Free 3D videos now available on the Nintendo 3DS

By Gloria Sin | July 22, 2011, 12:47pm PDT

Summary

From the Captain America 3D movie trailer to OK Go debuting its 3D music video on the 3DS on July 27, free and exclusive 3D content is turning the portable gamer into a 3D entertainment center.

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Ricardo Bilton

Gloria Sin

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Netflix on the Nintendo 3DS is nice, but what people really want to do with the 3DS is to watch 3D movies and videos wherever they go. With the release of the Nintendo Video player today, 3DS users can access exclusive movie trailers, animation shorts and even extreme sports videos for free from Nintendo. (Note: The latest content will overwrite previously downloaded material so 3DS owners need to check their devices regularly.)

The starter pack of videos include Captain America 3D movie trailer, CollegeHumor’s Dinosaur Office, Sunday Jog and an intro to Nintendo Video player. On July 27, OK Go will be debuting its 3D music video exclusively on the 3DS; other videos coming down the pipe will feature Jason DeRulo, Foster the People, and the world-renowned Blue Man Group.

Follow these steps to access the 3D goodness on your 3DS:

1. Assuming you’ve already completed the June 6 update, you should have access to the “eShop” on your home screen. Tap on the “eShop” when you are within range of a Wi-Fi signal.
2. Tap on the “Nintendo Video” icon (it has a red “New” banner on top).
3. Select the icon with the “play” symbol — that’s the Nintendo Video. You should see a “Download” button so tap on it.
4. Once the Nintendo Video player is on your 3DS, “Open” the player to set up your connection so you can download the available content.
5. When prompted to allow your 3DS’s SpotPass to also download videos, select “Yes.” If you select “No,” no content will be downloaded to your device. Alternatively, you can tap on the “Settings” button to turn your SpotPass to “On.”
6. You will also be asked if you want to receive notification on new videos on your home screen to alert you to open your Nintendo Video player. You can select either options, depending on your preference.
7. At this point, you will be prompted to read through some legalese on how Nintendo makes this content available for free (through ads and links to content providers).
8. The “Connections” button should be active, so tap on it to connect your 3DS to the server to download videos. Downloads will start as soon as the device can connect to the Internet.
9. Tap on any of the four thumbnail images to start watching the videos. That’s it!

Initially, I did not want to allow the 3DS to download videos in SpotPass mode when my device is asleep because my battery life is already surprisingly short, but Nintendo Video wouldn’t download the videos so I had to turn SpotPass on. I would suggest changing this setting if you will be traveling and don’t want to run out of power, or you have already downloaded what you like and need time to enjoy it. On one hand, I appreciate that my 3DS won’t be bogged down with too many downloaded clips by overwriting files, but find it silly that I can’t keep what I’ve already downloaded, like gamer trailers.

With the ability to watch 3D videos and movies via Netflix, as well as play 3D games, the 3DS is becoming quite the little entertainment machine. What else will it be able to do next?

[Source: BusinessWire]

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/free-3d-videos-now-available-on-the-nintendo-3ds/26441

Bring augmented reality to your road trip with Wikitude Drive app for Android

By Gloria Sin | July 19, 2011, 11:27am PDT

Summary

Augment the road with an overlay of your route, rather than just an abstract map, by using the Wikitude Drive GPS app for Android.

Blogger Info

Ricardo Bilton

Gloria Sin

Let’s face it: dedicated GPS systems are not perfect. From time to time the maps look nothing like the route you’re driving, the device doesn’t recognize newer roads (if you missed a software update), and it’s bulky to carry out of the car to prevent theft. Looking to making navigation more realistic and convenient, the mobile augmented reality shop Wikitude just released the AR navigation app Wikitude Drive for Android smartphones.

Rather than display a 2D map a line to show you where to go, the Wikitude Drive app uses your phone’s built-in camera to show a live view of the road you’re driving on and overlays your route on top. So when you are looking at the app, you’re technically still keeping your eyes on the road. It also comes with digital 3D maps from Navteq to help with trip planning and night driving, voice commands, as well as turn-by-turn navigation that traditional GPS systems have.

But unlike other GPS devices, the Wikitude Drive app is constantly updating its data so you won’t have to maintain the app, but the downside is that it sounds like a battery drain. It also has the convenience of existing on your phone, so when you bring your phone out of the car, the app will continue to navigate you by directing you to interested places on foot. Check out the video of the Wikitude app in action:

Before you rush to the Android Market to search for the app though, a couple of caveats. At the moment, Wikitude Drive only works on a limited number of Android phones, specifically: Samsung Galaxy Tab, Sony Xperia X8, HTC Desire, Nexus One and LG GT540 Optimus. You would probably need a car charger to go along with these phones as no smartphone battery can last an entire road trip.

The Wikitude Drive app is available now on Android Market for $9.99.

How do you navigate your road trips?

[Source: BusinessWire, Wikitude's website, Wikitude on Flickr, Wikitude's YouTube channel]

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/bring-augmented-reality-to-your-road-trip-with-wikitude-drive-app-for-android/26332