Technology

Here’s what Bambu will — and won’t — promise after its controversial 3D printer update

Published

2 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Here’s what Bambu will — and won’t — promise after its controversial 3D printer update

Bambu Lab, the company behind my favorite 3D printers, has given itself one hell of a week. Now, I’ve got answers to some of my burning questions, answers which you might also hopefully appreciate. But first, some backstory.

Since last Thursday, some creators have pledged not to buy Bambu printers anymore, even removed some of their 3D models from its online repository, after the company revealed it would add a new proprietary authentication mechanism that could keep you from using third-party tools to remote control your printer.

While you’d still be able to stick a file on an SD card and physically put it into your printer or use Bambu’s proprietary cloud, the old way of printing remotely from a third-party slicer would be no more — unless you downloaded a new proprietary Windows and Mac “Bambu Connect” desktop app to be the middleman between your slicer and Bambu’s hardware.

“Unauthorized third-party software will be prohibited from executing critical operations” — Bambu

While Bambu was clear early on that this would be an optional update, one you could simply choose not to install, the company also positioned it as a necessary one to secure printers against remote hacks. Some owners immediately saw that as a potential bridge to enshittification, however.

They noted how Bambu printers can already detect if you’re using an official roll of filament and imagined a future where Bambu can keep you from using third-party filament at all. They noted how Bambu already seems to be planning a subscription service for its print farm software, one that requires regular cloud activations and imagined a future where your Bambu printer stops working if you don’t pay up.

Bambu has denied these and many other such fears in a subsequent “setting the record straight” blog post, and explained that its new tool doesn’t require internet access or a user account — and has also backpedaled very slightly, pledging to offer an at-your-own-risk “Developer Mode” that maintains local access to your printer without any new proprietary authentication at all. Unfortunately, that mode may also disable your ability to access your printer via the cloud.

Meanwhile, Bambu didn’t do itself any favors by keeping people from using the Wayback Machine to scrutinize its changing statements, by allegedly censoring criticism of the company on its subreddit, and by claiming that the developer of Orca Slicer was working with Bambu on a seamless way to continue to print directly from his popular third-party slicer when they had not actually pledged their support.

It has also not helped confidence that Bambu’s own security around its new Bambu Connect app is such that hackers have already extracted its private key and authentication certificate, or that users have discovered that Bambu gives itself the right to block new print jobs until a printer has finished automatically downloading firmware updates in its Terms of Use.

Anyhow, I think the real question here is: are these changes a stepping stone to more enshittification, or at least more of a walled garden, or not?

Here are the questions I sent Bambu and the answers I got, via spokesperson Nadia Yaakoubi:

1) Will Bambu publicly commit to never requiring a subscription in order to control its printers and print from them over a home network?

For our current product line, yes. We will never require a subscription to control or print from our printers over a home network. However, there might be specific business scenarios in the future that require exceptions, i.e a 3DP vending machine, but these would apply to entirely different applications and customer needs. If such a product line is introduced, we will clearly communicate this before its launch.

1c) Will Bambu publicly commit to never putting any existing printer functionality behind a subscription?

2) Will Bambu publicly commit to never restricting the use of third-party filament in any way, shape, or form?

For our current product line, yes. We have no plans to restrict the use of third-party filament in any way.

3) Will Bambu publicly commit to never monitor files and prints transmitted between users and their printers over a home network?

Let’s be clear about how this works:

LAN mode: Nothing is transmitted through our servers.
Cloud mode: Users control their privacy through “incognito printing.” When enabled, no print history is recorded, and files are not stored in the cloud.
Cloud features: For features like re-printing, files are temporarily stored in the cloud to allow users to access their print history. Under no circumstances do we look into the print file/model without the explicit consent of our customers.

Bambu has additionally agreed to add a new Developer mode. Some users are concerned that this move is just temporary and that Bambu can simply remove the developer mode and claim that it was too much of a security risk or say that not enough users opted to use it to justify keeping it around.

4) Will Bambu publicly commit to permanently keep the Developer mode with local MQTT, livestream and FTP and never remove it in any future update or shipping batch of the X1, P1, A1, and A1 Mini?

Yes. However, if a severe security issue arises in the future, we may need to make adjustments to address it. Users can always choose whether to update their printer firmware or not.

