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[PS3 clock bug squashed; games are playable [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/ps3-clock-bug-apparently-squashed-games-are-playable/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/ps3-clock-bug-apparently-squashed-games-are-playable/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/ps3-clock-bug-apparently-squashed-games-are-playable/#comments We've apparently made it through the worst of the storm, friends. We've received a number of tips informing us that the internal clock bug that was affecting non-Slim PS3s for the past 24 hours has been fixed, rendering all games playable once more. We tempted fate shortly after receiving these reports by testing out a few of our PS3 Phat units and can confirm that they're running games just fine. Additionally, our "lost" Trophies appear to be properly re-synced to our PSN accounts.

The extent of the damage incurred during the bug-out is unknown, but will likely surface in the next few hours. No Joystiq staffers lost any of their hard-earned Trophy data, but we're an awfully small sample group for a problem that affected every living being on Earth.

Update: PlayStation Blog confirms that PSN service has been restored and all PS3 systems should be operating normally.

Click past the jump for additional information.

Continue reading PS3 clock bug squashed; games are playable [update]

JoystiqPS3 clock bug squashed; games are playable [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugbugsclockerrorfixinternal-clock-bugonlineplaystationpsnsonytrophiesMon, 01 Mar 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony: 'Don't use your PS3' until internal clock bug is fixed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/sony-dont-use-your-ps3-until-internal-clock-bug-fixed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/sony-dont-use-your-ps3-until-internal-clock-bug-fixed/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/sony-dont-use-your-ps3-until-internal-clock-bug-fixed/#comments
 After a night of radio silence, Sony has finally spoken up about the game-crashing issues currently plaguing non-Slim PS3 models. A post on PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the problems are "being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system." The statement puts a loose timeframe on a fix for the issues, saying, "we hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours."

Additionally, the PlayStation Blog post includes a word of warning to PS3 Phat owners: "if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained Trophies, and not being able to restore certain data." (Read Sony's full statement after the break.)

We know you're curious to see what the console apocalypse looks like, but trust us -- it's just not worth it. We'll let you know when it's safe to turn your system back on.

Update: The issue has been resolved.

Continue reading Sony: 'Don't use your PS3' until internal clock bug is fixed

JoystiqSony: 'Don't use your PS3' until internal clock bug is fixed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brokenbugbugsclockerrorerrorsinternal-clockinternal-clock-bugleap-yearplaystationplaystation-3ps3psapsnsonywarningMon, 01 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[We would like to own this clock which plays Pong, please]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/we-would-like-to-own-this-clock-which-plays-pong-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/we-would-like-to-own-this-clock-which-plays-pong-please/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/27/we-would-like-to-own-this-clock-which-plays-pong-please/#comments We admit it -- we're suckers for a stylish timepiece. A surprising portion of our income goes towards purchasing new, fancy clocks, turning our living quarters into a slightly less melty version of Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory." The latest object of our affection? Adafruit's Pong-playing MONOCHRON clock, in which two AI opponents compete in pixelated table tennis, and the players' scores denote the current time. Check out a video after the jump to see the chronometer in action.

Sure, it's not the first Pong-clock we've ever laid eyes on, but with a slim $80 price tag, it is the first we've ever considered actually purchasing. Sadly, you have to assemble the clock yourself, a process which requires "some basic soldering & hand tools." Curses! We knew our decision to take home economics instead of shop class would come back to bite us one day.

[Thanks, PT!]

Continue reading We would like to own this clock which plays Pong, please

JoystiqWe would like to own this clock which plays Pong, please originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adafruitclockgadgetmonochronpongtechnologyvideoSat, 27 Feb 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[April DSiWare for Japan: More like Appril]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/april-dsiware-for-japan-more-like-appril/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/april-dsiware-for-japan-more-like-appril/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/april-dsiware-for-japan-more-like-appril/#commentsNintendo wants small non-game apps on DSiWare, and it is leading by example, as evidenced by the lineup it has announced for April in Japan: just two of the six downloads announced for April 1 are games! Luckily, the announced apps sound pretty interesting.
  • Nintendo DSi Clock (200 Points): A clock app in two varieties: Famicom Mario Type and Animal Crossing Type. The Mario version lets you jump and hit coins, and the Animal Crossing version lets players create a new town tune that is played on the hour.
  • Chotto Magic Taizen: Suki Kirai Hakkenki (200 Points): This magic trick from Master of Illusion uses the mic to determine how someone feels about you.
  • Kuru Kuru Action Kuru Pachi 6 (500 Points): A puzzle game about rotating numbered pieces to line up matching pairs.
  • Band Bros. Radio including Photo Stand (500 Points): A photo-viewing app featuring Barbara the Bat from Band Bros. -- and a music player for songs created in Band Bros. DX by both players and staff!
  • Kakonde Keshite Wakugumi no Jikan (500 Points): A puzzle game about surrounding pieces of an opposing color with pieces of your color by moving them around the screen.
  • Ganbaru Watashi no Osaifu Ouendan (500 Points): Literally "My Wallet Cheer Squad," this budgeting app allows players to export data as a CSV file for use in PC money management software.
Nintendo is starting to build up a pretty good catalog of DSiWare for ... whenever it decides to announce the launch lineup worldwide!

