6 ms·

Will.i.am Debuts Innovative Face Technology Concept, Xupermask

22 points by laurex 6y ago

nailer 6y ago
The long term business is the 'innovative replaceable monthly filters' (1:22 in the video). $27.99 a month. After ten months you'll pay more for the filters than for the mask/headphones combo. Anyone else tired of reading about Wil.i.am's low innovation technology businesses? I don't know what it's like in the US but Wired UK have covered him far more than any of the companies he's involved in deserve.
- lolthishuman 6y ago
  He’s technopop bullshit for a while. Intel even hired him as an exec for lead innovation or something ridiculous. Right around the time they started going downhill. Go figure.
moftz 6y ago
What's the plan for in a year or two when no one is wearing a mask anymore? Seems like an overly complicated solution to a simple problem.
- neom 6y ago
  There are parts of the world, South Korea for example, where people commonly wear masks year-round and have for ages, either because of fine dust pollution or just generally if you're not feeling great and go out, it's polite to others. Might see this being adopted in places like that. In additional, I personally am happy if we normalize the wearing of masks, I have awful seasonal allergies and masking up has been amazing for me.
- culot 6y ago
  I don't think there's any indication that mask requirement will abate anytime soon. All posturing from western leadership point to precisely the opposite. The notion that the mask requirement will disappear in as early as 1-2 years is farcically optimistic.
peanut_worm 6y ago
This sounds like something that will get cloned and sold for 39 dollars at a gift store
ajcp 6y ago
"concept" = "vaporware". Will.i.am himself is famous[1] for these at this point. 1. https://www.protocol.com/will-i-am-xupermask-honeywell https://www.protocol.com/will-i-am-xupermask-honeywell
- BoorishBears 6y ago
  Normally I'd agree but nothing about this seems out of the realm of a customized Alibaba product or something Just imagine every material will be 10x crappier than implies and I think it could be real Edit: Sure enough https://m.alibaba.com/product/1600093606917/Face-Mask-eadphones-Earphone-Wireless-Mic.html?__detailProductImg=https%3A%2F%2Fs.alicdn.com%2F%40sc01%2Fkf%2FHb9ffa3de9409498dbb3e6460cd610694u.jpg_200x200.jpg https://m.alibaba.com/product/1600093606917/Face-Mask-eadpho...
  - ajcp 6y ago
    It's like Rule 34 but for merch on Alibaba.
- hctaw 6y ago
  There are a lot of celebrity investors like that. They usually have zero day-to-day interaction with the business aside from a launch blog/press release like this one.
  - ajcp 6y ago
    No doubt, no doubt. At what point does Will.i.am realize this is doing him more harm than good here.
    - hctaw 6y ago
      How would it harm him? I'm sure he's being paid in equity with liquidation preference. His biggest investment is his name on something like this. This happens all the time with low tier VCs (although a few big ones have celebrities that come out of the woodwork during raises) and companies that have trouble raising money from angel investors more in the know. Go pick an athlete or musician and they probably have some startup with their name attached.
ckrusk 6y ago
a couple steps away from a full darth vader helmet which is kinda cool...
tengbretson 6y ago
A lot of negativity in the comments here has got me questioning. Where is the love?
- birdyrooster 6y ago
  I think it left with Kim Hill
- lolthishuman 6y ago
  No love for worse than mediocrity and exacerbating the pointless consumerist cycle without any innovation on top of perpetuated social stigma.
  - wodenokoto 6y ago
    Parent is a joke, paraphrasing part of the lyrics from Black Eyed Peas biggest hit “where is the love”, that will.I.am co-wrote, co-produced and performed.
- Justin_K 6y ago
  If the mask provides no protection, what's the point of making it?
lolthishuman 6y ago
This is terrible and makes me feel sad for humanity. Stormtroopers, at least theirs an empire for every time period.
JAlexoid 6y ago
Thanks... I hate it.
ortusdux 6y ago
I love the caveats on the spec page: XUPERMASK is NOT a medical device XUPERMASK is NOT a respirator XUPERMASK is NOT N95 XUPERMASK is NOT a surgical mask and can’t be used in clinical setting XUPERMASK is NOT a personal protective equipment (PPE) and shouldn’t be used to meet a professional healthcare facility obligations XUPERMASK is NOT FDA-approved and DOES NOT replace other CDC recommended preventive measures including hand washing, social distancing, or refraining from touching your face XUPERMASK is NOT a Toy and not intended for children under the age of 16
istorical 6y ago
seems comparable to LG Puricare ($289), https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-lg-puricare-mask.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-lg-puricare-mask.html and Philips Fresh Air Mask ($189), https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-philips-mask.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-philips-mask.html https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/dutch-design-week-2020/philips-fresh-air-mask.html https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/dutch-design-week-2020/phi... and Purely ($79) https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-purely.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-purely.html unfortunately despite being even slightly more expensive than LG Puricare, it seems to have worse filters? not sure why you would want to tie your music listening to your air purification? people who traditionally might like this type of consumer grade active filter mask are those worried about the effects of pollution in cities on their health, it's interesting to see this company xupermask attempt to appeal instead to streetwear or fashion and music crowds. I predict a very small chance of actually breaking through and making this type of mask more widely popular outside health-focused or urban foot+cycle commuters and a large chance of complete failure due to the product's price and lack of consumer interest. people immediately dismissing this are just ignorant to the real interest in air filtration by those who are deeply concerned with the health effects of breathing urban pollution.
- gnabgib 6y ago
  That LG one is really ugly (maybe it looks better in life? I'm dubious).. but the Woobi plus, the Woobi wins (gas mask-chic). There are some interesting alternatives out there.. although they all feel like they're using a razor blade/ink cartridge model for pricing (perhaps made worse by the site no having all of them or listing the price particularly prominently)
- Gualdrapo 6y ago
  Personally I won't even consider to use such thing while cycling. Looks rigid (and maybe with some weight penalty compared to other lightweight non-tech alternatives?), in case of a serious crash it can be troublesome. Plus the idea of cycling while listening to music is a no-no.
- bradknowles 6y ago
  So, I’m curious — does anyone know of people (or even a single person) who has actually tested the masks from the shopmask.com site? Can they actually deliver anything? Do any of the masks actually work?
tibbydudeza 6y ago
He should stick to making music - you ain't Kanye bro.
- atat7024 6y ago
  Thanks to that hospital that happens to be popular for involuntarily committing problem celebrities, Kanye isn't Kanye anymore.
floatinglotus 6y ago
This guy is always promoting these moronic ideas. I would say he should stick to making music but he’s not very good at that either.
tweetle_beetle 6y ago
The number of buzzwords he has managed to pack into the last 10 years or so is very impressive: - Director of Creative Innovation at Intel, semiconductor producer - Creator of EKOCYCLE, a sustainable fashion brand - Strategic Director at Atom Bank, challenger bank - Founding partner at Beats Electronics - Chief Creative Officer at 3D Systems, additive manufacturing company - Designer of a Lexus protoype with infotainment features using lots of cameras - Honory Fellow of Institution of Engineering and Technology - Launched PULS "smart cuff" wearable technology - Assistant designer for Deutsche Telekom smartwatches - Launched i.am+ iPhone camera accessories - Acquired Wink smart home platform - Acquired Sensiya machine learning startup Just missing blockchain.
jwalton 6y ago
Not only is this kind of a useless product, it hijacks the scroll bar. :(