5) Will Bambu publicly commit to offering and keeping the local Developer mode available in any future printers it releases?

We cannot commit to features for non-existent future printers. However, we will clearly communicate all relevant details before customers make their purchase decisions.

6) Will Bambu publicly commit to its current and future printers permanently being remotely controllable over LAN without user account or Internet access?

For current models: Yes. For future products, while we aim to retain this functionality, we believe committing to a specific technical approach indefinitely is not responsible. However, we will clearly communicate all relevant details before customers make their purchase decisions.

Bambu has announced that Bambu Connect will integrate with third-party slicers like Orca, but some users are confused why an app like Bambu Connect is required at all when you could instead add more secure authentication to the printer itself, with industry standard practices like having the printer generate a secure token/API key instead of creating a proprietary middleman authentication app.

7) Did Bambu consider and reject interoperable ways of securing its printers, like tokens?

7b) Will Bambu commit to changing its authentication system to an interoperable one? If Bambu did reject interoperable secure authentication systems, why?

If software communicates and interacts with our cloud system, it is reasonable for us to have a say in how it operates. As highlighted in our blog post, unauthorized third-party software has created ongoing challenges to the stability of our cloud services and machines for a long time.

While we trust that most developers act with good intentions, users are often unaware of the hidden complexities within such software and the security requirements. This lack of transparency of all software makes interoperable secure authentication systems insufficient to fully resolve these issues. Our goal is to safeguard the entire Bambu Lab product ecosystem, providing every user with confidence that our products are secure and easy to use—free from concerns about complex network configurations. And with the changes done, we are one step closer to integrate third-party access in a secure way.

8) Is it true that the developer of Orca Slicer was not actually working with Bambu on the integration and that Bambu announced their involvement without approval?

We have been in ongoing discussions with SoftFever, the developer of Orca Slicer, since January 14 regarding the firmware update and potential integration into the new release. “Work with” might be ambiguous. To be more specific, messages were exchanged, files were sent, and their receipt was confirmed along with an indication that they would be reviewed.

9) Will Panda Touch and similar accessories continue to work under Developer Mode?

We guarantee keeping the port/channel open, but implementations are up to third-party developers.

9b) Is Bambu answering that company’s questions?

Since the release, we have received many inquiries from third-party software developers, including BigTreeTech, via devpartners@bambulab.com. We are currently in the process of finalizing our response. It’s worth noting that we warned third party developers in a blog post from March 2024: ”If you’re developing a device that controls the entire printer, including heating elements and motion systems, please do not expect long-term support unless it has been approved by us in advance. This is especially applicable to for-profit organizations.”

10) Will you allow users to roll back to the old firmware, for reasons like if they accidentally upgrade without understanding the limitations?

Yes. Firmware rollback was and always will be available.

11) Does the private key leaking change any of your plans?

No, this doesn’t change our plans, and we’ve taken immediate action.

Technology

10 tech upgrades to save your time, privacy and money this year

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

10 tech upgrades to save your time, privacy and money this year

At its best, today’s tech makes life easier. The trick is, you need to know the insider secrets. Luckily you have me.

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Here’s one to make your AI results better. With ChatGPT or any other, the more constraints you give, the better your answer. It’s called priming. Examples: “Limit your response to 250 words,” “Give me the list in bullet points” and “Format the results as a table.”

Sweet. Let’s keep going with 10 more tips and tricks.

5-MINUTE CLEANUP FOR YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER

1. Ctrl + Z (undo) isn’t just for Word docs

Did you accidentally delete an email, close a browser tab or move a file? Ctrl + Z on a PC (Cmd + Z on a Mac) is the universal lifesaver. Use it everywhere, from editing spreadsheets to undoing changes in most apps. It’s a superpower.

2. Screenshots for the win

Forget scrambling for a pen and paper — just take a screenshot! Whether it’s a recipe, directions or an annoying error message, capturing your screen can save time and frustration. On your PC, hold down your Windows key + Shift + S. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Shift + 4.

I have more time-saving keyboard tricks here.

