(Dear Blockers!)
As we step into the second quarter of the year, we can look back and be proud of how far we have come already! We have had our heads down, knee deep in creating the change the tech industry needs. As always we appreciate your feedback, your cooperation and patience so now to give you the latest low-down on BLOCKS.
New Modules
Last month we mentioned the possibility of releasing new modules in time for shipping in September. Well that has now been confirmed, giving you more choice and freedom to build your own BLOCKS smartwatch. You will now have the ability to choose a programmable button module or a flashlight module in addition to the others. You can read more about these modules in last month’s update here. If you want to switch your previous module selection to include new modules, don’t worry, as there will be a final Survey where you can confirm any changes.
Hardware Update
Factory ready boards!! That’s right, we’ve received our first ever boards from our factory near Shanghai and have been working hard on testing them out. We are coming to the end of the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) stage of production. This stage is all about getting the first circuit boards off the production line and testing out all the features to make sure there are no pesky bugs getting through.
The tests were done on all the modules and the core, including battery charging tests, over voltage/current tests, WiFi tests, Bluetooth tests, calibration work and a whole bunch of other tests. And don’t forget about all the testing going in to the modularity ensuring you can easily and successfully hot-swap your modules. For all those who love the technical side of the production process, we have grabbed some pictures for you. Check them out below!
The Core circuitry is here! Notice a little antenna insert on the bottom left side, and a USB port (that's only temporary, for factory test programming) on the top. These are real factory out final boards that may see just a few minor changes, but in effect these are your BLOCKS (just no casing yet!).
Now, can you guess which module is which, below?
Next, onto some even more exciting stuff!
She's alive!! Ok so that must have been a pretty slow video to watch, but this is one of the first ever BLOCKS boot ups on the final factory circuit board! In fact this was a huge surprise that we managed to get it working on the first day. Totally not-expecting it to be so easy! Magic...
And don't worry it will never be this slow at all on your BLOCKS watch, this is just a system test ...and mind you it won't have the penguin.
Later this month, we will be moving onto the next stage of production - Design Validation Testing. You will actually be able to see a fully assembled working watch from a factory line for the first time. The whole point of this next stage is to see how the product looks and feels, but also checking how it all works within our beautifully designed casing. So keep an eye out for the next updates.
Design Update
Adjustable Clasp
After months of development and numerous concepts, we are finally ready to present to you the final piece of your Blocks smartwatch, the adjustable clasp. By working closely with the engineers at Compal, we were able to converge on a simple yet effective solution. This was probably the most complicated component for the Industrial Design team, given the variation in people's wrist sizes, the number of modules they may wear, and their positioning on the wrist; the final design accommodates all these factors, whilst ensuring a snug and secure fit.
The clasp, made from black flexible silicon, comes in 2 halves, that you can connect to the terminating modules of your watch, and are secured together using a pin and slot mechanism. Thanks to the feedback we received from the survey of your wrist sizes, in addition to the ergonomic data on average wrist sizes, we were able to size the clasp accordingly to fit your wrist, no matter the size. The tooling for this is being prepared as we speak, and we should have the first samples available during the Design Validation Testing phase of production.
Denotation
Another major aspect of the Industrial Design that was finalised this month was the denotation plan, which turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable task.
Each module will have the BLOCKS logo, followed by an icon that defines it's function, laser etched into the bottom casing of the module (so as not to impact the external aesthetics of the device). Countless designs were produced to clearly define what a module does, whilst also categorising it to account for similar modules being released in the future. Initially, we experimented with colour logos, but found that as the module categories began to grow much faster, it would be difficult to differentiate between similar colours. Hence a much more functional pallette was developed: a texture pallette, which would be able to offer much more variety in terms of patterned backgrounds for each of the icons. These final designs fit in overall with our new brand identity, which we have slowly but surely also been refining so far this year. Let us know what you think!
Also, an additional note to our premium backers; we can now confirm that your personal engraving will be on the core module of your watch, and can contain a maximum of 15 characters (including spaces). We will get in touch soon asking about your preferences, but definitely do start thinking about what you would like to have etched on your device!
Startup Launchpad
Ok, this is a time to brag a little bit but BLOCKS does get invited to a lot of very prominent events in its industry and beyond. At the same time, it is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase our technology (and tell the world that technology should be more customizable and upgradeable).
Startup Launchpad is one of those events. We will be there so we hope that you will come to visit! Here is a description:
"Startup Launchpad is an 8-day electronics exhibition and conference dedicated to the hardware startups. Returning to AsiaWorld-Expo on April 11 – 14 & 18-21, Startup Launchpad will bring together more than 30 leading speakers from across the business industry, 100+ exhibitors and more than 1000 attendees. Attendees will get the chance to meet entrepreneurs, investors, educators, startups and others who are interested in innovative hi-tech products. For more information, please check out www.launchpadhk.com "
MORE to come
There may well be another secret update coming your way next week Watch out.
