Quote from: cpengr on September 20, 2013, 10:33:21 AM

Quote from: eroxors on September 20, 2013, 04:20:09 AM

People would do well to actually read the OP and all the updates so far. SB isn't entertaining Avalon batch 2, he's evaluating other "next gen" chips.

As I read it, he does not specify whether the "next gen" chips used would be from Avalon or not.

Quote from: steamboat on September 18, 2013, 08:03:40 PM

Next gen:
We have been working towards solidifying the redesign using next gen chips, and are cautiously optimistic. We cannot release any details at this time.

I will say for the record, that if the next gen design uses Avalon (next gen) chips, that greatly reduces my interest, and I'll probably pass. Using another vendor's chips (possibly with an adapter) is probably less likely to be technically feasible, but it's the only way I'd be interested, since I don't want to support Avalon anymore.

Read between the lines. Next gen avalon won't be available for several months and *supposedly* is pin-compatible, not requiring a redesign, then SB says this:

Quote

The most cost effective and efficient way to recover the nonrefundable losses sustained is to reuse as much of the materials purchased as possible in a board redesign using a more efficient chip. We are currently evaluating the possibility of a board level redesign using the same form factor which will allow us to reuse the majority of the current designs accessory components, and likely portions of the board level components. While we have been contacted regarding this possibility by a promising engineering team, research on the viability of a redesign is still in its infancy, and there are no guarantees it of our success. That being said, it is in our best interest to produce a competitive product which reuses the existing stock as quickly as possible, and we will be devoting all available resources to do so.

In the event we are successful in redesigning the board, and can negotiate a fair and competitive price for the chips to be used with a verifiable delivery date, all customers who purchased assembly will be credited the full value of the components reused in producing the new units, in addition to a heavily discounted rate for the balance. We do not currently have any information regarding the final cost of the redesigned unit, which manufacturers chip the design will be based on, performance data, or availability at this time.

This will NOT be Avalon gen. 2.