Only 3 days left, lots to update!
You guys are above and beyond great! Thank you so much for the support, your help, comments, and telling your friends. We're expecting 800 pieces coming in on the first shipment and about 300 are already spoken for going to distributors and retailers. So everyone here on Kickstarter will be the first and only iPad owners to get it and at least 5-7 weeks before anyone else. The second shipment will at best be ready by late November.
Updated news: The stylus pen in the iPad2 version is proving to be a headache that keeps setting us back. We have everything in there microtooled so tightly that there isn't an inch left. We keep trying the last few places and it cracks the housing from carving out too much of a channel for the stylus. It's sooo close and only hairline fractures with adding the stylus but I don't want that shipping out with that possibility. We're hoping for a solution to use the short legs as a stylus and will know if that works over the next few days. Sorry for the bad news, but if you saw the pictures then everyone agreed that the case turned out great! We're really happy with the final finishing touches.
Unexpected news: As it turns out there are a lot of people who can't whistle. For those of you which are the ones that can't whistle then be relived that you are not alone! Because of this we're changing the type of frequency on the locator to a sharp sound. We can't have both frequencies in there because that's to wide of a range of sounds and the thing would beep all the time. So we have to choose and go with one option and we went with the sharp one. Most everyone can slap their hands together and that's all it will take to let you know where it is. It actually works better now so I'm glad so many brought this to our attention.
LilyPad size and weight: I really want exact numbers for this but will give you the best 99% accurate estimate we have. We're really confident with these but continue to work with different materials in the process to see if we can improve anything without reducing the strength and durability of the case. First and foremost we want to protect you valuable iPad (I know I do for mine). I simply don't know an answer yet on the iPad1 version, 24ish ounces, but will know really soon. We're redoing the internal axle and that will make a big difference. For the iPad 2 version we're confident that it is 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" x 5/8" and 21oz. To give you a comparison that is thinner and about the same weight as the popular OtterBox case, which (nothing against the great OtterBox) is just plastic. For a solar powered battery backup auto sleep/wake HDMI converting multiple standing USB power out charging quick locating comfortable iPad case, we're really happy!
Picking your color and version: Next week (probably Monday) I'll contact all of you to get which version, color and where you'd like it shipped.
Shipping LilyPads: We are still on target for shipping next month. For those of you aware of international holidays, there is one coming up next week in China. ALL the factories will be closed for 2 weeks, ARGHHHH, but that's okay we have most of the parts made, that just backs up assembly. We expect to have them near the end of the month. We knew some of the parts, like the solar panels and batteries, take 50-60 days to make and we put in those orders over a month before launching Kickstarter. We didn't want to start everything after the funding came because then you'd be waiting until January for your prize. We negotiated deals with the factories and started everything early, glad we rolled the dice. I will certainly keep you all posted along the way but so far everything is looking good.
Some Awesome News: In addition to the 400+ trees we'll now be planting, we did some math on the units and had to do it twice. In one year just from all of you on Kickstarter we will generate 136,000 hours of iPad use! That is a lot of energy generated from your living rooms that would have otherwise been spent from nuclear power and burning coal. That is an awesome start - Thank you, each one of you for being a part of this!
I'll be in touch soon!
547
Backers
$104,482
pledged of $27,000 goal
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Funding period
Aug 28, 2011 -
Oct 2, 2011
(35 days)
- 2 created · 4 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: KudoCase.com
Pledge $1 or more
25 backers
Every dollar counts. Share in our idea. If your dollar helps make this a reality you will be able to buy the LilyPad online or hopefully someday, at an Apple Store near you. Be a part of making a cool product and help us do our part to reduce carbon emissions by using solar power in our daily lives. The LilyPad could be the start of so much more.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011Pledge $40 or more
3 backers
You don't have an iPad or know anyone who has one but you're someone that likes the LilyPad and wants to really help us make a difference. We appreciate that tremendously. With your help we will be making much more as this is only the beginning. Thank you.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011Pledge $165 or more
332 backers
You probably thought you couldn't afford your very own power station. For a pledge of $165 or more you will be one of the first to receive a new Lilypad, tested and certified once they are manufactured (which has already started). This is a private KickStarter only promotion you'll be a part of. Pick your color and let us know if you want it for iPad1 (black) or iPad2 (choose the design). You'll receive your LilyPad weeks before they are available at www.LilyPadCase.com and at a lower rate. Every bit helps us start, thank you. [add $10 for international shipping please]. There are iPad leather cases alone out for over $100. This has a bit more. At $165 this is a luxury within reach, you'll have an iPad case you can be proud of - you'll have a LilyPad.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011Pledge $235 or more
