CATS with always be cats. And most cats are not indoor cats. Nonetheless, you do not want your furry ball of goodness to become one of the 100.000 pets that go missing every single week in the USA and Europe alone.

Despite being mostly territorial, and not tend to roam too far, cats are perhaps the most inquisitive of pets. They occasionally get caught up in their social butterfly ways, though.

One moment your cute pet is slacking off the daylight on the couch, a bit more time and they are missing MIA-style. You might wonder why they keep vanishing just when you need a hug.

On the (countless) days when you worry your heart to bits about that cat and feel that you need a handy tool to let you know kitty is fine and just playing out her stealthy instincts on the prowl. The best GPS cat trackers can help to ladle the cat out of trouble and keep him or her safe.

Below we detail the best GPS trackers for cats.

If you want to know whether your cat is going somewhere it shouldn’t, or when it crosses a safe zone, or you yearn to help the kittens to make it back home in time for dinner. Or just need to know where the darn cat is at, below are spot on, cat homing GPS trackers to suit every cat’s (and cat owner) fancy.

1. Pod 2 GPS and Wi-Fi Cat Tracker

Price: $160 (£139) first year and $50 (£39) annually from the 2nd year
Weighs: 29g (50.5 mm by 23 mm)

Use this GPS, Wi-Fi, and 2G cellular network cat tracker to locate your delightful furry ball both indoors and outdoors—and at any time of day or night. Well, except when they are sleeping.

The main 4 features of the Pod 2 GPS Pet Tracker

Small or large, your cat can easily and comfortably sport this equally impressive thing on a standard collar of your choosing. There’s also the Pod Android, IOS, Windows Phone app, and custom Pod 2 website. From the app, you can set up safe zones, and escape alerts will come in as soon as kitty jumps over your flower hedge to get that routine perfume rub at the neighbors. You can only squeeze about 8 hours of continuous recording from the USB-rechargeable battery life. But the company slots in two batteries in the box. Meaning you can easily swap the empty one and ensure Moggie is always on your radar. You will use the same USB slot to connect the tracker to your computer and transfer your cat’s adventure stats, as well as see how active they are—almost like a Jawbone 2 human activity tracker.

Specifications of the Pod 2 Cat Tracker

Still, kitty can decide to stay out past the 8-hour battery life. In that case, you would have to switch to either the mobile apps’ real time recording and tracking capability or the Pod 2’s web tool to trace him up to the very spot he could be. Overall, the Pod 2 GPS cat tracker is a pretty solid purchase that you will enjoy—before resolving to the subscription from the second year.

2. Eyenimal Cat Video Camera

Price: $89 (£79) paid once
Weight: 32g (41mm x 44 mm)

Have you ever wished you had photographic evidence of Fluffy’s disappearing act? Now you can.

The cool thing is the night vision. Eyenimal got it to work up to a range of 2m (7 feet), and though the video recordings are not the kind smartphones are on to nowadays, it is pretty decent for the tracker’s 77.50 GBP tag.

Capture the most beautiful moments of life through your pet’s eyes.

When Tommy comes home (finally!) you can connect the tracker to your computer via the USB—which is also useful for charging when your cat is sleeping. Yes, you can clip and unclip it on a standard cat collar whenever you want to do either.

The tiny camera records at a resolution of 736X480. Rest assured it gets the job done thanks to the IR lens that filters bright sunlight and makes colors less washout. Just ensure you don’t fasten it too tightly. Kitty’s fur may block part of the camera view. Also, you get not only video but also decent quality audio to go with thanks to the microphone inbuilt into it.

However, you will need to check if the device works in your country. Use Eyenimal’s website to review this little nugget. If it works in your area, the cat action camera is great for learning your cat’s double life and taking a cinematic walk into its life. But, sadly, the battery will only support recording for up to 2.5 hours, so if your cat is quite the long-term ranger, you might be out of luck faster that you can say where. However, if she keeps close, you can hear, watch and learn who’s been charming kitty off to a block away.

3. Kippy The Pet Finder

Price: $120 (£99) for the first year, then Euros 30 p.a
Weight: 50g (60 mm by 35 mm by 20 mm)

At that weight, Kippy is the best fit on large cats.

Also, and perhaps Kippy’s best feature is that it can track your cat away from home using the cellular network of any phone near the wandering cat when GPS signaling just doesn’t cut it or is off. They call this multi-layered tracking, and we figure it is a superb thing. Couple that with a 20-day battery life, and a motion detection function that switches GPS off automatically when kitty is sleeping, and it is easy to find fluffy before the battery runs empty.

GPS tracker for cats and dogs with Activity Monitor

Just like the Pod 2 tracker below, Kippy lets you set up safe zones, and you can receive alerts when your cat is trending along or has just crossed your stipulated go-zone. This you can do via the Kippy IOS, Android or Windows Phone mobile apps, as well as a custom web portal on their website. Mobile apps mean you can walk or drive to and track your cat in real time up to within a few inches of her hideout.

Kippy is also shockproof, a unique solution to a jam that most cat trackers overlook. So kitty will not hate you for shocking it the very first night you fasten his collar. The waterproof feature, though, is a bit of a waste for use on a cat—given their pass over for everything soaked.

Unlike Pod 2, WI-FI and Bluetooth are consciously missing, meaning no indoors cat tracking here—even when she likes to hide in the home. Also, if you live outside Europe, Turkey, South Africa and India, you will not be able to use Kippy. Overall, though, it is a nice cat homing device—that is if your Moggie even likes the large collar bracelet.

4. PawTrack GPS Tracker Just for Cats

Price: $199 (£149)
Weighs: 70g

The PawTrack GPS Cat Tracker promises to not only help you find your cat if she ever got lost but also know where she goes and what she does.

PawTrack GPS Tracker Just for Cats

For 33 pence a day you can use PawTrack cat locator’s GPS and GLONASS for the most advanced pinpointing to find Charlie before the rain messed her beautiful fur. This fully integrated GPS cat collar incorporates WI-FI for detecting when Charlie’s home. That can also help improve battery life, which PawTrack claims should last depending on cellular network strength. For when it drains, use the Micro USB slot to recharge from a computer or mains, but you’d have to remove it physically from kitty—a ceremony he might not like that much.

For the price, you are getting a whole year’s subscription and a global network of 171 countries where you can both buy and use the dedicated PawTrack GPS cat collar. However, at 70g, this might want to keep off a kitten’s collar and only fit on larger adult cats.

5. Kaddz Cat Tracking Collar

Price: $169 (£140) including first year’s GSM data fees
Weighs: 46g ideal for small adult cats and larger

Kaddz cat live positioning will let you know whenever your little tiger crosses a safe zone such as the safety of your home. If you she leaves the outskirts of her normal territory, and even if she lingers a bit longer than usual, and you are worried she might be in need of your help, you can use Kaddz cat locator’s Search Mode to pinpoint you exactly where she is every 20 seconds.

