly nano-shaped quartz analog watch units to fill in.

The Lynk is amazingly light thanks to the aluminum construction — much lighter than it looks. Despite the lightness, however, it feels remarkably durable, too. Plus, the wide band and PVD finish really draw attention to the wrist. This one has already netted more comments from friends and family than the TikTok did when I was testing out that unit.

Do we need more iPod nano wristbands? No, but as any watch collector worth their salt knows deep down, no one really needs more than one watch, either, but that doesn’t stop you from buying them. The LunaTik Lynk improves on its forebear in every regard, looks amazing and is comfortable to wear (more so than most metal watches, in my opinion). At $129.95 for the aluminum finish, or $139.95 for the black PVD, it isn’t cheap, but style hardly ever is, and that’s exactly what the Lynk has in spades.

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2010 iPod nano gets new features via software update

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:01:52 +0000

Have an existing 2010 iPod nano but want the new Mickey Mouse watch face? Hold off on throwing your current music player in the garbage and hitting the Apple Store; an update is available now through iTunes that provides software features demoed on the new nano Tuesday for last year’s version.

Version 1.2 of the iPod nano software brings improved fitness features (which are better able to detect and track walking or running work outs), as well as the new single icon scrolling interface, which replaces the 4×4 icon grid. You can switch back to small icons or turn off home screen items altogether from the Settings menu.

Last but not least, you’ll get access to all the new iPod nano clock face options. There are 18 to choose from, so you shouldn’t get bored too quickly. I recommend the partial skeleton face with the exposed animated “movement” and second sub-dial.

The update adds a bit of individual personality for users and some very useful features, so it’s a nice free bonus arising from Tuesday’s festivities for existing iPod nano owners. Go ahead and grab it now by plugging your iPod into your computer and opening iTunes. If you don’t get prompted automatically, just hit the “Check for Updates” button in the iPod’s info screen.

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Apple reveals iPhone 4S, Oct. 14 launch date on Japanese site

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:33:46 +0000

Apple has apparently jumped the gun slightly, revealing the iPhone 4S at its official Japanese retail site (via MacRumors). The information only tells us that a 4S definitely exists, and that it’ll be released on Oct. 14 at 8 a.m. in Japan (and likely the U.S., too).

The page also indicates that a new iPod nano may be unveiled at today’s event, with an improved fitness function and a new clock face. Looks like those iPod nano wristband accessories will still have a use with the next-generation media player.

We’ll keep you updated on all the details and other announcements coming out of today’s media event via our live blog and posts throughout the day.

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Apple puts an end to iPod click wheel games

Darrell Etherington — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:22:16 +0000

It’s all fun and games until Apple shutters a section of the iTunes store. Apple has taken down a link to the “iPod Click Wheel Games” section of the iTunes App Store (via AppleInsider). Click wheel games such as Song Summoner by Square Enix used to be available for installation on iPod classic and other compatible models that use the hardware click wheel interface mechanism, but now they are gone from the store.

Click wheel games debuted alongside the iPod classic in 2006, and were backward-compatible with the iPod nano and iPOd video. They were essentially precursors to the iOS games that would later be available for iPod touch, iPhone and iPad devices. While no public SDK was ever released for click wheel game development, third-party developers like Gameloft, EA, PopCap and Disney all released software for the platform. In total, 49 games (including some Kaplan academic study aids) were released for click wheel iPods, with the latest arriving in 2009.

Since it wasn’t exactly a thriving ecosystem like iOS, it’s possible Apple just decided to kill off click wheel games separate from any other concerns, but it’s also possible this is a preparatory move signaling the discontinuation of the iPod classic. Rumors suggest Apple plans to stop production and development of the iPod classic and the iPod shuffle, so it makes sense that the company would also shut down software sales associated exclusively with those devices. The latest nano features a touch screen instead of a click wheel, so the iPod classic is the only currently available device affected.

Updates for the iPod line may be on the docket for a media event Apple has scheduled for Oct. 4, though the star of the show will clearly be the iPhone 5. The iPod classic hasn’t seen an update in a couple of years, but has some very dedicated fans owning to its large storage capacity. Will any of those fans really miss click wheel games, though?

