Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? It either performs its well defined functions when you bought it or they sold you a device that doesn’t input/output sound. Updates for these types of things always fall into three categories. Either they’re gimping some unanticipated usage, they’re trying to insert ads, or they’re trying to gather more usage data.
> Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? No matter the device, software rots. Not because the device changes, not because the software changes, but because the world does
Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
231–240 of 580 posts
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#232Earlier quoted context omitted.
> 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.
If you don’t know how to operate some piece of technology you shouldn’t be using it. Same as you wouldn’t operate a car without knowing how to drive.
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#233I recently replaced all my kitchen appliances with matching mid-scale Samsung-branded ones. The first thing I did after powering them on for the first time was disable the WiFi. For this reason. Also, it's entirely unclear to me why I need WiFi or a remote server for my dishwasher or refrigerator in the first place. What possible value-add is there?
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#234"We understand how frustrating an unresponsive soundbar can be." Isn't this about the most condescending thing they can start with?
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#235Two 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…
> "A failsafe firmware reset back to factory state" A failsafe firmware reset back to a safe and secure state yes. The factory state is not necessarily that, so no. I think devices should keep a last known good state firmware but keeping a full factory state immutable firmware would be irresponsible for many usecases.
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#236Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#237Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? It either performs its well defined functions when you bought it or they sold you a device that doesn’t input/output sound. Updates for these types of things always fall into three categories. Either they’re gimping some unanticipated usage, they’re trying to insert ads, or they’re trying to gather more usage data.
> Why else would a soundbar need updates anyway? No matter the device, software rots. Not because the device changes, not because the software changes, but because the world does
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#238Samsung sucks. Their customer support is a joke. And this is across the world. Right now I am back in Brazil, just got a new samsung product. It was delivered non-functioning. Hours since I submitted a ticket. No answer. Talking to a real human being is impossible.
Their hardware is technically great. It is the software that sucks.
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#239Two 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…
> A failsafe firmware reset back to factory state. This doesn't work if your threat model includes denying rollbacks to prevent exploiting bugs in old firmware. I'd love to be able to roll-back firmware on some of my devices to allow me to "jailbreak" them using old firmware. In some cases your newer firmware may be blowing e-fuses that prevent old firmware from functioning. See the Nintendo Switch, for an example. T…
Whats worse is that a lot of the affected hardware was near or EOL anyway, so Cambium was simply helping rescue devices headed for the scrap heap.
Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update
#240I hate smart TVs. Why put all the functionality in one device when a small part of it is going to become obsolete real soon while the TV part will continue to work for a decade or more. I buy dumb TVs and a separate "smart" component like Roku that can be replaced as easily as a shoelace.
I bought a couple of Chromecasts for that reason but they're supposedly discontinued now.