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Panasonic Begins To Lock Out 3d-Party Camera Batteries

Posted by timothy on from the humbly-meeting-customer-demands dept.

OhMyBattery writes "The latest firmware updated for Panasonic digital cameras contains one single improvement: it locks out the ability to use 'non-genuine Panasonic' batteries. It does so for safety reasons, it says. It seems to indicate that this is going to be the norm for all new Panasonic digital cameras. From the release: 'Panasonic Digital Still Cameras now include a technology that can identify a genuine Panasonic battery. For the protection of our customers Panasonic developed this technology after it was discovered that some aftermarket 3rd party batteries do not meet the rigid safety standards Panasonic uses.' The firmware warning is quite clear as to what it does: 'After this firmware update your Panasonic Digital Camera cannot be operated by 3rd party batteries (non genuine Panasonic batteries).'"

12 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. 2D For Life by sexconker · · Score: 4, Funny

    I never understood the obsession with 3D Parties or their camera batteries.

    2D for life, bitches.

  2. Who? by hondo77 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Panasonic makes cameras?

    --
    I live ze unknown. I love ze unknown. I am ze unknown.
  3. Adds strength to the Don't Buy Panasonic movement. by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 3, Funny

    This will cause the Don't Buy Panasonic movement to be even stronger.

    My completely uninformed guess about how this happened. Panasonic executives: "How can we sink the company?" Their answer: "Get a story about us doing something abusive on Slashdot. Slashdot readers understand technology and will make sure everyone knows."

  4. Countdown to FTC action... by KC7GR · · Score: 3, Funny

    In 5...4...3...2...

    Well, you get the idea. Any wagers as to how long it'll take for this to hit the legal system? I'm sure the resultant flare-up will be most entertaining. Time to invest in popcorn futures.

    --

    Bruce Lane, KC7GR,

    Blue Feather Technologies

  5. Re:Adds strength to the Don't Buy Panasonic moveme by guyfawkes-11-5 · · Score: 5, Funny

    What a coincidence! Today my wallet decided to lock out Panasonic products. Oh well. Canon is better anyway.

  6. Re:Lock is anticompetitive, not consumer prot'n by Tokerat · · Score: 3, Funny

    I had no problem opening up a Norelco to solder in new NiC. Coincidentally, I also did the same to a couple of Panasonic shavers.

    How many megawhiskers where they?

    --
    CAn'T CompreHend SARcaSm?
  7. Re:Maybe good justification by 10101001+10101001 · · Score: 5, Funny

    In related news, Sony has announced that it will be installing new firmware locking-out Sony batteries in their laptops, citing safety concerns.

    --
    Eurohacker European paranoia, gun rights, and h
  8. Re:Norelco did this for years by zapakh · · Score: 5, Funny

    I had no problem opening up a Norelco to solder in new NiC.

    I meant "NiCd batteries."

    I was about to ask to subscribe to your newsletter about network-enabled shavers.

  9. Re:Norelco did this for years by camperdave · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was about to ask to subscribe to your newsletter about network-enabled shavers.

    Yes! Imagine all the time savings:

    TWITTER: 7:42am - ajlitt has started shaving.
    TWITTER: 7:46am - Battery Low.
    TWITTER: 7:46am - ajlitt has stopped shaving.
    TWITTER: 7:48am - Shaver on AC power.
    TWITTER: 7:48am - Shaver on battery power.
    TWITTER: 7:48am - Shaver on AC power.
    TWITTER: 7:48am - ajlitt has started shaving.
    TWITTER: 7:50am - ajlitt has stopped shaving.
    TWITTER: 7:50am - Shaver on battery power.
    TWITTER: 7:50am - Battery Low.
    TWITTER: 7:51am - Shaver on AC power.
    TWITTER: 10:37am - Battery at 100% charge.
    TWITTER: 10:57am - Battery at 100% charge.
    TWITTER: 11:17am - Battery at 100% charge.
    TWITTER: 11:37am - Battery at 100% charge.
    TWITTER: 11:57am - Battery at 100% charge.
    TWITTER: 12:17am - Battery at 100% charge.

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  10. Re:Too bad for them by Jane+Q.+Public · · Score: 2, Funny

    "There goes Panasonic off my list for an upcoming camera buy."

    Yep. If I buy a car, I insist on the ability to use whatever brand of gasoline I want! If it's a bit more volatile than the "recommended" brand, that's a risk I take.

  11. Also by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Panasonic has determined that electricity from non-Panasonic power plants is detrimental to the environment. You are only allowed to charge your genuine Panasonic battery from a genuine Panasonic power plant. Panasonic Power Plantsâ use only the finest ingredients which makes the power much cleaner and purer. It also makes the power cost 150% more. but that's the price of pure.

    If you plug the charger into a non-Panasonic outlet, the camera will give you an error message, erase all your pictures, and send your information to the local "child molester" database.

  12. Won't somebody... by benow · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... think of the children?! Where am I going to go for my 3rd party battery explosion lottery kicks now?