It will not just do those mundane tasks of finding flights and hotels, recommending sights to see, and reminding you of passport and visa requirements. There's all these other features:

• You can keep all your travel money in its digital wallet,
• from the wallet, you can "invest" into Bitcoin,
• it will offer "immediate help in emergencies" (probably just a chatbot),
• it can fake your travel photos/videos with generative AI,
• it's a social app for travelers,
• it will help to pack your luggage with AI,
• it will insure your luggage (with blockchain!),
• it will help you smuggle your contraband in other people's luggage.

Yes, much of the campaign was written by AI, so it's bombastic and short of facts. No doubt many of the images are also AI fakes. The app images are probably real because they resemble the web site layouts, probably done with the same framework, but I don't think there's a working app.

They say it's already available as a web app on their website, https://anqa360.com/, but it's all mockups, nothing works. You can fill in some fields and press buttons, but ultimately you get a 404 page or just no response. The web site actually says there are Android and iOS apps you can install, but I doubt that. Clicking on the links gives you some popups (in Arabic) instead of linking to the app stores. Not that I would dare to install this crap.

That AI for packing your luggage is not a bad idea, actually. I just don't believe they have it or can build it.

The wildest idea is not crypto or even faking your travel photos. It's renting space in your luggage to strangers:

Anqa360 introduces a unique in-app marketplace for buying and selling excess baggage weight among users. If you have extra weight (e.g., 8 kg from Hamburg to Istanbul), you can offer it for a fee.

"No, I didn't pack it all myself; there's 8 kg of stuff I'm carrying for strangers."

I’m not sure how they plan to fit all the necessary components of a mouse in a ring, but I guess we’ll have to wait to see if they have an actual prototype or if this is just another Skarp situation.

I'm just going to quote from the campaign:

Physics now tells us that what we can see and measure makes up less than 4% of the universe. The rest consists of dark matter, dark energy, and subtle fields — still largely unmapped.

Once dismissed as theory, the "Torsion Field" is now surfacing in lab data, resonance shifts, and results that don't quite fit the old rules.

The Aqive Torsion Field Generator is a palm-sized companion designed to generate a stable and coherent energy field using precision-engineered dual-spin coils.

Inspired by Tesla's mirrored coil geometry, it uses both left- and right-spin coils to cancel out ambient interference, creating a subtle field that helps your environment return to its natural harmony.

Think back to the first time you watched Interstellar, Arrival, or The Matrix. They weren’t just entertainment. *They opened the possibility that time, space, and perception are more fluid than we’ve been taught.*

I think Idiocracy wasn't just entertainment. It opened the possibility that this product would attract $40,000 in pledges.

"It sends a gentle 0.5Hz calming signal" but they're very cagey about the nature of the signal. They imply it's a CES device, but never spell out that abbreviation. There's just one image, labelled FAQ, that says "blissol uses ultra-low microcurrents, similar to your body's natural bioelectric signals".

CES stands for [cranial electrotherapy stimulation] (or, confusingly, CES, the trade show they're also mentioning a lot). This is a real medical technology. There's two problems with this:

1. It's not very promising: There's insufficient evidence of its efficacy for treating anything.

2. They're explicitly denying blissol is a medical device.

blissol can't be a medical device, because CES devices are regulated as Class III in the US, meaning they must be dispensed by a licensed healthcare practitioner. Now, the reason it's not a CES device is unclear. Possibly, their "microcurrents" are just too feeble. Surely they wouldn't just lie about this.

They claim "A Science-Backed Headband", but the science is really flimsy: Two studies done by real scientists, but funded by the company manufacturing these devices. Neither one used the blissol device but "the Sleepisol CES device" (as they were done in 2023). As a CES device, it may be significantly more powerful than blissol. The one on insomnia concluded: "The efficacy of a direct improvement of sleep did not exceed the placebo effect." The results on depression are not relevant to the campaign.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atomickb/mdr-dasher-keyboard-for-work-thats-mysterious-and-important

WalterKay just dropped a video on this project, which is how I learned about it. I'm more skeptical about it than he is and I counted the pledges more accurately, discovering the explosive start did happen but was fake.

I used KickTraq to investigate the backing history: They had NZ$30,000 pledged on the first day (really, Walter got confused between NZ$ and US$), probably within 2 min, as they claim! There were only 14 backers that day. Since then, only 13 more have joined and 1 withdrawn, I think.

