Wii HDD Coming Soon?
Sunday, June 8th, 2008 at 12:54pm by Will
So apparently Nintendo is looking to hire some testers for this apparently new “Software/Hardware” add on for the Nintendo Wii. According to the job description you will be creating and executing test plans for the “Wii’s USB devices”. This seems to indicate that maybe an external hard drive add on may be coming soon or even be announced at E3. They are apparently looking for people with a keen eye for detail and writing up test plans to try and break whatever they are making. I wished I lived in the Redmond Washington area so I could have applied for this job.
CONTRACT - Software/Hardware Tester
Description of Duties* Creating and executing a test plan for Wii’s USB devices
* Executing test plans with great attention to detail and documenting bugs
* Writing test procedure documents, gathering, and learning required software/hardware
* Reproducing bug reports and helping find work-arounds or resolutions
[Via Nintencast.com]
[Via Jobs at Nintendo]
June 8th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble, but there are other things that plug into a USB port besides a hard disk…. like the third-party USB mic and standard USB keyboard I currently use with my Wii.
I mean, a HDD would definitely be the most desirable USB device for the Wii, but it’s still wishful thinking.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
@ Raindog469
The Wii has supported keyboards for a while now. To have a better experience writing messages and using the internet channel.
June 9th, 2008 at 2:42 am
Nah, doubt its a HDD; this sounds more complex.
June 9th, 2008 at 4:10 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a HDD, and the “test plans” are for blocking piracy.
June 9th, 2008 at 7:40 am
i think they call him raindog cos he likes to rain on everything… quite subtle. quite the OH-NOES man too (see: i don’t mean to burst anybodys bubble but…)
but hey if raindog says its “still wishful thinking”, then it must be, right? what with his E3 2008 VIP pass and his time-machine.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:09 am
@Will: Yeah, I did mention the “standard USB keyboard I currently use with my Wii.” Wouldn’t ever browse the web on TV without it.
@in your kennel: Sorry to have burst your bubble, but there’s literally nothing in that job posting referencing storage of any kind. Reading is fundamental.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:34 am
@ raindog469
I don’t mean to burst anyone’s bubble, but there are other things that plug into a USB port besides a hard disk….
>>like the third-party USB mic
If it was a third party microphone, Nintendo wouldn’t be running test cases for it. And even if Nintendo were to release a Microphone, I don’t think it would be USB, it would probably plug into the Wiimote or connect on its own, via a firmware update. Plus the way Nintendo is going with Online play, I don’t think that is even a possibility at this point.
As for other things that could plug into a USB port lets run down a quick check list…
Headset (Redundant, Wires are a no no with wireless controllers and the way Nintendo does things)
HDD / Flash Disk (Possibility, increase memory is good)
Rechargeable Cable for 1st Part rechargeable batteries (Maybe, just maybe, but you wouldn’t need to run test cases to see if it works that’s a pretty simple test case)
Keyboard is already supported so we don’t need to touch this.
Very little that would suggest anything else? Of course via Xbox360, an external Hi-Definition Disk Drive, although Nintendo probably wouldn’t do that.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:16 am
@raindog
reading is indeed fundamental… you could try to take your own advice.
so, please do feel free to point out the references to USB keyboards and third-party microphones that my dodgy reading has missed? Oh wait there are none? This job-posting is somewhat cryptic but somehow your guesswork is infinitely more reliable than anyone elses? really?
I do not really want to get into a flame-war with you my man (we are in reality not so different) but please stop behaving like you have accurate future-predicting capabilities, or as if yours is the definitive word in forum debates.
Peas.
June 10th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Please let it be so!!!! I’m desperate for space….
June 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
No, I’m saying that there are no references to any specific kind of USB devices at all in that job posting, that there are existing devices (mics and keyboards) that work with the Wii’s USB ports already, whether Nintendo makes them or not, and therefore, assuming Nintendo must be testing a Wii hard disk simply because the Wii desperately, achingly needs a hard disk is not a safe thing to do.