Indiegogo

Bluetti SwapSolar pairs power station with unique portable fridge for outdoor fun

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Bluetti SwapSolar power station and fridge
SwapSolar is perfect for camping trips and other outdoor activities.
Photo: Bluetti

The SwapSolar, Bluetti’s very first “ecosystem,” pairs a power station with a portable fridge. The combo is designed to power up all your outdoor activities and keep your food and drinks chilled. But the Bluetti SwapSolar is currently heating up Indiegogo.

SPONSORED
This post is brought to you by Bluetti.

The crowd-funding campaign for SwapSolar — which combines the new MultiCooler (the world’s first portable refrigerator powered by lithium iron phosphate batteries) and the AC180T hot-swappable battery power station — launched Tuesday on Indiegogo and quickly eclipsed Bluetti’s $50,000 goal. There’s still plenty of time for you to get in on the deal, though, with multiple perks and discounts available for early backers.

Bluetti crowdfunds $11 million for groundbreaking home-backup power station

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Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Bluetti's Indiegogo fundraising campaign was an unqualified success.
Photo: Bluetti

Power product provider Bluetti hit a big milestone recently when it raised a staggering $11.6 million on Indiegogo for its new AC500 and B300S Home Backup Power Station, a backup beast that can power a home for days.

The campaign raised the funds — $11,633,332 and counting, to be exact — between September 1, 2022, and October 30. That ensures production and sale of the advanced AC500 inverter and B300S expansion battery, set to go on sale November 25 on Bluetti’s website and Amazon (and available on Indiegogo in the meantime, see below).

Brilliant BentoStack organizer now packs a USB-C hub, wireless charging

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Brilliant BentoStack organizer now packs a USB-C hub, wireless charging
It's the solution you've been waiting on.
Photo: Function101

In the market for a Type-C Hub, accessory organizer, power bank and wireless charger for your MacBook Pro and iPad Pro? Of course you are!

The BentoStack PowerHub promises to eliminate desktop clutter with a stackable solution to give you everything you need to use your devices on the go. And it’s all packed into a design inspired by (what else?) a compact Japanese lunch box. Check it out.

Meizu’s port-free phone was nothing more than a marketing stunt

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Meizu Zero
The Zero’s future now looks bleak.
Photo: Meizu

Meizu has revealed its futuristic port-free smartphone was nothing more than a marketing stunt.

The so-called “Zero” handset was announced just over a month ago before being made available to preorder through a failed crowdfunding campaign. But Meizu founder and CEO Jack Wong says the project “was just the marketing team messing about.”

Meizu Zero goes up for pre-order with eye-watering price tag

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Meizu Zero 1
This phone outdoes Apple on the whole getting-rid-of-ports thing.
Photo: Meizu

In its quest for minimalist perfectionism, Apple loves shaving ports off its products wherever possible. But even it has stopped short of creating a phone like the Meizu Zero.

Promising no buttons, no speaker holes, no Sim card slot, and no charging port, this sleek Chinese Android phone looked like a concept phone or, uncharitably, an early April Fool’s joke when it first popped up online last month. Well, it seems that that’s not the case at all — since pre-orders have just gone live on Indiegogo. Be warned: It’s not cheap.

5-in-1 cable gives you one dongle to rule them all

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High Five
High Five packs all the ports you need.
Photo: Vonmählen

The dark days of dongle hell might finally be over thanks to a brilliant new accessory that packs five different ports in one cable.

Vonmählen, a smartphone accessory maker based in Germany, revealed its new creation called the High Five. The company claims it’s the first ever 5-in-1 cable that’s so small it fits on your keychain. Best of all, it’s super cheap too.

Crazy iPhone case stows and charges earbuds

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SoundFlow
Stowing and charging earbuds in an iPhone battery case.
Photo: Ascape Audio

Wireless earbuds are great but with this statement comes a couple of asterisks. Careful stowage is critical or risk losing one. Remembering to charge Bluetooth buds is not quite second nature.

Ascape Audio aims to remove the asterisks with an earbuds/smartphone case combo called SoundFlow.

Phoneslinger is a fancy fanny pack for iPhone photogs

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Phoneslinger
Mobile photography from the hip.
Photo: Cozyspeed

The serious iPhone photographer has forsaken their DSLR and the weight of a bag full of gear. But they’re running out of pockets.

That’s because mobile photographers, much like a DSLR shooter, are starting to carry some of the same accessories: lens attachments, filters, a battery, jump drive, and a tripod.

Carrying a bag feels like a cumbersome step backward. A Phoneslinger could keep you quick on the draw.

This HAL 9000 replica is ready to lock your pod bay door

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HAL 9000
The HAL 9000 Command Console looks just like the original.
Photo: Master Replicas Group

Fans of 2001: A Space Odyssey can now get their very own replica of HAL 9000, the iconic and murderous robot from Stanley Kubrick’s seminal film.

Master Replicas Group has created a new smart speaker that looks just like HAL 9000 and it uses voice controls and Bluetooth to become the control center for your smart house.

Take a look:

Build your own phone, make any game VR-ready and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Kite kit Crowdfund Roundup
Kite kit lets you build your own phone from scratch.
Photo: iSquare Mobility

Crowdfund Roundup bugIf you need an ultra-affordable smartphone that features everything you need, why not build it yourself? The Kite kit lets you create your own Android-powered smartphone from scratch, just as you want it — and it won’t break the bank.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got the world’s smartest wearable, an awesome mechanical gaming keyboard with a twist, and more!

