I think there is a problem with this product and it's timing.
Smartphones are going towards of being a "general-purpose computer" even if they are or not connected to a desktop monitor (I'm looking at you Continuum for Windows 10)
@eisensteinyaron@johntheoak Lets say your right. Connecting the device with hdmi and power cabel every time. Come on, they could have made a wireless dock solution at least. Wouldnt you say?
I was at the launch last night and the most interesting aspect to me, besides the wooden form factor, was the notion of an OS and UX specifically designed for social and collaborative activities.
The challenge I think they face is how or why I would change my behavior and adopt a new computer. Imagine a Linux user, a Mac user, and a Windows user, maybe a team of developers or maybe a family, or just a single person. What is the use case (and benefit) that gets them to shift and leave their current platform? And how can they continue their existing behaviors that are important to them?
Hi @seanwhite ! It was a pleasure to have you there with us last night. You point out something which is very true and I believe it is common to all paradigm shifts.
That is why we went for Kickstarter even though we have done almost all of the NREs involved in a project of this magnitude. It is a platform concentrating plenty of early adopters who are gadget enthusiasts and perhaps also young entrepreneurs. We saw it as a continuation of our 'under the radar' focus groups in incubators and co-working spaces on both sides of the Atlantic.
If we can create a beachhead among, let's say, young web startup entrepreneurs who are also the app developers, we can make ourselves strong there and try to cross the chasm building upon education, IoT, enterprise, etc.
You could say that our "closest spiritual equivalent" is Chromebook @chrismessina but we feel that we are a bit more than a glorified web browser :)
Chromebook’s and ChromeOS’s experience is built around Google’s web offerings. Users do not install or run native applications on Chromebooks, but only web applications. This means a lack of native speed, native experience and limited offline operations. Developers do not have as easy monetization models as they do on Solu. Additionally Google devices do not really span different device form factors. Chromebooks are effectively a new take on dumb terminals, and an experience that has often been lacking.
Cool idea, but five years too late. Have you seen the inside of the new MacBook? It's basically your iPhone connected to a ginormous battery. It's only a few years until Apple allows you to plug iPhones directly into Thunderbolts and there goes your personal pocket computer. Although this idea is really great, why would anyone in 2015 pay for hack-at-home solution to a problem that no longer exists?
Tackling so many issues at the same time is daunting @kirillzubovsky but it also allows to cater to very different world views, needs, and perspectives. If nothing else, I personally feel very proud of Solu being a solution for young entrepreneurs who must postpone high upfront costs and, also, that it is made in Finland, with its high standards of workers' rights, environmental protections, etc.
As commented to others above, it is a big challenge to have people switch. That's why, at this point, Solu may not be the answer for everybody. But we're trying our best and hopefully we can win your heart someday in the future :)
@javier_helsinki If nothing else, I would advise you that "I personally feel very proud of Solu" is a great start, but it might not be enough to create a truly innovative product that will one day dominate the market. You're about to embark on years of work, and despite the popular media telling us otherwise, truly great products had started with a plan in mind. At least that's my view. Better have those answers figured out, or one day you will be left standing with something cool that no one really needs ;) Best of luck!
I think this would go much farther with some demonstrable productivity apps, such as easily managing calendar and the like to differentiate it from tablet and desktop - http://bit.ly/1LeM8t2
Agreed @lynnfredricks ! We are uploading soon the San Francisco product launch where Kris and Joona, CEO and Head of Design, respectively, play with some apps... and where also I stumble upon the collaborative outliner, silly me but, hey, I'm just the business guy :)
@javier_helsinki We are working on a mesh network mobile communication device(something like a phone). I think SOLU OS might be a good fit. We are still on concept stage, but let me know if you are interested in possible collaboration.
@javier_helsinki@lynnfredricks That would help a lot. I think a device like this needs the utility to be clear, and not get lost in the "it can do everything but not any one thing very well" forest that other devices have entered.
@javier_helsinki@lynnfredricks Have you figured out your monthly subscription rate? I think that's a question you need to answer, along with a collection of productivity applications with a specific target customer in mind.
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Looks great! How do we develop applications for it?
Who is authorized to "push" apps for the consumers?
Stunning concept! Current machines are so fragmented, jumping from iOS to Mac to tvOS to WatchOS is pure madness. It's amazing that someone took the situation seriously. I also agree with the fact that app market should change. A subscription makes perfect sense. Of course, they have to polish the edges, but the overall idea will change the game.
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