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SDHC-enabling firmware updates for Pentax, Casio cameras
If you're still rocking a digital camera older than the recently unveiled Nikon D80 or lineup of Canons, for instance, the lack of SDHC support may have you a bit down on your luck. Apparently Casio and Pentax aren't wasting any time in making sure their customers are kept happy, as both companies have released firmware updates for a few popular shooters that sport SD slots. Pentax Japan is hooking up the *ist DL, *ist DL2, *ist DS, *ist DS2, and K100D (K110D to soon follow) with SDHC support, while Casio is upping the ante on its EX-S500, EX-Z600, and EX-Z850. So if you happen to own one of these select models, and you can't resist the urge to drop some coin on those pricey (albeit spacious and speedy) SDHC cards, be sure to do your duty and treat that digicam to its respective upgrade first. While these may be the first few cameras in which SD 2.0 support is granted retroactively, we don't imagine the list will stop here -- so, dear camera manufacturers, what's the holdup anyway? Read - Pentax Firmware Updates Read - Casio EX-S500 Firmware Update Read - Casio EX-Z600 Firmware Update Read - Casio EX-Z850 Firmware Update
Circuit City back compat rip-off
For the bargain price of $28.99, the smiling crooks at Circuit City will help some gullible soccer mom install "backwards compatibility" on a newly purchased Xbox 360, despite the fact back compat updates are free via Xbox Live (or by mail for those without an internet connection). On a more positive note, a call to my local store confirmed that Circuit City does not charge Downes Syndrome kids double for all Xbox 360 related purchases. At least not yet.
Jobs might deliver a keynote, updated MacBook Pros on September 12th?
Egads, the rumor engine has caught on fire and September 12th is to blame: HardMac cites anonymous sources (i.e. - take it with a grain of salt) that Steve Jobs still won't be present in Paris for the upcoming Apple Expo, but that doesn't mean he can't be on a stage somewhere: the rumor is that Jobs will still give a keynote, but it will be produced in Cupertino and relayed to London, Apple Europe's headquarters (where all the journalists have actually been invited to already). Let's hear it for the powers of iChat A/V.Next on the list of September 12th rumors is that, along with 23-inch Core 2 Duo iMacs, we could also see revised MacBook Pros, possibly even with Core 2 Duo shininess. For this one, HardMac cites a French student who tried to purchase a MacBook Pro online, but was given a 3-5 week shipping window - which typically happens to products in some regions when an update is imminent.Keep in mind none of this is confirmed, so if Sept. 12th turns out to be not much more than an Aperture update (after all, it is close to Photokina), keep your chin up. Apple's fall season is just getting started.
Google Notifier for Mac released (formerly Gmail Notifier)
The Gmail Notifier is no more - long live Google Notifier! The search giant has updated their official notifier application for Gmail to include alerts for Google Calendar events - hence the name change. I don't know if this has any effect on whether the Gmail + Growl utility still works, but this is a nice evolution to a handy little app.Thanks Maxim Blinder!
Apple releases Boot Camp 1.1 beta
Apple has updated Boot Camp to version 1.1 with a number of new enhancements and compatibility fixes, including: Support for the latest Intel-based Macintosh computers (I'm assuming this means the Mac Pros) Easier partitioning using presets for popular sizes Ability to install Windows XP on any internal disk iSight camera support Support for built-in microphones Right-click when pressing the right-hand Apple key on Apple keyboards Improved Apple keyboard support including Delete, PrintScreen, NumLock, and ScrollLock keys Instructions for updating are provided at the Boot Camp site (and I would assume along with the Boot Camp install itself as well), but it's pretty simple: install the new version, burn a new CD of drivers, then flip over to Windows and install them.This might be a long shot, but I wonder if this update might make running Vista - either in its current version or the upcoming RC1 - easier. Anyone have any ideas?Thanks Blair!
