Not to be confused with the other hardware device named Sidekick that connects remote people together. https://www.gsmarena.com/t_mobile_sidekick_4g-3874.php / https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/sidekick
Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
61–70 of 234 posts
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#62You are so preoccupied with whether or not you could [found a unicorn off the back of Covid], you didn't stop to think if you should.
To further elaborate:
What is one of the only benefits to the pandemic? Remote work.
Who wants to come in and ruin it? Sidekick.
Thanks, I hate it. I truly do. I only have to imagine the god awful dashboard you'll inevitably offer (product managers gonna productize) and the dystopian KPIs you'll kindly offer (not turning on your camera is the new tardiness metric).
It's schemes like this that trigger an arms race (ostensibly to "reduce liability", "promote productivity", and "increase security") that ultimately leave workers with less agency and petty human managers with more avenues of oppression to exploit.
For the sake of a world where workers aren't slowly boiled into digital serfdom, I wish you nothing but trouble. I really do, because you are emblematic of the short-sighted thinking that's wrong with the world.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#63For the sake of mental health and privacy, I hope this product crashes and burns.
We totally understand that this product isn't for everyone. Sidekick works best for teams that actually want to feel like they're in the same room with an always-on video. These are really fast-paced teams like cofounders or operations teams.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#64Awesome product, and the subscription model is really really smart!
Is there support to plug in headphones and microphone? For instance, if you're in a situation where there's background noise (a partner who may be doing their own activities, or kids/pets prone to make loud noises) Sidekick would still be tremendously useful. One setup might be to keep it default-unplugged so you can hear a colleague who wants to ping you over speakers, but you'd put on a headset with a directional mic built in quickly before replying.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#65Seems like a pretty gross security and privacy risk with extremely limited upside for the employee, all with the friction of supporting a totally separate device for a remote IT org if anyone adopts this Orwellian tool at scale.
It would be Orwellian if imposed by employers, of course. But for teams who really would prefer to be colocated, why shouldn't they use something like this as a next-best option? It should be up to the users.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#66> Sidekick is a new hardware device […] So your "new hardware device" is a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) with a stand, isn't it? What's your motivation to offer hardware instead of selling the Android app separately as well, so customers could use it without the hassle of getting hardware shipped?
A guess? Hardware startups mean money to investors. ;)
Or tiktok clones.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#67Earlier quoted context omitted.
Definitely understand the privacy concern - we know that our product won't fit every home office setup depending on the living circumstances. It depends on how close and comfortable a team feels with each other. Our teams are already close-knit and miss the feeling of being in the same room together. We're thinking of adding virtual backgrounds to help with this too.
As Joe walks in wearing underwear... (I'm serious, I code in my unders half the time, esp in the summer (no a/c)). That could get awkward.
That has nothing to do with the product. If you don't want to be on camera in your underwear, don't turn a camera on while in your underwear.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#68How is this any different than having an always-on zoom room on my iPad?
We spoke to many teams that tried jerry-rigging an always-on zoom on an iPad. It was really hard to get people in the room at the same time.
We built Sidekick to maximize the chances that you're not alone in the room. I talk more about some of the features in the original post!
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#69As the founder of a remote company this defeats the purpose for me. Benefits of remote:
- No commute
- No office politics
- No forced schedule
- Less meetings
- More writing
- Forced communication
- No "assess in seats" culture
In part, this seems to defeat at least:
- No forced schedule
- Less meetings
- No "asses in seats" culture
My hunch is that your market research consisted of only talking to companies that are just now adopting remote as a result of COVID. Obviously those companies want to recreate the draconian politics of a forced-commute workplace.
Re: Launch HN: Sidekick (YC S20) – A hardware device to connect remote teams
#70You are so preoccupied with whether or not you could [found a unicorn off the back of Covid], you didn't stop to think if you should. To further elaborate: What is one of the only benefits to the pandemic? Remote work. Who wants to come in and ruin it? Sidekick. Thanks, I hate it. I truly do. I only have to imagine the god awful dashboard you'll inevitably offer (product managers gonna productize) and the dystopian K…
Please don't fulminate like this on HN. You're breaking the guideline against shallow dismissals, as well as this one:
"Please respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize. Assume good faith."
Nobody's talking about imposing this product on anyone.