I wish there was a service that notifies me of firmware update of all the gear I have

[New Daddy]

I have several digital camera bodies and lenses that have updatable firmwares. I don't know how people keep track of firmware updates. I'd be lucky if I accidentally learned of a firmware update that is already an year old. For example, I have a Metz flashgun for micro four thirds that never seemed to have the correct zoom level for the focal length. I had given up on it. But I recently found out that there was a firmware update - yes, more than an year old - to fix that issue. (Not that all firmware updates are for the better, but at least you can choose when you know there is an update.)

For computer software, it's become so easy with the internet connection. The important ones that I use notify me of update/upgrades. (LightRoom being a prime example.) I kind of thought update notices nuisance, but now I see their value.

I wish there was a service that notifies me of firmware update of all the photography gear I have, across brands. (Or is there something like that already?)

[Black Pearl]

Both Nikon and Pentax email me when a firmware is released.
Have you registered all your gear with the relevant manufacturers?

[New Daddy]

Both Nikon and Pentax email me when a firmware is released.
Have you registered all your gear with the relevant manufacturers?

I didn't know registering your gear with the manufacturer gives you that advantage. I never register any consumer product with the manufacturer, because I can get warranty nonetheless with proof of purchase and I tend to associate product registration with spam emails.

In any event, I tried to register my Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Canon and Metz products just now. Nikon has excellent registration process and the interface was nice too. At the end, it puts all of your gear into a "bag". A very nice presentation. Panasonic was a PITA. They said they would send me the ID and Password (they don't let you choose your own. how lame is that?) but haven't received them after 6 hours. Olympus's product registration is really spartan but seems to get the job done. Canon is very similar to Olympus. Simple. Metz doesn't have product registration but shows you nicely organized list of past firmware updates. I have trust in German products, so I'm not really worried about them. After everything is said and done, I feel I'll definitely receive firmware update notices from Nikon and Canon, but I'm not sure if the rest will too.

Well, having gone through the registration process, I still wish there was a centralized website that notifies you of firmware updates.

[Colin Southern]

Perhaps the next best thing is to create a favourites folder in your browser, and save the correct place for each make/model that you use?

[yauman]

Yes, with the current technology of using computer chips in every electronics device, you need to register them to get update information. All electronic devices are basically a micro computer with memory, and firmware. I recently got an email from Bose to update the firmware on my tiny Bose Bluetooth noise-canceling earpiece - otherwise it won't with the the next IOS-7 itunes. Wow, who would have thought that an earpiece would need firmware updates! Amazing!

[Nickding]

Well, I also need to register my devices now. Never did that before TKX for balck pearl