FOLLOWUP: Chrome Apps Dead / What About BLHeli and Blackbox?

[@joshuastevens4411]

I'm super happy you included the link for the stand alone Blheli link, I've been looking for it all day and couldn't find it. Saw your video and breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks!!

[@Arthur4all]

Merry Christmas Joshua from the past! And happy 2021!

[@matthewnoble4534]

Thanks for keeping us on the know, and showing solutions.

[@binjianb8787]

Finally you always give us answer to issue. Now i know why i cant find betaflight on chrome apps. Thanks

[@MrCrowleyandhisdrone]

Thanks for the update. Hope the weather is great to rip. Enjoy

[@Deathrattler]

Thanks for the heads up, Joshua. I definitely would have been scratching my head one day when I had problems.

[@hateeternalmaver]

It's somewhat strange because initially, I was looking for a normal windows .exe program to install (ok they're called apps now in Windows 10 too, but you know what I mean). I wasn't keen on having to use a Chrome App cause at that time I wasn't even sure if I could use it in the field without being online. o_O But now that I got used to the Chrome configurator, I feel kinda sad for it going away. Thanks for keeping us updated Josh.

[@bryceellington6195]

Once again great information and great news. Thanks Joshua

[@raylotier]

Cool, Thanks for the info, especially for the BLHeli and BB.

[@Rk-mt4ll]

I was just curious as to why all of this doesn't work with all of the tablets (iPads, Androids,iPhones etc). This would be SO convenient . Seems odd. Love your channel Joshua

[@JonBoehm]

Cool. Thanks for the follow up. I use a Chromebook and love it for configuring my quad. I never had USB driver problems. The only thing I have to watch for is accidentally grabbing a power only USB cable.

[@RCFlyer85]

Jon Boehm Yup same here.... Chromebook has been awesome so far

[@fpvkabo]

for those of u who don't use chrome for anything else, keep chrome from updating eventually to a non-app version: quote from a google search: for newer versions of chrome, simply delete (or zip backup) the 'Update' folder on C:\Program Files\Google\Update or in x64 systems: C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update. you may also delete/rename the GoogleUpdate.exe in that folder. If you have installed chrome in custom path, goto chrome.exe location (right-click on Google Chrome shortcut and choose Open file location), then go back (up) two folders to reach that Update folder path. I have an x64 system so I rename the updater app to "fu.exe"

[@EliCamacho]

I just found out Holybro came out with their new Kakute AIO V2, and when I saw that manual I could tell you wrote it haha. The thing has 5 Hardware UARTS!? I'll be looking forward to your review of it!

[@cpfpv6410]

As of right now, if you have a chromebook, all the Betaflight apps are still available to add to your machine. Even the black box analysis app and BLheli_S app. (BLheli32 is not available).

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Chris Prucha yes, and that has expected to continue.

[@kbrowne10]

It took a day or so to get the stand alone BLHeli configurator application. I still can't seem to get the stand alone black box viewer from the above mentioned web site.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

It's not available yet.

[@kbrowne10]

Good. I thought I was missing something. I'm sure it will be up soon.

[@jasonhiner7686]

Is it possible you can do a video on how to get betaflight to work on a Chromebook? I tried to put the drivers on it but the Chromebook doesn't except them. I tried reading forums to no avail and when I searched videos it just comes up with videos on the chrome app.

[@QBixFPV]

for the blheli configurator, there is only linux and macOS versions?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Andrey, the dev, needs a Windows PC to test the Windows version. He is accepting donations :-)

[@plainuser48596]

Andrey, the dev, is lazy bum who can't be bothered to setup virtualbox with windows in it. Not that I blame him ;)

[@jakeh1400]

Ill setup a windows VM he can use on my server if he needs to do windows testing.

[@jeraffpv6432]

Well and you can just use BL Heli Suite, while macOS and Linux couldn't.

[@DjOlidang]

Hi, i have a strange problem with my drone. My ppm min and max throttle change on there own in blheli , causing a desync . 1 day it's ok and then i start getting desync so i have to go back into the settings to change to the same as the rest again.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+DjOlidang I don't see any way that could change except that you were recalibrating the endpoints. But that would require you to power up with the motor signals high and then throttle down. Which I don't see how that would happen by accident. Are you 100% sure the values are changing? Have you looked in blhelisuite and confirmed it or is it just a guess.

[@DjOlidang]

Yeh confirmed and seems to be an issue maybe with my 4 in 1 esc. Quad will start dropping anything over half throttle and they i'll go back into blhelisuite and notice the min and max throttle will have changed by a couple hundred digits on 2 out of 4 esc

[@koz_stikfpv5968]

Are these just pre release? neither were downloadable for my windows version

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Geebz FPV the windows blheli app is not finished yet. The Betaflight one is still in development and coming soon.

