FirmwareUpdate -- Engadget

FirmwareUpdate posts

Zune HD Marketplace now loaded with free 3D games

by Vladislav Savov posted Nov 11th 2009 at 8:24AM

That latest update to the Zune HD's brainstem has unlocked an extra dimension to the multifunctional device, which can now boast "3D gaming device" among its many accolades. Aside from fixing a significant issue on the music side, the firmware refresh has given the green light for the following games to enter the Marketplace: PGR: Ferrari Edition, Lucky Lane Bowling, Vans Sk8: Pool Service, Piano, Checkers, and Audiosurf: Tilt. Yep, the music-surfing game that seems almost tailor-made for accelerometer-equipped media players is ready for your ownership and enjoyment. The best part? All the titles are free. So what are you waiting for, pilgrims, get downloadin' and do come back to tell us how well that Tegra chip performs, won't you? Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Zune HD Marketplace now loaded with free 3D games

Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

by Darren Murph posted Nov 7th 2009 at 12:22PM

Who says Microsoft ain't lookin' out for those who selected its Zune HD over something Designed In Cupertino? Just days after countless owners went berserk over a playcount syncing issue, Microsoft has released a new firmware update that not only solves that very quandary but also adds a gaggle of fantastic new and / or improved features. The v4.3 update is available now by selecting "Player Update" from within the device itself, and with it will come "support for upcoming 3d games and applications, as well as an auto-suggest feature for better text input, and other minor improvements." We're hearing that those "minor improvements" include a snappier browser, so it's pretty safe to say you're only harming yourself if you don't get this download going right now. (Psst... there's a vid of the new software running after the break.)

[Via MobileTechWorld, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Zune HD v4.3 firmware out now: fixes playcount bug, adds lots of great things (video)

Novatel MiFi 2200 gets new firmware, now stays on even when you don't need it

by Tim Stevens posted Oct 26th 2009 at 9:05AM

MiFi gets new firmware, now stays on even when you don't need it

If you're using one of the various MiFi incarnations, you may have been slightly annoyed at the thing shutting itself down after a few minutes of inactivity. It's a lovely feature to save juice when running disconnected -- a little less desirable when running on AC. There's a new firmware in town and it does away with such bad behavior whilst also adding better compatibility with the Nintendo DS and BlackBerry Curve. It's not an automatic update, though, so you'll need to dig through some menus to make the magic happen, but we're sure you can figure it out. (If you get stuck, the read link has pictures.)

[Via Zatz Not Funny]

First Canon EOS-1D MKIV footage on display, 5D MKII will join the fun with new 24 / 25 fps firmware next year

by Paul Miller posted Oct 20th 2009 at 2:53PM

Double good news on the Canon front. First off we've got sample footage shot with a brand new Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, which does a good job of showing what the camera can handle under low lighting conditions, as well as serving as a poignant morality tale for skaters, who should never get in cars with strangers. But perhaps even more exciting is word that Canon is developing its own firmware update for the 5D Mark II that will take it into the indie filmmaker-friendly territory of 24 fps and 25 fps -- something that's always been assumed doable since the camera already shoots at 30. Details are scarce, and the firmware won't hit until the "first half of 2010," but if anything it should up the resale value on that 5D of yours while you claw against your credit limit for an EOS-1D Mark IV.

Read - First Canon EOS-1D MKIV movie from Vincent Laforet
Read - Canon EOS 5D Mark II to get 24 and 25fps in a firmware update!

PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go

by Nilay Patel posted Sep 30th 2009 at 10:59PM

The PSP Go isn't even out yet and Sony's already dishing out the feature updates -- PSP firmware 6.10, announced today, allows the slider handheld to tether to your cellphone over Bluetooth for remote internet access. That's actually a pretty handy feature for a system that relies on network game distribution, don't you think? That's not all, however: all PSPs will get a new XMB feature called SensMe which can generate playlists based on "moods," and the PC-based MediaGo software is being updated as well. Not a bad haul -- we'll let you know when it goes live. SensMe video after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading PSP firmware 6.10 brings Bluetooth internet tethering to the PSP Go

