After tremendous outcry from users and influencers over the new firmware “Authorization” fiasco, Bambu Lab has made some small concessions and will include a “Developer Mode.” As many have pointed out, their tone was not contrite, and much of the responsibility was placed on users for “misunderstanding.” This is disheartening, but let’s not allow our emotions to cloud our vision - we have made some small progress. This “Developer Mode” is a good first step, and likely would not have been included had we not spoken out strongly with our words and our money.
This is a first step - but not the last. I believe the ultimate goal should be a fully realized “Developer Mode” as a user choice on all current and future printers. As such, I am starting a new thread to keep this conversation squarely on the topic of defining this.
Such a mode should include, but not be limited to:
-LAN mode with no cloud connection or cloud authorization whatsoever. (They have said this will remain.)
-Direct printer control via MQTT and/or other API endpoint with locally configurable key-based security. (In the Dev. mode as proposed, there is no mention of local security)
-All Dev. Mode accessible protocols (like MQTT) should be fully documented with an API reference. This should not need to be reverse engineered by users.
-Continued development of and support for this MQTT or API implementation. (Not a “use it but don’t expect it to work because it may or may not be incomplete” approach.)
-Bypass of all brand lock-in features like RFID tagged filament spools. Even Apple, the king of lock-in allows third party accessories on iPhone to enumerate themselves - and if the manufacturers wants they can achieve a higher level of recognition through paid MFi certification. Bambu, at minimum should allow users in Dev. Mode to define their own RFID-coded filament profiles, and if manufacturers of filament want to get in the game offer them an MFi-style certification via a small licensing fee. this allow experts to play in the sandbox and companies to offer quality, tested filament profiles - and Bambu Lab can even make a profit.
Fundamentally this Developer Mode ought to be “Real.”
1 - It is a real user mode. It is for those advanced users who choose to accept the responsibility of operating with fewer safeguards.
2 - It is not half baked. Often “Developer Mode” is just shorthand for hack-y, unsupported, and not guaranteed to actually work.
3 - It says what it does. It gives a user Privileged access to their own machine. This is akin to enabling “root” on MacOS or Linux. With great power comes great responsibility.
Please feel free to add your own thoughtful, realistic suggestions.
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