SmartTerra: Terrarium Revolutionized

The Last Mile
over 3 years ago – Fri, Dec 11, 2020 at 03:50:27 PM

Dear Backers,

Christmas is around the corner. Understandably so, this year's celebration will be more subdued than usual. The good news is the vaccine is here, and we can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, this will all be over next year so we can get back to our normal lives. 

We are on the last mile now with production. There is a saying that the last mile is always the hardest; we sure can relate to that. Things are going well until we hit a snag with the electronic board. The electronic manufacturer used the wrong connectors. So, we need to ship all of the mainboards back to them for repair. A careless mistake like this is costly in terms of time and money. This mistake also causes us to miss the Christmas delivery date that we promised. Delays and broken promises are not something we are proud of. We truly want to get the SmartTerra product done ASAP.

We can see the finish line now. No matter whatever challenges lay in front of us, we will do whatever it takes to get the product done right and SmartTerra shipped to you awesome backers out there. We are once again asking you for your patience. At this moment, we do not have a definite shipping date yet. However, we are anticipating delivery in the first quarter of 2021. We will have a better estimate for you in the next update.

Happy holidays and stay safe,

Team SmartTerra

App Arriving on iOS! // Please Update Shipping Address
over 3 years ago – Fri, Nov 06, 2020 at 04:44:01 AM

Hi Backers,

I hope this message finds you well. It is a beautiful time here in New England. The leaves are turning colors and it's starting to cool down quite a bit. Unfortunately, it also appears like the third wave of COVID-19 is upon us. We hope that you stay safe and continue to take care of yourself and those around you.

First of all, as we prepare for shipping, we would like to ask that you please update your shipping address from the survey email that we sent out from BackerKit so that it reflects your most current location.

This past month, in addition to finalizing the SmartTerra User Portal, we have been working on the mobile app for iOS (so that iPhone users can have fun with the SmartTerra too)! Previously, we have been thoroughly testing the Android app to make sure that it works well and has all the functionalities that we want. Now, all we are doing is programming the iOS app based on the Android app.

SNEAK PEEK! --- The SmartTerra App Guide will give you a quick run-through of the app and its main features. Once you get the app, it will guide you through getting connected, setting up, and sending commands to your SmartTerra.

We hope you are as excited as we are about getting the SmartTerra! As always, thank you for your patience. It won't be too long! Stay healthy and safe.

All the best,

Team SmartTerra

Introducing the SmartTerra Web Portal
over 3 years ago – Wed, Oct 07, 2020 at 09:33:45 PM

Dear Backers,

We hope that you are doing well. First, our hearts go out to the firefighters who have been battling the wildfires all around the west coast of the United States. We hope you stay safe and stay strong. New England, on the other hand, is quiet and calm as we are entering the Fall season. The leaves are turning colors and the weather begins to cool. We cannot wait to see the autumn foliage at its peak.

China is on a long break for the Chinese National day. Manufacturing will return to operation next week and resume with the production and assembly of the SmartTerra. Meanwhile, we have been busy building the SmartTerra web portal. This web portal will provide you with all the information you need to set up and maintain the SmartTerra. There is also a user forum where you can ask questions and share ideas with other SmartTerra owners. Additionally, you will be able to buy accessories and tools from the SmartTerra Shop, as well as share photos of your #SMARTTERRA in the gallery!

Take a Peek!: smart-terra.com *

*Please note that the site is still under construction. More features are coming!

We will continue to keep you updated. Thank you for your patience.

All the Best,

Team SmartTerra

Functional Testing
over 3 years ago – Thu, Sep 03, 2020 at 06:54:04 AM

Dear Backers,

We hope you are doing well and staying safe. The good news is cases of COVID-19 are beginning to fall in the US. We certainly hope this trend remains. However, we are not out of the woods yet.  Everyone should remain vigilant and care for one another by wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance.

Time and time again, the COVID-19 situation has proven difficult for businesses to operate. Managing work overseas without being there is no fun. Despite the situation, we are continuing to push forward on all fronts. Currently, we are doing a lot of critical testing to make sure that every aspect of the unit works well and stable. This includes ensuring that the app connects properly to the unit, and that commands can be sent and received without interruption. Meanwhile, manufacturing is coming along well. As for the timeline, we cannot give you a definite delivery date yet because there are still some logistical challenges we need to work out. As mentioned in the last update, we are confident that SmartTerra will be shipped before Christmas. We will continue to keep you updated.

Regardless of the situation, we are committed to getting the product finished and delivered to you. Nothing means more to us than getting SmartTerra done ASAP! We've come a long way and we assure you it will be worth the wait!

Stay Safe,

Team SmartTerra

Last Step: Manufacturing
over 3 years ago – Fri, Aug 07, 2020 at 07:40:34 PM

Dear Backers,

We hope this message finds you well. The situation in the US is taking a turn for the worse. Over the past month, the US has seen a major rise in the number of cases of COVID-19. This sharp rise has created a whirlwind of uncertainties for everyone. Hard to live and run a business this way for sure. All we can do is to tough it out and hope for the best. Most importantly, we hope that you and your family stay safe, wherever you are.

In the meantime, development and manufacturing continue on our end.  We are currently finalizing the iOS version of our app. As for the electronics, our manufacturer has almost completed PCB production. It is super exciting to see that our circuit boards — and there are a lot of them — are finally getting done! Check out photos from our partner in China. We really wish we could be there in person. 

All in all, manufacturing is going along great! We are extremely excited to soon be able to hold the final assembled product. There are still things to do, but nothing we cannot handle. We anticipate delivering SmartTerra to you before Christmas. We will keep you updated on what comes next. 

Stay safe,

Team SmartTerra