Long time OBi 110 user. Upgraded to 2872 when I needed to, working fine. Today went to make a call and no go for GV. Lovely to discover that my device doesn't work WHEN I GO TO USE IT. No notice from OBi. Updated to 2886, works fine now.
Long time contributor on the forum too, been barely here in the past year for the same reason. This company, and their outlook on customers, has changed.
I had the same issue today and I agree with you 100%. I'm very disappointed in how this has been handled. I spent a while troubleshooting before I found out that they just want $10/year for updates to make it work.
THANK YOU Rick - I woke up to find my home phone completely dead, with service not available errors - and have put about 4 hours today into manually reconfiguring, updating using the general .fw file - etc - with no luck.
Found your 2886 comment. manually updated my 110 - and voila - I can talk again. I lost almost a days worth of phone calls - and upset about this message saying I need to pay $10.
but thank you for your forum post.
Agree with Rick. Also discovered today that my phone was dead in the water due to need for a firmware update. No communication from OBI. Their portal was more than happy to notify me that my support had expired and $10 would put me back in their good graces for ability to "automatically" update firmware via portal. Opted to be pi$$ed off and do the manual update instead. Thanks for this post which helped me to figure out the issue.
- Download and save the .fw file from this link: http://fw.obihai.com/OBi110-1-3-0-2886.fw
- Although the filename includes "OBi110", it is also valid for OBi100 devices.
- Pick up the phone attached to your OBi and dial ***1 and write down the IP address that it reads to you.
- Open a web browser to that address.
- Log into your OBi device. The default username and password are both admin
- Click System Management-->Device Update-->Firmware Update-->Select file to update firmware.
- Browse to the file you downloaded and select it.
- Click the "Update" button.
- You may need to re-authorize your device to use your Google account after this procedure. To do that, first, be sure that you are logged into the correct Google/Gmail account that holds your Google Voice number. Then, open another web browser tab, and log into to the OBiTALK dashboard, click on your device, then click on the Service Provider (SP1 or SP2) that is using Google Voice. Click "Accept" at the prompt. On the window that will open, click the link to "Replace Google account credentials" and follow the instructions.
I totally agree. Suddenly my phone stopped working and there was no apparent reason listed anywhere in the support section (which, let's face it, has never been great). This is a great way to piss off hundreds of customers. Thank goodness for you guys here in the forum. SteveInWA, your clear, detailed instructions worked perfectly for me. Kudos!
Just put the Google Voice app on my Moto X mobile, don't need Obi anymore, esp having to pay for software updates totally unannounced. Bye bye.
Quote from: StanAdams on June 14, 2016, 10:38:57 PM
Just put the Google Voice app on my Moto X mobile, don't need Obi anymore, esp having to pay for software updates totally unannounced. Bye bye.
Buh bye!
But, if you are going to use your Android phone, then download and install both the Google Hangouts app, and the Hangouts Dialer companion app. This will allow you to make and receive phone calls over WiFi using your GV phone number.
The thing that's funny about this (given that I don't work for OBi nor own part of the company) is that a fraction of any company's customers use a forum. The rest have no idea it exists. When the OBi stops working, the natural course of events is:
- Throw it away and buy something else
or
- Clog up the customer contact channels (chat, email, and phone) asking the same question over and over and over...
Irresponsible behavior, and the lack of updates to the firmware thread is inexcusable.
The good news is that I came back and got my quarterly dose of "what the F is wrong with you, you're an idiot" posts that someone likes to make and that got me laughing.
I would also add that this situation is exactly why I would never setup an OBi at someone's home/business that wasn't savvy enough to discover and resolve the problem. I would also add that putting an OBi in the home of a person that needs a working line (think Grandma with a heart condition) is simply a bad idea. When people first got these devices, they were installing them at relatives all over the place including Grandma. That idea is now not looking so good.
My elderly father in-law has a cell. I bought a bluetooth device to connect the cell to his "house phone" and he has no problems using it. Nearly everyone he calls either has a cell on the same network or is in the Friends and Family list for his service.
For those using GV, you should have it setup to notify you via email that a call was missed or a message left, so even if the OBi is dead you know you got a call. I forward to my cell also, so both ring and I answer whichever is closer, so when the OBi was dead my cell would have received the call.
I guess if your not paying $10/yr for premium support and automatic firmware updates then you're (we're) not entitled to be notified when our service is affected. WTF?
