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[Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/wii-u-wiipad-controller-patent-reveals-magnetometer-flash-memor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/wii-u-wiipad-controller-patent-reveals-magnetometer-flash-memor/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/13/wii-u-wiipad-controller-patent-reveals-magnetometer-flash-memor/#comments The Wii U's tablet-esque controller may tout its touchscreen as its main selling point, but there's a lot more than meets the eye going into every one of Nintendo's resistive-screened revolutionaries. Patent diagrams for the WiiPad's schematics list off plenty of components you'd expect (touch panel, touch panel controller, camera, etc), however eagle-eyed patent trolls have pointed out a few less common additions to the hardware, namely a magnetic sensor and flash memory.

The "magnetic sensor," more commonly referred to as a magnetometer, measures your proximity to Magneto disturbances in a device's magnetic field. Magnetometers have been used in smartphones to find true north for GPS and compass applications, however the technology can also lend itself to touch-less, camera-less gesture input.

Flash memory, while mentioned, is not listed in any specific quantity, which makes inferring its purpose somewhat difficult. The memory is listed separately from the onboard CPU's internal memory, however, so its applications will likely be user-oriented rather than processor-oriented. For now, all we can do is wait, imagine, and dream. How many Miis will we be able to fit on this thing? All of them? The future is so bright.

Continue reading Wii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory

JoystiqWii U WiiPad controller patent reveals magnetometer, flash memory originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flash-memorymagnetometernintendopatentpatentstablettouch-screentouchscreenwiiwii-uwiipadSat, 13 Aug 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kyocera Echo: a dual-screen Android gaming phone with two launch games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/kyocera-echo-a-dual-screen-android-gaming-phone-with-two-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/kyocera-echo-a-dual-screen-android-gaming-phone-with-two-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/07/kyocera-echo-a-dual-screen-android-gaming-phone-with-two-launch/#comments Nintendo may not be making a smartphone, but if it did, it might look a bit like the Kyocera Echo. Coming to Sprint later this year, it's being touted as the world's first "dual-touchscreen smartphone." At a preview event today, we got to see the phone running The Sims 3, optimized to take advantage of both screens. Unsurprisingly, it looked a lot like the DS version, albeit with higher-resolution graphics. The phone is set to launch with one other game, although a Sprint representative wouldn't reveal what it was.

Running on a custom Kyocera-skinned version of Android 2.2, the Echo augments the growing "fragmentation" problem that Google's mobile OS faces. Games must use Sprint's SDK to take advantage of both of the screens offered by the Echo. But, how many developers will flock to create games for a single device available on a single carrier? We're going to guess: not many. At least the phone will be able to play other Android games -- maybe even PlayStation Suite games, if the specs are up to snuff.

Gallery: Kyocera Echo

JoystiqKyocera Echo: a dual-screen Android gaming phone with two launch games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androiddual-screenechokyocerakyocera-echomobilesprintThe-Sims-3touch-screenMon, 07 Feb 2011 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: New PSP uses touch-sensitive controls on the back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/rumor-new-psp-uses-touch-sensitive-controls-on-the-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/rumor-new-psp-uses-touch-sensitive-controls-on-the-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/19/rumor-new-psp-uses-touch-sensitive-controls-on-the-back/#comments Sony fans have been anxiously awaiting word on the company's next handheld -- one which might serve as an answer back to the Nintendo 3DS. Earlier today, Eurogamer cited a number of unnamed sources who gave a few hints as to what the next PSP might look like. Or, rather, what it will feel like, as the device's most notable reported feature is a touch-sensitive area on the back of the unit.

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai also gave a hint about the handheld's next iteration in an interview with MCV. Though Hirai insisted the slow-selling PSP Go has been a success, he confirmed future iterations of the handheld won't be download-only. He explained, "there's always going to be requirement for a business with the size and scope of our magnitude to have a physical medium. Whether it a portable device or a home-based console." Eurogamer's sources mentioned the device is roughly the size of the PSP-3000, hypothetically leaving plenty of room for the return of a physical media slot.

These tipsters reported the device is still a long, long way from seeing the light of day, but that an unfinished version is currently being shopped around to developers. Even though the handheld is still just a faint, distant rumor, we still feel compelled to get in on the ground floor for coming up with a nickname, just in case it all pans out. How about this: The Backrub[TM]. That sounds inviting, doesn't it?

