Why would I want wifi in my console?

[Guden Oden]

What's the point? If I'm going to be playing console games so far from a TP jack, shouldn't revolution come with rechargable batteries built-in too?

Besides, if it has wifi, I'd need wifi on my computer too, with all the security issues that entails. We've heard how easily the encryption can be broken (minutes literally), why would I want crappy shit like that opening up a great big hole straight into my PC?

As long as the thing connects with cables from the wall socket, to the TV, to the hifi system, I see no reason why wifi would be such a great idea. One cable more or less isn't going to make one DAMNED bit of difference, and TP is lots cheaper and helluva lot safer than god-damned crappy wifi ever will be.

It's just hype, there's no real point to this feature whatsoever. If tilt sensors is gimmicky in a joypad, then wifi in a stationary console is certainly even worse.

 

[Carl B]

What's the point? If I'm going to be playing console games so far from a TP jack, shouldn't revolution come with rechargable batteries built-in too?

Besides, if it has wifi, I'd need wifi on my computer too, with all the security issues that entails. We've heard how easily the encryption can be broken (minutes literally), why would I want crappy shit like that opening up a great big hole straight into my PC?

As long as the thing connects with cables from the wall socket, to the TV, to the hifi system, I see no reason why wifi would be such a great idea. One cable more or less isn't going to make one DAMNED bit of difference, and TP is lots cheaper and helluva lot safer than god-damned crappy wifi ever will be.

It's just hype, there's no real point to this feature whatsoever. If tilt sensors is gimmicky in a joypad, then wifi in a stationary console is certainly even worse.

Wait... why do you think you need a PC again?

 

[gurgi]

I could personally use it because my house isn't wired with cat5. But maybe it could also serve as an access point for the DS?

 

[3dcgi]

You might want wi-fi because not everyone has an ethernet jack near their console. And like xbdestroya said you don't need a PC. A Wi-fi router will do just nicely.

 

[pegisys]

you can play the guy next door without wires, that would be so cool just to put in a game and can play someone without having to have internet sevice, and you could have a lan party without having a router or hub

 

[cthellis42]

Well, I wouldn't mind if my toaster had WiFi connectivity. How could this be a DOWNside unless they strip out the ethernet jack to do so?

Frankly, I'd like to see them all WiFi next gen. I'd prefer my TiVo and VCR and all sorts of other devices be so as well. (My TiVo is NOW, but I'd rather it be built-in instead of making me buy a peripheral and use a port for it.)

Revolution is already going to want to communicate with the DS and with whatever gaming system (which will certainly have wireless) comes next, so... Would it make any sense to put in wireless that's ONLY good for local connectivity and peripheral use? Or hey! Fancy idea here, but couldn't they put internet connectivity in with that, too?

Eureka!

 

[BOOMEXPLODE]

Playing your neighbors without cables sounds like a good idea but I don't know if that could be done well. My attempts at forming wireless networks with the neighbors have been hit or miss. An unreliable 10 megabit connection is the best I could do with the tech that's currently available. In my experience going outside your own house or even going through thick walls within your own house is a crapshoot. Trees seem to form an almost impenetrable barrier even over short distances.

 

[Li Mu Bai]

The real question is, why wouldn't you?

 

[London Geezer]

I have a very cool 54Mbps wireless router which covers the whole house, if i were to play games online next gen, it would be nice if the consoles had wi-fi.

 

[Clashman]

Perhaps it has some interesting interfaces with DS/GBA2 using wireless ethernet, as well?

 

[Titanio]

I'm beginning to wonder if Revolution itself will connect wirelessly to the web. I'm thinking it's plausible that you'll plug a ethernet cable into your Revolution and then it can act as a wireless access point for other Nintendo devices (e.g. DS etc.), to facilitate the "hassle-free" wireless access Iwata was so keen to talk about at GDC. Broadcom has some interesting products for idiot-proof wireless lan setup that could be used to work between nintendo products..your revolution would act as the piece of the puzzle that's cabled to the internet.

Then again, it might let you do either - connect wirelessly to your own router or with wired connection, and then it could subsequently offer "hassle-free" wireless access for other Nintendo devices. That way no one can complain

So, to answer your question: I think it'll be there to facilitate guaranteed one (or two)-button access to online gaming for other wireless nintendo devices (no wep key, no mac addresses etc. etc.), and to facitate wireless lan gaming and to let you connect wirelessly to your own router if that happens to suit you. But that last option is really not as important as the other two I think (as far as Nintendo's concerned at least) - indeed, getting your revolution to talk nicely to your wireless router could be trickier than Nintendo could accept.

