last100 » Nintendo

Netflix prepping PlayStation 3 and Wii support suggests job ad

Steve O'Hear — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:38:34 +0000

While Netflix streaming has been an XBox 360 exclusive for quite a while now, we’ve known for a long time that the video rental company harbored greater games console ambitions. CEO Reed Hastings said as much all the way back in October 2007, and Netflix has sinced followed up with a number of customer surveys exploring demand for PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii support.

More proof that Netflix is serious about widening support beyond the XBox 360 emerged today after a recent job advertisement on Monster.com was spotted seeking a lead engineer responsible for the company’s “gaming platforms” – plural.

The gaming platforms team is responsible for prototyping, testing and building the Netflix experience for gaming consoles. We’re tasked with bringing the latest generation of movie discovery and delivery technology to the gaming console platforms our growing subscribers use every day.

Video: Could the Nintendo DSi become the second mainstream WiFi tablet?

Steve O'Hear — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:05:50 +0000

Following Apple’s iPod touch, could Nintendo’s revamped handheld games console – the DSi – become the second “mainstream Wi-Fi mobile platform”? That’s a claim that the company’s first attempt – the DS Lite – could have made if it wasn’t for the crippling speed of its otherwise innovative dual screen web browser.

On Nintendo’s original device, web pages simply render far too slowly, and as I noted at the time, the company didn’t even bother to offer the Opera web browser on-board the console itself. Instead, the software came stored on a separate memory card so that you have to keep swapping it out when you want to actually play a game, and then change cards again every time you want to browse the web. Both these issues, however, have been addressed in the updated DSi model, as the following video demonstrates…

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BBC iPlayer on Wii gets a UI overhaul

Steve O'Hear — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:54:08 +0000

Six months after launch, the BBC has finally got around to redesigning its version of iPlayer for the Nintendo Wii games console to make it more suited to being operated from the couch. Initially taking a ‘keep it simple, get it out fast’ approach, explains the Beeb’s Anthony Rose, the original Wii version of the public broadcaster’s seven day TV catch-up service made do with the 2 foot user interface designed for the PC. “The new Wii version has a simplified user interface that presents just a few options on screen at a time and nice big chunky controls – easy to aim at with a Wiimote.”

Rose also takes the opportunity to defend the BBC’s original decision to build a Wii version of iPlayer rather than one for Sony’s PlayStation 3. “The reason is simple: there are twice as many Wii units in the UK than PS3s”. Additionally, the original PS3 web browser had “some odd quirks which have increased development time”, says Rose. In other words, a PS3 version is still in the works.

… we’re not quite there yet as the PS3 uses a slightly older version of Flash which doesn’t support some of the features used in our media player, and the very promising Flash 9 update now available on PS3 has some compatibility issues. Our Flash developers are working on it – stay tuned for updates.

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Taking aim at Apple and Sony, Nintendo announces new DSi portable media device

Daniel Langendorf — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:55:46 +0000

Meet the Nintendo DSi.

As expected, Nintendo announced its latest portable gaming device, dubbed the DSi, at its fall press conference. The DSi is not a game-only device, however, as it includes browsing capabilities, Wi-Fi, a 3-megapixel camera, and other enhancements that bring it more in line with Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone and Sony’s PlayStation Portable products. In fact, the DSi is not considered a replacement for the current DS Lite line but a complement, or “third platform.”

The juicy DSi details, brought to us by the folks at Kotaku, include:

dual touchscreens
the screens are 17 percent larger (3.25 inches)
the device will be 12 percent thinner because it doesn’t have a Game Boy Advance cartridge slot
an external 3 megapixel camera
a front-facing camera located on the hinge
an SD slot and internal storage
“audio enhancements” giving players the ability to listen to MP3s, adjust pitch, and playback
the DSi also will feature a built-in browser and the DSi shop, which will sell content through Wi-Fi networks
DSi owners will be able to use free “Nintendo Zone” hotspots in Japanese McDonald’s for Wi-Fi connections
the DSi will be available in black and white models in Japan on Nov. 1 for $178 US; it will arrive in the U.S. early next year

Engadget has put together an image gallery for the new DSi.

