Hi. If you send us something we didn't order, could you send us the package as a gift so we don't have to pay any tax. Because I really don't wanna pay more than I allready did.
Good luck in the future. I hope you will made it because your ideas are very nice.

Guy's, it's really time for another update please...

Unlike some other backers, I'm not angry, I would just like for you to show us backers some respect and give us an update and a possible eta on the product. Communication is key and the lack of it shows a lack of respect for those that have invested in you and your product.

No comment from John or Joe for over a month? These guys are pathetic. Looks like they took our money and ran. This will go down as the worst kickstarter project ever.

when the Orbit will be available in my house??? 8 months!!!

Hi guys, please check your [kickstarter] inbox. I've sent an important date regarding my reward's shipping address.

Would've emailed you personally, but there doesn't seem to be any way to do that from here.

I know you are working on this... do you have any idea of an ETA?

To support my below comment

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/832784035/orbit-a-swiveling-smartphone-suction-mount

These molds were not computer generated

You item is so out of date due to your delays/failures. Curious as to see that you have pictures of the mold at birth but now so much delay. Doesn't pass the smell test.

I agree with Clay and Hollis. I think the product has potential. I appreciate the time you are taking to make it right. I am fairly active in product development as well and understand the challenges and unexpected “bumps in the road.” I can be patient but greatly look forward to my Orbit.

I've supported many business development efforts and I'd like to commend this team for doing the most important thing right -- keeping the backers updated every step of the way. You are setting a great example for entrepreneurs. To those backers who are impatient - delays are normal and new problems to fix are normal. What is not found so commonly is the strong effort the owner/developers are taking to fix problems and keep moving forward. You two are going to be successful in whatever you do.

Jon & Joe
I'm an early backer of your project and have watched your progress carefully; frankly I couldn't be more enthused and proud of what you've accomplished. As a designer, inventor, startup junkie, serial entrepreneur and CEO of a successful consumer product company I know all too well that developing products is not a linear path, the trial and error, setbacks and accomplishments are all part of the process as you try to attain perfection. It’s you're dedication to quality, quality that will matter to the customer that I admire so much. I can see the diligence and obviously a will power to hold strong even in the face of some harsh comments from your backers; you're doing the right thing by getting the product right and refusing to ship an inferior product. I often have to do the same with VC's, board members and bankers.

When I made a pledge to your project I did so with the same perspective that a venture capital investor puts into a startup business; this is a risky venture, there will be setbacks, there will be delays, but ultimately my gut tells me to believe in you guys because you've shown that you're relentless and have the customer as your priority. Maybe this insight will shed some light on your project for your other backers. If I were to evaluate your company and product based on where you’re at in development and the amount of money you raised, my first instinct would be to ask where did the rest of the money come from, what's the monthly cash burn rate and how much do you need to reach ship day? $63,457 is an undercapitalized business, so to reach the level you're at I have to assume you've put in a lot of your own money, good for you. Lets be clear, this is a business not a product. Please correct me if any of this is inaccurate. Since there is no way to pay salaries and do development and manufacturing from the funding you have, you obviously have day jobs that use a substantial amount of your time; again, congrats on achieving so much with so little time and money. Fulfilling 1,882 orders does not make a business, you'll need many thousands more. Just to fulfill orders will require sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, quality control, assembly, packaging, shipping materials, order fulfillment and handling an occasional customer service request and return. Oh yeah, you have jobs already, who's going to do all this work? Obviously you have to hire it out to contract manufacturers. To make back the total investment and see some profit you'll need to scale up, put some experienced sales people on staff and climb unbelievably difficult obstacles to get your product into retail stores. These buyers require your business to carry hefty insurance policies, meet a multitude of consumer product safety standards, you'll have on going web site development, taxes to pay, sales taxes to collect, legal issues, intellectual property issues and much, much more. My guess is you already know all this but right now getting pass some annoying manufacturing issues is all consuming. I think you have your hands full without using too much more of your time letting me know what nuance of advancement has been made today. Maybe a once a week Friday update instead.

I'm thrilled that you are making progress; I know that one day I will have my Orbits and the satisfaction of knowing that my backing helped bring your fantastic product to market. And if you're able to continue building a business around Orbit you'll be creating lots of much needed jobs and most likely many more fantastic products.

