Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

Gadgets on the Go is reporting that the Nintendo Wii will use the Opera browser for its internet surfing and connectivity. Opera isn’t revealing specific capabilities of the Wii browser, which is still in development, but said it will be a full-featured browser. Microsoft’s Xbox 360, does not come with a browser but users can download limited functionality browsers to the console. There has not been an announcement from Sony yet on whether the PS3 will have a browser or not. Wii customers will browse the Internet using the same controllers they play games with, the companies said.

Read [Gadgets on the Go]

The Microsoft E3 press event will begin in about an hour from now. Take this time to read up on the Nintendo Press Conference, Sony Press Conference, leave feedback on the gaming announcements thus far, enter today’s contest, and catch up on stories from earlier today. We expect MS to launch new features for Xbox Live, maybe new hardware accessories, possible talk of a portable device, and more.

We are just about ready to present the Nintendo E3 press event from the Kodak Theater in LA. You can expect to hear more about the new name Wii, more revolutionary detail, playable games, controller accessories, a price, launch date, DS details (including DS lite), and more.

Read on to check out the live blog of the press event.

9:30AM PST: Here Wii go...we are live. A man is on stage directing a symphony with the Wii controller in his hand. Now someone else is playing a racing game by twisting and turning his body to move with the controller. Another guy is using the Wii-chuck to act lie a sword. There is a speaker in the Wiimote

9:39AM PST: Reggie takes the stage, “What you see from Nintendo is not just next, it is just new.” Nintendo is about everyone, not about just a few. Now a video about Playing=Believing with with iiiii’s from Wii. People of all ages and types are playing the drums, guitar, tennis, golf, controlling a symphony, driving, playing Mario (the first to look slightly awkward), flying a plane (looks awkward as well), sword flights, baseball, shooting a gun, ...with the stick controller. The controller is held differently for different games.

9:45AM PST: Reggie claims that they will have answers with questions but not all. They will jolt the right brain with inspiration. Do you know anyone that never watched TV, read a book, seen a movie...what about a video game?

Nintendo’s way is to challenge standard thinking. Nintendo set forth to make games that are entirely new. The date and price is not going to be set yet but they confirmed that it will cost less than others and will be available in the forth quarter on 2006.

Wii, we, is all about inclusion. A giant lead for gaming, everyone around the world.

9:51AM PST: Video with clips from Sonic, Zelda, Metroid Prime 3, Dragon Quest Swords, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Fire Emblem, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Cars, Super Mario Galaxy, SD Gundamn G Breaker, Tony Hawk Downhill Jam, Sudoku Action, Excite Truck, Elebits, Red Steel, Rayman 4, Super Swing Gold Pangya, Sonic, Project H.A.M.M.E.R., Finalfurlong Revolution, Madden, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, Twilight Princessand others (Graphics don’t look amazing but good enough for the new style of gaming. The games certainly are set to include everyone from your grandmother to your little brother.)

9:55AM PST: The Legend of Zelda, available on launch day. The nicest they ever made. Nate and Bill are presenting the world premier of “The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princes” on Wii. Movement is the nun-chuck. The sword is the B button on the remote. The bow is aimed using the pointer on the Wiimote. You can hear the string and arrow go from the remote (with the built in speaker) to the TV. You can feel the impact of fighting with the built in rumble pack. Nunchuck has it’s own motion sensor, to allow tons of freedom.

This E3 version is stripped down in difficulty level as well as boards and levels. “With the bow, the Wii remote adds depth of sound. Built-in to the Wii remote is a speaker. You’ll hear the bowstring draw taught and you’ll hear the bow sound draw to the screen as the arrow is shot. A quick jab with the Wii remote and shield shove. You’ll feel the impact with the built-in rumble.” Using pointer to launch boomerang. Classic Zelda chime heard on Wii remote speaker. You can pick up crates with the A button and then chuck them with a quick motion.

