Rentcycle is an online platform for rental businesses. The brainchild of Silicon Valley entrepreneur Tim Hyer, this startup offers web-based hosting and software utilities to help rental companies streamline their business process and improve customer conversion. In addition, the site aims to become a portal for consumers wishing to rent goods or services.

Once registered, companies get a branded online storefront to present their wares, along with reservation systems, inventory management and analytics. Customers can search both by product or provider in their area, and can order and pay for items through Rentcycle. There is also a messaging service delivering reservation reminders and SMS updates on customer inquiries.

While small businesses in many sectors are squeezed out by the economies of scale of their web-based competitors, the market for equipment rentals relies on local outlets. Rentcycle has recognised this, and developed a solution to help those outlets become more efficient and accessible. With sustainability an increasing factor in consumer decisions, the rental market should be on every entrepreneur's watchlist. (Related: Marketplace for P2P rental.)

Website: www.rentcycle.com
Contact: info@rentcycle.com

Spotted by: Kare Anderson

It's been a while since we've reported on the life caching trend, but a new innovation recently caught our eye: a wearable digital camera that automatically takes photos throughout the day as a way of recording the wearer's life.

Based on Microsoft Research SenseCam technology, Vicon Revue was originally intended as a research tool aimed at helping people with Alzheimer's disease. Users typically wear the 6.5-by-7-by-1.7-cm camera on a cord around their neck, but it can also be clipped to clothing. Among its features are an accelerometer, a compass and a fish-eye lens to ensure that nearly everything in the wearer’s view is captured. The device can operate either on a timer—taking photos every 30 seconds—or it can be set to take photos automatically when triggered by internal sensors, which can detect body heat as well as changes in temperature, light and motion. Along with images, the camera also stores a time-stamped log file that can be enriched with GPS traces. Its 1GB of flash memory can typically hold around 30,000 images, or approximately 6 days' worth of capture.

The Revue will soon be available online from Vicon, its UK-based maker, for research purposes; pricing will be GBP 500. Eventually, however, Vicon hopes to sell a version designed for use by consumers. One to partner with and help make that happen? (Related: Camera-bikes broadcast offline life to Flickr — More paparazzi for the masses — Wearable device tracks fitness data 24/7.)

Website: www.viconrevue.com
Contact: info@viconrevue.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Given the remarkable speed with which children can tire of their toys, it's not too surprising that we've seen toy rental services emerge in both the US and—more recently—France. Since the very same phenomenon tends to occur with video games, it makes perfect sense to see a brand-new startup that focuses exclusively on that category of entertainment.

Like both Babyplays and Dim Dom, California-based SmartyRents uses the Netflix model to help parents keep their children aged 9 months to 10 years old challenged and entertained. The effort was launched just last week by two former teachers, which is why it also focuses on games with an educational bent. Included in its inventory, for example, are top games from LeapFrog—including Little Leaps, Clickstart, Leapster and Didj—and from Vtech, including V.Smile Baby, V.Smile, V.Motion and V.Flash. Parents begin by signing up and choosing from among four rental packages, depending on how many games they'd like to have at one time. Monthly pricing ranges from USD 9.99 for one game at a time to USD 24.99 for four games at once. They then choose the games they'd like to start off with—the site even lets them search by the educational skills emphasized—and their selections get sent to their door along with a prepaid mailing envelope to use to return them. Games can be kept for as long as children enjoy them. Sending a game back prompts the next game on the family's list to be sent; alternatively, those that are too hard to part with can be purchased for the site's listed “Love it” price.

Whether it's toys or college textbooks, baby clothes, designer dresses or cellphones, freedom from the bonds of ownership is increasingly the way to transumers' hearts. SmartyRents, however, currently serves only the US; one to emulate for kids and parents in other countries?

Website: www.smartyrents.com
Contact: www.smartyrents.com/contact.php

Spotted by: Susanna Haynie

It's a rare consumer product indeed that leaves no room for improvement, but many are downright problematic due to annoyances such as sharp corners, rough edges or weak construction. Sugru is a new silicone material that lets consumers “hack” such products themselves to make them more comfortable and useful for a longer time.

The brain-child of an Irish product design student in London, Sugru can be moulded by hand or with simple tools. It sticks to things and cures at room temperature to a tough and durable yet soft-touch silicone. Available in a wide range of colours, Sugru is waterproof, flexible and dishwasher-safe once it's cured; it's also temperature resistant between -60 and 180 degrees C. Potential applications demonstrated on the Sugru site include covering up sharp corners, fixing broken ceramics, strengthening handles and straightforward beautification. A “Multi Hack Pack” of Sugru is priced at GBP 7, including free international shipping.

Sugru sold out of its first 1,000 packs in just six hours last month, and is currently focusing on ramping up production. One to partner with to help make that happen...? (Related: Customers get paid for input on new products.)

Website: www.sugru.com
Contact: jane@sugru.com

Spotted by: Icon Magazine via Collyn Ahart

When we wrote about Lufthansa's MySkyStatus tool last October, it gave travellers the option of having their flight status updates posted automatically to either Facebook or Twitter. Some 17,000 automatic tweets have since been posted as a result, and now the German airline has expanded the free service with new capabilities.

Still available for passengers on any airline, the MySkyStatus tool now gives users the option of having their departure, in-flight location and arrival updates sent via email as well. Travellers can choose who will receive their updates and when; they can also add a personalised message. In addition, a new drop-down menu lets them share their reason for flying.

There's no doubt it's a real-time world out there, with heavy emphasis on up-to-the-minute updates on as many platforms as possible, and personalisation capabilities make the deal even sweeter. Keep the (branded) conversation-boosters coming!

Website: www.myskystatus.com
Contact: konzern.lufthansa.com/en/service/contact.html