Although a webcam may appear to be inactive, it's possible for someone to hack into your computer and use it to watch you without your knowledge. The only way to be sure that this isn't the case is to cover the lens, which is just what the Nope 2.0 magnetic privacy shield is designed to do.
As you may have guessed from the name, the Nope 2.0 is a follow-up to an earlier version. That was released in 2013 and Bungajungle, the company behind the device, says it has updated the gadget based on feedback from customers. Among the features of the new version are a different shape and a more streamlined size.
Indeed, the Nope 2.0 really is pretty tiny. It measures 11-mm (0.43-in) long, 4.5-mm (0.18-in) wide and just 0.8 mm (0.03-in) deep. That thickness (or lack thereof) means that it doesn't prevent users from fully closing a laptop, while silicone on both sides ensure that devices are protected from any potential scratches.
The Nope 2.0 is installed by peeling off a tab from its 3M VHB adhesive pad. It can then be stuck to the device with which it is being used. It is designed to work with desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and tablets and is said to have been given a sleek, understated look aimed at matching the aesthetic of the high-end devices that many of us use.
The shield works by having its two sections held together magnetically, which Bungajungle says allows for "a back and forth movement on a super thin scale." The silicone cover stops them from being accidentally pulled apart, while magnets also encourage the device to flip open or closed as required and hold the sections in pace accordingly.
A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the Nope 2.0 is ongoing. Pledges from US$5 will be rewarded with one or more of the devices. If all goes according to plan, shipping is expected to begin this September.
The video below is the Kickstarter pitch for the Nope 2.0.
Source: Bungajungle, Kickstarter