You can view that on your smartphone, the same place you can follow the life and times of your little bundle of fun. Even if she stays out for up to 4 days, the battery on the Kaddz tracker is good for so long. Kaddz included two batteries, though, so you can charge one and let your Russian Blue free with the other. The battery is removable, so you can change it will she is wearing the collar.

Furthermore, the clasp on the Kaddz cat collar is pretty great. It not only clasps to the collar securely but also comes off when more than 2kg of weight are applied to it. So kitty should not get stuck in it for too long, after which you can use the mobile app to locate and grab it back.

One of the best features you might love is that you can activate LEDs to flicker and sounds so you can locate and find her in the dark or a clogged up area such as a thicket or stacked up basement. However, you need a 50 GBP Kaddz Subscription to continue using it for the second year and is available in 41 countries.

6. TrackR Bravo Cat GPS Tracker

Price: One off fee of $29.99 (18 GBP). No ongoing subscription
Size: 31 mm wide and 3.5 mm thick (coin-sized)

TrackR is not exactly a dedicated GPS tracker for cats only. It is more of a multi-purpose Crowd GPS tracker. That means it utilizes the power of a community using its tracker device to help you quickly find your pet, valuable items, and even keys. What we really like is that you can set up device ringer tones up to 85dB to hear your furry friend’s whereabouts, especially when you think he is nearby. If he is not, then you can switch to the TrackR mobile apps (Android 4.4+ and IOS 8+) to quickly pinpoint his direction in real time.

Moreover, Tracker works worldwide, and if your cat gets lost and comes to within 100 ft of anyone using a TrackR device, you receive a GPS alert directly to your smartphone and learn about Charlie’s last known direction. Also, you can laser engrave your cat’s name on the coin-sized device and even add a number to call for anyone who finds your little bundle of joy stranded somewhere away from home.

Its minimalist profile is a cool bonus, too. Means you can clasp it to your little tiger’s collar using the durable metal carabiner pretty quickly and easily and kitty might not even notice it is there. So no uncomfortable bouts of collar pressure for him when he is out and about his little, keen-witted business around the neighboring basements and pavements.

What’s more incredible is that the rechargeable, RF1616 battery can last up to 1 year. So rest assured you would have found him by the time the battery drains out.

7. Weenect GPS Collar for Cats

Price: $89 £(69)
Weight: 20 g

This pet locator lets you set up as many custom safe zones as possible, and if Walter dares cross them, pings you with an alert straight away on your mobile app. The app is available for both Android and IOS devices so you can easily map your cat wherever they walk about as well as keep track of their exercising—a comprehensive activity monitor like that of the Pod 2.

What is a real stand out about Weenect Cats GPS tracker for cats, though, is that you can phone your little tiger from that pesky hideout. So not only can you use the app to get live directions to exactly where your cat is exploring, but you can also speak and ring her with pre-set sounds—that you can have trained her to understand are a call to come back to mummy for a bubbly hug.Too bad, the Weenect GPS cat tracker is only available for pre-order. But we had to include it here, nevertheless. Sure looks promising.

8. Tractive GPS Pet Finder

Price: $109 (£89) Upfront and $90 (£75) per year
Weight: 32g (51mm by 41mm by 15mm)

Like other current positioning trackers on here, Tracker has a function where you set up a Safe Zone. Immediately your cat leaves it, and the miniature GPS tracker sends you an alert directly to your smartphone. This you can get from an Android 2.3 and above or IOS 4 and later devices. Cat parents can also track their lovely kitty live on the Tracker website, and, if you want, review where their cat was just a few minutes earlier using Tracker apps.

Tracker claims that they charge the 4.49 GBP monthly fee to cover cellular network charges since their GPS tracker uses a GSM module to connect to the towers. They, however, promise that is the only additional fee you will ever pay.

The battery is non-removable, so you have the unclip the whole thing to charge it for about 2 hours—which then runs for 3-5 days depending, of course, on network coverage. The stronger the signal, the longer the battery life.

Compared to other GPS cat trackers, Tractive is a bit pricey. Against the Pod 2, for example, it doesn’t have WI-FI support for indoor tracking, is ideal for pets above 4.5kg, covers 95 countries less, and you will not be able to swap or even remove the battery. However, Tractive includes two sizes of straps to fit smaller albeit adult cats.

9. GPaws GPS Data Recorder

Price: $30 (£24) at Amazon
Weight: Just 29g

It is lightweight and ideal for all sizes of cats.

You only need to charge it fully (4 hours) via USB connection, and then securely clip the miniature cat tracker to your cat’s collar and follow the action. Pinpoint exactly where your furry buddy is spending her quality time: the GPS module keeps tabs on her and records her position every 5 seconds for up to 8 hours straight. That is how long the battery lasts on a single charge.

On the flip side, we have had some readers complain that GPaws GPS Data Recorder does lose the GPS signal occasionally and records locations slightly inaccurately. Also, you cannot use it to find your cat in real time, only to find out where it has been. And kitty must have returned or been found already since cat parents must physically download this info from the GPS device itself.

10. PawTrax Halo for Cats

Price: $110 (£95)
Weight: 20g

This UK cat locator company promises to keep your cat from becoming one of the 3000 that get lost from home every week in the UK.

PawTrax bets on GSM technology to help track your little Angels even when there is weak or no GPRS signal around. If you order for it, the device is supplied with a UK PAYG GiffGaff sim card and SMS cost in the 6p-12p for each one. But you can choose to provide your own 2G sim card and have PawTrax test and verify it. You also get a reflective 3-metre strap to go comfortably around kitty’s neck.

If your cat has a neck size of about 220 mm, this GPS tracker for cats is ideal, and especially now that the company has decided not to include the flexible section in their current cat trackers.

Think about your furry friend’s feelings

Choose a dedicated GPS cat tracker instead of an “all-encompassing pet tracker”. That is because cats are so not like dogs or other pets. A cat’s dislike for anything uncomfortably bulky, weighty, too colorful, and tight or saggy, is legendary. So go for something your four-legged buddy is most comfortable in. Rest assured this might be the thing that makes the tracker last long on Fluffy’s collar. Otherwise, kitty will scratch off your expensive bit of technology and leave it in a nearby thicket just in case you need it back.

A cat tracker is less than great if it has a poor battery life—everything runs on it anyway. GPS trackers are particularly power guzzlers. So if your cat has vested stakes in sneaking, and sometimes leaves for up to a week, or longer, a 4-day battery life is pretty much a crude deal in such a case. A battery life that assures, at least, a week’s worth of GPS tracking in mediocre to high GPS signaling is a better bet.