For all this I can wait, patiently and respectfully.

you guys are giving a horrible experience to kickstarter members. This experience will spoil it for future kickstarter projects. Why should we continue to support people like you on here?

I'm not disappointed about the time it's taking.

I'm disappointed about the fact that black is ugly.

Is there an ETA ???? When will we get the device ? Please let us know....

I think I was right that this will be a great Christmas gift.. ;)

Estimated Delivery: Dec 2011

OMG

In 10 days since my last comment, I would have expected an ETA. Jon & Joe are you reading the comments?

SInce no ETA has been provided and my comments have not been addressed, please let me know how to get refunded. I totally understand how Kickstarter works, but 7mths delay and your lack of communication is not acceptable.

Yes, I think at this stage an ETA is warranted. I like the progress so far. Setbacks forgiven but not forgotten, please use this as fuel to output not only the product, but a critically reasonable set of expectations and deadlines through transparent communication to your backers.

We support this, and by doing so we care about the project in EVERY aspect, timelines included.

What's the current ETA?
How can we get refunded? - if the ETA is not satisfactory.

Got your latest update. Keep on keeping on guys. The end is in sight. Everyone will be pleased when you get it just right, instead of "good enough". You're to be commended for your patience and tolerance in view of the sarcastic comments from the few.

???

So, how about a little bit more detail about timing here? Are we gonna see these this year?

I too am disappointed in the amount of time that has passed. I thought since I saw a video of the product, all that was needed was the finances to buy the materials needed and off the production line they would come. It has defintely made me hesitant to back anything else on kickstarter. Neither of the last two projects I have backed have come through.

I always saw Kickstarter as a way to get the ball moving on production, not R&D. I do manufacturing myself, I know all of these issues that come up, I assumed the developers did too; at least they claimed they did. I would not have backed this had they been fully honest with the project simply because I knew it would take many, many months to get started. They should have had their materials and all of their files (including mold files) done, checked and vetted. It doesn't take that much money to get your designs verified, and if it's something you believe in you shouldn't have a problem with putting your own money into it before accepting $63,000+ from others.

omg this project is behind schedule. Really regretting backing this project. At this point I could care less about getting my reward. Better luck next time guys

How about an update?

Hey guys, just keep on keepin on. You haven't lost sight of your goal and neither have we. My line of work is associated with evaluating new "things" of a highly technical and complicated nature. The problems you've encountered are not unique to the development of a new product but nonetheless fascinating to observe as you's guys peel the onion so to speak and ultimately come to that same conclusion that the devil IS in the details. What you are learning from these little bumps in your developmental path are some of the most valuable lessons you will ever obtain. Not to mention that when you apply them all to your next project (the giant orbit for Ipad) you will be astounded at how much "easier" it will be. Oh and by the way, all those bumps you overcame will return in different forms on the next project...but you will be much better equipped to predict and minimize them. Keep pressing, we all know you will succeed and we all wish you the very best. OBTW, consider a magnet addition later on...Tim

hey it is a cool looking functioning tool, not art. don't sweat the parting lines i am sure it it better than what we were expecting and 90% of the crap that is made and sold to the public.
Stuff happens and 99% of the backers understand, this is not TARGET. just keep everyone in the loop and press on.
Ted