Quote from: highpks on June 15, 2016, 08:28:39 AM
I guess if your not paying $10/yr for premium support and automatic firmware updates then you're (we're) not entitled to be notified when our service is affected. WTF?
That's right...no company has an obligation to notify you of updates or disrupted service once your warranty has expired--unless they have contracted with you to do so.
If you don't like it, don't use that company...don't buy that product. That's the best way to vent your anger or frustration. You are not entitled to anything unless there is a legal obligation. If you think there is a legal obligation and they don't think so, pay $500 per hour of attorney's fees to sue over a $50 device. See where that will get you.
Until then, pay the $10/yr fee for automatic updates, use the manual updates provided in the forums for no fee or use another hardware. It's really quite easy.
Quote from: SteveInWA on June 14, 2016, 10:53:58 PM
Quote from: StanAdams on June 14, 2016, 10:38:57 PM
Just put the Google Voice app on my Moto X mobile, don't need Obi anymore, esp having to pay for software updates totally unannounced. Bye bye.
Buh bye!
But, if you are going to use your Android phone, then download and install both the Google Hangouts app, and the Hangouts Dialer companion app. This will allow you to make and receive phone calls over WiFi using your GV phone number.
I have Republic Wireless which connects to Wi-Fi automatically. Good advice for those who don't, though. Thanks.
Firmware folks and warranty are two different things...firmware is part and parcel to the smooth operation of a unit to comply with usage. Warranty is a bond that the company will repair or replace a unit in an agreed amount of time.
Firmware updates that make a unit work properly is CERTAINLY UP TO THE VENDOR OR SELLER.
To make the statement that they aren't required to notify or make firmware updates available or easily accessed is the stupidest thing I've heard today.
Quote from: LTN1 on June 15, 2016, 08:45:12 AM
Quote from: highpks on June 15, 2016, 08:28:39 AM
I guess if your not paying $10/yr for premium support and automatic firmware updates then you're (we're) not entitled to be notified when our service is affected. WTF?
That's right...no company has an obligation to notify you of updates or disrupted service once your warranty has expired--unless they have contracted with you to do so.
If you don't like it, don't use that company...don't buy that product. That's the best way to vent your anger or frustration. You are not entitled to anything unless there is a legal obligation. If you think there is a legal obligation and they don't think so, pay $500 per hour of attorney's fees to sue over a $50 device. See where that will get you.
Until then, pay the $10/yr fee for automatic updates, use the manual updates provided in the forums for no fee or use another hardware. It's really quite easy.
I guess you missed the part about OBi not notifying customers, via email
or the forum, of an upcoming update. Nor did they update the forum post with the new firmware. I love when people start spewing legalize that aren't lawyers and try to be all self-righteous. We bought the product, and they rendered it incapable of working without any notice to us.
They disabled it, intentionally. I guarantee that IF someone wanted to waste some time, and money, they could put a great deal of pressure on OBi.
I never made any statement about legality, warranty, or obligation, merely pointed out that OBi handled this very poorly, a continued (in my experience) deterioration in their customer-focus that began a year or two back.
Quote from: Rick on June 15, 2016, 11:36:24 AM
Quote from: LTN1 on June 15, 2016, 08:45:12 AM
Quote from: highpks on June 15, 2016, 08:28:39 AM
I guess if your not paying $10/yr for premium support and automatic firmware updates then you're (we're) not entitled to be notified when our service is affected. WTF?
That's right...no company has an obligation to notify you of updates or disrupted service once your warranty has expired--unless they have contracted with you to do so.
If you don't like it, don't use that company...don't buy that product. That's the best way to vent your anger or frustration. You are not entitled to anything unless there is a legal obligation. If you think there is a legal obligation and they don't think so, pay $500 per hour of attorney's fees to sue over a $50 device. See where that will get you.
Until then, pay the $10/yr fee for automatic updates, use the manual updates provided in the forums for no fee or use another hardware. It's really quite easy.
I guess you missed the part about OBi not notifying customers, via email or the forum, of an upcoming update. Nor did they update the forum post with the new firmware. I love when people start spewing legalize that aren't lawyers and try to be all self-righteous. We bought the product, and they rendered it incapable of working without any notice to us. They disabled it, intentionally. I guarantee that IF someone wanted to waste some time, and money, they could put a great deal of pressure on OBi.
