Friday 4 March 2011

A pioneer for 3D to come

It's getting flak already, that's for sure. We're all hearing reports of headaches, and that some just prefer playing it with 3D off in general. That's fine; that's what the switch is for. But if there's one thing its predecessor taught us it's that certain games make such great use of the device's features that I'm certain most people will turn that switch right back on when an increase of fun is in sight. Point in case: If you know how skillfully the inventor of Mario continually employs the hardware Nintendo provides him with year after year, you know Mr. Miyamoto won't lose a sweat in pushing the 3DS to its limits and leaving us all with our jaws on the floor. invariably reach into his bottomless hat of imaginative ideas and make the absolute best of the 3DS.


But Nintendo's handheld is not the center point here; its technology is. While Sony are still trying to sell you a pair of Duracell-powered 3D glasses, Toshiba are busy announcing their superior glasses-free 3D TV. And now you know why Sony are pushing their embarrassing excuse for a 3D home experience. It's all about grabbing a slice of this new-born market with an imperfect technology while the competition is busy improving theirs. That exact same strategy helped Sony win the Bluray vs. HD DVD-war, if you remember, in which Philips had to witness their superior DVD standard lose the battle against an opponent that was willing to set technology back 5 years. Ever hear of the VHS-Betamax war from the 70's? Same story.

From a technological viewpoint, the glasses-free 3D effect can be achieved either with a panel that overlays a traditional screen, by using cameras to target a specific viewer, or by using cylindrical lenslets. But what's important is where this glasses-free revolution will take us in the next few years. I'm sure your local cinema will get rid of its glasses-powered silver screen within a year or two, but by then a small portion of you will already enjoy that very technology at home, and in that sense, the 3DS is nothing less than a pioneer to be acknowledged.

An early prototype. As you can see, they've added a camera since then.
 You may not think you'll getting a Nintendo 3DS or a glasses-free TV set any time soon. But when you walk into an electronics store in a year or so and you see one of these babies, you're gonna buy one just like you bought that HD TV last year. But that's okay. You know why? Because this fuels the industry to develop much more exciting technologies, such as the one we'll talk about in my next post.

Next time: Tactile touch screens.

55 comments:

Westus said...

I've really been contemplating getting a 3DS, on one hand its just so awesome, on the other hand, I feel that I wouldn't really play a handheld system anymore... I'm really torn... if you get one you should do a review!

-inastateofblue said...

I think the picture of the cardboard DS is great XD Will be looking forward to your next post, will be following!

Adventure Person said...

Informative post! I can't wait to see how technology continues to evolve.

Kicking Rocks said...

lol that 'early prototype' looks like its made from card board, but i'm sure nintendo knows what its doing.

desperado said...

i am very fearful of getting a 3d TV.

especially when something better is just around the corner.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you! If no one bought any technology our technology would suck :D

Ion762 said...

yeah looks cool I only like 3d if i don't have to wear the annoying glasses

rinns said...

I'm actually really excited for the 3ds, if all goes well I'll be picking one up just after release day :D

WizWayne said...

came across your blog, nice stuff very interesting! be sure to check mine out!

Anonymous said...

Amazing and informative post. Love the prototype too, it's super cute haha.

The Game Store Guy said...

I'm actually blown away by the Netflix features and augmented reality with the new 3DS, so I must admit that I can't wait for the 27th.

William Edmondson said...

Both my mother and brother have DS's and I'm getting a bit jealous. You post has me getting excited for 3DS. Maybe I'll pick one up.

Voit said...

I find your view on the technological duels intersting. If you know (or learn) something more, you might consider writing an entire post about it.

Motivationalized said...

I'll wait a bot to see how this pans out, it would be stupid to buy something now only for it to be dropped because this or that company won the patent war... I learned something from Betamax and HD DVD.

Unknown said...

I really want a 3DS :(

Yenaaa said...

Some people are really annoyed by the whole 3d movement, but I think its great! I love advancements of technology <3

Noock said...

