How Would You Change the MicroConsole?

As you may know, I have a few gripes with the OnLive MicroConsole. As far as we know it isn’t wireless, you have to run a cable to your router. That being said, the whole notion that plugging in a keyboard and mouse is convenient is absurd. Every great device makes you lay a series trip lines across your living room floor.

This is how I would change OnLive’s MicroConsole

1. Make it wirelessly connect to the OnLive service. Come on, its 2009 who uses traditional Ethernet cables these days?
2. At least make certain wireless keyboards and mice able to register as controllers. Again, its 2009 we don’t like draping cables across our floors.

How Would You Change the OnLive MicroConsole?

Confirmed: OnLive MicroConsole Wired-Only

The first of hopefully not many MicroConsole gimmicks.

Today at GDC 09′ it was confirmed that the MicroConsole will be wired Ethernet only. During the demonstration OnLive reps had mentioned the USB ports seen on the front of the MicroConsole could be used to attach a keyboard and mouse. How awkward would that be? A massive Ethernet cable draped across your living room. Leading to a coffee table with a keyboard and mouse on it.

If you choose to go the practical route. The OnLive game controllers will be wireless. The OnLive.com website states that the console supports up to 4 players, and 4 bluetooth wireless headsets.

The keyboard and mouse gimmick sounds extremely unpractical. With any luck OnLive will reconsider, and make certain wireless keyboards and mice detect as controllers. Even if they sold their own keyboards and mice like Sega did with the Dreamcast it would be worth it.

OnLive TV Console Wired-only?

The back of the OnLive TV Console. Note that it only has an Ethernet port.

From what I can gather it looks as if the OnLive console is wired only. Note the destinct lack of any antenna on the console. Why is’t the TV console wireless? Perhaps it lags badly enough that they haven’t included or hinted at the option of the device being wireless. If thats the case what does it say about computers that are connected to networks wireless? Perhaps this is the big catch of the technology. That or I am over speculating on this way to early. However, the fact the console device appears to be wired-only concerns me,  alot.