That may be and, based on their comments about how useful it has been, I think this may be their practice for their future products.
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WayTools' TextBlade Keyboard to Start Shipping to Test Group Users Next Week
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That may be and, based on their comments about how useful it has been, I think this may be their practice for their future products.
WayTools has updated customer's status page finally. Short version: No new gating issues for hardware or software and their fixes have been tested successfully so far. Apparently another week or so before giving approval, if it still goes well, to update their inventory. Then several weeks to make sure the manufacturing process for these hardware fixes don't create problems. If not, then they do general release.
Meanwhile, they have added more TREG testers, though I have no idea how many since most are not forum members.
Meanwhile, they have added more TREG testers, though I have no idea how many since most are not forum members.
If anyone got their textblade from waytools I'd really like to know...
I ordered mine March 2015, only to see my shipping date getting pushed back.
It's May 2016, I moved, updated my shipping.
They are refunding my old payment and charging my new card...
I'm not even sure if I'm getting the refund back.
I would recommend stay away from this business.
I ordered mine March 2015, only to see my shipping date getting pushed back.
It's May 2016, I moved, updated my shipping.
They are refunding my old payment and charging my new card...
I'm not even sure if I'm getting the refund back.
I would recommend stay away from this business.
The only customers who received a textblade so far are those who were selected for the TREG testing process. We started to get them on March 28. There have been some other TREG shipments since then, but I think the bulk were in that first group.
Two things to report. One is that on Tuesday, Waytools gave an update which said:
1. Previously reported problems which were believed to have been corrected continue to test well.
2. Testers have reported some other things which they are checking out. For those who think this may just be an excuse, I was one of the people reporting a new problem and I know a couple other testers who also did. Hopefully they are just fimware tweaks that need to be done.
3. They'll update again by the end of this week.
Next, today the testers got a new version of the app and a new firmware version. Don't know if it deals with all the latest issues, but it is supposed to help with bluetooth issues that are caused by the devices the TB connects to. Bluetooth has always been a problem for many devices from that I've seen so they're trying to work around them.
It also includes a better Jump setup. Instead of having one layout for up to six devices. Each of those six jump locations can have it's own layout map, specific OS, and key translation. So, for example, I can have one slot for my iMac using a dvorak layout (my normal choice), but have another slot for the iMac set for qwerty in case someone needs to use my mac and keyboard and qwerty is all they know.
1. Previously reported problems which were believed to have been corrected continue to test well.
2. Testers have reported some other things which they are checking out. For those who think this may just be an excuse, I was one of the people reporting a new problem and I know a couple other testers who also did. Hopefully they are just fimware tweaks that need to be done.
3. They'll update again by the end of this week.
Next, today the testers got a new version of the app and a new firmware version. Don't know if it deals with all the latest issues, but it is supposed to help with bluetooth issues that are caused by the devices the TB connects to. Bluetooth has always been a problem for many devices from that I've seen so they're trying to work around them.
It also includes a better Jump setup. Instead of having one layout for up to six devices. Each of those six jump locations can have it's own layout map, specific OS, and key translation. So, for example, I can have one slot for my iMac using a dvorak layout (my normal choice), but have another slot for the iMac set for qwerty in case someone needs to use my mac and keyboard and qwerty is all they know.
New update announcement on the WayTools forum. Basically the latest hardware fix is testing fine. Apparently the intend to update larger batches of TextBlades to make sure the process doesn't create glitches. No new hardware issues so far.
There are some isolated issues reported with the firmware. Probably won't affect shipping. And there are some improvements coming as well, such as the ability to customize more of the keys when in Number Lock mode.
The updating of hardware, to be sure the process works, will probably take all or most of this month. I do not know, if that is successful, how long it will take to ramp things up enough to start regular shipping. I can at least imagine that if the results over the next week or so are good, maybe ramping up is almost right away - though I suspect it wouldn't go full speed instantly, but maybe get there over a matter of days. If so, maybe shipping could happen before the latter part of June.
Or not.
There are some isolated issues reported with the firmware. Probably won't affect shipping. And there are some improvements coming as well, such as the ability to customize more of the keys when in Number Lock mode.
The updating of hardware, to be sure the process works, will probably take all or most of this month. I do not know, if that is successful, how long it will take to ramp things up enough to start regular shipping. I can at least imagine that if the results over the next week or so are good, maybe ramping up is almost right away - though I suspect it wouldn't go full speed instantly, but maybe get there over a matter of days. If so, maybe shipping could happen before the latter part of June.
Or not.