NewsFire adds Leopard compatibility
David Watanabe wins a tip of my hat today for being one of the first 3rd party developers to add Leopard compatibility to NewsFire, his popular, streamlined RSS newsreader. From the release notes, this new version 1.4 build 68 also adds prefix/suffix string rules (I'm assuming for feed searches?).It's great to see developers firing off Leopard-compatible updates so quickly, even though Leopard isn't going to be available to the public for at least another 4-5 months. Who wants to take bets as to how long it takes Adobe to update CS3 for Leopard? Of course, with the way things are going over there, we might have to wait for CS4 and 10.6.This Leopard-compatible version of NewsFire is available from NewsFire's site.[via Macworld]
The elephant in the room: Apple pulls a Microsoft, delays Leopard past original promise
The first bell that rung in my ear when Steve announced Mac OS X 10.5's ship date of Spring 2007 was: "Apple just pulled a Microsoft". I know, I know: those words might be nails on the chalkboard in your head, but it's true. Leopard was originally promised for Fall 2006, and now it's been bumped back to 2007.Now don't get me wrong, if they need the time to work on it and bang out all the new features (including those secret ones they couldn't even show today) then by all means the company should take their time. I'm simply interested in the ramifications, if any, of a delay like this.Microsoft has received boatloads of criticism from every media outlet imaginable for continually delaying Longhorn Vista for the last 4 years. Some have postulated that today's modern and feature-packed OSes might be getting too big for their britches. Even those recent prominent un-switchers in the media also cited buggy software and wonky Mac OS X problems as part of their reasoning for jumping ship.I'm not trying to Pull a Dvorak™ and invent some crisis here or anything, but could some of these complications be making their way into the Apple side of the fence? Each new version of Mac OS X has brought incredible innovation with it (and these 10 new Leopard features are no exception), but also slightly more instability and 'growing pains' as well. Mail.app is widely harped on for a good number of reasons, namely instability and flakiness. GarageBand rocks, but only until you try to use the fancy podcast recording features. Even the cutting-edge new Spotlight is a great concept with a decent implementation, but it too suffers problems of inaccuracy, sluggish performance (even on recent machines like my MBP) and over-activity.What do you TUAW readers think though? Is the new Leopard ship date cause for alarm? Do you think you'll pick up the 1.0 release, or wait for initial reports and the subsequent updates? Sound off![UPDATE: For clarification, many reports since the introduction of Leopard have changed their tune for a release of 'late 2006/early 2007', but plenty of them, at least around the original announcement, specified Fall 2006.]
Weekend Review: this week's software for 7-30-06
It was another packed week for software premieres and updates, so here is a roundup in case you missed them the first time around:Shareware Groupcal 3 - manage your Exchange calendar from iCal EyeTV 2.3 - Front Row-like menu and speed boosts OmniPlan (beta) - OmniGroup's brand new project management app BurnAgain - powerful and standards-compliant multi-session 'smart' CDR/RW burning utility Rax 2 - virtual rack software for musicians Übercaster (beta) - all-in-one podcasting application NewsFire 1.4 - feature update for popular RSS reader mira 1.1 - make your Apple Remote control more than just Front Row Freeware Automator action to change wallpaper Fenêtres Volantes (Flying Windows) - gorgeous 3D screensaver that gives your open windows something to do Suggest-a-ZOT - be the first to suggest a new macZOT app, get a free copy Skype 1.5 beta and video preview - more Mac OS X integration and a 'preview' version with video support Donationware iStat Pro 3.0 - powerful system monitoring widget gets a major upgrade and a new UI Widgets bpiDash - finally, a second widget for Backpack Basecamp - widget for 37Signals' much-loved online project management service Universal Flip4Mac - QuickTime codec for playing Windows Media files ShapeShifter (beta) - Unsanity's Mac OS X skinning utility gets a speed boost (thanks Intel!) Now Up to Date and Contact 5.3 - contact management software MaxMenus - application launcher LiteSwitch X - application switcher Democracy Player - popular and powerful IPTV player gets the Intel treatment
Firmware 2.80 now available via Network Update [update 1]
Sony has released its new PSP firmware 2.80 update today. You can download it using the Network Update feature in your PSP.When updating, the firmware reads it contains the following features: You can now download video and image content under [RSS Channel]; You can now register devices via a wireless LAN access point under [LocationFree Player]; You can now play AAC files with file extension .3gp under [Music]; and You can now play content saved in "Music," "Picture" and "Video" folders on a Memory Stick. (Apparently, this means you don't have to rename video files, and you can play them without using special folders.) Sony recently announced its plans for the new upgrade at Comic-Con. It will be interesting to see in the coming days whether Sony has addressed any of the recent breakthroughs in the homebrew scene.[update 1: Fixed a misspelled word and hopefully clarified the post a bit.][Thanks Chris]
iLounge releases The Free iPod Book 2.2
Those iPod-obsessed kids over at iLounge have updated their Free iPod Book to version 2.2 (yes, books can have version point updates too). Four all-new sections are included in this updated version: Nike + iPod Sport Kit Troubleshooting Your iPod U2 iPod + iPod Pack-Ins Backstage at iLounge You'll also find the typical kinds of updates to previous content you would expect. This 200+ page "free manual on getting the most from your iPod" is available from iLounge's update post, as well as from the iLounge Library. Enjoy.