Video: Creative Zii EGG gets firmware updated to 92.02, still looks pretty janky

by Laura June posted Sep 16th 2009 at 5:27PM

Creative's just rolled out a firmware update -- version 92.02, if you're counting -- for developers of the Zii EGG. The updates include adding support for media playback on the SD card, a 3D close line effect for when you're browsing in landscape view, plus a stretching effect for browsing lists. The sample shots taken with its camera look pretty decent, and in the video which is after the break, you can catch a look at both the close line and stretching effect -- the latter of which we think has some potential to be useful, even if it's all still looking a bit rough around the edges for now. Like we said, the video is after the break -- hit the read link for test shots.

Continue reading Video: Creative Zii EGG gets firmware updated to 92.02, still looks pretty janky

HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

by Paul Miller posted Sep 14th 2009 at 3:56PM

Good news for HTC Hero early adopters: HTC has a new firmware update out now for the device, and it considerably speeds up the interface if the multitude of reports to be found on the internet can be believed. Seeing as this was the number one gripe with the overall excellent UI, we're incredibly glad HTC has gotten work on this, and we'll be spending some more time with the device to return our newly tinted impressions. There's a video after the break demonstrating changes, and most actions seems quite a bit quicker and smoother, all the way down to opening and closing the apps menu, and sliding between home screens. The update doesn't really include much else in the way of features, but since it's addressing the main pain point of the phone, we sure don't mind -- and neither will Sprint users, who we suppose will be getting this newly improved interface right out of the gate.

[Via Gizmodo]

Continue reading HTC Hero firmware update peps up the Sense Experience to something usable

T-Mobile G1 won't see any Android updates beyond 1.5 (update: maybe it will)

by Darren Murph posted Aug 17th 2009 at 7:23PM

Pioneering T-Mobile G1 owners have been enjoying the spoils of Android 1.5 (or Cupcake, as it's known 'round these parts) for months now, but it looks as if that very treat will be the last taste of confectionery goodness that the smartphone gets. According to Android software engineer Dave Sparks, a time is soon coming when devs "wont be able to fit the latest [Android] release on the G1's internal flash," and yet another engineer has chimed in via Twitter to say that he "can't promise" that any update after 1.5 will fit. For whatever reason, HTC gifted the G1 with an incredibly meager amount of internal flash, and considering that no Android phone will support app storage / loading from a microSD card, there's no way to free up room for Donut, Eclair or Flan. You've been a real champ, G1, but without 2.0+, we just can't give you the love and devotion you truly need. Go on, call us fickle -- we deserve it.

[Via Electronista and jkOnTheRun]

Update: We've received a statement directly from T-Mobile on the matter, saying "We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate." It's unclear whether those are just going to be security and stability updates to 1.5 or whether we'll see wholesale new versions like Donut and beyond, but for the sake of G1 owners everywhere, we're hoping it's the latter.

Apple keyboard gets hacked like a ripe papaya, perp caught on video

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 4th 2009 at 9:34PM

As far as Apple is concerned, the Black Hat 2009 hackers conference didn't end soon enough. Having promptly patched the iPhone vulnerability, Cupertino is facing another security hole, this time in its keyboards. A hacker going by the pseudonym of K. Chen has come up with a way, using HIDFirmwareUpdaterTool, to inject malicious code into the keyboard's firmware. While it's not yet possible to perform this hack remotely, the fact it occurs at the firmware level means no amount of OS cleanser or anti-virals will remedy it -- which might be a bit of a bother to MacBook owners who can't simply swap to an uninfected keyboard. Panic is hardly advisable, as Chen is collaborating with Apple on a fix, but if you want to be freaked out by his simple keylogger in action, hit up the video after the break.

