Gadgetsteria » firmware

February Software Update Bringing Mac Support To VZW LTE Modems.

Mike Norris — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:52:40 +0000

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.

Full Changelog For iOS 4.3 Leaked.

Mike Norris — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:34:53 +0000

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…

Known issues:

Telephony

MMS pictures are rotated 90 degrees

Delay in activating FaceTIme after SIM swap

Delay when zooming in and out in Safari

FTP tool sometimes errors out

WiFi

If SIM card is removed with personal hotspot is enabled, iPhone panics

Bluetooth

D2D apps are not opening

Other

Sound remains on even though the device is muted

Issues Fixed Since iOS 4.3 8F5132f

Accessibility

Fixed issue that prevented controls from being dismissed in some cases

Addressed issue where the keyboard could not be brought back when highlighting and swiping through search results

Voice over now reads the entire chart in stocks app while in landscape mode

AirPlay

Fixed slideshow stop after 15 image when using AirPlay

Baseband& Telephony

iPhone -> 04.08.00

Enabled Traffic Volume Indicator IE in CELL UPDATE

Fixed issue with integrity protection failing after SRNS relocation

Fixed issue of iPhone units deactivating and not activating after baseband logging is enabled

iPad -> 07.11.00

Fixed issue of Physical channel reconfiguration failure during a reselection procedure

Fixed issue of the UE missing a page because it is decoding and responding to RRC Setup messages meant for other UEs

Bluetooth

Fixed incorrect auto routing with LG HBM-210 on FaceTime calls

CalDAV

Fixed canceled recurring calendar events still shows on the event list

Calendar

Fixed deleting a recurring events make the alarm go away

Fixed all-day alarm fired an hour early

Exchange

Fixed exchange calendar event duplicating when passing Israeli daylight savings time

Fonts

Letter ? is now visible in notes

Keyboard

Fixed missing accented letters in European keyboard popups

Increase font size for China and Pinyin inputs

Fixed auto-correction issue when switch back from Emoji to English keyboard

Added inline space with Pingyin inputs

Corrected “Undo” translation in Simplified Chinese to “??”

Localization

Updated inconsistent translation in Chinese, Finnish, Norwegian, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese

Fixed missing Chinese characters in Pinyin

Improved common phrases used in Chinese

Improved common phrased used in Japanese

???? is no longer missing

Fixed issue that produced unexpected output when trying to type ??????
??? now ranked higher than ???

Word completion candidates capability now available for Chinese language

Added additional common phrases for character ?

Fixed issue that caused the wrong candidates to be displayed (J: “?????”) when “?????” is input

“??(???)” now in the candidate

Mail

Fixed orientation of mail application not following device orientation under specific conditions

Fixed popover when drilling into a thread while the empty search field is focused

Fixed mail message view and orientation when quickly selecting a message and hitting edit mode

Messaging

Fixed MMS messages with vCards scrolling up

Phone

Fixed screen not drawing properly when Nike+ is in the background

Status bar

Added new icon for wifi tethering for personal hotspot on status bar

Web

Fixed issue that caused Safari and other apps to crash after loading certain heavy Websites

WiFi

Fixed Personal Hotspot password failure with 22+ characters

VoiceOver

Added support to for “find” in Safari

Fixed wallpaper titles for VoiceOver

iOS 4.3 Seeded To Developers. New Features Abound.

Mike Norris — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 12:12:18 +0000

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?

iOS 4.3 Rumors Flare Up. #ios

Mike Norris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:46:53 +0000

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?

Via: Macnn

Jailbreakers Beware: Apple Employs Baseband Requirement in Latest iOS 4.2.1. #ios #jailbreak

Mike Norris — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:35:45 +0000

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.

Source: BigBoss
Via: RedmondPie

[Update] Hackers Volley Back Into Sony’s Court: PS3 Jailbroken Once Again. #ps3 #jailbreak

Mike Norris — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:26:19 +0000

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.

Via: Engadget

Android Market “2007″ update rolling out to non-Froyo devices.

Mike Norris — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 10:15:25 +0000

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.

Phandroid
AndroidCentral

Updated PS3 EULA gives Sony complete control to issue updates even without end user knowledge/approval.

Mike Norris — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:50:46 +0000

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…

The latest 3.30 update brings with it 3D support among other things. Those “other” things include bug fixes, stability improvements, and security patches that I’m sure many wouldn’t be opposed to. However, another nasty addition was added within the EULA, essentially saying that you, the rightful owner who paid upwards of $400+ for this piece of machinery, no longer technically “own” it.

