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Samsung lets loose Blue Wave 3 firmware update for P2, T10 PMPs
Samsung's first two "Blue Wave" firmware updates for its P2 and T10 PMPs came in relatively quick succession, but it's taken a bit longer for the third one to make its way out the door. Those in Korea can now give their players another boost, however, with the new Blue Wave 3 update apparently available for the taking. On the P2, that'll give you four new GUI themes, along with a new full screen mode, a calculator and dictionary, and new brightness and speed controls for video playback. The T10, on the other hand, will get a full ten new themes, along with three new games, a video bookmarking feature, horizontal viewing and AAC support, and the ability to delete files on the device itself. No word on a similar release 'round these parts just yet, but we wouldn't expect it to be too long in coming.[Via PMP Today]
16GB Samsung P2 now available from Best Buy Canada
You may still not be able to get an iPhone in Canada (at least officially), but you can now at least grab a spiffy new 16GB Samsung YP-P2, which is a whole 8GB bigger than the model currently available in the US. From the looks of it, Best Buy Canada is the among the first to offer the beefed-up, Bluetooth-packin' PMP, with it currently demanding $330 Canadian (a $40 discount off the $370 list price) on the retailer's website. Apart from the bump in storage, however, there doesn't look to be any other changes to the player, with it boasting the same 3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.0 support, and H.264, OGG, and WMV playback as before. Of course, it's not very likely this'll be a Canadian exclusive for long, though we've still yet to hear anything official on that from Samsung.
Rumor: Perpetual Entertainment closing down
MMO news network Warcry has confirmed via unnamed "multiple sources" that Perpetual Entertainment has closed its doors. The posting corroborates similar information provided to Joystiq from a few secondary tipsters, and the company's web site has recently been replaced with a static contact page, but we're still labeling this one as a rumor until we hear official word from the company.Perpetual has has its share of troubles recently, facing its second round of layoffs in as many years last September, putting fantasy MMO project Gods and Heroes on hold, facing a lawsuit from its PR firm and, last month, giving up the rights to the highly anticipated Star Trek Online.
Samsung's YP-P2 gets firmware v3.15, a handful of new features
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]
Samsung P2 firmware v3.07 now available
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.DownloadAlternative download links[Via 4th Dimension Thinking, thanks Oscar M.]
Samsung's P2 Blue Wave firmware update - take 2
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]
Star Trek Online MMO switches to new developer
P2 Entertainment -- formerly known as Perpetual Entertainment -- will no longer be developing the Star Trek Online MMO. Instead, the IP has been passed on to an as-yet-unnamed California-based studio, who will be continuing development while P2 refocuses on the casual games market.WarCry reports that the unnamed studio will be receiving rights for the Star Trek IP, and the game's content, but will not have access to the code previously developed at P2. This will inevitably slow development of the MMO even further, as the new studio must start from scratch with the title's back-end.Star Trek Online was the only title currently in development at P2, following news of Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising being placed on "indefinite hold." P2 is also embroiled in a legal battle with former PR firm Kohnke Communications, who are suing for finances owed them after the effective cancellation of Gods & Heroes. Coupled with news of Spacetime's MMO cancellation, we're beginning to think that it's not a good time to be a MMO developer (unless, of course, you're Blizzard).[Via Massively]
Star Trek Online is under new management
According to WarCry, The Studio Formerly Known as Perpetual Entertainment -- or just "P2 Entertainment" if you want to be less facetious -- has passed or sold ownership of the Star Trek Online project to a new studio headquartered in (fittingly) the Bay Area. This comes after a rocky history for the title, starting with the cancellation of Perpetual's other title Gods & Heroes, all sorts of corporate maneuvering, and a lawsuit.WarCry did not reveal the name of the new steward, but it did learn that while the game's license and content (such as artwork, one presumes) were transferred, the code wasn't. So the new STO team is starting from pretty close to scratch. If you were hoping for a 2008 release, it's time to be disappointed; though at this point none of this is a huge surprise.We don't know if the new owners are related to P2, if any of the old team will be moving with the project, or anything else, really. More info and some clarifications are sure to come eventually, though, so sit tight.
Samsung launches first Blue Wave firmware upgrades for P2 and T10 PMPs
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.
Samsung's P2 gets certified for Vongo
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!
Samsung readying YS-MC1 dock for YP-P2?
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]
Hands-on (again) with Samsung's P2
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?%Gallery-9616%
Samsung P2 touchscreen DAP hits the States
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.
