and All Consoles

The Nintendo Wii has only been out for a short time now, but already blogs and discussion forums are filled with Nintendo fans begging for additional features. Nintendo has always been good about listening to their customers, so hopefully some of these ideas will be include in future releases of the console. Here are just some of the most popular requests for additional Wii offerings.

1. Add More Colors To Choose From

Sure, the white and gentle blue scheme currently being sold is nice, but come on now, people want a choice. Sure, you can currently purchase vinyl skins and faceplates that cover your Wii with a new theme. If Nintendo offered a variety of different colors though, they could pocket the money for themselves. Also, we wouldn’t have to hunt these 3rd party skins down on places like eBay and go through the trouble of sticking them on ourselves.

2. Add Support For The Firefox Browser

Currently the Nintendo Wii runs with a version of the Opera browser, but it’s somewhat limited. If Firefox became available for the Wii, it would create competition that could quickly improve internet browsing with this console. There have been a few rumors recently that just such a browser is in the works, but so far these are unconfirmed.

3. High Definition Support

Why on earth wasn’t the Wii designed with HD support? Non HD television sets are already going the way of the eight-track and you’d think Nintendo would have wanted to be ahead of the trend. On the other hand, there is talk that HD support is in the works. Maybe it’s all ready to go, and Nintendo was waiting until everyone in the world has a Wii, and then they’ll offer HD support as an upgrade and pocket even more money. Time will tell.

4. Play DVDs

This is another feature that should have been a no-brainer. As it is, Nintendo has already confirmed that the next version of the Wii released in Japan will likely be able to play DVDs. What about the rest of us on the other side of the planet though? Including the ability to play DVDs means one less component in the home theater, which would make the Wii even more attractive to potential customers.

5. Automatic Updates

Why can’t the Wii update by itself when it is in standby mode? That would be so much easier than the waiting for lengthy downloads when the console is on. Heck, all the other guys are doing it, just look at the update service provide for the xBox through xBox live. We know Nintendo has the infrastructure to do this, but apparently they are still a little uncomfortable with online integration.

Maybe the above is expecting too much too soon for such a new unit. Hopefully though, Nintendo won’t rest on its laurels and will continue to update and improve the Wii based on what their customers are asking for.

One of the coolest little secrets to come out about the PS3 since its recent release is it’s ability to wirelessly share content with Sony’s handheld PSP unit via a function called “remote play”. Using remote play, your PSP becomes so much more powerful, as you can bring it anywhere in your house and have access to tons of music and video stored on your PS3 by synchronizing with the PS3’s Cross Media Bar.

The first thing to mention is that currently the remote play option is only available with the 60GB PS3 unit. This is because the feature realies on WiFi and only the 60GB PS3 comes with WiFi capabilities. Also, for the time being, you can only access your PS3 content from your PSP while you are in range of your unit’s WiFi signal. It gets even better though, as Sony is currently planning to allow IP access which would allow you to use your PSP to access your PS3 from anywhere.

To prepare your sytems for remote play, you must first update both your PSP and your PS3. Your Playstation 3’s software must be version 1.10 and your PSP’s firmware must be version 3.00. With this completed, you now have to spend some time configuring both the PSP and PS3 so that they can “talk” to each other.

From Your PSP’s network settings, you want to edit the infrastructure mode and set up a new connection. Follow the instructions on the screen, being sure to keep track of the name and password you create. Once this is completed, be sure to save your new settings by hitting the X button.

Next you’ll want to turn on your PS3 and let it know about your PSP. Go to “Network Settings” in your PS3’s menu and continue through to the “Remote Play Connection Settings”. You’ll be prompted for the SSID and WAP name and password you created on your PSP. With these settings saved, you’re almost ready to go.

Now, return to your PSP. All you need to do know is choose the connection you created in the “Remote Play” option under “Network”. If everything went smoothly, you should now see your PS3’s menu on your PSP! You’ll be able to control many functions and access much of the content on your PS3 from your portable.

There is still some content that cannot be accessed from the PS3 with your PS3; for example, you can’t play most games. On the other hand, the ability to be able to watch any of your downloaded videos and listen to any of your music you have stored on your PS3 from anywhere in your house makes the remote play function very useful.

As time passes, Sony will likely add more features to remote play. Already, at least two games can take advantage of this feature including Grand Turismo HD. Also, once access is expanded from the now limited WiFi range of the PS3 to global access, the PSP will likely become a very popular must-have for any PS3 owner.

For the time being though, if you already possess both a PS3 and PSP, be sure to set up the remote play option yourself. It’s very useful for example, if someone else wants to watch TV. In this case, you can just take your PSP to another room and still watch your videos or listen to your music that’s residing on your PS3.

Thanks to its inclusion of the new Blue-Ray (BD) Disc format, Sony’s new PS3 has been lauded by both gamers and home theater enthusiasts. The home movie buffs are quickly discovering that purchasing the PS3 is about the cheapest way to have access to BD movie playback. Unfortunately though, there is one drawback. You see, while most home theaters are controlled by infra-red remote control systems, the PS3 does not come with IR functionality. Luckily, with a little effort, you can control your PS3 with IR – here’s how:

1. What You’ll Need

Assuming you already have your PS3, there are a few additional pieces of hardware you’ll need to be able to control movie playback with an IR remote control. First, you’ll need a controller-to-USB adapter originally designed for the PS2. You’ll also need to dig up a Sony DVD remote for the original PS2. This is actually two pieces of hardware – the remote and the external receiver. Keep in mind that remotes for the newer version of the PS2 won’t work because they don’t come with the external receiver. (The IR reciever finally got built in to later versions of the PS2). You’ll probably have to check eBay or similar to find these.

2. How To Assemble

Next, attach the controller-to-USB adapter to one of the controller ports on your PS3. You can now attach the external IR reciever that came with the PS2 DVD remote to this. Granted, it can get a bit tangled and unsightly, but with a bit of creative bundling and with the help of twisty ties, your can probably get the whole setup looking fairly tight. You now have a way to control your PS3’s movie playback with your PS2 DVD remote or just about any universal home theater IR remote.

3. Limitations

You’ll find that with this setup, most of the basic features you’ll need to control playback on your PS3 will work with many universal IR remote controls. There are some things you won’t be able to do through the remote though, such as turning the unit on and off. You’ll also find that if you are using the PS2 DVD remote, that many of the buttons won’t do anything at all. For the most part though, these limitations are outweighed by the convenience of being able to control your PS3 movie playback from the same remote as the rest of your home theater setup.

Conclusion

Although this is a fairly fast and inexpensive way for controlling the PS3 with IR, hopefully Sony will see the demand for this and integrate this feature into future updates to the PS3. It’s current use of Bluetooth is excellent in many situations – but not for users of audio and visual equipment that relies on RF and IR controls. By paying attention to the desires of the home theater market that is turning to the PS3, Sony would quickly find a way to increase sales.