Chase It Or B Chased

Update on the Inlet

Breaking news, update on the Inlet,

Remember, the Inlet has been introduced by Livinplug on Kickstarter 48 hours ago. They are reaching out to you to help them produce their smart plug called the Inlet. Samuel Leichman (co-founder) just gave us an update on the project.

. Tell us about the frantic 24 hours before the Inlet went life on kickstarter ?
The 24 hours before we went live was actually not frantic at all, more like the calm before the storm. Although KS says they try to review in 1-2 days it took us about 6 days to get approved. Luckily we had prepared our contact lists and media lists ahead of time so we were ready to go there. did a lot of refreshing of the KS page waiting for the approval message to come on!

. You have a great product and concept, what’s important

to stand out on Kickstarter ?
We are still trying to figure that out. although we are 20% to our goal we are still figuring out what message is resigning most. a clear vision and passion in the project are our best fallbacks.

. What’s the people reaction to the Inlet ?
Overall very positive

. What did it change in your daily routine?We have been live now for 2 days – and it has been all consuming. we would like to bring some balance back into our day next week so we can continue to focus on the product.

Stay tuned for more on the Inlet.

More infos.
. “No more ugly, but safe and handy outlets“, our interview
. Official LivingPlug
. Follow @uglyoutlet
. Back the Inlet on Kickstarter

Tags: backer, Crowd funding, inlet, kickstarter, livinplug, samuel leichman, smart plug, the inlet

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Accessories

No more ugly, but safe and handy outlets

21 May

Today, I propose you to follow the adventure of LivingPlug, a company based in San Francisco. LivingPlug is a team of professionals in design, technology, marketing and operations.
After 4 years of hard work, they are ready to launch their project on Kickstarter.
The focus was put on security, design and optimisation of the household electricity consumption.

All started with the statement that the power outlets are unchanged for many years and remain unsafe.

The Inlet will correct this with the following improvements
. A master kill switch also called the unplug button have been added. This will help you reduce your electricity bill by an average 10% (average loss imputable to standby/idle electronic devises plugged (under tension) but not in use).
. The security is enhanced with
.. the plugs are now tamper resistant outlets (no more electrocution)
.. the plug is safely screwed into the wall through and anchor hole in the center
.. the plugs “facing down” to protect the children
. The Inlet is design and its face can be customizable with interchangeable face plates to cover the outlet.
. The Inlet comes with a USB 2.1volts plug

The Inlet now needs you to be a reality! Thanks to your support LivingPlug will be able to source and produce its very first batch of Inlets.

Be part of the outlet revolution and support LivingPlug.

Stay tuned for frequent updates on the Inlet.

More infos.
. Official LivingPlug
. Follow @uglyoutlet
. Back the Inlet on Kickstarter

Tags: economy, electricity, inlet, kickstarter, living plug, livingplug, power, power outlet, security, tamper resistant, Ugly plug

Comments 3 Comments
Categories Accessories

Enlight me

19 May

Books are way in, its not all about eBooks!
When you read a book, the light is important so I decided to bench 3 portable lights that you might like.

1. The supposed to be handy 2-LEDs bookmark by Moleskine, the Luna by GoalZero and the WakaWaka light.
The 2-LEDs Bookmark is easy to charge through an incorporate USB
It’s also a bookmark which is a great idea.
But, and designed to be used as a bookmark too, it sounded like a great idea.
Testing it was not so fun, not a great beam, only lightning one page at a time.

ChaseIt because
. It’s a one in two tool: a bookmark and a reading light

BChased because
. It only lights up one page at a time, can’t flip the page
. It’s not really handy, doesn’t hold straight
. The light is more blinding you than it lights up the page you read
. It’s too expensive (20euros)

2. The Luna by GoalZero, is a 10-led light powered by a computer, an handy Switch 8 or a usb plug.
The beam is way larger and it’s easy to direct the light thanks to its flexible and bendable cord to wrap it around object to secure it.
ChaseIt because it’s handy and useful and it’s a great value 9,90$

3. The WakaWaka Solar Lamp, a 2 leds-light powered by the sun.
Basically it has been designed to replace the oil lamp the people use when they don’t have electricity at home (it prevents fire, and burn injuries).
One full solar charge will give you
. 8 hours of bright ambient light
. 16 hours of bright reading light
. 80 hours of soft night safety light
It can only be charged by the sun, no sun no light. I use it home a night light.

