It was just a dumb thing. Then we put a chip in it. Now it's a smart thing.
So I've done a spot-check, and to no one's surprise: - smart knob - kickstarter - bluetooth workout shirt - indiegogo - blacksocks - indiegogo - toothbrush - kickstarter - countertop - indiegogo - smartiepans - indiegogo - haptic shoes - kickstarter - smart pacifier - oddly enough, this appears to be a privately-funded venture. What this demonstrates to me is that "crowd-funded" is nerdspeak for "as seen on TV."
People see crowdfunding campaigns can pull in a lot of money, try to think of something to make so they can pull in lots of money too, rather than going to the crowdfunding sites because they have a good product that they want to get funded. It's the same thing that happened with ecommerce, and social whatevers, and apps. When the gold rush starts it's time to stop paying attention.
My old company, Americhip, was the king of this. Literally: http://www.americhip.com/ourwork/ Check it out. (Look past the fucking amazingly designed and developed site).
The general concept of put a chip in it! just begs the analogous Portlandia sketch.