11/13, 4:10pm
October sales number show Wii back on top
While Sony's PS3 has outsold Microsoft's Xbox 360 in October after the introduction of the lower-priced $300 slim PS3, Nintendo's Wii is back to the top of the sales charts, according to data collected by NPD. Still, the market is being saturated, as the Wii's sales in October of 2008 were nearly 300,000 units stronger. These numbers also came during an overall software sales slump, which fell 18 percent from the same period last year.
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11/12, 11:40am
Eneloop charger can juice two Motion plus remotes
Sanyo has introduced a new version of its contact-free Eneloop battery and charging system for the Nintendo Wii's remotes with MotionPlus attachments. The system is an improvement over a similar one introduced last year by accommodating both a second controller as well as the new peripherals. It includes two battery packs specially adapted to the cradle and a USB cable that draws power from the console's USB port.
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11/11, 12:15pm
Project Natal price, ship targets slip out
Microsoft hopes to price Project Natal low enough that virtually every gamer can add it, a major rumor claimed on Wednesday. Alleged sources of MCV's argue that the Xbox 360 motion controller is being designed with a price target of £50 (about $80) or less with 14 games, presumably mini-games, included in the box. The target is such that Microsoft hopes for "impulse buy" customers and may even drop to £30 ($50).
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11/06, 2:15pm
Nintendo head says Wii HD not happening
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has again taken time to deny rumors of an advanced Wii shipping next year. Following assertions by analyst Michael Pachter that a new model is due in 2010, Fils-Aime tells Gametrailers TV that Pachter is the only one making such claims and that the rumored console is "not happening." Fils-Aime doesn't talk about whether or not the Wii will be updated at any point in the future but is emphatic that a replacement isn't coming soon.
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10/29, 11:05am
Nintendo Wii rumored to get Netflix streaming
Leaked images that were not made public reveal the Nintendo Wii will soon get Netflix streaming capabilities, StreamingMedia reported on Wednesday. The source is said to be someone involved with the project, who confirms the development is already in testing stages and the arrival of the service is due fairly soon.
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10/29, 7:40am
DSi LL has larger screen for Internet use
Nintendo quickly confirmed rumors today by unveiling the DSi LL. Its screens have increased by more than an inch to 4.2 inches each and are seen as better for Internet access as well as for gameplay. It also gets a larger, more comfortable second stylus and a battery life that increases from 2.5 hours to three during active gameplay.
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10/21, 8:20pm
Company to make the console less of a 'toy'
Game designed Shigeru Miyamoto has provided insight into Nintendo's upcoming Wii 2 console. In an interview with Popular Mechanics, Miyamoto suggested that the Wii's successor will feature a smaller form-factor and a lower price tag. He also hinted that the company may expand the Wii's capabilities to extend beyond its basic functionality as a toy.
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10/21, 5:15pm
Morgan Stanley sees Apple leading mobile
The iPhone and iPod touch are pushing the entire industry towards the mobile Internet, Morgan Stanley analyst Mary Meeker said at the Web 2.0 summit yesterday. With about 57 million of Apple's devices shipped since June 2007, their growth has not only been much more aggressive than landline Internet access in general but the entire home electronics industry. Three times as many iPhone-based devices exist as did AOL and Netscape users two years into their respective histories; Apple is also already outselling the Nintendo Wii despite its products coming half a year later.
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10/20, 4:15pm
Altec intros amp-like portable speaker
Altec Lansing on Tuesday introduced a new gaming console speaker system, its Stage-Gig. Resembling a guitar amp, the amplified speaker is made to work with Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and DJ Hero titles on any gaming console. The 6.5-inch woofer contains a horn-loaded silk tweeter and has 40W of power. For easy portability, a carrying handle is built in, and the device can be daisy-chained with others thanks to a built-in AC outlet and RCA connections.
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10/20, 3:30pm
Europeans to get black Wii bundle with two games
Nintendo UK announced on Tuesday that it will soon offer a limited edition Wii bundle in Europe that includes a black console, black Wii remote with Wii MotionPlus adapter and Nunchuk, along with Wii Sports Resort and Wii Sports game titles. Europeans will also get a standalone version of the Classic Controller Pro in black, which improves upon the existing Classic Controller, though just how hasn't been discussed. Black versions of the Wii remotes, Wii MotionPlus add-ons and Nunchuk controllers will also become available.
