chumby one software release notes

chumby one client version 1.0.2

Release Date: November 23, 2009

These release notes refer to the chumby one client version 1.0.2. The chumby classic is not affected by this software update.

This update is for the following chumby one versions:

  • HW: 10.6 SW: 1.0.0 FW: 1.0.2189
  • HW: 10.6 SW: 1.0.1 FW: 1.0.2327

New Features and Improvements for chumby one

  • New music source — FM radio
  • Rechargable battery support; battery status icon shown on control panel if a battery is installed
  • "radio free chumby" has been renamed to "blue octy radio" on its main screen and also in the control panel under Music and Set Audio under Alarms
  • "chumby sleep sounds" has been renamed to "sleep sounds" on its main screen
  • New intro video

Noted bugs fixed

video playback

  • Bug 3988 — Stuttering or clicks during streaming video playback

audio playback

  • Bug 4037 — Streaming audio abruptly stops when switching music sources

Update Process

The chumby one 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 one will automatically reboot twice. The update process will take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your wi-fi signal strength and bandwidth. We recommend that you not perform bandwidth-intensive activities (like downloading large files) during the update.

If there's a problem with the over-the-air update, you have the option of updating your chumby using a USB flash drive.

Updating over the air (Normal operation)

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

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/chumbyone/1-0-2/update.tgz) and copy the entire file onto the top level of a USB flash drive (do not extract the files). The flash drive must be formatted FAT16 or FAT32 — as long as you haven't formatted the drive as HFS on a Macintosh it should work.
  2. Turn off your chumby one.
  3. Plug the USB drive into the USB port on the back of your chumby one.
  4. While touching the screen, turn your chumby one back on. You'll see this screen:
  5. Keep your finger on the touchscreen until you see the screen with "Loading Special Options" on it. Once you see this screen you can take your finger off the screen:
  6. The Special Options screen will appear. Tap Install Updates.
  7. Tap Install from USB flash drive.
  8. The chumby one will install an update, reboot, and then install a second update. It's important that you let the chumby one install both updates! When it's done, you'll briefly see the message "Update successfully completed" and then your widgets should start playing again — this means you've successfully updated your chumby one!
  9. Finish by following all the onscreen set-up instructions.

Note: There may be a few USB flash drives that won't work correctly on the chumby one. If your chumby is having problems seeing the USB flash drive you're using, try a different one. Please contact Customer Support if you continue to have issues with the update process.

More details on updating
FAQs

Known Issues

  • Frequently running the chumby one off battery power and then recharging the battery while on AC power may cause the chumby one to drain the battery to a very low level and not allow the chumby one to boot. If this happens, follow these steps:
  1. Turn off the chumby one by pressing the power button.
  2. Remove the battery from the battery compartment.
  3. Press the power button to turn the chumby one back on.
  4. Wait for the chumby one to start playing widgets.
  5. Press the power button to turn the chumby one back off.
  6. Insert the battery back into the battery compartment.
  7. Power the chumby one back on and it should now work correctly.
  • Changing between wi-fi networks with different password encryption types will connect properly but the network information on the chumby info panel may contain the information for the older wifi connection. This will not interfere with the wi-fi connection of the chumby.
  • The Wireless Network Connection screen displays a blank SSID and fails to connect to a wireless access point using extended ASCII chars (e.g.: Æ Ç Ø ï ). The chumby does not properly support the extended 8-bit ASCII character set, which does not have an industry standard for wireless network interoperability. The chumby does properly support the common special characters (e.g.: !, *, \, |) that fall in the range of the 7-bit ASCII Unicode character set (chars 32 to 127).
  • The chumby is not currently compatible with the Apple iPhone® or iPod Touch® as an audio playback source through the chumby control panel.
  • Audio playback on the chumby may abruptly stop. Since Flash Player initiates the audio and video capabilities of the chumby, if the Flash Player stops functioning the audio will stop as well. Flash Player will be automatically restarted by the chumby if it detects the Flash Player has stopped. Afterwards you can restart your audio playback by using the chumby control panel music feature.
  • 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. Some of these videos may result in poor playback, with symptoms including dropped frames and hesitation. The current chumby optimal video playback profile for Flash 8 video is 320 by 240 pixels, 12 frames per second, with a maximum video bitrate of 220 kbps and a maximum audio bitrate of 32 kbps. 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 http://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 may not recognize the iPod. The iPod screen will show the green battery charger full. Disconnect your iPod, wait a few seconds, reconnect your iPod, and then use the chumby control panel to reload your iPod playlists.

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 the control panel" screen: Disconnect the AC adapter for 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 the 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

chumby forum
chumby wiki