JoystiqRumor: New PSP uses touch-sensitive controls on the back originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>playstationpspsonytouch-screenThu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Cooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/cooking-mama-coming-to-arcades-looks-pretty-unsanitary/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/cooking-mama-coming-to-arcades-looks-pretty-unsanitary/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/20/cooking-mama-coming-to-arcades-looks-pretty-unsanitary/#comments We hate to go all Howard Hughes on you guys, but we must admit: This touch-screen equipped arcade version of Cooking Mama fills every bone in our body with germophobic discomfort. That can partially be attributed to the fact that we've seen our fair share of filthy hands attached to the wrists of arcade dwellers. Then again, perhaps we just have a visceral, sickening reaction to seeing raw fish being prepared by the aforementioned unwashed digits. Gyyeeeuuuuhhh.

Check out some footage from the arcade port after the jump, then go ahead and cancel that reservation for Red Lobster. You won't be needing (or wanting) it any time soon.

[Via GoNintendo]

Continue reading Cooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary

JoystiqCooking Mama coming to arcades, looks pretty unsanitary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arcadecookingcooking-mamagermstaitotouch-screenFri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Fan of the controls]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/ds-daily-fan-of-the-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/ds-daily-fan-of-the-controls/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/ds-daily-fan-of-the-controls/#commentsFiled under:

Which DS game (recent release or older title) do you think really has the right stuff in the controls department? Is it a matter of touch-screen controls or plain old use of the d-pad and buttons? Why do you feel it's a great control scheme? Is there an upcoming game you're excited for that looks like the controls are really spot-on? Lay it on us!

JoystiqDS Daily: Fan of the controls originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controlsd-padstylustouch-screenTue, 14 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Dream feature]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/ds-daily-dream-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/ds-daily-dream-feature/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/24/ds-daily-dream-feature/#commentsFiled under:


We often take the DS for granted. In such a small plastic shell, it houses many awesome components that come together and provide us with a gaming experience that has no equal. It's got an awesome touch-screen, a built-in microphone and with the aid of a little homebrew, it can be made to do things that we never thought a handheld could do. It's a great little system that we can't lavish with enough praise.

But, if you had one wish, what kind of feature would you give the DS? A third screen? Wireless transmission through your Wii so you can play DS games on your TV? Leather trim? Lay it on us!

JoystiqDS Daily: Dream feature originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dream-featuredream-featuresfeaturesmicscreentouch-screenWed, 24 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrono Trigger DS features optional SNES play mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/chrono-trigger-ds-features-optional-snes-play-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/chrono-trigger-ds-features-optional-snes-play-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/09/chrono-trigger-ds-features-optional-snes-play-mode/#commentsFiled under:

For fans of Chrono Trigger, the news that the game would be ported to the DS was like finding an extra toy in your box of cereal. Or, actually, it was probably a bigger deal than that. Like, a lot bigger. But, what about those purists that don't like touch-screen controls changing up the game?

Well, Square Enix will be including a single-screen mode, which you can see to the right of this text. The bottom screen will display health information for the enemies you're currently engaging, so it still plays a role in the game. Are touch-screen controls really that big of an issue, though?

JoystiqChrono Trigger DS features optional SNES play mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrono-triggerchrono-trigger-dscontrolsrpgsquare-enixstylustouch-screenTue, 09 Sep 2008 16:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo sued over touch-screen technology]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-sued-over-touch-screen-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-sued-over-touch-screen-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/08/nintendo-sued-over-touch-screen-technology/#commentsFiled under:

Another day, another lawsuit for Nintendo. Their wacky ideas have probably been done in some form or another over the years, and now everyone wants a profitable piece of the action. The latest candidate for a chunk of Nintendo's payroll is John R. Martin, who claims to have patented touch-screen and pointing gaming technology in 2005. One year after the DS was released. Despite being a bit late, the origins of the patent date back to 1995, so it's fair game for the courts now.

This image was submitted with the patent filing, apparently showing a device "switchable between an amusement mode and a gaming or gambling mode." The whole touching thing can be found under "operating a touch screen on a CRT or ICD." But gambling? Looks like that diagram is for someone who hides stuff under the table to cheat at blackjack or roulette.