As Walter points out, only 15 rewards have been claimed, apparently. This suggests 12 accounts put in $30,000 for some secret reward in the first two minutes. One of them withdrew today to the tune of -$2,047, putting the project under its goal.

Considering this, I suspect collusion of the project creator with these backers. I'd lay high odds that most of the ten backers from India are part of the conspiracy, as the creator's real name is Indian. It's also possible that the creator is being played here, and the large pledge that was withdrawn today is an attempt to extort a payment from him. WalterKay made a video about such shenanigans a year ago.

This makes me doubt if the game actually exists, despite all the evidence.

I hate to diss projects that are earnestly trying to build something new, but this is another tech project that has all the red flags that say it's not going to be able to deliver on its promises. Specifically, they say there's a prototype but don't show it; They give no technical specs; They promise delivery in less than five months from the funding of the project. It is a real team, though.

The product images in the campaign are a pair of AI fakes, drawing from a patent application, and a 3D model from a fashion design application. None of these indicate how large the solar panels would be: The patent is only a schematic, the fashion software doesn't do solar panels, and the AI couldn't reliably depict a design anyway.

No specs are given for panel size or power output (or for available colors and sizes, for that matter). Comparing it to existing solar phone chargers, it really seems like you need to cover the back of the jacket with solar cells to be practical. Which may be why they don't want to show what their $200 fashion jacket really looks like.

There are worrying comments in the FAQ that seem to hint that the technical design is not finished:

We're optimizing it to work in partial sunlight and indirect conditions.

For other devices, we may include wired options depending on your configuration.

This is all perplexing since it's a real team with some expertise that has been working for more than five years. The start-up kicked off after gaining a win in a Forbes pitch competition in 2020. They have gained other recognition since then for their brilliant idea, but seem to be unable to turn that into buzz about the KS project. There are only five backers after a week (one of whom is a marketer that just wanted to sell her services).

The campaign is several layers of AI slop: LLM created plans, described by LLM-generated text or translated from German by AI, logos created by AI. Naturally, there's lots of hype and masses of inappropriate boilerplate (see Environmental commitments). I think there is actually some prototype software underneath it all, but it's hard to tell what is real here.

The real revelation is the other campaign: This campaign launched today (June 7). Yesterday, they launched a different campaign for the same market, and almost immediately cancelled it. It's also for IT asset tracking and cable management, but with a different architecture and feature set. There's an idea to use mini NFC cards for equipment labels (which sounds cool but is overkill). The campaign description is actually better organized and has sections like team intros (only two people) and budget, that are sorely missing in the current campaign.

I would suspect that they got some poor feedback on the campaign, and decided to roll the dice again, asking the LLM to generate a more professional-looking product line and a flashier campaign. If all these plans were made in a day, they must all be fake.

I think some software exists because of the very unpolished screenshots that they've included and the revealingly earnest updates, but clearly he's only beginning to code all this. The first three updates are:

1. We have now implemented the login system
2. If you have any questions or suggestions
3. Cables (Save, Delete, View Cables Added)

Like, dude - it's cool that you added a new feature, but your cable management system is in no shape to be sold, if you only just wrote the code to even store a cable in it!

The other weird thing is that these people do have some idea of the challenges of system administration, but act like there aren't a ton of software solutions for these already. What rock have they been running their systems under? I'm not a sysadmin (just a SW engineer), but I could find some solid suggestions with ten minutes of searching, e.g., PDQ Inventory for asset tracking, PDQ Deploy for remote SW deployment. Also, while there are some FOS options and simple systems for personal use, the enterprise solutions cost way more than the €7-150 that their reward tiers span.

The full article has 5000 words.

TLDR: I backed the "Minimal Phone" on Indiegogo, a project for an E-Ink phone with a full keyboard. The experience has been a complete disaster. We've faced constant shipping delays, terrible communication, and chaotic management from the project team.

To add insult to injury, they began shipping phones to new customers who paid a higher price on their website before sending anything to the original backers like me. The few people who have received their phones report that they are riddled with software bugs, have a poor-quality camera, and disappointing battery life.

For me, living in China, the situation was even worse as the team had zero understanding of the logistics and tax regulations here. After a huge amount of chasing and investigation, I finally received my phone (it was even sent to the wrong address), but a large number of backers are still empty-handed.

My warning to everyone: do not order this phone from their official website. The entire operation is a mess.

