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Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

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Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#22
Should be codified by law:

  - If a firmware can be updated, it must keep a minimum ROM feature so it can be recovered. 
  - No device should be updated without the *owner* explicit intention to do so.
  - Full docs must be released if the vendor stops supporting it.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#24
post #10

I have one of these systems. Not sure why anyone would ever leave it connected to the internet though.

> Not sure why anyone would ever leave it connected to the internet though. Most people aren't techies. They buy the thing, and use it as instructed.

Also the vendors increasingly push you to put them online to use devices. Samsung tries really hard to make you think that your TV setup needs a mobile app on your phone running in the background with high precision location tracking, and 99.9% of buyers are going to leave that setup so they’re not blamed for problems in the future.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#25
post #16
post #11

List price $2,000. What was the update supposed to improve/fix?

Probably some new AI/tracking/ad delivery features

Few things over the past few years have infuriated me as much as tracking and advertising being introduced at the OS level, especially on TVs. I'm looking at you, LG! I will gladly pay more for a TV that doesn't try to advertise Roku's streaming service to me or track my kids' watch history. Seems like they are few and far between, though.

The best thing we have been able to come up with is leaving the TV itself disconnected from the WiFi and using an Apple TV for smart features/streaming. I'm sure they're still gathering data but it's at least not as blatant. It's a real crapfest for the consumer at the moment.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#27

Two important features I insist on for products I develop: 1. Staged rollout of firmware updates. It’s common practice for apps and software but for some reason it’s less common with firmware. Rolling out to 1% (or less, depending on scale) of devices and waiting a day is cheap insurance. Side note: Build a good relationship with customer service people so you hear about these things immediately. 2. A failsafe firmwa…

Indeed a golden factory firmware version that will be booted automatically if all else fails and that provides minimum connectivity is crucial.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#28
post #20

If the damage is actually as bad as it sounds, Samsung is probably talking with their lawyers and is being instructed to maintain radio silence so as to better prepare for the class-action lawsuit.

Wouldn’t radio silence increase damages to customers and result in increased liability?

Only if you connect the soundbar via Bluetooth /s

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#29
post #12

It bothers me that many devices are so easily remotely bricked and that keeping them offline is the only way to avoid such issues. Automated updates were supposed to give us peace of mind instead of having us worried about what bug or enshittification will follow. I’d wager that, for most Internet-connected appliances, keeping them offline or disabling autoupdates have way more pros than cons.

If you think about it, keeping them offline is a huge security improvement even without the risk of bricking update, so in ways an automated update regime that convinces you to keep your device offline is giving you peace of mind. In a way.
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