When a firmware update is released for the Mindstorms EV3 brick, are there usually any changelogs for them explaining what's been added or changed? If so, where can they be found?
1 Answer
Update:
I have found a changelog in the firmware source code available on the download page at http://mindstorms.lego.com. The file is lms2012/doc/Implementation. Here is the history since v1.03 which shipped with the first retail EV3s.
/****************************************************************************** * APPLICATION VERSIONS *****************************************************************************/ /*! \page applicationversions Application Versions * * This section describes the relative changes from previous version * * *\version lms2012_v109D * *-# As v109H but telnet enabled with password "Just a bit off the block!" \n * * *\version lms2012_v109 * *-# As v1081 but version changed to 1.09 \n * * *\version lms2012_v1081 * *-# Telnet disabled \n * * *\version lms2012_v108 * *-# Support for edimax added \n * * *\version lms2012_v107 * *-# As v1066 but version changed to 1.07 \n * * *\version lms2012_v1066 * *-# ISSUE 4330 - sub call aliases block local issue UN-fixed \n * * *\version lms2012_v1065 * *-# Bluetooth bundle changed to "BA9Q76VTQG" "com.lego.education.ev3" \n * * *\version lms2012_v1064 * *-# Bluetooth bundle changed to "BA9Q76VTQG" "com.lego.edu.ev3" \n * * *\version lms2012_v1063 * *-# Bluetooth bundle changed \n * * *\version lms2012_v1062 * *-# Bluetooth bundle changed for test \n * * *\version lms2012_v1061 * *-# "Brick Name" app implemented \n * * *\version lms2012_v106_140502 * *-# As v105a but version changed to 1.06 \n * * * *\version lms2012_v105a_140327 * *-# IIC issue with automatic update blocking access fixed in "d_iic.c" \n *-# UART protocol escape future issue fixed in "d_uart.c" \n * * * *\version lms2012_v105H_140211 * *-# As v104x but version changed to 1.05 \n * * * *\version lms2012_v104x_140206 * *-# ISSUE 4330 - sub call aliases block local issue fixed \n *-# Number of memory handles rised from 250 to 500 (MAX_HANDLES = 500) \n *-# Color sensor mode 4 data checksum issue fixed \n * * *\version lms2012_v104w_140110 * *-# Test app "Sensors" changed to use "Modes" instead of "Views" in mode change limit \n *-# opINPUT SETUP - IIC third party sensor read/write issue fixed \n *-# opINPUT READY_IIC implemented \n *-# More documentation about sensor reading (see \ref thirdpartydevicedesign "Third Party Device Design Guidelines ") \n * * *\version lms2012_v104v_131205 * *-# Release of version 104u for testing \n * * *\version lms2012_v104u_131205 * *-# Corrected issue when connecting to several devices using bluetooth (c_bt.c) \n *-# opUI_DRAW VALUE bug fixed (negative figures) \n *-# opUI_DRAW VIEW_UBIT bug fixed (negative figures) \n *-# opINPUT_DEVICE INSERT_TYPE implemented \n *-# opINPUT_DEVICE SET_TYPEMODE implemented \n *-# Corrected issue if trying to search for BT devices and allready connected to 7 devices \n *-# Corrected issue if get remote bluetooth name fails in a bluetooth search \n *-# Bluetooth connect is not called if create paired device fails \n *-# Bluetooth connection attempt actively rejected if user presses X on the UI \n * * *\version lms2012_v104t_131108 * *-# Corrected remote bluetooth name issue \n *-# Corrected brick crashing if number of motors diff from 2 in sync'ed motor cmds \n *-# Corrected filetransfer between SD cards in bricks - Folder type issue \n *-# Corrected filetransfer between SD cards in bricks - Filehandle issue \n *-# opFILE CLOSE_LOG changed to free up handle when logging in memory \n *-# SD card back key bug fixed \n *-# ISSUE 2636 - "Brick Program" app - test for attached sensor \n *-# ISSUE 3226 - opMATH MOD8, MOD16, MOD32 zero bug fixed \n *-# ISSUE 3492 - opUI_DRAW LINE and RECT hang bug fixed \n *-# ISSUE 3565 - Brick Hang with 3rd party sensor bug fixed \n *-# Added TIInit_6.6.15.bts to the filesystem to support 1325A version bluetooth \n *-# Special exception text added to headers: "lmstypes.h", "lms2012.h" and "bytecodes.h" \n *-# opINPUT_DEVICE INSERT_TYPE implemented for test \n *-# IIC 3rd party hang and data instability issue fixed \n * *\version lms2012_v104H_130531 * *-# Bluetooth transfer folder error fixed in cComCreateBeginDL \n *-# First release for AFOL \n * *
Original answer:
The LEGO Group has not been publishing changelogs for the EV3 firmware. You should call customer support or write them a letter and encourage them to do so.
I have gathered some information mostly from the (unofficial) LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Facebook Page and also discussions with other MINDSTORMS hackers. This list is most likely incomplete.
- v1.10E: Add USB support for Microsoft MakeCode (EV3 now appears as USB drive).
- v1.09H/E: Disable telnet service (security issue in response to this German language article on how malware was discovered running on an EV3).
v1.09D: This is a new "developer" version of the firmware available on the LEGO Education website that has telnet enabled and there is now a password for
root(see the readme.txt file that comes with the 1.09D firmware).v1.08H/E: Add support for the popular Edimax EW-7811UN Wi-Fi dongle.
v1.07H/E: Add support for new Bluetooth chip shipping with newer EV3s (starting circa July 2015).
v1.06H/E: Work around checksum bug on EV3 color sensor RGB mode (used by custom block from David Gilday on the MindCuber)
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What about 1.10E? The source available for download is still 1.09, so there's no changelog that explains what's new after that. Commented Oct 12, 2018 at 16:23
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1LEGO has been very slow about getting the source for 1.10E posted. I've contacted customer support and they are "working on it" for many months now. The major obvious change in 1.10E is that the EV3 now appears as a USB drive. This was done to support using the EV3 with Microsoft's MakeCode. makecode.mindstorms.com Commented Oct 12, 2018 at 20:09