Posts filed under 'Portable Gaming'
Nintendo has licensed handwriting technology from Zi Corporation, a provider of intelligent interface solutions.
Under the agreement, Nintendo DS developers can employ Zi’s Decuma handwriting recognition technology while creating software for the Nintendo DS handheld video game system.
Nintendo DS is the first handheld gaming platform to offer dual screens and touch-screen technology, similar to touch technologies found in some PDA’s or smartphones. Users can interact with the Nintendo DS by using standard control buttons, a microphone or the gaming system’s innovative touch screen.
“As the leading provider of handheld video game systems in the world, Nintendo has a reputation for adopting innovative technologies that improve the user’s experience with its products,” said Milos Djokovic, chief technical officer and chief operating officer, Zi Corporation. “With Decuma, Nintendo DS users will experience natural handwriting recognition previously only available to PDA and smartphone users. Zi continues to bring its multi-modal input products to leading mobile phones, gaming platforms and smartphones across the globe.”
October 26th, 2005
Dirty discs can damage consoles, so PSP gamers need the MaxCare UMD Cleaner. The MaxCare UMD Cleaner cleans your UMD discs thoroughly and safely, and also repairs scratched PSP UMDs. In fact the makers claims it’s the greatest PSP disc cleaner around.
If you need to clean your PSP game or clean a PSP movie, MaxCare UMD Cleaner is for you. It’s easy to use. Just slot it into the unit, which is powered buy batteries or your main PSP power lead, and press a button. It’s as simple as that!
MaxCare UMD Cleaner and scratch repairer cleans away mucky fingerprints, fixes minor scratches and generally gets your PSP games and movies into tip-top shape. This not only prevents the discs from sticking or misreading when in use, but it also prevents potential damage to your PSP itself. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the disc and damage your console’s inner workings, but MaxCare UMD Cleaner keeps them pristine clean!
* Includes cleaning unit, cleaning fluid and two special cleaning pads.
* Powered either by batteries or your PSP mains power lead.
* Easy to use.
* Environmentally friendly
MaxCare UMD Cleaner is out now, and costs a mere £14.00, + £2.95 p+p. For more information, head for www.max.tv
October 18th, 2005
Following on from Sony President, Howard Stringer’s announcement that the PSP was going to be equipped to stream video from your home PC while on the road, Sony Japan has released a firmware upgrade that makes it possible.
With ‘LocationFree’ you can stream TV or movies from your home over broadband internet to your PSP - virtually anywhere in the world (as long as you have a WiFi connection).
At home you connect your AV components and broadband internet to your LocationFree Base Station. Yes, unfortunately you have to fork out around $350 for some extra hardware.
On the road, connect your PSP to a wireless hotspot and click on the LocationFree icon to start streaming your favourite TV programmes. Change channels, pause or record on your components at home with the onscreen universal remote.
For the record, the other changes with the 2.5 firmware (which is currently only available in Japan) are:
- [Text Size] and [Display Mode] settings of the [Internet Browser] can now be saved.
- The input history of online forms accessed through the [Internet Browser] can now be saved.
- Copyright-protected video can now be played under [Video].
Source: Media Center PC World
October 14th, 2005
The DS obviously felt left out at all the publicity garnered by the PSP following the uncovering of the Trojan.PSPBrick virus last week, as news reaches us of a similar beastie on Nintendo’s portable console.
The, as yet unnamed trojan, disguises itself as homebrew software for viewing erotic Japanese art, so there’s none of the ‘I was only trying to role back my firmware’ excuse that PSP owners have for installing the virus.
Similarly to the PSP trojan, the DS version causes apparently irreparable damage to the firmware. We confidently expect the new virus to be called Trojan.DSBrick, or some such moniker.
October 11th, 2005
Symantec have revealed the existence of the first trojan known to target the PSP.
Known as Trojan.PSPBrick, the evil beasty disguises itself as a hack for rolling back your firmware to v1.5 so that you can run homebrew and, dare we say it, pirated games. In fact, once you’ve chosen to install it (and yes, you have to choose to install it, so you only have yourself to blame) the trojan deletes key system files and turns your PSP into a shiny brick, hence the name Trojan.PSPBrick.