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10/14, 10:55am
Nintendo Wii black controllers for US
Nintendo on Thursday brought out its first non-white Wii controllers for the US. Previously only found in Japan, black versions of both the Wii remote and the nunchuk controller will reach the country. Both are functionally identical to their reference versions, although the remote will include the MotionPlus add-on and all-black protective jacket in the box.
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09/28, 1:00pm
May compete with offerings from Sony, Microsoft
Nintendo is planning to expand its Wii-based video distribution service to reach outside of Japan, according to a regional business publication. The suggested expansion (subscription required) would begin as soon as Nintendo's next fiscal year, and likely involve places such as North America and South Korea. Content is expected to parallel offerings in Japan, in the sense of providing inoffensive cartoons, educational programs and general entertainment. Also present may be ads, possibly including full-length infomercials.
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09/25, 7:35am
Wii Sports Resort with 2 MotionPlus add-ons
Nintendo added more fuel to its Wii price cut on Friday by promising a special version of its Wii Sports Resort bundle with added hardware. The Limited Edition pack adds a second MotionPlus peripheral and matching Wii remote jacket to give a second controller the extra precision in movement needed for this and other newer Wii games. The new bundle helps players get started in an already multiplayer-focused game.
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09/24, 7:50am
PS3 Final Fantasy XIII and 1m slim PS3s sold
Sony kicked off the Tokyo Game Show with a special model of the PS3 for Japan as well as word of runaway sales for the slimmer model worldwide. The company's home country is receiving a special Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Edition of the console that both gives it a 250GB hard drive, making it the first to get the extra storage, and adds a special white design with pink artwork of the game's central character Lightning on the top. The model doesn't include a copy of the game but should ship for the equivalent of $455 on December 17th.
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09/23, 11:05pm
Wii at $200 on Sept. 27
Nintendo this evening confirmed repeated leaks by formally detailing its price cut for the Wii. The console's regular price will fall from $250 to $200 as of September 27th. The box will continue to include the regular bundle of the system, a Wii remote, a nunchuk and Wii Sports.
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09/23, 3:25pm
PS3 shortages may follow $300 price
The PlayStation 3 could face shortages during the holidays if its current sales rate keeps up, SCEA chief Jack Tretton warned today. He explained that PS3 sales have tripled since the price drop to $300 and the slim redesign and that it's "conceivable" a sustained surge could lead to some stores running dry due to demand finally outpacing supply. He didn't provide a more specific estimate for when this could happen.
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09/23, 8:40am
Memo proves Wii dropping to $200
A leaked note today has all but confirmed Nintendo's plans to cut the Wii's price to $200. The memo sent to Engadget tells staff that Nintendo will announce the cut on the 25th and have it take effect on the 27th. Such a schedule is consistent with Nintendo's past practices of announcing minor console updates on Fridays and of shipping updates on Sundays.
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09/22, 11:45am
Xbox 360 Elite now $250 after rebate
Microsoft surprised gamers Tuesday morning with word of an Xbox 360 Elite rebate (link active soon). The deal gives buyer of the 120GB game system a $50 mail-in discount that effectively brings the price of the system down to $250, or the same price as the Nintendo Wii. It lasts only until October 6th.
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09/21, 3:05pm
Next-gen Nintendo Wii coming in 2011?
Speaking in an FT interview, software developer Square Enix's chief Yoichi Wada implied the second-generation Nintendo Wii console will be launched sometime in 2011. When it does arrive, Wada believes the so called Wii HD will be capable of many of the same features of competing gaming systems, namely Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360. This likely means it will be capable of HD video playback and other multimedia capabilities already offered by its more expensive competition.
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09/14, 5:40pm
Wii at $200 says Toys R Us
Nintendo will finally react to Microsoft and Sony price cuts with one of its own, a Toys R Us flyer leaked on Monday appears to show. The ad obtained by Kotaku shows the Wii dropping from $250 to $200 for the regular bundle, which packs in Wii Sports. The cut would allegedly take effect for the last week of September, when the ad for the new price is supposed to run.
