'Pebble Time' Kickstarter Gained Momentum Following Apple Watch Event

[ArtOfWarfare]

From what I've read, I'm sure they're in bed with Kickstarter in some way. Kickstarter said projects can't act as a store yet Pebble is.

Pebble uses Kickstarter as a preorder platform - it's not their store.

Before products go on sale, you preorder on Kickstarter. After the product goes on sale, you buy them through more conventional means.

Kickstarter likely benefits from this by having more people drawn to their website, and by having more success stories to tout.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

They are not really lacking in funding. They're just using kickstarter as publicity stunts and secure some buyers before they actually launch the product.

 

[MrXiro]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

They talk about that in their KS video. You should watch it and your question will be answered.

 

[Reason077]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

Kickstarter generates a lot more publicity than "finding traditional investors".

 

[MrXiro]

I'm actually ever so slightly more intrigued by the Pebble Time than the Apple Watch. Essentially it's the first ever modular smart watch. You can snap on a HRM/GPS addition (if someone builds it) and it uses standard watch bands with a new quick release which is a LOT more appealing than Apple's "starting at $50 but the ones you would WANT to buy are in the $150-$450 range" bands.

These things, plus the new timeline based UI, lower price point and it looks a like there is a new album art based music controller too... all stuff I like.

One of the big "selling points" of the Apple Watch is the ability to send your friends and contacts pics/taps and heartbeats. Well my wife doesn't want a smart watch so that leaves out sending anyone hearts and pics... and anyone else who I tap more than twice will probably block me for being annoying... that's if they can afford/want to buy the Apple Watch to begin with.

Right now I'm using a Fitbit Surge and it does the job but they seem to be VERY slow with actually fixing bugs and adding missing features so I might have to ditch them in the next few months.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

One of the big "selling points" they marked is the ability to send your friends and contacts pics/taps and heartbeats. Well my wife doesn't want a smart watch so that leaves out sending anyone hearts and pics... and anyone else who I tap more than twice will probably block me for being annoying... that's if they can afford/want to buy the Apple Watch to begin with.

I still can't get over that Apple is promoting this feature like it's so great and original.... REALLY?

 

[Z8beema]

I am not convinced by the whole smart watch category. Yet it is clear that if I buy one it will be Apple. From an aesthetics perspective there is no competition. Apple just looks hugely better. And I think that is what they are going for. Not sure if pebble has more functionality but I am sorry to say aesthetically I would never wear the pebble. I may be a geek, but I try not to advertise it.

Aesthetically I wish the Apple watch looked like the moto 360. Functionally I wish the moto 360 worked like the Apple watch. (minus the crown)

 

[J InTech82]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

Guaranteed salary for the next few years when the Watch crushes them?

 

[Mac-Mac-McAfee]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

My thoughts exactly. Seems like Pebble is just taking advantage of Kickstarter. If Apple did anything even remotely close to this they'd be crucified.

 

[enigmatut]

price-points

What is the price point of this product?

If I divide donations by funders, I get a hair over 250$.

If this is the price, it would seem that this product is overpriced for anything outside the Android market. For someone already possessing a compatable iPhone, why not spend 100$ more and get the refined package and richer feature set of the Watch?

As noted on the Kickstarter page, the Pebble Time retail price will be $199 and the Pebble Time Steel will be $299 (after the campaign). The original Pebble is now $99 and the original Pebble Steel is $199, fwiw.
So, the "top" new Pebble is 50 bucks less than the entry-level aluminum Watch, but with the Pebble Time Steel you get 10-day battery and cross-platform compatibility. Various blogs have already discussed the pros and cons between the two, and it really just boils down to preference and to which features you give weight. I prefer longer battery and always-on, which all Pebbles have, so I'm keeping my original Pebble Steel and adding a Pebble Time.

 

[Karma*Police]

Wait until the full might of Appe's marketing machine kicks in... you'll see it print ads, billboards, TV ads, reviews and articles, blogs, leading to long lines at Apple Stores followed by news of those long lines and unboxing photos and videos showing how beautiful and sexy they are which in turn will get more people to lust after them, including many of the doubters here.

 

[MrXiro]

I still can't get over that Apple is promoting this feature like it's so great and original.... REALLY?

It's Picto Chat from the Nintendo DS with an HRM essentially. It's a pretty useless feature... if they make it cross device compatible. Tap them on their SMS/iMessage it would at LEAST have a little bit more usage... though I'd probably just draw "I H8 U" to everyone on my contact list just to be a d-bag about it.

 

[reden]

is it just me or has the buzz surrounding the apple watch already died down? havent read much about it since the keynote at least on german or spanish sites

It's just you.

