New software update for Naim streaming products

Posted by: Oceanis on 19 January 2012

Very surprised to learn, as an Apple user, that I am unable to install the new update? Is there a plan to issue instructions for Mac users? Lack of thought and consideration like this can damage perceptions of the Naim brand. If there IS a plan to include Mac users why not wait until you could issue instructions for BOTH Windoze and Mac?

Great brands are about consistency of action that build trust and loyalty, actions that seem to alienate a proportion of the Naim owner community can engender negative attitudes to the brand.

Posted on: 19 January 2012 by BigH47

Why on earth would they allow you download a file that cannot be run on the Mac? 

 

Any software that is not compatible always brings up a dialogue box telling you.

 

Posted on: 19 January 2012 by Oceanis

I Quote

 

'A PC running Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, and incorporating
an RS232 port (or USB port - see bottom of page) is required to undertake the update'

Posted on: 19 January 2012 by Guido Fawkes
I don't really see why any computer should be necessary for updates, I don't need to use a computer to update my PVR or ATV. They just get the updates.

I am glad I use a Mac Mini and Vortexbox for computer audio duties. Though I suppose mu UQ is out of date now, but it still works.
Posted on: 19 January 2012 by Focalist
Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

       

         class="quotedText">
        I don't really see why any computer should be necessary for updates, I don't need to use a computer to update my PVR or ATV. They just get the updates.

I am glad I use a Mac Mini and Vortexbox for computer audio duties. Though I suppose mu UQ is out of date now, but it still works.



+1 vortexbox updates easy and stable although not moved to fedora 16 yet
Posted on: 19 January 2012 by aysil


The real question was asked by Guy: why don't they just get the updates on line? Why do you need a computer?

 

I am amazed though (and a little bit envy), how spoiled mac users tend to be. They are so used to everything just simply working smoothly, they start to complain the moment something does not work on their machines. We windows users are used to some sort of thrill everyday, and I find this more exciting and enjoyable.

 

I think the update not being releasable  for mac is also related to apple's policies.

 

The comment that Naim is neglecting Apple users is not just. The only control software they release for their servers as well as stream-players work only on i-devices.

Posted on: 19 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk
I think you'll find that the Naim architecture disables the streamer/network/TCP/IP interface through part of the upload, so the RS232 is effectively the bootstrap during this time.. This also makes the update process robust and enables a better chance of recovery if things go wrong. The alternative would be a flash memory image that would need to be managed, and memory and peripheral ICs  to load that image into as well as a more complex bootstrap processor. Given the architecture, which is not a typical computer architecture, that would add complexity and more noisy ICs. I actually am impressed withe upgrade process. If you use Unix or Macs exclusively, ask your dealer to upgrade or borrow a neighbough's windows laptop. It only takes about 20 mins.
Simon
Posted on: 20 January 2012 by spartacus

Or you can always run a windoze virtual machine on your Mac. The Mac has a number of ways to achieve this. Boot Camp, VMware Fusion, Parallels desktop

 

I run Windoze XP on VMWare for those occasions where a manufacturer insists that you have to do thing on Windoze. Like updating my sat nav...

 

I don't have to do this very often as I have tracked down Mac versions of 99.99% of the things I use.

Posted on: 20 January 2012 by RaceTripper
Originally Posted by aysil:

 

I think the update not being releasable  for mac is also related to apple's policies.

What? You're kidding right?

 

In case you aren't... There is no policy reason a Naim updater can't be created for Mac users. Naim can write Mac software if they chose to and distribute how they want, without interference from Apple. If they want to distribute the software via Apple's App Store then there are rules and guidelines that have to be followed, mostly in terms of making sure the software is consistent, correct and doesn't introduce security issues. Later this year, all software in the App store will be required to run in a sandbox, which makes the system more stable. 

 

As for us Mac users left out of the update, one recourse is to run Windows in a VM on the Mac. I've been doing that for other reasons, so it's not a problem for me. But I do understand the frustration for Mac users with a working VM setup. I agree Naim should have supported the Mac with an updater.

Posted on: 21 January 2012 by ianc68

From conversations that I had with a Naim staff member at the the Tom Tom Audio event and subsequently, I understand that Naim are developing an updater for Macs but it's not ready yet.

 

I have tried using VMWare Fusion running Win XP on my iMac but the setup.exe updater file fails to load. Has anyone had success using this method.

 

The 3.9 upgrade doesn't include any must-have features for me. I'll be more interested when the promised n-Stream update is released with the ability to create playlists. A firmware update will be necessary to take advantage of the latter but hopefully the Mac updater will be available by then.

Posted on: 21 January 2012 by Steven Shaw

I have a windows laptop I had to use for the update (normally use a mac). It took 20 minutes to boot it up and install all the updates that I haven't downloaded in the months I hadn't used it for. 

 

Updating my unitqute after that lot was a breeze.