The week in gadgets: A battery backup, retractable iPhone case and simple coconut opener

4 May 2015

This week in gadget happenings: A battery backup with two USB ports, a brain-machine interface for your SmartPhone and, at long last, a decent coconut opener.

Bolt²

Consumer tech company Fluxmob designed the original Bolt to be the world’s smallest combined battery backup and wall charger. While retaining that product’s selling point, it has sweetened the deal with the next generation Bolt².

A 2.4A battery backup and charger, the gadget now features two USB ports and packs enough juice (6000mAh) to charge two smart devices simultaneously. And like the original Bolt, it fits easily in its owner’s pocket or bag.

Bolt² currently only supports North American plugs, but it can be used internationally with a standard plug adapter. Fluxmob are currently seeking backing for the product via Kickstarter.

Cococrack

Until now, this was the only way to open a coconut. But that’s all changed thanks to the Cococrack, a new appliance that makes cracking open a mature coconut simple, quick and clean.

The Italian-designed gadget includes two basic tools: a cone-shaped corkscrew and a cutter, allowing users to either open the fruit to get at its water or remove the coconut shell completely and slice up fresh pieces.

“I love fresh coconut, but if you’ve ever tried to open one you know it’s really difficult,” said inventor Valerio Canetti in a statement.

“I wanted to open one and I tried everything from a hammer and screwdriver to a saw. I went to the kitchen gadget store and even the hardware store, looking for a tool. It’s a frustrating experience and you can really cut yourself if you whack it with a machete! That’s why we developed the Cococrack. It’s such a simple and safe way to enjoy a coconut.”

The company has also released a demonstration video that, as well as illustrating what the appliance can do, also warns of the hazards of trying to open a coconut with a chainsaw.

RTKWare

RTKWare is a unique positioning technology module that combines a multi-constellation receiver with an integrated antenna, making it 100 times more accurate than a standard GPS.

GPS devices found in our phones or cars work with precision of meters, which is grand if we’re trying to find an address but not accurate enough if we’re looking for more fine-tuned uses. RTKWare tech makes GPS far more accurate, opening it up for a variety of new uses.

The company gives the example of an American football player wearing its U1BR model, a low-cost, multi-constellation receiver, on their arm. The GPS data is received and sent to a laptop, meaning coaches can record the total distance the player has run, as well as detect patterns.

The company is seeking investment via Indiegogo.

The deCervo Baseball Profile

For all you baseball fanatics, the deCervo Baseball Profile is an interface for your smartphone or desktop computer that measures brain activity as it relates directly to batting performance, analysing how your brain reads a pitch and reacts during simulated gameplay. deCervo’s technology offers users real-time feedback and sends all the analytics to their smart device

With stored data from professional and college-level players, the deCervo Baseball Profile gives amateur players the ability to see how they stack up against the big boys, while helping them improve their overall game.

Learn more about the deCervo Baseball Profile on Kickstarter.

ReelCase

ReelCase is the world’s first SmartPhone case with an integrated, retractable 28-inch lanyard. Worn around its owner’s neck and shoulders, the device’s sleek design offers super-efficient access to your phone, while making it easy to securely carry it around.

Developed by Zach Chavez, who experienced the problem of not being able to efficiently access his phone for photography in certain situations, the ReelCase keeps your phone accessible at all times, and, mercifully, the string has been designed not to tangle.

The company is currently seeking investment via Kickstarter.

Reelcase

Reelcase

 

 

Dean Van Nguyen was a contributor to Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com