In particular, Section 3 of the new EULA states:

From time to time, SCE may provide updates, upgrades or services to your PS3™ system to ensure it is functioning properly in accordance with SCE guidelines or provide you with new offerings.

Some services may be provided automatically without notice when you are online, and others may be available to you through SCE’s online network or authorized channels. Without limitation, services may include the provision of the latest update or download of new release that may include security patches, new technology or revised settings and features which may prevent access to unauthorized or pirated content, or use of unauthorized hardware or software in connection with the PS3™ system.

Additionally, you may not be able to view your own content if it includes or displays content that is protected by authentication technology. Some services may change your current settings, cause a loss of data or content, or cause some loss of functionality. It is recommended that you regularly back up any data on the hard disk that is of a type that can be backed up.

Reading through the drawn out text, Sony is essentially claiming they can push out any update to your PS3 as they see fit, rendering features extinct, deleting content, and more or less destroying your PS3 — all without your consent, approval, or even giving you the chance to at least see it coming.

This crusade for “protection to rights holders” that is polluting various aspects of the technology world are disgusting and downright ridiculous. There is absolutely no reason why Sony or anyone else should have this much control or free will with YOUR purchased product.

I guess the real kicker is that there isn’t anything that end users can do. Sony will almost sarcastically advise those not too keen with future updates to simply not update. Only then, your PS3 becomes a paper weight, unable to access pretty much any network related content.

Perfect. Sony is updating themselves into irrelevance.

Slashdot > Thinq

Get the Moto DROID 2.1 update now! [Manual install]

Mike Norris — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 10:04:11 +0000

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

Moto DROID officially getting Live Wallpapers with 2.1 update!

Mike Norris — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:06:12 +0000

Moto DROID owners who aren’t necessarily into the “underground” world of modding, hacking, and custom ROM’s were no doubt a bit disgruntled when finding out the 2.1 update would not be as nifty super cool as the Nexus One’s special flavor of Flan (2.1). Adding to the anger, Motorola missed the February-ish time frame that 2.1 for the DROID was supposed to drop. On the subject of Live Wallpapers, the general consensus was that the DROID simply lacked the needed muscle to get the job done smoothly. The hacking community disproved that however as Live Wallpapers have been running on the DROID in custom ROMs pretty much sense the N1 was released.

While we DROID owners have been through quite a bit the last few weeks, hope is on the way. The latest “official” DROID ROM that’s been leaked and spread like wildfire features the code name: ESE53. It is this (from Moto) build that is even faster than the previous leaked DROID 2.1 ROM and has Live Wallpapers to boot. Yes folks, Live Wallpapers are going to be included in the final DROID 2.1 ROM.

As far as the delay goes, retooling Live Wallpapers to make the most of the DROID’s lesser hardware was obviously needed (and adding a few challenges I might add). So all is well in DROID land again, huh? Of course, you can always root and enjoy this and plenty more long before anyone else…

Video

PhoneArena > Android and Me

[Image Source]

Slow and steady 2G updates come to webOS devices via “2G Updater”.

Mike Norris — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:38:17 +0000

OTA firmware updates are a modern convenience for smartphone owners in particular. It is this group of users that often take pride in having the highest quality gadgets and electronic toys. Keeping out gadgets running at their best means staying up to date with the the latest in software. While end users will usually receive their updates via 3G or WiFi, there are some areas that just aren’t covered by that all knowing, all speedy wave. In that instance, rolling back to the slower 2G network is unbearably slow yet a drastic necessity if it means getting those precious 1′s and 0′s. Up until now, webOS users who found themselves without any 3G of WiFi coverage were as many would call it, Up shit creek without a paddle. Palm however has a uniquely odd solution in their new “2G Updater App”

Instead of baking in 2G firmware updates directly into the OS, Palm has pushed out an app called “2G Updater”. Launching the app will as one could imagine, allow end users to queue and download firmware updates in the background over slow 2G networks. 3 years later when the download has finally finished, you’re set and on your way, ready to enjoy the spoils of your drawn out attack.

I may poke fun at the app now, but I’m sure many of you out there tonight are jumping for joy as sometimes, 2G is still the only way to get around these parts. It sucks, really it does. But what can ya do…?

PreCentral

Official Droid 2.1 update details released. To exclude new homescreen/launcher and live wallpapers.