The Nintendo DSi is clearly a response to the changing portable game device market, which is being influenced by Apple’s iPod Touch and iPhone and devices running Google’s mobile operating system, Android, when they become available.

Joystiq has assembled a spec comparison for the DSi, Sony’s PSP 3000, and the iPod Touch/iPhone.

Photo credits: Kotaku and Joystiq

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Rumor: New Nintendo DS to encroach on iPod territory

Steve O'Hear — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:44:17 +0000

With Apple recently re-positioning its iPod touch, and to a lesser extent iPhone, as a portable gaming device, in addition to media playback and Internet functionality, it would make some sense for Nintendo to move the other way with its DS handheld games console. And that’s exactly what might be about to happen.

According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, an upgraded version of the device sporting a built-in camera, larger screen, improved WiFi, and perhaps most significantly, music playback features, could be unveiled as early as Thursday.

It’s suggested that the inclusion of a camera would be utilized in new gaming experiences – think Sony’s EyeToy – while improved WiFi access could pave the way for a much better out-of-the-box web browsing experience. However, its an emphasis on music – and possibly video – playback that would raise the most eyebrows (including those in Cupertino) since it would mark a significant departure from Nintendo’s single-minded focus on gaming, and gaming alone, compared to competitors Microsoft, Sony and Apple.

(via The Register)

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Nintendo seemingly plays it “safe” with “Wii Music” and other casual games

Daniel Langendorf — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:41:45 +0000

By now we should expect this from Nintendo. The maker of the Wii and DS Lite underwhelmed at the annual E3 conference only to overwhelm during the following year of sales.

Gaming and tech pundits always seem to expect PlayStation and Xbox 360 games and cutting-edge hardware innovation from Nintendo at E3, which delivers this in its own casual, fun, mainstream sort of way.

Nintendo did it again Tuesday. The maker of the world’s best selling games console, the Wii, and the leading portable game device, the DS Lite, introduced even more products aimed at a wider audience, if that’s even possible. Nintendo’s announcements included a multiplayer community game “Animal Crossing: City Folk,” “Wii Sports Resort” (a sequel to the hit “Wii Sports”), and “Wii Music.”

“Animal Crossing: City Folk” is a game that features a new USB peripheral called Wii Speak, a microphone/camera that integrates into the sensor bar that usually sits atop TV sets. It will allow rooms of people to speak to each other while they do things — redecorate, hang out, fish. It may seem like standard “Animal Crossing” fare, but the ability to send messages and pictures to the Wii message board, cell phones, and computers is a nice community/social touch.

“Wii Music” plays off the popularity of games such as “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” but in the usual Nintendo casual manner-of-play. “Wii Music” will let players simulate more than 60 instruments by moving their bodies with Wii remotes and pressing buttons. The game makes sure you play the right notes.

Just like the cool hep cats of Fifties Jazz, players can sit in and play guitar, piano, horns. Drums will use the Wii Balance Board (that comes with “Wii Fit”) for kick drums.

“Wii Music” is so laid back that it seems maybe too kid-like. You can’t keep score, miss a note, or lose a song. It’s “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band” for those who have a song in their heart but not the rock ‘n roll spirit.

“Wii Sports Resort” will not be available until next spring at a cost of $50. Bummer. You may be getting tired of bowling, tennis, golf, and the other games that came with “Wii Sports.”

“Wii Sports Resort” will come with the MotionPlus accessory that will give players a true 1:1 motion mirroring on their Wii remotes, meaning it should give more accurate game play and immersion.

Unfortunately, for the hardcore Wii-er, no new Mario or Zelda games were announced.

“I hope everyone came away with the understanding that we are continuing to drive innovation to appeal to the mass audience in addition to the core,” Reginald Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America president and CEO, said in an interview with The New York Times.

