If you remember the Catchbox throwable microphone, picture the newly revealed Qball by Peeq as a round version of it. The developers behind the latter are trying to raise enough money for it through crowd-funding site Indiegogo, to put it into production. The device is basically a mic which can be used to optimally engage audiences in a classroom, at a presentation, during a conference and so on.
The Qball is like a soft, harmless dodge-ball containing a microphone. It costs $150 and was unveiled at the StartFEST a few days ago. CEO of Peeq, Shane Cox, has made some serious claims about its effectiveness in classrooms. Reportedly, students miss out on a large portion of what is being taught by their teachers on any given day, and the squishy microphone can change this.
Cox claims that there’s a 10 percent improvement in test scores across every subject and a 40 percent drop in the number of students going into special ed, when the Qball is involved. These figures are based on the results achieved by prototypes in various settings. In case your presentation is boring the pants of your audience, you can alternately aim the mic at all those who are dozing off.
The Qball is apparently not the kind of projectile weapon that can hurt the person it’s thrown at or get damaged, if dropped. It mutes itself automatically when it’s being tossed around and has a battery which lasts for 8 hours. The microphone may also be extracted from its cushy abode and worn around the neck, if needed. The device is accompanied by a wireless receiver with a standard 3.5mm cable.
Here’s the Indiegogo page hosting the Qball. It has crossed almost 70 percent of its total funding goal of $30000 so far. You have until October 13 to order one for yourself.