1. The Moleskine Bookmark
2. The GoalZero lumina mounted on the Switch 8 charger
3. The WakaWaka light

Tags: book, goal zero, led, led light, light, luna, Moleskine, solar power, USB, Waka waka, Waka wake light

Comments 8 Comments
Categories Accessories

My 10 productive apps

14 May

I use them everyday, many times a day and I thought they were worthwhile sharing them with you. With those, you’ll optimize the your time and discover new uses of your devices. If you have favorite apps, don’t hesitate to share.

1. iThoughts, 7,99$ //available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC //

THE Mindmap application. If you are new to mind mapping, Mindmap is a way to organize your thinking about a project in order to handle it more productively. Instead of writing big powerpoints/Keynote presentations, just throw the ideas on a paper and organize them with a Mindmapping app, you will never miss a deadline again! Great tool to follow every steps of a project and reach your objectives. You have to get used to it, but as soon as you get it, you’ll use it forever (learning a lesson at school, preparing your next travel, handling a new position at the office, …)

The Plus: if I knew this technic before, I would have been better at school ……

2. Goodreader, 4,99$ //available for iPhone, iPad, Android //

Worth any dollars spent. It’s the universal reader for any kind of documents … a.pdf document, a powerpoint one, a word one… whatever the format, Goodreader will read it.

The Plus: with Goodreader, you’ll be able to correct a document (hand writing of typing), to underling sentences, to sign contracts … and to send it back to your team to work on it with your remarks.

3. Worldmate, free. Gold version available for 9,99$ //available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC //

Worldmate is the companion to travelers Flying away ? Need infos about a boss’s plane landing in the next hour ? Stucked somewhere and need a flight to leave asap ? Worldmate is for you then. Cherry on the cake the app comes with a currency converter, a tip calculator, weather forecast, the calendar sync. It keeps tracks of your past trips and it’s easy to share your trips with you family or colleagues, as well as your Linkedin contacts thanks to the sharing tool. Available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry.

The Plus: you are not alone anymore. With Worldmate, you have a personal travel agent always ready to kick when your agent back home is sleeping because of the time difference.

4. NOAA Cast Pro, 1,99$ //available for iPhone, iPad, Android //

The weather around the world with all the details. Bookmarks of your favorite cities, all the accurate infos you need to know to plan your day wherever you are or going to. The satellite view is cool. Forecasts and alerts when you are in the US.The Plus: when is it going to rain ? You’ll receive an alert so you have the time to bring back your solar panels back inside … you will also know all about storms, hurricanes coming your way and have time to prepare.

5. What’s App, free //available for iPhone, iPad, Android //

To stay in touch with your friends (kind of a blackberry messenger), I use it all the time . Works for iPhones, Blackberry and Android. Mandatory. Be aware if you don’t have 3G cover your messages won’t get through and you’ll have to go back to texts.Want tu customize your What’s App? Check this out!

6. Scout (in the US) or GoogleMaps (in Europe) //available for iPhone, iPad, Android //

Great GPS app to guide you anywhere in the US. Vocal guidance, avoidance of Trafic, ETA time, … All is there to replace your old GPS. Need to find a restaurant or a pet store next door? Scout is there to help! Can’t do without in the US. If you don’t use Scout, GoogleMaps is great too. Vocal instructions, alternative itineraries, ETA, … multitasked (continues to guide you even if you are texting or calling a friend).

The Plus: really ggod app, which does all the tricks you would expect from a regular GPS, you can also configure the arrow representing you looking like a hummer, … funny and useful.

6.1/2. Googlemaps is a great GPS (without speed indication) but works perfectly. I use it instead of the TomTom which maps I never updated. Voice guidance is great and understandable (it’s funny when he says the French names of the street in English), street view is also in.

The Plus: great app, easy, plain and simple.

