Yes, the design is different!
Yeah the design was obvious but the specs does say 1x21700 though I can’t figure out where the 21700 goes. Oh well more lantern choices I guess.
It is too short to be the same. Also if you look at the 4th image on AE there appears to be a usb port and the switch button located in the upper surface. The description mentions 21700 battery. I believe there might be one cell placedflat, or horizontal in a very short base section that a modified LT1 head is fastened to
Very interesting
lightened up the mid-range of the image
Looks like a LT1 without the body.
Reminds me of the Zanflare T1 and similar lanterns. Battery and internals are all inside in the center. Very interesting.
Interesting, but its not the LT1M (Mini) its likely a lower run-time/dimmer, single-cell variation of the full size LT1 they decided to build on their own, its looks different other than the head “shape” but using a single cell in a center tube. The LT1M is to be much smaller, slimmer, more compact (better suited for backpackers, canoeists, etc.) using the same single 21700 cell, but able to fit in a pocket and not much larger than the IF25 body its to be based from.
Interested in 1, please. 
What happened to prototypes, will there be pictures for Christmas presents? 
I sent Barry a PM last night asking him about the status of the prototypes.
Interested in 2
We are waiting for info on the prototypes to be sent to us to be tested, to work forward to a production model!
Addition to the interest list since post number 1287:
Post# / Added / User Name
1287 / 11/24/2021 / viper1138
1288 / 12/10/2021 / cf3712
Thank you very much.
Probably just like the Fenix lantern in reverse with vertical cells, inserting battery from the bottom instead. The Fenix uses 3 18650’s inserted from the top.
I assume you want to be added to the interest list? I will add you and the results will show up sometime this weekend.
As a general FYI I only update the interest list and spreadsheets on weekends and only if there are additions during the week (hence why the last series of updates were on 11/28). Additionally the post # is the one in this thread expressing an interest in the mini. That is the reason why there are multiple ones (someone interested in more than 1 in a post) and gaps (comments other than expressing an interest).
Additionally the post numbers in the interest list and spreadsheets do not match up entirely to the post numbers in this thread due to deleted postings.
Interested in 1.
Additions to the interest list since post number 1287
Post# / Added / User Name
1299 / 12/08/2021 / locusto03
1302 / 12/08/2021 / jthomps123
1302 / 12/08/2021 / jthomps123
1304 / 12/10/2021 / cf3712
1307 / 12/11/2021 / raceon4
I want to see the prototypes before committing, but am interested
No longer interested sorry. I might get the LT1S.
I’ve been shadowing this thread for a while. Though I’d be interested and would likely purchase a mini, I already have an IF25A (my favorite Sofirn light). JMO, but I think focusing on the lampshade/diffuser as a retrofit item for that model would have gotten more traction and been easier to accomplish than designing/tooling/manufacturing another whole light from the ground up. I can appreciate the time and effort put into this project, but after almost two years, it seems to have withered on the vine. Hope I’m wrong for those invested.