Hasta La Gadget!

The only way to make Nikon’s app uglier is to view it pixel-doubled in an iPad screen

Nikon has released a handy little app, although its audience will likely be pretty limited — you need to own an iOS device and also the projector-equipped Nikon COOLPIX S1200pj camera. And even then you may want to hold off this free app, thanks to its horrible design.

iP-PJ Transfer — which sounds like something copyright lawyers might do at a sleepover — lets you use the camera’s projector to show content stored on your iPhone. Use it to project slideshows and documents, and also browse to any site using the built-in web browser.

The camera is connected to the iPhone using the Dock Connector cable that came with the camera (and if you don’t have one, then tough — Nikon doesn’t sell them separately). Once this is done, you have to transfer content into the app via iTunes file sharing (or via your computer’s browser). You can also access content from your iPhone’s camera roll (although the Nikon app calls it the “Camera Role”).

The oddest thing about this app, though (apart from the shoddy production values) is that you don’t really need it. Take a look at the instruction page for connecting the camera to an iOS device and you’ll see the camera works as a movie and slideshow projector out of the box. Better still, it works with the photos and videos already stored and organized on your device.

Still, the app is free, and if you hate yourself (and own the above devices) you owe it to yourself to download it and try to navigate its tortuous controls, if only to inflict PowerPoint presentations on other people. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

iP-PJ Transfer [iTunes via Photography Bay]

See Also:

• Nikon Crams Projector Into Compact Camera
• Nikon Digicam Doubles as Computer Projector

Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it’s easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don’t escape without notice, we’ve gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!

Official Android updates

• Motorola Xoom owners who swapped in their devices for one with LTE capability may have found an OTA enhancement waiting for them when the tablet arrived. It included a few minor changes, such as updates to Android Market and some additional browser security measures. The full changelog can be found at the link. [AndroidCentral]
• The update to the Motorola Droid 2 Global was pulled last month due to an Exchange encryption issue, but we’re hearing reports that it’s once again resuming the rollout with that concern resolved. [Droid-Life]
• Motorola’s Photon 4G on Sprint is on the receiving end of a minor bug fix update, which includes video chat capability for Google Talk. [PhoneArena]
• The good news for unlocked Dell Streak 7 users: the official update to Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) is now rolling out and you should see it over the course of the next couple weeks. the coming weeks. [Dell]
• The bad news for T-Mobile Dell Streak 7 users: Honeycomb isn’t coming to your tablet, for unknown reasons. [Android Community]
• According to a tweet from LG, there’s a small refresh in the works for the Optimus 7 which will finally enable WiFi tethering. [WPCentral]

Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

• A new piece of firmware for the AT&T Galaxy S II was leaked via RootzWiki, and includes a few bug fixes. Sadly, it adds some bugs as well. [Android Community]
• Samsung’s officially released the kernel source for the Stratosphere, Transfix and Galaxy Y Pro. [Android Community]
• And now for the best news for TouchPad owners: after several weeks of progress, it appears that CM7 is now ready to roll on the HP TouchPad. As always, download and install at your own risk — we have a feeling this may be a bit more involved than your typical Android custom ROM. [Redmond Pie]

Other platforms

• Redsn0w 0.9.9b5 is here, giving you the go-ahead to jailbreak iOS5. Up for the task? Head to the link for all of the details on how to make it so. [Redmond Pie]
• Some Windows Phone users have noticed a few bugs popping into their updated devices ever since they received Mango. The main concerns seem to be found in the keyboard and live tiles, though the reported issues are much more numerous. Have you experienced any of these on the list at the link? [WMPowerUser]

Refreshes we covered this week

• Motorola a bit slow boomerangin’ back with LTE update
• iOS5 now available for download

Refresh Resource: week of October 10, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The iPhone 4S’ Siri integration may be a potential game changer, but she’s not quite the world traveler some of us would like her to be. In fact, it seems she’s as lost outside of US borders as any unprepared tourist. Looking for a pub in London? Better find a traditional map. Need to know the time of day in Canada? Siri admits she has no idea, go buy a watch. Business search (via Yelp), directions, and traffic data search all appear to be US-only features for now, and Wolfram Alpha only works in English-speaking countries. The automated assistant’s international failings aren’t too big of a surprise, however — Apple’s own Siri page outs the service as a beta, noting that some features may vary by area. Stuck with sub-par international support? Sit tight, it’s coming: Apple’s Siri FAQ states that additional language support (including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian and Spanish), maps and local search content are set to go international in 2012.

Update: Wolfram Alpha works outside the US in English speaking countries, thanks to everyone in the comments for the clarification.

Siri gets lost internationally, promises to do better next year originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 20:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yeee-haw, Apple buckaroos! Whooz ready for some good timin’, multitaskin’? Who wants their iPhone served up with a hot bucket’a grits? HOOOOOOOOOOO BOY. Jonny Ive’s deep in the hooch pan again? Saddle up, grab yer partner, and let’s make some truck-ugly apps! More »

Apple’s latest iOS brings enhanced location services to your iPhone. So enhanced that some apps make it seem a little bit scary at just how well they’re tracking you, even when the app isn’t running—but it’s a good thing! Right? More »