The whole tech industry saw this coming a mile away. I wonder if they now regret their decision to release it themselves, i think they would've done well with TC behind them.
I also think Fusion Garage will have a very hard time finding people to work with them in the future.
With hindsight this would have been a flop even with TC's backing. In a way TC have got away without a failed product to their name. I think TC assumed that Apple would be launching that iPad at $1000, and that they could then shift the JooJoo for $500 easily. Wrong - Apple's pricing approach has changed.
It's interesting that they seem to believe that they need to have iPad-like apps in order to compete in the consumer market. I certainly like my apps. However, I also can't see how "native" apps could ever hope to compete against RESTful Web services of the future when the browser supports rich "native" functionality.
It sometimes feels like that I'm the only person in the tech world who feels this way. Am I being naive? Are "silo-ed" apps and app stores the only viable future?
It the standard tech question of what's best for the consumer vs what people think will make them rich. You have to wait for all those people to fail to become rich before they go back to delivering what the consumer actually wants and/or needs.
Perhaps - in that article it read to me like that was being as a bit of an excuse to move to android (of course it makes sense for many reasons). It certainly sounds better than "we stuffed up - going to android" - sell the upside !
TechCrunch has made a credible showing that it may be able to establish the existence of a joint venture under which Fusion Garage owed it certain fiduciary duties.
Depends on what other claims TC made, probably some claims with malice and intent in the wording which the judge decided there wasn't any/enough evidence to proceed with.
I think what worries me most about the Joojoo is how Chandra puts a positive spin on everything that happens. iPad came out? Oh that's okay, we think the cloud will work (not a convincing argument). Oh so little sales? Not to worry - we have higher adoption in Europe (doesn't matter in the long run). We're shutting down Joojoo (but don't worry - we've got more VC funding, learnt from our mistakes, and are going to release a whole new stack of Android-based devices!)
While I think Chandra is a nice guy, I'm beginning to question his ability to see things as it is. He's done two startups now, both with near zero traction.
A constant positive spin on everything, an inability to see or create unique value propositions (they are one product cycle behind their competitors - two if you're talking about the iPad) and you've got one hell of a sticky situation.
I support the Singaporean startup scene, I do. But I'm beginning to worry at what this says about us.
The decision made by Fusion Garage seems like a good one, based on where the market is going now. The company has clearly shown they can get a product built. To me, the question is whether they can shake off the stench from the mess with TechCrunch such that future marketing efforts for new products will not be pointless upon arrival.
Can the tech crowd be won over?
I'm really curious about the family of products to be released. The line that the products would talk to each other in a unique way is intriguing. It is the synergy between the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes products that is a really strong point for Apple. I wonder whether anyone has tried replicating that with Android-based systems, and done so successfully.
I don't know if they've proven much of anything. End of life in what? 6 months? The iPad and most Android tablets will likely have updates for a few years into the future.
That's a big stinking fish if you don't even factor in the TC controversy. Anyone who bought a Joojoo is kicking themselves right now.
It's a pity just because of the 12" capacitive tablet format...there are no shipping competitors with that size yet.
Of interest, JooJoo users have been hacking away and have figured out how to install Android, Windows, and OS X on it. I think that's what JooJoo should have done all along -- sell it as a reference platform.
I wouldn't buy it because of the cloud that hangs over the company, but the hardware looks nice.
The VCs must be a very optimistic bunch. Fusion Garage is 2 product cycle behind Ipad, one product cycle behind the current Android tablet entrant.
I don't see the Android tablets competing with the Ipad yet (the UX experience just isn't there). However, once Android tablets pricing drops to $350 in another 2 product cycles, sales will take off as people buy Android tablet in lieu of netbooks.
As long as people are not looking at Android tablet as netbook replacement, Android tablet would continue to be a niche product.
The most interesting quote from the article was probably "Chandra said transportation companies, hospitals and advertising agencies were interested in a customized version of the Joojoo." If that is in fact true and they can meet that demand, then I imagine there is a lucrative niche for them in low volume, highly customized tablets. You don't have to have mass market appeal and mass market sales to be successful company.
VC's have nothing to do with optimism, and everything to do with who you are. If you're an "insider", chances are you'll get funded even if your product is absolute crap. If you're an unknown entity, good luck getting funded even if you have a killer product.
[+] [-] TamDenholm|15 years ago|reply
I also think Fusion Garage will have a very hard time finding people to work with them in the future.
[+] [-] AlexMuir|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hartror|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tav|15 years ago|reply
It sometimes feels like that I'm the only person in the tech world who feels this way. Am I being naive? Are "silo-ed" apps and app stores the only viable future?
[+] [-] ZeroGravitas|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] michaelneale|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] AlexMuir|15 years ago|reply
That's not my recollection of it? [1]
[1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1695843
[+] [-] hartror|15 years ago|reply
Depends on what other claims TC made, probably some claims with malice and intent in the wording which the judge decided there wasn't any/enough evidence to proceed with.
[+] [-] shadowsun7|15 years ago|reply
While I think Chandra is a nice guy, I'm beginning to question his ability to see things as it is. He's done two startups now, both with near zero traction.
A constant positive spin on everything, an inability to see or create unique value propositions (they are one product cycle behind their competitors - two if you're talking about the iPad) and you've got one hell of a sticky situation.
I support the Singaporean startup scene, I do. But I'm beginning to worry at what this says about us.
[+] [-] iantimothy|15 years ago|reply
Can the tech crowd be won over?
I'm really curious about the family of products to be released. The line that the products would talk to each other in a unique way is intriguing. It is the synergy between the iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes products that is a really strong point for Apple. I wonder whether anyone has tried replicating that with Android-based systems, and done so successfully.
[+] [-] napierzaza|15 years ago|reply
That's a big stinking fish if you don't even factor in the TC controversy. Anyone who bought a Joojoo is kicking themselves right now.
[+] [-] FiddlerClamp|15 years ago|reply
Of interest, JooJoo users have been hacking away and have figured out how to install Android, Windows, and OS X on it. I think that's what JooJoo should have done all along -- sell it as a reference platform.
I wouldn't buy it because of the cloud that hangs over the company, but the hardware looks nice.
[+] [-] jorkos|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] metachor|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] raymondhome|15 years ago|reply
I don't see the Android tablets competing with the Ipad yet (the UX experience just isn't there). However, once Android tablets pricing drops to $350 in another 2 product cycles, sales will take off as people buy Android tablet in lieu of netbooks.
As long as people are not looking at Android tablet as netbook replacement, Android tablet would continue to be a niche product.
[+] [-] dagw|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BweezySearch|15 years ago|reply