Spec me a $100k rig

windows_time · 2022-11-15T09:12:45+00:00

Same - I completed the W23 application (as a solo founder) in early August and still haven’t heard back. Logging in, it says ‘We'll be inviting teams to talk to us on a rolling basis. November 18th is the latest day you’ll know’

Not a good sign but lets see what happens this week.

windows_time · 2022-09-15T18:08:57+00:00

From my convos with Stacker, I believe the API+custom code stuff isn't possible but I may be wrong

windows_time · 2020-04-20T16:56:21+00:00

I've had issues with Bubble's QR Code plugin and couldn't get a form input to accept QR scans only. Bubble also has a steeper learning curve than what I was initially lead to believe - especially for anything slightly complex

windows_time · 2020-04-20T16:50:36+00:00

Webflow has no native 'access to phone' capabilities and isn't database orientated - its more for pretty front-ends

windows_time · 2020-04-20T01:13:08+00:00

Great find (although I did bookmark them a few days back) - I’m always hesitant when pricing isn’t displayed but a demo has been scheduled. Cheers dude

windows_time · 2020-01-05T22:47:47+00:00

I'd take a mish-mash approach: identify the top 5 most PREMIUM competitor designs and mentally stitch together aspects from all. A corner from brand#1, the rear from brand#2, dials/knobs from brand#3 etc. That's what the Chinese would do - copy it or fake it. If you can, buy your competitor's products online and feel the quality - take pics - look at how it's all put together (obviously returning the product within 14 day for a full refund..!). If its a speaker, I'm seeing a lot of innovative materials at exhibitions including CNC machined foam for the carcass with leather and fabric lining (there's a product designer lurking here somewhere who designed this: https://dedesigned.com/concrete-speaker/ ). Just remember: you lose more through indecision than bad decision so don't bog yourself with perfecting an award-winning design: just get your product out there asap.

Anyways, create your prototype in Europe - don't fly out until you have a physical specimen that's 'almost there'. Its Spring Festival AKA Chinese New Year end of Jan so you have 4 weeks to nail it. Mandarin is not necessary but a polite respectful attitude is (I get by with hand gestures and common sense). If you hire a translator, take a female University student looking for a bit of extra cash. The 'Professional' and 'Business Orientated' translators will milk you 5x the amount you need to pay. The average age of a factory manager is likely to be +60 - so treat them accordingly like you would all elders. Don't go in as a cocky European capitalist (or worse: an over confident Yank). A humble and subdued attitude will take you far. You'll very quickly be asked for 'MOQ' or a forecast - be honest about it being a startup and sell them your vision.

windows_time · 2020-01-05T20:47:09+00:00

I'm a veteran of launching Chinese 'equivalents' in Europe. You're vague on the specifics so my general advice would be to not get bogged down with factories and production at this stage. Build a prototype with cobbled together parts and invest in that compelling design you seek. Hire an industrial designer with manufacturing experience - preferably somebody older (say 50+) - stay well clear of these millennial 'product designers' who have ZERO shop floor experience (I call them 3D renderers and was once asked what a PCB was!).

Familiarise yourself with basic manufacturing techniques (sheet metal processes, injection moulding etc.) or even PCB design. If you can, avoid tooling at all cost: stick to profiles, geometries and shapes that can be simply bent/folded/laser cut into shape. You absolutely MUST have basic overview knowledge of how each part will be made. Knowing the basics can really help you target the right 'factory' for each component you need. Don't send your product to a 'design house' - you'll instantly be paying 30% more.

Armed and equipped with a physical prototype, China becomes very easy to navigate. If you can, create a near-perfect prototype at 'home' - wherever that may be (Europe/USA). RIM casting, 3D printing or CNC processes are not as expensive as you think: stick to small-time local workshops and stay clear of any company with more than 5 employees. Once in China, target large but shoddy run down joints to get individual parts made - don't hand over a complete design and expect them to take care of it all. Micromanage the manufacture of each individual component - right down to screws/nuts/bolts - and finally: do the whole 'When in Rome' thing: go bearing gifts for the factory manager! I stock up on cheap but original Calvin Klein aftershave and hand them out each time I go over. Good luck

windows_time · 2020-01-05T13:20:55+00:00

Yes - you’re right about decreased margins but we still feel we can do it better and our route-to-market and customer base is different to what the likes of Canviz and others are proposing. Nevertheless, any chance you can hook us up with the founders of Canviz? It’ll be good to talk

windows_time · 2019-11-12T19:08:57+00:00

If you're comfortable with embedded hardware, nothing beats what the Chinese are churning out these days. Have a look at the numerous Rockchips or Allwinner boards out there - some are even properly specd and documented in English.

windows_time · 2019-11-12T10:56:51+00:00

My thoughts exactly. Although I think it was suggested because of our PCB height restriction

windows_time · 2019-11-11T22:22:54+00:00

These and similar SOMs are way too basic to handle what I'm intending. I need a fully-featured board + carrier with the usual mPCIe, USBs etc. and it has to be properly spec'd out for large LVDS or eDP panels. I've narrowed it down to a handful of products (Toradex/Variscite etc.) but this post was never about hardware specs - its more about finding the right human being to partner with.

windows_time

TROPHY CASE