Omnimaga => News => Topic started by: timwessman on May 27, 2014, 12:44:47 pm
Title: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: timwessman on May 27, 2014, 12:44:47 pm
For your emulator, calculator and connkit. Easiest way to get them is to use the check for update mechanism in the emulator or connkit.
The primary focus of this release in terms of new features was improvement of geometry and statistics. The primary focus of the connkit was around the main UI (not the editors for specific object types which were essentially untouched).
Four chapters in the user guide were changed, however they could not be rolled directly into the original document and are instead a "supplement" for now. The emulator has them, but they are attached to the end of the existing manual brought up by selecting Help->User Guide in the emulator windows menu. If you'd like the separate "supplement" file, it should be up on the HP support page shortly.
Spoiler For Release Notes:
Quote
HP Prime – Release Notes -------------------------
Description ----------- This release of the Prime Calculator firmware and associated PC software delivers significant new features and fixes outstanding issues. This document is not a complete list of all changes, but highlights specific items. All users of the HP Prime calculator are encouraged to upgrade for the best possible experience.
Backward Compatibility ---------------------- There is limited backward compatibility between this and earlier releases.
Older Prime hardware (Revision A) does support this release, however the wireless, unit-to-unit, and data streamer functionality is not supported on earlier models. In the Help->About HP Prime screen the hardware revision will be displayed along with software version information. Mixing and matching software revisions is not encouraged and may cause unexpected results. Users are strongly encouraged to first backup their calculators with the older firmware and Connectivity Kit - then upgrade all their calculator software (firmware, Connectivity Kit, and Virtual Calculator). Upgrade the Connectivity kit first, before upgrading your calculator firmware. This order will produce the best experience.
The geometry application and inference have received significant updates and earlier data files will not be compatible. Old data files from earlier revisions will not load and and a new empty data file will overwrite the old one.
Due to some specific issues resolved, certain user programs may not run on the new system without changes first. Specifically, any commands with the Σ character in the name may need to be corrected to use the correct sigma character. Function variables will now also error if the function parameter is using a reserved system function name (example: SIN or COLOR). Additionally, the TRIANGLE commands were modified to allow TRIANGLE, LINE and FILLPOLY to share similar data and syntax to enable easier creation of complex 3D drawings
New Functionality (Connectivity Kit) ------------------------------------ 1. Application has had major improvements to the user interface. Please refer to the included connectivity kit User's Guide for instructions and details. 2. Support for the HP Wireless Classroom network has been introduced. Please see http://www.hp.com/calculators/ (http://www.hp.com/calculators/) for details on the Wireless Classroom kit. 3. Greatly enhanced communication speed over USB link to calculator.
New Functionality (Calculator Software) --------------------------------------- 1. Improved touch support throughout system. This includes pinch to zoom support in graphing applications, and kinetic scrolling. 2. Pressing HELP in an open command line will attempt to find the name of a command based on the prior input up to the cursor position to display system help for that command. 3. Includes Edition 2 of the on calculator help files (English only in this release). 4. Greatly enhanced robustness and capability of the Statistics 2Var logistic fit. 5. Wireless support for capable units turned on. Wireless icon will appear in the right top corner menu for units that can support the HP Prime Wireless Kit. 6. Calculator unit-to-unit communications has now been enabled on units that can support it. 7. Numerical values now can be displayed with digit groupings. Examples include: 1,234.567 1 234.567 and 1’234,567 8. Two new numerical display formats have been introduced. These are “floating” which only displays up to a specified number of digits, and “rounded” which is similar to the “fixed” format except trailing zeros are suppressed. 9. Decimal fractions now appear with a zero, as in 0.25. 10. Vectors are now displayed as a single line object until they become a matrix. This aids in distinguishing vectors and matrices. 11. User selectable first day of week setting for use through the system. 12. First boot unlock and settings wizard. User will be asked to confirm language selection and some initial settings. 13. Inference application now can do Chi-Square calculations and Linear Regression T calculations. 14. Geometry application has been completely redone and is much faster, consistent, and capable than before. 15. Enhanced color pickers allow a greater range of color selection. 16. Pressing ENTER will now open chooser in a dialog or toggle checkbox. 17. Enhanced unit object display to ensure a more standard form with complex units. 18. TRIANGLE, FILLPOLY and LINE commands can now draw multiple objects in a consistent way with each other. Useful for very complicated 3D drawing in user programs. 19. INPUT command can now create multi-page dialogs and contain choose boxes, check boxes and grouped check boxes. It can also allow specific item types and gives control of parsing behavior for input. It also supports size and position control.
