Often times if you were carrying two smart phones around, it’s mainly because of your phones not supporting dual-SIMs functionality. This is especially so, if you’re on an iOS device and can be quite a cumbersome situation that has been faced by many. PIECE may be your solution – designed to look like a phone battery that is relatively the size of a credit card, this tiny device allows you to pop your second SIM card in and receive calls and text through your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0.
Launched since the 27th of July, 2015, PIECE had already accomplished being 100% pledged in only 1 day. Since then, the company has tripled their initial funding and have promised an Android version on the way as well. PIECE currently only has plans to support GSM, EGSM, DCS and PCS SIMs; SIM types that are supported are Micro SIM and Nano SIM’s can be used through a PIECE adapter.
The device is said to provide 150 hours of stand-by time but only 4 hours of call time on a single charge. Contacts on the other hand, will be accessed either from your SIM in PIECE or your contact list on your smart phone through the PIECE app.
All calls and messages will run through the PIECE app and notable features include the ability to warn you, when your phone is getting out of range. This security alert trigger when your phone or device is 10 metres away from each other. As is meant to be designed small and with small things come those times when you can’t find them – this is why the creators gave an option to find either PIECE or your smart phone through the app or PIECE’s function key.
Although being able to support calls and texts, the device will not support cellular data, a bummer to those wanting to use one line for calls/text and the other for only data. Users who don’t own a smart phone but an iOS device will be pleased to know that PIECE supports the iPod Touch and non-cellular iPad.
Here’s the breakdown of the cost backing PIECE on Kickstarter:
CAD $70 (RM 211) to CAD $80 (RM 241) – one PIECE (depending how quickly you back the project)
CAD $80 (RM 241) to CAD $90 (RM 271) – one PIECE and one card holders (depending how quickly you back the project)
CAD $120 (RM 361) – two PIECE
CAD $140 (RM 421) – two PIECE and two card holders
Shipping is an additional CAD $ 15 (RM 46) or CAD $20 (RM 61) depending which options you choose from the above. Businesses and potential retailers can also look out for the other larger orders available on the Kickstarter page. The people behind PIECE aim to put out the device by November 2015.
It should be warmed as with any crowd funding projects that there are risks involved and there have been times where projects fell apart and backers lost their money. Do ensure that you’re comfortable with the potential risk and lessen your worries by doing adequate research regarding the company and the product itself.
