Sony posts PS3 4.46 firmware update, instructions to fix consoles busted by 4.45

After the 4.45 firmware update knocked some PlayStation 3s out of commission last week, Sony has fulfilled its promise of a fixed version. 4.46 is now available to download, while a series of steps has been posted to the support site to walk users through updating any consoles that installed 4.45 and then failed to reboot. Additionally, for users that successfully installed 4.45 and later complained of NAT and “IP fragment issues,” a post on the support forum confirms that has been fixed as well. Owners of frozen consoles will need a USB memory stick with at least 168MB of space, although certain older models can also use SD, Memory Stick or Compact Flash cards. There’s still no word on exactly what went wrong, but for instructions on how to configure the flash storage and reboot into safe mode so you can start gaming again, just hit the source link below.

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Via: @PlayStation (Twitter)

Source: PlayStation Support

PSA: You can now use your Amazon account to log into Lovefilm

PSA You can now use your Amazon account to log into LOVEFiLM

You might be able to knock one password off your list, as you now have the option to log in to your Lovefilm account using Amazon credentials. The changeover is part of the online retail giant’s recently announced Login With Amazon initiative, intended to let you use a universal ID for its other websites or those of third party developers. To switch, you’ll need to follow the link at the source and enter both your Lovefilm and Amazon details, and may need to re-enter payment info as well. The company promised that your private data will remain “completely safe,” and said that any rental lists, bookmarks, viewing history and watchlists will stay put. On the off-chance you’re on Lovefilm but don’t have an Amazon account, the company wouldn’t be adverse to your creating one at the same time, in case you fancy physical disc media to go along with the streaming variety. That’s not the only change Lovefilm users may notice however, as the service has rolled out versions of its next generation streaming app — first seen on the PS3 — for the Xbox 360 as well as Sony Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players and home theater systems.

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Source: Lovefilm

Samsung launches 55-inch ‘flawless’ curved OLED TV in Korea

Samsung launches 55inch 'flawless' curved OLED TV in Korea

Just as the rumors foretold, Samsung has announced Korean availability of a 55-inch curved OLED HDTV. Priced at 15 million Korean won (around $13,000) Samsung claims its “Timeless Arena” design eliminates potential for defective OLED pixels. It also reiterates the claim LG made when it launched its own curved OLED model earlier this year that keeping all parts of the screen an equal distance from the viewer makes for a better viewing experience. It also supports features found in other Samsung TVs like multi-view that lets two people watch different things at the same time thanks to 3D glasses, and the Evolution Kit CPU upgrade. There’s no word on US availability for its flat OLED HDTVs, but the company also launched its new 65- and 55-inch 4K TVs at the same event.

Update: According to Reuters, Samsung says it has no plans to offer a flat OLED HDTV in 2013, and this curved model will ship outside Korea in July.

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Source: Samsung Tomorrow

Twitter wants to make a ‘DVR mode’ for live TV events, offer delayed Twitter streams

Social media is very much about keeping up with what’s happening right now — but not everybody consumes live media simultaneously. What happens when you watch a time-shifted sporting event four hours late, but still want to see what your peers had to say in the heat of the moment? Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has an idea: social media DVR. Speaking at a moderated panel at at the Center for Technology Innovation, Costolo envisioned a system that would allow users to jump back in time and look at a snapshot of the social network at a specific moment.

“It would be nice to see things like a graphic of spikes in the conversation,” he said. “And be able to scroll back to that time and see what happened at that particular moment.” The CEO continued to suggest that such a feature could be designed around planned events, describing it as “Twitter in a DVR mode.” Although it was suggested that these features are in testing, Costolo stopped short of saying if they were actually something users could expect to see soon. Naturally, we reached out to the company for further comment, but haven’t heard back just yet. Still, it’s at least clear that the company hasn’t abandoned its television-based ambitions.

