PS3 firmware 3.50 is a go, 3D Blu-ray movies suddenly feel more wanted

PS3 firmware 3.50 is a go, 3D Blu-ray movies suddenly feel more wanted: "

Right on schedule -- or a day early, depending on your time zone -- Sony has unleashed version 3.50 of its PS3 firmware. And as previously promised, it's got 3D Blu-ray movie playback with it. According to the Official US PlayStation blog, there's also some added Facebook integration and new methods of grief reporting. We're still updating and will let you know what else we might unearth.



Update: Surprise, surprise, it works. We were able to test Blu-ray 3D out and got it running without too much hassle, as long as the HDMI setting is on 'Auto' it will detect your 3DTV and switch to the correct mode just like it has for gaming since the update that enabled 3D functionality there. We didn't see any differences in the menus with the Disney Blu-ray 3D demo disc we had on hand, but we'll be checking out how BD-Java functions in 3D later on.



Update 2: Per Sony's v3.50 support page, and verified by several sources, the PS3 has to choose between Blu-ray 3D playback and lossless audio, whether from DTS-HD MA or Dolby TrueHD, it will fall back to a compressed codec while playing 3D content, while menus, items and BD-Java contet 'may be different' on the PS3 than on other systems.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading PS3 firmware 3.50 is a go, 3D Blu-ray movies suddenly feel more wanted

PS3 firmware 3.50 is a go, 3D Blu-ray movies suddenly feel more wanted originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Official PlayStation blog | Email this | Comments"

VLC Media Player for iPad now available, your video codec worries decidedly lessen

VLC Media Player for iPad now available, your video codec worries decidedly lessen: "

Digg Well, would you look at that? Ever since Apple added some leeway (and snark!) to its App Store submission rules, the approved apps have become increasingly more interesting: Google Voice clients, a Commodore 64 emulator, and now the VLC Media Player with claims to support 'nearly all codec there is.' We've spent a few minutes with the program already, and while it's import method is reminiscent of CineXPlayer (i.e. via the Apps tab), the thumbnail-rich interface is much prettier. Official launch date is tomorrow, but we've had no problem downloading from the US and UK stores already, so go ahead and give it a whirl. Or if not, our gallery is below.

Gallery: VLC Media Player for iPad screenshots

VLC Media Player for iPad now available, your video codec worries decidedly lessen originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Zath | Applidium, iTunes | Email this | Comments"

Casio debuts Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) and EX-Z16 point-and-shoots

Casio debuts Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) and EX-Z16 point-and-shoots: "

Photokina's kicking off in earnest today with a serious bang in the point-and-shoot realm; Casio just introduced the planet's first camera with Hybrid GPS, which essentially enables it to geotag photos and videos where traditional cameras cannot. Yeah, indoors. The Exilim EX-H20G (shown above) also packs a 14.1 megapixel sensor, SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card slot, a 10x optical zoomer, an ISO range of 80 to 3200, 3-inch rear LCD, CCD-shift image stabilization, 720p movie mode and an HDMI output. Moreover, the company has throw in a world atlas with detailed maps of 140 cities around the world, and the rear screen can actually display a user's current position on said map for kicks and giggles. It'll hit shops this November for $349.99 (or €300 in Europe).



If that's a bit too fanciful for you, the lower-end EX-Z16 might just fit the bill. Boasting a 2.7-inch rear LCD, VGA (640 x 480) movie mode, a 12.1 megapixel sensor, SD / SDHC card slot, a whopping 14.9MB of internal storage (um... okay?), CCD-shift image stabilization and an integrated YouTube capture mode, this dead-simple cam is designed to be about as hands-off as they come. According to the company, the only settings you have to adjust on the 2.7-inch panel are image size, flash and self timer -- everything else sets itself accordingly. 'Course, that won't sit well with the tinkerers in the group, but you can sure brighten a newbie's day by gifting 'em with one when it ships later this month at $99.99. More details are packed in after the break, should you find yourself thirsty for more.



