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Mac OS X 10.7.3 hits Software Update, ready to plug bugs on your Wednesday
How about a 700+ megabyte download to spice up your Wednesday? Apple's just unleashed an update to Lion, bumping its feline all the way up 10.7.3. Those braving the rather portly update can look forward to a bevy of new languages, a new version of Safari (5.1.3) and a fix for a nasty WiFi reconnection bug upon waking from sleep. Also buried in the release notes are RAW support for "more cameras" and a bevy of tweaks for those sharing files with Windows machines. Don't believe us? Hit Cupertino's source link for the full rundown.
Newest patch notes Star Wars: The Old Republic highlight bug fixes
Bugs are frustrating, and inevitably some of them seep through to launch with a new MMO. Star Wars: The Old Republic produced a fairly polished end product, but there were still issues, most notably certain memory problems with Taris and some harvesting nodes that couldn't be harvested. As a result, the game's first patch has been rolled out following this morning's maintenance, and the first set of patch notes have gone live detailing the bugfixes and minor updates provided. Aside from the two obvious changes, there has been a handful of balance adjustments. Slicing has seen a slight downgrade to bring its rewards more in line with those of other gathering professions, and the Mandalorian Raiders flashpoint has seen several enemies lose their immunity to crowd control. Players can look forward to more steady adjustments as the game continues, but some quick fixes to noteworthy issues are always good to see -- especially so close to the holidays.
Sprint pushing firmware update to Epic 4G Touch, fixes hotspot connectivity and signal strength
Has your Hesse-blessed Epic 4G Touch been acting up? Never fear, a fix for the WiMAX-equipped handset is on the way. Sprint's begun rolling out an update for its Galaxy S II variant that should addresses a couple of irksome bugs -- namely, the loss of 4G hotspot connectivity while on a call, and a boost for the wireless radio. The firmware update'll hit phones in a phased release and should take about ten minutes to complete. Sorry, there's no option for a manual download, so you'll just have to wait your turn in the random line.
T-Mobile G2x gets its Gingerbread on (again), hopes it sticks
The G2x just can't seem to quit Gingerbread. After a series of upgrade starts and stops, LG is once again offering an OTA software upgrade for this pure Google experience device. The update started rolling out to handsets yesterday, but those impatient to part with FroYo can always opt for a manual install via the company's site. If you'll recall, the one-time T-Mobile flagship's woes began shortly after its launch, when complaints of random reboots, overheating and poor battery life overtook dedicated forums. Yet despite promises that Android 2.3 would hit "soon" to address these issues, frustrated owners were instead treated to an on again / off again melodrama of scheduled releases. Now, as we totter on the brink of 2012 and an Ice Cream Sandwich future, this drawn-out saga appears to be reaching some form of closure.
Windows 8 gets automatic updates, enforced restarts after 72 hours of polite harassment
Windows 8 is renaming the second week of every month. After "Patch Tuesday" comes "Gentle reminder Wednesday," "Polite yet firm suggestion Thursday" and "Automatic restart Friday". In order to keep everyone's system secure, Windows Update will download patches in the background before adding a notification on your lock screen that you're due a restart. If you haven't managed it within 72 hours, you'll be given a 15 minute warning to save your work and close up before it forces the shutdown -- unless you're watching a movie or conducting a presentation, it'll lie in wait for your next idle period to do it. With this system, you'll only have to complete the procedure once a month and can plan your schedule accordingly. The only time the system will deviate is when a security threat like a blaster worm appears, at which point Microsoft will ensure you're restarting as soon as a fix is available. What, you didn't know that "keeping end-users on their toes" was a feature?
Firmware update brings Google Talk integration, bug fixes to Archos G9 tablets
Listen up, Archos G9 owners, because there's a hefty firmware update headed your way. The new upgrade, which only recently began rolling out, integrates Google Talk directly within the firmware and introduces a number of bug fixes to the freshly released Honeycomb slates. More specifically, version 3.2.46 brings enhanced volume controls, sharpened camera quality and Flash acceleration support to the eight- and ten-inch tablets, along with a host of other tweaks. For the full list of added features, check out the source link, below.
Verizon preps update for LTE Galaxy Tab 10.1, promises 'enhanced data'
Did you splash out extra on the LTE version of Verizon's Galaxy Tab 10.1 only to suffer the indescribable horrors of an unstable 4G connection? Then listen up: an OTA update including "enhanced data connectivity" is in the works that could be just the fix you need. It also promises a bevy of smaller improvements, including making the device recognizable to your Mac, zapping some EAS email bugs and adding data roaming alerts. There's unfortunately no sign of the TouchWiz upgrade that has already graced the WiFi version, and no Honeycomb 3.2 either, but if everything happened all at once there'd be nothing left to live for.
Lion 10.7.1 lands, packs plenty of bug fixes
While you wait for 10.7.2 to deliver iCloud compatibility to your Mac, you can at least enjoy a few bug fixes, courtesy of today's surprise Lion update. 10.7.1 doesn't boast any new features, but it does solve a few major issues, including missing admin accounts and freezes when playing back video in Safari. If you haven't gotten an alert yet, you can fire up Software Update to download the first set of tweaks to the young OS, and check out the slightly more complete changelog after the break.