I ordered a Text Blade at about the same time as you did (March 2016), sensing the same. FYI.
bp
Some key items from the latest status update. You can read more on your own status page:
We have a large inventory of TextBlade subassemblies which we've kept in ready stock for customer deliveries. We're now updating this inventory with the assembly process adjustments that we've learned. Because of TextBlade's ultra-thin, multilayer assembly, it's important that these updates be done carefully, and in the right sequence to assure access to all areas where new parts are installed.It's also wise to consolidate the update process so that all the adjustments can be done in one pass, with a high percentage yield.
All known hardware items identified by TREG testing now have solutions defined and tested. We've monitored TREG user data for several weeks, and we're not seeing any new hardware issues in the latest TREG reports. Based on this, we've begun applying these updates to a larger quantity of our inventory at the factory. We're now releasing some quantity of those updated units to an expanded TREG audience to confirm stability and yield. With this increasing group of users, If testing continues to go well, we'll expand the update process to all our inventory.
We're greatly encouraged by the TREG user experiences.We believe they reflect the broad excitement for this new technology that we'll see from most users. TREG customers have seen firsthand that TextBlade has a very close link with its user. This means that even very small details can have a big influence on the enjoyment of its virtues. Because of this, we're being careful and deliberate in our inventory adjustment and quality assurance processes. These are expected to take several weeks, and then we'll start shipping to General Release.
I've been considering the present, very rough, time info to the initial comments when TREG testing was going to start that, if nothing bad was reported, they'd have about 7 days of TREG testing befone updating for shipment. I think the difference here is because of hardware issues that were found. If only firmware needed fixing, it would probably be relatively quick. Certainly everything in that area has been corrected in short order so far. But with hardware, it isn't just about finding a fix. The precess of applying everything can create problems on their own. That's why industries typically produce new items in low numbers and test them thoroughly to be sure the operation gives good results. Then they move on to faster processing and check again. Finally, after any quirks are worked out, they can finally go full speed, whatever that speed is.
We have a large inventory of TextBlade subassemblies which we've kept in ready stock for customer deliveries. We're now updating this inventory with the assembly process adjustments that we've learned. Because of TextBlade's ultra-thin, multilayer assembly, it's important that these updates be done carefully, and in the right sequence to assure access to all areas where new parts are installed.It's also wise to consolidate the update process so that all the adjustments can be done in one pass, with a high percentage yield.
All known hardware items identified by TREG testing now have solutions defined and tested. We've monitored TREG user data for several weeks, and we're not seeing any new hardware issues in the latest TREG reports. Based on this, we've begun applying these updates to a larger quantity of our inventory at the factory. We're now releasing some quantity of those updated units to an expanded TREG audience to confirm stability and yield. With this increasing group of users, If testing continues to go well, we'll expand the update process to all our inventory.
We're greatly encouraged by the TREG user experiences.We believe they reflect the broad excitement for this new technology that we'll see from most users. TREG customers have seen firsthand that TextBlade has a very close link with its user. This means that even very small details can have a big influence on the enjoyment of its virtues. Because of this, we're being careful and deliberate in our inventory adjustment and quality assurance processes. These are expected to take several weeks, and then we'll start shipping to General Release.
I've been considering the present, very rough, time info to the initial comments when TREG testing was going to start that, if nothing bad was reported, they'd have about 7 days of TREG testing befone updating for shipment. I think the difference here is because of hardware issues that were found. If only firmware needed fixing, it would probably be relatively quick. Certainly everything in that area has been corrected in short order so far. But with hardware, it isn't just about finding a fix. The precess of applying everything can create problems on their own. That's why industries typically produce new items in low numbers and test them thoroughly to be sure the operation gives good results. Then they move on to faster processing and check again. Finally, after any quirks are worked out, they can finally go full speed, whatever that speed is.
Been there, done that. But this company doesn't miss an opportunity to break your heart. They are masters at leading you on, followed by letting you down.
A third group of people have been added to the treg test group and they received their devices today.
I think what Waytools is doing is, as they finalize the product, are bringing in new people to put fresh eyes on the product. I think all of us who have been testing for awhise get into our own habits and thus may miss something - much like WayTools own testers did, which is why we initially found a number of issues they missed.
If they continue their recent pattern of announcements (every 6-7 days) we should hear more about Friday.
I think what Waytools is doing is, as they finalize the product, are bringing in new people to put fresh eyes on the product. I think all of us who have been testing for awhise get into our own habits and thus may miss something - much like WayTools own testers did, which is why we initially found a number of issues they missed.
If they continue their recent pattern of announcements (every 6-7 days) we should hear more about Friday.
Considering they have to manually fix their inventory before shipping, there is no end in sight.
I don't think that's quite right. It seems that the vast majority of their inventory is still in the component stage, that still have to be assembled normally on the assembly line. They also have a supply of units in California - a fair number assembled but maybe some that have not been. Don' know about that. So the first TREG units apparently came from the California group, either from ones they assembled there, with the fixes up to that point applied or from units they had that had to be disassembled and then fixed before shipping out.
