Editor’s take: Trendy PC peripherals are jam-packed with options and customization choices, so that they often require bloated software program instruments to specific their full potential. Corsair, one of many worst offenders within the cumbersome software program enterprise, is now providing an alternate – a minimum of in terms of updating a tool’s firmware.
Corsair just lately launched a web-based utility for putting in newer firmware variations for PC peripherals. The Firmware Replace Utility permits customers to “effortlessly” replace a tool’s microcode utilizing a browser, eliminating the necessity to set up advanced companion software program.
Corsair Vice President Tobias Brinkmann stated they developed the brand new software in response to buyer suggestions. The online-based installer is light-weight and versatile – although accessing a tool’s low-level {hardware} over the web would possibly sound counterintuitive to many.
Corsair already affords its iCUE software program suite for customizing keyboards, mice, and different appropriate gear, together with RGB lighting results. The final time I up to date iCUE to tweak the lighting on my Corsair K70 Lux mechanical keyboard (Cherry MX Brown switches), the installer was a hefty 430MB – so it is protected to imagine the software program has solely gotten extra bloated since.
These seeking to hold their gadget’s firmware up-to-date will probably by no means power themselves to undergo the iCUE ordeal. The brand new web-based software lets prospects entry the most recent firmware immediately from Corsair servers. It even has an choice to register by way of electronic mail and get notifications when a brand new firmware model is obtainable.
Corsair describes the firmware replace software as handy, accessible, and transportable – so be at liberty to present it a shot if you happen to’re snug letting an online browser mess along with your {hardware}. The corporate shared a listing of presently supported gadgets and promised so as to add new and present peripherals over time. Ultimately, the net software would possibly get extra options, too, that means the bloat will stay in your browser as an alternative of your laptop.
The Firmware Replace Utility presently works with choose Chromium-based browsers – Chrome, Edge, and Opera – however does not assist Firefox or Safari but. PC World notes that it will possibly detect related gadgets and test for obtainable firmware updates. Nonetheless, putting in firmware immediately from an online app feels unusual, regardless of how handy it sounds.
