Archive for the “Prototype” Category

Yes, it is true.  We finally have a functional prototype!  

The day before my wedding I actually had a functional unit in hand.  In fact, the new wife wore Bing at the reception in her wedding dress!  

Still a lot of work to do, but the fact that we have at least a basic unit is a monumental step.  Delayed by more time that I care to consider, but monumental non-the-less.

More on the testing as we have reportable results…

Thank you to all the folks who have asked about Bing and the product development.  Things are going slower than I would like, but still making progress.  I have received updates that indicate the prototype will be completed soon.  

It is both expected and frustrating to hit delays like this.  For those of you who stumble upon this blog while considering a project of your own, know that things will take longer than you think.  Did you just add time to your expected completion?  Now that you expect it, it will take longer than that.  

I will share a new plan once I have the fully functional unit in hand.  Until then, the timeline keeps moving.

Once I have the device, we will immediately begin user testing!  Exciting times ahead!

With the V2 prototype less than a month away it is time to pick up the certification topic again.  There are (to my knowledge) two certifications I need to clear for mass production of the Bing Personal Alert.  

In order to use the technology and the branding of Bluetooth, the device must be registered and approved by the Bluetooth SIG.  The certification protects the brand value of the technology and insures interoperability.  And also raises money for the organization, of course.  When I began examining technologies for Bing I recall the price for Bluetooth certification coming in around $7,500.  Not cheep for a bootstrapper.  Since then the price has gone up to $10,000.  Ouch.  

But wait!  The good folks at the Bluetooth SIG introduced a program for new businesses!  Qualified businesses can get their first qualification for $2,500.  Sold.  At the moment, things look good for Bing to meet the qualifications… hazzah!  There are other costs on top of the Bluetooth SIG for the certification folks to submit the correct paperwork.  Initial forays to price this element hit roadblocks.  I’m hoping this next round is more fruitful.

The second certification Bing will need is FCC certification.  I’m somewhat surprised that there isn’t closer integration with the Bluetooth certification, since a Bluetooth device must transmit by definition, but there may be something I’m missing.  

The results of the certification planning will help me answer the 64 million dollar question – can I get to market by bootstrapping or is it time to raise funding?

Yes, things have been quiet.  Bing has been back burnered while version 2 is in development.

Well things are progressing.  We have a date.  Not a written-in-stone date, but a target date.  November 19th.  

It is probably a bad idea to publish a soft date, but it is a target to work towards and worth sharing.  Stay tuned for new developments!

Well… We have a prototype. I’m reeling a bit. This is not what I expected.

This is painful. The enclosure is WAY larger than I expected. There is no easy way to power the device on and off.

Once I have some time to recover a bit maybe I’ll have a better reaction, but this isn’t going to cut it.

I have a sinking feeling in my stomach.

After too many delays to recount we will finally have a fully functional prototype! We have a sample enclosure that has been produced by a rapid prototype shop, the core board that was developed months ago, and a battery that will power the device for at least a half day. This version will not be a pre-production version, but it should be able to allow us to start getting user feedback.

We are taking delivery in a few days… and I can barely contain myself! It has been a longer road than I expected to get us this far, but with this prototype in hand we can finally begin the early selling efforts!