Surveys Away!
over 6 years ago – Tue, Oct 22, 2019 at 11:23:25 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

📢 New Design, Production Updates and Backer Surveys on the Way!
over 6 years ago – Wed, Oct 16, 2019 at 11:54:12 PM

It's getting 🔥HOT🔥 in here as we gear up for full production and fulfillment mode next month! We've been firing on all cylinders with tons of hardware, software and design updates that we're excited to share with you. 

Just like in any project, we have also had some setbacks that we've been working through and will bring you up to speed on.

But first...

BackerKit Surveys On The Way!

Be on the lookout for BackerKit surveys this week. We're waiting on review, but it is queued to go out this week. This is extremely important as it'll provide us with your updated shipping address and give you the opportunity to specify options for your Chatterbox, such as power adapter and any add-ons.

⚠️ PSA Raspberry Pi 3B+ Shortage ⚠️

Our distributor is backordered on Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ until Jan 2020. What does this mean for backers? Backers will have two options to select from in surveys:

1. For backers who want Chatterbox ASAP, we can fulfill your order with Raspberry Pi Model 3B without any noticeable difference in Chatterbox performance.

2. For backers who want Raspberry Pi 3B+, you'll have to wait until our distributor gets them back in stock, which is estimated for Jan 2020.

For the non-techie folks out there, here is a link to the difference between the Raspberry Pi 3B and 3B+. TL;DR The RasPi 3B+ has a slightly faster processor.

Again, your Chatterbox will perform with no noticeable difference.  Transparency is a core value of our company and we want to make sure you are aware of all the details. We also looked into upgrading to Raspberry Pi 4, but it isn't fully supported yet. We do hope to have an option to upgrade in the future!

Chatterbox Updates ✅

📐 Updated Design

It's got a new look, but it's still the same lovable Chatterbox. After user testing, we decided to remove the legs from the enclosure to increase stability. The result: Chatterbox is easier to assemble while being more stable and resilient to thousands of button presses.

🎩 ChatterHAT Tweaks

We've improved our electronic parts, making it more friendly for kids to assemble. We replaced several components, made our connecters color coded and replaced the terminal connector to no longer require a tiny screw driver to clamp the speaker wires. It's now a pressure clamp.

🕵️‍♀️ Privacy by Design

We are proud to announce that we have added extra measures to further protect Chatterbox users by anonymizing user requests through a technique called "differential privacy." We take this further by injecting misinformation "noise" as it leaves Chatterbox and is sent to out (already vetted) web service partners. The result is truly anonymous requests that can't be traced back users. We are the first education company to take such extreme measures to preserve privacy.

⚕️ Introducing Chatterbox+ Care

As parents, we know that kids can be rough on things. That's why after getting some amazing suggestions from backers, we've decided to introduce Chatterbox+ Care. This is a program limited to backers that will offer 1 year premium support for your child's Chatterbox. We'll either fix it or send you replacement parts at no additional charge. You'll also get *special* perks such as access to premium services and integrations in Q1 2020. Sign up in your Backer Survey!

We are so appreciative of your support and can't wait to get Chatterbox in your hands! If you haven't signed up for our infrequent newsletter, you can sign up here.

As always, please direct any specific questions to [email protected].

Love,

Kevin and the Chatterbox Team

Stay tuned for our Nov 2019 update...

Chatterbox Goes To Disney (kinda) and Progress Updates!
over 6 years ago – Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 01:05:46 AM

Chatterbox Goes To Disney (kinda) and Progress Updates!

We are so grateful for all the support from our amazing backers! Thank you so much for helping make Chatterbox a reality and thank you for all of you that have written in to us with such encouraging words.

We've been busy firing on all cylinders getting ready from production and fulfillment. Before we get to updates, don’t forget to sign up for the Chatterbox newsletter — It’s short, sweet, infrequent and full of thought-provoking facts and ideas. Get feature updates, blog posts and the latest news regarding children, education and technology.

