[packetlost]

You can flash it, but you need to use GPIO pins and UART to do so.

The bootrom bug only prevents you from flashing via the on-board USB-c port. You can use a separate USB <-> UART device plugged into GPIO pins to boot/flash.

[sylware]

How such a massive bug could slip thru?

This is weird.

If resellers with stocks know that, they will send back the boards and ask for a refund.

[packetlost]

I'm told it's a bug in the chip from the upstream supplier (BL808 by Bouffalo Lab), so there's not much they can do. IMO it's not a huge deal, and like I said, you can both flash with UART over GPIO pins or implement a bootloader yourself

[sylware]

I would need a USB<->UART converter and do some soldering, then fix the bootloader to re-enable the USB-C...

meh.

[packetlost]

I mean, you'd need to solder headers onto the board, but otherwise not really. There's JTAG headers pre-soldered that might work too, but I'd have to look at which UART/CPU they're hooked up to.

[imtringued]

You don't need to solder anything.

[sylware]

The UART GPIOs are wired to a board standard connector? If so I would need that USB(connector)-UART(connector) cable I guess.

[imtringued]

You just flash it with your hardware programmer like the rest of the industry. It is not a massive bug at all.