downloads
Latest
Apple posts a boatload of updates
Apple just posted a bunch of software updates over at its download site. Updates include Final Cut Pro 6.0.1, Motion 3.0.1 (improves stability, resolves performance issues), Color 1.0.1, Compressor 3.0.1, Soundtrack Pro 2.0.1, a combo-style Pro Applications Update, and a SuperDrive Firmware Update 2.1 (improves readability of certain CD media).Thanks Mason Jagel.
Sony cans Connect, pumps up PlayStation
Literally dozens of loyal Sony Connect users were sent into mourning yesterday by a PaidContent.org story announcing the proprietary music and video download service will be shut down in the coming months. The staff of 80 behind the online store will be transferred over to the PlayStation side of the company, a rather convenient move considering Sony is preparing to launch a new PSP Store later this year.We know what you're thinking, but don't worry, the eBook division of the service will stay up for those of you who prefer reading books on an LCD screen.[Via PSPFanboy]
Joost evaluating its hardware options
Joost, the hard-partyin', beta-stage releasin', streaming TV-service you've been watching on your PC appears to be making baby-steps towards integrating their service with somebody's third-party set-top box. Joost began making public statements this week suggesting that it's already in talks with manufacturers, although we don't know who or where. According to their executive VP of global advertising, "You will see Joost in the living room," which really only makes sense. Paradigm-shifting media delivery platform or not, people still seem to typically prefer to watch TV sitting on their couch and with their TV.[Via BGR]
Is the Apple TV a dud?
Of all the products Apple has been rolling out in the past few years, the Apple TV is easily one of the most debated. While I haven't seen any specific figures from Apple on how well or poorly the device is selling, Apple's first foray into the living room seems to be getting off to at least a decent start. Jobs made another uncharacteristic move in revealing upcoming plans to support YouTube next month. But could the Apple TV be a dud? CNN Money's Brent Schlender sure thinks so. In fact, Mr. Schlender goes so far as to take a jab at the Apple TV's development: "Apple TV is so Zune-like, you'd think Jobs was so busy with the iPhone that he outsourced the Apple TV project to the folks up in Redmond." He then follows with a list of the largest complaints against the device, which includes: No DVD drive The perceived requirement of an HDTV (though we know that to be not-quite-true) even though you can't buy full HD content from the iTunes Store The fact that you can't shop the iTS right from the Apple TV despite its internet connection The annoying conundrum with only being able to use images from one computer's photo library, even though most people's pictures are probably the one batch of HD-ready media that isn't rights-managed in any way and completely sharable over a network and amongst friends or even strangers Schlender is quick to point out, however, that the one other device everyone expected to be able to shop online via its wireless connection - Microsoft's Zune - can't do that either.
Rumor: Wireless downloads on the way - for the Zune
Engadget is reporting that a rumored firmware update to Microsoft's Zune DAP (Digital Audio Player) could usher in wireless downloads from their Zune Marketplace digital media store. No word yet on whether these would be all-you-can-eat subscription downloads or purchases made via the Zune Marketplace's points system, but regardless: if Microsoft gets this out in the near future and Apple hasn't stepped up to the plate (possibly with wireless iTunes downloads to the iPhone), they'll be one of the last major players in the DAP market that hasn't snipped the chord on downloading yet. Mobile phones and services from the likes of Cingular, Sprint and Verizon are all enabling wireless downloads, with Sprint recently matching the iTunes price of $.99 per song.While Microsoft doesn't seem to be causing any loss of sleep for Apple in terms of iPod sales just yet, wireless downloads is one of the undeniable holy grails that digital media lovers everywhere have been clamoring for since the rumor mongers first began posting their silly claims of 'wireless iPods any day now' many years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the debut of this feature alone made at least a few potential iPod switchers finally make the leap to black, white and brown waters.
Freeware downloads site GameHippo sold
Nearly a decade old, freeware PC game download site GameHippo has recently changed owners. Founder and writer Boson (who apparently can't blow bubbles with bubblegum) made the announcement over the weekend. GameHippo features only legit freeware games, unlike many of the sketchy sites lurking in dark corners of the web. No demos, no shareware, and no ruddy Mac titles (all eight of them). The purchasing party was not revealed, though Boson did say "he's just a good old guy like myself". The site has been stagnant over the last few months, so the first order of business will be to push a few new games onto the front page.[Via Independent Gaming]
Security Update 2007-004
You know what that feeling in the air is? That's right! Apple has released a new security update. Security Update 2007-004. It seems to fix a slew of things, so I would suggest installing it as soon as possible.It is available for 10.3.9 server, 10.3.9 client, PPC, and Universal flavors.
UK gamers left waiting for PSone game downloads
I've complained from time to time about the selection of downloadable PSone games for PSP in the US, but right now the UK has it much worse. At launch of the PS3, there are zero PSone games on the PlayStation Store for download to PSP. Sony hasn't made any statement as to when they'll show up, but the US had to wait a little while for this feature. Still, since the UK launch was much later than in Japan and the US, one would think Sony would have titles lined up for day one. In any case, let's hope for the sake of UK PS3 owners that the wait isn't too long. [Via Games Radar]
New Xbox 360 and upcoming add-on HDD to include data cable?