If you live in a rural location, your cat is likely to wander off further than in an urban, built-up setting. As such, ensure you choose a GPS tracker for cats that has a longer range than 100 yards. To help with this, get a tracker that has a GSM module incorporated. So that it can connect to a cellular network and cat track over a wide range—almost everywhere your phone can signal up. If you are in a built up area, ensure you get a unit that will still track your furry friend in between buildings and urban gardens. A tracker that requires a clear way to track is pretty much a heartache to use in an urban area.

WI-FI and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are also great to have on a cat homing collar if your cat likes to hide indoors.

Radio frequency tracking is pretty accurate. RF can help track your cat up to exactly where he might be hiding but only works well within short range. GPS, on the other hand, is pretty handy for long range cat tracking. Just ensure you grab yourself (okay, your cat) a cat homing system with decent battery life because GPS is a real power drain for trackers.

Most GPS trackers use embedded sim cards to connect to cellular networks and help track your cat right down to a very specific hideout—a great thing.

However, data charges become part of your cat homing experience. While some cat tracking systems come loaded with a ready-to-track data plan included in the original price—mostly for a particular period—some need you to top up the data fee in monthly bundles. Some others only require you to pay a one-off data charge for a lifetime. It is your choice. Be sure to check if the brand calls for an ongoing subscription too.

The smartest cat tracker includes mobile tracking tools to boost. The best of these is having a handy smartphone app – IOS or Android, or both. You can check if your choice of best GPS tracker for cats supports Windows Phone OS as well. Mobile apps give you a lot more functionality.

This way, you can program the tracker remotely, as well as track your cat’s location, speed, and distance traveled. You can as well follow your cat’s vitality based on, for instance, their body temperature and where they spend quality time at (probably tell if he eats at your neighbors), right from your smartphone screen.

Where to buy the best GPS cat tracker may to some extent influence whether or not you get a great bargain, a decent warranty, T&C, and regular services at a considerable price tag. Ideally, buy from a legitimate distributor, or online and straight from the maker. That might be the difference between getting a free replacement if the shipped unit is not what it was deemed to be, or getting your cash back if you change your mind wholly…

. Conclusion

The post Top Ten Intuitive Best GPS Trackers for Cats and Dogs 2017 appeared first on ChipIn.

It’s no great secret that new parents are an anxious bunch. When we first brought our daughter home from the hospital, we stared at her tiny, sleepy face and wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. Mostly, we were scared. What if something went wrong? What if she stopped breathing? What if she spits up and started choking? The possibilities were overwhelming, and after all the horror stories we had read, we were beside ourselves with fear.

After a few nerve-wracking months, just as we were maybe beginning to think that we had our act together, we got a Monbaby smart baby monitor, and it was truly a revelation. This little device brought some calm back into our lives. In many ways, Monbaby is a brilliant idea wonderfully executed because it soothes every new parent’s fears, all in a small, easy to use, and fairly affordable package.

Smarter Monitoring: Monbaby for Your Baby?
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Unlike in-room baby monitors, Monbaby is a smart monitor that your baby wears. And while your little one doesn’t interact with it — that’s your job, mom and dad — it provides incredibly helpful information about your sleeping and growing child.

Take, for example, the breathing check, an act that practically every new parent is guilty of committing. We did it countless times: we’d get right up close to our finally asleep and amazingly still daughter to see if she was still breathing alright, but in our efforts to make sure she was sleeping safely, we’d wake her up and be stuck with the task of soothing her back to sleep.

That’s not all, you also have the option of adding MonBridge to the purchase. It enables you to utilize home’s wifi network and make MonBaby work anywhere along with the benefit of premium customer support. The MonBridge tablet also features tips and e-books on best practices to adopt as a new parent.

With Monbaby, we didn’t have to do this again because it tracks our daughter’s breathing for us. It also tracks movement and sleep position, specifically if baby flips over to her belly while sleeping (something that pediatricians advise against). And, because it’s a BlueTooth smart monitor that works with an iOS and Android app, if anything is awry, we get a notification. Our daughter was just starting to roll over a lot in her sleep when we got our Monbaby, and the device told us every time she flipped. We’ll probably turn this notification off soon, though, as it’s becoming less of a safety concern, and she does seem to sleep better on her front. That’s another nice thing about the Monbaby app: you can choose which notifications you want to receive.

Another great thing about Monbaby is that while your baby can start wearing it as a newborn, it’s not just for infants. Once your baby is mobile, you can turn on proximity alerts so you’ll know if your baby has crawled a certain distance from you. (Yes, you should always watch your baby, but as all parents know, all it takes is one second of turning your head for your little one to take off.) There’s also a fall detection monitor, which is useful for toddlers learning to walk.

Plus, the sleep information that the Monbaby app aggregates is helpful so that parents can learn their baby’s sleep patterns and maybe (just maybe) understand why (oh why) he or she keeps waking up at three in the morning. In our case, we kept hearing about these babies that would sleep through the night at just a few weeks old, but our daughter did nothing of the sort. However, knowing that she would likely wake up at around midnight helped us to be proactive about keeping her asleep and snug.

It’s understandable that many parents are apprehensive about snapping any sort of small accessory on a baby, given all the warnings about injury or choking that moms and dads are bombarded with. But Monbaby is a little button that’s easy to snap on any outfit; we were able to slide the back of the device under our daughter’s onesie, and then snap the front in place.

Monbaby is a little button that’s easy to snap on any outfit

One of the most convenient aspects of Monbaby is that it goes where you go. Unlike standard baby monitors, which have to remain plugged in and won’t go from room to room unless you physically move them, Monbaby moves with your baby.

As long as you’ve got your paired smartphone or tablet with you and the Monbaby clip on your baby, you’ve got a fully functioning smart monitor. The connection between the two maxes out at around 60 feet, which is admittedly lower than a lot of non-smart monitors, but should be a long enough range for an average size home.

Our biggest concern about Monbaby, or any other wireless device that we might use with our baby, was radiation. While it’s no secret that smartphones and other gadgets emit very low levels of radiation, we weren’t sure about exposing our child to these potentially dangerous emissions, especially when she was so tiny.

We were happy to find that Monbaby addresses these concerns on their website with some numbers and comparisons. Cell phones are limited to 1.6 W/kg standard absorption rate or SAR. The SAR of regular baby monitors is between 0.01 and 0.08 W.kg, and the SAR of BlueTooth devices is roughly 0.001 W/kg. Monbaby uses BlueTooth LE, which has a lower SAR than standard BlueTooth. The company assures its customers: “A BLE device like Monbaby has 10-80 times less radiation than a standard baby monitor.”

