Pixlplay 3 Years Later!
over 5 years ago – Thu, Sep 03, 2020 at 12:53:21 PM

Hello Pixlplay Family,

It's hard to believe that three years has passed since shipping Pixlplay. I hope this finds you and your family doing well in such uneasy times. 

3 Years Later.

After shipping the Pixlplay camera, I went on and launched a few more smartphone accessories including the Pixlplay 6-in-1 Smartphone Lens Kit. 

As a kid, I loved making stop motion animation videos and filming little movies. Recently, my mom dug up one of my old claymation videos (thanks mom! see GIF below). This inspired me to bring more products to market with the goal to help kids make stop motion videos and movies with the smartphone!

Something for you! 

It's incredible what you can do with a smartphone today. I recently did a Zoom video with my 12 year old niece, Ruby (our Chief Kid Officer) on How Make Stop Motion Videos. You can find the first two videos here for inspiration:

Today, I'm launching THREE new accessories for your phone and would love to offer you them at 50% off. That's right, for anyone with an Amazon.com (US only), i'm offering these for 50% off. My goal is to help inspire creativity with your smartphone. Here they are with links below:  

Pixlplay - Arm Stand Phone Holder with Bluetooth Remote - great for stop motion animation, crafts, cooking, baking, or just a lazy arm to hold your smartphone from a desk or table. Also great for remote learning.
Pixlplay - Overhead Video Table Stand and Bluetooth Remote - take steady overhead shots great for 2D animation, Instagram, photocopy scanning, remote learning, baking and even fits with GoPro or Pico Projector.
Pixlplay - Head Mount Strap for Smartphone - See the world through your kids eyes. You may look funny but you will never forget the videos you and your kids capture.

How it will work.

Between now and September 30th, 2020, just click on the Amazon listing above and select the product you want. First, check the 'Save 20%' coupon that is live to the public. Then, add to cart and enter PROMO code SEP30OFFPIXL during checkout. This code is only valid until September 30th and will give you an additional 30% off. That's it!

Thanks and I hope this brings a smile to your day and some creative inspiration as we navigate this pandemic. 

JP

ps. My son is now 3 so here we are. Remember this, the days are long but the years are fast. We will get through this time soon enough. 

Pixlplay Update & New Items
over 7 years ago – Mon, Jul 16, 2018 at 05:44:06 PM

Pixlplay Fam!! 

It’s been a while since our last update and I’ve got some exciting things to share.

First, Happy Birthday!
If you can believe it, it’s been a year since we shipped your Pixlplay camera. That means my baby boy is also 1-year old which is hard to believe. I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you and seeing your kids grow!

Update on Things.
The last couple years have been a success on so many levels - I left my corporate job, started a company and shipped the Pixlplay camera ON TIME (!!) to you and retailers worldwide. Thinking back to the moments we went live, I can’t help to pause and say thank you again. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for your support.

Bringing a product to market is not easy! There are so many things that I’ve learned and would love to improve for future versions of the Pixplay camera. The challenge, of course, is that there is never enough money, time or people.

Some New Products.
I’ve managed to create a few new products to continue our goal of making use of smartphones in a way that gets kids active and creative. I’m excited to bring you THREE new items available on Amazon NOW:

Pixlplay Smartphone Lens Kit.
We created this 6-in-1 Smartphone Lens Kit with a combination tripod/ grip, a Bluetooth shutter remote, and the best in optics (fisheye, wide angle + macro). You’ll be amazed by the different photos and videos that you and your kids can create with this.  Includes carry case with foam cut-outs and carabiner. Get yours on Amazon today for 40% OFF or anytime this month for 30% off with promo code 30NEWPIXL: https://amzn.to/2KJGND2

Pixlplay Smartphone Wristband Holder.
Your kids will have fun capturing their summer adventures with this Smartphone Wristband Mount. Going on a trip? This makes for a great hands-free experience for taking photos, watching videos, or playing games. Also, take great photos by mounting to other objects like a pole or tree. https://amzn.to/2MVEGZt

Pixlplay Chest Strap.
Do your kids love riding bikes? Or maybe you’re looking for a hands-free way to read maps or snap photos while taking a walk or hike. Check out this chest strap harness that’s sure to capture some fun photos and videos: https://amzn.to/2KUtJe0

And the Pixlplay Camera is, of course, available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DQCZ1NY.  