New Functionality (Virtual Calculator) -------------------------------------- 1. A horizontal skin has been included for use with monitors that are restricted in the vertical pixel range.
Resolved issues and changes excluding CAS ----------------------------------------- 1. Resolved issue with statistics 2 variable trig fit causing poor curve fit. 2. Resolved issue with removing last row or column from a CAS matrix in the matrix editor. 3. Resolved issue with .^ and ./ function calculations. 4. Resolved issue with EDITLIST/EDITMAT commands not working in RPN mode. 5. Resolved issue with BLIT command when specified destination was a zero sized region. 6. Resolved several issues with fraction key in home to make behavior more consistent. 7. Resolved issue in 2D integral template where EEX key would always add a 1 before the E in the evaluation limit locations. 8. Resolved several issues where integer only settings fields would display using the current display setting. 9. Resolved issue where auto power off did not function in graphing applications. 10. Resolved issue with commands EDITLIST and EDITMAT using user defined variables. 11. Resolved issue with key buffer not being cleared when the user aborts a running program. 12. Resolved issue with auto off timer in plot gallery not being reset on user touch. 13. Resolved issue with auto-off timer in plot gallery not being reset on user input. 14. Resolved issue with copy and paste in spreadsheet. 15. Resolved issue with sigma character in command names not being consistent through entire system. 16. Resolved issue with RETURN call inside repeating loop in a user program. 17. Resolved issue with object printing in debugging interface causing unpredictable behavior. 18. Resolved problem with integration calling ABS(F1(X)) 19. Resolved issue with G0-G9 in user programs while spreadsheet was active application. 20. Resolved issue with 10 second periodic wakeup during sleep reducing long term shelf life. 21. Resolved issue with KWh in menu needing to be named kWh to function properly. 22. Resolved issue where storing a number to a vector padded with too many zeros. 23. Resolved issue with clicking EDIT menu after deleting last CAS object from memory manager catalog. 24. Resolved issue with negative and STO conversion shortcut. 25. Resolved issue where tapping an item in Advanced Grapher Symbolic view behaved differently then tapping edit menu key. 26. Resolved issue where calculating integration with boundary at 0 appeared to fail. 27. Resolved issue with case sensitivity in note and program catalog. 28. Resolved issue where changing font size could cause strange artifacts in 2d equation display in Symbolic view. 29. Resolved problem where copying .+ or .- operators would not insert space before commands. 30. Resolved issue with ΣLIST and a vector argument. 31. Resolved some issues with F1 and CAS interaction. 32. Resolved issue with the UNITS -> TOOLS menu commands not evaluating immediately in RPN mode. 33. Resolved issue with eigenvectors of diagonal matrices in home. 34. Resolved issue where DMS toggle on home screen did not work with certain numbers. 35. Resolved issue with RPN stack not being cleared by a clear in memory manager. 36. Resolved issue where changing HEX or other similar settings did not update stack display immediately. 37. Resolved issue where clearing memory from catalog did not clear Ans variables. 38. Resolved issue where pressing BKSP on a CAS variable from chooser did not delete it. 39. Resolved issue where CAS screen would have left/right alignments disrupted after a power cycle. 40. Resolved issue with logb and very tiny values.
