Looks like they might actually pull it off..
I didn't expect that, it certainly deserves some respect.
I didn't expect that, it certainly deserves some respect.
1. Build a blog, get large readership, convince them you're *awesome*!
2. Release reasonable product
3. Sell to blog readershipI was thinking about the same thing when reading the comments on TechCrunch: there is a big following that would buy it in big part because it's from TechCrunch. Or let's say that, in all these cases, the blogs are used as a great advertising platform.
You can't blame them, building a following is hard work too.
Through is blog/twitter he's managed to associate himself with all things "geek" and found an audience who will buy his work.
It's an entirely different ballgame to put a prototype into production.
Someone has to print out boards, solder stuff on the boards, burn an OS on a drive, order parts from suppliers, and have a rigerous testing program.
Then you need to package up these puppies in pretty boxes and get them shipped out.
Oh, don't forget a crew of folks to man phones and deal with new orders and support issues. Don't forget the salespeople you'll need to get these into the hands of big suppliers.
Prototypes ain't hard. (More accurately: they tend to be inexpensive and you can fit everything you need into your two-car garage.) It's the business model that wraps around it that gets expensive and time-consuming.
Best of luck though to the crew. I like to see new competitors. It pushes everyone's game up.
Documentation has to be written. Then there are legal fees, and perhaps an entire permanent legal department. Regulatory fees must be paid. Taxes must be paid. Tooling costs. Electricity costs. Insurance costs. Advertising costs.