Ear to the ground:

"OK we can't buy anything that came from our house."
– Shopper laying the ground rules for a visit to local thrift store.

Mojo rising

Ever wish you could harness the sun’s energy to charge your device and listen to tunes all while making yourself the envy of the flotilla?

Well, wish no more. The Mojo Box has appeared on the horizon line, and if Kickstarting goes as planned, it should be hitting local shores just in time for prime tubing season.

Described as “the world’s first portable smart carrying case with innovative, multi-electronic capacities” (i.e. a solar-powered dry box with Bluetooth speakers, battery backup and yes, even a flashlight) think of it as an Otter Box on steroids.

The Mojo Box was the brainchild of the locally based start-up OjO Products, which was founded by Derek Wadsworth (of Solarworks fame) and partner in crime, Race LaDue.

“The Mojo Box is our answer to consumers’ longing for high-efficiency, multi-use, low-cost technologies,” said LaDue. “We hope our product can assist in changing the global meme toward fun, ecofriendly, inexpensive, consumer goods.”

The two launched their Kickstarter campaign May 3, and as of Tuesday, were about one-fifth of the way toward their $33,033 goal. The deadline for donations is June 3. With their donations, benefactors can get anything from a “3-D printed mystery gift” to their very own Mojo Box (or several, depending on amount contributed.)

The box is said to be durable, made of high-density ABS, and the speakers are water resistant. (Don’t worry, the inside is water-proof for all you valuable gadgetry.) It comes with a reversible lid that offers two 3-watt Bluetooth speakers, LED display and USB ports on one side and mini solar panels on the other. There is also a battery backup to charge your devices at any time. It takes a couple hours to charge the battery, which when fully charged can play up to 15 hours (“it parties longer than you do,” quips the site.)

“You can be confident that your belongings are safely stored while simultaneously charging all of your electronic devices and providing the highest quality sound possible,” said LaDue.

The Mojo Box’s pricing will start at $100 and it is expected to be available in August.

To donate and be the first kid on the river (or at the barbecue, on the trail, at the campground, etc.) with one, access the Kickstarter campaign through OjO website at www.ojoproducts.com.