Look, it’s 2016. A cereal bar, pet grooming station, nap pod, and ping pong hovel aren’t enough to get a young programmer’s guts boiling. You need something unique. You need a flip disk system. This system, created by a BreakfastNY, is basically a modern version of those massive analog-digital signs you used to see in airports. Each pixel flips from dark to light (or dark… Read More
Hayo is what you get when you cross an Amazon Echo with a Kinect
Hayo’s pitch video could use some work. It’s stilted and strange and has some trouble conveying precisely what the product does, owing in part to holographic representations of the product’s functionality. It’s clear that the product is different and probably compelling — but it’s not exactly clear what it does.
Earlier this week, I sat down with the… Read More
Yeehaw launches 3D printer for kids on Indiegogo
The Yeehaw is a 3D printer aimed at the kids market. The company’s Indiegogo campaign carries a $249 early-bird price tag and promises to ship the first 50 units in time for Christmas. There were a few things about the company’s campaign that gave me pause. The device was designed with safety in mind, with sensors shutting off the printer in case some little fingers get a little… Read More
Vitrima is a hack that brings 3D vision to your GoPro camera
If there was a product that could make you dig out your dust-collecting GoPro from the “misc” drawer and turn it into a 3D-filming camera, would you buy it? Of course you would; 737 people said “yes, please” in the Vitrima Indiegogo campaign, backing it to breathe some life into their GoPros. Shipping today, the product is available to order for $145 from the… Read More
Ears, hands or eyes
Even before smartwatches, I did not wear a watch. I did not buy an Apple Watch or Pebble, despite the cool factor, even though I always upgrade to the latest iPhone as soon as it comes out. I would also suggest that in order for an innovative new device to take off and become a platform, it actually needs to pioneer a new user interface that utilizes a different one of our limbs or senses. Read More
Become Michael Knight with Dashbot, an AI for your car
Who needs a smart car when you have a cool car? The Dashbot is a add on for your vehicle that allows you to interact with your phone and Alexa while driving, thereby keeping your hands free to fend off pomaded villains and to swoop in an save innocent people before a helicopter explodes overhead. The product is a sort of Bluetooth speaker on steroids with lots of functionality built-in and… Read More
No more pastry panic: Alexa can now talk you through recipes
When I cook I make a huge mess and the product is edible about 50 percent of the time, which is why I’m hoping Alexa can help. I lean on the disembodied spirit of Amazon that lives inside my black tube and various small plastic pucks for so many things, it’s only natural I’d add culinary skill to the list, and the new Allrecipes skill (via The Verge) for Alexa provides… Read More
Sphero’s BB-8 wearable brings Force control to home automation with IFTTT support
Sphero’s BB-8 was the most memorable bit of merchandizing among last year’s epic Force Awakens merchandising bonanza. It was the perfect piece of synergy – leveraging the hardware startup’s compelling piece of remote control technology to bring to life the film’s most marketable creation. This year the company looked to take things a step further with the addition… Read More
11 smart gifts for the connected homebody
Welcome to the 2016 TechCrunch Holiday Gift Guide! We’ll be rolling out a bunch of guides leading up to Christmas, hopefully making your holiday shopping a little easier. Looking for gifts for others on your list? Check out our full 2016 Gift Guide Hub. Your home could probably stand to be more connected, and it’s finally getting to the point where gadgets around the house add… Read More
Watch this $9K VR walking rig really put players into the game
When TechCrunch went to Beijing recently, I got the chance to try out KatVR’s Kat Walk virtual reality walking simulation rig. The setup encircles the player’s waist, keeping them upright no matter what’s going on in virtual space, while the special shoes and a slick plastic pad, both laden with sensors, help translate your perambulation into virtual action.
The VR setup… Read More