Hallelujah!!! Copy & Paste Comes Via iPhone 3.0

I have to just say that I absolutely love my iPhone if you didn’t know already. I don’t know just how I’ve managed to live my gadget loving life as long without it. But I have to say that it is not without flaws. Some of my biggest complaints about the iPhone are finally being addressed in the latest firmware release from Apple, dubbed iPhone 3.0.

Some of the no brainer stuff is built into this upgrade, such as Copy and Paste, MMS, and Landscape mode for email and texting. But here is the list of the new stuff:

In App Purchases
Peer to Peer connectivity
Accessories API
Maps API in Apps
Turn By Turn
Push Notifications
New APIs allowing access of various iPhone hardware/software
Bluetooth Connectivity
Cut, Copy and Paste
Landscape Mode
MMS
Voice Memos
Search for Apps like Mail, iPod, Calendar...
Spotlight
New Home Screen
Stereo Bluetooth
Tethering Support

Now all they need to do is bring Flash and video recording to the iPhone, and my journey to the darkside will be complete.

What else are you looking to be added to the iPhone?

[Apple]

Apple Releases 2.1 Update For iPhone

Alrighty 3G iPhone owners, here is the firmware update that you’ve all been waiting for. Well, at least we hope that this is the one that we’ve all been waiting for. Apple has released firmware 2.1, and it is said to fix all sorts of bugs that have plagued the new iPhone. I really hope that this is the case, because I’m tired of hearing all bitching that 3G owners are doing. Check the bug fixes below:

• Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
• Significantly better battery life for most users
• Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
• Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
• Faster installation of 3rd party applications
• Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
• Improved performance in text messaging
• Faster loading and searching of contacts
• Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
• Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
• Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
• Genius playlist creation

[Mobility Today via Crunchgear]

iphone Firmware 2.1 In Beta Testing: New GPS Features?

The iphone 2.0 firmware isn’t even cold in our hands and word comes down that Apple is beta testing firmware 2.1. Gear Live is reporting that Apple is beta testing the new firmware which is said to improve the GPS features to the phone. The change is to the core location functions which will track what direction you’re going and how fast. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of true turn-by-turn directions for the iphone.

[Gear Live via Gizmodo]

Playstation 2.40 Firmware Updates Bricking Some PS3's

The most highly anticipated 2.40 PS3 firmware update that brings long awaited cool in-game stuff, is bricking the consoles. Yes, if you haven't updated your PS3 system with this update, don't!

Sony has already pulled the update because of all the issues, and for the unlucky ones who've already bricked their machine, Kokaku might be able to help you out. But if you haven't, just hold off until the fixed update is released.

[Kotaku via Gizmodo]

PS3 2.40 Firmware Update Details

The most anticipated firmware update for the PS3 version 2.40 will be held back. At least until E3 when Sony can announce it during their presentation in 3 weeks. This update will bring many features to the PS3 that should’ve been there from day one. Most of the features plays catch up with the Xbox 360, with in-game XMB-access and achievements finally being added to the console. Here are some of the in-game XLB features that will come with the update:

Friend category

View, send, receive messages

Manage downloads

Set the vibration feature of the controller

Sign in to PlayStation Network

Register friends

Manage Bluetooth devices

Terminate the game

Music category

Use the system BGM

Work the system BGM operation panel

Settings category

Assign controllers

View profiles

Game category

Set audio devices

Use the voice changer

Now we just need a good game to take advantage of the new features!!!

Thanks to Gizmodo for this info. [CVG via Gizmodo]

UPDATE: Here's a video of the new Trophy system

Possible PS3 firmware problems

Foster City (CA) - A mysterious Playstation 3 error has reporedly caused problems for some users during faulty firmware installations, but Sony has said it isn't "aware of this issue."
The error could potentially cause fatal problems with the PS3 and corrupt the hard drive, according to media reports.
A handful of PS3 owners have reported receiving the error code 80010514, reports Game Revolver. The problem is apparently linked to a contamination in the hard drive and/or a faulty firmware installation.
Sony warns that any interruptions during a firmware upgrade or other processes related to the PS3 hard drive could cause serious problems.
However, there is some question to the validity of the claims. A Sony spokesperson told Eurogamer, "I've spoken to our Customer Services department and they aren't aware of this issue with the PS3."
To prevent the kind of damage reported by this error code, Sony advises users to keep their PS3 in an open space to prevent overheating, and make sure the power connection is reliable.

[via Tom's Games]

iphone 1.1.3 Firmware Video Walk Through

Engadget took the new 1.1.3 firmware upgrade for the iphone for a spin, and they’ve presented a nice walkthrough of the new features. While the faux GPS is a nice added feature, it takes a while to zero in on your location and it’s not that great with turn-by-turn directions, especially if you need to know if you should take a right or a left. The icon rearranging is very cool, and the Safari bookmarks are a welcome site to see.

[Engadget]

Faux GPS For The iphone Via Firmware Upgrade

Gearlive is showing off some screen shots of firmware 1.1.3 upgrade for the iphone, that gives it some things that should have come with it in the first place. Check the bullet points:

• The ability to send an SMS message to multiple people is now there
• Google Maps application can now pinpoint your location using cell tower triangulation
• Google Maps can now display the Hybrid map view
• You can now drag and drop application icons on your home screen
• The home screen supports pagination
• You can now add web bookmarks to your home screen

The GPS even though it a Faux GPS is a welcome edition to the iphone, and a feature that Apple themselves should have had at the launch. There are more pictures that are at the Gearlive website, so hit the jump for them. Thanks to Gizmodo for this info.

[Gearlive via Gizmodo]

PS3 Firmware 2.1 Updates Blu-Ray To 1.1, Cures Cancer

New treats are coming to the PS3 in way of a firmware update tomorrow. The firmware update 2.1 most notably will update the Blu-Ray feature to 1.1 or the "final standard profile." , which will finally allow users to use the picture in picture feature. The firmware will also support DivX, but with some strings attached. The files can't be copy protected, or be over 2GB, and DivX 3.11 or older will not work.

Oh, and unlike the Xbox 360, it doesn't support Xvid.

They also threw in a voice changer so you can sound more like a man.

A voice changer? Huh?

But everything else is golden, right?

[playstationuk via Gizmodo]

New Zune Firmware Scrolls Twice As Fast

You know it's a slow news day if we're bringing you news about the latest firmware upgrade for the Zune. Turns out that this upgrade actually improves the scrolling capability for the play, by cutting it in half. The demonstration has 2 Zunes both with 2700 songs, and the new firmware version just plows through it.

Take a look

[Crunchgear]

Xbox 360 Firmware Hackers Release New Version, Bypasses Ban Checks

The latest shots in the Microsoft vs. Xbox 360 console hacker war have been fired, and this time it's Microsoft who took one in the chest. After banning a bunch of Xbox 360s with modded firmware DVD drives earlier this month, the company's ban checks have just been defeated by a new version of the DVD firmware.

Not a lot of details are listed in the release info, but the new version claims to defeat "all current and some future Xbox Live detection attempts", which means you'd be safe running this until the next dashboard update from Microsoft.

Info page after the jump.