Hasta La Gadget!

It’s not in our nature to get all excited about firmware updates, but B&N sure seems to be bringing the good stuff in release 1.3 of the Nook’s software. The major new features include a Beta release of a “basic” web browser and a Read In Store feature that’s reassuringly true to its name. You’ll basically be allowed to browse and read the full versions of books while inside a Barnes and Noble outlet. That looks like a win-win to us, as it directly addresses the goal of using the Nook to get people in stores while affording consumers the opportunity to get a good idea about a book. The first Android apps on the device are also offered, in the form of games like chess and sudoku, both perfectly suited to the glacially refreshing monochome screen. Speaking of which, B&N claims it’s also improved page turning and loading speeds. The update is available via manual download now or you can wait for the OTA stuff to hit your Nook within the next week.

[Thanks, Davorin]

Nook gets web browser, free in-store reading, and games in new firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s not streaking through downtown Dallas remaking Matt & Kim videos just yet but after an uneven start the TiVo Premiere continues to evolve, this time towards something with even more capacity and (hopefully) less lockups. ZatzNotFunny mentions a new software update to version 14.1c has gone live this weekend which is intended to fix lockups some customers are experiencing with more revisions promised over the coming weeks and months to address various performance and stability issues. Forum reactions are mixed, with some dropping back to the old UI for more stability and speed but if you’re living the Premiere lifestyle let us know how things are going for you. Those still on the outside looking in who haven’t been scared off by the growing pains can also consider a few new larger capacity options courtesy of longtime modder/reseller WeaKnees, now ready to deliver units with up to 2TB of storage internally or even externally for those who like it like that — you know who you are.

TiVo Premiere is updated and expanded, but is it ready? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  ZatzNotFunny (software update), ZatzNotFunny (WeaKnees)  | Email this | Comments

Apple would seem to have been optimizing its code in the time between sending its latest MacBook Pro models into mass production and yesterday’s launch, as we’ve just come across a software update for the brand new 2010 laptop models. Specifically aimed at the 15- and 17-inch machines — which differ from the 13-incher with their Core 2010 CPUs and automatically switching graphics subsystem — the patch is aimed at improving “graphics stability for high-performance video and gaming applications” while also squashing a variety of bugs. That hardly sounds like you’d be in danger if you didn’t update, but we’d still advise swallowing the 258MB pill just to keep your aluminum-clad investment safe.

Apple issues software update for new 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finally, the day has come. At some magical point in time during today, all you Xbox 360 owners will be prompted to update to the latest firmware for your beloved console. Once the tidy little exchange of data with Microsoft’s servers has been completed, you’ll at long last be able to plug USB memory sticks in and exploit a bit of functionality that frankly should’ve been there from the start. So that’s it, all your game saves, profiles and other 360-related trinkets can finally be taken on the move without resorting to lugging a HDD around. In the mean time, SanDisk’s previously rumored Xbox 360-branded $40 8GB flash drive is looking all the more real, with Amazon now offering pre-orders at a slightly less crazy $35 price point. You know, in case the millions of USB storage options out there aren’t doing it for you.

Xbox 360 update brings long-awaited USB storage support, SanDisk ready to cash in originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re past mid-March and rapidly approaching the early Q2 launch estimates for the Android 2.1 update for HTC’s Hero. Now Engadget Chinese has tipped us to an official HTC release date issued on Plurk (a very popular, local Twitter-like social service) in HTC’s home country of Taiwan: April 26th. So we should see the update go hot globally, with the latest version of the Sense UI in tow, at about the same time. You know, if you haven’t grown tired of waiting and already hacked it in.

HTC Hero update to Android 2.1 on April 26th in home country of Taiwan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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