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If Apple retires iPod classic and shuffle, rest of line will shine

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:03:04 +0000

Apple is reportedly very close to permanently cutting the iPod classic and shuffle from its line of media players, according to a report from TUAW late Tuesday. It’s not the first time we’ve heard that some iPod models will be retired, but it does seem more likely than ever that it’s true this time around. And that might actually be great news for iPod fans in the long run.

The iPod classic is basically a legacy holdover at this point among Apple’s portable media players. Its platter hard drive is an oddity among today’s PMPs, for which flash-based storage is the dominant tech by a long shot. It hasn’t changed since 2009, when a 160 GB version was introduced, which eventually replaced the 120 GB option entirely. Really, though, not much is different about the original classic introduced in 2007 and the one on sale today. The classic’s only advantage, from a user perspective, is its sizeable drive; the closest a flash-based iPod currently comes is 64 GB.

The iPod shuffle, while flash-based and subject to more frequent design overhauls, is simply being upstaged by the iPod nano. The latest nano is almost as small, and while it’s more expensive, its touchscreen makes it more usable and expands its capabilities considerably. The shuffle has always been a fairly good gateway device for users looking a cheap way to get into the Apple ecosystem, but with the selling power of the iPhone and iPad, that’s no longer much of a concern.

Dropping the classic and the ~~nano~~ shuffle would free up staff and resources that Apple could reinvest in advancing the remaining products in the iPod line, too. The most recent iPod nano has spawned a thriving accessory ecosystem based on watchband straps to hold the PMP, and it holds plenty of potential as a connected display for iPhones, if Apple does decide to enter the fray with other wrist-based connected devices that are emerging to support the Android ecosystem. The iPod touch, of course, is one part of Apple’s iOS platform, and an important one at that; in April, Ars Technica reported that it accounted for one-third of overall iOS device sales. The iPod touch now makes up at least half of all iPods sold by Apple, and is the only model that consistently sees positive growth.

Put simply, both the nano and the iPod touch have futures that either could potentially, or already do feed the growing beast that is iOS. Steve Jobs may have conveyed back in March that the company had no plans to discontinue the iPod classic, but times change, and so does a company’s focus. With Apple’s new iCloud push, the classic and the shuffle become even less relevant to its overall goals, so it’s highly possible their time has indeed come. Will you miss them?

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iPod nano, this is your life

Darrell Etherington — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:32:39 +0000

The first iPod nano was released on Sept. 7, 2005, and in the six intervening years, it has undergone a lot of changes. In fact, the nano has one of the most mercurial design histories of any Apple product. Here’s a quick look back at the history of the iPod nano over the years in pictures.

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If Apple sticks to its release schedule for new iPod models, we’ll likely see the seventh generation nano before too long. I’m hoping for an evolutionary take on the most recent nano, with Bluetooth features for wireless pairing with headphones and push notifications from iPhone and iPad devices. What are you looking for from the next iPod nano?

Image credits, in order of oldest to most recent models: Flickr users eheçåtzin, martijnbeijk, Andrew*, marcopako , coolmikeol, and viskas.

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Flash analysis: Steve Jobs

Deckster review: A smart and sophisticated iPod nano watchband

Darrell Etherington — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:56:43 +0000

An iPod nano watch used to turn heads, but a year after the redesigned Apple media player’s release, people are getting used to seeing them on wrists, thanks in part to the many watchband accessories now available in Apple Stores. One new entrant, however, called Deckster, could still manage to set a nano watch apart from the rest, thanks to unique designs that feature high-quality materials unlike any you’ll find from other offerings.

Last time we saw the Deckster, its creators were looking for funding from Kickstarter-like site CKIE.com in order to make their product a reality. Nearly a full year after it was first conceptualized, the Deckster is now finally a shipping product, and I received a production sample to test out. Here’s what I found.

Design and build

Definitely the highlight of the Deckster, what sets it apart from its peers and also accounts for its rather expensive price tag ($150.00 CAD, or about $153.04 USD) is its build. The Deckster features an all-aluminum holster for the iPod nano itself, as well as a high-quality leather band made in Canada by Fullum & Holt. The band is soft; the whole contraption with the nano inserted is remarkably light; and the smooth back of the case itself doesn’t irritate the hand the way some of the edges on cheaper nano watchbands (like the iWatchz Q) can on occasion.

