Archive for: firmware
To every Mac user who hasn’t hacked their shiny new LTE modems to work on their OS X-equipped machines (or those waiting for more official options), your meal ticket is coming very soon. In an exchange of words with PhoneScoop, VZW mentioned a pending February update that would bring the highly sought after Mac support that many have been clamoring for. Of course, those who really wanted to get VZW’s LTE modems up and working on their non-Windows machines already have via various hacks easily found online. But for the masses, a more official approach is greatly appreciated and needed. For the record, this update is only for the LG VL600 modem at this time.
No official release date has been revealed as of writing.
Fancy a look at what Apple has in store for us iOS users come iOS 4.3 release time? Lucky you, someone with itchy fingers let loose the full changelog of Apple’s upcoming iOS update. And as we saw on the recently announced Verizon iPhone, there are numerous references to WiFi hotspot mentioned throughout the changelog. Other than that, it looks like a lot of nothing. Feature freaks, iOS 4.3 is not all that exciting. But if you must, full list of updates/bug fixes after the break…
Apple iOS developers waking up this morning have a new treat by way of iOS 4.3. Notable new features include the unshackling of the AirPlay API for 3rd party apps, the much talked about mobile hotspot feature shown off on Verizon’s recently unveiled iPhone 4, new FaceTime icon for iPod Touch, full-screen iAds (yay…), new MobileMe-dependent “Find My Friends” feature, and last but certainly not lest, the re-introduction of user-customizable lock switch. That’s right, Apple has changed courses again and given back the ability to use the lock switch as a mute switch or orientation lock switch. Happy?
- November 23, 2010 9:46 pm
The servers at Apple are still warm from the onslaught of iOS 4.2.1 downloads and already iOS 4.3 rumors are heating up. According to a Macnn source, Apple is hard at work at a quick 4.2.1 follow-up with iOS 4.3. While the number jump may signal a rather significant upgrade in features, early rumors suggest otherwise. Instead, the biggest addition to iOS 4.3 will supposedly be in-app subscriptions — a major feature that news organizations and magazine publishers have been pursuing for quite a while.
The release, according to the source, is looking to likely drop between December 9th and 13th. The 9th is important already because that is the day in which Apple and News Corp are supposed to announce “The Daily”, a special, just-for-tablets digital magazine. Having a new version of iOS that can make use of in-app subscriptions coinciding with a major digital publication announcement would certainly please news organizations, publishers, and end users alike.
Early to mid-December certainly sounds a bit too soon for another major update so close to the last. Though as we mentioned earlier, in-app subscriptions on their own are hardly cause for that much hype. But Apple has surprised us before with such things. What does everyone out there think? Could Apple push out another rather major update so close to their last one, and especially focusing so much on one feature?
- November 23, 2010 9:35 pm
Jailbreaking iOS devices, while not as popular (or needed) as once before, is still a popular activity among a smaller group of users. For them, cracking open their beloved device is liberating. Not to mention, if you want to tweak the UI at all, it’s the only way to do so. And over the iPhone’s last three years of existence, Apple and jailbreakers have gone back and forth trading bug patches and new hacks. Unfortunately for jailbreakers, Apple pushed out a new requirement with iOS 4.2.1 that will make their fun time hobby a bit harder from here on out.
More specifically, all versions of iOS 4.2.1 and newer will require a base level baseband to function. What that means is that jailbreakers, specifically those seeking to unlock their iPhones for use on other carriers, will want to be much more cautious when upgrading to newer firmwares. Rolling back a baseband or preserving an old one is the sole means of exploiting a baseband hack to unlock an iPhone. Now that Apple is requiring a certain baseband, rolling back to older ones or avoiding an upgrade altogether could lock out certain users from new updates and iOS versions.
Moving forward, jailbreakers and unlockers will want to tread much more carefully when new updates are released. However, I do expect the iOS jailbreaking community to find a way around this new security feature in due time. That usually how these cat and mouse games go.
