The start-up project to bring Pop to the marketplace looked promising. Pop is a device that acts as a universal battery re-charger platform for mobile devices. The device was engineered to serve as a re-charging port for all devices regardless of their make or model. It generated significant support on Kickstarter, an online funding platform where aspiring inventors and creative types can interact with potential investors to find funding Pop’s initial goal was to raise about $70,000 in seed money. Yet, so well received was the project that it raised more than $140,000, more than double its goal. Kickstarter has successfully risen more than $350 million dollars in funding 30,000 projects since its inception in April of 2009.
The developers for Pop had to go through the wringer with Kickstarter, spending a great deal of effort in making its case on the financing platform. It required weeks of building their project pages, shooting videos and offering the right incentives to investors. Once the groundwork is laid, the project is introduced to the Kickstarter community.
However, there was one contingency that the Pop creators did not count on. Apple enjoys the final say on what devices may be used to employ Apple’s connectors. The computer manufacturer decided to deny Pop the right to use all Apple charging connectors. With the decision by Apple not to give its permission. Pop went from a high flyer one day to deader than a doornail the next.
Apple did initially pulled the plug on the universal market, but once the media took wind of the neglect, Apple surprisingly had a change of heart not too long after. Product reviews for Pop were very supportive of the device’s future. It received thumbs up from media outlets including Mashable, Pando Daily, Business Insider, BiteMyApple and many others. Pop serves a viable purpose as the proliferation of mobile devices has been struggling to keep up with increasing usage. Finding a place to recharge has become a challenge for millions of users. And now that Apple is back on board, mobile battery life looks more and more promising in 2013 and the years to come.
