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gtmaster303

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Posts posted by gtmaster303

    On the pre-production status

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I read EskeRahn’s review of the almost final product. Can’t say I’m thrilled about stickers covering screw holes on the KB that will likely come off after a couple of months of use nor does that seem premium to me. Uneven KB backlighting seems auper annoying as well and really hope they don’t ship like that.

     

    You have a link to that review? Don't see it anywhere

    Any opt-out or alternative to the headphones?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I asked them to include an option for a phone skin as I'm sure it would be hard to find anyway and a nice alternative to the case. Topic didn't get any traction.

    I would be willing to to take a shirt instead of headphones or a case as well. Considering they can barely get the phone out on time, I doubt they would want to entertain giving us options on our included accessories.

    Even if it's a few dollars, I wish we could get that back if we opted out of the accessories. I agree the case and headphones will be almost meaningless to me. Unless these are next level headphones they're including

     

    Anyone have any details on the headphones by the way? Who made them, specs, quality, etc?

    Direct Emails from fxtec that I have been authorized to share.

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    There is a conflict between that email and what
    is stating. Leaving the factory in 1-2 weeks, on the way to the fulfillment centers, is not necessarily the same as being ready to ship to customers in 1-2 weeks. The gap here is how long it takes to get from the factory to the fulfillment centers (both in transit time and customs hold time). If, for instance, it takes the slow boat from China to the USA, then that could be the middle of November before it hits the USA. If customs holds it for a few days and the fulfillment center takes a few days to package it for delivery, then it could be closer to the end of November before it reaches customers. If the phones are sent overnight from China to the USA (and other countries), then it could be a much different timeline.

     

    As far as I know, the stock would be transported to our warehouses with an express courier service such as DHL, therefore the shipment would only take around 3 days to reach the US and the EU from the manufacturing facility in China. The only thing that could delay transportation would be customs clearance, but that doesn’t usually take more than 3 days even if it’s delayed.

    So if we put together the email plus this added information about courier time and customs, we have, as a theoretical worst case, for early pre-orders:

     

    – Leaving the Chinese factory on 10/15

     

    – 3 days transport time to the USA and EU = 10/18

     

    – 3 days in customs = 10/21

     

    – 1 day transport from customs to fulfillment center = 10/22 (added this as a guess)

     

    – 3 days packaging at the fulfillment center = 10/25 (added this as a guess)

     

    – 3 days transport time from the fulfillment center to the customer if in the same country (USA to USA, EU to EU) = 10/28 in customer’s hands

     

    If we look at best case:

     

    – Leaving the Chinese factory on 10/8

     

    – 3 days transport time to the USA and EU = 10/11

     

    – 0 days in customs = 10/11

     

    – 1 day transport from customs to fulfillment center = 10/12

     

    – 1 day packaging at the fulfillment center = 10/13

     

    – 1 day transport time from the fulfillment center to the customer if in the same country and either close to the fulfillment center or they send it overnight = 10/14

     

    If all that is correct, we’re looking at another 11 to 25 days from today (10/3/2019).

     

    You have a lot of time on your hands lol.

    Regardless it's sad that we have to piece this info together ourselves from different sources, not to mention it all means nothing and is subject to change. Until we have tracking numbers, nothing is certain

    Cancelling order

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    A little perspective on delays of which, so far, by my calculations, there have only been two if you ignore the rumors.

     

    Initially, last winter, they set a target of July 2019. Did anyone actually think a target picked that far out had anything but a very slim chance of being accurate? In june they changed that to the much more reasonable “Summer 2019” which gave them a range rather than a point date. Anything up until 20 SEP would be on time. I do not consider that a delay but a projection based on more accurate data than the ridiculously early projection.

     

    Before we get to the first delay, there is the issue of the initially stated policy of not asking for money until 2-3 weeks before shipping. Clearly that didn’t happen and has irkes some people. However, when the made the request for money at the beginning of August they stated clearly that the policy was no longer in effect before you sent in your money:

     

    “We are beginning the manufacturing in the next few weeks with estimated first shipping to pre-order customers during the 2nd week of September.

     

    Within the next 48 hrs, look out for the automated payment email (“Your F(x)tec pre-order from <date>, 2019 is now available”)”

     

    So change in policy, provided before payment, and still the same projection date.

     

    The first real delay occurs in September, in the newsletter dated 14 Sept.