 

[MH01]

I think pebble will do fine. Can't see the apple watch killing it

 

[Stella]

Pebble uses Kickstarter as a preorder platform - it's not their store.

Before products go on sale, you preorder on Kickstarter. After the product goes on sale, you buy them through more conventional means.

Kickstarter likely benefits from this by having more people drawn to their website, and by having more success stories to tout.

That quote you quoted, was not from me as indicated. Editing typo!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

That quote you quoted, was not from me as indicated. Editing typo!

Ha. You're right. I quoted someone by copying and pasting their message and posted that. Then I decided to attribute the quote and accidentally grabbed the attribution for your message instead. Although you were also bringing up similar points as the proper person was. I've fixed the attribution now.

 

[0098386]

If this is the price, it would seem that this product is overpriced for anything outside the Android market. For someone already possessing a compatable iPhone, why not spend 100$ more and get the refined package and richer feature set of the Watch?

Because I want something water-resistant not splash resistant. Having used a Pebble whilst swimming there's no way I can even consider an Apple watch until they've fixed that design problem.

(as someone with a 27" iMac, 15" MBP, iPhone 6, iPad, lots of iPods)

 

[Stella]

Ha. You're right. I quoted someone by copying and pasting their message and posted that. Then I decided to attribute the quote and accidentally grabbed the attribution for your message instead. Although you were also bringing up similar points as the proper person was. I've fixed the attribution now.

Np and Thank You!

 

[0098386]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

Crowdfunding is considerably better than going down the usual investor route. In the games and film industry an investor will want a percentage of the IP. I imagine it's similar in the manufacturing industry. Or at least you have to pay back more than you borrow. Crowdfunding works out better and is a fantastic way of gauging realistic product demand. It's much more aimed at the consumer, since they're the ones you have to appeal to rather than a business/investor who may be making decisions based on incorrect data.

(I don't use Kickstarter myself, except to preorder the original Pebble and this new one. I like to use it for preordering purposes)

 

[JPark]

What is the price point of this product?

If I divide donations by funders, I get a hair over 250$.

If this is the price, it would seem that this product is overpriced for anything outside the Android market. For someone already possessing a compatable iPhone, why not spend 100$ more and get the refined package and richer feature set of the Watch?

What you calculated is the average donation. Any donation over $250 was most likely for two or more watches. If you REALLY want to do the math, they have the number of backers listed for each pledge level.

 

[JPark]

What you calculated is the average donation. Any donation over $250 was most likely for two or more watches. If you REALLY want to do the math, they have the number of backers listed for each pledge level.

OK, I'm back with the math.
Total # of watches = 88,599
ASP = $211

Interestingly, roughly $1 million of that $18 million total is from people donating above what they needed to for a specific pledge level. That's a pretty devoted fan base.

 

[iSee]

Wow, that's a great sign for them.

Seems like Apple is raising general interest in smart watches *more* than they are crushing the competition. Pebble seems to be in a good spot with a quality watch that is significantly cheaper than a low-end Apple Watch and makes different tradeoffs regarding screen, battery life and functions.

I thought Apple might just crush them, but it seems they have a competitive product so all the attention to smart watches is just helping them.

 

[iMacDragon]

OK, I'm back with the math.
Total # of watches = 88,599
ASP = $211

Interestingly, roughly $1 million of that $18 million total is from people donating above what they needed to for a specific pledge level. That's a pretty devoted fan base.

Were you taking into account shipping costs? which is over the pledge level. $10 or $15.

 

[zin]

What is the price point of this product?

If I divide donations by funders, I get a hair over 250$.

If this is the price, it would seem that this product is overpriced for anything outside the Android market. For someone already possessing a compatable iPhone, why not spend 100$ more and get the refined package and richer feature set of the Watch?

Because the Pebble Time lasts for 7 days. The Apple Watch lasts for 18 hours.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Why is Pebble still using Kickstarter? Don't they have R&D as part of their normal operating budget? Are they having difficulties finding traditional investors? While the money they've been pledged so far is admirable, it seems odd to me that they're still using crowdfunding at this point.

Kickstarter got "taken over" a few years ago - it's no longer primarily about independent projects of first-time creators; or even about art projects, as was its original focus.

Pebble is using it for marketing, pure and simple. The Pebble Time (and Pebble Time Steel) were obviously 99% ready for production when they launched the Kickstarter. They even acknowledged that they had already started production of the Pebble Time before launch of the Kickstarter.

They have done very little actual paid marketing/advertising, yet are getting huge press coverage. I'd say it's working.

(Note: I bought the original Pebble through Kickstarter, and have placed my order for both a Time and a Time Steel in this Kickstarter. Also note that I don't say I 'backed' the project, because this time around I ordered a product, pure and simple. I'm not 'backing' anything.)