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Completely open source, high-end laptop gets closer to reality
If you've wanted a laptop where all the software is free and open source (FOSS), you've usually had to settle for mediocre hardware. Even FOSS champion Richard Stallman is making do with a ThinkPad that's several years old. At last, though, it looks like you won't have to compromise your ideology for the sake of keeping up with the Joneses. Purism has successfully crowdfunded the Librem 15, a portable PC that combines modern parts (such as a 3.4GHz Core i7 and an optional 4K display) with software that's accessible from head to toe. The operating system (a variant of Trisquel GNU/Linux), hardware drivers and included apps are all free and open -- Purism is even trying to loosen up the BIOS and firmware.
Finally, an open-source smart toothbrush with a subscription plan
If you ever thought to yourself, "Self, I need a crowdfunded toothbrush that tracks my oral activities," you're in luck. The folks at Goodwell estimate that we'll each go through some 300 toothbrushes over the course of our lifetime. As such, it wants to do its part to wage a war against the "planned obsolescence" of traditional fang-cleaning apparatus. For just $69, you get a hollow aluminum handle with a compostable, replaceable, charcoal brush head -- even with a $79 subscription for replacement parts that's still cheaper than Oral B's SmartSeries. If you're feeling even more spendy though, you can get what's known as the premium kit, which comes with screw-on flosser and tongue-scraper accessories, costing $89.
The Tah Bluetooth stick lets you control (almost) anything with a smartphone
We've seen plenty of development boards, but this might be the first that comes with both Bluetooth LE and built-in USB. Tah is the creation of India's Revealing Hour and has been designed to both lower the cost of adding Bluetooth to Arduino projects, but also to connect your smartphone to other devices in the home. For instance, adding an IR shield will enable you to create a universal remote control for appliances and your TV. Even better, is that you can slot the hardware into your games console and use your smartphone as a controller -- in the video embedded after the break, the company uses a smartphone as a substitute PlayStation controller, and there's an Xbox variant that's currently being developed. Naturally, Tah is currently gathering funds over at CrowdSupply, and its makers need $25,000 to begin manufacturing. If you'd like to get your hands on one, then early-bird customers can snag one for $40, while the late-comers will pay 10 dollars more.
Switched On: Higher stakes, higher ground for crowdfunding, part 2
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Last week's Switched On discussed the issues around crowdfunding liability, offering examples of some recent tech projects that delivered late or inconsistently, and explaining the justification for sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo denying accountability. Given this, there are a few options in how consumers choose to engage with crowdfunding sites.
Insert Coin: Gridcase's Reactor lets you manually resuscitate your iPhone 5
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. The iPhone 5 already has its share of cases with extended batteries, but how about one with a backup plan for your backup plan? Taking to Crowd Supply for funding, Gridcase's Reactor features an internal 400mAh battery and a crank-powered 500mAh generator that allows users to manually distribute power to their phone's fading cell. Aside from being an on the go smartphone defibrillator, the Reactor adds a micro USB port to your iPhone 5, freeing it from being locked into using Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. If Gridcase's $350,000 crowdfunding campaign is successful and product development goes according to plan, the company will start sending out its first batch of orders in mid-November. As for pricing, the project's first 10,000 backers can score the Reactor for $99 while late adopters will have to pay a premium of $129. So, if you like what you're hearing and you're not afraid of a little manual labor, head on over to the source link below to make a pledge. For those of you who are still on the fence, check out the Reactor's demo video after the break.
