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Modder transmits Wii games to iPod touch, which isn't really as fun as it sounds (video)
Three years ago, a certain obiwan22222 wowed us when he played Wii on his PSP (with a little help from Sony's LocationFree technology). For his next trick, our man has done the same thing on an iPod touch. But wait, you ask -- is there a LocationFree client for iPhone / iPod touch? We don't think so, so we've pinged him for an explanation. He's being extremely tight-lipped about it all, saying only that 1) this is not fake, 2) he got rid of the five second lag, and 3) all will be revealed "soon enough" (that is, once we've been tortured enough). If anything, we can certainly respect a man with a flair for showmanship! In the meantime, check out the video after the break. We'll let you know as soon as we hear back from the dude.
Sony's LocationFree goes HD with LF-W1HD kit
Welcome to HD LocationFree; Sony just announced their 1080i-capable LocationFree Home HD gear. The LF-W1HD pushes MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 formatted video between the wireless receiver / transmitter pair. While the receiver does support a single HDMI-output, the transmitter does not so HDMI signal transmission is a no-go. It's also limited to 802.11a/b/g instead of 802.11n Draft 2.0 which is much more appropriate for HD streaming. Look for these to hit Japan in December for about ¥50,000 or round-abouts $431 whenever they make it this way. Backside-ports face front, after the break. [Via Impress]
Sony makes LocationFree Vaio, introduces Vaio LF-V30 Base Station
Good bye LocationFree, hello Vaio Base Station LV-V30 ("with LocationFree technology"). We were hoping Sony didn't kill LFTV, and thankfully it looks like that's not the case. The LF-V30 takes component in/out and converts into standard def and QVGA, and will run you about $250 come September. Another hot shot after the break.
Hands-on with Sony's VAIO TZ superultraportable notebook
Obviously unaware that we're not exactly the classiest folks around (we were the only ones there wearing shorts and a T-shirt), Sony invited us to a decidedly swanky "product unveiling" at Rockefeller Plaza's 66th floor Top of the Rock observation deck, replete with such pricey fare as caviar, salmon canapes, crab salad, tuna tartare, and grilled shrimp, along with four varieties of champagne (from a 2000 Veuve Clicquot Reserve Rose to a 1996 Bollinger R.D., if you must know) to wash it all down with -- and as if that weren't enough booze, several bottles of well-aged scotch sat prominently atop a fully stocked bar. This whole luxury theme was meant to sway our coverage about reflect the high-end status of the company's 11.1-inch VAIO TZ, whose $2,200 minimum price tag gets you a waif of a Santa Rosa-based ultraportable featuring a carbon fiber exterior, 32GB SSD, WWAN in the form of EV-DO Rev. A, and a MacBook-style keyboard, among other goodies. Sorry to cut this short, but we're off to shower and shave with the pleasant smelling men's products that Sony stuffed in our gift bag (we gave everything else -- cigars, lip balm, four dollar bottled water, book on wine -- away to elevator operators and people on the subway), so this would probably be a good time to check out the gallery below. And, as a special, one-time only bonus, we've also included photos of the recently announced VAIO-branded LF-V30 LocationFree streamer, whose component jacks enable HD place-shifting, and with which the entire VAIO lineup will soon be compatible thanks to pre-loaded software... %Gallery-4973%
Your PSP can be a remote control
What do you get when you add Sony's LocationFree with BeyondTV, a PSP and a dash of inginuity? The ability to watch TV on your PSP! Since Sony unveiled the LocationFree application, PSP hacks like these have been fairly commonplace. From the annals of LocationFree FAQs, we wanted to resurface this particular video that we missed the first time around. The research this fella completed in order to get his remote working on the PSP certainly piqued our interest and warrants another look. The Tonight Show video looks pretty darn sharp, with nary a hint of lag. I do believe, this calls for watching TV poolside. [Via digg]
Sony's VAIO FZ series: Blu-ray action in your lap
Nah, it shouldn't surprise you one bit that Sony's officially squeezing in yet another option in the VAIO laptop lineup, but this 15.4-incher packs a media-centric attitude into a (debatably) lightweight package, and moreover, sports a pricetag that's very un-VAIO-like. Aside from the typical black / silver motif, you'll notice a widescreen XBRITE display, a bevy of multimedia controls atop the keyboard, Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, NVIDIA's GeForce 8400M graphics card, support for 802.11n, HDMI out, audio in / out, USB 2.0, VGA and S-Video outs, 4-pin FireWire, and the obligatory Blu-ray drive for watching HD flicks on the go. Additionally, the FZ will include an integrated webcam, LocationFree placeshifting niceties, an ExpressCard slot, and a Memory Stick reader. Fortunately for you, this fairly well appointed machine won't break the bank as you may expect, as the non-BD-equipped rendition will start at $1,400, while the "Premium" flavor comes in just $2,000.