10:03AM PST: Zelda will launch on Gamecube and Wii on the same day. Mario will be brand new with new features. Excite Truck will be brand new, but now you hold the steering wheel of a truck. Project H.A.M.M.E.R. allows you to swing the nun-chuck. Disaster allows you to use the controller as well. 3rd Party: Sega will launch Sonic again, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for Wii, Madden ‘07, Tony Hawk, Rayman, SpongeBob...27 games available on the show floor. Does not include the games available from the virtual console.

10:03AM PST: RedSteel demo. The remote leans back and forth and leans like the gun. The nunchuck is utilized as well. The graphics look like Xbox 1, PS2, Gamecube. Ememies can each smart depending on the situation, you will never play the same exact game.

10:13AM PST: George Harrison is going to talk about Nintendo DS. DS has sold more than 16 million units in 18 months. Nintendogs sold 6 million. Wi-Fi connection has 1.3 million users thus far in less than 6 months. Touch Generations: Brain Age, Big Brain, Club House, Soduko and others all about touch.

Nintendo DS lite is smaller, brighter, and lighter. Mario will be back but wireless functionality as well as the touch screen. Pokemon will be available too on September 18th. Yoshi Island 2, Starfox DS, Diddy Cong, Final Fantasy III, Tony Hawk (play other Wi-Fi gamers, and talk over VoIP), Legend of Zelda for DS too (with a sword), Mario Hoops 3 on 3, will all be available.

10:22AM PST: Iwata, President of Nintendo, reinforces expanding the total number of people who play games. Target people with low interest and ones that have never played before. The logical solution is too reinvent the interaction between games and the people, but make sure that core-gamers are happy too. Claims the controller is comfortable. The virtual console allows people to play games they used to play years ago (Tetris).

The loading times are way to long. DS spoiled him because you can just open and close the cover to start and stop play. The Wii can power up virtual console games and other features (web browser) in just a few seconds.

The machine can provide services even when it is “turned off.” Wii connect 24 keeps it on all the time without the fan, using the power of min-light bulb, allowing new features, weapons, etc to be pushed to you via the internet even while you are sleeping. Aiming for a system that is new everyday.

10:32AM PST: Wii sports will be available on launch day. Includes golf, baseball, and tennis. Miyamoto is on stage explaining how to play tennis. You can twist the remote to add top spin and back spins. Scott Dyer is the first ‘real person’ to pay the game up on stage. It’s Reggie vs. Iwata and Scott in tennis. He seemed to pick it up right away with no learning curve.

10:42AM PST: Reggie closed it all up saying how important it is to include everyone and that they have taken risks ever since the company’s inception, over 20 years ago. The DS Lite and Wii are risks once again but they expect the machine to fair out very well. “Bottom line of every E3 is what’s hot and what’s not. What’s hot is the next step ... What’s hot is if its disruptive ... We know that the future is right here. Wii and the DS represent that same thing: risk. Change is good. We were the disrupter 20 years ago ... Wii will come next. Playing is believing. Thank you all, we look forward to seeing you on our show floor tomorrow”

Wii would have liked to learn the tech specs of the machine, price, release date, number of release games, etc but wii’ll all have to wait a bit longer. The games look enjoyable even if the graphics are not top rate, I’m actually interested in trying them out (prior to this I was not too thrilled). 

Here are the first official shots of the PS3 system, controller, and hardware package options. Sony failed to mention that the new controller would lack the vibration in favor of the new gyration sensors, of course making it lighter than previous controllers. They also left out the fast that the 20 GB $499 system will lack memory card expandability (no Memory Stick, SD, or MMC), Wi-Fi, and HDMI output, making this system a really sh!ty option. Check out the controller and spec chart.

Read [PlayStation]

We are just about ready to present the Sony E3 press event where we hope to learn more about PSP upgrades, PlayStation spot, and of course lots of PS3 details (including games, a new controller, pricing, release date, etc..)

Read on to check out the live blog of the press event.

4:32PM PST: We have gone live and expect to begin any moment (yeah we too were hoping the Sony folks know it was supposed to begin 4:00pm PST not 4:00pm in Japan)

4:52PM PST: Kaz Hirai the CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment has just taken the stage. He is talking about the power of PS3 and that even though it is powerful the importance lies in the hands of the gaming programmers. PS3 must be connected, seamless with PSP, upgradeable, etc.

