Roku drops new firmware in time for the holidays, XR gets 1080p, Hulu optimization for all

Roku drops new firmware in time for the holidays, XR gets 1080p, Hulu optimization for all

If you’re an owner of one of the early Roku XR units and have been left on the 720p bench while the newer models step up to full HD, it’s time to get in the game. Roku has released a firmware update (2.9-b1509) that unleashes the necessary pixels on the XR, also including some niceties for those models that can already do 1080p. The full list is at the source link, but look for improved performance for viewing Hulu along with a suite of bug fixes. Leave your box running and it’ll update itself, or if you want it now you can grab it manually under “Settings,” “Player Info,” “Check for Updates.” Yeah, you know you want to.

Roku drops new firmware in time for the holidays, XR gets 1080p, Hulu optimization for all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Zatz Not Funny!  |  sourceRoku Forums  | Email this | Comments

Apple announces firmware update to relieve those nagging MacBook Air display issues

Looks like relief is in sight for new school MacBook Air owners suffering from display issues: you know, with the faulty logic boards, and the flickerin’ and the freezin’, and so on and so forth. MacBook Air EFI firmware update 2.0 comes highly recommended by Apple itself for all 2010 MacBook Air owners, with the company saying it will “resolves a rare issue where MacBook Air boots or wakes to a black screen or becomes unresponsive.” Sounds like a no-brainer to us! Hit up the source link to download this bad boy for yourself.

Apple announces firmware update to relieve those nagging MacBook Air display issues originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Apple Insider  |  sourceApple  | Email this | Comments

Samsung undecided about Gingerbread on Galaxy S, Google says hardware needs ‘similar’ to Froyo

If the Nexus S is basically a Galaxy S in Gingerbread disguise, you’d think Samsung would be bursting at the seams to offer a software upgrade for all the phones it’s already sold from that family. Okay, you really wouldn’t, but you’d hope that would be the case, right? Well, Pocket-lint prodded Samsung on just that point and managed to finagle the following response from a local UK contact presumably speaking on behalf of the mothership:

“In case a new version of Android operating system is publicly announced and released, Samsung will review the possibility of implementation of such new version to the existing Samsung products with Android operating system (“Update”).

Such a review will be based on various factors including, without limitation, the overall effect of such Update to Samsung products, the system requirements, the structural limitations, and the level of cooperation from the component suppliers and the software licensors”.
Right, so the Gingerbread launch and that whole new handset that’s coming in a week’s time, not public enough? And what’s “the overall effect” of a Gingerbread update beyond a group of very happy users? Samsung seems to be matching its country-mate LG in taking an evaluative approach to Gingerbread, though Google’s own Android lead developer is pretty definitive about the software, saying that “Gingerbread hardware needs are similar to Froyo.” So if your handset can run version F, it should have no trouble handling version G… no trouble other than its own maker.

Update: And now, in typical Samsung fashion, we’re getting mixed messages as its Indian mobile arm has come out and confirmed that “Gingerbread will be available to Galaxy S users.” Thanks, Shrinikketh!

Continue reading Samsung undecided about Gingerbread on Galaxy S, Google says hardware needs ‘similar’ to Froyo

Samsung undecided about Gingerbread on Galaxy S, Google says hardware needs ‘similar’ to Froyo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 04:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET  |  sourcePocket-lint, @morrildl (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

Android Gingerbread officially teases you in Google’s voice search video tutorial

Sure, we’ve already gorged ourselves on plenty of Gingerbread by way of Mr. Blurrycam and even Eric Schmidt himself, but it’s only now that Google’s officially (or accidentally) given us a tour around the next Android release. In a recent voice search video tutorial from Google Hong Kong, eagle-eyed peeps have spotted many tell-tale signs of Gingerbread on what appears to be a Nexus One. As you can see above, said firmware sports the previously-seen black status tray with its new icons, along with a subtly tweaked launcher bar at the bottom of the home screen. A quick peek in Settings also reveals the restyled buttons, as well as a new tab called “Related” or “Similar” on Market’s app description page. Help yourself to some more spicy goodness before it’s too late — the video’s right after the break (from 0:47).

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Surprise surprise! Google’s pulled the offending video, but fear not — we’ve got a backup posted after the break.

