Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[AMD ships 50 millionth 'Hollywood' graphics processing chip for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/amd-ships-50-millionth-hollywood-graphics-processing-chip-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/amd-ships-50-millionth-hollywood-graphics-processing-chip-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/amd-ships-50-millionth-hollywood-graphics-processing-chip-for/#commentsFiled under:


A recent AMD press release brought word of yet another hardware milestone for Nintendo -- earlier today, AMD shipped its 50 millionth "Hollywood" chip, the graphics processor for the Wii. With such a large number of units sold, the "Hollywood" has become AMD's most successful (and likely most profitable) gaming console chip in the company's history.

It's safe to assume by AMD's missive that Nintendo has manufactured around 50 million Wiis -- though their most recent LTD numbers place the console's sales around 45 million. Since Wiis stay on store shelves an average of fourteen seconds, this can mean only one thing: Someone, or something, has stolen five million Wiis. As usual, we blame the Nazis.

JoystiqAMD ships 50 millionth 'Hollywood' graphics processing chip for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amdchiphardwarehollywoodltdprocessorWed, 11 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Xbox 540 (360 slim) in 2009?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/12/rumor-xbox-540-360-slim-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,

In a follow up to the news that the 360's internal hardware will be changed to the "Jasper" setup, there is now the news that the "Valhalla" update mentioned in that story is more than just a CPU and GPU on the same chip. TG Daily thinks that the Valhalla chip will be the heart of a complete hardware revision in Fall 2009, ala the slimline PS2. While that would seem the logical course of action, all that we know for sure is that the Valhalla chip will indeed be used in the "mid-cycle refresh" of the hardware, and that it is in fact an "all-in-one" chip. Whether or not Microsoft will actually change the outer shell or not is unknown, and the Valhalla hardware update could come and go without changing the outer look of the console at all.

JoystiqRumor: Xbox 540 (360 slim) in 2009? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 May 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chiphardwarejaspermicrosoftvalhallaMon, 12 May 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reuters: Sony in talks to sell chip manufacturing to Toshiba]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/17/reuters-sony-in-talks-to-sell-chip-manufacturing-to-toshiba/#commentsFiled under:

Reuters is reporting that a Sony is in talks to sell its chip production facilities to Toshiba, according to "sources close to the matter." The 100 billion yen (about $870 million) deal is reportedly set to finish in a few months and will include the lines for Sony's PS3-powering Cell processor.

Does this mean Sony is giving up on its much-hyped computer-on-a-chip? Not likely -- Reuters says any deal would probably include a Sony/Toshiba joint venture to ensure a steady supply of Cells for Sony systems. The transfer of ownership would provide a cash influx for Sony and probably help Sony cut overhead costs related to staffing and upkeep at the plants.

The move isn't totally out of left field for Toshiba, which helped in the development of the Cell chip along with Sony and IBM and has expressed interest in using the Cell in non-gaming devices

JoystiqReuters: Sony in talks to sell chip manufacturing to Toshiba originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cellchipplantproductionPS3sonytoshibaMon, 17 Sep 2007 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[The future of console hardware design]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/the-future-of-console-hardware-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/the-future-of-console-hardware-design/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/05/the-future-of-console-hardware-design/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The next generation has just barely become the new generation, but the folks at Semiconductor Insights are already thinking about what might be under the hood of the next generation of consoles. In an article at TechOnline, SI manager Allan Yogasingam discusses how the focus of system design has tilted from simple cosmetics for the Atari 2600 to "cost, heat [management], cooling and [efficiency] test." in the 30 years since.

That cost bit might be the most important -- SI manager Greg Quirk predicts Sony and Microsoft will soon introduce 65 nanometer processors to reduce the costs associated with their current, 90-nanometer-chip systems. Yogasingam also predicts that the drive for cost reduction might lead console makers to look towards "second- and third-tier chip and software vendors " for the next generation. Someone better warn IBM that their gravy train might be in jeopardy.

What else is likely to be in the next generation of hardware? The SI team thinks 802.11n wireless, tilt-sensitive MEMS controller sensors and other entertainment features are likely to stay hot, but that's not exactly rocket science. Where are the bold predictions for things like laser cannon attachments and Holodeck-style projectors.

JoystiqThe future of console hardware design originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipchipsCPUdesignevolvehardwareIBMmotherboardPS3semicodnuctorWiiXbox-360Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Currently unused component found in Wiimote]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/currently-unused-component-found-in-wiimote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/currently-unused-component-found-in-wiimote/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/01/currently-unused-component-found-in-wiimote/#commentsFiled under:

OMG SECRET CHIPZBefore you go running off to troll post on various message boards, we'd like to give you some specifics. A recent CNN technology feature details some of the various chips and components found within the forty-dollar Wiimote. Among the Bluetooth converters and accelerometers is a component listed as an "audio translator," which "converts analog data such as human speech into a digital data stream. This feature is unused now but will probably be employed in future games." The approximate cost is listed at $2.00.

