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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[iPhone OS 4 news coming Apr. 8 [updated]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/iphone-os-4-news-coming-this-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/iphone-os-4-news-coming-this-friday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/05/iphone-os-4-news-coming-this-friday/#comments Hot off the launch of the iPad this past weekend, Apple this morning announced an event at its Cupertino campus unveiling the fourth iteration of the iPhone OS this Thursday, Engadget reports. Other than the cryptic image you see above offering the press a "sneak peek into the future of iPhone OS," details are ... well, non-existent about what will be unveiled. That said, last time Apple held one of these soirées, the company announced in-game purchasing functionality for its developers.

We know there's a ton of functionality for gaming we'd like to see added into the platform (multi-tasking anyone?), but we're more interested in what you want added in the forthcoming update. So we've put together a poll below and encourage those of you who choose the "Other" option to drop your idea in the comments section. Engadget will be liveblogging the event and we'll have all the gaming news rounded up for you when the presser goes down at 1PM ET on April 8 (oh man, that's later this week!).

[Update: Date corrected.]

View Poll

JoystiqiPhone OS 4 news coming Apr. 8 [updated] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementappleeventiphone-osiphone-os-4iPodosMon, 05 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[70MB of additional RAM unlocked for PS3 developers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/70mb-of-additional-ram-unlocked-for-ps3-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/70mb-of-additional-ram-unlocked-for-ps3-developers/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/70mb-of-additional-ram-unlocked-for-ps3-developers/#comments It's rare for a console to get a spec upgrade in the middle of its life. However, Sony has stealthily upgraded the PS3 over the past few months to unlock additional usable RAM for developers. Much like the PSP received a boost in clock speed, the latest firmware updates provide developers an additional 70MB of RAM to work with. The change was initially discovered by PlayStation University, noting the reduction in the system OS's memory footprint, from 120MB to 50MB. As the OS continues to slim down, developers are allowed access to even more usable system memory.

SCEA's Patrick Seybold recently confirmed the change to Joystiq. "Since the launch of the PS3, we have been continuously making efforts to reinforce our support system to game developers, allowing them to express their creativity freely on the PS3. As part of this support for game development, the size of the PS3 OS memory footprint has been reduced through network update for the game developers."

While 70MB of additional memory is not insignificant, don't expect drastic changes to future PS3 games. A PS3 developer told us that "any bit of RAM helps. Generally it probably won't change design, but might allow extra effects resolution or dynamic lights or something. Probably more beneficial from the systems and art side then from design/gameplay." In tandem with increasingly efficient code, the added RAM will undoubtedly make for even better looking games. Certainly, that's not something we'd complain about.

Joystiq70MB of additional RAM unlocked for PS3 developers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentospatrick-seyboldramTue, 23 Feb 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Steam users adopting Windows 7 at breakneck speeds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/steam-users-adopting-windows-7-at-breakneck-speeds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/steam-users-adopting-windows-7-at-breakneck-speeds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/24/steam-users-adopting-windows-7-at-breakneck-speeds/#comments Though Windows 7 fever hasn't yet overwhelmed the PC community, Steam users seem to be getting on board with the latest Bill Gates-approved operating system. A recent Steam survey has revealed that a little over 23 percent of the platform's regular users have upgraded to Windows 7 -- a stark difference from the 6 percent of the total operating system market which Windows 7 currently represents.

What we found more interesting about this survey is that so many people are still using Windows XP. Then again, considering the only alternative these people have had over the past four years was the most nightmarish, user-unfriendly operating system known to man, we don't blame them for being a little gunshy when it comes to technological progress.

[Via Download Squad]

JoystiqSteam users adopting Windows 7 at breakneck speeds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>operating-systemsospcsteamsurveyvalvewindowswindows-7windows-vistawindows-xpSun, 24 Jan 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PS3 Slim drops optional OS install feature]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ps3-slim-drops-optional-os-install-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ps3-slim-drops-optional-os-install-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/ps3-slim-drops-optional-os-install-feature/#comments
If you've been cracking your knuckles in anticipation of running StarCraft or penguin-infested operating systems on your new PS3 Slim, there's some news than needs to be brought to your attention. According to the official PS3 Slim press release, "users will not be able to install other Operating Systems to the new PS3 system."

Also, stop cracking your knuckles like that. It's creeping us out.

JoystiqPS3 Slim drops optional OS install feature originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamescomgamescom-2009linuxOSps3-slimTue, 18 Aug 2009 16:31:00 EST<![CDATA[New PlayStation 3 SDK released - OS memory footprint lessened]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/new-playstation-3-sdk-released-os-memory-footprint-lessened/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/new-playstation-3-sdk-released-os-memory-footprint-lessened/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/new-playstation-3-sdk-released-os-memory-footprint-lessened/#commentsDeveloper blog Innerbits has a great breakdown of the most recent PlayStation 3 Software Development Kit, version 1.60. They provide detailed information on some of the more technical aspects of the PS3's operating system from a developer's perspective. The site analyzed the memory cost of the different features of the SDK and detailed the major ones. Here are the most interesting bits:
  • OS footprint reduced from 64MB in December to 52MB in the most recent release, roughly a 20% drop in resource cost.
  • Friends list costs 25 MB (?!) + 8MB for startup
  • Remote play for PS3 games possible - costs only 8 MB
  • PS3 OS cost: 84MB | X360 OS cost: 32MB (ouch)
Sony is clearly trying hard to optimize the OS, improving it every release and adding more functionality while reducing memory footprint. Unfortunately, there is still a long way to go. Every megabyte that the PlayStation 3 OS uses is one less megabyte of space that developers can use for better textures, quicker load times, and faster framerates. Sony is going to have a difficult time convincing studios to incorporate the different PSN features if the developers have to devote such a large amount of memory to them.

