Jul 02

Conflipper says Shipped Roms is ‘here to stay,’ will cooperate with HTC

Posted in: firmware, HTC, rom, Today's Chili

It looks like those worried that firmware site Shipped Roms would disappear after being hit with a cease and desist letter from HTC can now rest a bit easier — Conflipper, the man behind the site, says that it is “here to stay.” That news comes after the site was apparently able to work out a deal of sorts with HTC, in which it has agreed to no longer host so-called test or carrier files (HTC is said to be providing it with a complete list of files it doesn’t want hosted). Conflipper also says that he’s asked HTC about becoming a license partner, which HTC seemed to at least be open to. Of course, those test and carrier files are one of the big draws for the site, so we’ll just have to wait and see exactly what’s left when everything shakes out.

[Thanks, Brian W.]

Conflipper says Shipped Roms is ‘here to stay,’ will cooperate with HTC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 02

Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in ‘a few weeks’

Posted in: Apple, breaking news, BreakingNews, firmware, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili

Whoa, Apple just admitted that there’s an issue with the iPhone 4’s reception, but it might not be what you think:

Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong. Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars. Users observing a drop of several bars when they grip their iPhone in a certain way are most likely in an area with very weak signal strength, but they don’t know it because we are erroneously displaying 4 or 5 bars. Their big drop in bars is because their high bars were never real in the first place.

To fix this, we are adopting AT&T’s recently recommended formula for calculating how many bars to display for a given signal strength. The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area. We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.

We will issue a free software update within a few weeks that incorporates the corrected formula. Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G.

Sure, the odd way Apple calculates bars has been noted before, but what’s troubling is that this is the second time Apple has blamed signal strength / reception issues on software and it doesn’t fully explain calls dropping and data degradation when the iPhone 4 is held in a very particular (but common) way. It’s also worth noting that Apple in no way admits to an antenna design flaw. Read the full press release after the break.

Continue reading Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in ‘a few weeks’

Apple: iPhone 4 reception problem is a software issue, fix coming in ‘a few weeks’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jul 01

Firmware Update Adds 3D Panoramas to Sony NEX Cameras

Posted in: firmware, Today's Chili

Sony’s panoramic sweep feature already works surprisingly well, giving you great panoramas just by hitting the shutter and swooshing the camera across the scene before you. Now, with a firmware update, the brand-new mirrorless NEX cameras will do the same, only in 3D.

The firmware update is available for the NEX3 and NEX5 cameras, and also brings faster startup times in low light, a better 2D pano-sweep and “decreased power drain when the camera is switched off” (which I assume means that a Sony engineer looked up the word “off” in a dictionary).

But the exciting bit is the 3D panorama function, which will let you view the photos in 3D on a 3D Bravia TV, or any other 3D-capable set. How does it work? Sony fails to enlighten us, but it’s pretty easy to work out. Normal stereoscopic photos are taken by combining two images, usually snapped by two lenses and viewed by separate eyes. Sony’s cameras have just one lens, so some digital trickery is required.

When shooting 2D panoramas, the camera fires off a series of frames as you sweep the camera over the scene. To add another dimension, the camera most likely uses the camera’s accelerometer combined with image data taken from different angles (in the frames you have just shot) to work out what the eyes would see from different points. These can then generate a 3D image.

We’ll be interested to see just how good the effect is, but if it is anything like as seamless as the 2D panoramas, then this could prove to be more than just a gimmick. It is also free, if you have the camera (and a 3DTV). Available now.

Sony NEX 3D firmware update [Sony]

3D update for Sony’s NEX-5/NEX-3 cameras Free firmware adds 3D Sweep Panorama shooting [Sony]

See Also:

Photo: piszkosfreddy/Flickr




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Jul 01

Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 can shoot 3D panoramas with new firmware

Posted in: firmware, photography, Software, sony, Today's Chili, update

Think Sony ain’t serious about 3D? Think again. The Japanese giant has just outed a promised firmware update for its ultra-slinky NEX series of shooters that will allow users to shoot 3D panoramas. Panorama stitching was already one of the touted features on these cameras, but with a little extra software magic they’ll now be able to collect “depth information” as well. We don’t know how strong a 3D effect you’re going to get, but since this is a free upgrade and a new way to play with your toy, we suggest grabbing the firmware first and asking questions later. Hit the source link for the download.

Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 can shoot 3D panoramas with new firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 29

Sprint halts EVO 4G update due to reports of it bricking phones

Posted in: Android, AndroidOs, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, HTC, ota, Software, Sprint, Today's Chili, update

Uh oh. There’s been a tiny little hitch in the latest EVO 4G update, which has resulted in a number of people finding their superphones becoming unusable. Aside from rooted handsets having their predictable woes with new official software, some users have found that applying the update twice bricked their phones, stock OS and all. That’s pretty worrying, particularly when you consider that checking for updates after a successful install gives you the option to apply it all over again. Sprint and HTC have acted quickly to pull the OTA for the moment, and promise to restore it as soon as its lethal streak has been ironed out:

While the vast majority of consumers successfully downloaded and installed the most recent HTC EVO 4G software update, we have received a handful of reports from customers having some issues with the update. In light of this, HTC and Sprint have decided to temporarily halt distribution of this software release until we can investigate further. We expect to be able to resume software updates shortly.

