Recently, there’s been quite a buzz surrounding Ayaneo and its Flip handheld devices. Initially, an announcement on their Indiegogo project page led many to believe these unique gaming devices were being phased out. However, Ayaneo has since cleared the air: the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are sticking around.
To elaborate, despite halting further production, Ayaneo managed to ship 98% of its pre-orders, leaving just 18 orders in limbo. For those still waiting, options for a refund or a trade-in remain available, consistent with earlier updates.
What’s exciting is that Ayaneo isn’t closing the book on the Flip series. The company plans to churn out a fresh batch of several hundred units within the next few months, hinting strongly at the potential for a Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2 down the line. With so many other flexible gaming devices emerging, a shift towards refining the Flip DS could be a smart move—but that’s just my take.
For gamers hesitant to dive into crowdfunding, there’s hope yet! Ayaneo’s limited restock strategy means these handhelds will hit retail shelves. Although no specific release date has been announced, expect these gadgets to sell out fast, given the stir they’ve already created.
Let’s cross our fingers that these new batches satisfy genuine enthusiasts and don’t end up in the hands of price-gouging resellers. The Flip KB and Flip DS stand out with their innovative design and impressive specs, making waves in the handheld gaming world. It’s great to see them getting a second shot before their successors eventually arrive.
As for those 18 lingering orders, the affected backers have until March 27 to decide between a refund or a swap for another Ayaneo model, assuming previous communications still hold true. Ayaneo assures these customers have been reached out to, aiming to resolve their situations promptly.