According to Innerbits, the next SDK release should be late May or June. They anticipate gaining additional memory back, so hopefully in the future we'll see more and more game companies utilize these features as their resource cost drop.

JoystiqNew PlayStation 3 SDK released - OS memory footprint lessened originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Friend's listFriend'sListmemory usageMemoryUsageoperating systemOperatingSystemOSresource costResourceCostSDKMon, 14 May 2007 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft: Vista sells 20 million, Microsoft Watch: We don't buy it]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/microsoft-says-vista-sells-20-million-microsoft-watch-doesnt-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/microsoft-says-vista-sells-20-million-microsoft-watch-doesnt-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/27/microsoft-says-vista-sells-20-million-microsoft-watch-doesnt-b/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Microsoft says that Windows Vista sold 20 million copies in its first month of release, besting Windows XP's 17 million copies in its first two months. Engadget softens some of the press release spin, noting that 239 million PCs sold globally in 2006, so 20 million isn't a shock. But Microsoft Watch dismantles the original claim with a detailed editorial.

Microsoft Watch says that Microsoft has counted sales beginning late last year before the general-public launch. The editorial also notes that license sales in the channel shouldn't count -- the "shipped" versus "sold" debate. Finally, analysts don't agree with the total.

While Vista's sales numbers are being questioned, the OS is clearly going to end up on most PCs sooner or later, and the gaming world has had mixed reactions. Some developers have criticized the new OS, and some gamers have had initial driver problems. Hopefully Vista updates will fix any final issues for early adopters.

Read -- Stacking Vista Licenses Too High
Read -- Windows Vista Debuts with Strong Global Sales

JoystiqMicrosoft: Vista sells 20 million, Microsoft Watch: We don't buy it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftmicrosoft watchMicrosoftWatchoperating systemOperatingSystemosPCvistawindows vistaWindowsVistaTue, 27 Mar 2007 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Get that Wii look on your PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/08/get-that-wii-look-on-your-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/08/get-that-wii-look-on-your-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/08/get-that-wii-look-on-your-pc/#commentsFiled under: ,


Some of us are just more obsessed than others when it comes to the Wii, battling with their mind to clear it of all Wii-related thoughts so that they could get through a day without breaking down and crying out for their beloved console. It's OK, we are fanboys (and a girl) after all, so we know full-well how one's life can revolve around a certain object. Our rabid love of both Nintendo and their products never would've driven us to create an application launcher modeled after the Wii Channel menu for our PC, however.

Well, actually, to be honest with you, we just don't know how. If we did, we're sure we would've.

[Via Engadget]

JoystiqGet that Wii look on your PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applauncherlaunchernintendonintendowiioswiiwindowsThu, 08 Feb 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Debian released for PlayStation 3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/debian-released-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/debian-released-for-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/debian-released-for-ps3/#commentsFiled under:

debianLinux distribution Debian Live has been released for PlayStation 3. All of the components have been neatly packed into one ISO file, meaning you can burn the entire package onto a single CD, pop that badboy into your PS3, and install. What you do with the operating system after that is beyond us. We're just a video game site, remember?

So is this why IGN chose PS3?

[Thanks, DBX00]

JoystiqDebian released for PlayStation 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DebianDebian LiveDebianLiveGNUISOLinuxOperating SystemOperatingSystemOSPS3Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's hottest game video: Fedora Linux on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/todays-hottest-game-video-fedora-linux-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/todays-hottest-game-video-fedora-linux-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/21/todays-hottest-game-video-fedora-linux-on-ps3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Complete with commentary track! If YouTube starts allowing users to upload alternate commentaries for videos on their site, that would be the bomb, but we digress. Today's hottest game video shows Fedora Core 5 running on a PlayStation 3. It's pretty sexy when the Fedora GNOME GUI starts up, complete with hot gaming action from Blackjack and Mahjong. We're unsure how it would look in HD (craptastic?), but it has our vote as a pretty cool haxie.

Soon, Linux will rule the world. Check out the video after the jump.

Continue reading Today's hottest game video: Fedora Linux on PS3

JoystiqToday's hottest game video: Fedora Linux on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Nov 2006 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FedoraGameGNOMEGUIhottesthottest game videointerfaceLinuxOSPlayStation 3PS3SonyVideoTue, 21 Nov 2006 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii to utilize OS that allows updates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/wii-to-utilize-os-that-allows-updates/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/wii-to-utilize-os-that-allows-updates/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/13/wii-to-utilize-os-that-allows-updates/#commentsFiled under:


During the recent interviews Satoru Iwata conducted with Japanese Wii designers and engineers, Genyo Takeda let slip that the Wii's operating system will be able to receive updates. Takeda, who is general manager of Nintendo's Integrated Research & Development division, let this little nugget slip during the third part of the first interview.

With this being a first for Nintendo as previous systems lacked this feature, the first thing one should do is try to interpret how this could benefit and/or harm Nintendo and their console's users. Of course, the benefits come in the added service of patches and including extra features for gamers. The harm, really, is nonexistent, at least in the eyes of the Wii Fanboy staff. Sure, maybe Nintendo could charge for features or something, but do we honestly expect this to be the case?

With Nintendo's press event tomorrow, we expect to hear more on the console's OS from New York city.

JoystiqWii to utilize OS that allows updates originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendooperatingossystemwiiWed, 13 Sep 2006 12:25:00 EST