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deckster_05

The aluminum in my review model was a limited edition with a matte black finish, while the actual shipping model features a natural matte aluminum look for the case. It’s sturdy and doesn’t have any rattles or looseness, and is obviously machined with precision. One of Deckter’s unique selling features is the Pop+Lock mechanism that lets you insert and remove the nano simply by sliding a small switch either to the left or the right. This activates a spring-loaded catch that pops the top of the Deckster open to allow you to slide the nano in or out. It’s a smart design that’s just plain fun to operate, and makes sure your nano isn’t going anywhere. It can also be easily removed when you want to use your media player for something else, like hitting the gym.

Wearability

As a watch, the Deckster works very well. It adds nearly no weight to the nano itself, and the leather strap is much more comfortable than rubber equivalents on cheaper products. Plus, if you’re a hairy-armed beast like myself, the leather won’t catch and cause pain if you twist it quickly the way it will with some rubber bands.

The Deckster is also sure to net you some compliments while you’re wearing it. It’s simple enough that it goes with pretty much any outfit, and yet unique enough when compared to other similar accessories that it stands on its own. You might think of it as the nano band for watch enthusiasts; in my experience, that’s the crowd that appreciated it the most.

Verdict

As a bit of a watch geek myself in addition to a gadget fan, I can say that the Deckster does a great job of bridging the gap between those two worlds. The price tag might not be for everyone, but the design and workmanship make for an iPod nano accessory that should more than satisfy those looking for something to breathe new life into their Apple media player/wrist watch.

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Flash analysis: Steve Jobs

How Kickstarter is reinventing the iPhone economy

Darrell Etherington — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:12:38 +0000

Where do you look for iPhone and iPad accessories? Your local Best Buy? The online Apple Store? There are lots of places to look, but one destination in particular has become my go-to spot for accessory browsing: Kickstarter.

The crowd-funding site, which invites users to invest in various projects with small sum “pledges” that only have to be paid if a project reaches its funding goal, is a breath of fresh air for a jaded iDevice accessory shopper like myself. And Kickstarter projects associated with Apple hardware seem to have a knack for doing well, both on the site and after achieving funding. Dan Provost, co-designer of the Glif and the Cosmonaut (both listed below), shared with me his opinion of why Kickstarter has prompted so many interesting Apple-related projects:

To a smaller degree, the influx of Apple accessories on Kickstarter has mirrored the deluge of apps into the App Store back in 2008. Apple has created an amazing tool in the iPhone, and people are excited to build things for it. Apple enabled individuals to publish software on the iPhone in 2008 with the opening of the App Store, and it seems Kickstarter has created that same enthusiasm for hardware.

Considering how many Apple accessories currently populate Kickstarter (a lot), and the frequency with which they appear (very often), I’d agree. Here’s a look at some of the best iPhone, iPod and iPad-related projects Kickstarter has brought us so far.

1. TikTok + LunaTik

Apple’s iPod line has been overshadowed by the iPhone and iPad for quite some time now, but that didn’t stop the bite-sized music player it unveiled last fall from sparking the imaginations of many an accessory maker. Designer Scott Wilson was one of those who saw great potential in the 2010 iPod nano, and he came up with something that fits seamlessly with Apple’s own minimalist sensibilities.

Wilson created the TikTok and LunaTik, two watchband accessories for the iPod nano, based on the idea that users would be willing to pay more for a quality product, instead of just spending only a little bit of money on the nano straps rushed out the door by the usual suspects. The TikTok and LunaTike proved he was right, raising nearly $1 million on Kickstarter, before eventually finding a place on Apple Store retail shelves. The TikTok retails for $39.95, and the LunaTik is $79.95

2. Glif

iPhone photography is not a new phenomenon, but it seems to be taking off as the quality of the device’s camera improves. But for all their enthusiasm, mobile photo buffs still run into the limitations inherent in using a smartphone camera. Stability and shooting in low-light situations definitely number among those weaknesses. The Glif, designed by Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt, aimed to fix some of the problems with iPhone photography in a simple way.

The Glif is a single piece of hard rubber with a metal threaded tripod mount that snugly grips your iPhone 4. It works wonderfully, as I discovered, letting you use your iPhone with any standard tripod, and other useful photo accessories like the Joby GorillaPod. The Glif might have been possible without Kickstarter, Glif designer Provost says, but the site “does so much more than just money raising.” According to Provost, it also “creates and fosters an enthusiastic community around your product, which is invaluable.” The Glif retails for $20.00.

