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Microsoft has come one step closer to offering its wireless Xbox adapter for the Christmas buying season by gaining Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for the device on August 28.

The chipset in the MN-740 wireless adapter appears to be supplied by Atheros Communications, possibly its 2.4GHz AR5002AP-G chip, which supports 802.11b/g. The device also features user-configurable 128-bit WEP (wired equivalent privacy) security. It will compete with other products on the market such as Linksys’s WGA54G Wireless-G game adapter.

According to its quick start guide, users will be able to play multi-player games with either Microsoft’s own Xbox Live online game subscription service if the device is connected to a broadband Internet connection or users can use the device to create a wireless connection for System Link (console-to-console) play (requires two Xbox video game systems and Xbox System Link play certified games).

The kit includes an Xbox wireless setup CD, the Xbox MN-740 wireless adapter, a power cord, a user guide, a start guide and an Ethernet cable.

Other devices reportedly to be launched by Microsoft’s Broadband Networking group include the MN-700 Wireless Station (router), MN-720 CardBus card, MN-730 PCI adapter and MN-820 notebook kit, which bundles an MN-700 and 720.

It will be interesting to see what direction the Xbox clients take now that they will have access to broadband connections ideal for VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) and streaming video. New video game services such as XSNsports.com – a collaboration between Microsoft and ESPN – will allow gamers to compete with their friends in a 16-game user-created season or challenge top-ranked online competitors in worldwide tournaments. There may be some sort of add-on device for a Pocket PC such as the new gamepad offered by Sprint PCS and Samsung Electronics.

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Source: DigiTimes