We don’t mean to get up on a soapbox here or anything, but the same DS WiFi network Nintendo’s setting up in Japan in more benign spots like video game shops is still scheduled to hit America (as expected), but will land in a slightly more inauspicious venue: McDonald’s. There are a lot of ways to roll out wireless access, but did Nintendo really have to go the one route that not only plays into the fat-gamer-nerd stereotype, but actually actively encourages unhealthy diets in America’s youth? Gamers will supposedly be able to compete via WiFi in one of MickeyDee’s 6,000 hotspot restaurants; we’re as yet unsure of whether there’ll be other future wireless venues for the DS, but let’s hope there will be by giving them a resounding lack of support on this one. ...

If you needed convincing the GP2X was a cool device then this is the article that may push you over the edge, heres what Lik Sang posted:



Korean gadget media site Minivian have published a review of the extremely versatile new handheld by Gamepark, the GP2X. Having a Beta version in their hands to poke at and play with at their hearts content, Minivian came up with a great preview of what can be expected from the final system and shot some fantastic images of the sexy multi-wonder in the process. While the original article can be found here, we at Lik Sang took time to present you with an English translation of this exciting hands-on report further below.

The GP2X sounds almost too good to be true. After Korean manufacturer Gamepark announced a successor to their massively popular handheld platform GP32, gamers worldwide have been holding their breath. Far from being just a portable console, the homebrew and development community is already in awe of its publicized specifications and features. Sporting a powerful Dual CPU core at its heart, the GP2X will prove to be a true multimedia machine with its multiple codecs support (DivX, MPEG, MP3,...) and TV Out capability. Being Linux based, it promises an Open Source environment for loads of garage-programmed games and applications in the future. Not only great for enjoying movies and music on the go, the GP2X is also a fine device to play free emulators on: SNES, NES, GB, Sega Mega Drive, Spectrum, C64, Atari, PC Engine (to just name a few). With a 3.5" TFT LCD Screen and High-Speed USB 2.0 connection, it's portable gadget glory at its best.

Pre-order Gamepark's fresh entry into the handheld market today, the system is supposed to ship in November 2005 for only US$ 179.90.

The Latest item in the Age of Digital Convergence, Gamepark Holdings' GP2X

The trend regarding digital devices goes towards convergence or integration. Simply put, the market offers products featuring music and movie player, image and text viewer and even gaming capabilities. These items, with all the integrated features, attract a wide range of users due to their multi-purpose nature, in contrast to products that emphasize on one main function only. They are favored also because it's simple to use them. Among these products, there is one that particularly appeals to users. It is the GP2X, a new product by Gamepark Holdings that works as a music and movie player, as well as a gaming platform, which usually can be expected only from dedicated game devices. Minivian has previewed the GP2X here, a new item by Gamepark Holdings. Please note that the color or design of the product shown may be different from the final mass produced item, as the preview was written based on a sample.

GP2X - A Stylish Design

At first look, the product seems to be designed for easy operation. Various control parts on the black body are clear and big enough to give the impression that it's designed to make using it easy and simple. The control stick on the left side is big enough to allow for convenient control by users. In addition, operating the device is fun due to the control stick's flexibility and it's very comfortable to click the button to select the menu. In the bottom part, there is a button to adjust the volume.

In addition, when viewed from the front, there's a central part that divides the front and rear panels and is located on the lower part of the product. The POWER LED and BATTERY LED are manufactured in acrylic plastic and the logo etc. are printed in a fresh color so that the user can check the basic operation status easily via the lower part of the product, while viewing the LCD. On the lower left and right part of the front panel there are stereo speakers, and in the center is the LCD of the GP2X. The LCD used for the GP2X is a QVGA grade TFT LCD with 320 x 240 resolution and a size of 3.5 inches. Though the basic specification states that 167 million colors are supported hardware-wise, which is excellent, GP2X supports only 260 thousand colors to guarantee processing speed or more stable operation by controlling the colors through software.

More info at Lik Sang ...

Dark Killer has released a new version of his app for windows that checks for malicious code, heres whats new:

v1.2:
-improved flash read/write detection algorithm (flash0 access for wlan drivers isnt detected as suspicious anymore)
-added Drag & Drop support
-bundled COMDLG32.OCX (fix "missing dependency" error)

Download via the comments ...

PSP298 has released a new Gameboy Advance emulator for the PSP, this release has great speed although not 100%, it uses the full 333mhz speed, it s full screen and it also uses what looks like is the Rin file selector and can be fully configured.

Heres some screens:





Download here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/pspgba.shtml

This is a much better GBA emu for the PSP than the other one and the speed will impress. ...