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09/09, 9:10am
Logitech wireless drums, guitar for Wii
Logitech this morning countered the launch of Beatles: Rock Band with the launch of three music game controllers, including its first two for the Wii. The Wireless Guitar Controller for Wii and companion Wireless Drum Controller for Wii both replace the stock plastic controllers with more authentic metal and wood that both feels more natural and is quieter to use. These Nintendo-specific models also have a slot for the Wii remote to provide normal controller functions in a single body.
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09/04, 3:20pm
PS3 outsells X360 and Wii
Sony's introduction of the slim PS3 and the resulting price cut have led it to a rare lead in game consoles in North America, weekly data for the end of August shows. While the new model itself wasn't on shelves for most of the August 23rd to 29th period covered by VGChartz, the outgoing 80GB and 160GB models registered 75,931 sales. The number is more than double the 37,167 Sony sold the week earlier and in a rare instance had Sony not only outsell the Xbox 360, which came next with 74,689 sales, but also the Wii's 74,245 units.
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09/01, 12:15pm
Wii Web and Black Remote
Nintendo today treated buyers of the Wii and DSi with a mix of new hardware and software. The former's web browser, also known as the Internet Channel, is now free to use instead of paying the 500 Wii Points ($5) necessary from July 2007 onwards. On top of eliminating the price, the console maker has upgraded to a newer version of Adobe's Flash for better support of video and other web features.
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08/27, 7:15am
Xbox 360 Elite Drop to 300
As rumored, Microsoft on Thursday slashed the price of the Xbox 360 Elite to $300. The move puts the 120GB game console at the same price as the slim PS3 and will take effect Friday, August 28th. To clear stock, Microsoft also says it will drop the price of the 60GB Xbox 360 Pro to $250 until it clears store shelves. The Arcade will remain at $200.
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08/25, 5:10pm
Wii to get PlayOn app
Nintendo's Wii will get the ability to play movies on users' Windows PCs thanks to Media Mall's PlayOn app on Wednesday, August 26th. PlayOn has already allowed PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 users to access Netflix Watch, Amazon VOD and Hulu content. The Wii version will also have support for a few other unnamed online video services, though does require an Internet-connected Windows XP or Vista computer as the source.
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08/12, 3:55pm
Wi-Fi suit targets Apple
A business based in Austin, Texas has filed a new lawsuit through a US District Court, targeting Apple, Sony and Nintendo. Bandspeed accuses the three other companies of violating its Wi-Fi patents, specifically a pair related to choosing a Wi-Fi channel according to signal strength. These are titled Approach for selecting communications channels based on performance, and Approach for managing communications channels based on performance.
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08/12, 1:45pm
SDHC-bootable Wii DLC
Future games for Nintendo's Wii console, beginning with Guitar Hero 5, should allow automatic recognition of DLC on SDHC cards, a preview article reveals. In the past, some Wii music titles have required leaving the console's internal memory open to handle downloadable content. Because of a new detection process however, it should be possible to both store and boot necessary media from the same SDHC card.
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08/11, 10:30am
X360 only Netflix Console
Microsoft as part of its just-launched summer Xbox 360 update revealed that it will be the only game console maker to get Netflix movie support. The company explains the deal as an "exclusive partnership" and as such locks out PlayStation 3 and Wii owners from streaming movies and TV shows. Both companies decline to say how long the exclusivity will last.
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07/30, 2:20pm
Nintendo Hurt by iPhone
Nintendo today encountered a rare setback in its history owed partially to the impact of Apple on its business. The company's profit has dropped a steep 66 percent year-over-year to $426 million and said in a conference call that the iPhone and iPod touch, not Sony's PSP, are having the greatest impact on the performance of the DS and DSi. It also expects its fiscal 2010 profit to drop for the first time in years as a result of the added pressure from Apple's touchscreen devices.
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07/29, 12:00pm
DJ Hero Renegade Turntable
Activision today provided more details of its controller and bundle for the limited-run version of DJ Hero, now called the Renegade Edition. The special version will have a black turntable with special gold-effect sliders and other trim. A special hard case doubles as a stand for the turntable itself, bringing up the controller to standing height. CDs from Eminem and Jay-Z will also come with the bundle and offer some tracks that haven't been released before.
