I was the manager of software architecture for Gibson Audio. And
among other things, was responsible for overseeing the software
development for the Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox. Despite winning awards
at CES as an innovative new product, management couldn't find the
sweet spot in terms of manufacturing cost, market size and retail
price. The last I heard, the Wurli was put out to pasture last year,
so we'll never see it on store shelves.
Gibson has taken down the Gibson Audio site, but there are still a
few reviews from online magazines and the like:
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=2011
http://www.stuffmagazine.com/gear/product.aspx?id=184
http://www.shows.soundstagelive.com/shows/avtour2005/sep09b/gibson_1.jpg
http://www.shows.soundstagelive.com/shows/avtour2005/sep09b/gibson_2.jpg
The last link is a picture of the custom remote control we developed
for the device. If you look at the previous pictures, it might seem
that there's an integrated LCD on the main unit. But.. that's not the
case... it's just where the remote docks. For the benefit of list
members, I'll share a few words of wisdom about product design.
1. For the purposes of building a custom mobile application, WinCE is
not a completely bad operating system; but the tools really suck.
2. Get your WiFi chip vendors to prove they actually have drivers for
your operating system and CPU. Better yet, get the source code for
the drivers!
3. It takes three times as long if you outsource your software
development to Elbonia.
4. If you outsource your software development, don't outsource your
QA. In fact, doing "Test First" or "Test Driven Development" is a
really, really good idea. This way you have an unequivocal tool to
demonstrate you're getting what you ask for.
5. Consider DECT instead of WiFi. It doesn't have the same bandwidth,
but power consumption and interference robustness seems to be a
little better, and...
6. When you test your WiFi enabled device, ensure there's a microwave
oven near where you're testing. (i.e. - don't forget to test your
device in something approaching real-world conditions.)
-Cheers
-Matt H.
On Jun 14, 2007, at 1:10 PM, Robin Paulson wrote:
> On Wednesday 13 June 2007 16:26, Matthew S. Hamrick wrote:
>> Gibson Musical Instruments, where we were designing what was
>> effectively a custom PDA (don't ask.)
guitar tuner?
i have to admit, this caught my eye too and set me wondering. i know
you said don't ask, but....what? i'm intrigued
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