Hi Jon and Joe -
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I apologize for apparently causing the silliness below and also for upsetting your girlfriend. In hindsight, I should have just sent my feedback to the two you privately as it was not intended to illicit the nonsensical, profanity-laced response that it did. If I could go back and remove the comment I would because it’s clear that some backers aren’t mature enough to handle constructive criticism or comprehend what they are reading not to mention respond in a mature and comprehensible manner. Simon Cowell may be blunt and crass but at least he’s able to communicate effectively and I respect his honesty even when I’ve disagreed with him. In an effort to clarify my points for you and any other backers who feel I was being too harsh, however, I feel compelled to respond.
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First, as I hope you understood, my criticism has nothing do to with the project timeline or delays. I clearly stated from the onset that I completely understand when I back a project that I’m backing the process of taking an idea from concept to reality. While other may not, I absolute do and I fully appreciate that every project is fraught with its own inherit risks and unforeseen challenges that may cause delays or unexpected changes. This is never a concern to me because when I choose to back a project I do so with some of the following principals in mind:
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1. I believe the concept of the project owner(s) is a great either because of the product it seeks to create or the cause it is supporting. I get excited about it and I’m backing the project because I want to support the project owner(s) and others in helping to make the concept become a reality not for my own personal gain.
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2. I’m willing make a financial investment in the project with NO GUARANTEE of delivery, duration or quality. As with all KS projects, backers assume 100% of the risk and, regardless of how much that risk is, I accept this.
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3. With the exception of ONE project I’ve backed, I do not back projects simply because I personally whatever the end product may be for myself. In fact, I’ve decided against backing several projects for this very reason because I don’t want to view KS as a shopping site. With the exception of the one project I mentioned, products I receive from KS projects I back I give away as gifts to co-workers, friends or even relatives as a way to promote the KS concept and community.
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I feel this is one of the absolute best ways to promote the site and the community because people typically receive something very unique and original and can see first-hand what a great site KS is and when they visit the site themselves they can see how many people there are out here with ideas that they think are great who just need a little support from others like myself.
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I’m certainly not a millionaire or a venture capitalist but I do well financially and, to me, KS is a great way to find and support people with unique ideas and vision and help them to fulfill a dream they may not otherwise be able to achieve without such a unique website, concept and community.
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I was introduced to KickStarter a little over seven months ago when my younger brother and his production company sought to fund their first short film. I’ve been a huge fan and advocate of the site and the community ever since and have backed at least 10 projects so far and continue to look for new projects to back on a regular basis because I believe in the creativity of others and I enjoy helping.
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Secondly, from my own perspective based only on what I've read, I feel like part of the reason that your project has encountered so many bumps in the road is because you’ve allowed yourselves to become distracted with all that Orbit could be and lost focus on what you’d originally set out for Orbit to be. Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think your original concept for Orbit had anything to do with tote/lunch bags, included a threaded component to allow it to work with a universal camera mount, enabling it to attach to a portable dolly system or even anything to do with the various colors it would be molded in! All these things are nice but, in my opinion, may have caused you to lose focus and your willingness to try to accommodate your backers requests resulted in your project over-promising and under-delivering on multiple levels which just not a good place to land.
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I understand how easily this can occur when you’re caught up in the creative process and you’ve received so much unexpected support for your idea from the backer community. Your original funding goal was $25,000 and you more than doubled that which is awesome! With that kind of funding success it probably seemed like, “the sky was the limit,” for Orbit. Unfortunately, unforeseen expenses have been realized due to a combination of design changes and technical challenges and this changed the project scope several times. It’s never a bad thing to leverage that kind of creativity – after all, it’s that creativity that was the source of your original concept – but changes often translate to increased costs and this needs to be a consideration. On the positive side, the net affect appears to have also improved the overall quality of first generation Orbit and that’s definitely a good baseline to start from which will benefit everyone!
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Lastly, given the fact that the project has experienced several delays, one of the best ways to ensure you’re able to maintain the confidence and support of your backers is to provide regular and meaningful communication. Contrary to the emotionally driven comments of some posters who may not understand this, good communication is absolutely essential and especially so when things aren’t going smoothly. Sending monthly updates was clearly not enough to help allay the concerns of many backers as is evident from the feedback you'd received long before my recent post. Committing to providing an update in a week and then not doing so for nearly two was also not helpful. Once again, backers are assuming 100% of the risk and if you really appreciate their support as much as you say then the least you can do is provide good communication. It doesn’t matter how much they’ve backed the project for because the effort is the same from your end regardless – you simply take a few minutes to send an update to all your backers.
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So, just to be clear, the project duration and the color options were not really relevant to the points of my original post. To me these were just symptoms of the real issues which were related to the focus on your vision, project execution and good communication. I agree with the previous poster that many KS project owners are learning and doing the best they can and, to that end, I hope you view my feedback as constructive and an opportunity to learn.
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In closing, I do have a life, I am capable of writing quickly, I am relaxed, I do not care about the Orbit colors, I am not upset with delay, I am not mad at the world, I am not a blood sucker or an ant that drains the creativity energy out of projects, I do realize that it is just a phone mount and is not altering lives or the world, (not everyone’s anyway, I know it is important especially important to the two of you,) I do not need to see pictures of a Chinese factory or what you had for lunch, I do not need to see pictures of the tooling, I am more than willing to give you guys a break, I do appreciate that you’re doing the best you can, I also do appreciate you accepting responsibility for the bumpy road, I am glad to know things are moving forward nicely, and, finally, I do stand by my feedback because it is my honest opinion and I am also sure I am not the only backer that shares these thoughts!
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I sincerely wish you both all the best and continued success with the Orbit and future generations of the product! Thank you.

