We generally enjoyed the virtual surround sound prowess of Astro Gaming’s A50 wireless headset when we reviewed it back in July, but you’ll recall it had one especially glaring issue: the audio would frequently cutout. At the time, the company informed us that a fix was on the way via a firmware update, and now it’s recently arrived with a few other goodies. To refresh your memory, the A50 headset relies on a MixAmp TXD wireless transmitter, so you’ll actually be dealing with a duo of updates to get your system on the straight and narrow: A50 Headset Firmware v1.1 (Build 2856) and A50 MixAmp Tx Firmware v1.1 (Build 2855).
On the headset side, notable changes include “various audio and volume leveling tweaks,” a decrease in background noise and enhancements to the noise-gate for voice chat across platforms. Better yet, volume and game / voice chat balance levels will now stay as you left them upon powering it down. The Tx itself has has been deemed culprit behind the audio problem, as Astro notes that it’s “fixed [the] occasional optical audio drop” — where “occasional” is putting it nicely. Beyond that, both units should now have better success pairing up, and further compatibility with KleerNet-enabled wireless devices.
We tried out the firmware refreshes with a few sessions of MW3 and can happily report that the audio issues do seem to be resolved. Now, installing the update is simple, if a bit tedious. First we had to hook up the headset via USB into the TXD, which itself connects your computer via USB as well. From there, we downloaded and ran Astro’s Device Manager for OS X and 32 bit Windows (available at the source below), prompting us to install the updates. Lastly, we re-paired the two and were back to our virtual fragging sans the audio hiccups — hopefully you’ll have the same results. Need all the details? Hit up the source link below.
Filed under: Gaming, Wearables
Astro Gaming’s firmware update v1.1 for A50 wireless headset fixes ‘audio bug,’ enhances functionality originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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While feverishly revamping Flash with the all-new Next version — to keep HTML5 from killing it — Adobe is still plugging the current incarnation with smaller updates. To that end, Flash 11.3 just popped out of beta, which sees the company add a few notable goodies for the beleaguered plugin. On top of filling seven critical security holes, Adobe added a background updating feature for Mac OS X and signed the code in preparation for compatibility with Mountain Lion. That way it’ll align it with the upcoming Gatekeeper feature in the next OS X release, though you’ll have to dial its max security down one notch to get it. Lastly, sandboxing — already in Chrome — has been tacked on to Firefox as well, slowing hackers by isolating the plugin from critical system processes. All that fresh duct tape and polyfill should keep Flash rattling along — until Adobe can pull the gleaming Next platform out of the hangar. Meanwhile, click the source for the download links.
Adobe Flash 11.3 checks in with security fixes, OS X silent updater and Firefox sandbox in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jun 2012 18:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It wasn’t long ago that we heard about the “lock-up” woes D4 and D800 owners were experiencing on their shiny new shooters, but luckily for them, Nikon just outed a fix to take care of those issues. Aside from solving the aforementioned annoyance, the firmware update (B:1.01) also mends a problem allowing RAW files to be network-transferred while in JPEG-only mode, as well as a bug causing bits like aperture and exposure compensation to change unexpectedly when using certain custom settings. You can grab the updates now via the source links below, and be sure to let us know how it all turned out in the end.
Nikon pushes out D4, D800 firmware update, fixes lock-up issues and other bugs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 May 2012 19:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft revealed this week that it had “addressed a reset function” in Hotmail that allowed hackers to reset passwords on the webmail service. Researchers first discovered the flaw on April 6th, alerting Microsoft to the problem two weeks later on April 20th. YouTube videos show that some hackers were exploiting the vulnerability on April 6th, with details of the flaw spreading “like wild fire across the hacking community” according to one report.
Hackers reportedly used a Firefox add-on to intercept HTTP requests and modify data to bypass Hotmail’s token-based password reset system. Microsoft says it fixed the flaw on April 20th, but the company has not revealed how many of its 300 million users were affected by the temporary glitch….
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2012 is still young, yet it’s already shaping up to be a bad year for privacy and security on the mobile front. Apple found itself embroiled in a bit of a brouhaha over the iPhone address book and an app called Path. And, of course, Google was put under the microscope when mobile Safari was found to have a security flaw that its mobile ads were exploiting. Then, earlier this week, it was discovered that granting iOS apps access to your location could also expose your photos. Now it’s been discovered that Android also exposes your images, though, it’s doing so without asking for any permissions at all. While Apple was masking photo access with other permissions, Google is simply leaving your pics vulnerable as a part of a design quirk that came from the OS’s reliance on microSD cards. Both companies have acknowledged the flaws and have said they’re currently working on fixes. We’re just hoping things start to quiet down soon, though — our mobile operating systems are running out of personal data to expose. Check out the source links for more details.
Android and iOS expose your photos to third party apps, promise fixes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia already came clean about the Lumia 800 battery bug, but evidently that just wasn’t enough to appease the masses. A community manager in the outfit’s own forums has just responded to pages upon pages of comments regarding the most recent update, partly to (re)set the record straight regarding the battery, and partly to address more fixes that are just around the bend. The latest update (1600.2483.8106.11500) was meant to “enhance standby time as well as to bring an improvement to the issue reported by some customers in December,” and according to Nokia, said update does indeed address those problems. However, folks that still have concerns regarding audio and camera settings aren’t being ignored; those quirks will be worked out in “a series of future updates.” Eager to learn more? The full reply is embedded just after the break.