Resolved issues and changes in CAS ---------------------------------- 1. Resolved issue with for desolve([y'=sqrt(y),y(1)=1],x,y) 2. Resolved issue with units in approx mode and auto simplification on units 3. Added check for real matrix in SVD 4. Resolved issue with tlin(cos(a)*cos(b)) and with plot(exp(-x^2)) 5. Resolved issue with odesolve in reverse time direction 6. Desolve now handles linear system with constant coefficients; for example, desolve([y'=[[1,2],[2,1]]*y+[x,x+1],y(0)=[1,2]]); 7. Resolved issue with int(surd(2x,3),x,0,4), and with simplify(sin^2+cos^2) 8. Improved display for some sqrt results like sqrt(2+sqrt(3)) as sqrt(2)/2+sqrt(6)/2 9. Resolved issue with speed of int(x*exp(-x^2),x,0,100) 10. Resolved issue with derivative of composition e.g. (g(x^2))' 11. Resolved issue with desolve([y''-2*y'/x+(9+2/x^2)*y=x*exp(x),y(pi/6)=0,y(pi/3)=0],y) 12. Make SVD (SVL) work on rectangular matrices. 13. Change interpretation of A/B where B is a square matrix to inv(B)*A with a warning 14. Resolved issue with integer factorization. 15. Make limit(1/x^2,x,0) return +infinity instead of unsigned infinity 16. Resolved issue with laplace(exp(a*x),x,t) 17. Resolved issue with ilaplace(exp(-3x)) 18. Resolved issue with sigma notation 19. Resolved issue with sign (-> also fixes laplace(x)) 20. Make ifactor return an error if number too large 21. Resolved issue with recursion issue in geometry objects evaluation 22. Resolved issue with inv((5.+8i)^200) 23. Resolved issue with tan(54) in degree mode 24. Resolved issue with matrix/vector * object, if one arg to * is approx, evalf the other one with current context modes (instead of null context). 25. Extend cholesky to hermitian complex matrices 26. Resolved issue with ifactor(nextprime(alog10(17))*nextprime(alog10(19))); 27. Resolved issue with collect(sqrt(4x^2)) and for solve(-x+1=surd(-x^3+7,3)); 28. Resolved issue with int(int(sqrt(x+y),x,0,1),y,0,1) 29. pa2b2(2) now returns [1,1] 30. legendre_symbol and jacobi_symbol now accept negative first argument 31. Resolved issue with algebraic extension with i inside 32. op added to list of non auto simplified operators + dichotomic search 33. Default interval changed for parabola 34. Make left and right accept an integer represented as a double as 2nd argument 35. Set max list size to 10 000 and compute factorial exactly up to 1000 on hardware 36. Resolved issue with hadamard on numeric matrices 37. Size limit check added for $, Ans support for SCALE/SCALEADD/... 38. Resolved issue with re/im/abs e.g. im(sqrt(x)+1) 39. Size check added for JordanBlock, fix for solve with fractional powers, 40. Resolved issue with iPart with neg argument 41. element added to the list of functions that should not be auto simplified 42. RANDMAT with one argument accepted. 43. Changes for triple matrix norm (l1norm, l2norm, linfnorm) 44. Resolved issue with resultant with num coeffs 45. mat2list sets HP list subtype for the result. 46. Resolved issue with plotfunc(normald(x)) 47. area now accepts a function plot as first argument, 2nd argument a..b, or 2nd argument a, 3rd argument b, returns area under curve. For a parametric plot, a and b are the parameter range. 48. ifactor check added for qsieve failure 49. Resolved issue with ARG in degree 50. Resolved issue with fPart/iPart for negative/complex arguments 51. Resolved issue with asin(sin(pi))) and acos(cos(pi)) in degree 52. Change for [] in CAS: start at 1 53. Resolved issue with definite integral with inf boundary in degree mode 54. Replace warning by error for recursive definition except for when/ifte/program 55. Improve non-directional limit, e.g. limit(1/abs(x),x,0) 56. Enable for and if as lowercase synonyms for FOR and IF in the CAS. 57. Make REDIM and REPLACE (CAS version) accept a matrix instead of a variable name as 1st arg. 58. Resolved issue with regroup(inf) and for FP 59. Resolved issue with poisson_cdf with 3 arguments 60. Resolved issue with circle tangent, using relative error instead of absolute error. 61. Handling of inequalities with approximate coefficients using an exact conversion 62. jordan for numeric matrix with exact coefficients but no exact eigenvalue converting to approx. 63. Resolved issue with assume(s<0); sign(s) 64. Tangent for conics now use rational parametric equation 65. Resolved issue with a%%b if b is not an integer 66. Resolved issue with locus, fix for table print/parse 67. Resolved issue with l2norm 68. Re-set angle mode in isopolygon. 69. Leave propfrac unsimplified 70. Make sum eval approx if exact mode is not checked 71. Boolean operators now return 1/0 72. Resolved issue with col, suppress and makemat (indices starting at 1) 73. Better handling for some 4th order equations. 74. Set complex_variables to false in arcLen so that arcLen(x^2,x,0,1) works if Complex is checked. 75. Additional check for duplicate argument name in CAS program exit.
