Post by: Kairon on January 08, 2010, 10:55:29 AM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20739
If there's one thing that's guaranteed to sell for the Wii, it's controllers. To that end, Nyko has announced a new alternative to Nintendo's official Wii Remote, the Wand +.
Nyko touts that the Wand +, a follow-up to last year's Wand controller for the Wii, will be fully compatible with all Wii software, including Wii MotionPlus games. In fact, whereas owners of the Wii Remote need to plug-in the Wii MotionPlus accessory for that functionality, Nyko has built their support for Wii MotionPlus into the controller itself, requiring no additional accessories. In addition to that, the Wand + will feature the same Trans-Port technology that its predecessor had, allowing compatible accessories attached to the Wand + to simulate pressing out-of-reach buttons or to take advantage of force-feedback functionality.
Whereas the suggested retail prices for the Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus products add up to nearly $60, Nyko has announced that the Wand + will carry a suggested retail price of $39.99 when it becomes available this March.
Nyko revealed the Wand + as part of their CES 2010 line-up. The company will also be showing the Charge Base Quad IC, which recharges up to four Wii controllers without the need to peel off silicon sleeves, open battery cases, or unplug accessories. The Charge Base Quad IC also offers a USB port to recharge USB-powered devices, and will come in both white and black color schemes.
CES 2010: Nyko Technologies Unveils Full CES Product Lineup
Wand + and Charge Base Quad IC Among Many Accessories Making Their Debut
LOS ANGELES - January 7, 2010
Nyko Technologies®, the leading videogame peripherals manufacturer, today debuted its full lineup of new products at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in Las Vegas. In addition to the previously announced Type Pad Pro for Wii, Speaker Com 360 and Charge Base IC in black, the following lineup of brand new videogame accessories will be on display for exclusive hands-on demo:
Wand +
The Wand + is designed to be the most advanced and user-friendly controller on the market for the Wii. Instead of requiring additional attachments or dongles for accurate motion control, the Wand + features Full Motion Technology built directly into the controller, allowing full 1:1 movement tracking that is compatible with all games that utilize the Wii Motion Plus attachment. By building the technology into the controller, the Wand + provides all the functionality Wii gamers expect, plus the versatility and convenience they deserve; no more dongles, no more custom sleeves or incompatibility with docks and other accessories not able to accommodate attached dongles. The Wand + also contains Nykos award-winning Trans-Port Technology, which allows key action buttons to be digitally replicated on other devices and pass sound and vibration signals to attached peripherals for the ultimate immersive gameplay experience. The Wand + features a fresh new design for a sleek, high-tech minimalist look.
The Wand + will be available at select retail stores nationwide in March 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $39.99.
Charge Base Quad IC
Based on the popular Charge Base IC for the Wii, the Charge Base Quad IC utilizes induction technology to charge up to four controllers. Like the original Charge Base IC, the design of the Charge Base Quad IC enables Wii Remotes or Wands to be charged without having to remove silicone sleeves, Wii Motion Plus or other attachments. The Charge Base Quad IC also features dual charge indicator lights and a powered USB port that can be used for charging other devices.
The Charge Base Quad IC, available in white and black, will be available at select retail stores nationwide in March 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $49.99.
Media Hub Slim
The Media Hub Slim works with the PlayStation®3 Slim (PS3 Slim) in vertical or horizontal position and easily snaps onto the console to match the color and contour of the PS3 Slim, and allows users to connect double the USB devices such as flash drives, PSP, MP3 players and guitar/drum controllers.
The Media Hub Slim adds two additional USB ports and a media card reader slot that supports SD cards and Sony Memory Sticks to enable content to be easily transferred to a PS3 Slim. In addition, the Media Hub Slim also includes a remote for basic control of menus, movies, music and more. Its unique design requires no tools or internal modifications, draws its power directly from the PS3 Slim and easily installs in just seconds.
The Media Hub Slim will be available at stores nationwide in April 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $19.99.