In the mean time, let’s all just sit, wait, and hope the sky doesn’t fall on our heads.

Sprint halts EVO 4G update due to reports of it bricking phones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central  |  sourceMobileCrunch  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 28

PlayStation Plus coming via PS3 firmware 3.40 (update: now available)

Posted in: firmware, network, playstation, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, YouTube

At last, the first post-E3 firmware update for the PlayStation 3, and as you might’ve suspected, this one’s got PlayStation Plus packed into the mix. We’ve talked about the service a bit so far, but to recap, $50 annual nets you a 50 percent discount on PSN titles, early access to betas, and one hour of demo time on select full titles (among other benefits). If you’re not willing to shell out the Ulysses S Grant, however, however, there’s a few other treats in the software patch, including five-star ratings for content purchased on the Store, video editor and uploader for Facebook and YouTube (note: not a video capture service, gotta use what the HDD already has), and expanded integration into Picasa and Facebook photo galleries. Speaking of Facebook, a new app will appear on the social site for showing off your PSN profile and befriending others. As usual, no exact date for the firmware is given, but if history’s any indication, it won’t be very long at all.

Update: We just checked our consoles and, sure enough, the update is live. We’re downloading now and will let you know if there’s anything peculiar.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: PS3 firmware 3.40

PlayStation Plus coming via PS3 firmware 3.40 (update: now available) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 28

Microsoft says Kin software update is scheduled for mid-summer

Posted in: firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, Microsoft, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, twitter, update
We’d already heard some talk that Microsoft’s Kin One and Kin Two phones might be in store for an update, and it looks like the phones will indeed be getting one sooner rather than later. While it remains to be seen if it will include those rumored IM improvements, a Kin support moderator has confirmed on the Microsoft Answers forum that an update is scheduled for “mid-summer,” and that it will address “many” of the concerns laid out in the post that prompted the response. That included complaints about battery issues, a suggestion for improvements to the Twitter client (including replies and re-tweets), and a plea for YouTube support. The seemingly in-the-know Conflipper also backs up the inclusion of those Twitter updates, and says the Facebook app will also be updated to let folks view more than three pictures.

Microsoft says Kin software update is scheduled for mid-summer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink WMPoweruser  |  sourceMicrosoft Answers, @conflipper (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

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Jun 25

Sprint: EVO 4G users getting Android 2.2 ‘in the near future’ (Update: No upgrade for Moment, Hero)

Posted in: Android, AndroidOs, firmware, froyo, Google, HTC, mobile os, MobileOs, Today's Chili, update, upgrade

It looks like EVO 4G users will soon have one more thing to smile about, as Sprint has just announced that an Android 2.2 (aka Froyo) upgrade will indeed be coming to the “superphone.”

With the Android 2.2 upgrade, customers can expect improvements to include the following benefits: updates to user interface, improved EAS Support, improved browser performance, including Flash 10x Support, voice dialing over Bluetooth and application storage on external memory.

No word on a timeframe yet, but you’ll know as soon as we do — promise.

Update: According to this tweet from the carrier: “HTC EVO will be updated to Android 2.2; Samsung Moment & HTC Hero will not. Future devices launching w/ 2.1 will be also be updated to 2.2.”

Sprint: EVO 4G users getting Android 2.2 ‘in the near future’ (Update: No upgrade for Moment, Hero) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 25

Android 2.2 coming to Droid in ‘late July,’ Droid X in ‘late August?’

Posted in: Android, AndroidOs, droid, firmware, froyo, Google, mobile os, MobileOs, moto, motorola, operating system, OperatingSystem, os, plans, rumor, schedule, Software, speculation, Today's Chili, update, upgrade

Care for some more specificity on when exactly to expect the Droid X to become even awesomer? Well, according to one “very reliable” source over at Droid Forums, we can look forward to a late August landing for Android 2.2 on the X, which will be preceded by a late July delivery on the venerable Droid. Both dates are caveated with an ominous “currently planned” proviso, so don’t consider them carved in (Mile)stone, but we’re liking the idea of Motorola having both its flagship devices tasting of Froyo by summer’s end. There’s no mention of the Droid 2, however, which may mean nothing or might suggest that handset’s still a fair way away from its release. We shall see.

Android 2.2 coming to Droid in ‘late July,’ Droid X in ‘late August?’ originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jun 23

Nexus One getting Android 2.2 FRF83 update over the air?

Posted in: Android, AndroidOs, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, froyo, nexus one, NexusOne, ota, rumor, rumors, Today's Chili, update


The Android 2.2 source code just went public this morning, but we’re hearing a fully-compiled, legitimate OTA version of Froyo may be hitting small batches of Nexus One handsets as well. Though a 1.78MB ZIP file floating around XDA-developers this afternoon was originally thought to be the droid we’ve all been looking for, Android and Me reports that they received an honest-to-goodness OTA version of FRF83 after trying (and failing) to get that ZIP to work, and we’re getting several similar reports. Let us know in comments if you’ve received a frozen treat of your own.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Nexus One getting Android 2.2 FRF83 update over the air? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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