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07/27, 10:30am
Sony Doubling PS3 Builds
Sony is rapidly accelerating production of the PlayStation 3 in what may be a sign of confidence in its upcoming 120GB slim model. Tips from integrated circuit (IC) distributors sent to DigiTimes have Sony ordering enough of their parts on average to make 1 million of the game consoles just for this summer, or twice the rate that was seen in the spring. The rate is said to be high enough that demand is outstripping supply at Renesas, which makes the key chipsets for the PS3.
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07/06, 8:50pm
Patent suit targets Apple
A new lawsuit has targeted Apple, Sony and Nintendo, for allegedly infringing on patents involving technology used in the iPhone, Wii and PS2, among others. The plaintiff, Shared Memory Graphics LLC, holds U.S. Patent No. 5,712,664 that describes a "shared memory graphics accelerator system."
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06/25, 10:55am
Wii to get CinemaNow
Sonic Solutions, the company behind Roxio, on Thursday announced its streaming movie service CinemaNow will be made available for the Nintendo Wii. Sonic will partner with Fujisoft to bring the former's content to the game console via the latter's video-on-demand Everyone's Theater Wii service. While the announcement only covers Japan, its successful integration potentially leads to the service arriving in other countries as well. CinemaNow offers more than 1,500 streaming movies, short films, and concerts to buy or rent.
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06/12, 11:05pm
Project Natal and New Xbox
Microsoft's Project Natal could not just be an add-on for the Xbox 360 but the foundation of a new Xbox altogether, according to fresh rumors. Those at 1UP hear that the full body motion controller will be the "cornerstone" of a new console and come with it. Details of the new Xbox itself aren't clear, but it's believed the machine could be an evolution of the Xbox 360 that has extra performance but which could still run legacy games. It would ship in fall 2010 and could be announced as early as the Game Developers Conference in March of that year.
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06/09, 3:30pm
ASUS Aims at Apple
ASUS vice chairman Jonathan Tsang today said in an interview that his company intends to beat Apple in design in the US. Even though the Eee PC line has been successful in the country, Tsang tells the New York Times that ASUS has little recognition in the US and that it plans to rely on engineering to boost its name, with Apple's MacBooks as the conspicuous target. The company's focus on product design reportedly leaves little room for a marketing budget and thus gives it little room to depend on advertising.
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06/09, 10:35am
$100 PS3 price cut rumored
Sony is rumored to be getting ready to drop the price of its PlayStation 3 gaming console to coincide with the next release of EA Sports' Madden this fall, according to a Monday IndustryGamers report. Sterne Agee analyst Arvind Bhatia notes that Madden is due for an August 18th release and claims that "industry sources" know the console should lower in price in time for the game's appearance, which could potentially boost sales.
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06/04, 3:05pm
Nintendo Black Wii Red DSi
Nintendo in a late E3 update today added special colors for the Wii and DSi in its home country. Normally only available in white, the Wii will now come in a special black; the DSi has already been available in multiple colors but will get a bright red color trim. Both should sell at the same prices as regular colors.
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06/02, 1:05pm
Wii Vitality Sensor
Nintendo chose its E3 press event to give an early look at the Wii Vitality Sensor. The add-on attaches to a Wii remote and measures a player's pulse rate by inserting a finger into its slot. Rather than try to stir up gamers, the sensor can be used to encourage them to slow down their pulses and relax, the company's Satoru Iwata says.
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06/01, 5:05pm
Nyko Nintendo peripherals
PC and games console peripherals maker Nyko has recently announced the upcoming release of two new peripherals, the Zoom Case for the portable Nintendo DSi gaming system and the Type Pad Pro for the Nintendo Wii console. The former adds an 8x optical zoom to the DSi's 640x480 camera thanks to a detachable lens and has the added benefit of protecting the DSi as it wraps it entirely.
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06/01, 2:00pm
Acti Details TH Ride Board
Activision today provided fuller details of the Tony Hawk Ride controller. The board sits on the floor and is fully aware both of pressure on the board as well as movement on its sides; users can lean on the board for manuals and other such moves while using a free foot to "push" the board or assist in tricks. It can further recognize spins on the board itself for reverts or other rotation-based moves.