T-Mobile working to solve G2 battery life concerns, needs your help
T-Mobile wants YOU... to help them figure out your phone's recent battery life troubles. If you own a G2, there's a slight possibility you've noticed your prized mobile possession hasn't been up to snuff over the last week or so. Is it feeling overworked? It's got a lot of stress bogging it down? Or maybe it's just downright depressed? Sadly, the carrier doesn't have the fuzziest idea of what's going on either, so it's turning to the best resource it has: its customers. If your G2 is lucky enough to be in this "small group" of affected users, you've been given the green light to share your feedback. Though this is happening (coincidentally) at the same time as the phone's monumental update to Gingerbread, it turns out a healthy portion of sufferers haven't actually made the jump up yet. So head on over to offer your two cents -- if one person can make a difference, several hundred should definitely do the trick.
Gingerbread comes to T-Mobile G2x, users feel loved again
Dost our eyes deceive us, or are genuine, bona fide Gingerbread updates for the T-Mobile G2x taking to the airwaves? We're inclined to believe the latter, since the T-Mobile support site announced that the OTA download is now underway. The rollout begins less than a day after the refresh became available as a manual install via the LG Updater Tool. As if this isn't enough proof already, our inboxes have been flooded by G2x users who've personally witnessed Hades freeze over on their handset. Haven't seen it show up on yours yet? Fret not, getting these updates out to everyone takes time. But if you were an eager beaver who managed to beef your phone up with Android 2.3.3 manually, go ahead and relax; grab a lemonade, dust off the ol' hammock, and enjoy the rest of the summer afternoon free of (virtual) bugs. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TWCable TV 2.0 iPad app getting a bugfix update by the end of the month
Time Warner Cable just rolled out v2.0 of its TWCable TV live TV streaming iPad app, adding remote control and DVR scheduling features while controversially blocking jailbroken tablets, but there's already another new version on the way. A post on the TWCableUntangled blog points out some known issues and troubleshooting tips, if you've been affected by crashes, incomplete results in the HD listings or other issues they should be resolved in the new version. Don't expect any change in the official policy against jailbroken devices, but those who believe their iPad has been incorrectly singled out are encouraged to contact the company with various information on their tablet.
Microsoft releases Office 2011 Service Pack 1
Office 2011 version 14.1 (Service Pack 1) is now available from Microsoft's website. As announced on April 6, the update includes a variety of improvements to the new Outlook for Mac, including built-in support for Apple's Sync Services which allows users to more easily synchronize Outlook data with other Mac OS X software (like iCal and BusyCal) and devices (like the iPhone and iPad) through iTunes. The update also includes the usual fixes for "critical issues" and patches a security vulnerability that could allow an attacker "to overwrite the contents of your computer's memory with malicious code." Microsoft offers more details about the software update on its official Office for Mac blog. Even if the update isn't showing in Office's AutoUpdate utility yet, you can download the 246 MB package here. [via MacUpdate]
EVE devblog tackles CCP's committment to fixing small issues
Several months ago, EVE Online forumite Akita T began the "thousand papercut project." The aim of the project is to collect a list of all those tiny issues that irritate players about EVE. Putting aside any large balance or mechanic problems, Akita T suggested that all the little issues developers have put off dealing with are now all adding up to have a huge negative impact on players. Supporters of the project will be pleased to know that CCP has taken notice. In a new devblog, game designer CCP Soundwave has explained plans to work on a long list of small issues during the current development cycle. Having previously worked mainly on large projects like the Sansha incursions, CCP Soundwave's development team "Best Friends Forever" has already been hard at work on a variety of small issues, bugs and improvements that will be deployed soon. Among the many changes are improvements to the recently deployed incursion mechanic, including a much-needed change to deny the use of remote armour repairers and shield transporters on criminals. This closes a loophole griefers were using to trick incursion fleet logistics ships into being destroyed by CONCORD. Incursions should also last longer in highsec, and Sansha's forces shouldn't recapture lowsec or nullsec systems as quickly when encounters aren't being run. Head over to the devblog for a list of the first round of small issues tackled so far by CCP Soundwave and friends.
