Earlier this month, Nextbit, a mobile developer that was created by former Google, Apple, Amazon, and HTC employees, launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for its new Android smartphone, Robin. Within just three days after its launch, the funding initiative secured a total of $800,000.
The company announced:
“We’re Nextbit. We made a smartphone that brings the power of the cloud to everyone with an integrated cloud OS. We made it because we’re tired of waiting on others. Because we believe in a cloud-first future. And because no one else was making the phone we wanted. This is the phone we want, and we think you’ll want it too. Smarter. Powerful. Bold. And, direct to you. Now we need your help. Back us to help make next a reality now.”
It was noted that the Robin intelligently adapts to the user’s storage needs, and automatically optimizes the space on their phone when it sees they need it. By learning the apps they use and the space they need, Robin offloads the stuff they don’t use to the cloud. Perfect for those that are not interested in useless apps that are already updated on new smartphones.
Now, with less than two weeks left until its campaign comes to an end, Robin has not only captured $1.1 million, it has caught the eye of well-known wireless services, Verizon. Nextbit shared in a recent update:
“We received tons of fan mail asking us to make a Verizon compatible version of Robin. We’ve been working our tails (get it? tails?) off to bring you a version of Robin that can properly support the Verizon network and we’re happy to tell you we’ve done it!
“Because Verizon subscribers couldn’t participate in the Early Adopter reward tier, we’re doing something special for you: a Verizon only flash sale. Starting at 10am [today] we will offer a Verizon compatible Robin for only $299 to the first 300 backers. This sale will be limited to US backers only and is only for the Verizon version, not the currently available version. Mark your calendars. Set your alarms.
“The Verizon compatible version is available to current backers and after the flash sale, just choose any reward level. We will let you pick whether you want the original or Verizon model in your backer survey after the campaign is over. (The exception is that tomorrow’s flash sale is only for the Verizon model.)”
Nextbit also unveiled its Community Color Contest:
“You love the Midnight and Mint colorways, but keep asking if there will be more colors. The answer is YES, and now’s your chance to decide what that color will be. We are going to do a limited Kickstarter backer colorway and we want your help.”
Below it the step-by-step instructions for the contest:
- Download the Robin Photoshop file here. If you don’t feel comfortable in Photoshop, just print it out and use markers / crayons to color it in. We won’t judge.
- We made the Photoshop file super easy to use. (a) Select the layer of the part you want to color. (b) Hit CTRL-U or Command-U to open hue/saturation dialog. (c) Select the “colorize” checkbox. (d) Move the hue and saturation sliders ‘til you find the perfect color. Repeat!
- Design your dream Robin color scheme. Get crazy. Be bold. If you want something conservative, we already have the Midnight option. This is your chance to take a risk.
Submit your community color to us: (a) Post a hosted image in the Kickstarter comments (b) Post your creation to Twitter or Instagram. If you’re posting to social media, you must use the hashtag #RobinColor and tag us @nextbitsys so that we can find it. We will accept entries until Thursday, 24 Sept noon PDT (1900h GMT)
- After the contest ends we will select our five favorite entries. We’ll tune them so we can actually manufacture them and create renderings. We will present our five finalists to you on Monday, 28 Sept and open voting at that time. Voting will be open until Wednesday, 30 Sept at 5PM PDT (1 Oct, 0000h GMT)
- The winner will be announced in our campaign closing update. All backers will be able to select the community color as their option(s) in the post-campaign backer survey. The community color will only be available through the backer survey and will never be made again.
Robin’s Kickstarter is set to close on October 1st.
Have a crowdfunding offering you'd like to share? Submit an offering for consideration using our Submit a Tip form and we may share it on our site!