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Google Music Beta, Sony Ericsson ST18i, Android TV: US Update
Win a PlayStation 3 and DiRT 3: Sign up for the Prime Cuts newsletter!
Android TV set top box delivers Android 2.2 Froyo to your HDTV
Government expert: Make ripping CDs to iTunes legal already!
Upcoming Xbox 360 firmware update incompatible with older hardware?
Sony Ericsson gets Android crazy: ST18i and CK15i smartphones leaked
Champions League floating panorama rig: Try it for yourself!
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Iconia A500 locked and loaded for Android 3.1 Honeycomb update, lands in June
Google Music Beta invites received, but were you invited to the party?
Nokia is still sinking: the N9 video shows it just doesn’t get it

Google Music Beta, Sony Ericsson ST18i, Android TV: US Update

Posted: 18 May 2011 09:42 AM PDT

Tackling the fine bits of tech news breaking cover this afternoon, its your US Update. We kicked the afternoon off with an update to Google Music Beta, revealed two new Sony Ericsson Android smartphones and then wrapped up with the new Android TV step top box, coming to a TV near you. Here's what you may have missed.

The first wave of invites to Google Music Beta have been dispersed. Users have been shooting us emails and we'd be lying if we didn't say we were a bit jealous. Whether you're using an Android smartphone, tablet or web browser, taking your library to the cloud is shaping up to be the future of music. Using the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer or Iconia A500 tablet? We've got some good news. Acer has confirmed the Android 3.1 Honeycomb update is headed your way in the coming weeks. Expect a roll out as soon as June 1st.

The first images of the upcoming Sony Ericsson ST18i and CK15i smartphones have surfaced. Details on the devices are a bit sparse at the moment, but we've got you covered with the essential tidbits. Microsoft has confirmed a select number of Xbox 360 owners will be unable to update to the new firmware (Spring Update). On the plus side, Microsoft is offering to replace the consoles free of charge with its new Slim model.

Last in this afternoon is spanking new device, the Android TV set top box. The box, powered by Android 2.2 Froyo, sit atop your HDTV and delivers the complete Google smartphone experience. Run apps at will, browse Internet TV, SMS or IM from the comfort of your couch. That wraps up the latest and greatest in this crazy little world we call tech. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again tomorrow.

P.S. if you like free stuff, don’t forget to enter our contest to win a PlayStation 3 and a copy of DiRT 3. Full details here.

Win a PlayStation 3 and DiRT 3: Sign up for the Prime Cuts newsletter!

Posted: 18 May 2011 07:49 AM PDT

Like free stuff? We’ve got a Sony PlayStation 3 to giveaway, along with a copy of brand new game DiRT 3. All you have to do to be in with a shot of winning the console and rally game is sign up for the Electricpig Prime Cuts newsletter. Just head on through to register and you’ll be automatically entered into a draw to win: usual terms and conditions apply, and hurry: you’ve got just one week to enter!

Android TV set top box delivers Android 2.2 Froyo to your HDTV

Posted: 18 May 2011 06:35 AM PDT

Somewhere in a dark corner Google TV is struggling to come to grips with the idea Geniatech, a Shenzhen-based electronics company, could deliver Android apps on your big screen first. The Android TV set top box is exactly what the name implies. It's an Android 2.2 Froyo powered box which, when connected to your HDTV, delivers up all the tasty apps you could imagine.

Inside the Android TV set top box is a 1 GHz Cortex A9 processor, 512MB RAM, 2GB internal storage (up to 32GB SD) and a USB port for connecting an external hard drive. The box iself connects to your home network via WiFi and comes pre-installed with Digital TV, Internet TV, web browser, music player, SMS, and IM apps. Thankfully, the Android Market is installed and more importantly accessible, leaving this nifty little box open to your heart's desire.

There's no word on pricing or a release date just yet, but we have spotted the box over on the FCC. As a general rule of thumb, a FCC approval usually hints a formal release is a month or two away.

via Geeky-Gadgets

Government expert: Make ripping CDs to iTunes legal already!

Posted: 18 May 2011 06:30 AM PDT

The Hargreaves Report, a review commissioned by David Cameron into Britain’s longstanding copyright laws, has been published today. Amongst the recommendations? That the government make the act of ripping CDs into MP3s legal. ‘Bout time.

The report, by professor Ian Hargreaves, recommends sweeping changes to UK copyright, including the introduction of a Digital Copyright Exchange by next year to make licensing easier in a world of mass participation and creation online.

