Update for orders waiting in transit (TH, JP, UAE and others)
11 months ago – Mon, Jan 08, 2024 at 08:12:31 PM

This is an update for anyone waiting on a package currently in transit via Kuala Lumpur. The destination countries include the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Japan.

Most often, the tracking will show "Item Posted Over The Counter" or "In Transit", with no update since a date in the range December 22-26. We've identified about 15 orders in this state.

The transit is expected; we've already had successful deliveries after transit in Malaysia around the same time. However, I agree with your concerns about the length of the delay now that the holiday period is over.

I have already followed this up with our shipping company and I will inform you of any new information that I receive. Unfortunately there are limited actions we can take to speed things up, but please be assured that a replacement will be shipped for any package that ends up lost in transit.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Transparency around the app, privacy and server-side processing
11 months ago – Mon, Jan 08, 2024 at 07:21:55 AM

Hi all, we've had a lot of inquiries around how the app and development process works, so I'd like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions here.

Do you process images on the server?

Yes, the development of photos doesn't happen on your mobile device.

Why?

The processing done to develop your photos is currently too intensive to run on a mobile device. Over the last 2 years, we developed our own effects. In particular, our method to generate film grain is complex. Often, "film grain" effects are based on adding random digital noise, but true film grain is fundamentally different. Analog images are composed of grains, not pixels, and our method follows this closely. Our vision for this product has always been to stay true to the analog world, and we've worked hard to never compromise on that.

If we were satisfied with simple filters, we could run them inside the app, but we continue to believe that our current setup is the most flexible in providing the best possible photos from this camera.

When do my photos leave my phone?

Your photos are only retained for the minimum possible time required to process them and aren't used for any other purpose. This means they only leave your phone when shown as "developing".

Are my photos stored securely?

At minimum, all data related to the Flashback app is protected by the Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm, AES-256. This includes photos and all other user-related data that's currently stored or will be stored in future.

Does anyone see my photos?

No person, from Flashback or otherwise, will ever see your photos. While we put a lot of time into developing and maintaining the system, the development process itself is automatic and the photos are not viewable anywhere.

For clarity - we do not retain any copy of your photos and they are only stored while they are being processed. For this reason, please note that uninstalling the Flashback app will delete all photos that aren't currently being processed, including undeveloped rolls and rolls in the Gallery. Your photos remain your property and no other copy of them exists unless you create one.

I hope this can bring some light to many of the questions we've received, but please let me know if you have any questions.

Right now we're actively working on a range of issues: bugfixes for the app, tracking down delayed/stolen packages, diagnosing faulty hardware and more. With more than 100 inquiries received daily, it is taking us some time to get back to everyone. Please be patient and understand that while we are under a lot pressure, our end goal is to deliver an excellent product to every single person who backed Flashback, and we're working tirelessly to make that happen. We've designed the app and camera's software to be quick to update, and all missing deliveries or faulty cameras will be replaced.

~ Mack

Android+iOS App Links
11 months ago – Fri, Jan 05, 2024 at 09:14:36 PM

Flashback App Links 

The Flashback app is live for both Android and iOS!

iOS (App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashback-camera/id1601362087

Android (APK Download - see below): https://app.joinflashback.co/releases/android/latest

(Android) Why an APK file?

We allocated more time into the App Store (iOS) release, since the general consensus is that the approval process is faster for the Play Store (Android). We did find Apple's requirements to be more strict (especially since Apple didn't have access to our hardware to test with) but they have been very responsive once we provide them with requested information. On the other hand, Google Play has been quite slow. This APK file will allow you to install the Flashback app onto your device during this interim period.

How to install an APK file? Tap the link on your Android device and it should open in the browser and download a file. Opening this file will open the Package Installer by default, and you can proceed to install the app.

Please note that installing the app from the Play Store when it is approved may require you to uninstall this APK version of the app. This would delete any photos that haven't been saved to your camera roll.

(Android) Location permission?

On Android only, you may notice the Flashback app requesting to access your Location. This happens because in the "Built-In Network" mode the app must connect your phone to a network created by the camera. On Android only, scanning and connecting to Wi-Fi networks was previously grouped under "Location" permissions because Wi-Fi network names could theoretically provide some information about the device's location (Source).

However, Flashback does not access your device's GPS location for any reason, nor do we infer your location from Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices. Additionally, Wi-Fi network data does not leave your device. The Android and iOS functionality is identical and the Location permission is only requested due to the way that older Android versions divide up app permissions.

In order for camera pairing to work correctly, you should allow the Location permission. In a future update, we will attempt to remove the Location permission since the newest Android versions don't require it anymore.

PSA if you ordered multiple cameras
11 months ago – Wed, Jan 03, 2024 at 09:14:36 AM

Hi everyone, just a quick note if you ordered multiple cameras (otherwise you can disregard):

Some of the orders with multiple cameras were split into separate packages. This was done to simplify the process of getting them out the door. In most cases, they should still arrive around the same time.

You would have received a tracking number for each package which was sent out. If they don't all show up in the tracking link, please try manually entering each of the tracking numbers into the box on the page. (Most tracking sites will also let you enter more than one number separated by a space or a comma).

In case the packages weren't shipped out at exactly the same time, you might not have received all of the numbers in the initial notification email. You can always follow the link through to your Backerkit survey and look at the Order Confirmation page. This page records every time we update the tracking information, and the topmost link should contain all of your packages.

That's all for now!

Mack

Tracking Update
12 months ago – Sat, Dec 23, 2023 at 03:15:02 AM

Hello Everyone,

We've noticed some issues with the DealerSend website. If you're having trouble tracking your order, please switch to AfterShip Tracking. Simply enter your tracking number there to receive your order and shipping details.

https://www.aftership.com/track

That's all for now. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Kelric