More than two years ago, a small design lab named Edison Junior had a pretty ambitious idea to replace the typical phone charger with a small power station that is capable of charging multiple gadgets, particularly iPhone, iPad and iPod devices. This was during a time when powerbanks weren’t all that popular yet. The project raised more than twice the amount asked and everything went well until Apple announced the iPhone 5 back in September 2012. This was the first iPhone to use Apple’s new Lightning connector. This new connector served as the beginning of the end for Edison Junior’s project. A few months later, the team had no choice but to provide refunds.
This hasn’t stopped people from coming up with new ideas and accessories for Apple products simply because Apple has a ton of customers. But if you don’t want to end up like Edison Junior, you should consider these things first.
Pay Attention to the Rumors
It is highly unlikely that Apple will change the Lightning connector but you have to look at the new MacBook which features a USB-C connector and virtually nothing else. This sparked even more crowdfunding campaigns. Will the next iPhone have a USB-C connector too? We will never know until the official unveiling which could happen around September 2015. This means that it isn’t a good idea to plan too far ahead. Pay attention to Apple fan sites and blogs and focus on insider info. Not all rumors are true but they could help you steer your project in the right direction.
Search for Similar Crowdfunding Projects
Do a little research to see if there are similar crowdfunding projects made by other groups. Observe how these groups are doing and see if they are running into any difficulties so you can anticipate them as well. Once you found a few, identify exactly what makes your product unique.
Understand the MFi Program
Apple has a pretty comprehensive FAQ about the MFi program. Be sure to read this if you are making accessories for Apple’s iPhone, iPod, and iPad lineups.