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TUAW reader creates TiVo-to-Go to Mac Tutorial
Over at Zatz Not Funny, faithful TUAW reader Dave has written up a quick-and-dirty TiVo-to-Go to Mac tutorial. For those who have been following closely, TiVoToGo DRM has been cracked, allowing transfer and decryption of .tivo format files to your Mac or Linux desktop. The hack depends on identifying and using your personal Media Access Key with the TiVo Decode open source software. Dave gives the essential run-down of the steps you need to take to de-gunk your files.
More Wiimote-related damage, just in time for the holidays
We've already spotted a couple of TVs get taken down by flying Wiimotes due to either overzealous gameplay or a pretty weak-sauce wrist strap, although we're leaning toward the latter. Over the last few days we've seen household collateral damage due to the strap either breaking entirely or slipping off those wearers who haven't opted for some special gloves. Our latest updates include two busted straps, one of which took out reader Rafael M.'s iPAQ hx4700 (pictured) that had sat docked adjacent to the TV, but is now obviously not more. The second strap, captured on video by residents of Cambrian House in Calgary (and now immortalized on YouTube, check it out on the next page), shows that beyond the woven exterior appears to be an easily-broken, tiny cable (similar to a fishing line) that connects to the Wiimote itself. Further, a third gamer, Elliot G., told us that his Wiimote came tearing off of his wrist while playing and took out a nearby beer glass (fortunately the can of Boddingtons appears to have been spared, as shown after the jump). So guys: until Nintendo gets this problem fixed, or you come up with a way to reinforce that strap, please make sure your gameplay area is clear of anything valuable and breakable, such as your television.Read - Rafael Montano
MacBooks becoming crackBooks?
The last time Apple had some serious machine cracking going on was way back in the Cube days (unless you want to talk about those minor incidents early on with the nanos) but here's a disturbing new one: MacBooks with exteriors starting to crack and distort the chassis under normal usage conditions. A couple of users on different forums are reporting cracks in nearly identical locations of their week 23 MacBooks, but it's still yet to be seen just how wide spread this one really is. Even after the heat and rebooting issue and the discoloration, we're still not really ready to throw in the towel on the MacBook, but we hope Apple has a solution to this one waiting in the wings.[Thanks, Luke]Read - Mac NN forusmRead - Apple forums
Nintendo: no love for Phat crack
Reader Kirk Winters has a problem. His DS Phat has succumbed to crack. As we previously reported, those of us who were still clinging to our Phats lost the high ground when they began to suffer the slings and arrows of cracked hinges, but we never thought it would come to this. Nintendo, it seems, is not repairing the Phats for free, as they are with the DS Lite.Ninty, where's the love? We thought we had something special. Kirk was heartbroken when his DS developed the same crack that raised such a stink with the Lites, but when he called Nintendo, he expected to get the same deal. No dice -- they'll haggle, but it's still not going to be a free ride if you end up in the same boat. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel. At first, Nintendo planned to charge for Lite repair, so maybe if we raise enough stink, we'll get the same treatment for the Phat. [Thanks for tipping us off, Kirk!]
DS Phat hooked on crack [Update 1]
When the big scare of hinge damage on a massive scale to shipments of DS Lites in America hit, we were all going over our units with a magnifying glass. We were all thankful that Nintendo was so kind as to offer free repairs for damaged handhelds. Turns out the issue might not only be Lite-exclusive.During the latest podcast from VGM Daily, it's revealed that a DS Phat developed a rather large crack at the hinge. If you're one of the few who didn't trade up for their DS Lite and kept your old unit, you might want to go check at the bottom of that dusty old box out in the garage that currently houses your DS Phat and make sure it's without crack.We've contacted our Nintendo rep and will update you as to how Nintendo will handle your broken DS Phat. Keep an eye on DS Fanboy for further updates.[Update 1: Cleaned up the wording a bit.]
myTunes brings a GUI to stripping iTMS DRM
These crazy hackers are moving fast these days, but Engadget has stayed in stride by providing a walk-through of myTunes, a GUI front-end to QTFairUse (sadly, Windows only - for now), that python code they mentioned earlier this week (not to be confused with any other products by the name of 'myTunes').A big downer for this app, however, is the way it works its DRM-be-gone magic: it can only work on tracks as they're played in real time. Even then, you're left with a file (sans any metadata like ratings or ID3 tags) which needs to be re-constructed into a playable AAC file with a second tool, though that process seems to take mere seconds per track. Engadget recommends letting the stripping process run overnight, so you can get a good 8 hours or so of unshackled music from each batch. Check out their walk-through for more instructions and ideas on how to optimize this process.myTunes might not be pretty yet, but it sounds like the developer(s) have a polishing roadmap in place, including simplifying this to a one-step process. For now, it still is the only method we know of for setting your iTMS purchases free.