Intercooler Slim
The latest installment in the companys popular Intercooler line of game console cooling devices, the Intercooler Slim includes three powerful fans to reduce ambient air temperature by moving hot air away from the PS3 Slim. The Intercooler Slim can be easily snapped onto the back of the console, and with a patented power pass through connection, no AC adaptor is required. The device features variable fan-speed control for customized cooling, automatically turns on and off with the PS3 Slim and can be used with the console in vertical and horizontal position.
The Intercooler Slim will be available at select retail stores nationwide in February 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $19.99.
"CES gives Nyko a platform to truly set the tone for the coming year in gaming accessories," said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. "This year is no exception, with great new products for the recently released PlayStation 3 Slim, and new accessories like the Wand+ and Charge Base Quad IC designed to heighten consumer expectations of third-party peripherals."
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 08, 2010, 11:38:16 AM
I hope this does so well that maybe Nintendo will lower the price of their wiimotes.
Post by: BeautifulShy on January 08, 2010, 11:57:45 AM
Post by: GK on January 08, 2010, 01:43:41 PM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on January 08, 2010, 02:32:35 PM
My Nyko charger that I got back in 2007 is not really holding a charge anymore and one side doesn't work. The wiimotes always have 2 bars after I charge it. So the Quad Charger will be perfect for me.
I think the lesson was supposed to be that you SHOULDN'T trust Nyko chargers.
Post by: Jonnyboy117 on January 08, 2010, 02:45:28 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 08, 2010, 02:47:36 PM
I also hear the d-pad on this remote is really good.
Post by: Crimm on January 08, 2010, 03:56:50 PM
Great idea (and price) from Nyko. I'm surprised that we are already seeing a third-party MotionPlus, because I thought Nintendo had a solid exclusive on that technology from the patent holders.
I thought so as well. I would assume it would have to use the same technology, or it wouldn't work properly. I hope we get a review unit; I'm curious how well it works.
Post by: Crimm on January 08, 2010, 03:57:37 PM
I also hear the d-pad on this remote is really good.
You heard wrong. It's stupid and looks like the New Mexico state flag.
Post by: Crimm on January 08, 2010, 06:15:19 PM
To answer Jonny's question: it uses technology that Nyko developed on their own, without a Nintendo license.
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701736/Hands-On-Nykos-Wii-Wand-With-Built-in-MotionPlus.html (http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701736/Hands-On-Nykos-Wii-Wand-With-Built-in-MotionPlus.html)
Post by: King of Twitch on January 08, 2010, 06:28:10 PM
"Should Nintendo publish a change to MotionPlus, Nyko will also be able to update the firmware on the Wand+, though it will require sending your controller back to Nyko for flashing."
Post by: Crimm on January 08, 2010, 06:39:26 PM
Post by: DAaaMan64 on January 08, 2010, 06:56:25 PM
I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one. Then I'd be pissed. However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.
That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.
Post by: Crimm on January 08, 2010, 07:58:32 PM
I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one. Then I'd be pissed. However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.
That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.
Are you kidding? They'll wait for the first shipment to be on the trucks to stores and do it. Then once they recalled them and sent them back out they'll do it again.
Post by: MegaByte on January 08, 2010, 08:02:05 PM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 08, 2010, 08:08:04 PM
I swear I saw it reported on NWR sometime in the last year or so.
Post by: UncleBob on January 08, 2010, 09:19:05 PM
The price is reallly tempting, but..
"Should Nintendo publish a change to MotionPlus, Nyko will also be able to update the firmware on the Wand+, though it will require sending your controller back to Nyko for flashing."
I have to warn you, NYKO's customer service isn't something I enjoyed dealing with. Nor did I enjoy messing with NYKO's product...
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=21668
Post by: MegaByte on January 08, 2010, 09:54:36 PM
Who was it that had a Licensed peripheral agreement with Nintendo?It was Nyko. They got sued for the wireless Nunchuk design, but later the two settled for cash vs. licensing.
I swear I saw it reported on NWR sometime in the last year or so.
Post by: Kairon on January 08, 2010, 10:52:33 PM
I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one. Then I'd be pissed. However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.
That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.
Gah. That doesn't sound fun at all.
