On the #Freedom2learn campaign - also...the Superbook as a 2nd display?!
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 09, 2016 at 10:31:14 PM

Giving children in developing Africa the #Freedom2learn

At Andromium, we believe that technology should be used to build a better future for everyone. Access to the right technological tools and education is critical, especially for our children.

We're incredibly honored to partner with the Nelson Mandela School Library Project in their #Freedom2learn campaign, alongside AG Mobile and Mediatek. Our partners are getting smartphones donations to developing communities in Africa, and Andromium will drive donations of Superbooks to accompany those devices.

"Each Superbook will allow for the student to gain access to a computer world in the most rural of locations where often they is no running water and electricity is supplied via a battery or Solar power. Every time you donate a Superbook, you have just given the privilege of allowing 30 more children access to digital learning platforms we deliver for free into our Nelson Mandela School Library Project.

Thanks from all in Africa."

- Robert Coutts, Nelson Mandela School Library Project

We're offering 2 donation tiers, marked with the #Freedom2learn hashtag. Your funding will go towards a Superbook donation, and we'll cover the rest (shipping + handling fees and support costs). Help us bring give thousands of kids in schools in developing Africa the #Freedom2learn.

Dual display with Windows Tablets (and other laptops)

As many of you sharp backers caught on, the technology we use for the Superbook can also be used with a few other devices. And while the Superbook doesn't work with Windows Mobile phones, you can use the Superbook as an extra monitor / keyboard / mouse with Windows Tablets! 

Here's a fun video of one of our Superbook prototypes connecting to a Surface Pro. Enjoy :)

Also - for those that want this feature (though we can't imagine why ;) ), you can also use the Superbook as a 2nd monitor + keyboard + touchpad for regular laptops, including Windows and Macs:

Hope your week is going awesome. Help us by sharing the Superbook and getting us to the next set of stretch goals!

Update on stretch goals + reward photos
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 09, 2016 at 03:09:33 PM

Hey guys, wanted to provide a quick update on stretch goals. Things get a little chaotic when you have multiple team members editing your campaign page, so we had a little confusion when we launched.

Real talk: We messed up which stretch goals we wanted to offer. Here they are, corrected (here and on the page)

• $150K - International Keyboard Decals (UNLOCKED)
• $300K - Extra USB Port for Storage 
• $500K - Battery upgrade from 8hr+ to 10hr+ for all backers 
• $1M - Option to upgrade to 1080p HD screen (w/ additional cost)

NEW REWARD PHOTOS

300K Tier Unlocked! (600% funded and counting)
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 09, 2016 at 03:09:03 PM

Wow. You guys amaze us.

300K funded for the Superbook in under 14 hours, with over 2,100 backers from around the world. We are completely floored.

We're excited to unlock the Extra USB Port. To make it compatible for the largest number of supporters, the Extra USB Port is going to be a Full Sized Type A port.

Thank you to all of the backers so far! Please help us go further by sharing with your friends. Let's get to 500K, and we'll increase the battery from 8+ to 10+ hours for all backers.

Love, the Andromium team.

Just for fun...

One of our engineers is playing Pokemon GO while browsing the web on one of our engineering prototypes. Slacker.

500K! Bigger Batteries for EVERYONE and also a new reward tier :)
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 09, 2016 at 03:08:57 PM

What a way to end the work week!

I hope most of you are out enjoying your weekend. I know our team is incredibly elated, working to answer your comments, questions, and even doing some sourcing ;)

We've unlocked the 500k tier, which is an improved battery for everyone - from 8+ to 10+ hrs! 

Our team is working overtime to get the exact battery specs, and we'll deliver that over the weekend. For now, the Andromium team here is going to take a good rest and get back to responding to questions in the morning.

New Reward Tier: THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE

Probably the most requested tier is getting 2x the Superbook without paying double the shipping. And while we still need to pay extra for shipping (electronics are fairly dense, so we go by what's called dimensional weight for shipping cost), shipping is only 50% more for everyone who orders THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE.

One more thing - we didn't dream of getting this far, this fast. We couldn't have done it without all of you. Thank you. And now let's get that 1080p screen ;)

What to expect this coming week. Also, updates on 1080p and the new tier :)
over 7 years ago – Tue, Aug 09, 2016 at 03:08:46 PM

Day 4 and we're a good chunk of the way to 1M!

I'll be honest, our team was expecting a huge slowdown over the weekend. But we're only a few hundred K away from the 1M stretch goal, and now we have some new challenges: what can we provide to our backers for beyond 1M?

So here's what we're working overtime on over the weekend:

• Potential stretch goals for 1.5M and 2M (we can dream...)
• Hardware and design spec'ing *potentially* for backlit keys - one of the potentially possible add-on stretch goals
• Sourcing for skins (black, silver, and purple with yellow dots)
• Additional videos and photos of the Superbook in action and the Blue prototype

Stay tuned!

Upgrade pricing on 1080p: $30

A lot of you have been asking us the 1080p pricing to upgrade. After spending a few days with our suppliers and our mfg. contacts, we can announce that the upgrade cost for 1080p will be $30. We made an initial estimate of $25-$30 to some folks, but we finally have our answer. The price takes into consideration the additional component cost of the better screen (it'll be an IPS vs. TN), new board design, and a separate manufacturing line. We'll be offering it for both Gold and Blue colors, which also makes both manufacturing and handling more complex. 

This is the first significant product risk that we're making from our base product. Adding each new feature requires both new designs, new manufacturing lines, and logistical support. Handling 4 product lines is not 2x as difficult as handling 2 - it's exponentially more challenging when you consider that for every product SKU, we need to keep separate sets of spare parts and extra inventory. We want to provide this option to all of our incredible backers because you've gotten us this far, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.

Help us share the Superbook and get to that 1080p screen!

Shipping update on THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE tier

In the first THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE tier, some of the shipping prices were off. If you're interested in getting THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE, switch your backing to THE SUPERBOOK DOUBLE - CORRECT SHIPPING! and get the lower shipping prices.

And finally, I'll leave you with Futurism's neat little short of our video: Futurism.

HAPPY WEEKEND!