At the official May 15th uniView Launch here are some interesting comments in a news article.
"Some of the features such as printing, faxing, and the ability to run Java programs were not demonstrated, and some of the buttons on the remote, and IR keyboard did not seem to be fully functional at this early demonstration, but Neal J. Katz, Curtis Mathes' Director of Investor Relations, says that the uniView will be ready for a full evaluation within a couple of weeks."
Well, they did not tell us the real problems that was going to delay the product a lot longer than the "couple of weeks" that Neal had stated. In fact not only was there a 70 day delay in gettng the product to the stores, the ability to run Java programs or even printing is still did not work 30 weeks later.
"Curtis Mathes' CEO, Patrick A. Custer says that the uniView product line is a long-term investment that will be managed very carefully. For that reason products will initially be available only through a very limited number of regional retailers including Dallas based Communications Expo., San Jose-based Fry's, and Miami-based Brandsmart."
Translation.........we have a product that is has not been going smoothly at all, and are now giving up in the full deployment until someday we can get our act together. By saying it now becomes a long term investment, they are hiding the fact that they have yet managed the product properly. If you do not believe my point, then ask the company where the $4 plus million was spent on the software and what is CrystalGate's involvement. |
