scattered technology news

BitPim Now Supports enV 6

The developers of BitPim have rolled out a new version (v0.9.12) of their popular program which allows managing data on mobile phones. Included in this update is more support for the LG VX9900 (aka enV). The previous update only allowed minimal compatibility with the phone. However now, when setup properly, anyone can sync Phonebook, Calendar, Wallpaper, Ringtone, Memo, SMS and Call History data back and forth. We recommend this to add ringtones onto your phone since the only other method is to purchase them from Verizon’s V Cast store.

Also the increased enV support was not the only addition to the most recent update of BitPim. They also increased stability, bug fixes, added support pages, and re-organized the interface. (plus more improvements with the LG VX8600, LG VX8500, and LG VX5300) The program is entirely free (open source) and you can download a copy from the link below.

Download: bitpim-0.9.12-1-setup.exe
Links: BitPim.org | Supported Phones

P.S. Linux and Mac OS X version also available: download now

Apple iPhone Update & Ads 0

Today, during the 79th annual Oscars, Apple aired their first iPhone “teaser” commercial. The AD features ~30 different movie clips of famous actors through many eras simply saying “hello” on phones. Also if you didn’t notice, which most people probably won’t, the “cingular” text on the phone from the original press release has now changed to At&t due to the change of the company name after the merger.

Apple originally announced the iPhone this year in January during MacWorld 2007, however the device will only be available to consumers in mid-June 07. The iPhone will only be available through one service provider, Cingular, after launch. Apple however has hinted that it may become available through other providers within a year after launch.

In other iPhone news, Apple recently settled their trademark lawsuit with Cisco last week. The two companies came to an agreement to share the name and both are free to use the name for any of their products. Cisco is currently using the name, iPhone, for their line of Linksys VoIP phones.

Links:.iPhone AD | Cisco & Apple Agreement
Related: Apple Announces the iPhone

Digg Drops Blacklist 2

Since the digg started, they have had a large issue combating spammers. This eventually lead to an amazing large list of banned sites. About six months ago this site, Skatter Tech, was for some reason added to that list. We had sent digg a few emails requesting the reason it had been blocked, but we received no response. We expected the ban to be lifted, but it never was until now! Digg has apparently lifted the blacklist on thousands of domains and has implemented a new algorithm for submissions to prevent spam from entering the main page. Hopefully the new code will do the trick and lifting the banned sites will not cause an inflation in spam.

Anyways, for our readers, this means the “digg” link found besides the del.icio.us on our permalink pages will now function properly. (No more submission error messages) Finally, if you find any of our articles “digg worthy” you are welcome to submit them.

(P.S. The digg logo in the image atop can be downloaded from DevianArt.)

Links: digg.com | digg blog
Related: Digg Search Widget

Media Temple Grid-Server v1.2 0

Media Temple (mt) customers are in for a treat. The recently launched GRID server is getting a second major upgrade, v1.2. All customers using the new Grid-Server (gs) will soon receive an update which will consist of many stability enhancements, “micro-updates”, user request implementations, bug fixes, and plenty of new features.

GMR v1.2 System Upgrade:

• Over 800+ Core count cluster – faster than ever
• MySQL GridContainers – currently private beta only
• Email Upgrades – performance, spam, virus scan, & security
• FTP Update – faster connection and transfer rates
• Storage Performance – around 400% faster data access
• Network Speed Increase, DNS cluster, and much more!

We left our previous host, 1and1, we joined Media Temple in September 2006. Since then we have been quite satisfied with their service and the peformance of their servers. (great customer service too!) Anyways, Media Temple will be rolling out the new GMR v1.2 update on 03/02/07 (friday), a week from today, and no action is required on your end.

Links: Media Temple | GMR v1.2 Info

Word 07 Supports WordPress 28

For those WordPress users that already do not know, Microsoft’s new Word 2007 now supports publishing posts to blogs powered by services such as WordPress, TypePad, Blogger, and Live Spaces. It doesn’t exactly support every feature most blogging admin panels include, but is still a decent editor. I recommend using it to write out the text, spell check, and save the post as a draft. Then, once complete, login to your admin panel to format everything and finally publish.

If own Word 2007 and don’t plan to use it to blog, I recommend trying it since it’s extremely easy to setup. Just follow this tutorial and you should be able to start publishing articles within 2-3 minutes.

(Note: Tutorial is specific to WordPress. Click on thumbnails for larger pics)

MS Word 2007 Setup Procedure:
1) Open a Microsoft Word Document

2) Hit the new Office Button Then select Publish -> Blog Read More

XM & Sirius Merge 0

This week XM and Sirius, the two satellite radio providers, closed a deal to merge both companies to equal a net value of $13billion. Both companies plan to share their specialty content, which was originally limited to each service, to all their listeners soon. This means both XM and Sirius subscribers will eventually have access to more HD commercial-free music, news, talk, entertainment, sports, traffic, and weather.

