"Calling the language assembler might be considered potentially confusing and ambiguous, since this is also the name of the utility program that translates assembly language statements into machine code. However, this usage has been common among professionals and in the literature for decades.[30] Similarly, some early computers called their assembler their assembly program.[31]"
True but it does allow snooping of the commissioning process. And now it may allow easier factory resetting of zll devices by having a custom user device join the zll network. It could also mean some cheap unauthorized lights and remotes/accessories appearing in loosely regulated markets which would be compatible with major systems like hue.
It's amazing how people think the only options are unlimited or nothing. A prepaid ptel 5c/min 2c/text plan is great for essential communication. Combine with a forwarding service like Google voice where you can turn on/off text and call forwarding and the costs are extremely low. But the fear of overages and unwillingness to manage the details drive a lot of people to choose no service.
All those stories about thousand dollar bills were great marketing that drove tons of low usage customers to unlimited plans.
Interesting so first the device reads the lightning connector itself to configure the pins which is a plaintext exchange? Then the mfi handshake is done separately using a chip in the accessory? He didn't say exactly what had to be done to activate the debug UART. Presumably once he determined the ids for debug accessory there was no mfi handshake required or the mfi chips he had were able to pass the handshake. Surprising that the debug functions wouldn't be protected by a different mfi key.
Most info is still under short term confidentiality but they are supposed to release that once marketing and sales begin. So complain to the FCC if you want so we can see the internal photos.
The battery drops in to your existing 120v smoke detectors as the backup battery. It still chirps when the battery is low. It still operates normally. The added benefit is that it can alert you to an alarm if you are away from home. If your smoke detectors are all wired together you probably only need one of these.
But yes the disposable nature of the product is a concern for e-waste, convenience, and cost.