     

    “We have had delays in obtaining the final licenses needed for the best ‘out of box’ experience and this delay has been further compounded by our factory closing next week for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

     

    Production has started and we are eager to start shipping; but until we are fully satisfied with the best ‘out of box’ experience we will not ship until this has been resolved. We appreciate that this may be disappointing, but quality is our number one objective and we are now not likely to ship the pre-orders until early October.”

     

    That’s one delay. Today, Eric may have given us a second delay (depending in part on whether you think early and mid overlap ;-) ) as well as a clear statement of the time course for shipping, that no matter when they start shipping it may actually take time to ship them all. They will be trying to get them all out by the end of October. Yes, trying. Yes, they could run into shipping bumps so no promises.

     

    Frankly, for a project of this scale, I think they’ve done pretty well.

     

    Not to get technical but I count more than you did.

    July to summer - 1

    September/summer to early October - 2

    Early October to mid/late October - 3

    Time will tell if there's another delay...

    We're obviously getting closer but the delays are real and frequent enough to be a problem for some.

    Cancelling order

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Refund of delivery costs. A voucher for something in their shop. A discount on the device. Some other benefit like for example an additional longer USB cable. There’s ton of ways to reward us the long waiting time.

     

    If I gave the money to my bank instead of paying them, I would get some % for this. You see what I mean here?

    Here in Denmark we got negative or at best zero interests on money in the bank currently….

     

    But that apart so what you are asking is not something binding but discounts or bonus items? I guess we would all like that.

     

    Objectively speaking I agree with him. We were the first to pay for the device months ago and support an unknown company when mainstream consumers typically wouldn't. I think some type of token saying sorry and thank you would go a long way here.

    Cancelling order

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I've told family and friends about the Pro1 and how excited I am, how much I spent on the phone and the fact that I've never bought a new phone ever but I'm willing to this time because I really like the device and want to support the company.

    How disappointing is it that every time they ask me about it, I say it's been delayed? And I've been saying that since July...

    Not kidding my brother just told me yesterday I wonder when you're going to give up and get a new phone

    Cancelling order

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    If they time to post on social media, they have time to update us on project status. A long time ago they said they wouldn't take payments until they were 2-3 weeks from shipping. I paid 2 months ago for my preorder.

    Over the past few months I've seen all kinds of new phones getting released and I'm still here waiting for my Pro1. This wait is beyond frustrating and I'm not even sure it's worth it anymore. I can get a new phone from a major brand that has all their ducks in a row for half this price or even less. Sure no keyboard, but at least I get the support I am used to as a paying customer.

     

    If the communication is this bad before the product launch how bad will it be post launch? Imagine trying to get device support from them if something goes wrong. I'm not trying to bash them but it's getting hard to support the team. The newsletter clearly said we will get regular updates but we have nothing so far. Early October is next week and if they intend on shipping, we should have a date. And if they wait until that timeframe to tell me it's delayed, I'm cancelling too. Very sad to say but all of these delays and obscurity are very troubling. And I can't back them in that state.

    Cancelling order

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Hook i am sorry, i am just frustrated.

     

    Well about my source, firstly if you remember back in September before the delay announcement some people started talking about october and later the delay was announced until october. so same way some here are now talking about november now which gives me the sense that its going to be november delay.

     

    secondly, so i emailed fx team and asked them to give me so approx date if its coming in early october. they replied that it will never be before mid october and because of no stock its more likely to be in november. so its clear that next delay is most likely and for november. the big problem here is that after they will announce delay until november then they will sit very quite till the last minute which means end of november and once its almost passed then they will announce the next delay.

     

    its sad. i am unsure if we are getting pro1 within this year or even get it ever.

     

    Are they talking about pre-order or orders placed after the pre orders closed?

    Android 10 on the Pro1

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I know the device hasn't shipped yet, but I want to know if the team has been working on the new version on Android or when they intend on updating the Pro1. Based on what they posted in the past, efforts were going to be made to ensure the device received timely updates and mirror Google time frames as much as possible - one of the main reasons I bought the device.

    Pro1 on Sprint CDMA

    in Pro1 - Thoughts & questions

    Posted

    I know this phone supports the bands needed to run on Sprint, but does anyone know which model sim is needed?

     

    Kinda worried as an unknown device if it will activate on the network

     

    You mean what size sim card? It’s nanoSIM. Or do you mean something else?