Continue reading Android Gingerbread officially teases you in Google’s voice search video tutorial

Android Gingerbread officially teases you in Google’s voice search video tutorial originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Noodles  |  sourceGOOGLEinHK (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Archos Internet Tablets get firmware updates, everybody gets a Froyo

Archos Internet Tablets and PMPs get firmware updates, everybody gets a Froyo

Okay, maybe not everybody, but the vast majority of the Android offerings from Archos are receiving some guilt-free sweet treats. Models 23, 32, 43, 70, and 101 (you know, these guys) are all on the lucky receiving end of firmware updates that bring Android 2.2.1 to the table. That comes with improved performance, better battery life estimation, and support for external GPS adapters. All yours for the low, low price of free — well, assuming you’ve already bought the tablet, of course.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Archos Internet Tablets get firmware updates, everybody gets a Froyo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony PSP to gain unlimited music via cloud-based Qriocity service

Just days after Sony’s Qriocity video-on-demand service went live across Europe, in flies this — news that the aforesaid service will be spreading its wings and touching the PSP in short order. Word on the street has it that the next PlayStation Portable update (v6.35) will bring along Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, described as a “new, cloud-based, digital music service from Sony that will give music lovers access to millions of songs stored and synchronized through the cloud.” Post-update, users will notice a new icon in the PSP’s XrossMediaBar under the ‘Music’ category, and moreover, the Media Go application for managing PSP downloadable content on your PC will be updated “with enhancements to the user interface and advanced photo editing tools.” Sony’s remaining mum on a launch date, but the internet is already abuzz about what this may mean for the impending PlayStation Phone. Will Sony finally have a leg-up over iOS with an ingrained unlimited music client? A boy can dream, can’t he?

Update: Tipster Isaac spotted the screen above and the one after the break on his PSPgo today. Looks like the launch may be sooner than we’d imagined, eh?

Continue reading Sony PSP to gain unlimited music via cloud-based Qriocity service

Sony PSP to gain unlimited music via cloud-based Qriocity service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Boy Genius Report  |  sourcePlayStation Blog (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Super Talent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive nabs an extra 55MB/sec

How’s this for post-purchase pleasantries? Super Talent has just revealed a new tidbit surrounding the world’s first USB 3.0 thumb drive (that would be the RAIDDrive), and it’s one that takes full advantage of second generation USB 3.0 controller technology — presumably on the PC side and not via a firmware update. The end result? An extra 55MB/sec on the benchmarking front, pushing its proven maximum speed to 370MB/sec. Head on past the break and mash play if you don’t believe us, and feel free to start pressing your own storage boutique of choice for something similar for all those other SuperSpeed products.

Continue reading Super Talent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive nabs an extra 55MB/sec

Super Talent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive nabs an extra 55MB/sec originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 07:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support

It’s not like anyone could predict the media streamer war that would erupt in 2010, but it looks like Western Digital’s taking things pretty seriously. The company has just issued a somewhat major overhaul for its WD TV Live Plus and WD TV Live media players, adding Facebook support while also giving US-based users the ability to instantly rent or purchase movies via Blockbuster on Demand. Post-firmware update, users will also be able to tap into Deezer (an on-demand music service), Flingo (another internet TV portal) and AccuWeather (a place that “forecasts” what’s happening in our “atmosphere”). Potentially more important than all of that, however, is the addition of USB wireless keyboard support — simply plug in a USB wireless dongle that ships with most every wireless keyboard out there, and you’ll be free to update your Facebook status or search for “Bed Intruder Song” through YouTube, all from the comfort of your sofa. Huzzah!

Continue reading WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support

WD TV Live media players gain Blockbuster on Demand, USB wireless keyboard support originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barnes and Noble Nook firmware version 1.5 now available

Barnes and Noble’s just made version 1.5 of its Nook e-reader’s firmware available. What can Nook owners expect from this latest upgrade? Well, the company says it boasts improved page refresh rates about 50 percent faster than the previous version — which is good news as we found it to be slower than its competitors. The update — which is available for both the 3G and WiFi versions — is also Barnes and Noble’s largest to date for the readers, and includes other fixes such as syncing across devices like the Nook’s various apps (finally!), customizable folders for your library, password protection options, improved search functions and battery performance. That sure does sound like a big update to us, so go get it if you’re a Nook user! Full press release is below.

Continue reading Barnes and Noble Nook firmware version 1.5 now available

Barnes and Noble Nook firmware version 1.5 now available originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iOS 4.2 available today, brings the iPad into the multitasking era (update: it’s live)

You’ve waited a long while for this day to come, but here it finally is. Apple is today rolling out iOS 4.2 to iPads and qualifying iPhones (3G, 3GS and 4) and iPod touches (second, third and fourth generation) across the globe, delivering the long-awaited multitasking and app folder enhancements to a tablet that was already supposed to be magical and revolutionary. To see whether this new update — replete with Game Center, AirPlay and AirPrint additions — really helps the iPad step up to doubleplusgood territory, check out our full review; everyone else, hit up your nearest iTunes 10.1-equipped computer to get your update on.

Update: Plug in your iPhones and iPads, the 624.3MB update is rolling out now. Looks like it’s starting in Europe, given the joyous cackles from our editors across the pond. Screenshot after the break.

Update 2: Now available within US borders as well.

Continue reading iOS 4.2 available today, brings the iPad into the multitasking era (update: it’s live)

iOS 4.2 available today, brings the iPad into the multitasking era (update: it’s live) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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