Important Note: If you updated your hardware unit before Thurs, May 29, GMT-6 please redownload and update your Prime firmware.
1. Delete the "My Documents\HP Connectivity Kit\Temp" directory, and "HP Connectivity Kit\Firmware" directory. 2. Run the check for update again. It will re-download the firmware zip file from today. 3. Reinstall on your unit using the new files.
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 12:59:56 pm
That's quite a long list of fixes. O.O Nice to see you are working on resolving these. :)
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: timwessman on May 27, 2014, 01:10:59 pm
Its better to give the information out rather then hide it IMO...
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 01:14:04 pm
Of course it is. Unlike TI who doesn't give a **** about users anymore, you guys are doing serious work.
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Eiyeron on May 27, 2014, 01:19:19 pm
I don't have a HP Prime but I'm happy to see that you're actively working on your products. Could you add some details on what features are planned?
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Hayleia on May 27, 2014, 01:25:20 pm
Wow, it's great to see you are working on it :D And it's a good idea to provide a detailed changelog (as opposed to this changelog (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.asobimo.avabel_gp_b3&hl=en) for example) so that people who reported bugs can see that you fixed them :)
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 01:29:01 pm
Hayleia, do you mean this ? (http://www.omnimaga.org/news/os-4-2-for-the-ti-84-plus-c-silver-edition-released/) /me runs
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: timwessman on May 27, 2014, 01:30:42 pm
Quote
Could you add some details on what features are planned?
Unfortunately, no.
HP does not allow any future information of any kind to be given. Any questions around "what is coming", "what has been fixed", "when", etc are forward looking statements and are not allowed. It is extreemly common for companies to work that way. In fact, many companies don't allow *any* communication of any kind except by an autorized communication person and hence it is just a bag of silence.
Excluding all possible legal issues, how would you feel if someone said "<insert thing here> is going to be fixed in the next release" or "We are adding <feature Y>" and then it didn't come out like was stated? Perhaps the issue ended up being more complicated then expected or in testing it was determined the fix wasn't complete. Maybe the people who needed to work on it had to work on something else. Maybe it was decided to roll it into another release with similar things. Etc.
I know that would tick me off personally. :)
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Hayleia on May 27, 2014, 01:37:17 pm
Hayleia, do you mean this ? (http://www.omnimaga.org/news/os-4-2-for-the-ti-84-plus-c-silver-edition-released/) /me runs
Well the one I linked to is worse. At least in yours you know that nothing changed, but in mine you don't even know, it might be the case or not. And most of all, yours is a joke while mine is true o.o
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 02:43:24 pm
Hayleia, do you mean this ? (http://www.omnimaga.org/news/os-4-2-for-the-ti-84-plus-c-silver-edition-released/) /me runs
Well the one I linked to is worse. At least in yours you know that nothing changed, but in mine you don't even know, it might be the case or not. And most of all, yours is a joke while mine is true o.o
But TI actually released it. :P That's right. Changelog : nothing.
