Production Update: Progress on All Fronts
over 3 years ago
– Wed, Jan 04, 2023 at 10:18:53 AM
Hi Kickstarters! Happy New Year! I hope you had a good holiday and New Year celebration.
We've been hard at work making progress on the Focus Timer! A first pass at the plastics parts has even been produced!
For a breakdown of the progress on the plastic enclosure, electronics, and software, check out the detailed update:
Housekeeping
As a reminder, the surveys have not yet been sent. I'll be sending them out when your unit is close to shipping. This is so we'll have the most up-to-date information for you.
Thanks again for your support and I'm looking forward to getting the product in your hands...
Dave
P.S. Following along on Instagram is the best place to check out more behind the scenes info!
Production Update: Plastics Molds, Electronics, and Software
over 3 years ago
– Thu, Dec 01, 2022 at 02:59:37 AM
Hi Folks!
I hope those of you in the US had a good Thanksgiving... and in other parts of the world, maybe you took advantage of our strange discounting tradition to finish up a bit of holiday shopping?
I've been hard at work pushing this project forward on all fronts- Plastics, Electronics, and Software.
Overall, the most progress has been made with the injection molding. As I mentioned in my previous update, we modified the clips to be more robust... and since then the CAD for the molds has been created, reviewed and approved. However, the factory is temporarily closed due to a COVID restriction in their region... so I'm hoping they can reopen quickly to continue the momentum.
Our main hub of electronics production and assembly in Southern China is still open though and they just finished the electronics board sample. Meanwhile, we're putting the finishing touches on some other software features such as indicating the charge level.
Video and pictures more your thing? Head on over to Instagram where you'll find some behind the scenes videos of me walking through the CAD for the plastics injection molds. These things are wild!
Housekeeping
I've had a few folks reach out to let me know that they've moved and are wanting to update their shipping address.
Surveys haven't been sent yet so just sit tight and I'll definitely let you know when it's time to do so. The surveys will go out closer to when your rewards ship so I can get the latest info from you.
Thanks for your support!
Measure Twice
over 3 years ago
– Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 01:12:50 PM
Greetings Kickstarters!
When I set out to make a timer for time boxing, I wanted to have more flexibility than a Pomodoro timer... yet feel as intuitive as an hourglass to use.
Your support has been so encouraging to make me feel like I was on the right path, and your suggestions such as adding a pause function will make it that much better!
We’re JUST about to get started cutting steel for the molds. Exciting stuff! But a bit nerve-racking as well. I put together this article which describes the process I’m going through to check things and how I’ve tweaked some of the mechanical details of the design...
And just to take care of a few housekeeping items...
Where’s my survey?
I plan on sending out surveys shortly before your reward ships. Don’t worry, you’ll have a window of time to complete it when that time comes. I just find it works better to request the ship info later.
How can I follow along more closely?
If you to see more behind the scenes info, follow the project on Instagram.
Have a question about your pledge?
Write to [email protected] and I’ll take care of you right away.
Thanks again for your support and I’m looking forward to the rest of the production process!
Dave Z
Designer/Founder Focus Timer & SlimFold
Thank You! And a bit of housekeeping...
over 3 years ago
– Sat, Sep 10, 2022 at 10:40:48 PM
HI Folks- I’m just coming up for air after the frenzy of finishing the campaign yesterday. I’m still in awe from the response and honestly it’s still sinking in…
Perhaps more than any other project I’ve done, I get a sense of community from you all and can picture the timers being put to use in all of your various environments.
Surveys won’t be sent out until we’re closer to shipping so no need to worry about that just yet. I’ll provide updates roughly monthly, or when there are significant developments.
If you’d like to follow along more closely and see behind the scenes photos and videos,
The only thing that is time-sensitive is to fix your payment if your pledge failed for some reason. As of now there are 122 folks (5%!) with errors. If you received an email from kickstarter about this, please see the instructions below and follow the steps to get that fixed. That would help out a lot!
I’m so looking forward to hearing what impact it has. But first things first- I’ve got to make them!
Dave
Here’s the guidance from Kickstarter on failed payments:
If your pledge has been declined, you’ll need to log in to your Kickstarter account to fix the payment.
To fix the payment through iOS:
- Visit the Activity tab where you will see which pledge we were not able to process
- Tap “Manage” to be redirected to the screen to fix your payment
- Select either to retry your card or try a new payment method
To fix the payment through Android:
- Visit the project page or your Activity tab where you will see which pledge we were not able to process
- Tap “Manage” to be redirected to the screen to fix your payment
- Select either to retry your card or try a new payment method
There may not be a specific issue with your card, your bank or card issuer might just have flagged it to be safe. As a first step, if you’re unable to fix the payment on Kickstarter, we recommend reaching out to your bank or card issuer to ask for help.
When you call, it’s helpful to include the details of this transaction, such as:
- The charge being from Kickstarter
- The amount pledged for the project
- The date when Kickstarter attempted to collect your pledge (this is the date that the project ended)
If the project hasn't ended yet, you can use the date you attempted to pledge
- Additionally, it may be helpful to request that your bank add any charges from Kickstarter to their “allow list”
Once you’ve contacted your bank or card issuer, log back into the Kickstarter app and try again.
You’ll have seven days from the date the project ended to resolve the payment issue, before you’ll be dropped from the project. We'll automatically retry your pledge one more time at the end of the seven days.
You can also fix the payment for your pledge by logging into your Kickstarter account through a browser.
Just Added: Pause
over 3 years ago
– Mon, Aug 29, 2022 at 06:16:39 PM
Hi Folks! I wanted to let you know that based on backer feedback I’ve decided to try and add a pause function…
As I’ve said before, I’m not a purist in terms of whether pause should be “allowed” in a focus session. In the end, I think each person needs to experiment with what works best for them to remain in Flow.
After all, this is supposed to be a tool to help you, and I’ve heard from enough of you that it does seem like this functionality would be beneficial.
I also believe that we can implement it in a way that it doesn’t distract at all from anything else. So for those who don’t want to use it don’t have to.
In terms of how exactly it will work, I don’t know yet. Some have suggested that laying it on its side would be a good option. I like that too since it goes with the gestural approach of some of the other functions. So it’s definitely something I’ll try out.
The other possibility would be to utilize the volume button… but only during timing. The only functionality this would take away is the ability to change the volume level after the session has started. From what I’ve heard from beta testers, they don’t change the volume very often… and I’m not sure anyone would even really think to change it during a session. So that’s another possibility.
In any event, I’m 95% sure that through one or the other of those approaches, we can add the pause functionality that you’ve been asking for and remain in scope of the project.
We’ll finish other things first before circling back to this to ensure the core features are complete. And once it is implemented, I want to make sure it works well and doesn’t detract from anything else. If it does, I’ll take it out. That’s part of the 5% chance of not including it.
Thanks again for the suggestion and I look forward to experimenting with it!
Dave
PS- If you're not a backer yet I'd love to have your support!
