My Kickstarter Scorecard

Over the last few years, I’ve seen a number of interesting projects on Kickstarter. I’ve backed 10 of them and have had mixed results in the results. So far 9 of the items have been delivered and the last one is due to be delivered in a few months. Let’s take a look at what I backed in chronological order:

• Icons for iOS

  While the author probably didn’t need backing for this project, he did quite well and produced some nice icons. I received exactly what was promised and I’m pleased with the result. The author has continued to put out great icons. So I’ll give this a thumbs up.

• The Oona

  This project was for a stand/way to hold an iPhone. Unfortunately, this was an utter failure. I reviewed what I got and wasn’t too pleased. This will be a thumbs down.

• MySaver: protection for your iPad, iPhone, and iPod cables

  This was in interesting project designed to reinforce 30 pin iPhone/iPod cables. I reviewed this as well. While a bit expensive, this project delivered on what was promised. 3 years later and I still have cables with the MySaver on it that are doing well. We’ll give this a thumbs up as well.

• MobileMount – Double Suction Cup Mount for Phones / Tablets

  As some might be able to tell, I’ve been in the search of a good way to hold my iPhone/iPad on my desk. This was another attempt to find a good way to hold the devices. Like other projects, I reviewed this as well. Unfortunately I’ve learned that suction cups are extremely unreliable and make poor mounts. This is a thumbs down.

• Pebble: E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android

  This project had a number of delays and it was well funded. Would this live up to all the hype? Well, 2 years after I received my Pebble, I still wear it everyday. When I first received it, I reviewed it. The product has only gotten better over time with all the updates. I’ll this this a big thumbs up.

• Une Bobine – For People Who Love iPhone… and Android

  Another interesting project of a way to hold an iPhone. Unfortunately the longevity of this was limited given that Apple changed its connector. While they delivered what was promised, I wasn’t wowed by it. I’ll rate this as a neutral.

• Almond+ : 802.11ac Touchscreen WiFi Router + Smart home Hub

  I was excited to see another option for home automation. This project was delayed a number of times, but was finally delivered. They are still working on the firmware and a new firmware was released the other day. I think they over promised and barely delivered. The hardware seems up to snuff, but the software has a lot to be desired. I think this ranks in as a neutral (leaning on thumbs down, but since they keep updating the firmware, I’ll leave it as a neutral).

• Reel Delicious

  I backed this project in order to help a school project (most of the backing was tax deductible). I’m going to give this a neutral as it doesn’t fall in line with the tech projects I normally back.

• XY – The secure iOS/Android Bluetooth tracking tag

  A co-worker pointed me to this project and I was curious about the software on other Bluetooth LE tags. Unfortunately, like other Bluetooth LE tags, it didn’t live up to the hype. I think that this is more of a failure of the technology than the implementation. I have to give this a thumbs down.

• Hush | The World’s First Smart Earplugs

  These haven’t been delivered, yet. I’m confident that they will be delivered, but it remains to be seen if they will work as well as they promise.

So, lets recap. 3 thumbs up, 3 thumbs down, 3 neutral, 1 to be delivered. That’s not a great track record for projects. Will I keep backing projects on Kickstarter? Sure, I love the anticipation and being the first to get something new. I do have a limit on how much I’ll risk (unlike other projects that people back, so far I’ve received the promised items), but I’ll keep going with some projects.