But the report also urges the end of a law which prevents UK citizens from converting tracks on audio CDs into other files (typically MP3s) a service which iTunes and many other free applications provide in the UK and have done for years – “format shifting” in legalese.

Whether or not Davey C will act on these recommendations remains to be seen, but it’s good to see the issue making the headlines when people have been doing exactly this for well over a decade now, all the while in a legal grey area.

(Via The Guardian)

Upcoming Xbox 360 firmware update incompatible with older hardware?

Posted: 18 May 2011 06:15 AM PDT

At Microsoft's MIX 11 convention this year, the software giant set in place plans to release a firmware update to the Xbox 360. Set to roll out as early as this week, the update adds Avatar Kinect, support for a new disc format and PayPal payments. Unfortunately, Microsoft has confirmed the update will be incompatible with a small number of Xbox 360 consoles.

First reported by GamesIndustryBiz, Microsoft issued the following statement this morning: "following a recent update to our system software, we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs,” said Microsoft."

The issue manifests itself as follows. After installing the firmware update (Spring Dashboard upgrade), affected Xbox 360 hardware will display a 'disc unreadable' or 'disc unsupported' error on the screen. Now for the good news. Microsoft says its able to detect affected consoles and reaching out to owners, offering free replacement consoles.

Since the issue is only affected a small number of old hardware consoles, this could be a perfect way to land yourself a new Xbox 360 Slim upgrade.

Coming Soon | Microsoft | Free

Sony Ericsson gets Android crazy: ST18i and CK15i smartphones leaked

Posted: 18 May 2011 05:55 AM PDT

Two tasty new Android smartphones compliments of Sony Ericsson are headed our way. The ST18i and CK15i will join the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro as Sony Ericsson's latest hardware to launch with Android 2.3.x Gingerbread. Device specs are a bit of a mystery at this point, but we've managed to wrangle up a few key details.

The Sony Ericsson ST18i packs a reportedly 854 x 480 resolution display, 8-megapixel camera, ARM Cortex A8 1 GHz processor and of course, runs Android Gingerbread. Equipped with a moderate range of specs, we'd say this smartphone is prepared to do battle with mid-range Android devices. Second in command, the Sony Ericsson CK15i, features a 3.3-inch display running at mild 240 x 400 pixel and come equipped with a slide-out keyboard.

As you'd expect, ST18i and CK15i are device codenames but we'll do our best to track down the launch titles. So which will it be — Xperia Neo, Xperia Pro, Xperia Play, Xperia Arc, Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro, ST18i or CK15i? That's a whole lot of Android goodness if I don't say so myself.

Coming Soon | Sony Ericsson | TBD

Champions League floating panorama rig: Try it for yourself!

Posted: 18 May 2011 05:45 AM PDT

You might have seen the spots during the footie with floating footballers and a camera zooming around them, Matrix style. How would you like to be in one of them? We got a look at how the whole set up works, so read on for video and images of it in action, as well as details of the location and times to get your own done.

The Champions League is coming to Wembley next week, and to tie in with it, a footie festival is kicking off in Hyde Park, London, from Saturday 21 May. Throughout the week, you’ll be able to get your picture taken, mid-air, by this rig set up by longtime Champions League sponsor Ford. Here’s what it looks like:

Neat, no? You can see how it’s put together below. Forty powerful Nikon D300s cameras are placed in curve and grab shots simultaneously, to create the impression of one video camera swooping around you in the blink of an eye. These images are then processed promptly to create your own clip which is slapped on YouTube, complete with choral music and professional looking bumpers – there are even models with iPads on hand to show you your moment of glory.

Why’s Ford gone to all of these lengths? Aside from it looking pretty cool, it tenuously ties in with the auto-maker’s new Ford Focus jalopy, which as we exclusively revealed earlier this year, can actually park itself using an array of sensors. Check out the video below to see it in action.

To try it out yourself, pop along to Hyde Park on the following dates – you may have to queue but what price would you pay to be preserved for posterity while floating in space?

Opening times:
Saturday 21st 12pm-10:30pm
Sunday 22nd 12pm-10:30pm
Monday 23rd 12pm-8:30pm
Tuesday 24th 12pm-8:30pm
Wednesday 25th 12pm-8:30pm
Thursday 26th 12pm-8:30pm
Friday 27th 12pm-10:30pm
Saturday 28th 9am-5:30pm

ASUS Eee Pad Transformer and Iconia A500 locked and loaded for Android 3.1 Honeycomb update, lands in June

Posted: 18 May 2011 05:36 AM PDT

As the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer flies off retail shelves, the question in desperate need of an answer is when will our transforming tablet receive its Android 3.1 Honeycomb update. According to Acer, the update is headed our way in as little as two weeks. It looks like summer isn't the only cause for celebration this June.

