kiosk
Latest
Get your yummy Halo 3 theme at a kiosk near you
After doing some Xbox.com surfing we came across a news piece talking about a Halo 3 dashboard theme. News that's not all that exciting by itself except for the fact that this theme is only available off of an Xbox 360 retail kiosk, is 100% free and is yummy delicious. Just take a look at each blade background, it's like Halo 3 theme heaven wrapped in bacon, stuffed with gold dollars and sprinkled with magical fairy dust. It's killer! Especially that media blade background ... raWr!Actually, after taking a deep breathe and looking over this blog, we're realizing that we just expressed an unnatural amount of excitement for a dashboard theme. Maybe we should take it down a notch. But the fact that, in order to get this (super yummy) Halo 3 theme, we have to find a 360 kiosk, stick in our memory card and download makes its appeal so great. Screw it! That's our goal for today. We're finding and downloading that elusive Halo 3 kiosk theme and nobody is stopping us! We want it and we want it now ... status update incoming.
HP's Retail Store Assistant: a wallet's worst enemy
Fellas, if you thought Ralph Lauren's literal window shopping contraption was your wallet's arch-rival, we've got some unfortunate news, and for the ladies (or guys) who just love to spend it up, HP's about to become your very best friend. The clever gurus at HP Labs have developed a marketer's dream tool that enables customers to enter a retail store, swipe a card, and instantly receive a printout (shown after the jump) that includes "a personalized shopping list, relevant coupons, notice of associated store discounts or sales, and even a map to where the items can be found in the store." The inaccurately named Retail Store Assistant (we were thinking more along the lines of Wallet Depleter) is currently in the "experimental" stage, and would include an in-store kiosk which customers could access via a loyalty card or by inputting their phone number. Of course, this isn't the first stab we've seen at retailers using previous history to target consumers, but the team behind this apparatus insists that it will be much more effective than the typical junk mail that barely graces our eyes before hitting the trash. Best Worst of all, the system will reportedly be available even on the web, meaning that those with an urge to shop can log on during the waning hours of the workday and plan out their shopping spree for maximum efficiency. Oh, the humanity.
Delta DS download stations hit JFK airport
Sure, we reported on this quite some time ago, but the program is expanding at an incredible rate. With the latest download kiosk hitting New York's JFK airport, we find ourselves that much closer to living in a world populated with the wonderful machines. Why, even when they become sentient and rise up, crushing their squishy meat bag oppressors, we'll be fine so long as they still offer demo downloads of Elite Beat Agents and Cooking Mama.The kiosk available at JFK currently has demo versions of Elite Beat Agents, Brain Age, Cooking Mama and Tomb Raider: Legend (ouch). Kiosks can also be currently found at Delta terminals at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. No word on how often the software is updated as Nintendo says it will be "updated periodically and will showcase everything from brain training to action games, appealing to baby boomers and seniors, and to teens and kids."Hopefully they'll start giving out DS Lites for flights soon, as they have in Japan for quite some time.
DS kiosks brighten up Korean mall
These photos from a Korean mall's Nintendo DS kiosks are from a month ago, but it's interesting to see how the handheld is being promoted in the East Asian country. The showroom's walls are lined with posters of celebrities playing with DS Lites, stylish-looking chairs and tables are available for idlers, and a glass divider separates the area from the rest of the shopping center while still attracting passer-bys with gaming treats. It isn't clear if this is a permanent setup or if the kiosks are only there for the interim to accompany the DS' recent launch in Korea. The way Nintendo has put its games on display, encouraging people to try out titles like New Super Mario Bros., Brain Training, and English Training in an attractive space, reminds us a lot of Apple's brick and mortar stores and the old Xbox 360 Lounge in Japan. Do we have anything like this to advocate the Nintendo DS in the states? Check for more photos after the jump.[Via Insert Credit]
Rare NES kiosk goes up for auction
Those looking for something slightly rarer than a Virtual Boy to add to their Nintendo collection may want to head over to eBay before it's too late, where this rare in-store NES kiosk is currently up for auction. While the stylin' TV set in the picture above unfortunately isn't included, the game console itself should be enough to impress any NIntendo fan that pays the lucky winner a visit, with twelve selectable cartridge slots available to load up with your choice of games (none are included). Just don't expect to bring this home on the cheap -- last we checked the bidding was topping $600 with two days left to go.[Via Crave]
Sony to market PS3 at English National Opera
When it comes to video games, marketers tend to focus their in-person efforts on youth oriented events like sports, concert tours, and extreme sports-infused concert tours. Sony is taking a bit of a different tact, marketing the PS3 to the audience at the English National Opera (ENO). As the London Times reported last week, Sony will be placing a PS3 kiosk in the foyer on the London Coliseum, the ENO's home stage. The kiosk will accompany a Sony-sponsored version of Puccini's La Boheme and an initiative aimed at convincing British schoolteachers that the PSP is useful as a learning tool. Personally, we've learned a lot about taking out cops from our PSPs. The Times piece goes on to draw a link between controversial games like Grand Theft Auto and controversial operas like Strauss' Elektra or Berg's Wozzeck. Where are the Jack Thompson wannabes crying about the deleterious effects of opera on our troubled youth? Oh, that's right ... our troubled youth doesn't care about opera. We forgot.
