Über dieses Projekt
68.431 $
Mashable, Engadget, AndroidAuthority, NeuerDings, GeekyGadgets,
PhonesReview, SlashGear, TechnologyTell, GearMoose, TechnaBob
REWARDS LIST
ONE RECEIVER REWARDS:
TWO RECEIVER REWARDS:
A NEW LIFE FOR ALL NEW AND OLD SPEAKERS
It's hard to believe you can send audio to TWO speakers via Bluetooth at the same time. This is a functionality that has been requested in many blogs, forums, and projects throughout the years with no real answer.
But it's true! CSR's TrueWireless Stereo technology makes this happen, and Vertus finally brings this technology to life in a form of two specialized Bluetooth receivers (One for each speaker) that if needed can also work independently to add full stereo Bluetooth capability to any single non-Bluetooth speaker, Headphone, or car stereo. TrueWirelessStereo
DESIGNED, MACHINED, AND ASSEMBLED IN USA
THE UNIQUE USES OF VERTUS
1 - SPREAD THE MUSIC
Vertus takes any two Bluetooth or non-Bluetooth speakers to the next level. It can be used to spread out music in a room or an outdoor space for personal listening, when having a party or in any event music is needed in more than one place.
2 - MAKE A PORTABLE HOME THEATER SYSTEM
Vertus also brings the possibility of having a mini portable home theater system by using two identical portable speakers. By doing this, it lets you listen to music, movies, games or any audio the way the producers want you to listen which is the true stereo form by having one speaker on each side. And to get it just right, a Near Field Listening Position can be implemented easily, which is a simple speaker setup that gives a whole new meaning to stereo audio. Near Field Listening Position
3 - USE ANY VERTUS RECEIVER INDEPENDENTLY
Each Vertus receiver can also be used independently as a stand-alone stereo Bluetooth receiver, when you just need to add full stereo Bluetooth capability to any non-Bluetooth speaker, headphone or car stereo.
HOW IT WORKS
TWO RECEIVER (TrueWireless Stereo) mode:
Vertus is a system of two specialized Bluetooth receivers, one for each speaker. The right receiver is plugged in into the right speaker and the left receiver into the left speaker. After pairing with a Bluetooth device, you could enjoy full-stereo sound coming collectively from two separate Bluetooth or portable speakers at the same time.
ONE RECEIVER (Stand-alone) mode:
Each Vertus receiver can also be used independently as a stand-alone stereo Bluetooth receiver, when you just need to add Bluetooth capability to any non-Bluetooth speaker, headphone or car stereo. This means, in this case a Vertus receiver is used independently by carrying both the right and left channels.
DESIGN & USER INTERFACE
Vertus is milled from one piece of aluminum block making its design as unique as its functionality. With its small and thin design, Vertus can nicely merge with any speaker.
At the end of the campaign, we will send our backers a survey to choose their color.
Despite to its thin design, Vertus has an exceptional battery which lasts for at least 10 hours. Vertus is smart. It doesn't need any buttons. Tap it twice, it will tell you how much battery is left by blinking the LED, and tap it three times to pair it with your Bluetooth device. Vertus can be charged either by its micro-USB port or through the same 3.5mm jack when plugged in to the charging station which itself is powered by a standard micro-USB port.
The Optional CHARGING STATION:
CAD drawing of the receivers:
Where we're at
Vertus is in the last stages of development! We are using an already engineered module with a CSR BlueCore 5 Bluetooth chip. It is already FCC, CE, and IC certified and is fully licensed by Bluetooth SIG. Our Bluetooth supplier's team of engineers have developed an almost fully functional Bluetooth software based on the TrueWireless technology which has been programmed into the first prototypes, but it still needs further development and customization.
Meanwhile, we are working on the CAD drawings of the aluminum enclosures along with programming efficient machining tool-paths. Although, we are close to finishing the development and starting the production, your support will help fund:
- Further development and customization
- Production tooling
- Meeting the minimum order quantity
Project Updates:
After the campaign ends successfully, we are going to post updates regularly every Wednesday, to inform you the details of our journey.
Technical Specifications:
Enclosure: Aluminum
Colors: Silver, Gunmetal Gray
Connectivity: Bluetooth v2.1 EDR with TrueWireless, A2DP, Class 2
Range: 30 feet(10m) from a source to the Right receiver, 30 feet(10m) between the Right and Left receivers
Battery Life: 10 hours
Output: Standard 3.5mm connector
Compatibility: Any device that supports Bluetooth music streaming including smartphones, tablets, laptops, PCs, and etc.
Dimensions: 1.26" x 0.87" x .37", (32mm x 22mm x 9.5mm)
Weight: 0.71 ounce, (20 grams)
Development and Manufacturing Timeline
Late November 2012: The idea was born and we started the research for a solution.
December 2012: Our research became successful by finding the TrueWireless Stereo technology. We also found a Bluetooth module supplier that knew about the TrueWireless Stereo technology and was willing to accept our custom engineering requests.
January and February 2013: Our collaboration started with the Bluetooth supplier to initiate the development of the first prototypes by having their team of engineers embedding the TrueWireless Stereo technology into their Bluetooth module and implementing custom features such as the tapping interface.
