Ok, that was fast. We just told you about the audio recording issue with the version 2.0.3 EOS 5D Mark II firmware yesterday and already we have a 2.0.4 release in Japan. Expect this fix of a fix for a fix to go global on the swift and give you that 29.97 FPS and 23.976 FPS 1080p recording you so specifically crave.

Update: And it’s live for US users too.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 2.0.4 firmware said to fix audio, reputation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Chris Scott Barr

If Apple learned nothing else after releasing the first two versions of their iPhone software, it was that users wanted copy and paste functionality. It seems like everyone and their brother myself (and my brother) voiced their frustration at Apple’s apparent disregard for a feature that everyone clearly wanted. Thankfully, such a stink was raised that Apple, along with each other mobile OS provider, now knows better than to leave it out from future software.

Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t get that memo. It has been confirmed that Windows Phone 7 Series won’t allow users to replicate and paste. It is their firm belief that most users don’t really need clipboard functionality. You’re right, I don’t need clipboard functionality; then again I don’t need a smartphone. I do, however, want a phone that has a touchscreen, can run variety of software, play music, and let me copy and paste.

VIA [ Engadget ]

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As you might have heard, Viacom and YouTube have been having a tiny tift lately, in the form of a major lawsuit by the former over copyrighted material posted on the video portal. It’s a lawsuit that, according to YouTube, will cause such video sites to “cease to exist in the current form” — but more importantly, it’s a lawsuit that leads to some rather hilarious behind-the-scenes details. Here’s a really juicy one that the official YT blog published today by Chief Counsel Zahavah Levine. Word has it that Viacom had hired over the years at least 18 different marketing firms to inconspicuously upload content. We can’t really state it superior than the posting:

“[Viacom] deliberately “roughed up” the videos to make them look stolen or leaked. It opened YouTube accounts using phony email addresses. It even sent employees to Kinko’s to upload clips from personal that couldn’t be traced to Viacom.”

Wait, it gets better. According to Levine, Viacom’s tactics were so good that the company itself didn’t even know which videos it had uploaded, prompting multiple occasions where it would demand a clip removed, only to later ask for its reinstatement. “In fact,” she claims, “some of the very clips that Viacom is suing us over were actually uploaded by Viacom itself.” Hit up the source link for all the details. Honestly, we can’t wait to see what else is dug up in these proceedings.

Update: Of course, that’s not the whole story. Also revealed in court documents this day was discussions by Viacom to — get this — purchase YouTube before News Corp.’s Rupert Murdoch got the opportunity to do it himself. Let’s be thankful for that judge’s decision to unseal all court documents, shall we?

YouTube: Viacom would demand removal of videos it covertly uploaded itself originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Palm gave us a heads-up back in late February that its upcoming earnings report wouldn’t exactly be cause for celebration, and this day the news has become official: the outfit recorded a net loss of $22 million during its fiscal Q3, which still looks rosy compared to the $98 million loss it suffered this quarter a year ago. All told, the firm shipped 960,000 smartphones in the period, which represents a 23 percent uptick from Q2 2010 and a almost 300 percent increase compared to this quarter in 2009. Unfortunately, sell-through wasn’t exactly stellar, with just 408,000 units changing hands — that’s a 29 percent decline from last quarter and a 15 percent drop year-over-year. We get the impression that it’s waiting for carriers to get down to replenishment levels, but it’s hard to state when that’ll happen. Jon Rubinstein, Palm’s chairman and CEO, was obviously not thrilled about the news, but he’s mirroring statements made to employees just over a fortnight ago with this quote:

“Our current underperformance has been very disappointing, but the potential for Palm remains strong. The work we’re doing to improve sales is having an impact, we’re making great progress on future products, and we’re looking forward to upcoming launches with new carrier partners. Most importantly, we’ve built a very special and highly differentiated platform in webOS, which will provide us with a considerable - and growing - advantage as we move forward.”

We’re listening into the earnings call right now, and so far we’ve heard a few choice quotes. Jon mentioned that Palm has “aggressive roadmaps on the software front that we’re working on,” and that there were “no changes to our planned carrier launches.” We’ll let you know if he introduces the Pixi 2 or anything.

Update: The call’s over. PreCentral points out a choice quote from Rubinstein:

We’d an arrangement with Sprint that when we launched with Sprint that they would invest in marketing and carry the product and for that they would get an exclusive for a period of time. That really determined when we could do our launch at Verizon. I concur with your premise that if we could have launched at Verizon earlier, prior to Droid, that we would have gotten the attention that the Droid got and since I believe that we have a better product, I think we would have even done better.

In other words, Palm — regardless of Verizon’s positioning — feels like the Pre Plus could’ve been a legitimate contender as a halo phone for the carrier had it been able to launch sooner, though that opportunity has obviously long since passed. We’re not so sure we agree that the Droid and the Pre Plus play in quite the same space, but if nothing else, we like the chutzpah — now it’s time to deliver some new hardware.