Kid takes PSP and makes it play Wii
No, as much as we'd like to see it happen, this isn't some kind of monster emulation effort. Instead, an intrepid young -- and we mean young: his YouTube display name is "obiwan222222" -- PSP Fanboy has managed to get his PlayStation Portable to act as a screen for his Wii using Sony's LocationFree Player solution for the PSP. By patching through the PSP to LocationFree and by sticking what looks like a custom made Wii sensor above the console, the PSP can display the Wii's output using its WiFi to connect to the internet video stream, and a spare Wiimote to control the cursor. Unfortunately, this solution is far from practical, as there's an built-in lag of around 6 seconds: not something you want when playing twitch games. Besides the actual concept, the best part about the walkthrough video (which is after the break), is Obiwan22's narration. One typical quote for you: "I am not some kind of genius. I just want to make a statement [to show] what you can do with your LocationFree Player!" Aww, bless.[VIa PSP Fanboy]
Kid makes PSP play Wii games
Using a LocationFree Player and a homemade sensor bar, obiwan222222 has crafted an ingenious way to play Wii on the go. However, with a six second lag, most games would be nigh impossible to play. Hey, at least he can participate in some of Wii's non-gaming functionality, like the Everybody Votes channel.Is there any use for having this kind of setup? Not really. But it demonstrates the strange things that people are doing everyday with their PSPs.[Via QJ]
Pocket PC gets LocationFree thanks to... ACCESS?
Imagine a world where Sony, Microsoft, and ACCESS (owners of Palm OS) all live in perfect harmony with one another. PlayStation and XBOX games are completely interchangeable, Blu-ray and HD DVD are one and the same, and that HTC Hermes in your pocket can triple-boot Windows Mobile, Palm OS Garnet, and ALP. Alright, enough with the touchy-feely peace and unity stuff... back to reality for a moment. For the first time, US customers have been able to get their hands on ACCESS' NetFront LocationFree Player for Pocket PC this month thanks to a new version 2.0. No, it's not exactly PlayStation / XBOX interchangeability, but it's one small step in making strange bedfellows out of corporate giants and sworn enemies -- and more importantly, it gives SlingPlayer some competition in the Windows Mobile placeshifting landscape. You can get your hands on NetFront LocationFree now for about $20; see ACCESS' press release for details.[Via Impress Watch]
SageTV releases Placeshifter for Mac
SageTV has released their Placeshifter client for OS X. SageTV is a two piece solution for making a PC centered PVR. A Windows or Linux PC (with video capture hardware) runs the SageTV Media Center software which offers standard PVR type functions (scheduled recordings, pause live TV, etc.). The Placeshifter client allows you to access this recorded content over the internet. In this respect it's similar to Slingbox and LocationFree (both of which also have Mac clients), but instead of a hardware box at home you run a Media Center PC. Unfortunately, the Media Center software itself is still only Windows or Linux, but they expect a Mac version early next year. Thus, while the Placeshifter client allows Mac users to access recorded content on the road, you still have to have a Windows or Linux box at home to do the actual recording.
