Microsoft Addresses Kiosk Interference with WalMart

[bapenguin]

Microsoft recently acknowledged the issue with the XBox 360 Kiosks interfering with certain wireless retail systems like those in Walmart.

Our Xbox 360 retail kiosk program rolled out this week and we encountered some minor wireless interference issues at a small number of retail outlets that are specific to some retail environments. Since the advent of 2.4 ghz signals, such as those found in next generation consumer electronics like cordless phones, wireless routers and now, Xbox 360, some retailers have discovered that their network-based inventory management systems can be impacted by products using modern wireless signals. While retailers are constantly updating their internal management systems, sometimes new products being introduced into the market can cause this kind of temporary interference. We are working closely with retailers to provide a software solution that mitigates this problem within their retail environments. Adjustments and tweaks to kiosks of any kind are quite common once they're deployed in a "live" retail environment. We consider making such adjustments a standard part of the launch process.

A solution to this issue was developed within 24 hours of identifying the issue and we are currently deploying the fix to the affected locations.



Microsoft assures us this won't be an issue once we get the 360 home. Note to the FCC: Time to increase the frequency bands available to consumers.

[bapenguin]

edited upon request.

[fitbabits]

While a satisfactory explanation to me, I foresee a fanboy attack the likes of which has seldom been seen before...

[ldi222]

Did you guys catch this?

Evil Avatar’s Nick Puelo (aka bapenguin) recently checked out the Xbox 360 kiosk in the Phillipsburg (NJ) Wal-Mart. He was curious to see what kind of downloadable content he could nab with an Xbox 360 memory card—we each received one at a recent NYC media event.

http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000890064780/

[fitbabits]

Did you guys catch this?

Evil Avatar’s Nick Puelo (aka bapenguin) recently checked out the Xbox 360 kiosk in the Phillipsburg (NJ) Wal-Mart. He was curious to see what kind of downloadable content he could nab with an Xbox 360 memory card—we each received one at a recent NYC media event.

http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000890064780/
Either I'm not getting the point of this or there is not point to it. News of bapenguin playing with Xbox 360s was all over this site when it happened.

[ldi222]

Either I'm not getting the point of this

Youre not getting it, but that's ok, probably not the first time.

[Taco]

I don't get it either.

Cause they didn't link to EA?

[Last of the Red Hot Mamas]

Did you guys catch this?

Yes. (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6359)

[fitbabits]

Youre not getting it, but that's ok, probably not the first time.
Probably not, but perhaps you can get your head out of the rarified air that's emanating from your ass and fill me in.

[ldi222]

My point is that I was surprised another "news source" would pull forum conversations about using a memory card in a 360 as news citing a direct name of the poster here.

[bapenguin]

Either I'm not getting the point of this or there is not point to it. News of bapenguin playing with Xbox 360s was all over this site when it happened.

I know! He spelled my last name wrong!

Anyway...this is troublesome, I have a 2.4ghz phones and 2.4ghz wireless networking..and while the claim is this won't interfere you have to wonder if it will degrade the quality, etc.

[Taco]

It wasn't about a memory card, it was about the shitty screen setup. I still don't get it.

[NoName]

Either I'm not getting the point of this or there is not point to it. News of bapenguin playing with Xbox 360s was all over this site when it happened.
I think the point is that one of Bap's post became news on Joystiq. Not that big a deal considering they'll post if a game devloper sneezes as news, but they did give EA some linkage.

(Not saying I dislike Joystiq, you just have to weed out a lot of their articles)

[DeadPixel]

Typical MS solution, "Not our issue, we have to tweak something else to get our product working".

[fitbabits]

Typical MS solution, "Not our issue, we have to tweak something else to get our product working".
And they're off...

[Syrinx]

Typical MS solution, "Not our issue, we have to tweak something else to get our product working".

So you did read the part about the full FCC testing, right? Just checking.

[lpmiller]

I know! He spelled my last name wrong!

