NextBigCommunity

Oh and both my dad and uncle are successful entrepreneurs in two different fields and I had been deeply involved in both of the companies. So I kind of have an idea how it would work. I don't want to dive into VCing and financing but I really don't think such a business or product can be bootstrapped.

Thank you for your response. I have no qualms sharing my idea. In simple words - a digital writing pad or note taker. Simple touch screen and stylus in the size of a normal exam pad or smaller. One would be able to take notes in class, meeting, conference etc., and these notes can be saved in .pdf form. I have used apps for this same purpose on currently existing devices but there are some inherent problems, which can be addressed and remedied through a totally new product. I myself am a student and always am in a big confusion trying to organize all my notes and books; I always felt the need for one place where I can write all my notes and read them, also I should be able to read other e-books when I need to. This product would not need bluetooth, wifi, 3g, music, or any other thing that could jack up cost. Just something we can switch on, write, read, edit, organize, switch off. Device to PC through USB.

I know a kind of product exists based on a similar idea - the Litescribe pen (a simply amazing product, but I don't know if it's too complicated to use). But it's the pen that's more important in this case. I think (or I hope) that it's high price would discourage the majority of students etc., who wouldn't be able to afford it. I wouldn't buy it for even half it's price (maybe). Naturally, I assume the product that I have in mind can be manufactured for cheaper than the Litescribe. If not, there is no point. Yes I understand about the barriers to entry compared to software. I just need to know, if a product like this is to enter the market, how should one go about it. Get a patent pending on the design and approach electronics companies and ask for royalty? Start manufacturing by my own? The thing is I see a market for products like this, which addresses needs of a niche.

So, the only way out that is clear to me is manufacture an MVP so that I can think of which direction to go in. But it's going to be expensive as you said. I need to know how much you think it can go up to. Hardware, software and man-hours included. I don't know if I'm aiming for too much but this is the only thing I'm able to think about and I'm not able to concentrate on anything else. So kindly help me get it out of my head one way or the other, thank you.

Dear Tarun & Sukhneer,
My 2 cents to this discussion.The product you are mentioning will consist of following distinctive yet inter related engineering components.
1. Industrial & Mechanical Design:
Industrial design (ID) defines physical dimensions like length,width & thickness. Material to be used plastics,metal.Or combination of both.
Also includes mechanical aspects of component like stacking,reliability analysis etc
2. Hardware
Over all performance of your product and cost mainly depends on your hardware design.Hardware, Industrial Design & Mechanical teams need to work closely to define the product.
For example choosing a particular LCD,chipset also affects product thickness.
Certain components like touch panel warrants proper shielding.Which in turn affects component stacking
3. Software
Once you choose key hardware components software can work independently.
All chipset vendors provide reference boards. And software teams can work on these boards.
Before you start approaching somebody you need to clearly define the product. Like target group,intended use,LCD type,memory etc.
Once this is done you start designing a 3D mock up using CAD/CAM tools. Initially design is done with certain assumptions on hardware and mechanical.
Once your 3D design is done you can get a mockup. A plastic or a metallic model.
Now you can show it to intended audience. And this can be combined with software running on your target board.Provided you also have a hardware engineer.
By this time ideally you should also know the target volume. Because every electronic component price is proportional to volume that you can order.
Now all the teams need to work closely to finalize the product.
Once done you can kick start soft tooling. And manufacture few hundred samples.
Then you are all set for mass production.
Its little hard to write every other step. But thought I will make at least few steps clear.

Sachin

Hi Sukhneer, I already have planned it out on paper (the look, feel, features, all details) and have built a 3d model using Solidworks. I keep thinking about how it will look and work almost every waking moment, and I have written all those ideas down. Quite detailed even to the small features in the software. So where I'm stuck now is how to bring it to reality.
Hello Sachin, thank you for your input. It's very enlightening and has cleared a number of things for me. I have thought of 3D printing, but I need a working model (both in terms of software and hardware in the same product instead of a mock-up and a separate board with software running, albeit with the bare minimum functionality and investment) because I have a lot of people who would love to test it out (in my university itself) and their feedback can be used to make a product ready for public consumption.
But yes I think what you outlined would be the general direction I should proceed. Thank you.

Also, I am familiar with Chinese manufacturing. They are simply unbeatable in terms of low price and quantity production. It is THE best option for any kind of mass manufacturing. But I don't think they will build just a few prototypes, they always talk in terms of hundred thousands or millions (quantity).

2 other factors I want to highlight.
1. Over all writing experience
It should be as good and smooth as writing on pad. Even if you use Samsung Note you can experience little lag. So requirement is to use a good touch panel which can also support Stylus. $3-$4 more than regular once.
Also to capture touch interrupts faster you will need better processor. May be around 600MHz
2. If this solution needs to be used in sunlight you will need good quality LCD as well. Which are quite expensive may be around $12 for 5 inch

Yes Sachin, the USP of this product should be the writing experience and the usability. It should be something that becomes so useful so as to be necessary, to people who start using it. Will keep in mind the recommended processor speed. As of now I don't need this to be used in sunlight. Maybe if the basic product shows signs of success then we can think of such things. Right now I just want a normal simple stylus touch screen, matte not shiny to avoid glare, which is not an issue with a paper or notepad.
Sukhneer, thank you so much for your inputs. Now you have given me specific areas I can look into.
Some other things that could set this apart is ruggedness. It should be easy to handle just like a normal exam pad (that is also the size factor I am aiming at, area wise).
Tech has reached such a level that its possible to make almost anything nowadays. I'm just throwing everything into my mind and then chopping extras off to get a basic functional product which turns out to be very useful.

Hey Nikcn, nice to hear from you.

I know this concept is not unique. Your concept also has quite some merit. We can talk a bit and see where we end up. My product differs from yours in that it is the notebook itself stores the notes, and they can be read on that directly. There is not much tech involved in the pen, it's just a stylus.

Anyway, I am serious about this to at least see if it is a viable concept to put money, time and resources into.