Outdoor Wii-osks in London
The people of London must be really trustworthy, considering they were treated to outdoor Wii-osks yesterday. Any self-respecting American in a metropolitan city would have asked to demo the unit, taken the Wii-mote, cracked the marketing flack over the head and run off with the system. But alas, these are not Americans. Reader Limpit writes, "The unit itself consisted of a Wii, nice Samsung HDTV, Wii Sports, 2 Wii-remotes, and 2 guys in some very funky looking white Wii puffer-jackets. They seemed quite happy, and so did the little crowd of people who had gathered to witness the marvel that is Wii Sports." Limpit correctly goes on to say this display is part of Nintendo's massive marketing machine storming across the globe. Any readers see these outdoor kiosks in your neck of this third rock from the sun? [Thanks Limpit]
Sony announces launch of North American PSP Spot download stations
No need to stop when you're on a roll, right? We've seen the 3.0 firmware hit the wild, heard rumblings about a future television streaming service, and still know that the not-so-universal UMD format was dead from day one. In a presumed attempt to hit Nintendo (or more specifically, the DS Lite), where it hurts most, Sony is intelligently pushing the non-gaming aspects of its portable system by announcing the forthcoming availability of PSP Spot download stations. While our pals in Japan and Europe have been enjoying these services for the past few months, Sony is getting ready to toss wireless streaming displays into Circuit City, GameStop, Target, and Toys 'R Us locations to deliver "game demos, movie trailers, music clips, mini-strategy guides, wallpapers, and more" onto needy PSP memory sticks. While we don't have any hard dates in which to expect such kiosks to land on showroom floors (or overcrowded electronics departments), we do know that they'll start trickling into North America "beginning this month," and should top out at around "6,000 units" by January.[Via PSP Fanboy]
Wii demonstration kiosks now at Target
One of our readers was recently in Target and saw the above Wii demonstration kiosk. It is very much like other, non-playable kiosks we have seen in various retail outlets such as Wal-Mart where, instead of game demos, there is a constant video loop playing that describes the Wii and shows one how to play its games. Undoubtedly designed to get those who might otherwise be uninterested or in the dark about the console looking its way, we've personally seen a few people stopping to check it out.[Thanks Author X!]
Wii kiosks using composite cables
... or, at least, on the Wii kiosk pictured above. Reader wigglesxjr, who is responsible for taking the above picture with his camera phone, assures us this is totally real and comes from his local EB Games in West Covina, CA. Using Samsung LCD TVs for their kiosks, you'd think that Nintendo would go the extra mile and use component cables for all of their displays, right? I mean, you could even have the EB/GameStop folks pushing the cables saying customers won't get as clear and good a picture as on the kiosk at home without them.
