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Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

mashable.com

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Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#101

Post by realusername »

b212 wrote: post #81

Motorola was my last Android phone. Once they pushed an update that took 99% of my phones memory and I couldn’t install even a single app - I moved to iPhone and never looked back. Over 10 years and counting. I still can’t believe they literally bricked my phone back then. So far Apple “just works”. Is it perfect? No. But I can’t imagine fuckup of this magnitude from them.

To each their own, I moved back to Android from iOS because it "just works", having to factory reset my device to install apps again after an iOS update was the last straw.

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#102

Post by Natfan »

zmgsabst wrote: post #48
ssl-3 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Your claim people prefer apps to QR codes I claimed what?

You claimed they don’t like browser based flows — of which QR codes are the common low friction, smartphone friendly implementation/entrypoint. Ie, what normal people use regularly every day.

because apps can't use their own protocol:// and use QR codes within their native apps? sorry but this comment doesn't seem to make sense

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#103

Post by somat »

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #58

Is there really no jurisdiction in which this is illegal?

Give it a try, take Motorola to small claims court. don't be greedy but see if you can get them to spend a couple thousand in lawyer expenses for a couple hundred of claim.

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#104

Post by chainingsolid »

stego-tech wrote: post #90
zootboy wrote: post #6

And this is why "mandatory app to configure" is an instant dealbreaker for me for any piece of hardware. Don't buy crap like this. Force companies to be better.

This is quite literally one of my two grievances against Ubiquiti at the moment: its intense requirement for mobile apps for initial setup. Stop mandating apps that will eventually break or cease being supported. Give us an OOBE that can be run independent of some mobile app.

I was able to install there controller software on pretty much any PC (windows or linuix) and adopt and configure APs. No phone required. Not sure about other networking gear.

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#105

Post by jeffbee »

swiftcoder wrote: post #52
jeffbee wrote: post #33

Without minimizing the impact, we should not blow it out of proportion, either. It sounds like every existing installed device continues to work. "Bricked" is used too expansively here.

If you walk into a BestBuy and purchase a new one today, it arrives pre-bricked. That seems to meet the definition just fine

That's not what bricked means. Bricked is a one-way trip to permanent non-function. For example, overwriting the firmware with firmware that can't boot and also can't update again.

The events in the article are a simple, transient backend malfunction.

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#106

Post by graemep »

benj111 wrote: post #86
graemep wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The British ISP I tend to recommend gives you a Frtizbox (included with monthly package with 12 month contract, but becomes your property), but most will include a router with their package, usually a rubbish one, and most people do not care about having a good router.

And who do you recommend?

Zen for most people. Reasonable pricing, good customer service, reasonable latency and a good router.

I was reluctant to recommend them by name because I know there are other good ISPs, some are cheaper, some are more expensive, some operate only in certain areas (if they do not use Openreach local loops).

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#107

Post by swiftcoder »

jeffbee wrote: post #105
swiftcoder wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you walk into a BestBuy and purchase a new one today, it arrives pre-bricked. That seems to meet the definition just fine

That's not what bricked means. Bricked is a one-way trip to permanent non-function. For example, overwriting the firmware with firmware that can't boot and also can't update again. The events in the article are a simple, transient backend malfunction.

“Bricked” is always a matter of perspective. Sure, the manufacturer can almost always unbrick a device, but the end user here cannot, because the manufacturer is not supplying the requisite tools

Re: Motorola effectively bricked its entire line of WiFi routers without explanation

#110

Post by subscribed »

GolfPopper wrote: post #99
bityard wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Companies are beginning to gate previously existing features behind the requirement to connect their devices to the cloud and/or install an app on your phone. Dishwashers, refrigerators, even (and perhaps especially) cars. "Just don't connect it to the Internet," is sadly less viable option as time goes on.

> "Just don't connect it to the Internet," is sadly less viable option as time goes on. I feel compelled to quibble with your word choice here. Not connecting appliances to the Internet remains a viable option. It is simply one that is increasingly not common or not readily available.

I'm confused. This is what they said?

"less viable option as time goes on" is pretty much "remains a viable option, increasingly not common"

?

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