Continue reading Nokia clarifies battery update on Lumia 800, promises audio / camera fixes soon
Nokia clarifies battery update on Lumia 800, promises audio / camera fixes soon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Merely a day after Verizon’s version of the Galaxy Nexus was gifted with v4.0.2, Google itself is announcing Android 4.0.3, a so-called ” incremental release of the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) platform.” We’re told that the new release includes a variety of optimizations and bug fixes for phones and tablets, as well as a small number of new APIs for developers. For those curious, the new API level is 15, and some of those new ones include social stream API in Contacts provider, Calendar provider enhancements, newfangled camera capabilities (apps can now check and manage video stabilization and use QVGA resolution profiles where needed) and accessibility refinements (improved content access for screen readers and new status and error reporting for text-to-speech engines). Moreover, we’re promised minute improvements in “graphics, database, spell-checking, Bluetooth, and more.” Finally, the company makes clear that going forward, it’ll be “focusing its partners on Android 4.0.3 as the base version of Ice Cream Sandwich,” with rollouts expected for both phones and tablets in “the weeks ahead.”
Android 4.0.3 announced, bringing ‘variety of optimizations and bug fixes’ to phones and tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Listen up, Archos G9 owners, because there’s a hefty firmware update headed your way. The new upgrade, which only recently began rolling out, integrates Google Talk directly within the firmware and introduces a number of bug fixes to the freshly released Honeycomb slates. More specifically, version 3.2.46 brings enhanced volume controls, sharpened camera quality and Flash acceleration support to the eight- and ten-inch tablets, along with a host of other tweaks. For the full list of added features, check out the source link, below.
Firmware update brings Google Talk integration, bug fixes to Archos G9 tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jayme Martin, VP and GM of Nike Running, has emailed a letter to Nike+ users, apologizing for the platform’s performance over the past few months. He says that Nike is aware of a number of issues that have been affecting its users, including problems logging in, syncing devices, sharing runs and editing profiles.
“Just like you, we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards,” writes Martin, “and right now Nike+ isn’t living up to them.”
The letter also revealed Nike’s plans for a new Nike Plus platform that will resolve these issues as well as add more features.
Nike+ is a comprehensive sensor-assisted platform for runners, which uses an accelerometer either strapped to the body in a watch, band or other gadget. It can also use the iPhone’s accelerometer in combination with an app which adds GPS details to the data it collects. With Nike+, runners can record the details of a run, including how fast they went, how far they ran, how long the run was, how many calories were burned and more.
However, for the past several months, the Nike+ platform has been experiencing problems. Not all users have been affected, notes Martin, but clearly enough were to require this emailed apology.
You can see some of the examples of the examples of the types of login and syncing issues users were experiencing here on Nike Running’s Facebook page, plus here, here and here (check the comments), for starters. And some of these go back further than just “a few months.”
“Wow, this is embarrassing,” the Nike Running rep wrote on Facebook around three months ago. In fact, they even admitted that the Nike+ page wasn’t fully compatible with IE9, a browser that went public in mid-March, but had been available in developer previews starting in March 2010. Embarrassing, indeed.
And I’m sure it has nothing to do with the Flash-based monstrosity that is the Nike+ website.
Nike says that it has now resolved the issues related to the slow logins and login failures and has improved the ability to sync devices, log runs and post that information to Facebook. An updated version of the Nike+ GPS app (iTunes link) is arriving soon, too.
In addition, Nike is promising a completely revamped Nike+ platform that will include better coaching, maps and challenges. The new platform will be “faster, more social and easier to use” and will launch alongside some other “really exciting new products and services.” No word on what those are just yet, but as a former (OK, occasional) Nike+ user myself, I’m holding out for an HTML5 site before I return.
The full letter is below:
Dear Nike+ Member,
It’s been a tough couple months for Nike+. We know from the feedback that there have been a number of issues, including logging in, syncing devices, sharing runs and editing profiles. Not everyone has been affected, but if you have experienced any of those problems, I’m genuinely sorry. Running is supposed to be pure, simple and uncomplicated. And Nike+ is supposed to enhance it, not make it more complex.
Just like you, we hold ourselves to incredibly high standards, and right now Nike+ isn’t living up to them. There are lots of reasons why these problems began, but this letter isn’t about the excuses. This letter is about what we are doing to fix them and what’s coming next.
As of today we have increased login speed and eliminated a majority of login failures. We have improved your ability to sync devices, log runs and post information to Facebook. We are also working on a new version of the Nike+ GPS app that will be released shortly. It will introduce some great new features and address some of the recent bugs.
Things are better but we aren’t done yet. We’re working on a brand new platform for Nike+ that includes better coaching, maps and challenges. It will be much faster, more social, and easier to use, providing more information and analysis of your runs. Also in the works are some really exciting new products and services. We are committed to relentlessly improving and innovating to ensure that, just like you, Nike+ is never standing still.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you have any thoughts or questions please email us or go to our Facebook page and we’ll get back to you.
Thanks for your patience. We really appreciate you being a part of the Nike+ family. There are great things to come.
Jayme Martin
VP/GM NIKE Running
Crunchbase NIKE
Company: NIKE Website: http://www.nike.com Launch Date: 1964
Nike, Inc. designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products worldwide. The company offers various categories of shoes, including running, training, basketball, soccer, sport-inspired urban shoes, and…
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Today, Comex released JailbreakMe 3.0 tool that lets you jailbreak all iOS devices including iPad 2 within 10 seconds. This web based method exploits vulnerability in Mobile Safari to run the code which then circumvents the controls and restrictions put in place by Apple. Since, the flaw sits within Safari browser, this PDF Exploit can easily be [...]
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