The Rise and Fall of the NumWorks Graphing Calculator: What ACTUALLY Happened.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ธ.ค. 2024
- Should you still buy a NumWorks Graphing Calculator?
In 2021, NumWorks released a locked-down OS without warning, removing many advertised features of the calculator and violating the user agreement. If you'd like to help unlock the NumWorks, there is a petition on change.org (chng.it/Jpkyfw...)
Links:
Article on TI-Planet: tiplanet.org/f...
Maurits van Altvorst's Post: web.archive.org...
If you want to make a donation to help me continue making videos, check out my GitHub sponsors page here: github.com/spo...
Wait a minute...it's March 2022 now, so if I buy a new Numworks Calculator, does it automatically come with the update or not? I want to be able to write my own programs for it. That's the only reason I want one.
P.S. I subbed as well, good video!
Sadly, it does mean that any new NumWorks you buy will come pre-installed with the latest updates. You might be able to find a NumWorks on ebay with an older OS, but sadly, it'll probably be a lot more work to find one that still has the older functionalities.
@TIny_Hacker Hey! I emailed NumWorks after watching your video and asked them if you can write custom apps and programs for the NumWork. They said yes! I even mentioned your video and they said the same update you talked about only stopped unofficial OSes from being used (like Omega and Delta) because you couldn't use them on exams, but with the same update it allowed users to write their own applications.
@@djlclopez128 So it is possible to write custom apps, however, those apps are limited to python programs which aren't very powerful. Through the usage of custom operating systems in the past it was possible to create more powerful or interesting apps such as a CAS and a Gameboy emulator.
@@TInyHackerCalcs Well, I thought I would post this here because at 2:57 in your video you said that update Version 16 stopped users from adding their own custom applications. But they do allow it, and actually want people to do so. And actually, Python is a pretty robust language that's used in AI, machine learning and data science, so I think it's pretty powerful. It's only limited by the calculator memory, which they also explained in their email.
@@djlclopez128 Yes, the main issue with Python on the calculator is that it's interpreted rather than compiled, which requires a lot of RAM compared to something which can be compiled and the ran. Also, thanks for pointing that out! When I made the video, I didn't know that they had added that functionality to the video so it's a good thing you noted it here. :)
Despite this evolution, it's very popular in France, 0,01% people may be angry, but the company has to comply and to sell to survive.
It's a very good product, no longer open to hacks, but it doesn't fall in sells
Couldn't they have designed it to have a signed bootloader (meaning, only the manufacturer can create a bootloader for the device) and when an unsigned OS (meaning, any OS other than the manufacturer's one) is loaded, the bootloader shows a big message that it is loading a custom OS, so that the supervisors at an examination could easily verify it by rebooting the device?
Yes, yes they could. But they didn't
For a future calculator I could easily see this being fixable: have a signed OS that cannot be overridden except for official updates that is used for testing. Enabling exam mode boots into this, with an external light hooked only to interface with this special testing mode to flash. Moreover, custom operating systems would get a big message during boot that the OS is unsigned, and the currently booted system is unfit for testing. The light means exam mode can't be faked, and the boot menu means the calculator can always be confirmed to be running a signed OS during testing, either stock or exam, via a reboot.
Calculators are the only devices sold by the features they lack.
So true! 😆
If you have to cheat to get through a high school exam, it bothers me what one would do to pass a physics or chem test in Uni.
Well, locked down systems are basically mandatory for calculators if they’re to be allowed on exams. :/ Also, I don’t think it’s accurate to characterize these as “popular”. They got decent penetration in a tiny handful of markets, and are largely unknown anywhere else, remaining an ultra-niche product.
Mate, this video is so good. Will check out more videos.
Edit: Subbed. Can't wait to watch what you create next.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I do have a TI-84 Plus CE (which I just got several hours ago)
Yo no lo entiendo!
La gran mayoria se queja de que el Sistema de esta calculadora (o mini computadora) ha cambiado y no permite hacerle modificaciones, que permitan utilizarse en Modo de Examen; entonces me pregunto:
"Acaso todos los estudiantes dominan Lenguajes de Programacion y saben escribirlos para emplearlos en un Examen (en modo oculto), PEEEERO no saben Aritmetica, Algebra, Fisica o Quimica BASICAS???
