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Handheld Game

Report: Microsoft Developing Handheld Game Device

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 20, 2006 - 8:04am.
San Jose, Calif. - Microsoft is developing a handheld video game device that would also play movies and music, sources familiar with the project told the San Jose Mercury News. The sources told The Merc that Microsoft vice president J. Allard is leading the project, which also includes Xbox 360 system designer Greg Gibson and Xbox finance chief Bryan Lee. The product may not come to market for another year or two, and would enter a market that already features stiff competition from similar products from Apple, Sony and Nintendo. It would likely be able to play games developed for the original Xbox, though, establishing a large library of titles that would be available at launch.
tags: Reports | Microsoft | Handheld Game |

Handheld Game Console Maker Tapwave Discontinues Zodiac

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 29, 2005 - 6:54am.
Mountain View, Calif. -- Tapwave, the manufacturer of the Zodiac handheld multi-functional video game system, announced this week that it has shuttered its Zodiac business and discontinued all service and support for the devices. "We thank you for your past interest and support and apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused," reads a note on the company's website. The Zodiac ran on the Palm operating system, and in addition to games also lets users play digital music, and view photos and video. The device was released in the U.S. in 2003 and in the U.K. in late 2004. Mountain View, Calif.-based Tapwave said that additional products, accessories and game cards will still be available from CompUSA, Fry's and J&R while supplies last.
tags: Handheld Game | Console Maker | Tapwave | Discontinues | Zodiac |

Leaked Sony PSP Update Hints at Web, Office Applications for Handheld Game

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on January 20, 2005 - 7:51am.
Tokyo -- A software update for Sony's new PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld video game system that was inadvertently leaked onto the Internet contains details on potential new applications for the device, including Web browsing, e-mail, text-to-speech, word processing and calculator functions. While Sony confirmed that the leak was genuine, it warned that the update may in fact damage PSP hardware if installed by owners. The addition of such non-gaming functions to the PSP -- which can already play music and movies pre-recorded on its proprietary Universal Media Disc format -- would set it apart from the more gaming-centered DS handheld recently released by rival Nintendo. Separately, Sony has hinted that it may open up its Universal Media Disc, a 2.4-inch, 1.8GB format, so that outside companies can publish music and movies that can be played back on the PSP.
tags: Web | Handheld Game | Leaked Sony PSP | Update Hints | Office Applications |

Sony Releases PSP Handheld Game in Japan Amid Lines at Retailers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 13, 2004 - 3:06am.
Tokyo -- Japanese gamers waited in lines outside Tokyo retailers overnight this weekend for the chance to purchase one of a limited supply of 200,000 of Sony's new PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld game console, Reuters reported. Sony's foray into the handheld gaming market, the PSP features a wireless Internet connection and plays movies and music in addition to games. The PSP went on sale for a discounted price of $189 in Japan this weekend, although supplies will be limited, with Sony shipping only 500,000 units in Japan through the end of the year. The device is expected to face similar supply shortages when it goes on sale in the U.S. and Europe in early 2005. By contrast, Nintendo recently upped shipments for its DS handheld, which sold over 500,000 units in its first week on sale in Japan and 700,000 so far in North America. While Nintendo plans to have shipped 5 million DS handhelds worldwide by March 31, Sony has said it would have only 3 million PSP units on the market by the same time.
tags: Games | Sony | PSP | Handheld Game | Japan Amid Lines |

Take-Two Acquires U.K. Handheld Game Developer Mobius

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 8, 2004 - 6:43am.
New York -- Video game publisher Take-Two Interactive announced on Thursday its acquisition of Leeds, U.K.-based Mobius Entertainment, a developer of games for handheld platforms. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1997, Mobius has developed titles such as the Game Boy Advance version of Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar Games' "Max Payne," and "Pop Idol" for publisher Codemasters. The Mobius team, currently at work on titles for Sony's forthcoming PSP handheld gaming device, will now be known as Rockstar Leeds.
tags: U.K. | Handheld Game | Acquires | Mobius |

Tapwave's "Helix" Handheld Game to Target Older Audience Than Game Boy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2003 - 8:07am.
Los Angeles -- Tapwave, a developer of multi-functional handheld video game devices, on Monday announced the launch of Helix, its first product, Reuters reported. The handheld device, which runs on the PalmOS operating system and includes Palm's organizer features, also plays full-motion video and MP3 music in addition to games that will be developed by firms including Activision, Infogrames and Midway. Tapwave says it will target mobile gamers 18 years to 34 years old who have "graduated" from Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, which currently dominates the market. Tapwave has not yet announced pricing or launch date details for the Helix. http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2684640
tags: Helix | Handheld Game | Tapwave | Game Boy |