3. GoPano micro

Another project related to iPhone photography (they aren’t exactly a rarity), the GoPano micro also achieved Kickstarter success. It’s a case/attachment combo that allows the iPhone 4 to record 360-degree videos, which you can then upload and share to the GoPano website.

This relatively small and inexpensive add-on for the iPhone is a classic Kickstart project: a product that appeals to such a relatively small niche of customers that it probably wouldn’t otherwise get made. But for realtors, nature lovers and others who might benefit from the tech, it’s an amazing device at a great price, and judging by the GoPano micro’s nearly $170,000 in funding, many agree. The GoPano micro will retail for around $80 when it becomes available.

4. PadPivot

Holding the iPad for longer periods of time can be a bit of a challenge. Designer Bernie Graham recognized that, and created the PadPivot, which features a ball-and-socket design, combined with a contoured base to make it easier to perch your iPad on your thigh at an easy angle for viewing. In my review, I couldn’t really find anything bad to say about the finished product.

Graham says that while he likely could’ve made the PadPivot a reality without Kickstarter, the site streamlines things and really allows entrepreneurs to focus on the process. And having watched along as the PadPivot made its way through funding, to production, to being retail-ready, you really see the advantage of Kickstarter from a small manufacturer’s perspective, as well as the challenges that ramping up to full-scale production present. The PadPivot will retail for around $25 when it becomes available.

5. The Cosmonaut

Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt had so much fun creating the Glif on Kickstarter that they went back for seconds. The Cosmonaut, another project to break $100,000 in funding, is an iPad stylus designed based on how users actually draw on their iPads. The project was unusual in that it started out with a risky “pay what you wish” option, where every backer who pledged at least $1 would receive a pre-order of the finished product.

Luckily, the gambit seems to have worked out in Provost and Gerhardt’s favor, as you can tell by the success of the initial funding. It also reflects well on the Kickstarter community that it rewards smart design, even when given leeway to take advantage. The Cosmonaut will retail for $25 when it becomes available.

6. The Oona

Looking for a flexible iPhone mount that can stick to a variety of surfaces? The Oona can do that, and more. It works as an in-car windshield mount, a desk stand, a tripod attachment and even an under-the-cupboard clip for browsing recipes. Like the other projects listed here, it’s also stylish, showing off considerable design talent from the team of Brad Leong, Danny Fukuba and Sam Gordon.

The Oona managed to exceed its funding goal by more than $120,000, and is now accepting pre-orders with a four- to eight-week lead time. The Oona retails for $25.00 now in pre-orders, and $29.95 once it becomes widely available.

7. MySaver

The last project on this list, Thomas Lehman’s MySaver, has yet to be fully funded. But the problem it addresses is so widespread that I have faith it’ll exceed its goal. The MySaver addresses the tendency of iPhone, iPod and iPad cables to wear out near the points where they connect to the USB or dock connector ends. This has eventually happened to nearly all of my iPhone USB cables.

The MySaver comes in two flavors: a DIY version for upgrading your own cables at home, and a Pro version that comes pre-assembled with a high-quality OEM dock connector to USB cable of its own. The project is a smart idea, solves a common failing, and something we haven’t yet seen from the usual crowd of established accessory makers. The MySaver can be pre-ordered with a $8 Kickstarter pledge for the DIY version, or a $19 pledge for the Pro version.

That’s just a sampling of some of the best and brightest Kickstarter has to offer. Got any other suggestions we missed? Share them in the comments.

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Is This The Next Red Hot iPhone AddOn?

Om Malik — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:46:59 +0000

Kickstarter, the crowd funding platform, is changing how we create and consume things. The platform has been responsible for many projects but it was a handful of projects, such as LunaTik and TikTok (both made kits to turn the iPod Nano into a wrist watch), that put the platform on the map for good. Those products recently went on sale at Apple’s stores. This past weekend I found a new project that has a potential of being equally big.

Beep Industries of Manchester, England, the folks who designed Movie Peg, have plans to develop what they call “Red Pop.” The project’s goal was to raise $20,000 but it has officially garnered over $39,000. So what is Red Pop? It is an accessory for your iPhone with a red button that allows you to press the button and snap a photo. You will need a Red Pop app from the App store to go along with the accessory, which weighs about two ounces. Given how many pictures I take with my iPhone, I see the merit of this little add-on.

Brendan Dawes from Beep Industries talks about bringing the button back with Red Pop.