I never made any statement about legality, warranty, or obligation, merely pointed out that OBi handled this very poorly, a continued (in my experience) deterioration in their customer-focus that began a year or two back.
I don't think I was responding to you...actually, I never even cared to read your response.
I was focused on no duty to notify after the warranty expired. Here's what I said in part, "...no company has an obligation to notify you of updates or disrupted service
once your warranty has expired--unless they have contracted with you to do so."
And as for your comments, "I love when people start spewing legalize that aren't lawyers and try to be all self-righteous." The self-righteous portion may or may not be right but definitely not the other assumption.
You think too highly of yourself...as I truly didn't even read your post other than glance at the first sentence. Even now I have no desire to read it. So whatever you thought I said about you...I really never cared and still don't.
Quote from: Rick on June 15, 2016, 11:36:24 AM
We bought the product, and they rendered it incapable of working without any notice to us. They disabled it, intentionally.
Care to back up that statement? This has affected far more than OBi devices. It also affected older Asterisk builds. Do you think Obihai somehow rendered Asterisk incapable of working with Google Voice also?
http://pbxinaflash.com/community/threads/gv-stopped-connecting-today.19394/ (http://pbxinaflash.com/community/threads/gv-stopped-connecting-today.19394/)
https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r30815246-The-little-Pi-that-could (https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r30815246-The-little-Pi-that-could)
This issue was caused by Google, not Obihai. Reports now indicate that the older firmware and Asterisk builds are now working again. Whatever Google did they seem to have fixed it..........for now.
Now as to the corollary issue of Obihai not having the
real latest software builds for http://fw.obihai.com/OBi-latest.fw and http://fw.obihai.com/OBi2-latest.fw I won't begin to try and defend. Or the problem people have been having trying to find the real latest firmware. Or the fact the fw release notes are at least one if not several versions old. All unacceptable in my view.
My only point is that what
initiated the problems yesterday (and apparently are continuing for some people today) had nothing to do with Obihai.
I agree..it was a greedy move...someone somewhere came up with the 'brilliant' idea.... ' hey let's charge 'em for firmware updates ' [if of course they're out of warranty] which most of us are, let me see when was the last time I was was charged for a firmware update and my unit was out of warranty....hmmm....never because firmware has nothing to do with warranty.
BIOS updates are a form of firmware....ever pay for that? No matter how old the unit was?
SSD firmware updates...ever have to pay for that??? of course not.
Nice try Obi but no cigar.
Quote from: tazmo8448 on June 15, 2016, 04:14:00 PM
I agree..it was a greedy move...someone somewhere came up with the 'brilliant' idea.... ' hey let's charge 'em for firmware updates ' [if of course they're out of warranty] which most of us are, let me see when was the last time I was was charged for a firmware update and my unit was out of warranty....hmmm....never because firmware has nothing to do with warranty.
BIOS updates are a form of firmware....ever pay for that? No matter how old the unit was?
SSD firmware updates...ever have to pay for that??? of course not.
Nice try Obi but no cigar.
Obihai isn't charging anyone to
download and install firmware updates themselves. They are giving you two options:
- Owners of in-warranty devices, and devices covered by paid, extended support, are entitled to have Obihai remotely initiate and manage firmware downloads.
- Owners of out-of-warranty-devices, which have not opted to subscribe to paid, extended support, are welcome to download and install firmware updates themselves.
There's no argument that the pop-up notice is poorly worded, and doesn't explain this fact. There is also no dispute that this particular firmware update was not properly posted to the firmware section of this forum, nor was there any official announcement of its availability. However, this is neither "ransomware", nor anything different than standard procedure for consumer electronic products (or automobiles, for that matter).
There is no legal obligation for any company to continue to provide any sort of support, nor any sort of firmware or software to customers post-warranty. If you believe that Obi promised you lifetime free support, or guaranteed that their device would continue to work with every third-party service provider, forever, please provide a reference or link.
Here is a copy of Obihai's Warranty statement:
Quote
Product Warranty & Return Policy
Unless where local law dictates otherwise, Obihai Technology provides a one-year limited hardware warranty. Obihai warrants to customer that this product will conform to its published specifications and will be free from defects in material and workmanship at the time of delivery and for a period of one-year thereafter. Without limiting the foregoing, this warranty does not cover any defect resulting from (a) any design or specification supplied by an entity other than Obihai, (b) non-observance of technical operating parameters (e.g. exceeding limiting values) or (c) misuse, abuse, using in abnormal conditions or alterations of any kind.