Nintendo has denied the infringement, while Martin is pursuing another suit against Apple.

JoystiqNintendo sued over touch-screen technology originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamblinggreedylawsuitpatentsuedtouch-screenTue, 08 Jul 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo helps make a better prison guard]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nintendo-helps-make-a-better-prison-guard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nintendo-helps-make-a-better-prison-guard/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/24/nintendo-helps-make-a-better-prison-guard/#commentsFiled under:


We can imagine what makes for a good prison guard: somebody who has seen the show Oz and is skilled in the ways of the nightstick. What else could a wannabe prison guard need? Nintendo, apparently.

At North Branch Correctional Institution, prison Warden John A. Rowley mentioned that the state-of-the-art touch-screen system that the prison uses to control the population is, apparently, very similar to that of the DS. He commented that "Nintendo was a great tool to train today's officers." We couldn't agree more, since the DS is not only a great handheld system for gaming, but also a cheap way to introduce folks to the interface of a touch-screen, not to mention how to effectively use a stylus.

So, while the Warden comments that Nintendo helped train his guards, we think the system can go further. It can train grandparents on how to use a PDA (or you can turn it into one for them), among other things. What a great little system!

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqNintendo helps make a better prison guard originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>homebrewpdaprisonstylustouch-screenTue, 24 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Clone Wars project lead talks up the game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ds-clone-wars-project-lead-talks-up-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ds-clone-wars-project-lead-talks-up-the-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/20/ds-clone-wars-project-lead-talks-up-the-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

We don't have to tell you how promising upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars game is. Drop-in anytime wireless co-op play? Awesome! Stylus-driven gameplay akin to Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword? Awesome. We're excited.

For the Padawans out there looking for more, know that the game's project lead, Feargus Carroll, recently spoke with IGN. He details the story, which has Count Dooku joining force with the Nightsisters, whom are described as "Sith Witches with Force powers and Lightsaber skills." They have nasty things planned for the Jedi and it's up to the player to stop them with the six available characters, which are Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon and Kit Fisto.

Feargus also talks a bit about the stylus-driven controls, stating that just about everything will be controlled with the stylus. Movement, attacks, Force powers and just about anything else you can imagine is utilized through the stylus. It sounds ambitious, but it's been pulled off once already.

All in all, we're excited for Lucasarts' DS entry. What say you?

JoystiqDS Clone Wars project lead talks up the game originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionclone-warsjedi-alliancelucasartsstar-warsstar-wars-clone-warsstylustouch-screenFri, 20 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing unique baseball title Major DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/introducing-unique-baseball-title-major-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/introducing-unique-baseball-title-major-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/introducing-unique-baseball-title-major-ds/#commentsFiled under: ,


Tomy, who you're more likely to know for their involvement with Naruto than a sports title, is releasing a pretty sweet baseball game in Japan this July. It's called Major DS and, aside from just being a baseball title (enough for this sports fan), it has great appeal in its unique control scheme. As you can witness in the video above, pitching and batting is handled by utilizing the stylus on the touch-screen. It looks like MLB Power Pros is getting a run for its money soon ...

Any sports fans think Tomy is on to something here with Major DS? We're wondering how import-friendly it is, ourselves.

JoystiqIntroducing unique baseball title Major DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballmajormajor-dsstylustomytouch-screenFri, 23 May 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Are you a bad enough dude to replace your DS Lite's screen?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/are-you-a-bad-enough-dude-to-replace-your-ds-lites-screen/#commentsFiled under: ,

Having problems with the touchscreen on your DS Lite? Are you also a crazy person? If so, you may want to attempt to replace the touchscreen yourself using an aftermarket screen. To help future DS repairers (or perhaps just to document a successful replacement), selectbutton forum member Sushi K has created an illustrated guide to the process.

Since we have some experience replacing screen covers on handhelds, we'll offer one warning. Unless you live in one of the clean rooms used to manufacture computer chips (and you don't, because it wouldn't be clean with people living in there!) you are going to get dust under your screen. This is a certainty unless you are profoundly lucky. Still, if you can't get Nintendo to fix your DS, a speck or two of dust is a small price to pay for a working touchscreen, although there's always the potential cost of completely wrecking your system.

