Is Apple planning a new 3D gaming strategy to take on Sony and Nintendo?After last week’s launch of their new iPad 2, speculation is mounting that Apple is working on an 8″ 3D gaming tablet that could have a high resolution screen and an even faster processor than the new iPad 2.
The device, could be the secret weapon that Apple uses, to get sales running into the peak Xmas New Year selling period which if go ahead with it could lead to a September or early October 2010 launch.
While the new iPad 2 has a faster processor with improved graphics it still has an “ordinary” screen when compared to some other tablets coming onto the market.
The big advantage for Apple is the Apple Apps store that is packed with games.
Apple is aware that Sony is working on a new tablet that will be a key part of their Playstation brand; they also know that Sharp has developed a 7″ 3D tablet screen, which Sharp sources told Smarthouse, Nintendo is currently reviewing.
Smarthouse was shown a prototype of the screen late last year in Japan.
We were recently told that Apple is keen to do is create a specific gaming service similar to Xbox live and by adding a specialised device to their hardware platform, that is specifically designed for gaming, they will attract additional revenue on top of their iPad, and iPhone revenues.
Apple’s Game Centre, is already well established and Apple has the capacity to put pressure on the game developers to offer games to their platform ahead of Sony and Microsoft.
It’s interesting that at last week’s iPad 2 launch in San Francisco, no one spoke about the gaming capability on the iPad 2.
Games like Angry Birds are already a huge success on the Apple platform. It’s been downloaded nearly 100 million times. In comparison Activision’s has sold 20 million copies of Modern Warfare 2.
Apple is going to need another unique product soon especially as Android phones are starting to eat into iPhone sales. Then there are the 40-50 Android tablets that are set to be launched this year which will compete with the iPad 2.
The Guardian newspaper said recently that” the iPad is no more a 3DS or NGP challenger than it’s an iPhone rival. It’s a 1.3 pound, nearly 10-inch slate. If I want a handheld, I want a handheld, not a lap-held”
The new device if launched would compete with Nintendo’s handheld which has auto-stereoscopic 3D (no need for glasses), dual screens, access to Nintendo’s IP stable of games including (Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, etc.), and a deterministic (buttons) interface.
The screen is still small so a move to a 7″ or 8″ gaming screen by Apple would make a lot of sense especially if it delivers 3D giro technology and a fast processor and graphics controller.
This year analysts believe Apple’s on track to sell 75 million iPhones worldwide in 2011 and while this device has a gaming function the screen is still small. Speculation has it that Apple is set to move to a larger screen on the iPhone but it won’t be 3D.
The concept of an Apple 3D gaming Pad makes sense especially if it has HDMI output to a TV screen.
I also believe consumer would buy a “kick arse” gaming Pad from Apple especially if they can deliver content at the right price. Processors are getting faster and cheaper, screen technology especially 3D display have improved significantly with Companies like Toshiba and Sharp set to release 3D TV’s without the need for glasses later this year. Apple is a big buyer of components, this helps them to keep the price down which is what they have done with the new iPad 2.
Let’s see the gaming market which needs a kick along at the moment due to falling console and software sales Apple could be the Company to deliver the injection it needs.
