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Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

packstore.anvil.net

11–20 of 22 posts

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#11
I like the concept, but I'd suggest showing a few actual items on the landing page. I spent my first 5 seconds wondering why you were trying to sell me white plastic stars and acorns to use with my phone.

Click here and what do you see? http://www.ebay.com/ Then click here http://www.amazon.com/

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#12
Some more explanation is needed in some cases. For example, when I look at the "Housewares page" (http://packstore.anvil.net/collections/housewares), I am confused about what I'm actually looking at. Maybe half of the items have non-descriptive names and I can't tell what they are by the picture either.

Koubachi: Looks kind of like an upside-down golf club. Not sure.

Beacon: It's a black... thing.

FLPR: Acronymy goodness. And it attaches to the dock connector.

Re: Yet Another iPhone Dongle

What if there were a short description on each:

Koubachi - Plant Care Helper

FLPR - Universal A/V Remote

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#14
post #13

This is cool. I think people are missing the idea of what this is so I'll clarify my assumption... It's a discovery tool for consumers to help them find hardware that's smart-device enabled like Nest, Lockitron, M-Audio, etc.

This is cool.

Here's an idea for a better way to frame this, similar to your current splash screen: "You already have a smart phone. But what about a smart XXXX?" where XXXX rotates between a bunch of things that you link to on the site.

Also you need to make a better connection between the XXXX and a product. You say "Packs change every golf swing", that should show a picture of the smart golf swing glove and let me click to see it.

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#15
post #14
post #13

This is cool. I think people are missing the idea of what this is so I'll clarify my assumption... It's a discovery tool for consumers to help them find hardware that's smart-device enabled like Nest, Lockitron, M-Audio, etc.

This is cool. Here's an idea for a better way to frame this, similar to your current splash screen: "You already have a smart phone . But what about a smart XXXX ?" where XXXX rotates between a bunch of things that you link to on the site. Also you need to make a better connection between the XXXX and a product. You say "Packs change every golf swing ", that should show a picture of the smart golf swing glove and let…

Yeah, I think Packs is confusing because it's not immediately clear what it means to end-user. And I totally agree with your idea on how these should be grouped and marketed, and can probably get some great traffic with a little SEM/SEO.

What's also interesting to me is like Chomp, where Apple and Google dropped the ball on discovery, this service will be useful because a lot of hardware+software products also have 3rd party apps such as ROKU.

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#17

Hey, they're selling the lockitron for...the same price as lockitron.net... http://packstore.anvil.net/products/lockitron

It's typical for retailers to match a recommended MSRP. We love the Pack Store and the fact that it highlights the new generation of app controlled products like Lockitron.

Hence "Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price" :)

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#19
post #11

I like the concept, but I'd suggest showing a few actual items on the landing page. I spent my first 5 seconds wondering why you were trying to sell me white plastic stars and acorns to use with my phone. Click here and what do you see? http://www.ebay.com/ Then click here http://www.amazon.com/

In addition, I'd suggest explaining simply what each product does in each section (flip to reveal text when mouse-over of product images?).

I was also confused as to why I couldn't find the app download link. Took me a while to realise it's a website, not an app.

Re: Show HN: Introducing the Pack Store. The App Store for hardware.

#20
The merchandise reminds me a lot of Brookstone. Compared to the generic cluttered "me too" Brookstone website, this is rather pleasant. It would be nice to have some captions under the products though.

Take the "Assurelink Belt" which has nothing in the little round rect box to tell me its a smartphone controlled garage door opener.

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