After the acceptance of a Return Material Authorization (RMA) request, Obihai will attempt to refund, repair or replace the product. To request an RMA, please contact the party from whom you purchased the product. If you purchased product directly from Obihai and you believe it to still be under warranty, please contact support@obihai.com
This whole fiasco got me to thinking. If Obihai were to go out of business or shut down their servers, would my 110 immediately stop working, or would it continue to function at least until the next time Google makes another change that breaks it?
Quote from: nlurker on June 16, 2016, 10:33:15 AM
This whole fiasco got me to thinking. If Obihai were to go out of business or shut down their servers, would my 110 immediately stop working, or would it continue to function at least until the next time Google makes another change that breaks it?
Only calls made using the 9 digit numbers on the bottom of OBi devices would be immediately affected.
No where have I seen an explanation. What changed that rendered 2872 non-functional? Why is it still working for some? Why did some stop working and then start working again without an update? Why has OBI not responded to any posts or updated the firmware thread? Where is Sherman?....
Since Google Voice is a free service with no SLA and no support, we will likely not get an answer to your questions.
Quote from: Rick on June 16, 2016, 03:26:38 PMWhere us Sherman?....
Back in 2012, Obihai pushed a firmware update via OBiTALK. Some users got their panties in a bunch about their firmware being updated automatically, and Sherman hasn't posted much since. For a while Mark was answering questions here but he left the company over a year ago. Since then the forum has been more or less running itself.
Quote from: nlurker on June 16, 2016, 10:33:15 AM
This whole fiasco got me to thinking. If Obihai were to go out of business or shut down their servers, would my 110 immediately stop working, or would it continue to function at least until the next time Google makes another change that breaks it?
Obihai is doing fine financially. They're selling devices by the millions to major service providers worldwide, not just in the USA. The OBi retail/Google Voice business on Amazon, Newegg, etc. is a small portion of their overall revenue stream. Don't worry about that.
And, let's be clear: there never was, and still isn't, any promise or warranty that OBi devices can or will support Google Voice (technically speaking, Google XMPP) forever, nor is Obihai responsible for whatever business or technical decisions that a third party (Google) makes in the future with respect to XMPP support.
That said, consider this, for the sake of betting odds: Google is continuing to support, and even expand, the use of Google Voice, and Google Chat/XMPP, via appropriate Oauth 2.0 authentication, for OBi devices, Google Project Fi, Google Fiber Phone, etc. The service is growing, and it is not at risk of shutting down.
Finally, you have a powerful and industry-leading generic SIP ATA or IP phone, that can be used with the SIP VoIP provider(s) of your choice, now, and in the future.
Quote from: SteveInWA on June 16, 2016, 06:57:29 PM
And, let's be clear: there never was, and still isn't, any promise or warranty that OBi devices can or will support Google Voice (technically speaking, Google XMPP) forever, nor is Obihai responsible for whatever business or technical decisions that a third party (Google) makes in the future with respect to XMPP support.
Obihai claims boldly that they support Google Voice. It's clever wording though. Just because they support Google Voice doesn't mean Google Voice supports them, though I think most people take it to be a mutual partnership.
Obihai would probably do better to set reasonable expectations about Google Voice functionality so that forum users don't grab their pitchforks every time there is an unpublished change or glitch that affects service.
Quote from: billsimon on June 16, 2016, 07:10:34 PM
Quote from: SteveInWA on June 16, 2016, 06:57:29 PM
And, let's be clear: there never was, and still isn't, any promise or warranty that OBi devices can or will support Google Voice (technically speaking, Google XMPP) forever, nor is Obihai responsible for whatever business or technical decisions that a third party (Google) makes in the future with respect to XMPP support.
Obihai claims boldly that they support Google Voice. It's clever wording though. Just because they support Google Voice doesn't mean Google Voice supports them, though I think most people take it to be a mutual partnership.
Obihai would probably do better to set reasonable expectations about Google Voice functionality so that forum users don't grab their pitchforks every time there is an unpublished change or glitch that affects service.
Oh please. That was a two-year-old discussion. You can debate all day, the definition of "support".
