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View Full Version : Wii doen't really turn "off"

Hazar
10-05-2006, 05:21 PM
When "Off" Doesn't Mean Off

According to the specs of the new Nintendo Wii (their new game machine), "Wii can communicate with the Internet even when the power is turned off." Nintendo accentuates the positive: "This WiiConnect24 service delivers a new surprise or game update, even if users do not play with Wii," while ignoring the possibility that Nintendo can deactivate a game if they choose to do so, or that someone else can deliver a different -- not so wanted -- surprise.

We all know that, but what's interesting here is that Nintendo is changing the meaning of the word "off." We are all conditioned to believe that "off" means off, and therefore safe. But in Nintendo's case, "off" really means something like "on standby." If users expect the Nintendo Wii to be truly off, they need to pull the power plug -- assuming there isn't a battery foiling that tactic. Maybe they need to pull both the power plug and the Ethernet cable. Unless they have a wireless network at home.

Maybe there is no way to turn the Nintendo Wii off.

There's a serious security problem here, made worse by a bad user interface. "Off" should mean off.

http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2006/05/when_off_doesnt.html
KagePrototype
10-05-2006, 05:22 PM
You could just unplug it if you're that paranoid. Regardless, I'm sure Nintendo have it under control.
Jangle
10-05-2006, 05:24 PM
Just think about how much power this will waste... Doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
Sparda
10-05-2006, 05:26 PM
Smash it.
A True Canadian
10-05-2006, 05:31 PM
Think of the electricity costs!!

Actually it's probably like the clock display in your VCR. You can turn the power off, but the clock display is still there. Additionally, when you were to program VCR's to record a program, sometimes you would need to turn the power to the VCR off to do so (even though the VCR would still record the TV show).
JNightshade
10-05-2006, 05:32 PM
Chances are, it won't waste much power at all. I'm sure most of the power-hungry applications and whatnot will shut down.
Solaris
10-05-2006, 05:35 PM
"DADDY, DADDY!!!IT'S BECOMING SELF AWARE!!!!"
"Just turn it off junior..."
"IT WONT TURN OFF!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHH"
VictimOfScience
10-05-2006, 05:43 PM
Chances are, it won't waste much power at all. I'm sure most of the power-hungry applications and whatnot will shut down.
Yeah, and if you listen to the conference Iwata actually says that it takes up no more power than the tiniest of light bulbs. Unless you are the tightest of the tightwads, this should not even be an issue. Great idea if you ask me.

If you're that worried about security, what the hell are you doing on the internet???
CptStern
10-05-2006, 05:50 PM
this is utter bullshit, an invasion of privacy and a good way for companies to track your playing/spending habit ...but not too worry, I'm all prepared for such an eventuality ...everyone in my home is protected (http://mishami.image.pbase.com/u19/twwilliams/upload/36310024._MG_1536.jpg)
Gray Fox
10-05-2006, 05:50 PM
They should make it that on standby it can do that but if you turn it off, it really does go off. You know a little bit like in TV's you have the Off where you can still use the remote to power up the tv and you have the totally off button on the TV itself.
Hazar
10-05-2006, 05:52 PM
I think the bigger threat than power consumption is if anyone ever releases a virus or something like that and has it automatically download to everyones machine.
VictimOfScience
10-05-2006, 05:56 PM
this is utter bullshit, an invasion of privacy and a good way for companies to track your playing/spending habit ...but not too worry, I'm all prepared for such an eventuality ...everyone in my home is protected (http://mishami.image.pbase.com/u19/twwilliams/upload/36310024._MG_1536.jpg)
What do you think Live! Anywhere is?! Like I want everyone seeing what I am doing at all times when I am on the PC or playing my 360(which I have only for the purposes of this example)!

All of these connected-all-the-time-everywhere services are being implemented as part of a new clause added to the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act and everyone is happily and voluntarily submitting their information!!! What a bunch of sheep...to the slaughter!
JellyWorld
10-05-2006, 06:01 PM
They should make it that on standby it can do that but if you turn it off, it really does go off. You know a little bit like in TV's you have the Off where you can still use the remote to power up the tv and you have the totally off button on the TV itself.
I never use the remote to turn of the TV, because the red power LED indicator remains on, and I find that oddly distressing.
JNightshade
10-05-2006, 06:12 PM
Originally Posted by CptStern
...everyone in my home is protected

...by a 403 error? :/
CptStern
10-05-2006, 06:15 PM
What do you think Live! Anywhere is?! Like I want everyone seeing what I am doing at all times when I am on the PC or playing my 360(which I have only for the purposes of this example)

hmm I thought Live anywhere was a real estate agency ...but now with the introduction of the xbox cam they can watch your every move :O

All of these connected-all-the-time-everywhere services are being implemented as part of a new clause added to the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act and everyone is happily and voluntarily submitting their information!!! What a bunch of sheep...to the slaughter!


:O I need a more protection (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/ChainsawAW/Tinfoilsuit.jpg)


...by a 403 error? :/

really I can see it ..can anyone else not see the link I posted?
Gray Fox
10-05-2006, 06:15 PM
I never use the remote to turn of the TV, because the red power LED indicator remains on, and I find that oddly distressing.
I only completly turn it off when I go out or go to sleep.
A True Canadian
10-05-2006, 06:17 PM
...everyone in my home is protected ...by a 403 error? :/

It must be working then, huh? :P
Fishlore
10-05-2006, 07:33 PM
So does this have any ramifications for MMO type games? Nothing like wow, but a more nintendo-ized version of something might be cool. Maybe use the "always on" to set up distributed processing and the ability to use that resource to run central servers.
Mechagodzilla
10-05-2006, 08:07 PM
How exactly do you upload a virus onto a console?

