EEVblog #751 - How To Debunk A Product (The Batteriser)

[EEVblog]

Recently, we were also notified that many customers had problems accessing certain features on our website. Upon further investigation, we realized that our website had been hacked. Someone had entered a few lines of code that blocked our customers from seeing the videos and Q&A section of our site, as well as blocking them from placing orders. That issue is now resolved, but It is very obvious to us that we are under attack. Given that we plan to disrupt the $15 billion/year battery industry and drastically reduce the number of batteries in landfills, we are not surprised.  We are grateful that we are not fighting this fight alone, and that these delays have not deterred our supporters. To be clear, we are not saying or implying that Energizer had anything to do with the hacking of our website; but merely that we are being attacked on many fronts.

When is doubt, milk a story that's worked before and started all this!
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2928997/batteriser-is-a-250-gadget-that-extends-disposable-battery-life-by-800-percent.html

Bob Roohparvar tells a killer story of industrial espionage. He says the robbery occurred last October at his Batteroo office space in a sprawling Silicon Valley office park. The target was intellectual property surrounding Batteriser, a simple metal sleeve that promises to give consumers up to eight times more life from their disposable batteries, AAA through D.

The crooks clearly knew the building layout, and exactly what they were looking for—namely, a breakthrough technology that, if legit, could blow the lid off an alkaline battery industry that’s worth $3.4 billion annually in the US alone.

“It was a very, very professional job,” says Roohparvar. “They passed by all the offices with open doors, and then banged the hell out of my door, breaking it in. The doorknob was slammed so hard into the wall, it got stuck in the plaster. They took my hard disk and a bunch of USB drives. They took our Batteriser samples. They knew exactly how much time they had before the police would respond.”

Roohparvar, who has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and a long career in power management

including a VP stint at Broadcom and a CEO stint at FlexPower, says he’s not worried about the theft, because Batteriser has full patent protection. But once the battery manufacturers grasp what Batteriser can do—assuming it works as advertised—they might be worried by this simple gadget, which will cost just $10 for a pack of four when it goes on sale in September.

[6581]

"Unfortunately the new longer product name does not fit very well on the batterooster sleeves and may cause compatibility and/or fitting issues with some devices. Legal costs have drained all the money raised to build the batteroosters, we are thankful for your continuing support and help to raise more money to fight evil battery mafia. Let's save children and whales together!"

[rrinker]

 Or, in s few weeks or a month, a new plea. "Our analysis has shown that converting all of our designs to use an alternative name not infringing on Energizer would exceed our available capital. Therefore we are starting a second round of crowdfunding for all our believers to make our (insert new name for product here) dream a reality."

 Maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas.....

[Nerull]

Thanks for your patience during the last year, while we reworked everything to use our new name.

Unfortunately, I regret to announce that, due to yet another lawsuit by Big Battery, we will not be able to ship under the Battacell name. Though we believe their claim to be baseless, we have already begin rework in hopes of shipping next year, and hope for your understanding and patience. Rest assured, you will receive your Battovacs.

[mikerj]

Anyone see Phineas and Ferb? Bob reminds me of Doofenshmirtz and his gadgets that always backfire, so it should be called the "Batterylifeextenderinator"

[Macbeth]

"Unfortunately the new longer product name does not fit very well on the batterooster sleeves and may cause compatibility and/or fitting issues with some devices. Legal costs have drained all the money raised to build the batteroosters, we are thankful for your continuing support and help to raise more money to fight evil battery mafia. Let's save children and whales together!"

No, there was nothing wrong with the size of the Batterooster text, but the subsequent barriers to entry put up by shiny-arsed pen-pusher bureaucrats insisting on CE, UL, FCC and WEEE symbols and certifications. So many logos, not even enough room on the D cell Batterooster could comply!

[EEVblog]

Or, in s few weeks or a month, a new plea. "Our analysis has shown that converting all of our designs to use an alternative name not infringing on Energizer would exceed our available capital. Therefore we are starting a second round of crowdfunding for all our believers to make our (insert new name for product here) dream a reality."
 Maybe I shouldn't give them any ideas.....

Too late, they follow this forum closely. Probably already working on the new campaign...

