Nintendo chief: iPad has "no surprises"
updated 09:40 am EST, Fri January 29, 2010
Nintendo's Iwata not worried about iPad yet
Nintendo chief Satoru Iwata on Friday downplayed the likelihood of the iPad affecting his company's game console business. The executive found "no surprises" in the Apple device and dismissed it as a "bigger iPod touch." He didn't comment on the possible impact of the platform regardless of size.
The talking down of the iPad comes just on the heels of Nintendo's late 2009 release of the DSi LL, which itself is just a larger version of the DSi. Unlike Apple's device, the larger screens aren't accompanied by a higher resolution, performance upgrade or new software features and are instead meant to help the poor-sighted play.
Iwata did acknowledge that Nintendo is working on new consoles but didn't give a hint as to the company's direction. Many rumors have the Japanese firm developing a cited Apple as a factor in DS/DSi sales as some of the would-be customers have instead opted for an iPhone or iPod touch. The immediate prices of the devices have been higher but have also been offset by significantly less expensive games, many of which cost $10 or less versus $30 to $40 for a typical DS game.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
hmmm
well I don't expect the CEO of ANY company to give away what he's REALLY thinking about a competitor.
He's a fool if he's not at least a bit concerned about this new competitor. Of course, I don't believe he truly believes what he says here.
To me, the iPad is good for two things: reading and playing games. Whether it takes off as a gaming platform is an open question; but there's no question that Apple thinks it's going to compete with Nintendo.
The proof will be whether Microsuck decides to come out with an xPad ;-) in about three years. Of course, the prototype will show up in the next 12 months.