GoPro requires Java?

[BarkingGhostar]

Last weekend I purchased a White edition of the GoPro Hero3 from Costco. I knew from feedback on websites that the Hero3 required a firmware update, or one risks bricking their camera.

I opened the package, went out to gopro.com/update per the included notice, and discovered the update software requires Java. I understand small companies' decision to build software on Java, as it outsources a large development responsibility to Java's developers, but I do not run Java on any of my computers.

While I run W7, OSX Mavericks and Linux Mint, I do not run Java for security reasons. I am not willing to install it to 'fix' GoPro's defective products, and as a result will be returning it today. I now understand the gross negative feedback that results with the Her3 product line (excluding Hero3+), and I am even more surprised that this late inventory still came with a defective condition.

Time to look for another action/dash cam.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Why not just, you know, just disable java on your browser so its not a security risk.

Unless you think just HAVING java on your computer somehow makes it exploitable.

 

[deathBOB]

Uh oh someone call the

 

[Imp]

Return cause GoPro botched their launch? Okay.

Return cause you have to use Java one itty bitty time then uninstall it... Seriously?

I have a GoPro 2 and never had to update the firmware. Hell, even the GoPro 3's LCD works without an update. The Hero 3+ just came out, get that one. I haven't heard anything about the 3+ -- not that I looked.

 

[Crono]

Run Java in a VM or on a non-networked machine if you are that worried.

As flawed and full of holes Java is, it's not the only software to be that way. And at least there's no false sense of security with it - you can be pretty sure it's insecure even after the myriad of updates that are routinely released. Seems like much more trouble to take some sort of principled stance against it than to just install Java and get rid of it when you're done updating the firmware.

If you are running " W7, OSX Mavericks and Linux Mint" there is almost certainly some other software or OS flaws that you don't know about leaving you open to some form of attack or another, so worrying about Java - which you can effectively sandbox to use temporarily - should worry you less than all the other stuff you routinely use and are resident on your system(s).

 

[Graze]

Uh oh someone call the

This!

 

[DPfan]

Then just don't use JAVA. Choose the manual option to update the firmware. It's offered on the same page that offers the JAVA option. I updated my Gopro using the manual option. It will probably take you less time than it took to type your post above.