FirmwareUpdate
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What happened with firmware 1.54
The official PlayStation 3 update page has finally updated itself to explain what was updated in the firmware update that you all used to update your previously out-of-date PS3's. Are you up to date on that? Here's what changed: Users You can now select an image to use as the User icon from [Photo]. Settings [Key Tone] has been added as an option under [Sound Settings]. [Delete Backup Data] has been added as an option under [System Settings] > [Backup Utility]. WEP 128, WPA-PSK (TKIP) and WPA-PSK (AES) have been added as security methods that can be used with [AOSS™] under [Automatic].* * If you have already set up for AOSS using an earlier version of the system software, you must perform AOSS setup again to use the security methods listed above. * When [Automatic] is selected, the security method to be used is automatically set. * AOSS is a trademark of Buffalo, Inc. Friends New for 1.54: [Screen Mode] has been added as an option in the options menu for video chat. The image of the person you are chatting with during video chat can now be changed to match the screen size. New for 1.54: You can now use a compatible USB camera compliant with USB video class (UVC) for video chat. * For information on supported models and usage instructions, contact the retailer where the cameras are sold. The method for saving your password / signing in automatically under PLAYSTATION®Network has been changed. There are now two separate options. Other You can now enter text in Korean using the on-screen keyboard. That's it. Nothing major yet... a few more weeks, though. Has anyone used the video chat function? That would be kind of fun.[thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Zune firmware update 1.3 due for mid-March
It takes a certain amount of spirit to be a Zune user in the first place, so when the few, the proud discovered odd bugs in their precious "social" DAPs, and then learned that Microsoft was not only not fixing these problems, but not even confirming a fix was in the works, you can imagine the outcry was rather vocal. Well, the Zune Insider blog has finally spoken up on the subject, and is promising a 1.3 firmware update around March 20th to fix the most obvious of problems, such as Zune Marketplace content skipping, FM tuner battery drainage, and syncing hassles. Unfortunately, the other vocal half of the social, the ones with few bugs, but a whole lot of feature requests, is going to get shafted with this update -- still no wireless syncing, still no podcasting, still no transmogrifier. At least Microsoft has confirmed those requests, and says the Zune team is "working on making Zune better," and not just blowing all the Zune cash on hip-cool ads.[Thanks, Mike]
Sony's firmware 1.5 update for PS3 includes contactless payments
Sony's latest PS3 firmware update (1.5 already? Oh how the time flies!) really has its heart in the right place. None of this magnanimous 720p Blu-ray playback nonsense, or any other help for the True HD impaired. No, this time around Sony is concentrating on what really matters: raking in the cash. See, the update lets you hook up a fancy little PaSoRi reader, which can pull contactless payments from your Edy money card or Felica phone to fill up your Network Wallet with relevant monies. It's all Japan-only, of course, but perhaps one day we can be cool like our island friends. Other minor enhancements include the addition of WEP128 and WPA-PSK (TKIP/AES) for wireless security, and a few other smaller fixes. The firmware should be headed to Japanese PS3s tomorrow.[Via gearfuse]
PS3 firmware update reportedly on track for March
Looks like Sony's going to give European gamers a little treat to try to make up for the long wait they've had to endure to get a PS3 of their own, with the company reportedly set to release the first major firmware update for the PS3 alongside the console's debut in Europe in March (which they're still sticking by). The firmware update has been rumored about before, but has now apparently been confirmed by Phil Harrison himself, speaking at a recent event for the Sony-funded Threespeech blog. Most of the updates revealed at this time look to be centered on the PS3's non-gaming abilities, with new XMB multi-tasking capabilities that'll let you do voice or video chat while you browse the XMB or play games, as well as new audio playback animations, additional photo album features, auto-resume for downloads from the PlayStation Store, and "additional XMB display options" -- exactly what that means, we're not so sure. Those with a PSP will also get a few new tricks, including new Remote Play functionality that'll let you access media stored on your PS3 via any WiFi connection. No word on a fix for the problems with PS1 and PS2 games, though we suppose/hope that could be one of the "additional display options."[Via Joystiq]
PSP firmware 3.0 out in the wild
As expected, to accompany its spankin' new PS3 console, Sony has a bit of a "refresh" for the PSP, in the form of a 3.0 firmware update that packs a fair bit of functionality. The biggest news is that PlayStation Network downloadable games are now supported, previews of which (pictured) included fan faves like FFVII and Metal Gear Solid, so hopes are high there. The PSP should also now be able to access media stored on your PS3 via WiFi. Other functions include Remote Play, a visual music player, a Camera option under the Photo menu, and an option to disable UMD Auto-Start. A few other options might spark your interest, but you might as well just find 'em out for yourself -- the upgrade is available now via Network Update.
