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Pebble Watch SDK Coming in April

mashable.com

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Re: Pebble Watch SDK Coming in April

#2

Post by mongol »

From a startup perspective, Pebble is an example of how to ruin an opportunity to build a community around a product offer. The communication around the SDK to prospective developers that backed the project has been absolutely abysmal. The absence of transparency to those that backed it and neglect of promises during financing period (Especially concerning "Update 4" in its Kickstarter page) are what other investors should study to learn about that.

Re: Pebble Watch SDK Coming in April

#4

Post by halmcelroy »

mongol wrote: post #2

From a startup perspective, Pebble is an example of how to ruin an opportunity to build a community around a product offer. The communication around the SDK to prospective developers that backed the project has been absolutely abysmal. The absence of transparency to those that backed it and neglect of promises during financing period (Especially concerning "Update 4" in its Kickstarter page) are what other investors…

I backed the watch last April. To be fair, they did a kickass job on the hardware itself. But the software leaves a lot to be desired. It's very buggy and the iOS integration has a long way to go.

I too feel that the bad communication regarding the SDK was very poor form. They could've just said, "Hey, sorry for the delay, but we're working hard on bringing the SDK to you. Here's what's going on with it.". Instead, they went totally radio silent, leading to speculations that they're in talks with Apple to be acquired.

When you're a small company, and have springboarded from a platform like Kickstarter, I would've thought that your best advocates are the early adopters who backed you and helped you bring this wonderful product to life. They will live though the rough edges and evangelize to no end if they feel that the company has their interests as customers/developers at heart. Instead if you go to the forums, you feel like the majority feel like they were betrayed. I guess if they were trying to emulate Apple in their communication approach, it backfired on them completely.

Re: Pebble Watch SDK Coming in April

#8

Post by joenathan »

shrikant wrote: post #7
joenathan wrote: post #3

Wish my Pebble was here, I'm getting pretty tired of waiting, seems like it could be another 6+ months before I see it.

What's your expected ship date?

My expected ship date seems to be "shipping address complete", I wish I had a shipping date, this all the info I have. http://i.minus.com/ibrC8T8Nc6rI5v.PNG

Re: Pebble Watch SDK Coming in April

#9

Post by shrikant »

joenathan wrote: post #8
shrikant wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's your expected ship date?

My expected ship date seems to be "shipping address complete", I wish I had a shipping date, this all the info I have. http://i.minus.com/ibrC8T8Nc6rI5v.PNG

Oh dear, that's worrisome. My Account page shows me March 18th as the shipping date, but you're clearly an earlier backer than I was.
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