A Kickstarter project that earned almost $140,000 for a multi-device charging station has met its demise thanks to Apple's new rules regarding its Lightning connector.
As a result, project creators said they will attempt to refund all backers.
The POP, or Portable Power, earned $139,170 in September on the crowd-sourced funding service for a portable device that can charge several cell phones and tablets at once. It had several retractable charging cords and could simultaneously charge itself and connected devices for on-the-go power ups.
The POP hit Kickstarter over the summer, before Apple introduced the iPhone 5, which included the smaller dock connector known as Lightning. Device manufacturers, however, cannot just slap a Lightning connector on any gadget. They must apply to Apple for permission, and the POP did not make the cut.
"After applying to Apple (which is now required for Lightning), we learned that they are no longer willing to approve a product that uses the Lightning charger alongside any other charger (including their own 30-pin – seriously)," project creator James Siminoff wrote in a Thursday letter to backers. "Just like that, POP could no longer fulfill its true promise."
Producing a device that would not be able to charge the newest iPhones and iPads doesn't really make sense, he said, so the POP is closing up shop. "Since we are not willing to compromise and build a crappy product, refunding the money is the only acceptable thing to do," Siminoff wrote.
In a statment, Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said "our technical specifications provide clear guidelines for developing accessories and they are available to MFi licensees for free."
"We support accessories that integrate USB and Lightning connectors, but there were technical issues that prevented accessories from integrating 30-pin and Lightning connectors so our guidelines did not allow this," he continued. "We have been working to resolve this and have updated our guidelines to allow accessories to integrate both 30-pin and Lightning connectors to support charging."
In terms of refunds, Kickstarter does not have an easy way to provide refunds. So, the POP team has launched its own crowd-funding site, dubbed Christie Street. The LA-based firm, named after the street on which Thomas Edison's lab was located, said its goal is to fund projects but also provide users with a sense of security.
"Before any product is listed on Christie Street we put the inventor and item through a rigorous audit process," according to the Christie Street website. "This includes ensuring manufacturing feasibility and the proper treatment of employees at factories. This process ensures that your product will be made and that you can feel good about backing the inventor."
Siminoff is asking those who contributed to the POP on Kickstarter to sign up for a Christie Street account so that he can process refunds. The team is aiming to return the funds by mid-January after some initial testing.
Siminoff said POP has asked Kickstarter to return the 5 percent cut it takes on successful projects, but "regardless of their decision, you will receive 100 percent of your money back."
A Kickstarter spokesman declined to comment. Earlier this year, however, Kickstarter decided to ban the use of project renderings. Going forward, project listings should only show images of how the product looks right now, not how it might appear once funding has been secured.
According to Kickstarter's website, the company says it "doesn't issue refunds as transactions are between backers and creators, and creators receive all funds (after fees) soon after their campaign ends. Creators have the ability to refund backers through Amazon Payments (for US projects) and Kickstarter (for UK projects)."
On the POP Kickstarter page, meanwhile, commenters questioned why the Lightning issue was such a big deal since adaptors are available. Others said they were interested primarily for the USB hookup.
"I think the pop has two available usb slots for usb cables. Backers can easily get lightning cables from apple store no problem," wrote Daren Han. "If there is another project for usb version, I will be willing to back it."
"I backed the project for the Usb/micro-USB alone," Morten Nyrup chimed in.
"Just ship what was originally designed and nearly everyone will be happy," said Kippy.
Siminoff joined the conversation and acknowledged that another route might be possible. "Hear you all loud and clear. Honestly we are figuring out what to do next. We really thought today was the end of POP and maybe that was a mistake," he said.
The news comes shortly after a CNNMoney report found that 84 percent of the top 50 most-funded Kickstarter projects missed their target delivery dates.
For more, see Apple's Lightning Connector: What You Need to Know, as well as PCMag's interview with Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler.
Editor's Note: This story was updated at 5:15 p.m. Eastern with comment from Apple.
For more from Chloe, follow her on Twitter @ChloeAlbanesius.
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