Samsung planning firmware updates for YP-P2
It looks like Samsung's snazzy YP-P2 just became even more attractive, as folks still on the fence (and even those that aren't) can reportedly look forward to a number of upcoming firmware updates that promise to add even more functionality. Apparently, the P2 will be hit with an update this December that enables a Bluetooth connection to one's mobile phone, BT file exchanges and the addition of an e-dictionary (saywha?). In late January of 2008, you can expect an upgraded Touch UI along with FM recording / playback. The elusive "Third Wave" update is set to land next March, but as you can tell from the photo to the right, Sammy's just lettin' your imagination run wild with this one. Check out the full spread after the jump.[Via YeppYepp]
Live! Nude! DAPs!: Samsung P2 and T10 dissected on video
Everyone loves observing their favorite gadgets splayed across a table in pieces, chipsets and radios fully exposed for the world to see, but nothing quite beats the delicious build-up and eventual pay-off of a tear-down captured on video. And with hot little devices like Samsung's 8GB, Bluetooth 2.0-equipped YP-P2 and YP-T10 DAPs, the time-honored dissection ritual seems particularly suited to filming. Thanks to Korean YEPP fan LikEraser, you can watch it all go down after the break, and even catch a full description of the individual parts by clicking on the Read link. Warning: those who value their hearing / sanity will mute the embedded videos and substitute a favorite tune instead. [Via YeppYepp]
Samsung's P2 / T10 Bluetooth players get priced, dated again
Although we were previously led to believe that Samsung's YP-P2 and YP-T10 Bluetooth players would be landing in the US last month, the ship date seems to have slipped just a bit. A revised release from Sammy (shown after the break) now shows both units being available here in America sometime in October, and more importantly, prices were also divulged. As for the P2, it'll be available in black, wine red or white hues for $199 (4GB) and $249 (8GB), while the T10 will ship in midnight black, mystic purple, maple red, white cloud and lime yellow for $149 (4GB) and $199 (8GB). Hold tight, the duo should (finally) be landing anytime.
Samsung's YP-P2 gets unboxed
Just days after hitting Amazon, Samsung's YP-P2 is getting a proper unboxing. TheGirl over at YJzone was able to secure the oh-so-slim player and managed to curb that enthusiasm just long enough to snap pictures of the entire opening process. We're sure you're up to speed on the device being discussed, so we'll cut ya loose so you can enjoy the pictures, cool?[Thanks, Ilia I.]
Samsung's YP-P2 available on Amazon
We know you can't wait to get your sweaty, smearing mitts all over Samsung's little YP-P2, AKA the "palm theater" (the company's words, not ours). Well, it looks like you won't have to wait much longer, as the eighth wonder of the media player world has just made an appearance on Amazon.com, with an option to put the 8GB, widescreen, touch sensitive, Bluetooth equipped iPod-challenger in your cart and do some serious checking out (provided you have an extra $249.99 laying around). Now, don't go spilling your beverage on yourself rushing over to the site, because even though you can pay for the thing, Amazon is still listing the player as "In stock soon," so while you'll be able to impress friends and family members with the news of your purchase, you won't actually be able to show it to them.
Panasonic offers up 32GB P2 memory card
It's been a short while since we've seen any news on the P2 HD front, but Panasonic is hoping to extract a few more hundies from those sold on the format by introducing a 32GB P2 card. The device, labeled AJ-P2C032RG, can be installed in sets of five into the AJ-HPX3000 and HPX2000 P2 HD camcorders for recording "up to 2.5 hours (over 3 hours in 24p) of footage in AVC-Intra 100 or DVCPRO HD and 5 hours (over 6.5 hours in 24p) in AVC-Intra 50 or DVCPRO 50." As you'd probably expect, this sucka won't run you cheap, as it's expected to demand a staggering $1,650 when it hits in November.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Samsung's P2 and T10 Bluetooth players: Stateside in September
Ready for it? We've got the release date for Samsung's tasty new Bluetooth media players with FM tuners: the YP-P2 and YP-T10. September. Ok, it's not so much a date as a range, but mark your calendars anyway and get to saving. How much? Good question, Sammy ain't saying, but you'd best start combing your pockets for the couple of hundie they'll demand. Think about it: the P2 (pictured) brings a proper 16:9 widescreen, 3-inch touchscreen display with up to 8GB of audio/video-hungry flash while the T10 wraps 4GB of your audio and video in a 0.3-inch, super thin dose of sex-ay. Just check the gallery and full specs after the break if you need more convincing.%Gallery-6441%
