Recently, there was a bit of confusion surrounding Ayaneo’s actions regarding their Flip series on Indiegogo. Initially, an announcement made it seem like the handheld devices were being completely axed, leading to speculation that the Flip models were done for good. However, a follow-up post from Ayaneo has cleared the air: the Flip KB and Flip DS aren’t being shelved after all, despite how it initially sounded.
Ayaneo explained that while they did halt production on the Flip series, this decision came only after they had already fulfilled 98% of their crowdfunding orders, leaving just 18 orders waiting in the wings. This means those who ordered can still look into refund or trade-in options, as mentioned in previous updates.
The good news is that the Flip series is staying alive. Ayaneo plans to assemble “several hundred” more units over the next few months, indicating that the Flip line isn’t going anywhere. This opens up the possibility for future versions like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. With other innovative handhelds sporting foldable or slidable keyboards hitting the market, it makes sense to keep an eye on the Flip DS design, though that’s just my two cents.
For those contemplating the Ayaneo Flip but holding out for an official retail release, there’s still hope. Ayaneo hinted at a forthcoming “limited restock plan.” However, we’re not sure when these restocked devices will actually hit shelves. Given the buzz surrounding this project, expect these units to vanish from stock as soon as they land.
Fingers crossed, the restocked devices will reach their intended audience, without scalpers seizing the opportunity. The Flip KB and DS models bring something special to the table with their unique form factors and powerful specs. It’s reassuring to see them getting another shot before any new iterations eventually come along in the years ahead.
That said, the 18 supporters still awaiting their devices will need to decide between a refund or opting for a different Ayaneo product, provided this remains the case until the end of March. Ayaneo has assured that they’ve already communicated with these affected customers.