While we really liked using Monbaby as our daughter’s baby monitor, we quickly became aware of a few of its limitations. For starters, there’s no audio monitoring. We found ourselves wanting to hear our daughter’s babbling as she woke up, but there’s no microphone to give parents like us this small but meaningful indulgence. However, according to the Monbaby website, plans for the next generation of the product do include a microphone. Similarly, there’s no video monitoring, but again, the Monbaby website assures customers that plans are being made to integrate the device with a video monitor.

Finally, there’s no temperature monitor or heart rate sensor on Monbaby. The former could be helpful to help parents determine the ideal temperature for a good night’s rest, and the latter could help to let parents know that their baby might be getting sick or feverish. There’s no mention of these things on the Monbaby website, but it seems like they could be included in future iterations of the device.

The post Monbaby Review: Smarter Monitoring for Your Baby? appeared first on ChipIn.

And the list goes on to encompass even the least-expected sensory features such as motion, acceleration, and biometrics. If anything, the only thing left to complete the story is the blueprint for the first fully independent and functional robotic machine. However, as usual, the most remarkable part is not in the end-product itself – but rather in the transformative process that it takes to carve out a complex sensor system from a simple idea.

Speaking of which, it takes an informed mind to tell the difference between a basic, regular sensor and a smart sensor. Note that for the purposes of this discussion and analysis, we will be zooming in our cameras to smart sensors only.

. What is a Smart Sensor?

A smart sensor has all the components of a regular sensor ( including the sensing component, signal conditioner, and processing unit ), but in addition to this, clever circuit designers have gifted it with the capability of interpreting and processing signals. If you’re wondering how this comes about, it is courtesy of an onboard microprocessor that allows it the luxury of dishing out more coherent and ‘accurate’ output.

So to make things a little bit clearer consider this quick example/comparison: The simple everyday thermostat in your kitchen’s refrigerator is a sensor – for all intents and purposes. However, apart of from automating the on-and-off power process, it barely does anything more. In fact, if you were to interfere with its fine calibration, it would do the exact opposite of what it is meant to do. Now that’s a regular sensor.

Nest Thermostat Smart Sensor Technology

On the other side of the spectrum, the seamless integration of a microprocessor to an existing thermostat in a smart home hub, for instance, makes it a smart sensor. That it, apart from simply ‘sensing’ and controlling the temperature, it can also offer ‘solutions’ and ‘suggestions’ to the occupants within.

Now, with that out of the way, any interested person at this point is most probably toying with the imagination of how the future would be if were to advance the current smart sensors systems technology to a full-blown and massive concept. Well, if that sounds like you, sit back and let us immerse you in the world of unlimited possibilities in various modern lifestyle facets as far as smart sensors go.

1. Healthcare

We’ve all ( arguably ) heard and interacted with ‘wearables’. If anything, wearables can easily be said to be the height of the advancement of the sensory technology itself. However, there’s a new twist to it. And the innovation is spilling beyond your ordinary, everyday smartwatch or fitness health band. The latest addition that really has tongues wagging is the inception of the wearables in healthcare. We’re not just talking about those fancy Fitbit or Garmin Vivofit bracelet that everyone seems to have nowadays. The real gem is the inclusion of smart sensor systems in alleviating the common and daily woes that we face every day.

Take, for instance, the innovative and super-intuitive Quell Relief that was announced last year’s ( 2015 ) spring. The device, which some of us may mistake for an ordinary knee brace, packs an array of sensors that are in turn linked to a companion app. So not only will the user enjoy the pain-relieving properties of having a well-constructed knee brace, but also savor the perks of having an intuitive product as part and parcel of your daily artillery. And this is just is the cream of the amazing possibilities that smart sensors are availing to the healthcare industry.

Quell Pain Relief Technology

Even more recently, HealthPatch unveiled a new system that is aimed at helping professionals keep tabs on the vitals of their patients remotely. If you like, you can equate this to feeling, hearing and observing – though electronically. The ‘health patch’ in question is basically a reusable biosensor that consists of a combination of ECG electrodes and three axis accelerometers designed for keeping track of vital information such as a patient’s breathing, heart rate, temperature or even body-position. The information gathered is then relayed to the medic or caregiver in question, from then which they can act accordingly. Now, if such a smart sensor system were to be fully developed, it would eliminate the need for unnecessary inpatient units and instead, dedicate these valuable resources to patients who really require close-up, intensive 24-hour care.

And the list in endless. We haven’t even mentioned advanced systems such as diagnostic imaging and digital health. Take Google Smart Contact Lenses, for example. Remember how years ago people with diabetes used to endure uncomfortable blood sugar ‘analysis’ sessions after every two weeks. Soon, this will be a thing of the past if Google’s latest innovative efforts in the healthcare niche is anything to consider. The Giant American technology company has teamed up with a Swiss-based pharmaceutical company (Novartis ) to design contact lenses for people suffering from diabetes. Strange as it may sound, the contact lenses are engineered to analyze a patient tears and estimate, albeit accurately, their glucose levels. Although this exceptional innovation is still being fine-tuned by Google, there’s no denying the endless possibilities ( e.g., restoring a person’s eye autofocus ) that it would avail on our laps if the project was to be fully developed.

Now onto the media and consumer electronics industry that is loved and loathed in equal measure.

2. Communication

We live in a world that ‘lives’ and revolves around communication and data flow. That’s partly the reason you’re on this blog at this exact moment. So if there’s an area where we shouldn’t be forgiven for expecting and predicting a palpable revolution brought about by smart sensors, then it should be in consumer electronics and communication industry.

The fruits are already showing. Last time I checked I didn’t need a manual passcode to lock and unlock my iPhone, my phone knows me – either through a facial recognition system or fingerprint scanner. And neither did I need an entanglement of cables ( by the way, it is hazardous ) to watch ‘cable’ television. I no longer need an additional remote control unit to flip through channels. Who needs to keep losing and searching for an evasive remote control unit when the IR blaster atop my smartphone can do just fine?

We haven’t even thrown in the motion and gesture control fancy that is slowly transforming how we interact with our gadgets. While global electronic leaders such as Samsung and Sony are busy crafting motion controlled smart TVs, the Taiwan dinosaurs HTC are busy looking for ways to advance their expected flagship the M10 for it to feature at least one cool, gimmicky motion-based control unlocking feature. Apple, not forgetting their massive wallet, hasn’t been left out either. Only time can tell how the iPhone 10s – 5 years from today – will be capable of doing. Heck, maybe even self-type it’s own messages without relying on your voice for input or read our respondent’s thoughts! For your information, already, the spanking new and prestigious Lumia 950 line boasts of an iris-recognition system. Well, only time can tell what type of handsets we will have by 2050.