Wii demo kiosk gets run through the gauntlet
Turns out there just might be one individual out there who can rival the amount of excitement we feel for the impending launch of the Wii. So, when his local EB finally got their Wii demo kiosk in, he went to town with his camcorder and filmed every single thing he could think of. The end product is a 6 minute+ video showing some Excite Truck and the Wii menu interface.[Via Go Nintendo]
Wii start up disc is used for console set up
Remember when we learned about the mysterious "Startup Disc" from the back of a Wii box? Turns out the disc will be used once to set up your Wii on its initial cycling of power. One Joystiq reader, and Engadget blogger, named Paul miller snapped the above picture of a Wii kiosk in a South Shore Mall Software Etc. store, located in Bay Shore, NY. The message, which is in English, Spanish, and French, reads:"Please insert your Wii Startup Disc. This will set up your Wii console."
Nongamer on Wii: it's better than buttons [update 1]
It begins -- as the Wii kiosks go up around in GameStops everywhere, we're starting to see more hands-on impressions of the system. Reader Nick tipped us off on this one, and it's not much, but there's something interesting in these few quick lines about the Wii. He and his wife, Katie (who he says is "pretty much a nongamer") stopped by their local store to check out the Excite Truck demo in action. In their blog, Katie reports that Nick had a little trouble with it, but she found it easy. Why? Because it was really like steering and not just about pushing buttons. That was something we noticed at the Fusion Tour as well -- that those of us who spend vast oceans of time with a controller in hand may not have it so easy with the Wii, at least in the beginning. [Thanks, Nick!][Update: Removed photograph at reader request.]
Wii-osk in action at Gamestop
We visited a Gamestop in California last night, only to find a darkened Wii kiosk, which was very sad. Although it was almost made up for after we found a Gears of War console case, that thing is just flippin' sweet. Anyhow, digression aside, we asked the guy behind the counter when the Wii would be switched on, and he said "We need an ID." Stupid us replied with, "Oh, so someone from Nintendo has to come out and set it up? When will that happen?" And he said, "Uh ... no, dude. I need your ID." Clearly, we be geniuses.So we handed over our IDs and a major credit card (what's a minor credit card these days? Discover? Diner's Club?) and were handed two Wii-motes. He fired the system up and left us to it. They hold on to your plastic to make sure you don't run down the street laughing with their hardware in hand. The only game they had on display was Excite Truck, but we had a blast playing it and literally everyone in the store, which was oddly packed for a Sunday night, came over to watch us play.Quote of the minute from the whole experience by two teenage bystanders:Guy #1 -- "Dude, those graphics don't look that good ..."Guy #2 -- "Are you kiddin'? They look pretty good to me, and check out the badass controllers!"We assume he meant the Wii-motes and not us. Check out pix and video after the jump.
Shots of the Zune in-store kiosk
One of our many thoughtful readers sent us a few snaps of a Circuit City Zune kiosk with a design that makes it clear to us that Microsoft's new packaging ethos hasn't manifested itself in every area of the Zune's marketing department. Although the kiosk is restrained in the sense that it doesn't scream for attention -- the brown Zune sees to that -- the dark shades and annoying marketing slogans don't compare to the iPod's minimalist Apple Store surroundings. Despite the kiosk's staid design, you can bet your shuffle that Microsoft will work its corporate ass off to get these things into as many gadget stores as possible.[Thanks, John Matthews]
South Florida GameStop nabs first Wii demo kiosk
Ah, the time must be drawing nigh, as we've just seen our first report of that heavily-guarded Wii demo kiosk being fully assembled and ready for play. As expected, Wal-Mart didn't get first dibs on this bad boy, but a South Florida GameStop is already giving eager Wii users a go at Excite Truck. The stipulation? You've reportedly got to hand over your keys and / or driver's license to even sniff the untethered (albeit proudly labeled) Wiimote, and your collateral is promptly returned once you prove you aren't walking out with any GameStop property. Initial hands-on reports suggested that driving vehicles with the newfangled controller took about three rounds to master, but it wasn't too long before gold medals were flying off the shelf and extra rides were being unlocked. If all this sounds like fun and games to you, be sure to hit the read link for a few more photos and the 411 on the lucky location.[Thanks, Anmol]
It's on: Wii kiosks are going up
Check around all the usual haunts for Wiiosks this weekend. A few are already up across the country, like this one reader Scott Johnson caught as it was being put together. Thank all that is holy for cell phones and fast action!Several readers have tipped us that they've heard this is the big weekend for the debut of the kiosks, but this is the only photo we've seen. If you catch a kiosk in the wild this weekend, break out that camera phone and send us a picture!So, uh ... the question has to be asked. When seeing the setting-up process in action, anyone have the urge to snatch one and run like mad? [Thanks to everyone who's keeping us posted on this!]