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Can Deckster’s ‘Slow Goods’ Flourish in Tech’s Fast World?

Darrell Etherington — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:03:09 +0000

Dom and Chrys Coballe set about creating their iPod nano watchband accessory, called the Deckster, with an entrepreneurial spirit and the aim of creating something unique. They started with a single moment in mind: the satisfaction a user experiences when they hit the Deckster’s trademark slider and their iPod nano pops in or out. According to Dom, they wanted “to capture the user’s imagination for those precious seconds, in the same way people felt when they swiped the unlock screen for the first time.”

A noble goal, but definitely not one without challenges. Dom and Chrys, a husband and wife team operating out of Ottawa, Ontario, originally set about bootstrapping the project themselves, no small undertaking for two people with full-time jobs and a young family to support. Getting a shipping Deckster out to the public was an even more challenging prospect because of the unique approach they took to the product’s design: It would feature parts sourced from high-quality North American vendors based in Montreal and Portland, Ore., all of which represent the most sustainable option available, and it would be manufactured on-shore, rather than shipped to China or another cheaper destination.

While Dom told me that they’d originally planned to go to Kickstarter to pursue the option of crowdsourced funding in order to speed up the process, Kickstarter is currently only open to those with a U.S. bank account and address. Kickstarter plans international expansion, but has no firm timelines in place for those plans. Luckily, Yanko Design publisher Takashi Yamada launched an international crowdsourced funding alternative site targeted at an international audience called CKIE in late 2010. Deckster caught the attention of the CKIE team, and Dom agreed to put the project on the site, where he’s now seeking 50 percent of the initial funding required to go into production.

Like Kickstarter, CKIE requires a funding goal be completely met before it gathers pledges from contributors, and Deckster has a ways to go before it reaches its $30,000 goal. Even still, for a team that was willing to completely bootstrap the project, CKIE’s crowdsourced model is a very welcome addition to the funding formula. Dom says that CKIE is great not only because “keeping full ownership is very attractive for any startup,” but also because the added international exposure it provides “is huge for a tiny company like ours.”

As with Kickstarter, backers receive different rewards, set by project creators, based on the level of support they commit to. Deckster offers rewards for donations as low as $10 (credit on the Deckster.ca website), but contributors begin securing pre-orders for the shipping product at $125. Because of the high-quality materials used in the Deckster’s build, and its North American manufacturing, retail models will start at $165, so the CKIE price does represent a considerable discount. Deckster anticipates their three product styles will ship in early July 2011, according to their CKIE product page.

Support from CKIE helps with Dom’s attempts to get the word out about Deckster, but for such a small operation, promotion is an ongoing effort that’s sometimes tricky to navigate. Dom says that while social media helps, it “has very little impact when used alone,” due to “the cacophony of voices and messages online.” In an effort to combat becoming just another part of the background noise, Dom and his wife have tried to “always have some real content like a design element or pics of samples when reaching out via Twitter or Facebook,” and they’ve also been “documenting and sharing [their] experiences, good and bad” on the Deckster blog. For example, Dom recently shared details of the special session he won with web marketer Gary Vaynerchuk (@garyvee on Twitter) as part of a Shopify contest, and the team posted about the source of their design inspiration before that. Dom says he finds it hard to navigate the thin line between appropriate promotion and spam, but he’s doing his best to stay on the fair side of that line.

I asked Dom what it would mean to Deckster if Apple decides to change its iPod nano form factor again this fall, when it usually refreshes all its iPod products. The nano has seen many radical design changes in recent years, and rumors have been circulating that it will at least drop the clip and gain a camera. Dom says they’ve “always vetted [their] design so it can be modified if the clip is removed or if the overall profile is diminished,” and that they’ll be ready in case of that eventuality. He also says they “know that the game can change at any time,” but isn’t too concerned about the risk.

In fact, Apple’s risk-taking when it comes to the design of their own products is what Dom says inspired him and his wife to create the Deckster in the first place. He says Apple is influential in the creation of so many startups because “you get inspired by a company that tries to provoke the market and the collective mindscape, even at their size.”

The Deckster is definitely an inspired product, and one that embodies well the principles of the “Slow Goods” movement, which aims for sustainable products made with high-quality materials that last a lifetime. It’s up to consumers now to decide whether there’s a place for slow goods in the fast-paced world of tech and tech accessories.