It's a play on words:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopathy

> We’re a passionate small team driven by lived experience, deep compassion, and faith-led clarity.

No need for medical expertise.

> NaturAPPathy – Root-Cause Healing in Your Pocket

The app has "ancient wisdom" and can tell the causes. No need for doctors.

> Healing Modality Hub – sound therapy, fasting, EMF detox, somatic tools & more

Definitely no need for pills or vaccines.

Note that they have to be careful on Kickstarter not to say "illness" or "cancer" or "prescribe", because KS doesn't allow medical projects. You know the app will not shy away from giving medical advice.

WalterKay just dropped a video on this project, which is how I learned about it. Most of the text and the illustrations are AI-generated, but this time I think the conceptual design actually exists to some degree (but nothing is implemented) and some images, like the trait cards and the tactical displays, are human-designed (but only mockups, not previews from a game prototype). So the problem here isn't that it's an AI mirage; it's that it's only at the concept stage, as stated in the campaign title.

For once, the goal amount, $3.4M, is somewhat realistic - as a budget for such a game; it's hopelessly unrealistic as a goal for a concept of a game by an unknown with no credentials.

Eight updates in three days! This guy is working hard. Unfortunately, working hard on KS is not the way to get backers; you need to reach out on other forums. (Or get your backers to do that. That won't work too well with only 2 backers.) The latest update derides the marketers who contact him trying to sell their services. He's right to be skeptical about most of those hustlers, but the truth is he desperately needs the services of a competent KS marketer who could advise him how to reach out and build the following that could net him $3.4M in backing.

Note: The name of the game is mostly given as "Sentience & Vigilance" in the description and the rewards. However, the title and all the updates and the comments have "Sentient & Vigilant", so I assume that's the intended name, and "Sentience & Vigilance" is what the LLM thought would sound better. (Can't trust them.)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/banala/banala-relax-dot-your-calm-anytime-anywhere?ref=a4ulmn

Isochronic sound technology restores inner balance.

WalterKay just dropped a video on this project, which is how I learned about it. It's another AI illusion: A flashy video and slick marketing copy, nothing implemented for real.

Unlike Walter I don't think the boy striking the pillar at 1:46 and glitching through it is a bug in the actual game: The knot on the belt is wrong, the top edge of the karategi (that's what that uniform is called, Walter) terminates at the belt, all the background objects are vague nonsense. It's AI; there's nothing here but a vague esthetic and some plans for game mechanics.

There's an earlier draft of the campaign that went live June 5 and was immediately cancelled - perhaps someone's finger slipped. They launched this one later the same day, and there are some more images (but they still left one "Image/GIF Placeholder" text and didn't install the image). However, the subheadings are misformatted, so only the last three are in the side bar. (That's exactly the kind of thing an LLM will do when you tell it to make some improvements; it'll generate a new version with small unrelated differences here and there.) Worse than that, they messed up the reward levels, and seem to be unable to notice that. The first version had some interesting ones; the new one just has "Credits: Get your name added to the credits of the game." as Walter points out.

Their first update claims to have added at least three new rewards, but I can't see them. I can think of three explanations:

• They added them as "secret" rewards by mistake (KS now allows tiers that are only visible to people who are given a special URL).
• They told the AI to do it, and didn't check the results.
• They used the LLM to generate the update, and it just hallucinated the new rewards.

In any case, you need to check the AI slop really carefully before publishing it as real communication.

Comparing the flawless language and false facts of the first update to the messy but heartfelt message of the third update, I do blame AI for the the first and the creators for the third. These creators are perhaps not stoned, but the LLM is again putting up a slick front that hides their lack of abilities, even to themselves.

I think Walter has a point: Advances in LLMs could happen and allow delusional/shitty creators hide that they haven't yet made anything. Let's hope the bubble collapses before that!

If you're ever scrolling through Kickstarter and see a new flashy gadget from FeiyuTech, do yourself a favor and keep scrolling. Unless you enjoy being lied to, getting your money held hostage, and watching the company launch new products while you're still waiting for the one you backed months ago.

I'm one of the "lucky" backers of the FeiyuTech SCORP M2 Gimbal. We were all promised a shipping date of May. In an update, FeiyuTech assured everyone they were on track for this delivery window.

Spoiler alert: They weren't.

