Panasonic Begins To Lock Out 3d-Party Camera Batteries

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).'"

Comments

2D For Life

[sexconker]

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

2D for life, bitches.

Adds strength to the Don't Buy Panasonic movement.

[Futurepower(R)]

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."

Countdown to FTC action...

[KC7GR]

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.

Re:Adds strength to the Don't Buy Panasonic moveme

[guyfawkes-11-5]

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

Re:Lock is anticompetitive, not consumer prot'n

[Tokerat]

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?

Re:Maybe good justification

[10101001 10101001]

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

Re:Norelco did this for years

[zapakh]

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.

Re:Norelco did this for years

[camperdave]

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.