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Networking

Bandwidth Caps May Be Critical Error For Broadband Companies 317

Posted by Zonk
from the give-a-little-get-a-little dept.
Technical Writing Geek writes "An Ars Technica article argues that after many years of stagnation, the US broadband landscape is finally 'primed for change'. Companies like Time Warner that decide to cap bandwidth risk being relegated to a 'broadband ghetto. Alternatives to the standard cable modem vs. DSL conundrum will come from technologies like WiMax and (eventually) the 'white space' broadband that might be offered by whoever wins the 700mhz auction. 'All of that is to say that cable and DSL won't always be the only games in town. If wireless solutions are able to deliver on their promises of high speeds with no usage limits, capped cable broadband service like Time Warner has planned is likely to be unattractive, to say the least. Instead of developing plans designed to discourage consumers from feeding at the bandwidth trough, cable companies would be better served in the long run by making investments in new technologies like DOCSIS 3.0 and the kind of infrastructure improvements necessary to meet bandwidth demands.'"
Nintendo

+ - Wii Connect 24 may cause heat-related problems.->

Submitted by mgabrys_sf
mgabrys_sf writes ""WiiConnect24, a system built into Wii to keep the console constantly connected to the internet when on standby, is reported to be causing consoles to develop faults." reports computerandvideogames.com. Mine hasn't bricked but I can confirm that the unit seems very warm to the touch — warmer than when played in fact. Even if the problem isn't widespread, I deactivated WC24 because — as the article says — it's proved to be a non-essestial feature so far anyway and not worth risking a slow heat-death situation over the lifespan of the unit."
Link to Original Source
Games

+ - Wii puts Japanese TV stations under pressure

Submitted by
Knuckles
Knuckles writes "The Times reports that "Japanese desert prime-time TV to play on their Nintendo Wii". Recent figures from Japan's audience-tracking firms show that "last week was the first in nearly two decades where no single show on any commercial station attracted more than a 9 per cent audience share. "According to one senior executive of the country's largest commercial television channel, Fuji TV, families who used to tune in to its colourful diet of soap operas, panel games and comedy variety shows may, instead, be drifting away and choosing to spend the same, economically-critical "golden hour" time playing on their Wii."

Personally, I'd like new games, but I can bridge the gap with the virtual console. If only it worked with PAL games over component cables."
PlayStation (Games)

+ - PSP Homebrew Scene Marks Major Milestone->

Submitted by wamerocity
wamerocity writes "Despite Sony's efforts to lock down the PSP with each new firmware in lieu of adding desired functionality, it seems that PSP Homebrew god "Fanjita" has released a downgrader for firmware 3.50 (Yes, Sony's most current firmware for the PSP) that requires a new Illuminati exploit as well as a legitimate copy of the game Lumines. This means ANYONE can now put homebrew on their PSP despite their current firmware. This news recently sent the game Lumines to the top selling video game item on Amazon, second only to the Wii.

For those who wonder why they should care, the PSP has open firmware such as the DarkAlex 3.40 OE that allows you to play PS1 games (at full speed), SNES, NES, Sega, MAME, GB/GBC/GBA, N64 games, all while retaining the ability to use Sony's "intended features". The homebrew scene has other programs that allow you to watch any video type, use it as a remote control, get RSS feeds, listen to internet radio, use VNC service, use an IR keyboard, as well as a dozen other programs. There's even a new version of Vista some have released for it, as a proof of concept I'd hope, since Vista really blows."
Link to Original Source
Wii

+ - Swedish musicians conduct concert with Wiimotes

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes "Utilizing some Wiimotes and a GlovePIE script, some Wii fans known as "ii" from Stockholm, Sweden managed to conduct a two-man concert recently. In the embedded video, their song "aa" is performed and we find ourselves to be in a mild state of awe. We just love what people can do with their Wiimotes!