Es decir, dominan la ciencia de la computacion, pero ignoran o desconocen las bases de las materias que necesitaran en sus estudios en la Universidad???
Hello, does anyone know if you can buy an old version from their website?
You actually don't need to worry about an old version now, because there is a jailbreak! I made a video covering it here: th-cam.com/video/g3Lwh5artAY/w-d-xo.html
@@TInyHackerCalcs yeah but someone in the comment's section says it's already patched in latest versions :(
Thanks for the reply tho, I'm just trying to get one in my hands :)
So is it still a good calculator for someone that doesn't care about running custom stuff on it?
Yes.
I thought that with version 16 it got actually simpler to upload custom apps. They do however get disabled in exam mode.
Actually, custom apps on the NumWorks have always been tricky. Version 16 has a sort of "Python" app, but the apps written in other programming languages can only be installed with a custom firmware like Omega. Custom firmware or not, external apps are disabled in exam mode, which makes sense to prevent cheating. The python apps you can make with Version 16 are very slow and can't do much, unlike the other apps I was referring to.
@@TInyHackerCalcs are you sure? Pretty sure that you can make c++ and rust apps. And with r16 you can upload them to the home screen without doing a firmware update like you had to before.
@@JonGretarB Maybe you're right? I know that a lot of the external app functionality was removed with Version 16 since custom firmware is blocked, but it could be NumWorks still allows some applications.
The price of the calculator has gone up to something higher than what the TI-Nspire CX II costs over here now. HP calc prices skyrocketed recently, too. I think I'll stick with TI or Casio for the time being, unless their prices go up as well.
I use TI, no matter what.
Eh, I watched the prices on their website, it was 90€ delivered (in France). The ti was 180 on Amazon.
As a teacher, I can buy it for 50€, makes me want to buy one even if I don't really need it.
So you can no longer install games on a Numworks calculator?
Well, it is still possible with a workaround thanks to a utility called Phi. I made another video about it here: th-cam.com/video/g3Lwh5artAY/w-d-xo.html
@@TInyHackerCalcs thanks!
Nice wrap up. However I don't agree with your assessment of information publication as irresponsible.
Every device can be used to cheat. They just differ in how easy it is to misuse them.
In my opinion, a simple education edition of the calculator would have fixed this issue easily without removing the core functionality of being able to use a different OS.
The reason I believed it to be irresponsible is because it would have been possible to simply let NumWorks know about this and have them patch it, rather than tell the entire world exactly how to cheat on the device. I do agree that keeping the information secret wouldn't have been a good approach, however.
@@TInyHackerCalcs like every calculator allows you to cheat
TH-cam doesn't let me add a card with a link, so I'm putting the link to Maurits van Altvorst's blog post here: web.archive.org/web/20200416173422/www.mauritsvanaltvorst.com/numworks-calculator
Be sure to also sign the petition to free the NumWorks on Change.org! chng.it/Jpkyfw7CCQ
Check out NumWorks Phi project, a jailbreak for Omega to work again. There's still hope.
I have seen it, in fact I'm working on a video explaining the current situation. I was going to make a tutorial video, but somebody already made one and NumWorks copyright-claimed it to take it off the platform, so I'm not sure whether people would still be interested in a tutorial.
I know I'm 2 years late but what is the best option right now?
If you're interested in community development, I've found the most resources to be available for the TI-84 Plus CE. However, if you don't care about third-party programs, the NumWorks is still a solid choice, and if you get a used one it's possible to get an older model that can use the Phi jailbreak which restores the ability to install custom firmware.
@@TInyHackerCalcs Ok thanks. Obviously I just need it for calculations and basic graphing functions but I think having community development available would be a nice add on. Thanks for the feedback
So here's the question now that I get from this is it still allowed to be used on Dutch examinations or did the education authorities revoke its official status?
I'm pretty sure that it is allowed, since NumWorks made the change.