Update: We snagged a quick hands-on with the EX-H20G, and while the images below don't do it justice, the rear screen on this bad boy was something to gawk at. The map on there actually looked amazing, and while you'll have a tough time prying Google Maps Navigation away from our paws, this is definitely a lovely inclusion for those who'd prefer to simply enjoy nearby attractions on a map without pulling out a smartphone (or encountering roaming charges while navigating abroad).

Gallery: Casio EXILIM EX-H20G and EX-Z16 digital cameras

Gallery: Casio Exilim EX-H20G hands-on

Continue reading Casio debuts Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) and EX-Z16 point-and-shoots

Casio debuts Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) and EX-Z16 point-and-shoots originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Einstein brings Newton OS to the iPhone, handwriting recognition and all

Einstein brings Newton OS to the iPhone, handwriting recognition and all: "

Palm OS on the iPhone? Check. Android on the iPhone? Quasi-check. Newton OS on the iPhone? As of today, that's a trio of affirmations. Developer Matthias Melcher has wisely used a good bit of his free time to port one of the world's forgotten-but-not-forgotten operating systems onto Apple's iOS platform, and while things are understandably sluggish right now, he's currently working on performance optimizations that'll hopefully have it running like a clock before long. He's also made the source code available to anyone willing to tinker with the emulator, and somehow or another, he's even managed to bring over the much-hyped handwriting recognition aspect. Don't believe us? Hop on past the break and hit play.

Continue reading Einstein brings Newton OS to the iPhone, handwriting recognition and all

Einstein brings Newton OS to the iPhone, handwriting recognition and all originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TUAW | YouTube (quadraturencoder) | Email this | Comments"

PlayStation Move gets broken down -- so easy, an end-user could do it

PlayStation Move gets broken down -- so easy, an end-user could do it: "

Another week, another well-detailed tear down from the kids at iFixit. Blessed with an eight out of ten on the repairability index, the PlayStation Move was said to be one of the easiest devices yet to break down and reassemble, so there's a good chance that any novice DIYer with a steady hand and a Phillips screwdriver could accomplish what's shown in the link below. No huge surprises were found once the PCB's clothing was removed, but we were told that the Move controller contains a great many components that are found in today's modern smartphones: a processor, accelerometer, gyroscope, Bluetooth transmitter, vibrating motor, and even a MEMS compass. The sphere at the top can flash any color thanks to the included LEDs, and the integrated Li-ion battery can be disconnected (and thus, replaced) from the device without any soldering. Hit the source for the nitty-gritty, and hop on past the break for the highlights. Oh, and as a reminder, you can grab your own Move starting today if you call North America home.

Continue reading PlayStation Move gets broken down -- so easy, an end-user could do it

PlayStation Move gets broken down -- so easy, an end-user could do it originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | iFixit | Email this | Comments"

Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on

Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on: "

When we first caught wind of Fring a while back, Skype compatibility was the draw, but as the years progressed and Fring grew some, the VoIP services didn't exactly get along. Today, the company's taking matters into its own hands with the not-so-subtly named FringOut, which appears to provide even cheaper calls to landlines and mobile phones than its powerful namesake. Starting on Nokia's S60 platform and 'coming soon' to Android and iPhone, FringOut's promising as-low-as one-cent-a-minute calls. Sounds like a deal to us, but of course, call quality is paramount -- let us know if you like what you hear if you happen to try it out. PR and video after the break.

