What we did right was something different and honest. Blueshift founder on wireless speaker design

Wireless technology is one of the most significant contributors towards widespread adoption of smart home technology, lowering the barriers and costs involved in connecting just a room or an entire home. Instead of paying for a custom install, devices can connect to each other and to home networks over WiFi, NFC or radio waves to name a few options. That means no drilling, no wiring and little technological know-how required for a homeowner to establish a smart solution.

Wireless speakers are among the most popular connected devices for the home, and theyre also some of the most beautiful. As the market matures, expected to reach $13.75 billion by 2018, companies like Philips, Sonos and Samsung are differentiating their products through design. But such differentiation tactics can be employed by startups as well.

Portland, Oregon-based BlueshiftPDX is one startup looking to pave a path to success by designing a better battery for wireless speakers. Its Helium speaker charges in only five minutes, thanks to its supercapacitor. This energy storage capability allows the speaker to charge quickly, and then play at full volume for six hours, Blueshift claims, lasting about 500,000 charge cycles.

Turning to crowdfunding, Blueshift has already exceeded its $35,000 campaign goal. Today we hear from Blueshift founder and head designer Sam Beck, who began by building bike speakers. Here Beck details the reasons his team chose CrowdSupply over Kickstarter, the importance of open source tools in startup communities, and his speaker design process.

Why CrowdSupply over Kickstarter?

Sam Beck, Blueshift founder

Theyre local, so I was able to meet with them in person, and I got a great deal of support from them. They helped with public relations and marketing more than what I wouldve been able to do on my own.

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For Blueshift, whats the role of open source?

Its been really helpful so far, probably five or six electrical engineers have looked at the project and offered feedback. I have a couple guys helping with final round for revisions before our speaker goes out to production. Its been amazing to see how willing people are to help out.

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What we did right was something different and honest. Blueshift founder on wireless speaker design