The story and a video of the performance at www.nintendowiifanboy.com."
Wii

+ - Analysts Predict Wii Shortages To Continue

Submitted by
Anonymous Coward
Anonymous Coward writes "According to several top industry analysts, Nintendo could face continued stock shortages for it's latest home console, Wii, throughout much of 2007. Furthermore, analysts believe that due to these shortages, Nintendo is likely to miss out on the crucial holiday sales period for the second year running. Colin Sebastian, analyst at Lazard Capital Markets, observed, "Demand still appears to exceed supply, and we believe that shortages could persist through the remainder of the year, including the key holiday period.""
XBox (Games)

+ - Playing Games With Your Significant Other

Submitted by rabydanimal
rabydanimal writes "I'm sure many a Slashdotter has been vexed by this conundrum: What video games can I play with my significant other? Sure there are hardcore female gamers out there but the fact of the matter is most male gamers have girlfriends and wives that just can't be bothered with space marines, gun fights, and racing sims. Growing up with the NES, the Super Nintendo and the Sega Genesis many people from my generation enjoy simple, classic gaming. My girlfriend is no exception. She enjoys games that she can learn quickly, are challenging and don't involve killing people. I have contemplated buying entirely new game systems (i.e. the Wii) with the hope that at least one game for that system is appealing to her so we can play together. What modern, non-violent games and systems does the Slashdot community recommend for a girlfriend of a gaming nerd?"
Wii

+ - Sheild To Block Incoming Wiimote

Submitted by
roninjapan
roninjapan writes "Are you losing control of your Wiimote? Is it flying dangerously close to your television? Well we have just the product for you (no not super glue) a LCD protective plastic thing. The Taiwan company Lcdarm has made such a product that slips onto your LCD screen (current only 30" and 46" Screens) and when the inevitable happens and you fling your Wiimote at your television the plastic barrier will, in theory protect your television.read http://ncsquad.com/news.php?show_news=73"
Wii

+ - Wii Motherboards Changed to Prevent Piracy

Submitted by Croakyvoice
Croakyvoice writes "Nintendo in an effort to stop piracy on its Nintendo Wii Console is now shipping consoles in Japan with 3-pins that are physically cut from a surface-mounted IC, this latest move makes all present Wii modchips incapable of modding the new consoles. As yet this new motherboard change is only showing up in Japan where it has already pushed the price of consoles up."
Linux Business

+ - dell installs ubuntu, sells windows

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes "the fact: dell said they will install ubuntu on their desktops, to give a coiche to the costumers.
real fact: dell still sells you windows, but they just delete it and install ubuntu, or just delete everything. thats right, you still give money to microsoft: dell is basically saying "since we don't know if you will install a pirated copy of windows, we still sell you windows (xp), but we don't give you the licence, since you don't want it" ... O_o

just try asking them what price difference is there between a notebook with windows and the very same notebook without anything.

-sorry, the article i linked below is in italian, and i couldn't find the translation...
http://gizmo2.dyndns.org/?p=29#comment-27"
Wii

+ - OpenWii 2.2 now supports DVD

Submitted by
crkian
crkian writes "The people responsible for the open-source Wii mod OpenWii have announced the release of OpenWii v2.2, which includes a DVD upgrade. Those who love the Wii and find the DVD format handy for their archival purposes are probably rejoicing right now. Anyhow, before you go on a DVD spree, they do note that you must still use the setup disk to set the region. Triforce, a member of the OpenWii forums notes that he's tested the new release on a D2A/DMS USA Wii. Here are the results: Wii Originals: Yes Wii Backups: Yes Wii Imports: Not Tested Wii Imports Backups: Not Tested Gamecube Originals: Yes Gamecube Backups 8cm: Not Tested Gamecube Imports: Yes Gamecube Backup Imports 8cm: Not Tested Gamecube Imports Backup 12cm: No http://wampago.com/2007/05/20/openwii-22-now-suppo rts-dvd/"

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