Dear Pixboomers,
Thank you for your patience since our last update.
Two weeks ago, we shared that a small number of units in our second pilot production run had triggered thermal protection shutdowns during our internal aging test, and that we would be sending those units to a third-party testing facility for further analysis.
This week, I’m genuinely happy to share a positive update: the units passed the third-party high-temperature stress test. Everything is now moving forward in an orderly way, and we are on track to proceed toward final mass production.
I also want to update you on three other areas: certification progress, packaging design, and our current view on shipping timing.
1. Certification Progress — TÜV Rheinland
We are currently in the process of obtaining TÜV Rheinland certification, which is required as part of the path toward both CE (European) and FCC (US) compliance.
Here is where things stand:
- 75% of the required tests have been completed
- The remaining 25% is expected to be completed and confirmed by the end of next week
- Importantly, the most technically demanding portions of the certification testing have already been passed
Once the remaining tests are completed and confirmed, both CE and FCC certifications will follow in sequence.
We know certification timelines can feel abstract, so we want to be clear: this is not a step we can rush, and we are not cutting corners. But we are very close, and the hardest part is already behind us.
2. Packaging Design Progress
This week, our team visited the China office of our US-based design agency for a working session to review and refine the current packaging direction.
A few things we want to share about our approach to packaging:
- We are designing the unboxing and physical experience with care — we want the moment you first open your Spark to feel intentional and considered
- We have committed to using fully sustainable, plastic-free materials throughout the entire packaging structure
- The current packaging design is shown in the images below
What comes next:The internal component layout and external graphic design will both be finalized next week, after which the packaging will move directly into drop and durability testing.
And yes — that’s me in the photo. I figured the best way to show you this is real, and that real humans are actually sitting in real rooms making real decisions about your camera’s box, is to just show up in the frame myself. No stock photos here.
3. Crowdfunding T-Shirts — Production Complete
For those of you who were part of the Kickstarter campaign and are receiving a complimentary T-shirt: production is now complete.
A few notes on how we approached this:
- We chose organic cotton as the material — for comfort, and because it aligns with the same sustainability values we’re applying to the packaging
- The design is intentional — we wanted it to feel a little different, not just a standard logo tee
We hope you enjoy it when it arrives alongside your Spark.
One more thing — the guy modeling the shirt is our Head of Supply Chain. Look at that smile. Genuinely, in a project timeline that has asked a lot from everyone involved, that kind of energy doesn’t lie. We like to think the state of the team reflects the state of the project — and right now, things are looking up.
4. A Realistic Update on Shipping Timing
I know this is the section many of you are most focused on, so I want to be as straightforward as possible.
Our current expectation is that all production and packaging will be completed between April 20th and the end of April.
However, there is one logistical factor I want to flag clearly:
There is one logistical factor we want to flag clearly: China’s Labour Day holiday runs from May 1st through May 5th. During this period, DHL operations within China will be suspended from May 1st to May 3rd, which means outbound shipments cannot be processed on these dates.
Additionally, since the gift boxes feature a magnetic closure design, they require extra safety checks before air shipment to ensure the products arrive intact. This process will take approximately 2 additional days. We have also been actively exploring ways to improve shipping efficiency wherever possible.
Given these factors, the first shipments will most likely go out via DHL air freight in the days immediately following May 3rd, as domestic operations resume. I want to be transparent rather than overly optimistic — we cannot promise a date beyond our control. What I can tell you is that production is on track, certification is nearly complete, and the logistics plan is in place.
We will provide a more specific shipping update once certification is fully confirmed and packaging has cleared drop testing.
In Summary
Thank you again for staying with us through this process. Every update we share — whether it’s good news or a complication — comes from the same place: a genuine commitment to keeping you informed with the truth, not just the highlights.
We expect to share the next verified update with you next week, once certification results and packaging testing are both confirmed.
Best regards,
Jing and the Pixboom Team🫶
