Hello, Now that this router is available at retailers [4] and we're seeing all kinds of reviews pop up, if possible I'd like to get some clarification on the nature of the collaboration between Linksys and the OpenWRT developers on the WRT1900AC.
Linksys has been making claims in their marketing materials that the WRT1900AC is OpenWRT Ready [1]: "OpenWRT Ready Over the past months Linksys and the OpenWRT project have been collaborating to ensure open source readiness and continued development for the new WRT." I've seen at least one account from a person that has this router in their hands, but it doesn't seem to be "OpenWRT ready" for them [2]. Indeed, I believe this reviewer is right -- correct me if I'm wrong, but one cannot download and flash a readily available OpenWRT image that would actually function. Moreover, this reviewer [2] claims that a Linksys support technician stated that flashing OpenWRT would void the warranty, which is interesting, if true. The press release [1] also mentions collaborating with the OpenWRT project "over the past months", but the oldest communication to openwrt-devel seems to be 13 days ago -- Apr 3, 2014 from Matthew Fatheree when a patch was submitted [3]. Linksys is also using purported quotes from an OpenWRT representative in their marketing materials [1]: “The history of OpenWrt goes back more than a decade when it all began with a project to hack and modify the Linksys WRT54G. A lot has changed since then,” said Gregers Petersen, relationship manager at OpenWrt. “Today OpenWrt is a complete embedded Linux distribution that enables users to be innovative and create new solutions and functions. Other key elements of OpenWrt are source code transparency, security and extensive package repositories. We see it as a very positive development to have collaborated directly with the Linksys engineering team on the new WRT1900AC router. As a result of that consumers will have the freedom of choice between the Linksys default firmware and OpenWrt. The OpenWrt developers recognize the potential of the collaboration with Linksys, and the opportunities it brings for more devices and solutions.” Something doesn't seem to jive here. Can anyone fill in the blanks? In particular, some transparency Real Soon Now from someone at Linksys as well as Gregers Petersen with OpenWRT would be much appreciated, especially in light of how much the OpenWRT name is being used in the Linksys press releases and marketing materials as outlined above. 1. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140410005397/en/Linksys-Starts-Shipping-WRT1900AC-Successor-Legendary-WRT#.U09GUvldVyV 2. http://www.amazon.com/review/R15JCQ96X8Z3WY/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00IGL3L2E&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=541966&store=pc 3. https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg22849.html 4. http://goo.gl/4bgh8b (Best Buy WRT1900AC page)
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