Assuming you live in California, how often do you lose power in your home - and for how long - such that this kind of promised backup (for $1300 to $1800) is a desirable feature? Remember, the consumer is paying $1300 up-front, or $1800 over time, and giving up a space inside the garage or other area of the home, for the pleasure of a backup system. Not for lower costs of power.
Don't forget taxes! We're not number one in taxes yet, but we're working hard! And Second Amendment violations, we're also pushing hard to beat everyone else there, too (I think we're close to number one, trailing only DC).
According to TFA, I pay $1300 to $1800 (depending upon one-time shot or installments) and I have a guaranteed backup power for 10 years. I've lived in my current home for 5, down here in Ventura, and have lost power exactly once, for 2 hours, when SCE replaced/upgraded the transformer in our subdivision (and which the announced a dozen times the month before, so it was no surprise to anyone). So I guess what is being offered here is backup power for the amazingly affordable price of $650 to $900 per hour. Hurray, California!
The expensive parts of development of these kinds of products (which I have done in the past) are the display, the main board, and the software. Using an off-the-shelf display and main board (there are plenty with the specs I've quoted) eliminates that. Software - stock Android, and the drivers already exist for the main board. This is really a packaging deal, with new mechanicals to provide IP68 (which is not unheard of) and internal space for a larger battery. This is much more akin to developing a custom body to put on an existing car.
What "patent owners"? I'd build on an existing platform - it's fair use to buy an existing product, extend it, and resell. That's extremely common in almost all industries - or else no one could ever build vehicles, houses, computers, etc.
Z Wave and Zigbee networks co-exist and interoperate. I have devices of both types in my house, it's pretty transparent. And I guess if you want to leave a battery powered device outside my home (right up next to the wall, so it can have a hope of working) for 6+ months or so, and it's not discovered, well...
Hmmm... Methinks you're wrong. It's millions if you develop everything brand-new from the ground up. Use an already existing cell-phone platform and screen, it's a lot lower hurdle to execution. Much like it's easier to offer a vehicle based on an existing platform than building a whole new platform altogether (had to work in the obligatory/. car analogy). I do believe it can be done - and profitable - at 10,000 units... The question becomes distribution/marketing - Kickstarter? Indiegogo? Banner ads on geek sites? Sponsor a fork of systemd?
Did your attack take place at your prompting, or did you have to wait for someone to initiate pairing? If the latter - then it's essentially worthless, because the owner is right there to see you. Sure, you COULD leave a remote bug to automate the process, but how many of those are you going to scatter around the neighborhood, hope never show up in any gardener work, and not have their batteries die before someone decides to add yet another device to their home?
I've never had to re-pair any Z Wave devices in my home... I guess you'll be waiting a LONG time for that event, which takes place at $RANDOM time and maybe once a year when I add a new device...
I do basically the same thing. But the garage door is automated even further, so that when a fob in either the car or motorcycle leaves, the garage door will automatically close in 1 minute. And if the system senses the fob returning it will automatically open up the garage door. Never have to worry about leaving the door open ever again! And never have to fumble with a garage remote whilst on my motorcycle.
Well, for starters, you have to wait until a new device is added to the home so a pairing event is triggered. Second, most Z wave devices will only pair to something within 4-5m or so; the last set of Philips Hue bulbs I added to my Z Wave home had to be paired in the office - where my Z Wave controller is - and then relocated to other parts of the house. But I guess you can park and live 100m from my house for an undetermined amount of time and wait for me to actually pair something new that has a 100m pairing range...
Nice - thank you for the answer! I'm actually looking at doing this - but it would be just black cases, somewhat difficult to disassemble (but not impossible, just easier to make it more than a few screws and still hold IP68). No need for external cases as it's toughened already. And niche focused - 10K, 20K to make it actually succeed. Doesn't have fancy "face unlock" or stuff like that, but all the basics and rugged and a big battery!
Claiming to be 100% renewable and being 100% renewable are vastly different things. Most of these cities are "100% renewable" because they buy or trade indulgences (better known as carbon credits) and continue to use coal or nuclear. And remember, in many places (including California) hydro is NOT considered a renewable.
Actually, I believe the reason is that you basically must double-up on your power generation. Renewables (solar and wind) are not 100% reliable, so you still must have a very large percentage of total usage backed by on-demand fossil fuels. So the addition of renewables does not significantly lower the capital costs. And since most power plants are not efficient unless running at 60-70% of capacity or more, there is always a minimum amount of base-load that must run, and renewables can "peak" above that. Too much renewables? You end up paying people to take the power - and that's more cost.
He should restrict himself to CTO, not CEO. CTO takes creativity and a wide-range of interests, the desire to push forward on multiple fronts. A CEO needs to focus and follow-through.
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So - are you willing to pay $1300 to $1800 for a backup that may get used a few hours every decade? Really?
OK, all that aside. If I can bring a $600 unit to market with the specs originally listed, would you be interested?
Musk is worth about 0.14 Bezos, and Schmidt is worth 0.11 Bezos. Not a lot of difference there.
Assuming you live in California, how often do you lose power in your home - and for how long - such that this kind of promised backup (for $1300 to $1800) is a desirable feature? Remember, the consumer is paying $1300 up-front, or $1800 over time, and giving up a space inside the garage or other area of the home, for the pleasure of a backup system. Not for lower costs of power.