From key shortcuts to easy, on-demand podcasts and magazines, these tech tips will help save you time and money this year. (iStock)

3. Use your voice more

You’ll be surprised by what you can tell your phone to do. For starters, forget fumbling for an app. Just say, “Hey, Siri, open Instagram” or, for Google Assistant, “Open Spotify.” You can also tell your assistant to call someone in your contacts, set a reminder, take a photo, convert milliliters to ounces, turn on the flashlight, flip a coin — the list goes on.

Pro tip for voice texting: To delete the last word you dictated, say, “Delete the last word.” To delete the last sentence, say, “Clear sentence.” If you want to get rid of everything you just said, say, “Clear all.”

DON’T SCAM YOURSELF WITH THE TRICKS HACKERS DON’T WANT ME TO SHARE

4. Because you never have a pen

Snap a pic with your phone’s camera, and you can copy, search or translate the text. On iPhone: Open the image in Photos. Tap and hold the text and select an option. On Android: Open a pic in Google Photos, then tap on the Lens icon. Select the text, then tap the action you want to take.

Phone photos a mess? How to delete duplicates

ChromeOS Flex can help breathe new life into your old laptop. (iStock)

5. Bring your old laptop back to life

Install ChromeOS Flex, a free, cloud-based operating system. With processing done on Google’s servers and a bare-bones interface, you’ll get surprisingly good performance. Your PC needs to meet these minimum specs: x64 CPU, 4GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a USB port for installation.

6. Calling back a random number?

Hide yours first. Punch in star, 6 and 7, followed by the number you’re calling, and that’s it. The caller will see “Private” or “Blocked.” If you want your number hidden all the time, change the settings on your smartphone. On an iPhone, tap Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID. Toggle it Off. On Android, the option is called Hide Number.

7. Instant podcasts about anything

Google’s NotebookLM lets you upload audio files, notes, documents or anything else, then search them, find citations (from your own docs) or produce a snazzy podcast you can listen to. It’s impressive. Reader Bob told me after he heard about it on my show, he used it to create training modules for his employees.

Grandfluencers: Folks trading retirement for internet fame

Apple AirTags can help you keep tabs on your kids and your valuables. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

8. Track the kids

Apple AirTags (iOS) or Tile trackers (Android) let you keep tabs on your little ones. Attach a tracker to their backpack, shoelaces or belt loop. Pro tip: At somewhere very public, like a Disney park, give your child’s tracker a unique name, like “Buzz Lightyear.” That way, if someone gets a “Tracker Nearby” alert, your child’s name won’t pop up.

9. Every mail has its day

It’s a game-changer for staying organized. In Apple Mail on your iPhone or iPad, compose your email as usual, then tap and hold Send. You’ll see options like “Send Later,” where you can select a specific date and time for delivery. In Gmail, after drafting your email, click the small arrow next to the Send button and select Schedule Send.

10. Stop getting lured in at the grocery store

With an Amazon Prime account, you get access to a rotating library of popular magazines for free. Check them out here. Now you can read the latest weird royal rumors without paying for the magazine.

Get tech-smarter on your schedule

Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.

Technology

Volvo announces pricing for delayed EX30 compact SUV

Published

10 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Volvo announces pricing for delayed EX30 compact SUV

The compact Volvo EX30 is finally arriving in the US — and with it comes some more clarity about its price.

When it was first announced in 2023, the EX30 was positioned as a smaller, more affordable electric vehicle in a market overflowing with expensive, luxury models. And it seemed poised to win over a lot of converts, with a starting price of just $34,950.

At that time, the only other EVs available for a similar price were the utilitarian Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf. You could also find a few used EVs, or even a stripped down Tesla Model 3, but the idea of a luxuriously appointed (if bare bones) European model for just under $35,000 was unheard of.

Today, Volvo announced that the most popular trim of the EX30 is finally coming to the US. That would be the EX30 Twin Motor Performance with 422 horsepower, starting at $44,900 for the Plus equipment package (not including delivery charges). Upgrading to the Ultra package will cost $46,600.

That’s decidedly more than $34,950 — and unfortunately Volvo didn’t say when we can expect that more affordable version to arrive stateside. Given the political situation here, I can hardly blame Volvo for playing it close to the vest when it comes to EV sales in the US. The Trump administration is promising fewer incentives and more tariffs — both of which likely add up to higher prices for car shoppers.

