Internet, sorta

Gamer · 04-03-2002, 11:13 PM

So what do ya think bout the being able to send messages and stuff on you GBA, i think that would be great, i mean, no more boring classes/church

jeepnut · 04-04-2002, 02:34 AM

Hmmm, anyone else see this as a step towards the PDA market?

GameMaster · 04-04-2002, 11:39 AM

I think this would be really cool!

But it steps away from Nintendo's sole focus...

Video games.

Great idea though Gamer.

Revival · 04-04-2002, 03:16 PM

It's not an idea, it's a reality:

Source: AdvanceGB

Quote:

X-traFun Inc. made going online with the Game Boy Advance possible through an ordinary Game Boy Advance cartridge. You can send e-mails, instant messages, e-book reading, and other things that are possible on the internet. The best part is, parents can always stay in contact with their kids as long as they have this device.

"The beauty of this device is that it is a plug-n-play cartridge similar to what consumers are familiar with." Claims the former NASA Engineer & local Wireless Internet Executive Mark Kramer. He goes on to add, "The X-traFun experience uses the latest hardware and software technologies from various sources around the world." This product will use Bluetooth Technology, which is an embedded microprocessor, and FLASH memory, which connects to an application, web, and data base servers.

The new device will be first released in North America sometime in the summer and will cost as much as any other 3rd party game.

X-traFun, Inc. - First Wireless GameBoy That Connects Others Around The World

CASTLE ROCK, Colo.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 2, 2002--You can now wirelessly access the Internet using the GameBoy handheld console. X-traFun Inc., of Castle Rock, Colorado, has designed and developed a cartridge for the GameBoy family of products that will enable mobile edutainment for kids of all ages. Besides interactive game playing, kids can now receive and send e-mails, perform chat messaging, e-book reading, and much more. Parents can send messages to their children while away from home.

``The beauty of this device is that it is a plug-n-play cartridge similar to what consumers are familiar with.'' Claims the former NASA Engineer & local Wireless Internet Executive Mark Kramer. He goes on to add, ``The X-traFun experience uses the latest hardware and software technologies from various sources around the world.'' The device uses wireless Bluetooth Technology, embedded microprocessor, and FLASH memory, which connects to an application, web, and data base servers.

The enthusiastic, excitable Kramer adds in the same breath: ``And here's the best news of all. The product will not cost much more than a standard game cartridge does today. This new product was designed and developed to provide:

1) Mobile edutainment experience for all.
2) Low-cost Internet communications access device.
3) Provide endless content information to the user.
4) A World of Fun.

X-traFun is in the process of partnering with various retail entertainment distributors to advertise and sell its product and services. The company will introduce the product first in North America and then abroad. The company hopes to receive a favorable endorsement from the Nintendo Corp., who develops and licenses the GameBoy(TM) brand products. ``This is like a David and Goliath encounter,'' Remarks Kramer, who is the President and CEO of X-traFun, Inc. ``In the end, we just want to make A World of Fun for kids.''

X-traFun, Inc. is a leader in the development of wireless Internet web-enabling technologies, products, and services for the consumer electronics industry. X-traFun is the first Bluetooth, handheld entertainment, educational, and personalized services communications network targeted to all kids. It combines interactive game play, chat messaging, e-mail, and other network service applications in one compact mobile device. For more information on X-traFun, Inc., visit our website at: www.x-trafun.com.

The company hasn't announced a price for the device, but did say on their website that it should be coming sometime this Summer.

Bond · 04-04-2002, 03:36 PM

What happened to it's all about the games?

J3]IMaster · 04-04-2002, 05:20 PM

There is one out in the UK (don't about anywhere else) called worldport or something (3rd party obviously) that allows you to send e-mail's to other GBA's or any computer, the modem cable just plugs into the cart and into a phone socket, it's been out over here for about 6 months now

Gamer · 04-04-2002, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by J3]IMaster
There is one out in the UK (don't about anywhere else) called worldport or something (3rd party obviously) that allows you to send e-mail's to other GBA's or any computer, the modem cable just plugs into the cart and into a phone socket, it's been out over here for about 6 months now

serious? well, that wouldnt be too bad, but i dont think it would be that great, i would much rather it be wireless, i mean, otherwise you can barely ever use it, unless you have a proper connection.

GameMaster · 04-04-2002, 07:00 PM

Well, apparently I was wrong...

Good psychic predictions Gamer!

Mad Marine · 04-06-2002, 01:28 PM

They would be great!!!!!!!

Just kinda like a cellphone

Jonbo298 · 04-06-2002, 02:00 PM

The only thing I wouldn't like is having to choose letter by letter to type. That would annoy the hell out of me after a few days.

newname · 04-07-2002, 10:12 PM

who didnt see it coming