No where in that press release do I see the word "online". I see "wireless", "Wi-Fi", and "connectivity" but I never see the actual word "online" and really that's what we're looking for. "Online" is a positive buzzword. It would be good for Nintendo to say "we are going online". When I hear all these other words used instead I get nervous like Nintendo is using some alternative method or something. I think they are going online but there's doubt because Nintendo is infamous for doing things their own similar but unwanted way.

I want to play Nintendo games with my friends though the internet without having to leave my home or buy additional hardware or use a different ISP. I want Nintendo to tell me that I can do that without all this wishy-washy vague talk using words that are similar to online but don't technically mean the same thing. Just for once tell it to me straight.

What does this mean exactly? Could the controllers use Bluetooth? Does this have anything to do with controllers in the first place or is this just WiFi?

Because we already know the Rev will be WiFi-enabled... now we just have a name.

Ian, seems to me you have selective vision: "Integrated wireless technology from proven vendors like Broadcom will enhance the gaming experience for the vast majority of next-generation gamers, whether competing against someone in the same room or on the other side of the world."

I'm pretty sure online is a given with WiFi. I mean, what else is it used for? Relax.

Yes, basically this means Nintendo has teamed up with a company that takes wireless networking very seriously.

Quote

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"Integrated wireless technology from proven vendors like Broadcom will enhance the gaming experience for the vast majority of next-generation gamers, whether competing against someone in the same room or on the other side of the world."

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My Guess is that the Nintendo PR people don't like to use the term online because Iwata has dismissed online in the recent past. So they say WiFi so it doesn't look like they are conflicting "Online is bad." "Online is good."

It's all kind of a silly word spinning exercise..

Yeah, i think its almost a definate the the Rev's controllers will use something more sophisticated that RF. It makes a whole lot of sense considering, and it should completely get rid of the interference complaints some people had.

I think it could also explain why they are worried about showing it off. There is still time for Sony and MS to convert away from RF (assuming they aren't thinking the same way Nintendo is).

I have a broadcomm wireless chipset in this laptop. And it would seem illogical for xbox 360 to use RF if it uses wireless controllers. What about the xbox live headset? Hopefully, these won't use the 2.4ghz range. (Can they even do that with already using it for wireless connectivety? Maybe on another channel, but there might be a lot of interference.)

They'll say "online" at E3.

Perhaps they want to imply that it can be used within a small local network, or within a global network (The internet).

Saying online may imply that you need an internet connection. Saying WiFi can mean otherwise.

when will you guys get it right? it's noline

Hmm, I'm using a Broadcom chipset in my laptop as well. Wow, I'm cutting edge and I didn't even know it!

All I have to say is this:

I hope Broadcom does a better job with the Revolution than they do on laptops.

I work for a company that uses Broadcom wireless cards (I will keep the company unnamed for the time being) as tech support. All I know is that the cards SUCK. They are absolutely terrible. They have poor reception, lose connection frequently, and generally are inferior to any other card on the market, with the EXCEPTION of perhaps Ralink, which is the most abyssmal damn card I've ever seen in my life (and, obviously enough, the only other wireless card my company uses).

While I have faith in Nintendo (the Wavebird is a work of art, after all), I can only hope this partnership is developed and researched heavily with a huge emphasis on quality. I don't want my Revolution to be 10 feet from my wireless network and not be able to connect because Broadcom uses ancient technology and the worst cards in human existence.

Of course, this is all speculation and I can't say anything until we see some sort of true prototype, but please, PLEASE, Nintendo, PLEASE don't screw this up. This might be one of the best moves you've made lately. Don't screw it up.

I caught something no one else did...

Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in wired and wireless broadband communications semiconductors, today announced a strategic partnership to provide wireless technology for Nintendo's next generation gaming systems.

Strell, what are the chances that your cards are just really old because someone in accounting wanted to save money?

Yeah I noticed that too. I think they're covering all bases--they could provide the wireless manufacturing for new Ninteno DS systems and the GBA successor.

Anyway, Broadcom also provides chips to Linksys for their routers, and they're pretty much industry standard. I think the driver and antenna are what makes or breaks the connection quality. Broadcom may make (cheap OEM) wireless cards, but they are primarily a chip provider. Think of it the same way you see nVidia chipsets in other graphics cards, and one audio DSP chip in competing A/V Receivers.

Oh, I'm pretty positive that's the case. I just hope the same thing isn't going to happen on Rev, that's all.

Michael "TYP" Cole said the DS nintendo wi-fi is a bit lackluster.... wasn't it set up to consume less battery life and that's the reason its not a fully-fledged wi-fi connection? That's what i thought anyway.

Yes, it's just 802.11b syncing at 2mbps, sans TCP/IP. I'm not sure what the DS is capable of when establishing a proper connection to a router. It may stay locked at 2mbps since you would probably never exceed that bandwidth anyway--playing games.