Still, the EX30 has been a runaway hit in Europe, with Volvo recording over 100,000 sales of the pint-sized SUV. In August, that was only bested by the Tesla Model Y. It stands to reason that US customers will react similarly — once they get their hands on it.

Volvo has two other EVs in the US: the mid-sized EX40, which starts at $52,500 for the single-motor variant and goes all the way up $60,750 with all the bells and whistles; and the full-sized, three-row EX90, which starts at $79,995 and tops out at $89.845. Delivery charges bring these prices up by at least $1,000.

Technology

Does your Windows 11 PC keep restarting? Let's fix that frustrating problem

Published

11 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Press Room

Does your Windows 11 PC keep restarting? Let's fix that frustrating problem

Experiencing a Windows 11 boot loop can be incredibly frustrating, transforming your computer into a seemingly endless cycle of restarts that disrupts productivity. When your system continuously fails to load the login screen and instead repeatedly attempts to restart, you’re facing a critical technical issue that demands immediate attention.

This persistent reboot problem can stem from various causes. So, what do you do? Let’s look at some ways to diagnose and resolve the Windows 11 boot loop, helping you restore your computer’s functionality and get back to work.

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Windows 11 PC (Microsoft) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What causes a Windows 11 PC to keep restarting?

There’s no single cause for a Windows 11 PC getting stuck in a reboot loop. A reboot loop can be caused by an issue with your computer’s power supply, a malware infection, overheating or even hardware drivers. Here are the different things to check if your Windows 11 laptop or desktop keeps restarting.

Fix #1 – Boot your PC in safe mode

Step to boot your PC in safe mode (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

When you are troubleshooting any problem on your PC, you should boot your computer in safe mode. If your PC is in safe mode and no longer experiences the restart loop, this means that the default Windows 11 settings and drivers aren’t causing the issue. This allows you to narrow down the sources of problems causing your Windows 11 PC to crash, making it easier to troubleshoot. Here’s what you need to do to boot in safe mode:

Press the Windows Logo key and R at the same time
Type msconfig in the box
Press OK
Under Boot Options, click the Safe Boot checkbox

When your computer restarts, it will automatically restart in safe mode. If your computer restarting is making it difficult to follow these steps, you can also follow these steps at the sign-in screen:

Hold the Shift key while clicking the Power icon
Select Restart
Your PC will restart
Once your PC restarts, you will see a Choose option; click it.
Select Advanced Options
Select Startup Settings

Now, when your PC restarts, you will be presented with a list of options. Select 4 or F4 to start your PC in safe mode. If you need to use the internet while the computer is in safe mode, you can select option 5 or press F5.

WINDOWS 11 TIPS AND TRICKS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

Fix #2 – Remove any new software

If your automatic rebooting problem began after installing a new app, uninstall that app and monitor your PC. If you still notice your PC restarting, there’s a chance that the app has infected your system settings before you uninstalled it. To fix this, you’ll need to restore the system. To do a system restore, you should first boot your PC in safe mode and then follow these steps:

Open the Control Panel
Search the Control Panel for Recovery

Step to remove any new software (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Select Recovery
Choose Open System Restore
Click Next
Now you will click on your hard drive and select finish. Your computer will automatically restart.

Fix #3 – Make sure your computer isn’t overheating

An overheating laptop or desktop will try to prevent damage to critical hardware components by shutting itself down. This is one of the leading causes of a Windows 11 PC getting stuck in a restart loop. If you’ve noticed your desktop giving off a lot more heat than usual or a laptop feeling hot to the touch, chances are you have an overheating issue.

A computer’s CPU and GPU generate the most heat, so I recommend monitoring those hardware pieces to see if they are overheating. You don’t need any additional software to monitor the temperatures of your GPU, as some temperature readings are built into Windows 11. Here’s how to check your hardware temperatures in Windows 11:

Open the Task Manager
Click the second tile, Performance, on the left-hand side of your screen
From here, you can click GPU, which will show you your GPU temperature.

Visual to show overheating on PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Unfortunately, the built-in temperature reading doesn’t read your CPU temperature, and you’ll need to manually go into the UEFI/BIOS to check the temperature without installing any additional software. However, there’s a multitude of free-to-use apps that manufacturers have developed to measure your CPU temperature, including Core Temp, HWMonitor or Open Hardware Monitor.

