wiimote
Latest
Nintendo's $19.99 MotionPlus Wiimote add-on ships to US on June 8th
Alright, so maybe the rumors weren't that far off, but the Big N just did us a solid by establishing US availability of its MotionPlus Wiimote accessory a few weeks ahead of when we were expecting. Granted, it's downright baffling that these things still aren't out on the market, but we're fully anticipating perfection from something that has been in the Crock-Pot® for so long. Shortly after E3 2009 concludes (June 8th, to be precise), Nintendo will ship its MotionPlus add-on stateside. The device itself will run you $19.99, though you could wait until July 26th to pick up the totally attractive Wii Sports Resort for $49.99, which naturally comes bundled with one of the accessories.
Casmobot lawnmower is a slave to the flick of a Wiimote
Most of the time we see a Wii mote controlling something tangible, it's more for entertainment value like an airsoft gun or Rovio. The Casmobot lawnmower, developed by scientists from the University of Southern Denmark, is actually quite useful if you loathe outdoor chores. It can be steered into grass-cutting action via the tilt of the controller synced with Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can drive it for a lap around the border of the yard and then put it on autopilot to mow inside the designated zone. We wouldn't run in front of it while its in motion, though, it's probably not as forgiving of interruption as a roomba. Researcher Kjeld Jensen also suggested applying the same technology to your grandmother's wheelchair, but we really don't think she'd appreciate that. See it for yourself in the video after the break.[Via Switched]
Want a weightier Wii experience? Try 'Riiflex'
In one of the most unexpectedly practical ideas to hit the world of ridiculous Wii accessories, Power Play Corporation has announced the upcoming release of "Riiflex," a set of dumbbells designed to fit the Wiimote and Nunchuk inside. Just making the controllers heavier allows you to turn normal waggling into a workout! This item was announced back in January, and now it's available for preorder at an unfortunately hefty $34.95 price for two-pound weights, or $39.95 for four-pound weights.The Wiimote attachment features a hole in the front for the pointer, and both the Wiimote and Nunchuk holders allow access to the triggers. Of course, most dumbbell training courses consist mostly of repetitive motions targeting specific muscle groups, and not just, uh, waving one arm around while holding the other one still, but we still think this is a neat idea. Especially when compared to other crummy Wiimote shells!%Gallery-49604%[Via Engadget]
Riiflex Wiimote weights up for pre-order
Look out, vulnerable televisions -- your worst nightmare is already up for pre-order. The two- and four-pound Riiflex Wiimote weights have escaped the "yeah right" stage and are now just months away from piercing all manners of living room fixtures. The pair (one for your Wiimote, one for your nunchuck) of two pounders will set you back $34.95, while the heftier ones run $5 more pet set. Wait, are you seriously considering these? Be honest.[Thanks, Jon]Update: Riiflex pinged us to say that pre-orders will get 30 percent off.
Color us impressed: The WiiSpray graffiti program in action
In the ten months since we last saw Martin Lihs's WiiSpray application, the Bauhaus University student has turned his combination of Flash programming and custom Wiimote enclosure from a simple tagging simulator to a networked platform for interactive art. We're hoping the next step is "thing that you can buy."After plugging the Wiimote into the virtual spray can, you can "spray" onto a projected surface, change colors, choose and manipulate stencils, and even save work to a server for further editing at the time and place of the user's choice. Let's see you try that with a wall. Check after the break for a video demonstration![Via Engadget, Attract Mode]
Wiimote used to control robotic spider
Well, humanity, you can't say you didn't ask for it. When the robot spiders throw off their shackles and destroy us all (because they will), how can we complain when we were trying to keep control of them with a Wiimote? Harnessing nature's most powerful force -- the robot spider -- with a video game controller? Hubris, thy name is man.You can watch the final ticks of our doomsday clock after the break if you like. Or, if you hurry, we can probably fit one more in our Robot Spider Shelter. Totally your call.[Via GoNintendo]
Video: WiiSpray lets virtual taggers spray without fear of the man
When we first caught a whiff of the virtual aerosol action promised by Martin Lihs' thesis at Bauhaus University, dubbed WiiSpray, we were intrigued, but we never figured the end product would be this impressive. Lihs has since posted up a short teaser trailer showing the wall in action, controlled by a modified Wiimote controller, with results that should make even the most law-abiding artist smile. The video below shows an extensive color picker tool, interactive stencils, and what looks to be a perfectly accurate spray pattern -- and it should be, as the whole is getup is sponsored by Montana Cans. We're not sure what's next for this technology, but hopefully Lihs and his creation will be bombing a more public location soon.
