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RedPost launches new Linux-based photo frame

From:  Eric Kanagy <eric-AT-theredpost.com>
To:  undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject:  RedPost's Kit grows up...meet the Sign(beta)
Date:  Fri, 4 Apr 2008 18:42:43 -0400
Message-ID:  <4068C9E1-5662-4DFC-B50E-BC2BFBBBED6F@theredpost.com>

RedPost's Kit grows up...meet the Sign(beta)

The Story

On June 18, 2007, we launched the RedPost/Kit, a do-it-yourself, linux- 
based digital photo frame, described by one blogger as a "modder's wet  
dream." It was unlike anything else available for $549. It encouraged  
hacking. It was clunky. It was heavy. It ran slow. It looked hot in  
its plasma-cut, robotically-welded, powder-coated steel case.

Today, we're launching the Kit's kid brother, the Sign(beta). It's  
much lighter. It's a lot faster, with 4x the memory. It looks hot in  
its custom-designed, carefully polished, extruded aluminum case. It's  
no longer do-it-yourself -- just plug it in, go through the 5 minute  
config process, and you're up and running.

Here's a little secret: RedPost is actually a software company, NOT a  
hardware company. Why are we building hardware, you ask? Because we're  
impatient. Nothing we've found (and we looked everywhere) looks as  
good and is as low-cost and simple as the Sign(beta). We're working to  
find a company we like who can build the hardware, it's really not  
what we want to do. But until we find the perfect company to build us  
what we want, we're selling the Sign and calling it "beta."

It's still essentially a digital photo frame...but it's really more  
like a digital bulletin board. You can:
* load images from the local flash drive
* load a URL
* connect to Corktop (that's our software) and have Corktop tell your  
Sign(beta) what to do

The Sign(beta) is $599. Yes, it did go up $50. But hey, you get so  
much more than you did with the Kit and it doesn't cost that much  
more. Volume discounts and custom colors are available, too.

We sold 50 Kits in 6 months. They shipped around the globe, from  
Germany, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, the UK, and Canada to all  
over the U.S., about half to individuals and about half to companies  
that I can't say who they shipped to. We already have over 50 pre- 
orders for the new Sign(beta)... Beta installations include Purdue  
University, the Dept. of Energy Argonne Laboratory, Google  
Headquarters, and several more to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Specs:
* 19", 1280x1024 LCD
* integrated VIA motherboard (VIA C7 1.5 GHz processor, 1 GB memory)
* built-in wifi
* boots from included flash drive with Wicker, our customized version  
of Ubuntu, pre-installed
* standard VESA mounting holes on back
* built-to-order in Goshen, Indiana
* 17.5" wide x 14.5" high x 3" deep
* optional flush-mount kit available

Ship date: April 30, 2008

More info (and pictures):
* Full specs: http://www.theredpost.com/signs/specs.php
* Gallery: http://www.theredpost.com/signs/gallery.php
* Beta locations: http://www.theredpost.com/corktop/betasites.php
* Corktop: http://www.theredpost.com/corktop/
* Wicker: http://www.theredpost.com/wicker/
* Online Store: https://store.theredpost.com/store

Company info:
* Founded February 2007
* Launched software platform (beta) February 25, 2008 at Digital  
Signage Expo in Las Vegas
* Launched first RedPost installation of 10 Signs to promote arts  
activities in May 2007
* Committed to Best Design principles, environmental stewardship,  
competing through innovation

Contact info:
* Eric Kanagy, CEO, eric@theredpost.com, 574-971-4753
* Reviewer requests considered

--
Eric Kanagy
eric@theredpost.com
office 574.971.4753 / 888.824.5360
fax 866.611.0398

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