Sony Dash software update adds USB playback by month's end
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 27th 2010 3:40AM
posted May 27th 2010 3:40AM
[Thanks Doug S.]
Dear Valued Sony Customer,
Thanks for purchasing the new Dash™ Personal Internet Viewer. We hope that you're finding it a fun and useful addition to your home.
As a connected device, we'll constantly be improving Dash to better meet your needs. At the end of this month, we'll send out our first over-the-air software update. This update will provide usability and utility enhancements, including:
• USB functionality for MP3 music playback and photo viewing
• A new theme called "Full Screen App" that allows your apps to scroll in full-screen mode
• Enhanced alarm functionality, including adjustable snooze duration for custom alarms and simplified one-touch alarm dismissal
When the update arrives, a black dialogue box will pop up on your Dash screen, informing you that an update is available. Simply choose "Now", and after the download is complete, your Dash will restart with these improvements. (Quick tip: If you choose "Later", putting your dash into Night mode and then resuming normal operation by touching anywhere on the screen will bring up the dialogue box again.)
Watch for other updates next month, including new themes and the addition of expanded Internet radio options. And remember, if you ever have questions about Dash, visit http://www.sony.com/dashforums. Also, be sure to join the Dash community at http://www.facebook.com/Sonydash.
And I also see that they decided to enhance the alarm "features" to this alarm clock.
gratz Sony
I don't understand the point of this thing, really.
@pika2000 It's a fancy Alarm clock, I actually might buy it.
@pika2000
Fancy alarm clock + Internet viewer. Personally I'd love an alarm clock which has the date + weather and I can use my own music as an alarm, plus some simple web browsing.
Unfortunately I don't the Dash really does anyone of the above well. :\ At least this update allows you to access your own music collection. :\
@PcMadness I'll stick with my 15-year-old $10 battery powered analog alarm clock. Does the job, doesn't need an AC outlet, and much more portable. For the rest of the features you mentioned, I have my smartphone.
@pika2000 Actually, good point, smart phones can make excellent alarm clocks too.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/12/1211_snappy_smartphone_accessories/image/010.jpg
@Ducman69 MotoDroid + dock = everything I need in a clock.
@pika2000
I'm starting to think it is rally nice. The only problem I see is that it doesn't have an internal battery.
So eventually they'll approach the functionality of a bedside netbook w/ free alarm software installed, at the price of a netbook, but with no other functionality nor a keyboard to reply when checking messages. How about, no. =)
Here's a pic of mine (seven day individual alarm + 1 floating):
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4644408396_7cccbd287c.jpg
@Ducman69 Hey, nice use of the Dell mini 9! ;)
@pika2000 Thanks!
Set iGoogle to homepage for similar homescreen to the Sony.
Its the FLIQLO screensaver (activate after 2 mins): http://www.9031.com/downloads/screensavers.html
and installed ALARM CLOCK 1.0: http://download.cnet.com/Alarm-Clock/3000-2350_4-10064069.html?tag=mncol
(spacebar sets the configurable snooze, and can set a different MP3 to wake up to for each day of the week)
Windows7 automatically sets screen to maximum dimness when idle under power options, to avoid lighting up the room. =)
My phone does all this.
I use my phone.
Someone please let me know if they get their Dash working outside of the USA.. I've been trying hard to get this thing going with SSH tunnels and whatnot but I'm having trouble setting up a proper transparent proxy. Any ideas?
I don't know why, but I really want one of these. I might have to pick one up when I am in the US next.
But paying attention to @goalcams post. Does it work fine in the UK?
@stringent No, it needs an American IP address upon every boot due to content licensing restrictions. I'm in Canada.
@goalcam Well that sucks. :-( Thanks for the info though.
I expect this to be $149 in Nov-2010, $99 w/in 12 months and not available for purchase (new) by Dec-2011.
I own it and like it so far. My only issues with it were how the alarm clock functionality sucked. And guess what, it's a fn alarm clock.
So at least make it work right.
But it looks like the update fixes the issues I had with the alarm.
I have it and really like it. This will actually be the third software update. The first one occurred right out of the box just to get it functional. The second one came about a week after release and allowed you to separately adjust the screen brightness in day and night mode. The alarm works fine for me but the "slide to turn off" (like an unlock screen) can be a pain to do. Sounds like this update will change that. I'm also looking forward to more themes. The Dash does what I expected and does it pretty well so I'm happy. On a side note, I tweeted about my Dash purchase and received an email from a person at Sony. I asked her a few questions and she got right back to me. That bit of extra customer service has been great.
I wanted one at first. But like other people say, it doesn't seem to do anything right. It might even be worth it to spend $300 more and get an iPad. At least it wont be obsolete in a year.
wait sony is offering a software update other then to their ps3? no way!
Too bad they don't sell this in europe :((((((((((
I've updated my Dash &, IMHO, it's a major improvement. Besides the variable snooze time option (which can vary from alarm to alarm) they have added the ability to specify your own internet radio stream instead of being limited to Pandora & Slacker.
As of this AM I now have TWiT, NPR, BBC World News, BBC British News (the version that's intended to for world distribution), my 2 local news stations, & a couple of classic rock & classical music stations all of which can play in the background.