In countless Wal-Marts across the country, there are XBox 360 demo machines, giving consumers a first look at Microsoft’s next generation of gaming. Apparently, they have all been switched off for the time being. Why you ask?

There is a bug (imagine that) in the software that is causing interference with Wal-Mart’s wireless product scanners.

Microsoft has admitted that the console is interfering with Wal-Mart’s hand held scanners but has also said that the problem is minor and that a software fix is in the works. Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Arkansas has instructed all branches to shut down the console until a fix is available.

Microsoft’s statement says that their kiosk program has “encountered some minor wireless interference issues that are specific to some retail environments”. The Xbox’s 2.4 GHz wireless is much like that used in cordless phones and wireless routers. Since the implementation of these signals some retailers have had problems with network based stock systems suffering interference.

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