All known hardware issues have been fixed for several weeks, I think it was last week that they assembled a production run at the factory to see if any production issues showed up. And this week they were scheduled to ramp it up with a larger batch since the first, smaller, batch came out okay.
The new treg testers received those new, factory made, units. Older Treg testers don't have those yet. I assume at some point we'll get the latest.
I think a lot of people, including me, thought the inventory consisted of completed units. It was really just completed components waiting for the final assembly once eveything was going well. This is good since it means people won't be getting units that have been assembled and then disassembled to apply a fix and then have it done again with the next fix! Hopefully we'll hear about the latest batch this week. They've been updating every 6-7 days lately. Today is the 6th day (they usually come late at night). Friday night is probably more likely and it could be Saturday. Any of those days would still mean a report each week, but I'm hoping for an early report.
All known hardware issues have been fixed for several weeks, I think it was last week that they assembled a production run at the factory to see if any production issues showed up. And this week they were scheduled to ramp it up with a larger batch since the first, smaller, batch came out okay.
The new treg testers received those new, factory made, units. Older Treg testers don't have those yet. I assume at some point we'll get the latest.
I think a lot of people, including me, thought the inventory consisted of completed units. It was really just completed components waiting for the final assembly once eveything was going well. This is good since it means people won't be getting units that have been assembled and then disassembled to apply a fix and then have it done again with the next fix! Hopefully we'll hear about the latest batch this week. They've been updating every 6-7 days lately. Today is the 6th day (they usually come late at night). Friday night is probably more likely and it could be Saturday. Any of those days would still mean a report each week, but I'm hoping for an early report.
Thank you for confirming...no end in sight. Here is what I would prefer. Instead of you speaking for the company encourage them to come here and speak for themselves.
I haven't confirmed no end in sight. Personally, I think we are pretty close, but I don't know how much time will be spent for each step. Not knowing that doesn't mean the window is unlimited. Barring a new problem, I would think the gradual ramp up of units and evaluation of them could take several weeks. Or it could take just another week. But I don't expect several months or other distant time if no new problems are found. And we haven't had new ones for several weeks now.
I'm fine for having WT post here or anywhere else. I've said many times they need to communicate better. But I'm not posting FOR them. I'm posting my views and experiences because if I wasn't a tester, I would sure like to hear from those who were.
Well, that was revealing. Nothing quite like leaving out words to reverse the meaning of what I actually said, which was:
"I haven't confirmed no end in sight."
"I haven't confirmed no end in sight."
Whether they ship in a few weeks or several months from now, fact remains that they are way more than a year late then they originally promised. I hope the people who preordered and haven't cancelled yet get their keyboard sooner than later, but any update other than "general shipping has started" feels like just more of the same.
Well, I can see that, but I'd sure like to have as much info as possible in the meantime, even if it isn't including the actual ship date. Same thing happened leading up to TREG shipments. They didn't start when hoped, but along the way more information came out, slowly narrowing things down and then they shipped. The process looks much the same now though, of course, regular shipping requires a higher level of everything working than TREG units would.
That's useful, thanks. Do you have a rough idea when you'll be able to confirm?
Post 414 already gave the info and opinions I have. I'm sure you've seen it since it is the one you quoted out of context.
There always seems to be a need for people who are mad at WT to assume anyone who defends them in any way must be associated with them other than as a customer. I agree with the same criticisms others make that make sense. I defend against the ones which don't and explain why.
I speak for myself. If some of it happens to support WT, so what? Make a real case to defend your criticisms rather than making another poster the target. I've seen some pretty crazy assumptions made in order to support bogus attacks. For example, there have been posts saying the videos are phony (not really showing a TB being used), that the hands-on was just employees and relatives of employees, that WT only has "hundreds" of orders left, that the who thing is a scam, etc.
Typically one phony assumption is piled on another to justify pretty much any attack. Heck, I've not only been accused of working for WT, but of actually being the owner! All because I dare not agree with all the criticisms. They can't defend their assumptions so they make up things about me instead.
For which you have almost nothing to base it on. Sure, we know of people who have canceled, but really, not that many. Certainly not enough to support that idea of only hundreds of orders.
But assumptions can let you believe anything you want.
Dear thousands of MacRumors readers who ordered a TextBLade, never received one, yet remain utterly silent.
I invite you to announce yourselves. Let us know you exist... - exist - exist. Helllooo out there - out there - out there. Dooo - do - do. Youuu - ou - ou. Ex-iiist - exist - exist.
While we're waiting for a response, why don't you read us some more official press releases from WayTools? You do realize that just because they publish something that doesn't necessarily mean it's true, don't you?
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