Also, why should I care what Nintendo sees me playing? It's not like there'll be PORNOGRAPHY on the Rev.
Hazar
10-05-2006, 08:27 PM
well, since the wii connects apparently with ethernet, you could just run it through some sort of packet filter, see what its doing, and design something to screw it up... kinda like what happens with computers
Malfunction
10-05-2006, 09:11 PM
Zomg Skynet
Stigmata
10-05-2006, 10:05 PM
I don't see what the big deal is about Nintendo and Microsoft being able to see what games you play.

"Hey, Carl, c'mere. Look at this. This guy's playing some Barbie game on his Wii!"
"How do you know it's a guy?"
"Good question."
"..."
"..."
"Let's go play Duckhunt."

I swear, if these companies keep this up, I'm just going to continue not caring. Are we that paranoid that we can't allow the slightest possibility of people knowing what game we're playing at a given time? Do we really care if some anonymous jerkoff in a tech lab is checking whether or not the Xbox 360 at <random ip address> is running Halo?

I don't see anyone complaining about strangers being able to see you out their windows as you walk down the street.
Bad^Hat
11-05-2006, 01:23 AM
But they only said the "off" button doesn't fully turn it off, didn't they? Same is true of PS2, the off button only puts it on stand-by (like TV, the power light is red), but there's a power switch on the back to turn it off completely. Hopefully something like this isn't too much to ask for...
MultiVaC
11-05-2006, 01:37 AM
I hope you can turn off automatic updates like you can with Steam. I don't want to be playing DOD and all of the sudden have my bandwidth sucked up by the Revolution downloading a 'surprise'.
DrDevin
11-05-2006, 02:02 AM
I think everyone is over reacting. Most electronics dont "turn off" in the real sense. Most people leave their computers in a state of "standby" along with many audio and video products. That is how they can start up so fast.

Power drain is minimal as it consumes only a fraction of the power needed under full load. Most of the system should turn off (the GPU for example).

Has anyone ever head of a program called steam? It automatically updates your games, can collect information and delievers suprises such as new levels and weekly updates. Not to mention websites can easily find out information on what you browse. I can't see what the big deal is. Your computer is connected to the internet 24/7 so why cant your console?
Ren.182
11-05-2006, 02:05 AM
I think it's a cool idea. I like not having to wait for an update when i start a game up. It's nice to load the game and find it's already been updated :)

So what if people can see what you're playing. I bet you have xfire, people can see what you're playing on your PC. Why not your console?

Also, they said it consumes as much power as a small light bulb while it is "turned off", which is hardly anything.

Quit yer whining :P
Javert
11-05-2006, 02:10 AM
really I can see it ..can anyone else not see the link I posted?
Can't see it, but I have an idea you have ways to foil any attempts of Nintendo assimilation.
Bad^Hat
11-05-2006, 02:56 AM
Quit yer whining :P

Yeah, I guess wii'll just have to live with it.



Together.

Wii can.

Edit - Stern, 403 for me too.
Zeus
11-05-2006, 03:22 AM
Wii will.... wii will rock you
Krynn72
11-05-2006, 05:54 AM
403 with me to.

Im gunna just assume there is also a power switch.
dream431ca
11-05-2006, 06:04 AM
I think most of you whine to much. It's a great thing to have for a console..automatic updates for all your games, and new features popping up.
Kyorisu
11-05-2006, 08:09 AM
You all realise Steam is happening here. Some dev or nintendo themselves will release something without proper testing and it will bork like all tommorow.
Cole
11-05-2006, 01:03 PM
Then they fix it 5 minutes later!
VirusType2
11-05-2006, 01:27 PM
Well in the press conference they described an example where a friend might leave you a gift while you are off-line, or a friend might 'visit' your virtual world and leave you a gift or a message at your virtual 'house'. I think it's great!

You turn on your Wii (that didn't sound right) only to find a friend had been over at your virtual-house and left a message and brought you a pet virtual doggy (should you choose to accept it)

Um, it's awesome, you guys are being nitpicky and/or associating it with 'beta patches', which isn't really the case here.

Imagine a game like Phantasy Star Online (do a search if you don't know what this game is) and you will probably be able to visit people individually, and if you are off-line, then they may have still paid a visit to your house but you weren't there (offline). Personally I look forward to Online RPG style games where everyone has their own house and yard and shit that no one can come to unless invited. You could have friends come over to your in-game house and talk, then after you talk and trade items or give a low level guy some free gear, and chat for a while, it's time to go kill shit together.
Raziaar
11-05-2006, 01:41 PM
I just want good games. That's the only ****ing surprise I need from the gaming industry. Don't force your fancy gimmick bullshit on me.
Laivasse
11-05-2006, 01:54 PM
I just want good games. That's the only ****ing surprise I need from the gaming industry. Don't force your fancy gimmick bullshit on me.

QFTMFTTBH. The only reason I would buy a console is for cool, quick-blast games. I don't want something that sucks my cock and washes the dishes while walking the dog for me. It would look ridiculous for a start.