This is how Vibhu Norby tells the story of b8ta: "I founded b8ta with a simple goal in mind: create a physical space where people can try the best new technology products out of the box. No packaging-just products." This idea came to his mind while shopping for Christmas, a year ago. He was 'bored' by anything he could find at retailers, especially since most of the products were packaged, and he was frustrated because it was impossible to try the ones he found on the Internet.
At the time, Norby was working at Nest, the connected thermostat company which also understood that enabling the customer to 'feel' the product for real was important, especially when it's high tech devices that may require a little explanation. So he shared his thoughts about this issue with work mates Phillip Raub, Nicholas Mann, and William Mintun, and together they founded b8ta, "Retail Designed for Discovery" as they describe it, a showroom dedicated to Hardware and IoT (Internet of Things).
"We envisioned a retailer that worked differently. We envisioned a physical space where every product is a hero with a hands-on display. We envisioned a physical space where new products were available the same day as online" says Vibhu Norby. Located at 516 Bryant Street, Palo Alto, b8ta has officially opened its 1,400-square-foot space on December 11. In addition, b8ta offers the devices designers a software that enables them to follow, in real time, not only the sales of their product but also the visitors reaction and interest.
Photo: b8ta
News in the same category
If you can't even find the time to sit a few minutes for a much-needed caffeine shot, inhalation may be the solution. Actually, it's becoming very trendy.
Reborn in 1997, the mythical French notebooks have since regained their fame and success above all expectations. They're now competing with new technologies and chose to be a partner rather than an opponent.
The first collaboration between the Californian music festival and the Swedish fashion retailer proved such a success that they're doing it again this year.
Amazon is the most important online retailer in the US. The company recently launched its own line of grocery products and wants to expand it to food and households items.
