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worthing's profile

Sunday, October 17th, 2021 5:27 PM

Implemented

More Detailed Firmware Information

@SimpliSafe,

Please start sharing detailed firmware / patch information like virtually every other tech company does for their products. We'd like to know when you address firmware, what it fixes, what issues you know exist in it, etc. Also please tell us when new firmware comes out and don't make us check every few weeks or depend on another customer to post that they got new firmware. There should be a section for patch notes in your customer facing knowledge base as well as notifications here and in the app. We don't need to see code level details but we definitely want more than "bug fixes" or similar.

Captain

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6.1K Messages

3 years ago

@Worthing hopefully coming in the new CRC SS is currently working on but have been asking for this going on 10 years. A random post now and then by Johnny M in the forums don't cut it as you state in your post.

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

3 years ago

Hi Worthing,

When major versions are rolled out, I absolutely will announce them here. I do curate the changelog a little bit, because our engineering and security teams would prefer that I keep certain things from public view. There are also minor revisions from time to time that don't really affect anything public-facing, like adding support for our fulfillment systems, or certain features in the backend. And finally, our devs might add support for things that we're not ready to talk about yet (our recent release of the Outdoor Camera comes to mind).
But apart from all of that, I include anything that would be relevant or meaningful to the public.

- Davey D.
Community Development Manager
SimpliSafe Home Security

(edited)

729 Messages

3 years ago

That's a link to system firmware, not device firmware. Can I find information on firmware versions for any of my 3 (4 if we consider the older 720p SimpliCam different from the newer 1080p SimpliCam) types of cameras or my smart lock anywhere?

I fully understand why you need to high information that might leak a new product coming and I understand (but disagree with) "security through obscurity" when you don't release some security related information.

But outside of that, just tell us. Let US decide what is "relevant or meaningful to the public". I understand that many users might not care about the nitty gritty but many of us absolutely do and we'd like to see more information so we can decide what's interesting or relevant to us.

Last but not least, you all letting us know when you release firmware instills confidence that you are working on issues, adding new features, etc. Conversely, if it's been 12-18 months since you've released new firmware, it let's us know we need to hold your feet to the fire to do a better job for your customers. :)

Community Admin

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5.7K Messages

3 years ago

Hi Worthing,

The Captain can confirm this, but the Base Station Firmware updates are a relatively new thing as I was able to get the Alarm System team onboard - and even then, I'm only able to share what they let me share! I'm working on our other departments, but I can't promise anything yet.

- Davey D.
Community Development Manager
SimpliSafe Home Security

Captain

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6.1K Messages

3 years ago

@Davey D.@Worthing  I have been asking for a firmware log (and all of the software like the phone app for that matter) for years to be part of the CRC.  Having spent a good part of my career at a medical device manufacturer, it was good business practice and, in many aspects, required by the FDA.  Version control # and release date was (and is) essential. Regulatory Dept would be repsonsible to determine what would be in the release notes (or left out) features etc and customers were responsible to read it. We didn't hold their hands but the information would be there for them.

While a different industry, I see no reason by Simplisafe couldn't follow the same, and for security or other reasons, can take the same cautious steps for the release information content.  Finally, yes, SS has done a responably good job of providing release infomation in the forums, however, it is not the place to do it.  A separate release log area in a CRC is where it belongs. Match that up to a systems status area and then you start having something very useful.
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