Oct 12

Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update

Posted in: airplay, Apple, apple tv, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, hdpostcross, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update
It got a bit overshadowed by Apple’s other software updates earlier today, but Apple TV users also have a few new features to enjoy whenever they’re ready to plop down on the couch. Version 4.4 of the Apple TV software is now available to download, which adds the new Photo Stream feature to view photos stored in iCloud, as well as AirPlay mirroring, plus content from the NHL and Wall Street Journal, and a new movie trailer section. You’ll also now be able to view subtitles in Netflix (when available, of course), and you have a few new slideshow themes to choose from.

Photo Stream, NHL, AirPlay mirroring and more added to Apple TV with software update originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 09

Refresh Roundup: week of October 3, 2011

Posted in: firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, gingerbread, mobilepostcross, refresh, roundup, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, upgrade

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

  • Android 2.3.4 for the Motorola Droid X2 is ready for download. It includes minor fixes to the keyboard, video quality, the mobile hotspot and more. [Droid-Life]
  • Reports are starting to trickle in that the HTC Desire S on Orange UK is getting the bump up to Android 2.3.5 and Sense 3.0, though it seems to be unannounced at this point. [XDA]

Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • The CyanogenMod team is getting close to having CM7 ready for the Motorola Droid 3. [Droid-Life]
  • The recently released LG Esteem for MetroPCS has been rooted. [AndroidNerds]

Other platforms

  • The BlackBerry PlayBook now has an upgrade available. Nope, not the one with native email. Instead, this one is more of a security and stability enhancement with the latest version of Flash Player thrown in for kicks and giggles. [PhoneArena]
  • The 6th-gen iPod Nano received an update to version 1.2 to help bring it to speed with the 7th-gen models unveiled this week. It offers larger app icons, new clock faces, easier adjustments of the accelerometer for the fitness feature as well as several bug fixes. Thanks, Eric! [MacObserver]
  • T-Mobile’s BlackBerry Bold 9900 will get a maintenance release in November that adds WiFi calling, a feature that many have sorely missed. [Electronista]

Refreshes we covered this week

Refresh Roundup: week of October 3, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 05

Software Update Turns Old iPod Nano Into New iPod Nano

Posted in: iPod Nano, Media Players, software update, Today's Chili

A free software update brings all the new features to last year’s Nano

The biggest non-upgrade announced at yesterday’s Apple event wasn’t — despite what some entitled whiners might have you believe — the iPhone 4S. No, the littlest upgrade was reserved for the littlest iPod: the iPod Nano.

Sure, the Nano got a built-in pedometer, bigger icons and a 18 different clock-face designs, but hardware-wise, it hasn’t changed. In fact, if you already have last year’s Nano, you can get all these features — free — via a software update.

Plug your Nano into iTunes and click the “Check for Update” button. Click yes to everything you’re asked, enter your password and wait. A few moments later, your tired old 2010/2011 iPod has magically transformed itself into a shiny new 2011/2012 iPod. And if you don’t like the new, bigger icon view, you can revert to the little hard-to-press old ones.

In fact, about the only thing you don’t get from the new model is a refund of the price drop. Previously, the Nano began at $149. Now it starts at $129, or $20 less.

iPod Nano product page [Apple]

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Oct 02

Refresh Roundup: week of September 26, 2011

Posted in: Android, ASUS, att, droid, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, galaxy s ii, GalaxySIi, gingerbread, Google, honeycomb, HTC, LG, mango, motorola, motorola xoom, MotorolaXoom, nexus s, NexusS, ota, refresh, rom, roundup, samsung, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Sprint, t-mobile, tablets, thunderbolt, Today's Chili, update, verizon, webos, windows phone, WindowsPhone, Wp7, xoom, xperia

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

  • The top story this week revolves around the HTC Thunderbolt’s long-awaited Gingerbread OTA update. It was finally rolling out, which was exciting news for owners of the device — until it had to be pulled because of some rather significant bugs. The largest of them all was that voicemail notifications no longer worked properly; video chatting through Google Talk was also slightly messed up as well. No word on when we can expect to see it come back with those bugs fixed. [Droid-Life]
  • Unfortunately, the Thunderbolt isn’t the only phone falling victim to pulled revamps; the LG Optimus S on Sprint had its Gingerbread update kiboshed, though users have had two weeks to get it — plenty of time for anyone to experience some of the bugs, which included the phone not charging, the SD card not being recognized when the phone’s connected to the computer, no access to data services, and predictive text on the virtual keyboard stopped working. It’s disappointing to see this happen so soon after the Kyocera Echo update went through a similar debacle. [SprintFeed]
  • LG Optimus 3D: V10K firmware update, enables phone to convert OpenGL-capable 2D games into stereoscopic 3D. Note: this still runs Android 2.2.2, so we’re still waiting for Gingerbread. [AndroidCentral]
  • Motorola Xoom WiFi: Android 3.2.1 is beginning to roll out. [AndroidCentral]
  • Dell Streak 7: Honeycomb update rolling out now to unspecified regions [AndroidCentral]
  • Asus Eee Pad Transformer: Revamped to Android 3.2.1, adds other bug fixes [AndroidCommunity]
  • Casio G’Zone Commando: Gingerbread rolling out now [Droid-Life]
  • Motorola Droid 3: Minor maintenance refresh; enhances Google Talk with video chat support, several other fixes. [PhoneDog]
  • T-Mobile Samsung Nexus S: OTA install (with option to manually install) to Android 2.3.6; doesn’t appear to break tethering. [AndroidCentral]

Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • The Android 2.3.5 ROM for the global Samsung Galaxy S II leaked early this week. [Pocketnow, SamFirmware]
  • You can now download the Android 2.3.4 SBF for the Motorola Droid X2, courtesy of XDA. [Droid-Life]
  • If you have a Sony Ericsson Xperia-branded device from 2010 or 2011, CyanogenMod7 support will most likely come included as part of an upcoming update. Ten Xperia devices will be added, though a timeframe for release wasn’t announced. Check here to see if your device made the list. [XperiaBlog]

Other platforms

  • Check here to see if your phone is ready to receive Windows Phone Mango.
  • The ultra-rare AT&T HP Pre 3 just received an OTA update to 2.2.3.2207, right after a new webOS Doctor became available for the same refresh. [PreCentral]

Refreshes we covered this week

Refresh Roundup: week of September 26, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 29

Long live the Samsung Taylor: prototype device to receive Mango?

Posted in: developers, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, mango, mobilepostmini, official, prototype, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update, windows phone, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone, WindowsPhone7, Wp7
Keep looking at Microsoft’s “where’s my Windows Phone update” page, concerned that Mango may never make it to your WP7 device? You may be comforted to hear that even the Samsung Taylor — the beta device awarded to devs last summer that got left in the dark when NoDo came around — is reportedly receiving the refresh to Windows Phone 7.5, inferring that the range of devices covered by the annual overhaul is pretty wide. It hasn’t been made official, but the above screenshot was posted on the Facebook Wall of a Microsoft employee (which has since been taken down), offering a solid indication that the idea isn’t too far-fetched. If you’re one of the lucky few to have the prototype handset in your possession, be on the lookout and keep us apprised if Mango comes knocking on your door. Everyone else should feel at ease knowing that if the Taylor can get it, it’s likely that every other Windows Phone can too.

Long live the Samsung Taylor: prototype device to receive Mango? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 28

PSA: Force Windows Phone 7.5 Mango to update, right now

Posted in: mango, Microsoft, mobilepostcross, smartphone, Smartphones, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update, windows phone, WindowsPhone

Windows Phone 7.5 has officially landed, but unless you’re among a fortunate few, Redmond’s tropical getaway might seem like only a twinkle on the horizon. In a wild turn of events, we’ve now stumbled across (and confirmed) a method that promises instant Mango gratification, and if you’re so inclined, we hope you’ll find similar luck. Here’s the gist: something very special happens when you run the update and then promptly disable your internet connection — about one second seems to do the trick. We first checked for Mango and kept WiFi enabled; the Zune software dutifully reported that our phone was up-to-date. Then, we executed the process and disconnected the internet… and wouldn’t you know it, the update presented itself. Now, we’re happily frolicking through Microsoft’s latest delights on our Focus. If you’re willing to try your luck, you’ll find a full list of instructions in the source. Here’s one final tip: once it’s reported that an update is available, be sure to restore that internet connection.

[Thanks, Rohit]

PSA: Force Windows Phone 7.5 Mango to update, right now originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 27

Windows Phone 7.5 ‘Mango’ update begins rolling out today

Posted in: breaking news, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, hotspot, mango, Microsoft, mobile hotspot, MobileHotspot, mobilepostcross, refresh, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update, windows phone, windows phone 7, WindowsPhone, WindowsPhone7, Wp7

It’s raining Mango, Hallelujah! Windows Phone 7.5 is now officially ready to get pushed to existing devices, and in a big way. Taking lessons Microsoft learned from the update debacle that was NoDo, the company’s eager to do a much more efficient (and quick) job of rolling out its latest revamp. While Redmond didn’t offer any exact details on which phones would be the lucky recipients right away, it’ll be keeping the masses posted through its “where’s my phone update” page. If your handset is listed, hook it up to your computer, load the Zune client and there should be a lovely message waiting for you. As always, don’t feel too discouraged if your device isn’t available right away, since these rollouts have a habit of taking a bit of time to get to everyone.

In addition to the rollout, the Web Marketplace will also make its debut, giving Windows Phone users the opportunity to do what Android users already enjoy — the ability to surf for apps online and have them downloaded directly on the phone with no sideloading required. There’s one bit of sad news to relay to anyone that already has a Windows Phone, however: Microsoft confirmed to us that Internet Sharing — the long-awaited mobile hotspot functionality — will not be available for existing devices. There’s no word on if this will be offered through a future update or if it’s a permanent deal, but at least it’s only a single thorn in an entire rose garden of good news.