Advanced Remote Play functionality coming in March
Remote Play is one of the more exciting things about the PS3-PSP connectivity. It's a nifty feature that allows you to access your PS3's media via PSP. While cool in theory, in practice, there's too many restrictions. Firstly, the PS3 can't do anything else when in Remote Play mode. Secondly, you have to be in range of the PS3's wi-fi. Finally, you can only access media stored on hard drive (no games, or disc media!).It appears that a future firmware upgrade in March will address some of these issues. The future PLAYSTATION 3 upgrade promises multi-tasking, which should help address the first concern. Secondly, you'll be able to access your PS3's media from any internet connection, a la LocationFree Player. Certainly, this is a strong step forward. With the PS3 gaining Tivo-like functionality later next year, the PSP may be the perfect media device for people on the go. Imagine: you could record Battlestar Galactica when you're away, only to watch it from your PSP whenever you're near a wi-fi spot. The future of PS3-PSP connectivity is certainly exciting.[Via IGN Boards]
Latest PSP survey suggests impending TV streaming service
Apparently dishing out surveys to garner potential interest in (hopefully) forthcoming products and services is the fad of the month, as Microsoft barely received back all the results in its latest Xbox 360 questionnaire before Sony threw down a few of its own. Most recently, however, a question was posed to PSP owners that piqued our interest, and it involved the possibility of receiving TV streams on that oh-so-sexy widescreen LCD. The higher-ups at Sony HQ seemingly have streaming video on the brain, as users were asked to choose which scenario they'd prefer when kicking back and catching a show on their handheld. The choices involved a "Sony LocationFree TV box" that would stream content directly to the PSP using a local WiFi connection, or a subscription-based service that would broadcast TV shows using "always on cellular technology" for $9.99 per month. Considering Sony can hardly pay folks to take those dust-gathering UMD flicks, we don't think that making a move in the television realm would be such a bad idea -- so, what's up Sony? Inquisitive minds (and PSP / DS Lite fence-sitters) are yearning for an answer.[Thanks, Simon V.]
New survey reveals exciting TV possibilities
Sony has been sending out some really interesting surveys lately. First, they asked which features could be removed from the PSP (hopefully, users said none). Now, they're asking users if they're interested in mobile television for the PSP. They give users two options: streaming using LocationFree player, or by subscribing to a mobile TV service for $10 a month. Personally, the latter seems much more enticing.Considering how Japan has an official PSP media download service called PTV, it makes sense for Sony to expand that to other markets as well. What do you think: should Sony offer portable TV for you? And would you subscribe at that price?
Connecting a PSP and PS3
Yesterday, Sony demonstrated the PSP-PS3 connection with more details. At launch, the PSP will play media files stored on the PS3 when both share a local network. According to Phil Harrison, the company hopes to launch worldwide internet support -- so you can access files on a home PS3 from any WiFi connection -- in the beginning of 2007.During the presentation, Sony connected the two devices through the PS3's "Remote Play" menu. Once networked, the PSP controlled the PS3 through its built-in screen; the PS3 interface had moved to the PSP. (Also of note, the two game systems and some Sony TV interfaces look similar; Sony seems to be standardizing navigation across these devices.)With the PSP driving the PS3, media files like movie trailers, photos, and music stream to the portable instead of playing on a TV. The demo resumed a Casino Royale trailer that had been stopped earlier on the PS3.Sony didn't demonstrate portable games, like PS1 titles, through this connection.The PSP can't tune TV channels through the PS3, like Sony's LocationFree devices. Phil Harrison later told us that this was not a LocationFree implementation; the results are similar, but the connection differs. When the service moves to the internet in a few months, this may be the easiest way to watch media stored at home in other locations.See also:CES: PSP LocationFree TV detailsPS1 catalogue on PS3 not yet playable
Sony Ericsson P990 gets LocationFree support
It looks like the Symbian Smartphone Show is shaping up to be a bit of a showdown betwixt placeshifters today, with both Sling and Sony announcing Symbian support for their respective products' players. Unlike Sling, which announced both UIQ and S60 versions of its SlingPlayer Mobile, Sony is only going as far as UIQ support for its LocationFree on the wings of its fresh P990 smartphone -- a very Sony-like (read: proprietary) move, considering Sony Ericsson isn't down with the Nokia-backed S60 platform. Odds are Sony would've liked to have cut a version for its smartphones a year or two back, but the P990 is the first phone in the P series to rock data fast enough (via UMTS and WiFi) to handle the heavy-duty bandwidth requirements LocationFree -- or most any other placeshifting tech, for that matter -- requires. Sony Ericsson's claiming immediate availability of the Symbian client, though it's not yet live on the P990's download site. Of course, a LocationFree player doesn't do much good without the device itself, and a US version of the P990 is nowhere in sight, so just keep on toolin' around with those PSPs until further notice.[Thanks, Alex]
Sony's LF-12MT1 LocationFree TV
Looks like Sony quietly busted out a followup to their LocationFree TV at the same time they rolled out their LocationFree base stations. Thing is, from the minimum specs released, there's not much to report on their new wireless LF-12MT1 telly -- it goes 12-inches like its predecessor supporting MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats pumped over WiFi at a range of about 100 feet. The big news here is that the slab is expected to drop considerably in price from about $1300 to a more reasonable $850. It even comes with an optional ¥9,450 (about $80) waterproof jacket for use in the toilet 'cause you and Sony both know that's where it'll be. Expect the LF-12MT1 in Japan and China when these ship come November.
