I already wrote what it buys:
- it avoids the buggy-erase-all-the-things TFTP recovery
- it have fewer requirements:
- no UTP cable needed
- no TFTP server needed
- just a pendrive with a few mbytes free space
- easier install method: put stuff on pendrive, plug the pendrive to device
Quoting Adrian:
The name "factory.bin" implies that the image can be used "as a whole" for flashing as intended by the vendor, i.e. via GUI or TFTP.
With this new firmware.bin, the user could follow the official firmware upgrade process (User Guide 1.0 - HT-TM05 TripMate.pdf from HooToo homepage, section "Firmware Upgrade" starting on page 115)
I would like to keep the TFTP method, but I propose this new firmware.bin to be the primary OEM -> OpenWrt flashing method.