@@TInyHackerCalcs yeah I use this too the teachers have you put it in exam mode which kinda resets it so you don’t have any applications on there
@@tweevli4r Yeah, that's how it should work but some people decided to find a way to disable it and make it public which caused all the problems.
bro in france everybody use numworks what do you mean the fall ?
NumWorks as a company is doing just fine, but they've gone back on a lot of their values they had when they first started out as a small company.
do they have it in black?
The calculator is only in white. You can use a custom firmware to change the OS theme though.
Exam mode basically kills all the use of calculators for use as an appliance. It's interesting that this calculator failed once it was no longer open source and extensible. These two justifications for a calculator need to be separated so we can have some development in them, otherwise it effectively restricts their use to schoolchildren.
anyone got a way to make sure exam mode doesnt delete everything
I joined the petition, I hope it goes well!
informative and quick, much thanks 🙏
(One year later...) Thanks for the video! I was looking into upgrading my trusty old Casio fx-991ES and was tempted by NumWorks' open source concept. Too bad they backtracked.
I don't understand cheating mode. In five years of Physics in college we were allowed to bring books, notebooks, calculators, and what not to every test. Not once did I have to open one, because the answers were simply not in the books. What kind of useless teacher writes math exams that only test students' memory??
I'm glad you found the video interesting! It really is a shame what happened, and the community was very hurt by it at the time. Things have recovered some what and there is a possible jailbreak, though I'm pretty sure it doesn't work on the very latest OS versions.
It was a great calculator (And still is, especially with the help of the jailbreak if you're able to use it), but the things that the company did in 2020 were just really upsetting, especially given that it felt like a total 180 compared to their previous attitude towards the online community.
no :(
i was just about to convince my dad to buy it :(
It's still a great calculator, it just has lost a lot of features. If you're into tech and have a Raspberry Pi, it's actually possible to unlock it as well. I didn't make this video to discourage buying it, but rather to warn people before buying it and realizing how it had changed.
ok! its great cuz its cheaper so its easier to convince him lol
@@dlol. Good luck!
bro buy it it's awesome forget that
Just found your channel. Excellent content thanks. I love calculators and I have been considering the numworks since it came out
Neat video bro, never knew this calculator existed, it seemed like a cool concept
Have you got your hands on a Numworks? still seems like a solid calculator to me. Everything I wanted apps for is there by default. Great video btw, never in a million years Id be so invested into calculators
I do in fact have a Numworks! It's probably my favorite of my different calculators for the UI and features, and I've found it really easy to understand as well.
Aw crap. I just ordered one the other day because I specifically wanted to take advantage of the cpu it has, use delta and port some custom programs over I wrote in C for my casio fxCg50 that just wasnt giving me the power I needed for some of the circuit simulation progs I wrote for work. Just found this video. Never have I been so upset a dutch person in my life...
Any ideas if there's a way to re-flash an older firmware set? I couldnt give a crap less about exam mode, I've been out of school for years. This is exactly why I dont use TI calculators :/
Actually, just a few days ago a jailbreak/work around was published making it possible to do some pretty neat stuff including dual-boot Epsilon along with custom firmware. I've been working on a video tutorial, but if you'd like to give it a try before then there's a guide here: guide.getomega.dev
Good luck!
It’s just a curiosity if mine but why are you running circuit simulations on a calculator instead of a laptop?
@@apprenticerocker9885 Decent question! I work in the defense industry, and my specific job doesn't allow for us to have our phones powered on while in the building.
I have a full workstation that does everything I need in my office, but its a very large building and I frequently find myself helping out people in other departments or just generally needing to be able to answer how a circuit will behave under a set of conditions at un-opportune times. If I was at home Id just use my phone to do it all, but due to my companies policies, I've had to find a way around that crutch.
Calculators are getting to the point that theres no reason hardware wise one couldnt serve that role, and also if Im being honest, I kinda just like being able to squeeze every bit of usefulness a device has to offer out of it. Sometimes these limitations prove to be very fulfilling to overcome.
@@TInyHackerCalcsI'll look into that, thank you very much! Definitely glad to hear you're taking on the task of documenting it for the sake of the community! You've sure earned my sub haha
@@autumnrain7626 Thanks!
