The 3DS's StreetPass feature maximises the console's portability by offering interactive features with no user input required, but Nintendo hasn't ignored the machine's at home functions, creating a system called SpotPass to enable the 3DS to communicate via the Internet whilst in Sleep Mode.
Working in a similar fashion to Wii's WiiConnect24 service, SpotPass allows the 3DS to seek out new information simply by being in Sleep Mode near a WiFi hotspot. In fact, Sleep Mode activates SpotPass and StreetPass simultaneously, so even whilst the machine is searching for online data it can be interacting with local consoles too.
Nintendo gave various examples of the kind of data that will be downloaded, including rankings, ghost data, notifications and new free software. Considering the DSi has just two free downloadable applications at present don't get too excited about the promise of new free games every week, but it's a start. The company states that it will only be the availability of free software that's sent to your 3DS, not the software itself, although the machine will be connected to the Internet and therefore able to download the free game or trial straight away.
Nintendo will allow you to set how much information you want to give or receive, with a set of privacy controls letting you determine your 3DS's level of engagement with the Internet.
Wherever you are, it seems the 3DS will be able to send and receive new data all the time. Skynet is only a few small steps away.
[source nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 27
So it's getting a charging station instead of an adapter? Nice.
OMG MADD STUFF!! XD what we need is a nintendo wifi profile to create and we can do away with trouble some FCs and more!
"Skynet is only a few small steps away."
LOL
Cool!
My thoughts are pixelman's thoughts.
Yeah, really the only game I ever get anything like that with WiiConnect24 is Mario Kart. It'll be interesting to see how supported this is.
I probably won't make all that much use of it, since I very rarely put portables in sleep unless I have to put it away quickly and can't save my game. I like to save the battery.
Goodness me, good ol' Ninty is going all out on generation 3!
This is cool. Please don't be late, 3DS!
i wonder how much this will cost?
@fishman100
Makes you wonder what generation 4 will be like, right?
I'm thinking 4D games where you can actually feel pain like your character does.
ouch
Good cus I never turn my dsi off anyways not to mention it goes everywhere with me.
@NGpenguin
250$-300$
For the price tag of this little 3D machine, "SpotPass" better doesn't share the "WiiConnect24"s most prominent feature:
Being utterly useless.
Let's hope Nintendo actually invests effort into the maintenance of their online system this time...
Not necessariliy free games, but updates to the system and to existing games (fixes and additional functionality) should be naturally today...
suddenly 300$ doesn't seem unreasonable... i just hope they fix up the Wii's online function. then Nintendo can literally rule the world.. (while ur asleep ...)
Niiiice. I'll be giving that a good workout to be sure.
whats "skynet"?
@GamesX99 - "In the Terminator series, Skynet is the main antagonist — an artificially intelligent system which became self-aware and revolted against its creators. Skynet is rarely seen onscreen and its actions are often performed via other robots and computer systems; usually a Terminator." (from Wikipedia)
I wonder what kind of effect it'll have on battery life.
What does wii connect 24 actually do apart from pick up my messages? When it was announced I thought it would automatically download new firmware when it became available but it cant even do that.
Sounds like GamesX99 needs to check out the Terminator movies.
I kinda wonder if N has implemented this (always-on), to short-life the circuitry? My WiiConnect24/7 is only on, when the (Wii) system (itself) is.
What is the range of the wireless, I wonder?
a chargin thingy! sweet! all we need is youtube for the 3DS and I'm set
how will this effect pirates?
@12 Read the book Fantasy in Death. It's a pretty good mystery book that is somewhat related to that topic.
The charging stand is interesting, but I'm not sure if it is actually a step forward or a step back. I actually like just plugging in my dsi wherever I want, having to have a dedicated (clunky?) charging stand seems to be a step backwards. Is there a reason its so big? Does it do anything besides charge and keep the system connected to the internet? It would be nice if the stand actually stored data and had storage capabilities (for instance, being able to swap chunks of data... games... from the HD to the 3DS, to save room but keep your games/data handy.) Would be nice huh? Probably a pipe dream though.
Wow! Well worth the €220(25000 Yen in €)
I want to see more details of that charging stand. At the moment I'm pretty wary of it as I spend a lot of time playing my DS while it's plugged into the mains. Does this mean I have to stop playing and wait for it to charge up even if I'm near a plug socket when the batteries run down?
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...