Working hard on building your future smartwatch,
The BLOCKS Team
As we step into the second quarter of the year, we can look back and be proud of how far we have come already! We have had our heads down, knee deep in creating the change the tech industry needs. As always we appreciate your feedback, your cooperation and patience so now to give you the latest low-down on BLOCKS.
New Modules
Last month we mentioned the possibility of releasing new modules in time for shipping in September. Well that has now been confirmed, giving you more choice and freedom to build your own BLOCKS smartwatch. You will now have the ability to choose a programmable button module or a flashlight module in addition to the others. You can read more about these modules in last month’s update here. If you want to switch your previous module selection to include new modules, don’t worry, as there will be a final Survey where you can confirm any changes.
Hardware Update
Factory ready boards!! That’s right, we’ve received our first ever boards from our factory near Shanghai and have been working hard on testing them out. We are coming to the end of the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) stage of production. This stage is all about getting the first circuit boards off the production line and testing out all the features to make sure there are no pesky bugs getting through.
The tests were done on all the modules and the core, including battery charging tests, over voltage/current tests, WiFi tests, Bluetooth tests, calibration work and a whole bunch of other tests. And don’t forget about all the testing going in to the modularity ensuring you can easily and successfully hot-swap your modules. For all those who love the technical side of the production process, we have grabbed some pictures for you. Check them out below!
The Core circuitry is here! Notice a little antenna insert on the bottom left side, and a USB port (that's only temporary, for factory test programming) on the top. These are real factory out final boards that may see just a few minor changes, but in effect these are your BLOCKS (just no casing yet!).
Now, can you guess which module is which, below?
Next, onto some even more exciting stuff!
She's alive!! Ok so that must have been a pretty slow video to watch, but this is one of the first ever BLOCKS boot ups on the final factory circuit board! In fact this was a huge surprise that we managed to get it working on the first day. Totally not-expecting it to be so easy! Magic...
And don't worry it will never be this slow at all on your BLOCKS watch, this is just a system test ...and mind you it won't have the penguin.
Later this month, we will be moving onto the next stage of production - Design Validation Testing. You will actually be able to see a fully assembled working watch from a factory line for the first time. The whole point of this next stage is to see how the product looks and feels, but also checking how it all works within our beautifully designed casing. So keep an eye out for the next updates.
Design Update
Adjustable Clasp
After months of development and numerous concepts, we are finally ready to present to you the final piece of your Blocks smartwatch, the adjustable clasp. By working closely with the engineers at Compal, we were able to converge on a simple yet effective solution. This was probably the most complicated component for the Industrial Design team, given the variation in people's wrist sizes, the number of modules they may wear, and their positioning on the wrist; the final design accommodates all these factors, whilst ensuring a snug and secure fit.
The clasp, made from black flexible silicon, comes in 2 halves, that you can connect to the terminating modules of your watch, and are secured together using a pin and slot mechanism. Thanks to the feedback we received from the survey of your wrist sizes, in addition to the ergonomic data on average wrist sizes, we were able to size the clasp accordingly to fit your wrist, no matter the size. The tooling for this is being prepared as we speak, and we should have the first samples available during the Design Validation Testing phase of production.
Denotation
Another major aspect of the Industrial Design that was finalised this month was the denotation plan, which turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable task.
Each module will have the BLOCKS logo, followed by an icon that defines it's function, laser etched into the bottom casing of the module (so as not to impact the external aesthetics of the device). Countless designs were produced to clearly define what a module does, whilst also categorising it to account for similar modules being released in the future. Initially, we experimented with colour logos, but found that as the module categories began to grow much faster, it would be difficult to differentiate between similar colours. Hence a much more functional pallette was developed: a texture pallette, which would be able to offer much more variety in terms of patterned backgrounds for each of the icons. These final designs fit in overall with our new brand identity, which we have slowly but surely also been refining so far this year. Let us know what you think!
Also, an additional note to our premium backers; we can now confirm that your personal engraving will be on the core module of your watch, and can contain a maximum of 15 characters (including spaces). We will get in touch soon asking about your preferences, but definitely do start thinking about what you would like to have etched on your device!
Startup Launchpad
Ok, this is a time to brag a little bit but BLOCKS does get invited to a lot of very prominent events in its industry and beyond. At the same time, it is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase our technology (and tell the world that technology should be more customizable and upgradeable).
Startup Launchpad is one of those events. We will be there so we hope that you will come to visit! Here is a description:
"Startup Launchpad is an 8-day electronics exhibition and conference dedicated to the hardware startups. Returning to AsiaWorld-Expo on April 11 – 14 & 18-21, Startup Launchpad will bring together more than 30 leading speakers from across the business industry, 100+ exhibitors and more than 1000 attendees. Attendees will get the chance to meet entrepreneurs, investors, educators, startups and others who are interested in innovative hi-tech products. For more information, please check out www.launchpadhk.com "
MORE to come
There may well be another secret update coming your way next week Watch out.
Working hard on building your future smartwatch,
The BLOCKS Team
