BBC HD quietly begins broadcasting in 1080p, but not all Sony HDTVs can handle it

We’d pretty much given up waiting for broadcast 1080p, since other than some video on-demand services you’ll generally need to stick to Blu-ray to tick that box, but around the end of March BBC HD changed all that. It’s taking advantage of a part of the Freeview HD spec that allows the broadcaster to dynamically select between 1080p / 25fps and 1080i / 25fps transmission and the boxes are mandated to be able to output 1080p / 50fps. The reasoning for the decision is to provide better picture quality on material that was shot that way, unfortunately it’s coming to light now because some HDTVs are having trouble handling the switch and causing an audio dropout when the format shifts, as mentioned by UK buyers guide What Hi-Fi. As if Sony didn’t have enough to deal with, the overwhelming majority of complaints appear to center around its TVs and the company has promised more information in the next 7 – 10 days about a fix that will take care of the problem.

BBC HD quietly begins broadcasting in 1080p, but not all Sony HDTVs can handle it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 May 2011 05:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink HDTV Test  |  sourceSony UK, What Hi-Fi?  | Email this | Comments

Samsung Droid Charge gets minor update to Media Hub, Verizon extends free Thunderbolt hotspot offer

Wondering why your barely-out-of-the-box Droid Charge is already getting a software update? Wonder no more, as it’s merely a tweak for Samsung’s Media Hub application that disables downloads over 3G. It’s kind of a shame, really, as that means if you don’t live in an LTE market you’ll need to be tied to a WiFi hotspot to get your multimedia there, but Verizon claims it’s a compromise to “ensure quality and speed.”

Meanwhile, Verizon’s other LTE handset is getting an additional boon — the carrier’s extending its free wireless hotspot offer through June 15th for the HTC Thunderbolt, after which you can expect to pay $20 a month for the WiFi tethering privilege. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks.

Samsung Droid Charge gets minor update to Media Hub, Verizon extends free Thunderbolt hotspot offer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 May 2011 04:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central (1), (2)  |  sourceVerizon, @VZWSupport (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments

WiFi-only Motorola Xoom won’t have Movies right away, Canadian Xooms getting SD support someday

If you’re the proud owner of a Motorola Xoom, you will get Android 3.1, but we’re afraid the timing and features included in that update may depend on where you reside and which one you bought. For instance, while both Verizon 3G and WiFi-only Xooms in the United States are seeing the latest Honeycomb slowly trickle in right now, Motorola says that the WiFi version won’t have movie rentals available immediately after the update. What’s more, though the new hotness doesn’t seem to bring microSD card support to US devices, Motorola says that Canadian models will get that exact functionality “soon.” What if you don’t live in North America at all? We’re afraid we can’t tell you.

WiFi-only Motorola Xoom won’t have Movies right away, Canadian Xooms getting SD support someday originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Droid-Life, Android Central  |  sourceMotorola Forums, Motorola Canada (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

Logitech Revue price drops to $199 on Amazon

While we wait for the OTA update that will bring Android 3.1 to existing Google TV devices, Logitech’s Revue — check the official blog post linked below for some of the features being added — has apparently already received its price cut and CrunchGear points out it is currently available for $199 on Amazon. As we noted a couple of weeks ago when the company announced weak sales and a plan to drop the price to $249, getting the price under two bills was probably as important as smoothing out the software experience. Of course, after Google I/O we wonder if anyone interested in Google TV is still jonesing for a launch device (even with the promise of updated software and Android Market access in the future) when something newer and better is likely on the way. After all, you can get Honeycomb on a T-Mobile G1 now, but that doesn’t mean you would want to do it.

Logitech Revue price drops to $199 on Amazon originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 May 2011 21:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceAmazon  | Email this | Comments

Verizon sends out OTA update for the HTC Thunderbolt, lacks fix for LTE

At long last, Verizon’s finally giving us that OTA firmware update for the Thunderbolt we caught wind of a few weeks back. Owners of the flagship device can grab it now through a manual download, and the good news is that it’s meant to fix some connectivity issues. Bad news is it’s just for 3G. The new code is also meant to stabilize data-dependent apps, speed up GPS updates for Google Maps and VZ Navigator, and fix a few minor messaging glitches. We’re glad the wait is over, but would it have killed them to fix LTE too?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Verizon sends out OTA update for the HTC Thunderbolt, lacks fix for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 13:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceVerizon [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

iOS 5 updates expected to be carried over-the-air, at least for the Verizon iPhone

Having spent a good part of our day yesterday negotiating with iTunes and downloading a whopping 666.2MB file to update our iPhone to version 4.3.3 — a version, we might add, whose sole claim to fame is the removal of things — we know well the pains of updating Apple’s mobile software. Those aches, however, may soon be coming to an end. 9to5Mac has multiple sources informing it that Apple and Verizon are scheming to start delivering iOS updates over the air from this fall, or just as soon as iOS 5 is made available. Untethered OS updates are a familiar feature to users of other smartphone operating systems and even the iOS-infused Apple TV, but getting Apple’s mobile devices up to date has so far always required going through the company’s own cable and software.