Xbox 360 mandatory update restores boot to disc, detains Call of Duty pirates for a tad
The story of the Trojan Horse must be a favorite among video game console manufacturers, because software updates these days often come with more than bargained for -- today, Microsoft issued a mandatory Xbox 360 update, reportedly for a single bugfix, but which seems to have coincidentally halted scores of pirates and hackers from playing Call of Duty: Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2 on the console. Members of the Xbox-Scene forums noted the update was taking suspiciously long to download, discovered that backup copies of these games ceased to work, and presently believe that Microsoft included a patch for these two games to enable an anti-piracy feature that specifically targets burned copies. What does the mandatory update do for you if you're not part of the hacking scene? It merely enables the console to automatically boot a pre-inserted game when you power it on, a feature that was accidentally disabled in November. [Thanks, Brian]
Vudu arrives on the Boxee Box, along with a host of big fixes (update)
Ah, there we go. After a bit of a false start, Boxee's rolling out Vudu to the Boxee Box today -- you can either hold tight for the auto update in the next 24 hours, or trigger the manual update in Settings. Vudu's offering new users who sign up on the Boxee Box a $5.99 credit, which is the price of a single HDX rentals, so that's clever. Vudu remains Vudu -- 1080p/24 video, 5.1 audio -- but we'll obviously give it a look on the Box to check it out. As for other improvements, there are quite a few; highlights include better browser performance with HTTPS support, a sorting option to ignore "the" or "a" in titles, more deinterlacing controls, a whole host of bug fixes, and quite a bit more. Not bad -- we'll let you know if we discover anything crazy. PR and the full changelog after the break. Update: Vudu's $2 for two nights deal applies to SD rentals, but you can get a single HDX rental for $5.99.
iPad 3.2.1 update released
On the heels of the iOS 4.0.1 update, the iPad software has been updated to version 3.2.1. The update notes: Improved Wi-Fi connectivity Fixed an issue that stops the copy/paste of single-page PDFs in Mail Addressed issues that causes video playback to freeze Improved reliability involving the video-out using the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter Added Bing to Safari's search options The update is compatible with both iPad Wi-Fi and 3G, and is now available through iTunes. Hook up your iPad, then click the Update button on the Summary tab to update the software. Enjoy!
Apple updates the iWork suite for iPad
iWork users rejoice! Apple is updating Pages, Numbers and Keynote for the iPad. A quick check at the app store or through iTunes should get you all sparkly and new. In Pages, one of the big fixes is that the tool and ruler and now available in Landscape view. That's a biggy because you had to be in portrait view to see any of those tools in version 1.0. Apple has also added some additional language support in the apps, and done some work to get better compatibility with Microsoft Word documents. Here's the details for all the updated apps, which appear to have fixed some of the worst complaints people had.
Warhammer Online brings 1.3.5 to be tested
With all of the billing nightmares apparently resolved, complete with the peacemaking gifts, Warhammer Online is ready to move back to its core focus. The development team has been talking about the improvements set to come with patch 1.3.5, continuing the game's process of strengthening the Realm vs. Realm gameplay by adding fully PvP-focused city sieges. On top of the improvements to Scenarios and the addition of PvP-bought weaponry, the game is playing to its greatest assets. How successful it's been will soon be in the hands of the players, as 1.3.5 is going to the public test server. The obvious large-scale changes can take some of the flash away from smaller changes, such as allowing Marauders the option to properly dual-wield and improved AFK flagging in scenarios. Numerous bugfixes, changes to NPC locations, and revisions to the Open RvR currency are also present in the patch. And that's not even talking about inventory space... all in all, it promises much for players to be happy about, and little to be disappointed with. Warhammer Online's players can take a hop to the test server Warpstone to take a look at all the changes, and those who'd prefer to abstain can take heart that the changes will likely be going live soon.
Star Wars Galaxies outlines the road ahead
Amidst all the fuss about the new kid in town (or due to arrive in town in a year or so), it's easy to forget sometimes that Star Wars Galaxies has been running for seven years, even with its ups and downs. The game's most recent update brought the Galactic Civil War to the forefront, the ongoing conflict between the Empire and the Rebels forming the centerpiece for large-scale PvP. A recent producer's letter goes into further detail as to what the game can expect for its next major patch, Update 16, which promises to expand the Civil War mechanics as well as adding new tweaks besides. Region Defense is the next major change to the PvP side of things, allowing guilds and cities to hold regions of space for the Imperials or the Rebels, earning rewards and titles for successful defense of the territory. For players looking for something in a PvE vein, Nym's Theme Park is being revamped and expanded, both for players still leveling up and those at the top of their game. There are also a number of incoming bugfixes and balance tweaks, showing part of why Star Wars Galaxies has endured for so long and shows no sign of dropping.
Updated Armory app features Find an Upgrade, saved talent builds
A few readers (thanks!) sent us notes pointing out that Blizzard has updated the Mobile Armory app for the iPhone. The new version, 1.1.0, features a streamlined character selection screen, the ability to save and load custom talent builds (though unfortunately it doesn't look like there's any way to bring these into the game automatically -- you just have to choose points the same way), in-game reputations on character profiles, and a number of other bugfixes and user interface improvements. The one big feature is that "Find an Upgrade" now works on the mobile app -- you can search directly in the app for a gear upgrade for any equipment slot on your character. That's a nice bonus; it means that while you're sitting on the bus with your iPhone, you can look through your gear, and figure out what you're going to be upgrading to in that waist slot the next time your guild heads up into Icecrown. I'd still like to see a little more integration with the game itself (a few MMO companies have hinted that they're pushing for more integrated iPhone tie-ins), but since the app is called Mobile Armory, and yes, is still free, I can't complain too much.
