Engadget Logo Enter Japan Version LIFEBOOK UH Keyboard why the UH keyboard became crowdfunding
This serialization is to convey many mistakes and special experiences with current reasons, focusing on how to treat people involved in public relations.This is the 22nd time, and I would like to talk about the development secret story of the recently introduced external keyboard "UHKB".
Companies constantly create new products and put them into the world.It is a breakthrough, and it is a product that seems to be a "connection" that seems to be a "connection", but most of them come out according to solid roadmaps.
From at least about three years ago, it would come out according to the roadmap, "This time will come out and mass -produced, so it will be possible because the cost will be worth it."There is a plan to incorporate it and put it into the market because such things will appear on the roadmap.
In the world, similar products come out at the same time, because the manufacturers are not rigging with each other, but the CPUs and members incorporated into the PC come at the same time due to technological innovation.It is similar because it is assembled by using it.
In the meantime, what do people think when something completely different comes out?I think most people have their own impressions, such as "Oh, good," "I'm amazing" or "I don't need it?"If you like it, you may own it or make it a story, and if you don't, it's common to pass through.
When it comes to its own product, a different emotion is born.In addition to the objective evaluation of the conventional third party, it has a positive evaluation that "if it sells, it will make a profit" (it will increase the evaluation or salary, otherwise it will be a profit if it is a topic).Some people try to cooperate together, but some people have some negative impressions.It will be more likely to come down to your work directly.The closer you are, the more you can say, "If this comes out, it will be troublesome," the closer you are, the closer you can sell, or if you can't sell it, the more you may affect your sales).
By the way, this time, I witnessed the manufacturing site for the first time in a long time.It was like a drama -like world.Although it was a little different from the manufacturing that I was directly involved, I have supported my experience in advice.
On April 16, 2020, Corona's footsteps approached.Mr. Yazaki, the editor -in -chief of the Japanese version of the Japanese version, went to the interview with President Saito (current chairman) with a different thought from the usual interview.Interview with the manufacturer's president as the editor -in -chief of Engajet for the start of FY2011.That's a matter of course, but at this time I brought another souvenir.
Speaking of Mr. Yazaki, there was an initiative in souvenir projects in the past.It is a proposal of a "Kana no engraving model" on the keyboard, which was a matter of course a few years ago, and the kana engraving was natural.This was an event in a chat after the interview rather than an interview.
At that time, the president said, "I can do that right away," and asked me to post the exchange at that time in the article.As a result, it took a little time, but Fujitsu decided to release a keyboard without a stamp for the first time.
At this time, there was a discussion of "how many units to make"."I can't sell without a stamp," "I don't use Kana input." "No, I don't know if I haven't made such a thing so far."… While there were many issues, this was successful, partly due to the decision of the business manager at the time.Although there may not have been a lot of needs, it has a good visual image, exposure to the media has increased, making it a good public relations promotion.
Going back to the past, ASCII's editor -in -chief Endo was in charge of the mobile business at the time, Kazuhiro Igarashi, and at a cafe at Izumo Airport, and was present when he decided to release a LOOX Bluetooth model.。(LOOX's Bluetooth model has achieved the feat of sold out on the first day of the release.) So, Mr. Yazaki is one of the few editor who has a successful experience of this kind of special project.
Return the story to 2020.Mr. Yazaki told Saito: "I want you to make a most easy to use external keyboard."Then, Saito replied, "I can do it right away."One year and three months after this day, the "external keyboard project" to see the sun has begun.
UHKB project start
The story does not end with "Please make" and "Let's make it".Specifically, it was a pure white situation to which specifications and when and what specifications would sell, so it starts with a hearing called the interview.
The external keyboard itself had a previous product, so I started based on that.Various issues such as "I want to make the same product," "I don't have a mold," "I want to attach a touchpad", "should I get bigger?"Yes, I realized that manufacturing was not easy.
Products born in a rider in a time are the flow of the time, and even if you try to remake later, it is basically the same as making new things from scratch.It seemed to be a huge work.The editor -in -chief Yazaki who wants to make something good, but wants to hear the request, but the business department is technically difficult.Still, I think the reason why the story did not interrupt was because the feeling of "I want to put such a thing to the world" was the same.
The LIFEBOOK UH series is the top brand that keeps its seat as the world's lightest PC.It was the Division of the Division of the Division, the keyboard Meister, who is in charge of the keyboard part that supports this top brand.The design that does not sacrifice the ease of hitting even if it is small may be in charge of the most in charge of the PC that says, "The first thing you touch the PC is the keyboard."
However, Mr. Fujikawa says, "I can't do anything that doesn't seem to be possible."If it is a normal interview, it will end there, but the editor -in -chief Yazaki was different."I can't do it, but I can do this part like this."Since he is a very technical editor -in -chief, he talks equally with the technical team.On the other hand, Mr. Fujikawa opens a drawer, saying, "I don't think you can do this."The exchange around here is reflected in the product specifications, and it was exactly the work that was created.Still, there are some things that can't be solved, and this will continue to study for a long time.
