<![CDATA[Kotaku: Bluetooth]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Bluetooth]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/bluetooth http://kotaku.com/tag/bluetooth <![CDATA[ Oh, That MGS4 Headset Is Real ]]> Not real. Pffft. What the hell do I know. Turns out that Bluetooth MGS4 headset is real, as over the weekend we learned that the product is not only already appearing in the catalogue of peripheral manufacturer PDP, but has also begun turning up in retail databases across Europe and the US. You can see above part of the entry in PDP's latest retailer catalogue (full-page version after the click), which not only confirms the headset's existence, but its feature set as well. For $60, you'll be getting up to 8 hours talk time, a 30ft range, an auto-shut-off function to save battery life and a snazzy little carry case. The headset will be released on June 12, same day as the game itself.

mgsheadset2.jpg [Thanks Luca & Tyler!]

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Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:30:00 MDT Luke Plunkett http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=379264&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Wireless Rock Band Guitars For PS3 Not Bluetooth Ready ]]> Remember that dangling dongle "solution" for Guitar Hero III for the PLAYSTATION 3? You may be in for a similar treat with Rock Band, as 1UP reveals that the game's wireless guitars won't actually use the built-in Bluetooth wireless capabilities for that game either, instead opting for a custom 2.4 GHz hardware option. Don't worry, Harmonix just says this is for the "first generation" guitar controllers, which may mean you have the option to re-buy wireless Bluetooth controllers at a later date.

This certainly won't sit well with anyone looking for a dangle free PS3. If Rock Band is indeed going with a USB dongle for the "wireless" guitar controller, I sure hope it plans on included a USB hub with the PS3 version as future PLAYSTATION 3 owners who are stuck with only two USB ports in the 40GB model will have a tough time plugging in a full band.

Further details on the Rock Band dongle bungle at 1UP.

PS3's Mysterious Wireless Dongle [1UP]

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Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:40:04 MDT Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=309540&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Logitech Releases PS3 Bluetooth Goodness ]]> PS3 owners looking for a luxury keyboard might consider the Cordless MediaBoard Pro Bluetooth Keyboard from Logitech. Beyond its piano black exterior sure to magnetize dust to match your PS3, the keyboard features basic SIXAXIS button controls and web browsing media shortcuts during 200 hours of battery life. And while the built-in touchpad won't be ideal for an FPS, it will make simple mouse tasks couch-convenient.

Logitech's new Cordless Bluetooth Vantage Headset is a high quality, noise-filtering device that runs up to 12 hours on rechargeable batteries. That's the length of some multiplayer fests for many of our readers, but Bluetooth sucks the battery power. And besides, it will match your keyboard beutifully. Both peripherals are priced at a hefty $80 and will be in stores this November.

Logitech Accessories [gizmodo]

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Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:20:53 MDT Mark Wilson http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=299095&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Warhawk Retail Details Nailed ]]> 1UP confirmed with Sony Computer Entertainment America today that the Blu-ray disc retail release of the online multiplayer game Warhawk will come with an MSRP of $59.99. That sixty dollar buy-in may seem a bit high for the multiplayer-only game—which will also see a PlayStation Network release—but the brick and mortar edition will come with some nice bonuses in the form of a Jabra BT125 Bluetooth headset and disc-based special features.

The Jabra BT125 regularly retails for $44.99 but can often be purchased at a considerable discount. It's highly recommended that the Bluetooth headset not be worn out of doors, mostly based on concerns that dudes who wear Bluetooth headsets in public generally look like douchebags.

There's still no word on the cost of the PlayStation Network version which is expected to be released on or around the retail version's August 28th ship date.

Warhawk Going Retail at $59.99 [1UP]

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Mon, 02 Jul 2007 18:20:14 MDT Michael McWhertor http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=274505&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Gallery: Wii Flash Training Sculpture ]]>
I have no idea what in the heck is going on in these pictures except that it's done with a Nintendo wiimote, a Flash program, and it looks like it involves dancing. The kind of dancing that involves a leotard.

Joa Ebert and Thibault Imbert are the creators of WiiFlash, a "a project dedicated to the Wiimote and Flash applications" including this one called, Training Sculpture. Although their how-to is a pretty good tutorial on how to do some of their projects in the comfort of your home, some kind of description on what these projects actually are would be helpful to say the least. For most people, dancing around in their living room in a leotard is probably already the norm, but how do they would they know for certain if they were actually creating art. Doesn't mean I won't try this experiment. I'm just saying tall socks are as far as I am willing to go.

Training Sculpture [WiiFlash.org]

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Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:40:00 MDT Kim Phu http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=271836&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Warhawk Public Beta, Bluetooth Pack Coming ]]>

I'm still in love with Warhawk, especially the ground combat, and plenty of people still remain unconvinced. Fortunately, you won't have to rely on the differing opinions soon. At this week's Gamers Day, SCEA announced that they will be launching a public beta for the game starting May 24.

The also said that while the game will still be purchasable online from the Playstation Store, if you buy the game on a Blu-ray disc, you get some neat added features. The disc itself will come loaded with developer interviews, behind the scenes stuff and demos. SCEA's Peter Dille said they were going to load up the disc. Better still, the game will also come with a Bluetooth headset, hopefully one that is branded. Its sort of like a Collector's Edition for a downloadable game.

