According to reports we’re getting from a slew of iPod touch users, the firmware 2.0 update everyone has been patiently waiting on has finally gotten its act together. Hit the read link and be magically transported to the iTunes Store, where you can fork over some cash for the upgrade to your devices. Let us know how it goes in comments!
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; Image courtesy of nickganga]
Hey you — you looking for a quarter of the iPod touch experience for a little less than a quarter of the price? Yeah? Well, how does dropping $73 on the depressingly derivative Teclast M26 grab you? Seriously, this thing looked like it had a glimmer of potential when it was first announced, so it’s kind of sad to see it getting priced like the throwaway crap it turned out to be — we should definitely know better by now.
[Via PMP Today]
Media Player Classic is an audio and video player for Windows that looks like Windows Media Player 6.4, but works a bit more like all-in-one media application VLC. Each application is open source, and each can handle almost any audio or video file you throw at it. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
Media Player Classic Home Cinema Edition takes the basic version of MPC and adds a few extra features, including:
The media player takes up just a few megabytes and doesn’t require installation, so you can throw it on a USB flash drive and carry it around with you.
[via gHacks]
After about 5 weeks of downtime, Chinese video sharing site 56.com is back up and running. The site is often referred to as a Chinese version of YouTube. But unlike YouTube, 56.com and similar sites like Toudou and Youku don’t impose 10 minute limits on uploaded videos. And that makes them a haven for illegally uploaded videos including full-length movies and TV episodes.
Some folks had wondered if the fact hat 56.com was down for over a month was an indication that the Chinese government had cracked down on the site, which didn’t have an official video license. There’s no real explanation for why the site was down for so long or why it’s back now. During its downtime, the web site featured a message about a server upgrade. But that’s not the kind of thing that typically takes 5 weeks.
If 56.com were in any country but China, we’d expect the MPAA and RIAA and similar organizations to put pressure on the company to remove copyrighted materials. But China doesn’t have a very strong record of enforcing Western copyright laws.
[via Silicon Alley Insider]
uTIPu has released an updated version of TipCam, the company’s free screencast recording application for Windows. TipCam 2.0 has the same basic look and feel as the older version, but sports a few new features, including:
TipCam still limits recordings to 20 minutes. But at $0, the price is right, so we’re not going to complain too much about the time limit. If you’re looking for other free screencast recorders for Windows, you might want to check out Debut or Jing.
Listen up children, we’ve got a story to tell. It’s scary and exciting and might just turn your iPod touch to fairy dust if you’re not careful. The 2.0 firmware is reportedly leaked (and thus cash-free) to those of you daring enough to try. We’ve been contacted by a dozen netizens who claim to confirm the authenticity. However, at least one tipster reports their iPod touch getting “bricked doing it from pc but mac restore worked fine.” What’s more, we can’t find the file in Apple’s XML. Still, most say it “works like a dream,” installing goodies from the App Store without problems. While the original download source is now 404, we’re sure you can figure out other ways of locating “iPod1,1_2.0_5A345_Restore.ipsw.” Ready, go. One more pic after the break.
Update: 2.0 for iPod touch now officially released. You can purchase now for $9.95… er, when the link starts working. [warning: iTunes link]
Update 2: iPhone 2.0 now official as well. Looks like it’s the same 5A347 build we all grabbed yesterday with a filename of iPhone1,1_2.0_5A347_Restore.ipsw — the 1,1 looks new, though, so perhaps this version is a bit less cranky. Stay tuned.
Update 3: And, it’s gone again. Now iTunes is telling us that our 1.1.4 version is “the current version.” Fun!
Update 4: Well what do you know. 2.0 for iPhone is back up via iTunes. Is this a rollercoaster or what?
Update 5: Looks like the activation servers are on the fritz, so if you updated your iPhone you can’t activate it with 2.0 just yet, leaving you with a locked iPhone. Even more fun!
Update 6: At least for us, activation is back up and running after iTunes sat in limbo for a good 30 minutes. So be patient, people. Looks like iTunes activation is working but is taking quite some time.
[Thanks, Gerald D., Victoria R., and Sangadang]
Creative’s got a good thing going with the multifaceted Zen X-Fi — at least on paper — and we’re quite thrilled to see it already hitting the websites of US e-tailers. Announced earlier this week in Singapore, the well-equipped PMP should be available soon (no specific ship date is mentioned) in 8GB ($149.99), 16GB ($199.99) and 32GB ($279.99) models. Interestingly, the 8GB iteration doesn’t seem to include built-in WiFi based on the cryptic header over at Buy.com, but we suspect we’ll have to wait things out a bit longer before jumping to too many conclusions.
[Thanks, Dr. Slo]
Samsung kicks out new Blue Wave firmware updates for the YP-P2 PMP faster than we can keep up with ‘em, but we’ve honestly never even seen in the wild. Still, we’ll give Sammy credit for releasing free feature updates (cough), and Blue Wave 4 delivers basically what we’d heard about a couple months back: voice recording, Bluetooth gaming, subway maps, a skinnable GUI, password lock and text-to-speech support. Available for download now, if you’ve actually got a P2.
[Via PMP Today]
iTunes 7.7 is now available over software update. According to the release notes:
“Use iTunes 7.7 to sync music, video, and more with iPhone 3G, and download applications from the iTunes Store exclusively designed for iPhone and iPod touch with software version 2.0 or later. Also use the new Remote application for iPhone or iPod touch to control iTunes playback from anywhere in your home - a free download from the App Store.”
Now, if only the App Store was available for our free, Remote control download… tap tap tap.
Update: Screenshot of iTunes 7.7 Remote control configuration screen (warning: it’s not much) added after the break.
Update 2: Mac and PC direct downloads now available.
Update 3: According to MacRumors, 7.7 also appears to add Nike integration for the iPhone — a move long rumored and now seemingly confirmed.
[Thanks, Edward G., Calvin P. and everyone who sent this in]
Update: All apps appear ready for purchase and download now.
[Thanks, wAko]
Read — link to AIM to get your started [warning: iTunes URL]
Read — All iPhone Apps
Read — All iPod touch Apps
Read — All free Apps