chumby Version 1.1

The update below is only for chumby versions: HW: 3.6 SW: 1.0 FW: 277

These Release Notes refer to the chumby Version 1.1 and cover new and existing features, known issues, and workarounds for this version. The chumby Version 1.1 is not a public release and we are interested in any feedback on the chumby and our services via the chumby forums.

What's New

Release Date: August 10, 2007

Major Features

  • Open source based software
  • Connectivity via wi-fi
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Automatic software update mechanism
  • iPod® connectivity to listen to your playlists
  • Online photo viewing
  • Online streaming video viewing
  • Interact with major social networking sites such as Facebook
  • Flash® animation player
  • Multi-tone alarm clock
  • Day and night modes
  • Accelerometer to interact with motion sensing widgets
  • Interact with other chumby owners

Improvements and Fixes

  • Overall improvements to the system stability
  • Improved touchscreen responsiveness
  • Fixed a number of issues with the audio subsystem
  • Enhancements to the networking subsystem
  • Improved Flash Player stability
  • Improved reliability of working with USB storage devices
  • Improvements to the automatic software update system
  • Improved searching for available wi-fi networks

Update Process

The chumby will automatically notify you when an update is available. The normal update installation process occurs via your wi-fi connection ("over-the-air") during which your chumby will automatically reboot twice. The update process will take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your bandwidth. We recommend that you not do bandwidth-intensive activities (like downloading large files) during the update.

If there's a problem with the over-the-air update, you can install the update using a USB flash drive as a backup measure. The difference between updating over-the-air vs. from a USB flash drive is that updating from the USB flash drive will overwrite your personal settings (you'll need to re-enter information like your time zone, alarm settings, network settings, etc.)

Updating over the air (Normal operation)

  1. When you see the Update Available screen, press Now.
  2. Your chumby should reboot and automatically download the update.
  3. If you see the Special Options screen (restart to normal operation / install updates / restore factory settings), select install updates and then select Install from network. (If this option is grayed out, it means you aren't connected to the network. Reboot your chumby and try again.)
  4. The chumby will install an update, reboot, and then install a second update. It's important that you let the chumby install both updates! When it's done, you'll briefly see the message "Update successfully completed" then your widgets should start playing again — this means you've successfully updated your chumby!

Updating with a USB flash drive (If the over-the-air process did not work or if you're instructed by Customer Support)

  1. Download the software update from our website (http://files.chumby.com/resources/chumby_fw_1_1.zip) and extract the files onto the top level of a USB flash drive. (The flash drive must be formatted FAT16 or FAT32. As long as you haven't formatted the drive as HFS on a Macintosh, you should be fine.)
  2. Once the files are extracted, you should see two directories on your USB flash drive: update1 and update2.
  3. Turn off your chumby.
  4. Plug the USB drive into the USB port on the back of your chumby (make sure nothing else is plugged into the other USB port).
  5. Boot into the Special Options mode by pressing your finger against the touchscreen and then powering on your chumby. Continue pressing your finger against the touchscreen until the screen changes to the Special Options screen.
  6. Once you've reached the Special Options screen, select Install updates and then choose Install from USB flash drive.
  7. The chumby will install an update, reboot, and then install a second update. It's important that you let the chumby install both updates! When it's done, you'll briefly see the message "Update successfully completed" and then the chumby tour — this means you've successfully updated your chumby! If you don't eventually see the chumby tour, please go back to step 2 and try again.
  8. Finish by following all the onscreen set-up instructions.

Note: There are a few USB flash drives that won't work correctly on the chumby. If your chumby is having problems seeing a USB flash drive, try a different one. We know that some of the PNY Attache USB flash drives will not work; there may be others. Please contact Customer Support if you continue to have issues with the update process.

More details on updating
FAQs

Known Issues

  • The chumby currently does not support the Apple Airport Extreme in "WEP(TSN)" security mode. Please configure the Apple Airport Extreme to use WPA/WPA2 Personal mode.
  • The chumby currently only supports the Apple Airport Express in "802.11n (802.11b/g compatible)" default radio mode.
  • Certain streaming videos may not play well or the audio may not keep in sync with the video. Not all videos use the same encoding or bit rate/resolution settings and the ones that do not play well are due to encoding in a format that we do not currently support. We have selected some YouTube videos that do play well — they are located in the Entertainment category of the widget section of our website at www.chumby.com/guide.
  • The chumby iPod player will not load any DRM files purchased from iTunes as we are not licensed by Apple to play this music (we may license with Apple in the future). You can play any music imported from CDs or any non-DRM music files.
  • After several hours the chumby will not recognize the iPod. The iPod screen will show the green battery charger full. Disconnect your iPod and use the chumby control panel to reload your iPod playlists.
  • If your iPod contains a large number of songs, the chumby iPod player may seem slow. Please be patient while the iPod player loads your playlists.
  • The chumby will not update software from a USB flash drive if both USB ports are occupied. Remove the USB device that does not contain the software update and restart the update process.
  • When the chumby alarm goes off in night mode and is turned off, the chumby does not turn to day mode. This is being worked on for the next release.

If you need more details on these or other issues, or have any questions, please contact Customer Support or post to the forums.

General Troubleshooting

Please first refer to the FAQs for information on possible workarounds for any of the issues mentioned. If the problem still persists, contact Customer Support or post to the forums for additional help.

  • The chumby feels hot after running for a long time: This is normal. The chumby may feel warmer than other gadgets with an LCD screen but it is operating within its normal temperature range.
  • The touchscreen on the chumby seems to be unresponsive at times: The touchscreen of the chumby doesn't detect screen-presses well when using too large of an area of the finger. Press the touchscreen using just the tip of your finger or your fingernail.
  • If your widgets play slowly or do not show content (i.e., weather widget is blank): The chumby may be out of the wi-fi signal range or disconnected from the network. Try moving the chumby closer to your wi-fi access point.
  • The chumby only shows a clock and is not able to show any of your widgets: The chumby is not connected to the network.
  • When starting the chumby the downloading progress bar does not move, does not switch to the next screen, or after downloading shows a black screen: The most common problem is a weak wi-fi signal. Try moving the chumby closer to your wi-fi access point.
  • Certain streaming videos may not play well: This is a known issue and a more detailed description has been listed in the Known Issues section of this document.
  • The chumby stops playing a video or a channel does not complete after viewing a streaming video: This is a known issue and a more detailed description has been listed in the Known Issues section of this document.
  • Your chumby repeatedly shows the "downloading Control Panel" screen: Disconnect the chumby from the wall, wait 10 seconds to plug it back in, and then turn the chumby back on.
  • Your chumby sits on the "downloading Control Panel" screen and the progress bar has not moved in a long time: The chumby may have a very weak wi-fi signal or may be disconnected from the network. Try moving the chumby closer to your wi-fi access point.

Additional Information Sources

Chumbysphere Forum
Chumby Wiki

Previous Software Updates

Release 0.9