There’s no reason to believe this wireless update feature will be limited to Verizon, mind you — that’s just where the informants are coming from in this instance — though Apple will almost certainly have to alter the file sizes of its updates. We can’t think of many carriers who’ll be happy to push more than half a gigabyte of data per user per update. Additionally, since iTunes currently acts as the major backup hub, 9to5Mac speculates Cupertino must be working on a cloud backup service as well, which would seem a very sensible idea. Of course, that doesn’t paint a very happy or busy future for iTunes, but so what?

iOS 5 updates expected to be carried over-the-air, at least for the Verizon iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 May 2011 04:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  source9to5Mac  | Email this | Comments

HTC starts OTA Gingerbread updates for Desire HD and Incredible S

It’s true, it’s true. HTC is today extending some tender loving care to owners of the Desire HD and Incredible S handsets in the form of an over-the-air update delivering Android 2.3. We’ve seen the notice of the new firmware update on the company’s European support site, though our UK-based Incredible S has yet to be pinged with a refreshing dose of Gingerbread. Shouldn’t be long now, though! That just leaves the Desire Z and original Desire, both of which should be joining the party by the end of June.

HTC starts OTA Gingerbread updates for Desire HD and Incredible S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 May 2011 07:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Mobile Bulgaria  |  sourceHTC Support  | Email this | Comments

Nexus One gets Android 2.3.4 over the air, but no Gtalk video calling fun

Good news: Android 2.3.4 is en route to your Nexus One. Bad news: it lacks the Google Talk video and voice chat options that Nexus S users will get to enjoy in their slice of the same Gingerbread iteration. You might think this predictable, given that the Nexus One lacks a front-facing camera, but then it might have been nice to at least have voice calls integrated into Gtalk. Anyhow, if bug fixes are your thing, you can go grab your build number GRJ22 at the download link below or enjoy the anticipation of getting it over the air like everyone else.

[Thanks, Tom]

Nexus One gets Android 2.3.4 over the air, but no Gtalk video calling fun originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 May 2011 04:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceGoogle (ZIP)  | Email this | Comments

HTC Thunderbolt getting new radio firmware, according to Verizon doc

Looks like AT&T isn’t the only carrier patching cellular connectivity issues this month — a Verizon document suggests that we’ll be getting some brand new radio firmware for the beleaguered HTC Thunderbolt. The handset not only fell victim to Verizon’s LTE outage but has had 3G data and CDMA / LTE cycling issues since day one, so we’re hoping this latest baseband will bring at least a modicum of relief for affected speed demons across the country. What we don’t know is when this patch might show up — we thought the Xoom’s security update would be imminent, but those documents were unceremoniously pulled.

HTC Thunderbolt getting new radio firmware, according to Verizon doc originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Central  |  sourceVerizon (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

AT&T brings HSUPA to Atrix 4G and Inspire 4G, one requires WiFi to download update

If you’re the somewhat-proud-but-feeling-throttled owner of a Motorola Atrix 4G or HTC Inspire 4G, your days of terribly slow uploads are nearly through — following some preliminary tests, AT&T is rolling out updates that provide “increased potential data speed” to both HSPA+ handsets right on cue. The Inspire 4G’s patch will also “make the email set up process much easier,” while the Atrix 4G will actually get a pair of updates which will allegedly bring better Bluetooth headset compatibility, fingerprint reader performance and battery life (which is always a plus) as well as the questionable utility of turning the Atrix into an EDGE hotspot, and a bump to Android 2.2.2 to hopefully fix any lingering SMS routing bugs. Word of warning though, you’ll need to throw your Atrix up on a WiFi network to obtain these goodies — all the Gs in the world won’t help you.

AT&T brings HSUPA to Atrix 4G and Inspire 4G, one requires WiFi to download update originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink CNET, Android Community  |  sourceAT&T, HTC  | Email this | Comments