MAJOR NEWS - Nintendo Launching 'Nintendo 3DS'

[color="#000080"] By the way, update on how the 3DS works.

[UPDATE: More reports and analysis have emerged regarding the Nintendo 3DS since its announcement last night.

Japanese reports from the Nikkei business publication and Asahi (via Engadget) said the 3DS will achieve naked eye 3D by using a parallax barrier technique from electronics manufacturer Sharp. Some cell phones in Japan already use the technology.

The 3DS screen, according to Nikkei, would have screens smaller than four inches diagonally, making it smaller than the DSi LL, which has a 4.2 inch screen. Other features may include vibration and control sticks, but none of this has been confirmed by Nintendo.

Analyst Colin Sebastian with Lazard Capital Markets said Tuesday that he expects the 3DS to garner wide support from game publishers. "Given the significant popularity of Nintendo handhelds, its dominant position in the market, and track-record for successful innovation, we expect that game publishers including [Activision, Electronic Arts, and THQ]will back the platform with meaningful development resources," the analyst said.

"We also believe that a new DS will generate increasing unit sales for Nintendo driven by the new platform," he wrote. The Nintendo DS line of hardware has sold over 125 million units worldwide.

Sebastian also said the fact that the 3DS won't require 3D glasses opens up the handheld to the mass market. "If Nintendo is able to achieve a realistic 3D experience without the need for glasses, we believe 3DS could have broad appeal, and spark a new cycle of innovation within the industry," he said.

Sebastian added that he believes "the 3DS could help reduce the competitive threat from smartphones."]

[/color]