I think Bambu + Tao are committed to the path they apparently have chosen a while back. I believe Bambu has started on this path (or was triggered to do so) since the launch of the X1Plus. I suppose it was then they’ve understood that unless they tighten their grip over the firmware (and implicitly over the machines) they’ll loose control and that the users + the community will soon enough become able to breach its f/s and relive them from the revenue flow they were (still are) counting on. The fact that 3rd party apps have been developed and successfully implemented on top of theirs, didn’t help alleviate their concerns and fear of losing their intended Apple-style control over their products and their consumers, so most likely, they felt necessary to make their move, much earlier than they’ve planned (or estimated), and their timing, justifications and (most importantly) poor quality of their so called “firmware security update” (so easily broken in less than 24 hours) as well as Tao’s gaslighting reaction to the community backlash, demonstrates they’ve panicked and rushed things much earlier than they were ready . Their new printer, once launched, will either reinforce this line of thought (by having the new disputed firmware pre-installed) or the pre-installed firmware will be dialed back to appease and tranquilize the disgruntled users community and the concerned prospects. The next printer will definitely tell us (and to the world) which path they’ve chosen: listen to their user community and live, or ignore it altogether and be buried by it, becoming a blip footnote in the history of 3d printing.
It’s too bad really. The a1 mini is the best printer they make! The quality rivals my X1C.
I honestly also thought about canceling the order. I work in the university environment. We have various printers in use. I wanted to test whether the Bambu Lab printers are suitable for kindergartens and lower schools, I was toying with the idea of buying a set to try it out. Fortunately, I saw the problem with the firmware today while I was researching on YouTube. So for the school environment, these printers are definitely a no go as long as the situation stays like this.
I will keep the printer. My hope is that Bambu Labs will realize on their own what a colossal mistake this is. I hope the market will bring them to their senses.
They aren’t going to course correct unfortunately.
Unfortunately a lot of people won’t care until it’s too late and just accept it or take BambuLab’s word about security for granted.
Working hands on for the past 6 months, it’s not as glorious as it should be.
It’s VERY over-priced for what’s included and the components used. The design is nice but not so much along the best it could’ve been if more engineering was involved. I’d much rather utilize voron stealthchangers and build the machine from the bottom up with everything of my preference.
What would be most innovative and efficient in the future is to work on swapping hotend out versus swapping complete toolheads.
Shut is all down and let people use Ender 3 Pro again. I hear from experienced 3D enthusiast that it is a lot of fun and you learn a lot.
If BBL is losing money with their current model then they need to impliment the colossal mistake right away.
Bambu privacy policy change notification to its users
have they ever replied and just said’ “my bad! we heard you!”?
I am reviving my Ender 3 Pro, but I also purchased the Elegoo Centari Carbon. If the specs pan-out then it will be better than my current P1S for half the price.
My main concern with it is that they most likely cut some corners to get it made at that price.
They did for sure. Thankfully, none of the corners that were cut, affect quality or speed. But you definitely get what you pay for. Just lacks quality of life stuff like a phone app. Works for people like me, but newer users may think they need the bells n whistles. I havnt opened the handy app in months and I never use the lidar anymore. Also dont use spaghetti ditection. I honestly dont even use the camera function
I was just planning to buy my first 3d printer and I was leaning to X1 series and this happened.
I always follow free software, anti DRM, philosophies and Linux kind of guy and I have seen how companies can get evil and greedy by running a closed and cloud driven ecosystem. They usually use the terminology like “we are doing it for security” but the end result is usually losing freedom and ending up paying. Even though money is not an issue for me, I’ve always refused to be part of this kind of anti consumer strategies. It seems this will be another example.
Time to look for alternatives.
Today’s announcement of the AMS 2 Pro at the same price as the original AMS makes me think there’s no way the original AMS isn’t going to be discontinued, and that’s by itself a good thing. But it’s also a warning to those who say you can just refuse to upgrade your firmware if you don’t like the new access restrictions. The new AMS will require the firmware update which comes with those restrictions and someday if your existing AMS breaks or you want to add one you will need that firmware.
Refusing the firmware update sounds like it’s a real option, but in reality very few will really be able to go that route, the reasons to take it will become more and more compelling over time.
Well, Bambu is not getting any more of my business, so I will never own any “AMS 2 Pro”. 
Anyway, there is indeed no good option here, hence the noise.
I would propose a compromise… Dr Tao… You’re already halfway there… unlink developer mode from lan only mode. That’s the simple compromise… Allow me access to my printer using Developer Mode, allow me to send prints DIRECT to the printer over LAN and control the printer with OrcaSlicer using Developer Mode, while at the same time only allowing Bambu authorized apps to connect via the cloud… .So I could send a print from OrcaSlicer via the local LAN, and then monitor that print while I’m away from home using the Bambu Handy app. I feel this is a reasonable compromise between the functionality we want in OUR printers (we OWN THEM, not YOU) This allows us to use the software and accessories we choose, while at the same time allows you to secure your cloud services to only Bambu authorized applications.
LAN and cloud mode do NOT have to be mutually exclusive… There is absolutely no technical reason you cannot provide both AT THE SAME TIME… cloud for use official Bambu applications, and LAN/Developer for using 3rd party applications… When my printer connects to my router, it has BOTH local LAN connectivity AND Internet connectivity… There’s absolutely no reason I shouldn’t be able to load up OrcaSlicer and send a print via local LAN, and then open up Bambu Studio and send a print via the cloud… It shouldn’t require turning LAN mode artificially on or off… the printer is connected and accessible on the local LAN all the time.
This would be the way to go. To be specific: the only way I would ever buy another BL printer.
Sadly, from what tech info transpired with and after the launch of the H2D, and based on the recent interview of Tao with CNC Kitchen, that won’t be the case and Bambu will pursue its prior stated goals (thru the firmware patch and The Verge article), by further tighter controls over Bambu machines and environment. So, no matter how good bambu’s post H2D printers are going to be, I’ll stick to the X1C I have, with no more firmware updates, for as long as it lasts.
The other side of this is BL is ticking off it’s users with the issues caused by the latest updates. My son had updated his X1C and BS. Now he’s having print quality issues he never experienced before.
I’m seeing a number of posts where people are having print issues after the upgrade.
I told him he should have talked to me first, and I would have told him to NEVER take the first upgrade to a new revision, wait until the 1st or 2nd revision.
Initial BL firmware updates fare basically a public beta. Every time one comes out there are different print quality issues or features that don’t work quite right.
That alone should be a reason to wait, even if you have no problem with the locked environment.