4:55PM PST: Just reinforced the November launch for PS3 as well as try to cool the fire about the extreme costs and risks of PS3...but PS2 led the way. Sony has shipped over 1 million units thus far and over 3 million online users. PS2 will continue to be supported for more than 10 years. New titles include God of War sequel, Madden ‘07, and others.

4:59PM PST: PSP is the fastest selling Sony gaming platform, 17 million units thus far. 545 games on the market thus far and another 155 more titles/applications on their way including: Planet PSP, Kill Zone, LocoRoco, Dark Mirror, World Soccer 2, TalkMan, Gangs of London…

5:02PM PST: PSP “Greatest Hits” programs will be released for the top 5 games. UMD is a format with lots of specs (no indication of it being continued, only that it exists and their are some titles). Plan to add RRS Video, VoIP, a camera, “Memory Stick Boot” and video peripherals later this year.

5:05PM PST: PlayStation 3 promo video of people around the world (New York City, London, Sidney, Cape Town, Tokyo, Mexico City, etc) being extremely excited for PS3 and what the love about prior systems.

5:10PM PST: Specs will be powered by Cell, CD, DVD, Blu-ray support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Dolby Digital Surround Sound, Removable Hard Drive, support 1080p, SD card support, up to 7 wireless controllers, back catalog compatibility of all older formats. PSP can interact wirelessly.

5:12PM PST: Every system will ship with a hard drive to improve performance, store downloads, and manage content. Clear black system will ship worldwide at once. Many many games are being developed. Playable game titles are here and can be played at the Sony booth.

5:17PM PST: Phil Harrison, President Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios is going to present games. Kazunori Yamauchi, President, Polyphony Digital Inc., will present Gran Turismo HD. It is GT4 boosted up to HD for use on the PS3, allowing endless development possibilities. The video will be 1920X1080p at 60 fps, the first time that a household TV will present a true HD 1080p resolution. The menus have been optimized for HD as well.

5:22PM PST: These menus looked great but there seems to be a consensus that it does not look so amazing, just slightly better than SD. They have dropped the loading times from 15 seconds to about 3 seconds (with help from the internal hard disc drive). They are showing the older games and the improvement from GT1 to GT4 to the PS3 version. It is definitely more realistic but it is also much larger. The sound from the game certainly utilizes the Dolby Digital HD format, it sounds like we are right there next to the cars.

They are now stressing that this is just a test or proof of concept. In the near future we cna expect a network enabled GT. GT3 came 1.5 years after the release of PS2, the plan is to release the next GT “not-to-far” after the release of PS3.

5:33PM PST: EyeToy creator, is demoing “The Eye of Judgement” a game that allows you to interact with the characters, much like a holographic board game. Playable at the Sony booth for PS3.

5:36PM PST: Kaz is back talking about the online offering. PS3 online network is, “as essential as the air we breathe.” Account management, player profile, ranking, friends list, video chat, voice messaging, text messaging...a virtual society and community will be created. The services will be offered FREE of charge for users. Users can also access games, music, movies, and more. E-distribution of content will be available via the PSP, downloaded onto the Memory Stick Duo. The fist game is Ridge Racer from the original PlayStation (with the Space Invaders opening) using a PlayStation emulator.

PlayStation card will be used for online payments. Phil is back to discuss shopping on the PS3. First glance of the PS3 interface. It shows what you can buy, community features, and more. SingStar has been huge in Europe thus far. You can brows an online catalogue of songs on SingStore videos (in HD too), purchase songs (no pricing yet). It can be downloaded to the hard drive of the PS3 or you can contribute via My SingStar and upload your content. We’re being shown Genji. This game looks impressive. It’s got a lot of nice graphical touches.

5:48PM PST: Now we are being shown how the PSP can seamlessly interact with the PS3. This looks really cool. We see the side-view mirror of a race car on our PSP while the main screen shows us the car driving forward.