Awesome wireless earbuds, Qi charging mousepads, and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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TicPods Free
TicPods Free are the affordable alternative to AirPods.
Photo: Mobvoi

Crowdfund Roundup bugYou no longer have an excuse to keep using wired headphones with your iPhone. TicPods Free are the affordable wireless earbuds that combine awesome audio with noise cancellation and intuitive touch controls.

They’re just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We’ve also got a mousepad that wirelessly charges your iPhone, intelligent sleep masks, and more!

Stellar speakers, smart doorbells, and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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UPstage 360 Crowdfund Roundup
Unlike HomePod, UPstage 360 supports all your favorite services.
Photo: UPstage 360

Crowdfund Roundup bugIf HomePod just doesn’t do it for you, you need the immersive sound of the UPstage 360. This incredible speaker uses patented technology to deliver high-quality sound that fills almost any room, and it connects to all your favorite services.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have smart home doorbells, stunning mechanical keyboards, and more!

Give your iPhone X an exoskeleton with the Radius X [Review]

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exoskeleton
Is this the most unusual iPhone X case ever?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The futuristic design of Mod-3’s Radius X makes it one of the most unusual iPhone X cases I’ve seen. If you’re after the ultimate minimalist case, or don’t like having a case on your phone but still want to protect it, the Radius X could be the perfect candidate.

In fact, it’s less of a case and more of an exoskeleton (or an updated version of a bumper case). Find out what makes this case special in our video, or read our full Radius X review below.

AirPods wireless charging, retro gaming handhelds and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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PowerPod
PowerPod adds wireless charging to your AirPods.
Photo: PowerPod

Crowdfund Roundup bugWhy wait for Apple to sell you another expensive AirPods case when you can add wireless charging capabilities to the one you already have? PowerPod is a silicone sleeve for your AirPods case that adds a Qi-compatible charging coil for next to nothing.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have the ultimate charging system, a handheld console that’s perfect for retro game addicts, and more!

Tiny Spotify players, smart sleep masks and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Mighty
The on-the-go Spotify player.
Photo: Mighty

Crowdfund Roundup bugYou don’t need to carry your smartphone to enjoy Spotify on the go anymore. Mighty is the tiny, lightweight Spotify player that’s ideal for runners and outdoor adventurers who want to leave their hefty smartphone at home.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have the world’s smartest sleep mask, an iPhone battery case that brings back the headphone jack, and more.

Keychain Game Boys, iPad smart pens and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Plux
The AirPower alternative that won't break the bank.
Photo: Plux

Crowdfund Roundup bugApple’s upcoming AirPower charger is expected to cost a small fortune when it finally makes its debut (who knows when that will be). But there are more affordable options — like Plux, which also charges your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have a retro game console that’s small enough to carry on your keychain, an affordable “smart pen” for iPad, and more.

This ’50s-style Bluetooth speaker will blast you with nostalgia [Deals]

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The Lofree Poison is a modern Bluetooth speaker with a retro 1950s style.
The Lofree Poison is a modern Bluetooth speaker with a retro 1950s style.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

These days, everything old is new again. Pop culture is bursting with reboots, references, and a general nostalgia for the comfortable looks and feels of the past. Escapism aside, classic styles are classic for a reason, and they make a great look for modern technology.

Cardboard keyboards, unique gaming mice and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Kami-Oto iPad
Nintendo Labo comes to iPad... almost.
Photo: Kami-Oto

Crowdfund Roundup bugNintendo has been making headlines with a range of do-it-yourself Switch accessories made out of cardboard. One of the best is a music keyboard, and now you can get one just like it for iPad.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have a gaming mouse with joysticks, an affordable “smart pen” for iPad, and more!

Super antenna iPhone cases, smart screen protectors, and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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Firefly case
Firefly boosts your iPhone's cellular signal.
Photo: Firefly

Crowdfund Roundup bugIf you’re plagued by dropped calls and slow data, say hello to Firefly for iPhone. Thanks to “super antenna technology,” this case can boost cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity while protecting your iPhone from scuffs and bumps.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have smart screen protectors, levitating home security cameras, and more!

Moon is a smart home security camera that defies gravity

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Moon camera
Moon has 360-degree vision.
Photo: 1-Ring

Moon is the world’s first smart home security camera that levitates for 360-degree vision.

Without any blind spots, it can keep watch over an entire room, with automatic rotation when movement is detected. It also keeps track of temperature and humidity, charges wirelessly, and controls other home appliances.

Chocolate Hub 2 should ship with every MacBook

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Chocolate Hub
Chocolate Hub 2 gives you back all the ports you need.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple doesn’t think you need traditional USB ports and SD card readers anymore, but for the vast majority of MacBook users, that’s false. That’s why every model should ship with the excellent Chocolate Hub 2.

This pocket-sized device gives you back all the connections you frequently rely on, including USB and HDMI. It also has a built-in Qi charging pad for juicing up your iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, or iPhone X on the move.

This iPhone case doubles as a lint roller

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The Stitched iPhone case lint roller
The Stitched iPhone case helps you look your best in an unusual way.
Photo: Stitched Products

Here’s one for the crazy cat ladies: The Stitched iPhone case works like a lint roller to remove hair, dust and other undesirable detritus from your clothes.

We’ve seen a lot of iPhone cases over the years, but never one like this!