As This Is My Next first reported, a full dose of Android 3.1 has been prescribed for both the ASUS Eee Pad Transfomer and Acer Iconia A500. Both tablets will receive the OTA update starting early next month, complete with the same performance boost, stretchable widgets and support for new USB peripherals. If you're still waiting for your Android 3.1 update for your Motorola Xoom, have a look at video recap:

For those in attendance using an Android Honeycomb tablet other than the Xoom, Transformer or Iconia, your update is "coming soon" as well but unfortunately we don't have a time table. Let's hope Google delivers on its promise to improve the update process.

Coming Soon | Google | Free

Google Music Beta invites received, but were you invited to the party?

Posted: 18 May 2011 05:17 AM PDT

Email inboxes are sounding with celebration this afternoon as some users are reporting their invite for Google Music Beta has arrived. Armed with an Android 2.2 smartphone (or higher), web browser or tablet, you'll be off to races, ready to start uploading your library to the musical cloud.

We've covered Google Music extensively, but in case you're in need of a refresh since Google I/O, here's a quick recap. Using a helper app (Music Manager), Google Music Beta will search your machine for all available music (iTunes/Windows Media Player/Music folder/other folders) and begin uploading said tracks in the background. You can begin listening to your immediately during the upload process and tracks will be added as uploads complete. Depending your Internet connection, over the course of the next hour(s) your entire music collection (up to 20,000 songs) will become accessible on your Android device(s) or any web browser.

Has anyone else who requested an invite been greeted with an invite to Google music beta? If you haven't already, take a look at our tips for adding your name to the list.

Coming Soon | Google | Free

Nokia is still sinking: the N9 video shows it just doesn’t get it

Posted: 18 May 2011 05:04 AM PDT

There’s a new Nokia phone! Look! Here’s the Nokia N9 video. Wooooo…oh, no, wait, I just remembered: it’s a MeeGo phone. And as we heard from Intel’s CEO earlier today that Nokia/Intel partnership was the tech equivalent Paul McCarney and Heather Mills’ marriage.

With Steve Ballmer and Microsoft circling like the chubbiest vultures in the desert and Stephen Elop rocking the burning boat metaphors, Nokia needs to have begun its public resurrection by now. Keeping the MeeGo mission going is a gross misuse of time and effort…

Hardcore Nokia fans will tell you that the N9 is brilliant while the rest of the world gets on with their lives. For a long time, one of Nokia’s biggest problems has been an obsession with specs.

The original iPhone turned the specs war on its head by making customers realise that the raw hardware numbers matter a lot less than the user experience.

The plan is clearly that Windows Phone 7 and Nokia hardware will create a holy marriage of decent UI and killer specs and that’s certainly possible. But Nokia needs to change the way it presents itself and its products too.

Nokia needs to make a phone that has personality, a phone that doesn’t just slot into a carefully numbered box. Sticking with the letter plus number naming convention won’t get customers excited.

“The Nokia/Intel partnership was the tech equivalent Paul McCarney and Heather Mills’ marriage.”

Android phones have personality and a story to sell (the idea of “openness”), iPhone adverts give you a clear demonstration of how you’ll use the phone if you grab one but Nokia?

Nobody really knows what Nokia stands for anymore, other than a kind of stolid solidity. It’s been a long depressing stretch since a Nokia phone was a hot ticket, arguably as far back as the N95, before owners realised the fantastic features were hampered by frustrating controls.

The Windows Phone 7 era should have started by now. The MeeGo era was stillborn and the Nokia N9 is going to go the way of the Nokia N8, a device for the tinkering hardcore left on the shelves by the rest of the gadget buying world.

Nokia should be putting all it’s efforts into producing a Windows Phone 7 device that is as sleek as any HTC device and ready to battle iPhone 5, not chase after the iPhone 4. Nokia cannot keep fighting the last battle.

A camera with a massive megapixel rating will make a certain strain of geek go gaga but in this Hipstermatic/Instagram world, to most people, it’s nothing more than a number.

I hope Nokia gets itself back on an even keel but watching that Nokia N9 teaser it feels like its tactics remain the same. Nokia is like a punchdrunk fighter still muttering to itself that its a contender but Windows Phone 7 is this fight movie’s unproven trainer.

Nokia should be in all out Rocky-training-montage mode, instead it’s slobbing about playing with former glories. It’s time for it to get focused, get fit and give us a phone that’s actually worth caring about.