When you open one of these monitoring tools, you’ll be able to view your PC’s stats, including CPU and GPU temperatures and loads. If your CPU or GPU is running too hot, try cleaning the components to remove dust. For custom-built desktops, adding more exhaust fans to the case can improve airflow and cooling. Persistent overheating, especially in older laptops, may indicate that it’s time to consider upgrading your machine.

TAKE YOUR WINDOWS PC’S SECURITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Fix #4 – Check for issues with your PC’s power supply

Image of a PC’s power supply (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A computer will randomly restart when it has a failing power supply unit (PSU). If you have an issue with your power supply, you’ll know if your computer won’t restart or turn on. In addition to causing shut-offs and restart loops, a faulty power supply can also cause a blue screen of death error. In severe cases, you might even smell a burning scent or witness smoke coming from your PC’s power supply exhaust vent. If you use a laptop with PSU issues, you cannot send your computer to a repair shop or the manufacturer for repair.

Desktop PC owners have it a bit easier, assuming they have a pre-built PC that can be altered easily. If you do have a desktop, turn off and unplug your computer before going into the case to investigate if dust build-up is affecting your PSU. If your PSU fails, you must purchase and install a new one.

Fix #5 – Scan your PC for viruses

Image of a woman working on a PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Malware and other viruses are a common cause of a crashing or constantly restarting PC. The easiest way to do this is by using strong antivirus software. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

If your computer is stuck rebooting, you may need to boot in safe mode in order to run an antivirus application. Here’s what you need to do to boot your PC in safe mode with Windows 11:

When your computer restarts, at the sign-in screen, press and hold the Shift key
Click Power
Click Restart

Now, your computer should act more stable after booting in safe mode, allowing you to run an antivirus scan.

10 USEFUL WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fix #6 – Disable automatic restart

Step to disable automatic restart (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If you have automatic restart enabled in Windows 11, your PC will restart every time it encounters a system failure. You can easily disable this future within the Windows 11 command prompt. Here’s what you need to do:

Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard
Type sysdm.cpl and click OK
Select the Advanced tab
Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings
Under System Failure, uncheck the box Automatically restart
Click OK

Keep in mind this isn’t a fix for the problem, but it will help you further troubleshoot the restart loop problem by disabling automatic restarts.

Fix #7 – Repair your system files

Step to repair your system files (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

An issue with your Windows 11 system files may be causing your PC to constantly restart. If you think a corrupted system file is why your PC keeps restarting, there’s a quick and easy fix you can do within the Windows Powershell. The System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in tool that will scan your Windows system files for corruption or any other changes. If a system file has been modified, it will automatically replace the file with the correct version. Here’s how to run the SFC command:

Open the Windows Powershell (or Command Prompt)
Type in sfc /scannow
Press Enter
Leave the command prompt window open until the command completes, which could take some time

If there’s no problem with your Windows system files, after the scan, you’ll see a message that says, “Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.” If you instead see a message saying, “Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them,” you should try running SFC again but in safe mode.

Fix #8 – Check for RAM issues in the command prompt

Your PC might be restarting itself because it doesn’t have access to enough random access memory (RAM). Windows 11 may become unstable without enough RAM in your computer, causing the OS to randomly reboot. You can use the built-in Memory Diagnostics Tool in Windows 11 to check your computer for issues related to RAM. Here’s what you need to do:

Press the Windows Key and R
Type mdsched.exe in the text box
Click OK
Select Restart Now and Check for Problems

When your PC restarts, the Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool will check for any RAM-related issues; if the test detects an error, take note of the error code. You can check the error code online to find the correct fix for that specific error.

Kurt’s key takeaways

These are the best fixes for a computer that is constantly restarting. While you can perform these fixes at home, it might be your best bet to send your computer to a repair shop or back to the manufacturer if you continue having an issue with your Windows 11 PC being stuck in a restart loop after these fixes. It also may be time to invest in a new laptop if you are experiencing a system slowdown and random restarting on your Windows 11 PC, but I would recommend trying to fix the problem first before buying a new machine.

What was the most challenging computer technical issue you’ve ever encountered, and how did you resolve it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.