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Nintendo Europe: 'No plans' for Skype on the DSi

by Ben Gilbert { Apr 22nd 2009 at 11:16AM }

We found out earlier this week that Skype is "technically possible" on the Nintendo DSi, but the question remained: Will Nintendo adopt the VoIP service for its fancy new handheld? CVG put that very question to Nintendo of Europe and, more or less, got a resounding, "No."

"We have no plans to release a Skype application for Nintendo DS or DSi," the company told them. Guess we're stuck only using the service on our PSP, iPhone, computer ... wait, do we really need this on the DS too?!

Skype 'technically possible' on DSi

by JC Fletcher { Apr 20th 2009 at 9:35AM }

TechRadar sent an inquiry to Skype about the possibility of its VOIP telephone service appearing on the Nintendo DSi. While we'd love to tell you that the Skype rep responded with a concrete "yes," we can at least say that the representative didn't totally shut TechRadar down. In fact, the wording of the boilerplate response suggested that there's no reason the service wouldn't spread to the DS platform.

According to the representative, Skype's growth strategy "includes extending the Skype infrastructure and platform to bring Skype functionality wherever, whenever, and on whatever device or site people choose to use it." Currently, that includes computers, some smartphones, and, of course, the PSP. As for the DSi, "Whilst we can't comment on any future plans to bring Skype to Nintendo's DSi, it would technically be possible."

Of course, DS homebrew enthusiasts have known for a couple of years that it's possible. But the DSi Shop makes it seem more likely to happen in an official capacity.

PSP's Go!Messenger to Go! away next month

by Majed Athab { Feb 23rd 2009 at 3:30PM }

Goodbye Go!Messenger. Apparently no one is using you. Sony is pulling the plug on the free VoIP service for PSP after only one year of use. Edge Online confirms that Go!Messenger, which launched in Europe on February 29 of last year, will be shutting down next month on March 31.

The service utilized the Go!Cam peripheral for live videochat, and though Go!Messenger will be gone soon, Sony promises other services that use the add-on device are on the way. You hear that? Don't chuck that camera in the rubbish bin just yet.

Skype finally comes to Japanese PSPs this month

by Scott Jon Siegel { Mar 4th 2008 at 6:55PM }

After being passed over due to failed certification tests, Skype on PSP will finally land in the hands of Japanese gamers on March 18, PSP Fanboy reports. The Japanese version of the Slim-PSP-only service launches a month later than the North American version, defying our normal expectations of how these things go.

The day after the firmware launch, a new Skype-optimized USB microphone atttachment for the PSP will be released for 2,500 yen (or two for 4,000). Expect a sudden surge in Japanese gamers yelling at their PSPs shortly thereafter.

Skype skipping original PSP due to memory limitations

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jan 7th 2008 at 8:00PM }

Following the news of impending Skype support on Slim PSPs, some were left wondering why the plumper PlayStation Portable failed to answer the voice over IP call. Speaking to SCEE's director of corporate communications Nick Sharples, Pocket Gamer has ascertained the simple answer. It has nothing to do with looks, and everything to do with the older PSP's waning memory and inability to remember long strings of numbers (just like grandpa).

"We had studied the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series," said Sharples. If you recall, the PSP-2000 benefits from 64MB of internal memory (as opposed to 32MB in the older model) which is used for UMD caching and the reduction of game loading times. The same enhancement also enables Skype to run and thus excludes the original PSP from online chatting. We certainly hope early adopters don't get too hung up on the disappointment [Goodbye! - Ed].

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Original PSP doesn't have enough RAM for Skype

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 7th 2008 at 1:45PM }

As reported earlier, Skype will be available exclusively on PSP-2000 systems only. The revised handheld features additional RAM, previously used for UMD caching. According to Nick Sharples from SCEE, the additional memory onboard the new PSP is crucial for running the VoIP application. He told Pocket Gamer: "We had studied the possibility of supporting Skype with PSP-1000 but had to give it up because of the smaller size of main memory on PSP-1000 series."

Skype is coming before month's end. For more images of the application, visit GPara. For those with homebrew-capable PSP-1000 systems, new homebrew VoIP applications may be worthwhile to you.

How to turn your DS into a phone

by Candace Savino { Jan 3rd 2008 at 4:00PM }

We made some recommendations for you in our recent Homebrew Cookbook, but for those of you unfamiliar with the homebrew scene, actually putting these programs onto your DS can be a little intimidating. One of the more complex applications is SvSIP, which allows you to make and receive calls with your DS.

Fortunately, though, the folks over at Portable Video Gamer have made an easy-to-follow guide for installing and using SvSIP on your handheld. If you were too apprehensive to try it before, this guide will hold your hand through the process, so worry not.

While having phone capabilities on your DS is probably not a necessity (we're sure at least 95% of you have your own cell phones), it's still a fun prospect. Yet, ultimately, do you think it's worth the hassle?

Rumor: Sony talking Skype for PSP at CES next week

by Christopher Grant { Jan 2nd 2008 at 10:26AM }

Rumors, in the form of a decrypted firmware, cropped up last February regarding Skype on the PSP. In August, at the Leipzig Games Conference, Sony officially unveiled Go! Messenger – the newly branded suite of VoIP tools by British telecommunications giant, BT – which is due this month. On Sony's event page for CES 2008, the massive consumer electronics expo kicking off in Las Vegas this weekend, they list a curious feature for their handheld: "Call friends, talk trash to fellow gamers or catch up with acquaintances via Skype for PSP system." (Click on the controller and then on the PSP to bring up a list of the features, as seen above).