Take advantage of the Amazon Prime Day deal and get 40% off TODAY or take 30% off during the month of July by entering promo code 30NEWPIXL during checkout.  

Ok, that’s it. Enough of me plugging product.

There is so much more that we can do to help kids take and share better photos. I hope to bring you more and I continue to share activities and tips in the Pixlplay newsletter. If you aren’t already on the list, go here: https://pixltoys.com/#newsletterLink

Sending you big love + hugs,
xo
JP

Ps. Sharing is caring. Know a friend who might like these items? Fwd this email along and continue to share your experience by tagging @pixltoys and #pixlplay.

GOOD NEWS – Android App is live, 30% off and more!
over 8 years ago – Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 07:10:47 PM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

App and Retail Update!!!
over 8 years ago – Tue, Aug 22, 2017 at 11:49:56 AM

Hello Pixlplay Backers! 

I hope you've had an AMAZING summer! I’ve loved all the photos and am grateful for connecting with so many of you around the world! We recently sent out a customer satisfaction survey and I truly appreciated all the feedback and ideas. We’ve made some updates to the app and I have some exciting retail announcements in this note! 

App Update! 

In reading your survey comments, it was clear that we needed to speed up the camera shutter and allow the ability to delete multiple photos at once. GOOD NEWS. If you download the latest update, you will see that we’ve fixed both points. We also added the option to export more than one photo at once. We’re listening!

I learned TWO additional things from the survey regarding the app:

1) Only half of our Apple users have downloaded it!  Parent's are loving that it contains the photos from your camera roll so please download it here: bit.ly/Pixlplay. For the iOS7 users, we're still trying to make it reverse compatible but Apple doesn't make it easy.  Stay tuned.

2) Not many people have tried or completed the scavenger hunts.  TONIGHT, please open the app up with your kids and click the MAP -> HOUSE ICON.  Ask your kids to take photos of the things you see on the screen.  Use this opportunity to teach your kids numbers, objects or just enjoy the time with them;).  Pixlplay is meant to be enjoyed with your kids. PRO TIP: If you finish every photo in a scavenger hunt, a photobook is created on your bookshelf for another scavenger hunt (siblings, anyone?)!!!

          Please DOWNLOAD or UPDATE your App to enjoy these new features.

Android App update. I also heard loud and clear that you want an Android app. I’m happy to share that we are working hard on it now and we expect the Android version will release by October. This is a bonus since it was never part of our campaign. Thanks SO much for your patience and remember that you can still use your Android camera app or try THIS one. Also remember that many Android phones require changing the volume button to activate the camera shutter through your settings (typically the gear icon).

Support Your Local Retailers! 

My hope is to develop more than one product that MAKES USE OF YOUR SMARTPHONES in a way that gets kids ACTIVE and CREATIVE. This only works if Pixlplay is successful beyond Kickstarter. 

With that in mind, I need your help to support these specialty retailers nationwide. PLEASE spread the word and make a back-to-school trip to SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RETAILER carrying Pixlplay.  They include:

Barnes & Noble (select stores - click HERE and Select Store Availability to enter your zip code)
NYC (3rd Ave) - Fantastic Kids
NY (Plainview) - M.J. Beanz
NY (Southampton) - Stevenson's Toys
NY (Rochester) - Hobby House Toys
NY (Glen Rock) - The Grow-cery
MA (Ipswich) - Green Elephant
PA (Sewickley) - Fun Buy The Pound
PA (Narberth) – MyKidsKorner
D.C. (4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW) - Sullivan's Toys
VA (Lynchburg) - Givens Books & Little Dickens
NC (Durham) - Toy Mania
SC (Greenville) - The Elephant's Trunk 
OH (Martins Ferry) - Deluxe Novelty 
OH (Kent) - Off the Wagon 
OH (Cincinnati) - King Arthur's Court Toys 
IN (Zionsville) - 4 Kids Books & Toys 
MI (West Bloomfield) – Toyology Stores 
MI (Frankenmuth) - Frankenmuth Toy Co 
MN (Minneapolis)– Creative Kids Stuff Stores 
WI (Rhinelander) - Imaginuity 
IL (Chicago) - Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago & AT&T Flagship (Michigan Ave.)
KS (Lawrence) - The Toy Store 
TX (Round Rock) - Kaleidoscope Toys 
CO (Denver) - Timbuk Toys Inc 
CO (Aspen) - Carls Pharmacy 
AZ (Scottsdale) - Kidstop Toys & Books 
CA (LA) - Tweak (8384 Beverly Blvd)
CA (SF) – SFMOMA & Maido Fine Stationery & Gifts (Japantown) & AT&T Flagship (1 Powell)
CA (Los Gatos) - Automobuild
OR (Hillsboro) - iSpark Toys
WA (Vancouver) - Kazoodles 
Canada (Montreal) - Jack & jill 
Canada (Toronto) - Higher Ground Girls 

