3D without 3D glasses?

The success of Nintendo's DS is almost sickening. As of today, there are 129 Million sold! Making it the biggest selling game console ever. Its obvious what Nintendo's strategy is: Cheap but, Innovative. Both the DS and the Wii are in no ways impressive when it comes to hardware. Both are made cheap and could barley run a Window's Application (like firefox). But no one cares or notices because the only thing we see is the Touch Screen and the Motion Controller (audience: ooooo.....aahhhh).

That brings us to Nintendo's next big ("Secret") pocket console. And yes like the post title says it displays in 3D with out using 3D glasses. They call the new system "3DS" (how creative). Below, is a video demonstrating the DSi's (NOT the 3DS) capabilities to create the illusion of 3D.



This pocket console (seen above) is not a 3D system or the 3DS, but demonstrates one trick that can be used to create a 3D environment using cameras. So just imagine what Nintendo will reveal with the actual 3DS console.


Unlike the video above, the 3D will actually pop out and feel like its right in front of you. Nintendo has yet to reveal or show any screen shots of the new 3DS. So in the mean time we are teased with that video (being only a 3D illusion using cameras).

How Does it Work?
Today movies like Avatar and Alice in Wonderland allow you to view them in 3D using seemingly clear glasses. The truth is each eye of the glasses uses a different lens. One has vertical lines while the other has horizontal. When wearing these glasses the screen you are watching will flicker between vertical and horizontal lines at an extremely fast rate. This creates the illusion of things popping out or having depth.



Think of it like a holographic sticker that looks 3D. It only looks 3D when you turn if from side to side. Thats because on the sticker the vertical and horizontal layers are overlaid. And when the sticker is moved, from certain view points, the lines shift and create the 3D effect. This is the trick the new 3DS will use (but has not been demonstrated or revealed yet). It will take the vertical and horizontal lines on the screen, and automatically flicker them at a high speed creating 3D with out 3D glasses.

What to expect: your personal pictures and TVs
The entertainment industry is already jumpy ALL over this! HDTVs will be replaced with 3D HDTVs (some are already available in stores but require glasses). Sharp has already revealed a 3D TV that doesn't require glasses. And there are already 3DTV stations. Also the photos you take with your camera will be 3D soon as well. Several companies have developed cameras that take pictures in 3D, and can be displayed in a 3D picture frame (available this holiday season).

Is 3D a gimmick? YES! The entertainment industry has been suffering, and this has made the industry considerable profit, and will continue too. Part of me is excited, because I hate 3D glasses, but another part of me is dreading the idea of all the marketing and advertising thats going to happen with TVs. I'm just hoping it doesn't become a standard like HD.