[Via OS News]

Continue reading Apple keyboard gets hacked like a ripe papaya, perp caught on video

DSi v1.4 firmware happening now in Japan, bringing Facebook connectivity along for the ride

by Laura June posted Jul 30th 2009 at 6:18PM

Back at E3 2009 it was announced that Nintendo would roll out the capability to upload photo to Facebook from the DSi. Well, we're hearing from Engadget Japanese that that firmware updating is now occurring. It's a pretty minor update which includes the aforementioned ability to upload photos to Facebook, and brings a faster "image display speed" in the DSi's camera. We're sure there's some behind the scenes tweaking going on too, right? No word on when this update will hit elsewhere, but we'll keep our eyes on our DSi until it happens. You know, for work. Check out Engadget Japanese's video of the upgraded features after the break.

[Via Joystiq]

Continue reading DSi v1.4 firmware happening now in Japan, bringing Facebook connectivity along for the ride

MacBook Pro update rights the wrong, enables 3Gbps SATA transfers

by Darren Murph posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 5:53PM

We've seriously no idea why Apple didn't just ship all of the June 2009 MacBook Pro units with the SATA 3Gbps specification enabled, but at least it caved to the chorus of complaints and enabled it today via a firmware update. MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7, as it's called in Software Update, weighs in at just 3.35MB and requires OS X 10.5.7 to be installed. According to Apple, the update "addresses an issue reported by a small number of customers using drives based on the SATA 3Gbps specification with the June 2009 MacBook Pro." Of course, it goes on to say that it still doesn't support the use of drives that can take advantage of such speeds, but at least you have the option now of taking matters into your own hands and upgrading to a non-hamstrung SSD should you choose.

[Via MacRumors]

Canon EOS 5D Mark II update with manual video exposure controls now available

by Nilay Patel posted Jun 1st 2009 at 10:31PM

We'd heard it was coming and now it's here -- the just-released EOS 5D Mark II 1.1.0 firmware update adds a much-longed-for manual exposure control to the video mode. That ought to warm some budding filmmaker hearts our there -- and the rest of us can enjoy a few other minor enhancements. Fun for the whole family!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Android Dev Phones get early shot at Cupcake

by Paul Miller posted Apr 27th 2009 at 12:36PM

While mere mortals will most likely have to wait until May to get at Cupcake (probably even stooping so low as to refer to it as Android 1.5, those commoners), the proud, good-looking possessors of Android Dev Phones can get at the update right this instant from HTC's website. Naturally, we'd assume somebody's going to figure out how to get these images onto rooted G1s before long, but we wouldn't want to over estimate the intelligence or temerity of the proletariat.

[Via Talk Android]

T-Mobile Germany website indicates May launch for Cupcake

by Donald Melanson posted Apr 24th 2009 at 1:18PM

It's not exactly a huge surprise considering that the Cupcake-powered HTC Magic is confirmed to be coming out May 5th, but T-Mobile Germany's website now looks to have also confirmed that the Cupcake update itself will also be rolling out to G1 users sometime the same month -- in Germany, at least. That'll of course bring with it the much-desired on-screen keyboard, along with video recording, stereo Bluetooth support, and some new integration with Picasa and YouTube, among other fixes and additions. As you can see above, the update will "skillfully" install itself on your G1 as soon as it's available, so you needn't do anything except go on about your daily business in the meantime, or check the interwebs furiously for a means of jumping the cue.

[Via Talk Android]

TiVo update brings pause menu ads to Series3 & TiVo HD owners

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 6th 2009 at 4:34AM

TiVo heard you liked ads, so it's putting ads in your pause menu so you can watch ads while you skip ads. Already rolled out on older Series2 hardware last December, Dave Zatz posts that the 11.0c software update for Series3 / TiVo HD hardware brings the new "feature" of ads popping up while viewers are time shifting. That can show up as a "More information" prompt for some shows, as seen above, but will hold advertisements on certain programs. The prompt will only show up once per recording, but if this new form of advertising bugs you, TiVo Community user bfdtv instructs that permanently hiding the progress bar can be achieved by pressing pause, press down to hide the popup, press play again, then enter SELECT-PLAY-SELECT-PAUSE-SELECT, which can also be reversed by using the code again while watching a recording. Still, we doubt the ad skipping arms race will end here.

Read - TiVo's Pause Menu Spam Hits S3/HD Units
Read - TivoHD Overview, Q&A, Setup, Tips