Firmware 3.21

It seems so me that Naim is struggling in this area for now more than two years since I started my streaming journey with Naim. I do very much understand that software and hardware are closely linked to each other and that both are an own pair of shoes. To me it however seems that Naim is a bit lost with the complexity and especially the versioning and the testing on all different HW platforms. I was in the past 8 years responsible for the development of a highly complex core banking system and in this company if the the progress didn't meet the customers and my own  expectations for more than two years you could be sure that it had structural consequences. So why not consider of doing software development as other market competitors do? Open source or outsource at least some of the non-core development. Or add the right developers. They do not have to be physically in Salisbury btw.

I am a keen user of an app called 8-player. The lady which seem to be developing it herself offers upgrades every other month and the functionality and usablity is overwhelming and in best quality. She seems to be a real crack! So why not make her an offer? 

  +1 for 8player.

I'm also keenly waiting, but comparing what Naim are up to with a core banking platform is like chalk and cheese in the software development world. I worked as a developer then senior architect, then overall strategy lead for a large UK Retail bank over 20+ years, so know a thing or two about banking platforms. Banking platforms need to add up right, but performance considerations are often secondary as Banks have deep pockets and throwing MIPs at it is often the answer.

The firmware on a streamer is  complex real time stuff, where a few machine instructions can change the performance characteristics audibly. I expect Naim to dedicate themselves to getting this as right as possible otherwise they are not taking due care over their customers investments. After spending over £13k on an NDS / 555PS DR I expect only the very best in future updates. The day Naim outsources development or decides to cloud source development from an bunch of open source developers is the day I'll be looking for a new streamer.

On my calendar there's a clear three days left in June, so slow down with the criticism, chaps.

It isn't unknown for "the management" to jump in with both feet and make announcements without the full support of those who will be responsible for delivering the said announcement (not that I'm suggesting this was the case),  but let's have some empathy with that grand bunch of guys and girls doing their utmost to deliver to us thankless users what has been promised. 

The forum is, after all, littered with software developers and ex-software developers who have all been in this position, right up against deadlines, in their past lives (me included).

Now.... three days.... counting.... 

Do you want a shilling on that bet RJ?

It seems that Naim ought to adopt an approach of under promise and over deliver, then we would all be happy

Doesn't bother me if its a Little late, so long as it doesn't turn into months

+1, CBR600.

A little late is fine by me as long as it functions correctly and does what it says it should.

Though it's never a bad idea to keep the hungry punters updated if running behind schedule

to avoid forum frenzy!

You've hit on a fundamental truth there Chris

It must be perfect, then it will be released 

hope so

When I used to run a development team for Virgin, a working week had at least 8 working days, & more if the deadline was this close !!! 

So a Monday release will be close enough to put a tick in the 'Achieved' box for me.

It seems that you are guys even smarter than me....

As a customer who has options on the market (say Weiss' MAN301) I tend to compare and hence look for options. BTW: The guys at Weiss (a company of less than 20 engineers whereof the software team consists of just 2!) got Seek2Time from the launch of the product. And I think they tackled the exact same problems of real time hardware issues....or am I getting something wrong again DaveBk? 

@Sondek71 - Sorry if my post seemed a little arrogant, but it was the comparison with Banking Platforms.... Not the bleeding edge of software development IMO.

Naim are late, very late and if their revenue stream depended on getting this firmware out they might be more focussed on deadlines, but Naim put quality first and they are extremely fussy. You only have to see them sorting through components, grading them and rejecting loads to understand their philosophy. Same deal with software I suspect. 

Yes but... (from the What HiFi news of the new Naits):

As Technical Director Roy George explained.... He adds that over the past decade, the R&D department at Naim has risen from to 31 people, with nine now entirely responsible for software development, and that the company has written some 1.4m lines of code in the development of its streaming products, and developed over 100 products in ten years.

Just got my new UnitiQute 2 and that's running 3.20 firmware

Well I can't wait for it. When I bought my unitiqute2 the update had been announced, which added DAB+ that is used in Australia. Without this update there is no digital radio, which means no Radio National!! I think it's better not to advertise such releases up front...

Allen, Monday is drawing to an end.. And I have seen nothing.. Perhaps autumn? Will productline / operations want to release over summer period with reduced staff levels?

Simon

Autumn this year is expected to be quite dark so best not release software then just in case. Obviously don't release anything in the run up to Christmas, so see you again next year

Oh noo, we are b*ggered then... 

If it is any consolation, Angry Birds doesn't run on my NAC 72 either.

Latest update on ETA I've been told for 3.21 is for a mid July release.

I'll wager those nice chaps at Naim feel even worse about this delivery slippage than we do, so let's cut 'em a bit of slack, eh?

As long as it's here by Wednesday, I suggest we say no more 

Whoops - crossed with Richard ... so lets say Wednesday-mid-July-then.

Richard.. Thanks for the Naim update.. Must admit rather looking forward to this one..

Simon

@RichardDane: Do you have any Update on the ETA? Still mid of July Release? Just trying to prevent from a possible sh**storm in the forum.....