Mike Norris — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:19:06 +0000

Droid users: If you were hoping to get a nice replica of the Nexus One’s 2.1 flavor of Android, sit down and get ready for some slightly disappointing news. The launcher on the Moto DROID official 2.1 OS uses the same pull-tab launcher, not the new 3D cube style of the Nexus One. Furthermore, the live wallpapers that are gimmicky yet cool are also MIA.

It’s not all bad however. For instance, multi-touch is now supported in the browser (finally) and the News/Weather Genie widget also comes along for the ride. The rest of the performance tweaks and other doo-dads appear to be included as well. The full rundown is as follows:

Version number to be 2.1 version 1

Google Goggles now pre-installed

Mutli-touch browser (no flash)

Same homescreen — no rotating 3D effect

No active wallpapers

News & Weather widget included

Performance tweaks and other under the hood tweaks are bound to be there as well

I have to ask though — for all of the DROID tinkerers (read: those who run custom ROMs), who’s even really interested in 2.1 anymore? I mean, with the help of Sholes.info and AllDroig, I’ve been rocking every piece of 2.1 on 2.0.1 for the last month and a half while being faster and less bug ridden to boot.

As for not including the new homescreen/launcher and live wallpapers, is it some artificial limitation by Google to differentiate the two phones or more because of hardware performance? I can’t imagine it has too much to do with the hardware as again, I’ve been running a live wallpaper on my DROID for a solid three weeks without any hiccup — ditto for the 3D launcher.

As far as current 2.1 custom ROMs for the DROID, the only issues that have remained are a glitch in the 3D cube launcher in landscape mode and the Nexus One live wallpaper not working. Other than that it’s just peachy. Once the official Droid 2.1 update gets into the hands of devs however, expect those last remaining issues (and omissions) to be cleared up in no time flat.

The timeline for the 2.1 DROID release is for now obscured in a shroud of unknown. As long as internal testing on VZW goes well, “within a month” doesn’t sound too far off does it? Oh well, at least we’re getting something, right?

DroidForums > Engadget

Nokia N900 finally blessed with Ovi Store access/downloads.

Mike Norris — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:37:10 +0000

Oh joyous day. The Nokia N900, by far the most exciting and lust worthy Nokia device currently on the market can now finally boast about Ovi Store support. Until now, the Maemo 5 powered device was exempt due to incompatibilities with the Linux based OS. A new firmware update has corrected that problem however. With all the talk around Apple’s App Store overshadowing pretty much everything else, news such as this doesn’t usually make it’s way to the top of the pile. That’s where we — the tech obsessed nerds who live in their computers — do for a living. Enjoy.

Gizmodo > Nokia Conversations

“The other fish in the sea”: Android 2.1 ROM ported to G1

Mike Norris — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:12:44 +0000

And naysayers were claiming the G1′s days were numbered. Heck, I won’t argue it’s chin is getting pretty damn old. But that doesn’t stop the vivid developer community for making the best of what the G1 has hardware wise. “Teh Dust” from xda-forums has no doubt been spending the last collection of hours locked away in some dark corner with a computer typing out sweet nothings into it’s ear and pushing all the right buttons to align Android 2.1 (Flan) in a way that G1 users can surely appreciate.

It’s pretty funny actually. The Droid’s unofficial ROM for 2.1 still has quite a bit of missing/poorly performing features while the G1 has a pretty darn robust ROM but one day after it’s faster, newer sibling. Eh, it’s all water under the bridge.

Getting it all to play well with the aging G1 meant removing pretty much any of the new animations/live wallpapers as well as anything with “HD” in the name as they are said to be scaling poorly to the G1′s less than HD display. Psh, at this point I’d be happy enough with 2.1. Wallpapers I can download myself. Not to mention, even Android 2.1′s wallpapers are just so-so.

G1 users, feeling a bit adventurous tonight?

Download Android 2.1 (Flan) ROM for G1 (via XDA)

Engadget

Android 2.1 Hero ROM w/ HTC Sense UI leaked.

Mike Norris — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:45:50 +0000

So you’ve been lusting over Sense UI playing nice with the upcoming Android 2.1 update these last couple of days. Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words yet somehow, we are left wanting more. Understandable. And so you shall receive. HTC Hero owners who are starting to twitch due to the now ancient Android 1.5 build they’re currently running can — if they have the hacking chops — download a freshly leaked Android 2.1 ROM, complete with Sense UI wrapped all around. I could go on but you just want your hands on that ROM…and now! Am I right? Go ahead:

Download HTC Hero Android 2.1 ROM w/ Sense UI

Engadget > XDA Forums

{Image Source