Windows app cracks iTMS v6 DRM
JHymn users might remember that iTunes 6 broke the DRM-stripping tool, and it seems that Apple's done a good job of keeping FairPlay locked down - until someone cooked up QTFairUse6 for Windows. Yes, it's a Windows app, but it can apparently strip purchases from iTMS version 6.0.4 and above of their constraining DRM. QTFairUse6 isn't pretty either - it's a python script that involves some tinkering, but this might be good news to those who believe that if you love something, you should set it free.[via Engadget]
Janus Project PC can scan 300 WiFi networks at once
You've heard of black hat hackers and white hat hackers, but what about leather hat hackers? Meet the first: Kyle Williams. This creative genius has built the ultimate network hacking PC, the "Janus Project," which can focus its eight WiFi cards to break your standard WEP encryption in under five minutes. Beyond that, it can sniff 300 WiFi networks simultaneously, store and continuously encrypt all the data with AES 256-bit keys. In addition, the Janus Project has an instant off switch, which requires a USB key that has a 2000-bit passkey and a separate password to regain access. What's under the hood? Williams packed an Ubuntu Linux machine running on a 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor with an Acer 17-inch screen into that snazzy little rugged yellow box. Oh, and the closed case is waterproof too, in case you need to transport Janus Project on a whitewater raft to your next hacking hotspot. We don't doubt someone will.[Via The Raw Feed]
Nintendo fesses up to DS Lite hinge defect, will fix for free
We suppose it's a bit of a stretch to call Nintendo's DS Lite hinge problem -- which according to Nintendo affects 0.02 percent of shipped units -- much of a defect, but the big N has heard the cries of its users, and will now fix the problem for free. Multiple Lite-o-holics have reported a small crack on the left side of the hinge that holds the two screens together, and even our pals over at Joystiq have encountered the problem. Up until now Nintendo was charging $50 to repair the incidental damage, as it was considered outside of warranty, but now they're changing their tune with free repairs for all. This keeps up with their track record of consumer love, which they established with the "single dead pixel" policy on the original DS. Thanks Nintendo, we love you too.
Nintendo gives in, offers free repair
While we reported that Nintendo did indeed recognize the problem, we weren't sure if they would repair the issue for free or continue charging the $50 US fee to repair the unit. Word is, they'll do it for free, with both American and UK spokespersons verifying the statement as truth. And why not, their release even states its such a freak problem that it wouldn't even cost them that much to repair them. So, got a crack in the hinge? Call 'em up![Thanks Patrick!]
Nintendo answers hinge claims
Being a part of the Joystiq network, we here at DS Fanboy feel humbled every day, to have both incredible readers like yourself, and to be in charge of finding and reporting on all things Nintendo DS. However, when we reported on problems of the hinge sort, we knew we would not be able to command the presence that Papa J does and contact Nintendo for answers, so we left the task of sending an appropriately-titled WTF Nintendo?! email up to them. Nintendo's response reads:"In the U.S., the reported number of small cosmetic cracks in the plastic hinge of DS Lite systems represents less than 0.02 percent of the total units sold. This cosmetic issue in no way impacts the gameplay or integrity of the DS Lite. Nintendo stands behind the quality of our products and encourages DS Lite owners to contact our Customer Service Department if they are not happy with the functionality of their systems."Honestly, Nintendo may have fudged up the numbers a bit. That percentile deals with only the reported cases of "hinge crackage" and not the actual ratio of unharmed-to-cracked DS Lites. While I cannot speak for the other bloggers here, my DS is without harm. Whether this is due to how I open it (see: like a book) is unknown, but I do treat it very well. Regardless, we feel that the warranty should cover this issue and collectively wag our finger at Nintendo.
Nintendo: "We are not aware of any problems with the hinge of the DS Lite"
MaxConsole has received Nintendo's response, via Cake PR, to reports of the DS Lite's hinge cracking. The official statement is as follows:"We are not aware of any problems with the hinge of the DS Lite, however if someone experiences a problem with their DS Lite they should contact their local customer services department. The DS Lite carries a one year warranty for manufacturing defects, if the fault is covered under the warranty it will be repaired free of charge if not then customer services will provide a cost for repairing the product. For warranty repair information, all technical enquires [sic] including servicing products, guarantee information, troubleshooting, part orders and release dates in the UK, please contact our Customer Service department (Monday - Friday 8:30am-7pm)."In an effort to make Nintendo 'aware,' MaxConsole has compiled an impressive list of DS Lite owner testimonials, scooped from the pages of Arstechnica, Digg, GameSpot, and, yes, even Joystiq, each representing a unit with a near-identical crack, located on the left side of the hinge. While for most, the crack remains merely a cosmetic nuisance, some reports claim that the damage can worsen, resulting in the loss of the hinge's plastic casing, which in turn, affects the stability of the top screen.Regardless, Nintendo should investigate this matter further, in order to determine if the crack is, as speculated, a design flaw. Currently, customer service representatives are attributing the crack to misuse ("you dropped it"), and repair is being offered for a $50 fee.
Olympus m:robe MR-500i firmware cracked
If you're an owner of the late, ill-fated Olympus m:robe 500i, we're pleased to inform you that one rather obsessed fan known only as mrobe.fan has successfully cracked the firmware of your dear late device, so as to, um, re-skin the player. Yeah, that's it. Anyone wanting to add codec support, turn this thing into a portable video player, or basically do something -- anything-- to make into something useful (no offense intended to the four who were really into "remixing" photos and music) will have to continue their silent vigil over the device as the hackers continue to have their way with it. Perhaps some day soon the m:robe will actually live up to its potential, though we're sorry we can't report that being today.[Via m.robe.org, thanks Daniel]
Apple to iPod nano service providers: Fix cracked screens
Apple has stepped up to the plate regarding cracked screens on iPod nano's. Here at TUAW Jan reported on the screen cracking issues back in September of last year. If you have a 5G iPod and not a nano, hardware failure such as cracked screens should be covered if you are under warranty. Now it seems Apple will replace the screens free of charge on the iPod nano's on a case by case basis.This repair coverage should be taken care of at both Apple stores and Apple certified service providers. Let us know if you hear otherwise![via Engadget]