“Our focus is on having the breadth to drive enjoyment for the consumer,” he said.

Which Nintendo certainly did on Tuesday.

Photo credits: Reuters

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Xbox Live Video Marketplace gets content from NBC, Universal and other E3 tidbits

Daniel Langendorf — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:54:18 +0000

Microsoft’s deal with Netflix and the Xbox 360’s impending makeover wasn’t the only news from the E3 Media & Business Summit Monday. A few other tidbits include Microsoft, Universal, and NBC; hard drives; and a new Wii controller.

New partners for Video Marketplace

Microsoft has partnered with NBC and Universal to bring new content to the Video Marketplace, Microsoft’s online service. TV shows include “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Office,” and “30 Rock,” among others. Movies include “The Mummy” and “Bourne Supremacy.”

With more than 10,000 movies and TV shows in the Xbox Live Video Marketplace, Microsoft contends it is now the world’s largest provider of on-demand high-definition content.

Play games off hard drives

With the upcoming software update, Microsoft will let users store and playback games from their hard drives — sort of. Gamers will still need to place the game disk in the drive for piracy reasons, but it won’t spin during gameplay. What this means is quieter gaming and quicker load times.

Xbox numbers

Microsoft Xbox boss Don Mattrick says that the 12 million-plus members of Xbox Live have spent more than $1 billion with the service.

Mattrick also says the North American sales of Xbox 360 have reached 10.3 million units, five million more than rival Sony and its PlayStation 3. Xbox software has accounted for more than $2.7 billion in sales the past 12 months.

“We’re entering a new age in entertainment, and Xbox 360 is uniquely positioned to become the heart of the living room,” Mattrick said. “The new Xbox experience offers more content than you can find from any device that connects to the television. That convergence of entertainment and gaming will bring new people and more families to the category, driving a record year for the games industry.”

New Wii controller coming

Nintendo will introduce today the Wii MotionPlus accessory for its Wii Remote controller. The accessory snaps into the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player’s arm position and orientation for improved precision and immersion.

Sony’s Stringer opens his mouth — again

Speaking at the Allen & Co Media Conference, Sony CEO Howard Stringer dismissed Nintendo’s Wii — the world’s best selling game console — as an “expensive niche.” “I’ve played Nintendo Wii,” he said. “I don’t see it as a competitor. It’s more of an expensive niche game device. We’re selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it’s still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player.”

Even so, during the first five months of 2008, the Nintendo has sold 2.8 million Wiis in the United States to Sony’s 1.2 million PS3s.

More Xbox 360 avatars

Microsoft is definately borrowing from the success of the Nintendo Wii avatars, known as Miis, in the upcoming software makeover. That’s OK. The Xbox 360 avatars may not be as cute as the Miis, but they’re still pretty nice-looking. Check out more Xbox avatars at Engadget.

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From an RC beer cooler to an ESPN remote, digital lifestyle gifts for Dad on Father’s Day

Daniel Langendorf — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:06:15 +0000

There are only a couple of more shopping days left until Father’s Day, that once-a-year event when wives and kids all across the U.S. buy Dad ties, aftershave, and other things he — let’s be honest here — will never use.

So to make shopping easier this year, we’ve assembled a few digital lifestyle ideas for your husband or Dad. Most of these are more expensive than Aqua Velva aftershave but, since we’re being honest here, these are what Dad might buy for himself, including a remote control beer cooler.

The obvious

The most sought-after Father’s Day gift on the planet will be the new 3G iPhone from Apple, which isn’t available until July 11. Until then, a hand-written IOU redeemable for the iPhone will do. Thankfully, the price is coming way down: $199 for the 8 GB model, $299 for the 16 GB phone. And since it now supports the enterprise with Microsoft Exchange syncing and other business-place features, the grumpy IT guys at Dad’s office will be happy.

Alternatives: none. Sure, we could argue for a Sony Ericsson, BlackBerry, or HTC smart phone, but why bother? Until Google’s Android phones are available — long after this Father’s Day is over — the iPhone will head Dad’s wish list.

