firmware
Fix
Zune Software Updates To 3.1, Adds Games, Improves Social Features and Stability
4:11AM Adam Pash | Zune Insider reports that Microsoft has updated the Zune firmware to 3.1, adding three new free games (Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle) and improving the Zune Social feature with better looks and a “like minded listeners” feature that shows you how your taste compares to your friends. Aside from the fun stuff, the update also promises improved stability and performance. To update, just launch the Zune software and go to Settings -> Check for Updates. Zune importers, let’s hear how you like it in the comments. More »
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Rockbox 3.0 Supercharges Your MP3 Player
4:00AM Adam Pash | Windows/Mac/Linux: Open-source MP3 firmware Rockbox has released its first major update in three years, adding support and stability for more MP3 players and playback of more file types. Rockbox has long been the best tool to breath new life into an aging MP3 player, from first through 5.5 generation iPods to iRiver, Sandisk, and Archos players (see all the supported players here). Rockbox features include Last.fm support, album art, games, video playback, and tons more. Better yet, the new release comes with a streamlined installation tool called RockboxUtility that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux and makes installation simple. With the latest release, Rockbox easily earns its spot as one of the 20 best iPod utilities. If you’re a Rockbox user, share your favourite features in the comments. Rockbox [via OStatic] More »
Turn Your Point-and-Shoot into a Super-Camera
2:00AM Adam Pash | If you’re using a consumer grade point-and-shoot Canon digital camera, you’ve got hardware in hand that can support advanced features way beyond what shipped in the box. With the help of a free, open source project called CHDK, you can get features like RAW shooting mode, live RGB histograms, motion-detection, time-lapse, and even games on your existing camera. Let’s transform your point-and-shoot into a super camera just by adding a little special sauce to its firmware. More »
Get Way More from Your Canon Digital Camera with Open-Source Firmware
12:51AM Kevin Purdy | You might think your consumer-model Canon digital camera can’t pull off the kind of fancy shots and tricks that make you stop and look on Flickr—until you unlock your camera’s potential with the Canon Hacker’s Development Kit. The completely reversible firmware upgrade, available for models running the DIGIC II or DIGIC III platforms, speeds up fast shutter modes (from 1/1,600th of a second to 1/60,000th!), allows for time-lapse photography and other scripted shots, unlimited interval shooting, better HDR pics, and much, much more. Wired’s How-To Wiki has a handy guide and introduction to the CHDK, available at the link below. I lack a Canon to try out the CHDK, so let your fellow readers know what you think if you’ve taken this step already. Supercharge Your Camera with Open-Source CHDK Firmware [Wired How-To Wiki] More »