“This combination is the next logical step in the evolution of audio entertainment,” said Mel Karmazin (CEO SIRIUS Satellite Radio) “Together, our best-in-class management team and programming content will create unprecedented choice for consumers.”

Sirius currently offers 130 high definition channels while XM offers 170. Both services offer their subscribers free access to the content through the internet. At the moment the companies claim they plan to reduce the cost of the service and increase the content, however since there will only be one remaining satellite radio provider (no competition) they can increase costs all they want. Luckily, for the time being both XM and Sirius claim that monthly costs will not change and customers will not have to purchase new units to receive additional content from the other service. Neither companies have stated when the merge would be completed or when the mixed content would be available to all customers.

Links: XM Satellite Radio | Sirius Satellite Radio
Press Releases: XM Press | Sirius Press

Skatter Tech Forums 0

We recently launched Skatter Tech Boards a few weeks ago, but soon ran into quite a few issues. We were using phpBB and had quite a difficult time managing content due to large spam surges. We didn’t like the fact that we had to spend more time cleaning out spam than responding to questions. As a result we took it down and decided to try Lussumo Vanilla instead. So far we have been pleased as the forum software looks much cleaner and organized than phpBB was. You may now access Skatter Tech Forums at forums.skattertech.com or through the link at the top.

Also note that registeration is now easier than ever. Just enter an email address and pick a username/password and you are done. Sorry for any inconvience switching over may have caused. We’ll stay put for now.

Link: forums.skattertech.com

PSP Firmware v3.11 Update 5

After the launch of firmware v3.00 in November and following a series of bugfixes, Sony has finally pushed out v3.11. From our perspective, there’s not much this update will offer to the majority of PlayStation Portable owners unless they currently stream content from a LocationFree base or plan to purchase games through the PlayStation 3 Online Store.

PSP v3.10:

• Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles has been expanded.
• Support for the MPEG-4 AVC format has been added under [LocationFree Player].
• [Conserve Memory] has been added in [View Settings] under [Internet Browser].
• [Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as a feature under [Sound Settings] in [Settings].

PSP v3.11:

• Support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles has been expanded.
• [Reset Game] has been added as an option to the menu for PLAYSTATION®Network titles.

Also, as always, to update your PSP to latest firmware you can either download the file directly to your PSP using a WiFi network or download the update to your computer from PlayStation.com and copy it over to the PSP. Also note that upgrading to the latest firmware will prevent homebrew apps from functioning. If you wish to run your own applications you may want to try installing the v3.10 custom firmware.

Links: PSP System Update | Instructions
Related: PSP v3.10 Custom Firmware (for homebrew)

February Wii/PS3/Xbox Games 0

Unlike the last month, there will be a few more games released this month (February). PS3 and the Xbox 360 are getting a few, but the Wii seems to be getting only one game. In addition most of the games seem to be quite boring. The flOw for the PS3 seems to be quite similar to the highly anticipated Spore. Other than that, Forumla One might be good for HDTV sets. Wii owners planning to purchase another controller should purcahse Wii Play package since it will include a controller ($40) and a game for $50.

Playstation 3:

• Virtua Fighter 5 – Sega
• College Hoops 2K7 – Take Two
• flOw – SCEA
• Formula One Champion Edition – SCEA

Wii:

• Bust-A-Move Bash! – Majesco Sales Inc.
• Wii Play – Nintendo

Xbox 360:

• Dance Dance Revolution Universe – Konami
• Crackdown – Real Time Worlds
• Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 – Konami

Note: The items mentioned above are games for the PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 are planned to be launched in February 2006. The list is accurate as of 02/05/07, however games may be added or removed. Therefore check with Nintendo, Sony, and/or Microsoft for changes.

Links: Nintendo Wii List | Sony PS3 List | Microsoft Xbox 360 List
Related: Upcoming PS3, Wii, & 360 Games: January

Nintendo Wii Play – $50 1

For those planning on purchasing another remote to accompany your Wii, the “Wii Play” package might be right for you. The package will include a disc with nine mini games (similar to Wii Sports) and a Wii Remote (Wii Nunchuck not included). The regular retail cost for a Wii Remote is $40 and for an additional $10, Nintendo will throw in the mini games listed below.

Wii Play Games:

• Billiards – a realistic virtual wiirtual game of pool
• Find Mii – pick the right Mii in time (where’s waldo?)
• Shooting Range – aim and shoot targets on the screen
• Pose Mii – change your Mii’s shape to match a shadow
• Table Tennis – pretty much Wii Tennis, but on a table
• Laser Hockey – twist remote & shoot a puck for points
• Tanks – drive and destroy enemy tanks to win
• Fishing – catch the most fish or the largest to earn pts.
• Charge – ride a cow and knock down scarecrows (no joke)

In my opinion its always good to have some mini-games such as these around since it is an easy way to entertain guests. (it’s kind of hard to teach someone to play Zelda) All the games have single player and two player modes. Finally, as mentioned in the title, the Wii Play package will cost $50 and will be available online and in retail stores starting this week!

Links: Buy Wii Play | More Info
Related: FREE Wii Replacement Straps