Nintendo Considering "Always-On" 3G Support For Future Portables

Post by Linkyshinks (6,860 posts) See mini bio

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Nintendo's President Satoru Iwata has said that subscription-less 3G support may be included in all future Nintendo portables. The Nintendo president raised the issue when speaking to the Financial Times, revealing that it's long been a interest of Nintendo to imbue handhelds with "always-on" data connection, namely using current 3G mobile technology.

Nintendo is currently looking at the business model of Amazon’s "Kindle" as it considers the future for it's own portable consoles. Iwata had this to say on Amazon's example:

“I’m interested because it’s a new business model in which the user doesn’t bear the communications cost.”

"Only people who can pay thousands of yen a month [in mobile phone subscriptions] can be iPhone customers. That doesn't fit Nintendo customers because we make amusement products. In reality, if we did this it would increase the cost of the hardware, and customers would complain about Nintendo putting prices up, but it is one option for the future."

- Iwata-san

PocketGamer

Edited 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Post by Al3xand3r (7,097 posts) See mini bio

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If that's how it worked worldwide, that'd be cool...

Posted 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Post by oldschool (4,469 posts) See mini bio

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If I could actually benefit from it, then I am all for it. I like the fact that Nintendo doesn't try to get too far ahead of the curve - the right technology at the right time.

Posted 3 weeks, 1 day ago

Post by Halberdierv2 (492 posts) See mini bio

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one they dont mess this up.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Post by raddevon (313 posts) See mini bio

641 ACH / 10110 P

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This is the smartest thing they could possibly do. Now, if we could get something on DSiWare besides clocks, calendars, and ports of cell phone games, there might actually be a reason to have said 3G connection.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Post by mhkjtha (428 posts) See mini bio

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if the connection in itself would cost money i say no

Posted 3 weeks ago

Post by Godwind (1,564 posts) See mini bio

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@raddevon said:

" This is the smartest thing they could possibly do. Now, if we could get something on DSiWare besides clocks, calendars, and ports of cell phone games, there might actually be a reason to have said 3G connection. "

Done
Done
Done

Posted 3 weeks ago

Post by Willy105 (1,754 posts) See mini bio

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I hope it's not too expensive. We don't need another PS3 or Xbox Live. Even the Wiimote itself is already $40. And $50 when it's bundled with Motion Plus.

Edited 3 weeks ago

Post by AgentJ (6,534 posts) See mini bio

295 ACH / 5815 P

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As long as it isn't a monthly charge, I'm all for it. It'd be good if they also had non-3G models for people who don't care about having the service

Posted 3 weeks ago

Nintendo DS Forum

Nintendo Considering "Always-On" 3G Support For Future Portables