Kickstarter Tech Project of the Week: EMBRACE+

Project Name: EMBRACE+, a smart piece of wearable technology

Category: Hardware

Goal: $80,000

Currently Funded: $168,842

Deadline for Pledging: June 9, 2013

Do you believe in second chances? The 1,498 original backers of the EMBRACE+ do. Seattle-based friends Rudi and Paul first tried to raise capital for their bracelet that notifies you of incoming calls, texts, and more back in March, but they fell well short of their $220,000 goal. Due to Kickstarter's rules, they didn't get a cent.

Undeterred, the duo brought EMBRACE+ back and set a more realistic goal of $80,000—the amount they achieved in March. They've already doubled that amount with time still left on the clock.

Why would you want this piece of plastic jewelry? Imagine sitting in a meeting and knowing from the color of your bracelet who texted you. Simply connect your phone to the EMBRACE+ with Bluetooth, customize settings using the iPhone or Android app, and then stay informed without taking out your phone and seeming rude.

You can set different colors to indicate you have an incoming call, Skype, email, or text message (including who sent it); a low battery or phone out-of-range warning; new posts to Twitter, Tumbler, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram; or an upcoming birthday or anniversary.

The EMBRACE+ bracelet is made of waterproof, transparent, 100 percent pure silicone with no harmful additives. It's available in two sizes and is only 8mm thick and 12mm wide around the circumference. You recharge your bracelet with a micro-USB cable which should provide enough juice to last 10 days. Because the project creators have already reached their stretch goals on Kickstarter, it will also come in different mold designs, which you get to pick.

What's it cost to fund EMBRACE+? A minimum pledge of $59 gets you one (that includes $10 shipping), plus a pouch to carry it. A limited edition run of 500 for $99 each will also feature a hand-screen print with "Backer 1/500."