So, what's the deal? First, there is no actual microphone (a device capable of converting vibrational energy into electrical signals) found within the Wiimote. Though basic electrical engineering principals allow a standard speaker to act in such a fashion, the signal quality and frequency response would be unacceptably low. This chip actually requires an expansion device for it to be used at all. So why add it? It's only two dollars, but this rather unnecessary addition has cost the company several dozen million dollars. We can only assume that Nintendo or significant third parties are planning a title utilizing an expansion microphone, which will be presumably cheap enough to bundle with a title and incur no markup in price.

God knows the masses need a mainstream karaoke game (we know about Karaoke Revolution for the PS2, but it never really took off), and the Wii is just the system to do it. Like a Virginnnnn ... hey!

JoystiqCurrently unused component found in Wiimote originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudioChipElectricalEngineeringExpansionKaraokeMicrophonePortSecretTechTranslatorWiimoteFri, 01 Jun 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirates rule the Philippine seas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/#commentsFiled under: ,



After a tour of the country last year, Indian President Abdul Kalam described the Philippines as a "smiling republic." Wherever he went, Kalam was met with smiling faces. Well, you'd be grinning too if you saw how cheap their games are. Thanks to the black market, popular Nintendo Wii titles are priced as low as $5 in some shops. Piracy has become so widespread in the Southeast Asian country, even Sony admits that most of its Playstation software sold in the Philippines are bootlegged copies.

Filipino site GameOPS found that many stores also offer modchip installations. For about $51, you can have your system hacked to play these counterfeit games at the local mall or market. Furthermore, some shops advertise console bundles, selling imported and modded US Wiis with five copied games of your choice for around $450. Similar deals for chipped Xbox 360 systems with 10 pirated titles are actually cheaper at $388.

With such a high level of piracy already in place, Nintendo will have a lot to work against when -- or if -- it decides to finally launch the Wii in the Philippines.

JoystiqPirates rule the Philippine seas originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootlegbundlebundleschipfilipinomodmodchipmodchipsmodsnintendonintendowiiphilippinephilippinespiracypiratepirateswiiMon, 14 May 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Solderless Wii modchips on the way?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/solderless-wii-modchips-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/solderless-wii-modchips-on-the-way/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/solderless-wii-modchips-on-the-way/#commentsFiled under:

If you've been curious about fixing your Wii to dabble with homebrew or play titles from other regions, but don't trust your abilities enough to mess with the console's innards, there might be a solution in the works for you. WiiNewz forum member Takrin recently posted photos of his hardware project in progress, a prototype modchip that requires no soldering to install.

With nothing to attach the modchip to though, how does it stay in place? Takrin suggests "double sided tape on one side" and "foam which presses it to your drive on the other." That doesn't sound like a very stable setup, but we hope to see this development spawn more sophisticated and accessible mods in the future. To be honest, if a monkey can't install it, we probably wouldn't be able to either.

[Via MaxConsole]

JoystiqSolderless Wii modchips on the way? originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 May 2007 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chiphomebrewmodmodchipmodchipsmodsnintendonintendowiiregionfreeregionssoldersolderlesstakrimwiiwiifreeMon, 07 May 2007 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 price drop could follow slashed Cell chip costs in '09]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/13/ps3-price-drop-could-follow-slashed-cell-chip-costs-in-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/13/ps3-price-drop-could-follow-slashed-cell-chip-costs-in-09/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/13/ps3-price-drop-could-follow-slashed-cell-chip-costs-in-09/#commentsFiled under: ,

CellieIt's no secret that the Cell chip, currently bloated by 90- and 65-nanometer circuitry, is driving up the cost of PlayStation 3. Sony hopes to improve the chip's profitability by moving to 45-nanometer circuitry, in turn, driving down per-chip production costs. Commercial production of the 45-nanometer Cell is expected to begin by early 2009, which could indicate that a significant PS3 price drop (or perhaps, a slimmer model to compliment the even tinier new chip) would follow later in the year -- assuming that Blu-ray drive costs would have also dropped by then.

Of course, the equipment needed to manufacture the 45-nanometer chips would require a steep initial investment, suggesting that Sony may cease in-house production of the Cell and outsource the process to companies that specialize in chip-making. Expect Sony to be making calls to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and United Microelectronics, the world's two largest contract chip makers, any day now.