Continue reading Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on

Fring reveals FringOut for cheap VoIP calls, challenges Skype head-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Three lightweight fuel economy meisters split $10 million in X Prize dollars

Three lightweight fuel economy meisters split $10 million in X Prize dollars: "

We're big fans of private entities giving away big chunks of cash to fund cool research, and the X Prize foundation seems to be making the most waves lately. Most recent is the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize, a $10 million total purse going to cars able to score at least an equivalent MPG of 100. There were two main classes and three total prizes, all of which recently found winners. Besting them all was the Team Edison2 Very Light Car, taking home $5 million thanks to its four-passenger configuration clocking in at 102.5MPGe running on E85 ethanol. There were also two 'alternative' winners, each scoring $2.5 million: Team Li-On's two-seater Wave-II EV (187MPGe) and Team X-Tracer Switzerland's E-Tracer, an awesome and electric two-wheeled enclosed motorcycle with auto-deploying outrigger wheels. That sucker, pictured above, managed 205.3MPGe and will do 0 - 60 in under seven seconds, something that certainly can't be said of the rest. But, none of them are exactly what you'd call four star safety rated nor can any be found on dealer lots. In other words: it remains to be seen when mere mortal commuters will get to be the winners of this contest.

Three lightweight fuel economy meisters split $10 million in X Prize dollars originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink AutoBlog Green | Progressive Automotive X Prize | Email this | Comments"

Crosley goes way back, way forward with battery-powered USB turntable

Crosley goes way back, way forward with battery-powered USB turntable: "Still wondering what to get the guy that just so happens to have everything, including (but not limited to) a 1920's style Bluetooth headset? Found. Crosley Radio has just introduced what's possibly the most awesome nugget of retro goodness in the year 2010 AD, the Revolution CR6002. Believe it or not, the object you're gawking at there on the right is actually a battery-powered, USB-enabled turntable. It's quite obviously designed for travel, but it's purportedly capable of spinning the 33 1/3 and 45 RPM records that your pop is so fond of. Furthermore, it's capable of tuning into your fav FM radio station, and the USB interface enables analog-to-digital transfers for keeping those vinyls in a much safer place. Hit the source link if you're ready to wave goodbye to $149.95, or hit that Vimeo vid if you still need convincing.

Continue reading Crosley goes way back, way forward with battery-powered USB turntable

Crosley goes way back, way forward with battery-powered USB turntable originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gadling | Crosley Radio, Vimeo (Crosley Radio) | Email this | Comments"

Intel wants to charge $50 to unlock stuff your CPU can already do

Intel wants to charge $50 to unlock stuff your CPU can already do: "

Digg
Hold onto your hyperthreaded horses, because this is liable to whip up an angry mob -- Intel's asking customers to pay extra if they want the full power of their store-bought silicon. An eagle-eyed Engadget reader was surfing the Best Buy shelves when he noticed this $50 card -- and sure enough, Intel websites confirm -- that lets you download software to unlock extra threads and cache on the new Pentium G6951 processor. Hardware.info got their hands on an early sample of the chip and discovered it's actually a full 1MB of L3 cache that's enabled plus HyperThreading support, which translates to a modest but noticeable upgrade. This isn't exactly an unprecedented move, as chip companies routinely sell hardware-locked chips all the time in a process known as binning, but there they have a simpler excuse -- binned chips are typically sold with cores or cache locked because that part of their silicon turned out defective after printing. This new idea is more akin to video games that let you 'download' extra weapons and features, when those features were on the disc all along. Still, it's an intriguing business model, and before you unleash your rage in comments, you should know that Intel's just testing it out on this low-end processor in a few select markets for now.



[Thanks, Brian]

Intel wants to charge $50 to unlock stuff your CPU can already do originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 18:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Intel Upgrade Service (1), (2) | Email this | Comments"

FontPark Is a Searchable, Sortable Database of Over 70,000 Free Fonts [Fonts]

FontPark Is a Searchable, Sortable Database of Over 70,000 Free Fonts [Fonts]: "

FontPark is a great big database of free fonts—for personal and/or commercial use—that'll work on Windows, Mac, and Linux. More »

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Ethercodes Is a Web-based, Collaborative Programming Notepad [Collaboration Tools]

Ethercodes Is a Web-based, Collaborative Programming Notepad [Collaboration Tools]: "

Think of EtherCodes as EtherPad for developers. Featuring line numbers and syntax highlighting, it lets you code with a group, in a web browser, in realtime, without sacrificing some of the comforts of your favorite text editor. More »

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