YOU ARE TOO UNDERRATED :(
Very great and entertaining ! Nice
I love your video,
do you know how to cheat on TI-84 Plus CE-T?
I know the trick with the pgrm, but my teachers know that trick too.
I do not encourage cheating. The point of this video is to educate viewers on how NumWorks removed functionality from the calculator because someone else used the functionality to cause cheating, while the functionality itself brings more good to the platform than bad (minus the cheating). I am glad you enjoyed the video though! :)
"the problems they caused" is a strange way of putting it for helpful people pointing out an inherent flaw in a system. a very cool calculator, but shouldn't ever have been approved for use in exams
It still would've been better for them to have quietly reported the bug to NumWorks, since it would've hurt the company's reputation less and NumWorks probably wouldn't have needed to act as harshly as they did. They probably could've come up with a solution that didn't involve entirely blocking custom firmware.
after it was already approved at exams? no. it's too late for that at that time. this was damage control and as urgent as they get@@TInyHackerCalcs i don't see how any highly customisable platform can even be considered to be used in exams. it's antithetical to what's needed, that is easy to verify and fairly limited tools. anything more practically forces everyone onto using the new machine as it gives the pupil advantage over anybody else using the old and expensive option in tests and competitions. now this can be a choice from a university but all their exam results from that point on are not compatible with anybody else. the numworks is not quite that, but you can imagine someone trying to package an entire smartphone into the ti-84 case and using it at an exam, and it's easy to see why that isn't allowed. is a numworks calculator any different from this hypothetical example? with software you wrote for it containing god knows what reference and advanced capabilities. entirely blocking custom firmware is the point
Sure it should have. Because it was actually worth buying. Unlike the garbage other brands offers. The feature missing is a mode where custom applications are not allowed. This is a feature on some other calculators which means this ass tried to ruin everything for the the wrong company
At my school everyone has to buy this calculator at a certain class
It's neat to see that they are starting to be used more and more in schools!
Love it
I'm from the Netherlands still had to order one for 2 years of school, its just a money grab
i mean it's probably still less expensive than the TI ones... i've literally been outta high school for years now and i'm still mad they had me pay 120 damn euro's for such a piece of utter junk
@@schtormmI have a ti one and im considering getting a numworks because im not used to it at all and its so complicated…
How do calculators have a cheating mode? Aren't they meant to do the math for you, hence the name?
It really wasn't even a cheating mode, just an exploit somebody discovered. But yeah, if you don't want people to cheat, just don't use calculators lol
@@TInyHackerCalcs Oh ok, just confused me there for a bit. Thanks!
The problem really is with exams - they test knowledge, not ability. So a secret store of knowledge breaks them. If exams actually tested ability, the presence of that knowledge in the exam - as it always will be in real life - wouldn't be any problem.
bro what
A frencn technologie 🙂
Having more features than the leading brands? Your joking.
Nope! With the custom firmware, you got a lot more features for a lower price.
@@TInyHackerCalcs They must have seriously upgraded the calculator from when it first came out. More features however doesn’t necessarily mean more powerful. I would have a hard time believing it was more powerful than the HP Prime.
@@irishchocolate3872 While it's not as powerful, the fact that it can do almost all of the same stuff for half the price still counts, I feel like. Also, the NumWorks wasn't really targeted to the same audience as the HP Prime, which is meant for more advanced math. In this speed test, you can see that it is slower than the HP Prime, but still very capable (And faster than the TI-Nspire CX CAS): th-cam.com/video/_bEzOKLtNpU/w-d-xo.html
@@TInyHackerCalcs Actually, here in the U.S., this calculator isn’t at a much lower price. Amazon sells it for $100. Only $30 cheaper than TI or HP. So I guess in the U.S. it comes down to personal preference.
You can assume that this guy was a paid actor from the competition ... because the competition wants to continue to charge ridiculous prices for 20 year old technology
Honestly neither company is very good, with the jailbreak for NumWorks I'd recommend it over TI. This video was mostly an attempt to voice some of the communities concerns over the practices of the NumWorks company, but I dislike competing companies just as much 😉
Clickbait video. The company hasn't fallen.
This is why we can’t have nice things
Who cares for schools?