Filed under: Peripherals, Software, Bugs/Recalls
Sprint SmartView for Macs incompatible with broadband cards
TUAW reader John T. alerted us to an issue with Sprint's SmartView application, version 1.85.0007.0. SmartView for Mac is a recently released (August 28, 2008) application which is used with Sprint's Mobile Broadband cards and USB modems.
The issue, which occurs with the ExpressCard cards used with MacBook Pro notebooks running Leopard, causes the card to stop working. To get the card working again, it's necessary to reinstall an older version of the SprintView software or previous software such as Sierra Wireless Watcher.
This problem does not occur when using the Sprint Mobile Broadband USB connectors such as the Sierra Wireless 595U, Sierra Wireless Compass 597, or Ovation U727. John noted that Sprint's tech support team is aware of the issue, but that the faulty software is still available on the download page.
Update: Some commenters have taken offense to the use of the word "brick" in the post title [since changed -Ed.]. Note that SmartView, when run under Mac OS X 10.5, does not permanently damage the Sprint cards. Reverting to a previous version of the software resolves the issue.
Thanks for the tip, John!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Steve said 8:30PM on 10-10-2008
"Sprint SmartView for Macs bricks broadband cards(...)To get the card working again, it's necessary to reinstall an older version of the SprintView software or previous software such as Sierra Wireless Watcher."
- Really not "bricking" then is it?
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Aaron said 8:49PM on 10-10-2008
Nope. But would you have clicked it otherwise? I wouldn't. TUAW is in the business of selling advertising. Sensationalist titles work well to that end. I mean, how many people would click, "Sprint SmartView for Macs Installs Corrupt Driver. Users of a specific card are forced to use an older driver." I mean, that's not even really a story.
Jeff said 11:52PM on 10-10-2008
I, too, hate the cheap bastardization of the word "Bricked"
mentalsticks said 8:08AM on 10-11-2008
@Aaron: how about "Obama shot by McCain supporters" followed by an article about how much Obama was booed by McCain's supporters? That'd be really great for page views!!
zack said 11:31AM on 10-11-2008
I agree, if they used the word "break" instead of "brick" it would be better. Bricking is overused - it used to describe a permanent loss of functionality.
Gary said 9:44PM on 10-10-2008
It's not even a story as that software works fine. I have been using on my MacBook Pro shortly after it came out and it works just fine.
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Iain said 10:38PM on 10-10-2008
It's not really bricking if you can get it to work again by installing older software.
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Jash Sayani said 4:58AM on 10-11-2008
There should be a new software update soon that fixes this.....
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Justin said 11:31AM on 10-11-2008
I, too, would like to air my disgust over the use of the word "brick" so readily. If it can be fixed (esp. by software), it IS NOT BRICKED.
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Steven Sande said 1:56PM on 10-11-2008
Well, unfortunately for all of you who have nothing better to do than apparently take me to task over the fine points of the usage of "brick" versus "break", it's too late to go back into our system and change the title. Have fun blowing a gasket over something that really isn't important! :-)
TUAWSteve
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Heebie said 2:05PM on 10-11-2008
Steve,
I'm afraid that although I understand that TUAW needs to draw in readers, it's not only damaging to Sprint by falsely alleging that an update of its software permanently renders their piece of kit useless, but is also misleading to TUAW's loyal readers.
Only the very ignorant think that the wording of very public publications is not important and if you are in that group then perhaps you should think about taking some time out to try and figure out how to make sure that you don't downright mislead people... It's wrong.
maybesew said 2:26PM on 10-11-2008
Wow, You just lost some respect. Down a few pegs actually, and that goes for your publishing system as well. Are you telling me that in 2008, when you publish an article to your web site, it isn't possible to revise it?
I don't think the commenters are "blowing a gasket" by any stretch of the imagination. They are all just pointing out that to "brick" something, it means to permanently break it. Hence the analogy to a brick, an inanimate object that doesn't do anything. An analogy that is very inaccurate in the case of this product.
You shouldn't be so defensive when they are being fair in their comments. And in the future, don't post stuff like this on a Friday afternoon, if its going to sit at the top of the site all weekend.
Steven Sande said 3:00PM on 10-11-2008
Thanks for the personal emails, folks!
Here's the definition of "brick" from the Mac dictionary:
1 a small rectangular block typically made of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building.
• bricks collectively as a building material : this mill was built of brick [as modifer ] : a large brick building.
• a small, rectangular object : a brick of ice cream.
2 Brit., informal dated a generous, helpful, and reliable person.
verb [ trans. ] (often be bricked)
block or enclose with a wall of bricks: : the doors have been bricked up.
Considering that the term "brick", given the meaning that you are ascribing to it, appears to be nothing more than slang, does it really make a difference if it is used to describe a situation in which a piece of software makes a device non-functional temporarily or permanently?
