GizmoForYou.com came on the scene this month, and they’re trying to bring mass customization of electronics gadgets to the masses. The idea is to first let users post ideas for a new gadget on the website. Then they’ll setup a poll to see how many other users would buy it. After getting bombarded with requested, they decided today that there will be a prioritized queuing system that will determine which ideas get made and when.

The higher priority is given to devices that are already known to sell well - mostly their own designs as of now. The second highest priority goes to items that can be fulfilled in the short term in order of user demand and easy of manufacture. The lowest priority is given to the projects that will require long term time frames to develop. Once the item has been designed the plans and documentation are posted on the site for free in complex open source style. Also, the item will be available in full form in their store.

It looks like they’re making their money off of the devices, not their development time. I’m not sure how profitable this model is, but I guess it’s not that different than the thriving Arduino development community. However, I can’t help but wonder what will happen when the guys from Half Bakery stumble upon this site and start demanding things.

They currently have released their first device the iSeeYou - which you can see the review of here. We can’t wait to see what more they come up with. Stay tuned.

Filed under:
Electronics, Open Source by Nick