22 points by laurex 6y ago

The long term business is the 'innovative replaceable monthly filters' (1:22 in the video). $27.99 a month. After ten months you'll pay more for the filters than for the mask/headphones combo. Anyone else tired of reading about Wil.i.am's low innovation technology businesses? I don't know what it's like in the US but Wired UK have covered him far more than any of the companies he's involved in deserve.

lolthishuman 6y ago
He’s technopop bullshit for a while. Intel even hired him as an exec for lead innovation or something ridiculous. Right around the time they started going downhill. Go figure.

moftz 6y ago

What's the plan for in a year or two when no one is wearing a mask anymore? Seems like an overly complicated solution to a simple problem.

neom 6y ago
There are parts of the world, South Korea for example, where people commonly wear masks year-round and have for ages, either because of fine dust pollution or just generally if you're not feeling great and go out, it's polite to others. Might see this being adopted in places like that. In additional, I personally am happy if we normalize the wearing of masks, I have awful seasonal allergies and masking up has been amazing for me.
culot 6y ago
I don't think there's any indication that mask requirement will abate anytime soon. All posturing from western leadership point to precisely the opposite. The notion that the mask requirement will disappear in as early as 1-2 years is farcically optimistic.

peanut_worm 6y ago

This sounds like something that will get cloned and sold for 39 dollars at a gift store

ajcp 6y ago

"concept" = "vaporware". Will.i.am himself is famous[1] for these at this point. 1. https://www.protocol.com/will-i-am-xupermask-honeywell https://www.protocol.com/will-i-am-xupermask-honeywell

BoorishBears 6y ago
Normally I'd agree but nothing about this seems out of the realm of a customized Alibaba product or something Just imagine every material will be 10x crappier than implies and I think it could be real Edit: Sure enough https://m.alibaba.com/product/1600093606917/Face-Mask-eadphones-Earphone-Wireless-Mic.html?__detailProductImg=https%3A%2F%2Fs.alicdn.com%2F%40sc01%2Fkf%2FHb9ffa3de9409498dbb3e6460cd610694u.jpg_200x200.jpg https://m.alibaba.com/product/1600093606917/Face-Mask-eadpho...
- ajcp 6y ago
  It's like Rule 34 but for merch on Alibaba.
hctaw 6y ago
There are a lot of celebrity investors like that. They usually have zero day-to-day interaction with the business aside from a launch blog/press release like this one.
- ajcp 6y ago
  No doubt, no doubt. At what point does Will.i.am realize this is doing him more harm than good here.
  - hctaw 6y ago
    How would it harm him? I'm sure he's being paid in equity with liquidation preference. His biggest investment is his name on something like this. This happens all the time with low tier VCs (although a few big ones have celebrities that come out of the woodwork during raises) and companies that have trouble raising money from angel investors more in the know. Go pick an athlete or musician and they probably have some startup with their name attached.

