Ayaneo Clarifies Misunderstanding: Flip DS and Flip KB Still in Development

Recently, there was quite a stir in the gaming community over some updates concerning Ayaneo’s Flip handheld range. Initially, it seemed like the handheld devices were being phased out completely, following a post on the Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo page. But, the company has come forward with a new update, putting those fears to rest. The Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are not on the chopping block, despite what the wording of the original announcement suggested.

The real story here involves a bit of clarification from Ayaneo. While it’s true they halted the production of the Ayaneo Flip series, it wasn’t before they had shipped out 98% of the orders from their crowdfunding initiative. Only 18 orders are waiting to be dispatched. For those individuals, the company has promised options for refunds or trade-ins, as noted in our previous coverage.

Moreover, Ayaneo reassured fans that the Flip series is far from being discontinued. They plan to roll out another batch—”several hundred Ayaneo Flip units within the next three months,” to be precise. They also teased that the Flip series’ story isn’t over just yet, hinting at future iterations like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. Given the current landscape of gaming devices favoring foldable or slidable keyboards, in my opinion, focusing on the Flip DS form factor could be a smart move.

For those eyeing the Ayaneo Flip but hesitant to join a crowdfunding campaign, there’s hope. The company is planning a “limited restock plan,” which means a retail release is on the horizon, even though the exact date is still under wraps. With the buzz around the campaign, we anticipate these units will sell out swiftly once available.

The gaming community can only hope there will be adequate stock to meet the demand, preventing scalpers from overshadowing genuine fans. The Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS, with their standout features and robust performance, offer something truly different compared to other handhelds. It’s great to see them getting another moment in the sun before their successors make an entrance.

However, it’s not all sorted for those 18 remaining backers. They have a decision to make—either accept a refund or swap for another Ayaneo product by the deadline of March 27, assuming the conditions mentioned before still hold. Ayaneo assures they’ve already reached out to those affected.

This development certainly adds an exciting twist for gaming enthusiasts eagerly following the Ayaneo journey.