It looks like Microsoft might have a heart and will possibly be including a data-retention cable with the new and improved, back-in-black Xbox 360 model. Ars Technica has a line on a secret source who lets it slip that Microsoft had sent a new SKU for the upgraded unit, which specifies that this cable will be included. Additionally, the same source says that the cable will be included with the standalone 120GB HDD as well, which hasn't officially been announced yet. Will the cable and the HDD be available in both black and white? We don't want to mess up our precious gaming color scheme. We might see a rise of third-party HDD stickers and skins that'll let you dress that Xbox up in your love.This will be a huge incentive towards getting existing Xbox owners to either upgrade their unit to the "Elite" model, or to buy the new drive, because no one wants to lose all their picture packs, arcade games, and episodes of Battlestar Galactica. We're just happy to know what we probably won't have to download that Eragon demo again. However, this sounds like one of those "use it once and you're done" items that'll soon be collecting dust in the back of a drawer somewhere, so look for 'em on eBay not long afterwards.
The downloadable demo rumors: still rumors
The Internet has been slightly a splode lately with rumors about a new Wii channel for game demos. Game blogs everywhere have been picking up the story, which originally came from German magazine Games Aktuell via their website, Cynamite. Unfortunately for those of us waiting for an announcement of a demo channel, this ain't it. Most of the sudden interest seems to come from a popular Digging of the article-- and both the Cynamite article and the Digg posting are, in Internet terms, prehistoric.The Cynamite article uses (the German equivalents of) words like "official" and "confirmed", but we have our doubts-- stemming mainly from the fact that it was posted on December 1st of last year and nobody else has said anything about it since. We find it odd that Nintendo would reveal a new feature to only one magazine, over four months (or however long it may be before such an announcement occurs) before its official announcement in any region. We also find it odd that this news would be delivered in Europe and nowhere else; Europe isn't exactly the first priority for video game companies, as any gamer living there has discovered. It seems more likely that this news would eventually come out of multiple Nintendo representatives in communication with multiple sources-- at least one per region. And we'd really expect this kind of big exclusive to come to a Japanese magazine like Famitsu.Don't despair yet, small-free-game-segment fans. Just because this particular posting probably isn't an official announcement doesn't mean Nintendo won't eventually start offering demo downloads. They've got a nice Internet-capable console now, and they're delivering actual games over the Internet for the first time. Why wouldn't they throw some demos up on one of the Wii channels?
No PSP love on PLAYSTATION Store this week
Last week PSP owners had the option of downloading the first of a game series that has a newer version already on PSP. I complained about it. Well, I probably should have just been happy there was a new PS1 game to download, because this week there's no PSP content with the weekly PLAYSTATION Store update. When I think of all the possible amazing PS1 games I could have downloaded it makes me cry that I have nothing. I'm sorry I yelled at you Sony, please give me more games to download for my PSP. In the meantime I'm going to start e-mailing Sony non-stop until they release Rival Schools: United by Fate for download.
Free Eragon and The Reaping downloads
Today's free XBLM downloads are movie related themes and gamer pictures that are available to a worldly audience. First off is the free Eragon theme available to most of Europe and only Europe. The other downloads are for the movie The Reaping (featuring that swanky Hilary Swank) and include both a theme and a set of gamer pictures. And be sure to note that The Reaping's free downloads are only offered to United States residents ... Canada gets shafted this time, sorry guys. We just rang the free downloads dinner bell, so go get your content already!
Wipeout PS1 comes to PSP
Yet again Sony has released a downloadable game on the PlayStation Store that is already available in a better form on PSP. The original Wipeout from the days of PS1 has landed in downloadble form on Sony's PS3 market. I'm sure for hardcore Wipeout fans this is exciting and more playable games for PSP is never a bad thing, but why can't Sony focus on games that aren't already available on PSP and give us some downloadable games worth getting excited about? I'm sitting with my hands outstretched and they have money in them. Sony can take that money as soon as they give me some games I want to download and enjoy on my PSP.
Simple hack keeps Netflix Watch Now from tracking your minutes?
