Blog / Updates,App,Design & Technology
Kickstarter update #20 — Back in Action: Development resumes, improvements underway
Update: #20
Author: GLORB Team (SNRGY Studios AB)
Date: 2025-03-31
What’s in this update
- 📦 GLORB Batch 1 Sold Out - Preparing the Next Run
- 🔧 Software Updates
- 🧠 A Few Common Firmware Issues
- 🛠️ Hardware Improvements
- 📦 Logistics and Shipping
- 📭 Still Waiting for Your GLORB? Read This!
- ✍️ Reviews – We’d Love to Hear From You
DEAR GLORBSTER!
We know this update is long overdue—and we really appreciate your patience. The past couple of months have been intense as we’ve been heads-down handling GLORB deliveries and preparing the launch of our second Kickstarter campaign, SOLDR.
We want to clarify that launching SOLDR wasn’t about shifting focus away from GLORB. It was a strategic decision to help bring in some much-needed cash flow—especially since SOLDR was already a half-developed product that had been making our lives easier during prototyping lamps in the office. We figured it might resonate with others too—and so far, its early success has been incredibly encouraging. It’s taken a lot of financial pressure off our shoulders and allowed us to return to GLORB development with more calm, focus, and renewed energy.
And don’t worry—we’re staying true to our roots. GLORB is still at the heart of what we do, and while SOLDR is a brief detour into the world of tools, our passion for innovative lighting isn’t going anywhere. In fact, we’re already working on an updated GLORB—and maybe even a brand-new lighting product for the not-so-distant future.
1) 📦 GLORB Batch 1 Sold Out – Preparing the Next Run
We’re thrilled (and a little amazed) to share that we’ve completely sold out the first batch of 6,200 GLORBs. A huge thank you to everyone who believed in the project and made this milestone possible.
We’re now actively preparing for the next production run, which will be a bit more limited—around 1,800 units. This smaller batch allows us to implement hardware improvements and tighter quality control, and make sure everything is dialed in before scaling up again.
2) 🔧 Software Updates
Development on the firmware has resumed after a stretch where other tasks took priority. First up is troubleshooting and investigating reported issues. We'll be compiling a list of fixes likely to be included in the next firmware update, along with a section on common issues and how to solve them—which we hope will be helpful to many of you.
Get the app: Download / open the GLORB app
On the Android side, here’s what’s working so far:
- Device screen
- Control screen
- Modes screen
- Wi‑Fi connect
- Timer
What still needs to be implemented:
- Preset page
- Playlist page
Unfortunately, one of our developers unexpectedly left the project last week, so we’re actively working on finding a replacement. In the meantime, there’s a beta version of the Android app available—we’ll be updating and resharing it soon (many users may not even know it exists).
We’ll also be updating the User Guide continuously with more troubleshooting tips and “how-to” content to help you get the most out of your GLORB. If you’re still experiencing any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at support@glorb.me — we’re always here to help get things sorted.
3) 🧠 A Few Common Firmware Issues
- Wi‑Fi connection issues: we found a bug in the original production firmware that made connecting to Wi‑Fi tricky in some cases—especially if the first attempt failed or if your router took a bit too long to respond. This has already been fixed in the latest firmware version. However, since updating requires a working connection, it’s been a bit of a catch‑22 for some users. We’re exploring ways to make this process smoother going forward, especially for first‑time setup.
- Sync feature bugs: some users have reported issues with the sync feature—either it doesn’t work reliably or causes the GLORB to freeze. This is often due to how the underlying WLED system handles synchronization across multiple devices, especially in cases of network congestion or when the app sends too many rapid commands. We’re investigating both software-side optimizations and whether certain hardware tweaks can make this more robust.
- Scheduling glitches: the scheduling feature in the app isn’t always behaving as expected. In some cases, schedules don’t trigger correctly or are lost after rebooting. We’ve flagged this with our app developer, and improvements are already in progress for future builds.
- Network compatibility issues: because GLORB connects directly to your home Wi‑Fi, we’ve seen some edge-case bugs show up with specific router models or unusual security settings (like certain WPA modes or 5GHz-only setups). We’re working on a guide to help troubleshoot these cases and highlight any settings that might interfere with setup or connectivity.
- Audio reactivity troubles: some users are having trouble getting the built-in microphone to respond well to sound. In most cases, it’s not a hardware defect—just that the input levels or settings need to be adjusted via the WLED interface. We’ll soon publish a small guide to help dial this in. If you’re stuck, feel free to email us at support@glorb.me.
- Smart home integrations + HomeKit news: we’ve gotten a lot of questions about integrations like Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit—what’s currently possible, what’s not, and what’s next. We’re late in publishing clear setup guides (sorry!), but those are on the way. We’re also actively testing a HomeKit workaround that’s looking promising—just need to make sure it passes all memory and stability checks first.
4) 🛠️ Hardware Improvements
From your feedback and our own observations, we’ve identified and addressed several key issues from the first batch. Here’s what we’re improving for the next production run:
- New box design: more cushioning + sturdier structure to reduce cosmetic damage in shipping.
- Stronger USB‑C cable: upgraded cable and connector for better durability.
- PCB redesign: exploring layout/hardware adjustments for improved stability and longevity.
- Improved quality control: camera-based inspection during assembly to catch issues early.
- Reinforced cable connection: USB‑C cable more securely anchored to the PCB.
- Tighter panel and pyramid fit: refined tolerances for a cleaner, more solid build.
- Better UK power adapters: switching to a higher-quality version for future batches.
5) 📦 Logistics and Shipping
The good news: shipping is now running much more smoothly. We’ve completed the full setup for international fulfillment, which means future deliveries should be faster, more reliable, and better tracked.
One thing to note: due to rising import tariffs—especially in the US—we’ll be adjusting GLORB pricing slightly for future batches to reflect these additional costs. We always aim to keep prices fair while maintaining quality and sustainability in our production.
6) 📭 Still Waiting for Your GLORB? Read This!
There are still quite a few backers who haven’t completed their survey, which means we don’t have the necessary shipping details—like your name and address—to send your GLORB. We’ve tried reaching out through the registered contact info (email and phone), but in some cases (especially with Apple ID relay emails) our messages aren’t getting through. If you’re unsure whether you completed your survey, check your Kickstarter messages or reach out to us—we’re happy to double-check for you.
So if you’re reading this and thinking, “Oh wow, I forgot I bought a GLORB!” — please reach out to us at hello@glorb.me. We’ll make sure you’re included in the next production batch.
7) ✍️ Reviews – We’d Love to Hear From You
If you’ve received your GLORB and had the chance to live with it for a bit, we’d be incredibly grateful if you’d consider leaving us an honest review—whether it’s glowing or constructive.
- 🛍️ On our website: if you want to leave a review, please add some text (and maybe even a picture!) so we can publish it.
- ⭐ On Trustpilot: we’re just getting started there too.
Your words help others discover GLORB, and they mean a lot to us as we continue to improve and grow. Plus—we read every single one!
💛 Thank you
As always, we feel incredibly lucky to have such a passionate and supportive community around GLORB. Thank you for sticking with us, for your feedback, your patience, and your enthusiasm.
We’ll be sharing more soon as development progresses—and as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Until next time, stay curious, stay GLORBin’, and thank you for helping make GLORB what it is.
Onwards,
The GLORB Team