Backing a crowdfunding campaign comes with risks, but that hasn’t stopped people from leaping at some fascinating gadgets this year.
Here’s a selection of 10 neat crowdfunded gadgets you bought from Asian startups.
1. Remix Mini Android PC
- Crowdfunding page: Kickstarter
- Country of origin: China
- Raised: US$1.65 million
- Ships: Now
The Remix Mini, a tiny Android-based PC that fits in the palm of your hand, was the second Kickstarter gadget for China-based startup Jide.
The Remix Mini started at just US$30 on Kickstarter, though the final retail price is US$70 for the 2GB model. It’s so cheap because you have to provide your own screen, keyboard, and mouse. Despite that, shoppers saw it as a way to get a cheap home computer that they could plug into any TV or spare display lying around the house and get some work done on it (update: corrected the price and how much funding it raised).
The startup team is made up of three ex-Googlers who still clearly love Android.
2. Stary electric skateboard
- Crowdfunding page: Kickstarter
- Country of origin: China
- Raised: US$743,000
- Ships: Now
If you want a sleek electric vehicle, there are cheaper alternatives to a Tesla. Like the Stary electric skateboard.
3. Exploride heads-up car display
4. Solar Paper
5. WAY skin analyzer
6. Diabeto blood sugar tracker
7. NextDrive plug for a personal cloud
8. Atmoph Window
9. Fove VR headset
10. Greenopia smart flower pot
Hardware is hard