Treat the kids in your life to a trip to the toy store!

Give any one of these stores a HIGH FIVE for being a fellow supporter of Pixplay. Plus, we're also in the FABULOUS Uncommon Goods Catalog and we're launching on TheGrommet this friday, August 25th.  I'll be online for a live Q&A all day!

 … and yes, Amazon has it too. First, PLEASE send people to the above retailers. They are an important part of the success of Pixl Toys.

HUGE thanks to a number of backers who have shared Pixlplay with your local retailers.  @Nina @Jessica @Laura @Noah + more!  IF you enjoy Pixlplay or just want to help us out, let your local retailer know about it!!

Final Days to fill out the Backerkit Survey

The final piece of housekeeping is that we're going to close the Backerkit survey on September 1st.  For the <3% of you who didn't fill out your survey there, now is your chance to get your camera.  You can also message or email us at a later date.

Thank you all, again!
JP

ps. for anyone who missed the customer satisfaction survey, or have additional feedback that you'd like to give, I've opened a new link through 8/31: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pixlplay 
Your feedback will help make Pixlplay even better!!

Pixlplay is Shipping & iOS App is Live!
almost 9 years ago – Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 10:16:59 PM

Hello Everyone!
First, an update on shipping. As of this evening, all Pixlplay cameras are in transit for the 95% of people who filled out the Backerkit survey on time. Tracking numbers should have been sent from from Backerkit. Check your spam folder if you don't see it. Please be patient and know that your Pixlplay will be coming soon!

We have now shipped over 3,000 units to 38 countries around the world. Some people have people have already received theirs and it just makes my day to see these photos.

Second, the iOS app is LIVE. Please download it and give it a try: https://appsto.re/us/D4WYjb.i
We worked really hard on it and while we are still ironing out a few kinks, I really hope you like it. Here is a visual of the App navigation to help give you some direction. Start by making some silly faces and have your kids go on an indoor scavenger hunt.  

For our Android friends (we do ❤️ Android)... Good news. We are now planning an Android App to launch in Q4.  Remember that Pixlplay also works great with the native app in your smartphone.  You may need to change the camera volume button to control the camera shutter in your camera settings (gear).  See the instruction manual.

Finally, our eCommerce site is now live!  If anyone asks, where can I get one?... feel free to send them to https://pixltoys.com/.  Between now and the 4th of July, I'm happy to extend FREE SHIPPING on all US orders.  Please enter FREESHIP4ULY in the Discount code during checkout.  Note that all orders will ship via UPS Surepost Ground - no expedited or international, sorry. Soon, we hope to update you on retailers carrying the Pixlplay camera.

There are SO many people who helped bring Pixlplay to life: Nick, Nafeeza, Tannar, Tom, Frank, Steve, Simon, Sarah, Michael, Myriam, Kieran, Guillaume, Daniel, Larry, Ed, Joel and each of the families who volunteered their kids for the video. Thank you ALL and thanks to my friends, family and most importantly, my wife, Alison. Many crowdfunding campaigns are run by large teams, agencies, and even corporations with massive budgets. I am a sole founder and everything was orchestrated by yours truly on a shoe-string budget. So, I will take this moment to bow and say thank you. I'm sure there will be issues and there are always areas for improvement.  As a whole, I truly hope you are happy with the camera and my communication.

I’ll be reducing my communication here so please follow Pixl Toys on any social media for the latest:
Newsletter: https://pixltoys.com/#newsletterLink 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pixltoys/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixltoys/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pixltoys

I'll keep in touch and if you have questions, please feel free to send a message or email to hello'at'pixltoys.com. Thanks, cheers and if I don't see you, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight.
Sincerely,
JP