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You are now free to buy Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One
Yes, the Xbox 360 is officially old-school. Today's Xbox One system update adds direct access to Xbox 360 games, making it easier to actually use the console's backward compatibility function. Before the update, it was unnecessarily difficult to locate and download Xbox 360 titles, but now they'll be available on the console just like current-generation games.
Wii U spring update now live, promises to speed up software load times
<p class="image-container" style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/25/wii-u-spring-update-now-live-promises-to-speed-up-software-load/"><img alt="Wii U spring update now live, promises to speed up software load times" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/11/wiiuupdate620pxhedimgwmed-1353204596.jpg"/> </a></p><p><a href="http://www.engadget.com/wii-u-review/nintendo-wii-u-review/">Owning a Wii U</a> can feel like an exercise in patience: games and apps can take up to 30 seconds to load, and downloaded software needs to be manually installed. Thankfully, Nintendo heard its fans lamentations, and has issued the first of <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/23/wii-u-system-updates/">two major updates</a> designed to mitigate the problem. In addition to <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/26/nintendo-video-shows-off-wii-u-speed-improvement-coming-in-april/">dramatically speeding up</a> software load times, the update revises how the Wii U handles downloads and installs. Rather than manually having to install software, the system will automatically update, download and unwrap patches in the background, even if the console is powered down. The system update also puts the finishing touches on the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/23/wii-u-virtual-console-hands-on/">Wii U Virtual Console</a>, which is promised to launch officially in the coming days. Nintendo's <em>old</em> VC can be accessed a little quicker now, too, as the update now allows users to jump directly into the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/08/nintendo-digital-content-problem-wii-u-ecosystem/">sandboxed Wii ecosystem</a> by holding the B button during start up. All in all, a pretty solid update to a system that needs a little fixing. Check out the full list of changes after the break.</p>
Nintendo Wii U's spring update, Panorama View arrive next week
Nintendo's Wii U game console is getting its promised spring update next week, said company president Satoru Iwata in a Luigi-filled video presentation this morning. The update is said to launch software dramatically faster than before, as Nintendo demonstrated in a video last month. Iwata also said the update adds continuable downloads while the console is off, and that Virtual Console won't arrive until the following week -- should you wish to directly launch into the Wii menu, you'll be able to hold down the B button as the console is starting up. That said, if you wanna play those VC games directly from the Wii U menu, you'll need to re-buy them for $1 apiece for NES games and $1.50 for SNES games. A variety of games were shown off as available at the Virtual Console's launch, including classics like Super Mario World and Punch-Out! Apparently GameBoy Advance and Nintendo 64 games are planned for inclusion on the VC in the coming months, but no definitive date was given. He also said Panorama View will arrive next week for free, and it sounds like it'll be a separate download from the software update.
PSA: Nintendo TVii now live on Wii U in North America, no download required
Nintendo TVii is now available on Wii Us in North America, arriving right on time with Nintendo's 24-hour window of "December 20." The service -- which promises to unify the console's disparate media services under a single application, dubbed "TVii" -- doesn't yet support the promised TiVo or Netflix integration it was announced with, but the former is said to arrive in January, while the latter is expected in "early 2013." To start using it, just turn on your Wii U and select Nintendo TVii -- if you're already all up in Acorn Plains with your Raccoon Suit on, just head into the Home menu. Also, maybe take off that Raccoon Suit you're wearing before the family gets home.
Next Wii U system update due late December, will improve software loading times (update: PR folks say 'no')
The Wii U launch didn't go quite as smoothly as consumers would've liked, with a major update to sit through right after unboxing, and support for various video streaming services absent on day one. Well, head honcho at Nintendo Satoru Iwata has taken to YouTube and announced from his cream studio that the next system update is due late December. It's primarily being pushed out to improve the frustratingly slow software loading times on the new console -- an issue we highlighted in our review. Iwata only makes a fleeting appearance at the beginning of the video before it moves on to talking up the latest Dragon Quest iteration, but if you've got a decent knowledge of Japanese, the embed awaits you below. Update: Nintendo's PR people have been in touch and we've had one of our bilingual editors take a look at the video. Unfortunately, something was lost in translation and our source was mistaken -- the update in question is for Dragon Quest X, not the Wii U system.