JoystiqApril DSiWare for Japan: More like Appril originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsband-brosclockdsidsiwarenintendo-dsiTue, 24 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Investing some time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/wii-warm-up-investing-some-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/wii-warm-up-investing-some-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/18/wii-warm-up-investing-some-time/#commentsFiled under:

This one is easy: how much time do you spend playing Wii in a week? We make sure we get at least one session in each and every week, thanks to Game Night, but maybe you're not chained to a radiator in somebody's basement, forced to blog for hours and hours on end. Enough about us, though (please, get help!). How much do you spend playing Wii each week?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Investing some time originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clocktimeSat, 18 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Friday Video: The GameCube clock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/friday-video-the-gamecube-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/friday-video-the-gamecube-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/friday-video-the-gamecube-clock/#commentsFiled under:


While this might come off as a bit more Show & Tell material than Friday Video, we just couldn't help ourselves. So, we bended the rules a bit. Sue us!

You know who we'd like to sue? Nick Magdoza, for his most excellent GameCube clock you see in the video above. We want it. Nick, who is a big fan of the site, was also kind enough to hook us up with photos documenting the creation of this beauty. If there's anything we want to do with our spare GameCube now, it's this. You did a great job, Nick!

JoystiqFriday Video: The GameCube clock originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockdiygamecubegamecube-clockmodFri, 09 May 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cartridge clock pulls us back in time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/cartridge-clock-pulls-us-back-in-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/cartridge-clock-pulls-us-back-in-time/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/06/cartridge-clock-pulls-us-back-in-time/#commentsFiled under:


Have any old NES carts lying around that you're not using? If you can possibly spare to sacrifice one to a greater (or lesser, depending on your opinion) cause, this might be a fun project: the NES cart clock. Of course, if you're not up to a little DIY project, you can pick this one up at Etsy, courtesy of seller GeekGear. While we can't decide of Days of Thunder is a good choice for hanging on the wall or propping up on a nightstand, we can certainly think of a few NES games that might make good craft projects ....

JoystiqCartridge clock pulls us back in time originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cartridgeclockcraftsdays-of-thunderdiynesThu, 06 Mar 2008 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[It's a miniskirt: Maaario!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/its-a-miniskirt-maaario/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/its-a-miniskirt-maaario/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/12/its-a-miniskirt-maaario/#commentsFiled under:


Apparently, Craftster forum member Vivifromage couldn't find very much of this Super Mario 64 fabric (where would you even find something like that? Oh, right) because she made herself not very much skirt. It's a nice design, with two pockets and everything! We're just far too modest for something so revealing, is all.

Also found at Wonderland, where we found this: Remote-controlled Mario and Luigi golf toys, wool Donkey Kong, and a clock made from an NES Tetris cartridge. There's a clock just like that on our wall, except it uses a Gyromite cartridge instead of Tetris. Not to brag about totally having done it first, but, you know, it just happened to totally get done before this one.

[Via Wonderland]

JoystiqIt's a miniskirt: Maaario! originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockcraftsmariominiskirtskirttoysFri, 12 Oct 2007 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Not for carpal tunnel sufferers: Shooting Watch DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/not-for-carpal-tunnel-sufferers-shooting-watch-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/not-for-carpal-tunnel-sufferers-shooting-watch-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/09/not-for-carpal-tunnel-sufferers-shooting-watch-ds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Who knew that a simple concept like the Shooting Watch, a controller that measures how many times you can tap a button in 10 seconds, would go on to sell over a million units? This year marks the 20th anniversary of the yellow device's debut, and to celebrate, the Hudson Caravan has been touring Japan, selling limited edition merchandise and hosting button-tapping contests. Takahashi Meijin's 16 presses per second set the pace.

Hudson manufactured a commemorative batch of 10,000 Shooting Watch systems earlier this year, but they were all sold almost immediately. Upset that he wasn't able to grab one, homebrew developer Retrohead created his own Shooting Watch game for the DS. Just like the real thing, it counts the number of times you can push the A button in ten seconds. If you're fast enough, the on-screen watermelon will explode!

Shooting Watch DS has four other diversions -- clock, stop watch, three slots, and four slots -- all of which are significantly less fun than the titular mode. Keep your thumb rigid and tap past the post break for screenshots of the homebrew game. We've also embedded a video of Takahashi Meijin using his button-pressing skills to blow up watermelons!