Aside from that…

The most notable change that is yet to hit many unprepared is the machine-to-machine communication technology that is slowly gathering steam. You see, human beings have for a long time prided themselves on being the only beings that can communicate coherently as well as exchange ideas. For instance, wouldn’t you feel a bit edgy is you woke up tomorrow only to find your microwave exchanging steamy messages with your fridge or smart TV? No, don’t even get me started on data telemetry systems that are heralded to shepherd the future of the autonomous vehicular managements systems. Think this is impossible? Have you ever used your phone’s NFC sensor to pay for goods or services? That right there is one of the foundations on which the principle of machine-to-machine communication will be built on.

A few years back, a small-time startup tech firm in Africa, Kenya to be specific, showcased a smart greenhouse model that awed investors and left a section of them with eyeballs rolling. The whole concept was automated with the help of bio-sensors and the set-up tied together with a robust Wi-Fi connectivity. The clever setup was staged to allow rurally based farmers, for instance, to keep track of the operating and prevailing conditions in their farms remotely and without necessarily wasting so much time in otherwise mundane maintenance practices such as irrigation, PH and temperature regulation. The model is a reflection of how far communication can be stretched out if we can find a way of merging our already modern and super-efficient communication structures with the plethora of emerging smart sensor systems.

3. Transport

There’s no disputing that how we choose to commute defines us. That’s why the biggest players in the automotive industry are in a duel to release the smart next-gen car before the close of the first quarter of the 21-st century. Here, we are not talking about cars with self-deployed airbags or fancy reverse-parking sensors. Those barely scratch the surface and can hardly be referred to as smart sensor system in this day and age.

We’re talking about something bigger – self-driven vehicles.

Already Google has proved to be worth it’s posh Mountain View, CA headquarters by staying way ahead of the competition with first fully-fledged and promising autonomous car concept. And while Tesla and Apple are busy playing catch up, rumors are rife that the Japanese auto conglomerate Toyota and German perfectionists Mercedes-Benz have a thing or two up their sleeves.

Although there is a ton of safety regulations and concerns that are likely to stall and shelf the development of the concept of self-driving for the next 100 years, there’s no doubt that a multitude of smart sensors will form the backdrop of the world’s first self-driven car.

4. Defense and Military

The world’s political and economic front is growing more volatile by day. Look at Syria, North Korea, and Eastern Europe, for instance – just to name a few. And since the discovery and development of nuclear warheads, the world’s superpowers have taken the fight to a whole new level, literally. The latest battle involves developing smart sensor systems that can detect and ‘smell out’ a brewing military assault before it even happens. Not just smoking out anti-radar aircraft missiles but also pinpointing aggressive spots and hitting them accurately hence averting collateral damage.

“The modern warfare of the future will not be won by raw military might but by the smart and strategic deployment of concentrated force.”

The war drums are already sounding. The US, whose military budget outstrips the combined expenditure of the South Korea, the UK, and France, is reportedly working on a Smart Dust Military Deployment system that employs an unseen wireless network of nanoscale sensors that are informally known as ‘motes’. Apparently, Motes are designed to be dispersed and scattered across war zones by UAVs to gather intel on the enemy surreptitiously. Talk of redefined espionage carte blanche!

. The Bottom Line

The post 4 Ways Smart Sensor Systems Are Expected To Change Our Future Lifestyles appeared first on ChipIn.

The new technology will transform the world radically because it will make it possible to create simulations at the atomic level.

A quantum computer would exhibit significantly greater computing power than IBM’s current supercomputer Watson, possibly millions of times.

This is the technology that many scientists, big businesses, and entrepreneurs expect to provide a quantum leap into the future.

The pioneer organization that hits the market first is also likely to enjoy amazing profits owing to the possibilities of quantum technology, which is perhaps why companies are collaborating with universities to accelerate the development of quantum chips.

. What is quantum computing?

According to Rainer Blatt a physicist and quantum expert in Austria, the “century of quantum technology” will revolutionize the economy and society, and scientists have only begun to understand the impact of this “revolution of possibilities”.

It is understandable that non-physicists may find it hard to comprehend the implications of this leap. So, here is a description of quantum computing:

A quantum chip comprises superconducting metals (IBM uses niobium) that require quantum suitable algorithms and benefit from the superposition phenomenon: standard chips comprise transistors in either on or off position (1 or 0), while the quantum chip exhibits both states at the same time. This is just one of the strengths of a quantum chip.

The smallest unit into which computer data is broken down is called a bit that can be either a “1” for on or “0” for off. The computational power of a classic or normal computer depends on the number of binary transistors (minute power switches) contained within its microprocessor.

To bring some meaning to these numbers: the first Intel processor created in 1971 had 2,300 transistors. Today, Intel produces microprocessors with over 5 billion transistors for the fastest processing available with classical computers today.

But with quantum computers, the bits or qubits offer more options because of the uncertainty of their physical state.

It is this mysterious aspect of quantum physics that introduces the concept of superposition, where qubits can be 0 or 1, or 0 and 1, as opposed to classical computers that can only be either 0 or 1.

With superposition, it is possible to perform two equations simultaneously, but with exponential expansion. So, one qubit can perform two equations; two qubits can perform four; three qubits can perform 8; and so on.

This translates to some inconceivably large numbers and mind-boggling working concepts if a quantum computer can have the same bits as the 1971 Intel processor – leave alone the modern ones.

.First quantum processor?

The quantum processor developed by IBM operates at nearly Absolute Zero (-273 degrees Celsius), kept within a white cylinder that is cooled by a helium pump.

It is like a large refrigerator operating in a vacuum. The chip is positioned at the middle of the cylinder with measuring instruments and displays all around it and needs a skilled technician to operate it.

This chip has to be in this super-cooled environment to maintain the coherent quantum activity of superposition and entanglement.

D-Wave Quantum Processor

The qubits are connected by quantum mechanics irrespective of their position in space. Any heat or light that penetrates this space could interfere with process and effectiveness of the computer.

It is interesting that quantum physics has to adhere to fiction-like rules for it to succeed.

At this level, it is only capable of performing simple tasks, which is still a major step according to Jerry Chow, a Yale graduate and senior scientist leading one of the major research groups at IBM.

IBMs supercomputer project is expected to not only advance artificial intelligence but also mark the advent of a new era in information technology.

Every year, IBM invests millions of dollars in new technology, most of which is directed to expanding Chow’s team to ensure that IBM releases the first marketable quantum processor.

Other tech giants, including Google, Big Blue, Intel, and Microsoft are also in the race. But perhaps Google is their biggest competitor, following their announcement in December 2015 that they had built a quantum computer that is “hundreds of millions of times” faster than standard chips.

The EU Commission also announced in May 2016 that they would be investing one billion euros in the technology under a quantum master plan.

