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A white Piper security camera sits on a wooden table.  A wooden globe and part of another device are visible in the background.

Piper is like dropcam but without monthly fees (review)

February 18, 2014 · 5 minutes · 8 photos

We just got our Piper, a home security device that combines an IP camera and various sensors into an attractive form factor and provides smartphone-based controls and an easy-to-use rules engine with push, SMS and phone call notifications. We covered Piper previously…

A person is holding a smartphone horizontally with an external lens attached.

Marc Barros Launches Moment (interview and video)

January 14, 2014 · 6 minutes · 2 photos

Today, Marc Barros (who has written extensively on the topic of hardware startups) is launching Moment on Kickstarter, a high-quality lens accessory that works with most smartphones and includes an innovative adapter design that allows it to be used with or without…

A two-part image showing a man holding a small black box in a factory setting, and two men at a desk with a stack of orange plastic cases.

The innovation advantage of being in China

November 25, 2013 · 3 minutes · 2 photos

In software the key to innovation is rapid iteration. That’s much more challenging with hardware, and working remotely with a Chinese manufacturer has been excruciating at times. You discuss a change, then wait days or weeks to see the results. Skype and…

A person wearing a red dress and a dark coat is standing next to a brick wall, holding a blue textured purse.

Check out HAXLR8R’s Latest Batch of Hardware Startups

November 24, 2013 · 4 minutes · 2 photos

Here’s a run-down of the latest batch of HAXLR8R companies that made their debut last week. We’ve already written about Roadie Tuner, currently live on Kickstarter, but there are a ton of other great companies spanning wearables, gaming, entertainment and medical devices.…

A photo showcasing a Poppy 3D viewer, its carrying strap, and a soft carrying case.. Text: POPPY

Poppy in production

November 20, 2013 · 5 minutes · 20 photos

I’m in China visiting our factory as we begin production of Poppy, our inexpensive and battery-free gadget that turns your iPhone into a 3D video recording and playback device. We have been working on this for almost a year now, and raised…