Continue reading Not for carpal tunnel sufferers: Shooting Watch DS

JoystiqNot for carpal tunnel sufferers: Shooting Watch DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>16shotclockhudsonminigameslotsstopwatchtakahashimeijinThu, 09 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[System update brings ugly clock, slew of changes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/system-update-brings-ugly-clock-slew-of-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/system-update-brings-ugly-clock-slew-of-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/07/system-update-brings-ugly-clock-slew-of-changes/#commentsFiled under: ,



We could complain all day about the new digital clock that came with this morning's 3.0 firmware update for the Wii, but it really seems foolish to gripe about a such an inconsequential detail. So, much like with the system's name change or the children we've mistakenly fathered, it'll just have to be something we learn to live with.

The big improvements for this version upgrade are additional navigation options for the Shop Channel and shorter loading times when bringing up channels. Also, according to a few incoming reports, the console's fan now runs while in WiiConnect24 mode, addressing rumors of Wiis overheating when left in standby. Check past the post break for the complete list of updated items, and let us know what you think of all these new bells and whistles!

Continue reading System update brings ugly clock, slew of changes

JoystiqSystem update brings ugly clock, slew of changes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.0clockfirmwaresystemupdateupdateTue, 07 Aug 2007 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Homemade Donkey Kong clock]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/21/homemade-donkey-kong-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/21/homemade-donkey-kong-clock/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/21/homemade-donkey-kong-clock/#commentsFiled under:

Idle hands are the Devil's playthings ... or they end up making some pretty neat crafts. In this case, Will D'Angelo of TheWiicast.com, made a pretty nifty homage to Donkey Kong with this clock. The timepiece combines images easily found using a Google search -- in this case Donkey Kong and Big Mario from Super Paper Mario -- with some basic materials from a craft store. D'Angelo says you need, with approximate costs:
  • Clock kit from Michaels craft store ($8)
  • The vintage sign kit, which includes a shallow frame and plywood backing ($1)
  • Tube of acrylic black paint ($1.75)
  • Replacement hands for clock kit ($3)
  • Clear matte spray ($5)
The most expensive part of the project is probably purchasing the glossy photo-quality paper to print out the images, which D'Angelo already had around. He was thinking his next attempt would be a Centipede style clock. Now that he's done it once he has a recommendation for other people attempting the same style clock, "I would suggest to make it easier to pick up one of those cheapy wallpaper rollers for the air bubbles so that you don't touch it with your hands." A nice gamer craft project with lots of image possibilities.

JoystiqHomemade Donkey Kong clock originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockdonkey kongwiicastSat, 21 Apr 2007 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Hardware pr0n: clock battery revealed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/02/hardware-pr0n-clock-battery-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/02/hardware-pr0n-clock-battery-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/02/hardware-pr0n-clock-battery-revealed/#commentsFiled under:


The above picture surfaced over at Go Nintendo yesterday, revealing what many in the comments section are calling the Wii's internal clock battery, which allows the Wii to keep accurate time even when it is not plugged into a wall socket. We're surprised to see the battery revealed so late in the game, as we know Nintendo fanboys always go over every inch of their console.

JoystiqHardware pr0n: clock battery revealed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jan 2007 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryclocknintendonintendowiiwiiTue, 02 Jan 2007 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[UK gets countdown clocks to Wii launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/14/uk-gets-countdown-clocks-to-wii-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/14/uk-gets-countdown-clocks-to-wii-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/14/uk-gets-countdown-clocks-to-wii-launch/#commentsFiled under:

Originally posted in the Wii Chat forums, there was supposedly a memo sent out where it was revealed that select UK Virgin megastores would be receiving countdown clocks, set to count down to the launch of the Wii. The memo says that Nintendo would be contacting the following stores from today onward about when to expect their clock's arrival:
  • Megastore
  • Piccadilly
  • Liverpool
  • Cribbs Causeway
  • Kings Road
  • Bournemouth
  • Leeds
  • Meadowhall
  • Birmingham
Over at Joystiq, Ross brings up a good point. With Nintendo's keynote at this month's Leipzig Games Convention, it's a natural venue for them to announce the date, which would see these stores having their clocks installed and functional on that date of August 23rd. While we'll chalk this one up to rumor at the moment, consider it an unusually interesting one.

[Note: The graphic does not convey a believed release date. It is entirely made up on our part.]

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqUK gets countdown clocks to Wii launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Aug 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockcountdownmegastoresnintendoUKvirginwiiMon, 14 Aug 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pong clocks; real vs. widget]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/06/pong-clocks-real-vs-widget/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/06/pong-clocks-real-vs-widget/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/02/06/pong-clocks-real-vs-widget/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We missed the news that the swoon-inducing "Pong clock" is actually for sale! At $240, it's a bit more expensive than an Atari Flashback, but oh so worth it!

If you just want the Pong time-keeping functionality, but don't care about the aesthetics, you can download the free "pongClock" widget for Apple's Dashboard. The widget uses the score to keep time for you and you have the option to play a match against it. Oh, Pong, where will you be next?

JoystiqPong clocks; real vs. widget originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2006 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clockdashboarddashboard widgetDashboardWidgetMacpongpongclockwidgetMon, 06 Feb 2006 15:30:00 EST