Nintendo has just sent word on it’s new ‘iPod Killer’ app, the Nintendo MP3 Player. Apparently, DS owners (pwners?) will soon be able to enjoy more than just games with Nintendo’s official MP3 player launching across Europe on December 8, 2006. It will set you back around £20.
“This simple, easy to use accessory allows Nintendo fans to enjoy around 150 of their selected songs with a 512MB SD memory card, whilst on the move. Each song’s title information will be clearly listed on the Nintendo DS screen so songs can be easily selected,” states the press release.
The player is also fully compatible with the Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Micro as the cartridge will slot into the Game Boy Advance port on all Nintendo handhelds.
Of course, if you are a died-in-the-wool iPod user, which many of us are here at SPOnG, you will scoff at the mere idea that an MP3 player that’s slightly too big to go into your pocket that only holds 150 tunes could be in any way a threat to Apple’s hegemony in the portable music market.
What it does confirm though, is Nintendo’s clear strategy and intention to follow Apple, both in terms of aesthetics and design (tell us the white DS Lite isn’t iPod inspired, go on, just tell us!) and in terms of providing consumers with new, innovative options for music on the move.
“This simple, easy to use accessory allows Nintendo fans to enjoy around 150 of their selected songs with a 512MB SD memory card, whilst on the move. Each song’s title information will be clearly listed on the Nintendo DS screen so songs can be easily selected,” states the press release.
The player is also fully compatible with the Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Micro as the cartridge will slot into the Game Boy Advance port on all Nintendo handhelds.
Of course, if you are a died-in-the-wool iPod user, which many of us are here at SPOnG, you will scoff at the mere idea that an MP3 player that’s slightly too big to go into your pocket that only holds 150 tunes could be in any way a threat to Apple’s hegemony in the portable music market.
What it does confirm though, is Nintendo’s clear strategy and intention to follow Apple, both in terms of aesthetics and design (tell us the white DS Lite isn’t iPod inspired, go on, just tell us!) and in terms of providing consumers with new, innovative options for music on the move.
Companies:
Nintendo
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Comments
quicksilver 18 Nov 2006 18:25
1/6
how does the DS Lite look inspired by the ipod?? bc it's small, white, and shiny? the ipod looks like a kitchen applicance whereas the DS looks like the old style Nintendo Donkey Kong handhelds with a white finish.
apple's style blows!
apple's style blows!
DoctorDee 18 Nov 2006 20:18
2/6
quicksilver wrote:
apple's style blows!
Maybe, but the DS Lite's style is ripped off of it.
A few years ago, Apple introduced the crash-helmet iMac, and suddenly, everything was available in a range of translucent colours. Later apple introduced the BLack and WHite iPods and iMacs, and now, there's a whole lot of shiny white and black things.
You can pretend its a coincidence if you like.
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Joji 20 Nov 2006 07:02
3/6
Wrong Doc, if I recall Nintendo have been making different coloured product as far back as the original GB, and that was years before the stuff you mention by Apple or even iPod.
There's big difference between ripping something off or being influenced by it, I believe Nintendo might have done the latter (maybe even some Nintendo employees one some) so choose the correct words next time. Apple also do downloadable games for iPod now so the influence has come full circle. Nothing wrong with that.
The Nintendo mp3 player is something Nintendo actually had ages ago (2-3 years ago I think), that could be obtained on import if you looked, but it came with a smaller SD card (originally about 64mb). Search the net and you might find more info on it. This is just an official rejigging off that and a smart move too. If its the one I think it is, it can be used with or without the GBA/DSMicro, as well as with them. We'll know soon once we have more details on it.
There's big difference between ripping something off or being influenced by it, I believe Nintendo might have done the latter (maybe even some Nintendo employees one some) so choose the correct words next time. Apple also do downloadable games for iPod now so the influence has come full circle. Nothing wrong with that.
The Nintendo mp3 player is something Nintendo actually had ages ago (2-3 years ago I think), that could be obtained on import if you looked, but it came with a smaller SD card (originally about 64mb). Search the net and you might find more info on it. This is just an official rejigging off that and a smart move too. If its the one I think it is, it can be used with or without the GBA/DSMicro, as well as with them. We'll know soon once we have more details on it.
Dreadknux 20 Nov 2006 10:27
4/6
Joji wrote:
Wrong Doc, if I recall Nintendo have been making different coloured product as far back as the original GB, and that was years before the stuff you mention by Apple or even iPod.
They might have made different colours before Apple even came along, but the general design of the iPod - along with the white/black and shiny exterior - is definitely heavily influenced. When Nintendo even directly refer to iPod as a heavy influence, I'm pretty sure there's nothing else to say on the matter.
The Nintendo mp3 player is something Nintendo actually had ages ago (2-3 years ago I think), that could be obtained on import if you looked, but it came with a smaller SD card (originally about 64mb). Search the net and you might find more info on it. This is just an official rejigging off that and a smart move too.
Agreed. There are even mobile phones in Japan currently using SD cards for music playback. It makes sense for Nintendo to go down this road too.
Cort0 20 Sep 2007 01:43
5/6
"(tell us the white DS Lite isn’t iPod inspired, go on, just tell us!)" Sorry I can't see any resemblance between the ipod and DS lite!
Crisko 20 Sep 2007 13:39
6/6
Seems like MP3 playback is becoming the new "clock". Every small system now has it as standard or is getting it via an add-on.