The truly amazing thing for me is that C=USA have completely missed an opportunity.
They sold some C64x's - not many, to be sure (going by the lack of activity on the official support forum) - but more than they will the Amiga Mini, because people aren't dumb enough usually to spend $1000 on a name - they need a USP (no, a name of a computer that died 18 years ago is not a USP to 99.9% of the world). Yet here they are and someone's done some really fine work in doing exactly what the Amiga community want - they've done something new, and relevant. Even people who dislike the keyboard computer are congratulating him on doing something so professional on his own and for his love of the platform, because they recognise the work done and respect the fact that he's doing something new.
Why aren't C=USA trying to talk to Lorriano and trying to license the design, or at least elements of it? He's done most of the hard work. If they did that they'd gain individuality, they could say they were helping a community member, they could say they were listening to the public. They could repair at least some of the damage they've already done. They would gain the all-important USP they need. Sure, only to a fairly small market, but they'd be a reasonable sized fish in a small pond - right now they're a very expensive minnow in a giant ocean of sharks.
I know where I'd rather be.