PlayStation Plus cloud storage boost landing 'soon' with system update v4.25
If you've been sat impatiently tapping your fingers on the desk waiting for that extra PlayStation Plus storage, then you might want to give that hand a break. According to the PlayStation blog, it's coming, and soon. The capacity bump will come in PS3 system update v4.25, and once installed, you'll just need to head over to the Saved Data Utility under the XMB's Game column to see it. Our friends over at Joystiq have pushed Sony for a more concrete time on the update's release, but if you've already maxed out that current 150MB, there's light at the end of the cloud tunnel.
Dell issues BIOS update A03 for XPS 13 Ultrabook, gets a handle on fiesty fans
Can't say we noticed an extraordinary amount of blowing from our XPS 13 Ultrabook review unit, but for those with an optioned Core i7 model, you may want to give the source link a look. Down there, you'll find a download link to the A03 BIOS update, which delivers "an updated thermal table which dictates fan speeds and trigger temperatures." Evidently, these machines have a tendency to kick the fans into high gear prematurely (it's okay Dell, we all get excited sometimes), but thankfully, a 4MB package is all that's required to remedy it. 'Preciate it, technology.
Nintendo's eShop plans: premium DLC, game demos, smartphone shopping, relevancy
Nintendo's latest earnings report may be a litany of woe, but at least the outfit's semi-annual financial results briefing bore good news: the 3DS eShop is about to get a kick in the pants. Today's 3DS store gets the job done, but it's hampered by disorganized categories, limited accessibility, and poor download management. Want something better? It's on the way -- a late November update is slated to bring "sleep mode" background downloading to the fledgling console, and opens the door for publishers to release in-game premium DLC and "limited-play" demos. Nintendo is even taking steps to address the handheld's lousy shopping experience, announcing a companion website where users will be able to browse the eShop from a PC or smartphone. Eventually 3DS owners will be able to buy content directly from the eShop website, but at launch shoppers will need to scan a QR code with the handheld to make a purchase. It's not a perfect plan, but at least it's a start. Baby steps Nintendo, baby steps.
Nintendo 3DS system update is live, grab your free copy of Excitebike now
True to its word, Nintendo has released a system update for anxious 3DS owners. The free update over WiFi delivers an internet browser and the eShop digital store to your multidimensional handheld. As a bonus, Ninty's offering the 3D-remastered NES game, Excitebike, for free until Tuesday with additional cash-money content coming to the store on Thursdays. We'll be hearing more from Nintendo, much more we hope, on Tuesday morning where we'll be bringing you live coverage of its next generation console announcements from E3. Join us, won't you? [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
HTC Flyer quietly gets over-the-air software update, promises to 'improve system performance'
No, it's not an upgrade to Honeycomb, but the HTC Flyer is getting some tweaks nonetheless. Over the weekend, owners of the 7-inch tablet should have seen a prompt for an over-the-air update making the vague promise to "improve system performance." We're naturally all kinds of curious, particularly given that the battery life and overall performance were already pretty solid. Flyer owners, are you noticing any differences? Do tell.
