topic Re: Future firmware updates in PCs & Accessories

Future firmware updates

Joshharle — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:49:03 GMT

I read somewhere (probably baseless rumour) that a future firmware update would give us video playback, and ebook viewing.

I can imagine the the video playback is a bit optimistic, but the ebook feature doesn't seem too difficult, at least with repects to the processing power limits. This would also be fantastically cool.

What is the likelyhood? Was this just BS?

Re: Future firmware updates

kee-lo_ — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:52:50 GMT

Only the future will tell.

Re: Future firmware updates

Twisted-Rizla — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 22:04:10 GMT

Only the future will tell.

LOL:smileylaugh:

You sound like Gypsy Lee!

Heard similar rumours. Heard other ones that said the release was the 18 or the 21st . But, until something gets said or published for real, I guess we'll all have to take comfort from Kee-Lo's visionary wisdom.

Re: Future firmware updates

jammold — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 22:09:55 GMT

 I guess we'll all have to take comfort from Kee-Lo's visionary wisdom.

ROFLMAO Nice1 TR!! Hehe... Never knew Kee-Lo had Clarvoyant powers (*gaze into my crystal ball*) - only kidding!:smileylaugh:

Re: Future firmware updates

Twisted-Rizla — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 22:13:58 GMT

hahahahah:smileylaugh:

He'll be asking us to cross his palm with silver next:smileylaugh:

On second thoughts it could be expensive for me!:smileycry:

Re: Future firmware updates

jammold — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 22:22:17 GMT

ROFLMAO but i'm skint!:smileylaugh: Brass coins will have to do:smileylaugh:

Re: Future firmware updates

kee-lo_ — Tue, 14 Dec 2004 22:53:32 GMT

Haha I'm no clairvoyant, but if needed I could probably give utter BS and get paid for it!

Re: Future firmware updates

Joshharle — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 11:04:17 GMT

Actually I've been thinking laterally, and have sort of implemented a very limitted movie thing.

Used xcapture to grab frames from a movie (every 2.75 seconds, although I think the slideshow refresh is closer to 2.65) and seperated sound. then played sound file at the same time as watching slideshow. Not toooo bad. Better than nothing. Would help to know the exact refresh of slideshow.

Also, outputting from pdf to something slightly smaller than 320x256 can be used for ebook type viewing. This works much better than the movie thing. The screen resolution allows for a reasonable amount of text on each "page". Implemented using slideshow/picture viewer. Maybe I should write an app for automated conversion? Any interest?

Josh

Re: Future firmware updates

jammold — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:09:16 GMT

 Haha I'm no clairvoyant, but if needed I could probably give utter BS and get paid for it!

Hehe, sorry mate just a sneaky little poke there![:">]

Also, outputting from pdf to something slightly smaller than 320x256 can be used for ebook type viewing. This works much better than the movie thing. The screen resolution allows for a reasonable amount of text on each "page". Implemented using slideshow/picture viewer. Maybe I should write an app for automated conversion? Any interest?

Good idea, ebooks are very useful, and if you can get a Sony VAIOPocket to do this then that would be very cool...
:smileygrin:

Re: Future firmware updates

kee-lo_ — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:11:11 GMT

You got that idea from a Mac website, they did this with iPod Photo.

No problem James

Re: Future firmware updates

jammold — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:14:18 GMT

 You got that idea from a Mac website, they did this with iPod Photo.

An interesting idea though...

No problem James:smileywink:

Hehe

Re: Future firmware updates

kee-lo_ — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:25:21 GMT

Its rougher than a RealPlayer clip encoded for 28.8 modems.

Re: Future firmware updates

Joshharle — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 17:01:57 GMT

You got that idea from a Mac website, they did this with iPod Photo.

Ah I didn't... thought I was being original. But not too surprised. It is quite dire quality, but still better than nothing none the less.

A good App for ebooking would be useful, regardless. Let me have a play around.

Josh

Re: Future firmware updates

kee-lo_ — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 20:17:15 GMT

Josh,
If you have them in PDF convert to text and use something like TXT > WAV then you can convert to ATRAC then put it on VAIO Pocket.

The voice is a little robotic.