It's been barely a week since the last one, but Sony's now begun rolling out firmware version 1.67. It's another meaty download, weighing in at just under 100MB, although there's no detail on what it changes -- we're still exploring the update. Following the refresh, you can also pick up the PS Vita's latest free game, Montezuma Blitz, a Bejewelled-style puzzle game. However, it's not the first game to be offered up free on the Vita and some pesky in-game purchases taint that freebie status a little. Both the update and game are available to download on your Vita now.

PS Vita gets (another) firmware update, free-to-play Montezuma Blitz available now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Vita 1.66 firmware update rolling out now, minor UI tweaks in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Over the last year, HTC has established a reputation for fragmenting its proprietary Sense UI even within the same version of Android. Why, Gingerbread alone is the foundation for at least three different iterations (2.1, 3.0 and 3.5) of the firmware. The bump to Ice Cream Sandwich is no different, with legacy devices getting an update to Sense 3.6 and the One series (and presumably any future devices) benefiting from version 4.0.

When we previewed Sense 3.6, we were disappointed at its similarity to previous versions and the sloppiness of its integration with key features in ICS. Even though it marked an improvement in functionality and performance, it seemed as if the OS and customized UI were at war with each other.

Sense 4 is a different story. It's lighter, cleaner and much more visually appealing than older versions of the user interface, and it has the full suite of ICS goodies to go along with it. HTC also throws in its own imaging technology, dubbed ImageSense, to offer some cool new enhancements to the camera. Ultimately, HTC has successfully tweaked Sense's design in a way that keeps the spirit of stock Android 4.0 alive, while still offering something familiar to loyal HTC fans. The tour is about to begin, so park yourself in your favorite chair and join us.

Continue reading HTC Sense 4 review

HTC Sense 4 review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, that didn't take long. Sprint may not have opened its own icebox just yet, but thanks to a BriefMobile source, Nexus S 4G owners can snag themselves Ice Cream Sandwich anyway. While there have been previous efforts, BriefMobile says the leak contains the full, official ICS update, which will be delivered to handsets OTA shortly. Of course, if you can't wait the site has full installation instructions. Hit the source link below to get started.

Android 4.0.4 leaked for Nexus S 4G, lets Sprint users join ICS party originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASUS rolls out firmware update to UK Transformer Primes (update: US, too) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's no secret that Sony's A77 and A65 SLT cameras have suffered from noticeable lag when it comes to adjusting exposure settings, among other things. For those irked, you'll be pleased to know that the company has just updated both cameras to firmware version 1.05, claiming it'll "sharpen their responses." Specifically, you'll be noticing faster cold startups shutdowns, quicker response times from the front and rear dials and faster access to images in auto review. That's not all, however, as Sony has also added in-camera shading and chromatic aberration compensation for 11 of its A-mount lenses, which can translate to less time cooking your images in post. Last, but not least, the A77 gets an extra bonus for its autofocus system that improves its abilities in high-contrast environments, while the SAL500F40G 500mm F4 G SSM super-telephoto lens will now focus faster with both shooters. Shutter finger already twitching? Don't delay, you'll find full details in press release after the break and download information at the source link below. Be sure to let us know how it treats you in the comments.

Continue reading Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus

Sony A77 and A65 firmware update v1.05 peps up your laggy dials, improves autofocus originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let's just say you have an HSPA+ Samsung Galaxy Nexus (I9250) or a UMTS / GSM Nexus S (I9020). It may behoove you, then, to begin frantically checking your phone to see if any updates are available, because Google has taken to its favorite social network to announce that Android 4.0.4 is rolling out to these devices as well as the Motorola Xoom WiFi, as we reported earlier. This news comes nearly two weeks after we learned from our sources that the Nexus S update was nigh at hand, and only hours after the AOSP became available. This is incredibly exciting for anyone who wasn't able to download ICS on their Nexus S before the update was pulled, and equally thrilling for owners that have been using the version Google disowned since this past December. Heck, it's jubilant enough to make any fan of firmware updates shout with glee. Ready for the asterisk? It's not rolling out to the CDMA counterparts... at least, not yet. It's hard to say what that really means. Are the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and Sprint Nexus S 4G being considered second-class citizens, demoted to as lengthy a wait as the droves of other Gingerbread devices? We're reaching out for word on when (or if) we can expect the refresh to hit these handsets, but Mountain View's lips are shut in the meantime.

(image courtesy Mirzet Kadic)

Android 4.0.4 rolls out to HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus and GSM Nexus S originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 18:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motorola Xoom WiFi gets first official dibs on Android 4.0.4 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can't say we noticed an extraordinary amount of blowing from our XPS 13 Ultrabook review unit, but for those with an optioned Core i7 model, you may want to give the source link a look. Down there, you'll find a download link to the A03 BIOS update, which delivers "an updated thermal table which dictates fan speeds and trigger temperatures." Evidently, these machines have a tendency to kick the fans into high gear prematurely (it's okay Dell, we all get excited sometimes), but thankfully, a 4MB package is all that's required to remedy it. 'Preciate it, technology.

Dell issues BIOS update A03 for XPS 13 Ultrabook, gets a handle on fiesty fans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's nothing quite like under-promising and over-delivering, and it seems that we've got just that scenario in the case of this here rumor-turned-reality. After hearing that Seagate was planning to update the firmware on its GoFlex Satellite streaming hard drive, the company has indeed released version 1.3.5.015 today, a 51MB file that makes quite a few succulent changes. For one, it improves battery life (from five hours to seven), and it also "lifts the restriction on the number of devices that can connect to the drive at one time." Lastly (and perhaps most importantly), it provides a pass-through for internet access when connected to the drive. As you'd expect, the new bits and bytes are available gratis, and they can be downloaded there in the source link.

Seagate releases GoFlex Satellite firmware update: improved battery life, WiFi passthrough originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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