Wii are watching you

July 17th, 2006, 17:17 Posted By: wraggster

Wiimote camera functionality further hinted at in official documentation for Nintendo's forthcoming console

Since Nintendo's unveiling of the Wiimote microphone for its forthcoming console, rumours of camera functionality have been persistantly whizzing around the internet. Now, further fuel has been poured onto the flames of speculation in an official developer document for the Wii.

According to the document, obtained by IGN, the Wiimote is apparently capable of 'viewing' a one megapixel 'image', measuring X axis coordinates of 0-1023 and 0-767 on the Y axis. It's unclear whether this information can be interpreted into an actual visual form, but its interesting nontheless.

On top of that, there's a bunch of other tidbits about the console in the documentation. For starters, the Wiimote will be powered by two AA-sized batteries, which can apparently last for up to 30 hours when pointer functionality is enabled on the controller, and 60 hours with just the accelerometer features in use. It seems the controller's rumble can also be turned on or off, presumably extending the battery life that little bit further.

Interestingly, the Wii's sensor bar contains four LEDs, serving a number of features. As well as indicating which player is interacting with the console at a given moment, they also show how much battery power remains in the controllers at the console's start up. 75% and upwards, four LEDs will illuminated, 50%-75%, three will light, while 25%-50% is indicated by two and one LED represents anything below that.

There's also a bit more information regarding the synchronisation routine necessary for the console to interact with the Wiimote. Under the front flap on the Wii, you'll find a 'SYNCHRO' button - simply press that then hit the 'SYNCHRO' button inside the battery flap. Each controller is then assigned a unique ID number. It seems that you'll also be able to hold down the '1' and '2' buttons to perform the same task, reducing the need to fumble round the back of the controller.

Rounding up the Wii info shower, it seems the Wiimote contains 6kb of memory, which could be related to the speaker or might even be used to store personal data - as has been suggested repeatedly on the 'net - for that extra dollop of Wii personalisation.

With plenty more apparently to be revealed about Wii, we're getting anxious for Nintendo's planned September meeting where, hopefully, all our questions will be answered.

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