To some degree, the current Nintendo Wii console already features an “app store” called the Wii Shop Channel. Console owners can browse, purchase, and download bite-sized games called WiiWare in addition to old classics (ROMS) from the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafix 16 days. On a more technical note, some of the main Wii applications like the Internet Channel and the Shop Channel are treated like apps, requiring users to download updates from time to time.

However, The Daily reports that Nintendo is secretly building a full-blown app store for the upcoming Wii U that is similar to Apple’s App Store. An unnamed source close to the matter claims that it will offer more than the “lite” weather and calculator applications seen on the Wii and DSi — it will be a fully-loaded store proffering a wider variety of apps. What these apps will be is still unknown at this point, but we know Netflix is a likely candidate given it’s already available on the Wii and 3DS, maybe even Facebook and Twitter.

“Wii U owners will be able to use apps that operate on the Wii U itself, such as MLB.TV, and others that run independently on the Wii U’s controller,” The Daily reports. “Given its tablet-like design and 6.2-inch screen, it’s not hard to imagine being able to check email, browse the Web, post to social networks and even get some gaming in.”

Nintendo’s Wii U is slated for the second half of 2012 and will feature a tablet-like controller containing a 6.2-inch FWVGA (854 x 480) resistive touchscreen. The controller will also contain a built-in 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a front-facing camera, typical Nintendo controller buttons and a stylus. It’s speculated that the supposed Apple-like app store will cater more to the tablet itself, and could possibly even offer popular titles from Gameloft, Rovio, Electronics Arts and more.

It’s hard to set much store by early sales performance, particularly after the evergreen 3DS faced such a rocky road. Nevertheless, the Vita’s latest stats do look disappointing for such a highly anticipated — not to mention high-quality — console: after shifting a remarkable 321,000 units during its first two days on sale in Japan, it could only muster 72,500 in the whole week between December 19th and Christmas Day. In comparison, the PS3 sold 76,000 units during the same period, while the 3DS rang up half a million. This doesn’t necessarily reflect a lack of interest, however: there have been stock shortages, and it’s also possible that buyers are waiting to make sure that all the launch bugs get cleaned up.

SOURCE via All Things D

Microsoft just received a patent that closely defines the Xbox 360 as a motion picture entertainment center and much more than just a game console.

The patent, which was filed in January 2007, barely two months after the release of the competing PlayStation 3, Microsoft laid out “an integrated gaming and media experience” that enables users to record media via a “digital video recorder (DVR) application running alongside a television client component.”

The Xbox 360 has supported DVR functions via the Media Remote for some time, However, the record feature only supports content recording to a DVR that is installed by a TV service provider. This patent appears to be a fully integrated DVR experience that records content directly to the Xbox 360 and supports recording during gameplay or video watching. When Microsoft limited its DVR feature for the game console, it stated that it requires the support of an actual DVR as the game console itself is frequently turned off. However the patent explicitly states that this DVR feature also applies when “the gaming console is turned off.”

A fully functional DVR are a logical step for game consoles as they are becoming entertainment devices and have to deliver many more functions than just game play and video rental.

SOURCE via USPTO

Remember the hotly anticipated Razer Blade gaming laptop that didn’t make it into your hands for Christmas? I’ve got good news and bad news. Bad news first of course; the laptop is getting delayed further all the way until middle to late January before you will actually be able to see it in your grubby little paws. Good news? The reason behind the delay is that Razer is swapping the 320GB HDD for a 256SSD without having to increase the US$2,799 list price. On top of that, for every Razer Blade order, Razer will be throwing in a Razer Orochi Blade Edition absolutely free. Details for that can be found on Razer’s Facebook page here.

Already pondering that long-awaited trip to Japan in order to snag a PlayStation Vita in advance? Hold your horses, vaquero. Sony has just given anxious US and Canadian gamers reason to look forward to a launch of their own by laying out the official software plan for 2012. We’re told that February 22nd will be the day to remember, with a total of 25 titles being available alongside the console. In fact, the company’s calling this “the biggest and best lineup [it has] ever launched across the history of PlayStation platforms.” Over 100 titles are in development, with the 25 shipping on day one being priced between $9.99 and $49.99; moreover, each one will be available for purchase at retail locations as well as downloadable on the PlayStation Network. Hit the source link below for the full spiel, and keep your eyes peeled for pre-orders to go live in the coming weeks.