Where is the two year old discussion? I'm not referring to anything other than what they are currently claiming. I think this point is valid and it is one of the reasons people get upset (the guy who asked Amazon for a refund on a purchase from 4 years ago because Obihai defrauded him??).
Precisely because the definition of "support" is debatable, it would help people have more realistic expectations of the Google Voice connection if they understood that Google acts independently and Obihai may have to take a moment to patch firmware after a Google update.
This reminds me of the problem we had a while back.
All of a sudden boats were disabled out at sea. The reason? The US Government decided that it would be a great idea to force people to use a blend of gasoline and ethanol. The ethanol ate through the fuel lines disabling much gas-powered equipment.
So who's fault is it? The government for wanting to change how things are done, or the equipment manufacturers who, perhaps 10 or 20 years ago did not envision that they may have to support a non-gasoline additive sometime in the future?
Obihai is not Google and Google is not Obihai. GoogleVoice was around long before Obihai and eben though there may be some agreement of interoperability, it is not guaranteed.
Quote from: Mango on June 16, 2016, 04:26:23 PM
... Back in 2012, Obihai pushed a firmware update via OBiTALK. Some users got their panties in a bunch about their firmware being updated automatically, and Sherman hasn't posted much since. For a while Mark was answering questions here but he left the company over a year ago. Since then the forum has been more or less running itself.
I was wondering why the obi 100/110 firmware thread has zero mention of newer fw 2886. Too bad obi cannot be bothered to keep the thread up to date.
Still... glad to see obi supporting the 110's by updating the firmware.
Kind thanks to SteveInWA for the link and instructions to perform the needed update. You're a lifesaver!
OMG no kidding this was a REALLY bad way of handling things. My phone just stopped working this morning and I had no clue why. When I went to Obitalk I saw that my device is not up to date for Google Voice. That's it. No explanation of how to correct it except to say I can pay $10 for service!!!
Needless to say I was outraged. i have never seen a hardware company make you pay for a firmware update. Not cool ObiHai, not cool at all.
THANK YOU SteveInWA for the link and instructions. Took all of 2 minutes to complete and now my device works again!
Quote from: PeterK on June 23, 2016, 12:24:52 PM
OMG no kidding this was a REALLY bad way of handling things. My phone just stopped working this morning and I had no clue why. When I went to Obitalk I saw that my device is not up to date for Google Voice. That's it. No explanation of how to correct it except to say I can pay $10 for service!!!
Needless to say I was outraged. i have never seen a hardware company make you pay for a firmware update. Not cool ObiHai, not cool at all.
THANK YOU SteveInWA for the link and instructions. Took all of 2 minutes to complete and now my device works again!
I don't know of any major computer hardware company (Dell, HP, etc.) that will continue to provide automatic updates to their customers after the warranty has expired--without some sort of extended warranty program. The same with software companies like Microsoft--once the warranty period is over, they stop the automatic updates.
That said, I agree that the functionality of any device should not be tied to an update. Updates should only improve functionality and/or security, than be contingent on the continued operation of the device. And...if it is contingent on the continued operation of the device, the hardware maker should notify the end user, regardless of warranty.
Quote from: PeterK on June 23, 2016, 12:24:52 PM
OMG no kidding this was a REALLY bad way of handling things. My phone just stopped working this morning and I had no clue why. When I went to Obitalk I saw that my device is not up to date for Google Voice. That's it. No explanation of how to correct it except to say I can pay $10 for service!!!
Needless to say I was outraged. i have never seen a hardware company make you pay for a firmware update. Not cool ObiHai, not cool at all.
How about when Microsoft puts out a new version of windows, and your Printer company refuses to provide a new driver? Paid or Unpaid.
Really, people get a grip.
Quote from: PeterK on June 23, 2016, 12:24:52 PM
OMG no kidding this was a REALLY bad way of handling things. My phone just stopped working this morning and I had no clue why.
Same here, and at a really bad time, too.
Quote from: PeterK on June 23, 2016, 12:24:52 PM
THANK YOU SteveInWA for the link and instructions. Took all of 2 minutes to complete and now my device works again!
I'd like to echo that thanks to Steve and others who posted links to the firmware. I came to the forum, saw a thread called "Really poor way to handle things", and thought, "Aha, this must be it!" I downloaded the firmware and was up and running again quickly.
