Whither CherryPal?
It’s really bad news for a start-up when the press starts writing articles titled: “World hunts CherryPal cloud PC chimera – Have you seen the 2 watt mini machine?” And indeed, the much vaunted CherryPal has yet to materialize. It was flaunted as a green computer taking up only 2 watts of power. It was designed as cloud computer with applications served from the Internet.
I had signed up as a CherryPal Brand Angel, as I wanted to review the computer for this blog. I was excited at the prospect of a Linux-based mini-computer for the masses. Almost six months later, I still do not have the CherryPal that was promised to me back in June. The staff appears to have disappeared. The founder, Max Seybold, has only recently started to communicate with the Brand Angels, many of whom are in active revolt. We were promised that the CherryPals would be shipped on election day (this, after many delays), only to be told recently that they’d be shipped on December 2.
Max complains that an investor pulled out at the last minute leaving him high and dry; however, given that he’s actually asked for mini-investments of only $3,000, I have to wonder if he’s really going after a big enough prize. The company is obviously underfunded. A measly few grand isn’t needed; try a few million.
I would really like CherryPal to suceed, so I am not trying to spread negative rumor just to be unproductive here. But it appears to me that the company will not get off the ground unless someone bites the bullet and gives CherryPal the infusion of cash and talent needed to get it off the ground. This means real investors who will not only put in money but also help create a company structure with good business people running the show.
If CherryPal does manage to make it, perhaps it will be because some forward-thinking company will buy out the company and its fledging product.
As for me, I am not holding my breath any longer for a CherryPal, but if one does magically arrive on my doorstep, I will be happy to give it a fair and honest review. Waiting…
I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to become a brand angel for the new CherryPal green computer, which will be released within a few weeks. It needs only 2 watts of power, and runs on a flash drive without any moving parts. Linux is the operating system, and many of the apps will be available via free “cloud” computing online.