Nintendo just can't seem to keep its nose out of patent troubles, with its highly successful Wii now the target of a new patent lawsuit from Hillcrest Labs, which claims that its patents for "a handheld three-dimensional pointing device" and the gloriously vague "navigation interface display system that graphically organizes content for display on a television" which apparently predate Nintendo's own. At least we're not dealing with a complete patent troll here: Hillcrest Labs does have a product based on its technology, called The Loop remote (pictured left), based on what it calls "Freespace" motion control technology. It's fairly clear Freespace is a much different beast than the Wiimote, and we'd like to believe something so vague as a handheld 3D pointing device (a very un-new concept) isn't enough to best Nintendo in a court of law, but naturally Hillcrest is requesting Nintendo stop shipping Wiis to the States (that shouldn't be hard, huh Nintendo? Yuk, yuk.) and reward Hillcrest with unspecified monetary damages.

If only Mark Ecko had a Wiispray when he was developing Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, perhaps people the world would have understood his vision for a videogame-based, graffiti-tagging urban dystopian angst. Anyway, this Wii Remote turned into a spray can is the product of a student's thesis at Bauhas-University in Weimar, Germany. Martin Lihs crammed the controller into the can-like structure and plans (hopes?) to create a communal -- but not illegal -- virtual graffiti wall in which people can add their digital tags and keep it real clean, yo. Curious that he's using PlayStation-based triangle and square buttons, though.

[Via SlashGear]

Alright, take this one with a huge grain of salt, but MTV News is reporting that Microsoft is secretly developing a Wiimote-like motion controller for the Xbox 360. The source says that the new unit has been under development since August, and that a new unified interface is being developed by Rare, which has missed a few deadlines. The idea is to match and exceed the capabilities of the Wiimote, so the controller reportedly features four face buttons, an analog stick, a microphone, and possibly integration with the Xbox Live Vision Camera. However, it doesn't seem like things are going all that smoothly -- the source says the project is a "colossal clusterf***," and that Microsoft is scrambling to figure out how to get the thing out by the end of the year. Interesting -- but several other major 360 developers wouldn't confirm anything, so until we hear something for real, interesting is about as far as it goes.

With all the Wiimote couplings currently making the rounds, we're bound to see a few lightsabers out there. Of course, this is where Camy's Pro Gear Wii Light Swords come into play. The colored plastic Wiimote holders are available in three "ultra bright" colors -- including the red "Dark Knight," which we're almost positive is a copyright infringement. Nevertheless, the swords will cradle your Wiimote lovingly, with ample room for the IR signal to make its way to your console. Should you desire, you can flip a switch and light up the night sky with your fear-inducing -- yet rather stubby -- laser blade. Sure, we've seen similar, but these come in green. The swords are slated for a May / June release, no word on price.

[Via IGN]

Nothing says "hello big boy" like a transparent silicone sleeve for your gear. Especially when it's free. Nintendo knows this, and is offering a sticky wrap for your Wii Remote. Just call Nintendo at 1-866-431-8367 or hit the read link to order yours on-line. Combine it with their chunky replacement strap and you'll have class action lawyers screaming their "safeword" in no time.

[Via Joystiq, thanks Saeid A.]

Adding to the growing list of chintzy plastic Wiimote accessories, this pool cue add-on seems like it could also be pretty useful for dramatically browsing the News Channel. The kit features an outer shell for the Wiimote and a three-piece shaft -- no word on what the tip is made of, but you can be certain that chalking it up won't help you sink that last shot.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Ready to get your hater on? We're at the end of the line, and your chance to cast your ballot for the 2006 Worst Gadget of the Year! (Note: nominees were not necessarily selected for having outright bad or defective gadgets -- the disappointment / let-down factor also plays a big role.) Our Engadget Awards nominees are listed below, and you've got until 11.59PM EST on Wednesday, April 18th to file your vote. You can only vote once, so make it count, and may the best tech win! The nominees: Defective Apple MacBooks (see here, here, here, and here), Exploding Sony batteries (see here, here, here, here, here, and many more), Microsoft Zune, Motorola Q, Nintendo Wiimote straps (see here, here, here, and here), and Sony PlayStation 3.

It looks like those that just can't stand swapping AAs have yet another option to keep their Wiimote powered, with Thanko's descriptively-named "USB Charger for Wii Remote Control" joining similar offerings from Brando and JoyTech. Like the JoyTech unit, this one gets its juice from a USB port, either on the Wii itself or any one you can spare on your PC, with the former taking about three and half hours to charge, according to the company, and the latter knocking the wait time down to just just two hours. Once it's topped off, the battery pack will supposedly give you a full 30 hours of use. At $29 Thanko's charger is a bit cheaper than JoyTech's, although you'll need to pick up a pair of 'em if you want to keep both your Wiimotes charged at all times.

[Via coolest-gadget.com]

While most folks can impress their friends simply by running a few lines of code that instantly turns their Wiimote into a make-believe light saber or drum machine, when you work for a place called US Mechatronics, you're pretty much required to raise the stakes a bit. Heeding that call, a pair of employees at the company decided to take the (relatively) harmless remote into dangerous new territory, putting in some extra time at the "office" to turn the humble Wiimote into a real-time interface for an over-sized robotic arm. After engaging in a quick game of tennis, the pair decided to up the arm's destructive power considerably and outfit it with a sword, which they thankfully caught on video (check it out after the break). Impressive stuff to be sure, although we have to admit that we're a little frightened to think of the possibilities once they finish the robot.

[Via Hack a Day]

With the class action lawsuit over defective Wiimote wrist straps apparently going full steam ahead despite Nintendo already addressing the main demand to replace the straps, the big N seems to have deemed it necessary to issue an official statement on the matter. Not surprisingly, they're not buying it, saying that they believe the lawsuit to be "completely without merit," according to GamesIndustry.biz. We're guessing that's also about the only thing they're going to be saying about it (publicly, at least) until the whole thing's over and done with.

[Via Reg Hardware]

We're not going to cover every Wiimote hack that comes down the pipe (especially given the rate they now seem to be flooding in), but this one's just too good to pass up. Building on earlier Wiimote developments, Bob Somers took up the less practical but equally daunting task of turning the humble Wiimote into a one-handed air drumming machine. As the video after break clearly shows, Bob was not only successful, but able to bust out a decent tune as well, complete with 80's-style electronic drum sounds. What's not so clear, however, is whether you can use two Wiimotes for some full-on drumming action, though it would seem to be within the realm of possibility (assuming you can get your hands on second one). While Bob has made the necessary software freely available for download, it seems that (as of this writing) his site has been temporarily shut down by his hosting provider in the face of the barrage of Phil Collins wannabes. In the meantime, it looks like you're only options are to keep checking in or hope that a mirror pops up.

[Via Joystiq]

In case you need it spelled out for you -- and some of you most certainly do -- Nintendo is now offering updated safety information for use of the Wii Remote. In a mass emailer titled "Important Safety Information for Playing Wii," Nintendo offers the following tips:

1. "Wear the wrist strap when using the Wii Remote." Sure, as long as it doesn't break.
2. "Do not let go of the remote during game play. For example, in a game like Wii Sports bowling, the ball is thrown by simply releasing the B Button on the remote, not by letting go of the remote!" You listening Tyler?
3. Stay at least "three feet" away from the television and other objects.
   

Ah, sorry, our bad Nintendo. Full text after the break.

[Thanks, Michael F. and everyone who sent this in]