3DS

Nintendo 3DS puts pressure on TV makers

Just as TV makers and film studios are working hard assuring movie watchers that wearing 3D glasses isn't that bad, Nintendo just applied some extra pressure.

Out of nowhere, the game hardware maker announced Monday that it is planning on selling an updated version of its popular handheld with a 3D screen that will not require any special eyewear. This is a big deal, and means there will likely be more where this came from in the next year in the form of other devices.

We don't know exactly how the Nintendo 3DS will work. Nintendo is being tight-lipped about details for now, but has said it plans to reveal more at E3, the gaming conference to be held in Los Angeles in June.

Still, we can connect some of the dots. It appears there will be two 4-inch 3D-capable displays, and they might be using something called parallax barrier technology, according to Jennifer Coleman, director of display technology at DisplaySearch. A parallax barrier display uses one liquid-crystal display layered under another. Each has tiny stripes that will hide certain pixels so that some are only visible to your left eye, while others will only be seen by your right eye. In that way, each eye gets its own image, producing the illusion of 3D without the need for glasses.

Both Hitachi and Sharp have been using parallax barrier displays in cell phones and laptops in Japan and Korea for several years, so one of them could be the supplier for Nintendo's phone, Coleman guessed.

It's good timing. The 3D market is heating up, with 3D films raking in money at the box office, TV makers pushing the format, new 3D channels set to debut, and the first 3D digital cameras already on sale.… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1190: Steve Jobs vs. Predator (podcast)

Announcing our very first not-even-remotely sanctioned by the legal department video creation contest: make us an awesome video in which Steve Jobs and the Predator work out who has prior art on swipe-to-unlock. We will reward the awesomest video with a Buzz Out Loud ceramic travel mug. Oh, and Google turns off its filters in China ... briefly.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 1190

Google turns off filter in China http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-approach-to-china-update.html http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-23/google-said-to-have-made-no-progress-in-two-month-china-dispute.html http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/interview-sergey-brin-on-googles-china-gambit/… Read more

The 404 543: Where we can't stop staring at Nintendo's 3DS (podcast)

Pucker up! The 404 Podcast cordially invites you to help us celebrate Kiss An Asian Day! Wilson and I are clearly delighted with this extremely made-up holiday, whereas Jeff couldn't be stuck in a more compromising position. Yesterday also happened to be International Talk Like William Shatner Day, so the first story in today's rundown is about his new social network that is aimed at sci-fi nerds. Myouterspace.com is still in beta (Shatner's Twitter is apparently taking suggestions), but the site promises to be "a sci-fi social network for those with a passion for the arts." In my best Shatner voice: that...sounds...very...lame.

Today, Nintendo announced the next generation of its popular DS portable gaming platform, and, of course, it's in 3D. The Nintendo 3DS will officially see a release at this year's E3 conference in June, but so far we know that the device will be backward compatible with DS and DSi games and won't require you wear special goggles for 3D gameplay. Here's hoping that the 3DS will be a little more fun than Nintendo's first foray into 3D gaming.

CNET audio expert Steve Guttenberg stops by on the second half to pimp his ongoing contest, "The Audiophillie Music Awards for Excellence in Recorded Sound." Keep in mind that this is not "American Idol," so entries won't be judged by musical talent, but rather on the quality of the recording itself. This is your chance to prove your recording skills and promote your favorite unsigned band, so submit your entry on a CD and you'll be entered to win one of six pairs of Monster Turbine Copper or Monster Turbine Gold in-ear headphones!

Click here for official rules and an entry form (must complete and send along with CD). The contest ends on April 17, so good luck, everyone!

EPISODE 543 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Nintendo sees the future in its 3DS

The Nintendo DS family of game devices will soon have a successor, and its name is the 3DS.

According to Nintendo's Tuesday announcement, the 3DS will boast 3D gaming capability without requiring users to wear "any special glasses" to play titles.

