Yesterday Nikon released Version 2.0 of their D70 digital SLR camera firmware.

Updates are available for Mac and Windows users. The Windows firmware update includes the following additions and refinements:

• Performance of the 5-area AF system has been improved (Dynamic area and Closest subject AF-area modes).
• Changes have been made to the design of menu displays.
• Page-size settings can now be applied from the camera with direct printing from a PictBridge-compatible printer.
• The number of exposures remaining, displayed in the control panel and viewfinder, when shooting at an image-quality setting of NEF (RAW) or NEF+JPEG Basic has been changed (the number is calculated based on the size of compressed RAW file).
• The default setting for camera clock has been changed from 2004.01.01 to 2005.01.01. Now you cannot set the clock back to a date before 2004.12.31.
• A problem that sometimes caused communication between the camera and computer to be unexpectedly terminated when using Nikon Capture Camera Control has been corrected. (Windows)

Complete step-by-step instructions for updating are included:

• D70 Firmware Update 2.0 - Windows
• D70 Firmware Update 2.0 - Macintosh

Ever have a hard time finding well-qualified software development staff? Looking for a different king of outsourcing firm?

Jeremy points to the solution to all your problems: Primate Programming, Inc.

An interesting approach to a common business model. Cool idea.

Looks like Chris has the news - his post says NewsGator is purchasing FeedDemon. Om Malik says the same. Cool. Interesting how new gets out these days.

So word is Nick Bradbury, author of FeedDemon and TopStyle (and all-around good guy), is joining the Newsgator team. UPDATE: Nick has written about the acquisition of Bradsoft on his weblog. And customers of both products will reap the benefits of the other. As a FeedDemon customer, I am a happy camper.

Cool news. Congrats to all involved! Look for an official announcement soon.

Track the news spread at Feedster.

http://toolbar.msn.com/

Tour is here. You can get it now.

• New  Three search toolbars make searching quicker and easier
• New  Desktop Search finds things on your computer, fast
• New  Automatic form fill manages personal information and passwords
• Pop-up Blocker prevents bothersome advertisements
• Highlight helps skim through result pages

Lots of iFilter ad-in's here, to extend whatyou can index and search. More iFilter info on MSDN Channel 9.

Here's something else for Scoble to pimp Windows with: White Box Robotics' PC-BOT Model 914 is a home robot that incorporates "vision-based navigation, object recognition, speech synthesis and speech recognition - all in an easy-to-use yet powerful point-and-click graphical user interface."

It looks remarkably droid-like, and actually it's kinda really nifty and cool. Engadget points out that it runs Microsoft Windows (98SE/ME/2000/XP according to the specs page). And the craziest part? Only $1,199.00 each!

"The White Box Robotics 914 PC-BOT defines the new standard for the personal robot, by fusing two technologies - PCs and mobile robots - into one empowering platform.

"Inspired by art and fueled by science, the 914 PC-BOT gives enthusiasts, students and OEMs alike the opportunity to create revolutionary, functional, low cost mobile robots from off-the-shelf computer parts.

"Tinker with it. Master its intricacies. The 914 was designed to be cut, drilled, painted and modified in countless ways. Create a new future. One inspired by you."

Here's the production schedule, which shows delivery is scheduled for before Christmas, but you can reserve yours today with a $299 deposit:

• Tooling Starts: May 31
• First 20 units verified: August 25
• Production run complete: September 30
• Customers receive units: November 15-30

There will also be a limited-edition "founders" model, shown at right, which will have fancy paint and a few hardware upgrades. It will sell for $1,699.00 and looks pretty cool, too.

There's also a page listing optional components, which you'll use to deck out the robot to your own tastes.

Coolio idea, nice design. Thinking about it.

"A powerful alliance of heros"

"Big Iron again? Let's get in there and kick some proprietary ass!"

Anyhow - if you liked Team America and/or happen to be a Dell fan, check out the video:

Not really sure where this comes from, but the domain is registered to Sam McJunkin in Washington state - Ah, and he works for Maverick Productions, which produced the site. Well there you have it, I guess? Sometimes these things need a little more explanation.