Using LocationFree to stream video to your PSP
LocationFree support has been available for PSPs ever since firmware 2.50. However, because of how expensive the LocationFree devices are (retails for $200 at amazon.com), few have had a chance to actually try it and see how the PSP interfaces with it. Thankfully, this incredible video from theorycast's Kevin Lim goes through in meticulous detail how the hardware and software work. It's a bit long, and the PSP functionality is towards the end, but if you've ever wanted to see a truly in-depth presentation of LocationFree in action, this is where to go. This is the first time I've ever seen the LocationFree interface on the PSP, and I have to say that it's incredibly slick and desirable. Do any of you fanboys want to uh... donate $200 bucks to me? I kid, I kid.
Sony announces LocationFree LF-B10, LF-B20 and LF-BOX1
We haven't heard from Sony's LocationFree since 2005, but our best buds over in Japan have been busy on some new models since then -- and they look startingly like a shiny acrylic PS2. Today the company is announcing two new base stations, the LF-B10 and the LF-B20 (pictured above) and the LocationFree TV Box. The LF-B20, which goes for $250, also acts as a WiFi access point, whereas its less expensive sibling, the LF-B10, priced at $200, doesn't. Sony's LocationFree Box (dubbed the LF-BOX1) is a $230 receiver unit that will let you watch said content on an in-home television -- although it may work on your hotel's television too, should you be so inclined to take it with. That said, it's well possible that as an alternative, you'll have your PSP or a laptop with LFTV software on it, just like a Slingbox. The trio of LFTV units will be available next month, and are currently on pre-order from Sony's site.
Sony says: PSP will become a virtual PS3
Sony Computer Entertainment corporate executive Izumi Kawanishi shared some insights today in a report titled "PSP will become a virtual PS3." The article goes over emulating PS1 games on the handheld, and the obvious difficulties in translating some games that involve using more than one analog stick and use more shoulder buttons. According to Sony, emulation was always technically possible, but only now is the broadband penetration high enough to warrant 600MB downloads for players. "We felt that there was now an environment where true e-Distribution could be realized."It appears that e-distribution of games is a high-priority for Sony. Services like Steam (PC) are becoming more and more popular with users and publishers, and Sony understands the appeal for many of us. Downloadable demos will be a continued trend for all kinds of games: PS3, PSP and PS1. Also, it was confirmed that you will not need a PS3 to download content to your PSP (for those that were worried).But the future of digital distribution doesn't stop there:
How the PSP can overcome the PSP-inspired mylo
David Carony, executive editor at CNET, has a lot to say about Sony, the PSP, and their newly announced mylo. Sony's attempting to market the device at a whopping $350, which is ridiculous when many, if not all of its features can be implemented in the PSP, or a PSP redesign. With the right accessories and firmware upgrades, the PSP can do every thing the mylo can... plus it can play games. And at $199, it would be a bargain for the consumer. Here's a list of what Carony believes will make the PSP better: Skype support to make Internet (VoIP) calls (using the SOCOM headset). Support for Slingbox (a competitor of Location-Free TV). Sony could make some bling by not selling hardware, but selling a Slingbox application. Built-in IM applications, similar to mylo's support for Yahoo! and Google. Better e-mail integration. Keyboard accessory. Video output for TV. Stop making Connect so crappy. Where's the revamp? These are all great, plausible and reasonable upgrades that Sony can provide. If Sony actually took these suggestions to heart, I know a ton more college students and business people would pick up a PSP. Let's hope Sony has the brains to follow through on some of this.[Via PSP World]
