Hasta La Gadget!

So this is why they do phased rollouts, eh? If Twitter is the font of truth and reality that we suspect it to be, it sounds like users of some Windows Phone 7 models by Samsung are struggling with that minor first update that Microsoft started pushing this week. Basically, it sounds like the update isn’t consistently completing; it some cases, users get an error message, and there doesn’t appear to be any way to roll back or restore the prior firmware and get the phone back to a working state. Mass bricking is probably the greatest fear of software engineers before deploying handset updates to the field, so it’s a good thing they’re taking it slow; of course, that’s not much consolation to the folks who are stuck making a call (on someone else’s phone) to Samsung support.

[Thanks, jdog25]

Update: the::unwired is reporting information straight from Microsoft on how to fix a “bricked” device that doesn’t complete the update, and it’s deceptively simple: just pull the battery, put it back in, and turn the phone on. Failing that, perform a hard reset. Either way, the company is recommending you don’t attempt the update again until the phone reminds you, which it says will happen in about three days.

First Windows Phone 7 update not going smoothly for some Samsung handsets (update: Microsoft suggests temporary fix) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Download Squad  |  ZDNet UK  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft told us to clear our pipes for a hefty download on the 22nd of February, and sure enough, the software giant is delivering. Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 is now available for public consumption, with the company also confirming that 7601.17514.101119-1850 is the final RTM. We’d bother telling you more, but we know you’ve already dug into the source link in order to get your download a-hoppin’. Just make sure you uninstall any pre-releases of SP1 before doing the deed with this one, and if you’re updating just a single PC, you’re probably better off waiting for everything to flow through Windows Update. Your call, though.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Windows 7 SP1 (and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) now available for public download originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Technobolt, Winrumors  |  Microsoft  | Email this | Comments

We’re all hotly expecting new MacBook Pros on Thursday, but it sounds like Apple might have an even bigger announcement soon: Kara Swisher at All Things Digital says the iPad 2 will be revealed on March 2 in San Francisco. That lines up with some of the rumblings we’ve heard, but we haven’t gotten an official invite yet, so things could change — we’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything definite.

Apple holding iPad 2 event next week? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  All Things Digital  | Email this | Comments

Nintendo today confirmed the names of the 18 titles that will hit the market when its long awaited glasses-free 3D gaming portable, the Nintendo 3DS is launched on March 27th. At launch, users will be able to pick up Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, The Sims 3, Madden NFL Football, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, Pilotwings Resort, Nintendogs + Cats, Rayman 3D, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Bust-a-Move Universe, and more.