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LunaTik and TikTok Hit the Big Time With Apple Store Availability

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:24:42 +0000

The iPod nano wristband accessories Scott Wilson designed shortly after Apple introduced a new model of its smallest-screened iPod have gone from community-funded success to Apple Store shelves. The LunaTik and TikTok watchband kits go on sale in Apple Stores across North America this week.

Wilson, founder of Chicago-based design studio MINIMAL, and one of the driving forces behind the visual style of the redesigned Xbox and Microsoft Kinect, set out to create the LunaTik and TikTok as a project he would have complete control over. To avoid the influence of traditional investors, he turned to crowdsourced community fundraising site Kickstarter. We watched as the TikTok and LunaTik first broke Kickstarter funding records early on in its time on the site, and then later as it capped out at an unprecedented total of nearly $1 million raised through accumulated individual donations.

The wristbands were so well-designed that many early investors in the project actually bought iPod nanos only after securing either wristband as a reward for backing their production. I reviewed the TikTok, and indeed, no other similar accessory I’ve since come across comes close in terms of quality and design.

Wilson was distributing both the LunaTik and the TikTok via the official LunaTik.com website, where they will continue to be sold, but different retail channels have now come calling, including Apple itself. Apple initially wasn’t convinced buyers would be willing to pay for the more expensive $79.95 LunaTik. In fact, Wilson has sold twice as many of the more expensive model according to Co.Design. That’s 20,000 through his site, adding to the initial 21,120 orders made through Kickstarter. Those numbers have convinced Apple that buyers most definitely are interested.

The success of both accessories has also spawned new models recently, including a white version of the TikTok and both a red and black version of the LunaTik. Apple will be selling the LunaTik in silver (the original color) and red for $79.95, and the TikTok in white and black for $39.95.

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Report: Apple Looking to Carbon Fiber for iPod Wi-Fi Syncing

Darrell Etherington — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:53:10 +0000

Apple is looking to outfit future iPods with carbon fiber housing in order to make Wi-Fi content syncing a reality, according to a new report from Cult of Mac. The blog reports that a source close to the company revealed Steve Jobs sees Wi-Fi syncing as the key to continued relevance for the iPod line, but also says Apple hasn’t been able to make it work well enough to introduce the feature in production models.

Monday saw confirmation that Kevin Kelley, former CEO of Kestral Bicycles, where he oversaw the building of carbon fiber bikes, is now Senior Composites Engineer at Apple Inc. Kelley is also listed as the author on a patent filed by Apple in 2009 for “Reinforced Device Housing,” which described an outer casing for electronic devices made from carbon fiber. The hire definitely adds weight to the anonymous tipster’s assertions.

Carbon fiber housing would reportedly allow for much better Wi-Fi signals between iPod devices and computers where media libraries are stored. The source claims, however, that the new housing design (which is said to have been prototyped for the iPod classic and the previous generation iPod nano) isn’t yet meeting to Apple engineer standards. It’s worth noting that the current iPhone and iPad can handle streaming of music and video just fine, and have even been able to sync over Wi-Fi when jailbroken. Android devices can also sync and stream over Wi-Fi using doubleTwist, but in my usage of those syncing features with the Galaxy Tab, the experience wasn’t anywhere near the level I’ve come to expect from Apple products. The high standards for wireless syncing that Apple has no doubt set for itself are probably the main reason we haven’t yet seen an official solution come from the company. It’s possible a different casing material could help Apple get closer to its goals in terms of transfer speeds, connection dependability and device heat during the process.

Carbon fiber casing has been a theme in recent Apple rumors, with reports indicating that the material might be used for an iPad redesign, or even in a future MacBook Air. Logically, the idea of carbon fiber makes sense, since it’s strong, flexible, lightweight and doesn’t pose the same kind of problems regarding wireless signals as does metal. Yet Apple has yet to use carbon fiber in any shipping devices. Still, confirmation that the company now has a carbon fiber expert with at least 14 years experience working with the composite in a senior, full-time, engineering staff position indicates it may be getting more serious about the material’s usage.

I’d look twice at an iPod if it could handle Wi-Fi content syncing in a way that was efficient, fast and easy. It could indeed provide some wind in the sales of sluggish iPod sales, if only until such syncing features become commonplace among smartphones. Anyone else think an iPod with some Wi-Fi mojo might breathe new life into the increasingly outdated concept of a dedicated media player?

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