A category of memory chips that hold their content without electrical power. Firmware includes rewritable flash memory and EEPROM, reprogrammable PROM and EPROM and read-only ROM technologies. Early firmware chips were low capacity and costly and used only to hold instructions and settings, especially in portable devices. In addition, the content stored in the first chips really was "firm," either read-only (permanent) or reprogrammable with difficulty (see ROM, PROM and EPROM).
Flash memory, the most common firmware, is rewritable, and used like a computer's hard disk. Today's portable devices use gigabytes of flash memory for songs, photos and videos as well as software applications. See memory, flash memory and FOTA.
Flash memory, the most common firmware, is rewritable, and used like a computer's hard disk. Today's portable devices use gigabytes of flash memory for songs, photos and videos as well as software applications. See memory, flash memory and FOTA.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Zune HD firmware 4.3 adds predictive text and desktop mode
- I was messing around with adding devices to my GDGT list today and discovered this discussion about new Zune HD firmware. I then fired up my MSI Wind with Zune desktop software, connected my Zune HD and walked through the 4.1 (191) upgrade. A couple of the key upgrades include...
- Blog posts 2009-11-07
- Canon releases EOS 7D firmware update
- After it was discovered that the Canon EOS 7D has a ghosting glitch, the company has released a firmware update to correct the problem. EOS 7D owners can download the 7D Firmware Update Version 1.1.0 at Canon's USA website. The update promises the following fix: Corrects...
- Blog posts 2009-11-06
- Smartplanet: Apple can grab more share by slashing Mac prices
- RE: Smartplanet: Apple can grab more share by slashing Mac pricesIf they wanted marketshare at a lower entry price they could have pulled that off years ago with cloner acquisitions and more mfg on their own part with rigid standards and practices to ensure quality and lower production costs. ...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
- Sharp AQUOS LC-42D64U
- I have a Sharp TV(LC-42D64U).I have a Sharp TV(LC-42D64U). I bought it in Sept 2007. I have used the TV for about 2years. I recently downloaded firmware update(d64ua120.uvp) for my TV from sharp website. First, I formatted my thumb drive to FAT. Then I moved the new firmware file to...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-02
- Xilisoft iPod Rip 2.1.38.1030 (Windows)
- Transfer your iPod files to PC and vice versa without using iTunes? Xilisoft iPod Rip makes it happen! Xilisoft iPod Rip helps you to copy or backup your iPod music, videos, photos, podcasts, and audio book to PC, i.e. iPod to computer. You can even sync songs and movies between...
- Software downloads 2009-10-30
- Intel pulls new SSD firmware day after release
- Wow...You're a journalist? You need a grammer check on your application.
- Discussion threads 2009-10-29
- Motorola Droid vs. Apple iPhone 3GS vs. Palm Pre [spec shootout]
- Specs don't tell everythingis a 1996 chevy with 4 doors and v8 engine better than a 2008 2-door lexus with a v6?Its the whole experience of the device that matters. Can the DroidDont dock itself into 80% of the vehicles currently made? No, you can use an auxiliary input but...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-28
- Intel pulls new SSD firmware day after release
- On Monday Intel released an firmware upgrade for the X25-M solid state drive SSD. Yesterday, the company pulled the update. by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
- Blog posts 2009-10-28
- What the DoD now says about open source
- I could just see a commander in the field ....having to wait for procurement to get a simple map through bids while his troops are getting shot up even though it is publicly available (oh wait, isn't that how the Chinese embassy got accidentally bombed?)Always use the best tool for...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-28
- Frizzix 1.4.7 (Mac)
- Frizzix is an Open-Source Fritz!Box Call-Monitor and Call-Manager. Frizzix displays incoming calls via Growl and a history of previous calls. An AVM Fritz!Box with the latest firmware and Growl are required.
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- RIM BlackBerry Storm2 coming to Verizon on Oct. 28; $179
- Sprint Version?Will there be a Sprint Version? Anyone know? If not... why not?Do yourself a favor...and download this update. You'll definitely notice how much more responsive the device is. Other benefits include flick scrolling on the browser and predictive text enhancements. This makes a great device...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-26
- Panasonic DMR-EZ47VK
- Panasonic should be ashamedThe DMR-EZ47V has so many 'quirks' and Panasonic Customer Service is so awful that I would highly recommend NOT purchasing this unit or any closely related to it. There are lots of reviews out there so why trust me? I have a degree in Computers and am...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-23
- News to know: Bing-Twitter; Net Neutrality; eBay; VMWare; Nook; Win7
- Here are today's notable headlines. You can get News To Know via email alert and RSS daily. For continuous updates see BNET's around-the-Web tech coverage. Larry Dignan: Microsoft lands Facebook, Twitter deals for Bing Sam Diaz: Tweets on Bing: Watch out for more noise,...
- Blog posts 2009-10-22
- HP Pavilion dv2815nr
- "Not Worthy Model" "Not Worthy Model"Pros: No Pros as Long as Cons are over dominatingCons: Laptop has firmware problem and unable to power on the laptop after 1.3 years of usage.they didn't add this model in their call back list although this model manufacturer defect model because of firmware.Summary: Not...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-21
- Canon EOS 5D Mark II firmware update to add broadcast and cinema frame rates
- Though not as big as yesterday's release of its new EOS-1D Mark IV, Canon also slipped in an announcement that will make fans of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II's video capabilities happy. A press release from Canon Europe announced that the company is developing a firmware update to enable...
- Blog posts 2009-10-21
- (Gallery: E-book e-reader list is growing)
- Re: Gallery: E-book e-reader list is growingI've been using eBook eReaders for several years now, I started with the eBookwise 1150, then migrated to the Sony PRS505, finally changing to the Sony PRS700. I've come to realize that each of these eReaders, while being a great way to read, are...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-20
- How to jailbreak the iPhone 3GS
- Why does Apple persistI am amazed the game of cat and mouse Apple users must play to get a phone that they can do with as they please. The same people who openly criticize Microsoft for all and sundry, but the beloved Steve Jobs whom it appears must own their...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-15
- Microsoft recovers 'most, if not all' Sidekick users' data
- I lost my contacts for a few days. Give me ONE HUNRED BILLION DOLLARS!!!Says with pinky raised to mouth.RE: Microsoft recovers 'most, if not all' Sidekick users' dataI don't feel sorry for anyone who owns a Sidekick and lost their data. It is moronic to purchase a device that...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-15
- Apple shipping new jailbreak-proof iPhone 3GS
- hasince they used the work impossible i'll give them 1 month. That is, one month until the figure out how to jail break that sucker, may be 2.If people are able to figure out how to make their own hackintosh computer I'm pretty sure they will be able to...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-14
- Rumor: Apple to awaken dormant FM tuner in iPhone
- I bet there will be an activation feeApple beat its M$ mentor when it comes to ripping cult members off.More BS from AppleWhat a scam they have running. Create a product with all kinds of disabled features, and then slowly enable them later one by one in lieu of real...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-14
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