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Source: TechCrunch

DirecTV GenieGo takes the fight to Sling, brings TV streaming anywhere on PC and iOS

DirecTV GenieGo adds live streaming anywhere on PC and iOS, takes on Sling directly

DirecTV recently switched the name of its Nomad transcoding device to GenieGo to match its new DVRs, a change we first noticed on its Android app. On Windows PC and iOS the apps are about to get a new update that changes the name and lets users stream video from their DVRs over WiFi even when they’re away from home (Mac and Android support is due later in the year.) Previously, it allowed users to stream live and recorded TV, or download recorded TV to a mobile device for viewing offline, but Slingbox-style streaming of live or recorded TV anywhere is new, and brings it closer to the device we thought it could be when it launched. Solid Signal and DBSTalk report the incoming update (not live yet, but it should pop up tomorrow) is easy to use, letting users stream recordings, start a recording so it can stream or remotely setting up the transcoder to make a mobile copy users can download once they get home. Satellite TV competitor Dish has brought deeper integration of Sling into its new Hopper DVRs, and now DirecTV has its own in-house solution, anyone thinking of switching sides?

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Source: Solid Signal, DBSTalk, DirecTV

Engadget HD Podcast 355 – 06.26.13

Engadget HD Podcast 347 - 04.30.13

Okay, we’re day a late, but we’re not $50 dollars short since Richard avoided the World War Z ‘Mega Ticket.’ That much and only a small popcorn? No, thanks. Despite seeing the movie twice for regular price, however, Ben is still convinced that Richard’s the guy who hates every movie and loves every TV show. We’ll let you decide by tuning to this week’s episode of the Engadget Podcast below.

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Joe Pollicino (@akaTRENT)

Hear the podcast

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IE 11 on Windows 8.1 preview supports HTML5 Netflix streaming right now

Netflix recently detailed some of the technological developments needed to transition from Silverlight to HTML5 streaming video in the browser, and in a notable turn one of the first companies on board is Microsoft. It’s not that surprising since Microsoft has made it clear it’s pushing other technologies going forward, but it’s still a stark example of how much things have changed in recent years. Netflix’s Tech Blog announced today that anyone running Internet Explorer 11 in the Windows 8.1 preview can visit Netflix.com today and try out HTML5-powered video streaming right now. Already available on ARM Chromebooks (pictured above), Netflix says Microsoft has implemented the Premium video extensions it’s been working on to provide support for GPU-accelerated 1080p video, DRM and encryption without proprietary plugins.

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Source: Netflix Tech Blog

Google Search Android app updated with location-based offers, voice-activated music playback

Google Search Android app updated with locationbased offers, voiceactivated music playback

Jelly Bean users running Android 4.1 or later can now snag a few more features with Google’s Search app. The update (version number varies depending on your device) delivers three notable additions. The first tool pushes saved offers as you approach a redemption location, reminding you of forgotten deals when they’re most relevant. Next up is a new voice action, which lets you control music playback — both on your device and in the Play Store — by speaking to your handset. (Voice action tips also make a debut with this refresh.) A third addition enables instant access to information about television programming you’re currently consuming, assuming your HDTV is connected to the web and on the same WiFi network as your device. Get your download on at the source link below.

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Via: Droid Life

Source: Google Play, Google+

Next-gen Kinect for Windows opens dev kit applications, costs $400

Microsoft’s new version of Kinect for Xbox One is also headed to the world of PCs, like its previous incarnation. The new Kinect for Windows sensor won’t be available publicly until some point in 2014, but developers can apply for an early, $400 development kit starting right now (due before July 31st at 9AM PT), Microsoft announced today. In that $400, developers (if accepted) will get early SDK access, a pre-release “alpha” version of the device, a final retail version (at launch), and private access to both APIs and the Kinect for Windows engineering team (in private forums and webcasts). Should you get in, you’ll find out more come this August.

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Source: Microsoft

Pioneer’s SC-79 uses HDBaseT to feed HDMI video throughout the home (hands-on video)

dnp  Pioneer's SC79 is the first to use HDBaseT for highquality video across rooms eyeson

In addition to showcasing its new speaker bar, Pioneer is talking up three audio-video receivers here at CE Week, including one that offers a pretty nifty industry first feature. Though the trio of home theater components are fairly similar, the SC-79 is the most notable, as it’s the first such device to feature embedded HDBaseT support. That means it can deliver uncompressed HD video — even 4K — at distances of up to 300 feet using an Ethernet cable rather than HDMI. It’s not yet a widely adopted spec, but it’s especially useful for a multi-room setup, since it requires only one wired connection. That leads us to the other standout feature: the SC-79 can output audio and video to four zones simultaneously, and you can control media across multiple rooms via an Android or iOS app. All that functionality will cost you a pretty penny when the receiver launches in July: the MSRP is $3,000. See it in action right after the break.

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