... I still want a Wand + though...
Post by: Mop it up on January 09, 2010, 04:07:23 AM
Post by: Stratos on January 09, 2010, 04:25:08 AM
Post by: Mop it up on January 09, 2010, 04:26:45 PM
I imagine the same holds true for the motion sensor in the Wii Remote, it either wasn't created with the most durable of design or it isn't made with the best quality material. I've turned off rumble in my remotes because I'm certain it can't be good for the sensor.
Post by: MegaByte on January 10, 2010, 01:14:43 AM
Post by: Mop it up on January 10, 2010, 02:03:43 AM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on January 10, 2010, 03:18:01 AM
Post by: Stratos on January 10, 2010, 04:02:14 PM
It's usually pretty easy to fix a stuck accelerometer. It happened to a friend of mine and he called Nintendo; they told him to smack it hard against his palm and it worked.
My friend refers to this as 'spanking' the remote.
Post by: Crimm on January 10, 2010, 10:59:59 PM
they told him to smack it hard against his palm and it worked.
Mmm...I wish this were in the Funhouse.
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on January 10, 2010, 11:35:41 PM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on January 11, 2010, 10:33:20 PM
My Nyko charger that I got back in 2007 is not really holding a charge anymore and one side doesn't work. The wiimotes always have 2 bars after I charge it. So the Quad Charger will be perfect for me.
I think the lesson was supposed to be that you SHOULDN'T trust Nyko chargers.
The kind of charger you should get is just a standard AA battery charger. That way you can use the batteries in every device you have that takes AA batteries, as opposed to a proprietary wii-mote charger that only works for the wii-mote (and from what you're saying, not very well).
As soon as I got a Wii I almost immediately switched from regular batteries to rechargeable ones. Now I'm not only saving money, but I'm helping the environment too (I think). But anyway, yeah, just use a regular battery charger and regular rechargeable batteries...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on January 11, 2010, 11:26:17 PM
I last had some Radio Shack brand AA & AAA and they lasted for ~2years with no issues.
The AA's(x4) were used almost exclusively in the wiimotes and last just over 2 years with constant use and the AAA's(x4) lasted almost 3 years, but I had a 3rd pair of rechargeables to cycle with those for a wireless mouse. I got all 8 batteries (4xAA & 4xAAA) with the charger for only $38 after tax.
What are the best batteries to get?
Post by: Mop it up on January 11, 2010, 11:33:33 PM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on January 12, 2010, 02:31:20 AM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on January 12, 2010, 02:35:07 AM
I have this charger thing that plugs into the wall socket and it only holds 4 batteries and it will only take AA and AAA, but that works out fine because I only use it for the Wii. I do have a separate charger which is much larger that can charge size C and D, but I almost never need those kinds of batteries. Really, what uses that size? Not much...
Post by: Mop it up on January 12, 2010, 03:11:06 AM
And why is there no size A or B?
Post by: KDR_11k on January 12, 2010, 03:27:06 AM
Post by: ShyGuy on January 12, 2010, 03:29:48 AM
Post by: Stratos on January 12, 2010, 04:26:03 AM
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on January 12, 2010, 05:06:10 AM
Post by: Chozo Ghost on January 12, 2010, 06:38:34 AM
And btw, did you guys know if you open up a 9 volt battery it is actually just a wad of 6 AAAA batteries? 1.5v x 6 = 9v Yes, they do make such a thing as AAAA batteries, but they are apparently very rare.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAAA_battery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAAA_battery)
Post by: UncleBob on January 12, 2010, 09:27:52 AM
Post by: Mop it up on January 12, 2010, 06:47:46 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_battery_sizes
This article seems to explain why:
The prior existence of the "B" battery is apparently the reason why there is no B-size single-cell "battery." In devising the lettered sizes it seems that there was a conscious effort to avoid "B," possibly also due to its association with a much higher voltage. Single-A was also avoided, but there was apparently no concern for possible confusion with the use of "C" as a size.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_%28vacuum_tube%29
That's way more than I ever cared to know about batteries...
