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Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

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Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#231
post #136

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

Also, time-to-market pressures can result in initial shipments having (minor but not showstopping) firmware bugs. Post-sale firmware upgrades can be beneficial for the customer.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#232
post #120
post #10

Earlier 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.

This is an absolutely ridiculous take, on multiple levels.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#233
post #178

I 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?

Probably so the appliance can let a server know to have your phone notify you that your appliance is done doing what it was doing.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#235

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…

> "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.

What hardware reset typically does, in my experience, is to reinstall the last firmware you installed. Many don't even have the space to keep some original and/or safe image in addition. I'm working on one device where we delete much of the existing system to make space for even downloading a new firmware image. It's wild.

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#237
post #136

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

And the obvious solution is to isolate the device from the world. Most of my stereo is isolated from “the world”, and some parts are close to 30 years old. Why does a soundbar need contact with the internet?

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#238
post #61

Samsung 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.

hard disagree, i gave my anecdote as a top-level comment, but they have an across-vertical problem in their company, but why fix it if they make money

Re: Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update

#239

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…

> 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…

Big part of the UBNT vs Cambium dispute. IIRC UBNT won in court, but just to prevent the Cambium firmware being installed on their hardware the next few firmware versions fixed it so that it cant be easily reverted.

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

#240
post #209

I 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.

Same.

I bought a couple of Chromecasts for that reason but they're supposedly discontinued now.

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