It seems the awesome console that the GP2X seems to be is paying dividends, its demand is higher than expected, heres what GP2X UK posted:

Demand has been greater than expected, meaning we have had to rebook the factory for a longer production run, this means the first units will ship at the end of October and we should be able to meet the Christmas rush! ...

As gaming enters its next generation, checking calendars for the origins of popular series more commonly yields ages older than a decade. One such franchise is the Fire Emblem series, which first appeared on the Famicom system 15 years ago. Today, Nintendo announced that the latest chapter in the franchise is now available on its latest entertainment system: the GameCube.

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance continues the role-playing gameplay and epic storytelling and includes 3D graphics for the first time in the series. A vast array of characters includes knights, monks, cavaliers, and the Iaguz, a race of half-man, half-animal beings that can take the form of cats, dragons, and more.

The game was released in Japan in April and is the first North American release of the series not on the Game Boy Advance. Gamers who connect a GameCube with Path of Radiance to a GBA with either previous Fire Emblem games will unlock special Fire Emblem character art and challenge maps for Nintendo's current console. ...

PSP298 has released a new Gameboy Advance emulator for the PSP, this release has great speed although not 100%, it uses the full 333mhz speed, it s full screen and it also uses what looks like is the Rin file selector and can be fully configured.

Heres some screens:





Download here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/pspgba.shtml

This is a much better GBA emu for the PSP than the other one and the speed will impress. ...

News from the DSemu Site:

So. As of right now, I have a kinda-functional ARM and Thumb core, and the former DSemu's GPU has been ported in full to the new plugin structure. And that means ARMwrestler tests all green, which is a good thing.

I've also been testing a few demos gleaned from PDroms, and have in fact had some results; indeed, maybe 30% of the small tech demos I've downloaded so far seem to run. Furthermore, I've finally found that little bug that was causing Torlus's Walk3D guy to be missing half his ribs and a thigh.

Love the overflow flag.

http://www.dsemu.org/ ...

Yesterdays news at Lik Sang about a new PSPTV product was today commented on by Team Xtender the makers of the other PSP TV Adapter:

Magic Mirrors Enter The PSP Accessory Market...

Earlier today we were inundated with masses of mails which notified us of a supposed substitute product to our highly accliamed PSP2TV product.
Several websites have picked up on the news that a taiwaneese manufacturer is hard at work on magical mirror PSP2TV like device, this supposed competition will not even come close to the quality of PSP2TV.
Yes, we understand you will not have to open up the PSP to clip on the magic mirrors but remember this their whole product relies on mirrors. That means, whatever is actually displayed on the LCD screen will be mirrored to your TV.
Mirrored images will include, finger prints, scratches and all the other dust particles and grime that may be loitering on your PSP LCD screen. One actually begins to wonder wether this taiwaneese toy would be more suitable for crime scene investigators rather than hardcore PSP Gamers ?
Our original PSP2TV product intelligently gains a real live video capture from the PSP and as a result you can not only expect a top quality smooth image but also a TV display which is free of dirt and grime. Don't even get us started on how bad the quality will be from this 'competing' product, infact their concept was explored by our technicians in the initial phases of our research and development some 7 months ago. Now let's take a look the facts as to why PSP2TV will remain as the number one PSP to TV adapter for many months to come...

1) A direct capture is taken from anything that is being run on the PSP, consequently viewing experiences will be of the best quality and will not ruin any viewing experiences on the big screen.
2) S-video connection option - This will further enhance the viewing quality
3) Full support for a variety of aspect ratio's including 4:3 and 16:9, giving you the end user as much opportunity to customise your PSP2TV display.
4) Dualshock PS2 controller support meaning you utilize the superior PS2 controller method whilst playing your favourite PSP games on TV.
5) A docking station for the PSP, just rest your PSP in the docking station and enjoy the show!
6) A very simple, solderless install complete with a range of vibrant faceplates for your PSP. Yes, you will have to undo the front fascia of the PSP but this is the only way that you will get a crystal clear and dirt free image on the TV.

Many of our customers have been the likes of IGN, Gamespot and Eurogamer. Not only do they want to review this product and see how cool it is but it is actually one of very few ways that they can easily video review PSP games titles. Now imagine if their screenshot captures contained even a speck of grime ? Of course it wouldn't make the cut and the whole product would be flawed as it's not fulfilling one of it's uses.

To any successful product there will nearly always be some form of fly-by competition, we urge you not to fooled - we as Team Xtender and the high profile media who have already purchased the PSP2TV have every confidence that our device is the original and ultimate solution for a TV output from your PSP.

Opinions comments ? ...