Hi Jon and Joe, just letting you know that we support you. All new products take time to develop, and even the most simple items can pose unforeseen challenges and setbacks. This is why we are all on Kickstarter, to fund and participate in the creation of new creative ventures. On Kickstarter, we are all team mates in this creation. Keep up the good work and know that there are many more people out there who understand that this is a process and we are quite happy to see you and your team grow along the journey. Looking forward to a great result.

I will leave you with a quote from Mark Twain that both inspires us and gives us some perspective through our own adventures in life.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

~Mark Twain

I am Jons and Joes girlfriend. haha. Strawberry week? I had to look that one up. Sorry love, but I don't do drugs. Drugs are whack. But here, I have a dollar for you since you are so familiar with it.
And sorry to shit on your rain but this is not the first project. My spouse and I support many projects on here. Some we have received and are amazing and some are collecting dust...but we have never complained on how long it took for the projects to complete or that there weren't enough updates. Do you really want to see a picture of Chinese factory or what they had for lunch? Yes its true, some KS creators may have a better plan on development then others but then again even Apple screwed up with their antenna. So give the guys a break. I am sure they are doing all they can.

-Sorry Jon and Joe for being so blunt but even KS needs their own Simon Cowell as I am sure I am not the only one saying what we're thinking.

@Lisa B
Are you Jon or Joes girl? Or is it just strawberry week? How old are you? This is your first pledge! Your the one who should shut the f* up. How do you know what KS creators need or even grown up backers expect from a professional managed KS project?

Robert pointed out some legitimate occurrences. But your verbal assaults just reflect the level this project has reached.

@Robert (aka...Dick...your mother f..ed up when she named you). Are you f... kidding me??? All I can say is you're a douche bag that no KS project ever wants to deal with. Please.... do not ever back another project, they don't need your measly pledge that bad. Trust me!!! KS creators are learning as they go, laugh at it, go with the flow! In the end, it's just a little iphone mount for christs sake. Ohhh.... and you don't get to pick a color, you cry baby, grow a pair of balls and shut the f up. You are the type of blood sucking, mad at the world little piss ant that drains the creative energy out of a project. Seriously? You took your Sunday evening to write a thesis on the Orbit Mount? Get a f..ing life cause I seriously doubt you have one. I'm just a fan of the Orbit and it's awkward process. : ) It's what made me enjoy fund this project from scratch. Jon and Joe, keep on trucking and remember that there are 1800 other backers that are behind you. Period.

***....and remember, there is always one little turd that leaves a pesky skid mark as you flush him away. Let it go "Dick", and hold your breath as you fade away, cuz no one gives a shit about you. Whew... now for a yummy lunch:), just wish I had my Orbit to watch the news.

Hi Jon & Joe,

I was more than happy to back this project when I learned about it here on KS and I feel like I've been patient with respect to the challenges you've encountered with the project timeline. I understand that unforeseen complications have caused delays and you're trying to ensure that you deliver a quality product and I appreciate this as I'm sure the majority of the others backers do as well. Like others, I also understand we're backing the process of taking an idea from concept to delivery and this can take time and that time varies from one project to the next. The important thing to me is that I’m able to be part of helping that process occur and seeing someone’s dream become a reality.