Could Sony finally show off the long-anticipated VoIP platform? And why isn't it using the Go! Messenger branding? And why are we asking so many questions? We can't be sure, but we've asked Sony to comment on their webpage.

[Thanks, Jorge]

The homebrew cookbook: Recipes and recommendations for 2007

by Candace Savino { Dec 31st 2007 at 11:15AM }

When we think about DS homebrew, we imagine a bunch of talented people with their laptops hooked up to their bathtubs, using all sorts of magic and blood rituals to produce the things that they do. It's one thing for paid developers to make games, what with their fancy-schmancy development kits and other perks. Homebrewers, on the other hand, don't get as many helpful tools, or recognition, or rewards for their labor. That's why we're completely in awe of the homebrew community.

Because of that, we compiled a list of some of our favorite homebrew creations of this year, with our best guesses on how they were made.*

*Note: DS Fanboy strongly recommends that you don't try these recipes at home.

Continued →

Top 5 desired app list causes us to reflect on our own desires

by David Hinkle { Sep 20th 2007 at 11:31PM }

In constructing their own list of desired applications for the DS, Nintendo Gamers Online might have failed to recognize that the homebrew community is hard at work to come up with solutions to these issues. Someone is attempting to create a fairly decent GPS program, VoIP is already possible and Nintendo already released their own mp3 player in Europe.

So, we figured it would be best if we asked some folks who knew best about the DS: you. What kind of applications or functionality would you like to see come from the DS? Sure, some more fleshed-out DS/Wii connectivity would be nice, but that's the obvious choice. Come up with some good ones!

VoIP working on the DS

by David Hinkle { Sep 17th 2007 at 1:50PM }

The DS is a very versatile piece of machinery. Its many capabilities are only overshadowed by the ever-increasing library of great games for it. Now, the thing can be used as a phone?

Yes, utilizing some of samuelv's hard work, you too can conduct phone conversations with just your DS and a wi-fi connection. Oh, and according to some, a knowledge of homebrew on the DS is also needed, as some have complained the software can be a bit of a pain.

Oh, and you'll also need a SIP account.

[Via Engadget]

LGC07: Go!Messenger PSP enables IMing, voice and video chat

by James Ransom-Wiley { Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:35PM }

SCEE has put a name to the BT-developed software that will enable a suite of VoIP functionalities on PSP: Go!Messenger. The Go!Messenger XMB application will be installed with a future firmware update due in January (or downloaded separately), enabling European PSP users to instant message each other using a redesigned virtual keyboard (we're still waiting on a physical QWERTY pad to materialize). In addition, the PSP headset and Go!Cam can be used for voice and video chat.

Go!Messenger has been developed in conjunction with BT, the UK's leading telecommunications and broadband internet provider, which services more than 170 countries. Initially, Go!Messenger will only be available in select European territories and will remain limited to Wi-Fi hotspot availability. No plans to expand the chat services beyond BT's jurisdiction have been announced.

Go! Messenger brings IM, voice and video chat to PSP

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:15PM }

Sony has officially unveiled PSP's upcoming VOIP service, to be called Go! Messenger. The program will be downloadable and installed into the XMB in a future firmware upgrade. Through it, PSP owners will be able to instant message each other using a "new and intuitive on-screen keyboard." By using a headset, users will be able to voice chat; and by using Go!Cam, video chat will also be enabled.

"With Go!Messenger, PSP is pushing new boundaries, adding unique communication functionalities to all the existing multimedia experiences," said Stephane Hareau, PSP European Marketing Manager, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. "Enabling more than 8.5 Million PSP users across the SCEE region to communicate with each other, through Video or Voice chat, truly confirms the always evolving nature and potential of PSP.''

The service has been developed in partnership with BT, one of the world's leading telecom providers. Sony plans on adding even more functionality to the PSP through Go!Explore and the Go! branded video download service. European PSP owners will have a lot to look forward to -- hopefully, SCEA will follow-up with its own American service.

BT demonstrates its PSP VoIP technology

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 7th 2007 at 3:50PM }

BBC News has an exclusive video of PSP's upcoming VoIP functionality. In a deal made with BT, PSP users will be able to make free video calls to other PSP owners, and PC users equipped with the appropriate software. The service will initially only work at home and at BT hotspots, but can be expanded in the future.

In the video above, you can see BT's Steve Andrews speaking on the potential of the platform: "What we've done is allow users to talk, see each other, and send messages to each other on something they take for granted, which is a wonderful device that's called the PSP."

DS VoIP app available for testing

by Jason Wishnov { Jun 6th 2007 at 11:43AM }

What's that? You're already two hundred minutes over your monthly limit and you just have to tell your friend the latest news? Well, practical solutions include borrowing another friend's cell phone and/or displaying a modicum of patience, but we never were much for practical around here.

For those with homebrew capabilities, a new VoIP app has been written by JSR. It's still in the testing phase, but since we're too stupid to actually code anything, this is how we get those "we're contributing!" fuzzy feelings. Do what you can, we say, and if you also want to shout at your buddy through a DS, all the better. Check it out.