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New DS handheld will have HD resolution screen and motion sensor

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Jan 2010 6:11 User comments (24)

New DS handheld will have HD resolution screen and motion sensor According to an interview with Japanese site Asahi, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says a new DS handheld is in development, one that will include an HD resolution screen and a motion sensor.
The handheld is being developed in-house, will have a 1024 x 768 resolution screen, will have ability to download e-books via 3G of Wi-Fi, and will include the motion sensor, allowing accelerometer technology for gaming.

When asked when the next DS would hit the States, Iwata was careful to not say anything. Our guess? 2011.

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24 user comments

16.1.2010 20:39

If the DS get HD, the next Nintendo console got to have HD on it.

26.1.2010 20:44

hmm, i would have thought Nintendo would have made their console debut in HD before the handheld. LOL guess Nintendo doesn't want to make the same mistake twice and jump the HD gun on the handhelds!

37.1.2010 09:32

Will it out put to TV making it worth while?

47.1.2010 13:28

Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
Will it out put to TV making it worth while?
That's an interesting question. If the new DS can output to the external monitors, it will make an impressive media player :)

57.1.2010 13:36

Quote:
Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
Will it out put to TV making it worth while?
That's an interesting question. If the new DS can output to the external monitors, it will make an impressive media player :)
No sht, if they (sony and nin) make their portables plug into a base that can can do coxail to composite to HDMI and add a control pad on it it would bring in alot more casuals into the portable demographic.

2 things have kept me from portables size of screen and size of control, it just uncomfortable to fool with.

67.1.2010 14:08

IMHO I think we're a ways off. It's unlikely that Nintendo will release a handheld that does significantly higher grade games than their current portable.

For example, the DS came out during the Gamecube's lifecycle. From a speed perspective, it was roughly on par with the prior generation at that time (N64). The Gameboy advance came out during the N64's lifecycle; while the GBA wasn't identical in speed to the SNES, it was comparable. Nintendo has historically kept their handhelds at least one generation behind the tech in their home concoles... Which is sensible.

Let's not forget the one occasion on which Nintendo attempted to make a sort of "Portable, but not handheld" system... Virtual Boy. I think that Nintendo has taken a number of lessons from thatm, including "It needs to be handheld or stationary, not both." That same way of thinking is evident in Sony\Logitech's dropping out of the concept of RGB cables for the PSP early on (Originally, they were expected to release a simple kit that wouldn't void warranties within the first six months of launch. Sony lost interest in supporting that, and Logitech let the project go.)

Realistically, it seems much more likely that Nintendo will get their next home console out before the next handheld. And knowing Nintendo's historic timeframe(SNES 1991, N64 1996, 'Cube 2001, Wii 2006) that's only a couple years off. Whereas I have a much harder time believing they're goint to do 1024x768 on a handheld in the terribly near future. Even if they split it like the DS again, that's still two screens at roughly 512x768 or 1024x384... That's a LOT of pixels for a handheld right now, the cost would be very high, and the current economy probably wouldn't support such a device.

I'm thinking 2011 is a little soon, based on market and current cost limitations. It's not impossible, but it would be a bit of a stretch.

77.1.2010 14:15

Originally posted by handsom:
IMHO I think we're a ways off. It's unlikely that Nintendo will release a handheld that does significantly higher grade games than their current portable.

For example, the DS came out during the Gamecube's lifecycle. From a speed perspective, it was roughly on par with the prior generation at that time (N64). The Gameboy advance came out during the N64's lifecycle; while the GBA wasn't identical in speed to the SNES, it was comparable. Nintendo has historically kept their handhelds at least one generation behind the tech in their home concoles... Which is sensible.

Let's not forget the one occasion on which Nintendo attempted to make a sort of "Portable, but not handheld" system... Virtual Boy. I think that Nintendo has taken a number of lessons from thatm, including "It needs to be handheld or stationary, not both." That same way of thinking is evident in Sony\Logitech's dropping out of the concept of RGB cables for the PSP early on (Originally, they were expected to release a simple kit that wouldn't void warranties within the first six months of launch. Sony lost interest in supporting that, and Logitech let the project go.)