Others speculate that there'll be a little nintendo/broadcom dongle you can plug into your wireless router that'll set everything up neatly to let you connect your Rev/DS to your router wirelessly withtout any hassle - not sure how plausible that is though (?)

 

[Guden Oden]

You might want wi-fi because not everyone has an ethernet jack near their console.

But everybody knows how to set up a secure wifi network with internet access? Riiiight...

 

[London Geezer]

Well personally i never saw the point of browsing the internet through a console, especially through a TV without keyboard and mouse, and i still think that.

Playing online, cool, internet browsing, what's the point? Unless you're plugged to a HDTV and have keyboard and mouse, i don't see the point. And if that's the case, then i might as well plug my PC to my imaginary HDTV.

 

[Entropy]

You might want wi-fi because not everyone has an ethernet jack near their console.

But everybody knows how to set up a secure wifi network with internet access? Riiiight...

Why would it have to be secure? What, exactly, are the risks involved when someone just turns their Revolution on to play a game with her neighbour next door?
Why would it have to access the internet at all?

You seem very PC-centric in your evaluation.
The nintendo Revolution is not a PC, and just as it won't have all the possibilities of a PC, nor will it have all the corresponding flaws and vulnerabilities.

 

[London Geezer]

I agree, unless there's some secret in Mario Online that needs to be kept within the house, setting up a wireless network usually takes 1 step:

- Switch ON

The hardware will find the network and connect, all automatic, like PSP. Doesn't get much easier than that. Besides, if a house already has a wireless router working, than it's safe to say that the owner already knows something about wireless networks, since he had to go through the whole setup process on his PC.

 

[Acert93]

You might want wi-fi because not everyone has an ethernet jack near their console.

But everybody knows how to set up a secure wifi network with internet access? Riiiight...

Kind of pointless seeing that most routers ship with WiFi wide open to start with and very few consumers know to log into their account manager and either a) disable WiFi or b) would have no clue where to begin securing their network. Something about a lot of people do not read manuals...

If they have a router that has WiFi features there is a good chance it is already unsecure :? Having a console access an already unsecure network wont change much (sadly).

 

[Acert93]

Well, I think Guden is making the safe assumption that the Revolution WiFi will be able to access a wireless router to access the internet.

In that regards using a wireless router, with or without a PC, does pose some risks if the connection is not secured. WiFi wont be a problem with Rev-to-Rev or Rev-to-NDS connections, but once you throw the Internet into the equation there could be issues.

 

[London Geezer]

Well, I think Guden is making the safe assumption that the Revolution WiFi will be able to access a wireless router to access the internet.

In that regards using a wireless router, with or without a PC, does pose some risks if the connection is not secured. WiFi wont be a problem with Rev-to-Rev or Rev-to-NDS connections, but once you throw the Internet into the equation there could be issues.

Have you got something to hide?

 

[Randell]

I have my xbox wi-fi connected to my internal wi-fi network. So the cost saving, plug socket saving is of benefit to me.

Not everyone has their PC gaming set up in their bedroom or are singletons. My wi-fi network, 3 years ago was one of the biggest single PC/network expenses for me, but was so easily sold to the wife. All this outlay, but no cables!

I also move my xbox from the playroom to the living room quite a lot, so wifi is easier and in-built is less to move around.

So in short - you are a minority

 

[PC-Engine]

Guden Oden has a DSL modem in every room in his home or he has one DSL modem with hundreds of meters of cat 5 all over his home..LMAO. Just because you have a weird home doesn't mean normal people are weird like you.

The hardware will find the network and connect, all automatic, like PSP. Doesn't get much easier than that. Besides, if a house already has a wireless router working, than it's safe to say that the owner already knows something about wireless networks, since he had to go through the whole setup process on his PC.

Exactly! I just think somebody is envious of wireless capability and downplaying it as hype. BTW there are already WiFi products for Xbox, PS2, and GCN that automatically connect to your existing WiFi network assuming your name isn't Guden Oden.

Well, I think Guden is making the safe assumption that the Revolution WiFi will be able to access a wireless router to access the internet.

In that regards using a wireless router, with or without a PC, does pose some risks if the connection is not secured. WiFi wont be a problem with Rev-to-Rev or Rev-to-NDS connections, but once you throw the Internet into the equation there could be issues.

Have you got something to hide?

But the Revolution has to go through the router/firewall in order to connect to the internet anyway just like any PC so I'm not really understanding this security fear. The security hole would be between your neighbers not the internet, and your neighbors have to go through a router/firewall too right? Besides what are the chances that your neighbors know how to hack into your secured WiFi network?