We heard rumors about some kind of e-reader function for Nintendo’s 3DS, but Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata all but confirms it and actually lays out some related functionality in an interview with Nikkei.
“We’re thinking about functionality where it will automatically acquire newspaper and magazine articles,” he said. “As you carry it with you while out and about, it will seek out and automatically connect with wireless LAN spots, and download information.”
Of course, Iwata is probably thinking of Japan when he speaks of these possibilities. And he rejects any connection to similar functionality in Apple’s product line, like the iPad and the iPhone: “I personally am a user of iPhones and iPods,” he toldVenture Beat. “I think of what these mean to me as a competitor. But I never thought of them when we were designing the 3DS.”
I don’t care where the inspiration came from so much. I just hope they actually follow through. It would be nice to be able to read on a device that’s always going to be in my pocket anyway.
Nintendo plans e-reader functions for 3DS[GI.biz]
