3DS will support Netflix, dedicated wireless video channel and extra connectivity with AT&T

The 3DS will support Netflix this summer, according to Satoru Iwata and Reggie Fils-Aime, the keynote speakers at GDC 2011.  Further, you can pause videos you’re watching on your portable and continue watching on the Wii.  As more information continues to surface about 3DS deals being made, there has also been another exciting announcement:  there will be a wireless channel dedicated to 3D videos.  Selected music videos, shorts, and movie trailers will be aired, and once more users start making personal 3D videos, expect a YouTube type phenomenon.

Fans of classic Nintendo titles will be happy to learn that some of those old cartridge games are making a comeback.  The 3DS Super Mario will be unveiled at E3, and we’ll learn just how far back Nintendo plans on going.  ExciteBike anyone?

WiFi hotspots will provide the streaming content via a team effort between Nintendo and AT&T.  SpotPass will offer extra connectivity, and give you the ability to download video content while the device is sleeping.  Basically, it’s thinking for itself.  I’m not sure how I feel about that.

With all of these nifty features being announced, surely we’ll see quite a surge at the European and American releases.   Beware of the stampede…these gamers will be like a pack of wild animals.

Image credit: jdmag.com

With all of the hype regarding Nintendo’s 3DS release globally, new details are emerging daily.  Newly released information explains how the 3DS will stream Netflix movies as well.  Suddenly, it’s becoming so much more than a gaming system, isn’t it?

Nintendo announced the newly consummated deal with Netflix and AT&T at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.  With it, the Nintendo 3DS can utilize AT&T’s network of over 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, giving gamers the ability to stream videos directly from the Netflix host site.

The streaming ability will not come standard, however, as a firmwire upgrade will be necessary, which Nintendo will have available in May.  The two months between the March 27th U.S. release and the firmwire update should give gamers plenty of time to bone up on the growing gaming titles, as well as visit a few classics.  Questions abound regarding the size of the 3DS screen and its conduciveness for watching movies, but the ability to watch 3D movies on the go is simply too good to miss.  We’ll get our hands on the technology the minute the upgrade is released, and review the performance capabilities shortly thereafter.  3D movies on the go?  Yes, please.

Image credit: g4tv.com

We reported over the weekend that a new concept was hitting theatres:  the MoviePass.  This idea makes quite a bit of sense, and if you’re an avid movie-goer, the prices that are getting tossed around could be quite enticing.  We’ve learned that the MoviePass service, which allows you to subscribe and go to as many screenings you’d like each month, will be costing around $50 for a subscription.  Um, I dropped $50 last time I went to see a movie with 3 friends, so this makes quite a bit of sense.

Do you love 3D or IMAX films?  That’s no problem, as the service has built-in surcharges of $3 which will grant you access to the upper-echelon productions.  Now, this may not include concessions, so you’ll have to fork out there, but if you go see a movie a week, it absolutely justifies the $50 subscription fee.  This should get you amped, if you love seeing things on the big screen.

The service is making a test run this weekend in San Francisco, so we’ll have more information after that.  We just wanted to give you a little update regarding pricing information.  We were expecting higher and were pleasantly surprised.  Let’s hope the cost stays in that range, because if it does, going to the movies will never be the same.  MoviePass:  I’m a fan.  Hook a brother up.

Image credit: 3d-cinema.ru

There’s nothing like a trip to the movies.  You get everyone together, pay your $700 to get all four of you in, and then after drinks and candy, you nestle in for a likely overrated flick for just under a thousand bucks.  Not bad, right?  Sure, the kids would’ve rather gone to Disney World, but hey, it’s the movies darn it!  Well, MoviePass is offering the ability to see as many movies as you like in the theatre.  Basically, think Netflix…in the theatre. 

This is actually an interesting concept and I wouldn’t be surprised if we started to see huge interest in the idea.  They’re running a test in San Francisco over the 4th of July weekend, so we’ll know more about the viability of such an idea then.  Subscribers will be able to access the ticket booth from their cell phone and check into seats at the theatre.  Once they’ve gone and watched the move (physically in the theatre), they’ll get messages regarding merch and the like from the film.  I’m certain that we’ll see polls and information grabbing questions once the credits are rolling too.

They’ll be offering a limited number of subscriptions during the test run, so if you’re in the area, you’d better act quickly.  There’s no word on how much it costs, but I’m certain it won’t be $10/month or whatever Netflix charges.  In truth, this will be an interesting development to keep your eyes on.  I’ll be interested to see whether or not the service prices itself out long before it ever really gets started.

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