Marketing

[Pompidom]

Here goes,

Hi there linux, open source smart ass programmer weirdo's. I come from the gates of hell. And on these gates is written: "Windows noobs only"

Haha, nah serious I think you get my point. Besides knowing how to format and reinstall Windows Xp, I have 0 knowledge about anything Linux, opensource or whatever based shizzle. Terms like compiling and all those other weirdo words you're using are far beyond my Windows brain.


However, this particular device has peeked my interest and will certainly peek the interest of other noobs like me. The multifunctionality and possibilities seem endless.
And I'm pretty sure a lot of other people that have never even had their hands on Linux as well will be interested as well. But the biggest problem offcourse will be marketing: making the device popular and at least try to create a small hype. Instead of keeping it a small device for linux/programmer hobbyists only.

The easiest way to do this would be to make another youtube video of a finished unit with lots of stuff installed on.
And make it the most anticipating teaser you can. Multiple developers will have to cooperate on this one. Which means all kinds of software.

The movie should start with comparing the size with a DS and a PSP, then booting up the device. Showing 10 seconds the standard linux client installed on. A few basic applications and then gush out all the goodies in a stormwave:
- internet working firefox
- reading mails
- MSN?
- multimedia applications, running mp3's, movies, show an anime episode like Naruto in Avi for a few seconds. People will go nuts about it if they hear the starting song and see an avi episode in action.
- Quick flashes of all the possible emulators with the most popular games in action in realtime. NES/SNES/PSX/SEGA 8/16bit/arcades...
- any opensource high quality fps demo
- if it isn't going to be blocked by youtube: add a porn teaser
porn sells we all know that.

Anyways you get my point.
An official youtube movie teaser instead of the individual projects like now.

Now the 2nd point I want you to be aware off:
I'm lazy. No not lazy I mean UBER lazy. And beware I represent a big % of the world population as an illiterate-programming-sucker-for-games-only

Which means once I order my device: I want a site or 2 channels on this forum dedicated to all possible softwares. As for the moment this is the only reason I'm holding off the purchase of this device.
"User friendlyness" .. let me explain:
For example a topic with the SNES emulator for Pandora. Simple a brief explanation: This is currently the best SNES emulator suited for the Pandora with all links provided + a Faq understandable for noobs like myself where everything is explained step by step how to get that emulator on your Pandory fully functional starting from a stupid Windows computer with a SD card reader.

A faq where I'm explained to do this and this and then compile this shizzle after you compiled that shizzle means nothing to me. It has to be chewed upfront, easy to swallow and room temperature. like feeding a baby. I come from the plug n play generation so I got used to that luxury, just the same like those other 99% that live in "advanced normal countries".

That's about it, hoping to get some positive replies.

 

[TaG]

The main reason you'll need to hold off buying one is ..... it isn't ready yet.
The main reason there is no video of the hardware is ..... it isn't ready yet.
The main reason there is no video of the software is ..... it isn't ready yet.

You get the idea

Welcome, and even though I jest, the above pretty much sums it up. The case will be the last bit of hardware sorted and there are numerous discussions about what software will be available but much of this work needs to be done. Preorders could start in August with a possible September deliver, by which time we are all hoping there is decent software. Which will be available in one site, which currently has nothing in it.

 

[Pompidom]

The main reason there is no video of the hardware is ..... it isn't ready yet.
The main reason there is no video of the software is ..... it isn't ready yet.

Then explain me why there are already movies floating around with units that "look" finished with applications running and non finished units (just the screen and the mainboard lying around) running all sorts of emulators including a PSX emulator running games in full speed. So don't give me that crap: "it isn't ready yet".

An official Pandora marketing movie can be pulled off right now.


And good to hear that you will have a site with listings of all available softwares with guides and faq's. As long they're offered like baby food I'm game.

 

[bigtruck]

As I said in another thread, I'm pessimistic about whether the Pandora will commercially be anything more than a niche product. It seems to me that the target demographic is the moderately tech-savvy crowd. Regardless of whether it deserves such a label, I think the average adult will see the gaming controls and instantly think "toy". The average kid with a PSP or a DS just won't "get" the Pandora. I'm predicting having to answer the inevitable questions of "But what games can you buy for it?" I remember kids thinking my GP2X was an "N-gage".

The thing that impresses me most about the Pandora, the list of hardware specs, might as well be written in Greek for all Joe Sixpack™ knows. I think the best method of marketing the Pandora will have will be word of mouth. Someone will be using one, someone else will look at it and ask "What the hell? Is that a DS with a keyboard?" and the person using the Pandora will show off a PSX game or Quake3 or (hopefully) an N64 game and the other person will be amazed. Good reviews certainly won't hurt either.