The company said that the 3DS will "succeed [the] 'Nintendo DS series.'" Perhaps most importantly, the 3DS will boast backward compatibility, allowing users to play games originally built for the Nintendo DS or DSi.

Nintendo was stingy with details. It didn't indicate how the 3D functionality would work with the 3DS. It also … Read more

Security researchers knock 'Verified by Visa'

The "Verified by Visa" credit-card authentication system has come under criticism from Cambridge University researchers, who say it is training online shoppers to adopt risky security habits.

The feature, which is used to authenticate online financial transactions, confuses people by not displaying security cues, security engineering researchers Ross Anderson and Steven Murdoch said in a paper (PDF) published Tuesday.

The protocol underlying Verified by Visa, as well competitor MasterCard's SecureCode service, is 3-D Secure (3DS). The protocol is implemented as an iframe pop-up box, said Anderson. The pop-up does not display any commonly used markers, such as … Read more

Wii and Wii Fit make their way to Sports Authority

You might be used to buying your video game consoles only at an electronics store, but all that will soon change. National sports retailer Sports Authority announced Tuesday that it will start selling the Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit Plus in its stores.

Aside from being able to pick up a Wii and Wii Fit Plus, consumers will also find Sports Authority stores that boast a Wii "interactive fitness experience." The section of the store will have "knowledgeable fitness trainers allowing customers to try Wii and Wii Fit Plus before they buy."

While it's certainly … Read more

Video game industry takes another big hit in August

The video game industry is having trouble reversing its poor showing over the past few months.

Industrywide revenue in August slipped 16 percent year over year, market researcher NPD Group reported Thursday. And total year-to-date sales were down 14 percent.

Neither software nor hardware could stop the industry's slide. Hardware sales came in at $297.6 million for the month--down 25 percent compared with August 2008. Video game sales brought in $470.32 million--a 15 percent hit, year over year.

Hardware Nintendo once again dominated both the handheld and console markets in August. The industry's leader sold 277,400 Wii units in August. Consumers purchased 552,900 Nintendo DS units.

Microsoft's Xbox 360 barely held onto second place in console sales, pushing 215,400 units into homes.

Buoyed by the cheaper PlayStation 3, Sony's console trailed the Xbox 360 with 210,000 units sold. Its PlayStation Portable handheld was another popular item with 140,300 units sold. Ironically, Sony's PlayStation 2 continues to sell well. According to NPD, Sony sold 105,900 PS2 units--not bad for a product that isn't even considered "current gen."

Software Unlike many previous months, Nintendo Wii games didn't dominate the top-10 list of best-selling titles. The company's console had only three of its titles make the list. Even so, that's the most games for any single console in August.

And this time around, a Wii game didn't take the top spot. Instead, Madden NFL 10 for the Xbox 360 reigned supreme with 928,000 units sold. Nintendo's Wii Sports Resort captured the second spot with 754,000 units sold. Madden NFL 10 for the PS3 captured third place, selling 665,000 units.… Read more

Nintendo: We killed the DS lookalike app

The DS DoubleSys iPhone app, a Nintendo DS lookalike (and simulator) that we've been following since it was first made available on Apple's App Store, was removed from the store upon request from Nintendo, Nintendo said in an e-mail.

In response to a request for comment, Nintendo spokesman Charlie Scibetta wrote that his company felt it needed to protect its intellectual property.

"Nintendo respects the intellectual property rights of other companies, and in turn expects others to respect ours as well," Scibetta wrote in an e-mail. "Nintendo did seek the removal of this application as … Read more

This month in video game screenshots

Looking for a new video game this month? There's something for everyone in April. Here's a list of a few titles we think you should have a look at. This month, you can head up the family as The Don in The Godfather II from EA.

Are music games more your style? Rhythm Heaven forces you to keep a beat and master timing with your stylus. Be sure to try out intergalactic sheep-herding in Flock, available on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and PC.

Marvel comic book fans can play as Logan in X-Men Origins: Wolverine while ninja … Read more