What you need to know
- Eve has a new business structure and will handle international shipments rather than licensing them out.
- Eve has had issues supplying and shipping Eve V devices that were ordered.
- Eve also has a new monitor and pair of headphones set to ship later this year.
Eve announced a new business structure today. Eve is most known for the Eve V; a crowd developed 2-in-1 PC that went head to head against the Microsoft Surface Pro. The Eve V relied heavily on feedback from potential buyers during the design phase, and the result was an impressive 2-in-1 with a lower price tag than its main competition. Unfortunately, several issues plagued the Eve V, which resulted in delayed shipments of orders and several orders that have still not shipped to this day. The new business model aims to fix these issues and move more responsibility to Eve rather than licensing partners. In addition to announcing the new business structure, Eve highlighted new hardware that will release later this year.
Eve released a statement today that summarizes the issues that affected the Eve V, along with significant changes to the company's business structure. The statement outlines that Eve relied on a licensing business model in which Eve's staff focused on research and development and design while licensing sales, manufacturing, and aftersales were handled by partners around the world. This model did not work well as a major partner had issues which Eve explained:
Unfortunately, one of our major partners Fortress Tech Distribution LTD, the one operating the web store through www.eve-tech.com ran into issues with the supply chain, funds frozen by payment processors, and untimely deliveries, causing frustration among the community and direct damage to our brand. Now that the licensing contract has expired we are sharing things as they are with you directly. We have not mentioned this publically as we had a very tight NDA clauses with heavy penalties."
The NDA expiring is particularly noteworthy as many fans regularly expressed frustration regarding their orders not being shipped and a lack of communication from Eve. While Eve released some statements on the progress of shipments, many fans expressed frustration regarding delays and communication.
Eve states that "From now on, things will be different." Eve has shifted from its licensing model and will handle international sales on its own. A new website will handle sales directly and is backed by PCH International. PCH works with several large companies, including Google, Fitbit, Sonos, Logitech, and GoPro.
Eve has also built partnerships with well-known manufacturers to work with on upcoming hardware. Eve is working with LG for its Spectrum monitor. The Spectrum IPS monitor has 1ms response time, Freescyc 2, a 165Hz refresh rate with 100W PD, and HDR. Eve is also working with Grandsun for its Muse noise-canceling headphones. Both of these devices are set to ship by the end of this year.
In addition to highlighting the new hardware that will ship later this year, Eve confirmed that an Eve V 2 is in the works, though few details are available at this time.
In addition to all of its announcements, Eve added a statement regarding the previous delays:
We are aware of the people affected by the business struggles of the partner that previously operated the eve-tech.com web store. As we are moving to the new structure and launch new projects such as the monitor and headphones, we will make sure that their success will help these people. To maintain our reputation we are now working on the plan how to help out people affected by bad experience with the previous merchant."
The delays that affected the Eve V were significant. Eve seems to have taken a large step away from the factors that led to these issues, but time will be the ultimate judge on if these changes affect shipments.
Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love
Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.
VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)
This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.
Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)
Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.
Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)
This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.