Widget Watch: Widget Update
Tired of checking countless blogs and news sites just to find out whether one widget or another has been updated? Widget Update might be just what you need, as it can check up to four widget directories for new versions of all your widgets. Once it runs its check, Widget Update displays a list of the widgets that have new versions available, complete with which version is installed, what the updated version is and a link to one or more directories where you can get it.This thing is pretty handy, especially if you're a widget user like me who has quite a few widgets installed, but not always running. Widget Update is available for free (and yes, it can check for its own updates) from DashboardWidgets.
CamiScript 4.0
CamiScript, the script menu plugin for Camino, has been updated to version 4.0. This isn't quite a landmark release that enables Camino to fly around your room or tell you the future (besides, some day, the latter will be Google's job), but this new version does bring one big handy new feature: the ability to disable/enable the Extras menu.CamiScript is free and can be had from nadamac; oddly, PimpMyCamino hasn't updated yet.
Undocumented Changes in Patch 1.11
It seems that, with every new patch, there are always a few changes that, for one reason or another, don't make the release notes. But never fear, Blizzard won't be able to pull the wool over your eyes once you check out this list of undocumented changes in 1.11, compiled by the folks at WorldofWar.net. Nothing extremely signifigant was left unnoted, it seems, but there are plenty of little tidbits that are very helpful to know relating to specific quests, factions, and other things. Check out the list at their forums, and be sure to add anything you might have found, as well!
Uno matchmaking fix on the way
UNO for Xbox Live Arcade (currently the game of choice for Xbox360Fanboy editorial meetings) is generally percieved as a successful take on the classic card game -- with one major flaw: gamers attempting to play a ranked match are thrown into their own lobby instead of being matched up, resulting in an annoying wait for competition. Fortunately Carbonated Games tells us a fix is near. UNO Program Manager Richard Thames Rowan posted the following response to complaints on K1lla's Xbox Domain:The UNO development team is aware of the problem that some people are having with matchmaking and has a fix going through certification right now. Hopefully, you'll see this roll out soon, so no need to email anyone.Finally, ranked matches without a 20 minute wait. There can be only one.
360 BC update "in the next few weeks"
Thanks to the folks at the Gamerscore Blog, we've learned that the next Xbox back compat update "should be out in the next few weeks." In his earlier blast against BC, Peter Moore proclaimed that nobody is concerned about it anymore, but thankfully the gentler Gamerscore peeps have set the record straight, stating: "We know for a fact that there are lots of people who continue to care about backwards compatibility, including the 'Emulation Ninjas' who are working full time on the updates. And those of us posting on this blog. And, of course, many of you." We suppose quarterly updates to the BC list aren't TOO bad (hey, they sure beat semiannual dashboard updates), but getting more than a dozen titles to work each time would definitely help a lot more for those with original Xbox favorites they'd prefer to play on their new machines. Personally, this blogger would like to see the following titles added to the list: Dead or Alive Ultimate, Doom 3, Capcom vs. SNK 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Project Gotham Racing 2, LEGO Star Wars, Street Fighter Anniversary Collection, Soul Calibur II, and Capcom Classics Collection. It may not be realistic to expect Street Fighter support when Hyper Fighting is set to hit Live Arcade sometime in the near future, but one can (vainly) hope. [Via Major Nelson's blog] See also: Xbox BC not a priority, says Moore No Black on 360 till MS makes it so... or a sequel comes out US 360 backward-compatibility list shrinks A video tour of the Xbox Live Spring update SFII on Xbox Live: what's taking so long?