As for the videos, those are developer units, and a few (relatively minor) hardware changes have been made. The GUI, while apparently stable and functional, is not yet finished. The Pandora's first impressions with the "average user" crowd will count a lot. Personally I'd rather there not be a big marketing video until just before release (the added benefit is that everyone who already knows about the Pandora doesn't have as much competition for the limited preorders ).

 

[Barnaby]

Actually, while those videos DO exist, the hardware/software still isn't ready. Those videos you've seen are running without any firmware or any sort of GUI - they're just running using beta hardware units and the screen. As far as I'm aware, those units don't even have proper buttons/analogue nubs etc. Final cases for the Pandora don't even exist yet. Seeing as the Linux build isn't done yet, there's nothing to use Firefox on, nothing to use MP3's/videos on, and while some emulators are being worked on, most aren't even finished yet and are still being coded for. Right now a "Pandora marketing movie" is impossible - it simply isn't ready. Although I do agree, I would love to see one at some point. It'll be ready once pre-orders start I believe, which would mean that a video will be possible then. Right now however, it isn't. Craigix said somewhere that EvilDragon will have someone as close as possible to a final unit in August, so we will hopefully see more videos then.

Be patient and wait a little longer . I've had the money for one since December, an extra couple of months wait isn't going to hurt.

 

[emil10001]

I don't really think that this device will have too many problems finding it's target audience. Outside of these forums, I have a feeling that as soon as devices are shipped, there will be reviews on the tech blogs, and people will see that this thing is real (which seemed to be the only negative comments on the Engadget story a couple months ago). There are a bunch of us n8x0 users looking for something faster, and with better input methods than our tablets, and most of us know our way around bash.

I think that we'll see some environments like KDE4, XFCE, ROX, etc. that we can launch from the main UI. And, those will probably pop up in short order, seeing as how there's already one or two versions of KDE that run on the nokia tablets, that you can launch from Maemo. Once this happens, it will start digging into the UMPC/MID/NIT markets, because this device offers more than most, for less money.

I am not too worried about the gaming aspect, as that's a pretty big focus of this community. I'll be happy to play whatever is available. =)

All in all, I'm really excited for the device, and I'm not too worried about it looking too 'techie' for people. The fact is, that with anything like this, you're going to have to put some time into it to really get at some of the cool features that will surface. And, for me, that's part of the fun.

 

[Chip]

For example a topic with the SNES emulator for Pandora. Simple a brief explanation: This is currently the best SNES emulator suited for the Pandora with all links provided + a Faq understandable for noobs like myself where everything is explained step by step how to get that emulator on your Pandory fully functional starting from a stupid Windows computer with a SD card reader.

A faq where I'm explained to do this and this and then compile this shizzle after you compiled that shizzle means nothing to me. It has to be chewed upfront, easy to swallow and room temperature. like feeding a baby. I come from the plug n play generation so I got used to that luxury, just the same like those other 99% that live in "advanced normal countries".

We already have a wiki with a FAQ that provides answers to most common questions. After the Pandora is released and there is software for it, that software will be categorized on the wiki in as simple a format as possible. As a regular user you should not have to worry about compiling any shizzle. You won't have to compile any code either. Everything is being set up to be user friendly, even to the uninitiated.

As for gimmicky marketing videos, I've made my feelings known on the subject already. I don't think it's necessary. Most people aren't swayed by marketing, and those that are probably aren't intelligent enough to get much out of a Pandora (wiki walkthroughs or not). Pandora will sell itself.

 

[Pompidom]

Aight,

That's enuff info for me.

Now just wait till the damned device sees the daylight

 

[gaterooze]

As for gimmicky marketing videos, I've made my feelings known on the subject already. I don't think it's necessary. Most people aren't swayed by marketing, and those that are probably aren't intelligent enough to get much out of a Pandora (wiki walkthroughs or not). Pandora will sell itself.



The videos that craigix and evildragon did for the GP2X were very good, and personally sold me on the device (even though I already had a GP32, so was well aware of it). I think you underestimate the power of audiovisual in convincing a buyer.

Having said that, I shudder at the thought of a flock of Naruto fans flooding the forums

And no need to market porn on the Pandora -- everyone assumes porn will be on everything.

To the OP: it sounds like you're proud to be lazy and need everything spoonfed? Or is that just tongue in cheek? One of the most fun aspects of the GP32 & GP2X was learning how things worked and the thrill of discovery.

 

[TaG]

One of the most fun aspects of the GP32 & GP2X was learning how things worked and the thrill of discovery.

And that is very likely to be one of the joys of Pandora, especially if you can get one of the first batch, certainly one I look forward to.

 

[Chip]

The videos that craigix and evildragon did for the GP2X were very good, and personally sold me on the device (even though I already had a GP32, so was well aware of it). I think you underestimate the power of audiovisual in convincing a buyer.