With that said, it was very disappointing to learn that such a fundamentally simple issue such as color options was so horribly overlooked by two professional designers such as yourselves. Especially so considering you’d advertised color options throughout your campaign and, at this late stage in the process, you’re not even offering some of the original colors as options to vote on. Throughout the process you’ve created some outstanding product photos and videos all the way down to the concept of the packaging and it’s all looked very professional, which is great but only adds to the disappointment at this point.
To date, you’ve done the following:

1. Added a camera attachment based on feedback from a backer (cost increase)
2. Added an Envirosax Reusable Tote Bag as an extra incentive to backer at certain levels (cost increase)
3. Added a “Black Out” option – and even stated that, “If we surpass the funding goal we may be able to increase the selection.” Well, you did and, instead, you’ve reduced the selection to one color. (cost increase)
4. Announced an increased retail cost (doubled, in fact,) because of higher than expected production costs “due to the complexity of the injection molding required. : )” Complete with smiley face emoticon – I’m not sure how you miss your estimates by so much but this also should have been a clue that multiple color options were probably not going to be on the table. (Obviously another cost increase.)
5. Announced, “We have been continuing the development of Orbit and other accessories and we will be revealing these in the near future. We're excited about all of the possibilities that this system will offer for those of you on the go. Keep an eye out for an iPad version!”
6. Explained the inherit delay in actual funding being received and shared some details about the technical complexities that, “required a third molded part to the original ball and socket design.” (cost increase)
7. Announced you’d, “made some improvements to the design and we are just waiting for molder feedback so that we can finalize the tool design.” (probably necessary but, also, another cost increase)
8. Announced the many design updates you’d made. (again, probably necessary)
9. Announced again how the ball joint/kickstand design has caused many challenges.
10. Announced that, despite information communicated previously, the Orbit would only be released in a single color that all your backers get to vote on. (due to increased expenses – given the above and all the delays, it should have been obvious sooner.)

The fact that the Orbit will only come in one color is not really that important to me but all of this is just indicative of how poorly this project has been managed from the start to where it is today. I’ve backed many projects here on KS and this is by far the worst in terms of overall execution and communication and has been the most negative experience I’ve had with a KS project to date. I hope I don’t have a similar experience with other KS projects in the future because it would really dissuade me from continuing to back projects which would be a unfortunate for others. I just think you should have spent more time focused on preparation and controlling costs instead of gimmicks and marketing for something you wouldn't ultimately deliver.

I apologize for the rant but it’s very frustrating that all of this has occurred. I’d originally contemplated backing this project at a much higher level and I’m now very glad I didn’t. I genuinely hope that things go smoother for both of you and this project from now until delivery. Not just for the sake of Orbit but also for yourselves and all the backers.

Thank you,

Robert

Jon & Joe,
Thanks for all your hard work on on this! I'm excited to see that things are just about ready to ship. I've seen the huge variety of positive and negative feedback that you've received - just remember that confirmed funding to shipped product in less than 6 months rivals the production cycles of a many actual product development companies. I'm looking forward to finally using my Orbit!

Actually, I may not have stated it correctly, but a weighted system is exactly what I wanted. I was just stating that my family has their own ideas. But in the end it is my vote which should be color X 6

i agree, please do not use UPS, only use USPS to Canada. UPS and other couriers will charge 20 dollars or more brokerage fee for this product. If that happens, most people will refuse the package as its not worth it to pay that much.

USPS please! Thx!

Make sure you USe USPS for the Canadians! Otherwise the couriers will kill em on uneccessary broker fees!

Seems odd that you didn't know until now, when the surveys are being sent out, that there wouldn't be an Orange or Smoke color, there would only be ONE color, and that would be black (same as most other smartphone accessories), white that fades to yellow, or translucent red that "will show the inserts which may or may not look so hot. "

Wondering why you decided on these three options instead of the original two at least.

I also agree with the other posters, don't care how you do it but those who pledged for more than 1 Orbit should have multiple votes based on the number Orbits they are getting. And, just as an aside, I only pledged for one so I will only have one vote.

The simpler solution is to "weight" each single vote based on the number of orbits pledged for. So, someone who pledged for 6 and selects black counts as 6 votes for black. Resellers of 30 get a greater say since they are more impacted by having a color that won't appeal to customers, yet they will not have complete control since the individual and smaller multiples will exceed their total votes should they go completel off the mark.

This method is very easy to implement and is a comrpomise between what VideoMagician wants and what has been implemented. You don't even need to change the survey as you can post-process the data quite easily once collected.

Just an idea...

Re:color... I understand your issues, but you did say there would be 2 colors in all of your on line materials. At this point you are not going to deliver what was promised. Also it would make sense that we get as many votes as what we have pledged, wouldn't it? I have 6 Orbits coming and each of the family member definitly has an opion on color. Their votes should all count.

@Jon&Joe, are you doing this only on the weekends?