Progress Updates:

1. We just received our latest iteration of our ChatterHAT boards in preparation for production, which we are excited to test. We are proud to say that the boards are going to be assembled in the USA. A special thanks to the Arrow Manufacturing team for their help and feedback on our designs and giving us their "Arrow Certification" stamp of approval.

2. Based on testing we've redesigned enclosure (case) that makes it much more stable for when the kiddos anxiously press the "big yellow button" to make Chatterbox talk. We have a couple more tweaks, but we're excited to share pictures very soon.

3. We are still on track for shipping, but hoping to have a surprise update in the next couple of weeks. *fingers crossed*

4. Chatterbox went to Disneyland! -- Well, not exactly. But we were invited to speak on a panel regarding voice technology, kids and AI at the kidSAFE kidTECH conference at the Disneyland Hotel. We received incredible feedback and are proud to be the leader in socially conscious technology for kids.

That's all for now, but stay tuned for our next update. Also, if you know someone that missed out on the Kickstarter campaign, they can still snag a Chatterbox by going to hellochatterbox.com.

Love,

Kevin and The Chatterbox Team

A HUGE thank you! <3
over 6 years ago – Sun, Jul 07, 2019 at 02:28:08 AM

We've never been so excited! 

With the help of our backers we got 554% funded! We’d like to thank each and every one of our backers for the support and praise throughout this campaign. We are truly touched by all the amazing feedback that everyone has given us and we are so excited to get Chatterbox in the hands of kids all over the world.

While running a crowdfund campaign is exhausting, your support has us more motivated than ever to focus on getting Chatterbox built and shipped to your door. Before that happens, we have a few important updates:

1.  Backer Surveys — In a few weeks, you’ll receive an email from BackerKit where you’ll be asked to provide shipping address and confirm your pledge details. We’ll also have some additional add-ons for swag and (possibly) an optional upgrade to Raspberry Pi 4 (this was a popular request from backers). You’ll be able to change your address directly on BackerKit until we start shipping in case you move, etc. This is also where you’ll be notified when your order has shipped. Reminder: Surveys will be going out in a couple of weeks. 
2.  Progress Updates — We look forward to continuing to share our journey from idea to kickstarter to production to shipping. But we want to be respectful of your inbox. We’ll be posting progress updates every two weeks until we ship. 
3.  Don’t forget to sign up for the Chatterbox newsletter — It’s short and sweet and full of thought-provoking facts and ideas. Get feature updates, blog posts and the latest news regarding children, education and technology. 

Did you miss out on Chatterbox? Stay tuned for our Indiegogo campaign launching soon! Thank you again for all your support and stay tuned for our next update on July 22nd!

Love,

Kevin and The Chatterbox Team

Final Week! | Chatterbox Updates
almost 7 years ago – Sun, Jun 30, 2019 at 05:50:12 PM

Thank you to all our amazing backers! We are beyond humbled by all the incredible support that we've received from people all over the world. We've been working non-stop to ensure that we build the best educational experience for kids everywhere. 

Please continue to send your feedback and suggestions to support [at] hellochatterbox.com. Also make sure you sign up for the Chatterbox Newsletter.

See below for some updates:

- Made in the USA -- we are proud to say that Chatterbox will be made in the United States! It's part of our mission to support sustainable practices and we are so very proud that, even as a small company, we can have Chatterbox made with local producers.

- Raspberry Pi 4 -- Pi Foundation released an update to the Raspberry Pi computer that runs our software. We've received a number of questions about how this will impact Chatterbox. We will be evaluating the new pi in the coming weeks and seeing how we can provide upgrade options for backers.

- Calling All Teachers -- If you are an educator or know any educators, we want to hear from you! We are looking for feedback on some education-specific things that we are currently working on. Please send us an email at [email protected] if you would like to help.

- Summer Beta Test -- Schools out for summer! If you are in the SF bay area and have kids 10-14 who would like to get some hands on experience working with us to beta test Chatterbox, please let us know! 

It's the last week of our campaign and we need your help. Please share our campaign on social!