ckrusk 6y ago

a couple steps away from a full darth vader helmet which is kinda cool...

tengbretson 6y ago

A lot of negativity in the comments here has got me questioning. Where is the love?

birdyrooster 6y ago
I think it left with Kim Hill
lolthishuman 6y ago
No love for worse than mediocrity and exacerbating the pointless consumerist cycle without any innovation on top of perpetuated social stigma.
- wodenokoto 6y ago
  Parent is a joke, paraphrasing part of the lyrics from Black Eyed Peas biggest hit “where is the love”, that will.I.am co-wrote, co-produced and performed.
Justin_K 6y ago
If the mask provides no protection, what's the point of making it?

lolthishuman 6y ago

This is terrible and makes me feel sad for humanity. Stormtroopers, at least theirs an empire for every time period.

JAlexoid 6y ago

Thanks... I hate it.

ortusdux 6y ago

I love the caveats on the spec page: XUPERMASK is NOT a medical device XUPERMASK is NOT a respirator XUPERMASK is NOT N95 XUPERMASK is NOT a surgical mask and can’t be used in clinical setting XUPERMASK is NOT a personal protective equipment (PPE) and shouldn’t be used to meet a professional healthcare facility obligations XUPERMASK is NOT FDA-approved and DOES NOT replace other CDC recommended preventive measures including hand washing, social distancing, or refraining from touching your face XUPERMASK is NOT a Toy and not intended for children under the age of 16

istorical 6y ago

seems comparable to LG Puricare ($289), https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-lg-puricare-mask.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-lg-puricare-mask.html and Philips Fresh Air Mask ($189), https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-philips-mask.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-philips-mask.html https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/dutch-design-week-2020/philips-fresh-air-mask.html https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/dutch-design-week-2020/phi... and Purely ($79) https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-purely.html https://www.shopmask.com/respirator-purely.html unfortunately despite being even slightly more expensive than LG Puricare, it seems to have worse filters? not sure why you would want to tie your music listening to your air purification? people who traditionally might like this type of consumer grade active filter mask are those worried about the effects of pollution in cities on their health, it's interesting to see this company xupermask attempt to appeal instead to streetwear or fashion and music crowds. I predict a very small chance of actually breaking through and making this type of mask more widely popular outside health-focused or urban foot+cycle commuters and a large chance of complete failure due to the product's price and lack of consumer interest. people immediately dismissing this are just ignorant to the real interest in air filtration by those who are deeply concerned with the health effects of breathing urban pollution.

gnabgib 6y ago
That LG one is really ugly (maybe it looks better in life? I'm dubious).. but the Woobi plus, the Woobi wins (gas mask-chic). There are some interesting alternatives out there.. although they all feel like they're using a razor blade/ink cartridge model for pricing (perhaps made worse by the site no having all of them or listing the price particularly prominently)
Gualdrapo 6y ago
Personally I won't even consider to use such thing while cycling. Looks rigid (and maybe with some weight penalty compared to other lightweight non-tech alternatives?), in case of a serious crash it can be troublesome. Plus the idea of cycling while listening to music is a no-no.
bradknowles 6y ago
So, I’m curious — does anyone know of people (or even a single person) who has actually tested the masks from the shopmask.com site? Can they actually deliver anything? Do any of the masks actually work?

tibbydudeza 6y ago

He should stick to making music - you ain't Kanye bro.

atat7024 6y ago
Thanks to that hospital that happens to be popular for involuntarily committing problem celebrities, Kanye isn't Kanye anymore.

floatinglotus 6y ago

This guy is always promoting these moronic ideas. I would say he should stick to making music but he’s not very good at that either.

tweetle_beetle 6y ago

The number of buzzwords he has managed to pack into the last 10 years or so is very impressive: - Director of Creative Innovation at Intel, semiconductor producer - Creator of EKOCYCLE, a sustainable fashion brand - Strategic Director at Atom Bank, challenger bank - Founding partner at Beats Electronics - Chief Creative Officer at 3D Systems, additive manufacturing company - Designer of a Lexus protoype with infotainment features using lots of cameras - Honory Fellow of Institution of Engineering and Technology - Launched PULS "smart cuff" wearable technology - Assistant designer for Deutsche Telekom smartwatches - Launched i.am+ iPhone camera accessories - Acquired Wink smart home platform - Acquired Sensiya machine learning startup Just missing blockchain.

jwalton 6y ago

Not only is this kind of a useless product, it hijacks the scroll bar. :(