“Your life, reimagined”
That’s how the team at Storebound describe their jack-of-all-trades side table.
Certainly it captured the imagination of crowdfunders at Indiegogo. 2472 backers have already contributed $1,093,451 USD to this project which originally only sought $50,000 in funding – and there are 20 days left!
Innovations
SCAMPER – Combine
The Sobro side table combines wireless charging, cable management, bluetooth speakers, a light and even a mini-fridge with solid-state cooling.
The jacket with a built-in battery for heating and charging is another crowdsourcing project I’ve reviewed on this site that was primarily a combination of existing products into one.
Scamper – Modify
This project is a riff on one a previous project by Storebound – their Sobro coffee table – which encompassed many of the same features.
Having met their million dollar stretch goal, the furniture company will also provide multiple finishes of their side table.
Inspiration
As with so many successful innovations, the secret isn’t always to do something unheard of. It can be simply to make a useful product out of two or more existing ones.
Personally I think integrating these technologies into a single chassis creates a forced obsolescence. With phone charging standards changing so often, I have to think that the built-in charging pads will soon be like the inkwells in old school desks – a reminder of a forgotten time. By contrast a plain wooden side table could serve its purpose for generations.
I tend to like things to be modular – but I can’t argue with the financial success of this project.