Remote control airsoft gun MacGyvered out of Wiimote, ioBridge, and Construx
It's the weekend, folks, and you know what that means -- time to blow off a little steam. By way of example, the folks that brought us that Wiimote coil gun a while back have returned to the scene with a little something they like to call OfficeDefender. Using the very same servo and ioBridge module as the last time, this hack finds the gun replaced with a Beretta 9mm replica airsoft gun. Also note the nice use of Construx in a non-beer or iPhone related context. If that weren't enough, this bad boy has a full-auto mode, moves 180 degrees horizontally, can be sighted with the head-mounted webcam and fired via Wiimote. We're not telling you that you can use this to hassle folks in the office come Monday, but you totally could. Videos after the break.[Via Engadget German]
EA bundling Wii MotionPlus add-on with tennis game in Europe?
We'd already heard that Nintendo's Wii MotionPlus controller add-on was at least loosely tied to the launch of EA's Grand Slam Tennis game, but it now looks like the two may be even more closely linked than previously thought. According to a listing on Amazon.de, the add-on will actually be available in a bundle with the game (in Europe, at least), which will set you back €53.99, or just over $70, when it launches on July 2nd. As Joystiq speculates, however, this move could also be just the excuse Nintendo has been looking for to delay its own Wii Sports Resort game, which itself was supposed to come bundled with MotionPlus add-on but has been largely missing in action since its debut at E3 last year.[Via Joystiq]
Why High Voltage dropped MotionPlus from The Conduit
We've all been under the impression that The Conduit would feature MotionPlus, but it turns out that High Voltage has tried it, and decided to take it out of the game. Why, you ask? Well, High Voltage's VP and chief creative officer Eric Nofsinger tells 1UP that Nintendo provided them "with early hardware and good developer support," but when they put it into The Conduit, it "didn't really add anything for our primarily ranged combat." Nofsinger also got a bit more technical, adding that High Voltage hoped MotionPlus "would allow for better off screen IR tracking." Instead, Nofsinger says the device "seems to lend itself more naturally for hand to hand combat" and that it "doesn't feel like an optimal fit for how we had designed our moment to moment gameplay." Well, that explains it. Sure, we want as many features as we can get our hands on in a game, but if it doesn't improve on the experience and just feels tacked on for the sake of being a bullet point on the back of a box, it's not worth it. It looks like High Voltage agrees.%Gallery-25003%
Touch Ruminations: Mixing the old with the new
In Touch Ruminations, former DS and Wii Fanboy Lead David Hinkle talks about whatever he feels like. He's a jerk like that. This week, it's all about boys, blobs, and little Macs, and how mixing the old with the new is a good thing. The opinions expressed here belong to the author and don't necessarily reflect those of Joystiq, Weblogs Inc. or its affiliates.This week has been an exciting one for Wii owners. First and foremost, A Boy and His Blob is making a comeback! On top of that, Nintendo informed us that old-school controls will be included in Punch-Out!! for Wii. It's a wonderful mixture of old and new, and shows us that there is an incredible well of older titles that can be tapped for today's market in this manner. Nintendo has been doing that with the Virtual Console, presenting older, dated games via a new, easy-to-use interface, bringing them to a new audience. It's a wonderful mixture of classic and new sensibilities, and something I would like to see more of. Of course, A Boy and His Blob and Punch-Out!! could both be horrible, horrible games for all I know, so take that as you will.
Dead Space Extraction's twist-off limbs
The latest Nintendo Power has a feature on Dead Space: Extraction, from which Nintendo D-Pad extracted one detail about the controls, which seem to prove that there is a motion element involved in gameplay, in addition to all the pointing. The Rivet Gun is used to shoot Rivet Blades and lop off limbs (the advertised "strategic dismemberment" aspect of the game). You aim it "perpendicular to the limb you are trying to cut off," which translates to twisting the Wiimote around to line up the shot. At least we now know the game isn't entirely point and click![Screen via Nintendo Power table of contents (pdf link)]
Nintendo's MotionPlus due out prior to Grand Slam Tennis, or June 18th
Stay with us here, okay? For the longest while, we've wondered when exactly Nintendo was planning on releasing its long-since announced MotionPlus Wiimote add-on. At long last, pieces are beginning to come together. According to EA Sports' official Grand Slam Tennis page, said title will be available for the Wii on June 18th. Hop over to a recent Nintendo Power article about said game, and you'll find producer Thomas Singleton asserting that the MotionPlus accessory is "due out prior to Grand Slam's release." So, putting one and one together, we've come to the conclusion that Nintendo should ship its MotionPlus add-on prior to June 18th, or at least prior to whatever day Grand Slam Tennis gets delayed to. Logical?[Via GoNintendo]Read - Nintendo Power articleRead - Grand Slam Tennis website
Video: Nyko Wand Wii remote flung wildly in Wii Bowling
While focused on little gizmos like the Palm Pre at CES, we somehow missed the opportunity to play with Nyko's Wiimote wannabe back in January. Thankfully, the peripheral company was on hand here in Germany with its full lineup, and we dropped in for a few snapshots as well as a hilarious visual demonstration of just how suitable this thing is at replacing bona fide Wiimotes. As you'll notice in the gallery below, Nintendo's version is just a smidgen taller while the Nyko edition sports a covered back that's easier to grip; outside of that, however, the two feel generally alike when held. It should be noted that the Nyko reps had outfitted the actual Wiimote with its backing in order to prevent any unwanted LCD shatterings, and hey, we can respect that. We also threw in a few shots of the Wii Wand strapped inside the now-ancient Perfect Shot gun holster -- for no other reason than to say we wielded a weapon on company time, really.%Gallery-46716%Update: Nyko pinged us to say that the gun we toyed with is actually the newer, more refined version of the Perfect Shot, or more specifically, the Pistol Grip attachment for the Wand. It'll be available this Spring in the Wand Action Pack.