7. Pixter, 1,99$ //available for iPhone, iPad, Android //

The app to convert any picture of a text in text that you will be able to use thanks to a powerful OCR program. Basically, take a picture of an article, click “use” and then wait for the magic to happen: the picture becomes a text you can copy/paste/edit … Very useful if you don’t want to type it over …
1. take a pict or use one you have
2. I took a pict
3. crop the text
4. select the source language
5. let Pixter do its magic
6. the text is there to be used
7. you can event translate it …

The Plus: stop typing over, start scanning. Also great to translate the text you just scan in many languages (there are some mistakes but it does the job). you cn also take a picture of a text to scan it later.
8. Linkedin, free //available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC // Great to keep in touch with the people you meet during your professional career. Your resume will always be up to date and reachable to any head hunters.

The Plus: never loose your professional address book
9. izDial, 0,99$ //available for iPhone// How many different people are you calling all the time ? Less than 10! With izDial you will be able to call your closest friends by taping one of the 12 spots available to be customized. Basically your 12 most important contacts under the thumb ready to be called.

schneller-telefonieren-mit-dem-iphone-320px-480px

The Plus: your 12 most contacts at the tip of your fingers ready to be called.
10. izText, 0,99$ //available for iPhone// Same as izDial but for text. just one tap to launch the text app.and also BC Reader and Dropbox, that are productive additional apps to will nicely complement the ones above.

The Plus: your 12 most contacts at the tip of your fingers ready to be texted.

Tags: 10 productive apps iphone, appstore, BC REader, dropbox, frame magic, good reader, googlemaps, indmap, izDial, izText, kickstarter, linkedin, NOAA pro, scout, thoughts, what's app, world mate

Comments 20 Comments
Categories App

Going solar? Why?

11 May

I discovered solar energy and mobile solar products a couple of months ago thanks to GoalZero company.
Since then I’m a heavy user of those products and I decided to interview James Atkin (director of Community Martketing at Goal Zero) and have a chat about the company, the products and the philosophy behind it.

1. How did GoalZero started?
Robert Workman did start GoalZero. Robert was working in Democratic Republic of Congo where people have issues to have access to electricity. Robert decided to supply reliable, portable energy, that’s how they created the first Goal Zero prototype.

2. Why solar energy ?
We started out to fix a need for portable power and Solar is the best and most efficient way to have a renewable portable power right now.

3. Who are your clients ?
There are 7 billion of them whether you are in a developing country or if your are living in NY. Power is NOW a basic human need and we want to help power and light up the world.

4. Is solar technology for everyone ?
YES!!!

Basically, if you use plugs, there is a portable solar energy solution for you. (ed.)

5. Are there a lot of power outages around the world ? Why ?
%50 of the world has unreliable power and %20 has no power at all. In many countries the power grid is very sketchy and goes out numerous times a day. Any power grid can go offline at any moment and if your fully relying on that power then you’ll be out. We all witnessed this during sandy and katrina.

The electricity can be down because of a snow storm, water flood, fire, … or just be down. Portable solar panels and rechargers give you the possibility to keep going with your electric devices (light, heater, fridge, … or cell phones, tablets, …) and wait stressless-free until power gets back on. You don’t need electricity cuts to use portable solar solution wherever and whenever. (ed.)

6. How should we prepare to face power outage ? What could be our “survival kit” ?
The best way is to be prepared. There are many forms of power, some are renewable some are combustible. I would have some sort of water cleaning device, food storage (enough food for 1 month if not longer), lights, a power supply (depends on what your power needs are, you can have solar for an iPod or your fridge, heater, TV, radio, …).

7. Tell us about “Sandy”
Sandy was devastating but open up many minds around the world about the potential for power outages, disaster events and being prepared. It changed my life and my teams life that went there as well. We brought in the GZnation to help us with our efforts there. We raised 600k to give out power and lights to areas affected by the power outages. It was crazy to see how many families were unprepared and all they had was 1 candle for a family of 5. We were able to prove a ton of power and lights to be in really bad shape and it really did change their life and helped them get back on their feet faster.

The GoalZero team shipped products and their team from Utah to Sandy’s most devastated areas where people were out of electricity for the past 10 days … they offered help and hope to the persons thinking nobody cared and helped them go through this tough period. it was a life line through disaster. (ed.)

