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FCC: Yes, you're allowed to hack your WiFi router
A few months ago, the FCC proposed regulations that theoretically banned the use of open source firmware on your WiFi router. Needless to say, that rubbed a lot of enthusiasts the wrong way -- how were you supposed to improve features or security on your own terms, especially on routers that were designed to be hacked? Well, you needn't fear any longer. On top of reassurances from October, the FCC has modified its proposal to allow open source firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato. The agency will only forbid tweaks that take a router "out of compliance," such as an overly strong signal. In short, you can flash your WiFi hotspot in the future without worrying that the feds will come knocking.
PlayStation 4 jumps on the YouTube Gaming bandwagon
Believe it or not, the PlayStation 4 is almost two years old already. I know, I'm surprised too. To celebrate, Sony is rolling out its dashboard preview program... and from the looks of it, firmware version 3.0 is positively massive and rife with some huge changes for the console. Let's start at the top: online storage has been increased from a paltry 1GB to 10GB, which should make it a ton easier to access all of your game saves wherever you are. With the advent of YouTube Gaming comes the ability to livestream from Sony's latest game console to Google's video wing, much like you could already do via the system's built-in Twitch functionality. And on top of the existing screenshot sharing, you can now share video clips to Twitter. Sadly, they're limited to 10 seconds apiece.
Sony wants your help testing PlayStation 4's next update
In a rare instance of following Microsoft's lead this generation, Sony is opening up a beta program for its game console firmware updates. If you want to help test the next patch all you need to do is fill out an application, own a PlayStation 4 and wait. A post on the PlayStation Blog notes that the beta starts early next month and further details about what it includes will hit by then. Here's to hoping that unlike the Xbox Dashboard Preview Program this won't require near-constant updates every time you turn your console on. Now, if only Sony would take another cue from Redmond and actually lock down some exclusive games...
Researchers create a worm that infects Macs silently and permanently
Macs have typically been heralded as the more secure of the two main operating systems. But according to researchers, at the firmware level, that's not necessarily true. Ahead of their 'Thunderstrike 2: Sith Strike' Black Hat presentation, Xeno Kovah, Trammell Hudson and Corey Kallenberg demonstrated to Wired that Macs have some of the same vulnerabilities as their Windows counterparts. The exploit is especially troubling because now a phishing email or click on a link on a malicious site could compromise the computer. This is in addition to the exploit shown last year that was spread by the ROM of infected external drives and accessories like a Thunderbolt to ethernet adapter. These exploits are nearly impossible to detect because security software doesn't scan the firmware and reinstalling the system doesn't remove the problem.
PS4 update 2.03 seeks more stability
Sony issued an update for PlayStation 4 consoles last night, which is expected to further improve system stability. Update 2.03's notes are minimal, simply stating that "system software stability during use of some features has been improved" with the patch. The update arrived three weeks after firmware version 2.02 for the system, which bore the same description as yesterday's patch. In both cases, the updates clean up the multitude of problems introduced by Sony's major 2.00 update in late October. The subsequent early November patch rectified the rest mode issues, though it seems the console manufacturer had more items to tweak in the system. As of the end of October, shipments for the PS4 reached 13.5 million consoles. [Image: Sony]
PlayStation 4 firms up with 2.02 system update, available now
Hot on the heels of the PS4's 2.01 system update is - you guessed it - 2.02, available to download now. We've successfully nabbed and installed the firmware, but the patch notes currently offer little to report on what it's changed. According to Sony's support page, with 2.02 "system software stability during use of some features has been improved." Well, then. 2.02 is the second PS4 update within a week, so it seems likely that, like 2.01, it's designed to tackle some of the problems that arose after the major 2.00 update. 2.00 caused a variety of glitches for some users, such as the console not powering up from Rest Mode (as addressed by the 2.01 update). 2.00 has also got on badly with certain games, including the Evolve alpha and, as our review attested to, the upcoming Dragon Age: Inquisition. Here's our Editor's Note from the review: "The PlayStation 4 version of Dragon Age: Inquisition currently experiences severe crashing hourly, requiring consoles be unplugged and restarted. EA and Sony have told us this is due to the console's recent 2.0 firmware update. Joystiq has been informed this issue will be corrected in a day one patch. We were provided a console by Sony with an advance copy of the upcoming patch. Following that we experienced only one crash that went immediately to the dashboard. We will update this note on the game's launch day." [Image: Sony]
Nintendo mega-busts out another batch of Amiibos [update]
Update: As our post went live, Nintendo of America unveiled a trailer pinning the 11 new Amiibo figures for February 2015. In the video, which you'll find below the break, Nintendo notes "some of our retail partners will be releasing a certain number of these as exclusive figures, so stay tuned for details." As for Europe, Nintendo listed Rosalina & Luma, Bowser, Lucario, Toon Link, Sheik and Ike for January 23, 2015. Meta Knight, Sonic, King Dedede, Shulk and Sonic follow on February 20. Original Story: Two more waves of Amiibo figures hit Japan early next year, Nintendo revealed this week. On January 22, 2015, eight of the Smash-compatible figurines roll onto Japanese retail shelves, followed by three more in February. The January octet is Lucario, Rosalina & Luma, Bowser, Toon Link, Sheik, Ike, Meta Knight and King Dedede, while the February triforce is Shulk, Sonic and the blue bomber Mega Man. As Eurogamer notes, Nintendo lists Toon Link as compatible with Mario Kart 8 and Hyrule Warriors, while Sheik is supported by Hyrule Warriors, too. Meanwhile, Nintendo of America announced a new Loot Crate Amiibo subscription service this week. Details such as prices and dates are scant for now, but according to Nintendo, "subscribers will receive 10 pre-selected Amiibo (including Mario, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Fox, and Yoshi) separated into three special Loot Crate shipments throughout the holiday season without ever having to leave their homes."