5:57PM PST: These are the most realistic images I have ever seen from a games. Graphics of people walking the street of London, animals in Africa, animated people on a golf course (the trees and houses are unreal), Harry Potter (greet fire from the dragons mouth), Eight Days (showing fire, bullet holes, speed), Naughty Dog (a Tombraider like game with a guy), Resistance, and more.

6:09PM PST: Kaz is back once again presenting 3rd party games: Coded Arms Assult, Ridge Racer 7, Tekken 3, Sonic the Hedgehog (which we posted a trailer for early today), Virtual Tennis 3, Virtual Fighter, StrangleHold…

6:21PM PST: Footplanting in the PS2 is shown compared to the PS3.  Instead of only having 45 degree range of motion, figures now have full 360 degrees of motion.

NBA Live 07 is shown and IT LOOKS AMAZING!  Now we’re watching a graphics artist recreate Tiger Woods on the PS3.  It looks like Tiger is on video… rinkles in his shirt and all.  An EA Sports representative came out on stage to announce their full support for the PS3 (as if we thought they weren’t going to).

6:29PM PST: Kaz is back and introduces Final Fantasy.  And oooo Meta Gear Solid 4.  Here comes the father of the PlayStation, Ken Kutaragi.

6:36PM PST: Here comes the long-awaited PS3 controller.  I can just feel it coming.  Phil is now going to unveil a “secret” about the new, familiar controller.  The controller has 6 degrees of freedom built into it.  Similar to the revolution controller, the new PS3 controller now moves as you move it.  I’m glad to see that the new controller isn’t a boomerang anymore.  It’s just like the original dual-shock PS2 controller.

6:40PM PST: Now they’re demoing a flying game with the new controller.  The capabilities are amazing.  Dylan Jobs, a game designer is very excited about the controller.  “It allows us to change from static control mechanics to kinetic controll mechanics.” Back to Kaz…

6:43PM PST: Today we’re pleased to announce the Global launch details.  1 with a 60 GB hard drive disk and the other with a 20 GB hard drive.  Here are the launch dates and prices…

Nov 11 - Japan
59,800 yen - 20 GB
60 GB - retailer decides the price

Nov 17 - US
$499 - 20 GB
$599 - 60 GB

Nov 17 - Europe
499 euros - 20 GB
599 euros - 60 GB

Shipping 2 million units during launch, 2 million more by end of year, 6 million by March 31, 2007.  That’s all we’ve got for today.  Hope you enjoyed our live coverage of the Sony Pre-E3 Press Event.  Have a good night.

Some images via Engadget

This hopefully will only be a rumor for less than 24 hours, but we have gotten reports from various sources that the Nintendo Wii will sell for $249. This seems appropriate, considering the low processing power compared to PS3 and Xbox and the lack of a next-gen optical drive. This will either stay as a rumor or be updated tomorrow morning during Nintendo’s press conference.

Read [Joystiq]

We learned back at CES that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 would support the HD-DVD optical disc format, coinciding with Microsoft’s support for HD-DVD and loud distaste of Blu-ray. Today at E3 Microsoft officially announced the HD-DVD accessory drive for the 360. It will connect to the 360 via USB powering the drive while delivering HD video output and digital surround sound.

According to they guys in Redmond this is just one of several new accessories being announced at E3 for the 360, including the price announcement:

“Stay tuned. We decided to save that good news for another day, but we’re clearly out to make this an affordable option for Xbox 360 owners”

Read [Xbox]
Via [Joystiq]
Image via Kotaku

As Nintendo puts the finishing touches on their gigantic E3 booth, they’ve got us waiting in suspense for their new Wii.  If you’re not down with the lingo yet, the Wii is the new name for the Revolution game console.  Get ready for some exciting Nintendo coverage starting tomorrow with their pre-show press conference at 9:30 AM PST.

Via [Kotaku]

We are finishing up plugging in the cables, taking out our microphones, and scrounging up some pens and pads after our move this past weekend. We will be back in business at 5:00pm EST with full E3 coverage as well as all the other fun things we do here.

Until then you might as well continue doing work, even when the boss isn’t over your shoulder (and once he leaves remember to enter our “iZ a day in the month of May” contest.

Update: Check out this countdown to get your heart pounding