Most everybody has heard the the DS will support WiFi. There are usually alot of questions about this and it can be very confusing. So i thought i'd write up this tip and hopefully it will be helpful for some of you.
First of all, WiFi stand for Wireless Fidelity. In other words, you can connect two machines without the use of wires. It can also be called a wireless network. It works much the same way walkie talkies work as well as the wavebird (wireless controller on the N64). It is capable of sending alot more data per second than a walkie talkie though.
Here is what you can do with WiFi:
The basic ability of WiFi on the DS will allow for players to connect with each other and play simutaniously, much the same way you can connect two computers on a network. Nintendo has guaranteed that your DS machine will be able to reach at least 30 feet and connect with somebody elses. So anywhere from 0-30 feet and you can play multiplayer with no cords. However, that does not mean that 30 feet is the max. Depending on the circumstances, your DS may be able to reach up 75-100 feet. But dont be surprised if it wont go any further than 30 feet or so. It will allow up to 16 players to connect and play with each other. But, this also depends on the game your playing. A certain game may only be a two player game, or maybe a four player game. To simplify this, just think of this feature as being a really long link cable without the actual cable.
That is just a basic review of WiFi abilities however, i'm sure you've heard something about online play and want to know how it works. Well, i'll explain that here:
WiFi has the ability to connect to whats called a "hotspot". When connected to a "hotspot" you will be able to compete with players all across the globe in multiplayer action on the net. You will not be able to browse the internet unless a third party company programs a browser. You will definately be able to play the multiplayer games online though. Without the hotspot though, no online play.
You may be asking yourself "whats the deal with these hotspots?" I'll explain hotspots here:
A Hotspot is a Wireless Internet signal that is broadcast in the surrounding area. Contrary to popular belief, hotspots broadcast in sort of a bubble and not a straight line. Lots of businesess have hotspots set up and allow for public use. When you enter a hotspot, your DS will recognize it and you will be able to play online. Some places charge for their hotspot's use, others dont. Ask around and find out where the hotspots are in your area.
Connection theories:
Nobody knows for sure what will happen when you enter a hotspot or the range of another DS machine. If your within range of a hotspot the DS may ask you if you want to connect or not and you may have the option to say yes or no. If you say yes depending on the game the software may ask if you want to find other players, if you say yes it may tell the other user that there is a player waiting to play.
Thats one possibility, if your trying to connect to the short range it may go something like this:
If your DS is on but not being used it'll wake up from Sleep mode. It will know that there are other Nintendo DS's within range of it and try to communicate with the others. You may be able to send/recieve invitations to play or it may present you an option to connect with somebody else. This is all purely speculation. We will just have to wait and see.
Well, sorry this is so long but hopefully you have a better understanding of how this will work. Feel free to flame me for taking up so much of your time with such a detailed post :) Oh, one last thing, give me a high vote when the dang tip glitch gets fixed.
Sources: http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id= p_gw&message.id=187969&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
htt ://www.bway.net/~john/2004/06/way-ds-will-connect-to-your-w reless.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-n twork.htm
