It’s probably time to think about finding a Christmas tree. Unfortunately, that also means trying to untangle the seven kilometres of tree lights, a solid 50 per cent of which will have broken in the last year.
This is exactly the kind of first-world problem Kickstarter was created to solve and thankfully, this year, it’s outdone itself. Aura is an insanely clever alternative to regular lights that promises a wire-free, WiFi controlled Christmas. The lights look like regular tree decorations, but they light up when given the control from your smartphone.
On its own, that would be a little gimmicky. But the power system for Aura is the part that makes it clever: no batteries or wires, but rather a “power ring” at the base of the tree, which uses electromagnetic wizardry to transmit power to the lights (up to 100 are supported per ring).
There are, of course, the usual caveats. Crowd-funding projects often deliver late, if at all and I image the risk is magnified tenfold when it involves magic electricity projects. Still, if you’re willing to risk $US65, you’ll get a starter set of a power ring and 12 lights, which should add enough illumination for almost every tree. [ Kickstarter]