I think not.
TUAW Steve
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Heebie said 3:30PM on 10-11-2008
You're right, Steve: the sense of "brick" which we Mac users understand is not in the dictionary, and is most definitely a form of specialised slang. Just because it is not in the dictionary however does not mean that its meaning is not important - that's a most narrow minded view, especially from someone who writes for a living. I have an example of where mistakes of specialised slang result in tragedy right here:
My school has its own slang. Here are two definitions from its "mini-dictionary":
*''Banter'' (May be pronounced with emphasis on the "a" vowel): Interesting, gossip, exciting
*''Bunter'' (this is pronounced with an umlaut vowel sound): Boring, uninteresting banter.
---
Notice that the mere change of ONE vowel makes the meanings opposite to each other. Mistaking "bricking" for temporary damage is as bad as getting those two mixed up.
It is a great shame that someone who is supposed to be enlightening Mac users who are not supposed to be as "in the know" as those writing for TUAW is letting the side down by incorrectly using specialised vocabulary. Half of the stuff you talk about isn't in a dictionary. Get over it, and use the right words in the right places.
Kurt said 3:47PM on 10-11-2008
No, it isn't in the normal dictionary. TUAW's readers are, however, very tech-savvy people, and this isn't a brick. It doesn't do anything to permanently or impermanently disable firmware or otherwise make the device unusable in another machine (or the same machine with the old software). This isn't a brick. It's broken software. And while it may be too late to change the title of the piece, the cavalier attitude towards using incorrect language and to those encouraging and promoting accuracy is disheartening and frustrating.
Hacker Slang: brick
1. A piece of equipment that has been programmed or configured into a hung, wedged,unusable state. Especially used to describe what happens to devices like routers or PDAs that run from firmware when the firmware image is damaged or its settings are somehow patched to impossible values. This term usually implies irreversibility, but equipment can sometimes be unbricked by performing a hard reset or some other drastic operation. Sometimes verbed: Yeah, I bricked the router because I forgot about adding in the new access-list..
al said 4:20PM on 10-11-2008
Your statement is literally true, but still is very misleading because of the connotation the word has. You must be a Republican.
Jam said 8:45PM on 10-11-2008
I never thought I'd see comments like these from a TUAW blogger. This blog has lost a lot of respect from me because of Steves comments alone.
I don't know who you are, I don't recognise your name or anything like that so let me give you some advice, When your wrong, admit it and move on. Don't justify your knowingly incorrect statements.
And I also just want to say that you were wrong for saying the software bricked this device. Every tech-savy person online knows that when something is 'Bricked' it is damaged beyond consumer repair. And also don't lie and say you cant change a title after it has been posted.
1. In 2008, it is technically impossible for someone to run a site of this magnitude and not include a way to edit Titles (Infact I've even seen titles edited to include words like "Update: [Turns out, not true]" in blogs such as Engadget powered by the same CMS software.
2. The only feasible way that the editing of post titles would not be allowed is for some blogger-security thing so a blogger on the payroll cant go AWOL and then edit a post to remove something they said, in which case you shouldn't make the issue sound like a technical issue beyond fixing.
That is all I have to say on the matter. Also anyone know of a better Apple blog I'd like to take my Dollar providing Ad viewing eyes elsewhere.
Fish said 3:45PM on 10-11-2008
this is probably the most pointless comment war on the face of the planet. The stupid thing breaks the card rendering it useless unless you downgrade the software. this "banter" is most definantly "bunter". Steve, keep up the good work.
next post, plz.
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Heebie said 4:53PM on 10-11-2008
It is bunter that we have to make this "writer" appreciate the proper use of undocumented language. Agreed.
All I want is confirmation that Steve Sande will acknowledge that he misused the term and endeavour to use it correctly in the future. Fair enough? It is his JOB to write and get it right, after all...
Intellectual friends of mine always said that the blog was the downfall of the proper use of language. It's fair to say that TUAW does use some horrific technical language, but that's the way the world is evolving, and I personally have nothing against that. But this mistake on a technical term from a professional is unjustifiable. Steve: take the hint, apologise and move on.
Thank you.
Lane said 7:14PM on 10-11-2008
Wow, Steve, you're pretty damn arrogant, aren't you?
If you just 'fessed up and admitted you were wrong, that would have been fine, but you -- not the readers, but YOU -- chose not to take the polite comments at first and act all Bush-like (note: also not in dictionary, means standing by a decision even once you realize it was the wrong one).
TUAW just lost a lot of respect. I thought it'd still be okay w/ out Erica, but I'm thinking I need to find another Mac blog.
Any suggestions for better blogs, folks? Except Steve. You can go play in the corner until you figure out the difference between "bricking" and "breaking."
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