PlayStation 3 system update 3.61 available now, 'phased restoration' of PSN begins today (update)
Ladies and gentlemen, your PS3 may technically be able to connect to PlayStation Network now, but we're not through the woods yet -- today, Sony is issuing a mandatory System Update (v3.61) which will prepare your game machine for that magical day when the company actually throws the switch. In the meanwhile, Sony says the update will prompt you to change your PlayStation Network password, which will likely rank among the easiest decisions that you've ever made. Update: Sony's just announced that a "phased restoration" of PlayStation Network and Qriocity is beginning today, and that online gaming, Music Unlimited, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and MLB.TV should rolling out right now in Europe and North America. Watch cool cat Kaz Hirai deliver the good news in a video after the break. Update 2: Sony's got a map of the US up, and will be lighting up individual states -- check out our more coverage link to get a rough idea of when you'll be able to play. The company also says it plans to have PlayStation Network fully functional by the end of May. PR after the break. Update 3: The restoration is beginning now: we're seeing Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and California. And would you look at that, the southeast just got its due: Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina have PSN too... and as of 10:18PM PST, you can add Delaware, Pennsylvania, both Virginias, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan to that list. Update 4: Annnnnd we should all be back. Sleep well, PSN users. By the way, Sony Online Entertainment (the MMO division) has a list of the free goodies you'll get for your inconvenience -- read it at the link below. Update 5: Sony just flipped the international switch -- PSN's rolling out across the world. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
PS3 firmware update v3.60 live, adds cloud storage and turns off controllers at intervals of your choice
If you're rocking a PlayStation Plus subscription and can't wait to boot your savegames into the cloud, you'll be happy to hear that the System Update enabling that -- firmware v3.60 -- is available for download right now. If you aren't paying $50 a year for PS Plus, what good is it to you? Well, it'll let you set how long you'd like the system to wait before it tells your DualShock and Sixaxis controllers to shut down, hopefully conserving battery life without intermittent annoyance. Enjoy! [Thanks, Tim and Colin]
Geohot releases PS3 jailbreak for firmware 3.55, world ceases to have any meaning
Remember when George "Geohot" Hotz demoed homebrew on the PlayStation 3? Yeah, we know, it was a whole day of CES ago. Well, it looks like that video wasn't a random crack, but full custom firmware, and not just for show -- he just released it to the world. Believe it or not, we didn't bring our PS3s with us to CES 2011, so we can't actually test it for ourselves, but if you have faith or enjoy living on the edge, you're two clicks, one USB stick and a manual System Update away from potential freedom. Now, let's see him keep his original promise. [Thanks, Omar]
Microsoft set to up bit rate on Xbox Live voice comms, pwners everywhere rejoice
This might not be as sexy as its recent physical redesign, but the Xbox 360 is about to take what might be a major leap forward for many gamers. The console's voice chat codec is going to be tweaked in an upcoming system update to allow a higher bit rate, and consequently better audio, through. Originally put together to run on 64k internet connections with the original Xbox, the codec's finally catching up with our broadband times and should see itself renewed some time this fall, potentially alongside the retail launch of Kinect. Great, now when 12-year old kids destroy us in Halo, we'll be able to hear their high-pitched gloating with crystal clarity.
SanDisk ships first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive
Seems that April 6th ship date that GameStop posted back in March was a bit off, but hey -- beggars can't be choosers, yeah? SanDisk has just announced that it's now shipping the planet's first licensed Xbox 360 USB flash drive, which just became useful for easily transferring gamertags, game saves, map packs, Arcade downloads, etc. from one console to another. The device is pre-configured for plug-and-play, and SanDisk is even throwing in a one-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold for good measure. Naturally, you'll be paying a premium for that Microsoft seal of approval, with the 8GB unit boasting an MSRP of $34.99 and the 16 gigger going for $69.99 (or £29.99 and £51.99 respectively in the UK). Hang tight if you can, though -- we get the impression that loads more are on the way from every other storage outfit, and you know what competition does to pricing. Don't you?
Xbox 360 update brings long-awaited USB storage support, SanDisk ready to cash in
Finally, the day has come. At some magical point in time during today, all you Xbox 360 owners will be prompted to update to the latest firmware for your beloved console. Once the tidy little exchange of data with Microsoft's servers has been completed, you'll at long last be able to plug USB memory sticks in and exploit a bit of functionality that frankly should've been there from the start. So that's it, all your game saves, profiles and other 360-related trinkets can finally be taken on the move without resorting to lugging a HDD around. In the mean time, SanDisk's previously rumored Xbox 360-branded $40 8GB flash drive is looking all the more real, with Amazon now offering pre-orders at a slightly less crazy $35 price point. You know, in case the millions of USB storage options out there aren't doing it for you.
