A second screen for iPhone, Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds and more [Crowdfund Roundup]

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InkCase iPhone 7
InkCase is finally available for iPhone 7.
Photo: InkCase

Crowdfund Roundup bug Ever thought you could do with a second display on your iPhone? InkCase for iPhone 7 is exactly that. You can use it to read books, display useful widgets or pretty photos, and lots more.

It’s just one of the awesome ideas in this week’s Crowdfund Roundup. We also have the world’s first wireless earbuds with Bluetooth 5.0, the ultimate survival tool, and more!

Touch — Wireless Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.0

If you’ve bought a shiny new smartphone in 2017, there’s a chance it might support the latest standard in Bluetooth connectivity. Now you can take full advantage of it with Touch, the first wireless earbuds with Bluetooth 5.0.

Touch offers up to four times the range of older wireless earbuds, touch sensors that let you control your music and answer calls, and a design that’s so small “it virtually disappears in your ear.” They also promise crystal clear, high-definition sound and strong stability.

Early bird pricing allows Indiegogo backers to save 55 percent on Touch before they make their retail debut this November. You can order yours now for $89.

InkCase — add a second screen to your iPhone 7

Still carrying a Kindle alongside your iPhone? With InkCase, you can merge the two. This case adds a second display to your smartphone that’s also the world’s smallest e-reader. And when you’re not using it to read, it can display a whole bunch of useful widgets.

InkCase connects to your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus over Bluetooth, and ensures it stays protected from drops and scratches. Its display is scratch-resistant, and water-resistant just like your iPhone.

You can currently pre-order your InkCase at early bird pricing from S$69 (approx. $50) through Kickstarter.

PYYROS — the ultimate survival tool

PYYROS, developed by Adam Nichols, a U.S. Military veteran and avid outdoorsman, claims to be the ultimate survival tool. It gives you three of the most important things you’ll need in an emergency situation — light, fire, and power — plus a lot more.

PYYROS is 100 percent modular, which means you can add additional features to suit your needs. Some of the modules availabe include a hammer cap, screwdriver set, a USB power generator, and empty caps that can hold medication, money, and more.

PYYROS also packs a Personal Beacon Locator (PBL) transmitting on both the 121.5mhz and 406mhz frequencies, making search and rescue possible no matter where you might be in the world.

It starts at just $29 on Kickstarter, which gets you the PYYROS itself with a 1,000 lumen flashlight, a USB charger, and hammer cap. Shipping is scheduled to begin in December.

Anchor — the last cable you’ll ever need

We all use more than one electronic device, which means we usually require more than one cable to charge them. But not with Anchor, a super-strong cable made out of steel with interchangeable connectors that can be used to charge almost anything.

Anchor uses a neodymium magnet to hold different tips like USB-C for your MacBook, micro-USB for your camera or battery pack, and Lightning for your iPhone and iPad. Its 1.2m steel casing makes it incredibly robust and tangle-resistant, and it supports fast-charging.

Anchor is scheduled to begin shipping next January, and it’s available through Kickstarter with a pledge of just £23 (approx. $30).

WhiteFox — a fully-programmable mechanical keyboard

Few things are more satisfying than the click-clack of a good mechanical keyboard. WhiteFox offers just that, plus fully-programmable keys, custom key switches, and a compact design that looks right at home on a minimalist desktop.

WhiteFox is made out of aluminum, with PBT keycaps, so it’s incredibly durable yet lightweight. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and its companion software lets you configure any key on the board to do whatever you want it to.

WhiteFox is available with a number of different switches, with prices starting at $169 for early bird backers on Kickstarter. Order yours now for December delivery.

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