Palm posts $22m Q3 loss, says it liked its chances against Droid had Verizon launch been sooner originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Andrew Liszewski

My daily routine doesn’t require me to wear or even own a pair of cufflinks, but I’m sure the day I do need a pair these mechanical versions from watchmaker Romain Gauthier will be well out of my price range. The cufflinks will be officially unveiled at this year’s Baselworld Watch and Jewellery Show in Basel, Switzerland, and feature a mechanical pushpiece locking and unlocking system comprised of over 45 micro-components. Not only are they simple to put on, but apparently the mechanics also serve as a safety system ensuring the cufflinks won’t accidentally fall off while worn. They’ll eventually be available in 3 different finishes including a mix of gold and titanium and straight-up titanium, and that alone should give you a rough idea of what their price tag will be like.

[ SwissTime - Romain Gauthier Mechanical Cufflinks ] VIA [ Gizmag ]

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By Andrew Liszewski

If it wasn’t pushing 60°F where I live, I’d be all over this Yoshi tongue scarf, created by Etsy seller ShadowsInTheNyte. It’s 72.5 inches long, made from 100% acrylic yarn and features Yoshi’s head on one end, from which his red tongue protrudes. Normally the scarf is $45 but since it’s been making the rounds online over the past few days it’s already sold out. So here’s to hoping more are on the way. (Insert that Yoshi sound effect that’s simple to mimic but impossible to type.)

[ Etsy - Yoshi Scarf (Mario Bros Series, Yoshi Series) ] VIA [ That Girl’s Site & ALBOTAS ]

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Dell debuts wireless, 3D-capable S300w short-throw projector originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no surprise that Best Buy is encouraging customers to pick up Samsung’s 3DTV and Blu-ray player at the same time, but smart buyers should doublecheck to make sure they’re actually saving money before they walk out of the store. Next week’s advertisement does feature Best Buy’s price on the UN55C7000 that’s $300 lower than the MSRP, and grabbing the display and player all at once gets a free Starter Pack throw in with two pairs of glasses and the Monsters vs. Aliens flick, but the $3,419 package deal at the lower right and its “$780″ savings?. That claimed price throws in a $150 Geek Squad install to set up the Television, connect WiFi and “sync your 3D glasses,” while also including the TVs price and $349 estimated Starter Kit value. While there might be some customers who don’t know their HDMI from their WEP key who can save that way, we’re figuring most Engadget readers can keep a few bucks in their pocket and hook things up themselves, and if you’re looking to grab another pair of glasses, it’s probably important to save anywhere you can. The real insult here however, can be found to the right, encouraging buyers to pick up The Blind Side right away, instead of waiting to rent from Redbox or Netflix.

Best Buy’s 3D bundle pricing isn’t as much of a deal as it appears originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By Andrew Liszewski

Yesterday Sony announced a couple of new cordless headphones for privately enjoying your home theater setup, and the MDR-RF4000K, pictured above, is definitely the more interesting of the two. The headphones use a secure digital RF signal which provides a decent range of up to 30 meters or around 100 feet, and their foldable design grants them to sit inside a slim storage case which also doubles as a charging cradle.

Sony’s headphone design team has never had a problem with styling, so the MDR-RF4000Ks look great as usual, and the 40mm long-stroke diaphragm ensures they should sound great to the consumer-level audience they’re targeted towards. A built-in NiMH battery is good for about 7 hours of continuous use on a single charge, but if they die in the middle of a flick you can switch to using a single AAA battery which is good for another 10 hours of listening pleasure.

Not pictured is the MDR-RF810RK headphones which Sony also announced yesterday. They’ll probably end up being the more inexpensive of the 2 (official pricing wasn’t released) since they use an analog RF signal instead of digital, but that also means you get a range of 100 meters or around 330 feet instead. They also feature a NiMH battery which actually provides 13 hours of use per charge, or about 28 hours when using a single AAA battery. Both headphones are expected to be available starting in April of this year.

[ PR - Sony: No fuss, no wires… just great-sounding home entertainment ] VIA [ SlashGear ]

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Here’s another thing the Desire has that the Nexus One doesn’t: a second color option. We’re told our Dutch buddies will soon be able to skip the default gunmetal paintjob that’s shared by HTC’s twin brothers and opt into the silvery casing you see above. The pictures are captioned with a note saying the silver Desire will be exclusive to BelCompany in the Netherlands, but we’ve found a few other retailers claiming their own exclusief. Either way, we still don’t know how things will shake out elsewhere, but at least there won’t be too long to wait. We’ve got video of the very slightly altered handset after the break.

[Thanks, Miguel]

Continue reading HTC Desire shows up in slinky silver (video)

HTC Desire shows up in slinky silver (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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