2016 was a tough year for a lot of people and many of us are glad that it is finally over. But while a lot of whacky stuff happened in the last 12 months, let’s not forget about the fantastic, inspiring, super-cool technology, innovation and gadgets that came out of the startup world. Here is a list of sexy startup products that emerged from 2016 that we thought were worth a second (and third) look.
The Grove Garden
With the Grove Garden, you can have the fun of growing your own organic produce without the hassle and the mess of, well, a yard full of dirt and produce. You can grow anything from vegetables and fruits to herbs. You can tell Grove OS (the app) what you have planted and the system will automatically control the watering, lighting and the fans required for seed growth. The system also includes a self-cleaning fish tank (where you add fish, not cucumbers) that produces good bacteria for a better overall farming performance (the process is called aquaponics). It is a little bit on the pricey side though…
Availability: Online Purchase, $3,500
GeoOrbital Wheel
Want to have the convenience of an ebike but don’t want to buy an entirely new ride? GeoOrbital Wheel turns your existing bike into an electric bike with a single, easy installation. This wheel has a flat proof solid foam tire, removable Lithium-Ion battery with a pedal assisted range that goes up to 50 miles per battery life. There is also a built-in USB outlet so when you’re commuting or cruising down the street you can charge your phone or blast music through speakers.
Availability: Pre-order, $799.99
Trinus
Trinus is a desktop 3D printer made with premium aluminium and steel parts, with a metal frame and metal internal components. It has a core with a single axis slide that provides high precision printing for your 3D works. What’s even better is that it doesn’t need constant recalibration due to having metal internal parts. It has a printing speed of 70 mm per second with capabilities of running at a max speed of 150 mm per second. It prints minimum layer height of 50 microns and also has a laser to engrave wood, leather, food and other soft materials.
Availability: Pre-order, $349
Revols
Sick of your earphones falling out of your ears (with shitty audio to boot) and don’t want to spend a fortune on regular custom-fits? You may dig Revols. You can mold the Revols wireless earphones to your own inner ear shape in just 60 seconds by using their app on your phone. This device has a molding tip that has nanocomposite and a different ergonomic design to get a perfect fit. Once it is customized, the gel like tip turns into a hardened shape. The earphones have 8 hours battery life and an adjustable soundscape for noise-cancelling.
Availability: Pre-order, $300
The 13.3 inch Android eReader
This 13.3 inch e-reader doesn’t only let you read any e-books you want but it also lets you make notes, highlights and add annotations. You can also install any app you can find through Google Play. The battery lasts for over a month and the e-paper display lets you read outside under the sun. It has a 1600 x 1200 resolution, 32 GB of memory, Wi-Fi, and comes with a Wacom Stylus.
Availability: Orders Available Through Indiegogo (Already Shipping), $699
Torch
Torch is a battery-operated heater that you can place inside any jacket to keep you warm for up to 5 hours. With 3 heat pads and a thin mesh material it has 4 heat settings for however toasty you want to be.
Availability: Online Purchase, $89.95
SilverTech
SilverTech makes garments from odorless fabric infused with pure silver; their underwear, socks and t-shirts are not only supposed to be comfortable but they also apparently fight bacteria, promote better blood circulation, regulate temperatures and reduce sweat. Their products are made with SilverTech silver, organic cotton and elastane. The catch: for males only at the moment. (SnapMunk also covered another similar company called, SilverAir who have positioned their silver-based underwear as “travel underwear” that can be worn for a week straight without incurring any odor issues.)
Availablity: Online Purchase, ~$25 and up
Davek Alert Umbrella
Never lose your umbrella again? Yeah, it is possible. Davek, which had already created one of the world’s strongest umbrellas, has now also designed those very umbrellas to never go missing; in the handle of the umbrella, there is a “beacon chip” that broadcasts a signal to your phone. Once you connect your umbrella to your phone through the companion app, if you reach 30 feet of distance from the umbrella, you will get a “don’t be a dummy” notification. There are different sizes and colours available too. (If you think this is cool, you should also check out the Oombrella – that smart umbrella also tells you when it’s going to rain.)
Availablity: OnlinePurchase & In Stores, $125
Ockel Sirius B (Black Cherry + W10)
Yes, the original Serius B launched in 2015, but they released a new version–the Black Cherry–and since it’s an awesome little product, we figured we sneak them in here anyway. It’s portable, lighter than an apple and it’s a PC. Yup, not a laptop, a PC. Ockel Sirius is a portable Windows 10 PC with Intel technology (Intel Atom Z3735F processor), has HDMI, Bluetooth, Wifi, 2 USB ports, a micro SD card slot, audio and microphone connections, Flash storage and 4GB of RAM. It is completely silent and has a very slick design. All you need is an HDMI screen and a power adapter, and maybe a mouse and a keyboard, and you’re good to go.
Availability: Online Purchase Via Indiegogo, $349 + shipping