Yeah without glasses 3D would get much more popular, at least when prices are moderate

AnonMake said...

Haha, the picture was awesome! :D

Unknown said...

I really wanna try a 3ds for myself, but gonna take a few months more before its available in europe.

Metamorphiction said...

Oh, now I wanna hear what you have to say on your next post. I'll stick around :)

baxxman said...

Cool, fun to read!
Baxxmans

Bart said...

they should make halograms real.. then like watch halographic tv anywhere..

The Angry Lurker said...

A little bit out of my league at the moment but interesting.

Mike said...

very very interesting stuff, looking forward to more

b1loom said...

Very interesting, thanks!

Kirbicide said...

Nice! This technology is so new to me, it's great to be able to keep up on this kind of stuff. looking forward to your next post!

Lhosreiff said...

If theres a good starfox and mario then I will have no choice but to get it.

phoebert said...

I was just talking to my roommates about the 3DS yesterday, I am so pumped to get one. Can not wait!

Shona said...

Replying to your comment ;)
I do have bfbc2, but my laptop can't run it,
so when I get a desktop! we can play! hahah

Harvenger said...

i kinda wish i had a 3dtv...

Layman Researcher said...

Lets hope it works properly! :O

Raini said...

I really want a 3DS :D

Merlyy said...

I thought about buying a new Game Boy, it sounds awfully cool 8)

Spongeworthy said...

this is why i'm concerned about getting a 3DS, what's the point if it causes eye strain in only 15 minutes of use?

Gryt said...

Yeah I'm definitely worried about 3D, and all these negative "side effects" that are coming along with it. I'll have to do some personal research here and find someone who's getting a 3DS or a 3D TV

jgarceau said...

i am intrigued to see how this technology surfaces when its released. great post!

Candlej- said...

when will we draw the line? i like my 2D games, and my 3D ones to stay "in" the console

randomramblingggg.blogspot.com

Denzel said...

the little pic is so funny xD

husar said...

Wow! Good to know, nice post.

FargoThunder said...

Nice to know
I've been looking forward to "testing" one
just to see how it looks
The tv in my house is 3d Enabled
and came with Glasses
and its really good actually
I keep hearing about complaints if you already have glasses that it cant fit over them
well I have glasses and there not small
and they fit just amazingly
Keep it up

Marcus Silva said...

Very Interesting, looking forward to seeing more like this in the future :D

guide for the lesser said...

im trippen out a little about getting a 3d tv when something may be on the brink of coming out, still a nice read though :)

Pauli said...

I love 3D movies! With 3D movies got very new era!

Choms1337 said...

oh no ... next 3d.. OMG I HAVE 3D TV, 3D Monitor, 3D Phone, OH LOOK I HAVE 3D MICROWAVE !!

I don't like 3D waiting for holograph

ed said...

i heard the 3ds sold like crazy in japan. not going to get one cause its probably too pricey

Shelby Fox said...

Glasses free 3D would really piss off all the people who bought $300 glasses for their current models haha.

rndmg123 said...

im gonna pass on the 3ds for a little while. the launch games dont impress me much.

Chris said...

Kinda makes me want a DS now. Following for sure.

A Beer for the Shower said...

If I get anything 3D, I'm not wearing those stupid glasses, that's for sure. Mostly because I know it's just a phase. In 20 years, our kids will look back at us and say, you actually wore GLASSES to see 3D TV/3D gaming? How nerdy.

SpiralOut said...

The 3DS looks really cool and I can't wait for launch. I wonder if it's worth buying right off the bat or waiting until later for it to be revised at least once. Cool post!

+Follower =D

Jay said...

well, i wear glasses, and i can't stand the current generation of 3D technology, but hopefully it will be better in the next few years.

Nice blog btw. :)

JMchief said...

interesting post

supporting:)
http://jmchief93elite.blogspot.com

TheHarvester said...

the smaller pic is great!

Jimmy mccann said...

making 3d and how it works is epic

JustDarki said...

i'm not really into this 3d bullcrap. 2d ftw!

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