Start with the repeated job
Define what people keep doing manually, who experiences it and what the outcome is worth.
I scan Chinese OEM supply for already-manufactured devices, reject commodity junk, and return the few products with a credible physical job, customization path and software surface.
The value is not a giant supplier list. It is removing the devices that a phone already replaces, generic private-label products, weak “smart” gimmicks and hardware with no meaningful software advantage.
Define what people keep doing manually, who experiences it and what the outcome is worth.
Scan OEM/ODM listings across multiple Chinese search terms and hardware families rather than starting from a gadget idea.
Physical necessity, existing finished device, customization route, plausible economics and a software surface that can materially improve the product.
Shortlist, supplier proof, price signals, technical questions, risks and software-led product angles.
These are examples from an internal 1688 run. Listing claims still need direct supplier verification before you depend on SDK, firmware or API access.

Listing signal: OEM/ODM customization, APP functions, SDK and API connection.
Software surface → vertical app, workflow layer, customer-specific analytics and integrations.
Source offer ↗
Listing signal: finished Android handheld, 2D scan, print hardware and secondary-development SDK.
Software surface → inspection, warehouse, proof-of-service or field-workflow application.
Source offer ↗
Listing signal: API secondary development, ONVIF and software/hardware customization.
Software surface → computer vision, event detection, evidence capture or vertical monitoring.
Source offer ↗Prices and supplier claims are listing-level signals from the scan, not verified quotes. A paid sprint converts these into supplier questions and a decision-ready shortlist.
Finished manufactured device
Real physical job
OEM / ODM path
Software can materially improve it
Plausible willingness to pay
Dev boards
Generic trackers
Phone-replaceable hardware
Commodity rebrands
“AI” with no real product surface
The 48-hour pack is designed to answer one question: is there already a manufactured base worth adapting before you spend on custom hardware?
Ranked against your problem, customer and rough target retail price.
Listing, supplier, price signal, OEM indicators and exact confirmation questions.
Where app, API, AI, CV or automation can create real differentiation.
Obvious margin traps, size/shipping issues and what needs validation.
Ways to reposition or combine hardware around a paid repeated job.
SDK/API, firmware, MOQ, branding, certifications and sample terms.
Send the repeated job, target customer and any rough price constraint. If finished hardware is a poor fit, the response should say that rather than force a gadget.