Early March 2013: We started testing the newly developed software on the development boards and ordered the first pair of compact prototype modules.
Mid-March 2013: We started working on the design, CAD drawings, and machining of the aluminum enclosures with our prototyping CNC machine.
Late March 2013: We made the first prototypes by mounting the compact modules, tap sensors, batteries, and 3.5mm jacks, in the aluminum enclosures.
Early April 2013: We talked with various CNC machining shops regarding the terms of the mass production such as pricing and time, and decided to partner with a CNC machining shop in Glendale, CA. We also talked to several aluminum anodizing and finishing shops and deiced to partner with one in Burbank, CA.
Late April and May 2013: Kickstarter Campaign
June 2013: After receiving the funds we will be able to resume the final stages of development, testing, and customization of the software by our Bluetooth supplier. Meanwhile, we will place the order for the Bluetooth modules which will be manufactured in Taiwan by the electronic manufacturing partner of our Bluetooth supplier. The same manufacturer will also mount the tap sensors and 3.5mm jacks along with the modules on small PCB boards. Also, we will order the batteries which will be produced in Guangzhou, China and order the aluminum enclosures from our partner CNC machining shop. At the same time, we will continue testing our prototypes with different devices and report to our Bluetooth supplier if we see any incompatibilities.
Early July 2013: We will design the final packaging and order them from a print facility in Pasadena, CA.
Late July 2013: The assembled boards including the modules will arrive. If the software development and testing is finished, our Bluetooth supplier will start programing the developed software into the modules and start sending them to us in a week. By this time, the aluminum enclosures will be ready to take them to the aluminum anodizing and finishing shop, which will take about 10 days to finish.
Early August 2013: If everything goes as planned, by this time we will have all the parts to start assembling the finished Vertus systems in our workshop in Glendale, CA. By assembling, we mean for each receiver, we will connect the battery to the assembled PCB board which already contains the Bluetooth module, the tap sensor, and the 3.5mm jack. Then everything will go inside the aluminum enclosure and would be mounted properly. The charging station will also be assembled in a similar manner with its respective electronics. After the assembly of each system, we will test and perform quality control to make sure the system works and looks perfect.
Mid-August 2013: We will start shipping. We are going to take care of the domestic fulfillment but for the international fulfillment, we are going to use the service provided by fulfillrite.com to eliminate any issues related to international customs.
All brand and product names and associated logos contained within this Kickstarter project belong to their respective owners and are protected by copyright.
Risiken und Herausforderungen
Software-wise, we have a fully functional software that still needs further development and customization. By saying further development, we mean we have a prototype that has the TrueWireless Stereo Technology embedded into the original Bluetooth stack of the module which needs further testing and debugging to make sure the merging of the two softwares is flawless and as a result eliminating any issues in terms of pairing, connection stability, range and compatibility with different platforms. Also, by saying customization, we mean adjustments to the functionality and the user interface such as tuning the the tap sensor response. Therefore, there might be unexpected delays in the development process. Electronic-wise, since we are using an already engineered module which has all the regulatory certifications including FCC, CE, IC and Bluetooth SIG, a big potential for delays is eliminated but still there might be unexpected delays in manufacturing the modules. We have tested our prototypes with several most known Bluetooth devices, and they work perfectly. As, a result, there are devices that we have not tested yet, but because Bluetooth is a global standard, basically any device that supports Bluetooth audio streaming, should work fine. As we go into production, even though not expected, our manufacturer (CNC machine shop) based in Glendale, California might not meet our high standards at first, which would require some tweaking to make it perfect, causing a slight delay.There might also be some unexpected delays in manufacturing the batteries, since the manufacturer only would produce our batteries along with their other orders but since they always have orders, this shouldn't be an issue. Overall, despite the risks and challenges, we are very confident on meeting our expected delivery goal.
Näheres zur Rechenschaftspflicht auf KickstarterFAQs
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The range between a Bluetooth source and the Right (main) receiver is 30 feet and then the range between the Right and Left receivers is also 30 feet.
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Vertus doesn't have a female 3.5mm jack, but we are going to supply female-to-female connectors with every system which will add a 3.5mm female jack to any Vertus.
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Yes, each Vertus receiver can also be used as a stand-alone stereo Bluetooth receiver, when you just need to add Bluetooth capability to any non-Bluetooth speaker, headphones and car stereo.
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No, because of the TrueWirless Stereo technology there is no delay between the Left and Right channels and are perfectly synchronized.
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Yes, Vertus can be a great companion to Vamp and brings the possibility of having two Vamps play the same music at the same time in a stereo form.
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Since HiddenRadio and a few portable speakers don't have their audio input jack easily accessible, we are going to provide two short AUX cables (3.5mm male to male cable) alongside two small 3.5mm female-to-female connectors.
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Bluetooth 4 technology has two parts which are 1: the Legacy Bluetooth that we are using and 2: the Bluetooth low energy. The low power consumption and the higher range, relates to the Bluetooth Low Energy part of the Bluetooth 4 technology, which cannot be used for audio streaming and is mainly used for sensors.
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Finanzierungszeitraum
- (30 Tage)