Don't forget taxes! We're not number one in taxes yet, but we're working hard! And Second Amendment violations, we're also pushing hard to beat everyone else there, too (I think we're close to number one, trailing only DC).
According to TFA, I pay $1300 to $1800 (depending upon one-time shot or installments) and I have a guaranteed backup power for 10 years. I've lived in my current home for 5, down here in Ventura, and have lost power exactly once, for 2 hours, when SCE replaced/upgraded the transformer in our subdivision (and which the announced a dozen times the month before, so it was no surprise to anyone). So I guess what is being offered here is backup power for the amazingly affordable price of $650 to $900 per hour. Hurray, California!
The expensive parts of development of these kinds of products (which I have done in the past) are the display, the main board, and the software. Using an off-the-shelf display and main board (there are plenty with the specs I've quoted) eliminates that. Software - stock Android, and the drivers already exist for the main board. This is really a packaging deal, with new mechanicals to provide IP68 (which is not unheard of) and internal space for a larger battery. This is much more akin to developing a custom body to put on an existing car.
NERD FIGHT!
I'm using SmartThings.
You know, I still have my Coleco Electronic Quarterback you insensitive clod! :)
What "patent owners"? I'd build on an existing platform - it's fair use to buy an existing product, extend it, and resell. That's extremely common in almost all industries - or else no one could ever build vehicles, houses, computers, etc.
Z Wave and Zigbee networks co-exist and interoperate. I have devices of both types in my house, it's pretty transparent. And I guess if you want to leave a battery powered device outside my home (right up next to the wall, so it can have a hope of working) for 6+ months or so, and it's not discovered, well...
Hmmm... Methinks you're wrong. It's millions if you develop everything brand-new from the ground up. Use an already existing cell-phone platform and screen, it's a lot lower hurdle to execution. Much like it's easier to offer a vehicle based on an existing platform than building a whole new platform altogether (had to work in the obligatory /. car analogy). I do believe it can be done - and profitable - at 10,000 units... The question becomes distribution/marketing - Kickstarter? Indiegogo? Banner ads on geek sites? Sponsor a fork of systemd?
Did your attack take place at your prompting, or did you have to wait for someone to initiate pairing? If the latter - then it's essentially worthless, because the owner is right there to see you. Sure, you COULD leave a remote bug to automate the process, but how many of those are you going to scatter around the neighborhood, hope never show up in any gardener work, and not have their batteries die before someone decides to add yet another device to their home?
I've never had to re-pair any Z Wave devices in my home... I guess you'll be waiting a LONG time for that event, which takes place at $RANDOM time and maybe once a year when I add a new device...
I do basically the same thing. But the garage door is automated even further, so that when a fob in either the car or motorcycle leaves, the garage door will automatically close in 1 minute. And if the system senses the fob returning it will automatically open up the garage door. Never have to worry about leaving the door open ever again! And never have to fumble with a garage remote whilst on my motorcycle.
Well, for starters, you have to wait until a new device is added to the home so a pairing event is triggered. Second, most Z wave devices will only pair to something within 4-5m or so; the last set of Philips Hue bulbs I added to my Z Wave home had to be paired in the office - where my Z Wave controller is - and then relocated to other parts of the house. But I guess you can park and live 100m from my house for an undetermined amount of time and wait for me to actually pair something new that has a 100m pairing range...
Nice - thank you for the answer! I'm actually looking at doing this - but it would be just black cases, somewhat difficult to disassemble (but not impossible, just easier to make it more than a few screws and still hold IP68). No need for external cases as it's toughened already. And niche focused - 10K, 20K to make it actually succeed. Doesn't have fancy "face unlock" or stuff like that, but all the basics and rugged and a big battery!
Don't need 50MM people - 10K people would do it... Yes, i have those connections, and we've been seriously talking about this approach.
Claiming to be 100% renewable and being 100% renewable are vastly different things. Most of these cities are "100% renewable" because they buy or trade indulgences (better known as carbon credits) and continue to use coal or nuclear. And remember, in many places (including California) hydro is NOT considered a renewable.
Wait - no need for base load? So on still, sunless days - we don't need power?
Actually, I believe the reason is that you basically must double-up on your power generation. Renewables (solar and wind) are not 100% reliable, so you still must have a very large percentage of total usage backed by on-demand fossil fuels. So the addition of renewables does not significantly lower the capital costs. And since most power plants are not efficient unless running at 60-70% of capacity or more, there is always a minimum amount of base-load that must run, and renewables can "peak" above that. Too much renewables? You end up paying people to take the power - and that's more cost.
It may not be everyone's cup of milk
Is it ANYONE'S cup of milk?
And how the heck do you milk a cockroach?
Growing faster than any other kind of power.
And still miniscule.
False, and also, storage systems can do the job as well and are getting cheaper all the time.
So what major power grid relies solely on renewables, doesn't use nuclear, coal, natgas, or other "bad" fuel sources for base load?
He should restrict himself to CTO, not CEO. CTO takes creativity and a wide-range of interests, the desire to push forward on multiple fronts. A CEO needs to focus and follow-through.