Also Tim, I totally understand that. This is serious business, you don't mess with teasers to let people down afterwards.
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 27, 2014, 03:47:38 pm
Awesome news! Also, an admin should move this to the news sub-forum (while making sure to leave a redirect link in this sub-board) since I can no longer do it myself.
I am updating the emulator and connectivity kit right now, but when I tried to update the emulator the updater froze D: (EDIT: Nvm, manual reinstall did it and my calc updated fine on 2nd try. WARNING: When the Autoplay box appears in WIndows, do not close it, else this will stop the firmware update and fail.)
Title: Re: New Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Juju on May 27, 2014, 04:06:00 pm
I'll edit it a little so it makes a proper news and I'm moving it, if you don't mind.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 27, 2014, 05:13:17 pm
On a side note, is the missing Send button in the emulator because all transfer abilities were moved to the connectivity kit or is this just a bug?
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Hexatron on May 27, 2014, 05:36:19 pm
>This includes pinch to zoom support in graphing applications inb4 Apple sues HP for pinch-to-zoom functionality
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 05:40:17 pm
>This includes pinch to zoom support in graphing applications inb4 Apple sues HP for pinch-to-zoom functionality
^ That. Also, the glass and aluminium design. /me runs
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 27, 2014, 05:40:30 pm
I just tried pinch zooming and it works perfectly. I also noticed that scrolling with fingers now stops smoothly in the program list and on graphs. Very nice. :)
My only disappointment so far is learning that my calculator hardware was falsely advertised as having wireless capabilities when the calc came out, that would came out in later OSes, only to now learn that my hardware just doesn't support wireless capabilities at all. If I knew this from the start, maybe I would have waited before buying my calc so I can have the actual advertised hardware.
Do you think in the future it will be possible to exchange our Revision A models for Revision B ones so that people who bought the original calc expecting upcoming wireless capabilities can now get that functionality without having to buy the calc again (at the risk of running into another Revision A model)?
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Hexatron on May 27, 2014, 05:42:30 pm
As a note I have no quarrel with Apple products, but their legal policies are just silly :X Back on topic, though, I am happy to see increased USB connection speed, what happened before with having to wait *forever* for the calculator's programs was really annoying.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on May 27, 2014, 05:46:49 pm
Well, Samsung is as much of a legal pita as Apple is. :P
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 27, 2014, 05:53:12 pm
Indeed. I think both companies are just upset that they don't have the monopoly, though, and I am sure that if Casio or HP made as much money as TI, TI would do the same or vice-versa. :P
Also, I don't recall Samsung suing individuals or little companies for stupid things like rounded corners or black UI's. :P
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: timwessman on May 27, 2014, 07:01:11 pm
On a side note, is the missing Send button in the emulator because all transfer abilities were moved to the connectivity kit or is this just a bug?
It was very confusing having the "Send" button when there was nothing you were connected to at the moment. Select which unit you are trying to connect with from the Connect To dropdown, and then it shows up.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 27, 2014, 07:01:53 pm
Not for me. I selected the unit and the button remained missing on both the calc and emulator. I use USB 2.0 not 3.0, though, so I don't know if that might be why.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: timwessman on May 28, 2014, 08:39:05 am
My only disappointment so far is learning that my calculator hardware was falsely advertised as having wireless capabilities when the calc came out, that would came out in later OSes, only to now learn that my hardware just doesn't support wireless capabilities at all.
Can you please enumerate where you felt this was advertised?
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on May 28, 2014, 12:13:33 pm
My only disappointment so far is learning that my calculator hardware was falsely advertised as having wireless capabilities when the calc came out, that would came out in later OSes, only to now learn that my hardware just doesn't support wireless capabilities at all.
Can you please enumerate where you felt this was advertised?