.What to expect from quantum computing

A successful quantum computer should surpass Watson’s computing power by a million times. Increasing the processing speed of computers will have a massive effect on the economy in the following ways:

1. Greater field of application

Quantum chips will not only be incredibly faster than traditional processors, but also more capable of solving complex problems due to their special properties, addressing challenges that even supercomputers like Watson cannot.

The field of application would be massive. Experts believe that a quantum computer would revolutionize the process of drug development, impact the finance sector, and facilitate the much-awaited breakthrough of artificial intelligence.

Even cryptographers believe that the quantum chip could crack encryptions that were previously considered the gold standard of IT security. Considering the complexity of a quantum code, it would physically impossible to decrypt it, making it incredibly safe.

The Chinese government has recently installed a 2,000 km long special cable between Beijing and Shanghai to allow the people to maximize on the field of quantum cryptography.

Generally, a quantum computer will be expected to perform a number of tasks, including:

• Reading secret messages communicated over the internet using complex technologies such as Diffie Hellman and RSA
• Conducting virtual experiments
• Modeling quantum systems
• Searching huge amounts of data

Still, this does not necessarily explain how quantum computers will be useful. Indeed, they will be much faster and capable of handling more computational tasks, from searching huge amounts of data to modeling. There should be more applications that are yet to be discovered.

2. Exemption of the semiconductor industry

The semi-conductor industry will also benefit from quantum chips, bringing about the quantum age of exemption. There has been a growing need for the chip industry to produce transistors for smaller chips in order to make computers faster and more portable.

The capacity of computer chips has been growing remarkably for decades, just as predicted by Intel co-founder, Gordon Moore, back in 1965. Moore claimed that the capacity of chips would double every 1-2 years, which has been fairly true owing to the company’s innovative strength.

But the prophecy has nearly reached its physical limit considering that manufacturers are having trouble developing smaller circuits than those currently available at 14 nanometers.

3. Collaboration with universities

The IT industry is in great need of a spurt in new growth that could become possible with quantum processors. Intel, for instance, has been struggling with its dwindling PC business, which led them to make a 50 million dollar partnership with the Technical University of Delft in fall 2015, to bring together quantum research specialists with Intel engineers.

Previously, Microsoft had formed a quantum liaison with the Dutch.

The possibilities of Quantum chips have presented companies with the opportunity to get into the technological revolution fairly early in the game.

Another company, D-Wave System, was formed as a spin-off of a local university in Burnaby, Canada, and is nearly at the same level as IBM in regard to quantum chip development.

4. Drugs and fighter jets

In 2011, a private company called D-Wave claimed to have the first commercial quantum computer ever with 1,000 qubits, but it was seriously questioned by experts.

Nevertheless, the company received multiple rounds of financing that saw it raise over $160 million venture capital from, among other investors, the CIA, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

D-Wave System building a Quantum Computer in Canada

The US space agency NASA claims that D-Wave can help with the planning of its space missions by developing control software for its jets.

The success of the combat aircraft manufacturer can mean faster synchronization of millions of lines of code with more relevant scenarios. This is critical for an F-16, as the slightest error can mean a fatality.

D-Wave has not ordered an upgrade with each presentation of a new generation of chips in Burnaby. Many clients use the company’s own server park in Vancouver through the cloud.

5. Quantum annealing as a precursor

D-Waves is creating processors based on a technique known as quantum annealing or tunneling.

Compared to the intricate technologies on which other companies like Intel or IBM are based on, D-Work’s approach is quite simple with fewer tasks to arrive at a solution.

According to the lead in Processor Development, Jeremy Hilton, choosing a robust and scalable model was the best approach for the startup.

However, the D-Wave computer is not capable of simulating entire molecular chains, which is one of the most attractive features of the quantum technology.

In fact, the first demonstration by D-Wave of a 16-qubit device could only solve a Sudoku puzzle, which was quite unimpressive. This was back in 2007, and the company is now working on superfast quantum computers with more qubits.

At the very least, a quantum processor should be able to simulate realities at the atomic level, allowing physicists to test the theories of Erwin Schrodinger or Max Planck.

Quantum technology can make it possible to compute the highly intricate movement of electrons; or to design and test new drugs or materials on a screen, eliminating the costly trial-and-error process in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mark Ritter, a researcher at IBM, hopes to use quantum technology to discover a metal alloy that can transmit power without loss. Such a discovery could lead to massive savings, marking the beginning of a golden age for some industries.

6. Facilitate innovations or Moon Shots

Google, which has been using a D-Wave computer since 2013, recently informed NASA that they are convinced of the possibilities that the technology presents.

In 2014, Google took up John Martinis, a quantum researcher from the University of Santa Barbara, and his group to develop an in-house laboratory for artificial intelligence based on a chip that is similar to that of IBM.

From self-propelled cars, robots, to herbs that treat cancer, Google has had a range of “Moon Shots”, and now it has the quantum computer project.

The success of quantum technology would speed up the training software and machine learning while offering an unprecedented degree of realism in simulations.

For software to be able to recognize faces of street signs, it must first go through millions of sample of images to make it reasonably reliable. The more detailed an image is, the higher the flow of data.

Google researchers are confident that they will introduce the first marketable quantum computer that is superior to traditional computers in about 2-3 years.

.How much further to realizing quantum computing?

The post The First Quantum Computer: Race Of The Top Tech Companies appeared first on ChipIn.

We have at least a cup of coffee or tea each morning, try to sleep for at least eight hours a night and still create time for a daytime nap and, well, feed on a balanced diet.

.What Exactly is Biohacking?

In the simplest of terms, biohacking can be defined as the desire and endeavor to be the best of yourself.

It is the art of manipulating biology using natural mechanisms and technological ideas to bring out the desired outcome on your body.

Biohacking can technically be broken down into two broad categories:

• Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Biologists
• Superhumans

According to Dave Asprey, one of the leading biohackers in the world right now, you can be a biohacker by either hacking biology outside your body or manipulate your own biology to better the general performance of your body.

DIY Biologists

These biologists claim biohacking is a way for anyone to explore the possibilities of biological research outside the restrictions of work-based or academic goals. Those undertaking this kind of projects range from the greenest of novices to professional biologists all eager to be part of innovations and discoveries.
Their works are almost entirely all about DNA manipulation and identifying weaknesses (especially on plant matter) and working to improve specific cellular structures.

Superhumans

Superhumans work on their own bodies to ensure they remain productive. By preparing that meal schedule or hitting the gym to tone your abs, you fall under this category of biohacking. Basically, anything that is done intentionally to improve your wellbeing

.History of Biohacking

The term biohacking is around thirty years old now but has only burst into the mainstream during the start of the century when hacker communities started promoting garage laboratories in San Francisco. It simply came up as a combination in the meaning of its component words “bio” and “hacking”.