Packrat update brings more Backpack editing, bug fixes
Packrat, the offline editing and syncing client for Backpack, has been updated to version 0.83 build #206 (I know, it isn't as pretty as 'Packrat 2.0', but you'll live). More editing abilities have been added, as you can now delete emails you have sent to Backpack pages, edit the page title and body and rename pages simply by double-clicking them in the page list on the left. For more details of what's new and fixed, check out Rod Schmidt's blog (the developer).A demo that allows you to view and edit four of your Backpack pages is available, while a full license will cost you $24.95 from infiniteNIL Software.
Details of upcoming Thunderbird 2.0 release
Hawk Wings has tracked down some details on a tantalizing v2.0 update to Thunderbird, Mozilla's email client. New features at the top of my list are message tagging, a tabbed message viewer and a built-in notification system. It's great to see more developers bringing the tagging paradigm to email, as Scott Morrison has done with his MailTags plug-in for Apple's Mail.Check out Mozilla's Thunderbird development blog for the full (and lengthy) post of what's coming in this major release for Thunderbird, including plenty of Mac-specific features and fixes.
Weekend Review: this week's software
Grab a cup of coffee and get your downloading mice ready ladies and gents; this week's software review is coming at you:Shareware AppZapper 1.5: minor fixes and improvements ChatFX: spice up your iChat video conferences TextExpander 1.3 (formerly Textpander): an essential utility gets even better QuarkXPress 7 (yawn): but the Universal is still in beta SubEthaEdit 2.5: the much loved collaborative text editor and code-ninja tool receives AppleScript-ability, bug fixes Videator: be careful when using it to spice up your videos iComment 4.1: maintenance release and compatibility with iWeb 1.1.x DivX 6.5: Universal (and free) player along with a retail price encoder for indie video codec Donationware/Freeware Bricksmith (donationware): virtual legos on your Mac. I dare you to name something cooler Safari Tidy (free): plug-in to check sites for XHTML compliance CoreDuoTemp 0.8 (free): maintenance fix for utility to keep track of temp, CPU usage and frequency on Intel Macs MappingService (donationware): get a map from any app SmackBook (free): hilarious hack for multi-desktop management utility Proxi 1.0 (free): broader app support for application automation utility from Griffin Open Source Maintenance 3.5: minor updates to fantastic Automator action/AppleScript Password Assistant: hook into Keychain Access to easily create complicated passwords Books: feature-rich book catalogging Free Updates iWeb 1.1.1: hopefully those publishing woes have been vanquished Xcode 2.3: Apple's premiere code-ninja tool receives enhancements and bug fixes Logic Express 7.2.1: maintenance release Universal Binary Delibar 0.8 (donationware): My personal favorite del.icio.us menubar bookmark utility
Sirius announces sleek new Sportster4 radio
To prove that there is still life in the world of consumer electronics outside of videogames and laptops, Sirius broke up today's monotony by announcing an updated version of their Sportster series of Plug and Play satellite radios with 44-minute buffers. The Sportster4, which is small enough to easily transport between home and car, maintains the same recording capacity and features as its predecessors, but adds a new vehicle dock that includes an auxiliary input for your MP3 player. Additional niceties include 30 presets, bundled remote, favorite artist alerts, and game reminders to keep you updated on score changes. Look for the Sportster4 later this month for around $170, with accessories like boombox docks soon to follow.
Yuji Naka confirmed to be leaving Sega to form Prope
Back in March, we heard rumblings that Sega stalwart Yuji Naka was planning to leave Sega to start his own studio. Today, that rumor's been confirmed. According to Next Generation, Naka's new company is called Prope, which means "'beside' and 'near' future." Prope's web site (not linked on Next Gen) apparently explains that the name was chosen "in the hopes of bringing game entertainment much closer to users, establishing closer ties between users and us, and creating near future entertainment." We're just happy that Naka is retaining some ties to his old corporate home thanks to a 10% contribution on Sega's part to prop up the emerging new independent studio (a concept which Sega seems to support with its developers). Unfortunately, as the firm "will commit to new IP," you shouldn't expect updates of Sega classic franchises from the old hand anytime soon. It will also be interesting to see who's guiding the new Sonic games as well. Prope will open for business on June 1st. [Thanks, Sense; via 8-bit Ninja] See also: Rumor: Yuji Naka set to leave Sega NiGHTS Into Dreams, onto Revolution? Next-gen Sonic to be "re-invented" for PS3 and Xbox 360
