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This new console is, perhaps tentatively, called the "3DS", and, as the name would imply, allows for 3D effects in gaming, supposedly without the need of 3D glasses!
Any other information is scarce, other than being backwards compatible with DS/DSi games, but you can bet your Wii that Nintendo will reveal more this Summer at E3.
More, rumored info:
- Larger twin screens closer in proximity
- High-powered, like a GameCube, with NVIDIA Tegra
- Built-in accelerometer, akin to iPhone/iPod Touch
- Utilizes carts like a DS
How will it work you ask?
Lenticular Technology
"Nintendo is likely to use Lenticular Technology" says Neil Dodgson, a 3D displays expert at Cambridge University. A lenticular lens is an array of magnifying lenses, designed so that when viewed from slightly different angles, different images are magnified. The lenticules direct the pixels' light in different directions, so each eye sees only every alternate column of pixels. The graphics chip renders two images, one for the left eye and one for the right. These two images are displayed on the two sets of alternating columns of pixels.
Dodgson adds that lenticular tech does have its own set of limitations, mainly that: "Once you have got the 3D effect you cannot move your head left/right very much because otherwise your right eye would switch to a zone where it sees the left eye's image and vice-versa". The other issue with the technology is that you will have to be within a certain distance of the screen or the 3D effect will be broken up. Eye traking via camera ( Just like when you take pictures with the DSi camera and the pictures follow your eyes) could be used to solve this problem.
Analyst Michael Pachter thinks Nintendo is likely to aim for a similar price range to the £159.99 DSi XL. "Based on charging $189 (US) for the DSi XL, my guess is that Nintendo will try to charge at least that much,"
Hopefully Nintendo works out the known problems with this technology so that we don't have to sit in a certain position to play our games enjoyably.
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