8. Any project ? A new product you are working on ?
We are working on a new humanitarian program called Share the Sun, it will be going live in the next month. It is our platform to bring in our friends, fans, retailers and corporate partners to light the world.

We have a new product coming out that is basically the new phone booth. Its called the street charge and we will be launching that later this month. We have 2 bigger solar generators coming out, a new speaker design, a new lantern and a few tips for the Switch 8.

Thanks James for enlightening us and we’ll stay tuned to those new releases.

Be aware the GoalZero founded a non-profit organization, Humanitarian association called Tifie (Teaching Individuals and Family Independence through Enterprise ). The objective is to give individuals opportunity to provide for themselves and their families, on the principle that all individuals deserve the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families.

Tifie is based on providing portable power AND also proceeds from each Goal Zero proceeds with the dream that one day there will be
. ZERO illiteracy
. ZERO poverty
. ZERO hunger
… obective GOAL ZERO!

More infos
. Follow @GoalZero and @GoalZeroAU
. Official GoalZero Website
. GoalZero Blog Off the grid
. Time to Switch, our review of Goal Zero panel and Switch 8 recharger
. Going Solar, part 2, follow up of our “Time to Switch” review

Tags: democratic republic of congo, flood, goal zero, gznation, james atkin, katrina, robert workman, sandy storm, snow storm, Solar energy, solar nation, solar power, solar powered, water flood

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Interview

My 10 favorite japanese food 2/10, the shiso leaf

7 May

My 2nd favorite japanese food is a leaf, a shiso leaf.
The shiso leaf is used in the japanese restaurants (in the Chinese ones, you’ll find the little green plastic separation) generally on the sushis/sashimis plate to separate the sushis/sashimis.
It can also be used as topping on sashimis or on tofu.

Shiso on my sashimis

the leaf

Shiso on my tofu

Shiso is sometimes called the japanese basil or beefsteak plant.
It tastes like anise and if you don’t know what it is you may thing it’s just a decoration. No, it’s not!
You are more than welcomed to eat it because it’s full of dietary fiber, calcium-iron-potassium, vitamin A-C and riboflavin.
It’s also use to preserve food due to its anti-bacterial properties.

Check the tororo kombu

Tags: anti-bacterial, calcium, dietary fiber, Food, foodies, iron, Japanese food, potassium, riboflavin, shio leaf, shiso, vitamin a, vitamin c

Comments 9 Comments
Categories Accessories

4 cool projects to back

3 May

I’ve been browsing on Kickstarter and discovered some great projects worth mentioning to you.
1. The Statement Bike Rack, a piece of art and also a bike rack!
I wish I had a bike when I see the great piece of art created by Daniel Sculnick from California.

2. The Bootlegger Modular Pack System, in short The backpack you need!
Great suspension system on which you’ll be able to assemble one of the 3 available bags: the Torpedo Hydration pack, the Scrimshaw Dry bag or the Hoppy Day Pack. Basically choose the bag right to your adventure style of the moment … Created by the Boreas Gear in San Francisco.

3. The D*table, the table I have been looking for … Not just a table, many tables in one based on a mathematica formula, how cool is that ? Very cool! Architects and designers David Ben-Grünberg and Daniel Woolfson are based in UK.

4. Glowing plants, you’ll cut your electricity bill with those plants or just have fun whatching them grow. I don’t have the green hand, but I am very tempted to try grow those smart bulbs. Created by Anthony Evans.

Those projects have not been founded yet, they need help.

More infos on
. The Statement Bike Rack
. The Bootlegger Modular Pack System
. The D*table
. Glowing plants
. Kickstarter

Check our review on the crowd founding “Did you back anyone today?” and an interview of Ryan Crabtree who successfully funded his Crabby Wallet.

Tags: back, backer, bootlegger modular pack system, Boreas gear, crabby wallet, Daniel sculnickdesigns, Daniel woolfson, david Ben-Grunberg, glowing plants, kickstarter, ryan crabtree, statement bike rack, the D*table

Comments 12 Comments
Categories Uncategorized

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