I, too, am grateful for this forum. I discovered that my phone didn't work at 4:00 PM today. Didn't know what was going on so I tried rebooting the Obi. That didn't help. Looked up my ObiTalk password and logged in, figuring I'd have to re-setup up Google Voice for some reason. Then I found Obi's "send us $10 or your phone is history" message.
I grumbled a lot and was just about to click the $10 button when I remembered the forum. It took about 10 seconds to find the relevant thread, and another 5 minutes to install the new firmware. Phone is fixed!
I like the Obi and, considering that I am paying a $0 annual fee, I can't complain. But it's sure not for Grandma or anyone who doesn't want to bit-twiddle.
Mike
Quote from: SteveInWA on June 14, 2016, 06:55:27 PM
- Download and save the .fw file from this link: http://fw.obihai.com/OBi110-1-3-0-2886.fw
- Although the filename includes "OBi110", it is also valid for OBi100 devices.
- Pick up the phone attached to your OBi and dial ***1 and write down the IP address that it reads to you.
- Open a web browser to that address.
- Log into your OBi device. The default username and password are both admin
- Click System Management-->Device Update-->Firmware Update-->Select file to update firmware.
- Browse to the file you downloaded and select it.
- Click the "Update" button.
- You may need to re-authorize your device to use your Google account after this procedure. To do that, first, be sure that you are logged into the correct Google/Gmail account that holds your Google Voice number. Then, open another web browser tab, and log into to the OBiTALK dashboard, click on your device, then click on the Service Provider (SP1 or SP2) that is using Google Voice. Click "Accept" at the prompt. On the window that will open, click the link to "Replace Google account credentials" and follow the instructions.
This worked for my OBI202 as well with the following firmware update: http://www.obihai.com/firmware/OBi2-latest.fw
Before I actually could do
anything, I had to re-enable web access for the OBI202 so I could actually log into the device as admin and upload the firmware. Here are those steps:
Enable logging into your device
• Dial ***0 from the phone connected to the OBi202
• Enter 30#
• Press 1 to Enter a New Value
• Press 1# to Enable
• Press 1 to Save
• Hang up
After the firmware was installed, I needed to delete and then re-establish the connection to Google Voice as well.
Everything is working again. <whew>
Quote from: LTN1 on June 23, 2016, 12:43:23 PM
Quote from: PeterK on June 23, 2016, 12:24:52 PM
OMG no kidding this was a REALLY bad way of handling things. My phone just stopped working this morning and I had no clue why. When I went to Obitalk I saw that my device is not up to date for Google Voice. That's it. No explanation of how to correct it except to say I can pay $10 for service!!!
Needless to say I was outraged. i have never seen a hardware company make you pay for a firmware update. Not cool ObiHai, not cool at all.
THANK YOU SteveInWA for the link and instructions. Took all of 2 minutes to complete and now my device works again!
I don't know of any major computer hardware company (Dell, HP, etc.) that will continue to provide automatic updates to their customers after the warranty has expired--without some sort of extended warranty program. The same with software companies like Microsoft--once the warranty period is over, they stop the automatic updates.
OK, I have to chime in here with a little known item I heard when I worked for HP.
When HP first came up with a handheld calculator, it was a big success. Many years later people would drop them, leave them on their car and drive off, eventually breaking them. They would contact and send them to HP for repair and often those repairs were free, even though their warranty was long expired.
As the saying went, "Here is the rest of the story".
HP was created, owned and staffed by engineers. When these calculators became popular, there were many sales. Engineers do not worry about warranties, and the story is, that it cost a lot for HP at the time to keep track of when people were buying these and when the warranty would expire, then to just fix them. The good will helped sales and the public thought it was good will perhaps in stead of the engineers having no clue of paperwork :-)
Sometimes good will does trump warranty.
Thanks, SteveInWA! We truly appreciate the effort you take to keep us running!
- Joe (also in WA)
Quote from: Lavarock7 on June 23, 2016, 07:53:30 PM
OK, I have to chime in here with a little known item I heard when I worked for HP.
When HP first came up with a handheld calculator, it was a big success. Many years later people would drop them, leave them on their car and drive off, eventually breaking them. They would contact and send them to HP for repair and often those repairs were free, even though their warranty was long expired.
As the saying went, "Here is the rest of the story".