From my viewpoint, by the early 2000s, biohacking had spread wide enough to cover even subjects outside of the two aforementioned categories. The two fields themselves have grown more sophisticated as time draws on and are now encompassing tens of new sub-fields.

While some people improve the physical state of their bodies by following strict diets and attending gym sessions, for instance, some people give it a more direct approach which includes receiving physical implants, fat removal, and tummy tucking to develop themselves into mini-cyborgs.

Cosmetic surgeries are basically what we are talking about; increasing butt and breast size using silicone or special fluids to make lips and cheeks fuller and more “desirable”.

While routes followed may vary thanks to natural bodily conditions, willingness to work, financial ability, urgency etc. one thing remains: they are all aimed at making the human body better and more acceptable to the current state of technology.

.Biohacking Tips for Beginners

There is too much content about biohacking out there that you can get your hands on and pore over as a beginner, but due to the sophistication of the field, I have a suggestion of where you can start.
And this is not one of those easier said than done “eat two leaves of broccoli thrice a day for three months starting now” or “make sure you sleep exactly between 9 pm and 8 am” type of suggestions.
No. This is a little more simple, less taxing and practical, but actually very effective if adhered to.
I’m going to give you five tools but don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard the best biohackers out there suggest you try some of them.

1. Have an Air Purifier

This is recommended directly by Dave Asprey himself, who wants you to live 180 years with him.
He maintains that our kind of environment right now doesn’t allow for any health-conscious individual – especially those dwelling in cities – to consider investing in an air purifier as an option.
The idea is to do away with inhalable microscopic particles in the air to reduce the risk of inflammation, he explains.

2. Avoid LED Lights

Asprey expresses his concern on the recent switchover from the conventional red light bulbs to LED lighting.
Our bodies, according to him, have not evolved to adapt to light fivefold more blue than sunlight or light without infrared and ultraviolet rays.
He recommends installing the old-fashioned red or amber lights and ensuring you have a dimmer switch too.

3. Fast Sporadically

While this may seem a little absurd, it has actually proven to be one of the most effective biohacking techniques aimed at improving brain power.
It’s never usually suggested because of varying eating habits among biohackers, some of which may not chime well with intermittent fasting.
This is basically for anyone whose meal schedule is steady and followed to the letter.

So how helpful is fasting in biohacking and how should I go about this fasting?

Firstly, I might need you to answer this: what is the bodily function that requires most energy?

Walking or even eating maybe?
Nope.

Thinking is.

The human brain contributes to only 2 percent of the body mass but uses up more energy than other organ or set of muscles.

It needs a regular supply of oxygen and, of course, blood to carry that oxygen for enhanced cognition. If anything naturally improves this, then it has to be fasting.

Staying for eight hours after waking up without feeding (which means skipping breakfast) has been shown by studies to increase your cognitive capacity.

Also, it increases your brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which triggers your brain to build and release more neurons.

We all know what more neurons means: better processing and higher learning capacity.
Of course restricting yourself to two meals a day also reduces your calorie intake and increases your lifespan by a whopping 40 percent but that’s just a spin-off bonus.
Another advantage to the brain is that it keeps it away from harm by triggering autophagy – a state where the brain starts using old cells for fuel. This maintains the level of toxins at a tolerable low and also keeps Alzheimer’s at bay.

Lastly, a study shows that intermittent fasting improves mood and vigilance as the new diet pattern triggers the release of dopamine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline, which combine in large amounts to boost positivity, focus, and motivation.

4. Work on Your Posture

Upright posture has been shown to offer more to your body than just an improved spinal health.
Also, according to studies, it has an effect on the people you interact with; it communicates confidence and subtly passes a message that you are worth respecting and listening to. It plausibly increases your confidence as well.

Amy Cuddy of Harvard University did a research of her own apropos the relationship between posture and body chemistry, and her findings as presented at TED were nothing short of astonishing.

They categorized posture as either “high power” or “low power” representing good posture and bad posture respectively.

Amy explained that high power poses not only reflected but also produced power, increasing implicit and explicit feelings of dominance and power, pain tolerance, action orientation and risk-taking behavior while reducing the stress hormone cortisol and anxiety.

Specifically, the level of testosterone (the dominance hormone) rose by 20% on subjects while cortisol went down by 25%. For the lower power poses by different subjects but under the same conditions, there was an average 15% increase in cortisol and a 10% decrease in testosterone.

Hacking your body language to boost confidence and involves practicing these habits as regularly as possible:

• Keeping your chest out and your back
• Keeping your chin straight and high
• Spreading out your legs and arms when in a seating position
• Keeping your abdomen somewhat activated to help keep your spine upright

5. Reduce Sugar Intake

Sugar is one of the most consumed foodstuffs in the world. Unfortunately, it has more side effects than you can count if used overly.
One of them is that it kills off dopamine receptors, making dopamine virtually useless in triggering natural happiness or pleasure.

Adding insult to injury, sugar is actually addictive, which means you may never get to fully salvage your brain’s capability through its receptors to sense dopamine as a source of pleasure.

Completely doing away with sugar from your diet may be a little difficult but definitely taking a cut can be tolerated. Here is how you can seamlessly go about that.

First of all, you need to know which products contain sugar, or just too much of it, so that you can avoid them.

Look at the percentage recorded against any of the following names on the product blurb before you toss it into the trolley:

It makes sense that if you don’t have sugary products in your kitchen then you are not going to take sugar, so the first step is to ensure they don’t get to your home.
Cravings might come to haunt you after, especially during the first few days but you can always satisfy them by eating salad, including a lot of protein in your meal and getting enough rest and sleep.
Eating a lot of proteins will busy your stomach and cut down the cravings for sugar. An overdose of proteins is not even a fraction as harmful as an overdose of sugar could be.

Bonus:Sleep Hacking

Sleep Hacking is basically one of the easiest forms of biohacking because it suggests you do something you love doing.
If you find it hard drifting off naturally, however, try such sleep-inducing methods as music, count sheep etc. but try as much possible to not rely on drugs.

Check out our list of the Best Sleep Trackers to help you achieve your goals.

.The Future of Biohacking

Biohacking is currently a common practice to plenty of people, according to Dave Asprey, who believes it is now apparent that traditional self-improvement, weight loss, health etc. don’t work.

To him, biohacking is a natural evolution that we have no choice but to follow. He thinks that the more people join the movement, the more awareness spreads, and the more biohacking become commonplace.

There will consequently be the need for better hacks, newer trends will evolve due to the increased number of people willing to find easier solutions and the practice will slowly develop into an irresistible force.

The annual Biohacking Conference will be held in LA late in September and Asprey, who will be in attendance, believes that that will be the best place to learn new practices and products.