Symantec haven’t yet come across any confirmed infections so at the moment Trojan.PSPBrick remains a Category One threat. It’s likely to stay that way as the vast majority of PSP owners have no interested in hacking their $250 beauty.
If are stupid…er unlucky enough to get infected then don’t go crying to Sony. They will argue that you shouldn’t have been dabbling with firmware hacks in the first place. Take a look at XboxRepairGuide who are selling replacement PSP motherboards.
Source: Sony PSP Review
October 7th, 2005
Scottish tabloid, The Daily Record, quoting Graham Harding, professor in clinical neurophysiology at Birmingham’s Aston University, says that playing with your PSP could induce an epileptic fit.
“Any video game has flashing images but it’s the proximity to the screen that can induce the seizures,” says Prof Harding. “And people hold handheld consoles, such as the PSP, very close to their faces.”
So, to be accurate, playing any video game with the screen 2 inches from your nose could induce a fit if you are susceptible. Seems unfair to single out the PSP then Mr Daily Record reporter?
Nintendo must be seething that the DS didn’t seem to get a mention, but then there’s not really enough of them around to warrant a full scale health alert.
Source: The Daily Record
September 29th, 2005
It seems a shame that after some of the most talented designers in the world slave to develop beautiful gadgets like the iPod and the PSP, some of you like nothing more than covering them up with stickers in the name of personalisation. However, TechSmec.com has fallen under the charms of Tego, a customer designed custom covering that fits onto practically any phone or personal electronic device. It is a thin, flexible covering that can be customized in any way imaginable.
The custom covers are precision cut to fit exactly to your device. They completely cover the surface; the only thing that you see when your custom cover is applied are the keys/buttons and the screen. Made of a high quality, extremely durable material, yet thin enough that will allow it to conform to the shape of your device, Tego won’t stretch, rip, tear, crack, fall apart, or whatever, when applied.
The skins are easy to apply and easy to remove. When you want to take it off, simply peel it off.
A single skin for your PSP, for example, would set you back $12 Canadian, plus a $3 handling charge, wherever you are in the world.
myTego
August 18th, 2005
Nintendo has cut the price of the DS handheld console in the US by $20, bringing the price down to $130.
The new price kicks in on August 20 at the same time as the Nintendogs virtual pet game that has proved popular in Japan.
There’s no news yet as to whether Nintendo will also cut the price of the DS in Europe to coincide with the release of the Sony PSP.
Nintendo has also revealed more details about the Gameboy Micro, essentially a normal Gameboy in slimline clothing. It will retail for £69 in the UK, and is expected to go for $99 in the USA.
August 17th, 2005
Intec today introduced its Recharging Dock Station with USB charge cable and Sound System for the Sony PSP.
The Recharging Dock Station with USB charge cable not only allows PSP gamers to display and charge their PSP at the same time, it also allows them to maximize their gaming time by charging their PSP during gameplay. The included USB cable offers easy transfer of a user’s stored data from their PC to the PSP while keeping the unit secure on the cradle.
The USB cable also doubles as a charging cable, allowing users to leave the clunky AC adapter at home and charge their PSP from their laptop’s USB connection while on the road! When charging, the Dock Station’s blue safety lip lights up to confirm a charge is in progress.
Intec’s Sound System for PSP features two 3.5-watt per channel bass and tweeter combination stereo speakers that fold down flat for easy storage. The Sound System uses the PSP’s existing AC power adapter to power the sound system and the PSP. Users can also power it up with 3AA batteries while on the go.
August 10th, 2005
Nokia don’t seem to know when to stop flogging a dead horse. On September 1 (yes, the same September 1 that the PSP launches in Europe) they will be unleashing a silver N-Gage onto an unsuspecting public.
It’s not packed full of new features, it doesn’t have an exciting line-up of innovative games, but it is silver.
“We have had a lot of requests from both consumers and trade to provide an N-Gage QD variant. This is very much in line with our fall consumer activities,” said Jukka Hosio, Director, Global Sales, Games Business Program, Nokia. “We chose silver as it’s one of the season’s most fashionable colors.”
By which he means it looks a little like a PSP. As good as the N-Gage was a few years ago, Sony won’t be quaking in its boots.
August 9th, 2005
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