Anyway...this is troublesome, I have a 2.4ghz phones and 2.4ghz wireless networking..and while the claim is this won't interfere you have to wonder if it will degrade the quality, etc.


and your microwave can 'broadcast' at 2.4ghz too. So what? The band is heavily used, the xbox isn't any more likely to generate interference then any other device in that band. Or any less likely. It really depends on how well the devices play with each other, and how well your home handles all those bouncing signals. Usually they play together ok. sometimes you'll have problems.

As for opening up more bands, well, 5.8 IS open, but other than that, it ain't happening. The next available band is being used by the military, and much like 5.8 and 2.4, it won't open up until they stop using it and go even higher. In other words, the FCC doesnt' have a lot of control over it.

[Hg-203]

I know! He spelled my last name wrong!

Anyway...this is troublesome, I have a 2.4ghz phones and 2.4ghz wireless networking..and while the claim is this won't interfere you have to wonder if it will degrade the quality, etc.

From what I remember the only things on the 360 that are on the 2.4 gHz would be the wireless netowrking capabilities and mabey the cordless controlers, which i don't think would be on the demo Kiosks. So I think its safe to assume that if you run a wireless network at home with your phones you should be fine. My best guess is that WalMart has some really sensitive wifi equipment that buggs out when ever anything else is on the spectrum. I just can't see Microsoft putting in expensive wifi solutions that are powerful enough to destory the rest of the spectrum, not because MS is evil, but because it would be just too expensive.

[Zanzibar]

Micro$oft is TEH DOOM3D!!1!ONE!!

</fanboy_off>

More likely culprit is that Wal-Mart uses cheaply-made inventory scanner units that aren't FCC compliant. Wal-Mart cutting corners?? Say it ain't so!!

[DeadPixel]

So you did read the part about the full FCC testing, right? Just checking.
Of course not! I made my assumption off the 5 sentence quote and formulated a biased opinion based on my generally negative view of MS.

Think different.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I really can't see how opening up more bands would do anything. All new electronics would just start using that band, and then we'd have the same problems cropping up all over again. The problem is that every damn thing has to use the highest frequency available, not that there are not enough frequencies available. At least that's how I understand it.





Micro$oft is TEH DOOM3D!!1!ONE!!

</fanboy_off>

More likely culprit is that Wal-Mart uses cheaply-made inventory scanner units that aren't FCC compliant. Wal-Mart cutting corners?? Say it ain't so!!

Microsoft cutting corners? Say it ain't so!!

[Tennistoad]

Don't you guys get it... This is the Trojan horse system.. It has invaded Wal-mart and began taking over..Luckily they had some high school graduate store managers who were able to stop the takeover. I heard that they found that the 360 was changing the prices on all sony products. one small child tried to buy a Crash Bandicott game and it rang up at $1200.99. Also it was writing REDRUM on all of nintendo DS's.

/Hal9000 lives I knew that big ass thing in the middle looked familiar.
:D :D

[DoubleUranium]

Since the kiosks are apparently wireless active, does this mean you could bring in a wireless 360 controller (presuming you somehow have one already) and get it to work with the kiosk?

[Zanzibar]

Microsoft cutting corners? Say it ain't so!!

C'mon, making industry-specific hardware (inventory scanners) doesn't have ANYWHERE NEAR the compatibility implications that a mass-market device (Xbox 360) would have.

Acme Scanners, Inc. (or whoever the fuck they are that made them) would have how much money to spend on testing, versus Microsoft's QA department?

[bapenguin]

Since the kiosks are apparently wireless active, does this mean you could bring in a wireless 360 controller (presuming you somehow have one already) and get it to work with the kiosk?

You could if you could touch the console. You need to press a button to have it poll for wireless controllers...that's why i find it weird that they are having issue...i'd imagine it only looked for wi-fi stuff once you press that button.

[mkelehan]

I do wonder why they don't just use wired controllers for the kiosks. They're tethered anyway.