JoystiqAre you a bad enough dude to replace your DS Lite's screen? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>repairtouch-screentouchscreenWed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Fanboy Review: Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/ds-fanboy-review-ninja-gaiden-dragon-sword/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/ds-fanboy-review-ninja-gaiden-dragon-sword/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/ds-fanboy-review-ninja-gaiden-dragon-sword/#commentsFiled under:


Click for more screens from Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword

As you can imagine, many were worried when Itagaki showed off the DS entry in his beloved Ninja Gaiden series. Would the groundbreaking new control scheme set the bar for action games on the system or would it be an unresponsive and unrefined mess, causing you to contemplate throwing your DS against the wall? Well, I'm happy to report that none of these fears ever pan out in Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, which is a pretty great game overall.

It turns out, the game is pretty much everything we hoped it would be: a benchmark for how to do an action game on the DS and how other developers can create a great DS entry in their own respective franchises.

Continue reading DS Fanboy Review: Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword

JoystiqDS Fanboy Review: Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dactiondragon-sworditagakininja-gaidenninja-gaiden-drteam-ninjatecmotomonobu-itagaktomonobuitagakitouch-screenMon, 07 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS Daily: Franchise reboot]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/ds-daily-franchise-reboot/#commentsFiled under:

We were looking over the reviews that have come in so far for Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword and we were thinking about how that franchise rebooted itself on the DS. Now, it didn't really need a reboot, nor is it 100% a reboot in the normal way we think of reboots, but it did take an established franchise and retool it for another platform. Now, whether it was a good retooling or a bad retooling remains to be seen.

But, we were wondering what other established franchises could use a reboot in this manner? What about a Crazy Taxi game on the DS that has you controlling an interactive steering wheel on the touch-screen or only turning with the shoulder buttons? What about a Sims game that allows you to control them only by barking commands through the microphone? How about a Space Channel 5 game redone with Ouendan controls?

What can you come up with?

JoystiqDS Daily: Franchise reboot originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>controlsfranchisemicmicrophonerebootstylustouch-screenTue, 11 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[And the Emmy goes to ... well, Nintendo, of course]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/and-the-emmy-goes-to-well-nintendo-of-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/and-the-emmy-goes-to-well-nintendo-of-course/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/08/and-the-emmy-goes-to-well-nintendo-of-course/#commentsFiled under:

Cue the bright lights, red carpet, shrimp cocktail platters and Reggie in a little black dress. Okay, so maybe it didn't actually go down that way, but Nintendo still won an Emmy yesterday for "excellence in engineering creativity" at the Technological & Engineering Emmy Awards. The award was given to Nintendo because of the innovation seen in the company's latest systems, the DS and the Wii. In the case of the DS, it was the handheld's dual-screen display and touch-screen controls that won the hearts of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

While the Academy might have been a little late to recognize this innovation (the DS has been around for three years, after all), it's better late than never. We suppose it could have been worse, considering that Nintendo only won an award for creating the D-pad last year. At any rate, well done Nintendo, and keep that innovation coming.

JoystiqAnd the Emmy goes to ... well, Nintendo, of course originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardd-paddual-screenemmytouch-screenTue, 08 Jan 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Man loves DS so much, tries to turn a Game Boy Color into one]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/man-loves-ds-so-much-tries-to-turn-a-game-boy-color-into-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/man-loves-ds-so-much-tries-to-turn-a-game-boy-color-into-one/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/man-loves-ds-so-much-tries-to-turn-a-game-boy-color-into-one/#commentsFiled under: , ,


We can understand. The DS is the best invention since antiseptics, in our eyes, completely revolutionizing our life and bringing peace to the world. It's a device that could probably travel back in time, get into the ring with the great Muhammad Ali and knock him out in two rounds (the DS would spend the first round dancing circles around Ali, humiliating him before going in for the kill in the second round). The DS is our own personal super hero.

So, we can appreciate this mod that puts a touch-screen into a Game Boy Color. But, you may wonder how the controls actually work. See, different areas of the touch-screen are mapped to corresponding buttons, with a majority of the screen being assigned to the d-pad. It's not as exact to the DS, but it's close enough for us.

[Thanks, deadpixels!]

JoystiqMan loves DS so much, tries to turn a Game Boy Color into one originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-boygame-boy-colormodstouch-screenMon, 17 Dec 2007 13:30:00 EST