Wii Breakfast has gone too far
Listen, we're all for games that take advantage of the Wii's unique properties, but we're afraid that Wii Breakfast has gone too far. As you can see in Idiots Of Ants' leaked gameplay footage after the jump, the developer has really gone peripheral crazy for its new release, which simulates everything from making toast to newspaper reading. Do we really need two Wii Sausages, guys? Really?That said, the real-time generated Wii Butter looks positively delicious.[Via GoNintendo]
Acer's Ion-based Hornet nettop leaked in presentation slides?
Despite NVIDIA's claims that we'd have an Ion desktop sometime this Spring, we still haven't really seen it in consumer-bound hardware -- until now, that is. Although unconfirmed, slides have purportedly leaked out of what is said to be the Acer Hornet Ion-based nettop. Aside from the platform and a HDMI output, we don't have any specs for the machine. What we do know is that it's sporting a wireless game controller / air mouse -- in case you didn't pick up on the Wii influence, one of those background photos is a direct rip from NIntendo's ad campaign -- and can apparently hang from the back of LCD TVs. The images also tout its eco-friendly design, small form factor, "silent operation," and a price tag of only a couple hundred dollars. Elaborate Photoshop or impending PC? Something feels fishy here, so while we sit and impatiently wait for some official word, hit up the read link for more pics. [Via Slash Gear]
VentureBeat: Microsoft buying 3D camera company
A story from Haaretz was circulating last week claiming that Microsoft was in talks to purchase 3DV, maker of a camera-based motion sensing technology. Now, VentureBeat has supported the claim, saying that its sources confirm that a deal is in the works.Assuming Microsoft has gaming in mind and not creepy, Minority Report-style desktop navigation, our feelings are mixed on it. It could be a giant leap forward if 3DV's tech were bundled with a new console, but we're not sure we'll be ponying up for another stand-alone camera while still under the watchful, dusty eye of our Xbox Live Vision. What about you?
Nyko reveals price, date, bundles for Wand controller
The Wand, Nyko's take on the Wiimote, has a feature unique enough to interest us despite the appearance of the thing (seriously, it wasn't just hit with the ugly stick, it is the ugly stick): its "Trans-Port" allows for extension controllers to have real, digital buttons of their own, instead of having to leave space for the Wiimote buttons or use levers to manually push them. The attachments also use their own rumble motors.Nyko has just announced the details of the Wand's release, revealing that it will be released on its own in April for $34.99, and in two bundles in June: the "Core Pak" and the "Action Pak." The $49.99 Action Pak contains one Wand and one Pistol Grip attachment, which has its own Trans-Port connector on the bottom for connection of additional Nyko accessories. It also features a hilarious orange cap, so people don't think the Wiimote is a real gun. The Core Pak includes a "Wired Kama with Rumble," a version of the Nunchuk with separate rumble motors. It will also be available for $49.99.Between the slightly reduced price and the improved functionality, we're starting to think about going all-Nyko with our Wii controllers. That seems ... wrong, somehow.%Gallery-41092%
Alec Baldwin waggles Wiimote on SNL
We're used to Alec Baldwin swooping down like some sort of comedy angel to save even the worst episodes of Saturday Night Live, but we doubt even Della Reese crossed with Don Rickles could have preserved the chuckles this week. A skit involving Wario Land: Shake It is a prime example of Baldwin's ability to bail out what's essentially a sinking ship.Jokes that tie Wiimote motion to masturbation are so old now as to be almost quaint, but Baldwin manages to bring a certain classiness to the proceedings, and the bit (which you can see after the break) ended up a semi-bright spot in an otherwise crushingly dim evening.
Analyst: Wii-styled remotes are key to connecting consumers
We've seen all manner of remote control, from numberless to sliders to the hand-waving variety, but Strategy Analytics believes its latest survey indicates the ideal TV media browsing device is something like the Nintendo Wii controller. Topping PC-style keyboards, traditional remotes and voice control in that order the motion-sensitive point and click nature of the Wiimote gives it a leg up on the competition in the ten-foot interface battle. Ready to switch from tennis to Boxee without changing controllers, or are you still looking for the nearest touchscreen input laced Harmony product?