167 backers
Pick a LilyPad any LilyPad, either the iPad or iPad 2 version and we'll also include the Travel Case specifically tailored for the LIlyPad. We put as much thought into this custom fitted iPad messenger / travel bag as we did into the LilyPad itself. There's a window to allow the light through to charge the LilyPad as you're simply walking around. There's a convenient pocket to store your phone AND charge it simultaneously while your iPad is charging off the solar LilyPad. There are plenty of pockets and storage inside the bag as well - even a hidden fold out for a water bottle. The case is treated with a wax coating giving it a water resistant finish. In short, this travel bag is just as great as the LIlyPad itself. [again, please add $10 for international shipping, thanks]. I take mine everywhere.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011Pledge $500 or more
7 backers
For a $500 pledge you’ll received a serialized, green and white “Save the Planet” Edition of the Lilypad signed via laser by the designer, Dave Foster. You'll also get the travel bag. Heck, if you live close enough to Orlando I'll visit you personally to deliver it.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011Pledge $1,000 or more
4 backers
Custom one of a kind color and design LilyPad! You'll also get the travel bag (custom material) and a couple new upcoming accessories as well. Actually, if you're pledging this much let me know what else you want. Signed prototype, help with your own invention, you name it. Obviously that means you're a big fan of "Green" and of the LilyPad, and I'm grateful for that.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2011
Comments
Creator David Foster on October 4, 2011
Jesse, it is a really basic one, just like you said to be used as a backup in case you needed one real quick to sign a document or something, nothing fancy. Of course you can always just use your finger. We wanted a nice thick stylus but there was absolutely no way of fitting that in there. Thanks for your understanding.
Creator Jesse Diaz on October 4, 2011
I say ace the stylus if its so much trouble. THe stylus looks basic and although it would be nice to have a backup just in case, I would almost NEVER use is since I have my Jot stylus with me and a backup. I would think that most people that use a stylus everyday are really picky about which one they use and hence would use the stylus in the LilyPad as a last, last resort...and I mean last resort where if I accidently cut my fingers off....JK but you get the point...
Unless the stylus is more than a basic stylus....David??
Creator David Foster on October 3, 2011
Hi Michael: I haven't tried it yet with the Zagg on the iPad, but there a little room in there and the Zagg is really thin, so I'd expect it to not pose as a problem.
Creator Micheal Smith on October 2, 2011
How well does the iPad fit in this when you have a Zagg invisible full body shield on it? I didn't read anywhere about existing protectors on the iPads and how they'll fit.
Creator Laura Chambers on September 30, 2011
I am on pins and needles anticipating getting mine in the mail! I can't whistle with my braces right now, so I am glad about the switch to clapping. You guys have thought of so much, I can't wait to start showing off my lilypad!
Creator David Foster on September 30, 2011
Steff, thanks for your understanding. I have a parrot as well and shared those concerns. We incorporated an on/off switch because it was beeping all the time in my house from my bird on the first prototype we had. So you're all safe now with your feathered friend since the whistle won't set it off now. The LilyPad charges with or without the iPad in it. We set it up so it is its own self contained unit and power generating station. Leaving it on the windowsill will really help the results and it was designed so you can take the iPad in and out as often as you want.
Creator David Foster on September 30, 2011
Bob, sorry to disappoint you. We could paint the iPad 1 case for you but if it scratched you would see black underneath, and I didn't want to offer that. It would cost about $180,000 to reset the machines for the different material. If we worked in the cost for creating different colors on that version we would have to sell them for $260 each and I wanted to be able to offer the cases to a wider range of iPad owners at a very reasonable price. As for the stylus, the iPad's back is curved as opposed to the iPad 2 where it is flat, that took away any opportunity of adding one as there wasn't any room due to the shape of the iPad. We tried many ways but the internal structure of the case would have been compromised. I agree and am frustrated about it too, but I'm confident you'll be really happy with the overall integrity of the product and it's features. We added as many bonuses as possible, our main focus was the solar and helping the planet and we hit that target. I apologize the two products couldn't be identical and still look forward to sending it out to you and the rest of your peers here on Kicstarter before anyone else in the world gets one.
Creator Steff Wiltse on September 30, 2011
I've already got a stylus so that isn't much of an issue. As for the whistle, I was worried my pet parrot (an accomplished whistler) would be constantly setting it off! So, all good. I do have a question, however. Will the LilyPad charge its battery even without the iPad being present? If so, I'll prop it in a window at night so it can catch some early morning rays while the iPad is still at the ready in my darkened bedroom.
Creator Bob Crouch on September 29, 2011
iPad owners should have stylus pen and choice of colors also!