Remember how back in the day -- before software developers got wise to this sort of thing -- you could extend the life of some shareware indefinitely by simply winding back your machine's calendar every so often? Well according to tipster "Livesunkept" (a pseudonym, we suspect), a similar jury-rigged hack is all it takes to vastly extend your monthly allotment of viewing hours for Netflix's new Watch Now streaming video service. Normally Netflix keeps track of how long you've been watching, and correlates that number to the fee you pay each month, subtracting from your bank of minutes based on your subscription level (i.e. an $18 plan might give you 18 hours of streamed viewing). Always looking for a way to beat the system, Livesunkept discovered that if you disconnect your network adapter after a given movie has finished downloading (usually 15 to 20 minutes), and then clear your cache and cookies before reconnecting it at the end of the flick, Netflix will only charge you for a few minutes of viewing time even though you rightfully owe about two hours worth of credits. Now we don't really have time to watch movies around here -- thus no Netflix / Blockbuster subscriptions -- so we haven't been able to try this workaround out for ourselves and verify that it works. That's why we have commenters. So if you're a member of the Netflix posse, please do us a favor and report back after you've given this hack a whirl -- don't tell anyone else, though, or you'll risk ruining the supposed loophole for all the hard-working cheats and cheapskates out there.[Thanks, Livesunkept]
Digital FAIR USE bill introduced to amend DMCA
Ah, the day we've all been waiting for has finally arrived -- well, sort of. Yeah, it is still a bill, but it's a refreshing start on a long overdue amendment. While content guardians (we're looking your way, MPAA / RIAA) have done their fair share of beating around the issue and insisting that DRM-laced content was the only way to go, consumers haven't exactly been thrilled about such limitations since day one. In yet another glorious case of red and blue coming together for the good of mankind, Rich Boucher (D-Va.) and John Dolittle (R-Calif.) introduced a breath of fresh air they call FAIR USE, or Freedom and Innovation Revitalizing U.S. Entrepreneurship. The idea, of course, is to simply "make it easier for digital media consumers to use the content they buy" by amending the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; according to the duo, the DMCA simply "goes too far by dramatically tilting the copyright balance toward complete copyright protection at the expense of the public's right to fair use." Boucher further substantiates his case for the most down-to-earth politician of all time by suggesting that if the DMCA remains unadulterated, "individuals will be less willing to purchase digital media" due to the unacceptable restrictions that come along with it. We'd ask for an amen, but we don't want to set off any minor earthquakes.[Thanks, Kevin M.]
Pocket Gamer finds 23 places to get free content
The PSP can do it all: view photos, listen to music, display videos, play games and browse the web. With so much functionality, it can become quite daunting to find enough content to satiate a true PSP fan. Pocket Gamer's going to give it a swing, though, linking to 23 places that'll give your PSP something to play with. Sites include video services like Atom Films, webcomics like NYC2123 (pictured), and a few notable (and legal) homebrew applications.Of course, if that isn't enough, we at PSP Fanboy also provide downloadable demos, PSP Fanboy Theatre and Saturday Background Explosion. With so much to do on the PSP, it's no wonder I never get any work done.
RIAA lists top 25 universities handing out piracy notices
The "good guys" have tried to tempt college kids with free legal music for far too long to no avail, and after continuous failed attempts at gaining traction here in the US, it's no surprise that the RIAA would devote precious man-hours to concocting a most-wanted list of pirating schools. It should be noted that the top 25 is based on the amount of warnings sent out from the university to its students, and some schools may be omitted simply due to a lack of response on the administration's end. Nevertheless, it's reported that over three times as many infringement notices have been sent out during the 2006 - 2007 school year versus the year prior, but the RIAA did attribute some of that boost to its heightened awareness and tracking capabilities. Interestingly enough, the top spot holder doesn't seem to be overly concerned about its position, as Purdue feels the "service provider" shouldn't be the one lashing out at "criminals," essentially brushing that RIAA grief right off its shoulder. Still, we all know what you're here for, and that's to see if your alma mater made the dubious cut (full list after the jump), and while some here at Engadget can proudly proclaim to be in the top ten (ahem), drop us a comment and let us know where you stand.[Via TWW]
Japan PS1 download envy
I'm not sure what Sony has against those outside of Japan, but US PSP owners wanting to download PS1 games onto their PSP really haven't had much to get excited about. Nearly every game available for download on the US PLAYSTATION Store is either garbage or there is a better version in the series already on PSP. Tekken 2 or Wipeout aren't that appealing when we can already play more recent and better versions of each on the PSP. Meanwhile, Japan gets 21 PS1 game downloads to choose from and there are some heavy-hitters in the lot too, like Resident Evil, R-Types, Arc the Lad and Mr. Driller. I've only downloaded 1 of the 11 games available in the US and it isn't for a lack of desire. Stop teasing us Sony and give those outside of Japan some worthwhile downloads!
This week in Video Marketplace
Xbox.com's TriXie posted this week's Video Marketplace update, and it brings a bunch of new Reality Television shows into the fold. Unfortunately, only one TV download (albeit temporarily free), Jericho's recap, is available in High Definition. Employee of the Month is the lone HD movie of the five films added. Hopefully we'll get some more HD lovin' soon. Full list of the titles available after the break.
Idol Master downloads begin, otaku rejoice
Already established as a cult classic in Japan (albeit with a slightly creepy cult), NamcoBandai's Idol Master has moved a sizeable number of players from dingy arcades back to their dingy bedrooms. And now, thanks to yesterday's introduction of downloadable items, there's even more fodder (we're not saying for what) available to players of the Xbox 360 version of this teen girl coaching sim. Schoolwear (pictured), kimonos and other outfits are priced at 1000 Microsoft Points, as there seems to be a premium for such garb, while leopard skin skirts and equestrian accessories (whips not included) are priced at a more reasonable 500 points per item. Probably the best line to take on all this: no comment.