Realistically, it seems much more likely that Nintendo will get their next home console out before the next handheld. And knowing Nintendo's historic timeframe(SNES 1991, N64 1996, 'Cube 2001, Wii 2006) that's only a couple years off. Whereas I have a much harder time believing they're goint to do 1024x768 on a handheld in the terribly near future. Even if they split it like the DS again, that's still two screens at roughly 512x768 or 1024x384... That's a LOT of pixels for a handheld right now, the cost would be very high, and the current economy probably wouldn't support such a device.

I'm thinking 2011 is a little soon, based on market and current cost limitations. It's not impossible, but it would be a bit of a stretch.
I would think in this case HD would mean something a bit more polished than the PSP in terms of power on a higher spec LCD screen.

Quote:
# MONITOR
# Screen Size: 7 inch wide liquid crystal display
# Number of Pixel: 336,960 pixels: 480 x 3 (horizontal) x 234 (vertical)
# Drive Method: TFT (Thin Film Transistor) active matrix format
# Color System: NTSC/PAL
# Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (wide)
Generic "HD" lcd screen at around 7 inches, if you halve the size and keep the spec in red or higher thats all it would need.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 07 Jan 2010 @ 2:19

87.1.2010 14:23

Quote:

I would think in this case HD would mean something a bit more polished than the PSP in terms of power on a higher spec LCD screen.
I agree, it's going to need to be a more powerful system. Back in October they signed a deal with NVidia, to utilize Tegra on some new iteration of the DS. That means that Nintendo is taking the need for improved graphics more seriously... Which I don't necessarily feel like they have in the last few years. I've enjoyed the gameplay on these cartoony games; but I really am getting tired of their games looking like slightly polished leftovers from the last generation.

Knowing that this is going to be so much more of a performance intensive device only strengthens my belief that the pricepoint may not be realistic just yet. They're going to need to balance the cost of these technologies for the consumer market, against the ability to provide longstanding performance. That doesn't happen overnight, or in th period of a few months.

97.1.2010 14:34

Quote:
Quote:

I would think in this case HD would mean something a bit more polished than the PSP in terms of power on a higher spec LCD screen.
I agree, it's going to need to be a more powerful system. Back in October they signed a deal with NVidia, to utilize Tegra on some new iteration of the DS. That means that Nintendo is taking the need for improved graphics more seriously... Which I don't necessarily feel like they have in the last few years. I've enjoyed the gameplay on these cartoony games; but I really am getting tired of their games looking like slightly polished leftovers from the last generation.

Knowing that this is going to be so much more of a performance intensive device only strengthens my belief that the pricepoint may not be realistic just yet. They're going to need to balance the cost of these technologies for the consumer market, against the ability to provide longstanding performance. That doesn't happen overnight, or in th period of a few months.
Meh sucky designs permeate modern design and none of it revolves around power/graphics but poor design philosophy that leaves games under developed and lacking....

I think this is a start for their next DS platform, tho they don't really need the whole double screen thing, looking at smart touch phones and such with some refinement to percison it would be a much better path to take.

107.1.2010 14:43

I get the feeling that they may be moving away from the whole 'dual screen' phase; because it's not super-practical. It's kind of cool; but ultimately it's a gimmick.

I agree, that focusing on a single larger screen, with better touch accuracy would be wise. Then again, it wouldn't really fit their recent success; Nintendo has found a large profit by appealling to the casual users. I don't like it, but I think that making the system a single screen 'higher performance' unit may not really be in Nintendo's immediate roadmap. I think single screen would be smart for them either way. I think a tablet-style device would be wise for them. It's a very simple, accessible, and practical design. It's ine for new users, and veterans alike. And if they're really putting accelerometers into it, that gives them some more input without needing all the same face buttons. Just some creative thought there.

117.1.2010 14:51

Originally posted by handsom:
I get the feeling that they may be moving away from the whole 'dual screen' phase; because it's not super-practical. It's kind of cool; but ultimately it's a gimmick.