Media Man

Dad already has a big screen, HD television and, probably, a DVR like TiVo. Don’t despair. This Father’s Day, give him the Netflix set-top box by Roku ($99). It’s butt ugly — just a square black box — but it delivers more than 100,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix to his TV instantly, without having to wait for the postman.

Acceptable alternatives: the AppleTV ($229) for iTunes purchases, Vudu ($299) for movies on demand, and the Slingbox Pro ($229), which allows you to watch and control up to four video sources from anywhere in the world on a laptop or cell phone.

If Dad is a sports nut — and who isn’t? — then the ESPN “The Ultimate Remote” Universal Remote ($299) is the perfect gift. It’s billed as the first-ever digital media remote with Wi-Fi, meaning it’s a traditional advanced home theater remote but with access to the Internet. And what will Dad do on the Web? Go to ESPN.com, of course.

Lastly, dear ol’ Dad can’t be left watching movies on the Netflix-Roku set-top box or channel surfing with his ESPN remote without the greatest invention known to beer-drinking man: the RC Cooler. Yep, a remote control cooler that brings ice-cold beer to Dad and his lazy buddies. The RC Cooler is available from Solutions for $69.95 and Firebox for $78.30. No word, though, on whether the Cooler is smart enough to go on a beer run.

For the fun of it

The Sony Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable (PSP) and the Microsoft Xbox 360 are so last year’s models. At the top of any Dad’s Day list should be the Nintendo Wii ($249, if you can find one) and the new Wii Fit ($89.99), a quasi fitness game that, if used a little bit each day, is supposed to deliver a healthier, fitter Dad through a variety of fitness activities.

If Dad happens to be a more sedentary gentleman, then the new Grand Theft Auto IV ($59.99) video game will keep him on the couch for hours, maybe days as Niko Bellic wreaks havoc in Liberty City. This should be enough, but if Dad needs more there’s always Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Finally, if Dad isn’t a big video gamer he might still enjoy an activity like billiards. What’s cooler than Dad walking into the local pool hall with a new laser-guided pool cue ($79.95)? When activated, a harmless visible laser provides a precise guide for lining up the 8-ball in the corner pocket.

Shutterbug

If Dad’s hobby is photography, then Canon’s new entry-level EOS Rebel XS (1000D), 10-megapixel digital camera will be greatly appreciated. It will replace the baby of the Digital Rebel line, the XTi, and is a relatively inexpensive, quality digital camera for consumers ($599 body, $699 with kit lens).

To go along with a new dSLR, Dad might like to have the clever Eye-Fi wireless memory card ($99), which uploads photos automatically from the SD card inside the camera to a home network or to photo sharing sites such as flickr, Picasa, photobucket, and Shutterfly and to social networks like Facebook.

Man on the go

If Dad endures a nasty commute to work, then consider buying him the $399 Dash Express, a two-way Internet-connected portable GPS navigator. It delivers surprisingly accurate real-time traffic information that’s invaluable when you want to avoid that hour’s delay on the 405.

To go along with the Dash is the environmentally friendly Smart car, which became available in the U.S. earlier this year. The fortwo passion coupe, which gets 40 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway, will start at $13,500 and the fortwo passion cabriolet will start at $16,590. As these cars are this year’s Mini Coopers, you might want to buy Dad a $99 reservation to purchase the car and let him pick up the tab for the new wheels.

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What if Apple re-enters the console gaming market through the iPhone?

Daniel Langendorf — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:54:40 +0000

I’m going out on a limb here because I’m more of a casual gamer than hardcore. But lately I’ve been wondering, with the coming iPhone 2.0, third-party applications, and expected mobile games, might Apple return to the game-console market?

I know: That’s crazy talk. Apple’s last foray into console gaming was 1996’s Pippin, named as the 22nd worst tech product of all time in a 2006 story in PC World magazine. Since then, we’ve seen the advent of Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, a slew of Nintendo consoles, and no new attempt by Apple to introduce a game console.

