Over the past few days, there’s been quite a buzz about Ayaneo’s Flip Indiegogo project, with reports suggesting the handhelds might be scrapped entirely. The original announcement seemed to say just that, but now Ayaneo has stepped in to clear the air. Contrary to what many thought, the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS aren’t being discontinued at all.
Here’s what happened: Although Ayaneo did halt production of the Flip series, this decision came only after fulfilling a whopping 98% of the crowdfunding orders. Just 18 orders remain in limbo, awaiting shipment. Thankfully, the brand has lined up refund or trade-in options for those affected, just as they’d shared in an earlier update.
It’s important to note that the Flip series is still alive and kicking. Ayaneo is gearing up to churn out a fresh batch of several hundred units over the next few months. They’ve even hinted at future models, namely the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. Given the competition from other handhelds with foldable or slidable keyboards, my take is they should hone in on the Flip DS’s design. But hey, that’s just my two cents.
For those who had their eyes set on the Ayaneo Flip but were holding out for an official retail release instead of jumping on the crowdfunding wagon, there’s some good news. A retail release is in the pipeline through a “limited restock plan.” Though there’s no confirmed date for when these will hit the shelves, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they might fly off as soon as they become available.
Fingers crossed, there’ll be enough to satisfy true fans, and let’s hope scalpers don’t crash the party. The distinctive design of the Ayaneo Flip KB and the even more intriguing Flip DS, coupled with their robust hardware, make them standout contenders in the gaming handheld market. It’s refreshing to see them getting another opportunity to shine, especially before their successors step onto the scene in the future.
On a less cheerful note, the 18 backers still waiting for their devices must decide between taking a refund or opting for another Ayaneo handheld by March 27, assuming the previous instructions still stand. Ayaneo assures us that they’ve already been in touch with those affected.