I agree, that focusing on a single larger screen, with better touch accuracy would be wise. Then again, it wouldn't really fit their recent success; Nintendo has found a large profit by appealling to the casual users. I don't like it, but I think that making the system a single screen 'higher performance' unit may not really be in Nintendo's immediate roadmap. I think single screen would be smart for them either way. I think a tablet-style device would be wise for them. It's a very simple, accessible, and practical design. It's ine for new users, and veterans alike. And if they're really putting accelerometers into it, that gives them some more input without needing all the same face buttons. Just some creative thought there.
I wonder if a folding screen is possible...mmmmm prehaps with a flip and lock gimmick?

A single touch screen is VERY casual look at the Iphone and such so a larger one makes more sense with more perseision you can get rid of buttons and advance screen size.

I still would give me nutts for a 100$ base to use it on a TV and what not >>

127.1.2010 15:04

Yeah, I really think a larger screen with more accurate touch, combined with the accelerometer would trump traditional buttons. And if they really wanted to, they could even emulate DS on such a device, letting users drag the smaller two screens however they like on the overall larger image.

Having nontraditional touch input would be very interesting, allowing more game developers to simply create their own input interface on a game by game basis. I know that developers already do that with the iPhone, but I'd love to see that system applied onto an actual game system. ^_^

As for folding screens... It's physically possible, but it's a financial nightmare, would bet my next year's paycheck that they aren't planning a folding screen.

A bigger tablet-style device with better touch... I really hope this is where they're going. ^_^

137.1.2010 15:12

Originally posted by handsom:
Yeah, I really think a larger screen with more accurate touch, combined with the accelerometer would trump traditional buttons. And if they really wanted to, they could even emulate DS on such a device, letting users drag the smaller two screens however they like on the overall larger image.

Having nontraditional touch input would be very interesting, allowing more game developers to simply create their own input interface on a game by game basis. I know that developers already do that with the iPhone, but I'd love to see that system applied onto an actual game system. ^_^

As for folding screens... It's physically possible, but it's a financial nightmare, would bet my next year's paycheck that they aren't planning a folding screen.

A bigger tablet-style device with better touch... I really hope this is where they're going. ^_^

Also if you have 2 or 4 buttons on the sides you can swap screens with them without losing control or use up to much touch space.

Couldn't you make the butted ends of the screen come together via a optical illusion making them almost seamless? but ya other than getting 2 touch screens as close as you can a single bigger screen is a better idea.

The trouble is bigger=less portable so they have to find a good mid point so I I suppose the next DS will be like the old one but a tad bit bigger and having more touch to it. If nin is smart they will support MP4/MP3 in the hardware....

147.1.2010 15:16

I think they'll have MP3 support at the least, the current DSi already includes that much.

157.1.2010 15:20

Originally posted by handsom:
I think they'll have MP3 support at the least, the current DSi already includes that much.
Well with MP4 support or at least the ability to decode it on the software end....yikes it would sale vids like crazy....


Despite the dual screen setup being odd it adds to probability you fold and go, I can;t see that being done away with anytime soon.

167.1.2010 15:35

Hmm... I can see two paths.

I can see a single, non-folding unit, with a more scratch resistant screen, like some of the newer phones. Something slightly larger than an iPhone perhaps. Not necessarily a HUGE screen, but a sharper one overall.

I can also see something with two screens each larger than the current DS, possibly both touch. Perhaps a unit that can fold open flat when in use. This would allow a larger overall viewing screen without being TOO bulky to carry in your pocket.

Both options seem feesable. While the DS is selling well; I don't think that Nintendo believes it's simply because of two screens, it's because of some innovation to do with touch capabilities. But, one can never tell until Nintendo unveils more information in the distant future. ^_^

178.1.2010 03:49

I thought Nintendo had said that no one wants HD...even when most of their customers have HDTV. Now they suddenly think that people do want HD...but that they don't want 16:9 or 16:10, but the obsolite 4:3 standard instead?

What are they smoking, and where can I get some?

188.1.2010 06:55

Why can't Nintendo get with the program and start providing Component leads with the Wii instead of stuff like this.
I bought a component lead for the Gamecube (rare as hen's teeth) but i won't be bothering on the Wii. Kids only just got a Wii, they're like me ie they're not dumb enough to fall for the constant new console releases.

