It's already hit Korea, but it looks like those of us that don't live in the land of Samsung can now finally get our hands on the official, non beta Blue Wave 3 firmware update for the company's fan-favorite YP-P2 PMP as well. Otherwise known as version 4.13, the update brings a whole host of improvements, including a decent batch of new GUI themes, a new fullscreen playback mode, a calculator, and some additional brightness and speed controls for video playback, among other things. Of course, as Samsung is wont to do, it's already teasing us with its Blue Wave 4 update, which promises to take the player to even greater heights with customizable skins, Bluetooth-based games, subway maps, and voice recording, to name just a few improvements. No word on a release for that just yet, however, so in the meantime you'll have to make do with the next best thing available at the link below.

[Thanks, Xepol]

Now that you're already penning a purchase requisition for one of those fancy new P2 HD camcorders, you might as well toss a couple of Panny's new 64GB P2 cards (model AJ-P2C064) and its AJ-PCD35 ExpressCard adapter on there, too. Yep, Panasonic has chosen NAB Show 2008 to double up on its current 32GB P2 card and to introduce a five-slot P2 memory drive with an ExpressCard interface. Put simply, the latter can hold all five cards from a fully-loaded VariCam 2700 / 3700 camcorder (or any other P2 rig) and give users the ability to upload content on the go with their ExpressCard-equipped laptop. Regrettably, the company didn't bother doling out dollar figures just yet, but we'd go ahead and file 'em both under "expensive."

[Via I4U News]

Panasonic's AG-HMC150 HD camcorder is fine and dandy if you're cool with hauling around a couple SDHC cards, but for those with bigger budgets and loftier dreams, the trio of P2 rigs debuting at NAB Show are likely to be entirely more suitable. Starting things up is the VariCam 2700 (model AJ-HPX2700) and VariCam 3700 (model AJ-HPX3700; pictured), which both feature native HD resolutions, five P2 card slots, master-quality 10-bit 4:2:2 AVC-Intra 100 recording, variable frame rates in one-frame increments, HD-SDI outputs and a multi-gamma function including Film-Rec. As for the latter, it steps things up to full 1,920 x 1,080 support while boasting a trio of HD-SDI outs (versus two on the VariCam 2700). Lastly, we've got the 4.2-pound AG-HPX170, which reflects the HMC150 in a variety of ways but utilizes a pair of P2 slots in order to log those high-def captures. Mum's the word on pricing for the Fall-bound family, but do yourself a favor and hit the read link for lots more details on each.

[Via Broadcast Newsroom]

Samsung just launched the Blue Wave 3 firmware for the YP-P2 and T10 today, but we're already hearing whispers of Blue Wave 4 -- check out this image that's popped up on some forums. Apparently all you P2 owners out there can look forward to customizable (and shareable) UI skins, some new Bluetooth-based games, subway maps, custom EQ settings, password controls, and voice recording sometime in the future, but we have no idea when. Until then, feast your eyes on the whole image after the break.

We don't want to get too granular on these firmware updates, but it looks like another YP-P2 re-up has imbued the device with some interesting new features. Apparently, version 3.15 adds three new games to your device, the ability to record FM radio as an MP3, new repeat functions, control over the speed of music playback (which we think is totally boss), and EmoTure 1.5, which has a handful of improved features (or so we're told). The whole shebang is available right now for your downloading pleasure... so go grab it.

[Thanks, Evan]

Firmware version 3.07 just went live over at Samsung's download center. This is the 2nd firmware update for Sammy's slick little P2. Word on the street has it delivering on the promises already peeped in the video preview. Just be sure that you're downloading the newest version as Sammy's site seems to have cross-linked v3.07 with the older v2.08 download. Nevertheless, between this and the PSP 3.90 M33 release, our weekend is pretty much set.

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[Via 4th Dimension Thinking, thanks Oscar M.]