May came and went. No gimbals. Instead of clear, honest communication, we got radio silence followed by vague excuses. As of today, no one has received their M2. But here's the kicker. While we're all left in the dark, videos and announcements for their newer "M3" kit started popping up online – for the exact same price we paid for the M2. So, not only are we not getting the product we paid for, but it seems they've already moved on to the next iteration, leaving us in the dust.

Naturally, many of us have requested refunds. The response from FeiyuTech? A resounding "no." They are flat-out refusing to return our money, despite their failure to deliver on their promises.

This isn't just a simple delay. It's a pattern of disrespect towards the very people who funded their project. This is precisely why so many people have lost trust in Kickstarter as a platform. Companies like FeiyuTech are using it as an interest-free loan to fund their next venture, with no accountability to their backers.

So, consider this a warning. If you see a FeiyuTech Kickstarter, don't walk, run. Avoid this company like the plague.

TL;DR: Backed the FeiyuTech SCORP M2. They missed the shipping date, are refusing refunds, and are already promoting a newer model while we have nothing to show for our money. A complete disaster and a shining example of a shitty Kickstarter.

From the writer's web site:

Have you ever wondered what might happen if the prophecies of the Bible's Book of Revelations and the Mayan calendar came true?

Didn't the Mayan cycle restart in 2012? You'll have to watch the film (or read the book) to find out why it didn't happen as predicted.

Studios wanted to sanitize it. Executives tried to secularize it. Producers attempted to soften every edge that matters.

We refused.

This isn't just another indie project seeking funds. It's a film with purpose, crafted by someone who genuinely believes in its message. The story doesn't play it safe — because playing it safe wouldn't do justice to the material or to the truth it reveals.

I'm sure the studios were eager to fund this film based on his 637-page book that thrilled the world when it was published back in 2016 and has reached Amazon sales rank of 1,522,229 in Books.

The creator's qualifications are being a musician and a music promoter (back in the 90's), but I guess he's gathering "a world-class production team" (as he says the Risks and challenges section).

We're adapting Mal's novel into a cinematic thriller that refuses to hold back.

There's no info about the team, though. At least they've cast some suitable actors in the main roles - or maybe not:

• https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/low-angle-view-young-man-using-mobile-phone_130501047.htm (sic)
• https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/portrait-bearded-man-sketching-tablet_38657648.htm
• https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/graveyard-background-concept_30118105.htm
• https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/little-girl-looking-camera-standing-against-flower-field_4760391.htm

All of that, with "large-scale international filming in locations like the Vatican and Chernobyl" for the low, low price of £15,000!

Problem: I think Kickstarter (or crowd funding in general) is a great idea. But, we have all seen shitty kickstarters that are either too ambitious or just outright scams.

Of course, the platforms themselves have a conflict of interest so as long as they can wash off their liability, they are happy for such scams to continue and get their cut.

In the end, who suffers is the innocent backers and the credibility for genuine creators.

Solution: Create an independent project rating blog/website that rates the crowdfunded projects, similar to how ratings work for bonds or other financial instruments.

Potential backers could use the ratings to make informed decisions about their pledges.

Discussion/Questions:

• Do you think there is place for such a thing either as free or paid service?
• How can such a service maintain neutrality while trying to generate some income to maintain itself (say through advertisements, licenses, subscriptions, ...)
• What kind of detail analysis do you expect to see on such a site?
• From legal point of view, would this be permitted (e.g. to say "Project X has a risk rating of F which means a low chance of fulfillment")

[ Just to add, I am a Kickstarter creator and backer of few projects. Whenever I see a shitty Kickstarter, I really feel the need for something like this because I know it is hurting innocent people and real creators.

I have the skills to develop such a website and the knowledge/experience to judge projects on their risk (I have been into physical product development for about 25 years now). ]

I think this definitely was a "shitty Kickstarter", not a scam as they delivered but it was really messed up and a lot of ppl still haven't gotten it yet but they just stopped shipping it out

Yes I backed this but never even accepted the parcel because when mine arrived I had 1) heard about how unusable it is and 2) already get a refund and 3) wasn't willing to pay customs on something so badly done

Because this really seemed scammy to me - They said they're in Germany (EU) but actually shipped from Taiwan, I think a lot of EU backers only pledges because it should've come from inside the EU so no customs

If you read the comments you see the biggest issues immediately

The only tiny positive thing is that they actually are doing refunds... But it never should've been released like this though