     

    No not size. Model number. For example, a pixel 2 would need simglw416c card. Spint makes dozens of different sims compatible with different sets of phones. But they’re not interchangable

    Ah ok. My only sprint phone is Photon Q, and it’s sim is internal. But I am seriously considering activating Pro1 on a sprint MVNO (tello) as they have the best deal I can find ($6/month for 100mins voice and 1GB LTE, unlimited 2G). I just ordered a freedompop gsm sim card for it, I plan to try dual SIM, will use the AT&T data when no Sprint/Verizon coverage, etc. I already use google voice as my primary number so don’t care about provider assigned voice #s.

     

    So if you find out this information, please be sure to share, as I’ll probably need it if I decide to order that Tello SIM card…

     

    I'm on Sprint BYOD 1 year free promo right now and was going to move to tello near the end of the year when it expires. This is important info the team needs to release... Need to know which sim model. I already emailed and tweeted them, no reply yet

    Pro1 on Sprint CDMA

    in Pro1 - Thoughts & questions

    Posted

    I know this phone supports the bands needed to run on Sprint, but does anyone know which model sim is needed?

     

    Kinda worried as an unknown device if it will activate on the network

    You mean what size sim card? It’s nanoSIM. Or do you mean something else?

     

    No not size. Model number. For example, a pixel 2 would need simglw416c card. Spint makes dozens of different sims compatible with different sets of phones. But they're not interchangable

    Price          ​           ​ .

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I’ll be honest, for a new company at first I thought the price was ok, but I’m starting to get a little less forgiving now. Nearly all manufacturers have released new phones over the past 6 months, some getting discounts shortly after release. I doubt this phone will drop in price after release. It’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re asking 700 for a new phone. I’ve never spent so much on a device before. Always bought pre-owned handsets or handsets on sale.

     

    I know development costs are not cheap and they need to make money but I think the price will scare many away. Same thing happened to the blackberry priv. It was too overpriced and it died out fast in a firesale.

     

    Keep in mind this phone has to go beyond niche markets to do well.

     

    The average consumer is not going to spend 700 for a new phone from a new manufacturer they’ve never heard of when household brands are pumping out reliable phones that have been perfected over the years for the same or less. The lower the price, the more a consumer may be willing to go out on a limb and try it for the keyboard novelty.

     

    I hate to sound negative but I’m trying to paint a reality check. I want this device to succeed. I want keyboards to come back. I want them to make another. But the odds are stacked against them.

     

    If they proceed with the proposed price, the only way out is overwhelmingly positive reviews. And the device has to be perfect. I’m not kidding when I say PERFECT.

     

    First of it is 650 and not 700, but that is almost splitting sticks.

     

    But seen from my perspective this IS a niche product, and will never be a ‘mass product’ selling millions (I would love to be proven wrong though…)

     

    In my view it simply is a limited segment that type that much that they can see the benefits of a real keyboard over the software substitutes. AND even if they do see it, there is a trade of in size and weight that have to be considered. So for those that type sms, email, browses etc with a mean of say 100-200 strokes a day, and use their device primarily for calling and e.g. images, well then the touch phablets or phones out there would most likely be the better suited for their usage pattern. And even some intensive ‘typers’ would insist on portrait, and some will not accept the larger device of a physical keyboard. And even a good chunk of real keyboard lovers prefer a keyboard in the wrong direction (just browse a bit on crackberry)…

     

    Sure a lower price would always attract more buyers, but even if it was sold at the material cost price (what ever that is), ignoring all development, software, marketing and investments costs it would
    still
    be a niche product.

     

    But I would agree with you that the price matters. Had it been much cheaper I would most likely have bought several, simply to have as spares, now I think I will limit my self to two or three…. I have been crying for something like this for almost ten years, and who knows if they will make a pro2, or it will be another ten years…. I would just hate the risk of NOT having bought enough to last…

    I think also it will be a fairly niche product, and maybe some non-keyboard-addicts would still be willing to get their feet wet at the set price after reviews show it off and fxtec becomes somewhat more known. I’m glad that they went for a somewhat high-end phone rather than giving us cheap hardware at a cheap price… I doubt they could manage the same hardware for a cheaper price, looking at prices of other similarly specced devices. And as for people like me and eskerahn… I think we both are just itching to get rid of the some money and get our hands on this device as it’s the only option in a category.