Imagine a handheld math machine with a high-resolution multi-touch color screen. Imagine that you could plug a small dongle into that machine for wireless connectivity to the teacher’s class computer allowing instant polling and the sharing of students’ screens, teacher files and settings. Imagine a machine with a spreadsheet, dynamic geometry, a full computer algebra system (CAS) and high powered programming tools, which is so easily and clearly configurable with its exam mode that it will be allowed for use in exams. No need to imagine further, the HP Prime graphing calculator has arrived.
http://commerce.hpcalc.org/prime.php
Quote
Communications Wireless (with optional adapter) USB (cable included)
http://www.hpgraphingcalc.org/prime.html
Quote
The biggest headline is: wireless connectivity. Files can be transferred via the connectivity software. However, if you plug a small USB dongle (which you purchase seperately) into the top of the PRIME, it will immediately be recognised on the computer, notably the teacher’s computer in class. Files and settings can then be transferred wirelessly.
Yet the 2014.0331 update log implies that the older models that most of us have lacks the internal hardware required to support such functionality. Unless the wi-fi adapter mentionned above can work on older hardware regardless and that the said adapter is not required for revision B models? (although that would still be a problem if the adapter is as expensive as the TI-Nspire one. The TI-Nspire wireless kit is more expensive than the actual calc)
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Princetonlion.tibd on June 09, 2014, 04:17:10 pm
When will they realease a stable version, or is this stable?
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: bb010g on June 09, 2014, 09:55:47 pm
When will they realease a stable version, or is this stable?
This is stable.
Well... Stable by HP standards, that is. :P It has improved A LOT since the first firmware, although the 3rd one that just came out introduced new bugs it seems. I hope a new one that fixes them get released before the BTS-rush. They need to concentrate on fixing bugs from time to time even if it needs no new feature in a firmware upgrade.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Princetonlion.tibd on June 09, 2014, 10:14:40 pm
When will they realease a stable version, or is this stable?
This is stable.
For programmers? I really want to start programming one (when I repay my debts from my new V200 and get enough money
It programs wonderfully right now. It's still a bit in flux, but it's a beast.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 10, 2014, 12:23:01 am
Just to show you how powerful the TI-BASIC-like language is on the HP Prime, here is a video showcasing many programs (some of which are very old, like the Tunnel game) using that language called HP PPL:
Not even a single byte of ASM/C code was involved.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Princetonlion.tibd on June 10, 2014, 04:00:24 pm
Whoa... That was awesome. I'm sure I'll get a HP Prime (when I can) now.
P.S. Awesome music
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 10, 2014, 04:04:26 pm
Yeah the music track is from this artist: http://albion.bandcamp.com . I chose that song because it sounds similar to the song I created for the Axe Parser tribute video, so I thought it would be fitting.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Princetonlion.tibd on June 10, 2014, 04:10:33 pm
Epic music for a epic programming language.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: iconmaster on June 24, 2014, 08:12:40 am
A new OS version?? Every time I get around to learning there's a new one out, it's like Christmas and my birthday at the same time! It's nice to see such an open changelog and a continual development process.
Okay, let's see what in the new version...
PINCH TO ZOOM. SICK.
The Geometry app is even better, not that it wasn't already the best oncalc geometry app I've ever seen.
Custom color selection is nice. We needed that.
The new form of INPUT looks great. Good calculators have good dialog systems. It was why I worked with so much TI-89 coding, really.
Apparently, my calculator hardware can't do wireless?? That's concerning, and would have been nice to know at, you know, some point.
Anyways, with summer in full swing, perhaps I should really look into more HPP programming...
EDIT: I found some more stuff.
When you get an error in your program, you can conjure up the line it occurred on with a new selection. It's slightly useful, I guess.
You have the choice to make a CAS function in the New Program screen too. Interesting.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 24, 2014, 08:06:08 pm
Yeah the lack of wireless in old models is something that should have been warned about right from the start so that it doesn't look like false advertising. If many people actually bought the calc when it came out, back when they advertised wireless capabilities via the add-on, then HP has just opened themselves to potential class actions or petitions for refunds or getting a new hardware model in exchange, since law forces sold products and services to offer everything advertised.