Microsoft confirms rootkit caused Windows XP blue screens
When malware writers fail to generate clean, reliable code, just who can you trust? On the heels of many Windows XP 32-bit users facing blue screen of death errors and unwanted reboots, Microsoft is now confirming that there's a little bit of malicious code sitting at the root of it all. A rootkit, to be specific, one called Alureon that compromises the atapi.sys file and others. This rootkit makes a system call via an address that, after the update, no longer corresponds to the particular call Alureon is trying to make. This is apparently the cause of the BSODs, not the update itself, and so those suffering from similar issues can resolve them by simply replacing corrupted system files via the recovery console. It won't be as much fun as using Microsoft's more popular console, but should at least cure what ails you.
Nintendo unleashes Wii Menu 3.4, updates ToS and removes save files
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Nintendo_updates_Wii_to_3_4_changes_ToS_and_save_files'; Nintendo is at it again, unleashing yet another Wii Menu Update which puts us at 3.4, as our glowing Wii just informed us. Aside from augmenting the Nintendo User Agreement, the new system update will also "check for and automatically remove" all "unauthorized modifications to save files." Guess what, homebrew fans? The party is over forever put on hold for the time being.This is basically all of the info we have right now, but we're sure the homebrew community will step up soon with a response to this. You know how they hate it when Nintendo tries to stop them from running their 'brew.Keep an eye on Wii Fanboy for more on this as it's made available.
Homebrew Channel beta9 works with latest system update
Well, that was fast. That recent update that wouldn't allow users to install the Homebrew Channel? It's been bested, as the Homebrew Channel beta9 has been released. Among working with the latest update, beta9 also brings the following fixes to the table: Installer / updater now works with the October 23 update SDHC support REALLY fixed the memcard bug Installer now picks newest sane IOS, fixes some beta8 regressions Added a reload button (for SD card changes) Return to system menu skips warning Fixed some graphical glitches Saner XML load code Many fixes to underlying stuff in the newer libogc [Via /.] The homebrew community is doing nifty things with the Wii. Have you learned how to play DVDs on your console yet? Or read about the app that lets you play games from other regions? What about getting Goldeneye to run on Wii? Alternatively, you could just use homebrew to get your cheat on.
Wii Fanboy Weekly: June 12 - June 18
It's been a busy week at Wii Fanboy. Not only have we churned out plenty of original features and coverage, but Nintendo just released the latest Wii Menu update, which kills the Twilight Hack. What is that we hear? It's as if millions of fanboys cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. And, as always, for those of you looking for some free stuff, check out our latest giveaway!Features Wii Fanboy Review: My Pokemon RanchWe review the WiiWare offering High Voltage talks The ConduitExclusive gameplay details inside! Born for Wii: Katamari DamacySee why it's such a perfect fit for the Wii! Wii Fanboy Review: Blast WorksWe give you the dirt on the shmup Wii Fanboy Review: Cocoto Fishing MasterWe review Neko's WiiWare title Brawl Stage of the Week: Shy GuyThe Nintendo enemy gets immortalized in Super Smash Bros. Brawl Friday Video: Taking some short cuts in Mario Kart WiiThis helpful video gives you the insider info on some of the game's stages Virtually Overlooked: Wizards and WarriorsWe tell you why the game should be on the Virtual Console VC Monday Madness video wrap-up 6/16/08Our direct-feed video commentary on this week's Virtual Console releases Other Items of Interest NHL Hockey finally comes to the WiiSports fans, rejoice! Nintendo adds update 3.3 to repaired Wiis, internet not happyIf your Wii breaks, you'll get the new version of the menu Traveling through Azeroth with the Balance BoardPretty interesting video Hacker makes Wii-friendly NES, SNES, N64 controllersThe only way to enjoy those classic titles Space Invaders Get Even Better: its WiiWare!Perfect match Wii Fit tagged with an expensive, undeserved billWii Fit gets some undeserved blame