SOURCE via Playstation Blog

Sony is a little hot under the collar after a recent wave of stories regarding some bugs that allegedly beguiled the first wave of PS Vita owners. As you may recall, reports were pouring in that many customers were experiencing freeze ups and other performance issues with their new handhelds, prompting Sony to issue an apology. Well, it seems as if something got lost in translation. A UK spokesperson for the company told the Guardian that the statement was actually apologizing to customers experiencing difficulty getting through to tech support, not for the screen issues that have been the subject of many a YouTube video. He went on to say that Sony has seen no evidence of widespread problems with the portable gaming device, though, there was firmware update made immediately available to address some bugs.

SOURCE via The Guardian

It’s yet another lawsuit, but, this time, it is the kind that you simply expected and would say that Sony asked for it.

A class action lawsuit targets a clause in the PlayStation Network (PSN) terms of service that states users cannot sue Sony. The suit alleges that the company engages in “unfair business practices” by forcing users to give up their right to file a suit. The other choice is, of course, to deny that requirement and not be admitted to the PSN, which is a default feature of the PS3 game console.

There are some other issues with Sony’s shady move, the suit claims: For example, the new clause has been buried at the bottom of the terms of use, which is not easily accessible and rarely read given the inconvenient scrolling feature of the PSN interface.

In September of this year, Sony updated the terms of service following a catastrophic breach of the PSN, which reportedly exposed the names, addresses, email addresses and logins of more than 77 million users.

Sony has not commented on the lawsuit yet.

SOURCE via Gamespot

Sony’s PlayStation Vita was first unveiled almost a year ago, back in January of this year, and the device wasn’t given a price or estimated launch until June, at E3. Though the waiting game is never fun, it does give the company time to drum up excitement for a more successful launch. So, how did Sony do? Well, we already know there were some moderate queues at stores around Japan, but that doesn’t guarantee success. The real question is how many units did Sony sell?

Reuters points to data from research firm Enterbrain in reporting that Sony sold just over 320,000 PS Vitas in its first 48 hours of availability. This is about 50,000 fewer than Nintendo managed to shift with the 3DS’s first days of availability. Nintendo’s 3DS launched in Japan in February of this year to strong sales but things soon slowed to a point where Nintendo was forced to cut the price of the device significantly to give sales a boost. Sony is no doubt crossing its fingers it manages to avoid a similar scenario with the PS Vita.

The PS Vita hit Japanese shelves on Saturday, December 17. However, the company has already been forced to issue a software update and an apology to early adopters after some users reported issues with the device locking up and freezing. The company said in a statement to its Japanese users that its information center for PS Vita, as well as its usual customer service center, was receiving ‘many inquiries’ and apologized if users’ phones weren’t connecting right away. The device is scheduled for launch in the United States and Europe in late February, and it’s likely this issue will have been completely resolved long before then, so the chances that this will have any impact on you (if you decide to get a Vita) are slim.

Last year, a group of disgruntled gamers filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony over its decision to remove the “Install Other OS” feature from its PS3 firmware. Last week, though, their case was dismissed by US District Judge Richard Seeborg, on the grounds that the plaintiffs failed to actually state a claim. In a ruling issued Thursday, Seeborg said he sympathized with the gamers’ gripes, but ultimately determined that they had failed to demonstrate any legal entitlement to the feature, thereby neutering their arguments. “The dismay and frustration at least some PS3 owners likely experienced when Sony made the decision to limit access to the PSN service to those who were [un]willing to disable the Other OS feature on their machines was no doubt genuine and understandable,” Seeborg wrote. “As a matter of providing customer satisfaction and building loyalty, it may have been questionable.” He went on, however, to point out that the users “have failed to allege facts or articulate a theory on which Sony may be held liable” post-PS3 purchase, effectively ending the litigation.

SOURCE via Court House News

Microsoft this week pushed its big Xbox Live Dashboard update out the door, launched an iOS app and its companion app for Windows Phone 7 users. As if that weren’t enough, the company is polishing off the week with a spot of free Xbox Live Gold. This means all Xbox users will soon be able to enjoy all of the perks usually reserved for Gold members.

Of course, while it’s nice to think that Microsoft is just feeling generous this season, the company’s free weekend will likely inspire some people to sign up for Gold come Monday, when their two free days run out. It’s also worth noting that to get this comes right after Microsoft released its latest dashboard update. Microsoft likely wants as many users as possible to grab the update and is willing to give away a weekend of Xbox Live Gold in order to get people to to turn on their consoles if it means the company push the update to more units.

Still a free weekend of Xbox Live Gold is a free weekend of Xbox Live Gold, so it’s nothing to turn your nose up at. Enjoy your extra Gold perks including Netflix, Hulu, Video Kinect, Facebook, online gaming, and all those special deals Gold users are offered.

SOURCE via CVG