**As Jordan mentioned below, DO NOT use TinyUmbrella to upgrade. You’ll be tossed into Recovery Mode limbo and need either need to restore to stock 4.2.1 or use Cydia w/ saved SSH blobs.
- November 15, 2010 7:26 am
Much the same as we see Apple go back and forth with jailbreakers, Sony is finding out just how hard it is to stay one step ahead of the game. Some would argue that it’s impossible because Sony is on the defensive. As such, they’ll never be able to pull ahead. Regardless of what you believe concerning the matter, the PS3 has been cracked open once again. PS Jailbreak is reporting that the latest tool can now safely crack PS3 firmware versions 3.42 and 3.5. They also toss in an “and beyond” tag that will almost certainly be removed once the jailbreak is patched on the next update. That is, unless they have managed to find a way to permenantly jailbreak the PS3 much like iPhone hackers claim to have found an un-patchable hardware exploit.
I usually say “nothing is impossible”. Though common sense says that this new PS3 Jailbreak will also be patched. But in this one case, it would be oh so sweet if the hackers actually “won”.
Update:
This update will only allow you to downgrade to previous cracked firmwares, NOT give you the ability to play 3.42 or 3.50 games. Hey, it’s a start.
The truly hardcore nerds not only love gadgets, but love updates to said gadgets. Version numbers for your favorite platform or app are a type of bragging right. This is especially true when installing early release/cracked updates before they actually roll out to the masses. But for now, we have something a little less thrilling to touch on — Android Market updates.
It seems that Google has released a “hot update” (read: no OTA dialog to accept/deny) to non-Froyo devices that brings a Froyo-like Market to anything on 2.1 and older. For the detail geeks in the bunch, the supposed version number of the Android Market that is rolling out is ver. 2007. Newer 2.2-esque features such as “update all”, “automatically update”, and the app tabs within Android Market as well as that nifty little Market widget are starting to crop on peoples’ devices. As of writing, we’ve seen reports of everything from 2.1 to 1.6-toting devices receiving this update. 1.5 is still unconfirmed, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if said group doesn’t benefit from this minor update as well.
If you’ve received the Android Market update on your non-Froyo device, drop us a line and let us know any changes you do/don’t notice.
As time moves along, it’s becoming more and more apparent that the little guy/end user is having more and more of their rights and freedoms taken away. For today’s depressing example, we’ll look at Sony and their continual effort to fuck over PS3 users.
Follow me inside for the joyous news…
Remember the big hubbub last time when upgrading from 2.0 –> 2.01? Everyone wanted it much faster than Verizon was rolling it out. This time with 2.1 it’s not any different. But that’s my job — to make your tech filled life easier. Verizon’s rollout schedule is nice as it is one final test of stability before a “mass” rollout like we’ll see within the next day or so. Even still, some just can’t wait *raises hand* and that’s ok. So without further adieu, the Moto DROID 2.1 update.
Instructions for install
**It’s pretty much dammed near impossible to brick your phone with a manual update.zip such as this unless the update package itself were somehow corrupt. Even the less experienced should be able to get this done relatively painlessly.
- Download official ESE81 — Moto DROID 2.1 update from here (Official), here, or here.
- **rename download to “update.zip” (without parenthesis)
- Connect DROID to computer and enable mass storage mode.
- Copy over update.zip to the root of your SD card (don’t move it inside any folders)
- Restart phone holding the power button and “x” at the same time, not letting go until you see an /!\ symbol.
- Select “apply sdcard:update.zip” by navigating with either the volume buttons on the side of the phone or the D-pad on the slide out keyboard. Use either the camera button or center D-pad button to select menu items.
- reboot and enjoy!
**Forgot one thing (Thanks Carlos): If you get stuck at the /x\ screen, click the camera or volume up/down to jump into the screen with the option to install update.zip
See, it’s not really that difficult is it? The whole process (sans actual download) takes all of 30-60 seconds so it doesn’t really take that long. Let us know how the update goes for you!
PhoneArena > DroidForums
