149w ago - This weekend C4E released BenQ iXtreme LT v1.2 which includes an internal PFI that improves the reading of some discs and Samsung iXtreme LT v1.0 for XBox 360 alongside JungleFlasher v0.1.75 Beta (152).

Download: BenQ iXtreme LT v1.2 / Samsung iXtreme LT v1.0 / JungleFlasher v0.1.75 Beta (152)

To quote from the NFO file:

• Supports all BenQ Drives (62430C, 64930C)
• Supports all Liteon Drives (74850, 83850V1, 83850V2, 93450)
• Totally re-written code optimised for minimal patching
• Whole banks of firware now untouched
• New Drive response timing engine accurately mimics original drive timings
• Full disc stealth used by default
• Waveless booting , disc images are assumed to be correct!
• Split-Vid used as default

185w ago - Today Team HyperX has released IXtreme 1.61 Firmware for Benq and Samsung XBox 360 drives alongside the updated JungleFlasher v0.1.67 Beta.

Download: BenQ iXtreme THX v1.61 / Samsung iXtreme THX v1.61 / JungleFlasher v0.1.67 Beta

From the NFO file:

IXtreme fw for Benq and Samsung drives!

Features:

• Strict Wave 4 compliance! hybrid (modified disks) will not boot!
• Strict Wave 3 compliance! hybrid (modified disks) will not boot!
• Strict drive speed compliance - 12x only for game discs!
• Support for SS V2!
• Integrated 0800 for game dumping including SS v2!
• Full support for all known game exceptions! eg ddr etc!
• One shot boot mode! - allows a one off boot of gamedisc without -stealth/partition checks (will still use stealth), use activate.iso disk to activate each time!
• Support for easy drive key/version info cmd, same as liteon!
• Strict stealth/wave checking, one shot boot mode will boot wave(x)!

More Info:

Strict Wave 4...

193w ago - With Samsung now having a major advantage, we can only hope that the MKV file format is added to the PS3's accepted format list soon so that converting will be a thing of the past.

At IFA, Samsung announced that Blu-ray player models BD-P1600, BD-P3600 and BD-P4600 will support both YouTube and the MKV file format.

Existing players will be able to access those features by upgrading the firmware. The company plans to launch BD recorders in 2010, and is holding a wait-and-see stance towards 3-D.

To quote: "We know our consumers want access to multi-platform content, and the addition of YouTube to our Blu-ray players aims to provide this to them - from the comfort of their living room," added Robert Shaw (General Manager CTV & Home Platforms).

"Adding MKV file support and YouTube to our range of Blu-ray players is the latest step from Samsung Electronics in providing an unparalleled home-cinema experience for our customers."

198w ago - According to Smarthouse.com.au (linked above), a senior executive at Samsung has revealed that after Sony's reported $390M Loss they are desperate to shift stock and price cuts are imminent.

Targeted areas include Sony Bravia TV's, Blu-ray players and their Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.

To quote: "The news that Sony is set to slash prices has already leaked out to their competitors, with Mark Leathan the marketing manager of Samsung's consumer electronics division confirming that they have also been told that Sony is set to make savage price cuts."

With GamesCon and the Tokyo Game Show coming up, there are a lot of opportunites for Sony to announce a price drop or a new model indeed!

234w ago - Samsung showed off an impressive Flexible OLED mobile phone at this year's FPD International show.

The phone opens up to reveal a large OLED screen that folds in the middle (remnicent of a Nintendo DS when open).

Hopefully we'll see a portable gaming console with one of these screens someday soon!

Video is below, and comes courtesy of JPNtackle via YouTube.

Cheers!