[amspire]

Too late, they follow this forum closely. Probably already working on the new campaign...

They are probably waiting for us to come up with a fully working design as we try and reverse engineer the idea. WattSekunde's effort (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-751-how-to-debunk-a-product-(the-batteriser)/msg933313/#msg933313) was pretty good, but I think it can only do a few hundred milliamps. It is all our fault.

Have to admit, I was thinking "there is no way a tiny SMD inductor can handle the current". I did some calculations and I was surprised to find that 0.8mm and 0.9mm high inductors are available that can handle up to 4A at the minimum practical inductance of about 200nH. With a 0.1mm thick metal core circuit board, it could work...sort of.

[Biff383]

  Hmmm a new name, maybe Batteroops?

[amspire]

How about Vaporiser short for Vapourware Batteriser? Can come in different scents, such as the Male Cow Byproduct scent.

[Brumby]

How about Vaporiser short for Vapourware Batteriser? Can come in different scents, such as the Male Cow Byproduct scent.

The "iser" part of that will have the same trademark hassle as they currently face.

[Halcyon]

How about Vaporiser short for Vapourware Batteriser? Can come in different scents, such as the Male Cow Byproduct scent.

Sounds awfully close to this product...


Don't want Procter & Gamble coming after you!

[Kjelt]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.
This is due to the growing number of crowdfunding campaigns that fail to deliver (currently 9%). Personally I think it is the Batteriser campaign that has them worried 
 
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

[StuUK]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.
This is due to the growing number of crowdfunding campaigns that fail to deliver (currently 9%). Personally I think it is the Batteriser campaign that has them worried 
 
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

Sensible move on Paypals part....

[FrankBuss]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.
This is due to the growing number of crowdfunding campaigns that fail to deliver (currently 9%). Personally I think it is the Batteriser campaign that has them worried 
 
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

Interesting, they stop the purchase protection for crowdfunding, government and gambling payments. Right, all the same, you don't get anything back from all of them

[Bud]

So that is a hell of a good news to crowdfunding scammers, isn't it? No worries now about "contributions" been pulled by Paypal.

[Fungus]

So that is a hell of a good news to crowdfunding scammers, isn't it? No worries now about "contributions" been pulled by Paypal.

I don't think that was ever a real danger to them. This is just Paypal trying to save themselves some work.

[ez24]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.

Hurry up !   You only have until  June 25 to buy your Batteriser using PayPal.
Just think how famous you will be if you get one.

[Howardlong]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.
This is due to the growing number of crowdfunding campaigns that fail to deliver (currently 9%). Personally I think it is the Batteriser campaign that has them worried 
 
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

Sensible move on Paypals part....

Indeed, but I find it strange that Paypal didn't just withdraw their services to the crowdfunding outfits based on excessive unrecoverable refunds. After all, I am sure if I had the level of chargebacks the crowdfunders seem to suffer, Paypal would have no qualms in telling me where to go, that is their standard MO after all.

[McBryce]

Just in from a dutch news website: Paypal stops the 180 days buyer protection for Indiegogo and other crowdfunding sites after 25th of June.
This is due to the growing number of crowdfunding campaigns that fail to deliver (currently 9%). Personally I think it is the Batteriser campaign that has them worried 
 
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/upcoming-policies-full

Sensible move on Paypals part....

Indeed, but I find it strange that Paypal didn't just withdraw their services to the crowdfunding outfits based on excessive unrecoverable refunds. After all, I am sure if I had the level of chargebacks the crowdfunders seem to suffer, Paypal would have no qualms in telling me where to go, that is their standard MO after all.

And loose the 4% they charge on every transaction!?? Unlikely.

McBryce.

[ccs46]

So any Updates?

[meeder]

Awfully quiet at this moment.

[ccs46]

Awfully quiet at this moment.

Agreed. Maybe they are trying to make their getaway.

[EEVblog]

Awfully quiet at this moment.

What's with not putting that last update on the actual Updates page in the IGG campaign?
Trying to publicly hide it?

[drussell]

Trying to publicly hide it?

Most probably...  But, why wouldn't they? 

They seem to always try to evade, deceive, misdirect, dupe and defraud...

Simply the latest in this sad, sordid, sorry saga...