Technology has encroached nearly every aspect of our everyday lives to the point most people admit they are practically glued to their mobile devices. In fact, a 2012 study found 73 percent of respondents feel “panicked” and 14 percent feel “desperate” when their devices are out of their sight. More than half of Americans included in security app Lookout’s Mobile Mindset Study said they don’t go an hour without checking their smartphones for calls, texts and other updates—even while in bed or in the bathroom—and a dangerous 24 percent admitted to watching the display while driving.

Is there a solution to our obsession with our gadgets? At this point we’re unlikely to give them up, and it could take some serious therapy to undo our dependence on our devices. But startups VentureTech and RKB Global may have designed a better solution. The Embrace+ fashion accessory offers customizable alerts and notifications in the form of bracelets that sync to users’ Android and iOS mobile devices—keeping them informed of incoming calls, text and updates without the need to keep their eyes glued to the phone.

The Embrace+ includes an app which allows users to customize notifications with different colors, blink sequences, brightness and speeds. Notifications can be tailored to match the user’s mood, clothing or occasion, or they can be customized for different groups, callers and update type—such as SMS, Facebook and email. An RGB color wheel will allow users to choose any combination of hues in the spectrum, and the options are truly unlimited. Certain fashionable colors will be stored in default settings for those who don’t care to customize, as well. Users can save and name as many alert profiles as they choose, and even switch back and forth between them. A profile scheduler will allow users to automatically and easily adjust active profiles according to time—such as work, nightlife, home and workout.

Currently Embrace+ allows updates for the following notifications:

• Incoming Call Contacts
• SMS
• Email
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Tumblr
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Skype
• Calendar Alerts and Timer
• Low phone battery
• Phone out of range

The Embrace+ bands will be made from soft, featherlight material that will fit men, women and children. The bracelets will not only be comfortable, but fashionable enough to match any outfit or other fashion accessories. Three basic designs will be offered, named after the gemstones which inspired their colors: Topaz, Beryl and Opal.

The Embrace+ is a patented design currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. With a campaign that just launched Feb. 22, Embrace+ has already raised nearly $11,000 in less than 48 hours. To receive funding, the project must meet its goal of $220,000 in pledges by March 23.

Those interested in backing Embrace+ can do so with a pledge of as little as $1. Five lucky backers at this level will be chosen to receive their very own product. Although an Early Bird Special offered an Embrace+ band to the first 200 backers pledging $39, those are already gone. Don’t despair if you’d love you get your hands on the high-tech bracelet at rock-bottom prices, though. For a $49 pledge you can still reserve an Embrace+ with charging cable. The campaign also offers some limited edition bands for pledges of $139—500 Embrace+ bracelets will be hand screen-printed with the backer number. Want a one-of-a-kind band? A $499 pledge will get you an Embrace+ with a screen printed message of your choice.

Provided the Kickstarter campaign is a success, the funds will be used to complete the development of the Embrace+ so it can move on to manufacturing. High-tech molds need created in order to include the optical fiber inside the band, which requires costly molding techniques. The Embrace+ smartphone app also needs developed so that it will be compatible with a variety of social media apps and OS functions.

In order to ensure the Embrace+ conforms to the highest standards of consumer safety and environment set by the US and EU regulators, costly testing and licensing is necessary. Finally, further development is needed to make the Embrace+ 5ATM waterproof so it may be worn in the shower in the rain or in the swimming pool.

Although there is still quite a bit of development to tweak the product to perfection, co-founder Rudi Beijnen told WallStreetInsanity he is confident the Embrace+ will eventually be on shelves of any retailers that sell smartphones, once they finish product development and choose a manufacturer. of course. Provided the Kickstarter campaign is a success, backers should receive their early-model products around June, but Biejnen hesitate to forecast when the product will officially hit the market.

[Image via Embrace+]