Philips has a net worth in the billions, $20.67 billion as of July 12, 2023. (Source link) Yet they decided to create a kickstarter, charging “early bird” buyers these earphones that’s designed for wearing while sleeping, basically the same as any other earphones, just slimmed down and cables running around your head.

What’s infuriating is that there’s dumbasses who actually gave them money to make a product ($500k million in total), so Philips is most likely not taking any risk making this, but will enjoy the profits.

The kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kokoon/sleep-headphones/posts

I thought the whole point of a kickstarter was people with a product, but lacking the funds to get the project actually going getting a kick start to get going… Not for billion dollar companies to beg for cash.

  • kiddblur@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Yeah I have no problems with big companies making kickstarters. When Brandon Sanderson launched his last year, I loved it, because he obviously would’ve had no issue getting those four books published, but it was a way to gauge interest in special editions and swag boxes.

    Likewise, lots of board game companies have the games totally finished but basically use Kickstarter as a fancy preorder system

    • Dusk@lemmy.zip
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      1 year ago

      Just scrolling by and saw the mention of the Brandon Sanderson kickstarter, is that still up, completely missed that and was wondering it’s it’s too late to join in.

      • kiddblur@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Oh yeah that’s been over for over a year at this point. We’re on month 7 of 12 fulfillment. Bummer you missed it! It was expensive ($600 for all four books and all eight loot boxes plus audiobooks) but it has felt super worth it for me so far (I’m a mega fan though to be fair)

      • dunidane@lemmy.sdf.org
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        1 year ago

        You might be to late to join the kickstarter but you may be able to get the fancy special edition books. Here is the latest one it is a really good book and has some fantastic art I’m excited to see in the physical book.

        If you don’t need the special editions the traditional publisher gets to put out their versions later on so I think you can get 1 and 2 already.