PS4 2.01 firmware rolling out, aims to fix Rest Mode issues
PlayStation Europe announced a new PS4 firmware update is "rolling out today," designed to fix at least one of a range of issues that cropped up following the 2.00 patch. The company's Twitter account said the 2.01 update "addresses issues some users have encountered when powering on the system from Rest Mode." We've successfully downloaded and installed the 2.01 firmware through PSN Europe - the update notes didn't offer any further clarification on the patch beyond addressing stability issues. Typically Sony's firmware rolls out worldwide at the same time, and a tweet from the main PlayStation account indicates 2.01 should be available stateside "soon" if not already.
Snap up Xbox One's October system update now
Microsoft rolled out the new October system update for the Xbox One, which we've verified is available to download now. As detailed last month, the new firmware overhauls the Snap feature, which lets you view a main and side window on screen simultaneously. Now, bringing up the Snap Center brings links to Friends, Achievements, Party, Messages and Game DVR apps, as well as a wee battery icon and clock. Also, double-tapping the Xbox button brings up a Snap quick menu, cutting down the hassle of bringing apps in and out. Snap now supports the Messages and Friends apps, with the latter spruced up including the addition of GamerScore leaderboards. The boards are based on your GamerHaul over the last 30 days, so long-term Achievement hunters just have to console themselves with their six-figure scores. Or, they could use the new captioning feature when sharing Achievements to rub it in friends' faces - you know, things like "Hah, look at 50G you're never getting, bub" or "I spent the last 42 hours getting this cheevo and I regret nothing!"
Security researchers detail 'unpatchable' USB hack
Remember Karsten Nohl? The security researcher who discovered how to infect just about any USB device with scarily savvy malware and delivered a lengthy talk about it at this year's Black Hat conference? At the time he didn't want to share the code for his exploit, but fellow researchers Adam Caudill and Brandon Wilson figured out how to pull off some of the same tricks and they've published their findings on GitHub. Why? To try and force device manufacturers to get their security acts together.
Wii U gets organized with folders in latest update
Much like a prospective office assistant, Nintendo's Wii U can now put "good organization skills" on its resume. Thanks to a new system update this week, the console will now allow players to sort their home screen icons into folders. The Wii U menu also added a download management icon in the latest update and updated the home menu's layout. The system's quick start menu, which was added this summer to cut down on the Wii U's boot times, also received two small changes in the firmware update. The menu will now display when the Wii U is powered on from the GamePad's TV remote menu. Additionally, players can choose software to hide from the quick start menu in the system's power settings. The console manufacturer was a little slower to learn icon management this time around; Nintendo added folder sorting to the 3DS just over a year after the system's launch compared to nearly two years after the Wii U arrived. [Thanks, Deric!] [Image: Nintendo]
Apple disables downgrades from iOS 8 to iOS 7
So, you've upgraded to iOS 8 and now you're having second thoughts? Well, I'm sorry to tell you, but you no longer have the option of downgrading your device back to iOS 7. This sad news comes to you from developer Steven Troughton-Smith (via AppleInsider), who tweeted the information on Friday: RIP iOS 7 - Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) September 26, 2014 What Troughton-Smith had noticed is that Apple stopped signing iOS 7.1.2 firmware, which means that once a compatible device has been upgraded to iOS 8, it can never be downgraded again. Those who still have devices that are incompatible with iOS 8, such as the original iPad and the iPhone 4, will continue to have access to the earlier firmware.
PS4 firmware update adding themes, Toro and Kuro are pleased
Similar to the Vita, Sony has announced that a future software update on the PS4 will add the ability to use themes, giving players the ability to customize the console's dashboard. Themes teased during the reveal were animated, featuring famous PlayStation Japan characters Toro and Kuro kicking back in a kitchen. Paging through the sections of the PS4 dashboard changed the background image. Again, like the Vita reveal earlier this evening, it's unclear if players will be able to select any images to customize their console or if themes will be limited to content available on the PlayStation Store. A release date for the update had not been revealed. Check out another example of the PS4 themes in action after the break.