[@NodariSP]

This is the greatest freaking video ever made. Thank you for the clarification. I want get a laptop specifically for BF and getting a cheap 200 dollar chromebook would be ideal for me.

[@mrmurder75]

I was watching a loose transistor video earlier josh and he had the idea of them incorporating the blheli configurator and the blackbox log reader into the betaflight gui. Seems like a great idea to me, what do you think?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+MM75 the devs explicitly rejected this idea because it doesn't make sense to tie all three release schedules together.

[@mrmurder75]

Thats a shame. I quite like the idea of being able to do it all in one application. Thanks for the reply.

[@MK3TJ]

Sounds like the chromebook app will no longer be updated? My pc is up to 10.1 whereas chromebook app is stuck on 10.0 so far... Only reason I got my chromebook was to run betaflight configurator...

[@alansavage9656]

I just may have to get a chromebook so this way I can still use the 2 main apps (BF & BLH). Keep up the great work Joshua!!

[@scootroter4859]

Alan Savage... Or, save your money and just install the Windows versions! Lol

[@alansavage9656]

Scoot Roter Good point 😉

[@MikelLee]

What if we want to run old versions of Clean Flight, so we can still configure our NAZ32 boards? Please don't tell me to dump my board. I still would like to use it. Thanks :-)

[@bluejfpv7876]

So if I have chrome downloaded beta flight already as well as downloaded and installed on my FC... If I try to connect it to a new downloaded Beta flight via Enternet explorer will it recognize my FC?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The new standalone configurator will work with the existing drivers and FC you already have.

[@michelcote]

Is it only our app that are getting out or chrome will close the entirety of the chrome's apps ?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Entirely.

[@TheGalifrey]

Am I missing something? Didn't blheli already have a freestanding interface in blheli_suite?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+TheGalifrey many people prefer the chrome app

[@TheGalifrey]

Fair Enough, I stuck with the suite as I didn't find the chrome app as good.

[@mikesmith1290]

TheGalifrey I found the chrome app more modern in looks and feel, it was more like the betaflight configurator. I was suprised how different the 2 of them are. Guess I'll have to go back to the old exe

[@mikesmith1290]

Joshua Bardwell Would you happen to know if they are updating the stand alone version to look more like the chrome app? Or are they just killing it and making us use what's already out there?

[@dude770725]

as far as I know the blheli_32 does ONLY work on the stand alone installation, right?

[@basmajianmiscellany113]

Thanks for the clarification

[@fallingwithstylefpv4759]

Your F4 AIO arrived today!!

[@kand198]

Vovka OZ josh does because he designed it and earns a (likely very small) portion of the profits.

[@8alakai8]

i think you said in the last video that chfrome apps will only still work on a chrome os

[@EKLOVA1]

Hi! I have a question how about blheli32 esc? How we configure those?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Because BLHeli_32 uses DRM to prevent unlicensed ESCs from being released, only official BLHeliSuite32 will work with them. And that is only a Windows app as far as I know. www.mediafire.com/folder/dx6kfaasyo24l/BLHeliSuite

[@tibostruyve6753]

if you bought the MWOSD GUI do you have to buy the pc client again?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I don't know. That's 100% up to the vendor. I sure would hope not.

[@megatech1966]

Cleanflight doesn't seem to be working. I guess it doesn't matter as I am going to use betaflight on my quad.

[@507fasfpv2]

Can we still get the MWOSD configurator? And if so where?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

It's up to the devs to release a standalone verison if they choose to. I don't know anything more about MWOSD as I have pretty much switched 100% to BFOSD.

[@507fasfpv2]

Joshua Bardwell thank you J.B.

[@dude770725]

on my opinion the MWOSD FW sucks anyway. Try this one out: MinimOSD extra: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2591835-New-MinimOSD-fork

[@funKdatFPV]

What about Cleanflight?

[@JustInvertedFpv]

Blheli32 was already a stand alone app so it seemed the way forward was already paved for the future of blheli without chrome anyway. I did like the blheli s chrome app before I upgraded my esc's though.

[@antai1275]

I have tried all of your troubleshooting and BLhelli but i can get my mac or my pc to Recognize my flight controller it’s a raptor 390 30a

[@JoshuaBardwell]

BLHeli? BLHeli_S? BLheli_32? That's the first question. BLHeli_32 will only work with the BLHeliSuite32 program.

[@fpvkabo]

BTW Josh, know you're a betaf guy, some of us like 'em all like cleanf and inav, got links for there guys as well?

