When can we expect the melt-down to start?So we are now past the expected delivery of this project (which was June 2016). Granted, it's not even a month after the expected delivery date, but the updates have left a lot of people wondering what is going on. I'm not a backer, but based on the comments people are getting impatient.
Just to remind you....
June 27, 2015. Successfully raised $415,128 USD with 3,187 backers
Remember, this is for a credit-card type slim-phone on a GSM network, the kind of stuff you could have bought on eBay and Alibaba for $10-15, more than 2 years ago. The "innovation" here was (1) an app that allowed you to easily switch calls to the light phone from your iPhone/Android main phone, (2) long battery life on standby at least, and (3) a $50 prepaid card for your region.
So for now nobody knows what is delaying this campaign, the comments don't seem to provide any clues and I am not privy to seeing the updates. But the comments do show a stream of people starting to ask for when they can expect delivery.
BIG QUESTIONS:
1. Will they have a decent app?
I am suspicious that they can make an app that actually works they way they say. At the very simplest, it should let you type in the number for your "light phone" and once set up, should have a 1-button toggle for either FORWARDING ON or OFF. For that, the app will have to turn on and turn off call-forwarding with the carrier, since the forwarding happens BEFORE any call gets to your phone. By the way, that makes this DIFFERENT from the call-blocking feature in the phone. When you use that, the phone sees the Caller ID first and based on the number it either lets it through or doesn't pick up, and the carrier sees that you haven't answered so that's why it goes to Voicemail. The "lightphone" can't work the same way (or wasn't supposed to). For one, people are supposed to still call you on your REGULAR NUMBER. Forwarding means your regular phone never gets the call, never has a chance to decide anything. It has to be done in the carrier's equipment. It is part of your cell phone plan features.
In Canada on Bell, usually you dial a *72# and enter some digits if you are on an EVDO/1XRTT network. If you are on HSPA/UMTS, you can do it in the phone... probably it sends some data to the network to turn it on/off, and you get a text confirmation. So I am not sure if their app can do this or not, how it latches in to the phone and if apps even can get that deeply integrated to be able to do this..... And will have to know the particulars of many countries and carriers, otherwise allow the user to set up custom dialing numbers, etc. I mean, if malware was able to do this, it could hijack your phone number and forward your calls to some pay-per-call service and make a fortune. So I have a feeling basic apps (except for the OS of the phone) do not have such power to access carrier forwarding... but I could be wrong.
2. Battery life on standby?
Not sure yet what the verdict is. Depends on your signal, I'm sure even in standby some "dead zones" will have a larger drain on the battery as the phone tries to lock on. Also, no word on the coverage for GSM and if it is going to be even useful to most people who live in countries that have transitioned over already to newer protocols.
3. SIM CARD
They claim to give you $50 SIM card. Again, this is a logistical nightmare to promise to people. So many carriers, countries, and how on earth do you package this with the phone? You are better off just refunding people $50 and telling them to go buy their own SIM in their local country.
I'm very curious to know what is going on here. I did email the creators of this project and they seemed to be genuinely trying to do something here with an "incubator" group in China that works with these types of crowd-funding campaigns. But other than a cosmetic rebake of an existing phone and a "marketing gimmick", I still see nothing concrete having materialized. Prove me wrong guys.... and good luck in getting this thing out soon, your backers are getting impatient.
[EDIT: Latest Reply from the Creators]
Hi Jonny,
The Light Phone uses Nano SIM. You are correct, the Light Phone is 2G only. As for adapters, we are actually only providing our custom micro USB cord to all backers, but even US backers will not receive a power block as we assume everyone has so many already. Please feel free to email me whenever you have any questions - info@thelightphone.com goes straight to both of us. Thanks again for your continued support and patience. I'm sorry for our slow response we are heads down trying our best to stay on track and get everyone their phones Much love!
Before they change the rewards:
Pledge $100 or more
The Light Phone! You will receive one of the very first Light Phones. It will come with a mini USB charger, and a SIM card preloaded with at least 500 minutes.
ESTIMATED DELIVERY
May 2016
SHIPS TO
Anywhere in the world
1,875 backers
Pledge $125 or more
The Light Phone, a shirt and the process book. This is our Collector's Package. You will receive one of the first Light Phones, our exclusive Kickstarter shirt and the process book. This reward will ship in multiple parts. The Light shirt will ship in July of 2015. The phone will ship by May of 2016 and the book will follow in June of 2016.
ESTIMATED DELIVERY
May 2016
SHIPS TO
Anywhere in the world
317 backers
I thought it was $50 SIM, not 500 minutes. Not sure if it makes much of a difference. I don't know what 500 minutes costs with the various carriers around the world.