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Thu, 17 May 2007 03:20:45 MDT Brian Crecente http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=261167&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Turn Your Wii Into the Wii-brator ]]>

Bring on the bad dick jokes! Japanese code cruncher kako has whipped up a handful of PC downloads for the Wii-mote, including the ubiquitous Wii Saber and, as a gag, the long overdue Wii-brator. Download to your PC, sink up your Bluetooth enabled Wii-mote and enjoy! Heh.

Wii-brate Your Wii-mote [Forest Impress]

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Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:22:03 MST Brian Ashcraft http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=221100&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PS3 Bluetooth Controller Issues? ]]>

Here's an issue that's been nagging me since I got my PlayStation 3 on Friday. I'm playing Resistance online, and suddenly the map will come up, or the score. I didn't hit the controls to bring these up...they just pop up on their own. Then at times I'll lose control, spin around, or sometimes even fire without wanting to. At first I thought it might be my general suckage at FPS games, but several readers have now complained about similar situations. Doesn't seem to happen when I am plugged in via the USB cable...only when I am wireless, and generally only when I am playing online.

PC-Doc touches on the same issue in his PS3 rant, suggesting it is a problem with the bluetooth screwing up, which makes complete sense. Will I have to just buy a really long USB cable like he did?

Now that eBay is delivering more PS3's into players' hands, is anyone else running into this issue? If so I fully plan on using it as an excuse for my low Resistance rank. If you accidentally get team killed by Fahey, remember it's all Sony's fault.

PS3 WTF? [PC-Doc]

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Wed, 22 Nov 2006 13:40:58 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=216762&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Sony's FCC Filing: PS3 WiFi/Bluetooth Do Not Transmit Simultaneously ]]>

Over at Aeropause, they spotted this worrying paper submitted by Sony to the FCC. In the paper, Sony claims that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules in the PS3 do not transmit simultaneously. This is doubtlessly meant to assuage some sort of FCC requirement.

But if this is true, doesn't that mean that you couldn't be connected wirelessly to the internet and use wireless controllers at the same time? And isn't that just stupid?

Aeropause is cautioning that people not read too much into this, before explanations have been gathered. And hell, there's a few possible explanations, no doubt. I'd personally be surprised if this were true. But then I start thinking all the other ways Sony has managed to fuck up their sure thing, and I start getting a little bit nervous again.

FCC PS3 Papers, What Does This Mean? [Aeropause]

Edit: Kotakuite Kigian writes in the comments:

It is true that both Bluetooth and Wifi use the same ISM band. However as anyone who has Wifi in their home and who uses Bluetooth too, they certainly do work together just fine. They don't need to be transmitting simultaneously.

And Kotakuite John Doe also wrote in:

Just saw your article on the FCC filing revealing that PS3's bluetooth and wifi do not transmit simultaneously. This simply indicates that they're using Time Domain Multiplexing to interleave Bluetooth and Wifi activity to avoid interference between the two signals (since both are on the 2.4Ghz band). To the user, they'll both appear to be on simultaneously, but technically underneath they're actually each active on alternating intervals (it alternates between the two very very quickly, so that to the user it appears they're both on at the same time, all the time). You can do this because the bandwidth required from Wifi and Bluetooth combined is less than that offered by the 2.4Ghz range.

You guys rule. Thanks for the clarification! So we can all probably stand down in alarm on this one' although if that's de facto the way WiFi and Bluetooth operate together, I'm not entirely clear on why it needed to be specified by Sony.

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Mon, 18 Sep 2006 06:00:25 MDT kotaku.com http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=201229&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PS3's Official Ins and Outs ]]> There's been a lot of talk in the days following E3 abot the Playstation 3's final specs. Rumors have buzed about a drop in the number of outputs, the lack of Bluetooth or wireless in the low-end PS3 and the forms of output available on Sony's next-gen console.

So here's the list, according to the official press release, to clear matters up.

Both the 20 GB and 60 GB versions of the PS3 will include four USB 2.0 plugs, Bluetooth 2.0 support and wireless controller support.

Only the 60 GB version will have a built in MemoryStick/SD/Compact Flash Reader, though a rep told me that you can just plug a regual reader into the PS3 using a USB plug.

The 20GB will support ethernet, while the 60 GB will come with 802.11 b/g support.

Both versions will support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p output, though only the 60 GB version will have HDMI out. Both will also have AV multi-out and digital audio optical out.

Both versions will come with a read-only BD/DVD/CD Drive that can read Bluray at 2x, DVD at 8x and CD at 24x.

And for those wondering the device is 325 mm wide, 98 mm tall, 274 mm deep and weighs 5 kg.

The original spec sheet said the PS3 would have two HDMIs out and two ethernet ports, so not that much has been lost.

Hope that clears up at least a few things.

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Mon, 15 May 2006 14:15:05 MDT Brian Crecente http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=173877&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PSP Bluetooth Audio Dongle ]]> pspdongle.jpg

This is kinda cool, a company called Ever-E has come up with a Bluetooth dongle for the Playstation Portable that will allow you to transmit music from your PSP to Bluetooth enabled headphones. I personally don't see myself using something like this, because I still don't see the PSP as a music playing device, but who knows, maybe that will change.

PSP Bluetooth Audio Dongle [Ever-E]

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Wed, 28 Dec 2005 13:08:04 MST Brian Crecente http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=145466&view=rss&microfeed=true