But Terrence Russell of The Industry Standard wonders, like I have, that maybe Apple might be following a different path into gaming — through the mobile market.

“Consumers are already ga-ga over Apple’s mobile devices to begin with,” Russell writes, referring to the success of the iPhone and iPod line of products, “so whether they should be re-imagined as gaming gadgets is more of a marketing issue.

“But with the developer community in a tizzy to create the next great Apple-friendly game, it’s only a matter of time before Cupertino announces that it’s ready to connect the dots.”

Maybe.

Gaming for me is an odd duck. Casual and hard core gaming makes boatloads of money (see the recent release of Grand Theft Auto IV), and many believe the battle for the living room as the center of a family’s entertainment experience will be centered around gaming consoles.

Apple’s entry into the living room is through the AppleTV 2.0, which allows viewers to download for purchase (or rent) TV shows and movies from iTunes. They cannot, however, play games like they can on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

But the Xbox and PlayStation have not taken over the living room. Nothing has. Only digital video recorders (DVRs) like TiVo have made any headway, but until recently these have not been imagined as a home’s entertainment hub.

So rather than attack the gaming market directly, what if Apple sneaks around and captures mobile gaming on the iPhone and iPod touch first, then follows with an integrated game console for the living room — either a new product or the next iteration of the AppleTV?

Yes, I know, the iPhone-as-a-gaming device would have stiff competition from Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Nintendo DS products, but let’s face it: the PSP is big, sort of clunky, and it isn’t a phone. Neither is the DS. The iPhone has cool-factor momentum on its side, and it doesn’t hurt to have a Wii-like accelerometer built in, opening up all sorts of possibilities for game development.

And let’s not forget: Apple filed a trademark extension last February in regards to gaming. “Toys, games and playthings, namely, hand-held units for playing electronic games; stand alone video game machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD game machines; electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games.”

It would be like Apple, which transformed culture and the music industry with the iPod and is about to do it again with the iPhone, to integrate mobile gaming with console gaming in ways we are not even thinking about yet.

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BBC iPlayer lands on Wii – who said Nintendo doesn’t do media center?

Steve O'Hear — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:45:16 +0000

Later today, a version of the BBC’s iPlayer will be made available on Nintendo’s Wii games console, announced the UK public broadcaster’s Future Media and Technology chief Erik Huggers during a keynote speech at the MipTV-Milia conference in Cannes.

Alongside download (Windows-only) and streaming versions (Windows/Mac) accessible via a computer, the BBC has already built a version of its UK-only TV catch-up service for Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch devices. Today, however, marks the first time the iPlayer will be available on a games console, and perhaps surprisingly, not one designed specifically to be a media center. So much for the ‘trojan horse into the living room’ strategies of Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s XBox 360.

The ability to port the streaming version of iPlayer to the Wii was made possible because of Nintendo’s original decision to offer a Web browser for the console, and one that supports Flash Video (see last100’s ‘Five resources to create a Wii media center‘). The PS3 also features a full Web browser with the Flash plug-in, so perhaps we can expect that to be next on the list.

Initially, iPlayer on Wii will be accessible via the game console’s Internet channel, just like any other Website. However, signaling that this is an official partnership between the BBC and Nintendo, the latter will send out a message to all UK Wii owners whose consoles are connected to the Internet, alerting them to the iPlayer’s availability. The BBC and Nintendo intend to refine the Wii version of iPlayer throughout the rest of 2008, eventually offering the catch-up service through its own dedicated Wii channel.

On the same day as the Wii version was announced, the BBC released the latest iPlayer viewing figures, which, inevitably, was preempted by the latest ISP backlash against the service due to its high bandwidth consumption.

In March 2008, more than 17.2 million requests to download or stream BBC programmes were made via the iPlayer. This is up 25% on the previous month and means more than 42 million programmes have been accessed via the iPlayer since its Christmas 2007 launch. (BBC News)

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