HP was created, owned and staffed by engineers. When these calculators became popular, there were many sales. Engineers do not worry about warranties, and the story is, that it cost a lot for HP at the time to keep track of when people were buying these and when the warranty would expire, then to just fix them. The good will helped sales and the public thought it was good will perhaps in stead of the engineers having no clue of paperwork :-)
Sometimes good will does trump warranty.
If that HP culture still exists and will fix an out of warranty laptop that I dropped a year ago (with a cracked screen), please let me know which representative to speak with. All the ones I spoke with required that I purchase the HP Out of Warranty Support (described here: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers/total-care/out-of-warranty.html). It will cost more to fix than if I were to buy a new comparable level laptop. Don't even get me to complain about my smartphones. I've got plenty with cracked screens, black screens and out of warranty...and neither Samsung or Apple are willing to fix it unless I pay. The cracked screens I accept as my fault...however, the black screens really hurt--especially right after the warranty period. In the end, it was my risk in not buying the extended warranties. No one to blame but me...though I am still irked about the black screen.
Perhaps there was a time where companies gave lifetime warranties. Those days are very rare now...since part of their corporate income comes from service and extended warranty sales.
Quote from: Lavarock7 on June 23, 2016, 07:53:30 PM
HP was created, owned and staffed by engineers.
And that HP no longer exists. I mean, there are many good engineers there, and the products they produce can be top notch, but the culture at the top is (alas) no more. One can discuss as to whether the changes were inevitable, or necessary. One can also discuss whether those changes were made in the right places at the right time and will produce the results that will be positive for the company. But the "HP Way" is gone.
Strong arm robbing folks, will NOT get you very much success in the long run!
Now, i have to go and repair all my friends phones that I suggested get a Obi box.
MAKE THE UPDATE SIMPLE or you will loose many customers!!!
Why in the world would you not?
And quit making excuses why you want to rip people off!
Quote from: Kendsie on June 24, 2016, 10:20:17 AMAnd quit making excuses why you want to rip people off!
The "excuses" and "you" in that sentence are totally inappropriate. No-one who has posted on the '$10/GV/firmware update' issue is employed by Obihai or is authorised to post on behalf of Obihai.
The Obihai firmware page has finally been updated to give the actual latest updates.
Amusing.
The "Latest Firmware Updates for OBi Devices" thread has indeed been updated and now lists the correct build numbers.
However the link for OBi2-latest.fw is still build 5110 even though the text below it says 5264.
The release notes threads have not been updated.
Gentlemen(?), this thread is done. Finished. Over. Deceased. It is, to paraphrase Monty Python, an ex-thread.
The problem has been characterized and the solution to it, SteveInWA's step-by-step instructions in Reply #4, has been posted.
All of the subsequent replies (blah blah blah should blah blah ought to blah blah blah fraud blah blah I'm leaving blah) is just noise.
In the interest of boosting the STN ratio, I am adding something useful.
This is a really, really yummy cake recipe: http://www.dukesmayo.com/recipes.asp?recipe=656 (http://www.dukesmayo.com/recipes.asp?recipe=656)
The frosting recipe can be found in the left nav on the same page.
If you're not lucky enough to live in the Southeast where they sell Duke's Mayonnaise you can substitute Hellmann's/Best Foods Mayo.
Now STFU, preheat the oven, and have a nice day.
Kbye.
Quote from: SteveInWA on June 14, 2016, 06:55:27 PM
- Download and save the .fw file from this link: http://fw.obihai.com/OBi110-1-3-0-2886.fw
- Although the filename includes "OBi110", it is also valid for OBi100 devices.
- Pick up the phone attached to your OBi and dial ***1 and write down the IP address that it reads to you.
- Open a web browser to that address.
- Log into your OBi device. The default username and password are both admin
- Click System Management-->Device Update-->Firmware Update-->Select file to update firmware.
- Browse to the file you downloaded and select it.
- Click the "Update" button.
- You may need to re-authorize your device to use your Google account after this procedure. To do that, first, be sure that you are logged into the correct Google/Gmail account that holds your Google Voice number. Then, open another web browser tab, and log into to the OBiTALK dashboard, click on your device, then click on the Service Provider (SP1 or SP2) that is using Google Voice. Click "Accept" at the prompt. On the window that will open, click the link to "Replace Google account credentials" and follow the instructions.
Thank you. Worked like a charm.