I'm not saying "Don't make videos", I'm saying "Don't make gimmicky marketing videos". Short, well shot videos that show off actual features are good. Long, overly produced videos with blaring background music and lots of exclamation points and words like "extreme", "awesome" or "shizzle" are not. We don't need to make a commercial.

If you want to get creative, do some side-by-side videos. Show the same PSX game played on both the Pandora and iPhone. Show someone browsing the internet on both the Pandora and PSP. Show someone playing a short collection of media files in various formats on both the Pandora and DS. No need for hype, just show the actual user experience. Keep it short and simple.

But if you're going to make videos at all, please do it right. Get a good camera, put it on a tripod, and manually focus the shot. Light it properly. Edit out the parts where you're fumbling around, trying to turn the camera on and off. If you're going to do a voiceover, record it separately with a decent mic and mix it in later (after you've edited out the coughs, stutters and background noise). If you must use background music, use something generally acceptable and keep it quiet. No Linkin Park, Slipknot, or anything emo. Ever. Encode it at an ideal size and format for the site to which you're going to upload it. Keep it under two minutes in length.

A few videos like that will do considerably more to show off the Pandora's capabilities than any number of amateur infomercials.


EDIT: Just to clarify, I don't want anybody to think I expect this level of professionalism from the devs' pre-release videos. Making videos isn't their job. Making Pandoras is.

 

[TaG]

^ Well put Chip. +1

 

[gaterooze]

Yep, agreed on all of that, Chip, it has to be done in a refined manner.

 

[plopperz]

If you want to be creative, follow Chip's EXACT words.

 

[kloplop321]

Long, overly produced videos with blaring background music and lots of exclamation points and words like "extreme", "awesome" or "shizzle" are not. We don't need to make a commercial.

reminds me of "Paid Programming"

Chip I concur on your standpoint an making the videos, this isn't going to be a home made movie made by a 7 year old and uploaded to Youtube

 

[Kings]

I'm a hardware guy, it doesn't have to do anything and I would buy it for the specs alone.

 

[Tensuke]

I'm not saying "Don't make videos", I'm saying "Don't make gimmicky marketing videos". Short, well shot videos that show off actual features are good. Long, overly produced videos with blaring background music and lots of exclamation points and words like "extreme", "awesome" or "shizzle" are not. We don't need to make a commercial.

If you want to get creative, do some side-by-side videos. Show the same PSX game played on both the Pandora and iPhone. Show someone browsing the internet on both the Pandora and PSP. Show someone playing a short collection of media files in various formats on both the Pandora and DS. No need for hype, just show the actual user experience. Keep it short and simple.

But if you're going to make videos at all, please do it right. Get a good camera, put it on a tripod, and manually focus the shot. Light it properly. Edit out the parts where you're fumbling around, trying to turn the camera on and off. If you're going to do a voiceover, record it separately with a decent mic and mix it in later (after you've edited out the coughs, stutters and background noise). If you must use background music, use something generally acceptable and keep it quiet. No Linkin Park, Slipknot, or anything emo. Ever. Encode it at an ideal size and format for the site to which you're going to upload it. Keep it under two minutes in length.

A few videos like that will do considerably more to show off the Pandora's capabilities than any number of amateur infomercials.

EDIT: Just to clarify, I don't want anybody to think I expect this level of professionalism from the devs' pre-release videos. Making videos isn't their job. Making Pandoras is.



I was thinking that I might make a video for it. I'm no Spielberg, but I do know a bit about making them, so we'll see.
That is, if I can stop playing long enough to go get a camera!

 

[javaJake]

I'm not saying "Don't make videos", I'm saying "Don't make gimmicky marketing videos". Short, well shot videos that show off actual features are good. Long, overly produced videos with blaring background music and lots of exclamation points and words like "extreme", "awesome" or "shizzle" are not. We don't need to make a commercial.



...but if it's goofy enough, it just might work. :lol:

Edit: Actually, on that note, I had an interesting idea for a Pandora vs. DS commercial. You know, "Hi, I'm a Nintendo DS. And I'm a Pandora." Except with a twist.

 

[God Ginrai]

- multimedia applications, running mp3's, movies, show an anime episode like Naruto in Avi for a few seconds. People will go nuts about it if they hear the starting song and see an avi episode in action.

With a nice widescreen, it would be a waste and wouldn't really show off the screen well to show a Naruto episode on a media player. It would be better to show a widescreen anime like Noir.

-God Ginrai

I'm not saying "Don't make videos", I'm saying "Don't make gimmicky marketing videos". Short, well shot videos that show off actual features are good. Long, overly produced videos with blaring background music and lots of exclamation points and words like "extreme", "awesome" or "shizzle" are not. We don't need to make a commercial.



...but if it's goofy enough, it just might work. :lol:


That is GENIUS!

-God Ginrai

 

[mraellis]

Lol love that goofy video.