Nintendo Wifi UK rollout - impressive!

[StefanS]

From PGC:

Ah, the basics! OK, I'll break it down for you. At home you have two options: you can use a wireless router or Nintendo's USB wireless connection device.

Standard Wireless Router: Any 802.11b or 802.11g router should fit the bill, though apparently some have compatibility problems. Simply connect your DSL or cable modem to the router. (You may connect your computers with Ethernet cables or wirelessly). The wireless network should be visible within the Nintendo WFC settings menu and work with no configuration (unless you want a secure network).

USB Connector: You can think of Nintendo's adapter as creating a proprietary network that only Nintendo DS (and assumedly Revolution) may use. After installing the bundled software on your Windows PC and connecting the USB device, you can connect to Nintendo WFC through your computer. The PC may be connected to the internet through any means, including another wireless network. The USB Connector is a good choice for anyone who wants maximum online mobility or does not want to compromise their current wireless network's security. (Nintendo DS does not support WPA, but the USB Connector could safely relay the DS connection through a WPA network.)

Outside of the home, you can connect to Nintendo WiFi through any standard WiFi hotspot, though you may need to jump through hoops. For example, my school's wireless network requires me to register my handheld's MAC address. "Hotspots" rarely have WEP or WPA security features that require special passwords, since their purpose is to provide a readily available internet connection. Commercial hotspots that charge for service will invariably require a laptop to pay for service and the USB connector to share that connection with the DS. Since Nintendo and Wayport have teamed up, any free Wayport hotspot that normally requires browser authentication is compatible with Nintendo WiFi.

The official Nintendo WiFi site provides a convenient archive of hotspots around the world—except for Australia. Sorry Aussies, but apparently wireless standards are either kooky down under, or NAL once again cannot be arsed to do anything.

PGC Mailbag

Current List of Compatible Routers

 

[London Geezer]

How's the DS doing in the UK?

I keep seeing lots of people with PSPs on the Tube (all playing some game that looks very much like BG: DA, no idea what it is cause i haven't been following the whole thing), but i still haven't seen anyone with a DS.
Not saying PSP IZ DESTROOING DA DS, just asking what the sales figures are in the UK. Going by pure instinct, i'd say the PSP will do very well here. I know what brits are like.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Bit odd if you ask me. If DS works with 802.11b/g (hooray for sense!) why is a custom adapter needed for a PC? Can't a standard USB Wifi adaptor work? Seems a shame to get a Nintendo device and then upgrade to a wireless network at home and have this Nintendo Wifi adapter become redundant. If you could use a standard adaptor you could upgrade your network to Wifi and still use it to connect your PC.

 

[Teasy]

I keep seeing lots of people with PSPs on the Tube (all playing some game that looks very much like BG: DA, no idea what it is cause i haven't been following the whole thing), but i still haven't seen anyone with a DS.

Probably because DS isn't a "status symbol" like PSP. The kind of people who buy a PSP really want to be seen playing it Sorry PSP owners, I'm half kidding (only half though)

 

[Kalin]

Bit odd if you ask me. If DS works with 802.11b/g (hooray for sense!) why is a custom adapter needed for a PC? Can't a standard USB Wifi adaptor work? Seems a shame to get a Nintendo device and then upgrade to a wireless network at home and have this Nintendo Wifi adapter become redundant. If you could use a standard adaptor you could upgrade your network to Wifi and still use it to connect your PC.

I think that's where your line of thought drifts apart from what Nintendo are aiming for with the USB adaptor. Simply put Nintendo are assuming you don't even know what LAN, let alone WLAN, means. If that was the case then the adaptor would be THE way to get you DS/Rev online at home.

 

[Ty]

Probably because DS isn't a "status symbol" like PSP. The kind of people who buy a PSP really want to be seen playing it Sorry PSP owners, I'm half kidding (only half though)

I think you're correct to a degree. Just as the pre-launch advertising showed, Sony was going for a young, hipper generation. And they tend to be as trendy as anyone else if not more so.

 

[Blade]

I'll get the Nintendo WiFi adapter. I have a router and no plans to go wireless here at home..