One thing that I've noticed about Kickstarter is that the "backers" identify themselves very strongly with the product , partially because of the "it's our product, we made it possible". While technically every paying customer of a company enables the production of that companies products, there seems to be a feeling of some kind "achievement" behind successfully backed projects, they definitely are going for the "we are community"-cozy feeling and it adds tons of "underdog"-credibility.
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'Pebble Time' Kickstarter Gained Momentum Following Apple Watch Event
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One thing that I've noticed about Kickstarter is that the "backers" identify themselves very strongly with the product , partially because of the "it's our product, we made it possible". While technically every paying customer of a company enables the production of that companies products, there seems to be a feeling of some kind "achievement" behind successfully backed projects, they definitely are going for the "we are community"-cozy feeling and it adds tons of "underdog"-credibility.
There's two models one that will retail for $200 and one that will retail at $300, but they are discounting them ~$30 for anyone who orders through the kickstarter campaign.
Haha, seriously?? Are you new to following Apple? The pre-orders in the first couple of hours will most likely dominate Pebble's total sales. That may be pushing 100% of the truth, but Apple will dominate Pebble.
That might as well could maybe have been, if someone had said that.
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I don't think so. Pebble has the "geeky" reputation and that's exactly why they used Kickstarter again (and receiving some criticism for that step, as far as I've seen, but that's irrelevant for the outcome) and they also are taking advantage of the long battery life time, which definitely sounds like a huge advantage at first glance.
The visual similarities could be perceived as entertaining, at least. Although it's good that Apple announced the Apple Watch earlier, otherwise it would have been a total massacre for Apple, with all those similarities , design-wise (I don't think they look super-similar, but we know how people think, don't we?
).This is one product that I think that Apple should have really considered coming down $50 at the entry level. I think the thing that has kept smart watches in general from gaining more interest is subsidy pricing on smart phones, and that will be the hurdle the Apple watch will have to get over too.
The average consumer doesn't have a real understanding of what the subsidy is nor what the true value of the phone they've bought is. They're just going to know that the iPhone they got at christmas was $199 and does more than the watch their about to stuff a large chunk of their tax return into.
It is going to be interesting to see what happens after April 10th. I have no doubt that they will sell millions in the first week, but the big question is will it still be all the buzz come the holidays?
The average consumer doesn't have a real understanding of what the subsidy is nor what the true value of the phone they've bought is. They're just going to know that the iPhone they got at christmas was $199 and does more than the watch their about to stuff a large chunk of their tax return into.
It is going to be interesting to see what happens after April 10th. I have no doubt that they will sell millions in the first week, but the big question is will it still be all the buzz come the holidays?
Let's wait and see. im sure apple will sell lots, though it's not a must have Apple product.
this is simply ridiculous of them...
Kickstarter is made for new entrepreneurs, not companies already settled and operating, failing to raise money or not wanting to depend on business angels
moreover, raising $18 million for such a low-cost and cheap quality product is absolutely outrageous
Kickstarter is made for new entrepreneurs, not companies already settled and operating, failing to raise money or not wanting to depend on business angels
moreover, raising $18 million for such a low-cost and cheap quality product is absolutely outrageous
I don't mind it because it means they own 100% of their product. There are no creditors to pay, no need to owe anything to anyone except delivering the product to the people who bought it.
It's really useful in the creative industries where, say you need money, you'll have to trade a percentage of your business or product to those you get money from.
And that's not good.
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No, Kickstarter is for crowdfunding projects. It's for people who value their ideas and don't want to sell-out to larger companies or investors.this is simply ridiculous of them...
Kickstarter is made for new entrepreneurs, not companies already settled and operating, failing to raise money or not wanting to depend on business angels
Like charging £400 for a low-cost device like an Apple Watch that doesn't even have a full days battery and can't handle anything more than splashes of water, I consider that outrageous too.
Nope. If I add in $10/watch to the numbers I was using yesterday, that's an additional $886k. That probably explains it.
Of course it gives them publicity and is good marketing.
But remember, Pebble is still a new company. Setting up the tooling and production lines and purchasing of materials for a new product is mega expensive. They probably don't have the capital for that. Kickstarter gives them that, and at a better deal than by going to the bank or other investors.
Actually I think they had some extra investment, but still - using Kickstarter as a means of raising capital will not tie up all their cash in new production lines, and leaves them cash to manage the business. Cashflow has killed many otherwise viable businesses stone dead.
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I'd say the opposite. Why buy an Apple watch when you can spend $100 less and get a product that still has most the features you probably will actually use, is cross-device compatible, extensible, has a battery lasting several days and actually tells the time (I still can't believe people want a watch that doesn't show you the time all the time!).
But remember, Pebble is still a new company. Setting up the tooling and production lines and purchasing of materials for a new product is mega expensive. They probably don't have the capital for that. Kickstarter gives them that, and at a better deal than by going to the bank or other investors.
Actually I think they had some extra investment, but still - using Kickstarter as a means of raising capital will not tie up all their cash in new production lines, and leaves them cash to manage the business. Cashflow has killed many otherwise viable businesses stone dead.
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I'd say the opposite. Why buy an Apple watch when you can spend $100 less and get a product that still has most the features you probably will actually use, is cross-device compatible, extensible, has a battery lasting several days and actually tells the time (I still can't believe people want a watch that doesn't show you the time all the time!).
I thought they stated they brought it to Kickstarter again to give back to the community that made it all possible.
Thats why they have that special thing where if you kickstarted both the original and this one you get a special engraving...
Thats why they have that special thing where if you kickstarted both the original and this one you get a special engraving...
Guaranteed salary for the next few years when theWatch crushes them?
Why would the iWatch put Pebble out of business when only iPhone users can use the iWatch? And, bearing in mind, not all iPhone users will buy the iWatch.
The potential market for iWatch is smaller than other smart watches.
Sales of iWatch will probably exceed that of Pebble. What does this matter? There's plenty of potential market Pebble ( see above ). Pebble doesn't have to be #1 - just has to remain popular.
I think Apple is targeting those who fancy themselves smarter than the average consumer, so not doing what the target market thinks the average consumer wants will be a plus.
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I think you're wrong. Pebble will easily outsell iWatch.
However the Apple Watch will outsell both Pebble and iWatch.
If and only IF apple move away from a retina display to Colour E-paper like the pebble for Gen 2, and improve the battery life to match, the Apple Watch (iWatch, Bracelet for idiots with more money then sense or whatever you want to call it) will be nothing more than a fashion item gimmick.
I have a pebble steel on order, i like the fact it will do everything I need a watch to do, and a sleep tracker and a fitness tracker, to do that with the apple watch id need to buy two, one for day use, and one for nighttime sleep tracking due to the appalling battery life.
Plan with the Pebble will be to charge it on my "day off" sunday and not worry about it the rest of the week.
You would think, that with Billions sloshing around the world Apple would invest in better battery tech.
I have a pebble steel on order, i like the fact it will do everything I need a watch to do, and a sleep tracker and a fitness tracker, to do that with the apple watch id need to buy two, one for day use, and one for nighttime sleep tracking due to the appalling battery life.
Plan with the Pebble will be to charge it on my "day off" sunday and not worry about it the rest of the week.
You would think, that with Billions sloshing around the world Apple would invest in better battery tech.