JoystiqPS3 price drop could follow slashed Cell chip costs in '09 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CellChipPS3Tue, 13 Feb 2007 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Mod chips soon in vogue Down Under]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/mod-chips-soon-in-vogue-down-under/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/mod-chips-soon-in-vogue-down-under/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/06/mod-chips-soon-in-vogue-down-under/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

mod chainExpected to be passed this week, Australia's Copyright Amendment Bill 2006 will make it legal for consumers to use mod chips designed to bypass region coding. If these chips subsequently circumvent anti-piracy technology, then that's cool too. Despite pressure due to obligations established by its Free Trade Agreement with the US, the Australian government has opted not to amend wording that would outlaw code-busting chips.

While likely too small of a market to force the alteration of current manufacturing processes, Australia could push game console makers to separate their region coding and copyright protection technologies in the future. "I think people are just going to have to sit down and think about manufacturing standards," recommended Carolyn Dalton of the international law firm Minter Ellison; that, or just cut the Aussies off. No PlayStation 3 for yous!

JoystiqMod chips soon in vogue Down Under originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipGameCubemodmod chipModChipPS2PS3PSPWiiXboxXbox-360Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Laser microchips set to speed computing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/laser-microchips-set-to-speed-computing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/laser-microchips-set-to-speed-computing/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/19/laser-microchips-set-to-speed-computing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Silicon-and-wire-based computer chips not fast enough for you? Your gaming rig may one day be supercharged by chips that communicate by laser light.

The New York Times has a report on a new study in academic journal Optics Express that details how using lasers rather than electrical pulses to send data could result in transfer rates up to 100 times what is currently possible. The technology could allow computer makers to pack chips even tighter inside a case and remove a significant bottleneck in the download of broadband data from the internet.

Commercial applications aren't likely before the end of the decade, the article says, and affordable consumer versions will likely take even longer. As gamers know better than anyone, when it comes to hot new technology, patience is a virtue.

JoystiqLaser microchips set to speed computing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipfuturelaserMacPCsiliconTue, 19 Sep 2006 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Broadway chip production well underway since July]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/08/broadway-chip-production-well-underway-since-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/08/broadway-chip-production-well-underway-since-july/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/08/broadway-chip-production-well-underway-since-july/#commentsFiled under:

IBM announced that their custom-designed Broadway chip for the Nintendo Wii has been sitting in Nintendo's hands since July, resting ever-so-silently, poised to strike like a Puma silently stalking its prey. Ron Martino, director of IBM Technology Collaboration Solutions, commented that production fears should be nonexistent as "We have been shipping well within this quarter (July)," and going on further to say that "In fact, we have shipped a significant volume in this quarter."

All well and good, but what about you, the one craving the Wii so bad you've been drawing pictures of it in your notebook, perhaps encapsulated by a red heart with a cartoonish arrow sticking through it reading "Nintendo & Chad 4 Ever?" What does it mean for you?

First off, don't ask how we've seen your notebook. Second, you should be thinking "Well, if Nintendo had these chips since July, why haven't they been manufacturing Wiis?" That last one, we really don't have an answer for.

So would Nintendo go the way Sega did with the Saturn, springing it upon gamers much like that Puma in the first paragraph leaped upon its prey? Probably not, but it makes that event coming on the 14th that much more interesting.

JoystiqBroadway chip production well underway since July originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broadwaychipibmnintendoproductionwiiFri, 08 Sep 2006 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Devil in the details for 360 modchip]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/devil-in-the-details-for-360-modchip/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/devil-in-the-details-for-360-modchip/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/07/devil-in-the-details-for-360-modchip/#commentsFiled under: ,

Devil360 may have generated enough hits to crash their site after bragging about a working 360 modchip (Supposedly unrelated to the known DVD firmware exploit), but they haven't generated much faith in the modder community. Most eager chipsters are taking a "show it or shut up" approach to the Devil's  claims of hacking glory:

The Devil360 will be a modchip for the Xbox 360 console, the 'small' security hole has been found! This device is in no way related to the DVD firmware exploits - it's a totally different approach. However we did not manage to get the product ready for today (6/6/6), because we are working hard on improving it to:

* Try to protect it from any type of update
* Make it programmable via PC
* Boot unsigned code
* Allow to swap HD with larger drive with a special interface between the 360 and the HD (all types IDE/SATA).

After the ICE modchip fraud, nobody is going to believe this blather without concrete proof. The cutesy Devil-6/6/6 correlation doesn't help. Still, the prospect of unsigned code (Read XBMC360) is enough to make your inner geek self-delude for a moment, no matter how low your tolerance is for shady mod squads.

JoystiqDevil in the details for 360 modchip originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jun 2006 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chipmodchipmodsxbmcWed, 07 Jun 2006 03:00:00 EST