Wi-Fi
One of the technology buzzwords of today is Wi-Fi, a feature that every new gadget must have. In a nutshell this allows you to connect to other compatible devices without wires, at the moment for the Nintendo DS this is restricted to other DSs.
What does this mean for the Nintendo DS? For starters, you can play head to head with anyone within the Nintendo DS’s 30-100 feet wireless range. Not all games
have this facility, but don’t despair if you don’t own a multi-player game. Some games don’t require every gamer to have the game cartridge loaded in their DS as long as one of the players connected has it! Nintendo also supply Pictochat with the DS, a handy little program that lets you chat with others using the touch screen to type or draw on.
But this does not mean that you are restricted to multi-player gaming with other DS gamers nearby. Nintendo have set up a network of Wi-Fi hotspots that will let you connect to DS gamers across the world. Called Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and set up in places such as libraries, cafes and McDonalds restaurants this service will be available from 14th of November 2005 in Japan, 23rd of November 2005 in North America and 25th of November in the U.K.
And you wont have to even leave the comfort of your own home to play online. Nintendo have plans to release a USB Connector that you can use to connect to this service using any PC with broadband Internet access. No U.S. price has been announced yet but in the U.K. it should cost about £30 and in Japan ¥3500.