Other than that, there has been plenty of amazing work in the OS. I hope all big bugs are fixed soon so that when the calc meets the back-to-school rush, it doesn't get bad reviews about reliability
I wish there were more HP PPL programmers actually. We had some at first but then they all vanished within a week span and never came back.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on June 26, 2014, 09:54:59 am
Yeah the lack of wireless in old models is something that should have been warned about right from the start so that it doesn't look like false advertising. If many people actually bought the calc when it came out, back when they advertised wireless capabilities via the add-on, then HP has just opened themselves to potential class actions or petitions for refunds or getting a new hardware model in exchange, since law forces sold products and services to offer everything advertised.
Other than that, there has been plenty of amazing work in the OS. I hope all big bugs are fixed soon so that when the calc meets the back-to-school rush, it doesn't get bad reviews about reliability
I wish there were more HP PPL programmers actually. We had some at first but then they all vanished within a week span and never came back.
Well as far as the beginnings go, it's clear that HP released an unfinished product but they have come a long way and it's almost perfect now. That's what I gather from the reviews that come with each update.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on June 26, 2014, 11:45:38 am
Indeed, but there are still a bunch of stability issues apparently, despite being much less bad than the original firmware and especially the HP 39gII (the ancestor of the HP Prime). Some of the bugs were introduced in the recent update too. But again, this seems common practice now among software developers because this happens with games too (especially Electronic Arts material). Just see the earlier TI-Nspire OSes.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on July 21, 2014, 01:10:46 pm
I checked the Office de la Protection du Consommateur du Québec website and found the following:
If I had bought my HP Prime in a brick and mortar store or HP outlet located in the province of Quebec that was advertising wifi capabilities or future wifi capabilities, only to find out later that my calc lacks such compatibility, then I could have reported the store for false advertising, gotten a refund (or perhaps a revision C model in exchange, if available) then the store would be in legal troubles with the law. In Quebec, when a merchant offers a product of service, it has to be in stock, sold exactly as advertised and for the advertised price (including promotions). Of course, I bought mine online internationally so that law wouldn't apply for me (plus I won't report them since I had zero interest in wifi capabilities, let alone spending $100-500 on the required add-on), but it's an example of how much legal risk HP took with this mistake, there.
I am sure that similar laws exist in other countries, provinces, states or for online purchases within the same country, and that HP or the stores having falsely advertised future or present wifi capabilities for revision A models could have gotten themselves in the middle of a class action or mass recall if people wanted to.
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: Streetwalrus on July 25, 2014, 10:35:19 am
I can confirm than non compliance with advertised features is illegal in France as well. It's pretty weird that rev A calcs don't support USB properly. :/
Title: Re: New HP Prime OS Version: 2014.0331
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on July 25, 2014, 12:31:33 pm
Well, what I found strange, though, is that initially, the send button worked between the emu and the calc. It was only removed in the latest revision. Apparently that button now only shows up for Revision C models. THis tells me HP was just too lazy to make two different OSes or an exception for when the target device is detected as emulator rather than a real calc, or they are planning to make it a "premium" feature.
That isn't really the main issue, though. The issue is that many websites including HP themselves or their official resellers used to advertise the calc as one that will eventually have a wireless add-on sold separately and when the new firmware came out it soon became clear that those advertisements, which have been corrected since, were fake. Of course I personally don't care if my own calc supports wireless or not because I know that the adapter will most likely cost over $200 (just look at how much the one from TI costs) and I'm not gonna pay $200-400 just to play a potential KermMartian Obliterate clone for the HP Prime via HP-gCn nor connect a calculator to a network. It's just that HP did a big mistake there that could have (or might eventually) put them into legal troubles
The ones that are to blame are the ones who work in HP's marketing department, which has failed multiple times before in the last decade or so by either misinforming customers or retailers, not marketing their products properly (not even a single HP scientific calc, let alone a graphical one, is available in any physical store over here) and making it incredibly hard to find any product info. A lot of hard work was spent in the OS so far and the developers have listened to the community a lot compared to companies like TI and it would be a shame if its reputation was tarnished by shady business practices from management.