Editor’s take: Fashionable PC peripherals are jam-packed with options and customization choices, in order that they often require bloated software program instruments to precise their full potential. Corsair, one of many worst offenders within the cumbersome software program enterprise, is now providing an alternate – not less than on the subject of updating a tool’s firmware.
Corsair 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 mentioned they developed the brand new instrument 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 may sound counterintuitive to many.
Corsair already affords its iCUE software program suite for customizing keyboards, mice, and different suitable 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 secure to imagine the software program has solely gotten extra bloated since.
These trying to preserve their system’s firmware up-to-date will possible by no means power themselves to endure the iCUE ordeal. The brand new web-based instrument lets prospects entry the newest firmware immediately from Corsair servers. It even has an choice to register through electronic mail and get notifications when a brand new firmware model is out there.
Corsair describes the firmware replace instrument as handy, accessible, and moveable – so be happy to present it a shot for those who’re comfy letting an internet browser mess together with your {hardware}. The corporate shared an inventory of presently supported units and promised so as to add new and current peripherals over time. Ultimately, the online instrument may get further options, too, which means the bloat will stay in your browser as an alternative of your pc.
The Firmware Replace Utility presently works with choose Chromium-based browsers – Chrome, Edge, and Opera – however does not help Firefox or Safari but. PC World notes that it might detect related units and verify for out there firmware updates. Nonetheless, putting in firmware immediately from an internet app feels unusual, regardless of how handy it sounds.