     

    What do you mean? The specs of this phone can be found in other handsets for nearly half the price. I think the reason their price is higher is due to development costs and volume, or lack of volume rather

    Price          ​           ​ .

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I’ll be honest, for a new company at first I thought the price was ok, but I’m starting to get a little less forgiving now. Nearly all manufacturers have released new phones over the past 6 months, some getting discounts shortly after release. I doubt this phone will drop in price after release. It’s a tough pill to swallow when you’re asking 700 for a new phone. I’ve never spent so much on a device before. Always bought pre-owned handsets or handsets on sale.

     

    I know development costs are not cheap and they need to make money but I think the price will scare many away. Same thing happened to the blackberry priv. It was too overpriced and it died out fast in a firesale.

     

    Keep in mind this phone has to go beyond niche markets to do well.

     

    The average consumer is not going to spend 700 for a new phone from a new manufacturer they’ve never heard of when household brands are pumping out reliable phones that have been perfected over the years for the same or less. The lower the price, the more a consumer may be willing to go out on a limb and try it for the keyboard novelty.

     

    I hate to sound negative but I’m trying to paint a reality check. I want this device to succeed. I want keyboards to come back. I want them to make another. But the odds are stacked against them.

     

    If they proceed with the proposed price, the only way out is overwhelmingly positive reviews. And the device has to be perfect. I’m not kidding when I say PERFECT.

    First of it is 650 and not 700, but that is almost splitting sticks.

     

    But seen from my perspective this IS a niche product, and will never be a ‘mass product’ selling millions (I would love to be proven wrong though…)

     

    In my view it simply is a limited segment that type that much that they can see the benefits of a real keyboard over the software substitutes. AND even if they do see it, there is a trade of in size and weight that have to be considered. So for those that type sms, email, browses etc with a mean of say 100-200 strokes a day, and use their device primarily for calling and e.g. images, well then the touch phablets or phones out there would most likely be the better suited for their usage pattern. And even some intensive ‘typers’ would insist on portrait, and some will not accept the larger device of a physical keyboard. And even a good chunk of real keyboard lovers prefer a keyboard in the wrong direction (just browse a bit on crackberry)…

     

    Sure a lower price would always attract more buyers, but even if it was sold at the material cost price (what ever that is), ignoring all development, software, marketing and investments costs it would still be a niche product.

     

    But I would agree with you that the price matters. Had it been much cheaper I would most likely have bought several, simply to have as spares, now I think I will limit my self to two or three…. I have been crying for something like this for almost ten years, and who knows if they will make a pro2, or it will be another ten years…. I would just hate the risk of NOT having bought enough to last…

     

    My preorder says $694 with VAT, but as you mentioned, "splitting sticks"

    If this phone is a niche product it will live and die as such. But i'm going to stay optimistic as the company seems to genuinely care about the device and it's users. It's done things none of the big players have done.

    Aftermarket rom support, an easily replaceable battery, the push for continual improvement, and software updates rivaling the pixel line. No one else can boast these features

    I've never paid full price for any phone but I'm ready to pay for this one and I think that speaks volumes for my support. Hopefully they can forge a path that other companies would not or could not do.

    Price          ​           ​ .

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I'll be honest, for a new company at first I thought the price was ok, but I'm starting to get a little less forgiving now. Nearly all manufacturers have released new phones over the past 6 months, some getting discounts shortly after release. I doubt this phone will drop in price after release. It's a tough pill to swallow when you're asking 700 for a new phone. I've never spent so much on a device before. Always bought pre-owned handsets or handsets on sale.

    I know development costs are not cheap and they need to make money but I think the price will scare many away. Same thing happened to the blackberry priv. It was too overpriced and it died out fast in a firesale.

    Keep in mind this phone has to go beyond niche markets to do well.

    The average consumer is not going to spend 700 for a new phone from a new manufacturer they've never heard of when household brands are pumping out reliable phones that have been perfected over the years for the same or less. The lower the price, the more a consumer may be willing to go out on a limb and try it for the keyboard novelty.

    I hate to sound negative but I'm trying to paint a reality check. I want this device to succeed. I want keyboards to come back. I want them to make another. But the odds are stacked against them.

    If they proceed with the proposed price, the only way out is overwhelmingly positive reviews. And the device has to be perfect. I'm not kidding when I say PERFECT.

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