PlayStation 3 kiosks invade Japan
Famitsu's posted Sony's PlayStation 3 kiosk distribution strategy, which -- if our interpretation of the Google translation is accurate -- will see 1,000 units dumped across Japan by year's end.The kiosks, the first of which are currently being installed, will include demos of Devil May Cry 4, Gran Turismo HD, Ridge Racer 7, and Sega's Power Smash 3. In addition, some level of network functionality will be active, presumably to beam down upcoming demos to the individual stations. The kiosks will also feature "Cross Media Bar" functionality, suggesting that videos, photos, and music will also be installed and regularly updated -- and possibly distributable onto memory units.[Google translation]
The PS3 in 23 simple facts
Here's a collection of useful (and useless) PlayStation 3 facts compiled by GamePro -- and complimented by our parenthetical remarks: Touch-sensitive power and eject buttons are a nice touch - literally (but we prefer handling said activities from the couch, with a remote or controller) 15,000 kiosks across the nation by the end of November (you might not be able to score a unit until 2007, but at least your local retailer will have one) The PS3 is not just a cheap Blu-ray player (actually, it's relatively inexpensive) Not all games will be 1080p (now that's an understatement!) The Sixaxis controller doesn't feel too light (we disagree) Speaking of which, the Sixaxis motion sensing takes some getting used to. (uh-huh) The PSP will connect via Wi-Fi to the PS3's hard drive (a good reason not to sell your PSP) The Sixaxis gets roughly 30 hours of battery life (if true, it blows Microsoft's Xbox 360 rechargeable -- but easily replaced -- battery away) There's no "lag" on the wireless Sixaxis controller, either (and there shouldn't be!) The Sixaxis's wireless range tops out at over 65 feet (20 meters) (how far away do you sit from the TV?) A new controller will set you back 50 beans (and there's no first-party wired alternative) Your PlayStation 2 save game files can be transferred to the PS3 (thank goodness! Transferring Xbox saves to 360 is tedious and requires purchasing third-party apps/equipment) The Blu-ray disc drive is slot loading, and it works like a dream (yeah, but does it have a paperclip-hole fail-safe?) One LED on the PS3 seems dedicated to tracking hard drive activity (so ... ?) The first 500,000 PS3s will be packaged with a free Blu-ray feature film (but it's Ferrel's "Talladega Nights") There's still a hard "power-off" switch on the back of the system, just like the PS2 (annoying) The PS3 is very, very shiny (so keep your greasy paws off it) As a whole, the PS3 itself looks incredibly sexy (see previous) The PS3 is super quiet (we hope -- 'cause the 360 is damned loud!) You can plug in a USB keyboard and surf the 'Net (and a mouse too?) The power supply is integrated directly into the system (in other words, there's no brick to trip over) Re-download all your merch to someone else's PS3 (or better, download a friend's merch on to your PS3) First-party games are priced at $59.99 (so are some of the 360's -- *sigh*) [Via Digg]
Wii demo kiosks to be under supervision?
We suppose any Wii is better than no Wii, but having to battle it out in a round of Excite Truck with a proudly-pinned employee watching over each shoulder just seems a bit idiosyncratic. While we already know that Wal-Mart isn't planning on hiring any more smiling faces to oversee the presumably fractious gaming crowd, you just might find a few "helpful staff members" at your side while flinging the Wiimote in your local GameStop. Nintendo's George Harrison has insinuated that all Wii demo stations will feature untethered controllers, but store personnel will be eying the players to ensure the nunchuck isn't used as a weapon (and that it doesn't leave in unauthorized pockets). He also noted that the big N has spent "considerable amounts of time" in designed the forthcoming kiosks, and mentioned (vaguely) that they "could be found at retail outlets, malls, the Nintendo Fusion Tour, and other consumer events." While we still aren't exactly sure where you'll wind up finding that ever-elusive Wii demo station, be sure to mind your manners when you finally do.[Via The Wiire]
