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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.

14 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. 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.
  7. 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."

  8. 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.
  9. Re:Doesn't Xbox Live already have a form of VoIP? by bakawally · · Score: 2, Funny

    is xbox a portable?

  10. 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?