NEWSFLASH: DS will go ONLINE FOR FREE!!

[mr.Curmudgeon]

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/game-developers-conference/gdc-revolution-wifi-and-backwards-compatible-035643.php

March 10, 2005 - At the Game Developers Conference keynote speech today, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata revealed that Nintendo will be sending its Nintendo DS online wirelessly to enable gamers around the world to connect to each other in games written specifically for the protocol.

Once the service begins later this year, Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at universal Wi-Fi hot spots in use all over the world. Nintendo's in-house development team is already creating Animal Crossing DS to support global Wi-Fi connectivity.

Sweeeeeeet!

mrC

[Stingray]

I guess it's sweet if you regularly visit a Wi-Fi hot spot. Myself, I play games (handheld or not) almost exclusivly at home. I live way out in the boonies, so somehow I doubt my house is in a "hot spot".

Not that I'm bashing the DS at all. I fully intend to get one this year sometime, it's just that this particular feature will be unusable for me.

-S

[Hoagie_one]

just read that...good news.

[Hoagie_one]

I guess it's sweet if you regularly visit a Wi-Fi hot spot. Myself, I play games (handheld or not) almost exclusivly at home. I live way out in the boonies, so somehow I doubt my house is in a "hot spot".

Not that I'm bashing the DS at all. I fully intend to get one this year sometime, it's just that this particular feature will be unusable for me.

-S

Wireless home networking?

[Stingray]

I live in a very rural area where broadband just isn't available.

-S

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I guess it's sweet if you regularly visit a Wi-Fi hot spot. Myself, I play games (handheld or not) almost exclusivly at home. I live way out in the boonies, so somehow I doubt my house is in a "hot spot".

...

I live in a very rural area where broadband just isn't available.

-S

So you're screwed either way, as you don't play networked games anyhow?! That sucks.
It sounds to me like the DS will connect to a WiFi network in your home, as WELL as designated "hotspots". I imagine that Nintendo may strike a deal with a food chain, or something similar, so at least you may get to do some "free" gaming at McDonald's or something.

So that'd be cool...

mrC

[Dave_K.]

Reality check needed here!! 

Seems everyone is jumping to some conclusions based on a single term "Wi-Fi".  This is a MARKETING TERM...and it DOES NOT imply the DS is compatible with 802.1x wireless networking!

The Ninentendo DS wireless connectivity is prorietary, and more like bluetooth.  Let me quote straight from the Nintendo website "The wireless range can be an incredible 30 to 100 feet and for some games".  This is obviously NOT 802.1x wi-fi.

Now lets re-read the announcement: "Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at universal Wi-Fi hot spots".  What this means is that they are rolling out DS wireless connectivity hubs in national wi-fi locations to allow users to be hooked up to the internet away from their homes.  You can probably buy one of these hubs for home too, but you are limited to the 30-100 feet as above.

Don't get me wrong, this is still good news, but its not global connectivity at any Wi-Fi hotspot.

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Reality check needed here!! 

Seems everyone is jumping to some conclusions based on a single term "Wi-Fi".  This is a MARKETING TERM...and it DOES NOT imply the DS is compatible with 802.1x wireless networking!

What you've quoted above doesn't gel with what I've quoted below...

Once the service begins later this year, Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at Wi-Fi hot spots, whether they

[Shape D.]

  You can probably buy one of these hubs for home too, but you are limited to the 30-100 feet as above.

Just buy one hide it behind youre toilet and your set.

[Dave_K.]

What you've quoted above doesn't gel with what I've quoted below...

Once the service begins later this year, Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at Wi-Fi hot spots, whether they

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Once the service begins later this year, Nintendo DS users will be able to connect to the service wirelessly at Wi-Fi hot spots, whether they