A couple of weeks ago, a root exploit for the Sony Google TV units was finally discovered, giving a bit of life to a platform that even after Honeycomb, has yet to attract a wide audience. When it comes to rooting though, it’s a constant battle between devs and manufacturers who think that security is of the utmost importance. And rightfully so, rooting an Android device can be a bit troublesome to those that have no idea why they are performing such a task. What I’m trying to get at, is the fact that a new update has begun to push to some units that is thought to be a security fix to patch the previously mentioned rooting method.

One of our readers received it this morning, however, my Blu-Ray unit is showing that it is up-to-date. Rumor has it that the update will pop up for everyone starting Monday and will prevent you from rolling back your recovery and OS to the vulnerable version that can be rooted.

So if you want root on your Sony Google TV unit, better do it now before it is patched forever.

More at GTV Hacker.

Cheers IgotGAME and BostonB!

The Sony Xperia PLAY sort of came and went without much attention from Android enthusiasts here in the States. It was supposed to be the mobile gaming machine of the century, but with lower end specs and no 4G, it struggled to take off. Well, what would happen if it was re-released with 4G? According to training that one of our readers is about to take this afternoon, there could very well be a new version on the way. No word yet on if the processor or RAM has been upgraded, but this would at least give on-the-go gamers a chance to play online titles more freely.

Once we know, we’ll be sure to pass it on.

Cheers ___!

The Honeycomb update for Google TV started rolling out to Sony TV units on Monday and is just now popping up for Blu-Ray units. Since we have the Blu-Ray version, we are just getting to it and wanted to toss out this quick gallery of some of the first things we noticed. So far, this update looks like it may blow past most of our expectations. In just a couple of minutes with HC for my TV, I can easily say that it has become useful for the first time in months. Things like the “TV and Movies” app and Android Market are essentially game changers in my opinion.

Jump on past the break to see what’s new. 

The Honeycomb update for the Sony Google TV Blu-Ray player is available now for everyone with the device to download. Mine is just about finished installing and then I’ll get up some more shots, features, Market stuff, etc.

If you own one, head into Settings>About>System updates.

On Friday, the Google TV team notified the world that Honeycomb was finally ready and would introduce a simpler approach to their TV-inspired OS. The update would first arrive on Sony Google TV products which includes the Blu-Ray player as well as the actual Sony TV. According to one of our readers, his TV received the update within the last hour or so; my Sony Blu-Ray unit has not received a damn thing. Logitech units on the other hand will be waiting a bit and have been given the “soon after” time line.

Once I get the update though, we will be doing a full walk-through of the update to give potential GTV adoptees a look at the future.

And on a related note, everyone that owns some sort of Google TV unit should have received an email from Google explaining the update. It’s really just the info that was released on Friday, but still worth a read if you have one of these devices.

And on a non-related note, I’ll try not to use the word “unit” for another month. Someone get me some Orbit gum.

Cheers Garland!

A handful of Xperia PLAY owners received an update to Android 2.3.3 over the weekend, only we weren’t exactly sure what was included.  Thanks for Verizon’s support pages, we now know all of the dirty details. Some of the games were updated, security enhancements tossed in, and a bunch of pre-loaded apps were included such as Swype.  The update is 55MB and will bring your device up to build 3.0.1.E.0.88.

More info.

With no support documents to be found, we have visual proof that Verizon’s Sony Xperia PLAY is receiving an update to Android 2.3.3.  It for the most part sounds like bug fixes, but won’t know for sure until we see documentation.  For now though, if you own one, jump into Settings>About phone and try and pull it.  Should be there!

Build should be 3.0.1.E.0.88.

Cheers Eric and Legion!

In the Sony booth at CEDIA, there is a Blu-ray Google TV box that is up and running Honeycomb in case any of you are in the area and want to get some hands-on time.  The upgrade is expected to be out some time soon as a way to revive the struggling platform.  We aren’t sure if the Logitech Revue or this Sony unit will receive the update first, but the folks at Logitec are expecting it to arrive by the end of September.  If you want to get a quick glimpse at the brand new OS that appears to make Google TV worth using again, jump into the video below.  And afterwards, make a decision on whether or not you should go pick up a Logitech Revue for $99 – yeah, they are still available.