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Nintendo DS To Allow Free VoIP Calls

Posted by timothy on from the biz-oriented-version-would-sell-well dept.

sm4kxd writes "Gamespot is reporting that the Nintendo DS will use "built-in wireless 802.11b networking capabilities to offer voice-over-IP chat--in effect, allowing gamers to use the DS to make free phone calls at wireless network hotspots." There's also mention of a headset, so you won't look ridiculous while doing so." The article doesn't have much more information, but the "in effect" seems important; this may only allow unit-to-unit conversations, not VoIP calls to the regular telephone network.

18 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Early Adapters tend to look ridiculous by joeldixon66 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "There's also mention of a headset, so you won't look ridiculous while doing so."

    I'm sorry - but is it just me that thinks the sight of someone talking to their Gameboy would look ridiculous? People using hands free kits already look like dopes IMO.

    1. Re:Early Adapters tend to look ridiculous by NanoGator · · Score: 2, Funny

      "I'm sorry - but is it just me that thinks the sight of someone talking to their Gameboy would look ridiculous? People using hands free kits already look like dopes IMO. "

      You've never seen somebody play their Gameboy lookin like they're talkin to Al?

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  2. I need more though by Stevyn · · Score: 5, Funny

    I still need an online music store, place to get stock quotes, a free webmail account...and something else. I can't put my finger on what it is. Oh yeah, instant messenging through AOL. Alright, now we got a hot product.

    1. Re:I need more though by The+Other+White+Boy · · Score: 5, Funny

      heh, i read that last bit as 'Hot Pocket' for some reason and got terribly confused.

    2. Re:I need more though by Stevyn · · Score: 2, Funny

      Great idea!

      It should be able to cook them. Think about it. Kids love nintendo and hot pockets. These things create some heat. I think I see something good here.

  3. Re: offtopic by Tezkah · · Score: 2, Funny

    because you had to hold it like a taco to talk!

    and the games were crap version of GBA games, or PSX games with worse graphics.

  4. VOIP tapping? by DigiShaman · · Score: 4, Funny

    I thought the US Gov had to mandate that all VOIP systems are to be tapped when needed? I guess this COULD be used by terrorists according to the patriot act.

    Sorry Nintendo, I guess it's game over for all of us.

    --
    Life is not for the lazy.
  5. I thought phones were getting smaller. by TheOtherAgentM · · Score: 5, Funny

    Soon we will be back to the 80's brick cell phone.

    1. Re:I thought phones were getting smaller. by xsupergr0verx · · Score: 3, Funny

      Zach Morris would be so proud of us...

      And possibly Screech.

      --

      Click here for a free picture of an iPod!
  6. Re:Targetting new customers? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    you don't know very many 12 year olds, do you?

  7. so what's the new price with tax? by Romancer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now the Govt. can request that they be able to wiretap your new DS and the price will jump.

    --


    ) Human Kind Vs Human Creation
    ) It'd be interesting to see how many humans would survive to serve us.
  8. Headset? by A+Boy+and+His+Blob · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hopefully this doesn't look anything like the last Nintendo headset I owned. Otherwise I doubt that I "won't look ridiculous."

    1. Re:Headset? by Stick_Fig · · Score: 1, Funny

      But dude, it gave you the ability to laser-pinpoint your rage at the dog at duck hunt! All you had to say was FUCK YOU DOG, and the dog rolled over to his death, right in the middle of a laugh.
      Konami was years ahead of the curve. If the new headset allowed me the ability to walk around and shoot people that I don't like just by saying something, they would have a murder machine that would beat the shit out of any handgun.

      --
      ShortFormBlog: Writing a little. Saying a lot.
  9. Looking ridiculous? by carcosa30 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since when did looking ridiculous matter to the sorts of people who use this kind of thing?

    Actually though this sounds like a really sweet product...

    --
    Intolerance for ambiguity is the mark of the authoritarian personality.
  10. Re:Maybe.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    obviously not!

  11. Re:Doesn't Xbox Live already have a form of VoIP? by bakawally · · Score: 2, Funny

    is xbox a portable?

  12. Nintendo Hacking! by jatic · · Score: 1, Funny

    Nintendo is making a wi-fi phone? This from the same company that said "Our customers are not interested in online gaming." I guess they think we want to talk to each other instead of playing against each other. Also this could open up some very interesting possibilitys with the system being able to connect to a wi-fi network. I guess this means we're going to have to buy firewalls for our Gameboys.

  13. Re:Killer app? by FrostedWheat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now that Nintendo is coming under pressure from products like the N-Gage

    I didn't realise that a vacuum was considered a pressure?