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05/29, 4:25pm
Limited edition DJ Hero
A limited edition version of the upcoming DJ Hero video game will include exclusive greatest hits CDs from rappers Jay-Z and Eminem, along with an advanced version of the turntable controller, USA Today said on Friday. How the controller differs from the standard unit was not detailed, however. An offshoot of the highly popular Guitar Hero franchise from developer Activision, the limited edition game will also have a DJ stand and metal traveling case for the turntable.
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05/15, 10:15am
Tony Hawk Ride Controller
Activision today teased that one of its central non-music games at E3, Tony Hawk Ride, will have its own controller. The game will center on a skateboard-shaped foot controller that, much like a Wii Balance Board, will have players lean as they would on a real board for at least basic control. Although the full controls haven't been explained, a set of side buttons will ease navigating through regular menus and may ultimately be used on combination with balancing to perform tricks.
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05/12, 4:05pm
WSJ Apes X360 Motion Leaks
Rumors of a Xbox full-body motion controller gained fuel on Tuesday with a story corroborating the claims. The Wall Street Journal mirrors the earlier leaks and says the peripheral will hinge on a 3D camera system that recognizes not just basic movement but also depth, giving it more control than a device like Sony's EyeToy. It reportedly may show at the E3 gaming event, which starts June 2nd, but probably wouldn't ship until 2010 even if so.
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05/05, 5:20pm
Xbox to get motion sensing
The rumor of Microsoft developing a motion-sensing system for its Xbox 360 gaming console has potentially been corroborated as the technology is reported to come from a third party. While this is not confirmed, Microsoft is likely to source the technology from a company called 3DV and its ZCam hardware and software. Reports of a possible purchase of 3DV by Microsoft were rampant in February.
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05/05, 3:25pm
Rock Band guitars outed
It's already known that The Beatles: Rock Band game and related custom controllers are due to ship on September 9th and details on the controller guitars have been recently revealed, thanks to a few product listing on retailer Gamespot's website. The Gretsch Duo-Jet and Rickenbacker 325 guitar controllers, styled after George Harrison's and John Lennon's actual respective guitars, will launch at the same time as the game itself, priced at $100 each for all three systems.
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05/01, 3:20pm
Xbox Full Body Sensor Leak
Microsoft will try to chase after the Nintendo Wii's popularity by introducing a motion controller of its own, a photo leak implies. In place of detecting the behavior of a controller as with the Wii, the Xbox 360 peripheral shown to Engadget would amount only to a bar with two sensors, a microphone and a webcam that all detect players' body movements. Users could mimic the exact actions of the characters they control, such as punching or jumping, and could perform general interface actions such as pinching or scrolling.
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05/01, 8:35am
Sony Motion PS3 Rumor
Sony is purportedly set to revitalize its sagging PS3 sales through a new motion controller, if a rumor proves authentic. An apparent source for Variety claims to have seen a controller that uses a combination of a webcam, presumably mounted in front of the TV, as well as LED lights on the peripheral itself. As the system would detect the pattern and colors of the lights, it's purportedly more accurate than the Nintendo Wii's default infrared remote and can track distance from the TV as well as speed.
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04/14, 4:25pm
Beatles Rock Band bundle
The upcoming The Beatles: Rock Band game that was confirmed back in October will be offered as part of a Limited Edition Premium Bundle and will also include a Höfner Bass controller, Ludwig-branded Rock Band drums with classic pearl finish, a metal kick pedal and a vintage replica drumhead. The bundle will also include a microphone with stand and other unspecified "additional special content," as per an e-mail from GameStop.
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04/14, 8:40am
Nintendo MotionPlus Dated
Nintendo today set a date for its MotionPlus add-on for the Wii. The device by itself will ship on June 8th for $20 and will let any supporting game get much more precise movement tracking through 3D space, including rotation, by adding the peripheral to an existing Wii remote. Its signature launch game, Wii Sports Resort, will ship on July 26th and will come bundled with a MotionPlus adapter for $50.
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04/13, 5:10pm
Netflix game platform job
Netflix has recently put up a job posting on Monster seeking an Engineering Leader for Gaming Platforms. The team such a position heads up is responsible for prototyping, testing and building a Netflix user interface on various gaming platforms. The posting's verbiage points to creating media rich applications on current generation gaming consoles, and with the Xbox 360 already sporting a Netflix interface, this could mean the PlayStation 3 and possibly even Nintendo's Wii.
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