So, "Google uses it aside", it seems that being able to boot via USB is a useful thing and fastboot is a particular solution; I'm not entirely sure what other USB u-boot extensions exist apart from those
Well, DFU support is a standard solution, and the LF / CELF has just recently assigned resources to adapt the existingout-of-tree port for mainline U-boot.
Perhaps John and the LF /CELF resource could work together so both DFU and fastboot would work?
already mentioned. I find u-boot great and think being able to use USB instead of a serial port would help adoption. Perhaps we can do away with fastboot if u-boot had USB support?
U-Boot has this. We have serial console over USB. We even have netconsole over Ethernet over USB.
OK, not on all boards and architectures, butthe gound has been laid and there is something to build on.
Of course part of RERO is "listen to your customers." With the end of native serial port inclusion on most systems and the proliferation of USB, it seems that something could be done to the benefit of all. Actually, it would be kind of cool to have some low level USB config in u-boot.
I cannot really follow this argument. A plain simple USB serial adapter will do the job as well.
I just meant to say that many customers have fastbootable devices and development stations without native serial. It is easy to get a converter, but its even easier to just use a USB cable.