Moreover, there is a new and fast-growing trend of technological implants to enable a quantified self and to start logging and keeping track of all your personal data, for the purposes of better health and self-improvement. We will update this article over the coming weeks to keep you up to date on these as well.

. Conclusion

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below and let us know how you feel about the field, whether you think it merits the hype and whether you have tried it yourself.

The post What is Biohacking? Everything you need to know! appeared first on ChipIn.

Massolution Crowdfunding Industry Report

Other figures released from the Massolution Crowdfunding Industry Report pointed to very strong growth in recent years, and attributed it to the rise of Asia as a key crowdfunding region.

According to this report, the Asian crowdfunding sector raised $3.4 billion (320 percent growth in volume), which essentially put the region ahead of Europe’s $3.26 billion to become the second-largest region by crowdfunding volume. North America remained at the top in terms of crowdfunding volumes, growing by 145 percent to raise a total of $9.46 billion.

The Massolution report was based on data collected on 1250 active crowdfunding platforms (CFPs) around the globe, including high-quality data submitted to the Crowdfunding Industry Survey by 463 CFPs, before conducting further research and analysis to reach its results.

Previous Massolution reports indicated steady growth of the industry from 2011, with all platforms raising an estimated $2.7 billion and successfully raising funds for over one million campaigns in 2012. By 2013, the industry had grown by 81 percent to raise a collective sum of $5.1 billion, and it grew again by 320 percent in 2014 to raise over $16 billion.

If this trend continues, the World Bank predicts that the crowdfunding market could raise between $90 and $96 billion, which is approximately 1.8 times the size of the global venture capital industry today.

Crowdfunding Models

In 2014, lending-based crowdfunding models dominated the industry by raising $11.08 billion, which is more than two-thirds of the total. Regardless of these numbers, Massolution founder and CEO, Carl Esposti, argued that although lending-, reward-, and donation-based crowdfunding models have been at the forefront of this global financial revolution, it is equity-based campaigns that seem to be gaining the most interest in the US. Carl said this in anticipation of the passing of the Title III of the JOBS Act in October 2015, which should help loosen most of the crowdfunding restrictions on smaller ventures, enabling non-accredited investors to participate.

Still, equity-based crowdfunding platforms, like Fundrise, have capitalised on state laws to give non-accredited investors an opportunity to participate in online equity real estate investments – a means that was previously unavailable to them.

Crowd Valley’s report on the third-quarter of 2014 provided more recent data on trends in the crowdfunding markets. According to the data, the greatest demand (54 percent) is for equity funding; followed by lending (26 percent); and reward platforms that only accounted for 1 percent. Peer-to-peer investments, real estate, and private companies were the main assets being offered on the platform.

In this regard, the most popular funding categories based on 2014 data are:

Implications of the data

These figures and estimates go to show just how huge crowdfunding will potentially get. Still, there are other trends that were not captured in the two reports hinting at the future of the industry. For instance, the increasing number of established investors, like angel investors and venture capitalists in crowdfunding help make the practice credible and encourage other people to give it a try.

In fact, investors are not only taking part in the campaigns posted on these platforms, but also in the funding platforms themselves. Seemingly small platforms, like Indiegogo, Patreon, and Crowdtilt are doing amazingly well at getting investments for their own growth. Indiegogo, for instance, raised $40 million in a Series B at the beginning of the year. A couple of months earlier, Crowdtilt had raised $23 million in its own Series B, while arts-based Patreon managed to raise $2.1 million in summer 2014. Other platforms also raised additional capital.

There are a number of reasons why investors are willing to support these platforms:

• First, investors see the potential for crowdfunding platforms to reach emerging and untapped markets. There is money to be made; either through commissions from facilitating transactions amongst campaigner and their backers or investors, or by getting the first opportunity to invest in brilliant projects.
• Second, investors are exploring the potential in debt- and equity-based crowdfunding with regard to early-stage financing. The more the platforms successfully get projects funded, the more popular they become, leading to more growth.
• Third, many people see a correlation between the crowdfunding and the rise of social media – which made it possible for millions of people to connect to each other. Just like there are many big social networks besides Facebook, the crowdfunding industry cannot be dominated by one or two big players, as long as other platforms offer something unique.

The question of scale

Part of the appeal of crowdfunding is their unique P&Ls – profit and loss statements – since a platform’s sales and marketing spending can be essentially zero as the users/campaigners do the selling for them when looking for backers.

Still, the profitability of a platform depends on how well it scales. While some, like Indiegogo get over 200,000 successful campaigns resulting in good margins, not all 1,000+ platforms are doing this well.

So, many people believe that the crowdfunding industry is big, and will keep getting bigger, especially since it appeals to millennials and the social network-based economy. Crowdfunding is likely to become more mainstream in regards to how people approach raising funds and putting their money to work – whether to pre-purchase a unique product or to gain equity in a profitable venture.

The post Crowdfunding Industry so Big, It’s Mainstream Now appeared first on ChipIn.

Besides the 14 delegates, there were another 13 people in the group going to Iran, including:

During the two-week tour of Iran, the group traveled to the major cities of Shiraz, Esfahan, Tehran, and Qom, holding formal meetings with the nation’s ruling government and religious leaders in an unparalleled move since the Islamic revolution – about 3 decades ago – to discuss relations between the two countries – the United States and Iran.

The delegates also visited learning institutions (schools and universities) and media houses (TV, newspaper, and radio stations) to advocate for more peace, solidarity, and harmony between the people of the two nations.

The Ed Hale goes to Iran Chip In Crowdfunding Campaign

In addition to being the lead singer in the Transcendence rock band, Ed Hale is also recognized for his outspoken peace and human rights activism and volunteer work across the globe. Just before he was chosen for the Iran trip, Ed has traveled to Africa for a 2-week home building initiative with Habitat for Humanity.

The previous year, he had made two separate trips to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild the homes for Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi (Biloxi). As for his music career, his band was preparing to launch two new albums the following year: “All Your Heroes Become Villains” and “The Great Mistake”.

To finance his trip to Iran, Hale turned to the Chip In platform and widget to create a crowdfunding campaign. Using Chip In, MySpace, and the band’s fanbase, Ed encouraged fans and friends to donate anything they wanted to and help spread the word via comments.

The Chip In widget was useful in tracking the progress of the campaign in real-time, allowing Hale to access how much money was being collected, read comments from fans across the globe, and watch the funds grow.

In exchange for the support, Hale created a blog to post reports of events in Iran. In addition, he planned to attend different events in the US to speak about the experience. He also shared his experiences via press interviews and TV reports.

The post Ed Hale goes to Iran – Crowdfunding Campaign appeared first on ChipIn.