Hello I am back to touch on a few points
PMD said:
I don't see the DS2 using 3G since it would require Nintendo to use cell phone networks which would drive up the costs considerably. Not to mention that there would be giant localization problems with every continent having separate networks.
Actually this is incorrect; carrier charges are significantly lower when using a specific service. Amazon Kindle is estimated to cost just $15 for the lifetime of the product. The misconception you’ve jumped to is that the 3G modem would enable constant online gaming… this is not the case. Nintendo are looking to have a dedicated store access as digital downloads will drive the platform forward as a media device.
PMD said:
The folding screen seems way too fragile or expensive to use in a Nintendo product. Little kids are going to be using this, and Nintendo won't want the screen breaking in any way. Nintendo normally does not use untested technology- they may add technology new to gaming, but they are never the first ones to put new technology in their devices.
When Nintendo launched the DS it was the first major consumable product which was powered by a touch interface, while some mobile devices indeed had launched prior they never broke the sales which Nintendo did, so in some ways it was classed as untested technology for the masses and for gaming.
Samsung first displayed the OLED folding screen technology back in 2008 as a replacement product for its mobile screens. It’s a very impressive technology and one that since its first concept has developed greatly, but as yet not used in a commercial device.
To operate as a touch screen a glass layer must be placed over the OLED display to form a protective barrier, this would be the overcoming barrier, how to fold, protect and engage with, but I doubt this to be seen as a major design problem.
The Tegra chips which is strongly hinted at as powering the next handheld device is known to operate up to a 1080p (Full HD) resolution… this however is only tested on a single screen format and goes back to my previous posts regarding a single screen large enough to emulate DS games.
(Sorry have to edit to add more as just seen a load of posts as I been in meetings)
1. The Tegra 2 chip introduces dual core processing which while great for most things would be extremely battery intensive, it would be great if Nintendo could include this but I expect it to use the Tegra (2600)core, it's cheaper, more freely available and still runs at some speed.... not as fast as the Snapdragon processor and is designed for NAND Flash storage....
2. (edit - sorry for the amendments) I did post that maybe the inclusion of a dedicated graphics card but one of the developers has just strolled round and was talking to them about something else and then got on the subject of this and he said... "Nah, it's down as a single unit, no graphics controller... think of the drain fool!"
3. Possible inclusion of touch resistance technology first hinted at the rumble stylus... the screen would operate much like the RIM storm by generating a gentle vibration to provide feedback. Don't expect hand shaking but more responsive feedback.
4. No ability to download your old DS games to the internal storage, but I would be interested if the friend sharing scheme expands slightly, how cool would it be like the Zune that games are shared with your friends over wifi for free but expire after a given period.
( Edited 15.03.2010 17:00 by MightyHorace )