As promised, Samsung is prepped to deliver its second P2 update of the month. Whereas the first brought many of the Bluetooth enhancements long promised, this release is focused on tidying up the UI with tweaks both cosmetic and functional. A video "leaked" onto the web of interconnected tubes shows us new 3Dish icons up front with a album artwork navigation similar to Coverflow but done by Samsung -- in other words pretty, in the way some find the BlackJack pretty. The new firmware also brings the ability to tag a song and then loop between the point you set, enhanced EQ control, the ability to control the speed of audio playback (useful when learning a language or transcribing notes, we presume), more control over video to make the most use of that 480 x 272 display, an improved photo viewer with touch manipulation and gesture manipulation, games, an alarm clock, and more. Better yet, all the newnesss won't cost you a cent -- its all free when released later this month.

[Thanks, Pee2]

Samsung's delivering its promised P2 and T10 firmware updates that finally unleash the Bluetooth capabilities of the devices. More updates are promised down the line, but this first round of the "Blue Wave" allows Bluetooth-based file transfers, as well as phone integration. You can manage most phone functions from your DAP -- including making calls and browsing the contact list -- as well as have your music interrupted by incoming calls. Not a bad start at all, Samsung.

It's not like we haven't seen PMPs certified for Vongo before, but considering just how sexy the P2 really is, we think the aforementioned video provider did itself a favor by teaming up with Samsung. As of today, P2 owners can surf on over to Vongo's website and begin using the subscription-based service for $9.99 per month, and for P2 owners to-be, you can look forward to a "trial membership" with an unspecified length. Huzzah!

Chalk this one up as a yet-to-be substantiated rumor, but based on an interesting video clip surfacing on YouTube (we know...), Samsung's YP-P2 could be getting a swank new peripheral. The YS-MC1 cradle would apparently snap onto the bottom of the already svelte P2 and add 802.11g WiFi, an FM transmitter, microSD expansion slot and a built-in mono speaker. 'Course, we realize just how fake the concepts on the video look, but it's not like Samsung hasn't doled out specialized docks for its DAPs in the past. And hey, we're all still wondering what may go along with the multiple waves of firmware updates slated to land next year. Click on through to see the video yourself.

[Via DAPReview, thanks KC Kim]

Yeah, we already got our P2 touching on back in those heady days of August, and we even saw this sucker unboxed in September, but now Samsung has made everything official and thrust it into some impenetrable plastic packaging for our own unboxing pleasure. Seriously, this thermoformed plastic was some of the worst we've ever encountered, and due to a sudden absence of scissors at the Engadget HQ, we were literally risking life and limb to get this thing open. Once we broke in, it was smooth sailing. The device is pretty slick, and Samsung seems to have tweaked the touch sensitivity a bit more to our liking. The default scrolling menu is still pretty bad, but it's easy to switch to a basic grid interface. The preloaded songs were of course smooth jazz bad techno, but it was no trouble at all getting some of our Rhapsody tunes onto the device -- no installation necessary, we just plugged it in and it worked, and we got similar results with Windows Media Center for some TV transfers. It's hard to get used to that little round dot at the bottom of the player not being a button, but the screen controls are easy enough, and the side buttons are a nice touch for when you're operating the device without looking. The included headphones are naturally horrible, but you're going to be picking up some stereo Bluetooth headphones for this one anyways, right?

After a month or so of delays, Samsung has finally launched its P2 media player in the States; and it's not putting the 3-inch touchscreen sporting, flash-based, Bluetooth-enabled DAP out there all by its lonesome. Today Samsung announced MPfreedom, a website with info and customization doohickeys, and of course content partnerships with the likes of CinemaNow, Rhapsody and Napster. As we heard before, Samsung is also going to be supporting the player through "Blue Wave" firmware upgrades, the first of which is due for December, and will include Bluetooth phone call and file transfer integration, along with AAC compatibility -- currently only WMA and MP3 are supported -- and some other frills. Samsung is emphasizing its 3-inch, 16:9 display that can run video at 30fps (WMV and MPEG-4), and of course the touchscreen "EmoTure" tap 'n slide interface. The player is available in 2GB, 4GB ($199) and 8GB ($249) capacities, in your choice of black, white or red. There's 35 hours of music playback or 5 hours of video on the battery, and Samsung tossed in an FM radio for good measure.