Windows Phone 7.5 ‘Mango’ update begins rolling out today originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 25

Refresh Roundup: week of September 19, 2011

Posted in: Android, firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, gingerbread, meego, mobilepostmini, refresh, roundup, Software, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update

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

  • The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE is now getting some very minor plastic surgery, with what appears to be a simple maintenance update. [Droid-Life]
  • Not the biggest fan of your buggy keyboard, Motorola Droid X users? The latest bug fix update, eloquently called 4.5.605, resolves keyboard stability and usability issues that have affected a large number of users. [Droid-Life]
  • Owners of the HTC Sensation on O2 should be enjoying an enhancement to Android 2.3.4 soon, as the rollout has already begun. [Pocket-Lint]
  • How ’bout that Motorola Xoom WiFi? Android 3.2.1 (aka build HTK55D) is rolling out to devices now; we imagine the update’s a minor bug fix of some kind, but we haven’t seen any change log on it yet. [Droid-Life]
  • Telus is cranking out Gingerbread to the Samsung Fascinate 4G. [AndroidCentral]
  • The HTC Droid Incredible 2 is now on the receiving end of build 4.08.605.3, a minor refresh that improves server connections for email sync, enhances Visual Voicemail stability as well as other minor bug fixes. [Droid-Life]
  • Rogers customers are now reporting that the Samsung Captivate is now seeing an upgrade to Gingerbread. [MobileSyrup]
  • The Sony Tablet S came shipped with Android 3.1, but it’s already getting the bump to 3.2. [AndroidCentral]

Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery

  • Remember Android 2.3.6? You know, the update that blocked tethering on the Samsung Nexus S? It appears that the Nexus One is due for the infamous build. If you don’t care to wait for the refresh to pop up OTA, you can download and install it on your own. No word on if tethering is blocked on this update as well, but we can’t imagine it being different from the Nexus S. [Redmond Pie]
  • Android 2.3.5 has leaked for the Samsung Infuse 4G in the form of build I997UCKI4. Such a leak causes us to suspect the official rollout should be heading our way in the near future. [AndroidCentral]
  • XDA’s rooted the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, and has published a full tutorial on exactly how you can do it. It’s no SuperOneClick, of course, but it’s certainly bound to get you to the same destination — as long as you follow the instructions precisely. [XDA-dev]
  • An early preview version of CM7.1 for the LG Optimus Black is available for download. Keep in mind that it’s a test build, and won’t be completely polished. [AndroidCentral]
  • The first deodexed ROM for the Motorola Droid Bionic is now downloadable. Follow the link to get the full set of instructions. [Droid-Life]
  • If you desperately want to have Gingerbread on your HTC Thunderbolt, a RUU for build 2.11.605.2 is all yours. [Android Police]

Other platforms

  • SFR France indicated this week that they’re ready to push the Mango update out to the HTC 7 Trophy, though it didn’t specify exactly when it will begin. Vodafone Romania and Telus (Canada) also let it slip that they’d be rolling out the update to their phones to Mango by the end of this current month. No date for the latest version has been officially set.
  • The Nokia N950 is a bit of a rarity as it is, but that doesn’t mean it can’t receive continued support. The MeeGo-run device just received a beta of its latest firmware boost, and appears to be available for download. [NokiaHD blog]

Refreshes we covered this week

Refresh Roundup: week of September 19, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 22

Xperia Play finally gets HD video capture, catches up with smartphone siblings

Posted in: 720p, Android, gingerbread, mobilepostcross, mobilepostmini, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Sony Ericsson, SonyEricsson, Today's Chili, update, video, xperia

The Xperia Play’s incoming Android 2.3.4 update appears to add an extra nugget of functional goodness in the form of high-definition video-recording. What, the Xperia Play didn’t do so already? Nope, Sony Ericsson neglected to add that functionality to the phone’s five megapixel shooter from the start. Fortunately, the new software update rectifies this, so when you’re not blasting those PlayStation hits of yesteryear, you’ll be able to chronicle your pet’s adventures in crystal clear 720p. Courtesy of XDA Developers, see proof of the Play’s new HD recording abilities after the break.

Continue reading Xperia Play finally gets HD video capture, catches up with smartphone siblings

Xperia Play finally gets HD video capture, catches up with smartphone siblings originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 21

Existing Windows Phones to get Mango update within the next two weeks

Posted in: firmware, firmware update, FirmwareUpdate, mango, Microsoft, mobilepostmini, refresh, Software, software update, SoftwareUpdate, Today's Chili, update, Windows, windows phone, WindowsPhone, Wp7
We’ve already witnessed the launch of a Windows Phone with Mango and seen several others announced, so when’s the update rolling out to devices still operating on NoDo? According to Microsoft’s official Windows Phone Blog, we need only wait another week or two before the update begins rolling out. The Windows Team indicates it won’t be pushed to your phone OTA when the time comes, so you’ll want to ensure you have the right software (Zune for PC, Windows Phone 7 Connector for Mac) installed on your computer before this all goes down. Now, a word of caution: we’d be completely taken by surprise if every phone received the update on the same day — after all, the NoDo rollout spanned several weeks before it was delivered everywhere — so it’s best if you exercise a degree of patience if your particular handset isn’t ready the very first day, just in case.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Existing Windows Phones to get Mango update within the next two weeks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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