[@Mattksee3]

How do I modify settings on a blheli 32 esc with Mac OS? Thanks Josh you’ve never left me hanging.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Because BLHeli_32 uses DRM to prevent unlicensed ESCs from being released, only official BLHeliSuite32 will work with them. And that is only a Windows app as far as I know. You have to use Parallels or another emulator to run it. www.mediafire.com/folder/dx6kfaasyo24l/BLHeliSuite

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

With my chromebook and the chrome BFC v10, all I get is CLI tab, hope an update will fix it.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Hmmm that usually means the FC is running Cleanflight or some very old version of BF taht is not compatible.

[@user-rs8zg8ey2b]

It was with BF3.2 RC5 (I think) and BF3.3, testing new code for YSTTM. Thanks for your vid's.

[@lgrip1lgrip178]

thanks again Joshua, your the man,,, no more chrome yehhh

[@HuntAndFishExchange]

Thanks Josh - you’re awesome

[@TrevorLogueGreenScout]

I'm having a Kernel.dll error when trying to download the standalone Betaflight GUI. Is it my operating system @joshbardwell ?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I have seen a few reports of this when running under XP. Get with the times :-)

[@TrevorLogueGreenScout]

Joshua Bardwell thanks bro, your so right.

[@eddradcliffe]

Anybody got a link for BLheli for Mac?? Can't find it. Cheers

[@ZeroFPV]

github.com/blheli-configurator/blheli-configurator/releases/download/1.1.0-RC/BLHeli-Configurator_macOS_1.1.0.dmg

[@droneee3478]

Thank you Joshua

[@irzoltan]

There is no reason to panic. Chrome apps are basically html, css, javascript... there are many easy ways to make them standalone desktop apps, so everyone chill this is not really a big deal :)

[@im2tall1]

Where's the Windows version,I only see Mac and Linux?

[@im2tall1]

Just read it's coming!!

[@gerrysquire]

confused. i just installed the chrome app fine. when are they stopping?

[@gabbo2027]

'Early 2018'

[@dronereviewman9580]

Ok thanks for sharing!!

[@bepowerification]

Has nothing to do with RC stuff but its amazing how many people don't know about Chromium, which is a Chrome without the Google crap..

[@scootroter4859]

bepowerification... The wonderful UC Browser is also base on Chrome and works with the Chrome apps.

[@rwells242]

Good day i have a request for the ultimate quad nerd. Could you do a video explaining how to setup a frsky xsr-m telemetry receiver to a f4 flight controller. Could you also explain or point me to resource explaining why inverted output exists in the first place.

[@videogamepolak0]

only reason i had chrome as well. amateur software. Only Linux and Mac versions right now..awaiting link in bookmarks for Win version

[@skylerallinghamgotime3609]

I saw in the other video you have A FrSky X10 do you plan to do a Review .

[@DesJardinsJ]

Has anyone heard from ImmersionRC on their Configurator? FPVlabs seems doesn’t get answers like it use to ;)

[@cyril0bw]

Screw you Google I'm going for internet explorer now!

[@dkieng]

Google is opening up to their competitor FireFox to jump in this space. Great job Google!

[@BuzZ.]

I also use chrome just because of BF. O like that new Firefox browser

[@percyj72]

Cool you can use the Firefox browser

[@Sully365]

The new Firefox is freaking awesome

[@mrmurder75]

Yep. The only reason I use chrome is for betaflight etc. If they are now standalone apps, bye bye chrome! Firefox is good you reckon?

[@Wicket_78]

you can't go wrong with either chrome or firefox so yeah it's good.

[@dr07828]

Well Mr. Calling Linux users, Geeky Santa..... ON LINUX... If you use Chromium Browser, an opensource browser based off chrome.. You will still have apps....

[@brisketbaron]

I haven't looked, but I can almost guarantee they'll just rewrite the UI with Electron.js. Easy af, works on everything. Since its the same engine pretty much (Chromium's v8) it will probably take a day. So you people thinking you're getting rid of Google, you're actually not. Chromium isn't 100% open. You'll still get binary blobs.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yes, I'm sure that is what is happening. It's taking more than a day for some apps like Blackbox Viewer because of some external dependencies but I don't have the impression it's that difficult.

[@MatthewAustengopro]

Nooooooo!!!!!!! BASEFLIGHT HAS GONE

[@TheLightningStalker]

Basically just take the Github page and put /releases on the end of it.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yeah but knowing which repo is correct can be a little difficult.

[@TheLightningStalker]

It's true there's a lot of forks out there 🍴

[@IceCreams62]

A good idea should be to sticky all the related links at the beginning of all your videos

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+IceCreams62 it's not possible to add content to a video after publishing.

[@IceCreams62]

i was thinking to the future videos :-) !!!

