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Comment by niftich | Hacker News Reader

I love the concept, this feels a useful need that I didn't know I wanted until now -- which, I believe, is the best kind of reaction to a new product.

The triangle shape doesn't resonate with me; I think it's really awkward. I propose something like an 'imperial' profile yo-yo (called 'classic' in the image [1]), where the two disc-shaped halves can snap together.

[1] http://cdn3.volusion.com/cxlem.jbcmk/v/vspfiles/photos/YO_No...

I think that style of design is recognizable to be snapped together while maintaining separated shape that is not unwieldy to handle and pocket. Not to mention 'velo' sounds like a plausible rhyme for yo-yo and in my opinion, sort of onomatopoeically and etymologically conjures an image of a fast and nimble device like a yo-yo.

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Yes, being able to listen to the same music while walking together, for example, is really pleasant. I used to do this with my daughter using a simple audio splitter, it's just clumsy.

Having extra things to charge and carry and lose is not nice though. It'd be simpler IMO if one phone streamed its music to the second, so that it's a pure software solution.

Given we're discussing Velo... the name means "bike" in French. Edit: which is probably fine.

For shape and size, why not something flat that can attach to the back of a smartphone? Size and shape of a small stack of credit cards. Give it enough battery life to last 24 hours. If the product works, then build it into protective cases for the main smartphones, maybe working with accessory makers.

As a french, I am not annoyed by the name "velo". We can see the number 2 almost everywhere in a bike: 2 wheels, 2 pedals, ... There is nothing negative in a bike, it is more associated with romance and freedom.

IMHO, velo is a nice name.

@PieterH

I agree it would be easier, but we are not living in a free world. Everything is a walled garden. Sharing is pure fantasy. Everything is closed, especially on iOS, but Android is not that much of different. So Velo enables sharing outside these ecosystems.

When it comes to the name, I realised Velo has something to do with bikes, after I came up with a name. There is a story behind the name I just posted in this thread.

> The triangle shape doesn't resonate with me; I think it's really awkward.

It seems like a matter of time before someone sits on it. It's a great idea though.

IMHO, the sharp angles of the triangles are dangerous. But I love the idea of two identical parts that can join. Maybe a strong magnet could be used (to join the 2 parts and also to stick a part on a metallic peace of clothe).

Another idea of shape (with also sharp angles) is the "Two Piece Pyramid Puzzle" http://gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca/VirtualExhibits/puzzles/pyra...

Why restrict this to just two? Why not have the whole pizza pie of them?

At least I see three could be very useful, e.g. for kids in the backseat if they share a tablet for entertainment on the road.

You can of course add >2 support later.

@semi-extrinsic When brainstorming with Netizens R&D team (I took even took a picture: velo.audio/img/IMG_4309.JPG) we were totally talking about a pizza! However, it needs to be tested. It's too early to say, how many devices can we connect to each other without a delay and other potential issues.

Sure. If you work out how to run with three users nicely, you can maybe extend to many by making a network topology like a tree that forks off two branches per level; that gets you to 8 users with only 4x the delay of 2 users.

From their website: "I know it's not super sexy, but hey, we are looking for a designer ;)"

@niftich

I love your input! This is why I know HN would be the best place to consult. Yo-you concept starts to resonate with me :) Thanks a lot.

Ooh - I like your yo-yo concept a lot.

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