Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is this nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things – like Android game consoles, eInk watches, and high-budget video games.

Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation? It’s impossible to know before the money starts flooding in – or doesn’t. So pop some popcorn and grab your mouse. We’ve got some Kickstarters to watch.

The Up-And-Comers

7300 SuperVault

Are you paranoid about file security and not willing to trust passwords for protection? There’s another solution – a hardware key. With this method of security, access to a file is only possible if the proper password is entered and the hardware key is plugged in via USB. 7300 SuperVault is such a key.

The project’s creators are clearly a start-up (they say as much in the project) so there may be some rough edges, but security fanatics should have a look. The goal is a reasonable $20,000, so not many pledges are required to make SuperVault a reality.

Guardian

Not everyone Kickstarter project is a unique idea. Some instead take an existing idea and twist it in a new way. Guardian is a great example. At its core, this is just a WiFi router, but by pairing it with an app and user-friendly interface the project promises to make unlocking the full potential of the hardware as easy as checking your email. The idea is great, but the $358,000 goal may be a problem.

IMAGOphotour

Most technology projects are products, but this one spans the gap between electronics and art. The project aims to create a 1:1 scale walk-in camera that will tour the world and let people take vintage self-portraits. And this is the real-deal, too. While technology helps IMAGO go super-size, the photos themselves are taken via old-fashioned photo sensitive paper.

It’s an interesting combination of new and old that requires 95,000 Pounds to be made real.

ProjectQ

Most motherboards are theoretically capable of handling any operating system, but because of drivers and port compatibility, most work best for only a few. ProjectQ aims to provide the first option for people who truly want to run all platforms – Windows, Linux and OS X. To support this, the project is offering custom motherboards with unique drivers and incredible connectivity that spans FireWire, USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt.

The goal is only $87,000, but you will have to pledge at least $219 to receive the product when it’s finished.

The Contenders

Desktop 3D Scanner

This appropriately named project has gained a lot of interest from 3D modelers and home inventors of all stripes. With this device a user can create a 3D model of any small object within just minutes. Independent game developers could directly scan in artistic concepts, inventors could virtually tweak prototypes and artists could take inspiration from real objects.

The project is nearly at its goal and has about a week left, so hopefully it’ll make the remaining cash in time.

The Losers

Death, Inc

I am so, so sad to count this among the losers. As a concept, the game seems great – a devious blend of real-time strategy and brain-bending strategy topped with a unique and eye-catching art style. The game enjoyed solid promotion from the media, as well. Despite these advantages, the intimidating goal of 300,000 Pounds was simply too much to ask.

Perhaps the publicity received by the game will allow it to find a home with an established publisher.

Mauz

Have you ever wanted to use your smartphone as a do-it-all touchpad for your computer? Apparently not. In spite of its extremely long funding campaign, Mauz has come up far short of its $150,000 goal. To be honest, I’m not sure if there’s any one problem that could be blamed for the failure.

The idea had merit, but overall presentation of the project could have been better, and the focus on iOS automatically negated any support that could be had from Android owners.

The Winners

Mycestro

Wow, that didn’t take long. Mycestro had only been live for five days when we first covered it, and has twenty-four days to go, yet it’s already nearly doubled the projects $100,000 goal. Why? Because it’s awesome! Mycestro promises to let anyone turn their fingertip into a 3D mouse and interface a computer hands-free.

That seems like a lot of functionality, so you’d expect the device to be expensive – but it’s not. A pledge of $79 lets you call the device your own and you’ll get a T-shirt, too.

Stormfly

This wrist-worn computer seemed like a sketchy proposition at first, but its funding quickly accelerated and the project came in with an extra $20,000 on top of its $100,000 goal. According to the project, the first Stormflys are expected to ship out as early as next month. That seems like an unrealistically quick turn-around, but we’ll see.

STOIC

If you’d like evidence that even niche projects can find success on Kickstarter, look no further. STOIC, turns spreadsheets into apps with the goal of making them easier to use on smartphones, is clearly aimed at power and enterprise users. Yet it managed to handily exceed its $25,000 goal and reach a final sum of $41,002. Backers who pledged at least $25 should gain access to a beta version of STOIC this month.