Do you need a touchpad?
The discussion was also divided on the point of "whether to attach a touchpad".By not putting it, you can save extremely space, and it will be very close to the keyboard that has become the basics of this idea.Initially, we were considering remakes of the model.However, here too, the commitment of editor -in -chief Yazaki comes out."If you don't have a touchpad, you'll end up being halfway, so I want to incorporate it."I can't afford it.
The design department rebounds."Then, weight reduction and space saving are physically impossible."We have discussed which one to choose.Is it really necessary, should I do, or not?The discussion is spinning.Finally, after several specification changes, "The space saving is absolute, but it doesn't make sense to put out halfway things.He landed in that place, accepted that he dared to grow, and decided to adopt a touchpad.The specifications are now solidified.
The design department was present in this match.In this manufacturing, the design is an important position that is better than the specifications.Move the details from the USB position on the back to the cut of the product.It was a three -time battle, "I want this kind of thing," which had a design proposal many times in the presentation and implemented the device there, "I want this kind of thing.""I want to do this in terms of design," "I can't fit in," "I need this."
Thanks to the touchpad, the image was almost the same size as the UH series keyboard.Originally, the keystrokes were planned to use the UH keyboard specification, so this point has been unanimously proceeding.
The relationship between the backlight and the driving time is discussed at the time of use and the convenience from the power supply, and the one that can be adjusted in five steps is to make a proper backlight.The power supply has succeeded in securing a performance of up to about one month with full charge.
If it is a color about the color, it will proceed safely, and it is advantageous in terms of profit and loss, but the editor -in -chief Yazaki will not give up the special color unique to UH.After all, the story went on with two colors of color variations.
While proceeding with such specifications and costs, the back rubber had a problem.When hitting the keyboard, the noise of the finger to hit and the touch of the finger when hitting is a problem.The key stroke is shallow, so if you hit it, your finger will hurt and the key is noisy.In order to clear it, a rubber material was adopted on the entire back of the keyboard.However, this will increase the cost and weight.I would like to cut it here, but the recruitment was decided as a place that cannot be yielded, including the design, even if the weight and cost increase.
This is a really surprising judge, but all are not subtracted, and there are some parts that are added, yet we are lighter.My head falls around here.And, as if it were a technical department, the editor -in -chief of Yazaki, who can talk to each place equally, is overflowing.
Package that satisfies ownership
I took a long time about the package.This is a special product.So, in a normal box, the joy of opening is reduced by half.Started from the place where "a package that would make you happy when it arrived," we finally left about four packages.
I thought they were all good, but in any case it is costly.Since the number of units is limited, the product cost alone is already considerable amount.It's good to stick, but isn't it expensive and not buying it?Despite the anxiety, the package discussion is exciting.
In the end, "This keyboard was born from the UH, so let's make the package UH specification."Put this external keyboard on the keyboard of the package imitating the UH.It's a stylish production.However, at the bottom of my heart, I was thrilled, saying, "I guess the cost will be high."
Then, I asked for the idea, "I have to name the keyboard."This is also quite important as an image strategy.Isn't the "UHKB", which had been talked about and was treated as if it were the same during development, could be catchy?It is decided by the proposal from the editor -in -chief of Yazaki.The importance of naming around here was particularly particular about the editor -in -chief of Yazaki, and the opinions of the media were utilized.Such advice is in the right place.
Pyramids that cannot be done
The price was also discussed."At a price that is easy for customers to buy", "There is no problem if it makes a solid thing and it costs it", "If you are particular about the premier product, the price does not matter", it seems to be a different opinion.The story proceeds on the premise that only good things can be put out.However, the opinion of the sales department is important for the price.The product specifications that have been discussed in the Division and Planning Division have been assembled to places where they can be explained.
And it is time to explain to the sales department.I was planning to announce the event "Day1000" on the 1000th day of the company.But here is an unexpected stumbling."Does it make sense to put out an external keyboard?" "Who uses the external keyboard, Apple users don't buy them, and even if there are no people to use, they can't sell at the store."It was completely denied by Ken.
The complexion of the division changes.Planning staff cannot give products that do not sell sales.If the number is not visible, the design or business plan cannot be assembled.What everyone drew about what kind of specifications can be put out will collapse at once.
Considering the time until the announcement, it is not possible to announce the stagnation of the work at this time.And not to announce it means that commercialization stops.Pyramid that cannot be done.Suddenly, a huge wall was blocked, and the hearts of many stakeholders began to break up.
I will talk about how to overcome this barrier and how to make it commercialized.
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From the heyday of the PC and the bubble in the middle of the bubble, the PC manufacturer promoted and public relations from the PC manufacturer, and although it was consistently walked in the media field, it turned into a completely different entertainment world in 2019.The theme of "public relations", "music" and "Asia" enjoys the 21st century Marcopolo life.The common point of these three themes is "all people".The dream is to publicize Japan.