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Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

pencerw.com

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Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#41

Post by reaperducer »

greenyoda wrote: post #30
pencerw wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey! Co-inventor of the product (and author of the link) here. The reason that the button isn't on the lid is because that makes the lid uglier and, more importantly, undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible. The idea came from my partner (Zach Dunham) and was inspired partly by Radiolab's 2008 episode, "Choice" - it's a bit of a deep cut but I recommend l…

> Lastly, you should note that a lot of our business now comes from selling The Public Radio to radio stations (again, mostly NPR affiliates) to give out as fund drive gifts. Here in NYC, we have two NPR-affiliated public radio stations that often play different content, WNYC AM and WNYC FM, and their parent organization also runs WQXR (a classical music station) and NJ public radio. So even if you only listen to pub…

Here in NYC

There are hundreds of other markets in the United States than New York City (and tens of thousands worldwide), and the vast majority of them have just one public radio station.

This isn't a "public radio tuner." It's a single station tuner.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#42

Post by reaperducer »

vyrotek wrote: post #14
leoedin wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it had a button on the lid, it would just be another FM radio - not really a market that a small hardware company want to be in. The statement this radio makes by being untunable is literally the only reason anyone buys it.

But it is tunable which breaks the whole 'statement' for me.

But it is tunable which breaks the whole 'statement' for me.

It's more "hackable" than "tunable."

If it was a "tunable radio," then the tuning mechanism would be exposed to the user.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#43

Post by ben509 »

pencerw wrote: post #15
vyrotek wrote: post #10

For those confused as I was, you can switch the current station but it's not convenient or meant to be done often. You can basically disassemble the radio and press a button to cycle through available FM stations and leave it on the one you want. Why this button isn't just available on the lid is beyond me. While I do appreciate simplicity I really don't understand the value of a single station radio either. > https:…

Hey! Co-inventor of the product (and author of the link) here. The reason that the button isn't on the lid is because that makes the lid uglier and, more importantly, undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible. The idea came from my partner (Zach Dunham) and was inspired partly by Radiolab's 2008 episode, "Choice" - it's a bit of a deep cut but I recommend l…

> undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible.

But you're not keeping it simple, you're just pretending the complexity doesn't exist. The task still needs to be performed, and you've made it far more difficult.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#44

Post by kennywinker »

arbuge wrote: post #22

The key part seems to be this: > In other words: We’re making a piece of consumer electronics just-in-time in the US. It is indeed hard to bring down costs that way, but when each unit needs to be individually programmed, as in this situation, this is a sensible way of doing it. This is also a good way to do low volume production in general for hardware side-projects and the like. My own Relay ( https://foundrytechno…

I'm constantly surprised that people aren't more alarmed at how much china owns the supply chain. It's virtually impossible to make electronics without at VERY LEAST buying components from china. Seems like a lot of power in their hands.

For example, I'm deeply uncomfortable with doing business with china because of the million Uyghurs in concentration camps - but if I want to buy simple passive electronic components to populate a circuit board I've got no other choice?

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#46

Post by gautamcgoel »

pencerw wrote: post #24
StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

(Note: I co-created this product, wrote this blog post, etc) Your skepticism is something I hear a lot, and something I make it a rule not to argue with. A lot of people look at The Public Radio with disdain, and at least as many look at it without any emotional reaction at all (which is arguably worse). This was never meant to be a mass market product, and it's okay that not everyone likes it. I will say, however, t…

I really admire this respectful and level-headed comment. I think your product is neat, keep it up!

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#47

Post by pencerw »

gautamcgoel wrote: post #46
pencerw wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(Note: I co-created this product, wrote this blog post, etc) Your skepticism is something I hear a lot, and something I make it a rule not to argue with. A lot of people look at The Public Radio with disdain, and at least as many look at it without any emotional reaction at all (which is arguably worse). This was never meant to be a mass market product, and it's okay that not everyone likes it. I will say, however, t…

I really admire this respectful and level-headed comment. I think your product is neat, keep it up!

Wow, internet compliment of the year. Thanks!

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#48

Post by pencerw »

ExBritNStuff wrote: post #25
StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

I don't think there is a problem with the product per se; as others have mentioned I only listen to one radio station ever. That isn't a limiting factor for me, and I like the design and aesthetic it gives off. The kicker for me is I can't justify the cost, even if I understand 100% why it costs what it does. That being said, there are still a lot of people out there in a certain age bracket with a certain life style…

(Co-creator of the product again)

For what it's worth, we would have loved to sell The Public Radio for $25 and tried for many years at $40/45. I think that our experience is a testament to the idea that at least sometimes, it's okay to raise your prices above what you personally would be willing to pay. But yes, it's a very expensive member of its category (battery powered FM radios) even without the UI limitations.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#49

Post by mruts »

pencerw wrote: post #24
StevePerkins wrote: post #4

This product just seems... like a throwback to the first decade of this century. A time when we rebelled against over-advertised, and over-priced Gillette Fusion cartridges. Not by growing beards (that would come in the 2010's). But rather by shaving with $100 German double-edge razors, badger hair brushes, and artisial shaving soaps instead. This here is a cheap pocket radio, like you could find at Walmart for $5. E…

(Note: I co-created this product, wrote this blog post, etc) Your skepticism is something I hear a lot, and something I make it a rule not to argue with. A lot of people look at The Public Radio with disdain, and at least as many look at it without any emotional reaction at all (which is arguably worse). This was never meant to be a mass market product, and it's okay that not everyone likes it. I will say, however, t…

You should try selling it to the DPRK, except tuned to a different frequency.

Re: Why The Public Radio is sixty dollars (2018)

#50

Post by pencerw »

greenyoda wrote: post #30
pencerw wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey! Co-inventor of the product (and author of the link) here. The reason that the button isn't on the lid is because that makes the lid uglier and, more importantly, undermines the philosophy behind the UI - which is to keep the device as absolutely simple as possible. The idea came from my partner (Zach Dunham) and was inspired partly by Radiolab's 2008 episode, "Choice" - it's a bit of a deep cut but I recommend l…

> Lastly, you should note that a lot of our business now comes from selling The Public Radio to radio stations (again, mostly NPR affiliates) to give out as fund drive gifts. Here in NYC, we have two NPR-affiliated public radio stations that often play different content, WNYC AM and WNYC FM, and their parent organization also runs WQXR (a classical music station) and NJ public radio. So even if you only listen to pub…

So for one, WNYC is actually one of our biggest customers to date. You'll hear our radios being plugged on Brian Lehrer (among others) periodically if you listen closely. Again, our philosophy is that customers are deciding on the station (not parent organization - the actual broadcasting station) they want to listen to every day and staying there.

For two, we definitely tried that early on! And we've had a lot of conversations about replacing the potentiomenter (which controls power and volume) with a rotary encoder (which, if you added a push button to it, could be used to control a lot of other interactions with the radio, including seek/scan, etc). The issue is that doing so would easily raise our cost by $5, which means we need to raise our retail pricing by $15 or $20, which ends up being crazy.

I've said this elsewhere in this thread, but The Public Radio totally isn't for everyone! But a surprising number of people like it just the way it is, and we've worked hard to build a business to support their needs as efficiently as possible.

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