[@GroundControlRC]

Linux version appears to work just fine ;-)

[@VilleF1N]

I hate how long it takes to launch BetaFlight configurator.exe. Anyone else having this weird behavior with it? Other than that, i don't really care that i have to now download the program instead of just having the Chrome app always up to date and ready to go.

[@johncgibson4720]

Thanks for the info. And apology accepted. No problem.

[@TyroneDamShewlaces]

I don't get it. Google seems to be losing their collective mind or something. First their political bubble blunders, this, other things, etc. ha! If chrome OS is still supporting Chrome apps, how does it serve anyone to drop support for browser apps? Makes me kinda glad I'm not a Chrome OS user as I'd feel the writing's on the wall regarding that. It's not like Google has a developer shortage. The cross-platform concept seems like a good thing to me, so devs now have to step backward. So the idea is just a failed experiment? Maybe they feel proprietizing apps to Chrome OS will help push that forward. Oh well. Software comes and goes and always was that way. There will still be cool new softwares to cause awe in the future no matter the platform.

[@RCFlyer85]

TyroneDamShewlaces that's what I take from it... They think it's going to be pushing their Chrome OS and Chromebooks even more but sadly they are mistaken

[@jordanbass3210]

Wekl this is absolutely terrible news for newer people getting into the Hobby and someone like me who is not good with computers I don't know how to download all that stuff and unzip it and all those things you do downloading files off the internet I have no idea

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Well like ... I kind of just showed you how to do it in this video, so follow the steps one by one and do your best :-)

[@jordanbass3210]

Joshua Bardwell that's if we have all the same programs you have if we don't then we can't do the same steps. You make sure to point that out in the video.

[@fpvpolak4850]

Windows version has been added just downloaded today

[@smartaIec]

Not quite sure why everybody hates Google so much.

[@RedDestroyer4]

Yes my shit chrome book still can do stuff

[@giusepearturo]

Joshua you should review iNav

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Maybe some day I will build an autonomous drone. Hmmmm....

[@dude770725]

pleeease give your input and get them to make a fusion between Betaflight and iNav! would love to see the great flight habits of BF combined with a reliable RTH function or poshold in case of FS.

[@fpvpolak4850]

awaiting windows version.....

[@kobrapromotions]

1:52 me lol

[@invasionfpv3592]

Dammit bardwell I about threw my Chromebook in a fire because of that lol

[@andrewwilliams5844]

RIP chrome apps:(

[@JasonScottHamilton]

I love your videos but the last one was just click bait. From a technical perspective, switching from a chrome app to a "native app" as you say is very minimal since you are only making minor API changes. Also, the app is not really a "native app" it's just a web app in a self-contained executable. A native windows app would be written in C# and look more like a windows app.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

+Jason Hamilton I feel like it's important to get the word out.

[@wlgrd7052]

Holy, nitpicking much? Do you know that almost everyone is moving from "native" to electron-based/contained web apps nowadays, to keep up with the multiplatform issues? JB makes videos on every single super tiny detail, so click bait? Come on man.

[@JasonScottHamilton]

wilhelmsenFPV from a user perspective the only thing that has changed is how you install the application. Far from dead in my opinion. By "everyone" maybe you can provide some examples. Electron apps are great for multi-platform deployment but aren't without their limitations.

[@wlgrd7052]

Jason Hamilton by everyone, I mean (as a firmware developer using a lot of software)... Lots of houses. Look at for instance the editors and IDE's. At my company we have also moved from C/C++/Qt/C# to v8 based stuff, since we can't keep up with the platforms. We know that memory management and cpu utilization can be better writing natively, but we need more people to effectively push updates if continuing in that direction. Look at atom, vs code... They got huge traction compared to e.g. sublime now because of this. Sublime is MUCH faster, but people still prefers more regular updates. Sorry, this became long. Just saying, let's call it native, when it's lunched as an executable, and not from the chrome store (even though the user don't notice much from that)

[@SzymonSyrek]

Kiss GUI use nw.js nwjs.io/. BF configurator also works in this environment.

[@brisketbaron]

I wonder why they didn't use electron.js.

[@importryderify]

Ass you scared me lol

[@frinky]

EARLY AF

[@bravo226]

i hate chrome ... now im happy , i will delete it

[@darkwinter6028]

I find your lack of nativeness... disturbing.

[@scootroter4859]

REPLY TO THIS if you're like me and can't wait to UNINSTALL CHROME! A simple "me" or "uninstalling now" etc. Let's see how long this thread ends up being! Lol

[@mrmurder75]

Scoot Roter only reason I use chrome is for betaflight etc. If we no longer need it, I'll be uninstalling it for sure.

[@ds3656]

I use chrome all the time its my main browser so will not be getting rid of it

[@BuzZ.]

Lol 😂