Today's Xbox One update adds remote purchases, 3D Blu-ray support
Microsoft launched an Xbox One system update today, rolling out a collection of new features and interface tweaks in response to user feedback. The Xbox One's August update reorganizes user activity feeds, adding text entry and expanded options for shared media. After applying the upgrade, players can purchase Xbox One content online and install it remotely without manually powering on the system. Media playback also gets a boost with 3D Blu-ray support and the ability to disable system notifications while watching video. Other new features include notifications for low controller batteries and a "last seen" option that tracks friend activity. Microsoft plans to introduce additional improvements to the Xbox One's media player and other firmware components in the next system update due this fall. [Video: Microsoft]
You can carry a privacy-minded wireless hotspot in your pocket
Devices like the Safeplug can deter companies and governments from snooping on your devices at home, but they're not much good when you're on the road. That's where the PORTAL (Personal Onion Router To Assure Liberty) project comes into play. Load the customized firmware on to certain travel hotspots (some TP-Link models and their clones) and you can maintain strong privacy anywhere you have internet access, without using special software; think of it as an anti-surveillance tool in your pocket. It not only puts you on the Tor anonymity network that spies hate so much, but supports connection masking add-ons that prevent your Tor data from being blocked. You can visit China without worrying that you'll have to use an insecure, heavily censored connection just to get online.
3D Blu-ray support arrives in latest PlayStation 4 update
PlayStation 4's latest firmware is available to download and install now, bringing 3D Blu-ray support to the system as promised. If you're hoping for the same feature on Xbox One, it's due to hit in next month's system update. Today's PS4 update also means users can choose to automatically download "Featured Content" from the PlayStation Store - according to Sony Europe's Chris Owen that includes things like demos and time-limited trials, and no charged content. Also, system messages that were in the top right will now appear in the top left, and most importantly of all, the sound quality on 1.5x DVD and Blu-ray playback is improved. Finally, we can all move on! [Image: Fox]
PlayStation 4 gets 3D Blu-ray support next week
Sony revealed 3D Blu-Ray support is coming to PlayStation 4, the announcement arriving just days after Microsoft confirmed the same thing for Xbox One. Whether it's a response by Sony, a coincidence or something else entirely, what's important is both PS4 and Xbox One owners get to watch all those lovely Frozen snowflakes right up close. The PS4's 1.75 firmware arrives next week, while the Xbox One update - which introduces a few other features - is pinned for sometime in August.
Want to download old iPhone firmware? Here's where to find it
Do you miss your old firmware? Do you have an old device that for some reason you want to run like it's 2009? Well iOS fans, you are in luck. The folks over at TechArrival have compiled a list of download links to original iPhone iOS firmware files for every firmware version. Take a walk down memory lane with the iOS 2.0.0 for the 2G, and then see what 2.1.0 was like. Maybe you've gotten sick of iOS 7 and want to move back in time to iOS 6. Maybe you'll realize things aren't so bad with your current firmware version. We're not here to judge - tt's your phone. If you're downloading the firmware in Safari make sure to turn off the auto unzip feature so the files aren't extracted. Head over to TechArrival and enjoy.
Wii U update adds system-to-system transfers
Wii U owners can proverbially move home from one system to another using a new feature introduced in the latest system update. The 5.1.0 U firmware adds "Transfer Between Wii U Systems," allowing you to take all system data - user data, games and saves included - from the original console and move it onto the new one. The most important things you'll need to switch Wii Us are a SD card capable of holding all the data, and both systems to hand, fully updated and each with a GamePad attached. If you don't have your original Wii U, you'll need to contact Nintendo support. Also, be aware the transfer formats the new system before transferring data across, and also formats the original after the process. So when it's over you'll have your new Wii U with all your old Wii U data on it and nothing else, while the old Wii U will be a blank slate. For more info, check out Nintendo's detailed instructions. Finally, if you - like us - get frustrated with having to relocate the GamePad when visiting the eShop, those woes are over now. Yes, the update also introduces eShop browsing using other peripherals including the Wii Remote, Wii U Pro Controller and Classic Controller. [Image: Nintendo]
Anti-surveillance advocates want you to run an open, secure WiFi router
Plenty of WiFi routers have guest modes for visitors; some companies base their entire business models around them. Many of these devices are full of security holes, however, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation doesn't see that as acceptable in an era where widespread government surveillance is a fact of life. To fix this, it has posted a very early version of custom-built open router firmware that promises both easy access and security. While there is a guest mode, the new firmware (based on the existing CenoWRT) should patch common exploits that leave your home network vulnerable. It will even fetch signatures for updates through the anonymizing Tor network to prevent rogue code from posing as a necessary upgrade.