And how many times are they going to keep replacing the DS, my kids haven't had their DS'es that long, then they released the DSi but the kids are happy with their DS'es.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 08 Jan 2010 @ 7:00

198.1.2010 14:44

Eh.... Nintendo is always behind on new technology. Rather than listening to what they're actually saying, lump all of it together, and you get "Gamers don't really care about current technology and features, they will play our games because we're Nintendo."

To some degree, they're right. Because here they are making money.

They got away with it for so long because they managed to get a strong foothold in the beginning with a cheaper console that had a truly unique experience to offer. And for that, I commend them. Now, they're not that much cheaper than the competition. You can grab a 360 Arcade unit for $200 new; it doesn't have a hard drive, but it's got 512mb internal storage... Sounds remarkably like a Wii to me, lol. But... Nintendo's already got their hardware in a surprisingly large number of homes; they don't have to worry about the price edge on their consoles anymore.

They used a similar strategy with the gamecube (Though it was less successful, because it didn't offer anything unique).

As much as I'd prefer them to do drastically better technology, it really hasn't been their focus. I mean look at the N64, they launched a cartridge base system well after several companies had been making clear moves toward the much more cost effective cd-rom medium. It really didn't make a whole lot of sense imho.

But... they make money, so they'll keep operating this way. :(

208.1.2010 19:32

so....

Nintendo DS (the big 1st gen model)
Nintendo DS lite (the much ligher model)
Nintendo DSi (over priced DS with 5 year old cell phone camera)
Nintendo DS LL (super big DS with 4 inch screens)

and now

Nintendo DS XP (eXtra exPensive) with "high rez" screens.

nintendo seems to be the company milking the hell out of there hardware

218.1.2010 19:48

Originally posted by DoomLight:
so....

Nintendo DS (the big 1st gen model)
Nintendo DS lite (the much ligher model)
Nintendo DSi (over priced DS with 5 year old cell phone camera)
Nintendo DS LL (super big DS with 4 inch screens)

and now

Nintendo DS XP (eXtra exPensive) with "high rez" screens.

nintendo seems to be the company milking the hell out of there hardware
Okay... You've got a muxup of vague facts, opinions, and raw speculations here.

Nintendo hasn't actually even said that the next system will be a dual screen unit. Has everyone forgotten when they released the original DS, they said it wasn't going to be their permanent new line. And they even indicated an interest in returning to the 'Gameboy' line of products later. When later DS models came about, Nintendo re-iterated that the DS is simply it's a different line of product. It seems pretty clear from those statements, that Nintendo doesn't feel 'attached' to a multi-screen setup for all their future products.

All handhelds have hardware revisions. The PSP has undergone numerous revisions, some more publicly noted than others. The PSP 1000\2000\3000 and PSP GO are good examples of this process. Hell, even the NGage managed to go through two iterations before it finally left the market. It's really not uncommon for this to occur. When a new DS comes out, they don't stop making games that work with the old one. Same thing goes for gameboys -even when there's a MAJOR change (Gameboy color, Gameboy Advance), they typically continue encouraging developers to release games in the older format for a while.

As for your not-so-clever 'eXtra eXpensive' statement... Consider this:

Nintendo might release 'nicer' updates for their game systems, but they don't make yours obselete by any means, and all things considered, Nintendo tends to sell their hardware for a very reasonable price. I seem to recall shelling out $350 for a PSP on launch day... The DS wasn't nearly as much, and has frankly had a higher quantity of games I enjoy.

2213.1.2010 15:38
sooty1707
Inactive

Can't afford all these damn consoles !!!

SPAM removed

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 13 Jan 2010 @ 3:43

2314.1.2010 23:29

From my point of view a new Nintendo DS is great, but hopefully they make their consoles back compatible, unlike Sony PS3.
The only reason I upgraded from my DSL to DSi was for the Screen size, the improved sound system and the camera.
The DSi LL is not fully available to Australia yet. Makes sense because the DSi is not old yet.

2414.1.2010 23:40

From my point of view a new Nintendo DS is great, but hopefully they make their consoles back compatible, unlike Sony PS3.
The only reason I upgraded from my DSL to DSi was for the Screen size, the improved sound system and the camera.
The DSi LL is not fully available to Australia yet. Makes sense because the DSi is not old yet.

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