Sony prepping firmwares updates for PS3 launch
You might've hoped that after years of PS3 strife -- coupled with a couple of weeks in line, of course -- that once you'd forked over your $600 + games + accessories + HDMI, you could finally plop down on the couch and start washing away all the grief with MotoStorm / Genji / Ridge Racer / Resistance, smug in your next-gen digs. Well, you can... after you run a quick firmware update. See, Sony saved its PlayStation Network online service functionality for a version 1.1 update, which can be accessed from a menu item on the PS3 on launch day. Sony says it's also prepping a 3.0 PSP update for late November that will also add PlayStation Network support, along with the ability to access PS3 content via WiFi.
MacBook SMC firmware update 1.1 to end random shutdown?
Alright folks, you can put down your pitchforks, drop that class action lawsuit and kill all 20 online petitions you started to try and get Apple to fix the MacBook random shutdown fiasco that has been haunting the Mac faithful these past months. The problem, which has been affectionately termed RSS, "Random Shutdown Syndrome," has finally been addressed by an SMC firmware update for the MacBook. Version 1.1 -- 1.0 battled the infamous "moo" problem -- supposedly "improves the MacBook's internal monitoring system and addresses issues with unexpected shutdowns." Apple also sez: "This update is recommended for all MacBook systems, including those that received warranty repair." Of course, the proof is in the pudding, so fire up that cracked, brown and mooing MacBook of yours and let this thing work its magic, then let us know your results in the comments. Oh, and before you go looking for the "Shut down randomly" option in your Energy Saver control panel, we'd like to thank whomever is responsible for that amusing Photoshop, the source of which we've totally forgotten.
HD DVD 2.0 firmware to be released by Toshiba today
Toshiba sure does love their firmware updates. Their fourth update in as many months bumps the version number to a nice round 2.0, and promises TrueHD 5.1 support, allowing for full digital reproduction of studio mastered sound with 24-bit/96kHz discrete channels. As our friends at HD Beat astutely point out, it ain't no Blu-ray support, but it's a nice one-up on the competition all the same. No word on when exactly this will drop today, but we wouldn't stray far from the remote if we were you and had an intense craving for yummy TrueHD and expansive version numbers.
MacBook Pro 17-inch SMC Firmware Update
Apple has just updated the firmware for the 17 inch MacBook Pros. This firmware update 'adjusts fan behavior' in Apple's hot new portable (that's a pun, folks. Thank you, thank you).Let's hope that the MacBooks will get a firmware update to address the Moo problem.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
HP "recalls" 679,000 cams, issues firmware update
So even though Hewlett-Packard is "recalling" some 679,000 Photosmart R707 digital cameras (224,000 of which are in the US), there's no real need to panic, because instead of having to send your model back, performing a simple DIY firmware update will keep your shooter from becoming a flame thrower. Like so many other recalls of the past, this one also involves batteries that can potentially overheat and start a fire, but the problem only occurs if you feed power to the camera when it contains non-rechargeable batteries. Therefore, if you always use rechargeables in your R707, it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, but you single-use AA users shouldn't plug in your cams until you've completed the update, 'kay?
MacBook Pro heating problems fixed?
When Apple released the SMC Firmware update for Intel Macs this past Tuesday, they were rather cryptic about just what it was supposed to do. One conspiracy theory proposed that it was intended to cripple clock speeds, but Information Week is reporting something quite different (and less insidious): It seems that MacBook Pro (MBP) heating issues have been resolved. According to the article, MBP users are finding that their fans are running more effectively, resulting in post-update temperatures as low as 8 degrees cooler. What all this means is no more burnt thighs during lengthy World of Warcraft sessions.So, TUAWers, what has your experience been? Has this firmware update put your MBP into the deep freeze?[Via MacNN]
